Reigning champions Thüringer back in the final

SEMI-FINALS

Thüringer HC (GER) vs Viborg HK (DEN) 26:24 (11:10)

H2H: 3-0-0

Top scorers: Josefine Hanfland 5/6, Johanna Reichert 5/12 (Thüringer HC); Louise Søndergaard 5/8 (Viborg HK)

• goalkeepers on both sides had a good start to the game — both Louise Jensen and Laura Kuske were at 50 per cent save efficiency or more — keeping the score tight at 3:3 in the 10th minute
• in only three minutes, THC took control using a 4:0 unanswered run as Johanna Reichert and Natsuki Aizawa led the charge
• Viborg were struggling in attack — their scoreless period stretched from the eighth to the 18th minute, but they managed to spur their run to level at 7:7 in minute 22
• it was a back-and-forth game up until the final whistle — both THC and Viborg had two-goal leads on a few occasions and entered the last five minutes level (24:24)
• the nerves started to have their play and THC were the ones showing the experience of matches like this and scored the crucial goal for 26:24 with less than 10 seconds to go
• Josefine Hanfland and Johanna Reichert led the charge for THC with five goals each, just like Louise Søndergaard did for Viborg
• Laura Kuske blocked some shots in crucial moments of the game, making 10 saves for the German side

Back on familiar ground

Thüringer HC arrived in Dijon as the reigning champions and one of the clear favourites for the trophy, but had to survive the scare in the semi-finals against Viborg. They had periods when they were leading, but Viborg fought back and entered the last 10 minutes ahead. But THC once again found solutions for the Danish side, just like against Ikast in the final last season, and kept their title defence alive.

With another win separating them from the trophy, Thüringer now stand on the verge of history. Should they lift the title once again, they would become the first back-to-back winners of the EHF European League Women.

And while they are back in the finals — giving the ground for the best possible farewell to Anika Niederwieser and Nathalie Hendrikse, who are retiring at the end of the season — THC need more of Johanna Reichert's magic. The left back was blocked by Viborg's defence and only scored twice from the game, and three times from penalties. Still, she is leading the top scorers' chart, with her tally now at 103.

Photos © Foxaep