13.10.2019, 05:24
GOG take last-gasp win against Plock

GROUP D REVIEW: In a thrilling match, GOG took second place in group D with a one-goal win against Orlen Wisla Plock.

GOG take last-gasp win against Plock

45-year-old goalkeeper Soren Haagen made the decisive save for GOG in their VELUX EHF Champions League group D match against Orlen Wisla Plock on Sunday, with the hosts emerging victorious 28:27 in a match that was a direct battle for second place in the group.

The thrilling finish concluded what was an entertaining match with many spectacular goals.

• Soren Haagen’s save with four seconds left decided the match in GOG's favour
• GOG are now second with six points from four matches, while Plock are on four
• Emil Jakobsen scored seven goals for GOG and was the game's top scorer
• Konstantin Igropulo led Plock with five goals

GROUP D
GOG (DEN) vs Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) 28:27 (16:14)

After a thrilling game with many spectacular goals, 45-year-old Soren Haagen's save from Konstantin Igropulo’s shot with four seconds left secured GOG the win in the battle for second place in group D.

What a save! The quick right hand of @GOGsport goalkeeper Soren Andreasen avoids a last-second equaliser from @SPRWisla's Konstantin Igropulo. #veluxehfcl #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/XM1C2ir2Ds

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) October 13, 2019

A fast-paced GOG team made the better start and held an early 4:1 lead, but Wisla Plock responded and gained the lead at 7:6. The home team were quick to take back the initiative and led by two goals at half-time.

Take a bow, Emil Jakobsen! Check out how @GOGsport's left wing scored this superb in-flight goal in the first half against @SPRWisla. #veluxehfcl #ehfcl pic.twitter.com/iYDA6XYcwZ

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) October 13, 2019

Alvaro Sanchez was sent on by Plock from the start of the second half, and the Spanish playmaker’s introduction meant an improvement to the Polish attack, until the Danish defence had read his way of organising the visitors' attacking play.

At the other end of the court, GOG still did not have much trouble with the Plock defence, which started in a 6-0 formation and then moved forward to an almost 3-3 formation.

With GOG remaining ahead by one or two goals in the latter stages of the second half, the match came down to the wire and Haagen's save secured GOG the win, 28:27.

GOG coach Nicolej Krickau complimented his team's defensive performance, but he also acknowledged Plock's ability to maximise opportunities stemming from two-minute suspensions.

"We played at our highest level in defence and we are very pleased with the effort. Plock were very skilled at playing six against five, while we had major challenges in our six against five game, and I think we could have had more control over the game if we had mastered that part of the game as well," he said.

Meanwhile, Plock coach Xavi Sabate credited Haagen's save as the reason why GOG emerged victorious. He said: "We could have had a draw, but their goalkeeper had an important save at the end and they took the win. We had some challenges in defence and we had a hard time stopping Josef Pujol."

TEXT: Peter Bruun / jw