17.10.2008, 09:17
Celje can breathe now

The Slovenians won away to Granitas-Karys. The game was open for 20 minutes.

Celje can breathe now

It was very tie in Kaunas until the 20th minute as long as Granitas-Karys could resist Celje. The Slovenian champions prevailed in the rest of the game.

The Lithuanian champions studied the playing system of Celje very carefully and started with an aggressive 3-3 defensive formation. Tone Tiselj's team did not have an answer for that at first.

"I think we did not start the match concentrated enough and we had many problems," Tiselj said about the beginning of the match

Špiler unstoppable

Luckily for the Slovenians, Beno Lapajne had a great day in the Celje goal and saved many attempts of Granitas.

At 8:8 in the 20th minute Tiselj had to change something. Reznicek came in to replace Peskov, Furlan took Špiler's role, while Špiler (originally a playmaker) moved to the left back position. From that moment on Celje increased the difference with every minute. It was already 17:11 at halftime.

While Celje continued the same way in the second half and improved in defence, Granitas could not keep pace.

In the 45th minute they also "lost" Kraucevicius hit the floor with his head. Špiler and Kojič were scoring and the difference was already 12 goals in the 49th minute. No way out for Granitas and Celje took the second victory of the CL season.

"Our defence was decisive in Lithuania. We showed against Hammarby that the only way to win is to defend aggressively. This results in quick counter attacks and easy goals. I think this game will give confidence for the upcoming matches," said goalkeeper Beno Lapajne who made 14 saves in 50 minutes.

TEXT: Maja Mastnak