THW Kiel loses at promoted side GWD Minden 30:34

Regarding the match progression: Nikola Bilyk had equalized to 10:10 in the 14th minute, but Kiel's problems began to mount thereafter. While playing with a numerical advantage – Kiel sometimes played with seven field players – THW conceded three empty-net goals and fell behind 21:24 in the 40th minute. Shortly thereafter, the deficit grew to 22:26.

Goal Festival and Goalkeeper Duel

Things were not going well in the Kiel goal: Gonzalo Perez de Vargas had a save percentage of only nine percent before being substituted. His replacement, Andreas Wolff, showed improvement and saved, among other things, a fast-break jump shot from Florian Kranzmann in the 21st minute. For Minden, Kranzmann was their top scorer with eight goals.

On the Kiel side, Bence Imre was the most successful with five goals – including one from a penalty. Lukas Zerbe, however, missed twice from the penalty spot against Minden's goalkeeper Malte Semisch (38th and 41st minutes). Semisch, formerly under contract with Hannover-Burgdorf, thus became the promoted side's decisive linchpin.

Pedersen Hits Ankermann – Red Card

A dramatic moment overshadowed the match: In the 27th minute, GWD player Daniel Astrup Pedersen received a red card after hitting Kiel talent Rasmus Ankermann in the face. The 18-year-old suffered a bleeding nose and ear and had to be helped off the court by Eric Johansson and Domagoj Duvnjak. An MRI scan in Kiel is now expected to clarify the severity of the injury.

Duvnjak was also hit in the face in the 35th minute and went down; Malte Donker received a two-minute penalty for it. THW, who were without the injured Harald Reinkind (thigh problems after the Euro League semi-final against Montpellier), appeared exhausted overall. For Kiel, it was the 50th competitive match of the season.

Strain and Outlook

On Sunday, THW had already lost the European League final against MT Melsungen in Hamburg, two days after the DHB Cup final against the same opponent. In the Bundesliga, Kiel has been waiting for a win for five games – four of which were not won. The club now only has a slim theoretical chance of qualifying for a European Cup spot for the upcoming season.

With 42:24 points, THW is in fifth place in the table. On the final matchday, Kiel will host TBV Lemgo Lippe on Sunday at 3:00 PM. Minden, meanwhile, celebrated their first home win against Kiel since February 12, 2006.