Buducnost Survive Sola’s Late Comeback
Buducnost secured a dramatic 23–22 victory over Sola in the EHF Champions League Women, surviving a remarkable second-half comeback and protecting their narrow advantage in the final seconds.
Sola Håndballklubb made the stronger start in Podgorica, establishing an early 3–1 advantage while Buducnost struggled to convert their opening opportunities. Rikke Granlund was immediately influential in the Norwegian goal, making several important saves and preventing the home side from finding an early attacking rhythm. However, Buducnost gradually improved their defensive organisation and began to recover possession more effectively. Goals from Djurdjina Jaukovic, Hannah Vuljak and Ivana Godec helped the Montenegrin side turn the score around, moving ahead 4–3 in the tenth minute. The match remained balanced during the following minutes, with Frida Brandbu Andersen providing important offensive solutions for Sola. At 6–6, Buducnost began to establish greater control. Ivona Pavicevic restored their advantage before consecutive goals from Hannah Vuljak and Jelena Vukcevic extended the lead to 9–6. Sola continued to compete, reducing the difference to a single goal at 10–9, but Buducnost responded effectively during the closing minutes of the first half. Goals from Pavicevic, Andrijana Popovic and Vukcevic helped the hosts reach halftime with a 14–11 advantage. The second half initially suggested that Buducnost were moving towards a comfortable victory. The home side scored the first two goals after the break, extending their lead to 16–11, before maintaining a five-goal advantage at 18–13 in the 37th minute. But the momentum was about to change. Buducnost began experiencing significant difficulties in attack, while Sola improved their defensive performance and found greater consistency in front of goal. Goals from Angunn Gudmestad, Synne With and Camilla Herrem gradually reduced the difference to 18–16. Ivana Godec responded from seven metres to restore a three-goal advantage, and Buducnost continued to protect that margin until the final ten minutes. However, the Norwegian side refused to surrender.With Granlund producing important saves and Buducnost struggling to convert their opportunities, Sola scored three consecutive goals to recover from 20–17 to 20–20 in the 55th minute. The match had suddenly become a battle of nerves.Godec converted another seven-metre throw to restore Buducnost's lead at 21–20, before Pavicevic extended the difference to two goals. Brandbu Andersen responded for Sola, but Godec remained composed from the penalty line, scoring her seventh goal to make it 23–21 with just over one minute remaining. Hanna Ræstad reduced the deficit to 23–22 with 36 seconds left. Buducnost then lost possession with 14 seconds remaining, giving Sola one final opportunity to equalise. Brandbu Andersen's attempt was saved by Armelle Attingré with four seconds remaining, and Gudmestad's final shot missed the target as time expired. Buducnost survived the comeback and secured a dramatic 23–22 victory.
THE GAME, MOMENT BY MOMENT.
TEAM STATISTICS
OTP Group BuducnostSola HåndballklubbSHOOTING PROFILE.
OTP Group BuducnostSHOT MAP
SHOOTING PROFILE
Sola HåndballklubbSHOT MAPPLAYERS WHO SHAPED THE GAME.
Ivana Godec was Buducnost's leading offensive performer, finishing with seven goals from eight attempts for 88% shooting efficiency. Her contribution was particularly important from the seven-metre line, where she converted all four attempts. Two of those penalties came during the decisive final minutes, helping Buducnost regain control after Sola had levelled the match. Jelena Vukcevic also delivered a perfect performance, scoring three goals from three attempts, all from seven metres. Ivona Pavicevic contributed three goals from four shots (75%), including the important goal that extended Buducnost's advantage to 22–20 during the closing minutes. In goal, Armelle Attingré finished with nine saves and a 30% save rate. Although Sola found greater offensive consistency after halftime, her intervention in the final seconds was crucial to protecting the victory. For Sola, Frida Brandbu Andersen led the attack with seven goals from 12 attempts, adding four assists and two steals. Her offensive contribution was particularly important throughout the Norwegian side's comeback. Angunn Gudmestad finished with three goals from four shots (75%), while Hanna Ræstad contributed two goals from three attempts and three assists, including Sola's final goal of the match. Rikke Granlund was another standout performer, recording 13 saves from 33 shots for a 39% save rate. Her second-half performance was particularly influential, helping Sola limit Buducnost to just nine goals after halftime and creating the opportunity for the visitors to recover from a five-goal deficit.
#11 GODEC Ivana
#99 VUKCEVIC Jelena
#91 PAVICEVIC Ivona
#10 GUDMESTAD Angunn
#3 BRANDBU Frida
#11 RÆSTAD Hanna
THE LAST LINE.
#12 ATTINGRÉ Armelle
#12 GRANLUND Rikke Marie
WHAT DECIDED THE GAME
Buducnost's victory was largely decided by their perfect seven-metre efficiency and superior possession control, despite Sola producing stronger overall shooting and goalkeeping statistics. The Montenegrin side converted all eight of their seven-metre attempts, accounting for eight of their 23 goals. Sola, by comparison, scored only once from the penalty line. That difference proved crucial in a match decided by a single goal. Sola were more efficient from open play and finished with 59% overall shooting efficiency compared with Buducnost's 55%. Rikke Granlund also outperformed the Buducnost goalkeepers, helping the Norwegian side finish with 13 saves against nine. However, Buducnost committed only nine turnovers compared with Sola's 16, allowing the hosts to maintain greater control over their attacking possessions. The second half demonstrated how quickly that advantage could disappear. Buducnost scored only nine goals from 20 shots (45%), while Sola improved to 61% efficiency and recovered from 18–13 to 20–20. Ultimately, Buducnost's flawless penalty shooting, fewer turnovers and composure in the final minutes made the difference. Ivana Godec's decisive seven-metre conversions and Armelle Attingré's final save ensured that Sola's impressive comeback remained incomplete.