04.12.2016, 04:50
Superb win helps Motor to play-off berth

GROUP D REVIEW: Motor followed group leaders Nantes into the play-off after the Ukrainian side thrashed their rivals for second place, Besiktas.

Superb win helps Motor to play-off berth

HC Motor’s experience and roster proved to be enough to earn their second play-off berth in two years following their 34:28 win over Besiktas on Sunday afternoon.

• Motor have still a chance to win the group but need help from leaders Nantes to do so

• Motor earned fifth straight win, with their last defeat dating back two months - against Besiktas

• The hosts’ best scorer was line player Gleb Kalarash with nine goals

GROUP D:

HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) vs Besiktas Mogaz HT (TUR) 34:28 (20:13)

There was a lot at stake for both Motor and Besiktas as their season could be changed by the 60 minutes played in Ukraine.

With a win, the Ukrainian side knew that they were through to the play-offs, while Besiktas needed two wins in their last two matches to achieve that feat.

A 6:1 partial between the 7th and the 15th minute saw Motor jump to a 9:4 lead and that turned out to be decisive for the game as Besiktas never really recovered.

A stout defence, that offered Gleb Kalarash a flurry of counter-attacks, was Motor’s best weapon.

It was an almost flawless first half for Motor, with 89% shot efficiency, that saw the Ukrainian side enjoy a seven-goal advantage at the break, 20:13.

With the win never in doubt, Motor made several changes to their team as the Turkish side were unable to stage a comeback.

Motor earned their fifth consecutive win (34:28) and improved their winning margin to an average 6.6 goals per match.

Motor will have to win their last game, against TTH Holstebro, and must hope for a mishap by leaders Nantes against ABC/UMinho in order to win the group and meet La Rioja in the play-offs, as Montpellier have already won Group C.

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / ew