20.03.2010, 04:50
Nordic showdown in the semis

As Larvik beat Krim, they finish first and meet Viborg in the semis. Valcea lost in Denmark, but remained number one and will play against Györ now.

Nordic showdown in the semis

Larvik against Viborg and Valcea against Györ will be the semi finals of this season’s Women’s Champions League. Larvik and Valcea will have the home right in the second leg, as they won their groups. The matches will be played 10./11. and 17./18. April. The last decision of the Main Round was taken in Larvik. Thanks to their victory against Krim Ljubljana the Norwegians can’t be overtaken anymore by Györ. Viborg won the non-relevant, but prestigious duel against Valcea.

For Viborg it’s the sixth CL semi final in club history, for Valcea the second time after last season, Larvik is qualified for the semis for the third time and Györ has reached this round for the fourth consecutive time.

Group I

Larvik HK – Krim Ljubljana 30:23 (14:8)

The match was equal exactly until 21.30 minutes were played and the score was 8:7 – but then Larvik really overdrove the Slovenians with a series of 12:1 (!) goals in only 15 minutes. At the score of 19:9 the match was decided very early and the Norwegians decelerated enormously, as they knew that they won and will finish their group as number one. Top scorer for Larvik was Linn Sulland with 13 goals, followed by Tine Stange (5), Ana Gros scored eight times for Krim. For Larvik is was some kind of revenge, as they now have won both matches against Ljubljana after losing both six years ago. And the Norwegians took another record: Their 25^th goal against Krim was number 2500 in the club’s CL history in currently 92 Champions League matches. Aside Larvik finish the Main Round as most succesful team - the only club with five victories in six matches.

Group 2:

Viborg HK – Oltchim Valcea 33:26 (17:15)

Even as the match wasn’t relevant for the final ranking, as Valcea had won the group before, Viborg showed a brilliant performance. Romanian international Cristina Varzaru scored ten times against her team mates from the national team, Bojana Popovic hit the back of the net nine times. Both defense sides didn’t play well, so the spectators saw a lot of outstanding goals. Viborg was in lead all the match and after the halftime score of 17:15, Valcea saved (or lacked) power and couldn’t stand against the Danish champion, even as the Romanians had reduced the gap after the early 10:5 for Viborg. “It was a victory for our self assurance. We’re prepared for the semi finals against Larvik,” coach Jakob Vestergaard said. Before the game Viborg confirmed that play maker Kristine Lunde-Borgersen will leave the club like her sister Katrine – so both will play their last international semi final for Viborg against their Norwegian national team mates.

TEXT: Björn Pazen