After standing up to the Füchse Berlin throughout the first period, Montpellier saw their hopes of the European League final disappear in the second act (29-35).
Montpellier will not add the European League to their list this season. On the floor of the Flens-Arena in Flensburg, the MHB cracked against the strike force of the Füchse Berlin, in search of a third title in the second European Handball Cup. After a crossover during the first seven minutes, Arthur Lenne (2 goals on 5 shots) allowed the Héraultais to make the first break in this semi-final.
Patrice Canayer’s proteges pushed their advantage to three lengths after the first ten minutes thanks to two seven-meter throws by Julien Bos (6 goals from 8 shots) then an achievement from Yanis Lenne (6 goals from 9 shots). From then on, the gap oscillated between one and three units, Mathias Gidsel (6 goals on 8 shots) doing what was necessary to keep the Berlin formation afloat. The end of the first act was more complicated for the Montpellier residents, who remained almost six minutes without managing to beat Dejan Milosavljev (11 saves at 28% efficiency).
[@ehfel_official – Demi-finale]
The MHB lost in the semi-final against the @FuechseBerlin in a bitter and disputed meeting.
➡️ Sunday, third place is at 3:30 p.m., either against Granollers (ESP) or Göppingen (GER). pic.twitter.com/Jctn9B8pqE
— Montpellier Handball (@mhbofficiel) May 27, 2023
Montpellier overtaken in the second period
The “foxes” took the opportunity to come back to the top thanks to Fabian Wiede (2 goals on 5 shots) then Hans Lindberg (8 goals on 11 shots). 19 seconds from the break, Kyllian Villeminot (4 goals from 8 shots) thought he would allow MHB to take the lead but Mathias Gidsel replied with two seconds left to play. Upon returning to the floor, the German team took control thanks in particular to three achievements in just over two minutes signed Mijajlo Marsenic. A start to the second period which could have seen Kyllian Villeminot receive a red card after a shot having ended its race in the head of the “foxes” goalkeeper.
This semi-final quickly changed with a 6-1 in eight minutes which gave the Füchse Berlin a six-point lead. The Montpellier players tried to fight back but could not come back within five lengths. Faced with a Berlin formation certain of its strength, the die was cast. Montpellier lost in the end by six lengths (29-35) and will have the opportunity to react this Sunday during the small final.