Simon Pytlick's EURO Glow Fades: Flensburg Suffer Heavy Defeat in Bundesliga Return

Pytlick struggles as Gummersbach dominate

Simon Pytlick struggles to rediscover EURO form as SG Flensburg-Handewitt lose 26-33 to VfL Gummersbach in Bundesliga title race setback. Danish contingent off the pace.

Flensburg had no answer to the relentless attacking display from Miro Schluroff and his Gummersbach...

SG Flensburg-Handewitt's title ambitions took a major hit when the German Handball-Bundesliga returned on Tuesday evening, suffering a heavy 26-33 (12-16) defeat away to VfL Gummersbach. The second-placed side, fresh from their strong showing at the European Championships, appeared a shadow of their recent championship-winning form.

Just nine days on from lifting the European gold medal, Flensburg's Danish contingent looked well off the pace. The team struggled to rediscover the rhythm and sharpness that had carried them to continental glory, resulting in a disappointing performance across the board.

Icelandic star Ellidi Vidarsson led the scoring with an impressive eight goals, while German international Miro Schluroff added seven of his own to help drive Gummersbach's convincing victory. Their clinical finishing and strong defensive work proved decisive in dismantling Flensburg's attack.

For the visitors, Danish European champion Emil Jakobsen was Flensburg's standout performer with six goals, but even his contribution proved insufficient to stem the tide. The heavy loss represents a serious blow to their hopes of overtaking the league leaders and claiming top spot in the Bundesliga.

By the 12th minute, VfL Gummersbach had already stormed into a commanding four-goal lead in front of their passionate home supporters. SG Flensburg-Handewitt, captained by Johannes Golla, struggled to respond and found themselves unable to narrow the deficit before the halftime whistle.

The situation deteriorated further after the break for the visitors. Despite the efforts of European champion goalkeeper Kevin Møller between the posts, Flensburg had no answer to the relentless attacking display from Miro Schluroff and his Gummersbach teammates. At its peak, the deficit ballooned to a staggering ten goals, underlining the hosts' complete control and Flensburg's inability to mount any meaningful comeba

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