Manchester 28 - Wirral 22 5th October 2008, Bellevue
Opening match of the season for Manchester, and a tough encounter with Wirral. Wirral started strongly, with good half play allowing space for their wingers to score a majority of their goals. Manchester failed to get into a team rhythm both in defence and in attack, relying upon individual performances of the vocal Celian Girost and Thomasz Lasek to keep them in touch. When the team did play, pace and movement found space on the line for Minas Georgiou. The second half saw Manchester come out stronger in defence, getting to grips with the Wirral attacks, breaking down the well oiled half plays, and scoring on the counter attack. Manchester were able to rotate more regularly with their larger squad, keeping fresh and holding Wirral at bay despite a late come back. Man of the match – Celian Girost.
Match report by - James Bussell
Liverpool 22 - Manchester 28 18th October 2008, Nottingham
Following a great weekend in Innsbruck for their first ever EHF challenge cup participation, Manchester HC were to travel to Nottingham to resume their battle for the EHA national league title. Playing against an unbeaten Liverpool team sitting at the top of the league was going to prove an interesting challenge and needless to say, a difficult one. Clever defending from Liverpool with man marking from the start allowed them to keep contact for most of the first half, MHC only edging ahead with a two goal capital after 30mins. The second half saw another game of cat and mouse being played, and Liverpool coming back on a few occasions. However, the bigger bench on the MHC side allowed them to edge ahead in the last few minutes of the game and end up with a 6 goal lead. An interesting event took place in the last MHC attacking phase being sanctioned with a free throw for Manchester on the 11 metres line. Ahead stepped Tomasz Lasek who had a frustrating day due to almost permanent man marking. In between him and the goal stood 4 Liverpool defenders and the goalkeeper...that was no to be a deterrent. Tomasz threw his final shoot with all his heart, power and frustration and that was simply too strong for the Liverpudlian defenders or keeper to stop, going in just under the bar, and allowing the Manchester boys to finish the game on a high after a pretty difficult day back on English soil. Also to note an interesting performance from New boy Petr Karas and a 100% record for Julien Blieck on his first game for the club this year!
Match report by - Karim Hammache
Manchester 35 - Bolton 25 26th October 2008, Greenbank
Manchester HC were to meet their neighbours from Bolton in Liverpool (neutral ground) with the objective to bring back a victory without their star scorer Tomasz Lasek, injured. A win would mean the first place in the Northern league. The match started with a slow pace and with many mistakes being made. As the players started to get frustrated, the level of the game lowered down and MHC could not take a real advantage with at best maintaining a two goals advance on the determined Bolton side. With more players on the bench, MHC knew that their best chance was to increase the pace of the game, which meant to play as a team and not waste any chance when taking a shot. By half-time, Bolton closed the gap and the score at 12-11 showed that the low paced game did not decisively favoured MHC. The break at half-time gave the opportunity for each player to re-concentrate and to the coach of the day (the injured Tomasz) to tweak the positions. Starting with a strong defence MHC created more chances to steal the ball or forced Bolton to take difficult shots. This gave MHC the opportunity to launch fast-breaks and start creating a gap of four goals. However, Bolton were not there to just watch MHC play and were eager to come back. As the ball circulation got better, the MHC strong halves (Aurelien, Karim and Bartek) found more gaps to take their deadly shots and maintained MHC in front. At this pace and with a high level of engagement on both sides, Bolton were the first to get tired and MHC immediately took the opportunity to finish the game off. With a final score of 35-25 the objective was met and MHC has shown that thanks to the depth of their bench and the experience in the group, they were serious contender for the national league title. As MHC complete another step toward the title, Karim Hammache tried to take the opportunity of Tomasz' injury to be a contender as best goal-scorer for the MHC with a total of 10 realisations that day, falling short of the 100% mark with an 11th shot taken early in the game, another course for a title ...
