Telekom Veszprém - Montpellier HB 24:23

 

 

Telekom Veszprém: Sterbik, Cupara – Manaskov 1, Yahia 2, Moraes 1, Gajic 7 (2), Nilsson 2, Marguc, Lauge 3, Strlek 3, Terzic, Blagotinsek 2, Nenadic 1, Mackovsek, Lékai, Borozan 2

 

Montpellier HB: Sego, Bonnefoi – Simonet 3, Villeminot 4, Truchanovicius 1, Descat 6 (2), Grebille, Bos, Pettersson, Richardson 1, Porte 2, Lenne 2, Afgour 1, Soussi 1, Duarte 2

 

Penalties: 3/2 and 2/2

Suspensions:  6 min. and 4 min.

 

Telekom Veszprém hosted Montpellier on the last home CL group match. Veszprém led the first attack, Sego saved Nenadic’s shot, but after Lauge could score. Cupara made a huge save, but the guests could turn the result. Both team led quick actions and with Strlek’s goal Veszprém ran away by 2 goals (7. min 4-2). Goals were scored back to back, Gajic’s two nice goals meant 3 goals lead. Reaching the middle of the first half Montpellier equalised (9-9). Sterbik came in the goal and saved a wing shot with a brilliant move. French team took a lead, but in the 23. minute Veszprém took it back, so the guests called a timeout (13-12). Thank to Sterbik’s saves the home team reached a 3 goals lead. From that remained 2 goals for the break.
 
Also the second half started with a lot of goals and in high tempo. After a Veszprém goal Yahia left on the ground and suffered an ankle injury. Gajic missed a penalty, but back in the goal Sterbik was in great form. In the 40. minute 21-18 was on the scoreboard. Veszprém played with three right-handed, because of that they made clear chances hardly. The whole Aréna shouted Sterbik’s name, thank to his saves the French team could not come closer (49. min 22-20). Veszprém suffered in offense, so Davis had to call a timeout. Borozan broke a goalless period with a huge shot. Stepped in the last 5 minutes, the home lead was still 2 goals (24-22). From this lead the home team could keep 1 goal and won this important game.
 

David Davis: I am happy that we won, but it was almost the most complicated match since I am here in Veszprém. In the first game against Montpellier, we did not play good, now we could. After the injury of Yahia, we had difficulties playing the formations. The defense was good, and we were fighting a lot. Árpád Sterbik was brilliant. It was clear that we wanted to win this game because of the important points. Although we won, there is a lot to improve.
 
Rasmus Lauge: First of all thank to Montpellier for the big fight. It was definitely that from our side. Many of our plays did not work today, but we fought until the end, because everyone knew that it is an important game. We played with big passion and heart. We took the two points with bad performance, it is a positive thing. Many thanks to the fans, they made a great atmosphere, like always.
 

Patrice Canayer: Congratulations to Veszprém for the victory. It is always a pleasure to play in front of this kind of support. I think that it was a great spectacle for handball. I am sad that we lost, because we invested a lot in this game. Physically we did well, but we made more technical mistakes. Once again, congratulations to Veszprém.
 
Jonas Truchanovicious: First of all congratulation to Veszprém. The fans could see a great match. We are sad that we lost by one goal, because we had chance for a better result. The home goalkeeper had a fantastic day, that was the difference today. It is always a pleasure to play here in the Veszprém Aréna.
 

 

Photo: Dávid Vörös