The first round of the European League group stage delivered a huge upset. Polish side Wybrzeże Gdańsk defeated Gummersbach 38-34 in a shocking away win.
It was supposed to be two easy points for Gummersbach as they welcomed Wybrzeże for the first game of the European League group stage. The German side is one of the big favourites in the tournament, but that did not scare Wybrzeże.
The Polish side came out with blistering pace in the opening minutes. Tomasz Gebala scored three early goals as Wybrzeże jumped out to a five-goal lead.
Gummersbach looked completely shocked, and it was not until the second half that the home side came to life. Nikola Roganovic started finding the net from distance and got Gummersbach going.
In the middle of the second half, the score was tied at 26-26, but then the away side managed another run. Three quick goals put Wybrzeże ahead, and it turned out to be a defining moment in the game.
Gummersbach never found a way back, and the away side secured an incredible victory and two points in their opening game.
Results in the European League:
VfL Gummersbach – Wybrzeże Gdańsk 34–38
IK Sävehof – MRK Sesvete 34-27
RK Izviđač – Chambéry Savoie HB 34-33
HCB Karviná – TTH Holstebro 23-33
ACS HC Buzău – Águas Santas 30-30
Elverum Håndball – Hammarby IF 37-28
RK Nexe – Saint-Raphaël 33-26
SL Benfica – BM Torrelavega 24-31
Valur – Mors-Thy Håndbold 39-28