13.10.2018, 07:57
Leon hold on to stay in play-off hunt

GROUP D REVIEW: Thun suffer more final-minute heartbreak, this time at home to Spanish opposition

Leon hold on to stay in play-off hunt

Abanca Ademar Leon saw a five-goal lead disappear, before regaining their composure to beat Wacker Thun and go top of VELUX EHF Champions League Group D. 

Once again, Thun have come out on the wrong side of a thrilling finish as they search for their first win in Europe's top flight.

 "These losses just suck. It's the third time we lost with a difference of one goal. Today we played for all our injured players and I think we did well, but somehow we are always asleep in the first 20 minutes," admits Wacker's Reto Friedli.

• Wacker Thun is still winless this season and in 15 matches at this level
• Nicolas Jann Suter netted six times for the home side
• Leon go top of Group D with their third win of the campaign

GROUP D
Wacker Thun (SUI) vs Abanca Ademar Leon (ESP) 25:26 (12:15)

After the sides traded punches, Leon were the first to open a lead. Mario Lopez Alvarez started the game in great mood as he scored three times in the opening 10 minutes.

The away team’s defence was just too tough for Thun, while their creativity down the other end was causing the Swiss team plenty of problems.

Thun coach Martin Rubin clearly made the most of his half-time break, because the Swiss squad closed the three-goal deficit almost immediately.

However, the two-time EHF Cup Winners’ Cup winners Leon eventually woke up to take command of the game and a five-goal lead.

Thun found their second wind and drew level, to set up a grandstand finish, a situation they are all too familiar with this season.

Zivan Pesic’s fifth goal of the game gave Leon the lead with just over a minute left and Wacker were unable to respond, leaving them with a third consecutive one-goal defeat.

TEXT: Béla Müller / cor