From zero to hero

In 2009 Thüringer HC was close to relegate to the second league in Germany and only remained among the elite because one team failed to receive a license.Two years later THC became the biggest surprise in German women’s handball in the last years.

After a thrilling final series against Buxtehude (now also qualified for the Group Phase) they won the German championship for the first time ever – only three weeks after celebrating their first German cup in club history.

The man behind those successes is a well-known face in international handball: Herbert Müller.

The current coach of the Austrian women’s national team led his former German club 1. FC Nuremburg to the EHF Women’s Champions League twice, including their surprise proceeding to the Main Round.

Later-on he coached Brasov in his mother country Romania and then returned to Germany in 2010 to THC.

Müller, assisted by his brother Helfried in every club he had been since more than a decade, formed a completely new team in the Erfurt region in Eastern Germany with eleven new players.

Thanks to him some of his former players from Nuremburg joined the new team, like Stefanie Subke, Kerstin Wohlbold or Katrin Engel.

And due to a strong financial background from tourism and agricultural organizations, THC was able to sign some internationally experienced players last season like two times EHF Champions League winner Nora Reiche, arriving from Viborg or Brazilian international Idalina Borges-Mesquita, who had played at Hypo and Leipzig before.

But in contrast to the season before Müller now lacks international experience as Austrian record international Subke retired and Dutch playmaker Pearl van der Wissel returned to Denmark.

But THC signed some more international players like the Slovakian internationals Lydia Jakubisova and Dagmara Stuparicova or Dutch international Willemijn Karsten.

New goalkeeper is Brazilian Adriana Stefani Gava, coming from last season’s EHF Champions League finalist Itxako.

In their first ever appearance in the EHF Women’s Champions League Müller hopes to reach the Main Round, although he rates his team as the "great underdog" in the group with Danish champions Midtjylland, last season’s semi-finalists Buducnost Podgorica and qualifier Byåsen Trondheim.

"We will have to face the hardest of all opponents from the pots 2 and 4, and I do not mind what team will come from pot 1," Müller said right after the draw.

As their usual home hall in the little town Bad Langensalza was not approved, they have to travel to Erfurt for their EHF Champions League matches – and also hope to attract more spectators there.

Their only international appearance up to now was in the Challenge Cup in 2009 – where they reached the final. Then they skipped any EHF Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup participation to straight become participants in the EHF Women’s Champions League.

Three questions to coach Herbert Müller

Herbert Müller: To be part of the EHF Women’s Champions League is something absolutely new for our club. It is our first aim to represent German handball on international floor as well as possible.

We know that we have to play in a very tough group, only against experienced top teams from superb handball countries.

But this constellation means a huge attractiveness to our fans and sponsors, as we can compete with the best of the world.

Herbert Müller: It is an absolute highlight for the club and the whole region. We have written history by becoming German champions, now this fairy tale continues.

There is an extraordinary euphoria in the club’s surroundings since we know that we play in the EHF Champions League.

So we are really looking forward to this next step of our club’s history.

Herbert Müller: I believe that the time has come for a triumph of Györ, as they have the best squad in the EHF Champions League, therefore I rate them as the main contenders.

Defending champions Larvik might get problems without Löke and Hammerseng, but I still estimate them as one of the best teams.

Below those two teams I would consider Valcea and Podgorica – and maybe a surprise team like Itxako in the last season will have the chance to proceed to the semi-finals.

Club facts – Thüringer HC (GER)

Newcomers: Adriana Stefani Gava (SD Itxako Estrella/ESP), Dagmara Stupricova (Team Esbjerg/DEN), Willemijn Karsten (DJK/MJC Trier), Katrin Schröder (FA Göppingen), Lydia Jakubisova (VfL Oldenburg)

Left the club: Petra Blazek (Hypo Niederösterreich/AUT), Martina Knytlova (Sindelfingen), Pearl van der Wissel (SK Aarhus/DEN), Franziska Garcia-Almendaris (Bayer Leverkusen), Stephanie Subke (end of career)

Coach: Herbert Müller, since 2010

Qualification for the 2011/2012 EHF Women’s Champions League season: German champions

EHF Women’s Champions League records:
Participations (including 2011/2012 season): 1

Other EC records:
Challenge Cup Finalist 2008/09

German champion: 2011
German Cup winner: 2011

Further information

Find more information on Thüringer HC HERE.

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Photographer: Mario Gentzel