PSG, Veszprém keep winning; Kolstad take MOTW

• a penalty converted by Sigvaldi Björn Gudjonsson 15 seconds before the end decided the MOTW in favour of Kolstad against Aalborg – their first lead after 13:12 early in the second half
• Aalborg star Sander Sagosen had his comeback for the Norwegian side after his shoulder injury in a match dominated by two outstanding goalkeepers
• Szeged’s 3:0 run in the final minutes of their balanced duel with Kielce was the key to their fourth win
• Isak Persson and Manuel Zehnder combined for 13 goals as Magdeburg took a clear 36:24 win over Zagreb
• Veszprém won at Plock, but had a tough nut to crack
• former group A leaders Sporting were defeated for the second time in a row, but PSG were rather lucky to take the two points
• Yahia Omar, Kamil Syprzak and Elohim Prandi each netted six times for PSG

GROUP A

Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) vs Sporting CP (POR) 30:28 (16:14)

After winning the first four group matches, Sporting only gained one more point from their last three games, while Paris remain on top with 12 points. Though PSG were constantly ahead in the first half, the match was more or less equal. Sporting levelled the result once at 11:11 after the only three-goal gap (10:7) in the first ever duel of both sides. A better goalkeeper performance by Jannick Green and a higher scoring efficiency put Paris ahead again — even to four goals at 20:16. As usual, their regular top scorers Kamil Syprzak and Elohim Prandi were the go-to guys, and the defence managed to control Sporting’s Costa brothers. But right when PSG seemed to be on the winner’s way at 27:23, they lost control of the match and Sporting came back with a 3:0 run. Paris could have taken an earlier decision, but missed too many chances. When Diogo Braquinho netted for the 29:28 with one minute left, the visitors could hope for a point, but ultimately Luc Steins secured the sixth win for PSG.

Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) vs Veszprém HC (HUN) 24:27 (10:12)

When you face the best defence of a competition, it is hard to score for every opponent, even for a top team like Veszprém. After 20 minutes, only 10 goals had been scored: 5:5. Plock’s coach Xavier Sabate had found the right strategy against his former club, building a rock-solid defence and reducing the speed in attack. This opened the gates for versatile playmaker Miha Zarabec to score by breakthroughs. But even his six goals in the first 30 minutes were not enough for his side to be ahead, as Veszprém’s goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales had a magic night, with initially a saving percentage close to 50. Xavi Pascual’s team pulled ahead to several four-goal advantages, but still nothing was decided, as Plock fought like lions to avoid the sixth defeat in seven matches. Right after Veszprém’s left back Sergei Kosorotov had received a red card, Plock levelled the result for the first time after the 7:7 – and everything was open again at 18:18. Luka Cindric’s double strike gave Veszprém some air to breath, and in the end it was Ludovic Fabregas who sealed the deal, scoring for the 25:22 in minute 58. Zarabec was the top scorer of the match with 10 goals, while the trio Bjarki Mar Elisson (seven), Ludovic Fabregas, and Luka Cindric (both six) combined for 19 of 27 goals for the victors.

GROUP B

MOTW: Kolstad Håndbold (NOR) vs Aalborg Håndbold (DEN) 25:24 (12:11)

Sander Sagosen is back after his injury break, and right from the start, he became Kolstad’s leader against his former club, not only by scoring the first goal of the MOTW. Overall he netted only three times, but his seven assists were worth gold for his side. The whole match, in which also Aalborg’s goalkeeper Niklas Landin was back after injury, went back and forth. No side managed to get a significant gap. The biggest margin in the second half was 21:18 for Aalborg, backed by outstanding goalkeeper Fabian Norsten, who saved 16 shots. But Kolstad never gave up, mainly Magnus Søndenå, who scored six times from 11 attempts and who was awarded the Player of the Match, was the key for the comeback. The Danish champions were down only two times – right after the break at 13:12, and with the final buzzer at 25:24 after Søndenå had been fouled. Aalborg’s last shot by top scorer Thomas Arnoldsen (nine goals in total) was stopped by goalkeeper Torbjørn Bergerud, who had a similar percentage as Norsten, finishing on 15 saves.

OTP Bank - PICK Szeged (HUN) vs Industria Kielce (POL) 28:27 (15:13)

Another thriller in Szeged: After many close matches this season, again the last shot decided the outcome. And as Jorge Maqueda missed Kielce’s last chance with the final buzzer, the hosts celebrated two crucial points. Artsem Karalek reduced the gap to 28:27, and as Szeged caused a turnover 18 seconds before the end after a team timeout, Kielce had the last shot, but missed. The visitors were stronger in the initial minutes, leading 4:1, but then Szeged improved and levelled. The lead changed constantly, both attacking sides and goalkeepers were on the same level. No team managed to pull ahead, until the end. With now eight points, Szeged are again ahead of Kielce, who remain on six. Top scorer of the match was Dylan Nahi with seven goals for the visitors; three Szeged players scored five times each.

SC Magdeburg (GER) vs HC Zagreb (CRO) 36:24 (16:12)

Magdeburg ended their series of three consecutive defeats with a clear victory to go to five points, while Zagreb lost their fifth straight match. After a 8:3 and 14:9 advantage, backed by goalkeeper Sergey Hernandez, Magdeburg lost their pace mainly in attack. Zagreb reduced the gap goal by goal, with a strong Filip Glavaš and levelled the result at 16:16 for the first time. This equaliser was Magdeburg’s wake-up call, as they scored a 5:0 run and benefitted from the fact that Zagreb’s defence specialist Patryk Walczak received a red card in minute 40 with the score 19:16. Magdeburg easily pulled ahead, as their new arrivals Isak Persson and Manuel Zehnder almost scored from every shot, and Hernandez was back on track, finishing the match with 16 saves.

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