Handballers lose to Siofok in the European League

After their 33-32 win over Molde in the opening round of games in the European League, Borussia Dortmund's women's handball team lost 27-24 (13-11) away to Hungarian club Siofok KC on Sunday. The Black & Yellows' top scorer was the Swede, Emma Olsson, with eight goals.

The scenario: While BVB triumphed in their first group game of the European League with a 33-32 win against Molde Elite, Siofok KC suffered a comprehensive 30-21 loss away to French side Besancon. In terms of personnel, BVB coach Henk Groener had to make do without the injured pivot Lisa Antl.

The game: Despite their loss away to Besancon, Groener warned his team not to underestimate the Hungarians. The BVB coach also highlighted their fast-paced and physical style of play, which was evident right from the start of the game. It was a hectic game, with lots of technical errors and mistakes on both sides.

After 20 minutes, Siofok led 8-6. Coach Groener called his first time-out and demanded more compactness from his defence. The Black & Yellows struggled to contain Tamara Mavsar on the left and the French pivot, Hawa N'Diaye, both of whom scored four goals in the first half.

But BVB hung in there: after trailing 10-7, it was Sara Garovic who brought BVB back to within striking distance at 11-10 four minutes before the break. Emma Olsson then made it 12-11 after a beautiful pass. Just before the break, Meret Ossenkopp was denied by Siofok's goalkeeper Marina Rajcic. This was one of several excellent saves by the Montenegro international. The two teams went into the dressing room at half-time with BVB 13-11 down on the scoreboard.

BVB came out for the second half with more attacking intent, and quickly levelled the score at 13-13 through a seven-metre penalty by Alina Grijseels and a fast counter-attack finished off by Japan's Haruno Sasaki. But the hosts again opened up a two-goal lead, and it would remain that way for much of what remained of the encounter. Olsson briefly managed to reduce the deficit to 20-19 (46), but some sloppy play and lapses in concentration from BVB meant the Hungarians were able to pull away to 25-22 (55).

After a timeout in the 56th minute, Henk Groener made a change at goalkeeper, with Sophie Moth coming on for Yara ten Holte. In just 90 seconds, Emma Olsson scored after a great pass from Alina Grijseels, then Haruno Sasaki scored to make it 25-24. Two minutes before the end, the Serbian Garovic missed the chance to make it 26-25. The game was then decided when Tamara Mavsar netted a seven-metre penalty to make it 27-24.

BVB women's handball team: Moth, ten Holte, Kohorst; Grijseels (3/2), Sprengers (1), Kusian (3), Ossenkopp (3), Olsson (8), Rønning (2), Antl, Bleckmann, Sasaki (3), Hausherr, Stens, Schwarz, Garovic (1)

BVB coach Henk Groener: "We failed to capitalise on a lot of simple chances. We kept fighting our way back to within one or two goals, but then conceded a seven-metre or a time penalty. We should have been up by five goals, but we didn't manage to make it happen."

Outlook: On Saturday, 21 January, the Black & Yellows will play their second away game in the group phase of the EHF European League in Besancon. The French side sit atop Group A after their win over Molde.