15.09.2008, 10:40
Bregenz join Leon, Montpellier and Amicitia

The Austrian champion defeat Benfica by seven and reach the CL group phase.

Bregenz join Leon, Montpellier and Amicitia

With a 69:66 aggregate, the Austrian champions qualified for the group matches of the CL – fourth time in a row.

Bregenz defeated Benfica by 35:28 (16:14) in front of 1 500 fans in Handballarena Rieden-Vorkloster in Bregenz.

Since the Austrians lost the first match in Lisbon only by 38:34, they qualified for the CL group matches.

In the beginning of the match it seemed that Benfica have good chance to keep the four goals of advantage from the first match. The turning point was in the first half when the home team went from 13:13 to 16:13.

After the break Benfica came as close as 20:19. But the home team reacted with eight goals in a row and took a 28:19 lead. The match ended with the final score of 35:28.

Schlinger and Marinovic key players

Nikola Marinovic made 13 saves (50% efficiency) in the goal of the Austrian champions; the left back Roland Schlinger scored 14 goals (from 15 attempts) and Lucas Mayer 10.

Carlos Carneiro was best scorer for the guests with 8 goals; Nuno Silva scored 6.

Martin Liptak after the match: “I’m really satisfied with Schlinger, but also with the rest of the team. Benfica are not a bad team at all.”

Bregenz will play in Group C together with Ademar Leon, Montpellier and Amicitia. The coach is optimistic about the upcoming group matches: “Amicitia is a good opponent for us. And also we can play well at home against Montpellier and Leon.”

TEXT: Ivan Ambros