Jovanka Radičević was the top scorer of the Krim family this time with six goals, while Daria Dmitrieva had the most goals in her statistics throughout the season.
The return leg of the EHF Champions League Play-Off started similarly to last weekend in Stožice, but this time the teams were closer for longer. Just before the end of the first half, the score was even at 13:13, before Laura Flippes scored to give the hosts a minimal lead after halftime (14:13).
Back on the floor, the home team stepped it up a notch and took a four-goal lead in the 44th minute of the game. But the Krim did not give up even in the toughest moments. With a heartfelt and combative performance, they managed to come close again. Tatjana Brnović tied the game at 19:19 with 19 minutes to go.
Unfortunately, it didn’t go beyond that. CSM Bucuresti came back with another set and took the lead in the 54th minute with a maximum advantage of 26:20. But the Tigresses’ dream of a turnaround was over. Six goals were the difference at the end and the score was identical to the one a week ago in Stožice, 30:24 for the Romanian capital and 60:48 overall.
In Bucharest, the Krim players concluded their performances among the European handball elite. Unfortunately, they did not achieve their desired goals, but they are proud to return to their home country to continue their performances in the domestic championship.
Dragan Adžić, head coach of RK Krim Mercator: »We started much better than the first game. More decisive and more committed to the deal. The first minutes of the second half were not right, but we came back. In the end, we tried to make up the difference, we tried … As far as both games are concerned, I think the start of the first game is the key. That’s why we couldn’t win. But when I draw a line under the season, I can say that Krim Mercator had a great start to the season. The reason why we got the strongest possible team in the Play-Off, why we didn’t get points against Ikast, why we had a good chance against Vipers at home. The club is doing everything to achieve what we want, but I as a coach was not able to get the maximum out of the players.«
Barbara Lazović, captain of RK Krim Mercator: »Once again, the result is not on our side. We fought hard the whole game, but CSM Bucuresti showed the better game twice, so we can only congratulate them.«
Krim Mercator: Radičević 6, Stanko 1, Pineau 1, Mavsar 2, Spreitzer, Dmitrieva 5, Arenhart, Klemenčič, Vojnovič, Varagić, Ngombele 2, Lazović 2, Brnović 3, Rosiak, Abina, Grbić 2.
7-meters: CSM Bucuresti 1 (0), Krim Mercator 8 (7).
2 minutes: CSM Bucuresti 6 min, Krim Mercator 6 min.