Danish triumph at the arena today

We could only count with a though game today afternoon as after gaining an imressive result from Denmark it was our aim to get qualified to the group stage of EHF Cup for the first time ever since this phase was introduced in the competition. 22-21 was the score a week ago, so for us any greater victory than one goal was enough but it could have been only achieved by a conscious, mistakeless performance.

The opponent came for the win, they quickly gained a two goal leadbut thanks to Anna Kovács DKKA could equalise just as rapidly, and we could have taken the lead too if both Kazai and Klujber could concentrate better at finishing. The first timeout came at 4-4 by the home team in the 12th minute. It finally helped our team to get a one-goal advantage (Micijevic scored), which score at this stage of the game would have meant the qualification as well, but unfortunately another hard 45 minutes awaited both teams.

Koebenhavn strenghthened their defending and got the lead once again and until the end of the half not more than one goal separated the two teams; first Orsolya Monori made the supporters stand up from their seats then on the 26th minute the opponent's coach needed to call a timeout. It helpred the Danes, as before the end  of the first 30 mins, thanks to the Swedish international, Hanna Blomstrand they could be the happier team when 11-12 stood on the scoreboard.

In the second period the attacking need to be improved by the home team, still the opponent could be more proud of their start, as they could not just simply keep their advantage, but increased it (12-14). Although a quick comeback thanks to Micijevic and Nick meant the equalizing for us, the two mins suspension of Katrin Klujber was revenged by two goals and in the 41st minute for the first time they led by three goals. The timeout of László György did not help this time, we could not improve our attacks, meanwhile the other Swedish international, Johanna Bundsen in the goal had some awesome moments.

At this stage the girls seemed really tired and somehow we had the feeling that they stopped believing that they can turn the tides there. In the 48th min a five goal lead (16-21) of the away team made almost sure that we cannot dream of the group stage of the competition this year. Both teams committed several mistakes until the end, yet Koebenhavn kept their lead easily. In the final minutes we managed to get closer but unfortunately this was not enough even for a draw. After winning their home game, the Danes won in Dunaújváros too and qualified with a double victory to the next phase of EHF Cup.

László György: -  This match offered a lot more than what you can see on the scoreboard. When we could actually turn this game the chances were given, but they just ended with some poor finishes. Being six goal down meant that we lost all our hopes, we did not believe that we could actually come back on track. So many mistakes against a strong opponent could only mean failure

DKKA – Koebenhavn Handbold 20-23 (11-12)

DKKA: Tomasevics 1 – Klujber 2, Kovács 4, Szalai 1, Cifra, Micijevic 4, Kazai. Subs: Oguntoye (GK), Nick 1, Szekerczés 2, Bouti, Dombi 2, Takács D., Molnár, Grosch, Monori 3. Head coach: György László.

Koebenhavn: Bundsen – Bont 6, Blomstrand 4, Alm 3, Dulfer, Bidstrup 4, Fons 2. Subs: Sundfoer (GK), Meyer 2, Bjoernsen, Nielsen, Schoenaker 1, Hansen, Tandrup, Ebbesen 1. Head coach: Claus Leth Mogensen.

(Front page picture: dunaujvaros.com / photo by Judit Sándor)