CSM avenge their loss against FCM

A three-game losing streak meant that CSM had to win their last two games if they were to qualify and stand a chance in the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round.

After Aurelian Rosca replaced Jakob Vestergaard on CSM’s bench, the title holders showed they are tough in Rostov and took their form into the game against FCM, where they avenged their 24:21 defeat three weeks ago.

Györi ETO Audi KC and RK Krim Ljubljana will start Group 2 with six points, while FC Midtjylland and Larvik will rank third and fourth, with four points. The title holders, CSM Bucuresti and Team Esbjerg will have a mountain to climb, as they will be at the bottom with only two points.

• Isabelle Gullden was CSM’s top scorer for the fifth time this season with five goals, followed by wings Varzaru and Mehmedovic, with four a piece
• FCM’s shot efficiency was 1% lower than CSM, but the Romanian defence had their best game of the season, forcing several turnovers and bad passes
•  FCM will bring four points to the next round, but failed to win an away game, with the Danish side losing by 12 goals at Györ and losing 26:20, against both Rostov and CSM

GROUP C
CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs FC Midtjylland (DEN) 26:20, 12:9

After Team Esbjerg defeated IK Savehof and qualified for the main round, CSM was in dire need of a win against FCM to avoid being the only team that start Group 2 without a point.

As the Romanian team won their both games against Rostov and lost twice to Györ, as well as in Denmark against FCM, the title holders hoped to ride their amazing home support and aim for a win the third game in the group.

The first eight minutes of the match were far from what CSM’s coach, Aurelian Roșca, designed for the game. With an appalling 17% attacking efficiency, the Romanian side found themselves two goals behind FCM.

A 5:1 partial, due to Paula Ungureanu’s amazing saves and doubled by Gullden’s break-throughs, saw CSM take back the lead, 7:5, in a span that lasted only six minutes.

Nine minutes without a goal, the start of FCM’s undoing

It was CSM’s turn to collapse, after line player Anastasia Lobach missed three consecutive shots, that allowed FCM to tie the game at 7.

Both defences continued to star, as CSM took a three-goal lead to make it 10:7, on the back of another pair of saves from Paula Ungureanu, which prompted a nine-minute stint without a goal for the Danish side.

With a three-goal lead at half-time (12:9), the Romanian powerhouse threw off the second half in stunning style, with a 30-metre goal from Cristina Varzaru, that took advantage of FCM’s goalkeeper change. CSM was able to increase their lead to 15:11.

There was no turning back for FCM, as Jörgensen and Burgaard, the backs that were the best scorers, did not find their way to goal, with the Danish side scoring only twice between the 40th and 50th minute, while CSM jumped to an unassailable 21:14 lead.

FCM tried to decrease their handicap to at least a three-goal deficit, but ultimately failed, as CSM won 26:20. The Romanian side will take two points into the next round, but they have little room for error, as they are already fifth in the rankings; four lengths behind the leaders Györ and Krim.

Post-match Statements:

Kristian Kristiansen – FC Midtjylland Coach: “It was more or less clear and CSM Bucuresti played very good in the second half. We had some problems; I do not want to talk about it because all the girls did a good job, even if we have some injuries or sickness. But, I want to give a lot of credit to the players in my team for their hard work.”

Aurelian Rosca – CSM Bucuresti Coach: “We knew FC Midtjylland are hard to beat, but our team had a great game. I want to congratulate my players for the clear win we got tonight. It was a good fight and we are happy with the win. We are looking forward to the main round!”

Majda Mehmedovic – Player CSM Bucuresti: “I am really glad that we finished this 'group of death!' It was really important to get these 2 points for the main round. I hope we can continue playing like we did today from now on. I would like to thank our supporters; they were absolutely amazing!”