Kornwestheim vs Rhein-Neckar

Kornwestheim, champions of the 3. Liga Süd in 2025/26, showed no sign of intimidation against their top-flight opponents in front of a fervent home crowd. The Drittligisten matched the Löwen blow for blow in the opening exchanges, and the match remained tight through much of the first half.

Rhein-Neckar gradually imposed their quality as the half progressed, building a three-goal buffer by the break at 18–15. Head coach Maik Machulla's side had swept through pre-season with five wins from five — including a 41–23 thrashing of Alpla HC Hard in their final friendly — and that sharpness showed in their attacking cohesion.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Kornwestheim refused to yield, repeatedly cutting the deficit to two or three goals, but the Löwen's Bundesliga experience — marshalled by co-captains Jannik Kohlbacher and goalkeeper David Späth — proved decisive each time the hosts threatened a comeback.

Kornwestheim kept the scoreline respectable at 29–33, earning applause from the home supporters for a performance that belied the two-division gap.

Kornwestheim had pulled within two goals midway through the second half, putting the Löwen under genuine pressure in the "Hexenkessel" atmosphere Machulla had predicted in his pre-match preview. But a key double-save from Späth between the 48th and 50th minutes — followed by a fast-break goal at the other end — restored the Löwen's four-goal cushion and effectively ended the contest. Kornwestheim never got closer than three goals thereafter.

Discipline was an issue for the visitors: Rhein-Neckar collected one yellow card (Robert Timmermeister) and three two-minute suspensions (Jannik Kohlbacher, Jacob Lassen, Tim Nothdurft), a tally that Kornwestheim could not quite exploit.

David Späth (Rhein-Neckar Löwen) — The Germany international and co-captain delivered crucial saves in the second half when the match was in the balance. His composure under pressure was a deciding factor.

Jacob Lassen (Rhein-Neckar Löwen) — The Danish backcourt player was a constant threat in attack, contributing key goals from the right-back position before being sent to the sin bin late in the first half.

Kornwestheim's collective resilience — Without individual scorer data published, it was the collective performance of the third-division hosts that stood out. Their tactical flexibility — praised by Machulla pre-match — made this a far closer contest than the final margin suggests.

The 33–29 scoreline flatters the Löwen slightly; the three-goal half-time lead (18–15) was never extended beyond five, suggesting a competitive match that the Bundesliga side controlled without dominating. Rhein-Neckar's five pre-season wins built a match fitness edge that told in the closing stages, while Kornwestheim — playing their first competitive match of the season — faded only marginally. The home side's 29 goals against a Bundesliga defence represents a credible attacking output.

Rhein-Neckar's three two-minute suspensions (six total minutes shorthanded) are a minor concern for Machulla heading into the Bundesliga opener, particularly as discipline against sharper opposition will be punished more severely.

Rhein-Neckar Löwen advance to the second round of the DHB-Pokal, scheduled for 22–24 September 2026, where five additional Bundesliga sides (SC Magdeburg, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VfL Gummersbach, THW Kiel and MT Melsungen) will enter the competition along with the 21 winners from round one.

The Löwen now turn their attention to the Bundesliga season opener: an away fixture against TSV Hannover-Burgdorf on Sunday, 30 August 2026 (16:30). That match carries extra narrative weight — Marius Steinhauser returns to his former club, while Sebastian Heymann will line up for Hannover against his former Löwen teammates.

For Kornwestheim, focus returns to the 3. Liga Süd, where they will aim to build on last season's championship-winning campaign. The Drittligisten can take considerable encouragement from a cup display that troubled a Bundesliga opponent for 60 minutes.

A professional if not emphatic start from Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Machulla's side did what was required, controlled the game's key phases, and never looked like suffering a cup upset despite the lively atmosphere. The three suspensions and occasional lapses in concentration will need ironing out before the Bundesliga campaign begins. Kornwestheim leave the competition with their reputation enhanced and a memorable afternoon for their supporters.

• Competition: DHB-Pokal 2026/27, 1st Round (Group Süd)
• Venue: Sporthalle Ost, Kornwestheim
• Attendance: Not published at time of writing
• Referee: Not published at time of writing
• Half-time: 15–18
• Cards: Timmermeister (YC), Kohlbacher (2-min), Lassen (2-min), Nothdurft (2-min)
• Broadcast: Dyn (live)

Player of the Match: David Späth (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)