With the final whistle in the title-deciding match at the AKQUINET EHF Cup Finals on Sunday May 19, THW Kiel drew level with Frisch Auf Göppingen as one of the two most successful clubs in Europe’s second-tier international competition, with four trophies. The German side, which features two members of Denmark’s 2019 World Championship winning squad – brothers Niklas and Magnus Landin – defeated Füchse Berlin 26:22 in the final.

 

“We haven’t lost a single point throughout the competition, and I think that this says everything about our strength,” said Kiel wing Niclas Ekberg, referring to their flawless campaign that began in qualification round 2 in November.

 

Kiel created a clear 16:10 lead in the first half of the trophy match, leaving Füchse with a difficult task that proved impossible in the end. It was Kiel’s first EHF Cup win in 15 years, after they raised the trophy in 2006/07, 2009/10 and 2011/12.

 

Earlier on Sunday, FC Porto Sofarma – the first Portuguese team to reach the EHF Cup Finals – claimed the bronze medal with a 28:26 (14:16) victory over Danish squad TTH Holstebro.

 

Kiel reached the final by way of a 32:26 (16:14) victory versus Holstebro in the semi-finals, played on Saturday as part of the two-day event hosted by the German club. Meanwhile, Berlin qualified for what was their third consecutive EHF Cup final with a 24:20 (12:8) win against FC Porto.

 

Niklas Landin was named the best goalkeeper of the finals, only four months after being selected in the World Championship All-star Team. Kiel’s Niclas Ekberg was named MVP, while FC Porto Sofarma goalkeeper Thomas Bauer was voted the most popular player by fans.

 

Over the weekend, TTH Holstebro’s Magnus Bramming cemented his place as the top scorer of the EHF Cup season and in doing so, set a new record. He reached a tally of 100, passing his fellow Danish wing Hans Lindberg’s previous record of 92 goals, set in 2016/17.

 

Photo: EHF / Axel Heimken