Lada shock Kometal GP

When Skopje fans leave the sports hall well before the end of the game, it must be a strong signal for the players of Kometal GP about their performance. The former CL winners missed another chance to gain their first points in the Women’s CL. The Russian Lada got back the points lost at home in the first round after defeating the FYR Macedonian champion by 29-24 (14-13).

It will be increasingly difficult for Kometal to make it to the Main Round as the next opponent will be Hypo, the old rival. The Austrian club is also a strong candidate for the first two positions of the group.

When Kometal GP had a 7-3 lead, it seemed that the home team could get the first win of the season. However, instead of going on with the same speed, the FYR Macedonian team lost their plot. Step by step, Lada closed the gap and took the lead at the end of the first half.

Every single mistake of Kometal was punished by the Russians with "fast goals". Even with the few players that coach Alexey Gumyanov sent in, Lada showed a much better form.

Success trio: Bliznova, Postnova, Sidorova

Goalkeeper Sidorova, and the back players, Bliznova and Postnova, maintained the goal deference in the second half for Lada. Bliznova was especially accurate even when they were playing one man down.

The two back players scored 16 goals together, which was half of the whole team. Sidorova made 16 saves, including one penalty.

"We knew what was the most important for us. When we could keep Lambevska out of shooting distance, our job was done,” said coach Gumyanov.

Bad defending, many missed attacks

The Kometal back players missed 25 shots form 35 attempts, while the goalkeepers saved just 8 balls.

"Whenever I tried to change something and a new player came in, we played even worse. If you look at our performance, and on the other teams in the group, it will be difficult to secure even third place in group,” said Dragan Nisevic, coach of Kometal GP.