Kiel overcome Elverum in tougher task than expected

For the first time since 18 October 2014, when THW Kiel beat Metalurg Skopje 42:28 in an EHF Champions League group match, Kiel scored more than 40 goals in a match in Europe's top flight.

Thanks to their second win in two matches (41:36), the German champions are level with Aalborg at the top of group A. Elverum played at an equal level for more than 40 minutes and gave Kiel a great fight – but remain on the one point that they earned against Vardar in their opener.

GROUP A
THW Kiel (GER) vs Elverum Handball (NOR) 41:36 (20:20)

• Elverum surprised THW with an extremely strong initial period. The Norwegian side's counter attack goals were the reason why they led 4:1 and 7:4 
• it took Kiel 16 minutes to take their first lead – 12:11 – after three consecutive goals
• the visitors never led after the break, but the match remained open until THW established a 32:30 advantage in the 48th minute. The German side then used their speed to pull clear
• with seven goals each, Harald Reinkind (Kiel) and Eric Johansson (Elverum) were the top scorers 
• the total number of goals (77) underlines the exceptional attacking efficiency of both sides: Kiel's attack efficiency was 75 per cent, while Elverum's was 65 per cent 
• both sides have away matches ahead in the next round: Elverum travel to Zagreb, while Kiel face former Champions League winners Montpellier in France 

Left-handed aces decide the match 

Usually, when a left-handed player is the top scorer for THW Kiel, it is Swedish right wing Niclas Ekberg. Last week, Ekberg netted 11 times in Kiel's 33:30 victory at Meshkov Brest.

Against Elverum, while Ekberg only scored twice, left-handed players were again at the top of the list. Right backs Steffen Weinhold (six goals) and Harald Reinkind (seven goals) had strong performances in a high-scoring match.