Four matches, four away victories

The first round of women’s Champions league started with four away victories in four matches on Saturday. The favourite teams Viborg, Krim, Valcea and Larvik took the points.

Group A:

Byasen Trondheim – Viborg HK 21:26 (6:12)

Eight Danish spectators enjoyed the final result, 2992 Norwegians honoured the home team and current title holder Viborg HK started well in the new season. The defence was the key to success in the first halftime. Viborg started highly concentrated, led 6:0 and kept this six goal difference until the break. Afterwards Trondheim came closer, but no more than three goals, so the victory for the Danish champion was never endangered. Top player on VHK’s side was Norwegian goalkeeper Katrine Lunde Haraldsen, topscorers were Rikke Skov (six goals for Viborg) and Iva Zamorska (seven goals for Byasen). The game was a special match for four time goal scorer Bojana Popovic, as it was her comeback in Champions League after more than ten months.

Group B:

Metz Handball – Krim Mercator 30:37 (12:22)

The top scorers Lekic (Krim) and Franic (Metz) were tied with each seven goals, but in the end Krim clearly took the points in France. The Slovenians- being in lead all the time - won well deserved, as their offence was much more effective, and the goalkeepers Stefanisin and Grubisic showed a much stronger performance as their French counterparts.

Group C:

SD Itxako – Oltchim Valcea 24:27 (12:15)

One of the title favourites started with two away points: Oltchim Valcea didn’t have much problems in Spain. The first 15 minutes were absolutely equal, before Oltchim showed a better defence performance and took a three goal lead to the cabin. Itxako had their best phase right after the break, but the Spanish champion couldn’t turn the page. In contrast: Oltchim scored four consecutive goals and pre decided the match at the score of 19:14. Itxako fought hard again, but even the five goals of topscorer Pinedo weren’t enough to equalize. Topscorer for Oltchim was Maier with six goals.

Group D:

Buducnost Podgorica – Larvik HK 23:27 (10:16)

Despite eleven goals of Marija Jovanovic, Buducnost lost their starter in this season’s Champions League. Larvik was mostly in lead and started with a good run to 9:3. The clear lead at halftime with a six goal difference was turned completely by Buducnost, as the Montenegrenians scored eight consecutive goals to their only two goal lead of 18:16. But thanks to the saves of goalkeeper Lene Rantala and in total eight goals of pivot Heidi Löke, Larvik found their rhythm again and despite the frenetic support of 4500 spectators Buducnost couldn’t come closer anymore.