Flensburg Handball Team Triumphs in 112th Derby Against Kiel

The Bundesliga handball team SG Flensburg-Handewitt has emerged victorious in the 112th Schleswig-Holstein derby against THW Kiel, winning with a score of 36:33 (19:17). This victory marks the fourth consecutive win for Flensburg and their 42nd overall success in the „Nord-Clasico.“ The standout players included Lukas Jörgensen, who scored ten goals for Flensburg, and Emil Madsen, who netted nine for the record champions from Kiel.

Flensburg faced challenges as they were without Danish world champion Simon Pytlick (arm fracture), the ill Kay Smits, and goalkeeper Benjamin Buric, who had back problems. Stepping in for Buric was the young goalkeeper Catalin Haidu, just 17 years old. On the Kiel side, they missed the injured Nikola Bilyk.

The atmosphere in the sold-out arena, hosting 6,300 spectators, intensified when Flensburg’s national team captain Johannes Golla scored to give them a 5:4 lead in the 7th minute. Shortly afterward, SG goalkeeper Kevin Möller saved a penalty shot from Bence Imre, and Lukas Jörgensen extended the lead to 9:6 with a remarkable shot in the 14th minute.

However, the Kiel team maintained their composure. Just before halftime, THW goalkeeper Tomas Mrkva threw the ball the length of the field to narrow the gap from 15:19 (29th minute) to 17:19.

In the second half, Flensburg held on to their slim lead, aided significantly by goalkeeper Möller, who thwarted numerous scoring opportunities from Kiel, finishing the match with 16 saves.

After Golla scored to make it 32:27 in the 51st minute, Kiel’s coach Filip Jicha called for a timeout. When Lasse Möller increased the Flensburg lead to 34:28 in the 55th minute, the match appeared to be in the bag for the hosts. Nevertheless, THW showed great spirit and continued to fight until the final whistle.