IKASTDRAW AGAINST DUNAFERR IN HUNGARY

It was show down for the top spotin Group A of the Champions League in Dunaújváros between Ikast Bording and theHungarian champions Dunaferr. In their first match, the Danish club won by28-27, which meant that the home side needed a two-goal victory to reach thefirst place in the group.

Just like in the previous Champions League clashes this season, Pálinger showedexcellent form. Ikast’s pivot, Broedsgaard was brilliant in creatingopportunities for the back court players, but the visitors could not amass asignificant lead as the home side’s keeper saved several of Milanovic’s andAndersen’s shots, and Touray also lost a few one-on-one battles with her. TheDanish team’s defence was quite successful at preventing Radulovics fromscoring, though left wing Vincze, pivot Bohus and playmaker Pigniczki remainedprolific.

Conducted by Hammerseng, Ikastmanaged to increase the pressure on the home defence and they applied theirother formidable weapon, the fast breaks, very well too. Dunaferr’s attacksbegan to falter; the premature shots were saved by Vojcic or blocked by thedefenders. The visitors opened a substantial margin (8-12), some of which theymaintained until halftime (11-14).

The tables soon turned after the break, as Dunaferrequalised in the 33rd minute by Ferling’s penalty shot (14-14). Keeping themomentum, the home side took the lead (16-15), but Bohus’ ankle injury set themback again. In addition, the visitors’ fast breaks and rundown attacks functionedvery well, the brilliant wings, Daugaard and Touray scored at ease (20-25).

The last minutes of the clash brought nail-biting excitement as Dunaferrproduced a 5-0 run and levelled the score (25-25). With three seconds to go,coach Kiss replaced Pálinger by a field player, but the visitors blockedRadulovics’ last shot.

Text: Joó Sándor