Barcelona and Kiel qualified for the last 16Article
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Veszprem, Valladolid, FCK and Zagreb have best chances to follow the teams from Spain and Germany after winning their matches in round 6 – read the Saturday’s summary.

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Barcelona and Kiel qualified for the last 16

The first two teams have qualified for the last 16 on Saturday: Kiel and Barcelona are through to the next stage and will meet on the first matchday in 2010, looking for the number one in their group. Veszprem can only theoretically miss the next round, as they only need one point from four matches. In their group Kielce is on the best way to follow the Hungarians.

In group C the two Northern clubs Fyllingen and Alingsas lost again, so the group seems to be pre decided, as FCK and Zagreb won – on Sunday Ciudad and HSV meet for the top duel in this group. Valladolid took an expected clear victory against PAOK and currently lead in group A.

Group A

Pevafersa Valladolid – AC PAOK 38:19 (16:9)

No problems for Valladolid that secured the first place in their group with nine points now, before Montpelier meet Szeged on Sunday. The match was totally one sided, as PAOK was only close at the score of 10:7. Right after the break (halftime score 16:9), Valladolid went away to comfortable 23:12 and increased the distance to 15 goals, in the end it were 19. Topscorers were Perales with six goals for the host and Riganas and Evangelidis with each four goals for PAOK.

Chechovski Medvedi – HCM Constanta 37:32 (17:19)

By winning their second home match and beating Constanta twice in one week, Chechovski remains on best way to the last 16. After a strong start of Constanta, the Russians improved after the break and took two point that increased the gap to the fifth place in their group to currently five points. Toma scored nine times for the Romanians, Rastvortsev eight times for Chechov. Despite the defeat, Constanta’s still in good position for the next stage with six points in this very close group.

Group B:

Bosna BH Gas Sarajewo – MKB Veszprem 20:24 (7:13)

The fifth consecutive victory bring Veszprem practically to the round of the last 16, as they’re ahead with eight points of Bosna (beaten twice, won the direct encounter) and Gorenje. Theoretical they still can tumble, to be 100 percent secure they need one more point from four matches – and the next three are played on home soil. The Hungarians were totally dominant in Sarajewo and extended their early lead to 11:5 in minute 21 and pre decided the match in minute 39 at the score of 17:8. Only in the very end, Bosna came closer, but at this point the match had been decided.

“We have a quite good base for the upcoming matches in 2010”, coach Lajos Mocsai said. “Our defence stood strong for 60 minutes, and our offence was good until the break”, Peter Magyarady added. Topscorers were Doborac with nine goals for Bosna and Gergö Ivancsik with six goals for Veszprem.

Chambery Savoie – Targi Vive Kielce 24:31 (15:14)

Big celebrations for Kielce: The Polish champion’s nearly through to the last 16, as only one point is missing after the highly important victory in France. With still only three points on their account, Chambery has to struggle hard in the last four matches in 2010.The French were leading at the break, but then Kielce improved. Rosinski (7), Knudsen and Stojkovic (both 5) scored more than the half of Vive’s goals. Roine was topscorer for Chambery with six goals.

Group C:

Alingsas HK – RK CO Zagreb 23:32 (10:16)

Clear victory for the favourite against the Swedish champion – as Zagreb remain on their way to the last 16 with now 8 points, Alingsas is still with only two points, and the chances for the last 16 are decreasing more and more. Alingsas showed a brave performance, but the individual class of Zagreb decided the match. The host was leading 6:5, before the Croats scored a series of 10:2 and led 16:10 at the break. Right at the start of halftime two, Alingsas showed their best part of the match, scored 6:2 goals in a row in only six minutes and was close to the equalizer, before Zagreb took their time out. The words of the coaches were chosen well, as the Croats then dominated the rest of the match, but the distance of nine goals was too big, as Alingsas played better than this result. Topscorers were Kiril Lazarow (Zagreb/9) and Johan Poetterson (Alingsas/5).

Fyllingen HK – FCK Haandbold 19:28 (11:15)

Like Greek team of PAOK, Fyllingen remain without a point, as FCK is still racing for the last 16 as current number four in their group with now six points, four points ahead of Alingsas (ranked fifth). The Norwegians were nearly on eye level in the first 20 minutes, before FCK started their engines. Thanks to a very strong defence after the break, the Danes decided the match very early, Fyllingen only scored eight goals in halftime two.

Group D:

FC Barcelona – Vardar Skopje 35:28 (15:13)

Barcelona can plan for the last 16 – the distance to Zurich and Skopje is nine points after round 6. But the match was much more difficult for Barcelona as the result looks like. The young players of the Macedonian champion played good for a long time. Barca broke their resistance by scoring seven consecutive goals after minute 45. The host had to change his defence system very early,but Vardar kept close, the biggest gap in halftime one was 13:9, as Skopje’s topscorer Djordje Pesic scored five goals in the first 30 minutes. After the break Skopje was defeated mainly by the fast breaks of Juanin Garcia (six goals) and Victor Tomas (8).

Despite the defeat, Vardar coach Ace Stankovski was satisfied: “My team showed a very good game, better than the match we played in Skopje last week. I’m so proud.” For Barca coach Xavier Pascual, Skopje was “a very difficult team to play. In all games of Champions League they stay face to face to minute 45. We played good in attack with good skills. I’m so happy with the result and the attitude of my team.”

GC Amicitia Zürich – THW Kiel 26:34 (12:19)

Unbeaten, five victories, one draw in six match, and now the early qualification for the round of the last 16 – for THW Kiel the season’s running nearly perfect, in domestic and international competitions. Amicitia fought hard, but didn’t have a chance in the Saalsporthalle that had been sold out for a handball match for the first time since 22 years. The Swiss team had improved after the even clearer 24:42 defeat last weekend in Kiel. Topscorer of the match was THW wing player Henrik Lundström, who scored eleven goals in only 30 minutes, Jan Hendrik Behrends scored eight times for Amicitia.

Until the 6:7 the match was equal, before Kiel went away to 14:8 and 19:12 at the break. Afterwards THW coach Alfred Gislasson changed his team, and his players missed some 100 percent chances – even as they were leading 25:14. In the final stage Zürich didn’t give up and decreased the gap – and was celebrated by their fans. For THW the next match will be even more decisive, as the Germans then meet Barcelona on home soil for the battle of the number in group D.


TEXT: Björn Pazen
 
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