Thrilling first points for Constanta

Thursday evening was the day for some premieres in the VELUX EHF Champions League: As HCM Constanta took their first points of this season on Round 6, Kadetten Schaffhausen and Chekhovskie Medvedi took their first home victories.

Group A:

Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) vs. IK Sävehof (SWE) 40:32 (20:14)

Kadetten are back on track after their first home victory in this season. After the clear win over Sävehof they not only have four points on their account like their Swedish counterpart, but have won the direct encounter after the 25:31 at Gothenburg.

By scoring six straight goals after the 12:12 they took a pre-decisively lead, but the match became close at the 30:27 again. But thanks to their goalkeeper Arunas Vaskevicius the Swiss champions secured this clear victory – with so many goals scored like never before in a match of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

Group B:

Chekhovskie Medvedi  (RUS) vs. Bjerringbro Silkeborg (DEN) 30:23 (15:13)

The Russian bears have taken the third place in their group after beating Bjerringbro for the second time in between four days. Mikhail Chipurin was the top scorer with eight goals. Medvedi now have six points on their account – and it was their first home victory this season, too.

With still zero points the Danish runners-up is close to elimination – and only a wonder can secure their participation in the Last 16. After a close first half, Chekhovskie latest decided the game at the score of  26:19, even the seven goals of Fredrik Petersen did not help the Danes.

Group C:

HCM Constanta (ROU) vs. HC Metalurg (MKD) 20:19 (8:12)

It was a real thriller in Buzau – with a happy-ending for the host. By winning thanks to a great catch-up chase Constanta still can hope for the Last 16, as the Romanian champions took their first points in this season. In the very last minute Alexandru Csepreghi secured the victory for the host – as Metalurg missed the great chance to make an important step towards the knock-out stage.

Two minutes before the end it was 18:18, before Metalurg took their last lead at 19:18, scored by Naumce Mojsovski. But then Constanta scored twice and celebrated this highly important victory. Top scorers were Csepreghi and Toma (each four goals for Constanta) and Mojsovski (five goals for Metalurg. The FYR Macedonians remain second with seven points below Hamburg despite the defeat.