HB Ludwigsburg has returned to Borussia Dortmund in the top game of the handball Bundesliga for the only season defeat so far in the first half of the season.
The top game of the women’s handball Bundesliga was a clear thing. HB Ludwigsburg prevailed in front of 1,719 spectators with 40:29 (21:14) against Borussia Dortmund. The best throwers were Antje Döll (9 goals) and Guro Nestaker (6) for the hosts, on the part of the Westphalian Lena Degenhardt (5) and Dana Bleckmann and Emma Olsson (4 each) best.
The revenge was therefore successful: In the first leg in Dortmund, the defending champions had the only season defeat in the Bundesliga so far-33:28 was called for black and yellow at the time.
After 18 out of 22 game days of the main round, Ludwigsburg has the first place with currently 34: 2 points. The Thuringian HC is now second with 27: 9 points, followed by Borussia, which has as much points, but the worse goal difference.
“The championship is our absolute upper destination – especially next year to be back in the Champions League”, ” Had said Ludwigsburg’s captain Xenia Smits before the top game against SWR Sport – and so specified the route for the top game.
HB Ludwigsburg caught better start
And so the Ludwisburgers started. The hosts started varied, quickly went 3: 1 and 4: 2 in the lead and expanded them to three goals for the first time at 8: 5. The Swabians were often sought in the initial phase of the left wing Veronika Malá, the Czech contributed a few hits. But back player Jenny Carlson and district runner Döll were also very present early. In Dortmund attack, the back room players Déborah Lassource and Bleckmann found well into the match.
Ludwigsburg clearly settles with run
Dortmund struggled into the game. The BVB acted aggressively, put Ludwigsburg with problems and was cool in front of the opposing goal. The Westphalians designed the match until the middle of the first half. 10: 9 at this time it was said from the hosts’ point of view. Then Ludwigsburg had a run and screwed up the result by Viola Leuchter, Jenny Behrend, Carlson, Döll and Dorottya Faluvégi.
After this intermediate sprint, the game was more open again, Dortmund’s attack now hit again. However, the HB Ludwigsburg did not allow the hosts – so that the hosts went into the half with a clear 21:14 lead.
Dortmund rears up only briefly
In the second half, Dortmund reared up again briefly and had no chance against the individual class of the Ludwigsburg women. The Baroque townsmen let the ball run, played new attack variants again and again and presented Borussia with enormous problems. At 28:18, the Swabians were for the first time with ten goals ahead of the front. As a result, they took some speed out, but they were able to increase it again at will.
Xenia Smits: “I’m proud of the team”
In the end it was 40:29 for HB Ludwigsburg, which took revenge for the first leg against Dortmund. “We still had an invoice – and we paid them today,” said Ludwigsburg’s captain Smits after the game. “Dortmund has a strong team – but we really held against it today. There was a lot of will and power. I am proud of the team.”
The playoffs follow after the main round
Ludwigsburg now has the first place after completing the main round. However, the now “cemented” first place is not yet a guarantee of the championship title. Because for the 2024/2025 season, the playoffs were introduced again in the women’s handball Bundesliga. Means that the best eight teams play the championship after the main round.
HB Ludwigsburg still active in three competitions
Nevertheless, the HB Ludwigsburg is a clear favorite for the fourth championship in a row after an almost flawless course of the season. The Swabians, formerly SG BBM Bietigheim, are the measure of all things in German women’s handball and are also in the DHB Cup as well In the Champions League Continue in the race.
Prize on Thursday, 20.2.2025 6:00 a.m., SWR Currently in the morning, SWR Current
