HANDBALL

RK ZAGREB FAILED HEROICALLY IN DENMARK, THE CAPTAIN HAS EIGHT GOALS

tsg_news February 26, 2025

AALBORG – RK ZAGREB 33:30 (3:17 p.m.)
Aalborg: Landin, Norsten 15 defenses; Barthold, Arnoldsen 4, Martins, Hald 1, Rasmussen, Thurin 5, Larsen, Vlah 4, Bjornsen 5, Moller 2, Antonsen 2, Juul 5, Munk 5. Coach Simon Dahl Jorgensen
RK Zagreb: Grbavac, Mandić 11 saves, Matošević; Hadžić, Faljić 2, Klarica 2, Molc, Kraljević, Gavrić 3, Celegin, Dibirov 4, Bialiauski 3, Kavčič 7, Glavaš 8, Trivković 1. Coach Velimir Petković

In the penultimate round of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League group stage, Zagreb handball players were defeated in Denmark against Aalborg 33:30. Eight goals by Filip Glavaš and 11 saves by Matej Mandić should be singled out. At the same time, Thurin, Bjornsen, Juul and Munk scored five times each for the hosts. The last round of the elite European club competition is scheduled for next Wednesday, when the Zagreb team welcomes Poland’s Kielce to the Arena.

The team from Zagreb got off to a great start – both defensively and offensively. Filip Glavaš was incredible with six goals from the same number of attempts, while Adin Faljić, Davor Gavrić, Ihar Bialiauski and Aleks Kavčič added two each. Kristian Bjornsen and Buster Juul each scored twice. Zagreb goes to the break with +2 (15:17), although after almost ten minutes it had +4 (3:7) and showed that even with a weakened team it can match the favored host on the away field in Denmark.

At the beginning of the second half, the ‘Lions’ continued at the same pace – Matej Mandić also joined in with several saves. At the same time, Aleks Kavčič had a notable role offensively, finishing the match with seven goals. Davor Gavrić (3) is good, and Zagreb with several goals lead into the game’s last quarter. Unfortunately, there was no strength for more than that – Jack Thurin and Marinus Munk start a series of goals, Fabian Norsten finishes the game with 15 saves and Aalborg finally achieves a victory 33:30.

Eight goals by Filip Glavaš, seven by Aleks Kavčič, four by Timur Dibirov, three by Davor Gavrić, and 11 saves by Matej Mandić. On the other hand, Jack Thurin, Kristian Bjornsen, Buster Juul and Marinus Munk were each accurate five times. Zagreb will return to the field on Saturday, away against Poreč in the new round of Package 24 of the Premier League for the champions. At the same time, the last match of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League is scheduled for next Wednesday when Poland’s Kielce arrives at the Zagreb Arena.

It was a tense game until the very end. We have to be honest and say a positive result for us against this kind of team away from home. I’m proud of what was shown on our side, the boys’ fight and commitment from the first minute – Velimir Petković, RK Zagreb Head Coach

Unfortunately, after 60 minutes of a great fight, after we were excellent in the first, we did not last in the second. We fell with strength and concentration, but we can be satisfied with what was shown. We are now waiting for the injured to return and continue at the same pace – Davor Gavrić, RK Zagreb player

SOURCE: RK Zagreb