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Balic and co. put to the toughest of tasks

Kiel responded great after two bad matches and limited Hamburg to 19 goals. They wraped up the first part of the season with a win against a team who have lately been in good shape

KS Vive Targi Kielce

Tortured in the Cup, defeated in Flensburg derby... That was Kiel prior to their north derby with Hamburg. And there Hamburg were collateral damage; Kiel's defense was brilliant and for the third time this season they left their opponents under 20 goals.

- I was very disappointed after the Flensburg match, but the team reacted in a proper way today. We had the superior Palicka, the defense was also good. However, we again missed a lot of things in the offense. In the end it all turned out well and I could've used a lot more players - said Gislason, in whose team no one scored more than four goals (Jicha, Hansen), and Palicka (17 saves) was unstoppable.

By winning, Kiel are again number one with two points more than Lowen, but also with one match more. Today they're up for a final test of 2014, and Gislason only has winning on his mind. Wetzlar were a regular customer in the last couple of years, but the away team, with Balic, Hombrados, Jolij and others, have the experience and quality which beg for caution.

- For the end of the year we want to give our fans two points - Wiencek was clear.

After the October crisis (only one point in six matches), Wetzlar rose like a phoenix, lost only two out of the following nine matches and they're currently seventh on the table. After two draws in a raw (Flensburg, Lemgo), Wetzlar beat Minden on Tuesday and lifted their spirits even higher.

- We conceded only nine goals in the first half-time. We were very firm. Minden got better later - said coach Wandschneider, while Laudt added:

- Our defense wasn't great later, the goalkeepers were a bit weaker. We're lucky we reached a win in the last match.

Today the quality is on the side of the hosts, but the away team shouldn't be disregarded. Balic himself said a couple of days ago:

- We play solid handball. In Germany it's usually programmed, but we're free-styling. Some like that, some don't, but I think the scores are good and that the club is pleased. We win against those we have to win against, and with stronger teams we fight until the very end.

Wetzlar's chances will depend on Balic and co. dealing with Kiel's defense, while on the other hand, Wetzlar will have to be especially firm in the defense. In that segment they're the fourth team in the league (25.5 goals conceded).