Melsungen record a convincing win in their European premiere

In their first European Cup game in history MT Melsungen secured a convincing 34:27 win on Wednesday against French side Fenix Toulouse. The second leg of the EHF Cup second qualifying round is scheduled for Sunday 19 October in Toulouse.

Men's EHF Cup, 2nd qualifying round, 1st leg:
MT Melsungen (GER) vs Fenix Toulouse (FRA) 34:27 (17:14)

Already after six minutes, the German debutants were leading by three goals, a gap they managed to keep throughout most of the game and reaching half time with a 17:14 lead.

Only in the middle of the second half Melsungen really took control of the game. Thanks to stunning performances by the Müller brothers (seven goals of Philip and four of Michael) and the left winger Michael Allendorf (eight goals), they gained their first five-goal advantage thirteen minutes before the end. Toulouse were unable to score for seven minutes and as Momir Rnic scored for 32:25 a comfortable cushion for the second leg was secured for the German club.

Jerome Fernandez was the best scorer of the visitors with eight goals.

Toni Garcia, the coach of Toulouse, was of course a bit disappointed after the end of the game. "We played well for 45 minutes and managed to keep a decent gap until ten minutes from the end. But these last few seconds of the game might be crucial in the confrontation, since we're now facing a seven-goal disadvantage."

Melsungen goalkeeper Mikael Appelgren on the other side, remained cautious before the second leg. "Yes, this is a good advantage, and it feels better than if we had no advantage. But we've got three weeks to work even more, and make this history," he said.

Photo: Heinz Hartung/MT Melsungen