Cup classic for Eisenach "Match of the Year"

The in-form Bundesliga handball team ThSV Eisenach is aiming for a major coup in the DHB Cup Final Four. "We're two rounds away from the big dream of making it to Cologne. Everyone is particularly keen," manager René Witte told the "Thüringer Allgemeine" newspaper. The Thuringians will face SC DHfK Leipzig in the round of 16 on Wednesday (7.30 p.m./Dyn). The final tournament of the four best teams will take place in Cologne in mid-April.

Eisenach is playing at home in the cup for the first time in a long time. "It's the game of the year for us. That's why we have a lot planned. One thing I can already say: It will be the biggest choreo ever seen in the arena," said Witte. Eisenach won both league duels with Leipzig last season.

Brisance like 30 years ago

The victory in the Werner-Aßmann-Halle is particularly memorable. After the score was 25:24, Leipzig lodged a protest because, according to the TV pictures, the game was restarted at 58:55 minutes after a timeout was called at 58:49 minutes. A tempo counter-attack for a possible equalizer by Leipzig had been interrupted by the final buzzer. Three months later, the Federal Sports Court dismissed the protest.

"Leipzig will certainly be frustrated after their two defeats last year," said Witte. "The players know how explosive it is when Eisenach plays Leipzig. That was the case 30 years ago, and it won't change."