GROUP B REVIEW: Orlen Wisla Plock send defending champions down to fourth position.
Wisla Plock take third place on last match day
Orlen Wisla Plock took the third place in the Group B of the VELUX EHF Champions League and sent SG Flensburg-Handewitt down to fourth position through their 31:29 win on Sunday night. Flensburg attend Last 16 from fourth position.
GROUP B
Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 31:29 (14:13)
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn had taken the second place in the group through their 34:33 win against Alingsas earlier Sunday, so Plock and Flensburg were left to decide third and fourth position between them.
Through their two-goal win in the Orlen Arena, Wisla Plock took the third place and sent reigning VELUX EHF Champions League winners Flensburg down to fourth position.
Flensburg were seriously hit by injury strings and were only able to put 13 names into their team sheet.
The most recent and also one of the most prominent missing Flensburg profiles was experienced Danish playmaker Thomas Mogensen who is sidelined for several weeks due to a knee injury.
These setbacks forced Flensburg coach Ljubomir Vranjes to some alternative formations, and for instance, left wing Anders Eggert was seen in the playmaker position at times.
At first, the shorthanded North German team seemed to be without a chance. Plock went ahead 3:0 and later 13:6, but through an impressive comeback, Flensburg reduced the deficit to only one goal at half time.
The visitors even opened the second half by equalising to 14:14, but it did not take the home team long to get back into the driverĀ“s seat.
Not even a direct red card for one of their key players, line player Kamil Syprzak could really shake Wisla who continued to be up with three to five goals.
A great performance in the second half from Marcin Wichary also contributed to the Polish triumph.
TEXT:
Peter Bruun / br