PPD Zagreb have in Varazdin Arena managed to reach first ever SEHA Gazprom victory over Telekom Veszprem outplaying reigning champions with 27:23 (13:10).

‘Lions’ have opened the encounter in an amazing way. Tough defense and good scoring have brought them ‘dream opening’ of 4:0. They have, on wings of great Ivan Stevanovic between posts and Igor Vori managed to keep the gap opened all the way until the half-time whistle and 13:10. However, in the beginning of the second half Veszprem started playing faster, better in defense narrowing the gap all the way to 16:16 with little more than 15 minutes left to play. Hosts have in that moment, luckily for their fans, managed to decide the match with Cingesar making some tough plays on the middle back position and with Stevanovic stopping some clear chances on the other end of the court enlarging the gap to 23:18 and keeping it until the end. Stevanovic was shining with 14 saves, Horvat added 5 goals for Zagreb and on the other side Gajic netted 7 for Veszprem with 5/5 from the 7-meter line.

Silvio Ivandija, PPD Zagreb coach:
We’ve showed great passion and fighting spirit today. Stevanovic was amazing between posts and that, by absence of Mandalinic and Jotic, makes this win even better and bigger especially knowing that we did not manage to beat them for 16 years before this night.  

Luka Sebetic, PPD Zagreb player:
Great match, atmosphere in the team was amazing all the way through the encounter and I do not have anything else to say but what a lovely Saturday evening it was here in Varazdin.  

Xavi Sabate, Telekom Veszprem coach:
I want to congratulate Zagreb, they were a better team today and Stevanovic was for me key player of the encounter.

Adam Borbely, Telekom Veszprem goalkeeper:
We’ve missed a lot of clear chances, chances we definitely shouldn’t miss if we want to beat a team like Zagreb.