SC DHfK Leipzig suffers seventh defeat in a row

The SC DHfK Leipzig handball team suffered its seventh successive Bundesliga defeat. The team coached by Rúnar Sigtryggsson lost by the narrow margin of 34:35 (16:18) at Rhein-Neckar Löwen. In front of 8,412 spectators, Andri Rúnarsson was the best scorer for SC DHfK, which now has 17:37 points.

From the outset, both teams engaged in an open exchange of blows and sometimes neglected their defense. Leipzig developed a lot of penetration at the back and were 9:7 ahead after eleven minutes. The game subsequently became rougher and the efficiency of both sides in finishing dropped somewhat. The visitors conceded an increasing number of unnecessary turnovers in the final phase of the first half and so trailed by two goals at the break.

Tension until the end

The tempo remained high after the break. The Lions initially maintained their lead, but then briefly lost the thread, which SC DHfK consistently punished. With a 5:1 run, it turned a 23:26 deficit (40th minute) into a 28:27 lead (44th minute). Although the home side struck back with four goals in succession to make it 31:28 (48'), Leipzig did not allow itself to be shaken off and recaptured the lead (33:32) through international Luca Witzke with five minutes remaining.

The home side had more to add in the final spell, but Jon Lindenchrone missed a seven-meter penalty with 42 seconds remaining to make it 35:34. Leipzig still had the chance to draw level, but national goalkeeper David Späth saved Witzke's final shot.