SG Flensburg-Handewitt defeated HC Erlangen 34:29 away, maintaining second place in the Bundesliga table. THW Kiel secured its third victory in six days, winning 28:24 at Frisch Auf Göppingen. Flensburg remains the direct chaser of the leader, SC Magdeburg, while Kiel strengthened its position in the top group.

Flensburg Wins in Erlangen

SG Flensburg-Handewitt defeated HC Erlangen 34:29, securing valuable points in the fight for the Champions League. With 35 points, it remains second behind Magdeburg.

Kiel with Third Consecutive Triumph

THW Kiel won its third match in six days, defeating Göppingen 28:24. Earlier, it beat leader Magdeburg and rival Flensburg.

Fight for Champions League Places

Both teams are effectively fighting for Champions League qualification. Flensburg is second, Kiel is fourth, but with fewer points.

Tight Match Schedule

The Kiel team faced a demanding calendar, playing three important matches in a short time and winning all of them.

In Saturday's matches of the 21st round of the Handball Bundesliga, two top teams from northern Germany confirmed their good form by winning away. SG Flensburg-Handewitt defeated HC Erlangen 34:29, leading 17:14 at halftime. Flensburg's coach, Ales Pajovic, could be satisfied with the result, which allowed his team to maintain second place in the table with 35 points. The rivalry between SG Flensburg-Handewitt and THW Kiel, known as the "Nordderby," spans decades and is one of the fiercest derbies in European handball. Both clubs have a rich history of success in Germany and Europe. THW Kiel, founded in 1904, holds the record for German championship titles (24), while Flensburg, founded in 1990, has one title (2004) and a Champions League victory (2014). Meanwhile, THW Kiel secured an important victory at Frisch Auf Göppingen, winning 28:24 after leading 12:10 at the break. This was already the third success for the Kiel team in just six days, following a 31:29 win over league leader SC Magdeburg and a 32:30 victory over local rival SG Flensburg in the European League. The match in Göppingen was watched by 5,600 spectators in a packed stand. „Das war ein sehr wichtiger Sieg nach einer intensiven Woche. Wir haben Charakter gezeigt.” (That was a very important victory after an intense week. We showed character.) — Hendrik Pekeler Both northern teams are strengthening their positions in the fight for places in next year's Champions League. Leading SC Magdeburg has 38 points and remains out of reach, but Flensburg as the first chaser (35 points) has a solid position. THW Kiel, with 31 points, is currently in fourth place, directly behind third-placed Füchse Berlin (33 points). Current Bundesliga Table Top (after 21st round): 1. SC Magdeburg — 38 pts; 2. SG Flensburg-Handewitt — 35 pts; 3. Füchse Berlin — 33 pts; 4. THW Kiel — 31 pts For Flensburg, the victory in Erlangen was a response to the defeat on Wednesday in the European League against THW Kiel (30:32). The match was initially characterized by a lot of fight but low efficiency. For Kiel, however, the current week has been extremely successful, confirming the team's deep rotation and fitness under the guidance of Filip Jícha. On Sunday, SC Magdeburg will play at home against newcomer GWD Minden, while other top teams will continue the fight for points. Upcoming Matches of Top Teams: February 22, 15:00 — SC Magdeburg vs GWD Minden; February 25, 19:00 — European League: next matches; February 28, 19:30 — Next Bundesliga round

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