01.09.2013, 05:21
Seventh heaven for Porto

MATCH REVIEW: HCM Constanta vs FC Porto Vitalis 22:26 in the Qualification Tournament 4 final of the VELUX EHF Champions League

Seventh heaven for Porto

History was made in the arena Dragao Caixa on Sunday as the FC Porto Vitalis cruised to the Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League for the first time. In the final of the Qualification Tournament 4 the hosts beat HCM Constanta 26:22 and won the ticket to the Group B that also includes THW Kiel, KS Vive Targi Kielce, KIF Kolding København and the winner of Wild Card play off Montpellier MAHB vs Orlen Wisła Płock.

Porto, who failed at their previous six tries for the elite continental club competition, will travel to Denmark for their Group Phase premiere as they will face Kolding København in the first round 18-22 September.

Constanta failed to reach the European top flight for the fifth time in a row and will continue in the Qualification Round 3 of the EHF Cup.

Qualification Tournament 4

Final: HCM Constanta vs FC Porto Vitalis 22:26 (9:12)

Porto followed a similar scenario like in the semi-final against Elverum as they gained a multi-goal lead after a wide open starting 20 minutes. Ljubomir Obradović's team failed to maintain the gap in the second half and ten minutes before the second half they also lost Wilson Davyes who was shown a red card.

As none of the rival used their respective chances in the dying seconds of the second half, the game was sent to the extra-time. Porto jumped off to a great start and Pedro Spinola extended their lead to three goals and he also made it to 23:19 just eight seconds before the sides changeover.

Hosts held Constanta goalless for another two minutes of the second half and after Romanians failed to convert a penalty throw two minutes before the end the victory of Dragons was sealed.

3/4 place match: KRAS / Volendam vs Elverum Handball Herrer 24:32 (13:18)

Thanks to a victorious farewell to Porto Elverum made it on the edge of another appearance in the EHF Cup Group Phase as they earned a ticket to the Qualification Round 3. KRAS / Volendam will make another trip to Portugal soon as they will face Sporting CP Lisboa in the EHF Cup Qualification Round 2.

TEXT: EHF / br