TATRAN drew with Elverum Handball in Norway

In the 9^th round of Group C in the Champions League TATRAN Presov drew in Norway with Elverum Handball 24:24.

The Slovakian champions did not manage the beginning of the encounter. In the 6^th minute they were 0:2 down. In the 9^th minute TATRAN were 3 goals down – 1:4, when they were not efficient in the attack. In the 18^th minute TATRAN reduced the score to 4:6 and it seemed they would catch the Norwegian champions in a while. However, Slovakians lost 3 balls in a row and in the 23^rd minute they were 5:9 down. TATRAN came back into the game once again after the series of mistakes made by Norwegian team, when they reduced their lead to 8:9. After the first half TATRAN were down by a single goal – 9:10.

In the second half it was a totally tied game. TATRAN managed to equalize the score in the 34^th minute – 11:11. In the 41^st minute TATRAN were 13:16 down. Despite that the Slovakian champions fought until the very end of the match. In the 46^th minute they equalized to 17:17, in the 50^th minute TATRAN even led by 2 goals – 20:18. However, the home team managed to equalize the score and the game was tied until the end. In the last minute TATRAN were 24:23 in lead. However, Elverum equalized the score two seconds before the end of the match – 24:24.

TATRAN could rely on their left back Oliver Rabek, who scored 10 goals. Jakub Hrstka added 5 goals. The home team of Elverum was led by Andre Lidboe, who scored 10 goals. Tine Poklar added 4 goals.

After the 9^th round of the group phase of the Champions League TATRAN Presov are the fifth of Group C with 7 points. In the 10^th round the Slovakian champions host Spanish Naturhouse La Rioja. The game is scheduled for Saturday 11 February 2017 at 16:00 CET in TATRAN Handball Arena, Presov, Slovakia.

Champions League 2016/2017 – Group C – 9^th Round – 4 December 2016 – Elverum, Norway

Elverum Handball (NOR) – TATRAN Presov (SVK) 24:24 (10:9)

Elverum Handball: Bakken Oeien, Nergaard – Linderud 2, Fredriksen Eide, Wattstrom, Borresen 1, Iváncsik, Mehl 3, Lindboe 10, Burud 1, Ekren 3, Poklar 4. Coach: M. Apelgren.

TATRAN: Chupryna, Brazhnyk – Rabek 10, Hrstka 5, D. Krok, Sadovyi 1, L. Sarpataky 1, L. Urban 2, Pekar, Peskov 2, Vucko 1, Jankovic, Pales 2, Tsarapkin. Coach: R. Trtik.

Referees: Leszczynski, Piechota (POL), 7m given/goals: 3/3 – 5/4, 2´penallties: 2 – 3, Spect. 2400.

Group C:

1. Montpellier HB 9 7 0 2 271:228 14
2. Naturhouse La Rioja 9 5 1 3 267:256 11
3. Elverum Handball 9 3 2 4 233:243 8
4. HC Metalurg Skopje 9 4 0 5 209:227 8
5. TATRAN Presov 9 3 1 5 229:244 7
6. Chekhovskie Medvedi 9 2 2 5 249:260 6

Montpellier HB and Naturhouse La Rioja qualified for the next stages of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/2017.

Author: Richard Fech

Photo: Viktor Zamborsky