“Miracle of Kiel” according to Klatsche
THW creates handball fairy tales in the Champions League
May 2, 2024, 8:36 p.m
Handball Bundesliga team THW Kiel is in the Final Four of the Champions League thanks to an outstanding comeback. Defeated by nine goals in the first leg against Montpellier, they pull off a miracle at home. The dream of the title is alive.
The German handball record champion THW Kiel made the impossible possible in the Champions League quarter-finals and qualified for the Final Four tournament in Europe’s premier class in Cologne at the beginning of June. The four-time title winner swept Montpellier HB out of the hall in the second leg with 31:21 (17:12), thus making the 30:39 defeat from the first leg in France a waste under the eyes of Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther.
“We were focused on this one opportunity all week and took advantage of it. That tops everything,” commented Kiel’s Swedish right winger Niclas Ekberg in the Dyn interview about the “Miracle of Kiel”. With Kiel’s comeback among the four best teams on the continent after a one-year break, the Bundesliga is represented by two clubs in the final tournament of the most important club competition (June 8th/9th) for the first time in ten years. Defending champions SC Magdeburg had already had their ticket to Cologne in their pockets since Wednesday.
Cup winners and Bundesliga leaders Magdeburg can continue to dream of triples by participating in the Final Four again. So far, however, no German team has successfully defended its title in the Champions League.
Kiel plays as if unleashed
Kiel, which lost the German premier class final against SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2014, can still save a messed up season on the European stage after its early cup knockout and wasted championship chances. The North Germans last remained without a title in the 2017/18 season.
From the middle of the first half onwards, the THW came into their own against Montpellier. After their first lead of 6:5 (14th minute), the home team converted a temporary 4:5 deficit into a promising five-goal lead by the break. After the break, coach Filip Jicha’s team continued to put the guests under pressure and for the first time achieved a tie that was hardly possible at 30:21 (56th). Eric Johansson, who excelled with eight goals, ultimately made it to the semi-finals perfect.
In addition to Kiel and Magdeburg, the Danish top club Aalborg BK has already been confirmed as a finalist. The last place in the tournament in the cathedral city will be played by FC Barcelona and Paris St. Germain in the evening. Barça won the first leg 30:22.