Dragunas Edges Past Viljandi HC with Stellar First-Half Performance

January 25, 2025

Dragunas Edges Past Viljandi HC with Stellar First-Half Performance

In an exhilarating Baltic Handball League encounter, HC Dragunas edged out Viljandi HC with a 29-26 victory at BI Baziu Valdymo Centras. Building on their previous close win against Viljandi HC last April, Dragunas demonstrated resilience and tactical superiority to secure another triumph over their Estonian rivals.

Key Moments in the Match

The match began with intense back-and-forth action. Dragunas’ Mykolas Lapiniauskas scored the opening goal in the first minute, setting the tone for a competitive game. Viljandi HC quickly responded through Sten Maassalu to level the score at 1-1.

Dragunas took control midway through the first half, extending their lead to 17-10 by halftime. Gytis Šmantauskas shone during this period, scoring five crucial goals that kept Viljandi’s defense under constant pressure.

Viljandi HC launched a spirited comeback in the second half, led by Aleksander Pertelson, who delivered an outstanding performance with 11 goals from 14 attempts. Despite their efforts, Dragunas’ consistent teamwork and defensive composure ensured their lead remained intact until the final whistle.

Top Performers

HC Dragunas:

  • Gytis Šmantauskas: A standout performer, scoring 5 goals from 8 attempts, and playing a pivotal role in the first-half dominance.
  • Lukas Juskenas: Delivered under pressure with 4 goals from 7 shots, showcasing his versatility and precision.
  • Deividas Virbauskas: Consistently reliable, scoring 3 goals and contributing to Dragunas’ defensive stability.

Viljandi HC:

  • Aleksander Pertelson: A phenomenal performance, scoring 11 goals and almost single-handedly keeping Viljandi in contention.
  • Hendrik Koks: Despite some missed opportunities, contributed 4 goals and maintained pressure on Dragunas’ defense.
  • Johannes Pertelson: Added valuable support with 2 crucial goals during the second-half rally.

Play Analysis

HC Dragunas dominated early, capitalizing on Viljandi’s missed opportunities, including penalty shots by Hendrik Koks and Kristo Voika. Dragunas’ defense, led by disciplined play and timely interceptions, held firm despite Viljandi’s aggressive push in the latter stages.

Viljandi HC’s Aleksander Pertelson emerged as the game’s leading scorer, consistently finding the back of the net even in challenging situations. However, missed penalty opportunities and crucial turnovers ultimately hindered their comeback bid.