North German derby on a European stage

Not much distance, barely 150 kms between the two cities. One city at the Danish border, the other by river Elbe. On Sunday at 15:00hrs the German derby of SG Flensburg-Handewitt and HSV Hamburg will be played on a European stage. This will be the opener of the CL Main Round for both teams.

“None of the teams can expect an easy victory,” team manager Fynn Holpert predicts a lot of excitement. “We must must meet our own requirements at the home game.”

In any case, a whole bunch of Euro 2008 players will meet in the Campushalle once again. The medallists of both teams will be honoured before throw-off. SG brought a lot of motivation from Norway for the first games after the Euro break.

Lars Christiansen, Michael Knudsen and Kasper Nielsen were among the best players of the team at the 35:28 victory in Balingen-Weilstetten.

“I’m also surprised how concentrated we were right from the beginning,” said the Danish star Lars Christiansen. “If we can play like that on Saturday, we will win against Hamburg too.”

With the exception of Johnny Jensen (knee problems) coach Kent-Harry Andersson can send his best line-up on court.

Marcin Lijewski will also be ready for the game, who will be in the centre of attention on Sunday. The Polish player will leave Flensburg for Hamburg by the 1st of July.

“I will play against my brother and my future club – this is something special,“ says Marcin Lijewski. “On Sunday I will give everything form my current team so that we can win with it.”