The Unbeaten Veszprém In The Last 16

After Round 6 of the VELUX EHF Champions League’s Group Phase only two teams remain unbeaten: MKB-MVM Veszprém and FC Barcelona. While Veszprém took their sixth victory on Saturday evening and are the first team to clinch their berth for the Last 16, Barcelona have eleven points on their account. Both VELUX EHF FINAL4 contenders still top their groups.

MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) vs. Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) 27:26 (13:10)

The end game was thrilling, but then the favourite cheated the gallows against a strong team from Celje. Veszprém are now the only team with the maximum 12 points from six matches and are the first team to reach the Last 16.

The Hungarian side overran the Slovenians in the initial period, leading by 8:2. Then Celje improved, but still had problems in scoring until minute 20, when Veszprém were already ahead11:4. The advance melted until the halftime whistle to only three goals, as the Celje defence had now adapted to the Hungarian attack.

In the middle of the second half the match turned completely. Veszprém lost their rhythm and Celje reduced the gap from 16:20 to 20:21 and even took the lead for the first time at 23:22. A major sensation was in the air – before a double strike from Iváncsik and Ugalde turned the tide again. At 27:24 the winner seemed to be confirmed, but by scoring the last two goals Celje caused the hosts to sweat in the dying minutes before they held out for the two points.

Top scorers were Iváncsik (Veszprém), Marguc and Zelenovic (both Celje) with six goals each. The Slovenians remain on four points equal with Zagreb but are already three points below Zaporozhye.

Read more HERE.

Photo: MTI – Aniko Kovacs

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