The SG Flensburg-Handewitt failed to capitalize on home advantage in their pursuit of a spot in the European League Final Four, settling for a 39:39 draw (20:19 at halftime) against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf in Wednesday’s quarterfinal first leg. The decisive second leg will take place next Tuesday in Hannover.
Simon Pytlick and Emil Jakobsen led Flensburg with eight goals each, while Hannover’s August Pedersen impressed with 11 strikes. In other European League action, THW Kiel suffered a surprising 30:33 defeat at home against Croatian side RK Nexe Nasice on Tuesday, putting their Final Four hopes in jeopardy. MT Melsungen secured a strong position with a 28:23 victory over Portuguese record champions FC Porto.
The European League has been dominated by German teams for years. Since 2004, only twice has the winner not come from the Bundesliga. Flensburg themselves have won the title two years in a row, while THW Kiel and SC Magdeburg share the record with four titles each.