German handball experienced a bittersweet evening in European cups. While SG Flensburg-Handewitt defeated Montpellier 40:35 and THW Kiel strengthened its lead after a win in Spain, the joy was marred by the death of a fan in the stands. The tragic incident led to the cessation of cheering and a change in the arena's atmosphere. Meanwhile, MT Melsungen suffered its first defeat in the competition, struggling with a plague of injuries to key players.

Tragedy in the stands in Flensburg

A fan died during the match against Montpellier, leading to the silencing of cheers and a change in the mood in the hall.

Sporting success for Flensburg-Handewitt

Despite the terrible atmosphere, the hosts won 40:35 thanks to the excellent performance of goalkeeper Benjamin Burić.

Confident win for THW Kiel

The German giant defeated Bidasoa Irun in Spain, strengthening its lead in its group.

First defeat for MT Melsungen

Numerous injuries prevented the Bundesliga leader from maintaining its winning streak in the cups.

The competition in the European Handball League was dominated by sad news from Flensburg. During the match of the local team SG Flensburg-Handewitt against French Montpellier, a spectator collapsed. Despite immediate medical assistance, the fan died, casting a shadow over the sporting spectacle. The audience in the hall spontaneously stopped cheering, and the atmosphere of a sports celebration gave way to mourning. The players finished the match, which ended with a 40:35 victory for the hosts, but the result took a back seat. In sporting terms, the hero of Flensburg was goalkeeper Benjamin Burić, whose numerous saves helped repel the attacks of the former Champions League champion. This victory is extremely valuable in the context of the fight for seeding in the knockout phase, but the club's post-match statements focused primarily on condolences for the deceased fan's family. This is yet another case in recent years where emergency procedures at large sports venues in Germany have been subjected to harsh scrutiny by the media and fans. The German Handball Bundesliga (HBL) is considered the world's strongest league, and its licensing system imposes rigorous requirements on clubs regarding medical security during mass events. In another significant match, THW Kiel confirmed its dominance in the group, winning away against the Spanish team Bidasoa Irun. This victory allowed "The Zebras" to safely maintain their position at the top of the table. The MT Melsungen team had less luck, suffering its first defeat in the ongoing European campaign. The team from Hesse played with a severely depleted squad, which was the direct cause of the loss. Meanwhile, TSV Hannover-Burgdorf handled its opponent in Switzerland without major problems, adding a full set of points to the table. These results show strong, albeit uneven, form from the German representatives in the European League. „Es war ein sehr schwerer Abend für uns alle, die Gedanken sind bei der Familie des Fans” (It was a very difficult evening for all of us, our thoughts are with the fan's family) — Benjamin Burić Managing emotions after such events becomes a challenge for coaching staffs. Coaches must balance analyzing tactical mistakes with providing psychological support for players who witnessed the dramatic rescue operation. Official statements from the federation regarding a possible commemoration of the deceased during upcoming league rounds are expected in the coming days.

Mentioned People

  • Benjamin Burić — Goalkeeper for SG Flensburg-Handewitt, whose successful interventions secured the victory over Montpellier.