After the record-breaking game in the European League at the Westfalenhalle last Sunday, which was attended by over 11,000 spectators, the Borussia Dortmund women’s handball team will now resume their Bundesliga campaign when HSG Bensheim/Auerbach visit Wellinghofen on Saturday evening (19:00 CET).

The Borussia ladies narrowly lost the latest meeting between the two teams in the DHB-Pokal at the end of January. Henk Groener and his players will be hoping to exact revenge and leave the court as winners this time around. A week without fixtures has certainly helped, because the match against Siofok KC in front of more than 11,000 fans at the Westfalenhalle last Sunday was extremely emotional. “That was really unique. So many people getting behind you, cheering for the team, singing songs…. It was an atmosphere you don’t get in handball in Germany,” reflected the BVB coach. He is happy that his players responded with a good performance and a victory for the spectators. “It was simply a wonderful experience and I hope it can happen again,” the Dutchman said.

But the record-breaking match is in the past for the Black & Yellows, whose focus is now on the Bundesliga and a tricky task against HSG Bensheim/Auerbach. The last time the two teams faced each other was in the DHB-Pokal on 29 January, when BVB lost by the incredibly narrow margin of one goal.

“That defeat still hurts, the team says so too. I expect that we’ll see a different BVB on Saturday to the one we saw in Bensheim,” said Groener, who is expecting his players to produce a more aggressive performance in defence, “with more bite and with more tactical discipline. Those will be the foundations for winning the game, because the 34 goals conceded against Bensheim were simply too many. We have to improve in that respect.”

The aim is for the full squad to be available for the game. Although Harma van Kreij was back on the bench for the first time since her injury on Sunday, she did not make an appearance on the court. Alina Grijseels is suffering from the after-effects of a dead leg that she sustained in the Siofok match. “Alina is still struggling a little but things look good,” said the coach optimistically, adding: “I’m also expecting Harma to get a few minutes.”

Meanwhile, the spectators in Wellinghofen can look forward to the match programme, which will also be available in printed form for the first time this season. Alternatively, you can read through the digital version of the current edition. Tickets are still available online or at the ticket office. The match (throw-off at 19:00 CET) will also be broadcast on Sportdeutschland.TV.