Historical Flensburg-Handewitt from Germany led the group and stood as one of the strongest favorites to win the EHF Europa League. Their visit showcased the highest level of quality and experience as they toured Palau d’Esports L’Illa de Benidorm and decisively left the group behind. Fernando Latorre, with his squad, faced a demanding challenge, and the final scoreline favored Flensburg-Handewitt, 32-38.
The German side offered Benidorm no meaningful chances to stage a comeback. Despite Benidorm turning in a solid win against Ferencvaros Budapest in Hungary the previous week, they remained at the bottom of the group with only one victory from five rounds. Iván Rodríguez emerged as the standout for Benidorm, delivering 12 goals, a remarkable personal effort in a tough contest. Yet it was not enough to tilt the balance. Latorre and his team fought hard but faced an opponent brimming with potential and organization that made any upset unlikely.
From the opening whistle, Flensburg-Handewitt showed they were prepared. They approached the match with the intensity typical of a team steeped in European competition, a contrast to the cautious approach seen in their meeting with Benidorm in Germany a month earlier. The German side began pressing high and forcing errors, building a lead with disciplined defense and quick transitions that converted into rapid scoring chances for their forwards.
With a robust physical presence, the Flensburg players set a demanding defensive baseline, challenging Benidorm repeatedly. The visitors capitalized on turnovers and quick breaks, turning defense into offense with precision and pace. When Fernando Latorre attempted a 7 versus 6 attack, it did not yield the hoped-for advantage, and minutes crept by as Benidorm found themselves trailing by a widening margin as the scoreboard showed five to ten by the thirteenth minute.
Only Iván Rodríguez managed to pierce the German wall on a few occasions, but those moments were not enough to alter the momentum. Flensburg-Handewitt pressed forward, with Pedersen firing from the wing and delivering several seven-yard attempts that added to the tally. The home side mounted a run that culminated in a timeout with the scoreboard reading seventeen to twenty-one in favor of the visitors, signaling a clear performance gap.
As the second period unfolded, Flensburg’s defense continued to clamp down on Benidorm, forcing more expulsions and hampering Benidorm’s circulation. Despite the discipline, Benidorm did not concede easily; they battled for every possession and tried to stem the tide, but the German team exploited gaps and kept applying pressure in waves. The pressing approach constantly forced errors, and Flensburg found scoring opportunities that kept them ahead by a comfortable margin as the clock moved into the later stages of the half.
Gradually Flensburg-Handewitt extended the lead, opening an eight-goal cushion around the fourteenth minute of the second half, with the score climbing to twenty-three to thirty-one. Key contributions came from pivot Hald and shooter Lindskog, who added important goals as Benidorm’s defense was repeatedly called upon to withstand sustained pressure. The German team did not relent and continued to push the tempo, maintaining control of the game and dictating the pace at which the match progressed.
The visitors moved into a comfortable lead, reaching a ten-goal margin at twenty minutes into the second period as the gap settled at twenty-five to thirty-five. Flensburg then eased off the gas to manage the clock, waiting for the closing moments and safeguarding their win. Benidorm pressed for a late rally, but Flensburg’s defense held firm, and Iván Rodríguez did his best to narrow the deficit, finishing with a final tally of thirty-two for Benidorm against Flensburg’s thirty-eight, a result that underscored the gulf between a Champions League winner and a debutant in a European group stage this year.
The scoreboard at the end reflected the clear difference in experience and caliber between the two teams. Benidorm had shown heart and determination on the floor, but Flensburg-Handewitt’s pedigree in European competition was evident in all phases of the game, from defense to transition to finishing plays. The match demonstrated the breadth of Flensburg-Handewitt’s strength and served as a learning experience for Benidorm as they continue their first-year participation in a European group stage. It was a reminder of what separates the top teams from emerging sides in a demanding continental tournament.
Data Sheet:
TM Benidorm (17+15): Roberto Rodriguez; Barceló (2), Vainstein, Grau, Serrano (3), Nikcevic, Ramiro Martínez (1) – starting from seven; Lignieres (2), Iván Rodríguez (12), Sempere (3), Soljic (4), Edu Calle (3), 1p, Samu Ibáñez (ps) and Adrián (2).
Flensburg Handewitt (21+17): NaBuric; Hansen (2), Mensha Larssen (1), Hald Jensen (7), Rod (5), Pedersen (5) and Johannessen (5) – starting from seven; Moller (ps), Lindskog (6), Jakobsen (1p), Kjaer Moller (3), Einharsson (1), Semper and Mensing (2).
A Marker Every 5 Minutes: 1-4, 4-7, 7-10, 8-13, 12-17, 17-21 (rest); 19-24, 21-17, 23-31, 25-35, 28-36 and 32-38.
Referees: Dimitar Mitrevski and Blagojche Todorovski (Macedonians).
Pavilion: L’Illa de Benidorm in front of approximately 600 spectators.
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