The reigning champions have played one game fewer, as have the unbeaten Flensburg side. Julian Köster was the hosts' top goalscorer in a fiercely contested game at Kiel's Ostseehalle, finding the net eight times. Frederik Bo Andersen scored seven for HCH, coached by Torsten Jansen, who is still waiting for his second win of the season.
Match Centre: THW Kiel vs. HC Hamburg
Gidsel and Füchse beaten, bitter ending for Melsungen
Füchse Berlin were unable to keep pace with the major traditional clubs from northern Germany at the top of the table. Against TBV Lemgo Lippe, the German Cup winners, led by World Player of the Year Mathias Gidsel, let a four-goal lead slip and lost 37-36 (17-19). Fuchse remain fourth, ahead of Lemgo who moved above MT Melsungen.
Match Centre: Füchse Berlin vs. TBV Lemgo-Lippe
Last season's Europa League winners suffered their third league defeat in dramatic fashion at HC Erlangen. With 20 seconds left and the score tied at 32-32, Melsungen goalkeeper Nebojsa Simic saved a seven-metre throw. Melsungen took their goalkeeper off for the final attack, but then gave the ball away. Erlangen player Marek Nissen pounced and fired into the empty net with two seconds remaining to make it 33-32 (18-16) at the final whistle.
Match Centre: HC Erlangen vs. MT Melsungen