SLAGELSE KEEPS THECHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY

The reigning Women Champion League winner, Slagelse won the 2^ndleg of the final against Kometal GP, 27-20, which means that the Danish club isthe second club to retain the CL trophy in the last 12 years. Slagelse won thefirst game at home as well:  27-23.

Only the Austrian team Hypo Niederösterreich has been so successful, bywining the title in 1994 and 1995. With only one lost game in 14 games,Slagelse was on a "punishment expedition". Kometal GP - in its thirdfinal in five years - was to weak to beat Slagelse, even if the Macedonianchampion is the only team to have celebrated a win over Slagelse this ChampionsLeague season. 

The first half was crucial and Slagelse forged a head with a lead of12-6. They totally outplayed the hosts, with Kometal missing many chances andmaking many mistakes, Kometal GP were faced with a "missionimposiblle". Slagelse played aggressively, with a flexible defense, whereKristensen, Melgaar and Loft stopped every single attempt by Kometal GP backplayers, Ozel, Buyanova and Tsigitsa.

The home team scored their first goal in the 8th minutes and onlyequalized three times during the whole game. Slagelse were pouring withmotivation, ambition and much more concentration.

"For us the main goals was to win in Skopje. I respect Kometal GPand was happy to play each other on finale. Our motivation was the last defeatin the group matches. We've prepared well for this game. I told the players toforget what happened here in last game and to be concentrate just on this game”- said Anja Andersen, coach of Slagelse.

In the second half,  Kometal GP had a shimmer of hope to win thematch, when they came close at 11-15. But then home players continued along thesame lines of missed balls, technical mistakes and Slagelse punished them atevery chance. The host back players Buyanova and Tsigitsa missed 15 ballaltogether and scored 10 goals.

"Every team member wanted towin. We were under a lot of pressure and were responsible or the result. Forthe first ten minutes we had to make up 3 goals. We have stumbled at Leganger”- said Andriy Portnoy coach od Kometal GP.

Slagelse coach Anja Andersen admitted that her colleague from KometalGP, Ukraine Andriy Portnoy was the biggest challenge this season. Only KometalGP succeeded to beat the Danish side, 20-12 in the group matches.

"He was my biggest challenge. Only he succeeded to win against methis season. I respect him very much. I would like to compliment the homesupporters, they were great. I wish I could have them in Denmark with me.” -said Andersen.

Two former players of Kometal GP, Valentina Rradulovic and AdrijanaBudimir were among the winners. Budimir was a member of the champion team in2002.

More than 15.000 Kometal GP supporters watched the game on a video wallin main city park. Due to limited hall capacity, more fans were unable to bytickets.

Text: Goran Antevski