Hamburg already among the Last 16

Whilst Kobenhavn (against Leon) and Madrid (against Kielce) made very lucky one goal margin victories, HSV Hamburg already qualified for the knock-out stage and Veszprem conceded the biggest ever home defeat in their Arena. 

Group B:

MKB Veszprem (HUN) vs. Füchse Berlin (GER) 24:33 (10:15)

The biggest surprise of Round 6 of the VELUX EHF Champions league occured in Hungary, as Füchse Berlin took the fortress Veszprem Arena with a never expected nine goal victory. Thanks to this the Germans nearly closed the gap to Veszprem, being only one point below.  Füchse had lost the first game 24:29 and now even have won the direct encounter.

The Germans had surprisingly the control of the game in the whole 60 minutes against the Hungarians, known as one of the strongest teams in this competition on home ground. From 6:5 they extended the distance to 15:10 at the break. Even as the host reduced the gap to three goals in the middle of the second the Füchse were not endangered. And then the match ended in a disaster for Veszprem, as the 24:33 is the biggest home defeat ever since they play in the Veszprem Arena. Unfortunately Mirsad Terzic broke his hand and will have to be replaced in the next weeks.

Top scorers were Marko Vujin (Veszprem) and Torsten Laen (Berlin) with each seven goals. Best Berlin player was center back Alexander Petterson.

Statements after the match:

Lajos Mocsai (coach Veszprem):  The injury of Mirsad Terzic probably was one reason for our defeat, as we had to switch our tactics.  In contrast to the fast Berlin match play we were too slow in attack, lacked dynamics and received too many easy goals.

Dagur Sigurdsson (coach Berlin): For every player is it one of the greatest experiences in his career, when he can play at Veszprem, the strongest home team in Europe.  So I am absolutely glad that we even took the points from here. We took the advantage of the Veszprem problems – and we are absolutely satisfied with those important points we have secured.

Atletico Madrid (ESP) vs. Vive Targi Kielce (POL)  28:27 (13:13)

After winning in Kielce very clearly last week, Atletico Madrid had to shiver until the final second for their fifth victory in their sixth game – which means the clear number one position in this group.

Vive Targi Kielce missed the luck to reach the great sensation, but fought brave until the end. Surprisingly Kielce’s goalkeeper Marcus Cleverly had a huger number of saves than his counterparts Sterbik and Hombrados – and also thanks to seven goals of Rastko Stojkovic Kielce kept up with the favourite the whole 60 minutes.

Initially the Polish runners-up was in lead, but Madrid secured a draw at the break – and one thought that the host would later-on play with more control was wrong. Even as 23:20 lead was no pre-decision, as Kielce again equalized at 25:25. But in the end, Madrid with their top scorer Kiril Lazarow (seven goals)  was the lucky but close winner.

Statements after the match:

Bogdan Wenta (coach Kielce):  The game was much more even than the first match in Kielce, but again the opponent took advantage of our mistakes.

Talant Dushebajew (coach Madrid): I am happy with the two points, but not with the way we played and the mentality of the team. But it is the points that count – and we will be aware in the future.

Group C:

HSV Hamburg (GER) vs. Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) 34:25 (14:10)

HSV is the first team to qualify for the Last 16 after this easy and clear victory against Plock. With twelve points from six matches they have secured their place among the last 16 teams – and extended the gap to the hunters in their group.

As the Polish stood strong, the first half was very even – but when the “engine”  of HSV goalkeeper Dan Beutler had started, Plock had enormous problems to score. In only seven minutes of the second half the German champions extended the gap to seven goals and decided the game very early.  When the winner was clear, Hamburg decelerated until the final buzzer. Hans Lindberg (7) and Matthias Flohr (6) were the top scorers for Hamburg, Wisniewski scored four times for Plock.

The Polish champions remain on the fourth rank with four points – but still have all chances to qualify for the knock-out stage.

Statements after the match:

Per Carlen (coach Hamburg): I am very satisfied, as we – like the week before – played a good match against Plock. We had been much more aggressive in defence, as we conceded only 25 goals, also thanks to goalkeeper Dan Beutler. Aside we played patient in attack after the break and we are glad that Bertrand Gille is back after his injury.

Lars Walther (coach Plock): It was our target to show a good performance in Hamburg – as one has to be realistic when playing here. We had some good moments, but especially at the end of the game we were weak in defence. The nine goal distance is too huge in my opinion, six HSV goals less would haven been enough.

Group D:

AG Kobenhavn (DEN) vs. Reale Ademar Leon (ESP) 30:29 (15:16)

After the 26:28 defeat last weekend in Leon this time the Danish champions were the lucky winner in a nail-biting fight of two top teams. With eight points on their account and one match less, Kobenhavn took the lead in their group with eight point, one point ahead of Reale Ademar Leon and THW Kiel.

Mikkel Hansen became the match winner for the host with nine goals, especially in the decisive stage of the game. The fully packed arena saw a fight on the edge and the comeback of Icelandic Olafur Stefansson, who returned after a knee operation.

The first half was absolutely equal and ended with a one goal margin for the tough fighting Spaniards, which held the lead until the middle of the second half. It took until the 20:19, when Kobenhavn snatched back the lead. 15 minutes before the end, still both teams were on eye level at 22:22. But led by Stefansson and Hansen AGK went away to 27:24 – which did not mean the decision, as Leon again equalized at 28:28. Thanks to two straight goals of Toft and Hansen then Kobenhavn finally secured those important points. The only good news for Leon: They won the direct encounter with a one goal margin.