Rhein-Neckar Löwen overturn five-goal deficit against impressive promoted side Balingen

Before the break, the newly promoted team dictated the action with a compact, alert defense and a strong goalkeeper; afterward, the hosts took control. Throughout the game, it was a duel between the goalkeepers: David Späth made 16 saves and had a save percentage of about 42 percent, while on the other side, Vladimir Cupara stopped ten shots, including three penalty throws.

A key factor was the Lions’ ability to convert from the penalty spot. By converting only six of ten penalty throws, Maik Machulla’s team squandered clear opportunities for much of the game, while Balingen was significantly more efficient, scoring four out of five attempts. Added to this were several technical errors by the hosts in the first half, which allowed the newly promoted team to easily win possession and launch fast breaks.

The turnaround was led by Steinhauser, who was his team’s top scorer with seven goals (five of them on penalty throws), and by Jacob Arenth Lassen, who scored six goals on his birthday and drew numerous penalty throws with his deep runs. Haukur Thrastarson contributed five goals. For the visitors, Sascha Pfattheicher stood out with seven goals and Yonatan Dayan with five, along with the consistently strong defensive work led by Magnus Grupe.

The visitors got off to a better start and didn’t let David Späth’s early saves throw them off their game. After ten minutes, the Lions had taken only a few shots and were already trailing 2–6, forcing Machulla to call his first timeout early on. The Balingen team remained disciplined, consistently attacked deep into the defense, and pulled ahead 9–14 by halftime.

Even a red card against Bennet Strobel following didn’t throw the visitors off their game. They weathered their shorthanded periods, while the Lions struggled to find solutions in their set plays and missed their seven-meter throws one after another. At halftime, the hosts faced a sobering five-goal deficit.

After the break, the tide turned. The Lions defended much more aggressively, David Späth continued to make key saves, and their deep runs began to create more impact on the game. At 13–17, the deficit was cut to three goals for the first time, and as the game wore on, the newly promoted team ran out of their usual answers.

Aron Seesing’s goal, which made the score 23–22, gave the hosts their first lead of the game. In a frantic closing stretch, Balingen did manage to tie the game once more thanks to Merlin Fuß, who scored his first goal in the Opel HBL. But Steinhauser kept his cool, made the decisive plays with his shots, and scored again in the final minute to seal the 29–27 victory.

Sascha Pfattheicher summed up the visitors’ disappointment: “It felt like we were ahead or tied for almost the entire game. The fact that we’re coming away empty-handed in the end is incredibly bitter for us.” David Späth paid tribute to the opponent: “Balingen played outstandingly, defended aggressively, and completely shut down our offense.” Regarding the turnaround, the goalkeeper said: “Above all else, it was our belief that we could win. We believed in it until the very end, and then we were rewarded for it.”

For the Lions, the victory marks their first home win of the season and their second point earned following their away win at Bergischer HC. Both teams now stand at 4:4 points and are closing in on each other in the standings. Despite the loss, Balingen confirmed its convincing start to the season and underscored that the promoted team has firmly established itself in the Opel Handball Bundesliga.

For Rhein-Neckar Löwen, the schedule continues as early as Thursday, 17 September 2026, with an away match at FRISCH AUF! Göppingen. HBW Balingen-Weilstetten host TVB Stuttgart a day later, on Friday, 18 September 2026.

Rhein-Neckar Löwen - HBW Balingen-Weilstetten 29:27 (9:14)
Rhein-Neckar Löwen: David Späth (16 saves), Mike Jensen (1 save); Jacob Arenth Lassen 6, Marius Steinhauser 7/5, Haukur Thrastarson 5, Dani Baijens 3, Aron Seesing 3, Jannik Kohlbacher 2, Tim Nothdurft 1, Kentin Mahé 1/1, Niclas Mierzwa 1
HBW Balingen-Weilstetten: Vladimir Cupara (10 saves), Daniel Rebmann; Sascha Pfattheicher 7/4, Yonatan Dayan 5, Mischa Locher 4, Tobias Heinzelmann 3, Mex Raguse 2, Georg Pöhle 2, Csaba Leimeter 1, Merlin Fuß 1, Magnus Grupe 1, Elias Fügel 1
Top Player: David Späth (HPI 91) / Sascha Pfattheicher (HPI 82)
Suspensions: 6 / 4
Red card: Bennet Strobel

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