Kiel extend winning streak; Limoges upset Benfica

FROM THE TOP 5 MATCHES

GROUP A
HC Kriens-Luzern (SUI) vs GOG (DEN) 32:30 (13:12)

Thanks to this win, Kriens-Luzern leapfrogged their rivals in the table and finished top of the group, so both progressing teams will start the main round with two points. The visitors did not find a remedy against centre back Luka Sigrist, whose 14-goal outing played a key role in the Swiss team's win. GOG opened a 3:0 lead early in the match and were in front for most of the first half, yet Kriens-Luzern had a one-goal advantage at the break. The second half was also tight, but now it was the Swiss team who had the upper hand and ultimately took revenge for a 39:36 defeat in Round 2.

GROUP C
Limoges Handball (FRA) vs Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR) 36:28 (17:11)

Powered by Sime Ivic's goals, the French side opened up an early 5:2 lead before Benfica enjoyed a 4:0 run to take a 6:5 advantage. However, the hosts soon regained their dominance, as their goalkeeper Dino Slavic stood like a wall, stopping 10 balls before the break for an almost 48 per cent saving efficiency. As a result, Limoges enjoyed a six-goal lead at half-time, and they did not slow down afterwards, as Croatian line player Tomislav Kusan rose to prominence, finishing the game with nine goals. After five straight wins in the group matches, Benfica suffered their first defeat, and both rivals will take two points with them into the main round.

GROUP E
THW Kiel (GER) vs Vojvodina (SRB) 37:35 (21:15)

The German team took an early control of the match, as they shot from all angles and led 6:3 in the sixth minute. Vojvodina's goalkeeping left much to be desired in the first half, and the visitors missed all five penalty shots, as Kiel's goalkeeper Tomas Mrkva boasted a 57 per cent save rate in the opening 30 minutes. As a result, Kiel scored 21 goals before the break and led by six goals. They went on to dominate after the restart, although Vojvodina also improved and ultimately closed the gap to just two goals. Nikola Bilyk became Kiel's top scorer with 11 goals, while Jovica Nikolic and Joao Francisco da Silva netted 10 and nine goals for the Serbian side, respectively. Following this win, the German team will carry over four points to the main round, while Vojvodina will start the next stage with zero points.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• VfL Gummersbach celebrated their fifth win in six group matches, as they proved too strong for IK Sävehof in Sweden, 28:25
• KGHM Chrobry Glogow finished third in Group D following a 32:26 victory at CSM Constanta
• MOL Tatabanya KC, who had already progressed to the main round, defeated MRK Sesvete in their last group match, 28:25
• TATRAN Prešov finished the group matches with zero points following their sixth straight defeat, 39:26 at Kadetten Schaffhausen; Odinn Thor Rikhardsson scored 10 times for the Swiss side
• the group matches will finish with nine more Round 6 matches later on Tuesday

Main photo © Sascha Klahn