Sensations in Germany and Norway, historic first points for Brest and Odense
Sensations in Germany and Norway, historic first points for Brest and Odense
A first defeat for CSM Bucuresti, an impressive win for Larvik HK, historic points for Brest Bretagne Handball and Odense HC as well as buzzer beating steal by Anika Kovacsics were the main talking points of Round 2 in the Women’s EHF Champions League
1. Bietigheim hand CSM first defeat
We only had to wait for the second weekend for one of the hottest favourites, CSM Bucuresti, to suffer their first defeat.
SG BBM Bietigheim sent the Romanian powerhouse home with a 30:28 defeat in Group D.
Last season’s runners-up in the German Bundesliga lead 17:12 early in the second half and although CSM were close to catching up, they never quite succeeded.
Playmaker Kim Naidziniavicus, who recently reported back for national team duty for Germany ahead of the EHF EURO 2018 in France, was on fire, scoring 11 goals, as Bietigheim went top of the group with three points.
10 goals from Cristina Neagu did not help CSM, who will have a tough time bouncing back as their next task will be away to Norwegian champions Vipers Kristiansand.
2. Larvik cause upset
I once saw graffiti stating: “You don´t stand a chance – take it!”
Apparently, this was what Larvik HK did last weekend.
Having lost their first group match 31:20 away to Metz and 33:19 against Norwegian champions Vipers in the domestic league during the week, Larvik were not given much of a hope as Buducnost rolled into the Boligmappa Arena.
Yet, Larvik stunned everybody by winning the Group A match 23:22, mainly thanks to stellar performances by Guro Rundbråten in goal as well as playmaker Mari Molid.
3. First point for Brest in eight attempts
It was history in the making for Brest Bretagne Handball as they drew 29:29 at home against Rostov-Don in Group B.
It was the French side´s first point in the Women’s EHF Champions League after seven straight defeats.
Last season, Brest made their debut in the Champions League, but went through the group matches with six defeats out of six.
This season, they started their campaign with a 32:28 defeat away to Danish champions Kobenhavn Handball, so their joy after the draw against the Russian visitors was understandable.
4. Historic draw in Hans Christian Andersen’s home town
History was also written in Odense, the hometown of the famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen.
Danish Champions League debutants Odense HC were playing their first home match in the competition with Metz Handball the visitors, and 3528 spectators witnessed their local heroines pick up their first point in a 19:19 draw with the French champions.
5. Kovacsics’ buzzer-beating steal
Aniko Kovacsics managed to steal the ball and run a fast break just in time to earn FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria a 27:26 win at home against Vipers Kristiansand in Group D.
The win for the Hungarian home team did actually not seem to be in danger, as FTC were leading by seven goals twice in the first half, but the Norwegian champions managed to claw their way back and were actually in possession for the final attack with the scores level.
However, Kovacsics managed to intercept the ball and run the fast break just in time to give her team the win with her seventh goal of the match.
The joy among the FTC players was just as understandable as the disappointment for the visitors.
What. A. Finish. ⚡
— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) October 14, 2018
Watch how Aniko #Kovacsics helped @Fradi_HU beat @VipersKrSand in the very last second, 27:26. #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/uWfG5cINjR
