Thüringer power past Glassverket to earn main round berth
After Buducnost and Metz Handball qualified for the main round, this result confirms which teams make it out of Group A with Thüringer taking the last spot.
It is the fourth consecutive main round berth for the German champions, who reached the quarter-final phase two seasons ago.
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The German team has lost both their games against Buducnost and the one against Metz, and therefore they need a win against the French side in the last game in order to avoid a zero point start in the main round
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An impressive 72 per cent shot efficiency brought Thüringer the second win of the season
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Glassverket are still winless in Europe and will face Buducnost in Moraca Arena in the last round
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Italian back Anika Niederwieser was Thüringer’s top scorer, with six goals, as Birna Berg Haraldsdottir scored seven times for Glassverket
GROUP A
Glassverket (NOR) vs Thüringer HC (GER) 27:33 (12:15)
There was already a mountain to climb for Glassverket if they were to qualify for the main round phase, after their 24:16 loss against Thüringer three weeks ago.
It looked like a straightforward win for Thüringer after the first five minutes, as the German side employed their high-octane passing game, jumping to a 5:2 lead.
But Glassverket quickly changed their outlook and managed to find the resources to cope with Thüringer’s attack, as the 5:1 defence worked miracles. A 4:0 run, sparked by Marianne Iversen, saw the Norwegian side take the lead for the first time after 10 minutes, 6:5.
More experienced, with seasoned players in the Women’s EHF Champions League, Thüringer brought focus and grit in the closing minutes of the first half, taking the lead and never looking back.
Failed comeback for the Norwegian side
Impressive nine-meter shooters like Luzumova and Niederweiser were Thüringer’s ace in the sleeve, with a 65 per cent shot efficiency that helped the German team boast a 15:12 lead after 30 minutes.
The difference continued to revolve between four and five goals in the second half, as Thüringer’s steady approach and the distribution of passes continued to confuse Glassverket.
As their fate was sealed, the Norwegian side did not lose their pride and mounted a spirited comeback that saw them only a goal behind, 25:24, but ultimately failed short.
The German side found the resources in attack to jump to a 8:3 run that sealed the win, 33:27, and the qualification for the main round phase.
TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / bc
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