Magic night for Lindgren’s boys

The young pupils taught the experienced teachers a lesson they will not forget that soon. Over 4,000 fans could not believe their eyes as the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase debutants IFK Kristianstad sensationally won 33:26 (16:10) against the experienced Danish side KIF Kolding Kobenhavn in the season's curtain raiser.

The main keys to success were the rock-solid defensive performance including goalkeeper Leo Larsson (awarded man of the match), counter-attacks and the in total nine goals of Norwegian Kristian Björnsen.

"It feels incredible. It was the best start we could ask for. We were nervous a bit in the beginning but we knew that we had to run a lot and make fast-break goals. We are a younger team and they looked a bit tired today but maybe it was us who played very well," Björnsen said after the match.

It was the clearest win of a Swedish team in the VELUX EHF Champions League, since Sävehof beat Sarajevo by 38:21 in the 2011/12 season - so the player’s dance on the court after the final whistle was fully deserved.

"We had a really good defence and used that efficiently to get many turnovers. We were efficient in punishing them for their mistakes. I think it was important to show that we can play good handball. This gives us both confidence and experience for the matches to come," IFK coach Lindgren commented.

Group B: IFK Kristianstad (SWE) vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) 33:26 (16:10)

It was an evening full of history in the Arena Kristianstad. The first ever VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase match for the Swedish champions, in which Christian O’Sullivan scored the first ever group phase goal (in total seven goals from as many attempts) for Ole Lindgren's team - and his strike also was the first goal of the 2015/16 season.

And finally, it was a historic and never expected win against an opponent, who lacked nearly all means in attack, despite six goals of the Russian newcomer in KIF's uniform Konstantin Igropulo.

The only time the weak Danish champions could celebrate a little, was, when Magnus Landin, brother of Rhein-Neckar Löwen and Denmark keeper Niklas, netted in for the 8:12 and the 3000th goal of KIF in their history in the European top flight.  

The arena was packed with vociferous orange-dressed home fans. After ten minutes, the Kristianstad fans had already found their new hero, shouting “Iman, Iman, Iman Jamali” - the Iranian new arrival from Veszprem scored twice within only 25 seconds for 5:4 and added another hammer for 6:5. In the end, five goals were on his tally.

When Kristianstad continued by another double strike, KIF coach Henrik Kronborg took an early time-out at 8:6 after only 13 minutes. His players caused too many turnovers in attack against a mobile and powerful Kristianstad defence at that time, giving balls from their hands easily.

The hosts grabbed their chances to score by counter-attacks, forging ahead to a surprising five-goal advance at 11:6 (16. min). While upset KIF goalkeeper Kasper Hvidt, tried to wake up his defence, his counterpart Larsson perfectly cooperated with his defence and the 16:10 lead at the break was well deserved.

Who expected a different face of KIF in the second half could not be more wrong. Kristianstad’s young guns kept the full control, while KIF even acted poorer in attack. After only eight minutes, the Kristianstad Arena went crazy, as the hosts were ahead by a double-figured difference (22:12) and three times the cushion was even 11 goals.

Only in the closing part Kristianstad lacked power and concentration allowing KIF to avoid even more humiliating final score.