Győr clinch main round berth; Sävehof record first win

With neither side able to develop a substantial lead in the first half, the DELO WOMEN'S EHF Champions League group D match between Győri Audi ETO KC and RK Krim Mercator was shaping up as a rollercoaster affair.

It was already known that Krim’s defence is tough, but their performance surprised the home side for almost 50 minutes. However, the title holders saved some energy for final minutes and eventually emerged victorious, 31:26.

Earlier on Saturday, IK Sävehof defeated DHK Banik Most to record their first win of the season. Excellent goalkeeping and fantastic defence were key in the Swedish's side victory, helping to keep their main round hopes alive.

• Stine Oftedal nets seven goals for Győr
• Győr are through to the main round of the DELO WOMEN'S EHF Champions League
• Sävehof's win against Most keeps them in the hunt for the main round
• Johanna Forsberg top-scored for Sävehof with six goals

GROUP D
Győri Audi ETO KC vs RK Krim Mercator 31:26 (13:13)

With Győri Audi ETO KC's excellent goalkeeping and quick counter attacks on display in the early stages, the match began as the Hungarian side wished. However, Krim did not go down easily and continuously fought with tough defence.

For more than 10 minutes the title holders could not score – and the away-team equalised at 8:8. Despite a timeout from Győr head coach Gabor Danyi, his squad were not able to create a lead at half-time, largely thanks to Krim goalkeeper Antonija Mamic’s inspired form.

Although Eva Kiss was replaced by Amadine Leynaud between the posts at half-time, the teams went head-to-head during the second half. Krim’s outstanding defence slowed down the green-and-white machine, but they could not stop Győr in the closing stages, allowing the home side to claim a five-goal win.

With the victory, the title holders have secured their spot in the main round of the DELO WOMEN’S EHF Champions League.

IK Sävehof (SWE) vs DHK Banik Most (CZE) 24:19 (12:8)

IK Sävehof's quick start meant that DHK Banik Most head coach Jiri Tancos needed to call a timeout after only four minutes when the home side were ahead by three. However, the picture of the game did not change and another timeout was called eight minutes later.

Most's struggles continued in attack throughout the rest of the first half. The Czech side finished the first half with a shot efficiency of just 33 per cent, while the Swedish club produced a superior performance in front of goal, ending the half on 48 per cent. Jana Sustkova in particular struggled to find the back of the net, with the Most left back scoring only once from seven shots.

A 6:2 run in the first 10 minutes of the second half from Sävehof quickly put an end to any doubt over which team would win the match, as Sävehof moved into an 18:10 lead.

Sävehof extended their margin to a high of 10 goals, and although Most made some late headway, the Swedish champions ran out comfortable winners, 24:19. The win keeps Sävehof's hopes of reaching the main round alive.

IK Sävehof assistant coach Andreas Wallin was pleased with his team's win. He said: "It's the first win for Sävehof in the Champions League for many years. When we played against them last time, we weren't happy with our defence in the first half. We have talked a lot about it since then and today our goalkeeper Wilma Kroon Andersson was really good".

IK Sävehof goalkeeper Wilma Kroon Andersson, who was instrumental in helping her side gain their first win, added: ”It was really fun to play today. Ahead of the game we decided that we would give it all and we succeeded with that.”

Most will host RK Krim Mercator in round 5, while IK Sävehof will meet Győri Audi ETO KC.