HOPE IN RUSSIA

Russian vice-champions DinamoAKVA Volgograd is alive in the Champions League Group B winning 29-27 againstDanish Champions Viborg HK.

The Russian host started outbest – Viborg didn’t play well at all. Leading 11-5 after 24 minutes indicateda big Volgograd victory. Viborg had big problems both in defence and attack.The first half ended 13-8 – eight goals being an extremely low total for aDanish top-team – but also a big cadeau to the brave and bold home team ofVolgograd.

Viborg was forced to performbetter in the second half. And they did. Four Viborg-goals in a row opened thematch in the first minutes of the second half.

A much better Viborg-teammade a solid performance, but it was up-hill. Volgograd kept a little stepahead of the visitors, but halfway in the second half Viborg equalised at18-18. The match had done a 180 degree U-turn.

But the Russians were onlyshocked – not paralysed. They kept ahead of Viborg and had a three goal lead afew minutes before the end. But Viborg made a last comeback with two quickgoals. 28-27. And Viborg had the chance to equalise, but missed twoopportunities. Volgograd made a home win 29-27.

“It is easy to explain whatwent wrong. We played too bad in the first half and we were not able to win amatch on this level in just 30 minutes. We only have ourselves to blame.”

The Russian head-coach LevonAkopian returned to the bench with success. He has been off sick, but returnedas the hero in Volgograd.

The Volgograd win has openedGroup B. Three team can reach the quarterfinal before the two last rounds.Norwegian Nordstrand is left with no chance of a quarterfinal, but will offcourse play against Volgograd in Oslo in two weeks. Viborg will play Hypo inDenmark.

Text: Jens Ole Sorensen