11.02.2008, 03:11
A victory and a defeat: satisfied Slovenians

Velenje showed good qualities against Ciudad Real, while Celje took two valuable points against Szeged.

A victory and a defeat: satisfied Slovenians

Champions League first round brought an exciting weekend for Slovenia. Celje took the two points against Pick Szeged, while Gorenje Velenje lost against Ciudad Real.

The Slovenian runner-up resisted superbly to the mighty Spanish team. With an aggressive defensive formation and a good Matevz Skok in the goal, Gorenje were always close. Ciudad Real's Rutenka, Stefansson, Zorman, Laen and others showed their supremacy in the last five minutes when they scored four goals in a row and won by nine at the end.

From one goal to nine

The closest result was in the 36th minute when it was 16:15 for the Spanish champions.

"One who will look at the final result only will not have the correct impression of the match. We were most of the time equal opponent, but lost in the last moments," said Gorenje's coach, Ivica Obrvan.

Ciudad Real's Talant Dutshebaev was of similar opinion:

"It was a tough match for us. We had to work hard for the victory. We have done our job and took two points home. I also have to say that Gorenje showed their qualities."

Pick without a chance

The Hungarian played against the Slovenian champions – a great derby in Zlatorog hall.

Pick Szeged did not have real chance against Celje who showed top form for the start of the Main Round. Celje's defence was key to the success. Many stolen balls, quick counter-attacks, easy goals and Nenad Puljezevic's bad day (only 3 saves) – this is the short version of the match.

"Celje won deservedly – the match was decided in the first 15 minutes when we made too many mistakes. After that we started to play better, we worked hard goal by goal, but could not come closer than two goals," said Szeged’s coach, Vladan Matic, after the match.

"It was a high quality match with mistakes on both sides. I agree with Vladan Matic that it was all decided in the first half. We played on a high pace for all 60 minutes," said a happy Celje coach, Slavko Ivezič.

TEXT: Maja Mastnak, Sportal (http://www.siol.net/sportal.aspx)