Free-flowing Bietigheim fly past NFH

There was little to separate the two sides before the throw-off of their semi-final. Both Bietigheim and NFH had good seasons with great offensive play.

However, NFH had their worst European game in history, as they did not have the power or grit to stand up to the German side, who thrashed them 38:27.

• The second leg will take place next Sunday, in Denmark.
• The winner will likely meet Rostov-Don in the final, as the Russian side won their first leg of the semi-final  29:18.

SEMI-FINAL, FIRST LEG

SG BBM Bietigheim (GER) vs NFH – Nykobing Falster Handboldclub (DEN) 38:27 (19:13)

There was little room for mistakes, as a heavy defeat in the first leg of the semi-final could mean the end of the road for hopes of a final for either team.

With only two defeats this season - both with a small three-goal difference - NFH looked like a powerful opponent for Bietieghiem.

Yet the home court advantage worked wonders for Bietigheim in the first half. There was little to no defence from NFH, who collapsed from the 15th minute until the half time break as the hosts jumped to a 14:8 lead, after a 5:0 unanswered run between the 19th and the 25th minute.

The six-goal difference Bietiegheim took in to the second half, 19:13, was big enough to make them favorites for the final at this point.

No chance to come back

Their fast-paced counter attacks did huge damage to NFH, who were totally unprepared for their opponents. The hosts opened a 26:16 gap, with 20 minutes to go.

There was no stopping Susann Müller or Nina Christin Müller: they converted almost every chance given to them by their excellent goalkeeper, Tess Wester, who impressed in the second half.

Therefore, it was little surprise that Bietigheim jumped to an unassailable 36:21 lead, with the Danish side surrendering as the time ran by.

In the end, the German side only won by an eleven-goal margin, but that should be enough to see them through to their first European final in their maiden season in the EHF Cup.