A round of firsts
Round 5 of the VELUX EHF Champions League provided more interesting topics to discuss. It was a round of firsts on a few different levels which are worth taking a closer look at.
As the competition has now entered a two-week break, it will be curious to see how the teams use the time to cook-up for their fans.
First loss for Vardar this season
HC Vardar lost their first game in Group A this season when PGE Vive Kielce beat them 31:27.
This also means Vardar missed out on two firsts. The Macedonian giants failed to achieve their best start in the competition by winning their first five games. Vardar also missed out on a first win in Kielce, having already failed in their three previous attempts.
Meanwhile, Kielce have now won four games in a row. And Julen Aginagalde got his wish.
First win for Veszprém under new coach
Telekom Veszprém HC played their first match with David Davis as their head coach during a visit to Montpellier in Group A. After a thrilling match, the Hungarian giants won 30:29.
This game had another first. As has been noted here before, it is also the first time that the defending champions begin the season so poorly, losing all five games in the group.
Long-awaited first win for Motor
After four unsuccessful attempts, HC Motor Zaporozhye won their first game this season, beating HC PPD Zagreb 35:27.
Not only was this Motor’s first win, but also the first in the first Champions League game under new coach Nikolai Stepanec. This was also Zagreb’s first loss away from home this season.
Record win for BSV
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg reached a milestone in their history with a huge win against Besiktas Mogaz in Group C, 37:24.
This is the biggest win in BSV‘s history in the competition. They also tied their record for most goals scored in one game, having scored 37 goals on two previous occasions.
Who will be the first?
A little side-twist about the firsts to finish. There are two unbeaten teams left in the group phase, MOL-Pick Szeged and Paris Saint-Germain HB, who sit top of Group B.
PSG beat Skjern Handbold, 26:24, while Szeged won against SG Flensburg-Handewitt, 30:28. The next round will be exciting as the two will play each other and the run may come to an end for one of them.
TEXT:
Andri Yrkill Valsson / cor