Larvik stampede throws Lublin out

MKS Selgros Lublin were vying for a vital win in Norway to continue to the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round, but the Polish champions were overthrown by unstoppable Larvik in one of the most one-sided games in this season’s premier competition.

Larvik will take the maximum of eight points to the main round followed by Metz with four and Baia Mare with zero points. Despite a fourth-rank finish the Lublin's European campaign does not end yet as they will carry on in the Women's Cup Winners' Cup Last 16.

Group D
Larvik (NOR) vs MKS Selgros Lublin (POL) 35:24 (20:10)
    
In dire need of a win to progress to the next phase, Sabina Wlodek’s team did not start as hoped on Saturday. The Polish champions lost their concentration in the early stages of the match and Larvik took advantage immediately.

By midway through the first half, the prowess of the Norwegian champions was on show – seemingly effortlessly, Larvik built on Lublin’s woes and were leading by a six-goal margin (10:4) after just 13 minutes.

The Norwegian champions, who are currently on a 19-game winning streak in all competitions, never looked back. A flurry of perfectly executed counter attacks extended their lead to ten goals at half-time, 20:10, with an amazing 67% efficiency in the attacking phase.

As Larvik relaxed and took their feet off the gas Lublin faced a difficult task, but the visitors never really looked in contention for the two points.

The Polish side cut the lead to an eight-goal margin (25:17) with ten minutes to go, but Larvik had the final say to earn an 11-goal win – their biggest of the season.

Larvik progress comfortably to the main round at the top of the group table with 12 points after an immaculate first phase, with six wins in six matches. Lublin collected three points, all of them against Metz Handball, and finished last in the group.