Pulawy win duel of group phase debutants

KS Azoty-Pulawy SA of Poland took a narrow 31:29 win over Wacker Thun of Switzerland as the two debutants in the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase met in a Group D match Sunday.

• Pulawy take the lead in Group D following a draw in the other group match

• Jurecki's strike six seconds fore the end secured the win for Pulawy

• Wacker Thun were in the lead (18:17) only once in the match

GROUP D

KS Azoty-Pulawy SA (POL) vs Wacker Thun (SUI) 31:29 (17:14)

Pulawy earned their first ever group phase victory in the competition by beating fellow dubutants Wacker Thun, but the Polish home team had to work hard in a close match.

The decision came only six seconds from the end when Bartosz Jurecki made it 31:29.

Pulawy got the better start and were leading throughout the first half. The home team were even five goals up (14:9) before enjoying a three-goal lead (17:14) at half-time.

Wacker Thun battled their way back into the match at the beginning of the second half and even briefly led by 18:17 in the 35^th minute.

However, it would be the only time in the match where the Swiss side were in the lead.

Pulawy soon got a three-goal lead again. Thun tried playing seven against six towards the end and succeeded in reducing the distance to one goal several times but failed to level the score.

The victory gave Pulawy the lead in Group D after the two other teams, Chambéry and Granollers, had drawn 30:30 on Saturday night.

Post-match statements:

Martin Rubin, Wacker Thun coach: "Maybe we showed too much respect. We knew all the big names – Jurecki, Panic, Bogdanov. In the second half we finally showed the faith that we are able to win the game."

Daniel Waszkiewicz, Azoty-Puławy coach: "We knew that Wacker are a very good team. The game in Thun will be tough for us."

Roman Caspar, Wacker Thun centre back: "I’m very pleased with our performance, although we have made a few mistakes. I hope we will fight as much as today in our next game in Thun."

Bartosz Jurecki, Azoty-Puławy line player: "We are the more experienced team and that was the key to success today. Wacker will be a dangerous opponent, especially at home."