Sensational victory for NEXE against Meshkov Brest
Senzacionalna pobjeda NEXE-a
Only two days after a victory against PPD Zagreb Meshkov played a second match in Croatia in just three days, this time against NEXE Nasice. Belarusian team's tiredness was, along with NEXE's big match enough to make this one of the biggest victories ever for the team from Slavonia.
Thunders were able to provide excellent resistance from the very beginning. Despite of Meshkov's early 3 goal lead Kordi's guys did not give up scoring an equalizer in the beginning of the first 30 minutes even catching the lead before the half-time whistle.
Meshkov started playing better in the second part with Stojkovic, Atman and Kristopans leading their game and finally providing Prodanovic with a chance to bring them the lead with a bit less than 20 minutes left to play. A minute before that Marin Sakic was given a red card after a foul on Shumak. However, hosts did not surrender which has brought them the lead with just 30 second left to play in the match. In Meshkov's final attack Stojkovic comitted offensive foul giving Slavonian fans a sign to get the big celebration started.
Zdenko Kordi, NEXE coach:
First of all I want to congratulate to all my players and especially to
our fans. This is our biggest victory this season and one of the biggest in club's
history. Two days ago we've had a very hard and for us more important match in EHF
Cup against Dukla meaning we did not have much time to prepare for this one.
Win is very important for our self-confidence.
Vedran Zrnic, NEXE player:
This match has given us a sight in how good team we actually have. With
approoach like this we can play in one of EHF Cup's groups. I'd also like to
thank our fans. They were really our eighth player today. However, there is no
need for much praises just like there is no need for lots of criticism when we
do not play as good as we did today.
Sergej Bebeshko, Meshkov coach:
We've had four matches in eight days and this was our first defeat after
three wins. We are emotionally empty but that does not make NEXE's triumph
smaller and less important. They were eager to fight and give everything to win
this which means this was well deserved.
Ljubo Vukic, Meshkov player:
Excellent game for NEXE, they deserve congrats. We were not as tired as
we were emotionally empty. We must learn from this.