23.10.2014, 05:50
Baia Mare and Larvik poised to add another victory

GROUP D PREVIEW: The Romanian and Norwegian champions each recorded a five-goal margin wins in the first round and are eager to ride the wave also in their away matches.

Baia Mare and Larvik poised to add another victory

Polish left back Alina Wojtas will return to Lublin for the first time as opponent, when Larvik meets MKS Selgros Lublin on Friday. After two consecutive defeat – in the Women’s EHF Champions League and the French Championnat, Metz Handball look forward to bounce back against  HCM Baia Mare on Saturday

MKS Selgros Lublin (POL) vs Larvik HK (NOR)
Friday 24 October at 20:15 hrs local time, live on ehftv

The emotions in Alina Wojtas’ heart will be high when she will step for the first time in Lublin’s Globus Hall as a visitor. The Polish left back has played for five years in Lublin, but this summer she decided that the time was right for a new challenge.

Her choice was clear after Larvik HK, the Norwegian champions, made contact and were interested in her transfer. But after only a few months, Wojtas will come back in Lublin, where she won four Polish titles and two Polish Cups, as an opponent.

Larvik will be heavy favourites on Friday, after winning their first round match against Metz Handball, 25:20, as Nora Mørk, who scored 11 goals in the win against the French champions looks set to continue her race for the top goalscorer award.

The two sides are meeting for the fifth time in the Women’s EHF Champions League. MKS Selgros Lublin can clinch their first win against Larvik, after they recorded a draw and three losses against the Norwegian powerhouse.

Metz Handball (FRA) vs HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
Saturday 25 October at 16:00 hrs local time, live on ehftv

The Romanian champions started with a victory against MKS Selgros Lublin last Friday, but their play suffered for the first 25 minutes, as the Polish side held the upper hand.

Baia Mare’s depth made the difference in the end, and the same scenario is expected in the game against Metz Handball, which will take place Saturday afternoon.

On the other hand, Metz lost against Larvik last week and have to win against Baia Mare if the French side does not want to lose contact with the Norwegian and Romanian champions.

“Our game against Lublin and the French team’s against Larvik were quite similar, as the favourites were struggling in the first 20 minutes,” said Costica Buceschi, Baia Mare’s coach.

“I liked what I saw from Metz, they have a very good side, a young side, with very good players. My guess is that we could beat them, we just have to pay attention to our gameplan,” explained Buceschi, after learning that Metz lost their league match against Dijon on Wednesday, 24:25.

However, the Romanian side has a fresh injury concern, after centre back Laura Oltean injured her knee in the Romanian League match against HC Dunarea Braila, on Wednesday.

”Laura will not play against Metz, as she will head back to Baia Mare and undergo an MRI. We hope that her ligaments are only strained, not torn,” concluded Buceschi, after Baia Mare’s comfortable win, 30:21.

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / br