Wisla Plock Secure Main Round Spot with Dominant Victory over Nantes
Orlen Wisla Plock defeated HBC Nantes 33–27 in the final round of the EHF Champions League Men group phase, securing their place in the Main Round with an impressive display of attacking efficiency and goalkeeping.
Nantes started strongly in Poland, with Noam Leopold leading the attack as the visitors established an 11–9 advantage. However, Plock responded with greater defensive intensity, producing a decisive run in the closing minutes of the first half to take a 15–13 lead at halftime. The Polish side maintained their advantage after the restart, with Gergo Fazekas organising the attack and Miljan Vujović making important saves. Plock extended their lead to 20–17, but Nantes continued to fight, reducing the deficit to 24–23 with 12 minutes remaining. The decisive moment came in the final stages. Plock improved their defensive effectiveness and converted their opportunities with remarkable consistency, producing a 9–4 run to close the match. The hosts eventually secured a convincing 33–27 victory, completing the group phase with a result that guaranteed their progression to the Main Round.
THE GAME, MOMENT BY MOMENT.
TEAM STATISTICS
Orlen Wisla PlockHBC NantesSHOOTING PROFILE.
Orlen Wisla PlockSHOT MAP
SHOOTING PROFILE
HBC NantesSHOT MAPPLAYERS WHO SHAPED THE GAME.
For Orlen Wisla Plock, Frederik Bjerre led the scoring with 7 goals from 8 shots (88%), including a perfect 4/4 from seven metres. Gergo Fazekas contributed 3 goals from 3 attempts and 5 assists, while Dawid Dawydzik also finished with a flawless 3/3. Melvyn Richardson and Sergei Kosorotov added four goals each. In goal, Miljan Vujović was decisive, recording 16 saves from 40 shots faced (40%), providing the defensive stability that allowed Plock to control the second half. For HBC Nantes, Noam Leopold delivered an outstanding individual performance with 10 goals from 13 shots (77%). Ihor Turchenko contributed 6 goals from 9 attempts (67%), while Imanol Garciandia finished with a perfect 3/3 (100%).
#66 BJERRE Frederik
#24 FAZEKAS Gergo
#33 DAWYDZIK Dawid
#17 LEOPOLD Noam
#7 TURCHENKO Ihor
#14 GARCIANDIA Imanol
THE LAST LINE.
#16 VUJOVIC Miljan
WHAT DECIDED THE GAME
Plock's superior shooting efficiency and goalkeeping were the main differences. The hosts converted 33 of 45 shots (73%), compared with Nantes' 27 from 51 (53%), demonstrating significantly better finishing despite attempting fewer shots. Goalkeeping reinforced that advantage, with Plock recording 17 saves (39%) against Nantes' 10 (23%). Vujović's performance was particularly important in limiting the visitors' attacking effectiveness. The second half proved decisive, as Plock converted 18 of 22 attempts (82%) while Nantes managed 14 goals from 26 shots (54%). This efficiency, combined with stronger defensive execution, allowed the Polish side to extend their advantage and secure both the victory and qualification for the Main Round.