Change of leaders!
December 19, 2021
What a weekend! Leaders – HC Viljandi suffered two losses and now are in the second place. ZRHK Tenax Dobele and HC Dragunas Klaipeda lost two games as well. VHC Šviesa, HC Vilnius, Kehra/Horizon Pulp&Paper and Põlva Serviti secured two victories, that also led to the change of leaders, with 11 wins and two losses Põlva Serviti overtook the first spot in ranking.
– Kehra/Horizon Pulp&Paper – ZRHK Tenax Dobele 29:26 (12:12)
Sandris Veršakovs, coach of ZRHK Tenax Dobele
“Unfortunately, two games, but zero points. Of course, we came to fight for victory, although there are several injured players from the main line-up – Kreicbergsg, Arājs, Miķelsons. Yesterday’s game was quite equal, but we made a lot of mistakes. We lost by five in the first half and won by one in the second, but that was not enough. Our first half mistakes did not allow us to fight for the victory. Today we also played an equal game, periodically we were in the lead, then we lost the lead again. Usually I do not complain about what is going on the field, but there were a couple of unprofessional actions, of course, there were also mistakes, hurried shots. Unfortunately, we closed the year with a loss, but now it’s time for rest and training and games with Latvian nation team. Half of the season is yet to come, time will tell.”
Kehra/Horizon Pulp&Paper – Normak 7, Gumianov 7, Seermann 7, Mamporia 5, Kreegimaa 2, Maccauly 1
ZRHK Tenax Dobele – Kurzemnieks 10, Tuminskis 7, Juzups 3, Ērmanis 2, Politers 2, Pančenko 1, Šuleiko 1
– Granitas-Karys Kaunas – Raasiku/Mistra 29:26 (12:14)
Karolis Dambrauskas, player of Granitas-Karys Kaunas
“Game was very interesting. In the first half we played not that good, we were lacking aggressiveness in offense and also in defense. In the second half we stepped back in our game, we were more aggressive and that helped us win the game. Very important win, because this season in BHL we have many similar teams and each point is important. For all the teams and players I wish Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ”
Vladislav Naumenko, player of Raasiku/Mistra
“The game was quite equal, we knew that it will be a tough game, we were preparing for that. Unfortunately, one of our players got injured yesterday. As we had game also yesterday, we were a little bit tired, I think that was one of the reason why we lost the game. Congratulations to the opponents.”
Granitas-Karys Kaunas – Šarkauskas 10, Jovaišas 6, Jurkevičius 3, Dambrauskas 3, Giedraitis 3, Karys 2, Lazauskas 1, Pijus 1
Raasiku/Mistra – Naumenko 8, Nerut 6, Zhitnikov 4, Aus 3, Anton 2, Sokorovich 2, Varik 1
– HC Vilnius – Viljandi HC 32:27 (16:13)
Robertas Skobas, player of HC Vilnius
“Today‘s match was a great success. Our goal was to win and we did it. Thanks to the opponents for the fight. This is our 6th win in a row and we appreciate that. Our defense played very well today. A few times throws have fallen from the block, but today our defense was working perfectly.”
Kristo Voika, coach and player of Viljandi HC
“It was better than yesterday, we were more rested. We played better as yesterday, but it was still not enough to win the game. We started the game really bad, we gave them the confidence, they were controlling the game and we were the guys ‘behind’ all the time. I it is mentally and physically hard to fight all the time to get back in the game. Yesterday also two our players got injured, that gave us disadvantage. But that is why we have spare guys, they gave to be ready to come in the game, that is their chance. It is always hard to play here in Lithuania, we know that. This time two losses, but we will try to do better next time. All in all, nothing is lost, half of the season is still in front of us. Let’s take nice Christmas vacation and start again next year.”
HC Vilnius – Lapinskas 8, Urbonas 7, Drevinskas 6, Petronis 6, Žala 4, Raudonius 1
Viljandi HC – Voika 6, Ruut 5, Pertelson 4, Varik M., 3, Lopp Mi., 3, Lopp Ma., 2, Koks 2, Basarab 2
– VHC Šviesa – SK Tapa 33:25 (15:17)
VHC Šviesa – Palevičius 6, Markiavičius 6, Ugianskis 5, Rasakevičius 5, Bernatavičius 4, Drabavičius 4, Pleta 3,
SK Tapa – not available due to the wrong statistics
– Põlva Serviti – HC Dragunas Klaipeda 42:29 (24:14)
Henri Sillaste, player of Põlva Serviti
“Both games this weekend were tough for us as last weekend we had Estonian cup finals and we are all waiting for long needed Christmas break. Nevertheless, the weekend was successful for us.
Against ZRHK Tenax Dobele we had good first half of the game, the second one was not so good, but we controlled the game. With HC Dragunas Klaipeda, it seemed they had tough match against Kehra/Horizon Pulp&Paper in their legs and heads. We were good in attack as over 40 goals were scored. We have one more game to go until well deserved break.”
Põlva Serviti – Chezlov 7, Varul 7, Kase 5, Saksing 4, Sillaste 4, Sarapuu 4, Rebane 3, Hiiend 3, Meikšāns 2, Celmiņš 1, Uibo 1
HC Dragunas Klaipeda – Hlushak 10, Plakhotin 4, Naghavialhosseini 4, Lapiniauskas 3, Draksas 3, Butkus 2, Simonavicius 2, Palskys 1
| Position | Team | G | W | D | L | +/- | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Põlva Serviti | 13 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 102 | 22 |
| 2. | Viljandi HC | 14 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 65 | 22 |
| 3. | VHC Šviesa Vilnius | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 53 | 21 |
| 4. | HC Vilnius | 13 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 18 |
| 5. | HC Dragunas Klaipeda | 14 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 26 | 16 |
| 6. | Granitas-Karys Kaunas | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 16 |
| 7. | ZRHK Tenax Dobele | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 36 | 15 |
| 8. | HC Kehra/Horizon Pulp&Paper | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | -9 | 12 |
| 9. | Raasiku/Mistra | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -22 | 8 |
| 10. | SK Tapa | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -54 | 8 |
| 11. | Varsa-Stronglasas Alytus | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | -16 | 8 |
| 12. | HK Ogre/HYDROX | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -45 | 6 |
| 13. | SK Latgols Ludza | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | -162 | 0 |