Jim Gottfridsson was served: "It's like throwing away the championship trophy," commented the Swede on his probably decisive bad pass in the 29:33 (15:14) home defeat of SG Flensburg-Handewitt in front of 2300 fans against the Füchse Berlin in the Handball Bundesliga.
Since defending champion THW Kiel prevailed against Frisch Auf Göppingen in front of 1561 fans in the home arena with 31:23 (15:11), the "Zebras" are back in first place three game days before the end of the season.
For the SG it was the first bankruptcy after 55 unbeaten league home games in a row.
After a difficult start, Flensburg had gotten a better grip on the game and was leading in the 45th minute with 24:22.
Then there was no goal for almost six minutes, and the Berliners were 26:24 ahead after a four-goal run.
Milos Vujovic made the preliminary decision with his counter-attack to 30:27 (57th).
Goalkeeper oldie Henning Fritz made his first appearance in the fifth game for SG in the 25th minute.
Against the seven meters from Hans Lindberg at 12:14 the meanwhile 46-year-old world champion from 2007 was without a chance.
At the beginning of the second half, the hall floor, which had swollen in the tropical temperatures in the Flensburg Arena, had to be repaired.
The Kiel, where the ailing national circuit runner Patrick Wiencek paused, only had some problems with the Swabians in the early stages.
After the 6: 6 by Jacob Bagersted (11th), Frisch had to let go of the "zebras".
Shortly after the break, the THW was in the lead with 19:13.
Goalkeeper Niklas Landin was once again very supportive of the hosts.
The Dane had 13 strong saves.
Cup winner TBV Lemgo Lippe also won the fourth game after his triumph in Hamburg.
Florian Kehrmann's team won at HC Erlangen 35:31 (17:17).
In the new edition of the cup semifinals, TSV Hannover-Burgdorf successfully took revenge at MT Melsungen with a 28:20 (12:10).