Vipers break through to record third win in a row

There was everything to play for between Vipers Kristiansand and FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, as the winners would have stood a better chance of qualifying through from the main round, as they would start the next phase of the Women’s EHF Champions League with four points.

The game quickly morphed into a high-octane shoot-out though as FTC’s shaky defence proved, once again, easy to breach, highlighted by the otherworldly shot-efficiency in the first half.

• Vipers earned three wins in a row in the European premium competition for the first time
• Linn Jorum Sulland was Kristiansand’s top scorer, with eight goals
• Group D has one game left with CSM Bucuresti playing SG BBM Bietigheim tomorrow
• Romanian side know they will start the main round with six points, Kristiansand with four, while FTC have the toughest job, taking only two points into the next phase.

GROUP D
Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 35:27 (18:14)

They say a quick start is crucial for a team that needs a win and that is exactly what Vipers did against FTC.

With six different players on the scoresheet in the first nine minutes, the Norwegian side took a commanding 7:4 lead and looked poised to extend their record winning streak to three games.

And there was more where that came from, as the Norwegian side were unstoppable in attack, boasting an eye-catching 100% shot efficiency for 23 minutes, to jump to a 16:12 lead.

With Linn Jorum Sulland in particular superb form, scoring six goals in the first half, the hosts looked unbeatable, taking a 18:14 lead at the break.

Unexpectedly, FTC’s leading goalscorer, Aniko Kovacsics was kept quiet in the first 40 minutes, with left back Noemi Hafra taking over the reins of the Hungarian attack.

But Kristiansand’s line player, Hanna Maria Yttereng, was once again unstoppable, fresh after a nine-goal outing against Bietigheim last week, proving instrumental in helping Vipers power to a 24:18 lead.

There was nothing FTC could do to stop the Norwegian juggernaut, who obliterated their scoring record once again, 35:27, four goals more than the previous claim, 31 goals, managed two weeks ago against CSM.