UCM Resita let slip the victory through their fingers

CHALLENGE CUP - the handball players from Banat Region finished at tie the first round of the final with Drammen, at a score of 26-26, and starts on the second position in the return match that will take place in Norway

Aihan Omer loves the northern manner of playing and has an antidote against it! He proved this not only last year, at the matches HCM Constanta - Skjern (Danermarca), but also yesterday.

The coach of UCM Resita team prepared for the Norwegians a stifling defense that proved to be productive, the stars Solberg and Hagen being kept at distance from the goal by a cold-blooded marking. But the Romanian players squandered in the attack many of the balls gained in their defensive. Butulija and Tucanu were not in their best shape, and there were plenty of failures. Most of the time, UCM Resita was holding the reins of the game, leading at four goals difference (the score was 12-8, in min. 24). But, each time, the Drammen team came back in force, succeeding even to have a lead in the second part of the match (19-18, min. 44). Sustained by a phenomenal public, the team from Resita didn't give up and in the last two minutes it had an advantage of three goals, 26-23. The victory ordered by Omer seemed to become true but, due to a stupid expel of Cuciula from the game, the situation was overturned. The Norwegians tied the score ten seconds before the final whistle, 26-26, this remaining the final score at the end of the game.

Thus, the Drammen team starts the return mach from Norway as favorite but the coach Aihan Omer makes the promise that Resita won't give up. "Nothing is impossible" said the "Turk".

Marinescu: "Resita, up to the mark!"

Present at the game that took place yesterday in Turnu-Severin, the General Secretary of FRH, Mr. Mihai Marinescu, said that the presence of UCM Resita team in the finals of an European Cup represents a deserving thing. "It's perfect that we reached in this point, but now they should think to the trophy. The chances are equal but it is important how the 7-8 fundamental players of Resita will act on the field. Should UCM Resita would have two players with the same value for each position, then the team would have been the favorite. Anyhow, as concerns the organizational aspect, Resita was up to the mark" said Marinescu.

Article from: PROSPORT