HC Elbflorenz Dresden takes first hurdle in the DHB Cup with a little run-up and wins in Konstanz
The cup match between the hosts and second division promoted team HSG Konstanz and HC Elbflorenz Dresden began a little nervously. On both sides, the goalkeepers Konstantin Poltrum and Marino Mallwitz were the first to be seen. The HSG, for their part, often had to work hard for every goal in the positional attack. On the other hand, the Saxons missed too many shooting opportunities or failed to score from good positions against the aforementioned Poltrum. In the 17th minute, the score was 6:6 and neither team had gained an advantage. Up to this point, it was noticeable that the Dresden team’s fast-paced game was not working as usual. After two more Poltrum saves, the HSG even managed to increase the score to 9:6 with three goals in a row. Guest coach André Haber promptly took a time-out. At this point, there were still just under ten minutes left in the first period. HSG keeper Poltrum and HC goalkeeper Mallwitz then continued their duel. The HCE had two chances to draw the game before halftime, but did not take advantage of these opportunities. In the end, the team from Lake Constance went into the locker room with a narrow lead (14:13). This was not undeserved, as the Konstanz team gradually improved over the course of the first half, while the HC Elbflorenz had difficulty finding its rhythm in the first 30 minutes. Both teams also made a relatively large number of substitutions, which was most likely due to the subtropical temperatures in the hall.
After the HCE scored 14:14 in the power play and took the lead for the first time in a while in the 34th minute (15:16), both teams continued to exchange blows on equal terms. For the Saxons, it was Doruk Pehlivan in particular who acted strongly from the backcourt. During this phase, the guests failed twice to take a two-goal lead, despite good chances. In the 41st minute, the score was 21:21 and the game was still open. It was clear that the Dresden team was turning up the pace a bit more and doing so quite successfully. HC keeper Marino Mallwitz also continued to make strong saves. In the 47th minute, the HCE scored its 25th goal through Timo Löser in the power play and thus led by two goals for the first time in the second half (23:25). After another Mallwitz save, the HC increased the lead to 23:26 and the hosts took the time-out. Afterwards, it was mainly center Felix Spross who tried to take control of the game for the HSG. At 26:29, however, the Elbflorenz team still had a three-goal advantage. In addition, the Dresden team now began to show the coolness that had been lacking before. For example, when Sebastian Greß scored a Kempa goal at 26:30. At 27:32, HSG coach Vitor Baricelli took another timeout, urged his team to be patient and brought on the seventh field player. But the HCE did not let this deter them and celebrated a 35:30 away win.
Conclusion: With an improvement in the second half, the HCE ultimately lived up to its role as favorite in Konstanz. The Konstanz team held up well for almost 50 minutes and showed a courageous performance. In the second half, however, they could no longer keep up with the pace of the Saxons and made a few too many mistakes in an effort to speed up their own pace. In addition, the HC Elbflorenz had very strong support in goal that day in Marino Mallwitz. So the Dresden team ultimately deserved to win on Lake Constance and are now in the second round of the DHB Cup.
Goals: Goals: Mallwitz/Cantegrel (both goals), Wucherpfennig 4/3, Dierberg 2, Pehlivan 6, Greß 4, Dobler, Thümmler 4, Seidler, Possehl 2, Dumcius 2, Klepp 1, Stavast 3, Stoyke, Dutschke 1, Löser 3, Seidler 3
HCE coach André Haber on the game: “It was a hard-fought match for a long time. We didn’t throw well in the first half and we lacked effectiveness in our fast-paced game. In the second half, too, it was a game of equal footing for a long time. When we had the advantage, however, we also acted very consistently and effectively. This was especially true in the last ten minutes of the game. We are of course happy to have progressed.”
