Women's Select Team in Bremen

To read about the previous part of the team's trip, visit here: http://usateamhandball.org/news/2010/08/21/women-s-select-team-in-germany/38108?ngb_id=42

Updates Monday, August 30 at 10:00AM CT

Friday, August 27
The Select Team fell to SC Greven 9-39 in a high-scoring affair in SV Werder Bremen's International Handball Tournament.

The second division side proved too much for a United States team that was missing four of its best players in Jen Fithian, Karoline and Anja Borg, and Julia Sayer.  Their absences left the Select Team to field a U-18 squad.

[UPDATE]

In the third-place game, the Select Team fell to Werder Bremen 13-35.  VFL Oldenburg would win their second tournament in as many weeks by defeating SC Greven 09 44-20.

The team have now all returned to their respective clubs either in the United States or in Europe. As mentioned in a blog post by Steve Pastorino, General Manager of USATH, five of the players will be heading to Denmark to train with Bjerringbro FH.  Read the blog post here.

Stay on the look out for a full-recap on the Select Team's entire trip!

Thursday, August 26

The USA Women's Select Team is moving on to Bremen, Germany where they will compete in their second high-level tournament of their 10 week stay in Germany. Previously, the youthful Select Team finished 10th in the Robert Schumann Tournament in Oldenburg.

The Americans will be without star player Jen Fithian who has returned to TV Mainzlar - her German club team.  Her absence gives a chance to younger players such as 13-year-old Nicole Anderson to stake claims as being key components of the team in the long run.

Host club SV Werder Bremen has posted a preview for their tournament that takes place this Saturday and, judging merely by the entrants, the Select Team will have to utilize all of its momentum and improvements for this tournament.

Julia Sayer told SV Werder Bremen that "We are pleased to be able to particpate in these two wonderful tournaments, and are grateful for the great support given to our young team."

The Select Team will be (potentially) pitted against VFL Oldenburg, SC Greven, and SV Werder Bremen.

VFL Oldenburg were the winners of last week's Robert Schumann tournamen. The Bundesliga 1st division team are also the reigning champions of last year's "Super Cup."

SC Greven 09 have their own lofty goals this season as they seek promotion from the 2nd division to the elite 1st division of the Bundesliga.  They are led by Franziska Heinz who is former German national team player and world champion.  The Select Team will face SC Greven 09 in their first match and must be ready for a high-level of play.

And, of course, there are the hosts SV Werder Bremen who are a 3rd division squad but will be eager to impress in their own tournament.

This will be another great experience for the Select Team as they continue to aim towards Pan American and Olympic qualification.

Schedule of Play:

10:00: USA Women's Select Team – SC Greven 09

11:15: VfL Oldenburg – SV Werder Bremen

12:45: Third Place Game

14.00 Uhr Finale

* All times are CEST (local time in Bremen)
* Each game consists of two 25 minute halves

Stay tuned for match results!

To read the official tournament preview in Germany, visit here: http://www.werder-handball.de/index.php?id=86&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1213&tx_ttnews[backPid]=27&cHash=7712ec8cffbb4358b88cc57be3de9124