CO Zagreb's handballers are back on SEHA GSS league's top along with Tatran Presov after a hard win in Banja Luka against Borac. Start was brilliant for Zagreb with 6:0, 8:1 but then they stopped and allowed Borac to catch them with 7:0 series. Half-time result was 12:12. Second half was much harder than expected for Croatian champion. Neither team managed to make a bigger goal difference which has brought us into an exciting finish. Stepancic scored for 23:25, Obradovic for 24:25 and after that Zagreb did a routine job of saving the ball waiting for the final whistle. Great match for Ivan Stevanovic, captain Zlatko Horvat and match winner Luka Stepancic speaking of Zagreb. Mario Blazevic was great on goal along with Branislav Obranovic in attack for hosts. Here is what players and coaches think of the match:

 

Boris Dvorsek, CO Zagreb's coach:

We've expected an easier win although we knew how strong Borac is and that's why win is the only thing we could be satisfied with. We've had 8:1 then stopped, Borac woke up and it turned out to be an eciting match until the end. Good match from Borac, great atmosphere. I believe crowd has enjoyed quality handball.

 

Jerko Matulic, CO Zagreb's player:

While we were holding on to our agreement things were fine but when we weren't things changed rapidly. Borac is much better team then their position on league's table says but we shouldn't allow ourselves such ups and downs we had today.

 

Jani Cop, Borac's coach:

- We had to spend to much energy to catch Zagreb in the first part of the first half and it has in my opinion decided the match. Our roster is not as big as Zagreb's, our rotation too. We've managed to stop their fast transformation and counter attacks but they were simply too experienced in the end.

 

Branislav Obradovic, Borac's player:

- Our start was too bad and although we've given our maximum in the rest of the match we weren't able to catch them and win some points. This match has however showed that we can get back into the game after loosing with big goal difference and I hope supporters are satisfied and that they will be with us in the upcoming matches.