MT Melsungen saw off Vardar 33-31 at home in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. The result keeps the German side in contention after a competitive first outing. Two points separate the hosts from their opponents in the opening round.
Both teams came into the match with momentum. Melsungen had drawn 31-31 with Gummersbach five days earlier and beaten Goppingen 31-18 before that. Vardar were coming off a 31-19 victory over Eurofarm Pelister 2 on Sunday, having won three of their previous four meetings across all competitions.
and here's the thing — the prediction we made beforehand landed. We called for the hosts at 67 per cent confidence, and Melsungen delivered. The difference came in the closing stages when Vardar pressed but could not find the equaliser. A tight finish settled the matter.
The visitors had shown attacking intent in their last outing against Pelister 2, but Melsungen's defence held firm when it mattered. Both sides traded goals throughout, with neither able to build a sustained lead. The match never truly slipped away from either side until the final minutes.
Melsungen's recent record shows they can compete with anyone in this competition. They had dropped points against Füchse Berlin and beaten Sporting away, while Vardar's run included victories over Nehe and Olympiacos. This result suggests both clubs are ready for the challenge ahead.
One point separates the two sides at this stage. The table remains open after the opening round, and results like this will shape how the group unfolds. Melsungen take home three points after a hard-fought victory.