GOG take clear win in high speed Scandinavian derby

GOG celebrated their comeback to the VELUX EHF Champions League in style, as the Danish team won the Scandinavian derby 33:24 against IFK Kristianstad.

The match was carried out at high speed, and the Danish visitors were the superior team in this aspect of the game.

• The final score was the largest difference on the scoreboard during the match
• Emil Jakobsen scored seven goals for GOG, while former Kristianstad player Stig Tore Moen Nilsen scored five
• Icelandic right back Teitur Örn Einarsson scored six goals for Kristianstad

GROUP D
IFK Kristianstad (SWE) vs GOG (DEN) 24:33 (14:17)

After 10 years of absence from the VELUX EHF Champions League, GOG left no doubt upon their return to the competition and clearly defeated IFK Kristianstad in Sunday’s Scandinavian derby in group D.

Apart from at the start of the match in the Kristianstad Arena, GOG were the dominant team.

Kristianstad were missing their Icelandic back Olafur Gudmundsson, while GOG were missing their crucial defender Frederik Clausen to injury – and Gudmundsson’s absence was obviously a bigger loss for the home side.

Kristianstad made the better start, taking a 4:0 lead, before former Kristianstad player Stig Tore Moen Nilsen scored GOG´s first goal after six minutes and 13 seconds.

However, the visitors soon got a grip on the match. After 16 minutes and 11 seconds, Emil Jakobsen equalised from a penalty shot (10:10), and the rest of the half was dominated by the visitors.

After 18 minutes and 22 seconds, Emil Laerke gave GOG their first lead at 12:11, before the Danish team took a three-goal lead with them to half time.

The Danish dominance continued after the break. GOG´s higher speed and deeper squad, as well as an improving 45-year-old Soren Haagen in the Danish goal, allowed GOG to increase their lead continuously for the rest of the match.

Ultimately, the Danish side claimed a convincing nine-goal win away in Sweden to open the group phase with a dream start.

“We knew Kristanstad were in a phase where they (are) building up a new way to play, and we took advantage of it,” commented Nikolej Krickau, GOG head coach, after his side's performance.

“We started really good today but lost on our own mistakes, although GOG were playing very good,” said Ljubomir Vranjes, IFK Kristianstad head coach.

Try saving these unexpected shots! Wings Odinn Thor Rikhardsson and Alfred Ehn put on a spectacular show for @IFKKristianstad and @GOGsport #veluxehfcl #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/AERVSVtGu6

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) September 15, 2019