2025-09-28 21:01

Today we played for the top spot in the group against Al Ahly. With all the other group matches already completed, it was clear: if we beat the Egyptian side, we would face Magdeburg in the semifinal. The two teams had already met earlier this season at the Doboj tournament, where we edged out Al Ahly 28–27.

This time, the atmosphere in the arena was different from yesterday, as Al Ahly’s fans filled the stands in large numbers and passionately supported their team. We started the match with the attacking lineup of Remili, ElDeraa, Pechmalbec, Marguc, Zein, and Descat, with Corrales in goal and Petrus on the bench. Our first goal came from Pechmalbec in the 2nd minute. The opening minutes were evenly matched, with defenses on top: after five minutes the scoreboard read 2–2. In the 9th minute, Remili’s goal gave us our first two-goal lead.

The Egyptians quickly erased the deficit, and after 14 minutes it was level again at 6–6. At this point, substitutions were made: Cindric and Martinovic came on in attack, Ligetvári in defense. Then came Cindric’s spell: playing with great energy, he scored back-to-back goals and even netted from a fast break after a steal, pushing the score to 11–8 — our first three-goal lead. The first half was defined by defense and goalkeeping, with both teams well-prepared tactically. But we slipped at the end of the half: after Xavier Pascual’s timeout, we missed our chance, and Al Ahly needed just 11 seconds to cut the deficit. At halftime: 13–12.

The second half began with Al Ahly in possession, but our starting lineup returned in defense. Ali Zein opened the scoring with a powerful long-range shot, quickly restoring the three-goal cushion. It was clear after the break that we had stepped up: tougher defense, smarter attacking plays, and successful steals pushed the gap to 19–14. A short slump followed, however, with defensive errors allowing Al Ahly to close in and even attack for minus two.

But as the match entered its final phase, the Egyptians ran out of steam. Led by Descat and his reliable penalty shooting, we steadily extended our lead. The gap widened further: Martinovic’s goal in the 57th minute made it 29–21, a nine-goal difference. The match ended 31–22, sending us through as group winners to face SC Magdeburg in Tuesday’s semifinal.

Player of the Match: Rodrigo Corrales

One Veszprém – Al Ahly 31–22 (13–12)

One Veszprém HC: Appelgren, Corrales – Petrus, Martinovic 1, Descat 9, Hesham, Elísson 1, Ligetvári, Marguc 3, Cindric 4, Remili 4, ElDeraa 1, Pechmalbec 2, Gáncs-Pető 1, Adel 1, Zein 4.
Al Ahly: Abdelrahman, Taha – Sherif 5, Salah, El Masry, Kasparek, Azab, Gebala, Ramadan 3, Magdy, Ehab 1, Saifeldeen 5, Hesham 2, Hassan 4, Sami 2, Awadala.
Suspensions: 6 minutes / 8 minutes
Penalties: 5/5 – 3/3

STATEMENTS

Xavier Pascual
We took the match seriously, especially in the second half. Our defense was excellent throughout, and in the second half our attack also improved. We found better solutions in our finishing, and I am very satisfied with the result.

Máté Gáncs-Pető
Congratulations to the opposing team, they made things very difficult for us, especially in the first half. We made many technical mistakes, which prevented us from pulling away. In the second half we came out much more focused, played with fewer errors, and that’s how we managed to secure the victory.

#RedUnited #HandballCity #StrongerTogether

MEGOSZTÁS