Match winner Andreas Wolff
Potonation struggle decides cup thriller
Potonation struggle decides cup thriller
04/12/2025, 6:58 p.m.
It is a dramatic struggle that only finds a winner in extra time. The THW Kiel and the Rhein-Neckar Löwen do not give anything in the semi-finals of the German Handball Cup. The national team friends Andreas Wolff and Juri Knorr duel – the goalkeeper has the better end.
The nerves preserved, the title very close: The THW Kiel has reached the final of the DHB Cup in an overtime thriller. The team of coach Filip Jicha was not disturbed in the semifinals against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen from an interim five-goal deficit and defeated the Mannheimer for their outgoing playmaker Juri Knorr 32:31 (28:28, 14:17) after extension, on Sunday (3:35 p.m./ARD and Dyn) The record winner grabs after his 13th cup triumph.
“We showed a great morale and in the end kept our nerves,” said strong Kiel goalkeeper Andreas Wolff. Jicha said at the ARD microphone: “What a cup fifth. Such games are only available from K.-O. duels. I am very proud of this team.” The opponent in the fight for the throne is the MT Melsungen. The previous year’s finalist prevailed after initial problems against the second division club HBW Balingen-Weilstetten 31:27 (15:14).
Emil Wernsdorf Madsen was the best shooter for the Kielers in front of almost 20,000 spectators in the Lanxess Arena with eleven goals, plus national goalkeeper Wolff in the crunchtime with two parried seven meters against Knorr. The North Germans have been in the final for the first time in 2022. The last nine times that the THW reached the cup final, he also won the title. Thus, veteran Patrick Wiencek, who ends his career at the end of the season, also waves a triumphal end of his career.
Knorr’s strong performance is not rewarded
Meanwhile, the lions missed the chance to solve the final tournament premiere in Cologne two years after their coup at the final tournament premiere. National player Knorr, who showed a strong performance and joins the Danish top club Aalborg HB for the new season, says goodbye from Mannheim without further titles.
The two former champions fought the expected spectacle at the start of the high-gloss event in Cologne-Deutz. High pace, a lot of intensity, plus two strong goalkeepers – the spectators were given a real show.
First with slight advantages for the lions. Even if Wolff parried the Mannheim outside player several times at the beginning, Hinzes team tore the game with increasing duration. This contributed to this as well as David Späth. Wolff’s national team colleague also found well into play and lit the Löwen fans again and again after successful actions with torn mouth.
Martinovic under tears from the field
In the attack, the Hellwache Knorr, who scored a goal through a strong ball of the ball, drew the threads. In addition to him, Ivan Martinovic also played a strong game and was always successful – at 15:10 (25th) by Martinovic, the lead grew to five goals for the first time. Bitter: After his goal, Croatian vice world champion had to get off the field with a kniveling lessee.
“We have to continue after the break. Kiel will burn and come back, we have to hold that,” predicted Späth’s predicament – and he should be correct with his assessment. Kiel equalized at 22:22 (46th). An exciting final phase developed in which Späth was always there.
On the other hand, Wolff came back into the game after a break in the meantime and immediately set accents. First he saved against Knorr shortly before the end of the regular season, then he had one hand on the ball several times in the extension.
