Waspo Hannover won the 1st match of the German playoffs final.
The club that will participate in the Final Eight in Belgrade, beat its archrival Spandau by three goals (12:9) in Hannover.
2021/22 German League, playoffs, final (best of five)
1st game
Waspo 98 Hannover – Spandau 04 12:9 (4:4, 3:2, 1:1, 4:2)
Hannover: Nagaev 4, Real 3, Radovic 2, Muslim 1,Schutze 1, Winkelhorst 1.
Spandau 04: Kholod 3,Chiru 2, Cuk 1, Jungling 1, Strelezkij 1, Restovic 1.
After a balanced first quarter, Spandau gained a 5:4 lead in the second period. But, Hannover responded with three straight goals and went to 7:5. From that point on, the hosts controlled the game.
Before the final period, Hannover had a slim 8:7 lead. But, midway through the fourth period, the hosts built a 3-goal advantage (11:8) and kept the distance until the end.
Spandau will be the host of the next two games. The final series will return to Hannover if the Berliners win at least one of the upcoming two matches that will be played this weekend. Spandau, which finished the regular season in 1st place, will have a home-field advantage in the possible 5th game.
