SEHA derby: Remarkable Urban Lesjak saves the day for Celje PL with amazing 16 saves

Urban Lesjak

Zagreb will, for at least one more season, remain an unbeatable fortress for Celje Pivovarna Lasko. This time they have, however, managed to come a step closer with the match ending with a 25:25 (16:14) draw.   

First half of the match proved the 'derby of the round' title with both teams hustling hard to keep the match narrow and competitive. Goalkeepers were the only factors not on the highest possible level giving fans an amazing opportunity to see 30 goals in first 30 minutes (it was 16:14 after the half-time buzzer). Borut Mackovsek's jump shot was an absolute enigma for hosts as he led his team scoring 4 and sharing the ball well mostly helping Igor Anic reach 3 in only a few minutes. Luka Mrakovcic, who on the other side came in to replace the injured Domagoj Pavlovic, was dictating the tempo of the attack in a proper way activating all of his offensive assets like Mandalinic who netted 3 and Vuglac who added 2 along with Hrstic.

Although it did not look like that in the first half when PPD Zagreb were safely in control of the game, match entered a narrow ending. Hosts have in the second half even managed to enlarge the gap to 5 but after that remarkable Urban Lesjak caught fire completely closing his goal finishing the match with amazing 16 saves! Zagreb's attack was simply put to sleep and Celje's offense was on the other side working perfectly with newest reinforcement Luka Mitrovic dictating the tempo for his back players. Guests completely closed the gap at 23:23 with 10 minutes left to play. In the end 25:25 with both teams failing to score in their final attacks - Josip Valcic committed attacking foul and on the other side Matevz Skok saved Jaka Malus' shot.

Mandalinic finished the match as PPD Zagreb's best scorer with 5 while on the other side Mackovsek added as much with Urban Lesjak promoting himself to man of the match with amazing 16 saves.