The Bundesliga handball players of Thüringer HC will also play on the European stage in the coming season. The team of Head Coach Herbert Müller deservedly won the chasing duel against HSG Blomberg-Lippe by 33:27 (15:18) on Saturday evening after a clear improvement in performance in the second half.
Two matchdays before the end of the season, the Thuringians (37:11 points) can no longer be displaced from fourth place by Blomberg-Lippe (32:16) and have thus secured their ticket for the European League. In their ninth home win of the season, Johanna Reichert was once again the THC's best scorer with 14 goals.
The Austrian immediately found her rhythm in front of 1220 spectators and ensured that the Thuringians led 3:1 after five minutes. However, the home side then repeatedly failed to score against HSG's strong goalkeeper Melanie Veith.
Blomberg developed far more penetration from the backcourt, took the lead for the first time at 5:4 (9th minute) and extended its advantage to 13:8 by the 21st minute. In the final phase of the first half, the THC improved immensely in offense because it was much more varied in its play, but was still unable to find a grip in defense.
After the break, the Thuringians stepped up the pace again with the speedy Sonja Frey in the center position and were also much more resolute in defense. Nicole Roth also put in an outstanding performance. With her saves, the goalkeeper facilitated a 5:0 run by THC to turn a 22:24 deficit (42') into a 27:24 lead (51').
In the final phase, Blomberg lacked the strength to threaten the Thuringians, who played like they were unleashed.
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