SC DHfK Leipzig Ekes Out a Draw Against Bergischer HC
Leipzig's handball squad, under the guidance of Head Coach Runar Sigtryggsson, narrowly avoided their fifth consecutive defeat in the Bundesliga. The draw against Bergischer HC at the latter's home turf, resulting in a 31:31 (16:19) stalemate, provided some much-needed relief for the visiting team. Although the 2,259 spectators remained unimpressed with their ninth-place standing and 13:15 points score, the players at least managed to secure a point against a formidable opponent.
Franz Semper, one of their top scorers, netted an impressive nine goals in the game, proving to be the team's driving force. Initially, they stormed ahead with a 4:2 lead within the first five minutes of the game. Goalkeeper Domenico Ebner, who had been in excellent form with 20 saves in the previous match against TVB Stuttgart, contributed to their early success. However, a series of open exchanges and Leipzig's vulnerability to fast breaks led to a critical 9:10 scoreline in favor of Bergischer HC at the 15-minute mark.
The home side displayed a more resolute performance overall, taking advantage of a 4:0 run to establish a 16:12 lead. Their highest advantage to date was maintained until the 24th minute, when Leipzig staged a remarkable comeback with four consecutive goals to tie the scores at 24:24. The home team managed to regain their footing in offense but found themselves unable to shake off their determined visitors.
Bergischer HC held onto a 31:30 lead for an extended period, leaving Leipzig with little room for error in the tense final minutes. With just 14 seconds remaining, Viggo Kristjansson equalized the score for Leipzig, securing them a remarkable draw.
Despite this result, Leipzig remains in search of their second away victory in the Bundesliga. The team will consider their upcoming match against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf as an opportunity to improve their position in the league, aiming for a higher rank than their current ninth place, which they share with 13 points.
Enrichment Integration
Injuries and absences have proven to be prior nerve-wracking challenges for SC DHfK Leipzig. Key players such as Franz Semper (due to an adductor injury) and Lucas Krzikalla (with a muscle injury in his calf) will be unavailable for the remainder of the season, along with Andri Rúnarsson and Matej Klíma, both nursing adductor muscle and long-term injuries, respectively. Additionally, an ongoing illness and flu wave within the team has further affected their training and preparation.
In their recent game against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf to start the Rückrunde, the team narrowly lost, making it their fifth consecutive defeat. Despite these challenges, they are working diligently to regain the full fitness of their players while considering reinforcements for their right-back position. Their next match against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf is scheduled for February 9, 2025.
