Vipers could finally celebrate victory in the Champions League again. With 35–30 over Rapid Bucharest, they secured their third win in the group stage. Sofie Börjesson was in goal in Katrine Lunde’s injury absence. She was named the home team’s best player. A total of 17 saves were made by the goalkeeper. – Börjesson ensures that the Vipers win the goalkeeping match, which means that they are five goals better than the Romanians, says Langfeldt. Goalkeeper Sofie Börjesson impressed in the Vipers goal. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB Beskjeden svenske – I’m happy to stand 60 minutes, which is going well. I’m just happy we won, says Börjesson. – You have a save percentage of 35 per cent. Those are good numbers? – Yes, that’s perfectly fine, says the modest Swede. But even with 35 per cent saves, there are a total of 30 late goals. – It is a little better defensively than it has been for a while. But the most important thing was to win the match, says news Sørlandet’s handball expert Peder Langfeldt. Revenge after a bitter loss Last weekend, the Vipers lost 29-30 away to Rapid Bucharest, following a VAR decision at the last second. The revenge today tasted good. – Very important. There were two long-awaited points. I think we have a certain control throughout the match, says Marta Tomac. – We improve in all phases. Last time we started well, but the most important thing is to finish well. And we managed to do that today, adds the centre-back. Smooth start After a smooth start in the first few minutes, the home team took control of the score at 3-4 after seven minutes. Three minutes later it was 7-4 to the Vipers. Rapid Bucharest fought back, and after 15 minutes it was 8-7 to the Vipers. Then Vipers and playmaker Lois Abbingh took charge. Two quick goals from Abbingh helped give the home team a 12-7 lead. It was a lead the home team held throughout the first half. At most they led by five goals, at 15–10. Lois Abbingh ensured that the Vipers kept the lead at half-time with two quick scores. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB God Börjesson Towards the end of the half, Rapid could get closer to the score 17-14. But the Romanian winger missed his attempt with barely 30 seconds left on the clock. Vipers were thus able to counter, and Abbingh was able to secure an 18-14 lead at the break with his third goal. Silje Katrine Waade and Vipers were solid against Rapid Bucharest on Saturday night. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB Goalkeeper Sofie Börjesson guarded the Vipers cage in Katrine Lunde’s injury absence. The Swede did well in the first half, and had eleven saves. This gave a rescue percentage of just over 40 per cent. The second half also started evenly. After just over six minutes, Marta Tomac was able to make it 22-17 for the Vipers. The goal was actually the home team’s first from a line position of the evening, put in by line substitute Tomac. Left after expulsions Two minutes later, the Romanians were sent off twice in the space of 11 seconds. Vipers used the period to secure a six-goal lead. After ten minutes it was 24-18 to the home team. But Rapid Bucharest did not give up. Shortly after, the Romanians had the opportunity to reduce the lead to three goals, but again they missed in a crucial moment. The Vipers controlled the rest of the game, and mostly led by four, five or six goals. Wingers Jana Knedlikova and Sunniva Næs Andersen were the home team’s top scorers with seven and six goals each. Jana Knedlikova scores seven goals and becomes the match’s top scorer. Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB
ttn-69
Lunde substitute crucial when Vipers hit back in the Champions League – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
