Kobenhavn win big in Nordic derby as Brest salvage first point

After seven defeats in as many Women’s EHF Champions League games, Brest Bretagne finally claimed their first point at this level, splitting the points with Rostov-Don in an exciting 29:29 draw.

The Scandinavian clash was not nearly as hard-fought as Kobenhavn claimed a confident 36:22 victory at IK Sävehof.

• Kobenhavn are top of Group B with four points
• Sävehof are yet to claim their first points in the group  
• Rostov’s Anna Sen scored 10 goals against Brest

GROUP B
Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA) vs Rostov-Don (RUS) 29:29 (15:16)

In the past, the two teams had met four times in European club competition, all in 2017, and Rostov had won each of those games. Brest finally snatched a point from the Russian powerhouse.

It was a hard game for the French runners-up, as their goalkeeper Cleopatre Darleux and centre back Isabelle Gullden were forced to leave the court during the match due to injury.

Yet Brest showed character and commitment in this up-and-down affair. The pendulum swung throughout the first half, which ended with an Anna Sen goal to put her team in front 16:15.

However, Brest had a better start of the second half to take command with a 26:22 lead, inspired by top scorer Ana Gros, who found the back of the net nine times. Yet Sen and Anna Vyakhireva, who scored 10 and nine goals in the match respectively, helped Rostov to regain the lead at 27:26, supported by Anna Sedoykina, who replaced Galina Mekhdieva in goal after the break, with a string of saves.

In a nerve-wracking finale, Pauline Coatanea drew level just seconds from the final buzzer to claim their first point in the Women’s EHF Champions League.

IK Sävehof (SWE) vs Kobenhavn (DEN) 22:36 (8:20)

In the Nordic derby, the difference between the teams was clear from the opening minutes. Home comforts were hardly of any help to the Swedish champions, who struggled in attack right from the off.

Sävehof scored just two goals before the 14th minute and eight overall in the first half. There were turnovers and squandered opportunities aplenty, coupled with a strong performance from Kobenhavn’s Swedish goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen, who played for Sävehof between 2007 and 2017.

The visitors were much more efficient in attack, which led to their deserved 12-goal advantage at the break.

The home side hardly had a chance to turn things around, leaving Kobenhavn with little to worry about in the second half. While Sävehof somewhat improved their attack efficiency, the Danish champions stood strong and ultimately extended their lead to 14 goals.

Louise Fons was their best scorer with eight goals for the visitors, who now hold sole possession of top spot in Group B, while Amelia Lundbäck and Elin Hallagard netted four times each for Sävehof.