Last-second thriller! minden salvages draw in dramatic handball clash
A dramatic finish in Minden saw GWD Minden secure a 32-32 draw against TVB Stuttgart in a relegation battle, earning their first home point of the season.
Late goal snaps stuttgart's away-day streak
The match culminated in a stunning equalizer just two seconds before the final whistle, denying Stuttgart their first away victory of the Bundesliga campaign. This result keeps the relegation fight fiercely competitive, with Minden moving to within just three points of safety.
The game began with Stuttgart seizing an early advantage, racing to a 5-2 lead within the first seven minutes. Minden struggled to contain Stuttgart's potent backcourt attack, and early shots often missed their mark.
However, Minden fought back, with Philipp Vorlicek reducing the deficit to 4-5, followed by a leveler from Tom Bergner. Karolis Antanavicius ignited the home crowd with a series of goals, putting Minden ahead 7-6 by the 13th minute.
Stuttgart, spearheaded by Kai Häfner, a leading scorer in the Bundesliga, began to regain control. Häfner capitalized on a penalty and a strong drive past the defense, while his brother Max orchestrated play from the center position. Stuttgart’s goalkeeper Miljan Vujovic kept Minden at bay with several saves and even scored himself before halftime, giving his team a 19-16 lead.
Despite the halftime deficit, Minden mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. Alexander Weck proved to be the driving force, distributing the ball effectively. Antanavicius leveled the score at 21-21 by the 35th minute, setting the stage for a tense finish.
M Minden goalkeeper Malte Semisch emerged as a hero, stopping ten shots in the second half, including a crucial save as the home team took a fleeting 23-22 lead. Stuttgart coach Misha Kaufmann urged his team to remain calm, but Minden refused to yield.
Kai Häfner appeared to seal the win for Stuttgart with a late penalty, only for Mats Korte to snatch a draw for Minden with a goal in the dying seconds. The home crowd erupted in celebration.
Stuttgart’s Jakob Nigg conceded that his attempt to give his team space backfired, leading to the equalizer. “I probably gave him too much space because I was afraid he would drive in. That was clearly my mistake,” he admitted. “It feels like a loss.”
For Minden’s Mats Korte, the late goal held extra significance. “It makes it even more special, but ultimately it’s just one point on the way to staying in the league. There are still many important games ahead.” This draw underscores the precariousness of Minden's situation, and hints at a nerve-wracking remainder of the season.