SG Flensburg-Handewitt left no room for doubt as they dismantled MT Melsungen at the GP JOULE Arena on Friday night. With a relentless offensive display and a commanding performance from Benjamin Burić in goal, the hosts secured a definitive 40–30 victory, controlling the pace from the opening whistle to the final buzzer.
What was anticipated to be a tight battle in the DAIKIN HBL turned into a one-sided masterclass in front of 6,300 passionate fans.
The standout performer of the night was undoubtedly Danish left winger Emil Jakobsen. Leading the scoring charts with 9 goals, Jakobsen was a constant thorn in Melsungen’s side, clinical both from the wing and the seven-meter line. He was expertly supported by the young talent Marko Grgić, who acted as the team’s engine room.
Grgić not only found the net himself but also orchestrated the attack with 6 assists, repeatedly carving open the visitors’ defense to set up teammates like Johannes Golla and Simon Pytlick.
Red card shifted the momentum
While the final margin was wide, the first half carried significant tension. A turning point arrived in the 24th minute when Melsungen’s towering back-court player, Dainis Krištopāns, was shown a direct red card. At that stage, Flensburg held a narrow 15–13 lead, but the loss of Krištopāns robbed the visitors of their primary physical threat.
Flensburg capitalized immediately, pushing the tempo to head into the locker room with a 19–15 advantage after Simon Pytlick hammered home a long-range shot in the final second of the half.
Between the posts, Benjamin Burić provided the stability Flensburg needed to pull away. His 11 saves ensured the home side maintained a comfortable cushion throughout the second period. In contrast, Melsungen struggled to find consistency in goal; Kristóf Palasics managed only 3 saves despite frequent tactical rotations by the coaching staff.
Melsungen attempted to claw their way back through the efforts of Reynir Thor Stefansson, who finished as their top scorer with 7 goals, while Erik Balenciaga worked tirelessly to create opportunities, racking up 5 assists. However, their efforts were overshadowed by a Flensburg squad that seemed to score at will.
A one-sided finale
As the match entered its final quarter, the contest effectively turned into a victory parade for the hosts. Starting from a 23–16 lead in the 34th minute, Flensburg never looked back, punishing every Melsungen turnover with clinical efficiency. The scoring frenzy concluded at 40–30 when Patrick Volz converted the final goal in the dying seconds.
The result sees SG Flensburg-Handewitt solidify their standing at the top of the Bundesliga, while Melsungen is left to regroup after a difficult night where they were simply outgunned by a superior opponent.