SC DHfK Leipzig Grasp Elusive Victory, Settle for Draw Against ThSV Eisenach
Leipzig’s wait for their first victory in 2025 continued, but Runar Sigtryggsson’s team secured a valuable point in a hard-fought 34:34 draw at ThSV Eisenach. The result snapped a four-match losing streak against their eastern German rivals.
German internationals played a pivotal role for both sides, with Luca Witzke emerging as Leipzig’s top scorer with 13 goals. Marko Grgic led the charge for Eisenach, netting 11 times.
The 13th-placed Leipzig now sit on 15:23 points, while Eisenach occupy ninth spot with a 19:19 record. "It was an incredible display of willpower from us," said Leipzig’s Moritz Preuss after the match.
Both teams started nervously in front of 2,800 spectators, struggling to create clear-cut chances. Eisenach surged ahead 6:3 after 12 minutes, exploiting Leipzig’s difficulties in finding their rhythm.
However, the game shifted dramatically when Eisenach’s defensive cornerstone, Philipp Meyer, received a red card in the 15th minute. Leipzig capitalized on Meyer’s absence, particularly through Witzke, who scored eight times in the first half, including the equalizing goal at 9:9 in the 19th minute. The rivals traded blows until the break.
The second half continued at a frenetic pace, with intense duels throughout. Leipzig goalkeeper Domenico Ebner, who had been shaky in the first half, found his form, but Leipzig failed to capitalize due to uncharacteristic technical errors.
Eisenach converted a 27:27 stalemate in the 51st minute into a 30:27 advantage three minutes later. Yet, Leipzig showcased the resilience that had been missing in previous derby encounters. Led by Witzke, they clawed their way back and secured the 34:34 draw with just 43 seconds remaining.
Key Statistics:
- ThSV Eisenach: 34 goals (47% shooting accuracy, 3 penalties)
- SC DHfK Leipzig: 34 goals (49% shooting accuracy, 1 penalty)
- German Internationals: Eisenach (Grgic, Preiß), Leipzig (Witzke, Preuss)
- Suspensions: Eisenach (Meyer, 15th minute)
Post-Match Reactions:
Misha Kaufmann, ThSV Eisenach coach: "We can’t be satisfied with the draw today. We had the chance to win, but we made too many mistakes in the end. However, we showed a lot of fighting spirit."
Runar Sigtryggsson, SC DHfK Leipzig coach: "I’m proud of the team’s performance today. We faced a lot of adversity, but we never gave up. The draw feels like a victory for us."
Luca Witzke, SC DHfK Leipzig player: "It was a tough match, but we showed great character. We’re still not playing our best, but we’re heading in the right direction."
Marko Grgic, ThSV Eisenach player: "We’re disappointed with the result, but we have to respect Leipzig’s performance. They fought hard and deserved a draw."
