The team from eastern Germany become champions for the sixth time .
Leipzig defend German title
For the sixth time in their club history HC Leipzig became German champion in the Women’s Bundesliga. Like in 2009 they beat Bayer Leverkusen in the final. Leipzig paved the way to their title in the first leg, with an 28:26 away victory. The second leg ended with a draw in Leipzig (22:22).
HCL’s Norwegian international Mette Ommundsen was the outstanding player in both finals with in total 16 goals. Aside both goalkeepers, Katja Schülke (Leipzig) and Clara Woltering (Leverkusen), played brilliant.
Nearly 6000 spectators attended the second final and the big title party in Leipzig. As the HCL squad will remain nearly the same for next season, Leverkusen is planning to undergo some changes: German international Anne Müller leaves for Leipzig, also Heike Ahlgrimm (Blomberg), Katrin Engel (Erfurt) say goodbye.
For HCL coach Heine Jensen, who was the first coach in club’s history to defend a championship title, the mental strength of his players were decisive for the title: "We had enough faith in ourselves, even as we were two goals behind Leverkusen in the second leg."
Both German finalists have qualified for next season’s Champions League. Leipzig is qualified directly for the Group Phase, Leverkusen will have to go through the qualification tournament.
TEXT:
Björn Pazen