Group A:
Chambery Savoie (FRA) vs. FC Barcelona Intersport (ESP) 19:30 (10:15)
20 good minutes were not enough for Chambery Savoie to repeat the last season’s success against FC Barcelona Intersport. The defending champions played in a sovereign way in the lion’s den and secured a clear victory. Without playmaker Edin Basic the French runners-up did not have the means to stop the “Barca express” with their outstanding fast wings and counter attacks. Aside goalkeeper Danijel Saric saved impressive.
After the 8:8 in minute 20, the Barcelona engine was in full swing, as the Catalans increased the gap easily to 15:10 at the break. After the first ten minutes of the second half and the score of 16:19 Chambery could hope again, but four straight goals brought the Catalans back on the winner’s way. Latest at the 26:18 in minute 51 the match was decided.
As Barcelona only need one more point to secure the Group victory, the next duel on Thursday at Schaffhausen (both teams equal with six points) is crucial for Chambery.
IK Sävehof (SWE) vs. RK Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO) 28:25 (12:10)
The Swedish champions remain the big surprise in this Group: Thanks to their fourth victory in the last five matches, Sävehof took the third position in this Group, two points ahead of Schaffhausen and Chambery. Having their next match at Sarajevo (still zero points) they can secure their qualification for the Last 16 already next weekend.
On the other hand their first away defeat in this season meant a huge kickback for the Croatian champions in their race for the Group victory. Now Zagreb need to win at Barcelona next weekend to still have chances to become number one.
After a strong start of the host (12:7) the game was equal until the score of 16:16, before the strongest period of Sävehof started. Led by top scorer Fredrik Larsson (13 goals) the Swedes played their best 15 minutes in this season of the VELUX EHF Champions League, scored a series of 11:3 and had decided the game at the score of 27:19. The Croatian catch-up chase came to late to endanger the host.
Group B:
Füchse Berlin (GER) vs. Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) 31:28 (17:19)
The Foxes tame the Bears: Thanks to this close and hard earned victory the Germans overtook the Russians in the table. Ranked third Füchse are only one point below MKB Veszprem and one point ahead of Vive Targi Kielce and two points ahead of Medvedi.
The guests had the better start in a match on eye level for nearly 60 minutes. Until the score of 27:27 in minute 56, no team could outdistance the opponent. Then the last four minutes decided the game, as Mark Bult hammered a penalty shot into the Russian goal, scoring the 30:28, latest Sven-Sören Christophesen secured the victory with the final goal. Top scorer was Marcus Richwien with eight Füchse goals.
Group C:
St. Petersburg HC (RUS) vs. HSV Hamburg (GER) 25:36 (13:17)
Even missing their team captain Pascal Hens due to an injury could not stop HSV Hamburg on their way to their eighth victory. In a highly dominant way they imprinted the one-sided game and took the early victory in Group C. Top scorers were Bertrande Gille (HSV), Eldar Nasyrov and Ruslan Gaboev (St. Petersburg) with each six goals.
Hamburg started better, but St. Petersburg was close until the break. When Matthias Flohr scored four straight goals to 23:17 the game was decided already in minute 40. Goalkeeper Johannes Bitter saved 17 shots and Guillaume Gille (in his 400thmatch for HSV) scored the most spectacular goal. 100 German fans in the Baltic city celebrated a clear victory.
The host now need a miracle to reach the Last 16, as St. Petersburg are four points below fourth ranked team of Wisla Plock.
Statements after the match:
Jens Häusler (coach Hamburg): It was a very important success, as we knew that this game will be a very intense and physical one. We took the points well deserved.
Dimitry Torgovanow (coach St. Petersburg): We cannot cope with an international top team like my former club is. We lost our concentration in the second half, so the distance rose minute by minute.
Group D:
AG Kobenhavn (DEN) vs. RK Partizan Beograd (SRB) 29:23 (18:11)
A Sunday walk for AG Kobenhavn against Belgrade, still waiting for their first point. Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson and Niclas Ekberg paved the way for the easy-going victory for the Danish champions, who remain second in the Group, one point below Kiel.
Nine of the first 18 AGK goals in the first half were scored by the duo Sigurdsson/Ekberg, aside goalkeeper Kasper Hvidt saved 61 per cent of all Belgrade shots. The distance was comfortable all the time, the victory was never endangered – so Kobenhavn could save some power for the upcoming two hurdles in the VELUX EHF Champions League: at Montpellier and at home against Kiel.
Reale Ademar Leon (ESP) vs. Montpellier Agglomeration (FRA) 29:28 (13:12)
Ademar Leon is is still unebatable at hoem: After the draw against Kiel and the victory over Kobenhavn now the Spaniards took both points against MAHB Montpellier and remain on third position, only one point below Kobenhavn, but already three points ahead of the French champions, who need to fight hard to leave the fourth rank, which would mean a top opponent already in the Last 16.
The match was on the edge the complete 60 minutes – with light advantages for Leon, fighting like lions. Both goalkeepers – Alamo (Leon) and Stochl (Montpellier) – had a brilliant day in this nail-biting thriller.
After the 9:9 the host increased the gap to 13:10, but then Montpellier returned and led for the first (and last) time at 17:16 in minute 37. Both teams played very intense, bot no team could outdistance the other. Five minutes before the end at the score of 27:25 for Leon, Montpellier coach Patrice Canayer took his time-out: succesful, as his team equalized again. Time-out Leon 2:11 minutes before the final whistle – then Garcia and Ruesga decide the game with two goals for 29:27.
TEXT: EHF
