CSM shock Rostov-Don in Bucharest

A nail-biting game, with nine lead changes, saw Romanian champions CSM Bucuresti turn the double-header upside down as Rostov-Don will face the pressure in the return leg on Saturday 9 April.

QUARTER-FINAL, 1st LEG:
CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs Rostov-Don (RUS) 26:25 (11:12)

Having a 12-game unbeaten run means everyone is out looking for you. Any mistake in the business end in the Women’s EHF Champions League is costly so Rostov-Don wanted to avoid a slip-up against CSM Bucuresti.

While CSM might have disappointed against Vardar, Györ or Buducnost on their home court, Rostov-Don were preaching caution before the game and they were correct in their assessment.

"I am really happy that we won today," CSM right back Line Jorgensen said. "The fans were amazing, they really helped us a lot."

For at least the first 30 minutes, it was hard to see that Rostov was the only unbeaten team in Europe's premium club competition.

"It was a really hard game for us," Rostov-Don left back Vladlena Bobrovnikova said. "We did the best we could but it was a game with ups and downs throughout."

After a bright start from Rostov-Don and Ekaterina Ilina had given the Russian side a 5:4 lead in the first 10 minutes, Kim Rasmussen’s inspiration kicked in.

The Danish CSM coach tweaked his side and made way for Line Jorgensen and Carmen Martin into the lineup.

With the Danish right back coming back after a three-month setback from a knee injury, it was a risky move. But Jorgensen and Martin kept the Romanian side afloat as they scored CSM’s last seven goals of the first half (11:12).

More consistent, with fast-paced counter-attacks and a well-balanced defence in which Katrine Lunde made the saves at crucial times, Rostov-Don bounced back and went ahead at half-time.

"Unfortunately, we didn't have only good moments, and in the quarter-finals the other team will punish you," Rostov-Don coach Jan Leslie said.

It was a four-minute flawless play from CSM which turned the game around. Rasmussen tinkered again with his line-up as Linnea Torstensson was used both in attack and in defence.

The rewards were reaped quickly as Rostov-Don were shell-shocked and could not find their rhythm while CSM jumped to a 22:18 lead.

But another turning point saw Rostov-Don claw back and take the lead once again (24:22) after a nine-minute stint without a goal for CSM.

The finish was as tense as it could be with the teams trading the lead until the dying seconds. But CSM were more accurate, had the upper hand and shocked Rostov-Don after Ana Paula Rodrigues scored the winning goal with 30 seconds to spare.

"I am proud of the girls, we had the game in our hand at one point, 22-18, and then we lost momentum," CSM coach Rasmussen said. "But we fought back, the team showed character and I am proud of that. I am sure it will be a tight game in Rostov."

Rostov had their streak broken after 12 games but CSM will have to resist their opponent's power in Russia next Saturday.