Veszprém knock PSG down and Celje dramatically draw with Kiel

Veszprém knock PSG down and Celje dramatically draw with Kiel

Veszprém ended PSG's winning streak unexpectedly on Saturday afternoon as the French side had won their previous eight games but were taught a lesson by Veszprém.

The Hungarian side and 2015 VELUX EHF Champions League finalists, replaced PSG at the top of Group A, and are the first team to clinch a Last16 spot and have a great chance of remaining top and securing a first round bye.

In the group's second encounter, Celje were able to celebrate their first home point in the competition, which provides them with new confidence in the race for the Last16 as they drew with Kiel 23:23.

Kiel remain without a victory in their last three matches, and stay on nine points, as a result the three-time Champions League winners are still on course for the knock-out stage.

MOTW: MVM Veszprém (HUN) vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 28:20 (16:14)

In the opening stages, Veszprém overran the French champions in style, looking ready to reap revenge for the 27:29 defeat against PSG in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

While PSG had concentration problems in attack, causing an unusual high number of technical mistakes and missed chances, Veszprém were superb.

Veszprém's coach, Xavi Sabate, said: "We played well mainly in defence, but we made several mistakes in attack.

"The result is not realistic, there is not such a big difference between the two teams. In attack we were sensational, the leader of the team was laszlo Nagy, as always."

After an early time-out taken by Paris coach, Noka Serdarusic, the Hungarians were ahead 8:2.

The Paris defence was not comparable with the level they had shown last week against THW Kiel as goalkeeper, Thierry Omeyer, was replaced early in the match.

In addition PSG's regular top scorers were far below par: Mikkel Hansen struck only once in 60 minutes, and Nikola Karabatic only scored three.

Karabatic said: "We did not have any chance here because of our poor performance.

"I think no one could win against Veszprém in this atmosphere. We go on, and fight for first place."

One the other hand, Veszprem’s Serbian left back, Momir Ilic, was on fire, netting six of his ten goals before half-time.

Led by Ilic’s former Kiel team mate, Daniel Narcisse, PSG started catching the Hungarians in the middle of the first half.

After 17 minutes Veszprém’s cushion was all but gone at 10:8 and despite three more incredible minutes taking the score to 15:10, PSG managed to reduce the deficit to 16:14.

Ilic could not be stopped though, scoring two more right after the break, while Hansen continued having a poor day in front of goal.

Veszprém were the clear dominant force making PSG intermediately trail by five goals at 21:16 after 41 minutes.

Even when shorthanded Veszprém managed to extend the margin to six goals and the home fans knew who to thank, shouting “Mikler, Mikler”.

Veszprém's goalkeeper, Roland Mikler. was key for the Hungarians taking a decisive 25:17 lead.

PSG only scored three times in the last 20 minutes and just six times in the whole second half – an incredible contrast to their matches against Kiel.

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) vs THW Kiel (GER) 23:23 (14:14)

By scoring his fifth goal 20 seconds before the end, THW youngster, Rune Dahmke, ended Celje’s hopes for a home victory.

The hosts had the chance to defeat Kiel in the final seconds, as Domagoj Duvnjak was sent off with a red card six seconds before the end but the Slovenians failed in their last attack.

Dunjak said: "I think that at the end this result is the most fair. We both gave our best, there was not a lot of goals, both goalkeepers did a good job.

We led a few times but did not manage to stay ahead, since Celje came back so strongly at the end we had to fight for a point.”

Celje's coach, Branko Tamše, said: "We have missed some clear chances and that is why at the end we got only a point.

We did not start the second half in best way, Kiel took the advantage and managed to lead by four goals and it was hard to come back.

We did in great way, and led in the final minutes, even had the last attack and the chance for two points, but did not manage it.”

Celje had the better start, boosted by solid defensive work, forcing Kiel to make mistakes and more efficient attacking play, they led, 8:6.

THW Kiel coach Alfred Gislason had seen enough, calling a time out for the first time after 16 minutes.

His players responded scoring a 4:0 series to back on track at 10:8, with young left back, Christian Dissinger, continuing his excellent run of form and goalkeeper, Niklas Landin, improving from the beginning of the match.

Celje were shaken, but when Tilen Kodrin scored as the half-time whistle went, the scores were level at 14:14 after trailing by three goals.

After the break the experienced back court shooters, Duvnjak and Steffen Weinhold were too much for the young Celje side to handle.

Kiel only needed three minutes to be ahead again by a three goal margin.

And the hosts were hit with further adversity, when their defence specialist, Blaz Blagotinsek, was sent off after 37 minutes.

Celje coach, Branko Tamse, reacted to the adverse situation his side found themselves in and adapted his squad – the Slovenian side managed to level the contest at 20:20 thanks to their fighting spirit and THW's mistakes in attack.

Gislason took his next time out eight minutes before the end but this time, his players could not turn the tide as they did in the first half.

Blaz Janc amazed the home support, scoring to put Celje in front at 23:22, just two minutes before the end.

Unfortuantely for Janc and Celje, Rune Dahmke, scored with seconds to spare to tie the game.