Veszprém win by ten again

Group B:

HCM Constanta (ROU) – MKB Veszprém (HUN) 27:37 (12:19)

MKB Veszprém cemented their lead in group B of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Only five days after beating RK Celje Pivovarna Laško on home ground 32:22, the Hungarian champions again won by a ten goal margin in the opener of Round 2 at HCM Constanta in Bucharest. It was the second defeat for the Romanian champions after losing 31:35 in Sävehof.

In contrast to their first match, the encounter in Bucharest was decided early for Veszprém. After Constanta had the better start, leading 7:5, the Hungarians took control and turned the match easily, having a seven goal margin already at the break at 19:12 after an intermediate 6:0 series.

Another turning point was the early red card against Constanta goalkeeper Ionuţ Rudi Stănescu after a foul. “It was deserved, unfortunately,” Stanescu admitted after the match.

Though newcomer Dalibor Čutura and Alexandru Şimicu (7 goals each) showed a brilliant attacking performance, the hosts were loosing the ground, being below by six to eight goals constantly after the break and by the final whistle with double-figures. The Veszprém defence stood strong and Gábor Császár (eight goals) proved that he has recovered completely from his foot injury which occurred at the Olympic Games. Besides, Mirsad Terzić was Veszprém’s best scorer with six goals.

MKB coach Antonio Carlos Ortega was highly satisfied with the second straight victory: “We played against a great rival, but our defence was the key to success, as we could neutralize their counter-attacks.”  Wing player Tamás Iváncsik is already looking ahead: “It was highly important to win this encounter as now two tough matches against Madrid and Kiel ahead.”

On the other hand, new Constanta coach Zvonko Šundovski praised the opponent: “We knew that Veszprém are a top team, but we did not expect them to play on such a high level. In my opinion they are among the main favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4.”

The most emotional part of the match was the memorial of former Veszprém Romanian player Marian Cozma, who was killed in February 2009. Cozma’s father Petre was among 3500 spectators.