Skjern defeat Elverum with flawless performance

Skjern have taken yet another step to qualify for the next phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League, after another dominant home court performance.

After winning their first three home games by an average of 10 goals, the Danish side had another impressive outing, jumping to a 35:25 win against Elverum.

Skjern are now top of the group with 12 points, two more than rivals Abanca Ademar Leon and RK Gorenje Velenje.

The Danish side will play their next two games against their biggest opponents. Elverum are currently fourth, with eight points, with their chances of progression lessening.

• 10 of 11 outfield players for Skjern scored at least one goal.
• 36-year old veteran Kasper Sondergaard Sarup was Skjern’s top-scorer, with six goals.
• Skjern now sit on top of Group C, with 12 points.

GROUP C

Skjern Handbold (DEN) vs Elverum Handball (NOR) 35:25 (16:12)

A game which featured two high-octane Scandinavian teams, with everything to lose, could only have meant that both teams would be frantically trying to outscore each other.

For 20 minutes, this scenario was played out by Skjern and Elverum. As soon as the Danish side managed to score, their opponents quickly replied, and neither team could break the deadlock.

But a 4:0 run engineered by experienced right back Kasper Sondergaard Sarup between the 20th and the 25th minute, helped Skjern take control of the game, and they jumped to a 15:11 lead with five minutes to go in the first half.

It was the pivotal point of the game, with Elverum unable to attempt a comeback. Skjern’s experience and superior roster were the main weapons for a team that is getting closer and closer to their objective of winning the group.

In the end, Skjern capatalised on their superb shot efficiency to get another win, their sixth of the season, which ended 35:25.

Skjern's goalkeeper Emil Nielsen was surprised the margin between the two teams was so large:

“I am surprised that we got a 10 goal win, because Elverum played really good handball, and they really came with a lot of good things.

"They had us under pressure from the start of the game, but foruneately it got better.”

Skjern are now heading into a crucial double header against Leon and Velenje to finish the group.

On the other hand, Elverum will need two wins against Dinamo and Leon, while also relying on Skjern to win both games, in order to stand a chance of progressing to the next phase.