Mannheim – The Rhein-Neckar Löwen snatched a thrilling 32-30 victory (13-17) against a resilient TBV Lemgo Lippe on Friday night, fueled by a sensational performance from Swedish star Lukas Sandell. Sandell scored a remarkable 13 goals, leading his team to a comeback win and solidifying their position in the Handball Bundesliga. The victory marks the end of a ten-game unbeaten streak for Lemgo.
Despite a strong first half from TBV Lemgo Lippe, the Löwen rallied in the second period, overcoming an early 2-8 deficit. Goalkeeper David Späth played a crucial role, making 15 saves throughout the match and frustrating the Lemgo attack. The win allows Rhein-Neckar Löwen to strengthen their position in the league, while Lemgo Lippe drops to fifth place.
The match, played in front of 9,408 fans in Mannheim, saw Lemgo initially dominate, capitalizing on a prolonged scoring drought from the hosts. Although, the Löwen found their rhythm, sparked by Sandell’s relentless attacking play and Späth’s exceptional goalkeeping.
Sandell’s Career Night Seals the Win
Lukas Sandell’s 13-goal performance was not only the key to the Löwen’s victory but also a personal best for the Swedish international in a Löwen jersey. He consistently found the back of the net, scoring crucial goals in the closing stages of the game, including the decisive 31-29 goal that put the Löwen ahead. As Bild reported, Sandell’s performance was a “crazy 13-goal show.”
Späth, reflecting on the win, praised Sandell’s performance, stating, “13 goals are incredible. A superb individual performance from Luki. But I am proud of the whole team. We were constantly chasing the score and managed to pull it off in the end because we never gave up.”
Lemgo’s First Half Lead Dissipates
TBV Lemgo Lippe started strongly, establishing an 8-2 lead by the 14th minute, exploiting a nearly eleven-minute scoring drought from the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Constantin Möstl, Lemgo’s goalkeeper, also contributed with several key saves during the first half, helping his team maintain a three-goal advantage going into the break (17-13). Niels Versteijnen led the scoring for Lemgo with eight goals.
However, the Löwen emerged from halftime with renewed determination. They quickly closed the gap, and despite a brief resurgence from Lemgo, the momentum shifted. The Löwen’s defense tightened, and Späth’s saves proved pivotal in turning the tide.
Moré’s Future and Wetzlar’s Draw
The game also sparked discussion surrounding the future of Löwen’s David Moré, with reports suggesting a potential move to Eisenach, as noted by SPORT BILD. Moré, while playing, failed to score during the match.
In a separate Bundesliga fixture, Wetzlar and SC DHfK Leipzig played to a 26-26 draw in a crucial relegation battle. Domenico Ebner, Leipzig’s goalkeeper, made 16 saves, while Stefan Cavor secured a point for Wetzlar with a block in the final seconds.
The Rhein-Neckar Löwen’s victory demonstrates their strength at home, where they have proven challenging to beat, with only Füchse Berlin and THW Kiel managing to secure wins in Mannheim this season. The focus now shifts to their upcoming matches as they aim to climb further up the Bundesliga standings.
What comes next for both teams will be crucial as the season progresses. The Löwen will look to build on this momentum, while Lemgo Lippe will aim to regain their form and climb back into the top four. The Bundesliga season promises to be a thrilling contest as teams battle for playoff positions.
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