Rostov secure first place in Group B after win at Sävehof

In the reverse fixture of the Women’s EHF Champions League, Rostov had comfortably beaten Sävehof on home court, 30:21. In Partille, the Russian side faced tougher opposition, but thanks to a strong comeback in the second half claimed a 32:26 victory.

• Rostov are still unbeaten in the competition
• Sävehof suffered their fifth straight defeat
• Anna Vyakhireva was Rostov’s top scorer with seven goals
• Emma Ekenman-Fernis netted six goals for Sävehof

GROUP B 

IK Sävehof (SWE) vs Rostov-Don (RUS) 26:32 (15:14)

Rostov had already booked a ticket to the main round, while the last-placed Sävehof had lost their chance to go through before this match. So the Russian champions knew that points taken in Partille would not be carried over to the next stage – and maybe it made them less motivated.

The home side, who were eager to claim their first points in the competition, looked sharper, at least in the first half. Rostov lost too many balls, and Sävehof capitalised on their mistakes, leading 9:6 by the 15th minute and 13:9 10 minutes later.

Anna Vyakhireva’s effort late in the first half helped Rostov to reduce the gap, yet the Swedish side were still in front at the break.

But in the second half, Rostov improved and looked more like themselves. Soon they drew level at 17:17 and were never behind their rivals any longer. Vyakhireva, Viktoriya Borshchenko and Anna Sen pulled the Russian side in front, and they led 24:20 midway through the second half.

Frustration made Sävehof nervous, and first Nina Dano then Linnea Pettersson got red cards for hard challenges on Rostov’s players.

That only made the visitors’ job easier, and they had no problems clinching their fourth win in five group matches and securing the first place in Group B.