Buducnost end impressive main round campaign with Krim defeat

Buducnost lived up to the billing of being favourites to win their second title in Europe’s premier club handball competition this season, brushing aside RK Krim Mercator with an outstanding performance as they flex their muscles ahead of the knockout stage.

GROUP 1

Buducnost (MNE) vs RK Krim Mercator (SLO) 39:20 (19:8)

Buducnost have long since booked their last-eight berth, but showed in no uncertain terms the resolve and character of a side determined to win their second EHF Champions League title, firing on all cylinders against the group’s bottom team, Krim on Sunday.

There was little more than bragging rights to play for between the regional rivals, but Buducnost headed into the contest as if their passage into the knockout stage depended on it, romping into a 7:0 lead in the opening 10 minutes.

With their pride stung, Krim responded with some incisive attacking but were powerless to contain the home side at the other end.

Romanian left back Cristina Neagu netted five goals and Serbian Zeljka Nikolic added four for rampant Buducnost in the opening half.

The home side seemed to slow down early in the second period, allowing Krim to cut the deficit to 22:14 before they changed gears again. With just over ten minutes remaining, Buducnost had created a staggering 17-goal advantage (33:16).  

There was no letting up by the competition’s 2012 winners in the home straight as the noisy home fans roared them on and treated the players to a standing ovation upon the final whistle.

Neagu and winger Majda Mehmedovic led Buducnost with seven goals each and battling Tamara Mavsar scored as many for Krim, who bowed out of the competition with their heads high amid financial difficulties, which plagued a difficult season for them in Europe’s top competition.