Sandra Toft shines in first Larvik win

With a save percentage of 47 and many crucial saves, goalkeeper Sandra Toft played a vital role, as Larvik took their first win in the Women’s EHF Champions League this season, defeating the unbeaten hosts, Team Esbjerg, 31:24.

• Esbjerg goalkeeper, Emily Stang Sando and right back, Ida Bjørndalen, both played against their former club, Larvik HK
• The match was the first EHF Champions League match ever between the two teams
• While the win was Larvik’s first in the group, it was also Esbjerg’s first defeat

GROUP D

Team Esbjerg (DEN) vs Larvik (NOR) 24:31, 12:13

Sixty Larvik fans had a great Sunday afternoon in Blue Water Dokken in Esbjerg, as their team claimed their first win in the Women’s EHF Champions League this season.

A stellar performance from Danish international, Sandra Toft, in the Larvik goal, as well as great tactical cleverness by the visitors, caused the clear away win.

Larvik playing seven against six from the start

Larvik played seven against six in the attack from the start and with a certain success, as the visitors had no problems producing scoring opportunities at the beginning.

Larvik’s attack was boosted by left back, Alina Wojtas, finally being able to play in the attack after her long injury break. The 191-centimetre tall Polish international was not only dangerous as a shooter, but also good at finding her teammates with a pass.

Yet, Larvik never managed to make any distance, as the first half stayed equal all the way with lead changes, as the distance never was larger than two goals.

Larvik the far better team

In their first two Women’s EHF Champions League matches, Larvik have tended to collapse in the second half and lose the lead. This time, it was the other way round.

After making plays set-up seven against six in the first half, the visitors had even greater success playing a more normal six against six after the break. Combined with Sandra Toft’s many saves, Larvik ended the match as the far better team.

“After two straight defeats, we hoped that the seven against six tactic could wake us up and I must say, it was a success. I was actually very nervous about playing in Denmark, so I am particularly happy that it went so well,” Sandra Toft told Danish TV.

“We were not good enough at tackling them in our defence and in the attack, we were not determined enough. Their win was deserved, as we played really bad,” said Dutch international, Estavana Polman, from Esbjerg.