Longericher vs Nordhorn-Lingen

Nordhorn controlled the opening half. The visitors, who had pushed FC Barcelona to 44–41 and Paris Saint-Germain to 44–38 at their own Premium Cup a week earlier, led 22–20 at the break. Elias Ruddat scored the last goal of the half to give the Zweitligisten a two-goal cushion.

Longerich came out firing after the restart. Lennart Leitz pulled one back immediately (21–22, 46th min), and then Jonas Kämper took over. The left-back scored three consecutive goals in the space of two minutes, turning a 21–22 deficit into a 24–22 lead (48th–50th min). Maximilian Lux's two-minute suspension for Nordhorn helped Longerich's surge.

Lennart Wörmann, the 21-year-old Beachhandball world champion, extended the lead to 25–22. But Nordhorn refused to fold. Oscar Gentzel scored twice in quick succession (27–25, 28–26) and Tarek Marschall emerged as the visitors' primary threat, repeatedly pulling Nordhorn back within one or two goals.

The decisive sequence came in the final five minutes. Lukas Schulz converted a penalty to make it 36–35 (88th min) after Lux had levelled at 35–35 from the seven-metre line. Longerich then sealed the win with their 37th goal moments before full-time, sparking wild celebrations in the 700-capacity hall.

Kämper's hat-trick inside two minutes immediately after the restart. Nordhorn had controlled the tempo in the first half, but Longerich's 3–0 run to start the second period flipped momentum decisively. The hosts never trailed again.

Jonas Kämper (Longericher SC) — The left-back was unplayable in the second half, scoring at least seven goals including the three-minute spell that swung the match. His power from the left wing proved impossible for Nordhorn's defence to handle.

Lukas Schulz (Longericher SC) — The captain and playmaker ran the attack as Longerich's central offensive hub. He scored several crucial goals from the backcourt and converted the go-ahead penalty at 36–35 that proved to be the winner.

Tarek Marschall (HSG Nordhorn-Lingen) — The standout performer for the visitors. Marschall scored five or more goals in the second half alone, repeatedly dragging Nordhorn back into contention, but his efforts were ultimately in vain.

Severin Henrich (Longericher SC) — The Beachhandball world champion and All-Star Team selection anchored Longerich's defence and chipped in with key goals at 29–26 and 32–29, providing vital breathing room.

The 72 total goals (37–35) are exceptionally high for a 60-minute handball match. The first half saw 42 goals (20–22) at a rate of one every 85 seconds; the second half produced 30 goals — a slightly lower rate but with higher stakes in a tight contest. Nordhorn's 22 first-half goals demonstrated their class, but Longerich's 17 second-half goals against a 2. Bundesliga defence spoke to the intensity of their second-half press.

Longericher SC advance to the second round of the DHB-Pokal, continuing their run as one of only a handful of third-tier sides in the competition. For Nordhorn-Lingen, the early exit is a setback ahead of the 2. Bundesliga season, though the club is navigating significant financial challenges — as acknowledged in a club statement published in July 2026.

Longerich's reward is a second-round tie later in the season. Their immediate focus returns to the 3. Liga Südwest, where they will aim to build on last season's third-placed finish.

Nordhorn open their 2. Bundesliga campaign away from home next weekend.

This was no fluke. Longerich's fast-break handball and relentless shooting volume overwhelmed a Nordhorn side that, while clearly talented going forward, showed defensive fragility that has carried over from their Premium Cup outings. The third-tier side earned this result through sustained pressure and belief — and gave the LSC Arena a cup memory to last years.