Sports
Big win for Halmstad in the derby – the championship series has begun
Halmstad BTK got off to a flying start in the championship series when they defeated Våxtorps BOIS with a clear 6-0 at home in the derby.
In the premiere of the “championship series” where the four highest placed teams advance to the playoffs, home team Halmstad chose to give the chance to Alma Rööse, Anja Händén and Agnes Svensson. Visiting Våxtorp fielded Elin Ljungberg and Erika Fronth, who have a past in Halmstad, as well as Ellinor Andersson.
Alma Rööse started the derby by showing the way for her Halmstad team in the match against Ellinor Andersson. Through successful serves and skillful return play, she was quickly able to be the first to attack. The final score was 3-0 in the set.
On the second table between Agnes Svensson and Erika Fronth, it was more of a battle of positions. The momentum shifted back and forth and the crowd was treated to several long ball duels. Svensson finally pulled the long straw after taking an even third set, then overturning an 8-3 deficit in the fourth to win 12-10.
Before the break, the match was played between Anja Händén and Elin Ljungberg. Händén succeeded in attacking with her forehand and was able to slow down the pace with the nubb rubber on her backhand. Händén won in three straight sets and thus gave her Halmstad a comfortable lead.
Halmstad never let go of its grip
The score was 3-0 in the team match and Halmstad did not slow down. Agnes Svensson stepped in to face Elin Ljungberg and did so convincingly. With confidence in her back, Svensson won in three straight sets.
At the same time, the match between Alma Rööse and Erika Fronth was played. Fronth started the strongest and won the first set 11-3. However, Rööse found a way back and then won three straight sets and the match.
Anja Händén then made sure to punctuate the derby by defeating Ellinor Andersson 3-0 in sets. Halmstad showed with Saturday's 6-0 victory that they are the best in the county right now.
Team manager Fabian Åkerström is completely satisfied with the team's win and effort.
– I am very impressed with the girls. It was good from start to finish and they did very well in the even situations at the end of the sets. I am very happy and impressed, because they were a tough team we faced today.
Is it the end of the sets that makes you win so big?
– Yes, because it ends 6-0, then it always ends 8-8 or 9-9 in many sets and that's when it's important to deliver. At the level of the Pingisligan, everyone is good so then it's even.
Halmstad got the start they wanted in the championship series. In the next match, Kosta SK awaits at home.
– It's a great start of course. It's nice to have two points so it's only positive, Åkerström concludes.
Agnes Svensson was one of the players who showed she was at her best when the matches got tight. She is also happy with the win in the derby.
– Of course it was great. There are many good, even matches and then it was nice when it became so overwhelming in the end, says Svensson.
What do you say about your own performance?
– Erika is a great player and we had a very even match last time. I think I was active and came up to par and played well. Against Elin I played steadily and had good chances after serving.
Several of the players on both teams already know each other well.
– It's special. Erika has played on our team for a long time and we know each other very well both on and off the table. Both have a bit of an advantage in that they have a good eye for serves and games. It's going to be even and good matches.
There are no major celebrations expected, but a trip to Spain for a training camp is already on the schedule for Sunday.
– I'll have some good food then I'll go on to Barcelona tomorrow for a training camp, concludes Svensson.
Våxtorp's Tilda Johansson also puts her finger on why they failed to challenge this time.
– Halmstad has a very even and good team so it's important to win the even sets, which unfortunately we didn't do today, says Johansson.
Can we take anything away from this loss?
– Everyone is doing their best with every ball and no one is backing down. The even sets come and go so hopefully we have a little more fluidity with us and can tie the knot next time.
For Våxtorp, Eslöv will be visiting in the next match.
Full results from the match:
Agnes Svensson – Erika Fronth 3-1 (7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 12-10)
Alma Rööse – Ellinor Andersson 3-0 (12-10, 11-2, 11-6)
Anja Händén – Elin Ljungsberg 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-3)
Alma Rööse – Erika Fronth 3-1 (3-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9)
Agnes Svensson – Elin Ljungsberg 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-5)
Anja Händén – Ellinor Andersson 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-7)
Results round 1 of the championship series:
17/01, 15:00: Halmstad BTK – Våxtorps BOIS 6-0 Webcast
17/01, 15:00: Kosta SK – Ängby SK 6-1 Webcast
17 /01, 15:00: Eslövs AI BTK A1 – Köpings BTK Dam 6-2 Webcast
Round 2 of the championship series:
18/01, 10:00: Kosta SK – Köpings BTK Dam 4-6 Webcast
18/01, 11:00: Eslövs AI BTK A1 – Ängby SK 6-0 Webcast
Round 1 of Allsvenskan:
1 7 /01, 15:00: Eslövs AI BTK A2 – Åstorps BTK 6-4 Webcast
17 / 01, 16:00: Sjömarkens BTK – Västers BTK 1-6 Webcast
Round 2 of Allsvenskan:
18 / 01, 11:00: Sjömarkens BTK – Spårvägens BTK 6-2 Webcast
All results and game schedules from the Pingisligan By STIGA can be found here.
