The Bundesliga handball players of Thüringer HC have celebrated their first win of the season in the European League at the second attempt. The team of Head Coach Herbert Müller defeated the Norwegian top club Larvik HK by 36:33 (19:16) on Sunday. Johanna Reichert was the THC's best scorer with ten goals.
The defending champions got off to the better start (5:2) and impressed throughout the first half with their variable attacking play. Although the Norwegians were dangerous in their fast-paced play, they were unable to find any grip in defense. As a result, the THC deserved to lead at the break.
The home side had the game under control up to 28:24 (45') thanks to its strong attacking performance, but then ran out of steam. Larvik now repeatedly exposed the gaps in the THC's defense and tied the scores at 30:30 in the 52nd minute. In the final phase, however, Thuringia's goalkeeper Laura Kuske was on top form and gave her teammates a boost. Csenge Kuczora made it 35:33 with 71 seconds remaining.
