Buducnost power past Midtjylland to go top of Group 2

Playing with an inexperienced 19-year old goalkeeper for 40 minutes did not faze Buducnost in this match as Ljubica Nenezic was forced to take Marta Zderic’s place when the Croatian was sent off for a fast-break foul.

GROUP 2

FC Midtjylland (DEN) vs Buducnost (MNE) 18:28 (9:13)

There was no room for error as FC Midtjylland faced Buducnost, knowing a win would preserve their chances for a Women's EHF Champions League quarter-final berth.

The challenge was huge for Helle Thomsen and her FCM players as they faced the Montenegrins - current Women’s EHF Champions League title holders who were fresh off the back of their 31:19 drubbing of Vardar in the last round.  But Buducnost were going for the win too, knowing the two points would have brought them back on level terms with Group 2 leaders Gyor.

A bright start for the Danish side was soon cancelled out by Buducnost’s tough defence and a 6-1 scoring run for the visitors between the 5th and the 17th minute, with three goals scored by Katarina Bulatovic, saw them take a commanding 7:3 lead.

But Buducnost’s early aggressiveness was soon punished, as Marta Zderic was shown a direct red card after colliding with Fie Woller, on a FCM fast break, in the 19th minute.

However, what would have been a huge problem for most other teams with three-quarters of the game still to play, was shrugged off by Buducnost and their “world stars in every position” as Thomsen had called them in the build-up to the match.

Buducnost relied heavily on their attack, where Cristina Neagu and Bulatovic starred, and a four-goal half-time lead at 13:9 was more than deserved for Dragan Adzic’s side.

While Neagu and Bulatovic’s productivity faltered a little in the second half, the guests continued to dominate the game. Taking advantage of Midtjylland’s flurry of technical errors, Buducnost stormed to a 19:11 lead after 40 minutes.

Not even the hosts’ courage to put seven court players in attack could change the outcome of the game as Buducnost continued to employ a flawless defence, and take numerous opportunities on the counter attack.

The 28:18 scoreline at the end of the game was deserved for the title holders, as Bulatovic, with seven goals, and Neagu, with six, top scored for their side. Johanna Ahlm was Midtjylland’s best scorer, with five goals.

After their fifth win in seven matches in the group, Buducnost are tied with Gyor in first place on 11 points, before their clash next Sunday in Podgorica. The Danish side stays in fifth place, two points behind CSM Bucuresti.