Hypo are back in the fight

Austrian champions Hypo Niederösterreich recorded their first win of the Women's EHF Champions League season on Saturday and are now back in the fight for the main round, whilst Krim allowed themselves too many errors and have suffered their second defeat in a row.

GROUP A

Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT) vs RK Krim Mercator (SLO) 29:25 (13:14)

​Saturday's match was lively from the start, with each team scoring four goals in the first four minutes.  

Krim looked and played confidently, as Mirjeta Bajramoska (eight goals total) took the lead in attack and got into her scoring rhythm quickly. 

When the visitors were up 8:6 in the 17th minute, Hypo responded by switching to a 5-1 defensive system – and it worked. The scoreline was then equal for most of what remained of the first half. 

After the break Hypo started to show their resolve. Gorica Acimovic (11 goals total) was the main attacking threat throughout the match, but in the second period she was not alone. Left wing Viktoria Mauler (six goals total) rose to the occasion and, with Olga Sanko performing well between the sticks, Hypo led by three in the 37th minute (23:20).

Krim tried to respond but there were too many technical errors and a lack of decisiveness in their last few attacks. The visitors also lacked goalkeeper magic this time – their save percentage was 21% versus 41% for the hosts. 

Hypo managed to keep the opposition at arms length for the rest of the second half, avoiding a tense finish to enjoy their first two points in the campaign.