Explosive Vardar inflict Krim's heaviest defeat

An underwhelming start to their Women's EHF Champions League campaign left Vardar Skopje in need of a strong finish to Group 1 - and Indira Kastratovic's players delivered on Friday, with a 49:27 demolition of Krim Ljubljana. 

GROUP 1

RK Krim Mercator (SLO) vs WHC Vardar SCBT (MKD) 29:47 (12:24)

Vardar inflicted Krim's heaviest-ever Women's EHF Champions League defeat on Friday behind a flawless attack and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Amandine Laynaud

This regional derby between two powerhouses of the former Yugoslav Republic represented the Macedonian side's best opportunity to leapfrog Group 1 rivals Thüringer HC.

Kastratovic's team took full advantage too, scoring a record number of goals in Europe's top-flight competition.

There was an early indication of how one-sided the action would be when the 'Andrea' duo of Penezic and Lekic scored seven of Vardar's first eight goals, as the hosts had no answer for a prolific backcourt.

The ruthless Macedonians continued to keep their foot on the gas, establishing a 12-goal half-time lead.

Such an advantage allowed Vardar to tinker with their roster, and their hapless hosts continued to look out of their depth. A flurry of late counter attacks, completed by Maja Sokac and Olga Chernoivanenko completed the misery of Slovenian champions.

Penezic's was the contest's top scorer, with 11 goals, a tally matched by Tamara Mavsar in a losing effort.

The result means Vardar climb to third in Group 1, with nine points, one more than Thüringer, although the German side have a game in hand, against Dinamo-Sinara on Sunday.