Advantage for Budućnost
Budućnost defeated a strong Larvik side in a tight match and so coach Dragan Adžić´s team has now the best cards to earn a berth in the EHF Champions League final next weekend in Podgorica.
Larvik (NOR) vs. Budućnost (MNE) 20:22 (12:12)
In the start the Norwegians couldn´t find their rhythm and did not hit the back of the net for several minutes, so Budućnost rallied on with 5:1 after six minutes.
Led by right back Linn Jørum Sulland the hosts started a catch-up chase up until they have equalized to 9:9.
Minutes later, Amanda Kurtovic´s strike meant that the hosts turned the match round to lead 11:10.
Despite being in lead Larvik coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad submitted his green card for a team time out to implement a new plan.
But Budućnost goalkeeper Clara Woltering played out of her skin producing heroics between the sticks. The away side had a physical advantage thanks to the their tall players, but the force behind Larvik was their determination to fight and their loyal and vocal fans.
After the tight half-time result, head coach Gjekstad obviously added the right words in the Norwegian changing room as his side gave absolutely everything they had in the start of the second period.
A tight game had been established, as both defences became strong and so the tension levels inside the playing arena rose higher and higher.
Despite a marvellous second half start with goals by Karoline Dyhre Breivang and Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (player of the match for the hosts) the match remained on eye level with the lead changing hands several times.
High tempo, fantastic goals, frantic defending and great goalkeeping were the trademarks for the two teams. Everything was on show, leaving the audience, let alone the players breathless.
The hosts were unfocused in the dying minutes , so Katarina Bulatović and Bojana Popović scored to a two-goals victory for the away team.
TEXT: Márk Hegedüs
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