Handball: Kriens-Lucerne’s Bitter Season
Kriens-Lucerne’s Season Ends in Playoff Disappointment
Bern,Switzerland (May 2,2025) – HC Kriens-Lucerne’s handball season concluded prematurely after a 36-34 loss to BSV Bern in the playoff semi-finals.The defeat, held Thursday evening, dashed Kriens-Lucerne’s hopes of advancing to the Finalissima in Sursee.
The loss marks a stark contrast to Kriens-Lucerne’s Swiss Cup victory against Wacker Thun on March 1, when Luca Sigrist secured the win with a last-second penalty. This time, however, Sigrist’s missed seven-meter shot proved pivotal, as Bern’s mathieu seravalli made the save with just over two minutes remaining, with the score tied 34-34.
BSV bern, fueled by a boisterous home crowd, capitalized on the momentum, securing the victory and winning the best-of-five series 3-1. “The disappointment is great,” said HCKL coach Zeljko Musa. “This is not the time when we wanted to end our trip this season.”
Cycling Fans’ Journey Unrewarded
Approximately 150 Kriens-Lucerne fans, including three who cycled over three hours from Entlebuch and Emmental, provided vocal support in the near-capacity arena.The team initially responded well, with Musa’s 5-1 defensive strategy causing problems for Bern. Goalkeeper Kévin Bonnefoi also started strongly, and the attack displayed determination. Kriens-Lucerne, drawing on their European League experience, established an 18-12 lead after 22 minutes.
However, instead of extending their lead, Kriens-Lucerne allowed Bern to close the gap before halftime.
Sigrist’s Bench Time Questioned
Bern’s fast breaks and quick transitions began to trouble Kriens-Lucerne. After leading 21-19 at halftime and extending the lead to 30-26, Kriens-Lucerne’s 6-0 defensive setup proved ineffective. Fans questioned the decision to keep Luca Sigrist, a key offensive player in the first half, on the bench for a critically important portion of the second half.
Rotation Strategy Backfires
Musa explained his decision to rotate players, including Sigrist and Sipic, stating, “I want freshness, not tired players, so I rotate a lot.” However, this strategy backfired as Bern rallied to tie the game at 30-30 by the 46th minute. Although Sipic returned in the 51st minute, he couldn’t recapture his first-half form. Kriens-Lucerne resorted to a rushed offensive approach, compounded by unfavorable referee calls, ultimately leading to their defeat and the end of their season.
Match Statistics
Bern - Kriens-Lucerne 36:34 (19:21)
2,157 Viewers. Referees: Boshkoski/Stalder.
Penalties: Bern 4 x 2 minutes.
BSV Bern: Seravalli (12 saves), Brändle (1); Aellen (10 goals/5), Arn, Eggimann (4), Gantner, Getzmann, Jauer (3), Kusio (8), Nyström (1), Rohr, Schnyder, Strahm (1), Wanner (7), Weingartner, Weiss (2).
Kriens-Lucerne: Bonnefoi (8 saves), Näf; CEPIC (2 goals), Delchiappo (1), idrizi, Küttel (1), Langenick, Oertli (2), Orbovic (2), Röttges, Schlumpf (6), Sigrist (9/2), Sipic (4), Steenaerts (5), Wolfisberg (2).
Remarks: Penalty shots: 1 for 1.
Kriens-Lucerne’s Handball Season: A Playoff Disappointment
What happened to HC Kriens-Lucerne?
HC Kriens-Lucerne’s handball season ended in the playoff semi-finals with a 36-34 defeat against BSV Bern on Thursday,May 2,2025. This loss prevented them from advancing to the finalissima in Sursee.
Who won the match between BSV Bern adn Kriens-Lucerne?
BSV Bern won the match 36-34, securing their victory and winning the best-of-five series 3-1.
What was the key moment that led to Kriens-Lucerne’s defeat?
A missed seven-meter shot by Luca Sigrist with just over two minutes remaining in the game proved pivotal. Mathieu Seravalli of BSV Bern made the crucial save when the score was tied at 34-34.
How did the series between BSV Bern and Kriens-Lucerne conclude?
BSV Bern won the best-of-five series 3-1, eliminating Kriens-Lucerne from the playoffs.
What were the reactions to the loss from Kriens-Lucerne?
Coach Zeljko Musa expressed his disappointment, stating, “The disappointment is great…This is not the time when we wanted to end our trip this season.”
How did Kriens-Lucerne’s fans support the team?
Approximately 150 Kriens-Lucerne fans attended the game, including three who cycled over three hours to show their support.
How did Kriens-Lucerne perform in the first half?
Kriens-Lucerne initially played well, establishing an 18-12 lead after 22 minutes.Also, the team’s 5-1 defensive strategy made Bern struggle in the beginning.
What contributed to Kriens-Lucerne’s loss?
Several factors contributed to Kriens-Lucerne’s loss:
Bern’s Comeback: Bern closed the gap before halftime and capitalized on momentum.
Sigrist’s Bench Time: The decision to keep Luca Sigrist, a key offensive player, on the bench for a portion of the second half raised questions.
Ineffective Defensive Setup: Kriens-Lucerne’s 6-0 defensive setup proved ineffective in the second half.
musa’s Rotation strategy: Coach Musa rotated players, including Sigrist and Sipic, leading to a decline in performance.
Unfavorable Referee calls: Kriens-Lucerne’s offensive approach was affected by unfavorable referee calls.
What was the final score of the match?
The final score was Bern 36, Kriens-lucerne 34.
Can you provide a summary of the key match statistics?
Hear’s a summary of the key match statistics:
| Statistic | BSV Bern | Kriens-Lucerne | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 36 | 34 | |
| First Half Score | 19 | 21 | |
| Viewers | 2,157 | ||
| Penalties | 4 x 2 minutes | ||
| Penalty Shots | 1 for 1 | 1 for 1 | |
| Top Goalscorers | |||
| Aellen | 10 | Sigrist | 9/2 |
| Kusio | 8 | Schlumpf | 6 |
Who were the top scorers for BSV Bern?
The top scorers for BSV Bern were:
Aellen: 10 goals (5 penalties)
Kusio: 8 goals
Who were the top scorers for Kriens-Lucerne?
The top scorers for Kriens-Lucerne were:
Sigrist: 9 goals (2 penalties)
* Schlumpf: 6 goals
What was the impact of Luca Sigrist’s performance?
Luca Sigrist’s performance was crucial, especially in the first half. However, his missed seven-meter shot and his bench time in the second half were pivotal moments.