HK Hart hosted Ferlach in the first round of the Austrian HLA on Wednesday evening, and the visitors took all three points with a 28-26 victory. The match ended with Ferlach holding on despite a late push from the home side, who had looked comfortable for much of the contest. By then, the result felt inevitable — Ferlach's experience told, and Hart's defensive frailties showed at the crucial moments.
The first half was evenly contested, with Hart edging ahead 13-12 at the interval. Ferlach changed shape at the break, pushing more players forward, and that decision paid off. They took the lead for the first time in the 38th minute and never looked back, though Hart kept knocking on the door with several late chances. To be fair, Ferlach were out-thought on the touchline in the opening period, but by then the visitors had found their rhythm.
Looking at the recent form, both teams arrived with mixed results. Hart had lost four of their last five matches, including a heavy 33-35 defeat to Füchse just four days ago. Ferlach, meanwhile, were unbeaten in five, winning three of their last five including a convincing 34-28 victory over Linz on September 5th. That momentum carried through into this encounter, where Ferlach kept their side in it when it mattered most.
In the table, Hart sit eighth with zero points from one game — a draw against an unnamed opponent earlier in the season. Ferlach occupy second place with two points from one win, the result of their victory over Linz. This match adds another layer to their early-season narratives, though neither table position tells the full story yet.
The result means Ferlach extend their unbeaten run to six matches, while Hart's struggles continue. The two-point gap between them in the standings is minimal, but Ferlach's consistency gives them a psychological edge. Hart will need to address their defensive structure if they want to compete at this level.