Hopes of moving on to the next stage broke down in Israel

Klaipėdos „Dragūnas“ failed to cross the barrier of „Maccabi Rishon Lezion“ during the first round of the European Handball Cup in Israel on September 7 and 8.

The Israeli team won the first match with a score of 34:28 (19:12) and the second with a score of 23:20 (12:13).

„In the second match in Israel we looked better. We were leading by five goals and if it wasn’t for the mistakes, we might have returned with a win. But by the middle of the second half it was already clear that we would not win by 6 goals or more. It was possible only to win. Instead, our young players took to the field to taste the international handball, which I think was more important than a win by one or two goals“, – said „Dragūnas“ head coach Artūras Juškėnas.

„There still are many mistakes and we are not realizing the opportunities we create. But in the second match, before we let the youth off the bench, our goalkeepers and defense worked well“, – added A. Juškėnas.

After beginning and finishing European Cup early team from Klaipėda will participate in Lithuanian handball championship and Baltic handball League. Matches will begin this month. Before that „Dragūnas“ will seek to join forces and win the Lithuanian Cup this Saturday.