Ciudad Real close a difficult week in France with a victory at the Eurotournoi.
Ciudad Real victory at the Eurotournoi
The Spanish team have beaten French Montpellier in the final of the friendly tournament 30-26 in a very intense game that confirmed the power of these clubs. Dujshebaiev’s team retained their title from last year. The final was a hard game because the defences were better than the offensives players.
The high quality of Montpellier and Ciudad Real and the emotions in the final converted this match into anything but a friendly match. The match resembled a real cup game, so it was a very good opportunity for Dujshebaiev and Canayer to see the real power of their teams. Urios, Pajovic, Juricek, Guigou or Bojinovic could not play, but their mates put on a good show for the public of Strasburg.
Montpellier: good partners
Ciudad Real began the match better than Montpellier. Uros Zorman was the playmaker for the Spanish side and he dictated the pace for the team. However, the offensive game was not very good and the defences were very effective. Ciudad Real took some lead in the first half. The Tunisian players, Megannem, Hmam and Tej, tried to crash the Spanish 5-1 defence, but Ciudad were lucky with Hombrados having a good day.
Montpellier could not close the gap in the second half. Every French goal was responded by Rutenka, Hjermind and Garcia Parrondo who were the best scorers for Ciudad Real. They were able to conserve the difference between the teams. However, Ciudad Real could not just have a rest, because Montpellier fought until the last seconds of the match.
At the end, Ciudad Real won the tournament and confirmed that they may be one the favourites for the Champions League as well.
TEXT:
Fernando Urra Goñi