Stellar Anderson gives Kolding memorable win against Vardar

Famous Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen, would have been proud of the fairytale orchestrated by his compatriot, Lasse Anderson, in Kolding’s memorable win over Macedonian table-toppers HC Vardar on Sunday. Driven by their best player, Kolding snapped a four-match losing start to the season with a fired-up performance, in which several other players also shone, acting as perfect support cast for the 10-goal pack leader.

GROUP B:
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) vs HC Vardar (MKD) 33:31 (17:15)

Kolding’s unlikely win against Vardar came as icing on the cake to end a most spectacular weekend, rewarding handball fans of any allegiance with a moment of magic that will long be remembered as a VELUX EHF Champions League classic. The section’s bottom team headed into the clash with a 0-4 record, in stark contrast with Vardar’s four successive wins, but Kolding proved that nothing is impossible when the day’s underdogs produce a more spirited performance.

Roared on by their passionate home fans, Kolding matched their more fancied rivals in every department and prevailed, thanks to grit and determination that saw them turn a 12:14 deficit late in the first period into a 17:15 half-time lead. The unstoppable Lasse Anderson rifled in the goals from all angles around the nine-metre line with ruthless efficiency, aided by selfless work from playmakers, Bo Spellerberg and Kasper Irming Andersen.

With Jorge Maqueda and Timur Dibiriov keeping Vardar in touch, the home side relied heavily on Anderson’s right hand and a quick transition of the ball in attack, which worked to perfection.

Too often, the home players found ample space on the flanks and through the middle to pierce through Vardar’s rear guard, while the unstoppable Anderson went for the jugular. The 21-year old left back often bedazzled his markers with side-stepping skills, showing traits akin to only a handful of players and ones likely to draw comparisons with his illustrious compatriot, Mikkel Hansen.

Having lost influential pivot Alem Toskic to a head injury in the 40th minute after the Serb collided with Spellerberg, Vardar fell behind 28:24 in the closing stages and could not recover, despite a valiant effort. Spellerberg and Irming Andersen added six goals each for the home side, while Pena and Dibirov led Vardar with seven goals apiece.