Flensburg-Handewitt defeats BM Granollers 40:31 in European League opener
SG Flensburg-Handewitt opened their European League group campaign with a 40:31 home win over Spanish side BM Granollers, pulling clear in the second half before 3,044 fans.
High-scoring opening phase in Flensburg
SG Flensburg-Handewitt opened their European League group stage campaign with a 40:31 home victory against Spanish club BM Granollers on Wednesday evening. Playing in front of 3,044 spectators in Flensburg, the German side overcame early difficulties to secure two points. Granollers, who had eliminated Flensburg from the tournament at the quarter-final stage in April 2023, began quickly and took a 6:2 lead by the fourth minute. Flensburg conceded early chances and made unforced turnovers before finding consistency in attack. Left wing Emil Jakobsen brought the hosts level at 8:8, and line player Emil Bergholt scored in the 17th minute to provide Flensburg with their first lead at 11:10.
Defensive lapses and halftime parity
Neither defense gained control during the opening period, leading to a high-scoring exchange with alternating scoring runs. Flensburg moved ahead again at 15:14 in the 22nd minute, but could not pull clear due to defensive lapses and missed shots. Ineffective defending on both sides resulted in 40 goals before the interval, split evenly between the two teams. Flensburg and Granollers committed a total of 13 technical errors in the first half, with the hosts responsible for six and the Spanish visitors tallying seven. The first half ended with the teams deadlocked at 20:20.
- Granollers takes an early 6:2 lead over Flensburg
- Emil Bergholt scores to give Flensburg their first lead at 11:10
- Both teams enter the break level at 20:20
- Patrick Volz completes a fast break to make it 27:24
- Lasse Möller concludes a three-goal sequence for a 30:25 lead
- Flensburg extends their advantage to nine goals at 37:28
- Flensburg closes out a 40:31 home victory
Second-half tactical adjustments
The hosts adjusted their tactics after the break, displaying greater defensive firmness and greater shooting efficiency. Head coach Ales Pajovic switched to a seven-against-six attacking system, forcing the Spanish team's offensive defense back toward their own goal area and opening space for backcourt shooters. Defensive leader Blaz Blagotinsek scored on the pivot from a no-look pass to establish Flensburg's first two-goal lead of the evening. In the 42nd minute, Patrick Volz completed a counterattack to make it 27:24. Backcourt player Lasse Möller concluded a rapid sequence of three goals scored in 19 seconds to put the home team ahead 30:25 in the 45th minute.
Granollers fades as Flensburg pulls clear
Granollers, having travelled to Germany with only 12 outfield players, lost energy over the final 20 minutes of play. While the Spanish side had won their opening three matches in their domestic league, their offensive execution deteriorated under pressure, concluding the 60 minutes with 15 technical errors and 25 missed shots. Flensburg goalkeeper Simon Möller contributed 14 saves across the match, turning away repeated efforts from the tiring visiting backcourt. The home side extended their lead to 37:28 in the 53rd minute before closing out the nine-goal victory. Pablo Urdangarin and Marcos Fis finished as the top scorers for Granollers with nine goals each, while Volz led the German side with eight goals.
- Marcos Fis (Granollers)
- 9 goals
- Pablo Urdangarin (Granollers)
- 9 goals
- Patrick Volz (Flensburg)
- 8 goals
Upcoming schedule in domestic and European play
The win arrived four days after Flensburg played to a 31:31 draw in their Bundesliga derby against THW Kiel. The club continues its domestic campaign on Saturday, hosting Frisch Auf Göppingen at 19:00. In European competition, Flensburg will travel to Portugal for their second Group stage match against Aguas Santas Milaneza on Tuesday, 6 October at 20:45.