Match report by - Julien Tamssom
Manchester HC 32 - Speke Garston 14 2nd November, Nottingham
The opponent “Liverpool Speke Garston” as we expected wasn’t that demanding, although the first minutes of the game were to our surprise quite equal as Speke makes 4-4 forcing our defense. Some good saves (20 in total) from our goalkeeper J. Aguila and time taken by T. Lasek turned out as a good receipt to recover our minds and put few goals ahead in the last minutes of 1st half. In the second part of the match we showed our rivals some good lesson of handball crushing their defense and making an advantage of 18 goals. The wing players (Alex & Semir) collectively with our line player (Minas) were the key to the triumph (32-14). Another secure win and 1st place in the North Division. Man of the match: Alex Morel
J.Aguila - M.Georgiou 6, S.Liatouji 5, A. Bouche 4, B. Babinski 1, K. Hammache 3, T. Lasek 4, A. Morel 7, C. Girost 2, J Tammson
Match report by - Bart Babinski
Manchester HC 33 - Nottingham 23 16th November, Greenbank
Manchester's first match against Nottingham at Liverpool was not easily predictable due to recent good performances of Nottingham this season. Both teams didn't have their full number of players as Nottingham were only 7 (minimal number) and as we counted only 3 more players with both keepers and a coaching of Semir Liatouji. The first half of the game was quite tough because Nottingham squad were fit and determined even though Manchester was always keeping a reasonable advance. During this first half, the key to this advance was the fastbreaks which were controlled by all the team but especially by our line, Minas Georgiou. This first half was also an opportunity to experiment some new team possibilities (e.g Celian Girost at the wing and a 5-1 defence lead by Alex Morel). The first half ended with a score of 13 – 18 for MHC. The second half was the time for MHC to play more collectively against a Nottingham squad more and more tired due to the number of MHC's fastbreaks during the first half and also to the fact that they didn't have any substitution player. That half was the time for MHC to show the meaning of playing as a team as every single player scored from every position. Also to note a great performance of Zsolt Deak (keeper) who put Nottingham in a frustrating position as they couldn't score for 15 minutes ! This plus a collective attack and defence from all the team allowed MHC to end the game with 10 goals more than Nottingham. To sum up, This game was a great opportunity for MHC to try new possibilities as well as strengthen the team spirit by playing collectively. Man of the match: Zsolt Deak.
Match report by - Julien Blieck
Manchester HC 33 - Manchester University 30 23rd November, Bellevue
League Day 6 saw the traditional derby being played at Bellevue with Manchester University Team. After a poor start for both teams (4 min without a goal) MHC have built up an advantage of 2 - 3 goals thanks to great saves made by Jorge. Sloppy MHC defence at the end of first half allowed University Team to close the gap with the half time score 16:16. The second half saw MHC with a bit stronger defence & better pace which gave them 5 goals difference. Last minutes of the Manchester derby game were again a terrible experience. When a hard gained goal difference were quickly reduced to 32:30 for MHC. MHC stayed cool at the end and maintained to win 33:30 with University Team secures 6th consecutive win in a north. Top scorers for MHC: T. Lasek – 11, C. Girost – 10, M. Georgiou – 4, A.Bouche - 3
Match report by - Thomas Lasek
Manchester HC 29 - Speke 13 7th December, Bellevue
Manchester started the second half of the season with a match against Speke last Sunday. Winning against them was comfortable last time wich has left us confident for this match. We started the game on a little slow and sleepy tempo as it was our first morning match of the season and as a result the score was 4-1 to Speke after 5 minutes. Then the defence woke up and became stronger as time went by to the extent that Speke couldn't find any gaps and we quickly took the lead thanks to plenty of fast breaks (quick Georgiou and Liatouji) and a very quick attacking play. By the half time whistle we were 17-5 ahead conceading only 1 goal in the rest of the half. I have to mention a fantastic goal from Hammache who caught Lasek's excellent pass from the other side of the court in the air above the 6m line and scored. We were on the top of our game and wanted to carry on the same way in the second half however we played a rather avarage game. Great saves from Aguila and the practicing of our attacking moves filled the second half which in the end produced a confident win for Manchester 29-13. A excellent start for the second part of the season as the team becomes more and more confident in their game.
