Mannheimer HC are through to the ABN AMRO EHL Women’s GRAND FINAL in their debut attempt as they saw off the challenge of Junior FC 2-0, becoming the first German side to do so.
Second half goals from Florencia Habif and Pauline Heinz made the difference as Junior FC could not break down the Mannheim defences.
The first half was packed with chances at either end, Verena Neumann denied by Jana Martinez in the opening phases while Laia Vidosa’s bouncing shot was brilliantly denied Lisa Schneider.
That came from one of five corners for the Spanish side in the first half while Stine Kurz brought another massive save from Martinez, tipping the ball away
She also saved from Charlotte Gerstenhöfer’s powerful drive to keep the scoreboard blank at half-time.
The breakthrough goal came in the 38th minute when Florencia Habif stepped in front of her marker to make a great intercept. She followed it with a smart pass to Neumann and got the ball back before popping the ball up off Martinez and into the goal.
And the game was made safe with six minutes to go when Aina Kresken’s reverse-stick shot through the D got a neat touch from Heinz for 2-0.
Junior earned another couple of corners in the closing phases but could not make use of them and Mannheim are through to the GRAND FINAL and will find out their Dutch opponent tomorrow afternoon.
