Reichert leads Thüringer HC into the playoff semi-finals

The Bundesliga handball club Thüringer HC has reached the playoff semi-finals ahead of schedule. The team of Head Coach Herbert Müller prevailed 33:32 (18:14) at HSG Bensheim in the second quarter-final game and so decided the best-of-three series 2:0 in its favor.

With 15 goals, the outstanding Johanna Reichert was once again the best scorer for THC, which had already won the first encounter 36:34 in front of a home crowd on Easter Sunday. In the semi-final, the Thuringians will face the winner of the quarter-final series between defending champions HB Ludwigsburg and Frisch Auf Göppingen.

The THC got off to a slow start in Bensheim. The home side developed more drive on goal, but repeatedly failed to score due to the strong performance of goalkeeper Dinah Eckerle. When the Thuringians stepped up the pace of their play, they produced a 6:2 run to move 8:5 ahead in the 14th minute. Reichert in particular now turned on the heat and ensured that the lead grew steadily to 16:10 in the 25th minute.

The THC holds its nerve

The visitors initially had everything under control after the break, too, before the avoidable mistakes in attack became more frequent from midway through the second half. The Bensheim side gathered new courage and fought back to 25:26 (48') with four goals in succession. However, the THC kept its nerve in this critical spell, brought more variety back into its attacking play and made consistent use of its chances.

After a strong individual move by Reichert, the club from Thuringia was again quite comfortably ahead by 30:26 (54'). Although HSG fought its way back into the game in a wild final spell, the visitors' victory was no longer in serious danger. Bensheim only scored the final goal to make it 32:33 with three seconds remaining.