TBV beaten by the Rhein-Neckar Lions

Kraus’ absence impacts play - TBV suffers an honourable defeat

TBV loses 27:29 (13:17) to the Rhein-Neckar Lions and struggles to manage without two of its star players amidst fears for Michael Kraus.

TBV began the game well, with a line-up of Lichtlein, Kehrmann, Glandorf, Strobel, Kraus, Bechtloff and Preiß. The 1:0 by Glandorf was countered by the Lions (1:2), but TBV soon responded to bring the score to 3:2. Michael Kraus had to leave the pitch shortly after with an injury following an unfortunate move by Bielecki; he was replaced in the left-back position by Ilyés. The initial diagnosis was devastating: rumours were of a broken rib – and this was subsequently confirmed in the half-time break. It means the national player is also out of Sunday’s line-up for the game against Naturhouse La Rioja (5 pm).

The Lions took the lead in the 9th minute when they outnumbered TBV (3:4); there was a great deal of back and forth in these opening minutes of play. Myrhol also got the 3:5 in when TBV was still one man down, giving the Lions their first two-goal lead – and Stefansson netted a third shortly after in a counterattack that followed a technical foul (3:6; 11th min.).

TBV was unwilling to be left behind so early in the game though and fought back. Preiß boosted TBV’s score to 6:7 in the 13th minute and Glandorf slammed the equaliser into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal just one minute later to make it 7:7. TBV made a few too many minor errors in the offensive however, which gave the Lions the chance to net goal after goal. Hermann took over in the right-back position half way through the first half when the score stood at 7:9 and Glandorf then also had to undergo treatment: his ankle was taped up. The hosts used this opportunity to take the lead in the 16th minute (7:10) and the penalty shot by Gensheimer brought the Lions their first four-goal lead (7:11).

Svavarsson had meanwhile come on for Preiß, and Hermann got in the 8:11 – TBV really had to be careful that the goal difference didn’t grow too large. TBV found themselves outnumbered shortly after when Ilyés had to leave the pitch for 2 minutes, Mocsai came on in the centre position and Svavarsson netted the 10:12 in the 22nd minute after some nice play from Bechtloff. Ola Lindgren then called his time-out, at which point 22: 04 minutes had been played. While TBV failed to consistently use its chances, Lindgren’s team powered to a four-goal lead before the half-time whistle, leaving them in a comfortable position going into the changing rooms at half time (13:17).

The Lions got off to a good start after the break, and TBV didn’t put enough pressure on in the back position, although they managed to prevent the Lions’ lead from growing. The hosts then pulled ahead to 16:21 however. Galia came on for Lichtlein in goal and his dream pass to Schmetz at least brought the score up to 17:21 (37th min.). This was followed by the 18:21 by Bechtloff after another sensational save by Galia. Referees Schaller and Wutzler then slapped Kubes with a time penalty that can only be described as unjustified; they would not even be able to explain this decision after countless reviews of the video footage.

Nevertheless, too little happened in the offensive for TBV, the explosive power was lacking, and Glandorf’s substitution also couldn’t bring any change initially. By the 44th minute, the Lions were again ahead with a score of 18:24, but TBV kept fighting even though Kraus’ absence continued to have an impact. In the 47th minute, Glandorf got in the 21:25; Bechtloff then narrowed the lead Lions’ even further to make it 22:25. There was even an opportunity to cut the goal difference further, but Lions trainer Lindgren then played his green card (48:47 minutes).

TBV remained hot on the hosts’ heels: Schmetz netted the 23:26 with a penalty shot in the 50th minute shortly before Manojlovic was sent off for two minutes. The hosts’ next gift ensued, with Gensheimer getting an extremely confident penalty throw in (23:27). Schmetz scored again from the pivot and the three-goal lead held. Bielecki received a passive warning and the deciding goal then came when TBV was outnumbered in the 56th minute (24:28). During this phase, TBV failed time and time again against a strong Henning Fritz, who repeatedly blocked the throws made by TBV’s offensive with ease.

TBV was at least able to reduce the goal difference somewhat before the final whistle sounded when outnumbered following a second time penalty for Ilyés. The final score of 27:29 was certainly a well-deserved win for the Lions although the question remains of how it all would have ended had team star Mimi Kraus remained in play. The most worrying question of all though is how his absence can be compensated for in the 2nd leg of the EHF Cup against Naturhouse La Rioja due to take place on Sunday at 5 pm.