Plock survive early scare to progress to the next phase

With 15 minutes to go, the VELUX EHF Champions League Play-off berth looked far away for Orlen Wisla Plock, but a 6:0 run from the Polish side made their fans happy as they snatched a win at home on Saturday evening. Preserving a 100 per cent home record, the Polish side earned their play-off berth as they moved up to 14 points thanks to the victory over Abanca Ademar Leon.

• Brazilian Jose Guilherme De Toledo leads Plock with seven goals
• Leon can qualify for the play-offs with a victory next week against Elverum, but their hopes rely on Thun winning against both Elverum and Dinamo
• Plock can secure first place in the group with a win against Cocks

GROUP D
Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) vs Abanca Ademar Leon (ESP) 25:23 (9:10)

With everything on the edge and in play, the game was always going to be a low-scoring one with both defences on high alert. Therefore, neither team could open a two-goal gap in the first half, with six lead changes, but with Leon holding a 10:9 advantage at the break.

However, the lead was not as noticeable as the statistics – the Spanish side recorded 51 per cent shooting efficiency in the first 30 minutes, while Plock had a woeful night in front of the goal, with just 39 per cent of their attempts in the first half scored.

The Polish side’s problems were even more poignant in the second period, when a 3:1 start from the guests put Plock into a 13:10 hole. Backs Patrik Ligetvari and Federico Vieyra kept Ademar in front, scoring crucial goals, but the home side stayed with their guests, trailing by only one goal, 19:18, with 10 minutes to go.

However, when Vieyra was sent off after his third suspension, things began to crumble for Leon. A 6:0 run fuelled by a nine-minute goalless stint from the Spanish side saw Plock take the lead, 22:19, and never look back.

"We played very well during 50 minutes of the game, even we dominated. Then we started to make many mistakes," said Leon coach Rafael Guijosa. "From this moment, Wisla showed its best handball. But I am pround of my team."

The 25:23 win means that the Polish side are through to the next phase of the competition and can seal first place in the group next week, against Cocks.