Buric hits season-best mark as Flensburg respond to first defeat of the season

One of the key factors for Flensburg was Benjamin Burić, who produced a strong performance between the posts with a save rate of 39 per cent and repeatedly came up with important stops from the seven-metre line. SG were also highly efficient in attack, converting 69 per cent of their attempts.

Emil Jakobsen was central to that attacking efficiency. The left wing scored ten goals, including three from seven metres, and was the most successful scorer of the evening. For Balingen, pivot Tobias Heinzelmann made an important contribution with four goals, while Elias Fügel added three goals, two steals and plenty of energy from the right wing.

For SG, the victory was the perfect response to the narrow 30:31 defeat at VfL Gummersbach, their only loss of the season so far. Flensburg also extended their impressive home run, having gone into the match with 14 consecutive Bundesliga home wins. Balingen, meanwhile, stayed competitive for long periods and showed plenty of fight and energy throughout the game.

Flensburg established an early advantage. After just over six minutes, SG led 5:2, and a seven-metre goal from Emil Jakobsen later made it 10:5, prompting Balingen coach Matthias Flohr to call his first timeout. Flensburg used their opportunities well during this spell, while Benjamin Burić repeatedly made important saves. The lead grew to seven goals at 16:9 before Balingen responded with two goals shortly before the break to reduce the deficit to 16:11.

At half-time, Stefan Bauer reflected on the opening 30 minutes: “You know Flensburg, everyone in the league knows they probably have one of the best attacks. If we then concede two or three fast breaks, the gap can grow very quickly. Of course, being five goals down is a lot, but everything is still possible in the second half.” On the other side, Domen Novak still saw room for improvement despite the lead: “We are not running forward well enough, and defensively we were solid, but the line players have already received a lot of balls. We were a little too open.”

After the break, Balingen fought their way back into the contest several times. At 17:14, the visitors had reduced the gap to three goals, but Burić then saved another seven-metre throw before Jakobsen and Aymeric Minne helped Flensburg move 21:15 ahead. Balingen stayed within striking distance at 25:20 and later 26:22, but SG continued to find the right answers in the key moments.

At 30:23, Flensburg had put themselves firmly on course for victory, with the match eventually finishing 31:25. Lion Zacharias still took plenty of positives from Balingen’s performance: “We wanted to show what we are capable of in terms of fighting spirit, and we managed to do that for long stretches. But everything has to come together if you want to beat a team like Flensburg. I think we can still be proud of our performance.”

Burić, meanwhile, praised the work of the defence in front of him: “The defence was really good today, and we stayed focused throughout the whole game.” Looking at the attacking side, he added: “I think 31 goals at home, when we are talking about Flensburg, is not that many.”

Balingen return to action on Sunday, 1 November, when they travel to VfL Gummersbach for the rescheduled match from round eight. After the international break, SG Flensburg-Handewitt face another major challenge away at SC Magdeburg on Sunday, 15 November.

SG Flensburg-Handewitt - HBW Balingen-Weilstetten 31:25 (16:11)

SG Flensburg-Handewitt: Buric (16 saves), Möller; Jakobsen 10/3, Pytlick 4, Minne 4, Kirkelokke 3, Novak 3, Grgić 3, Bergholt 3, Tønnesen 1, Minning, Volz, Witzke, Møller, Blagotinšek

HBW Balingen-Weilstetten: Rebmann (8 saves), Cupara (2 saves); Heinzelmann 4, Leimeter 3, Zacharias 3, Fügel 3/1, Dayan 2/2, Grupe 2, Raguse 2, Bauer 2, Pöhle 2/2, Fuß 1, Pfattheicher 1/1, Wente, Huber, Strobel

Top Player: Emil Jakobsen (HPI 94) / Elias Fügel (HPI 81)
Attendance: 6039 (GGW Arena)
Suspensions: 4 / 2

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