Mistra Falls Short as Granitas-Karys Clinches Exciting Win

January 19, 2025

In an electrifying Baltic Handball League encounter, Granitas-Karys secured a crucial 33-29 victory over Mistra in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at LSMU Arena. The win marked a significant turnaround for Granitas-Karys, who avenged their previous loss to Mistra in March 2024.

The match started with a fast-paced tempo, with Granitas-Karys setting the tone early. Marius Kairys opened the scoring in the first minute, and by the fourth minute, the home team had surged to a 4-1 lead, with standout performances from Modestas Štarolis and Manvydas Lazauskas. Despite Mistra’s resilience, led by Serhii Orlovskyi’s sharp shooting, Granitas-Karys maintained control throughout the first half, heading into the break with a 19-15 advantage.

The second half saw Granitas-Karys tighten their grip on the match. A stellar performance from Nedas Buronko, who netted seven goals from 11 attempts, kept the momentum firmly in their favor. The defensive efforts of Granitas-Karys, combined with efficient goal-scoring, thwarted Mistra’s attempts to close the gap. Key contributions from Simas Butkus, who scored five goals, and Titas Janušonis, despite spending four minutes in suspension, ensured the home side’s dominance.

Mistra’s efforts were spearheaded by Orlovskyi, who was the game’s top scorer with eight goals, including four successful seven-meter shots. Patrick Padjus and Ilja Kosmirak also contributed to Mistra’s tally, with six and five goals respectively. However, their combined efforts were not enough to overcome Granitas-Karys’ well-rounded team performance.

The play-by-play action highlighted pivotal moments that defined the match. Granitas-Karys displayed remarkable efficiency in the first half, extending their lead to five goals at various intervals. The home team’s defensive discipline and sharp counterattacks left Mistra struggling to bridge the gap. A critical timeout by Mistra in the 13th minute temporarily halted Granitas-Karys’ momentum, but the hosts quickly regained their stride, fueled by a passionate crowd.

The second half was marked by a decisive stretch between the 31st and 40th minutes when Granitas-Karys pulled away with a commanding 22-15 lead. Although Mistra showed glimpses of a comeback, Granitas-Karys’ disciplined play and clinical finishing in the final minutes sealed the victory.

This win propels Granitas-Karys into a strong position in the Baltic Handball League standings. The team will look to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign.

Top Performers:

• Granitas-Karys: Nedas Buronko (7 goals), Modestas Štarolis (5 goals), and Manvydas Lazauskas (5 goals).
• Mistra: Serhii Orlovskyi (8 goals, including 4 seven-meter shots), Patrick Padjus (6 goals), and Ilja Kosmirak (5 goals).