03.05.2010, 10:15
Viborg with only one pivot in finals

A large burden upon Anja Althaus’s shoulders.

Viborg with only one pivot in finals

German international Anja Althaus will be Viborg HK’s only natural pivot in the upcoming Champions League finals against Romanian champions Oltchim Valcea.

Karen Smidt, who was promoted from Viborg’s reserve team as second line player, got injured at half time in Viborg’s recent away match against KIF Vejen in the Danish league.

As the 31 years old was bending down to pick up at ball, her knee locked in an unfortunate way. Karen Smidt had to undergo surgery, and will be out for the rest of this season, including the Champions League finals and the finals about the Danish championship.

As the other line player, Lene Lund Høy Karlsen, got pregnant, the Danes run out of natural pivots.

No real alternative

Head coach Jakob Vestergaard has tried Dianne Møller on the line, but without success. He admits that the ruling Champions League winners have no real alternative to Althaus in the position.

"I can use Rikke Skov in the position for short parts of the games, but we really need her in the backcourt line. So basically I hope that Anja Althaus is able to play 60 minutes in every match from now on," Jakob Vestergaard told eurohandball.com.

From the start of next season, Viborg will have two strong pivots again. As reported earlier, the Danes have signed Norwegian international Marti Malm Frafjort, who is joining from Norway’s number two, Byåsen.

TEXT: Peter Bruun