Handball thriller at the Gerry Weber Stadium

TBV jubilant following win against the record holder

TBV Lemgo keeps the upper hand in the closing stages, and beats THW Kiel 32:30 (14:14) following a thrilling game.

TBV's trainer Volker Mudrow was spoiled for choice, as he had a full panel of 15 players from which to make his selection. Initially described as passive in the game report, Logi Geirsson and Tamas Mocsai both sat beside the bench. TBVs starting lineup, which was defensive, was as follows: Martin Galia, Jens Bechtloff, Daniel Kubes, Ferenc Ilyés, Holger Glandorf, Sebastian Preiß, and Florian Kehrmann, who was in his preferred position, covering THWs half-left attacking position. In the offensive position, Kubes alternated with Michael Kraus - who was once again available following a muscle tear - and Ilyés alternated with Martin Strobel.

The first highlights were provided by Galia, in goal, who stunningly parried first against Sprenger, and then against a lob from Klein, after the rebound fell at his feet. In the fourth minute, Ilic scored from a seven-metre throw. TBV weren't able to get into the game properly during this opening phase. Sprenger increased THWs lead to 0:2 in the 5th minute. Holger Glandorf powered the ball into the net following a passive warning, bringing the score to 1:2, and following another amazing display by Galia, Ilyés beautifully passed the ball off to Bechtloff, who left Omeyer no chance, evening the score at 2:2 (7.). In the ninth minute, THW were ahead by two goals (3:5), and extended their lead to three soon afterwards. TBVs strike power wasn't having much of an impact against Kiel's compact defence during this phase. Kehrmann was handed a suspension in the 11th minute for tugging Ilic's jersey, and Klein used the breathing space to bring the score to 3:7, and by the time Kehrmann was allowed to return, THW were leading 3:8. TBV were in danger of losing control of the game. At 14:16, Volker Mudrow put his green card down on the timekeeper's table; his team had conceded their ninth goal seconds earlier, this time through Ilic, and the score was now 3:9. Rolf Hermann was now at right back, allowing Holger Glandorf to take a rest. In addition, Mudrow changed the defensive formation to a classical 6:0 variation. It fell to Ilyés to score the next goal, in the 17th minute, bringing the score to 4:9.

The seven-metre gift which then followed for THW, which also resulted in a two-minute suspension for Ilyés, was wasted by Ilic, who hit the right post against Lichtlein. Following an energetic individual performance, Kraus scored for 5:9 (18.) but this was promptly countered by a goal from Andersson. The goal which brought the score to 6:10 (18.) following magnificent passing play from Kraus to an incoming Kehrmann finally roused the crowd in the sold-out Gerry Weber stadium from the lethargy which had set in. Damian/Wenz then sent Kubes off the court, and the crowd really came alive. Kehrmann scored during a counterattack, bringing the score to 8:11, and Alfred Gislason called his timeout. 21:46 minutes had been played. Outnumbered, Hermann scored for 9:11, and every spectator in the stadium was now wide awake. Following a goal by Strobel (24.) which brought the score to 10:12, Gislason substituted Palicka in goal for the luckless Omeyer, and Narcisse was off the bench for the first time, substituted for Jicha. TBV had arrived in the game, and had a fighting chance. Following some beautiful play, Preis scored for 11:13, but Andersson was there to counter yet again. Coming from the rear of the court, the Swede was the most dangerous threat to TBVs goal. In the 28th minute, Michael Kraus restored TBVs connection with the game, bringing the score to 13:14. By now, Kiel no longer seemed to be in complete control; TBV were right there with them. Kubes then received his second suspension, but THW wasted their chance. Martin Kubel then managed to score an equaliser just seconds before half-time, to cheers from the crowd.

TBV began the second half with an unchanged lineup, but were missing a man for the first minute, due to suspension. Kraus scored from half-left, and TBV were in the lead for the first time with 15:14. Kiel changed their defensive formation, extending it to mark Kraus. The game was now completely open. Kiel was able to take the lead, but Galia, who was in fantastic form behind a strong defence, allowed little through, whereas Hermann managed to score, making it 17:16 (36.). The stadium was boiling. Preis followed up, for 18:16, and Kehrmann scored again on the counterattack, for 19:16. Early on, Gislason asked for his 60 seconds with his team: only 37:57 minutes had been played. Galia continued to shine, but it was Kehrmann who scored on the counterattack once again. The scoreboard read 20:17. Galia was almost impossible to overcome during this phase, and TBV pulled away with fantastic attacking play and a goal from Preis in the 41st minute, bringing the score to 22:18. The TBV Express rolled on, 24:19 (44.), and with a suspension against Andersson, it seemed to be turning the corner onto the road to victory. Though Zwenger managed to score while Kiel were outnumbered, Hermann countered into the top right-hand corner.

At 26:20 (46.) The lead was six goals for the first time, and TBV was the master of the house. Ilyés had to leave the court for two minutes, and THW defended with two forwards, but this was of little interest to Hermann, who blasted the ball between Omeyer's suspenders in the 47th minute, bringing the score to 27:21. And, following a missed throw by Zeitz, it was Bechtloff who overcame Omeyer, for 28:21. Kiel had a lucky deflection, and Andersson narrowed the gap to 28:23 (50.), but Glandorf was determined to keep the pressure on.

The game was not yet decided, and Klein scored on the counterattack, for 30:26, Prompting Volker Mudrow to call for his second time-out. 53:18 minutes had been played. The next goal was again scored by the visitors, Narcisse bringing the score to 30:27, Andersson following up for 30:28, and  to top it off, Bechtloff had to leave the court for two minutes. The game was in danger of being lost. And following an alleged offensive foul by Glandorf, Klein made excellent use of his chance, bringing the score to 30:29 (56.). Kraus scored for 31:29, soothing everybody's nerves a little. Following an offensive foul by Andersson, TBV had a chance for an early decider, which was compounded by Anic's suspension in the 58th minute. Strobel used TBVs superior numbers to his advantage, bringing the score to 32:29. Victory was tantalisingly close. Kiel got a seven-metre throw at 32:30, but Sprenger's nerves failed him. The game had run its course, and TBV had fought their way to an outstanding 32:30 - well-earned, in the end, and achieved in a grandiose atmosphere.