Stuttgart, Germany – Borussia Dortmund’s women’s handball team etched their names into German sporting history on Sunday, securing the DHB-Pokal title with a commanding 30-25 victory (15-11 at halftime) over HSG Bensheim/Auerbach. The final, played before a record crowd of 3989 fans at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart, marks Dortmund’s first major trophy since 1997 and a thrilling culmination to the 2026 DHB-Pokal Final Four tournament.
The atmosphere inside the Porsche-Arena was electric, with Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim “Aki” Watzke notably present in the black and yellow fan section alongside Germany women’s national team head coach Markus Gaugisch and DHB President Andreas Michelmann. Dortmund quickly established control, showcasing the form that has made them a vice-world champion contender. Alina Grijseels orchestrated the attack with precision, finishing with six goals, while Sarah Wachter anchored the defense with a stellar performance in goal.
Bensheim/Auerbach, led by Nina Engel, fought valiantly, but struggled with finishing throughout the match. Lucie-Marie Kretzschmar displayed determination in defense, supported by her father, handball legend Stefan Kretzschmar, who watched from the sidelines. A ten-minute scoring drought for both teams mid-first half allowed Dortmund to build a five-goal lead, taking a 15-11 advantage into the break.
Aki Watzke in an interview with former professional Isabell Klein (l.) and moderator Tobi Schimon.
A scare for Bensheim occurred in the 34th minute when Kretzschmar suffered a hip injury, but she was able to continue. Engel, typically a reliable scorer, had an off-day, converting only four of eleven attempts. Bensheim briefly closed the gap to 18-19 in the 42nd minute, but a red card issued to Meike Schmelzer for a foul on Grijseels proved decisive, allowing Dortmund to extend their lead and secure the victory.
In the bronze medal match, Blomberg-Lippe defeated HC Thüringen 29-27 in a closely contested affair. Nieke Kühne, Alexia Hauf, and Farrelle Njinkeu led the charge for Blomberg-Lippe, overturning a late deficit. HC Thüringen coach Herbert Müller opted to rest key player Johanna Reichert, with the team focusing on their upcoming European League quarterfinal against Nykobing (Denmark) on March 29th.
Kühne expressed her relief, stating, “I’m glad we were able to turn the game around and go home with a medal. It’s a reward for our performance this season.” Kim Ott of HC Thüringen, while disappointed, noted, “A power bank and chocolate aren’t so lousy. But we would have preferred a medal.”
Lara Egeling (Dortmund) celebrates Dortmund’s second German Cup title.
This DHB-Pokal victory represents a significant milestone for Borussia Dortmund’s women’s handball program, ending a nearly three-decade wait for a major title. The win underscores the team’s growing prominence in German handball and sets the stage for continued success. The final itself was a historic first, as it marked the first time HSG Bensheim/Auerbach and Borussia Dortmund faced each other in the DHB-Pokal final.
Borussia Dortmund will now turn their attention back to the Bundesliga, where they currently sit among the league’s top contenders. The team’s next challenge will be [information not available in sources – omitted]. Fans can follow updates and schedules on the official Daikin Handball-Bundesliga website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handball-Bundesliga.
What are your thoughts on Dortmund’s victory? Share your comments below!
