Horkheim vs Stuttgart

Stuttgart seized control from the opening whistle. Kasper Lien opened the scoring inside the first minute, and Patrick Zieker added a quick double to make it 3-0 by the fifth minute. Mohamed Darmoul and Lien stretched the lead to 6-2 by the 12th minute, and despite a brief Horkheim rally that cut the gap to 4-6, Stuttgart responded with a sustained barrage.

Kai Häfner scored twice in quick succession — the second from the seven-metre line — to make it 10-4 by the 15-minute mark. Horkheim's Niklas Roth provided a spark with consecutive goals in the 28th minute, trimming the deficit to 9-17, but Simone Mengon's strike immediately restored Stuttgart's eight-goal cushion. A Horkheim penalty goal on the halftime buzzer made it 11-18 at the break.

The second half followed the same script. Stuttgart rotated freely — nine different players found the net — while Mohamed Darmoul and Patrick Zieker led the charge. Horkheim managed their best spell between the 44th and 51st minutes, pulling within seven at 20-27, but Stuttgart had an answer every time. Kasper Lien, Malte Donker, Linus Schmid and Simone Mengon all scored in a decisive five-minute phase that pushed the lead to 23-34 by the 53rd minute.

The match ended 26-39, with Stuttgart advancing to Round 2.

The contest was effectively decided in the opening 15 minutes. Stuttgart opened 4-0 from the first whistle, built a 10-4 lead by the 15-minute mark, and never allowed Horkheim within five goals for the remainder of the half. The early run — started by Lien and Zieker — forced Horkheim into a chase they could never sustain against a side two divisions above them.

Mohamed Darmoul (Stuttgart) was the game's standout performer. The Algerian playmaker scored at least seven goals from the back court with relentless accuracy, repeatedly puncturing Horkheim's 6-0 defence from distance whenever the home side threatened a run.

Kasper Lien (Stuttgart) contributed at least five goals, including the opener in the first minute and several in the second-half surge that extinguished any Horkheim hopes of a comeback.

Patrick Zieker (Stuttgart) also registered at least five goals, scoring twice in the opening five minutes and continuing to find space on the wing throughout.

Niklas Roth (Horkheim) was the home side's most dangerous attacker, scoring three first-half goals — including back-to-back strikes in the 28th minute — in a losing cause.

The half-time scoreline of 11-18 tells the real story: Stuttgart led by seven at the break and by 13 at full time. Horkheim actually drew the second half 15-15, a marginal improvement that owed more to Stuttgart easing the tempo with the tie secured than to any structural change. Horkheim converted several seven-metre chances to keep the scoreboard moving, but Stuttgart's depth was decisive — nine different goalscorers versus a Horkheim attack that relied on a smaller core of players.

Stuttgart advance to the second round of the DHB Pokal as scheduled. For the Wild Boys, this was a routine competitive opener ahead of their 2. Bundesliga campaign, which begins in September. Horkheim — runners-up in 3. Liga Süd last season with a 41:19 points record (source: TVB Stuttgart preview article) — exit the cup but turn their focus back to league action.

A professional, no-nonsense performance from Stuttgart against a game but outmatched third-tier opponent. The 13-goal margin accurately captured the gap in quality and depth. Darmoul, Lien and Zieker all made early statements for the season ahead.