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An appetizer for the away match in Kiel and the final decision on this season

Du Rietz has the flu, and Mensah Larsen will probably miss this match. The visitors are without their captain

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Löwen lost their chance for the title last season when they played an awful game against Gummersbach. Whenever a new duel between the two comes, there are talks about the "open tab" and a special motive. Just like now. Also, this match is now described as Gummersbach being an appetizer for the next weekend. Easter will be celebrated with handball in Germany, because a classic duel between Kiel and Löwen will be played. From today's perspective, no matter how this match ends, that Easter's duel will be the one that will almost definitely offer a new German champion. Löwen and Kiel have the same number of points at the moment.

- We'll definitely be in hot water in Kiel, but we'll try anything - the middle back Andy Schmid said, even though there are still lots of days left till Kiel.

- Gummersbach have been playing a good season, and we definitely won't underestimate them - the director Lars Lamadé said. He was pretty surprised with what his team offered in Lemgo a few days ago, when they crushed the home team 39-28. 

A win that convincing was definitely not expected after the debacle in the Champions League, when they got eliminated by Wisla. That means that Löwen only have three matches to play in April - face Kiel and Wetzlar away, and Melsungen at home. 

Uwe scored 13 goals for Löwen, and Landin had 14 saves against Lemgo. So, with the good defense and a million fastbacks, Löwen lead 22-13 by the half-time already. The second part was just finishing the job. Mensah Larsen was out for the muscle injury, and will probably stay out today. Du Rietz is questionable, he's dealing with a flu.

- Actually, it's just like last season. We have to win all the matches and we'll be the champions. I hope we can do that - Du Rietz said. He had a fever the night before Lemgo, and still did a great job. That shows Löwen's players' desire to prove themselves after the European debacle. 

- It was a really good match we played. We don't have much time to get ready for Gummersbach, I hope I'll be readier than for Lemgo. We saw in the last home match against Minden, what can happen if we're not fully focused. We can only do with two points against Gummersbach, and we have to get them whatever way we can.

Gummersbach are in the worst period of the season, and far from a team who left us thrilled in the first part, being labeled as the hit of the season. The first middle back Schindler's injury really harmed them, and they only won two out of eight matches played in 2015, those at home against Bergischer and Erlangen. Now, they'll coming after a miserable performance at home against Minden, who scored 32 and controlled the match from the beginning to the end.

- We lacked aggressiveness first and foremost. Our team looked tired, which I can't really explain, and which shouldn't be an excuse for what was probably the weakest match of the season - the disappointed coach Emir Kurtagić said.

- I can't remember the last time someone, except for Löwen, scored 32 when we played at home. It tells you everything about our performance. 

The lack of aggressiveness in the defense meant no help from the goalie Lichtlein, who was far from his best. Minden lead 15-12 by the half-time, and then surprised everyone with a 5-1 defense after the break.

With today's away duel, a tough period of three away matches begins (Löwen, Hannover i Lemgo), in four rounds. Their dreams about getting placed to Europe are probably dead, the sixth-placed Melsungen are four points away, with one game played less. They can hardly catch up with that, especially with the way Kurtagić's team are playing.

They were in the 16-11 lead against Löwen in the first duel, but then made a few ridiculous mistakes, and took the break with 16-15. Then, Löwen crushed them 17-11 in the rest of the match.

- Of course we want to present ourselves well, but we need top performance, both in the offense and the defense - Kurtagić announced the match. He's worried about the offensive performances they showed in the last rounds.

- The technical mistakes killed us against Minden.

The captain Schindler will be out today. 

- We're really the underdogs here, and we've got nothing to lose. That could be our chance, perhaps.