Kadetten run riot over Metalurg in second half

Kadetten Schaffhausen boost their VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase Knockout hopes further after 10 goal win at home.

GROUP D
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) vs HC Metalurg (MKD) 27:17 (10:10)

After the first 30 minutes, nothing inside the BBC Arena was indicating a 10-goal win for Kadetten. The score was deadlocked at 10:10 after both teams had had their leads in an entertaining first 30 minutes.

However, the picture changed completely in the second half, as the Swiss champions virtually ran over their opponents and, eventually winning by double-figures.

After Kadetten had opened the match with a two-goal lead (3:1) Metalurg took over and went  four goals up at 8:4 and 9:5 but the home team pulled it back before the break, thanks in part to a great performance from Manuel Liniger.

The 34-year-old Swiss left wing scored six of his nine in total match goals before the break and most of the credit from the Swiss side went to him as the sides went in event at the break.

After the teams entered the court for the second half, the game did not remain equal for long. With five unanswered goals scored in a row, Kadetten changed a 14:13 deficit into an 18:14 lead, and the hosts continued to increase their lead to eight goals at 24:16 and then final 10 at the end.

Despite the comprehensive defeat, coach of RK Metalurg, Lino Cervar, was full of praise for his opponents. “Schaffhausen deserve this victory,” he said directly after the match. “We played well in the first half but in the second half only Schaffhausen played.

“Their defence was very good."

His opposite number, Markus Baur, could not hide his happiness on both a personal and professional level. “This is my first victory against Lino Cervar,” he said with a large smile on his face.

“I'm very happy, but in the first half Metalurg played very clever,” he continued. “After we changed our defensive formation to a 6-0 we played better, a 10-goal win is nice but I think that margin of victory is too high."

While Manuel Liniger top-scored with nine goals for Kadetten, the Austrian right back for Metalurg, Janko Bozovic, was their top scorer, on four goals.

Kadetten are now on nine points, equal with Skjern Handbold and HCM Baia Mare, while Metalurg are now out of the qualification race with four points.