1-1 – HSV Women draw in Bundesliga opener

The new Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga season got underway with SC Freiburg immediately putting the HSV defence to the test. As early as the fifth minute, new goalkeeper Szemik had to tip Vojtekova’s effort from around 24 metres over the bar for a corner. The visitors continued to pose a threat, particularly down the right flank, but were unable to find a player in the Hamburg penalty area.

In the 14th minute, Brunnthaler won the ball and passed it to Wrede, who held off her opponent but was denied by Freiburg goalie Reimann. As the half progressed, HSV began to win more challenges and possession. Around 60 per cent of the duels went the way of the Hamburg side, who continued to increase the pressure. Peneau played Linberg in, with her ball eventually falling to Brunnthaler after the chance had gone begging. However, her follow-up effort went just wide. Shortly afterwards, Doucouré won possession on the right, creating another good opportunity, but Krüger was unable to get an efficient shot away from a central position. Linberg followed up and collected the rebound, but fired over from a promising position (39').

Linberg was involved again in first-half stoppage time. This time, the Norwegian sent a free-kick from just under 30 metres high into the penalty area, where Karczewska rose to head the ball. However, her effort lacked accuracy and posed no real threat to the goalkeeper. The teams therefore went into half-time with the score still goalless.

Neither side made any changes at the break, with the Rothosen making the better start to the second half. In the 52nd minute, Krüger won the ball on the halfway line, drove towards the edge of the box and got her shot away. Her effort went just wide of the right post, while Brunnthaler was just a step too late to make a decisive contribution.

The game then became quieter before suddenly bursting into life in the 63rd minute. Freiburg were awarded a free-kick on the left. While the Hamburg defence expected a cross, Ojukwu played the ball directly towards the near post. The wall broke apart, catching Szemik off guard, and the Hamburg goalkeeper was unable to react in time. The ball rolled into the bottom corner – 0-1.

HSV responded by stepping up the intensity significantly and once again found their way into the Freiburg penalty area more frequently. The visitors, meanwhile, looked to exploit opportunities on the counter-attack. In the 72nd minute, Wrede chased down the ball on the left and delivered a cross into the path of Karczewska, who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Reimann and into the net – 1-1.

Three minutes later, Karczewska was once again in a dangerous position in front of the Freiburg goal, but this time her effort narrowly missed the target. Substitute Martens provided another highlight in the 78th minute. After receiving a cross near the halfway line, the Bundesliga debutant held off her opponent and raced through on goal. The chance to put HSV ahead was there, but Martens was denied at the final isntance by goalkeeper Reimann.

Neither team was willing to take many risks in the closing stages of the match; the points were shared in HSV Women’s Bundesliga opener.