IKAST THROUGH TO THE QUARTERFINALS

TheDanish side secured their fourth win in a row with what can be called an“intense” victory against

BuducnostMonet.

Thetable celebrates Danish side Ikast-Bording after a brilliant display inJanuary. Four matches and four victories is the fact so far in the ChampionsLeague Group A. Sunday was the fourth win in a row putting the Danish clubthrough to the forthcoming quarterfinals – it was an intense victory againstthe Montenegro giants Buducnost Monet.

32-25was the final score in Herning - an entertaining handball duel witnessed by4000 spectators. But the game contained much more excitement than showed on thescoreboard. Although the Balkan guests only had a theoretical chance ofadvancement from the group stage, the Buducnost team played with passion andstrong determination.

Throughoutthe game the unit from Podgorica laid solid pressure on the home team.Motivated by an Ikast victory only a fortnight ago, the Buducnost playersstarted aggressively. Direct defence systems - such as 3:2:1 and 5:1- createdproblems for the Danish hosts. But the Balkan team also came with extreme pacein the offensive stage. Once again Polish profile Izabela Puchacz and Romanianpower shooter, Gabriela Hobjila held their club inside the struggle.

Ikastwas down 0-2, 3-5 and 4-6 before the yellowed jersey favourites found therhythm. Led by a growing defence, the Danes began the goal scoring. EspeciallyIkast profile Tanja Milanovic played a tremendous first half. The

Serbianstar put eight goals in the net - five of these from the 7 metre spot. Alsoright winger Josephine Touray impressed with five goals.

Eightminutes before half time the score was 11-11. But then Ikast's strongest weapon- the counter attacks - were pushed in position. The home side forced the guestsinto a team timeout - after several good performances and an Ikast lead of16-12. The Danes had the opportunity to extend the development, but insteadBuducnost hit back. Within first half's dying seconds the away team held aspell over Ikast-Bording. The Danish side was 18-15 in front, but also a playerdown in the beginning of the second half.

Afterthe break Ikast was stunned. In only five minutes Buducnost had turned the gamearound - from 15-18 to a 20-18 advantage. But the home team overcame the crisesafter yet another timeout - and yet another transformation in just fiveminutes. Ikast took the lead once again at 25-20. But the rebound didn't shock"the enemy". Buduconost found themselves back with four quick goals -including good skills from veteran Sandra Kolakovic. Only this time the lastticket was punched.

JosephineTouray - the best player of the match and also top scorer with 12 goals - andco-winger Line Daugaard confirmed their still improving form in the vitalphase. The strong Ikast defence and keeper Karin Mortensen were

stressingassets for the Buducnost players. The home team ran down the guests due to anexplosive counter strategy. The score changed dramatically from 27-25 to 32-25.Despite of two group matches to come, Ikast has underlined their successfulChampions League journey - Buducnost Monet however must accept the puncture ofan European dream.

Text:Ole Bitsch