Lunde shines for Rostov Don; Larvik outclass Thüringer

Defenses and goalkeepers dominated the first match of the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round Group 1 as Rostov Don and Ferencváros fought for the points right up until the dying minutes.

Katrine Lunde once again showed why she is considered to be the best goalkeeper in the world.

A 61 per cent save rate and the massive Larvik defense proved too much for the visitors from Germany in the second tie in Group 1.

GROUP 1

Rostov Don (RUS) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 23:21 (13:11)

The clash of the unbeaten rivals attracted a great crowd in Rostov and Katrine Lunde quickly set the mood with some saves.

This confidence damaging opening minutes for Ferencváros’s most prolific scorers could be felt early on in the game as Rostov immediately took the lead, but the visitors also defended well and did not let the Russian team go too far ahead.

It was not the best game for either side, Ekaterina Ilina and the excellent Iuliia Managarova kept Rostov in the driver’s seat but FTC fought well to keep up the pace with the home side.

Lunde continued to impress, Szandra Szollosi-Zacsik and Zita Szucsanszki finished the game without a single goal but Dora Hornyak and Nerea Pena stepped up to keep the visitors in sight.

Rostov had problems in attack as shown by their 12 technical mistakes and when Melinda Szikora started to make important saves, FTC threatened to equalise as the teams entered the last minutes but Lunde once again proved to be a decisive factor.

The Norwegian superstar saved four shots from wide open chances and literally won the game for Rostov Don, who extended their lead to three points ahead of FTC, who will remain second regardless of the games to come in the round.

Ekaterina Ilina was the most prolific scorer for Rostov with eight goals while Hornyak and Szekerczes both scored four goals for FTC.

Larvik (NOR) vs Thüringer HC (GER) 28:19 (14:7)

Larvik made the victory against Thüringer look easy, the Norwegians did not give a chance to their visitors, who fell short against the tough defense and the excellent Alma Hasanic of the home side.

Three days ago Thüringer came up with a brilliant first half against Fleury in France but the Germans’ hopes of managing the same were effectively shattered soon after the whistle was blown in Larvik.

The home side’s notorius wall let 19 shots past on goal but the magnificent Alma Hasanic mesmerised Thüringer players and stopped 12 of them saving a devastating 61 per cent of attempts.

The visitor’s defense worked fairly well when they had the time to take up formation.

Thüringer started the second half better and managed to score some fastbreak goals, but Larvik led comfortably and re-took momentum after the visitors had reduced the gap to four goals.

Iveta Luzumova and Eliza Buceschi’s efforts were not enough for a real comeback, Larvik yet again took full control of proceedings and won the game with ease.

The most prolific for the home side was Mørk and Hammerseng-Edin both with five goals, Buceschi finished with five for Thüringer.

Larvik remain third but the Norwegian team closed the gap on second placed FTC to one point while Thüringer stay in fifth.