HK Sveiaasa claimed a 34:31 victory over Istanbul Gençlik Spor Kulübü in the European Cup on Friday evening, turning the tables on their Turkish opponents who had beaten them 44:37 just seven days earlier. The match took place at the Sveiaasa arena with the final whistle blowing after what proved to be a tightly contested affair.
Istanbul came into this fixture carrying momentum from their comfortable win over Sveiaasa in their previous meeting, a result that had left the Lithuanian side looking for answers. They started brightly, taking an early lead that suggested they might replicate their performance from the earlier encounter.
But Sveiaasa refused to lie down, finding a response that shifted the complexion of the game. They pulled level and then took control, with their defence tightening and their attack finding its rhythm. The crowd roared them on as the home side built a lead they would not relinquish.
The margin of victory was narrower than Istanbul's previous triumph, suggesting a more balanced contest than either side might have expected. Sveiaasa's attack found its range while their goalkeeper made crucial saves when it mattered most, and the visitors could not find the gaps they had exploited so effectively on their last visit.
This result gives Sveiaasa breathing room in the European Cup standings and ends Istanbul's unbeaten run against the Lithuanian side. Both teams will now look ahead to their next fixtures with something to prove, but for now the momentum belongs to the hosts.
