Esbjerg and Midtjylland heading for third title race

Esbjerg and Midtjylland heading for third title race

Over the last two years, the women´s championship in Denmark was captured by Team Esbjerg and FC Midtjylland.

In the 2014-15 season, Midtjylland took the title, but last season, Esbjerg got their revenge and became Danish champions for the first time in their organization’s history.

Several factors indicate that the same two teams, who are in addition both representing Denmark in the Women´s EHF Champions League this season, are going to fight it out between themselves once again to reclaim the title. There is a general consensus among experts in Denmark that these two clubs simply have stronger squads than their rivals in the national league.

Although, Team Esbjerg may seem a bit weaker in the back court line than last season. Left back Norwegian international, Betina Riegelhuth, left home to play for the local league club Storhamar and playmaker Lærke Møller, who joined from TTH Holstebro this summer, is sidelined with a knee injury for the time being.

This situation forced Esbjerg to look for a further back court player and at the end of last week, 24-year-old Spanish international, Lara González, signed a two-year contract with the Danish champions, who bought her at no cost from Hungarian Siófok KC.

Esbjerg have also signed a third line player this summer. Norwegian Vilde Mortensen Ingstad has joined from Oppsal IF to supplement Ulrika Toft Hansen and Rikke Zachariassen in the line player position.

“It may seem interesting that we signed another line player, but actually, ‘Vilde’ could just as well carry the last name ‘Løke,’” explained Esbjerg coach, Lars Frederiksen.

“Vilde has the potential to become just as great a player on the line as Heidi Løke and as she is only 21-years-old, she has time to develop her enormous potential,” he added.

Turbulence in Midtjylland

In weeks leading up to the start of the season, FC Midtjylland, was hit with a shockwave, after head coach Helle Thomsen was surprisingly sacked after six years with the club.

As a result, assistant coach Kristian Kristensen was promoted to temporary head coach of a team, which includes several interesting newcomers.

Romanian international Eliza Buceschi has been brought in from German champions, Thüringer HC, as successor to Swedish international Johanna Ahlm in the playmaker position. A second Swede, Linn Blohm, has joined the squad from TTH Holstebro to replace Susan Thorsgaard on the line.

Icelandic international Rut Jónsdóttir and Swedish right wing Elin Lindén have been signed to strengthen the right side of the attack, while Swedish international, Martina Thörn, has joined from Norwegian Glassverket, as new backup to Sabine Englert in goal.

Several dark horses

In Denmark, there are several dark horses apart from the two favourites though.

With the signings of Serbian international goalkeeper, Jovana Risovic, from Radnicki Kragujevac and Danish international left winger, Maria Fisker, from last season’s Champions League winners CSM Bucuresti, Randers HK look like an interesting squad. However, when looking at Nykøbing Falster, Swedish international Nathalie Hagman is just one of several attractive signings to supplement an already promising team.

Viborg HK will miss Rikke Skov being out for the season, as she is pregnant, but with the signing of Swedish international Carin Strömberg as playmaker and Danish international Stine Bodholt for the line, Denmark´s most traditional women´s club may still play a part.