The home team clinched first place, but Bratislava also celebrate historic success.
Milli Piyango and Bratislava qualify
As it was expected before the tournament, Milli Piyango dominated Group A and took first place. Bratislava came in second with two victories and a defeat.
The last match of the tournament in Ankara was a derby: the two best teams decided the first place and Milli Piyango defeated Bratislava by 32:24 (18:11).
The Slovak team scored the first goals, but Milli Piyango equalised. After 2:2 the Turks started to increase the margin. They finished the first half with seven goals of difference, 18:11.
In second half Bratislava fought back to four goals, but not for long. The Özel sisters did not have mercy for the Slovak goalkeeper and Milli Piyango ended the match with a clear victory.
Senay Özel scored 10 goals and her sister Yeliz 7. Turkay added another 5 for Milli. Benuskova scored 9 goals for the Slovak team.
With the group victory Milli Piyango will continue in Group 2 of QT 2 with Byasen, Volgograd and Metz.
Bratislava will play in Group 3 of QT 2 against Ikast, Brasov and Lublin. Nota bene: this is the biggest success for a Slovak team in the European competitions so far.
TEXT:
Ivan Ambros