The victory over HSG Blomberg-Lippe means that the Borussia Dortmund handball ladies are on the verge of qualifying for the European League again. After winning the bronze medal in the Final Four in Graz and the success in the Bundesliga, morale at the club is high, as the sporting director Andreas Kuno reveals.

The match against Blomberg was exciting at the beginning, and in the end it took a huge effort to get over the line. How do you look back on the match the day after?

“The opening stages were much better than I expected. This was the fourth or fifth game, in which we have been fully on it straight away and played really great handball. I had also expected significantly more resistance. Blomberg were certainly not good, but you still have to do it on the court, and we did that. In the end, it always comes down to energy levels, and also a bit of mental strength. And if you take a seven-goal lead into the break, it’s not easy to come out and do it all over again.”

The victory gives the team a four-point advantage over Blomberg and a better goal difference with two matches remaining. Can you start planning for the European League?

“Our starting position is better and after this victory, we can go into the next match in Thuringia a little more relaxed. I had great respect for Blomberg and also for Metzingen, but we handled those two games very comfortably.”

When you see the scenes in the hall, you get the feeling they brought the euphoria back from Graz and straight to Wellinghofen …

“Yes, I felt that as well, and I think that is something we will see again. People are coming and enjoying watching us play handball. The team are also giving them plenty of reasons to do so. I am really happy that on a Wednesday night before a holiday, the hall was so full. If things continue to develop the way they have been, we will soon have four-digit attendances again.”

What does a weekend like the one in Graz do for the team and the club as a whole?

“The trip was very good, it was good for the club in terms of the overall public perception. The team put on a fantastic showing. In addition, such an intensive weekend brings you together. The players grow from it, and the club in general grows from it. The atmosphere in Graz was excellent. We had the second most fans of all four clubs with us. A lot of the fans who were in Graz were also in the hall for the game against Blomberg. I am glad and grateful and hope that things will continue to develop like this.”

How important was it to finish third in the Final Four?

“For me, it was very important that we were able to secure third place, in a very emotional game against a strong competitor from our league. That gives us a massive confidence boost. I also found it really good that our media coverage was viewed in an extremely positive way. I was approached by many people, such as people from the league and agents.”