Renovalia Ciudad Real like a hurricane

Never before in the long club history SG Flensburg-Handewitt have been beaten so clearly at home: The Germans were taught a real lesson by last season's VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants Renovalia Ciudad Real.

VELUX EHF Champions League Quarterfinals, first leg
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) vs. Renovalia Ciudad Real (ESP) 24:38 (8:19)

The Germans were hoping for another miracle to happen, but after 60 minutes they were down to the floor: before the start of the match Flensburg had been the only team in this VELUX EHF Champions League season to beat Ciudad Real. But the revenge was tougher anybody close to the German/Danish border could ever imagine.

Flensburg became the playing field for Renovalia Ciudad Real's march to Cologne. The 14-goal difference is much more than anybody in the team from La Mancha expected before the first leg.

16 saves of goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik and ten goals of sniper Kiril Lazarow were two keys to success. But it was the team spirit, the absolute will and the determination to punish the opponent which led Renovalia Ciudad Real to this clear result.

The Spaniards started like a hurricane led 7:2, 9:3 and 12:4, before in minute 26 the gap was ten goals for the first time at 6:16. After the break Flensburg lost the will to surrender, resigned against the superior team. The disaster went its way when Renovalia Ciudad Real even extended the gap to 15 goals in minute 51 (19:34).

Even the comeback of Flensburg defence director Tobias Karlsson could not stop the express train from La Mancha, which also showed an outstanding defence. Without mercy the Spaniards destroyed all hopes of Flensburg within 60 minutes. SG top scorer was Thomas Mogensen with six goals.

Statements after the match:

Ljubomir Vranjes, Flensburg coach: “We knew that the match would be tough. But we never, never, never ever expected such a result. I can’t imagine that I have seen such a match in our arena before.”

Holger Kaiser, manager Flensburg: “There was no fire in the team.”

Talant Dujshebaev, coach Renovalia Ciudad Real: „In the return match we will have to play with a 100 percent termination to realize the qualification for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.”