Handball Bundesliga team SG Flensburg-Handewitt wants to win a title this season. The last remaining chance of this is in the European League. The Schleswig-Holsteiners are heading to IK Sävehof in Sweden in the quarter-final first leg today.
The “4” in the year has so far heralded great successes in the Flensburg club’s history. In 1994, the SG reached the national top for the first time, in 2004 it won its first championship – and in 2014 with the Champions League. What’s coming in 2024? The trophy in the European League is conceivable – and possible. “It is in our history that we want to win a title,” said SG President Dierk Schmäschke recently.
Hanover’s defeat is a warning for Flensburg
In order to achieve this dream of an international title, Flensburg must first qualify for the finals, which will be held in Hamburg on May 25th and 26th. In the first quarter-final this evening (6.45 p.m.) the aim is to create a good starting point for the second leg at IK Sävehof a week later.
It certainly won’t be a sure-fire success. The Swedish representative at least eliminated Flensburg’s league rivals TSV Hannover-Burgdorf in the last round. After a win in the first leg in the capital of Lower Saxony, the “Recken” got badly hit in Sweden. The dream of a German-German quarter-final was shattered.
Gottfridsson is looking forward to the duel with Sävehof
Now against Sävehof – and the duel is particularly exciting for one SG player: Jim Gottfridsson. “It’s always a special thrill to play against a team from your home country,” says the Swedish playmaker. However, his last appearance in Sweden was not successful.
In November 2022, SG suffered an unexpected defeat in its hometown of Ystad. There was one like that last Friday – but in the Bundesliga against leaders SC Magdeburg. It was the first home defeat of the season. Nevertheless, SG coach Nicolej Krickau praised: “My team showed heart, they are absolutely ready for the quarter-finals of the European League.”
The SG has to get into the game earlier than last time
But after the defeat in the “Hell North” there were also thoughtful voices to be heard. It was “not enough on our part,” complained Captain Johannes Golla. And left winger Emil Jakobsen criticized his team for another sleepy start: “We’ve clearly fallen behind four times in a row in the first half, we have to deal with that.”
One person who could help get this under control is a fit Simon Pytlick. However, it is uncertain whether the Danish backcourt player can play in Sweden. He is suffering from a bruised rib.
Flensburg met Sävehof in the Champions League in 2004
The duel with the Swedish top team is not a first. The Schleswig-Holsteiners already met the Gothenburg team in the round of 16 of the Champions League. That was in December 2004. The duel between the then champions from Sweden and Germany was a close affair. The SG lost the first leg 30:34, but was just able to turn things around with a 31:26 in the second leg.
20 years ago, former Bundesliga professional Peter Möller (VfL Bad Schwartau and HSV Hamburg) played for the Swedish club at the district. Now his two sons Simon and Felix are in the squad. The IK Sävehof traditionally has a very strong youth workforce.
The SG has been warned – and has respect for the opponent. However, this should not stand in the way of your own big goal. So that the number “4” also stands for Flensburg’s success in 2024.
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Sports current | April 23, 2024 | 8:17 p.m
