Löwen secure return to the EHF Finals Men in dramatic fashion

QUARTER-FINALS, SECOND LEG

Sporting CP (POR) vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 29:28 (15:12)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen win 60:58 on aggregate

• the motivated hosts took a four-goal lead on a few occasions in the first half, but were denied from taking the advantage at the break due to Mikael Appelgren saving Francisco Costa's penalty in the 30th minute
• the veteran, Tobias Reichmann scored four goals for Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the opening half and the left wing did not miss a single attempt, while the experienced 35-year-old finished the match with seven goals by his name and only one missed shot
• Sporting CP coach - Ricardo Costa tried to nullify Juri Knorr by man-marking him at times with Christian Moga tasked with defending RNL's playmaker
• the Lisbon-based club had the chance to mount a five-goal lead on a few occasions in the second half, but each and every time they squandered the opportunity
• the Portuguese wonderkid, Francisco Costa scored 12 goals and was the match's top scorer, but unfortunately for the hosts, that was not enough for a historic progress to the EHF Finals

David Späth calls off the party in Lisbon

The rising star silenced the Pavilhão João Rocha arena in Portugal's capital as David Späth made an astonishing 15 saves, helping Rhein-Neckar Löwen win the tie against Sporting CP. The 22-year-old showcased his excellent performance in the opening half with seven saves, and he added another eight in the second half, including a crucial save on the final shot by Orri Freyr Þorkelsson. This save proved crucial, as had Sporting CP scored in the dying seconds, the whole tie would have been decided by a penalty shootout. In the end, Späth finished the match with an impressive save efficiency percentage of 35.71.

Photos: José Lorvão/João Pedro Morais/Isabel Silva