HYPOTHROUGH TO THE SEMIS!

“Hypo was the best team over two matches – it’sreally that simple!”

The coach from Ikast-Bording, MagnusJohansson, summed up the realities in few words after Saturdays decisive quarterfinalin Herning, Denmark. The Danes led by seven goals, but the guests fromNiederösterreich showed great spirits. Eventually, the Austrian giant lost31-32 in Saturdays difficult away match against Ikast-Bording. The 32-31victory to hosts Ikast-Bording was useless – for Hypo Niederösterreich thedefeat was sweeter than ever. After a five goal win in Südstadt, the Austriangiant managed yet another great team effort – the combination pushed Hypo intothe Champions League semifinals.

However, the tide seemed to be going against the club from Südstadt, Hypo wentdown on the scoreboard. At halftime in Herning the home team, Ikast-Bording,led by five goals – 19-14. Just a few minutes into the second half the Danescreated fear within the Hypo-delegation as the Ikast lead went to 22-15. Somehow,the Austrians found a new breath and new strength.

The defence switched to an offensive 5:1 assignment – with Hypo star TanjaLogvin as wall breaker on playmakers Kristine Andersen and Gro Hammerseng. Thetactic crushed Ikast. In eight minutes, the Danes did not manage to score. Thatwas fuel for the Hypo engine, which in turn pushed the away team to score fivegoals in a row. A pleasant déjà vu for Gunnar Prokop’s players, but also aterrible copy of Ikast’s black out a fortnight earlier. In Südstadt, the Danishside lost the last 15 minutes…

Back in Herning: At 22-20 the power of Ikast was gone. Not even brilliantdisplays from international stars, Danish keeper Karin Mortensen and Norwegiantop scorer Gro Hammerseng (ten goals) could change the Hypo makeover. In particular,Tanja Logvin (ten goals), Gabriela Rotis and the Ukrainian captain TetyanaShynkarenko were vital figures in the Austrian success.

 
In the final stages of the match, Ikast desperately hunted the six goals neededfor a victory, but on an evening where only three Ikast players showed top-levelperformances, the task was too big, however, not for Hypo Niederösterreich.

Text. Ole Bitsch