Match report by - Zsolt Deak
Manchester HC 32 - Wirral 22 14th December, Bellevue
For Manchester Handball Club players the game against wirall was the opportunity for all of the players to play and have fun before the Christmas break comes. The game started with both teams be a bit sleepy, Wirall team tried to play their usual passive game with M.H.C players falling into their trap. A time out was called then and some substantiations have been made and the players woke up and finish the first half with a safe difference. The second half was better in terms of handball game a it was faster and more exiting. Wirall players couldn’t follow the fast tempo M.H.C gave to the game and the appearance of fostration anger was obvious, even with 3 layers in the court M.H.C players scored. The game finished with M.H.C players celebrating the victory and the first place of the table without losing a point first time in the history of the club and the history of the league).
Match report by - Minas Georgiou
Manchester HC 32 - Bolton 19 18th January, Bellevue
Manchester HC came back after the Xmas break to face their Bolton neighbours. Manchester decided to start playing with a new 5-1 defence and as a result of this Bolton took the early lead of the game until Manchester adjusted that new defence. Slowly but surely Manchester improved their defence allowing the opportunity to launch fast breaks, which changed the score round from a 2-4 to a 7-4. Since this moment Manchester never lost the lead and keep building a gap of goals till the end of the game. This was also allow by Zsolt Deak who started his recital with 13 saves on the first half and 17 on the second half and amazing percentage who clearly named as MVP player of the game. First half finish 15-10 for Manchester. Despites of some key players missing Manchester manage to play with 9 players the whole game with a highly accuracy shoot rates, proving once again the strength of the whole team this year. 9th consecutive victory on the run for the North Championship Title.
Most accurate player: Minas " Nice" Georgiou with 7 shoots / 5 goals 72%
Minas G (5), Aurelien B ( 5), Karim H ( 6), Bart B ( 5), Thomas L ( 6), Moussa T (2), Petr K ( 3), Julien T, Zsolt Deak ( 30 saves) , J Aguila
Match report by - Jorge Aguila
Manchester HC 29 - Nottingham 26 14th February, Nottingham
Manchester HC travelled to Nottingham for their 10Th victory of the season,but let say very very difficult one! Nottingham was leading all first half by 1-2 goals and we just luckily managed to draw at half time(16:16). However more stronger defending during the second half ensured another victory for Manchester HC. Interesting moments of the match: 1.We were able to play without our best scorer Tomasz L. who was almost all second half man marked! 2.Few important saves by Zsolt D. at the end of the match! 3.Very good scoring effect by Minas G. This game was really hard test for upcoming play offs and we are all happy to win it.
Match report by - Petr Karas
Manchester HC 27 - Manchester University 23 22nd February, Bellevue
This Sunday saw Manchester Handball club play the now traditional derby against Manchester University. Both teams were already qualified for the play off before even the throw off. However, the two clubs wanted victory to take the 2 points at stake for the final positioning.Manchester University started well. Their shooters were really efficient and gave them an advantage of 4 goals in the middle of the first half. They kept the lead for the entire first half until Aurelien Bouché scored an amazing goal from his side’s touchline to bring his team back to 11-11 just before the half time whistle. Unfortunately Sylvain Zigoni injured himself on a bad landing after only one minute in. The second half started on a faster tempo and quickly the MHC squad took the lead on the score board. Manchester University missed few players who would have assured a better turn over and allow some to have a rest. To note, an outstanding sequence of defence from Semir Letouji who managed to stop four consecutive attacks of the University players in just a few seconds. Zsolt Deak, Manchester Handball Club’s Goalkeeper also have an impressive performance in the second half especially on 6 meters shots. Despite their efforts Manchester University couldn’t come back to the score. It was pleasant to see that even if this match was really important for the end of the season and for the qualification to the European Challenge Cup, players from both teams were very respectful of each other. Eventually MHC managed to keep the advantage until the end of the match and the game was a real test for Manchester who remain unbeaten after 11 matches who won 27-23. At the end of the day the league table remain unchanged for now, Manchester Handball club stay at the top followed by Liverpool who won against Nottingham earlier in the day. Manchester University remain in third place and also qualify for the play offs.
