Dhe handball players of SG Flensburg-Handewitt are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. After the 25:21 from the first leg, the 35:36 (18:17) defeat at Hungarian champion Pick Szeged was enough to progress on Thursday. In the round of the top eight teams, SG will face defending champions and record holders FC Barcelona. The best throwers were Hampus Wanne from Flensburg with nine goals and Sebastian Frimmel with six goals for Szeged.
The North Germans found the game excellent. Left winger Wanne and circle player Johannes Golla took advantage of the first chances, while goalkeeper Benjamin Buric provided the necessary security in defense. So it was 3:0 for the guests in the fifth minute of the game. SG playmaker Jim Gottfridsson countered Hungary’s first interim high with two goals to make it 13:11. So Szeged only managed the first lead at 16:15 (27th).
The weakened Flensburgers, who had to do without the injured or ill backcourt players Franz Semper, Magnus Röd and Aaron Mensing, remained fully concentrated even after the break. SG coach Maik Machulla’s team had an answer ready for every successful action by the hosts. The four-goal lead from the first leg was never seriously threatened.
