THW Kiel wrestles Paris and buys the ticket for Cologne | NDR.de – Sports
Status: 05/19/2022 11:36 p.m
THW Kiel has reached the final four of the Champions League in Cologne – thanks to an outstanding fighting performance. The German handball record champion won the second leg of the quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain by a hair’s breadth on Thursday with 33:32 (17:19).
It was an unbelievable thriller – but one with a happy ending for the team of THW trainer Filip Jicha. When the foghorn sounded at the end, the Kiel Arena was upside down. The narrow success was enough for the “Zebras” after the draw in the first leg to qualify for the final four of the premier class (18th and 19th June) for the eighth time.
“This is fantastic. It was a big dream to be back in Cologne and then in front of spectators. That’s just terrific,” said THW Managing Director Viktor Szilagyi to the NDR.
The people of Kiel are going to the cathedral city – unlike SG Flensburg-Handewitt, who lost to defending champions FC Barcelona. Other possible opponents of the “Zebras” are KS Vive Kielce (Poland) and KC Veszprem (Hungary).
On Sunday (2 p.m.) there will be a northern derby between SG and THW in Flensburg for Bundesliga points and thus for qualification for the Champions League in the 2022/2023 season.
“Zebras” run after Paris
Even a win with a difference of just one goal would be enough – the Schleswig-Holsteiners went into the game with this knowledge. But how difficult it would be against the star ensemble from the Seine was already evident in the early stages. PSG used two mistakes in the Kiel attack to throw long shots into the opposing goal, ex-THW professional Nikola Karabatic and the strong Nedim Remili scored. After six minutes, THW was 1:4 behind.
However, Jicha decided against a time out, instead betting that his team would find their way without further instructions.
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In fact, line runner Patrick Wiencek made the connection with the 5:6 (18th minute). However, more was initially not. Paris stayed ahead – also because of some mistakes by the hosts with a 7: 6 majority.
Pekeler is threatened with an early end of the season
With the score at 14:15 (25th), the task for the “Zebras” was made considerably more difficult: Defense specialist Hendrik Pekeler held the ankle of his right foot with a pained face and hobbled to the substitutes’ bench. He retired with a suspected Achilles tendon injury. “It spoils the mood,” said Szilagyi after the game. “The doctors are a bit cautious. But it doesn’t look good. I don’t think he will play for us this season.”
Kiel turn up after the break
In the game against Paris, the tide turns after the break. Also because THW goalkeeper Niklas Landin became a factor. Magnus Landin made it 19:19 (34th), Sander Sagosen made it 21:20 (37th) with a counter-attack for the first THW lead of the game. A hit with effect: now the North Germans were fully there.
Keeper Landin presented himself in world-class form, in front of him his team-mates threw themselves into the throws of the guests, in his own attack the chances were used – especially by his younger brother Magnus Landin, the most successful from Kiel (seven goals in total), and Harald pure child. The latter made it 26:23 (43rd) with his sixth goal.
Landin saves THW from progressing
But Paris did not let up, and so it came to a head. When the score was 32:31, Landin again prevented a goal from being conceded, Steffen Weinhold scored on the other side to make it 33:31. At 33:32 and the threat of time wasting, the “Zebras” missed the goal again.
PSG therefore regained possession and had a free throw four seconds before the end. A draw would have been enough for the French. But Niklas Landin was there, parried Luc Steins’ forearm throw – and the big THW party could begin.
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