VOC Amsterdam is the new national champion in women’s handball. In a thrilling final in Geleen, Limburg, VOC proved to be slightly stronger than SEW from Nibbixwoud: 28-27. For SEW it is the second final in a row that has been lost. Last season, VZV from ‘t Veld won the title.
Both North Holland teams kept each other in balance throughout the match. Halfway it was 14-14.
Penalty throw Kwakman
When Ivana Kwakman was allowed to take a penalty throw one minute before the end, the decision was made. The only 16-year-old from Volendam kept a cool head and scored. Her twelfth goal this match. More importantly, she gave her team a two-point lead. SEW made it 28-27 in the closing seconds, but there was no time left after that.
The last time SEW was the best in the Netherlands was 22 years ago. VOC was allowed to hold up the championship scale in 2023. It is the eighth championship in club history for the team of outgoing coach Elly-An de Boer.
VOC finished in second place in the competition, while SEW came fifth. The team from West Friesland eliminated the favorite Kwiek (cup winner) in the play-offs. VOC defeated reigning champion VZV.
Aalsmeer eliminated
Earlier in the afternoon, Aalsmeer was eliminated from the men’s semi-finals of the Super Handball League. In the combined Belgian/Dutch competition, Belgian Bocholt turned out to be slightly better.
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This required extra time, because after regular playing time the score was tied: 22-22. A striking penalty throw in the final seconds of extra time made the difference: 28-27.
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The final will be played tomorrow, again in Geleen. Bocholt will then take on Bevo, who beat Sporting Pelt by a minimal margin: 38-37.
