Celje Pivovarna Lasko - Telekom Veszprém 25:29

 

Celje Pivovarna Lasko: Vujovic, Gabersek – Cvetko, Mazej, Dragasevic 3, Razgor, Marguc 3 (1), Groselj 6, Poteko, Cepic 2, Kodrin 1, Horzen 4, Mlakar 3, Leban 1, Novak 1 (1), Nacinovic 1

 

Telekom Veszprém: Cupara – Manaskov 2, Yahia 2, Moraes 2, Tonnesen, Markussen 2, Ligetvári, Marguc 5 (1), Strlek 1, Blagotinsek 2, Nenadic 3, Mahé 2, Maqueda 4, Lékai 4

 

Penalties: 5/2 and 1/1

Suspensions: 12 min. and 6 min.

 

Jorge Maqueda started the goal scoring against Celje Pivovarna Lasko in the EHF Champions League game, but the quick goal did not give edge to Veszprém. The scoreboard shown 2:2 in the 5th minute. In the 15th minute, Veszprém gained a three goal lead (7:10), to which the head coach of Celje called time out immediately. The short break confused Veszprém a bit, and let Celje up with a five minute goal draught, which was broken by Moraes in the 21st minute (9:11). Although Veszprém played with mistakes, they showed nice offensive plays as well. By the end of the first half, the yellow jerseys came back to one goal difference, but with an empty net goal Veszprém leads in the break 14:16.
 
In the first ten minutes of the second period Veszprém showed a great performance. Ligetvári led the defense, while in offense Maqueda and Lékai scored great goals. By the 40th minute, the guest team built a four goals lead of 17:21. Veszprém was guarding the advantage well, while Yahia stepped on court and made it 21:26 with two quick goals. Veszprém went into the last five minutes, with a five goal lead. Our team showed great offensive plays and returned to the way of winning, defeating the Slovenian champions 25:29.
 

David Davis: It was a very complicated match today, because it was the third game in five days and before that, the players just arrived back from the World championship. It is hard to play good handball, because all player play with what they do not have. It is great that we finally managed to win. This week we did not have the best version of our defense, neither our attack. It is clear that everyone is trying to do their best. We wanted to win here, to get back the winning feeling. The first half was more or less equal, then in the second, we had better defense.
 
Blaz Blagotinsek: We know Celje is never easy to play. I am happy to be back to the place where I started playing handball, it makes me proud. The first few games after the World championship are always hard, we did not have much time to train together. It was good to win after four defeats in the Champions League. I think this one was the start of a new winning streak.

 

 
Tomaz Ocvirk: Congratulations to Veszprém for the fair game and the well-deserved win. Our goal was to show the best performance on the court and to stay close for as long as possible to our opponent. We did it. The other goal was to give opportunity for our youngsters to play. We lost a lot of energy in the fight against Zagreb two days ago. I am proud of my guys, because fought until the last second against Veszprém, which is one of the best in the Champions League.
 
Matic Groselj: Congratulations to Veszprém. We started the game well. We showed that we can play against them and be close. The missed penalties, the empty net and turnovers cost us the game. If you want to be close to a team like Veszprém you have to make as few mistakes as possible. That showed the difference today. I am proud of my teammates, we gave our maximum.
 

 

Photo: Dávid Vörös