Amazing start in the Champions League

Telekom Veszprém hosted PSG on the first Champions Leauge game of this season in the Veszprém Aréna. The French in white jersey started the game and Hansen scored a big goal, but Marguc answered back. The teams started in high tempo, after 3 minutes there were 3-3 goals on both sides. Yahia was on fire, he made the guest goalkeeper crazy with his huge goals. PSG could lead by 2 goals for the first time, but Strlek equalised with 2 goals (9. min 6-6). Corrales saved the first guest’s penalty, but the French always found their pivote player, so the result was still draw at the middle of the first half (9-9). After Ligetvári’s 2 minutes suspension Lékai reached a penalty, but Marguc missed it. PSG punished right away the three missed Veszprém attacks and ran away by 2 goals, so Ilic called a timeout (26. min 12-14). In attack there were many wrong assists and bad shots, but Corrales showed a lot of big saves, that was why the guests could lead only 4 goals in the break.

The second half started with a Strlek’s miss and with a French’s 2 minutes suspension, Veszprém used well it with 2 goals. Another powerplay came and Strlek who performed very well today brought back his team by one goal (18-19). PSG very early in the 37. minutes called their second timeout, then Hansen scored from penalty and Nenadic could not his own. Yahia was on fire today with Strlek, both of them scored 6 goals until the 40th minute (19-22). Ilic rotated his team in attack, try to find the best formation. PSG in powerplay had 4 goals advantage in the middle of the second half (20-24). Following this 3 home team’s goals came, the game was opened again. After 51 minutes play Veszprém got the lead again and everyone was standing and singing (27-26). After a fastbreak Lékai increased the lead to 2 goals, but got a 2 minutes suspension, too (32-30). Yahia scored again and decided the match and the celebration started in the Aréna.

Telekom Veszprém–Paris Saint-Germain 34:31 (13:17)

Telekom Veszprém: Corrales, Cupara – Manaskov, Yahia 10, Nenadic 3, Maqueda, Nilsson 2, Ligetvári 3, Marguc 3, Strlek 8, Lukács, Blagotinsek, Mahé 1, Ilic, Lékai 4, Sipos
Vezetőedző: Momir Ilic

Paris Saint-Germain: Gerard, Genty – Steins 2, Ntanzi, Keita 1, Kristopans 2, Kounkoud 2, Sole, Toft Hansen, Remili 3, Grebille 1, Syprzak 4, L. Karabatic 5, Hansen 7, N. Karabatic 2, Prandi 2
Vezetőedző: Raúl González

2 minute suspension: 10 minutes,  6 minutes
Penalties: 6/3, 5/4

Momir Ilic: – Congratulations to Paris Saint-Germain, they could have won the game too. It was an amazing first game for me in Champions League, I’m very satisfied with the victory, the players have shown real character in the second half. We made a lot mistakes in the last 10 minutes of the first half, we gave away a lot of balls, we conceded a lot of fast break goals. Also, in the middle of the second half we had a bad period, we missed a lot of chances and three penalties. But the victory is the most important, I’m really happy with it.   

Raul Gonzales: – Good evening to everybody. Congrats to Veszprém. I think we played very good at the first half, but we make some mistakes especially in the second half. The game I think we started play very good, in defense and in attack as well. We made some difference for the break. In the second half then everything changed. They get much closer, we played 1 player less for a long time, they play better and better, they have a good 15 minutes and win.

Kamil Syprzak: – Like my coach said,we were better in the first half, then in the second Veszprém was better. It is not enough to play well for only 30 minutes, we have to improve in this. We made a lot of mistakes, mostly in attack, because our goalkeepers had many saves. I think we lost because of our weak play in attack. For the next game we have to prepare better.

Omar Yahia: – We played a fantastic match, it was a typical Champions League game. I am satisfied with our performance and with the victory. We stepped on the court with a huge motivation and we showed how has to play on home court for a team like Veszprém. I hope we can continue the upcoming matches on this high level.