Match report by - Celian Girost
Manchester HC 27 - Liverpool 27 1st March, Bellevue
For the last game of the Northern League, Manchester HC, leader of the league, received Liverpool, the actual second in the table. Both teams brought their best players but Liverpool took the best start following few goals of its line player. However, Manchester came back at half time thanks to a good team play in attack and a strong defense. (10-10). The second half started with a continuing strong defense by Manchester which helps them to take the lead via some fast breaks. The Liverpool coach only has the choice to call a time out which helped his team to come back in the game. Indeed, this time out gave them strengths and their halves found the way to score goals at 9 meters and one more time, the match completely changed hand with Liverpool taking the lead with 3 goals clear. Manchester came back in the last minutes thanks to some shots from Thomas Lasek and a penalty saved by Jorge Aguila. The match finished by a well deserved draw between both teams (27-27) which sees Manchester HC winning for the first time the Northern league title and starting the play off next week unbeaten with a total of 7 points.
Match report by - Aurelien Bouche
Manchester 17 - Cambridge 138th March, Bellevue
Manchester First playoff match of the season saw them fight off Cambridge at Bellevue. As per usual with an early throw off time, the Mancunians were extremely slow to get going, managing to only score 8 in the first half, equally matched by Cambridge to end a draw after 30 minutes. This game was not very prolific in goals but nonetheless saw newby Michel Willem start on the wings for Manchester with a tally of 2, with most of the other goals being scored by the usual suspects Lasek, Georgiou and Girost... Unfortunately, MHC never managed to secure the result despite so many clear chances from 6m and consequently had to fight for the remainder of the game. They eventually took a decisive lead to finish 4 goals clear at 17-13. There were some physical damages in this game too with Aurelien Bouche breaking his nose defending bravely on a Cambridge attacker. Victory 17-13 in the end with Manchester remaining unbeaten thus far this season with an impressive performance from duty goalkeeper Jorge Aguila only letting 13 past in 60 minutes.
Match report by - Karim Hammache
Manchester 29 - Cambridge 2322nd March, Northamptonshire
Manchester Handball Club was playing against London Olympia for this second game of the playoff in a new venue in Northamptonshire. The game started on a good pace with both teams playing very well. But with MHC’s goalkeeper Zsolt Deak injured and the defense less aggressive than usual, Manchester HC let Olympia take the lead at half time (13-9).The team tried to come back during the second half by playing more with the wings and came back a few times from 5 goals to 2 goals but the effort made by everyone was ruined by the powerful attack of Olympia. In a last attempt to come back, Manchester Handball club tried an individual defense on every player of Olympia but this was too late. Manchester conceded its first defeat of the season (29-23) but keep its second place in the play off table for the moment. The European dream is still alive but Manchester need to recover quickly from this defeat before playing the Leader Great Dane on the next day of the competition.
Match report by - Aurelien Bouche
Manchester 27 - Ruslip Eagles 2029nd March, Leyton
Manchester Handball club travelled to London to play the first round of the Bristish Cup against Ruyslip. This game was a test match, one week before playing the leader, Great Danes, in Greenbank, Liverpool. MHC playing with only 8 players and one injured Aurélien Bouche was facing a 14 players squad. Manchester started the game very slowly, giving hope to the London team who played few fast breaks accurately. After 10 minutes play, the score was 4 -4. Manchester then started to play quicker in attack with few good goals from Tomasz Lazek and Minas Georgious. The score at half time was 10-6. During the second half, Manchester kept pressure on their opponent with a tough defence and some good moves and combinations. Manchester finally beat ruyslip by 7 goals with 9 goals from Minas georgious, man of the match with 100 % success at the shots.
