DVSC SCHAEFFLER played sensationally and made the three-time BL winner put up a huge fight. We were very close to another BL feat in a match with an excellent atmosphere.

The first fans arrived at Hódos an hour and a half before the start. Everyone was preparing for a handball celebration. Declared the surprise team of the season, DVSC SCHAEFFLER played against the three-time winner and defending champion Vipers Kristiansand, full of world stars, in the round of 16 of the Champions League. It was a gift to the team for their sensational performance in the group stage. The arena was full at the starting whistle. This time, in addition to the injured Konszuela Hámori, Loki was also without one of its leaders, Petra Vámos, who sprained her ankle during one of the mid-week training sessions.

The Vipers started the match and took the lead with an attack that lasted almost two minutes, then increased their lead to two in the next. However, Loki was not afraid of the big-name opponent. First he caught up and then took the lead for a short time. The two teams went head to head in the first quarter of an hour. Sometimes the Norwegians led, sometimes we, but the difference did not increase to more than two. In the 18th minute, the Vipers pulled ahead with three goals for the first time, after Csernyanszki’s powerful shot bounced off the crossbar. However, ours did not despair. After three excellent defenses, we equalized by scoring three goals. In the 20th minute, 12:12 was on the scoreboard. DVSC SCHAEFFLER played in ecstasy, the defense hardened and there was always someone to step forward in attack. Therefore, the defending champion could not pull away, and even at halftime, the score was tied.

DVSC SCHAEFFLER-VIPERS KRISTIANSAND (Norway) 28-29 (16-16)
Debrecen, 2000 spectators. B: Lovin, Stancu (Romanians)
DVSC: GABRIEL – Grosch 1, Kácsor, Füzi-Tóvizi, PLANÉTA 5, SZABÓ N. 6, PETRUS 3. Subs: BARTULOVIC (goalkeeper), Töpfner 5 (5), HAGGERTY 2, Johansson, JOVOVICS 5, Hornyák D., Csernyanszki 1. Coach: Zoltán Szilágyi
KRISTIANSAND: KATRINE LUNDE – Knedliková 1, VJAHIRJEVA 7 (1), Arcos 1, Tchaptchet, ABBING 13 (5), S ANDERSEN 6. Subs: Börjesson (goalkeeper), Waade, Höve, Roberts 1, Schulze Hesselberg. Coach: Tomás Hlavaty
Results: 3rd minute: 0–2. p. 8: 5–4 p. 15: 8–10 p. 22: 14–13 p. 35: 19–20 p. 49: 26–22 p. 55: 27–25 p. 58: 27–28
Suspinsions: 8, respectively 10 minutes
7 meters: 5/5, or 7/6

COACHES:
Tomas Hlavaty: It was a fantastic atmosphere in the hall, it was a pleasure to play in such a friendly environment. We played a very hard and very tiring match. Unfortunately, we made a lot of mistakes in defense, so the home team led with 4 goals, but it shows the strength of my team that we were able to come back from there and eventually won the match. We have to learn from this match because it was of high quality.
Zoltán Szilágyi: We can be proud of the girls, we did our best. Our goal was to give our all and I think we succeeded. The substitutions were able to add a lot more, which was needed for the close match. Unfortunately, we ran out a bit for the end game. We didn’t think about advancing, we wanted to win at home. I am confident that we will be able to play an equally good match away from home.