Drammen and Lubin draw in intense fight

Group G has turned into a thriller. The question is not group victory as Ciudad Real are already first with 10 points after 5 matches. The race for the second position, however, and the qualification to the Main Round is still open after Drammens HK and Interferie Zaglebie Lubin drew 33-33 in an intense fight in Drammenshallen.

Before the last round SG Flensburg-Handewitt are in second position with 4 points, while Drammen and Lubin both have 3. This means that all three teams still have the chance to qualify before the last match day, where Lubin will host Flensburg and Drammen travel in Spain to face Ciudad Real.

Close match with changing lead

1,900 spectators in Drammenshallen saw a close and exciting match between the Norwegian and the Polish champions on Thursday. It was a match where both teams had a clear lead only to waste it and the final minutes became a nail-biting affair. The visitors were one player more on the court in the last two minutes, but still the home side managed to get the draw.

Lubin opened in a convincing style taking a 4-0 lead within the first 4 minutes, but after a time-out, the home team got started. The gap was soon closed and even turned into a 4-goal lead for Drammen who were already leading 19-15 at half time.

After the break the hosts even extended their lead to 5 goals at 20-15, but then it was their turn to lose a clear lead. From 26-26 on, the difference between the two teams was never more than one goal.

Still satisfied with third position

Even though Drammen still have a theoretical chance to qualify for the Main Round – provided that they win in Ciudad Real and Flensburg lose in Poland – Drammen coach, Ole Gustav Gjekstad, does not find it realistic.

“Our goal is still the third place and qualification for the Cup Winners’ Cup. This goal I still find realistic after the result of tonight,” Gjekstad said.

Frode Hagen was the top scorer of Drammen with 10 goals, while Michal Kubisztal scored 9 for Zaglebie Lubin.