On Saturday morning, the team traveled to Leipzig by bus. New signing Pam Korsten and Lena Hausherr were not with the squad. Both are dealing with knee injuries but hope to return to team training soon. Also staying behind in Dortmund was Swede Emma Olsson, who had suffered a muscle injury in training on Wednesday.
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It was a double premiere for HC Leipzig. On Saturday evening, the promoted side played its first match in the 1st Bundesliga since the club’s insolvency in 2017. And for the first time, Leipzig’s women played at their new home venue, the Sportcenter Markranstädt, which, with around 1,100 seats, was at least well filled and provided a great backdrop.
Would BVB be impressed by that? Not necessarily, especially as the atmosphere was surprisingly calm and both sides made a very nervous start. Even so, after six minutes it was 4:2 thanks to goals from Kelly Vollebregt (2), Alieke van Maurik, and a seven-meter throw by Ona Vegué. New signing Nicole Wiggins started in goal for BVB and produced a fine save against Leipzig backcourt star Tucholke after eight minutes. However, the Spaniard could not prevent Kim Lang from making it 5:5 in the 10th minute. After a quarter of an hour, the Black-and-Yellows led by three for the first time at 9:6, including three seven-meter goals from Ona Vegué and three wing goals from Kelly Vollebregt.
After the first timeout (18th minute), head coach Kay Rothenpieler brought on Mareike Thomeier, Dana Bleckmann, and Iva Mladenovska in the backcourt, with Alina Grijseels following shortly after. Within a very short time, BVB stretched the lead to 17:11. With a long throw into Leipzig’s empty net, Ona Vegué made it 19:11, and Dana Bleckmann increased it to 20:12 in the same fashion (26th minute). The teams went into the break at 21:13. The promoted side had stayed with BVB for a full ten minutes, but after that BVB punished the opponent’s many errors through goals from the speedy Kelly Vollebregt and Ona Vegué, who scored nine times in the opening 30 minutes. BVB’s set attack also worked quite well, and new signing Iva Mladenovska enjoyed an impressive debut at right back with two fine goals.
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After the break, it was much the same. Aside from bringing in Lara Egeling for Ona Vegué, Kay Rothenpieler initially stuck with the lineup that had built the eight-goal lead. Leipzig, however, made the better start and cut the deficit to 17:23 in the 34th minute. But that was as good as it got. Lisa Antl in particular was in the mood for goals, finishing Alina Grijseels’ passes with confidence and almost single-handedly making it 28:19 in the 38th minute. Leipzig tried to keep the damage to a minimum, and did so increasingly well. BVB continued to play patiently and, through Nestaker, increased the lead to 31:22 in the 45th minute. During the second timeout, Kay Rothenpieler made a clear appeal to his players’ ambition: “We keep fighting, we go full throttle for another 15 minutes.”
But the real intensity had clearly dropped, and Rothenpieler rotated his lineup. After 50 minutes, the score was 33:23. In the closing stages, Leipzig grew more into the game, and goalkeeper Alexandra Orowicz prevented a heavier defeat by saving a seven-meter throw from Ona Vegué. At the other end, Sarah Wachter was also on hand with a save from the spot and numerous strong stops. In the end, BVB won 36:28. The Black-and-Yellows had secured their first two Bundesliga points in convincing fashion.
The first week of league action is a busy one. On matchday two of the Alsco Handball Bundesliga Frauen, BVB host SU Neckarsulm next Wednesday, 2 September, at Halle Wellinghofen. Throw-off is at 7:30 p.m. And then, on Saturday, 5 September, the EHF Champions League gets underway. The Black-and-Yellows begin with a home match against Danish side Team Esbjerg. Throw-off is at 4 p.m. at the Helmut-Körnig-Halle. BVB’s Round of 16 opponent in the DHB Cup has also now been confirmed. As defending champions, the Black-and-Yellows will host fellow Bundesliga side SV Halle-Neustadt.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
