28.02.2008, 09:44
Ciudad Real nearing semi-finals

Ciudad could be the first club to reach next round in the Champions League this weekend.

Ciudad Real nearing semi-finals

Relying on pure mathematics, Ciudad Real can soon reach the semi-finals. The Spanish side are leading Group 2 after winning their first three matches. In addition, the results of the other games were also very good for them. Montpellier’s defeat against Gorenje Velenje gave them a big advantage on the ranking. Ciudad have four points of advantage over the other three teams of the group.

Talant Dujshebaev’s side must travel to Montpellier for the next game and a Spanish victory could mean the end of French hopes. A Ciudad Real triumph in France and a draw between Gorenje and Gummersbach would also pass the final decision on the outcome of the group. The Spanish are favourites, of course, after the three rounds.

Coach Dujshebaev is really happy for the performance of his players because they have some injuries making life more difficult. The coach could not count on Urios, Chema, Sterbik and Metlicic at these matches. However, Hombrados, Entrerrios, Stefansson and Zorman replaced them well and showed that the roster of Ciudad Real is one of the strongest in European handball. Ciudad could be the first club to reach next round in the Champions League.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi