With the game against HSG Bad Wildungen, everyday life in the Bundesliga continued for Thüringer HC after last Sunday’s successful qualification into the EHF European League. At the start of the match luck was on the visitors’ side, Verena Osswald hit the post. In return, Annika Lott scored the first goal, Johanna Stockschläder completed a successful counterattack. After just under a minute and a half, the visitors were leading 2-0. It took HSG about three minutes for its first goal. The Vipers tried to break off the Thuringian attacks early and boldly attacked in defence. The result, a first-time penalty against Jana Scheib, who scored twice in the first half of the game. Within a minute, THC was awarded two penalty shots, Sonja Frey converted the first to safety at 2:3. On the second attempt she failed because of Manuela Brütsch. The guests could not tear themselves away. The Vipers concentrated their offenses and gave their all to keep the third-place team from playing pace. After ten minutes, THC was 4:5 up, the next equalizer was scored by Jana Scheib from the penalty line into the Thuringian goal. Whatever the guests felt, the Wildunger team responded with the connecting blow. Halfway through the first half of the game, Thüringer HC was leading 7:8. Her too many mistakes and Manuela Brütsch, who was in a good mood, prevented THC from taking a bigger lead and things didn’t go very well in defense either. Defense chief Anika Niederwieser had to be substituted in the 19th minute. Former THC player Marieke Blase kept her team close with a goal of 10:11. Herbert Müller looked dissatisfied on the sidelines and took his first outing. The Vipers are known for their fight to the finish and variable play. Manuela Brütsch saved and the rebound landed on Annika Ingenpass, who scored for 13:13. Five minutes to the half-time whistle. There was no sign of THC being favourites, the hosts kept pace and took the lead with 15:14. Both teams scored quick goals in the final round and the score was 17:16 in the dressing room.
Less than two minutes after the start of the second half, the ball hit the goal three times – 18:18. Laura Kuske made a THC save on goal and prevented the Vipers from getting back into the lead. THC did not miss a chance to take the lead and Dominika Zachova extended the lead to 18:20. HSG coach Tessa Bremmer, who had prepared her team well for the THC, saw the need to speak up after six minutes and took the team timeout. Jana Scheib, who had already conceded two penalties, received her third penalty after exactly 37 minutes, which stopped the game early for the hosts’ penalty taker. The visitors’ lead slowly grew, Yuki Tanabe scoring at 19:23. THC gradually increased the pressure in the attack and the defense in cooperation with Laura Kuske also acted better, but overall it did not come out countable enough. Manuela Brütsch was the guarantor of the Vipers and defused some shots on her goal. After 45 minutes it was 22:25, which was not what Herbert Müller wanted to see and so he took another time-out. Her speech did not bring the desired result. The Viperstor was thrown too carelessly and four minutes later the third team timed out for the Thuringian women. Now things seem to be going a little better, the visitors consolidate their lead of five goals. After the THC goal for 26:32, Tessa Bremmer got the green card six minutes before the end of the match. In the final phase, the Thuringians had more staying power and went into the last four minutes of the game with a 26:34. Laura Kuske in particular provided much-needed security with her own saves and a saved penalty shot. What seemed unthinkable given the course of the game happened a minute and a half before the final whistle, Anika Niederwieser scored the lead of ten goals at 27:37. With the final siren, the HSG shortened the final score to 29:38.
Statistics:
HSG Bad Wildungen: Larissa Schutrups, Manuela Brütsch; Annika Ingenpass 4, Maren Gajewski, Anouk Nieuwenweg 5/1, Emma Ruwe, Anika Hampel 3, Thea Oby-Olsen 4, Jana Scheib 4/3, Marieke Blase 1, Julia Symanzik, Verena Oßwald 4, Maksi Pallas 3, Jolina Huhnstock 1 , Lisa Marie Merck.
Thuringia HC: Laura Kuske, Irma Elisabet Schjott, Nicole Roth; Nikoline Skals Lundgreen, Sonja Frey 4/1, Nathalie Hendrikse 5/1, Yuki Tanabe 4, Dominika Zachova 3, Madeleine Hilby, Sara Sætre Rønningen 3, Vilma Matthijs Holmberg 2, Anika Niederwieser 3, Johanna Stockschläder 1, Annika Lott 9, Johanna Reichert 2, Jennifer Rode 2.
penalty shots: 6/4 – 3/2.
time penalty: 4 – 5.
Spectators: 325.
Referee: Christopher Hillebrand/Stefan Umbescheidt.
