handball highlights Aalborg Håndbold vs HBC Nantes champions league 2022
Channel: Handball World
Date: 2022-11-23

handball highlights Aalborg Håndbold vs HBC Nantes champions league 2022
NANTES INCREASE LEAD OVER AALBORG AFTER MOTW VICTORY
After beating SC Magdeburg in round 6, GOG were looking to upset yet another favourite in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League on Wednesday night. Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, were missing Elohim Prandi, their best scorer this season, due to an injury.
While the Danish side's high-octane handball gave Paris many headaches, experience ultimately prevailed. PSG goalkeeper Jannick Green stopped 17 shots to help his team take the two points, 41:36, while Nikola Karabatic was also key for the home team in the last quarter of the game.
GROUP A
Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) vs GOG (DEN) 41:36 (16:16)
putting their foot to the pedal right from the first second, GOG took an early four-goal lead and kept it during a major part of the first half
Danish line player Lukas Jørgensen, who netted five times in the first 30 minutes, was pivotal to GOG's early advantage. He finished the match with nine goals – a new high for him in the EHF Champions League
thanks to a timeout taken by coach Raul Gonzalez, Paris were able to turn things around and enjoy a quick two-goal lead before going back to the dressing room on an even score
thanks to 4:0 series powered by Mathieu Grebille, the local side took their first proper advantage of the evening, 24:20, as Jannick Green was stopping almost every shot he faced between his posts
even though GOG came back within two with a few minutes to play, the Danish side fell short in the money-time, with Nikola Karabatic stealing two balls to seal the deal in the last two minutes
thanks to this win, Paris have put pressure on Veszprém. The French side now temporarily lead group A with 12 points
HBC Nantes underlined their ambitions in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League with another brilliant performance in the Match of the Week on Wednesday evening against Aalborg Håndbold.
As Aalborg only led once in the whole match, at 1:0, the French side took two important and deserved points with a 35:32 victory. With 10 points on their account, Nantes are level with Lomza Industria Kielce – at least for the next 24 hours. Aalborg remain fourth on seven points.
GROUP B
MOTW: Aalborg Håndbold (DEN) vs HBC Nantes (FRA) 32:35 (17:20)
boosted by Thibaud Briet (five goals before the break) and Valero Rivera (four goals), Nantes were constantly ahead in the first 30 minutes, which was highlighted by full-speed handball from the hosts and the visitors 
therefore, both goalkeeping duos did not have that much impact on the first half: Simon Gade/Michael Aggefors (Aalborg) and Viktor Hallgrímsson/Ivan Pesic (Nantes) were below 20 per cent of shots saved before the break
when Nantes forged ahead to lead 24:19, Aalborg’s coach Stefan Madsen took an early time-out, which worked after a small delay. His side levelled the score at 28:28 after a period when Norwegian left wing Sebastian Barthold was on fire
Nantes were shaken but struck back to restore a three-goal margin again when Portuguese left back Alexandre Cavalcanti, who was awarded Player of the Match after his six goals, decided the duel at 34:31
the best scorers were Valero Rivera, who scored eight goals for Nantes, and Sebastian Barthold, who had seven strikes for Aalborg
Aalborg's home strength seems to be gone 
Last season, Aalborg finished the group phase with seven wins in a row to finish on top of their group. One reason why the Danish side enjoyed their longest winning run was their incredible home strength in their permanently sold-out arena.
This season, despite the signing of superstar Mikkel Hansen, home matches do not seem to be an advantage for the Danish league runners-up. The 32:35 loss against Nantes in the Match Of The Week was their third consecutive home defeat. Of course, they have also duelled with last season’s finalists: Barça and Kielce.  
Aalborg Nantes Jakobsen 2 Quote Image
 A pretty good handball game with two teams who made a lot of goals, but in our defence, we were not good enough today and they just came with more power especially in the beginning of the game.
Benjamin Jakobsen Line player, Aalborg Håndbold
 I think we played a good game tonight. Aalborg is one of the best teams in this group and we are really really happy to win this match. I am proud of my team. I think we controlled the game.
Gregory Cojean Coach, HBC Nantes Last season, Aalborg finished the group phase with seven wins in a row to finish on top of their group. One reason why the Danish side enjoyed their longest winning run was their incredible home strength in their permanently sold-out arena.
This season, despite the signing of superstar Mikkel Hansen, home matches do not seem to be an advantage for the Danish league runners-up. The 32:35 loss against Nantes in the Match Of The Week was their third consecutive home defeat. Of course, they have also duelled with last season’s finalists: Barça and Kielce.