BVB women's handball team beats Metzingen 34-24 in top match | OneFootball

In the run-up to the Bundesliga match of Dortmund women’s handball team against TuS Metzingen. BVB coach André Fuhr had spoken of a "top match in which we will definitely be strongly challenged." But it only proved a close match in the opening 15 minutes: In the end, Borussia won clearly and deservedly 34-24 (17-9 at half time) and consolidated second place in the table.

The first goal of the day in the atmospheric hall in Wellinghofen was scored by the visitors: backcourt player Anna Albek with the opening goal, before Katarina Pandza doubled the lead. After five minutes, the first goal came for the Black & Yellows, who had to do without Fatos Kücükyildiz (ankle injury) and Jennifer Gutiérrez Bermejo (knee problems) in addition to the long-term injuries: Captain Alina Grijseels pushed her way through and reduced the arrears to 1-2. It was Grijseels again who equalised the score for the first time at 3-3 in the ninth minute. Laura van der Heijden’s goal brought BVB into the lead just three minutes later. After 15 minutes, Grijseels’s throw took BVB into a two-goal lead at 6-4.

The Borussia women had now settled into the game, and were also getting stuck in defensively and made life difficult for Metzingen. BVB goalkeeper Madita Kohorst was also in fine form and saved her side from conceding a goal with a strong foot reflex. Metzingen coach Marlene Kalf reacted to the negative run of her team and took the first time-out after 20 minutes. But it did not have any effect, on the contrary: the hosts pulled away to a 13-5 lead after 24 minutes. The lead stretched to 10 goals three minutes before half-time - Metzingen was now completely powerless, so Kalf took a second time-out. After that, the guests grew increasingly into the game. Nevertheless, the half-time lead was comfortable from Dortmund's point of view: going into the dressing rooms with a 17-9 lead.

Just like at the beginning of the game, Metzingen was again responsible for the first goal after the restart: Silje Brøns Petersen made it 17-10, after which the Fuhr team tightened the reins again: Grijseels, Moreno and Zschocke restored the ten-goal lead with five minutes played in the second half. The second-placed team from Dortmund was already clearly heading for two points in this home match.

The fans rewarded the strong performance with thunderous applause. Well-deserved, because a quarter of an hour before the final siren, BVB was leading 27-16 against the fifth-placed team from Metzingen - a strong performance! Ten minutes before the final whistle, Dortmund coach Fuhr also took a time-out at 29-19. Holding a decisive advantage, there was no more tension at the end. Jana Nordberg, who actually plays for Borussia's A-youth team, scored her first goal in the Bundesliga with a penalty to make the score line 32-22 after 55 minutes. The last five minutes were end to end, with the final score line showing 34-24 in favour of the Black & Yellows.

"We had a hard time getting into the game, but then we were very mobile and defended well. It was a very cohesive team performance. Even after the changes we made, it didn't break down. I am very satisfied, the crowd was also really good," said coach André Fuhr after the match. "Alina Grijseels set the pace. I was also pleased with how Mie Sando held her own at the circle. But overall, it was a strong performance by the whole team."

BVB: Kohorst, ten Holte – Grijseels (7/1), Sando (4), Zschocke (5), van Zijl (5), Moreno (2), Abdulla, Freriks (3), Sasaki (1), van der Heijden (5), Rønning (1), Nordberg (1/1)