SEHA GSS SEASON 2014/2015 – From Veszprem to Kragujevac
Regular part of SEHA GAZPROM South Stream League’s fourth season is over. Almost seven months of exciting matches and big handball experience for all of its participants will have a spectacular finish on League’s Final tournament in Veszprem Arena from March 25 to 29.
Hosts of upcoming handball show, MKB MVM Veszprem were almost unbeatable this season with an impressive score of 17 victories and only one defeat, against current title holders Vardar. However, by the title of regular season’s champion they have title for the team with best attack (561 goals scored) and best defence (413 goals against them).
By them, antoher team has showed amazing performance this season in both SEHA GSS League and EHF’s Champions League - Vardar Skopje. Macedonian champions have reached 15 victories, only 3 defeats and second position qualifying direclty to League’s semi-finals.
Most interesting battle of the season was the one for third place at the end of regular season. Belarus title holders Meshkov Brest have managed to take revenge against Zagreb for knocking them out of Champions League by finishing ahead of them in SEHA GSS League reaching third place. Coach Željko Babić has same ambitions - playing in F4 finals which will this season be extremely difficult to reach.
PPD Zagreb are fourth with Veselin Vujović reaching best in his players qualifying for Champions League’s Last 16. Score in regional competition was 12-6 with goal of reaching best possible result on Final tournament. But, as coach says, so called semis against Tatran are for now their only goal and match they are preparing for.
Slovak champions Tatran have had a lot of ups and downs this season with Dainis Kristopans deciding to part company with the club only a month ago slightly reducing Tatran’s chances on Final tournament.
Last member of League’s TOP 6 are NEXE Našice, Croatian vice-champions. Coach Zdenko Kordi has managed to prepare his players for tough matches in last few weeks during which they have managed to overtake position 6 from Macedonian champions Metalurg and keep them under the line for only one point.
It was expected for reigning Macedonian champions Metalurg Skopje to compete for SEHA GSS title, but that did not happen for the second year in a row. Financial problems have forced almost whole roster to leave Skopje in the middle of the season causing series of defeats in 2015 (only home draw against Vojvodina).
Borac Banja Luka have on the other side raised in form significantly in last few matches winning eight place ahead of Serbian duo - Vojvodina and Radnički. However, both of those clubs have during the season proved quality which has in multiple situations put their rivals under pressure, especially in their home matches.
SEHA GAZPROM South Stream League has had five teams in VELUX EHF Champions League’s group stage this season as well as two members in EHF Cup’s Group Stage.
League’s top scorer after the regular part of the season is Tatran’s Radoslav Antl with 96 goals. Most efficient goalkeeper so far is Veszprem’s Roland Mikler with 41% saving percentage - almost 10 per match. Strongest attack was Veszprem’s with 561 goals scored and Metalurg have on the other side had most problems reaching opponent’s net scoring 397 goals. Hungarians have also presented best defence allowing opponents 413 goal while Radnički’ goalkeepers had to take 589 balls from their nets in 18 matches.