A great start to the year for the Buducnost women's handball team - from the shadow of absolute outsiders, they conquered the packed "Termoplast Arena" in Bistrica, Romania, and celebrated against the home team Gloria - 38:34 (18:18).
In the ninth match of the Champions League, the "blues" celebrated their first triumph, after an epic draw against Esbjerg in the previous match, which took place 55 days ago in the elite competition.
Injuries to Nadja Kadović and Nina Bulatović, and a severe blow to Itana Grbić in the 48th minute - Zoran Abramović's team was shaken throughout the match, but they used that period - when the rival was left with one player less - to reach a seven-goal lead in the 50th minute.
Important, because the Spaniard Pinto got into the game, Glorija quickly solved the attacks with goals, but the "blues" also had an answer - Ivana Godeč was hitting back, and the rough play of the home players did not pay off because Nina Ramusović was flawless from the penalty spot - five out of five.
Grbić and Nikolina Marković played brilliantly, supporting their teammates with excellent play and defense, and Amel Atingre was consistently good in goal with 11 saves, while Andrea Škerović stopped three shots.
Bistrica entered the game after four consecutive victories in the Champions League, and they also celebrated in Podgorica with a 7:1 series, which brought them back from a four-point deficit in the final and celebrated.
"Termoplast Arena" has only been won by Metz this season, the Romanian representatives also lost away to the leader, Gyor, and now they have suffered their third defeat.
And after Buducnost dropped an attack by four points at the end of the half, the home team caught up and entered the second half with two minutes more players.
However, the Future had an answer to everything...
With the victory, the Podgorica team gained a good chance to advance to the round of 16 of the elite competition.
The most efficient Jelena Radivojević scored eight goals, Godeč stood out with seven and played an incredible defense, Kadović scored six and Jelena Vukčević and Ramusović scored five each.
Grbić added three, Marković and Bullatović two each.
In Gloria, Pinto scored 11 goals, Seraficeanu six, Ostase four, and Kerekes and Noser three each.
Bonus video:
