Buducnost hand Vardar huge loss
It was the worst-ever defeat for Vardar on this level, who slip away from that ‘top-two finish’ in Group 2, as Jan Pytlick’s side is already three points behind Buducnost and Györ.
GROUP 2
Buducnost (MNE) vs HC Vardar (MKD) 31:19 (16:8)
A 20-month unbeaten run for Buducnost in the Women’s EHF Champions League was abruptly interrupted last week by Györ.
However, for Dragan Azdic, it was not the time to panic, even if Buducnost’s opponent this week was Vardar.
While the game had all the ingredients to become an instant classic, the Macedonian powerhouse did not seem to find their feet in their first game against the titleholders.
As Adzic challenged his players to improve defensively, Buducnost responded brilliantly.
Therefore, it was no surprise that Vardar only scored three goals in the first 17 minutes, as many as Dragana Cvijic scored by herself - powering the Montenegrin side to a 8:3 lead.
There was no chance for Vardar to improve their position with a poor 38 per cent shot efficiency in the first half, as Buducnost were already cruising after 30 minutes (16:8).
A high-tempo game, with virtually no mistakes between the 38th and the 42nd minute, was deployed by Vardar.
But with the Macedonian side was stretched as they tried to improve their attack, and Buducnost quickly took advantage on the counter.
Powered by an amazing afternoon from goalkeeper Marta Zderic, who made 19 saves, for an amazing 51 per cent saving percentage for Buducnost, as the title holders stomped to a 31:19 win, handing Vardar their worst defeat ever in the European premium competition.
Dragana Cvijic was the hosts’ best player, with seven goals from seven shots, while Croatian winger Maja Sokac scored five times for Vardar.
Buducnost are still on the top of the group’s table, with nine points, while Vardar stay in fourth place with six points.
IK Sävehof (SWE) vs Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 18:26 (6:13)
It has been a roller-coaster season for Györ, with the Hungarian powerhouse losing their home court advantage against FC Midtjylland and failing to win against their Danish opponents away from home.
However, for another Scandiavian surprise to be on the cards, it meant that Sävehof would have had to bring their best game to the table.
But even without Anita Görbicz and Zsuzsanna Tomori, Györ had no trouble in disposing of the Swedish champions.
With a stout defense, the Hungarian guests proved to be too big of a match for the inexperienced Swedish champions.
The game was already decided after 15 minutes, as Györ were leading 8:3, while the Swedish side could find no answer in attack.
Therefore, it was no surprise that the lead grew exponentially up until the end of the first half, as the Hungarian side was leading 13:6 at the break.
Nycke Groot with six goals and Eduarda Amorim with five goals, were Györ’s best players, as the Hungarian side is now bracing for a tough game against CSM Bucuresti.
Now the Swedish champions are the only team with zero points after six games in the Main Round.
Dragan Adzic, head coach of Buducnost commented post-match: “Thanks to the fans for their excellent support and I'm glad the girls fought back in the right way.
"The supports have once again confirmed that they are the best in Europe.
"This was a big challenge for us and we have pulled it off in a great fashion. We needed this match after the Györ match and this shows us the quality of my team.”
Jan Pytlick, head coach Vardar spoke after the game:
“Buducnost played great and we have a lot of problems in defense.
"Their goalkeeper Zderic was great. We were not at the same level of the defense as normally and we allowed Buducnost to score a lot of goals.
"They were much better than us today; we did not want to lose with such a high margin.”
TEXT: Bence Martha / bc
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