Bergischer HC secured a 29-28 away victory against HBW Balingen-Weilstetten, recovering from an early deficit behind goalkeeper Kristian van der Merwe. The win marks the second time within a week that the team claimed a victory during the closing minutes of an away fixture.
Balingen Controls the Opening Phase
The visiting squad arrived under tight scheduling following a previous fixture in Prešov. HBW Balingen-Weilstetten capitalized on that early, capitalizing on defensive stability to frustrate the visiting attack. Playing without their captain Tobias Heinzelmann, the hosts took a 4-3 lead in the ninth minute despite two early suspension penalties against Stefan Bauer. Goalkeeper Vladimir Cupara anchored the Balingen defense, stopping multiple scoring opportunities and helping extend the advantage to 11-5 by the 18th minute. Arnor Gunnarsson and Markus Pütz called a timeout to reorganize their struggling offense, but the hosts maintained a 17-14 lead at halftime.
Van der Merwe Sparks the Second-Half Comeback
Bergischer HC introduced Kristian van der Merwe in goal, a substitution that immediately altered the momentum. Van der Merwe stopped two seven-meter penalty shots to stall Balingen’s offense. Meanwhile, Fynn Hangstein and Janik Schrader assumed offensive responsibility to narrow the gap. The visitors erased the deficit entirely by the 44th minute when Sören Steinhaus scored to put Bergischer HC ahead 23-22, following a suspension assessed to Balingen playmaker Yonatan Dayan for simulation.
Raguse Equalizes Before Visitors Secure Narrow Win
The match tightened down the stretch as Cupara regained his rhythm in the Balingen goal, matching van der Merwe save for save in a high-level duel. Lead changes traded rapidly between the two sides as both offenses struggled through a five-minute scoring drought. Mex Raguse broke the stalemate for the hosts by netting the equalizing goal at 26-26 in the 54th minute, setting the stage for another tense finish before the visitors ultimately secured the 29-28 win.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Balingen-Weilstetten Match
What was the final score between Balingen-Weilstetten and Bergischer HC?
Bergischer HC defeated HBW Balingen-Weilstetten with a final score of 29-28, securing their second away win in the final minutes of a match within a week.
Who led the second-half comeback for Bergischer HC?
Goalkeeper Kristian van der Merwe spearheaded the turnaround by saving two seven-meter penalty shots, while Fynn Hangstein and Janik Schrader drove the offense to overcome the first-half deficit.
Which key player was missing for HBW Balingen-Weilstetten?
The hosts played without their team captain, Tobias Heinzelmann.