Handball Champions League: Veszprém bring Motor to silence

MKB-MVM Veszprem have underlined their exceptional role in Group A. Not only the Hungarian champions remained with a clear record after three rounds, but they overcome previously unbeaten team of Motor Zaporozhye in a real storm by an incredible 17 goals difference. Dinamo Minsk were the second easy-going winner on Thursday evening.

Group A:

MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) vs. Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) 44:27 (20:13)

Group A leaders MKB-MVM Veszprem took on surprise contenders Motor Zaporozhye, who snatched a point from favourites Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the first round of VELUX EHF Champions League making their visit to Veszprem a real dogfight for the top spot.

Motor started with their usual 5-1 defence, but it did not catch Veszprem off guard: Five of the home side’s first six goals came from the line, even their big shooters sought opportunities to break in instead of shooting from the back. The Ukrainians tried to keep pace with Burka and Onufryienko’s goals but Veszprem’s overwhelming attacks forced Sergei Bebeshko to take his first time-out at 8:4 down.

A couple of vital saves of goalkeeper Richard Stochl, who used to play for Veszprem before, and the goals of the Ukrainian backs brought the visitors back to the game, but after Carlos Ortega’s time-out Veszprem changed gear and left the visitors standing with goals from Laszlo Nagy and Carlos Ruesga.

Veszprem’s seven goal lead at the break was soon to grow to double figures as the home side tightened their defence and managed to stop the visitors’ shooters. Ruesga kept the show going for Veszprem, winger Peter Gulyas and Iman Jamali joined up and it was game over for Motor when only ten minutes passed from the second half.