Match of the week in EHF Champions League’s Round 5 was the one played in Arena Zagreb - SEHA Gazprom derby between PPD Zagreb and Vardar. Amazing atmosphere with more than 9,500 fans pushing Zagreb ‘Lions’ towards first points this season and in the end they were not left disappointed with PPD Zagreb grabbing a narrow thriller (28:27) victory against favored opponents from Macedonia. Markovic was unstoppable in the second half helping Zagreb overcome 5 goal deficit from the first half scoring 6 goals. Mandalinic added 5, captain Horvat and Sebetic 4 each. Alex Dujshebaev was on the other side once again Vardar’s best player scoring 5 goals, Cupic added 4 as well as Dibirov.

Meshkov Brest were two goals short from winning the match against Szeged in Hungary and clearing the path towards next round. Hungarians were one goal up after first 30 and in the end it was 24:22 with Atman and Stojkovic scoring 4 goals each. Shylovich and Vukic have added 3 goals each but that was simply not enough for Belarusian champions to secure what could have been an important away triumph.

Celje PL have on the other side managed to catch a point away in a tough road game in Sweden against Kristianstad. They have managed to come back into the match after being 3 goals down after the first half, Janc was remarkable with 9 goals, Marguc added 5 as well as Poteko but they did not manage to completely turn the match over and take full bags back to Slovenia. In the end 29:29.

Telekom Veszprem are, unfortunately for their fans, failing to keep the pace running in race with their opponents in group A and they are now four points behind top-placed Barcelona after the loss (26:23) against multiple Spanish champions. Hungarians were looking to reduce the gap with a victory. Gajic scored 5, Nilsson 4, Palmarsson, Ilic and Ugalde 3 each but that was not enough to surprise a team which surely knows how to win tough Champions League’s matches as they remain the only unbeaten team in two strongest CL groups after 5 rounds.

In the next round PPD Zagreb will travel to Germany to meet Rhein Neckar Löwen, Vardar will welcome Kielce, Celje PL will host Szeged and Meshkov will play Kristianstad in Brest. Telekom Veszprem will, in group A, welcome Bjeringbro Silkeborg.

STANDINGS IN GROUP A AFTER ROUND 5:

Barcelona 10, PSG 8, Kiel 6, Telekom Veszprem 6, Flensburg 5, Silkeborg 4, Wisla 1, Kadetten 0.

STANDINGS IN GROUP B AFTER ROUND 5:

Kielce 8, Vardar 8, Rhein Neckar Löwen 7, Szeged 5, Meshkov 4, Kristianstad 3, Celje PL 3, PPD Zagreb 2.

In groups C and D SEHA Gazprom League has two representatives. In fifth round Tatran have managed to beat Chehovskie Medvedi 30:28 with Hrstka scoring 9 and Rabek adding 7. Metalurg, on the other side, weren’t that lucky losing 28:18 against Montpellier despite of Brajovic scoring 5 and Pesevski adding 4.

In the next round Metalurg will now welcome Montpellier and Tatran will travel to Russia and try to once again win against Chehovskie Medvedi.

STANDINGS IN GROUP C AFTER ROUND 5:

La Rioja 7, Montpellier 6, Elverum 5, Chehovskie Medvedi 4, Tatran 4, Metalurg 4.

STANDINGS IN GROUP D AFTER ROUND 5:

Nantes 9, Besiktas 7, Motor 5, Dinamo Bucuresti 4, ABC/UMinho 4, Holstebro 1.