Celje and Brest produce another exciting draw

It was just the the third match between Celje and Meshkov Brest in VELUX EHF Champions League history and for the third time it ended in a draw.

While the 33:33 final score means a third home point for the Slovenian champions, Brest remain two points ahead in Group B.

• 66 goals the highest score so far this season in Group B
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• Celje’s home debut in pink shirts for breast cancer awareness campaign

GROUP B

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) vs Meshkov Brest (BLR) 33:33 (18:15)

Considering their last lead of the match was 10:9 in the 25th minute, it could be considered a fortunate point for Brest, but the Belarusian champions had an opportunity to snatch a victory with a final free throw opportunity for top scorer Dzimitry Nikulenkau, which was blocked.

After Celje lost their home match against Brest in the SEHA league 29:24, the team of head coach Branko Tamse was well prepared on Saturday night.

Young talents Jaka Malus (21) and Gal Marguc (20) plus the experienced Serb Luka Mitrovic dictated  Celje’s attack, scoring 18 of 33 goals.

Celje lose control

After an even start, the hosts took profit of some two-minute suspensions to forge ahead 18:14. When Celje’s goalkeeper Urban Lesjak saved a penalty of Rastko Stojkovic and Malus scored to make it 20:15, Celje seemed to be on their way to two points.

However, a time-out proved key for the visitors, who drew level several times, but could not turn the match around.

Celje could not find a way past Brest goalkeeper Ivan Pesic four times in the last three minutes and when Siarhei Shylovic scored the levelled 75 seconds before the end, it would prove to be the final goal of an exciting clash.

“We did not deserve one point, we deserved both. We managed to lose one point on our own tonight,” admitted Celje’s Luka Mitrovic.