In the second leg of the Last 16 Montpellier beat Kielce 33:31, but thanks to 4-goal-advantage from the first leg, it is Kielce that go to the next phase.
The French team began quite well – their good defence made Kielce struggle during their link-up attack; attempts to play with Aginagalde also backfired. Fortunately for Poles, Denis Buntić took the responsibility and started scoring. After 10. minutes Montpellier were 2 goals ahead (5:3) but two unsuccessful attacks allowed Kielce to take over the lead in 15. minute. The result was very tight and none of the teams could gain a considerable advantage. However, the French team left the court in a little bit better moods as they led at halftime 15:14.
In the second half Montpellier took the better start. Vive’s poor performance made the audience in Kielce shiver when guests reached 4-goal advantage (1. Leg result was 29:25 for Kielce). Poles often couldn’t find a way to the goal through the French goalkeeper Kevin Mesnard and wasted a couple of seemingly 100% chances. With over 10 minutes to go, the Polish team started catching up. In 48. minute Šego saved Gajić’s penalty throw and 2 minutes later Montpellier were away only by 1 goal (24:23). Poles seemed to improve their performance but they looked helpless when amazingly playing Diego Simonet was racing through their defence. Pivot Tej gave them a hard time too. In 58. minute a result 30:32 for Kielce seemed to be rather safe but two saved throws and a loss made Montpellier score for 33:30 with 20 seconds to go. However, French didn’t manage to steal the ball, Jachlewski scored for 33:31 and in the end Kielce ended up in the Last 8.
Vive: Szmal, Sego – Grabarczyk, Jurecki 3, Tkaczyk 2, Reichmann 3, Chrapkowski, Aguinagalde 4, Bielecki 3/2, Jachlewski 4, Strlek 1, Buntić 7, Musa, Zorman 3, Rosiński, Cupić 1.
Montpellier: Mesnard, Sieffert, Bellahcene – Borges, Dolenec, Fabregas, Gutfreund, Kavticnik 2, Mackovsek 4, Saidani, Simonet 11, Tej 8, Faustin, Gaber, Gajić 6/2, Guigou 2.
MARTYNA USNARSKA
