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Mattias Andersson will be 43 years old on Monday.

The former world-class handball player had actually declared his career over in 2018, but special circumstances gave him an unexpected comeback.

Because regular goalkeeper Niklas Landin had to go into corona quarantine, the old Swede jumped in in the 104th derby and sat on the bench for THW Kiel in the eternally young duel with SG Flensburg-Handewitt - ready for an emergency.

Andersson had not suspected that this would occur after just 20 minutes.

Dario Quenstedt showed a poor performance in the box of Kiel, which is why coach Filip Jícha made a role change in goal early in the game.

And in fact, right after being substituted on, Andersson showed what he is still capable of with some strong actions.

Ultimately, even his ten saves were unable to prevent the 28:31 (15:17) defeat.

"Flensburg were better that day," said the goalkeeper after the game.

“They were clearer in their heads and there in the crucial moments.

We didn't perform as well as the derby demands.

My own performance doesn't matter.

We didn't win, that's all that matters.

In the end, I'm happy that I survived in goal for 40 minutes.

Because to play that long was not the plan. "

14 years in handball north

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What made things more difficult for Andersson was that two handball hearts were beating in his chest: one for the THW, one for Flensburg.

By the end of his career, he had played for both clubs for seven years, longer than for any other club outside of his Swedish homeland.

He won the Champions League with both clubs and was German champion a total of six times.

Flensburg's Hampus Wanne (left) scores the last goal of the game against Mattias Andersson

Source: dpa

However, it is uncertain whether a seventh title for the temporary keeper will be added this season.

As a result of the bankruptcy, the Kielers (33: 5 points) lost the championship lead they had taken on the previous matchday to the Flensburg team (34: 4 points).

As is so often the case, the national handball title will probably move to Schleswig-Holstein this season.

"Now it's half-time in the league, so it wasn't a preliminary decision in the championship fight today," said SG coach Maik Machulla, however.

“Nothing has been decided for a long time.

The Bundesliga is a brutal business. "

Machulla had to experience how brutal this business can look at times in the derby.

After the injured Jacob Heinl, Lasse Möller and Franz Semper and the two Danish national players Mads Mensah Larsen and Simon Hald, who were still in Corona quarantine, only ten field players were available.

A mini-squad that actually cannot be passed.

Especially not against the industry leader from their own state.

"I have a lot of respect for how the boys threw themselves into the game," said the SG coach.

“You not only fought, you showed really good handball.

We defended very well and played very intelligently up front.

Our effectiveness was excellent. "