The Rhein-Neckar Löwen are still fully involved in the title race of the Handball Bundesliga – but they had to show strong nerves in the next mandatory win.
The Mannheimers won the difficult away game on the 21st match day at European League participants Frisch Auf Göppingen 27:25 (13:14) and drew level with leaders Füchse Berlin (35 points) overnight. The Berliners play against Melsungen on Sunday (02/26/2023).
The Göppingen team was still in the lead with three goals twelve minutes before the end (21:18), but failed too often in the final phase due to national goalkeeper Joel Birlehm and their own technical errors.
In the last minute, Kresimir Kozina brought the hosts within a goal, but Niclas Kirkelokke made everything clear for the lions at the other end. The best thrower of the guests was the Swede Albin Lagergren with seven goals.
HSV Hamburg defeated Hannover-Burgdorf in the north duel
HSV Hamburg had already won the north duel in the Handball Bundesliga against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf on Thursday evening (February 23, 2023). The Hanseatic League prevailed against the Lower Saxony with 32:26 (15:12). In front of 3,750 spectators in the sold-out sports hall, the best throwers were Casper Mortensen with nine goals for Hamburg and Uladsislau Kulesch with seven goals for Hanover. In the table, HSVH improved to seventh place with 21:19 points, TSV remains in sixth place with 23:17 points.
Vortmann celebrates a comeback in the HSV goal
Goalkeeper Jens Vortmann was back in the squad for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in June last year. At 8:8 in the 16th minute, HSVH coach Torsten Jansen put the 35-year-old between the posts for the hapless Johannes Bitter. Vortmann didn’t need time to acclimatize. Before half-time, he made seven of his eleven saves, fending off a seven-meter throw from Marius Steinhauser.
The hosts were able to afford a seven-minute period without a goal of their own, during which Mortensen also failed to score three times in a row. The Dane even put a penalty throw next to the goal.
Hannover tried everything after the change of sides, but could no longer come close. Also because the TSV awarded all four penalty throws. Leif Tissier and Jacob Lassen set the tone for the hosts.
Gummersbach is defeated in Hamm
At the same time, ASV Hamm-Westfalen beat VfL Gummersbach and celebrated their second win of the season. The bottom of the table prevailed against the old master with 22:21 (10:12), but remains last.
The team from Hamm has 5:37 points after 21 games. TSV GWD Minden directly in front is at 6:32, but has played two games less. Yonatan Dayan secured the win with 34 seconds to go, the hosts’ top shooter was Björn Zintel (5 goals). HSG Wetzlar, in danger of relegation as 16th, lost to HC Erlangen 28:35 (14:17).
