The BVB handball women were valiant in defeat in the big match in the Women’s Handball Bundesliga against heavy favourites BBM Bietigheim. After 60 high-quality and exciting minutes, Dortmund were beaten 33-27 (16-14), but left the court with their heads held high after an impressive performance.

The scenario: BVB lost the reverse fixture in Bietigheim 35-22. The clear victory in Metzingen had given BVB a four-point cushion ahead of HSG Blomberg-Lippe going into the big game against Bietigheim. The gap behind second-placed Thüringer HC was also four points.

Personnel matters: While captain Alina Grijseels is still on the sidelines due to the hand injury sustained in the game against Zwickau, Sara Garovic had returned to training this week, but was not yet ready to make the squad after her prolonged absence. 

The match: The Westpress Arena in Hamm has proved to be a successful location for BVB in recent weeks and months. With the support of the fans behind them, the Black and Yellows had won all their European League matches in Hamm. It was therefore understandable that the handball arena in Hamm was also chosen as the venue for the big Bundesliga match against BBM Bietigheim. Some 1009 spectators had come to enjoy the spectacle.

BVB started the game with some aggressive defence. Japanese international Haruno Sasaki had the task of disrupting the circles of the two ex-BVB players Kelly Dulfer and Inger Smits. Time and again, Sasaki was knocked over by the 1.85 m tall Dulfer, but still managed to disrupt the away side enough to allow BVB to repeatedly start up counter-attacks. 

It quickly became clear that the two teams on the court would not give their opponents an inch, and both were brimming with confidence. After ten fast-paced and very even opening minutes, BVB led 8-6. After a quarter of an hour, Bietigheim had equalised at 9-9.

BVB were doing what exactly coach Henk Groener had demanded of his team in the run-up to the game. Borussia fought, did not give up on a single ball, and found particular success through circle runner Emma Ollson and right-winger Merit Ossenkopp.

The champions from Bietigheim struggled to shake off their hosts. After spectacular goals from Harma van Kreij on 24 minutes and Dana Bleckmann two minutes later, BVB had pulled within one of their opponents at 14-13 four minutes before the break, but picked up a 2-minute suspension and went into the dressing room two goals down at 16-14.

In the second half, too, the pace was extremely high at both ends. BVB were unlucky, with Anna-Lena Hausherr striking the bar, before Julia Maidhof increased the away side’s lead to 19-16 with a penalty throw on 35 minutes. When Xenia Smits finished a counter-attack to make it 21-17 shortly afterwards, Bietigheim had a four-goal cushion for the first time.

On 42 minutes, Lisa Antl completed a counter-kick to make it 22-21 and pull BVB within one goal of the away side once again. Bietigheim had Kelly Dulfer to thank in this phase, as she repeatedly found the net in seemingly hopeless situations, even under time pressure. 

The period between the 45th and 50th minute was the decisive phase in the game. BVB players repeatedly incurred 2-minute suspensions, and by the 50th minute, they found themselves 26-22 down, with Bietigheim consistently exploiting mistakes from the hosts, which were becoming increasingly frequent. In the closing stages, the pace went up another notch. BVB’s strength failed them, and Bietigheim were able to make changes and stretch their lead to 30-23 on 54 minutes. Just before the final whistle, Lisa Antl found the net for a 33-27 final score.

Henk Groener: “In the end, Bietigheim deserved their victory. We fought for 60 minutes, gave it our all and kept up for a long time against the strongest defence in the league. In the end, we lacked some strength. We did well to stop Bietigheim from playing quickly. I think the crowd enjoyed what they saw.”

Dana Bleckmann: “I think we got under Bietigheim’s skin a little today, at least for 50 minutes. It was an even game. In the end, we just ran out of steam. Ultimately, Bietigheim’s class and experience told. We had two difficult games in a row, so we can be satisfied. The atmosphere in the arena was outstanding once again.”

BVB Handball Women: Moth, ten Holte, Kohorst; Sprengers (2), Kusian, Antl (4), van Kreij (1), Ossenkopp (3), Sasaki, Olsson (3), Rønning (3), Stens, Hausherr (5/3), Schwarz, Bleckmann (6)

Outlook: Next up for the Dortmund’s handball women is an away game in Bad Wildungen on Saturday 6 May. On Friday 12 May, BVB will then fly to Graz for the European League Final Four. The semi-final against the Danish team Nyköping Falster Handbold will take place on the Saturday.