23.11.2007, 11:19
Montpellier end group stage in style

The French side showed a convincing performance, but Hammarby also reached their aim to continue in the CWC.

Montpellier end group stage in style

Even though Montpellier HB were sure to advance to the Main Round on second place in Group B already before the last match day on Thursday, the former Champions League winners still appeared dedicated and focused. The last group match was an away game against Swedish champions, Hammarby IF.

This positive attitude resulted in a convincing 34-28 for Montpellier, who finish second in the group with 8 points from 6 matches, while Kiel end on top without losing a single point on the way.

For Hammarby the defeat had no consequences as Romanian champions, HCM Constanta also lost in Kiel. This means that Hammarby conserve third place, which takes them to the last 16 of the Cup Winners’ Cup. Both Hammarby and Constanta close the group matches with 2 points, but the Swedes have a better result from the direct encounters against the Romanians.

Montpellier dominate

Montpellier won the home match against Hammarby only by 31-29, but this time they were dominating from the start of in Stockholm. The game was watched by no less than 3,000 spectators, and soon the visitors were leading 6-1. The easy start did not make the Southern French relax and they played with the same speed to take a 11-5, 13-6 and 18-9 lead at half time.

The French were already 10 goals up in the second half at 24-14 and 27-17, before the home team managed to reduce the gap towards the end and the final result was 28-34.

TEXT: Peter Bruun