Romania's champions Valcea struggled in the opener of the Women's EHF Champions League, but beat the newcomers in a thriller.
Oltchim victorious over Buxtehude
No surprises in the opener of the Women´s EHF Champions League, as Radu Voina´s team brought home the two points from Hamburg after an unexpectedly tough fight against the German runner-up.
GROUP D
Buxtehuder SV (GER) vs. C.S. Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea (ROU) 20:24 (11:13)
The home team clearly lost their league game against Leipzig two days before, but against the Romanians they displayed much improved form.
Thanks to a fighting team performance, and with the top class and magnificent Jana Krause (16 saves) in goal, Buxtehude kept the game open until the dying minutes. Oltchim had massive problems with their back-line and missed several distance shots throughout the game.
It was the two Oana´s, Manea and Chirila (11 goals), who helped Voina´s team to secure victory, and the first two points of the Group Matches.
Statements after the match:
Dirk Leun, coach of Buxtehuder SV: "It was a great start in the EHF Champions League against a top European team."
Radu Voina, coach of Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea: "It was a tough match that we clinched, thanks to our defence."
TEXT:
Márk Hegedüs