Dudelingen mother throws family festival in the Coque
When captain Laura Willems raised the trophy, Joy Wirtz had her son in her arms. She was happy about her premiere title as a mother. The little Mailo was allowed to celebrate in the Coque with his parents and his aunt Kim Wirtz. The triumph of the HB Dudelingen in the Loterie National Coupe de Luxembourg was also a family festival. « It’s a new event for us and very nice, » said Joy Wirtz with a laugh.
The national player had already won many titles with the HBD. This was still something special for her on Sunday. Her husband Mikel Molitor is now a coach of her team. The 29-year-old missed the pre-season when Dudelingen won the double because of the baby break. This time she was able to attack again. At the 20: 19 victory in the cup final against HB Käerjeng she was the most successful thrower of the day with eight goals.
If you dominate so many games and then lose the last one before the Final Four, it is very difficult mentally.
Kim Wirtz
HBD player
The third cup victory in a row for the Düdelingen women was also special because it was so hard fought. Joy Wirtz was not satisfied with the performance. « We didn’t have our best day and played bad passes, » she said. The league leader of the Axa League and reigning champions had an unusually large number of problems, was in deficiency several times at half -time with three points. « Everything is different in the cup because of the nervousness. But we finally showed that we wanted the title more than the opponent, » said Wirtz.
Barbara Fangueiro convinces again
Games between Dudelingen and Käerjeng are actually always top duels. But this season the HBD was a favorite, the opponent had a difficult season and changed the coach at the beginning of the year. Dudelingen had a series of 36 games without defeat, which rupted in the last league game in front of the trophy-at home with 29:30 against Käerjeng. This experience, which didn’t change anything at the top position in the table, apparently worked until the cup final.
The relief with Kim and Joy Wirtz (20) was great after the cup victory. Photo: Stéphane Guillaume
« If you dominate so many games and then lose the last one before the final Four, it is very difficult. Then you are already tense. You are so blamed that you cannot play freely because you think too much, » Kim Wirtz described the situation of the Düdelinger. They also had a pagan response in front of the strong opposing goalkeeper Zorana Jurcevic, who had made life difficult for them several times. This was also the case in the Coque.
This time, however, both goalkeepers were the focus. The young Düdelingen final woman also offered a very strong performance. After 20 parades was 18-year-old Barbara Fangueiro As already awarded the most valuable player in the semi -finals. « She is a fighting nature, » Joy Wirtz praised the young colleague.
Barbara Fangueiro knew how to convince once again. Photo: Stéphane Guillaume
The league defeat from March, which had brought the defending champion mentally out of the kick, was also enough motivation to pull the rudder around in time in time. « At half -time we swore that we will catch up with the three points because we could even catch up nine in the last game against Käerjeng, » reported Joy Wirtz.
Dramatic final phase
Important impulse for the 17th cup title of an HBD women’s team was Svenia Gambini, who scored some of her six goals at very important times and brought the Düdelinger game again after doldrums. « It was really a fight. We really rowed to get forward. I’m glad that it was enough, » she said.
In one of the most exciting cup finals ever, it even looked like an extension. They prevented Fangueiro at the end with a parade, but also the determination of the colleagues. « I just thought: we won’t get a goal anymore and that was it. I definitely didn’t want an extension, » said Gambini.
Your team now has a difficult task in front of her. The end of the season in the Axa League is played after a new mode. After the old one, Dudelingen is already determined as a master, now the cards are mixed again. This Saturday the semi-finals start with the first and second leg. Table leaders Dudelingen meets the fourth HB Esch, the second Käerjeng on the third Red Boys Differdingen. Then there is a final series according to the best-of-thread mode.
Berchem’s match winner is surprised by his own performance
The HBD women want to defend the double. A successful end of the season would be particularly important for Joy Wirtz. She had fought in vain for the first league title for a long time since 2016. When it finally worked last year, she couldn’t play along. All the more she hopes to celebrate the championship soon – for the first time as a family.
Käerjengs Tina Welter also ends the club career
An outstanding career as a handball player soon ends. After her resignation from the national team, Tina Welter also announced her farewell as an active player in the club. The upcoming play-off games for the title in the Axa League will be their last in the jersey of the HB Käerjeng. « After that is over, » confirmed the 32-year-old.
She made the decision a few weeks ago, now she made her public. Welter played a total of 16 years for Käerjeng, most recently after her time as a professional in Germany, four seasons in the Axa League. She had to struggle with injuries in the past few weeks. She was also struck in the cup final on Sunday. Welter remains true to her sport as a trainer of the female U17 and U19 national teams.
