Last act for Andy Schmid at the SAP Arena

In 2010, Andy Schmid joined the Rhein-Neckar Löwen and has led the club to two German championships, a cup win and a triumph in the EHF Cup. The Swiss is certainly one of the best handball players of the last ten years and it was only because the successes with the Swiss failed to materialise that he had to miss out on the really big individual awards, although he did become player of the season five times in the Handball Bundesliga.

After the end of the season, Andy Schmid will return to his home country and on Wednesday he will play his last home game in the SAP Arena. Great emotions are already pre-programmed there. From a sporting point of view, nothing is at stake for the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. For their opponents from Kiel, on the other hand, qualification for the Champions League is still on the agenda.

The Mannheim team is only in tenth place in the Bundesliga table. All in all, it has to be said that it was a disappointing season for Ljubomir Vranjes’ team. However, the Swede only took over the team a few weeks ago. All in all, though, the league position means that the first prediction between the Rhein-Neckar Löwen and THW Kiel has to be an away win.

For the Zebras, there is still a lot at stake. Filip Jicha’s team is currently second with ten minus points. This position would be enough to qualify for the top flight again. However, the Füchse Berlin are still within touching distance with twelve minus points.

Rhein-Neckar-Löwen – Statistics & current form

In essence, it is a mystery why the Rhein-Neckar Löwen have fallen so far short of their potential this season. With the potential, this team actually has to finish at least around fifth place and qualify for the European League. All in all, it was a used season with few highlights. The music played in other arenas this season.

End of a disappointing season

At the same time, there was something like a slight upward trend when they celebrated four wins in a row at the end of April, beginning of May. However, there is no longer any momentum left, as they lost two of their last two games. Even in their own hall, there were only two wins in the last five games. Therefore, we do not look at the odds for a home win between the Rhein-Neckar Löwen and THW Kiel.

Last Thursday, the Löwen suffered a 28:30 defeat at Frisch Auf Göppingen in the south-west derby. Ljubomir Vranjes’ team was behind from the start, but at least they managed to keep the game open for a long time, also thanks to Andy Schmid’s ten goals. In the end, however, the Mannheim team conceded an away defeat that was perhaps unnecessary in view of the way the game went.

On Wednesday, all eyes will be on Andy Schmid in particular. Uwe Gensheimer, however, will not be able to accompany his long-time companion on the pitch. The former captain of the national team is injured, as are Lukas Nilsson and Philipp Ahouansou. Ymir Örn Gislason and Yannik Kohlbacher are still injured, but should be part of the line-up.

Predicted line-up of Rhein-Neckar-Löwen:
Appelgren, Birlehm – Abutovic, Gislason, Groetzki, Helander, Horzen, Kirkelökke, Knorr, Kohlbacher, Lagergren, Michalski, Patrall, Schmid, Zacharias – Coach: Vranjes

Last matches of Rhein-Neckar-Löwen:

Bundesliga
08/06/2022 – Rhein-Neckar-Löwen 26 – 33 THW Kiel

02/06/2022 – FA Göppingen 30 – 28 Rhein-Neckar-Löwen

12/05/2022 – TBV Lemgo 24 – 23 Rhein-Neckar-Löwen

08/05/2022 – Rhein-Neckar-Löwen 24 – 22 Bergischer HC

01/05/2022 – TuS-N-Lübbecke 22 – 29 Rhein-Neckar-Löwen

THW Kiel – statistics & current form

The Kielers can’t tick off the Bundesliga just yet. Two matchdays before the end of the season, qualification for the Champions League is not yet in the bag. A little less pressure would be an advantage, as the Champions League Final Four is scheduled for the weekend after next in Cologne with a semi-final against FC Barcelona.

Big injury woes for the Zebras

However, it is not yet time to save strength and yet Kiel are in sensational form. In the last 25 games, there have been 23 wins, one draw and only one defeat. The players of THW are almost permanently in action, in the club and in the national team. The current form of the Zebras leaves no doubt about a forecast for an away win before the duel between the Rhein-Neckar Löwen and THW Kiel.

Last Thursday, HSV Hamburg were guests at the Wunderino Arena. Already at the beginning of the match, there was no doubt who would leave the pitch as the winner. Already at the break, the Zebras were ahead by eight goals. They were able to take it easy in the second period and still won the derby with 29:22.

However, this victory came at a high price, because superstar Sander Sagosen broke his ankle and will probably not be able to play for months. The Norwegian will of course also be absent from the Champions League Final Four. Hendrik Pekeler is going through the same fate and will be out for a very long time after tearing his Achilles.

Projected line-up of THW Kiel:
N. Landin, Quenstedt – Bilyk, Ciudad Benitez, Dahmke, Duvnjak, Ehrig, Ekberg, Horak, M. Landin, Myrhol, Reinkind, Weinhold, Wiencek, Zarabec – Coach: Jicha

Last matches of THW Kiel:

Bundesliga
08/06/2022 – Rhein-Neckar-Löwen 26 – 33 THW Kiel

05/06/2022 – THW Kiel 29 – 22 HSV Hamburg

26/05/2022 – THW Kiel 32 – 23 TuS-N-Lübbecke

22/05/2022 – SG Flensburg-Handewitt 27 – 28 THW Kiel

Champions League Final Stage
20/05/2022 – THW Kiel 33 – 32 Paris Handball

Rhein-Neckar-Löwen – THW Kiel Direct comparison / H2H-balance

The duel between the Rhein-Neckar Löwen and THW Kiel has now been played 53 times on the record. The direct comparison speaks more than clearly in favour of the Zebras. After victories, the Schleswig-Holstein team is 34:15 ahead. Five games ended in a draw. In the last few years, the Löwen have not had too much to order against the Zebras.

For five games, the Mannheim team has been waiting for a win against THW. In the last nine direct duels, RNL have only managed one win. The first leg of the current season was won by Kiel 32:29 at home, followed by Filip Jicha’s team knocking the Lions out of the DHB Cup with a 26:24 away win.

Rhein-Neckar-Löwen – THW Kiel Tip

When the Rhein-Neckar Löwen get their pace on the board, Ljubomir Vranjes’ team is an extremely unpleasant opponent. However, there have been two defeats in a row again lately and you may have the feeling that the farewell of top star Andy Schmid will be more in focus on Wednesday. Besides, there is nothing at stake for the Löwen in this match.

Kiel, on the other hand, still need to score to secure second place and also play in the Champions League next season.

It’s a pity that we won’t see the big names around Uwe Gensheimer, Hendrik Pekeler and Sander Sagosen in this pairing. Nevertheless, we expect a great game with a more than worthy setting. At the end of the day, we decided to play the betting odds on a handicap win (-2.5) for the visitors between the Rhein-Neckar Löwen and THW Kiel.