Match Analysis: Elverum Vs. Montpellier

by Mário Cesar Navarro EHF Champions League, Handball Analysis

In one more round of the EHF Champions League, Montpellier HB, which occupies the top of group A with 9 points, travelled to Norway to face Elverum Handball, which occupies the 5th position at one point from the leaders Montpellier HB and THW Kiel.

Elverum Handball is going through an excellent moment of the form wherein the twenty official games played this season, they won 17 games, drew against Zagreb and Vardar, and lost one against THW Kiel.

Read more to stay with some data about the EHF Champions League match of the week.

Both teams entered with a high-speed attack level averaging 31 seconds and 28 seconds per possession, respectively, on 57 possessions. However, Montpellier was more effective in the attack and the shots, keeping the lead from minute 1. Even during the 2nd and 7th minutes with exclusions, they maintained and established a three-goal advantage.

The trend of the game didn’t change, and Montpellier continued strong without giving Elverum much chance, reaching halftime leading by five goals.

In the first half, the French team had 71,4% of offensive efficiency, 20 goals from 27 shots (74,1%), effectiveness in numerical inferiority (100%), and breakthrough and pivot shots (100%), as well as five saves from their goalkeeper (25%).

However, Elverum never gave up, despite the difficulties they presented to keep up with Montpellier. Still, six turnovers, ten missed shots, four exclusions and no saves from their goalkeeper justify the result at halftime.

In the second half, Montpellier HB continued their almost perfect game and even reached the ten goal lead, while Elverum continued their difficult battle facing the French. However, a bad start in the second half made the score increase to ten goals in favour of the French, allowing Montpellier to win by seven goals until the end of the game.

At the end of the game, it is essential to highlight the effectiveness of Montpellier HB in attack and shooting, numerical inferiority, and the MVP of the match to Gilberto Duarte.

On Elverum’s side, the attitude and determination put on the field did not allow them to overcome a Montpellier at a high level of performance.

Montpellier HB keeps the lead in group A of the EHF Champions League at the end of this round.

Author Profile

Mário Cesar Navarro
Portuguese handball coach with over 15 years of experience coaching both male and female youth and senior teams. Passionate about game analysis and coaching.