Borussia Dortmund were champions at the halfway stage – and they have won their first match of the second half-season too, beating ninth-placed VfB Oldenburg 39-30 (19-10) on Matchday 14 of the Women's Handball Bundesliga.

The league leaders were without injured playmaker Alina Grijseels and her absence was noticeable at the outset. It was only after about 10 minutes of a match watched by 530 spectators that BVB settled and began to impose their feared high-tempo game. They led 11-5 after 20 minutes and 19-10 at the break. But the team squandered several good chances in the second period and did not replicate the same consistency in defence, which allowed Oldenburg to score 20 goals (far too many!) after the break. In the end it finished 39-30 to Borussia, who have extended their lead to five points for the time being (Bietigheim are not playing against Göppingen until Wednesday). BVB's best thrower was Kelly Dulfer with eight goals. Germany international Jenny Behrend was the top scorer for Oldenburg with nine goals.

Our ladies are in action again next Saturday when they visit HSG Bensheim/Auerbach Flames. Throw-off is at 17:30 CET. The next home game is set to take place against Thüringer HC a week later. (br)