Change in defence earns Kristianstad opening point

After IFK Kristianstad’s coach Ola Lindgren changed their defensive formation from 6-0 to 5-1, the Swedish champions managed to catch up with Zagreb’s four goal lead and get a 28:28 draw in the opening match in group A of the VELUX EHF Champions League. At one stage Kristianstad were even leading 28:27.

• Neither team managed to score in the last five minutes of the game.
• Kristianstad’s new playmaker Helge Freiman scored six goals.
• Zarko Markovic had a fine Champions League debut for Zagreb, scoring seven goals.

Group A

IFK Kristianstad (SWE) vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb (CRO) 28:28 (14:16)

For 50 minutes, Zagreb seemed to have the match in the Kristianstad Arena under control. In this match, where both teams mainly relied on their back court players, the visitors were the better team.

Zagreb’s left back Stipe Mandalinic and their new right back Zarko Markovic were particularly were dangerous.

Kristianstad’s newcomer Helge Freiman did his best to keep his team in the game, not only by doing well as playmaker, but also by being dangerous himself: he scored seven goals.

Zagreb started by getting ahead 3:0, and for the following 45 minutes, the visitors were leading by between two and four goals.

However, when Kristianstad's coach Ola Lindgren changed his defence from 6-0 to 5-1, the home team became better at containing Zagreb’s back court players.

With nine minutes left, Albin Lagergren equalised at 27:27, and half a minute later, Tim Sorensen gave Kristianstad their first and only lead at 28:27.

However, after this, Zlatko Horvat equalised for Zagreb, and as neither team managed to score in the last five minutes, the game ended in a draw.