06.03.2015, 09:33
Explosive Vardar inflict Krim's heaviest defeat

GROUP 1 MATCH REVIEW: Vardar thrashed Krim 47:29 on Friday to climb to the third place in Group 1.

Explosive Vardar inflict Krim's heaviest defeat

An underwhelming start to their Women's EHF Champions League campaign left Vardar Skopje in need of a strong finish to Group 1 - and Indira Kastratovic's players delivered on Friday, with a 49:27 demolition of Krim Ljubljana. 

GROUP 1

RK Krim Mercator (SLO) vs WHC Vardar SCBT (MKD) 29:47 (12:24)

Vardar inflicted Krim's heaviest-ever Women's EHF Champions League defeat on Friday behind a flawless attack and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Amandine Laynaud

This regional derby between two powerhouses of the former Yugoslav Republic represented the Macedonian side's best opportunity to leapfrog Group 1 rivals Thüringer HC.

Kastratovic's team took full advantage too, scoring a record number of goals in Europe's top-flight competition.

There was an early indication of how one-sided the action would be when the 'Andrea' duo of Penezic and Lekic scored seven of Vardar's first eight goals, as the hosts had no answer for a prolific backcourt.

The ruthless Macedonians continued to keep their foot on the gas, establishing a 12-goal half-time lead.

Such an advantage allowed Vardar to tinker with their roster, and their hapless hosts continued to look out of their depth. A flurry of late counter attacks, completed by Maja Sokac and Olga Chernoivanenko completed the misery of Slovenian champions.

Penezic's was the contest's top scorer, with 11 goals, a tally matched by Tamara Mavsar in a losing effort.

The result means Vardar climb to third in Group 1, with nine points, one more than Thüringer, although the German side have a game in hand, against Dinamo-Sinara on Sunday.

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / jh