17.02.2019, 01:30
Cuenca take first group phase win

GROUP C REVIEW: 11 goals from left wing Magnus Bramming were not enough to save TTH Holstebro from defeat in Spain

Cuenca take first group phase win

Liberbank Cuenca claimed their first points of the Men’s EHF Cup 2018/19 Group Phase when they hosted TTH Holstebro on Sunday afternoon. 

• With Cuenca’s victory, both teams are now on two points

• Magnus Bramming scores 11 goals for TTH Holstebro

• Holstebro were missing Dutch international Kay Smits

GROUP C
Liberbank Cuenca (ESP) vs TTH Holstebro (DEN) 26:24 (12:12)

11 goals from left wing Magnus Bramming were not enough to secure TTH Holstebro their second win in succession. Instead, a brilliant second half earned European cup debutants Cuenca their first win in the group phase. 

Cuenca were the better team during the low-scoring start to the match, in which it took Holstebro, who were missing Dutch international Kay Smits, more than six minutes to score their first goal.

A stellar performance from Leonel Marciel in the Cuenca goal contributed to the home team’s lead of 5:2 after 12 minutes. However, Holstebro caught up, 5:5, and with six minutes and 10 seconds left of the first half, Viktor Östlund gave the visitors their first lead at 9:8.

Holstebro also pulled two goals in front, but the home team managed to answer back before half-time, and from the start of the last 30 minutes, the Spanish side were the better team.

As Marciel continued his fine performance in goal, Cuenca created a three-goal lead again at 17:14 and stayed ahead for the rest of the match, although the visitors reduced the distance to one a few times. In the last minutes, Cuenca were even leading by four, before Holstebro reduced the deficit ahead of the buzzer.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / cg