Women's handball: SG BBM Bietigheim wins the European Cup

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All reason to celebrate: the players of the SG BBM Bietigheim

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JOHNNY PEDERSEN v AFP

The Bundesliga women handball team from SG BBM Bietigheim have won the European League.

The German champions prevailed in the final tournament against hosts HK Viborg from Denmark in a one-sided final 31:20 (17:10).

This is the first time since SC Leipzig 30 years ago that a club from the women's Bundesliga has won the second most important trophy in European club handball.

One day after the lucky 34:33 in the semi-final against Herning-Ikast (Denmark), Bietigheim played like a single piece, and after only 33 minutes they were in a double-digit lead at 20:10 for the first time.

As in the semifinals, goalkeeper Melinda Szikora was a strong support, national player Julia Maidhof was the best SG thrower in the final with six goals.

The success in the final in Viborg was the 50th win in a row for coach Markus Gaugisch's team across all seasons and competitions.

"We came here to win this pot, now we have it," said backcourt player Xenia Smits, who was voted the tournament's most valuable player (MVP).

However, the team will not be able to defend the title next season, because the champions will then play in the Champions League.

sak/sid/dpa