VfL Gummersbach collected nine international titles, but then things went downhill: the old champions even had to be relegated to the second division. Now the club is finally back on the European stage and is celebrating a victory. The other German handball teams also win.
Successful comeback for VfL Gummersbach on the international handball stage: After twelve years of absence from European competitions, the former record champions won the opening game in the European League with 37:35 (18:16) against IK Sävehof from Sweden.
“The fact that we are finally playing in Europe again is the reward for the work of the last few years. Everyone is hot,” said right winger Lukas Blohme before the game. With a “broad chest,” the old master managed to build a five-goal lead after an even start. Danish goalkeeper Bertram Obling particularly shone with nine saves in the first half.
Two minutes before the end of the game, the Swedes equalized for the first time in the second half. But late goals from French European champion Kentin Mahé and Icelander Ellidi Vidarsson put VfL on the road to victory. Both were the best throwers of the game with seven hits each. The nine-time European Cup winner was relegated to the second division, now the old champions from Bergisch are back.
All German teams win
At the same time, defending champion SG Flensburg-Handewitt prevailed in the opening game with 42:25 (21:17) against MRK Sesvete from Croatia. Thanks to a ten-goal gala from Norwegian August Pedersen, the Bundesliga leaders are now leading Group G of the European League. The other opponents are MOL Tatabanya KC from Hungary and the Czech representative Banik Karvina.
Late on Tuesday evening, THW Kiel and MT Melsungen continued the successes of Gummersbach and Flensburg and ensured a perfect start for the German teams in the European League. The record champions from Schleswig-Holstein defeated Balonmano Torrelavega from Spain 32:27 (18:14). For Kiel, which had previously represented in the Champions League for five years in a row, the Dane Emil Madsen excelled with ten goals. During Melsungen’s guest appearance at FC Porto’s Dragao Arena in Portugal, Mohamed Darmoul was the best thrower. With six goals he helped the fourth-placed team in the Bundesliga to a 29:24 (16:10).
