Baia Mare keep quarter-final hopes alive

HCM Baia Mare beat IK Sävehof to leapfrog the Swedish team in Group 2 of the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round. The home team had a number of chance to leave the Romanian team behind but the visitors never let Sävehof too far ahead and took the victory in the final minutes.

Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round, Round 1 

GROUP 2

IK Sävehof (SWE) vs HCM Baia Mare (ROM) 26:28 (14:15)

It could be felt right from the start that both teams were aware they could only keep their quarter-final hopes alive with a win.

It was a tense and even game in the first half; neither team could build comfortable lead as Baia Mare made the most of the Swedes’ mistakes in attack with quick counters, while Sävehof consistently found themselves in dangerous attacking positions.

Johanna Bundsen made some crucial games for the Swedish outfit and it seemed they could break ahead before the break when they had a three-goal lead, but the visitors came back in no time and had the advantage going into the dressing rooms.

The second half brought no significant changes, both teams fought hard to gain the upper hand as they exchanged the lead back and forth. Jenny Alm was on target to get Sävehof ahead, one of her game-high nine goals, but a three-goal lead once again vanished in minutes as Baia Mare clawed their way back, much to the joy of their noisy travelling support.

The visitors took control of the final phase as Paula Ungureanu made some crucial saves and Baia Mare capitalised on fast break chances.

Eliza Buceschi, their top scorer with eight goals, and Lois Abbingh sealed the win for the Baia Mare, who keep themselves in the qualification race with the two points.