Larvik leapfrog FTC as Györ rout Cluj

The opening two games of the final weekend in this season’s Women’s EHF Champions League Group matches produced expected wins for 2011 winners Larvik and last season’s runners-up Györi Audi ETO.

The Norwegian champions beat Ferencváros to go level on points with them but leapfrogged them on a better head-to-head record, while Györ offered some measure of joy to Hungarian fans with an easy home victory against Romania’s U Jolidon Cluj and stretched their perfect record to six games.

Group B
Györi Audi ETO (HUN) vs U Jolidon Cluj (ROU) 37:26 (17:14)

The Hungarian title holders finished the Group Matches in perfect fashion, engineering an emphatic win against EHF Champions League newcommers Cluj who ended propping up the group with six defeats in a difficult debut season in Europe’s top flight.

To their credit, Cluj battled hard and held their own for long spells in the first half but could not stop a more resourceful Györ side from romping away after the interval.

Left wing Ivett Szepesi led the way for the home side with seven goals, centre back Anikó Kovacsics and Norwegian line player Heidi Løke added five each, while Serbian left back Andrea Lekić scored four.

Cluj pivot Florina Chintoan capped a superb individual performance with a game-high nine goals, followed by Elena Dinca and Maria Tivadar who scored four apiece.

Group C
Larvik (NOR) vs FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 30:23 (16:13)

The titanic tussle between Larvik and Ferencváros to finish top of the group went down the wire and the Norwegian champions swung it their way thanks to an effervescent performance on home court.

Needing to win by four goals or more to leap over FTC after losing the reverse fixture 28:24, Larvik built their advantage patiently and came within striking distance after taking a well deserved three-goal into the dressing room at halftime.

It was one-way traffic after the interval as Larvik put their foot on the gas pedal and made sure of winning their dogfight against FTC to end the first group stage of the competition on a high note.

Thea Mørk spearheaded a balanced team effort for Larvik, scoring six goals for the 2011 EHF Champions League winners. Karoline Breivang and Linn Koren Riegelhuth chipped in with five each, while Anja Edin and Linn Jørum Sulland added four apiece.

Piroska Szamoránsky led FTC with six, followed by Orsolya Vérten and Spanish right back Nerea Pena Abaurrea with five each.

Photo: Anikó Kovács