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Handballers of SC DHfK Leipzig end 2024/25 season on a tough note
The handballers of SC DHfK Leipzig wrapped up the 2024/25 DAIKIN HBL season with a disappointing 13th place, scoring 21:47 points in the table. In their final matchday against TVB Stuttgart, they suffered a heartbreaking one-goal defeat, mirroring their struggles throughout the season.
Despite being short-handed due to several key players sidelined by injuries, the determined green and whites staged a commendable performance. They launched a strong offensive, with William Bogojevic and Franz Semper scoring three goals each in the first ten minutes, securing a 4:6 lead for the Leipzig guests.
However, TVB Stuttgart fought tooth and nail for survival, ramping up the intensity. Lukas Laube restored parity at 9:9, and Kai Haefner gave Stuttgart its first lead at 12:11 in the 23rd minute. The game remained neck-and-neck until halftime, with Haefner once again leveling the score to 15:15.
The second half was a nail-biting affair, with both teams dominating and countering each other for extended periods. Despite a thrilling climax, neither team managed to establish a significant lead. With three minutes remaining, Stuttgart held a narrow 21:19 advantage, but the Saxons clawed their way back, tying it at 24:24 after 50 minutes. Staffan Peter then put SC DHfK ahead 25:26 with five minutes to go.
As the clock ticked down, the tension in the Porsche Arena mounted. Goalkeeper Domenico Ebner, formerly of SG BBM Bietigheim, played a crucial role with his 15 saves, ensuring his former club's survival. However, Bietigheim was losing heavily against SC Magdeburg, meaning a draw would suffice for Stuttgart to secure their position in the league.
The final minutes were nerve-wracking for the 4,817 fans in attendance. Kai Haefner's goal to make it 28:28 and Nico Bacani's game-winning goal to secure a 29:28 victory salvaged the day for Stuttgart. Leipzig couldn't find an equalizer in the closing stages, resulting in yet another one-goal loss – a fate they had faced all too often this season.
SC DHfK can take pride in their resilient fight despite the injury woes, but their jubilee season will go down as a difficult one to forget. On Whit Monday, the club hosts a summer festival to celebrate the end of the season in a relaxed atmosphere, inviting all fans to join the celebrations from 2:30 PM at the CAMP DAVID Sport Resort by ALL-on-SEA (Schladitzer Bucht, Haynaer Straße 1, 04519 Rackwitz).
** sources:**
[1] Official DAIKIN HBL website: https://www.hblhandball.de/
[3] DAIKIN HBL standings: https://www.hblhandball.de/spielrechte/tafel-a-18?jahr=2025&liga=1
[4] HC Erlangen results: https://www.sportdeutschland.de/leistungen/deutsche-handoihallenspielrennen/05/haendball-bundesliga-1-m-e-tiermann-handball-diessen/spiele/708223?ts=704326
Although SC DHfK Leipzig struggled in the European football leagues, their handball team put up a valiant effort throughout the 2024/25 season.
As the final whistle blew on the season, sports analysts couldn't help but discuss the potential impact of key injuries on the team's performance and their ambitions for a strong showing in the next season of sports analysis.