Hungarian ‘el clasico’ and the second biggest battle in world handball, Veszprém vs Pick Szeged took place on Saturday in the early afternoon. The home team and defending champion MKB-MVM Veszprém wanted to strike back for their one goal defeat in Szeged last October. László Nagy and Chema Rodriguez recuperated from their injury while in Szeged only Blazevic was able to play, Vranjes, Balogh, Parrondo and Kekezovic were still out of squad due to injury.
Nagy scored the very first goal, which was equalized by Mindegia’s great shot. Goals came from both sides, Veszprém were suddenly two goals up, but Szeged’s tight defense and precise attacks turned the tide (10th minute 4-5). Coach Pastor fantastically put Pick Szeged’s play together and as a results the guests were always one or two goals up during the first half. The referees were strict in giving two-minute penalties so both teams had many extramen situations. Szeged were playing better throughout the second half of the first 30 minutes and at the end of the first half they were one goal closer to winning the match and thus the regular season (half-time 12-13). It also seemed likely however that due to their many injured players Szeged might have difficulties in the second half.
Unfortunatel they did. Ancsin’s goal opened up the second half, Sulic also scored then Veszprém equalized from a fastbreak goal. A 10-minute blackout for Szeged meant first a two- then by the 40th minute a four-goal Veszprém lead (19-15). Pick players made several mistakes in attack, Alilovic saved many one-on-one attempts and in the meantime Veszprém score 4-5 fastbreak goals thus creating a comfortable lead. Defense specialist Ilyés quickly scored twice and brought his team back to the match (52nd minute 22-20). Sulic and Jamali were very confident, Ilic scored from penalties so five minutes before the end Veszprém were 4 goals up again. Tatai’s fault, which immediately meant a red card for him finally decided the fate of the match. In the dying minutes Prce scored twice and brought Szeged closer but Veszprém had no intention of losing the match (25-22).
Pick Szeged played their best match in years against a very powerful Veszprém. But the very few substitution possibilities took their toll. Their shooting in the second half was also very poor, only 9 goals in 30 minutes! It is also interesting to see that the big shooters on both sides were neutralized very effectively. Ilic never scored from 9 meters!, Nagy produced 14/6, while in Pick Ancsin had 13/3 and Prce could only score twice at the very end. The great tactical battle and the outstanding defenses surely promise a very exciting Hungarian championship final between the two teams who still have their eyes on Final4 in the Champions’ League and in the EHF Cup.
MKB-MVM Veszprém-Pick Szeged 25-22 (12-13)
Veszprém Aréna, Gledalaca: 5000. Sudije: Kékes Cs., Kékes P.
Veszprém: Alilovic – Ugalde 5, Terzic, Ilics 4/3, Nagy L. 6, Sulic 3, Gulyás 1.Csere: Fazekas (kapus), Chema 2, Mocsai, Dzsamali 3, Schuch, Terzic, Iváncsik G. 1, Vilovski. Trener: Carlos Ortéga.
Pick Szeged: Mikler – Laszica, Ancsin 3, Mindegía 3, Zubai 2, Prce 2, Källman 4.Csere: Tatai (kapus), Fazekas (kapus), Ilyés 3, Vadkerti 2, Larholm 3/2, Blazevic, Gidai, Hegedüs. Trener: Juan Carlos Pastor.
Results: 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 5-5, 5-6, 5-7, 6-7, 7-7, 7-8, 8-8, 8-9, 9-9, 9-10, 10-10, 10-11, 10-12, 11-12, 12-12, 12-13.
12-14, 13-14, 14-14, 15-14, 16-14, 16-15, 17-15, 18-15, 19-15, 19-16, 19-17, 20-17, 21-17, 21-18, 22-18, 22-19, 22-20, 23-20, 24-20, 24-21, 25-21, 25-22.
TEXT: Gábor Várkonyi, Péter Butty
Huge metal fan
1. March 2014. at 16:03
Wow! This Fazekas was always suspicious to me but now I see in the match report that he appeared in the other team as well, perhaps disguised.