Borussia Dortmund's women's handball team will play their third-last match of the season in Leverkusen on Wednesday at 19:30 CET. Ahead of the NRW derby, BVB Head coach André Fuhr has called for professionalism and motivation from his team.

With the victory against Buchholz-Rosengarten last Saturday, BVB has already claimed the runners-up spot. No changes are possible, either upwards or downwards. However, in the NRW derby at Bayer Leverkusen in the Ostermann Arena, that only plays a minor role. "The games against Leverkusen always have a tremendous explosiveness, I have learned that during my time as coach at BVB," said Borussia coach André Fuhr before the game in Leverkusen. The Black & Yellows won the first meeting of the two sides earlier this season 30-24.

Three matchdays before the end of the season, the Leverkusen women, who are ninth in the table, can also play with freedom. After the 24-24 draw against Blomberg, they have secured their status in the league for another season. Fuhr demanded from his team "at least as solid a performance as against Buchholz-Rosengarten". On the other hand, the head coach also knows that Leverkusen is much stronger: "Leverkusen can play freely and without pressure, has a very mobile defence and has three exceptional young talents at the back with Viola Leuchter, Mareike Thomaier and Naina Klein.”

However, BVB can play just as freely as Leverkusen and will be looking for their 21st win in their 24th game of the season. However, the Dortmund women will have to show a more concentrated opening phase in the game than against Buchholz-Rosengarten.

"We threw away too many chances, allowed our opponents plenty of counter-attacks and presented Yara ten Holte with a number of challenges, which she mastered superbly," said Fuhr. Madita Kohorst, BVB's second goalkeeper, underwent cruciate ligament surgery in Cologne last week: "Madita came through the operation well, she is doing quite well at the moment," said Fuhr.

BVB national team player Mia Zschocke, who only moved from Leverkusen to Dortmund last summer, should be particularly motivated for this derby. On the other hand, Zoë Sprengers will also enjoy special observation. The young national team player from the Netherlands is one of the new signings who will play for BVB in the coming season.

Kick-off against Leverkusen is on Wednesday evening at 19:30 CET in the Ostermann Arena in Leverkusen. The match will be broadcast live and free of charge on Sportdeutschland.TV.