Krim Mercator left empty-handed in the first game of the year

The first game of the new coach Ambros Martin did not go the way the Krim family wanted. Although the handball players of Krim Mercator were very close to a turnaround, the decisive playoff was better played by the players of FTC. Empty-handed after the first game of the calendar year, but with optimistic thoughts before the continuation of the EHF Champions League group stage.

The opening of the first game of the calendar year was very tense for the handball players of Krim Mercator. It was an evenly matched performance, but the Tigresses managed to take the lead for the first time at the end of the ninth minute. And how? Manca Jurič caught a rebounded ball from her rivals, employed Tamara Mavsar with it, and she managed to beat Laura Glauser with a great play.

But the guests quickly tipped the scales again. First they were +2 up, then the Krim girls equalised again after goals from Tjaša Stanko and Ana Gros, and the Hungarians extended their two-goal lead at the end of the first half. They were also up by five, but the charges of Ambros Martin, who was leading the Krim family for the first time, eased the score at the half (11:15).

Betchaidelle Ngombele showed her mastery again on her return to the floor. And Jovanka Radičević, who was successful from the seven-metre line for the second time. But the reason why the Blues managed to come close again was Barbara Arenhart, who simply shone between the posts. She made four saves in the opening ten minutes of the second half, and the Krim was four goals behind before the last ten minutes of the game.

The captain reduced the deficit when she converted a penalty, and in the next attack the ball was caught by the Brazilian goalkeeper, Jennifer Gutierrez, who scored at the right moment. After a great break, she scored for 21:23. Tamara Horaček‘s third 2-minutes suspension of the game and a time out did not do the home team any good. In the end, the Hungarians were stronger with 22:27.

The next home test will take place in a month’s time – on Saturday, 8 February at 18:00. Tickets are already available HERE. The Romanian CS Gloria 2018 BN will be coming to Stožice then.

 

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Ambros Martin, head coach of Krim Mercator: »At critical moments, the rivals were too strong on defence. We didn’t have what it took to turn the game around. Overall, I am satisfied, nothing is changing. We are looking ahead, game by game. We need to relax a little bit more, especially in the moments when we could have turned the game.«

Barbara Arenhart, goalkeeper of Krim Mercator: »We know where the gaps are. We are looking ahead to a brighter future. I do not think the end result is realistic, so I am disappointed. It is always difficult to speak after a defeat. We will be back, I am sure.«

EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, GROUP PHASE, ROUND 9

Saturday, 11th January 2025, at 18.00
KRIM MERCATOR : FTC-RAIL CARGO HUNGARIA (MAD) 22:27 (11:15)

Krim Mercator: Jurič, Radičević 4, Stanko 2, Gros 6, Zaadi Deuna 4, Mavsar 3, Abina A., Arenhart, N’Diaye, Vojnovič, Gutierrez Bermejo 1, Horaček 1, Ngombele 1, Brnović, Grbić, Egger.
FTC: Glauser, Edwige, Dmitrieva 5, Janurik, Hársfalvi, Bölk, Márton 3, Kanor 5, Tomori, Malestein 5, Simon 2, Klujber 3, Maslova 1, Cvijić 3, Lekić, Szöllosi-Zácsik.
7-meters: Krim Mercator 6/6, FTC 2/3
2 minutes suspensions: Krim Mercator 10 min, FTC 6 min