Kielce take narrow win in France

KS Vive Tauron Kielce have taken a narrow advantage from the first leg Last 16 match against Montpellier Agglomeration HB on Sunday, defeating their hosts Montpellier in a slow-starting game.

Last 16

Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA)-KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 25:29 (13:16)

It was courtesy of Karol Bielecki’s (six goals) long-distance shots when Kielce took the lead after a gradual start from both teams.

The Polish left back scored six goals in the first half, and helped his team create a four-goal lead after 25 minutes (14-10).

Vid Kavticnik, who scored five goals in fifteen minutes, and Kevin Mesnard between the posts made sure the gap did not grow wider, and Kielce went back to the dressing room with a three-goal advantage (16:13).

In the second half, Kielce showed why they finished the group phase unbeaten, demonstrating a mix of experience and technical skills.

That did not prevent Montpellier, thanks to their best scorers Kavticnik (eight goals) and Diego Simonet (six goals), reducing the gap to only one.

But Kielce did not panic, and both Michal Jurecki and Uros Zorman scored two goals each from the home side’s mistakes, sealing the victory.

Kielce won by four and are now in a strong position to qualify for the quarter finals.