The third luck was in this year’s EHF Champions League
Zagreb – Kolstad 31:20 (17:10)
ZAGREB: Mandić (17), Panjtar; Kos 5, Ćavar 3, Walczak 3, Faljić, Klarica 3, Gojun 3, Srna 1, Sirotić, Čupić, Dibirov 6 (1), Kavčič, Glavaš, Morales 8, Suholežnik. Coach Andrija Nikolić
KOLSTAD: Eggen (1), Bergerud (2+2); Hald, Vetle Aga, Sagosen 3, Ronning 1, Aalberg, Langeland, Limstrand 1, Setterblom, Gullerud 2, Johanessen 1, Lyse 1, Gudjonsson 11 (7), Johnsen, Rod. Coach Christian Berge
After two defeats at the beginning of this year’s EHF Champions League, RK Zagreb achieved its first victory. And in what way. Against Paris SG it seemed that it was only a semblance of a good and quality game, but the match against Norwegian Kolstad. Kiel and Paris SG were much more difficult obstacles, but the Norwegians should not be approached as an ordinary game.
RK Zagreb reacted well to the apparently new game system. They started with a 5-1 defense to slow down the visitors and break the Norwegian attack. RK Zagreb did a good job of this defense because they went into halftime with a seven-goal lead. And it should be mentioned that Matej Mandić had a very good match. On the other hand, Cuni Morales played well in attack.
RK Zagreb continued in the second half with a great rhythm and top mood. RK Zagreb left with a ten-goal advantage, and Mandić continues to gather defenses. However, the Norwegians tried with another goalkeeper. But they were just unlucky. At that moment, there was no question whether RK Zagreb would win.
The question was whether RK Zagreb would leave with a difference of more than ten goals or less. Kolstad tried to play with seven in the field against Zagreb’s six players. But the guests made a lot of mistakes, so Jakov Gojun scored as many as three goals. In this way, RK Zagreb entered the finale peacefully, and ended the match with an eleven goal difference.
This match is a win for RK Zagreb. If it comes down to it, the ratio between them will decide, RK Zagreb has a big advantage over the Norwegian team, in which a lot of money has been invested and in which some Norwegian national team members have been brought.
If RK Zagreb continues to play like this, maybe there will be some more serious results in international competitions. It is very important to mention that RK Zagreb has been in decline for a long time. He had bad results, but he lived on his old glory and thus got opportunities to play in the EHF Champions League. Now, maybe, it would be different if the result happens. And sometimes it takes a long time for the result. God grant that there will be luck in that.
