Medvedi end four-match losing streak with narrow victory

The Group C clash between Chekhovskie Medvedi and Presov was a close fought battle in which the away team ran their hosts close for the majority of the game but Medvedi’s experience and superior backcourt play proved to be decisive.

Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) vs TATRAN Presov (SVK) 29:28 (15:15)

After losing four matches in a row it was unfeasible for Chehovskie Medvedi to think about proceeding to the knockout phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League, but the Russian team had the chance to redeem themselves on their own court against TATRAN Presov on Thursday night.

Last week, at Medvedi’s expense, the Slovakian side earned their first win in the competition after seven years.

And the effects were clear, as the away side started the game brilliantly, leading with expert defence in the first 15 minutes of the game, 9:7.

Slowly, but surely, Chekhov fought back and produced a hectic finish to the half, with four lead changes, that ended in a draw, 15:15.

Led by a superb performance from Jakub Hrstka, Presov's top scorer with eight goals, the Slovakian side took the lead once more.

With resilient defence and an efficient attack, the Slovak champions were on course for their second consecutive win, leading 21:19 after 41 minutes.

Medvedi’s superior experience soon brought them into contention and led to a spectacular end-to-end finish to the game.

Dmitry Kovalev was the Chekhov's top scorer, with six goals and the last seven goals, scored by left back Dmitrii Santalov, playmaker Dmitry Shelestyukov and right back Alexander Kotov, just scraped the narrowest of victories for Medvedi, 29:28.

The hosts have now won two matches in six, and now face an epic task, if they want to compete for the top two places in Group C.

TATRAN find themselves still at the bottom of the group, with two points.