In the last away game of the season in the Champions League, IK Sävehof stood up for long periods in a very good way against Brest Bretagne Handball. All the way to points, however, the performance was not enough when there was a loss with 23–28.
With eleven outfield players and a pair of goalkeepers, Sävehof traveled to north-west France for Sunday night’s meeting with Brest Bretagne. When the teams faced each other in the Partille Arena last fall, a strong yellow and black performance resulted in a 20-25 loss. A similar scenario would play out this time as well.
A quarter into the match, the scoreboard showed 4–4 after a match opening in which Sävehof did not back down. Between the posts, there were great plays from both Johanna Bundsen and the opponents’ Katharina Filter who either made saves themselves or had sat in such respect that the finish either went in the goal frame or outside.
Three straight goals from the home side looked for a moment to give them some respite going into the half-time break, but Sävehof regained their rhythm and before the 30-minute mark, contact was re-established when they were only 9-10 down.
Without any excessive regard for the opponents and their merits, Sävehof continued to grind on even after the break. Acknowledgment came from Elin Ernelind when she made it 16-16 from the left in the 40th minute of the match and then there was also an opportunity for the team to take the lead. However, it was not to be, but in the final quarter there was a small but match-deciding push from Brest, who eventually won. Just like last fall, five goals separated the teams when the final score this time was 28-23 in favor of the French team.
Next weekend, the Champions League group stage ends. Then Sävehof plays at home against DVSC Schaeffler with return at 16:00 on Sunday.
Brest Bretagne Handball scorers: Valeriia Maslova 8, Pauletta Foppa 7, Audrey Dembele 3, Siobann Delaye 2, Pauline Coatanea 2, Alexandrina Cabral Barbosa 2, Constance Mauny 1, Coralie Lassource 1, Juliette Faure 1 and Jenny Carlson 1.
IK Sävehof’s goal scorers: Nina Koppang 6, Laura Jensen 6, Elin Ernelind 4, Thea Stankiewicz 3, Johanna Bundsen 1, Ida Sembe 1, Stina Wiksfors 1 and Elin Karlsson 1.
– Erik Malmqvist
