Zych’s 12 goals not enough for Gdynia

Gdynia lost all their six games in the EHF Champions League earlier this season, and playing in the Women's EHF Cup does not promise to be an easy ride for the Polish champions either.

In the opening group phase game, Byasen dominated in the first half in Poland, which ultimately helped them to win 24:22.

• Gdynia suffered their seventh straight defeat in the current European season
• Gdynia’s Aleksandra Zych was the game’s top scorer with 12 goals
• Mia Hogdahl found the net eight times for Byasen

GROUP C

Vistal Gdynia (POL) vs Byasen Handball Elite (NOR) 22:24 (8:15)

Byasen are the only team in the Women's EHF Cup Group Phase to have gone all the way from qualification round 1 – and the Trondheim-based players do not intend to stop. They know that they can go far, and the two points earned in Gdynia are a valuable acquisition for the Norwegian side.

The hosts’ right wing Katarzyna Janiszewska had the honour to score the first goal of the whole group stage, yet Byasen quickly seized the initiative.

Moa Hogdahl’s shots played a crucial role as the young right back scored five times in the first half. The visitors led 6:3, then 9:5 and enjoyed a comfortable 15:8 advantage at the break.

However, the Polish champions did not give up. Their right back Aleksandra Zych was unstoppable in the second half, and overall she scored 12 of Gdynia’s 22 goals.

Her effort helped the home team to stay in the game, and Gdynia fought until the very end, slashing the gap from 24:20 to 24:22 in the closing minutes. Yet they had no time to do more, and Byasen celebrated a victory.