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Final 24–23

EHF European League 2025–26 · Champions

One goal. One save. MT Melsungen, champions of Europe.

In the Barclays Arena in Hamburg, MT Melsungen beat THW Kiel 24–23 to win the club's first EHF European League title. Goalkeeper Nebojša Simić, with 16 saves and a stop nine seconds from time, was named Final MVP. This is the analytics file on how it happened.

Relive the 24–23 final Open Simić's MVP file
Final score
24–23
Simić saves
16
Save rate
41%

Scroll or fire a shot to watch the net react.

Five files from the title run

Choose your angle on the championship

Each file is built like a match card: the headline number first, then the tactical detail behind it.

File 01 · Goalkeeping 41%Save rate in the final Simić's MVP run Save maps, seven-metre duels and the stop at 59:51 that sealed the title. Open the file File 02 · Match analysis 24–23Final vs THW Kiel Hamburg final glory Phase-by-phase breakdown of the thriller in the Barclays Arena. Open the file File 03 · Tactics 11Backcourt goals in the final Squad tactics & roles Shooters, wings, pivot and defensive specialists on an interactive court. Open the file File 04 · Campaign 11-2-1Won, drawn, lost The European campaign Fourteen matches from group phase to Finals weekend, stage by stage. Open the file File 05 · Heritage 1stEuropean League title Club history milestone From a North Hesse gymnastics club to European champions. Open the file

Scroll-triggered timeline

The curved scoreboard: 60 minutes in Hamburg

EHF European League Final · Barclays Arena, Hamburg · Full time

MT Melsungen24
THW Kiel23
Half-time 11–12Second half 13–11
  1. 08:404–4

    Both 6–0 defences hold; Simić's first low-corner save.

  2. 19:158–9

    Kiel's fast-break burst takes the lead.

  3. 30:0011–12

    Half-time. Melsungen trail by one.

  4. 41:2016–16

    Three Simić saves in five minutes level the game.

  5. 52:0521–20

    Melsungen's first lead since the opening quarter.

  6. 57:3023–23

    Kiel convert a seven-metre to level.

  7. 59:1224–23

    Left-wing finish from a crossing play.

  8. 59:51SAVE

    Simić denies Kiel's final attack. Title won.

Animated goalkeeper diving to save a shot aimed at the top cornerSAVE

Goalkeeper save effect

The save wall: Simić's final in motion

THW Kiel put 39 shots on target. Against a typical elite save rate of around 30 per cent, that volume usually yields about 27 goals. Kiel scored 23. Nebojša Simić's patience against long-range shooting, his low-corner coverage and two saved seven-metres closed that four-goal gap on his own.

  • 7 saves from 14 backcourt shots beyond nine metres
  • 5 saves in the final ten minutes
  • 2 of 4 seven-metre attempts stopped
Read the full save analysis

Interactive match-result cards

The knockout phase, decided by fine margins

Open each card for the key numbers. The meter shows how each match's goals were split.

EHF Finals · FinalBarclays Arena, Hamburg
MT Melsungen24
THW Kiel23

Margin: 1 goal · 51.1% of all goals scored

EHF Finals · Semi-finalBarclays Arena, Hamburg
MT Melsungen29
Semi-final opponent26

Margin: 3 goals · 52.7% of all goals scored

Quarter-final · AggregateTwo legs, home and away
MT Melsungen60
Quarter-final opponent54

Legs: 28–28 away, 32–26 home

Interactive handball court

Role map: the shape behind the title

Select a position marker. Melsungen attack towards the right-hand goal; Simić guards the left.

Handball court role diagram

Goalkeeper · Nebojša Simić

Final MVP. 16 saves from 39 shots, 41 per cent, including the last stop at 59:51.

Metallic trophy room

The trophy comes home to North Hesse

MT Melsungen's first EHF European League title closes a campaign of 14 matches: 11 wins, 2 draws and a single defeat. The club scored 424 goals and conceded 375, and in the knockout rounds Simić made 57 saves across four matches.

Matches
14
Goal difference
+49
Knockout saves
57
Explore the club milestone