GOG and Jildenbäck shine in Round 2

The Men's EHF Cup Group Phase has continued to live up to the hype and Round 2 delivered a number of impressive matches with surprises and brilliant performances. Here is a compilation of the best from the past week.

Top game
Liberbank Cuenca vs TTH Holstebro 26:24

This topsy turvy affair between Cuenca and Holstebro held our attention until the very end. The Danish side enjoyed a two-goal advantage early in the game, before going into the break level at 12:12.

The second half saw Leonardo Dutra Ferreira put his foot to the pedal, scoring six goals, he was key in an excellent second half for the Spanish side, who took a four-goal advantage before finally winning 26:24 and taking their first two points in the group.

Top player

Hampus Jildenbäck only set foot in Saint-Raphaël for the first time in his life one month ago. Usually a right wing, he had to fill in at right back to make up for injuries. The move worked out perfectly as the Swedish player scored eight and was instrumental in his team’s first win of the group Phase.

Top team

Danish side GOG impressed this weekend, winning their second game in a row against Granollers, 34:26. Offensively, they were in tune and racked up the most goals of the weekend, led by the left arm of Jon Lindenchrone, who scored eight, and they were not shy in attempting some spectacular shots. THW Kiel be warned, GOG are on the way.

Top quote

“It was a real showdown, I really appreciated it, against a very good team, excellent players and trainer. We feel very honoured to win this kind of game, we just played eye to eye with a world-class team.”

Nexe’s coach Hrvoje Horvat was clearly delighted with his team’s 29:25 win against Hannover-Burgdorf. The Croatian side are top of Group B with maximum points.

Top action

Kiel’s goalkeepers seem to be in top form so far in this EHF Cup season. After Niklas Landin’s 15 saves last week in Granollers, Andreas Wolff was crucial to his team in their second straight win. Against Pulawy, he pulled off some remarkable saves, including this double stop.