Metalurg mount a comeback to rescue a point

Two defeats from their first two away games had dented Brest's hopes of qualifying for the last 16, but they gained a first point on the road to remain in contention.

Despite their fight-back, Metalurg sit bottom of Group A relying on other results to go their way in order to have any chance of advancing. 

GROUP A

HC Metalurg (MKD) vs HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) 27:27 (12:14)

On the brink of elimination from the VELUX EHF Champions League, Metalurg enjoyed a bright start to the game.

Lino Cervar’s team led 7:5 after 13 minutes, but that optimism was soon punctured as Brest improved at both ends of the court.

Thanks to an impressive display from Ivan Pesic, the visitors went 10 minutes without conceding a goal to turn the game on its head and lead 11:7.

Brest held on to their advantage until the 50-minute mark, maintaining a three-goal edge for much of the contest.

But as Skopje had shown two weeks ago against Naturhouse La Rioja, the Macedonians never know when they are beaten and can lay claim to being the masters of the comeback in the Boris Trajkovski Arena.

Buoyed by left wing Dejan Manaskov, who scored eight goals, and back Naumce Mojsovski, who added six, Skopje managed to cut the gap and even take the lead in the dying minutes.

However, the Belarussians scored their last goal with just 15 seconds to spare as the game ended in a stalemate, which helps Brest draw level with HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb for the fourth place, and final spot in the last 16 from Group A - although Zagreb have a game in hand.

Metalurg sit bottom of the group three points behind Zagreb and Brest.