PGE Vive Kielce - Telekom Veszprém 35:36

 

 

PGE Vive Kielce: Cupara, Ivic – Bis, Aguinagalde 4 (1), Jachlewski 3, Janc 7 (2), Lijewski 4, Jurkiewicz 1, Kulesh 4, Moryto 1, Mamic 1, Cindric 2, Fernandez 2, Karalek 6

 

Telekom Veszprém: Mikler, Sterbik – Manaskov 1 (1), Ilic 1, Tonnesen 1, Gajic 4, Nilsson 3, Nagy 5, Strlek 1, Terzic, Blagotinsek, Nenadic 6, Mahé 8 (4), Mackovsek 3, Lékai 3

 

Penalties: 4/3 and 6/5

Suspenisons: 4 min. and 10 min.

 

 

Telekom Veszprém was preparing for winning its 17th game in a row and get the 2nd place in the group “A” of VELUX EHF Champions League in Poland as the guest of PGE Vive Kielce. The “Építők” was supported by more than 350 Hungarian fans in Poland in order to get at least one point to secure the required position.

 

The game was started by a goal of Mahé but quickly answered by Jachlewski. Mahé continued scoring goals from two penalties. In the end of the 5th minute the Hungarian record champion had the lead: 2:4. In the 7th minute Mikler saved a penalty then Mahé scored a beautiful goal in a disadvantageous situation. But the home team could keep the rhythm and Veszprém had minimal lead in the end of 10th minute (6:7). After result 9:9 Nagy and Mackovsek created a 2-goal lead but then Lijewski could score too. Cindric equalized by a big goal but Tonnesen took back the lead (11:12). At the end of Terzic’s suspension Kulesh take the lead to the Kielce and the gap was made bigger by Janc (14:12). After that mainly the Polish champion performed better so coach Davis called a timeout (26th minute: 18:15). In the remaining time of the first half, the difference did not decrease because the Kielce always had answers for the goals of Veszprém (21:18).

 

We started the second half with Sterbik in the goal who had two saves quickly while Mahé and Nenadic decreased the difference for one goal. Unfortunately, in the next minutes Veszprém had several turnovers so we were in 3-goal deficit in the beginning of the 40th minute. 3 minutes later, we could be happy for the equalization thanks to our good defense and 2 goals of Gajic (27:27). The team arrived at 31:30 home lead for the last 10 minutes. In the 54th minute, Gajic scored to the empty net taking back the lead to the Hungarian side after a while (32:33). Then Nenadic increased the lead and Sterbik secured it by a parade. Manaskov made a 3-goal lead from penalty but Janc answered (33:35). Coach Davis called a timeout at one-goal lead one and half minute before the end. But we had a turnover and Janc equalized one minute before the end. Veszprém managed the time well and the ex-Kielce player Strlek scored and took back the lead. The home team still had a time to shoot twice but Sterbik saved both. The “Építők” could win the game and reach the second place in the Champions League group (35:36).

 

 

David Davis: For me it is always a great honor to prepare against a coach who is very important in my life. This time it was against Talant Dujshebaev, whom under I have spent my most successful years as a player. Congratulations to my team because we fought until the end. We had problems with the defense in the first half but we did not give up and carried on fighting, this is the reason we won today. When I took over this team in October we were in a complicated situation but ever since, the guys have been working well and our performance is improving. This is why we could reach the second place.

 

Andreas Nilsson: Congratulations to Kielce, they fought well today. We knew that it hard to play here and to even win. We suffer in every game against them. We managed to turn the game around in the second half and win it. We have achieved our goal and finished second in the group.

 

 

Talant Dujshebaev: Congratulations to Veszprém. I am satisfied with my team’s will to fight and with the fanatism with which the fans supported the team. We have to carry on for our goals.

 

Vladimir Cupara: Congratulations to Veszprém from me as well. I am proud of my teammates for how hard they fought and made our opponent’s job very hard. We have to continue our work to be able to reach the Final4.

 

 

Photo: Dávid Vörös