Györ fight off Odense comeback to earn narrow win in Denmark

Györi Audi ETO KC will carry the narrowest of advantages into the second-leg Women’s EHF Champions League Quarter-final, after they allowed a commanding lead over Odense HC to close dramatically. The two-time back-to-back champions finished with a one-goal victory, after leading by five at half-time. 

• Odense keep Györ from scoring for 11 minutes in the second half

• Györ lead by up to seven goals before finishing with a one-goal advantage

• Ingvild Bakkerud scores 11 goals for Odense; Stine Oftedal nets eight for Györ 

QUARTER-FINAL, FIRST LEG 
Odense HC (DEN) vs Györ Audi ETO KC (HUN) 28:29 (13:18)

With changing defensive formations and inventive attacking play, Györ were in complete control during the first 45 minutes – and the match seemed all but over before a shock comeback from Odense. 

“Györ began the match very tough. They ran fast and punished all our mistakes, so it was a wake-up call in the first half,” said Odense line player Kathrine Heindahl. “In the second half, I think we played more experienced. We didn’t gave them the opportunity to run and get fast-break goals. In the stationary defence, I think we helped each other a lot, and Althea Reinhardt saved a lot of shots. If we were to beat Györ, it would probably have been today, but it was a really great match in an amazing setting.”

By way of a five-goal lead at half-time, the visitors pulled seven goals ahead at 24:17 and 25:18 in the second period. With a seven-goal advantage in the middle of the second half, Györ seemed to be on their way to a clear win – but then came an 11-minute goal drought from Györ, which enabled Odense to come back, for a great part thanks to 11 goals by Ingvild Bakkerud.

The reigning champions had to watch Odense catch up to 25:25 after scoring seven goals in a row. Odense also pulled one goal ahead and even took the lead at 27:26 with six minutes left. 

But through three saves in succession from Györ keeper Amandine Leynaud and goals from Stine Oftedal at the other end, Györ reclaimed a two-goal lead before Odense scored the last goal of the game.