Aalborg was in front (almost) all game but couldn’t shake off a mentally strong Pick Szeged side. In the end, Swedes Jack Thurin and Fabian Norsten took on the match-winner roles for Aalborg when they beat Szeged 29–28.
It was a must-win for Aalborg, who had not won in the men’s Champions League since the first round against Nantes – their second win of the campaign. On the other hand, Pick Szeged only had one loss before this game, and it came away against the reigning champions Barcelona.
Aalborg got a huge boost before the game when Thomas Arnoldsen, Mads Hoxer, and Lukas Nilsson were all cleared to play. The back court trio were not included in the squad that played in Spain in the last round but were all ready tonight (even though Nilsson did not play at all).
It was a great boost for Aalborg, but the beginning of the game belonged to the away side from Hungary. The Szeged players scored at will, and Aalborg had a tough time keeping up.
But Aalborg fought their way back into the game. Fabian Norsten had some crucial saves, and the attacking play started to work for Aalborg, who could have gone into the half with at least a four-goal lead. But Szeged ended the half in great fashion, and that, combined with sloppy play from the Danish team, made for an interesting second half, considering the half-time score was Aalborg 16, Szeged 15.
Aalborg in front in the second half
In the second half, Aalborg had the lead almost all the way but could not shake off this Szeged team that looks like a completely new team compared to the last couple of seasons. Richard Bodo, in particular, is having perhaps his best start to a season ever, and the Hungarians wouldn’t give up in this game at all.
With less than three minutes to go, Sebastian Frimmel scored the equalizer after a Roland Mikler save just before that. And the ending to the game was quite spectacular.
Aalborg got awarded a penalty with just 36 seconds remaining, and the score was 28–28. Jack Thurin, four from four so far from 7 meters, against Mikler. The Swede scored, and then all the pressure was on Szeged.
And in the final second of the game, Frimmel got the chance to secure a point for his side on a 7-meter penalty. But perhaps the nerves were a bit much for the Austrian, who missed the goal completely.
Aalborg won the game 29–28, and they can thank Fabian Norsten’s saves at the end and Thurins last minute goal for that. The win for the Danish side also means that the group tightens up.