Baia Mare, Romania – Reigning champions Thüringer HC face mounting pressure in the EHF European League Women following a 28-24 defeat against CS Minaur Baia Mare on . The German side now requires victories in their remaining matches to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The journey to Sunday’s contest proved challenging for Thüringer HC, beginning with an overnight stay in Munich following a home win against Göppingen. The team then flew to Cluj, Romania, before completing the final 135 kilometers to Baia Mare – a city of over 110,000 inhabitants in the Maramures district – by bus.
The match held significant weight, with the winner gaining a crucial advantage in preliminary group A. Thüringer HC had narrowly defeated Baia Mare 33-32 in the first leg, adding to the stakes.
The game began with a goal from Johanna Reichert, but early defensive solidity from Thüringer HC, forcing Baia Mare into errors and controlling the circle, couldn’t sustain a lead. While the team initially moved to a 4-2 advantage after eight minutes, Reichert’s typically reliable long-range shooting faltered. She finished the game with seven goals, a decrease from the ten she scored in the first leg.
Goalkeeper Laura Kuske also faced a difficult afternoon, impacting Thüringer HC’s ability to consistently thwart Baia Mare’s attacks. The Romanian side maintained a slender lead for much of the first half, culminating in a 13-12 scoreline at the break.
A Tight Contest Until the Final Moments
The second half proved to be a closely contested affair, with both teams trading goals. Despite brief periods of equalization, including a goal by Reichert to tie the score at 11-11 in the 27th minute, Baia Mare consistently maintained the upper hand. A key moment occurred when Kuske saved a penalty, but Thüringer HC was unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
As the game reached its climax tied at 22-22 with nine minutes remaining, Thüringer HC faltered under pressure, allowing Baia Mare to pull ahead and secure the 28-24 victory.
The defeat adds to the pressure on Thüringer HC, who are now in a precarious position in the European League. They will need to win their remaining games to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals. The team’s performance will be under intense scrutiny as they look to regain their form and defend their title.
While the team’s defense showed initial improvement compared to recent performances, the struggles of key players like Reichert and the challenges faced by Kuske ultimately proved decisive. The demanding travel schedule leading up to the match may have also played a role in the team’s performance.
The loss highlights the competitive nature of the European League and the challenges faced by even the reigning champions. Thüringer HC will need to regroup quickly and address the issues that contributed to their defeat if they hope to remain contenders for the title.
The team will be looking to bounce back in their next European League fixture, but the road to the quarter-finals has become significantly more difficult following this setback in Baia Mare.
