Csurgói KK - Telekom Veszprém 24:31

 

 

Csurgói KK: Zaponsek, Balogh – Vasic 4, Vasvári, Varjú 3, Hanusz 4, Toskic 1, Cehte, Szeitl 1, Oslak 1, Kerkovits 2 (1), Hadziomerovic, Kovacevic 1, Astrashapkin 6, Nagy, Farkas 1

 

Telekom Veszprém: Mikler, Sterbik – Manaskov 9, Gajic 3 (2), Nilsson, Nagy 4, Marguc 7 (5), Strlek, Terzic, Blagotinsek 2, Nenadic 1, Kurucz, Dávid, Mackovsek 3, Lékai 2

 

Penalties: 2/1 ill. 7/7

Suspensions: 4 perc ill. 6 perc

 

 

The first half started with cautious gameplay, none of the teams could get an early lead, as the match was still a draw in the 10th minute. Roland Mikler had many important saves in important times, but this went to the opponent’s keeper as well. Csurgó had many fast breaks, while Veszprém tried to open the wall by shooting from the back positions. The home team had a man advantage in the 15th minute with a penalty, but Mikler saved it. Veszprém could expand its lead by three for the first time in the 24th minute, which was expanded even more in a man advantage in the 26th minute. The Csurgó keeper saved Lékai’s clear shot but he could not do anything with Nagy’s break in, and Manaskov’s empty net. At the end of this period, Toskic hit Blagotinsek in the head, who left the court bleeding. The „Építők” achieved a four goals lead by the end of the first half.

 

The important matters have been closed pretty early into the second half, when Toskic was suspended for two minutes. This advantage was a deal-breaker, as Veszprém achieved a seven goals lead and never let it go until the end of the game. Sterbik, Marguc and Strlek stepped on court in the second period. Sterbik made great saves and Marguc mercilessly scored from every penalty he took. The result of the game was 24:31 that meant the victory of Telekom Veszprém!

 

 

David Davis: This was our first match after the World Championship. We had several injured players. It was not easy to prepare for the match because we knew that Csurgó plays very well with good players. I am satisfied with the game because the most important was the victory and to return for the sense of the game. We made mistakes of course but it is normal in the first game. I am satisfied with the team and we are moving forward.

 

Dejan Manaskov: It is always hard to play the first game after the World Championship. Some players are tired and some are not so much. We have to continue the work. We knew before that it is going to be hard to play here. Csurgó is a great team. We may not have played our best game today but the most important is that we won. We have to look forward and concentrate on our Champions League game against Barcelona next Saturday.

 

 

József Bencze: Congratulations to Veszprém. I think that we could play a good game against them. We know that they are a good team, which is obvious. We prepared to get the best out of the end game. I think that without those mistakes and missed shots it could have been closer. We move forward and prepare against Mezőkövesd, where we would like to play in our true form, to even determine our future in the league.

 

Erik Szeitl: Congratulations to Veszprém. I think that as the coach already told we could play well against them. It was our first game after the WC as well. We tried our six-meter defense as well as the open defense to have it ready by next week’s important game. Those who came out today could see a good match. We made mistakes in the front with only the keeper to beat. We will try to repair these mistakes and get ready for Mezőkövesd. Good luck to Veszprém against Barcelona.

 

 

Photo: Dávid Vörös