Kielce Industry, a finalist in the last two seasons, has taken a significant step towards the quarterfinals of the Champions of handball after a convincing victory over GOG in the first leg of the round of 16 (25-33).
The Spanish international Alex Dujshebaev, who scored nine goals, and the German goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, with 14 stops and a 41% success rate, played pivotal roles in Kielce’s dominant performance on the Danish court. Under the guidance of coach Talant Dujshebaev, Kielce established a commanding lead in the first half (10-18) and maintained it until the final whistle.
A remarkable 0-7 run by Kielce during eight dry minutes left GOG trailing behind, with Kielce extending their lead to 3-10 in the 16th minute. The Danish team faces an uphill battle in the return leg in Poland, with Kielce poised to meet Magdeburg in the quarterfinals.
Zagreb-Montpellier, 27-27
In another round of 16 clash, Zagreb showcased their progress this season by holding Montpellier to a draw on their home turf (27-27). While Montpellier maintains the advantage in the tie, Zagreb’s performance signals their competitive spirit in the competition.
Upcoming matches in the round of 16 include the Hungarian derby between Pick Szeged and Telekom Veszprem and Orlen Wisla Plock facing off against Paris SG. The winner of the Plock-PSG encounter will challenge Barça in the quarterfinals, with the first leg scheduled for April 24-25 and the second leg on May 1-2 at the Palau. The Final Four will once again take place in Cologne on June 8 and 9.
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Exciting Handball Action: Kielce Dominates GOG in Champions League Round of 16
The Kielce Industry, a finalist in the last two seasons, has taken a significant step towards the quarterfinals of the Champions League of handball after a commanding victory over GOG by eight goals in the first leg of the round of 16 (25-33).
Spanish international Alex Dujshebaev, who scored nine goals, and German goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, with 14 stops and a 41% success rate, were instrumental in leading the Polish team’s assault on the Danish court. Under the guidance of Talant Dujshebaev, Kielce established a comfortable lead early on, dominating the first half with a score of 10-18.
A remarkable 0-7 run by Kielce during eight dry minutes left GOG struggling to keep up, as Kielce surged ahead to a 3-10 lead in the 16th minute and maintained their advantage until the final whistle. The Danish team faces an uphill battle in the return leg in Poland, with Kielce emerging as a formidable rival for Magdeburg in the quarterfinals.
Zagreb-Montpellier Ends in a Thrilling Draw
In another round of 16 match, Zagreb showcased their progress this season by holding Montpellier to a draw on their home court (27-27). While Montpellier retains the upper hand in the tie, Zagreb’s performance signals their determination to advance in the competition.
Looking ahead, the upcoming matches include the Hungarian derby between Pick Szeged and Telekom Veszprem, followed by Orlen Wisla Plock facing off against Paris SG. The winner of the Plock-PSG clash will meet Barça in the quarterfinals, with the first leg scheduled for April 24-25 and the second leg on May 1-2 at the Palau. The iconic city of Cologne, a fixture since 2010, will once again host the Final Four on June 8 and 9.
Stay tuned for more thrilling handball action as the Champions League progresses!