HSV's big step towards group victory

HSV Hamburg may have their problems in the Bundesliga with only seven points from seven matches, but in the EHF Champions League there are no problems so far. The team of Martin Schwalb seems to be heading for the first place of Group D. Though it may be a bit early to say so after only two matches played, but after HSV´s 34-31 away win in Copenhagen, it is hard to see who could stop Hamburg.

FCK started better in front of 2 200 fans in the Farum Arena just north of Copenhagen. The hosts were 4-1 and 5-2 ahead and HSV’s coach Schwalb called a team time-out.

This helped and HSV managed to equalise at 5-5. FCK failed to make use of a German suspension and HSV soon took the lead. Though it was 13-10 already, FCK managed to catch up and come back to 12-13 at halftime.

Dominant HSV

In contrast to the first half, HSV did not lack concentration in the early second half and it was quickly 20-15 for them. They kept this difference until 23-18, but then FCK tried to come back into the game once again. The Danish CL debutants reduced the distance to only one goal at 28-29.

HSV were not intimidated and with two fast goals they were leading 32-29 with only one minute left. The game was decided.

“After a bit more than 15 minutes, I think we controlled the game – apart from slowing down a bit towards the end when FCK came close again,” HSV’s head coach Martin Schwalb said.

FCK’s Magnus Andersson was quite proud in spite of the defeat:

“We hit the goal-posts a couple of times in the decisive phase, but we still managed to put pressure on our opponents at the end. Of course I cannot be satisfied with a defeat, but I’m proud of the spirit we showed and that we could get back into the game,” the Swedish coach said.

Right winger Anders Christensen was FCK´s top scorer with 7 goals. The Croatian left back, Blazenko Lackovic, and the line player Bertrand Gilles scored 8 goals for HSV.

The German team have four points after two matches.