The initial mortgage was too heavy

The burden of the 1:7 start was too great, ThSV Eisenach lost to MT Melsungen 24:27 (9:13). At 19:21 (47th) and 23:25 (56th), the Wartburgstadt team were close, but the experienced third-placed team from Northern Hesse did not allow the next goal. The bottom line was that the newly promoted team from Wartburg suffered their 6th defeat in a row. He remains in 17th place in the table. But on this Friday evening in front of almost 2,900 spectators, including 150 MT Melsungen supporters, the Eisenachers showed that they can keep up with even a top team in the German upper house.

“I congratulate my team for the successful fight over 60 minutes. We were better than Eisenach and deserved winners,” was the short statement from Roberto Garcia Parrondo, the MT Melsungen coach. Those responsible in Eisenach did not agree with this. “We were the better team from the 50th minute at the latest. The burden of the 1:7 start, when we missed too many free balls, weighed heavily. But after that we offered an outstanding performance. “I hate losing, but today I’m proud of my team with a strong mentality,” said Eisenach coach Misha Kaufmann. “Our boys gave it their all. They put their hearts on the record with a lot of fight, passion and commitment,” added Rene Witte. Philipp Meyer spoke of a “great game in which the spectators were offered everything that is so fascinating about handball.” “It got really exciting in the second section. With a little more luck and cleverness we could have had more than a sniff of winning a point. This performance should give us courage for the tasks ahead,” added the Eisenach defense chief. He himself was badly affected by the fight in all parts of his body. Eisenach right winger Moritz Ende spoke of a “defeat that gives courage.” Those responsible in Eisenach sent best wishes to Melsungen’s Timo Kastening, who sustained a head injury in a defensive action and had to be taken to the Eisenach clinic.

North Hesse with a dream start

“The start was catastrophic,” admitted Eisenach right winger Moritz Ende. “We missed six 100% chances to throw,” said Rene Witte. Manuel Zehnder failed in the seven-meter shot from the line and in the follow-up throw to Melsung goalkeeper Adam Morwaski, who almost nailed his box in the early stages. The Pole always stood in the threatened corner and parried against Willy Weyhrauch and Peter Walz. Building on him, the Hessians initially performed in the style of a top team. Almost every litter was successful. Elvar Örn Jonsson scored 1:7 (12). Ivan Martinovic scored 2:8 (13th). It seemed that the game, which had just begun, was already decided. “We missed free balls and the Hessians sank them instead,” explained Eisenach’s Timothy Reichmuth. The Eisenachers tried to achieve more stability with changing defensive formations, both tactically and personally. “Things slowly got better in attack and defense,” said Timothy Reichmuth. With the substitution of keeper Matija Spikic, Eisenach’s defense received a new impetus. Both teams now relied on 7 against 6. Melsungen’s captain and national team winger Timo Kastening, the best thrower of the game overall with 8 goals, first scored to make it 5:12 (20th).

Eisenach’s captain sets sail for a storm

Peter Walz constantly tugged at the hosts’ chains. The captain set sail for a storm and held his own at the circle to make it 7:12 (26th). Marko Grgic scored from his own half into the deserted guest box to make it 8:12 (27th). Alexander Saul exploded from the right back to make it 9:13 (27th). ThSV keeper Maitja Spikic smelled the roast during Hessen’s Kempa attempt and parried the ball.

“We did a lot of things right in the second half. Our well-structured defense forced Melsungen into time play,” analyzed Moritz Ende. His colleague Alexander Saul fooled the opposing defense to 10:13 (31st) and 11:14 (32nd). Manuel Zehnder heaved a free throw into the net to make it 12:15 (34′). The Spaniard Erik Balenciaga, who is only 1.68 meters tall, shone as a director for the guests, who also sought his way to the goal himself and completed it successfully. After winning the ball, Timo Kastening made it 12:18 (37th). The hosts, loudly supported, fought. Leading the way is Peter Walz. He was burschikos stopped by Adrian Sipos when attempting to counterattack (38′). The Eisenach captain and Alexander Saul shortened the score to 15:19 (38th). With two pivots, the Eisenach team really threw the third-placed team’s defense into disarray. The hosts picked up goal after goal. The left-handers Alexander Saul and Moritz Ende reduced the score to two goals (19:21, 47th). Roberto Garcia Parrondo didn’t think anything good, he called his team for a timeout and re-instructed. Dainis Kristopanis and Timo Kastening scored 19:23 (49th). Now Misha Kaufmann called his team to the meeting. A hot final phase was ushered in, with a long interruption due to Timo Kastening’s injury, with a Melsunger goalkeeper coach Carsten Lichtlein raging on the sidelines and level-headed referees Rames Thiyagarajah and Suresh Thiyagarajah, who made the decision after a video analysis. The paramedics from the DRK Eisenach were there immediately and provided first aid. Timo Kastening disappeared into the catacombs with a bandage as a turban. A little later, Peter Walz hammered a free throw into Melsunger’s goal to make it 23:25 (56′). The favorite’s victory was shaky. But a ball from Manuel Zehnder missed the target, Moritz Ende only aimed at the wood. David Mandic and Erik Balenciaga made the decision 23:27 with their goals. Peter Walz scored his 6th goal to make the final score 24:27.

ThSV Eisenach will be playing at TBV Lemgo Lippe on Thursday

“We can keep up against a top team with world-class players. “That’s what we’re taking with us from this game so that we can continue to look for our chances with heart and passion in the strongest league in the world,” emphasized Moritz Ende. ThSV Eisenach will be visiting TBV Lemgo Lippe on Thursday, November 30th, 2023. The Wartburgstadt residents are expecting SC DHfK Leipzig for their next home game on Friday, December 8th, 2023. And on Monday, November 27th, 2023, ThSV Eisenach will start selling half-yearly tickets for the home games from February to June 2024.

Statistics

ThSV Eisenach: Spikic, Kornecki; Reichmuth, Zehnder (6), Walz (6), Mengon, Grgic (2), Ende (2), Heitkamp, ​​Meyer, Donker, Kurch, Schneibel, Snajder (2/2), Weyhrauch, Saul (6)

MT Melsungen: Moraski, Simic; Kühn, Balenciaga (4), Mandic (3), Sipos (1), Kristopans(1), Ignatow, Ferreira (1), Drosten, Örn Jonsson (5), Arnasson (1), Aho, Hörr, Martinovc (3) , Kastening (8/2)

Seven meters: ThSV Eisenach 2/3 – MT Melsungen 2/2

Time penalties: ThSV Eisenach 4 x 2 min. – MT Melsungen 4 x 2 min

Referee: Thiyagarajah/ Thiyagarajah

Viewers: 2.889

Motion pictures: 1:7 (12.), 5:12 (20.), 9:13 (28.), 15:19 (38.), 19:21 (47.), 20:24 (51.), 23:25 (56.), 23:27 (58.), 24:27 (60.)

Best players

ThSV Eisenach: Walz, Meyer

MT Melsungen: Balenciaga, Örn Jonsson, Kastening

Th. Levknecht