Baia Mare and Skjern draw while Kadetten keep hopes alive

HCM Baia Mare and Skjern Handbold both boosted their chances to reach the play-offs as they drew 28:28 before Kadetten Schaffhausen kept the hopes of reaching the next stage alive by winning narrowly 28:27 in Norway against Elverum

GROUP D
HCM Baia Mare (ROU) vs Skjern Handbold (DEN) 28:28 (15:11)

Through this draw both teams kept their chances to qualify for the play-offs for the last 16 very much alive as they are both on nine points, one point behind HC Motor Zaporozhye who lead the group.

Baia Mare got the better start in Sunday afternoon´s home game and not even three penalty saves from Skjern keeper Søren Pedersen could keep the hosts from leading all the way through the first half.

Skjern had particular problems with Baia Mare´s right back Mihai Busecan, playmaker Inal Aflitulin and right wing Tamas Ivancsik who all played an important part in the home team taking a four goal lead to the locker-room at half time.

The home team maintained a three or four goal lead at the beginning of the second half, but Skjern really came back into the game as they won a period in which they were two players less on the court, 2:0.

First, René Rasmussen reduced to 20:18 and shortly after Bjarke Christensen make it 20:19.

After being back at full strength Skjern continued their positive streak and despite losing their Norwegian international Bjarte Myrhol to his third two minutes suspension, they got their first lead at 24:22 with 12 minutes left.

However, Baia Mare came back once again and got up 26:25 and 27:26, before it was Skjern´s turn to score twice in a row and enter the last minute with a 28:27 lead.

With 20 seconds left Busecan made the equaliser and as Skjern´s top scorer Marcus Olsson hit the goalpost with one second left, the draw was confirmed.

“In the first 59 minutes and 59 seconds I would have been content with one point, but of course it was frustrating to see the ball hit the inside of the post at last. In general, I am content with getting one though,” Skjern coach Ole Nørgaard revealed.

Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) vs Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) 27:28 (11:15)

Schaffhausen kept their hopes of reaching the play-offs alive through their narrow win in Norway, but in spite of having several clear wins along the way they had to experience a nail-biting finish before they could book the two points in front of 1553 spectators.

The Swiss champions got the better start and were leading by three goals at 4:1 as well as at 5:2 and although Elverum managed to catch up at 7:7, the visitors ran away again and got four goals ahead at 13:9.

The four goal lead was kept until half time and after the break Schaffhausen even increased to five goals at 16:11 and 17:12.

The homes side kept fighting though and slowly they caught up with their opponents.

With 13 minutes left right wing Jona Burud equalised to 17:17 and the hosts also managed to get even at 22:22, 23:23, 24:24, and 25:25.

Kadetten got two goals up again at 27:25 with less than three minutes left, but once again, the hosts came back and with one minute and three seconds left wing André Lindboe managed to equalise once again to make it 27:27.

Kadetten managed to finally get ahead and score the winning goal with ten seconds left.

Norwegian international Petter Øverby scored eight goals for Elverum who are still last in the group with three points, while Christoffer Brännberger, Gabor Csaszar and Manuel Liniger scored five each for Schaffhausen.

“We made too many mistakes in the second half and Elverum were good at making use of those,” Kadetten manager Gabor Vass lamented.

Text: Peter Bruun/rm