Cologne far from Alilovic's mind after narrow escape
Not one of the 5,000 fans in the sold out Veszprem Arena thought that Celje, whom they beat 31:26 in Slovenia a week before, would cause such large problems for the leaders of Group A.
Even with the absence of star right back Laszlo Nagy, the alarm bells were repressed by the home side's excellent start of the game.
Veszprem immediately took the lead and played some nice handball in the first 20 minutes, which seemed to have set the players a little too much at ease.
Vladan Matic knows how to beat Veszprem as an underdog, since Pick Szeged won their last Hungarian championship with Matic commanding his team to a shock victory over MKB in 2007.
The Celje coach took his time out when his team was trailing Veszprem by five goals and his changes in defensive formations brought the visitors back in the game in no time.
MKB-MVM goalkeeper Mirko Alilovic, who was signed from Celje in 2011, was aware of the threat the Slovenians posed.
“I don't know too many players from their present squad but I know they are a young but already very strong team. Nobody thought they could keep pace with us until the very end, but the way they did certainly calls for a standing ovation,” admitted Alilovic.
Celje managed to keep the Hungarians on a leash for a while but it took them almost 30 minutes to get over the first 20 and equalise.
By that time Veszprém lost control of the game at both ends of the court, their defence was torn apart by the fast moving Slovenians while in attack Carlos Ortega couldn't find a clutch player to change the game. The teams went level into the last 10 minutes; the surprise result was very much in the air.
Finally, Ugalde dragged his team out of the swamp and five minutes from time Veszprem seemed to be eventual winners, especially when Alilovic saved Marguc's penalty but Celje was not done.
Skok saved an all-important penalty from Ilic and the Slovenians attacked for the draw with a man advantage and managed to get yet another penalty when the buzzer went.
“You know, when it comes to penalties, a goalkeeper has nothing to lose. Nobody would think it's your fault, if you concede but you have a chance to be the hero,” said Alilovic, who knew that the potential draw could cost Veszprem the first place of the group. However, Razgor missed the penalty without his intervention.
“He is an excellent player but the pressure might have been too much for him to handle. I am not sure the penalty I saved a few minutes earlier was crucial as these situations are separate duels between two players.
“If there's respect towards me, it's a good thing but means nothing when you are in a situation like this,” said the 28-year-old goalkeeper.
Celje currently sit fourth in Group A, but will have to fight hard to qualify, the Slovenians have a crucial game ahead when they host Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb.
Veszprem are still unbeaten and duly qualified for the Last 16, but Alilovic keeps his feet on the ground.
“We won the group last year, too but still missed out on Cologne. Let's take it match by match and forget about the FINAL4 for a couple of months.
“The competition is fierce, I see a very even Champions League this season with top class teams and matches, and a lot of surprises,” concluded the Croatian.
TEXT: Mártha Bence / cor
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