Düsseldorfer HC became German women’s outdoor champions for the first time in their club history as they got the better of Mannheimer HC in a shoot-out after a thrilling 1-1 scoreline in normal time.

In the shootout, Lilly Stoffelsma, Tessa Schubert and Selin Oruz secured the title for their DHC, while for Mannheim only Lucina van der Heyde and Martina Cavallero registered as Natalie Kubalski produced the goalkeeping heroics.

Nico Sussenburger, coach of the new German champions, needed good nerves as his side also made it through to the final via a shoot-out against Club an der Alster.

“These were two incredibly close games, both of which were decided in the shoot-out. After we left a lot behind in the past few years, it is unbelievable what the girls have achieved here. 

“The fact that we can now be the first to win a field title for our club with this long tradition is simply unbelievable, regardless of a season that lasted 300 or 600 days.”

Kubalski was named the MVP for the FINAL FOUR 2021 but was modest despite her world-class performance: “It’s my job to keep the balls our and it worked well this weekend; it cannot be taken for granted. 

“With all our injuries, it was clear that we had to get on the defensive and that requires a good goalkeeper and I am glad that I was able to fulfill this task for my team here.”

Selin Oruz, captain of the Düsseldorf HC and shooter of the decisive shoot-out: “I am incredibly proud of this team after the huge fight – dirty, but deserved in the end. 

“When we came here, we weren’t exactly expecting the title but I’m all the more proud of the whole team. We were very emotional, otherwise we would not have survived. That was our spirit, that was our plan.”