Flensburg-Handewitt kept their perfect start intact with a 37:34 victory over Hamburg on Sunday afternoon, extending their unbeaten run to eight matches across all competitions. The result keeps the hosts in second place with eight points from four games, while the visitors remain rooted at the bottom of the table with just one point from four outings.
By then the match had settled into a rhythm neither side could break, and here's the thing — Flensburg had been tipped for this outcome, though not with any great conviction. We had called for a home win at 53 per cent confidence, a figure that felt honest rather than certain, and the result confirmed what the form suggested even if the scoreline proved tighter than expected.
Hamburg arrived carrying the weight of three draws and a single defeat, a record that showed resilience but little direction. Their last outing against Goppingen had ended 31:32, a narrow loss that followed a 34:34 draw with Stuttgart — results that suggested they could compete but rarely controlled outcomes.
Flensburg's recent record told a different story entirely. Four consecutive victories, including wins over Lemgo and Erlangen, had built momentum that showed through in the opening exchanges. They changed shape at the break when Hamburg threatened to pull back within striking distance, and the adjustment worked.
The final tally of 37:34 reflected a match decided by moments rather than dominance. Hamburg let the tie slip when a crucial save came too late in the closing stages, and Flensburg punished them from a corner with a quick counter that proved decisive.
For Hamburg, the loss leaves them one point from safety with three games remaining — a position that will make life awkward regardless of what happens next. Flensburg, meanwhile, have now won four in a row and are weighing up whether to push for the top spot or consolidate before the European fixtures begin.
