Düsseldorfer HC retain German women’s title

Düsseldorfer HC prevailed 3-2 in a shoot-out to defend the German women’s title after a scoreless final in normal time against Mannheimer HC.

Mannheim had advanced to the final with a 5-1 win over Harvestehuder THC while Düsseldorf were taken all the way by Club an der Alster, also going to shoot-out on Saturday in Boon.

In a rain-soaked final, it was a very tight affair with Düsseldorf’s first corner well saved by Lisa Scheider, as was the follow-up. 

Mannheim then had the chance to take the lead right at the beginning of the second fourth, but Nadine Kanler’s shot at goal was repelled by Nathalie Kubalski.

Into the second half, Mannheim started in the ascendancy but the final pass could not be found while the goalkeepers remained unbeatable from the shots that did come.

They thought had a chance in the final seconds from a corner but, after a short consultation, it was overturned and so the game went to a shoot-out.

Düsseldorf got an early advantage there with Lucina van der Heyde shooting off course while Lilly Stoffelsma found a route to goal.

The pendulum swung the other way in round two with Charlotte Gerstenhöfer scoring while Elisa Gräve missed. As the third shooter, Sonja Zimmermann scored in her last game for Mannheim and, in return, Sara Strauss scored for Düsseldorf to make it 2-2.

Then Kubalski took over, saving round four onto the post while Selin Oruz scored for 3-2. Stine Kurz was also unable to beat Kubalski and Düsseldorf had the title.