Safe passage for CSM as Bazaliu and Gulldén shine

A flawless second half saw CSM Bucuresti power past the Danish side to earn their first quarter-final berth in their history. While Mayssa Pessoa closed the goal in the last 30 minutes, with 11 amazing saves, Bianca Bazaliu, who scored only once in her previous appearances, was the catalyst for the win, scoring in the most important moments.

GROUP 2

FC Midtjylland (DEN) vs CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 23:28 (12:12)

CSM’s whole project was based on their success in the Women’s EHF Champions League. A Romanian title would have meant nothing if the emerging powerhouse did not achieve its objectives in the European top competition.

Therefore, a possible elimination from the main round phase was seen as a worst-case scenario for the Romanian champions. However, the team had to bounce back after a painful defeat against HC Vardar, 25:30 earlier in the week, which underlined Bucuresti’s flaws.

But a 24:22 win in the home tie against Midtjylland meant that CSM could even lose by a one-goal margin and still be in the hunt for the last place in the group.

However, CSM went for the win and their depth, experience and unexpected secret combined for a 28:23 win in Ikast.

It was no walk in the park for the guests, even if Midtjylland played catch-up almost the entire game.

It was a tale of two halves for CSM, who started as mediocre as in Tuesday’s defeat, but was kept afloat by a superb Carmen Martin, the Spanish right wing scoring all of her five goals in the first half.

The 12:12 scoreline after 30 minutes was clearly not good enough for the insatiable Kim Rasmussen, as CSM came out fighting in the second half.

While Midtjylland struggled mightily in attack, CSM scored goal after goal. Pessoa’s saves, CSM tighter defence and a free-flowing offence saw the guests power to a 17:12 lead, after almost twelve minutes without a goal for the Danish side.

As Isabelle Gulldén was CSM’s top scorer, with eight goals, it was Bianca Bazaliu who really powered CSM to the win. The 18-year old prodigy, who had scored only one goal this season, was unstoppable from the 9-meter line, with five incredible goals, which kept the opposite goalkeepers Englert and Vojcic guessing.

With a 28:23 win, CSM have earned two vital points in Denmark and are now in the Women’s EHF Champions League quarter-finals.