16.11.2014, 06:57
Dinamo back on top in Group A

GROUP A MATCH REVIEW: Dinamo-Sinara held off Leipzig's late challenge to reclaim their place at the top of Group A and clinch the main round spot.

Dinamo back on top in Group A

Dinamo-Sinara regained top spot in the Women’s EHF Champions League Group A with a hard-fought 30:27 victory on the road at HC Leipzig on Sunday.

The German club applied the pressure late on but goalkeeper Anna Sedoykina ensured her team would return to Russia not only with the win, but also with a secured main round ticket.

GROUP A

HC Leipzig (GER) v Dinamo-Sinara (RUS) 27:30 (14:14)

Dinamo moved back to the summit of Group A behind a determined display, holding off a late rally from the hosts.

Leipzig actually held a 3:1 advantage in the opening minutes only for Dinamo to respond with a 5:1 streak, bombarding Katja Schülke's goal from the back court. 

That sequence was sparked by the scoring of Anna Kochetova, who tallied five goals in the first half and six in total.

But the home side had an answer and, following a timeout, Saskia Lang began to find her scoring touch, going on to finish with 10 goals total, while Schülke remained resolute in goal.

Dinamo struggled to find fluidity in attack, which was evident in the final few minutes of the first half when Leipzig managed to keep the score level despite being two players down.

Neither team could pull away and both continued to commit technical errors while relying on their heavily goalkeepers.

However, Olga Akopian was consistent throughout for the visitors, showing a steady hand to score nine goals.

Dinamo’s lead slowly grew to 27:23 with just five minutes to play. But Leipzig found another gear to pull back within a single goal heading into the last minute.

The momentum appeared to be with the hosts until Sedoykina produced the last of her 15 saves to block Lang’s late effort and allow her team to take the points.

TEXT: Grega Sever / jh