Only four points separate the top 4! On Saturday there will be maximum movement in the title fight. Due: Master Füchse Berlin plays record champions THW Kiel (6 p.m.) and Champions League winners SC Magdeburg must play league leaders SG Flensburg-Handewitt (8 p.m.). Dagur Sigurdsson (52) analyzes in BILD.
The coach of Germany, the 2016 European champion, inspects the top clubs.
You rarely see it in handball: Pack formation after a blatant foul on Kiel Star
► Berlin (4th place)
With three defeats, the defending champion is only in fourth place.
Sigurdsson: “They can still compete at the top with a loss, but the championship? I think it will be lost. They are already helpless in this regard.”
Problem: “With the Foxes, the squad is thin, injury concerns, especially with Wiede and Lichtlein, not much space left.”
► Kiel (3rd place)
Füchse’s opponents are also under pressure, says Sigurdsson: “If THW doesn’t win, the Kiel team will lose a little more of the myth of their championship record. They are strong again this season, but not as stable as before. And the Kiel team has become very dependent in attack this season on how Elias Ellefsen á Skipagøtu performs.”
Problem: “The new center block in coverage is a big change that doesn’t always work perfectly.”
Sigurdsson analyzes the top four teams
► Flensburg (1st place)
The former champions are in top form: “Flensburg are not only one of the favorites to win the title this season on paper with their very good squad, they also play like it.” New strength: “If Flensburg can progress, they can still quickly score three or four goals in a few minutes of each game.”
Problem: “In Flensburg perhaps the defense was not always consistent. But recently their defense has been very compact 6-0.”
► Magdeburg (2nd place)
For many people, SCM is the best team in the world today. Sigurdsson: “In Magdeburg, I can imagine SCM having a season like FC Bayern in football. They played very solid and were at the top in all categories: attacking play, counter-attacks, they have a great routine.”
Problem: “Magdeburg have no weaknesses, they can only beat themselves.”
