GrIFK took the first semi-final against HIFK in the women’s FM series in handball – even though it looked like it would be a clear Helsinki victory in the first half.
GrIFK came incredibly close to winning the regular season, but finished second after a cross against number one Dicken in the final round and was forced to face HIFK in the semi-finals.
The visiting Helsinki teammates showed on Saturday why they were talking about a real nitlotte.
HIFK came flying out of the starting positions and led as best as possible with seven balls before the break. The Granidamen still managed to put in some important reductions and it was 12-17 on the board in the “cave” when the second half started.
There, GrIFK was once again in a class of its own. HIFK looked sluggish at times while the home team pressed, chased the lead, caught up and got past. It was Sandra Laitinen who with her two goals in the match first equalized and then brought GrIFK into the lead with two minutes left on the clock.
HIFK did not recover from that. The final scores were 26–24 to GrIFK.
The second semi-final will be played on Thursday in the Sports Hall in Helsinki.
The article will be updated with quotes later on Saturday.
Results, FM series in handball
GrIFK–HIFK 26–24 (12–17)
GrIFK: Mathilda Sandblom 6, Corinna Jensen 5, Johanna Hilli 4, Linnea Harms 4, Ella Paukku 2, Sandra Laitinen 2, Greta Wirén 1, Fanny Reinikainen 1, Anette Rakkolainen 1
HIFK: Ella Holopainen 6, Sara Jäntti 4, Kira Härkönen 4, Jannie Grönmark 4, Anniina Nyholm 3, Emma von Nandelstadh 2, Saara Lehtola 1
GrIFK leads the semi-final series with 1–0 in matches.
