First point for Metz
In a highly tense, classy game, Metz and Oltchim tied, which meant the first point for the hosts in the group. The Romanians are on the way to the Main Round after their first draw at the Main Round of the EHF Champions League.
GROUP 2
Metz Handball (FRA) vs. C.S. Oltchim Rm. Valcea (ROU) 26:26 (15:15)
Oltchim were in control from the early minutes, whilst the home side drew cheers from the crowd with several spectacular goals produced by flowing team moves.
Both teams showed a quality performance in this head-to-head duel, where the French back-court unluckily hit the woodwork several times.
So the Romanians established a four-goal lead at midway through the first half, but coach Sébastien Gardillou's team fought hard back and cheered by their vociferous spectators his side kept pushing the gas pedal to equalize through line-player Nina Kamto before the half-time buzzer.
In the second half a great fight developed with both teams going all out and fighting in every situation and for every ball. In that period Metz goalkeeper Amandine Leynaud displayed heroics several times between the sticks and with their effective attacking the hosts took a three-goal lead after 41 minutes, that the French were able to maintain for 10 more minutes.
Oltchim forced a dramatic finish after fighting back from a 24:21 deficit to level the match five minutes before the final buzzer.
The dying minutes ensued a nail-biting final phase. With winger Viktória Csáki scoring to 26:25, Oltchim had the possibility to level the match in the very last minute. Coach Radu Voina´s team was awarded a 7m penalty that Ardean Elisei executed to level the match.
TEXT: Márk Hegedüs
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