A total of seven SG Flensburg-Handewitt players were on and off the court at the start of the main round of this EHF EURO. In the end, they were all happy about a victory - either with Germany or with Denmark.
The German team had the first and only afternoon shift at the EHF EURO in their main round premiere. Johannes Golla scored the first goal of the day, but his team consistently trailed for the first 20 minutes as they allowed themselves too many mistakes. Then it was the Portuguese who went around ten minutes without scoring. Marko Grgić now got in on the act and tied the scores at 7:8. Johannes Golla scored to make it 10:8. "We didn't really get into the game, made a lot of technical mistakes and missed a few chances," said the captain about the 11:11 scoreline at the break. "We have Andi Wolff to thank and can count ourselves lucky that the Portuguese team didn't have their best day." After the break, both sides became more effective. The DHB team never trailed again in the final 20 minutes and won 32:30. Johannes Golla saw a controversial red card eight minutes before the end. "There's no point brooding and arguing about it," he said. "What's more important is that the boys brought home the two points."
The Danish thriller victory
Five SG players were part of the Danish squad, but only Simon Pytlick was allowed to start. The ace back scored the first goal of the day. However, opponents France demanded everything from the Danes. Emil Jakobsen scored for the first time shortly before the break and converted a penalty to make it 9:10. Kevin Møller almost saved a seven-meter penalty. The French team led at the break. After the restart, Niclas Kirkeløkke covered the half position and scored from the right wing to make it 14:14. Now every goal counted. Importantly, Emil Jakobsen got into the flow and made the 13,200 fans in the Jyske Bank Boxen cheer five times within a short space of time. All in all, the left winger scored 6/3 goals. Simon Pytlick scored for the eighth time at 29:27. The Danes had cracked the French. Niclas Kirkelökke's second goal made the final score 32:29.
Here's what happens next
The main round of Malmö begins tomorrow, Friday. The Slovenians play against hosts Sweden at 20:30. Domen Novak will face the two former SG players Jim Gottfridsson and Hampus Wanne. On Saturday it is Herning's turn again. Denmark will face Spain at 6 pm. The DHB team will play Norway at 8.30 pm (ZDF).