In 2020, she arrived in Bietigheim. Since then Smits has become German champion twice, German cup winner three times and as the icing on the cake won the European League.
“Since my arrival in Bietigheim I definitely play a bigger role also in the national team. When I was a kid I dreamed of having one international match in my life, now I have played 100 times for Germany, incredible,” she says.
In 2014, Smits exchanged their Belgian passport for a German one. In the same year, after playing the U20 World Championship, she became a women’s national team player. “Still, every international match – with the club or the national team – is something special for me,” Smits says.
One important reason for the current success in the EHF Champions League Women is that the new coach and the new arrivals fit perfectly and that their integration went quickly and smoothly.
“It is impressive to see how the new ones and the old ones play together, the club did a great job in selecting our new arrivals and our new coach,” Smits thinks.
Only Smits’ role has changed significantly in the last years: Until shoulder surgery in 2020, she was more or less a shooter, now her major focus is on defence.
“I still can shoot, but my style of throwing has changed due to my shoulder. So I am sure I can help my teams much more standing strong in defence.”
That defence will be tested in the Match of the Week, with Odense also having had a solid start to the season with three wins so far, including both home games. The tone for the rest of Bietigheim’s season could well be set in Denmark on Sunday.