Grankulla IFK took advantage of the first match ball – now a new final series against Dicken awaits

For the second year in a row, it will be Grankulla IFK against Dicken in the final of the FM series in handball. The Grankulladamerna clinched their final place when they defeated HIFK 30–26 in the fourth semi-final.

On Sunday, Grankulla IFK won over HIFK in the third semi-final and tightened their grip on the match series. Tonight the team had their first match ball and they took it.

The Grankulla ladies were one step ahead during almost the entire match. After an even start, the team made a breakthrough in the middle of the first half and led 16–13 at the break.

At the beginning of the second half, however, HIFK recovered from the deficit, but GrIFK had another gear to put in. The team went from 18–18 to 23–18 in a matter of minutes midway through the second half to tie the game.

In the end, it was a victory with four balls and thus GrIFK is ready for its second straight final.

– It was a match with a lot of speed and emotion, and the whole match went in waves. With a good goalkeeping performance in the second half, we decided the match, says nine-goal scorer Johanna Hilli on the association’s website.

The final series will be a repeat of the one played a year ago. Then Dicken was stronger and won 3–0 in matches. The final series starts on May 3.

– It’s great that we made it to the final after four tough games. Today two teams really fought for 60 minutes, says Grankulla coach Patrik Johansson.

In the HIFK camp there was some nervousness and it left its mark on the team’s game in the fourth semi-final.

– The first half took a lot of energy from us. The players were nervous but fought well until the end, so we can’t complain about the attitude, says HIFK coach Nils Kuhr.

For HIFK, it will be trying to recharge for the bronze matches where the team faces Sjundeå IF.