Handball Champions League: La Rioja make Veszprem work hard for second victory

MKB-MVM Veszprem secured a spot in the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-finals by defeating Naturhouse La Rioja, but the Spanish team made Veszprem work hard for their money in the second leg, which turned out to be a spectacular exhibition of attacking handball, European Handball Federation reports.

MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) vs Naturhouse La Rioja (SPA) 37:31 (18:15)
Veszprem win 68:54 on aggregate

The EHF said, Veszprem won the first leg by eight goals and it came as no surprise that the Hungarian side’s notorius defense lacked the usual concentration having already put a handsome lead in the first leg against Naturhouse La Rioja.

According to EHF, the visitors made the most of this in attack and attempted to stop Renato Sulic, who scored nine goals in the first leg as Veszprem’s attacks were just as outstanding as they were in the first leg.

As the match rolled on it turned into a spectacular goal feast with combined goal-tally from both teams being 33 by the break.

Veszprem stepped on the gas after the break but La Rioja cancelled the home side’s lead and went ahead for the first time by the 41th minute.

EHF said, Rodriguez Alvarez put up a great performance and Carlos Ortega was forced to take a time-out amid jeers from the sold out stands.

The Logrono outfit played with pride and strength but when Roland Mikler hit his form in goal, Veszprem once again gathered momentum and took a hard-fought win.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://www.eurohandball.com/