Before the hot December begins with a number of cracking matches, the SG Flensburg-Handewitt ends November, which is no less top-heavy, with a home game against VfL Gummersbach. On Saturday at 8 p.m., they will face the former champions, who have been on an upward trend in the Bundesliga for years and are currently in fifth place.
"They're a top six team," was Aleš Pajović's clear verdict. When the Slovenian joined the SG as coach at the start of the year, VfL were their first home opponents. They made a good debut in front of their own fans with a 35:30 win.
Four days earlier, the SG had already won 36:31 in Gummersbach in the main round of the European League, followed by a 32:30 home victory in the second leg shortly afterwards. This laid the foundation for the subsequent triumph in the European Cup and thus the basis for the good cooperation with Pajović to this day.
However, he emphasized that past successes do not count on Saturday. "It's a new team," said the SG coach, who emphasized the good work of his colleague Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson at VfL. The Icelander stands for the upswing in Gummersbach, as do the names of Julian Köster, Miro Schluroff and the ex-Flensburg players Kentin Mahé and Kay Smits.
The Dutchman in particular, who left the SG for VfL in the summer, has blossomed again and overcome his health challenges. "Thank God," said Pajo, who nevertheless hopes that his team will get a good handle on the left-hander. The same applies to the shooting power of the German national team duo Köster/Schluroff.
"They are two shooters that you don't see that often in the Bundesliga," said Pajović, knowing full well that their Flensburg counterparts Simon Pytlick and Marko Grgić are in no way inferior to them. However, the SG manager is also aware of the breadth of the visitors' squad, which includes two more ex-Flensburg players in Lukas Blohme and Teitur Einarsson.
A width that the SG currently lacks a little due to the absence of Lasse Møller and Luca Witzke. At least Lukas Jørgensen has completely overcome his slight back problems from Tuesday, and Emil Jakobsen could also be an option. His involvement will be decided at short notice. With Jonas Rithaphorn, a young man would be available as a replacement.
"They play a compact and physical 6-0 defense," said Pajović about their opponents. "But we also play hard and want to concentrate on ourselves anyway. A good defense with good goalkeepers is important for our tempo game, and all that combined is the key to success. As always, our plan is to get the next two points."
With great team spirit, a lot of self-confidence and their own fans behind them, players and coaches want to pursue this goal.