HC Erlangen advances to the last sixteen of the DHB Cup

HC Erlangen has reached the last sixteen of the DHB Cup thanks to two impressive performances in the “First-round Final Four”. The team of Head Coach Robert Andersson defeated SG BBM Bietigheim by 33:19 (17:10).

Unlike in the encounter against Nußloch, where HC Erlangen needed 20 minutes to get into its stride in defense and attack, the first-division team put the strategy demanded by Robert Andersson into action right away against Bietigheim from Germany’s Second Handball League. The opposing side from Swabia was only able to put up any resistance to Erlangen’s tenacity in defense and clinical play in offense in the first quarter of an hour. The HC juggernaut then slipped into top gear to surge into a seven-goal lead within the space of ten minutes. HC Erlangen went in at half-time leading by the deserved margin of 17:10. In his pep talk before the game, Andersson told his players that the only danger on the day would be if they let the other side dictate the pace. However, that was also not the case after the break. A strong Nikolas Katsigiannis and a very agile defense ensured that the HC repeatedly scored simple goals on the break. Even after stretching its lead further, the club from Franconia did not slacken its fast pace, continued to finish its attacks with resolve and grew further in assurance. The game in Nußloch’s Olympiahalle ended 33:19 in favor of HC Erlangen, who is now brimming with confidence as it embarks on the first game of the new German League season against TBV Lemgo at home in the Nürnberger Versicherung Arena on August 31.

Robert Andersson commented: “No game is over and settled within the first 15 minutes and that was also the case today. We covered our opponents very closely today and produced a good showing in the right situation. As you saw at the weekend, you can soon lose your way in a game. I’m very satisfied with the last two days.”