Surprising Velenje take third successive victory

Velenje took control early and never looked back to earn an emphatic win against Skjern in a crucial VELUX EHF Champions League clash. The Slovenian side are now in great shape for progressing to the next phase, with a four-point cushion in front of third place.

• Niko Medved and Alen Toksic were Velenje's best scorers, with five goals apiece
• Gorenje are top of the group with six points, while Skjern are second, with four points
• Velenje are only two wins away from their best-ever winning streak in the VELUX EHF Champions League

GROUP C

Rk Gorenje Velenje (SLO) vs Skjern Handbold (DEN) 31:29 (15:14)

It was a game that could have shaped Group C, with both teams having won two important victories in the first rounds.

With Skjern arguably the favourites, the Danish side were quickly surprised by the young hosts. Velenje took a 8:6 lead after 15 minutes despite a better start from Skjern.

A balanced display from Velenje, who had eight players score in the first half, managed to keep the hosts in the lead, 15:14, at half-time. The Danish club never found their rhythm and made turnover after turnover.

The better start from Skjern, with Anders Eggert and Jesper Konradsson in particularly good form, saw the Danish side tie the game, 20:20, after only 11 minutes in the second half.

But a 5:2 run for Velenje between the 42nd and the 48th minute sparked what became a convincing win, their third consecutive in the group. Skjern will now host Ademar in what will be a do-or-die game for the Spanish side.

Deserved win

Velenje head coach Zeljko Babic thanked Skjern for an "excellent match", adding: "Our win was very narrow but well deserved. Through the whole game we played very bravely and showed high intensity."

Skjern left back Tandri Már Konradsson said his side had made too many mistakes.

"Gorenje Velenje was a better team," Konradsson said. "The Red Hall is a tough place to come and play. The game was also fun. I am looking forward to seeing Gorenje Velenje in Denmark."