Handball Bundesliga: Kiel remain perfect with third win in three games

THW Kiel remain unbeaten after squeezing past Frisch Auf Göppingen 32-31 in a tense away game. The reigning record champions had to work hard for their third win of the Bundesliga season after trailing 15-13 at halftime.

Kiel relied early on national-team goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, who saved Göppingen’s first two seven-metre penalties from Marcel Schiller. Schiller later figured in another decisive moment when Lukas Zerbe was sent off for touching him during a counterattack in the 21st minute.

Kiel also had to improvise on the right wing. Their second specialist at the position, Jarnes Faust, was not included in the matchday squad, so backcourt players Emil Madsen and Harald Reinkind initially filled the role. Left winger Ben Szilagyi also tried the position later in the game.

Göppingen played boldly, often using four backcourt players and no pivot. Former Kiel player Oskar Sunnefeldt extended the hosts’ lead to 16-13 shortly after halftime. Göppingen then lost Viktor Klöve to a red card in the 45th minute after his third suspension.

Kiel began to take control after that. Madsen finished as the visitors’ leading scorer with seven goals, and their stronger bench ultimately helped them hold on for a hard-fought victory. Rutger ten Velde scored five times for Göppingen.