Kiel teach an unexpected tough lesson to Plock

In a clear cut albeit surprising way, THW Kiel took their third straight win in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase Saturday night and entered the top position of Group A, at least until Sunday night.

As for Plock, they will have to deal with being hit by one of the most radical home defeats of the season and remain on three points.

Group A: Wisla Plock (POL) vs THW Kiel (GER) 23:37 (8:18)

Only once in their long EHF Champions League history have Orlen Wisla Plock conceeded a larger half-time deficit in a home match and it was also against a German side. On 20 November 2008, the score was 9:20 after 30 minutes against Rhein-Neckar Löwen, final result 20:37, now it was a ten-goal deficit against Kiel (8:18) and nearly the same final result of 23:37.

After their draw against MVM Veszprem, their win at RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko and their highly strong performance against Paris Saint-Germain Hanball, the Oilers' fans were in party mood before the start, hoping to cause an upset however were shocked early on by extraordinary THW.

“I am fully surprised, as I did expect a really close game, this was definitely our best match in this season,” THW coach Alfred Gislason was stunned in a positive way, praising one player in particular, goalkeeper Niklas Landin: “It was an incredibly strong performance from him, boosting our defence by his saves.” And unusually for Gislason, he added: “There’s really nothing to complain about today.”

Despite having only one line player, Rene Toft Hansen, in their squad as Patrick Wiencek is out with a torn cruciate ligament and new arrival Igor Anic is not eligible to play in the Champions League until Round 7, Kiel played at a furious tempo from the start.

Plock became the THW punching bag after their Bundesliga defeat at Rhein-Neckar Löwen on Wednesday. When Ivan Nikcevic scored the first Plock goal after nine minutes, Kiel had already netted in five times.

Thanks to a brilliant performance from Landin, including saving a penalty shot in breakdance style and 'raging bull', Joan Canellas, who wanted to prove to his national team coach, Manuel Cadenas also coach of Plock, his current world class level.

After six Canellas goals from six attempts after only 27 minutes, the distance had been extended to double-figures at 16:6 for Kiel and in the end, Canellas had ten goals from eleven attempts on his tally.

After only 14 minutes, Cadenas had already taken his second team time-out and changed his team on nearly all positions but what could go wrong, went wrong, including a knee injury for Angel Montoro after 16 minutes, who fortunately for Wisla could return on court again.

In contrast to their players, the Plock fans showed moral and fighting spirit even after the break when the deal had been easily sealed and the Oilers were down 13 goals for the first time at 16:29 and 14 goals at 20:34.

Kiel were hungry for even more goals and did not stop for a single second, while the Plock players only hoped for the final buzzer to come, so they could move on and focus on their trip to Zagreb next week.