In the group opener of the group B Rostov Don, last season’s EHF Cup winner hosted the newcomer of Champions League, Brest Bretagne, the team which got into the group stage directly via a wild card.
In the first half, the two teams were close to each other, Cléopatre Darleux kept a high level in Brest’s goal, Jovana Stojlkovic took responsibility for scorings, meanwhile, hosts had a good efficiency by Managarova, and Borschenko. Both teams were in lead in the first half, by one or two goals, but bigger differences there were not to see. The result in the halftime was 14-13 for hosts.
In the start of second half Rostov made a better period when they increased the lead to 19-15, Vakhireva, Makeeva, Barbosa scored, Brest made some replacements in the team, Mangue came in on the rightback position and Stojlkovic continued the quality play in attack. Ten minutes before the end Rostov had only one goal advantage 21-20, it was the right time for head coach Frederic Bougant to call his timeout, which helped, because Rostov Don won the game at the end by two goals, against an opponent which had no debutant nerves or emotions at all. Brest could be stronger if Allison Pineau will get back to the court in the near future.
Final result:
Rostov Don – Brest Bretagne 26 – 24 (14 – 13)
Goals:
Rostov – Managarova 3, Borschenko 4, Makeeva 5, Bulatovic 4, Vjakhireva 4, Ilina, Barbosa 2, Rodriguez 3, Dembele, Petrova 1
Brest – Stojlkovic 6, Coatanea 3, Mangue 3, Sand 2, Geiger 2, N’Gouan 1, Tissier 2, Pop-Lazic 1, Copy 2, Prouvensier 1
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