26.01.2020, 04:40
Roller-coaster draw between Podravka and Siófok

GROUP B REVIEW: Podravka and Siófok again had to settle for a point each in a game full of goals, while Kobenhavn completed an impressive comeback against Magura Cisnadise in Romania

Roller-coaster draw between Podravka and Siófok

Just as in the last round, HC Podravka Vegeta and Siófok KC Hungary maintained their unbeaten records in group B with a draw – but this time the Hungarian side recovered from six goals down to salvage a point.

Earlier on Sunday, Kobenhavn Handball relied on their tough defence in the second half to earn their second win in the group against Magura Cisnadie.

• sharpshooter Andrea Kobetic top-scored for Siófok with 12 goals
• centre back Mia Rej Bidstrup nets 10 goals for Kobenhavn versus Magura
• Siófok lead the group on goal difference from Podravka (both on six points)
• Kobenhavn remain third but their second win takes them to four points

GROUP B
HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) vs Siófok KC Hungary (HUN) 33:33 (16:15)

Siófok back Andrea Kobetic and line player Katarina Jezic made an early statement against Podravka, showing that the title holders were intent on taking the two points from Croatia.

However, thanks to Lamprini Tsakalou’s and Selena Milosevic’s goals, Podravka were always close to the Hungarian side and before half-time they had an outstanding 5:1 run to take the lead for the second time in the game, 15:14.

The hosts did not slow down in the second half and quickly developed a five-goal gap.

Podravka were seemingly unstoppable in attack, extending their lead to six goals (26:20), but Siófok rallied in the final stages.

Tor Odvar Moen called a timeout before the last attack, but Kobetic did not make the most of her opportunity and the sides shared the points.

It was a tense last five minutes between #HCPodravkaVegeta and @SiofokKC.

Here is the best of the action, which ended with a vital save earning the Croatian side a valuable point. #ehfcup pic.twitter.com/BRKlqdRNJ2

— EHF European Cup (@ehf_ec) January 26, 2020

Despite the late miss, Kobetic was still full of praise for both teams. She said: "We played two very similar games today and last weekend. I am glad we managed to endure a critical period in second half. We showed character and managed to split the points."

Podravka coach Zlatko Saračević said: "Like they had +5 in Siofok, we had today. They managed to catch up - just like we did in Siofok. Details decided in both games, we are collecting points and looking forward. We are starting to work on the next game immediately."

With this draw, Podravka and Siófok have six points each but the Hungarian club lead the group due to their better goal difference.

Siófok visit Kobenhavn in the next round, while Podravka travel to Romania and play Cisnadie.

Magura Cisnadie (ROU) vs Kobenhavn Handball (DEN) 28:33 (20:17)

After their 33:22 home win last weekend, Kobenhavn travelled to Romania confident of defeating Magura Cisnadie again.

However, Magura started much brighter on their own court and led 3:1 after less than four minutes, which forced Kobenhavn coach Claus Mogensen to call an early timeout.

The Romanian side created a three-goal lead (8:5) for the first time after 10 minutes, but as line player Linn Blohm and centre back Mia Rej Bidstrup found the back of the net for Kobenhavn, the score was level at 10:10 almost halfway through the first half.

In a 10-goal performance in @KBHBolddk's #ehfcup win, centre back Mia Rej Bidstrup again showed that she can do it all. pic.twitter.com/F11COoqgr3

— EHF European Cup (@ehf_ec) January 26, 2020

Magura's efficient attacks took advantage of Kobenhavn's shooting weaknesses, scoring several fast breaks to move to a commanding 19:12 advantage, but the Danish side reduced the damage at the break to just three goals, 20:17, with right back Hanna Blomstrand beating the buzzer just before half-time.

Magura remained in the lead during the first 15 minutes of the second half, but they could only score four goals during that period against a much-improved Kobenhavn defence.

Ana Emilia Moldovan scored seven times in the first half for Cisnadie, but the experienced right wing missed all of her shots in the second half.

Through two goals from Larissa Nüsser, Kobenhavn equalised at 24:24 and moved ahead for the first time in the match, 25:24.

Between them, Bidstrup and Blohm scored six of Kobenhavn's last eight goals as the former Danish champions powered to a 33:28 win.

"We have played against good players, Magura had good players in the strategic one-versus-one matches, you (Magura Cisnadie) played a little different than are we used to, but we came back in defence and we have won," said Mia Rej Bidstrup, reflecting on her side's win.
 

TEXT: Béla Müller / tj, jw