GROUP D REVIEW: Motor followed group leaders Nantes into the play-off after the Ukrainian side thrashed their rivals for second place, Besiktas.
Superb win helps Motor to play-off berth
HC Motor’s experience and roster proved to be enough to earn their second play-off berth in two years following their 34:28 win over Besiktas on Sunday afternoon.
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Motor have still a chance to win the group but need help from leaders Nantes to do so
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Motor earned fifth straight win, with their last defeat dating back two months - against Besiktas
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The hosts’ best scorer was line player Gleb Kalarash with nine goals
GROUP D:
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) vs Besiktas Mogaz HT (TUR) 34:28 (20:13)
There was a lot at stake for both Motor and Besiktas as their season could be changed by the 60 minutes played in Ukraine.
With a win, the Ukrainian side knew that they were through to the play-offs, while Besiktas needed two wins in their last two matches to achieve that feat.
A 6:1 partial between the 7th and the 15th minute saw Motor jump to a 9:4 lead and that turned out to be decisive for the game as Besiktas never really recovered.
A stout defence, that offered Gleb Kalarash a flurry of counter-attacks, was Motor’s best weapon.
It was an almost flawless first half for Motor, with 89% shot efficiency, that saw the Ukrainian side enjoy a seven-goal advantage at the break, 20:13.
With the win never in doubt, Motor made several changes to their team as the Turkish side were unable to stage a comeback.
Motor earned their fifth consecutive win (34:28) and improved their winning margin to an average 6.6 goals per match.
Motor will have to win their last game, against TTH Holstebro, and must hope for a mishap by leaders Nantes against ABC/UMinho in order to win the group and meet La Rioja in the play-offs, as Montpellier have already won Group C.
TEXT:
Adrian Costeiu / ew