VIDEO. Toulouse: Fenix creates the feat in the European Cup in a sold-out sports hall
By Anthony Assemat
Published on
They did it ! On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Fenix handball achieved the feat by beating Portuguese club Benfica in 8and first leg final of EHF, the equivalent of the Europa League in football, the second European Cup.
Benfica, one of the favorites
A 38-34 victory acquired in a warm atmosphere at the sports palace André Brouat, which was sold out for the occasion. Before this first leg, the Toulouse staff were aware of the challenge offered by this formation. “Opposite, Benfica has a budget twice as large as ours and a large workforce. We have nothing to lose and want to beat this team. We are going to fight like dogs”, explained Danijel Andjelkovic, the coach.
For the president of Fenix, Philippe Dalard, Benfica is even one of the favorites in the competition, “along with Nantes and a few German clubs”. Nantes, a big French championship of Liqui Moly Starligue and which had lost against the Portuguese this season in EHF…
Scenario reversal after the break
However, the first period was complicated for the players of Danijel Andjelkovic. Led 20-17 at the break, the Toulouse accelerated on the return from the locker room, with in particular a burning Nemanja Ilic (9 goals) and eight saves from Jeff Lettens in the cage. Opposite, Petar Djordjic, author of 13 goals, was difficult to contain.
The Fenix ends March in vain
This brilliant European victory crowns an exceptional month of March 2022 for the handball players of the Pink City. Undefeated since February 26 and a defeat in Montpellier (35-32), the Fenix has chained seven consecutive successes, in the league, French Cup and European Cup.
Return match on April 5
Before a return match which promises to be boiling in Portugal, Tuesday April 5, 2022, the Toulouse team defeated Saran at the sports hall for the Liqui Moly Starligue, Saturday April 2, 2022.
>> The summary of the match in video <
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