Kielce and Montpellier became the first total winners in the CL playoff stage. Kielce outmaneuvered GOG for the second week in a row and Montpellier took control in the return game against Zagreb.
GOG gave it a a chance in the very beginning of the away game. All in all Kielce was much better than their danish opponent and produced two solid half in front of the cheering fans. Alex Dujshebaev produced seven goals while GOG´s left back Aaron Mensing managed to get six in the net. Sandro Mestric and Andreas Wolff combined for superb goalkeeping in the Kielce victory, the home team ran away to 33–28 and a twelve goal margin in the quarter-final race.
Montpellier and Zagreb started from equal standing, 27–27. However, Montpellier had home advantage and used it at best in the beginning of the second half. Stas Skube ruled in proper play for Montpellier and Sebastian Karlsson took a major part in the fast attacks as the French team opened up a gap. Zagreb fell considerably behind in the last 20 minutes and had to accept an exit by six goals.
– I’m very satisfied with this result, qualification and the attitude of the team. Over three halves the teams cancelled each other out, but we showed the mental strength to go and get the win. At times when we were not at our best, and that for me was the most important moment in the game, said Montpellier coach Patrice Canayer to eurohandball.com.
Montpellier faces THW Kiel in the next round, while Kielce enter the duel with SC Magdeburg.
Champions League
Industria Kielce–GOG 33–28 (16–12)
Kielce advance by 66-53.
Montpellier HB–RK Zagreb 30–24 (14–14)
Montpellier advance by 57–51.