In Round 19 league leaders Pick Szeged travelled to fifth-placed Gyöngyös, who have final four dreams in the Hungarian Championship. The guests were the favourites to win even without Blazevic and Garcia Parrondo who are still recuperating. Gábor Ancsin’s injured knee has healed completely however so he was available for coach Juan Carlos Pastor.
In front of a full house the home team quickly gained the lead. It didn’t last for long since Pick Szeged’s two Swedish players Kallman and Larholm took the initiative and by the middle of the first half Pick were 4 goals up (6-10). Gyöngyös could only get a bit closer but at the end of the first half the four-goal difference remained (14-18). Mindegia showed portions of his performance before his injury, which was crucial to Pick’s overall play.
The home team could keep the pace until the middle of the second half. Pick were constantly 3-4 goals up but suddenly (in only four minutes!) they doubled their lead (49th minute 24-31) and deciced the fate of the match. Prce was fine again, Larholm scored from penalties and Ancsin was also effective thus showing he would be able to play for longer periods.
On Wednesday Pick will meet No. 4 Tatabánya in Szeged then on 1 March they are travelling to Veszprém to decide who will start the play-off from first place.
Gyöngyös-Pick Szeged 26-35 (14-18)
Bs: Frey (7), Hajdú, Varsandán (5) / Larholm (7), Ancsin,Lasica (5)
Text: Gábor Várkonyi, Péter Butty
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