Gorenje defeats Celje in first clash of season

Slovenia witnessed first clash of rivals of the season in a Super Cup game. Gorenje Velenje started the season like they ended it, with victory. Celje Pivovarna Lasko did not have any chance.

The two VELUX EHF Champions League participants, Slovenia's champions and runners up met in the first clash of the season.

Gorenje had to find the way without goalkeeper Jure Dolenec and played without playmaker Marko Bezjak from the 27th minute (red card). But nothing stopped the Slovenian champions taking their 28:24 (13:11) win.

With a really aggressive defence and quick counter-attacks mostly executed by Fahrudin Melić (10 golas in total) Gorenje were always one step in front of Celje Pivovarna Laško.

The biggest gap was six goals in the 44 minute (20:17) and Celje's coach Vladan Matić tried with a time-out but his team made to many technical mistakes to turn the result.

Gorenje Velenje wonthe Slovenian Super Cup for the third time. They were happy to start the season like that."It was really hot and humid in the hall so the game was even more difficult to play. We showed great stamina in defence where we played like one," said David Miklavčič after first title in the season.

RK Gorenje Velenje - Slovenian Super Cup winners 2012

Celje's coach Vladan Matić was honest: "They are so strong physically. We missed some clean shots and made some other mistakes what was the key to our defeat. I am not disappointed, we were without solutions."

Celje Pivovarna Lasko play in Group B Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League against THW Kiel, MKB Veszprém KC, BM Atletico Madrid IK Sävehof and the winner of the third Qualification Tournament.

Gorenje Velenje will play in Group C and will meet Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, KS Vive Targi Kielce, Chambery Savoie Handball, St. Petersburg HC and the winners of the second Qualification Tournament.

Photographs: Top left: Slovenian Handball Federation; Middle: RK Gorenje Velenje