ThSV Eisenach Collapses After the Break

The ThSV Eisenach handball team fell short of pulling off an upset on the eleventh matchday of the Bundesliga. Coach Sebastian Hinze’s team lost 29–32 (16–10) to Füchse Berlin on Sunday afternoon in front of a home crowd, despite holding a seven-goal lead at one point. In front of 2,850 spectators, Felix Aellen stood out as Eisenach’s top scorer with ten goals; the team now has a record of 6:16.

Eisenach defended with high intensity from the very first minute. They stifled the favorites’ fast-break game and, thanks to their aggressive defense, allowed almost nothing even in set plays. Until midway through the first half, Eisenach lacked efficiency on offense, but then they turned a 6–7 deficit into a 16–9 lead (29th minute) with a 10–2 run. They also benefited from goalkeeper Matija Spikic, who grew stronger as the game went on.

The hosts had the game under control until the score reached 22:16 (41st minute). But when Berlin switched to an offensive defense, Eisenach began to turn the ball over repeatedly. With a 9:2 run to make it 25:24 (50th minute), the visitors regained the lead. Eisenach fought back fiercely but could not turn the game around—partly because the Berliners were able to rely on the individual brilliance of World Handball Player of the Year Mathias Gidsel during critical moments.