Handball Match of the Week: Rhein-Neckar Lowen – Flensburg Handewitt

Rhein-Neckar Lowen - Flensburg Handewitt to bring new excitement to the Handball Bundesliga fans.

The first big clash between the top favorites in the Handball Bundesliga comes this weekend! Rhein-Neckar Lowen and Flensburg Handewitt will certainly have a long long season full of many challenges. However who successfully passes this first one seems to be extremely important for the confidence building during the rest of the season. After the first three rounds Flensburg is leading the table in the HBL with 6 points, same as the second placed Rhein-Neckar Lowen.

Last year both teams lost their home matches in their HBL duels. Rhein-Neckar Lowen lost the match in Mannheim 22:25 while Flensburg lost in the Flens Arena with 25:32. They also met in the DKB cup semi-final where Flensburg was again more successful winning 31:30 in the extra time. A peculiarity related to their mutual matches is that for instance in the past 10 seasons these teams haven’t played a draw match. Maybe it is time that some of you who bet on sports in Germany to place a wager on exactly this option.

Rhein Neckar Lowen have all they need for a home victory over the rival

In front of Rhein-Neckar Lowen there are two important challenges this season: defend the title in HBL and place themselves to the Final Four. Jakobson strengthen the squat of the current German champion with two wings: one that have already defended the colors of the lions, Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson, coming back from FC Barcelona and the other one Dejan Manaskov, replacing Uwe Gensheimer and coming from Macedonian Vardar Skopje.

• No match between these teams ended draw

• The victory for the Lions equals gaining a champions’ confidence

• Flensburg to repeat last year’s match

Many would say that since the base of the team remained the same, Rhein-Neckar would probably have another successful year fighting for all the title in their domestic championships as well as in Europe. However, the departure of Gensheimer is not just a departure of any wing, but of the captain who was a motivational force of the team for a long period of time. Since the quality of the team is certainly out of question many would consider the possible obstacles in RNL to have another successful year to be found in the psychological factor and their new motivational restructuring within the team. But on the other side, as internet betting sites in EU note, considering the young squat they are, we can definitely say that they won’t lack any will for high achievements this year too and Flensburg is their first big test.

Flensburg to continue the last year’s trend

On the other side this team of Ljuba Vranjes have reached the top of Europe in the past five years but somehow seems to be unable to cope with the pressure in the Handball Bundesliga. As it was the case with Rhein-Neckar Lowen, Flensburg was also left without their left wing Anders Eggert, who departed for Skjern after the end of the last season. With the rest of the team remaining the same and the powerful back lines leaded by Djordjic, Mahe, Glandorf, Flensburg is certainly a top favorite for any title this year. How they will perform on their first obstacle called Rhein-Neckar Lowen we will find out this Saturday.

The betting odds

Online sportsbooks in Austria such as bwin give 1.50 odds to Rhein-Neckar Lowen for the win, leaving Flensburg way behind with 3.05. The draw between these two teams is evaluated by the Austrian bookies on incredible 8.5. Other sportsbooks such as netBet offer the German derby for betting at the top of their huge handball betting section including all European Leagues. To the current champions Rhein-Neckar Lowen they give a bit higher betting odds of 1.55 for a win, while Flensburg are estimated on 3.10. The draw is also 8.50.