Narrow and tough. Those would be perfect words to describe Champions League's Round 6 in which SEHA Gazprom League's aces have managed to grab some big, important victories. Highlight of the weekend behind us surely was Vardar's shiny 40-goal performance and an amazingly confident 40:34 win at home against reigning champions Kielce. Leveled after first half but in the second it was a real Macedonian storm led by hurricanes Karacic (9 goals), Dibirov (8) and Dujshebaev (8) accompanied by remarkable performance between bars for Sterbik to give Vardar a big boost landing them on top of group B.

Meshkov have also managed to grab a win at home against Kristianstad. In the end it was 32:27 on wings of who else than Atman and Kristopans who were once again on the level scoring 5 each as well as Rutenka. Clear win as it was already +4 after first 30 minutes.

Other two SEHA representatives in group B were not as successful with Celje PL losing by a big 6-goal margin in Szeged. Zvizej scored 5, Janc, Malus and Marguc 4 each but that was not enough with hosts managing to break their resistance in the second half after leading with only 1 at the half-time.

PPD Zagreb have managed to come only a small step away from what could have been one of the biggest surprises of the round losing with only 1-goal difference (25:24) against highly favored Rhein Neckar Löwen away from home. Another late bloomer for Zagreb as they were 4 goals down after first 30 but this time even Mandalinic’ 9 goals were not enough to secure points. Captain Horvat added 4 as well as youngster Jotic but a late effort was simply not enough for points.  

In group A Veszprem have, harder than expected, managed to grab two points against Silkeborg in a match which could have been decided much earlier considering the fact that reigning SEHA title holders were 4 goals up after the first half. In the end however, win is the only thing that matters along with who was there to secure it and this time it was Ilic with 9 goals as well as Gajic with 6 and Nagy with 5.

In the next round Veszprem will host PSG, PPD Zagreb will in Arena Varazdin welcome Kielce, Vardar will travel to Germany to meet Rhein Neckar Löwen and Brest will host another SEHA derby of the Champions League with home-team Meshkov facing off against Celje PL.

In group C SEHA Gazprom League has two of its participants. Round 6 has brought joy to one of them - Tatran who have managed to beat Chehovskie Medvedi away from home in a thriller ending with 28:29. Peskov scored 7, Rabek and Urban 5 each. Metalurg were not as lucky losing with 24:30 at home against Montpellier despite of another stellar performance from Obradovic who was leading Cervar’s boys on the court with 10 goals. Ilic added 4 but it was not enough to surprise experienced French side.

In the next round Tatran will host Montpellier and Metalurg will play Elverum away from home.

STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 6:

Group A: PSG 10, Barcelona 10, Veszprem 8, Flensburg 7, Kiel 6, Silkeborg 4, Wisla 3, Schaffhausen 0.

Group B: Vardar 10, Rhein Neckar Löwen 9, Kielce 8, Szeged 7, Meshkov 6, Celje PL 3, Kristianstad 3, PPD Zagreb 2.

Group C: La Rioja 9, Montpellier 8, Tatran 6, Elverum 5, Chehovskie Medvedi 4, Metalurg 4.

Group D: Nantes 11, Motor 7, Besiktas 7, Dinamo Bucuresti 4, ABC/UMinho 4, Holstebro 3.