Bjerringbro too strong for Metalurg

Metalurg were eager to follow the example of Chekhovskie Medvedi, who claimed their first points in Group C on Saturday.

The Skopje-based side fought hard at Bjerringbro before the break, but the Danish champions fully dominated in the second half and won 33:25.

• Bjerringbro are level on six points with group leaders Sporting and Presov
• Metalurg are yet to claim their first points in the competition
• Johan a Plogv Hansen was Bjerringbro’s top scorer with seven goals
• Halil Jaganjac netted 10 times for Metalurg

GROUP C
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN) vs HC Metalurg (MKD) 33:25 (16:14)

Bjerringbro, who had snatched four points from three previous matches, were seen as favourites in this clash. And they confirmed it with a better start, taking the 8:6 lead after 10 minutes.

But Metalurg had their own trump card. Halil Jaganjac once again showed why he is one of the most promising talents in Europe. The 20-year-old Croat, who scored eight goals before the break, was instrumental in bringing his team in front.

However, the Danish side stood strong and reclaimed the initiative, winning the first half by two goals.

And in the second half, Bjerringbro defended well against Jaganac and his teammates, which helped them to build up their advantage.

After moving the score from 20:17 to 24:17, their victory was never under threat. No Bjerringbro player had such an impact as Jaganac, who finished the match with 10 goals, but the home side’s goals were more evenly distributed among their 10 scorers.

Metalurg coach Danilo Brestovac admitted afterwards that his side is suffering from a continual problem with the second half of their game.

"It pains me to see again as usual the first 10 minutes of the second half were the worst ones and that is where they built up their comfortable goal difference," he said. "We were making mistakes as in every match. They played very comfortably."