Kiel complete perfect German Sunday

THW Kiel have reached a semi-final of the VELUX EHF Champions League for the eighth time in history and qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the second time after 2010, when they took the VELUX EHF Champions League trophy for the second time after 2007. After the draw in Zagreb, the Germans had to struggle hard until minute 50 to break the Croatian resistance, but then the final result of 33:27 was a clear one.

Now the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2012, played 26/27 May in Cologne, is completed with the two German sides THW Kiel and Füchse Berlin, AG Kobenhavn from Denmark and Atletico Madrid (Spain).

On Wednesday the draw for the semi-finals will take place in Cologne - more information here.

VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-final, second leg:

THW Kiel (GER) vs. RK Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO) 33:27 (16:16)

First leg: 31:31

Like in Zagreb one week ago it was a tough piece of work for THW Kiel to break the resistance of the strong fighting team from Croatia. The first half was absolutely equal with little advantages for the guests thanks to their fast and efficient wing players Manuel Strlek and VELUX EHF Champions League top scorer Zlatko Horvat, who took the profit of a big number of counter attack goals. Besides, goalkeeper Marin Sego like in the first leg (31:31) was brilliant.

THW caused a surprising big number of mistakes against the strong Zagreb defence and could not start their usual fast and powerful match play. But in contrast to the  first match goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer was much stronger and gave confidence to his defence.

Zagreb stood strong in defence and attack and imprinted the start of the second half after a equal half time result, being more than on eye level thanks to the superb passes of Ivano Balic.

But like in the first leg the Croats had to give the match from their hands after minute 40, as THW Kiel had much more options to rotate and Zagreb lacked power and therefore concentration. When Henrik Lundström scored the 20:18, Kiel was away with a two goal margin for the first time in minute 39. Even a time-out of coach Slavko Goluza did not bring the Croats back on track. Increasing the distance to six goals at 29:23 Kiel sealed the fate of Zagreb and decided the game.