05.10.2017, 10:10
Kadetten spoil Velenje's immaculate record

GROUP C REVIEW: Swiss side Kadetten Schaffhausen ran away to victory in the last 10 minutes to earn an important win, as they finished 31:28 winners against Rk Gorenje Velenj.

Kadetten spoil Velenje's immaculate record

A win for Velenje against Kadetten would have transformed the Slovenian side into huge favourites for a play-off berth.

Instead, the Swiss side, who were coming off a tough loss in the last second against Dinamo, enjoyed a flawless final 10 minutes of the game to keep themselves in with a shot of progressing to the next stage.

• Kadetten's gamble of picking an experienced side proved a winner, with Gabor Csaszar (9 goals) and Manuel Liniger (7 goals) proving to be indispensable
• The Swiss side are now tied with Skjern with four points, as Velenje remain on top of the group with six points
• Velenje will play against Elverum next week, while Kadetten host Skjern in a tough, evenly-matched game

GROUP C

Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) vs Rk Gorenje Velenje (SLO) 31:28 (14:14)

Few expected such a bright start for Velenje in this year's VELUX EHF Champions League, but the Slovenian side proved time and time again why they should be considered contenders for a play-off berth.

A trip to Switzerland against Kadetten was another tough ask for Gorenje, but the Slovenian side again took the initiative. The home side never led by more than two goals, with Velenje turning the game on its head to lead 12:10 after 23 minutes.

The deadlock was hardly broken, as the two teams traded easy goals. However, Velenje took a 20:18 lead thanks to three Niko Medved goals at the start of the second half, and they were looking like they could run away as favorites.

However, Kadetten's experience got them the win. With Manuel Liniger and Gabor Csaszar in particularly fine form, the Swiss side not only tied the game, but went on to win it.

"With this victory we have the chance to stay alive. When I bring my daughter tomorrow to kindergarten I will be happier. We have to go on now," said Gabor Csaszar after the game.

More focused in defence and with a free-flowing attack, Kadetten ended the game with a 8:5 flurry to take an important 31:28 win to improve their outlook in the group stage.

"Today we didn't play our game - especially in defence. The defence is normally our weapon but not today. Group C is very even and you need to capitalise on the mistakes of the others - we didn't," said Rk Gorenje Velenje's Zeljko Babic

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / ap