Veszprem take the lead

Three places for the last 16 are still open after the eighth round of the Men’s Champions League. Team number 13 qualified without playing: Targi Kielce is through to the next stage, as Velenje and Chambery will meet in the last round for the direct fourth place duel. And it’s impossible that both can overtake Kielce. In group B Veszprem is going straight for the number one after the clear victory against Löwen. Ciudad Real remained spotless after eight matches in group C, and Kiel won for the first time ever in Leon and took back the second place in group D.

Group B:

MKB Veszprem – Rhein Neckar Löwen 34:30 (17:12)

MKB Veszprem is on the best way to win group B: By defeating the Löwen for the first time in this season the Hungarians are now two points ahead of the Germans. “We prepared well and our tactics decided the game,” Veszprem coach Lajos Mocsai said. Even eleven goals of again outstanding Uwe Gensheimer weren’t enough for the Löwen that now fight for the second place. “Veszprem’s victory was deserved, they were the better team, as we made the decisive mistakes, when we had the chance to turn the match,” Löwen coach Ola Lindgren said. Despite 64 goals the game was decided in the defense – and Veszprem was much better. Veszprem was in front 8:3 and kept this distance until the break (17:12). Due to some Löwen mistakes right afterthe break, Veszprem extended the lead to decisive 25:17 in minute 42. By winning 34:30 Veszprem took the direct encounter against the Germans after the 29:32 defeat in the first match. Top scorer for the host team was Gergö Ivanscik with nine goals.

Chambery Savoie – Bosna Gas Sarajewo 27:24 (13:10)

Chambery still can hope for the last 16 after this decisive victory against Sarajewo. With now five points they’re equal to Velenje. The decision about the fourth team to qualify for the next stage will mostly be taken in the last group match, when Chambery has to play in Velenje. Aside the French champion won the direct encounter against Bosna after the 23:24 in the first match. Thanks to their match winners Roine and Gille Chambery led well deserved at the break, but then Bosna improved, took the lead at 15:14 – and afterwards it was quite hard work for the French, as Bosna goalkeeper Grahovac showed some outstanding saves. Despite the red card against Gabor Csaszar Chambery secured two important points in the final stage of the match.

Group C:

FCK Handbold – Ciudad Real 25:33 (10:15)

Eight matches, eight victories: Reigning champion Ciudad Real extended their series of success very easily by winning in Copenhague clearly. Alberto Entrerrios and Eric Gull paved the way with each five goals, and again the Spanish defense was highly effective. After the five goal lead at the break, Ciudad Real in the end won with an eight goal difference. FCK top scorer was Mamelung with four goals in this one sided game. But the Danes only need one more point from the last two matches to qualify for the last 16. Ciudad now concentrate on the highlighter against Barcelona on Wednesday in Liga Asobal.

Group D:

Ademar Leon – THW Kiel 30:35 (17:18)

THW Kiel has won for the first time ever in Leon and returned on the second place in group D. Match winners were outstanding goalkeeper Peter Gentzel and the two top scorers Illic and Jicha with each nine goals. The “Zebras” started better with a 4:0 lead and went away to 14:9 in minute 19, even as Leon’s goalkeeper Mirko Allilovic improved. But then Leon woke up, equalized (16:16) and was close to turn the match completely, as the number of mistakes arose on Kiel side. After the break THW replaced goalkeeper Omeyer by Gentzel – it was the decisive factor of the match. THW again went away to a five goal lead (25:20) and decided the game at the score of 31:25 seven minutes before the end. Now Kiel can even become number on in their group, but they have to beat Kolding and Skopje and have to hope for a Leon victory against current leader Barcelona.