DHB Pokal Women· Season 2026
HC Rödertal stunned Bundesliga newcomers HC Leipzig 23–22 in the 1st Round of the DHB Pokal Women, overturning an early 2–5 deficit and holding off a late fightback to advance to the Round of 16.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryFirst Half: From 2–5 Down to Control
The visitors started with the confidence of a top-flight side. Leipzig raced into a 2–5 lead inside the opening ten minutes, with M. Tucholke, J. Walther, L. Klocke and L. Glimm all finding the net. Rödertal looked shell-shocked.
But the response was emphatic. The home side rattled off three unanswered goals through two unassigned scorers and A. Frankova's strike in the 17th minute to level at 5–5, then took the lead for the first time at 6–5. What followed was a devastating 12-minute spell in which Rödertal outscored Leipzig 7–1, turning a 5–5 tie into a commanding 12–8 advantage. A late Leipzig goal made it 12–9 at the break.
Second Half: Ott Inspires, Leipzig Fights Back
The home side carried their momentum into the second half. Leipzig pulled one back through Tucholke, but L. Ott took centre stage, scoring three goals in four minutes (33', 35', 37') to push the lead to 15–11. Rödertal kept their foot on the gas, extending to their biggest lead of the night at 20–14 in the 43rd minute.
With their cup hopes fading, Leipzig showed their Bundesliga quality. A 6–2 run over the next 12 minutes — featuring two goals each from J. Walther and L. Klocke, plus strikes from L. Glimm and L. Tauchmann — brought the visitors to within one at 22–21 (55') and again at 23–22 (58').
But Rödertal held firm. A crucial defensive stop in the final minute denied Leipzig the equaliser, and the final whistle sparked wild celebrations in Großröhrsdorf.
Key Stats & Context
- Biggest lead: Rödertal led 20–14 (6 goals) in the 43rd minute
- Turning point: Rödertal's 10–3 run from 2–5 down to 12–8 midway through the first half
- Leipzig scorers: M. Tucholke (4), J. Walther (4), L. Klocke (4), L. Glimm (3), L. Tauchmann (2), W. Meyer (1)
- Rödertal scorers: L. Ott (3), R. Alderden (1), A. Frankova (1)
- League gap: Rödertal play in the 2. Bundesliga (finished 4th last season); Leipzig were promoted to the top-flight Bundesliga for 2026/27
- Head-to-head: Leipzig had won both 2. Bundesliga meetings last season (25–22 and 30–28)
- Injuries: Rödertal were without long-term absentees Lea Grießer and Arwen Gorb
- Coaches: Maike Daniels (Rödertal) vs Erik Töpfer (Leipzig)
What It Means
Rödertal advance to the Round of 16 (Achtelfinale) of the DHB Pokal, adding another chapter to their giant-killing history. For Leipzig, it is a bitter early exit from the cup competition in their first season back in the top flight — a reminder that cup football rewards form, not status.
Betting Perspective
The pre-match narrative heavily favoured Leipzig given the league gap, but Rödertal's home advantage and cup pedigree were underestimated. The decisive factor was the first-half momentum swing — Rödertal's resilience after falling 2–5 behind proved the difference in a one-score game.
Rivalry since 2022
Rodertal W vs Leipzig W Head to Head Results· 8
Rodertal W and Leipzig W have met 8 times — Rodertal W won 2, Leipzig W won 5, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2022. Leipzig W leads the head-to-head with 5 victories from 8 meetings. A combined 423 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 52.88 per match (206 for the home side, 217 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 8 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 8 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Leipzig W are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 31–30 in 2022.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 22 Aug 2026