Dramatic fight-back earns Metz last-second point

MKS Selgros Lublin wasted a three-goal lead in the final 67 seconds of Sunday’s game against Metz Handball, as the French champions earned an unlikely 30:30 draw to remain in contention for a place in the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round.

The Polish side appeared on the brink of achieving a second straight win, having returned to the competition after a 10-year absence. But Lublin’s lack of experience proved decisive in the final minutes of a pulsating game, which saw seven lead changes.

Metz Handball (FRA) vs MKS Selgros Lublin 30:30 (14:13)

Buoyed by last week’s win against Metz, Sabina Wlodek’s team made a strong start and established an early 4:2 led behind some well-executed attacks.

The French side reacted but Lublin did not panic, continuing to display an excellent mix of attacking ideas to increase the advantage to 13:10 with five minutes remaining in the first half.

Metz turned up the pressure defensively after half-time, however, and prevented Lublin from scoring again until the 34^th minute, allowing the hosts to take a 15:13 lead.

But the Polish champions responded with another good run to regain the initiative and enter the final 70 seconds leading 30:27.

What followed was one of the most dramatic comebacks in the history of Europe’s top-flight competition as Lublin struggled to cope with Metz’s man-to-man defence as the hosts pressed aggressively at half-court, creating the opportunities for three goals in 67 seconds.

The third of those beat the full-time buzzer as Aleksandra Baranowska failed to keep out Gros’ powerful shot to ensure Metz remain above Lublin spot in Group D.