Danish draw, Magdeburg victory

After Branik Maribor and Frisch Auf Göppingen had started the Men’s EHF Cup Quarter-finals with a draw on Saturday, another equal match occurred in the Danish duel of Kolding vs. Holstebro. SC Magdeburg won the German duel against Löwen. Nothing is decided in all three encounters before the second leg next weekend.

KIF Kolding (DEN) – Team Tvis Holstebro (DEN) 24:24 (14:12)

After a clear victory against the same opponent in the Danish league on Wednesday, KIF Kolding “only” reached a draw on international ground against highly motivated Team Tvis Holstebro. Despite the comeback of defence specialist Joachim Boldsen, Kolding could not beat their country-fellows.

Though they were away by two goals at the break, KIF did not find their rhythm and Holstebro were in lead several times in the mostly equal second half, led by their top scorers Mads Christiansen and Michael Damgaard,, who scored five times each. 4534 spectators saw a thrilling final stage, in which Swedish KIF top star Kim Andersson had to sit on a bench after a shoulder injury.

“Nothing is decided yet. We have to play better in the re-match, but we can go on to the final tournament,” said KIF goalkeeper Kasper Hvidt in Danish TV.

SC Magdeburg (GER) – Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER) 31:28 (16:12)

Magdeburg ended the series of defeats against their German opponent, but gave a clearer victory from their hands in the final stages. 3342 spectators were highly delighted, when the host were away by 24:17 in minute 43, but then Löwen came closer and now have much better chances to proceed to the EHF Cup Finals in the re-match on home ground next weekend.

Norwegian international Bjarte Myrhol was top scorer of the match, striking eight goals for Löwen, while Stefan Kneer (7) and Robert Weber (6) were the best shooters for the host.

Löwen had to replace their goalkeeper Goran Stojanović and therefore had re-activated 45-year-old assistant coach Tomas Svensson. On the other side, Slovenian Jure Natek returned in the Magdeburg jersey after nearly one year injury break.

Both teams were on eye level in the opening period until the 10:8 for Magdeburg. The host forged ahead, backed by a strong defence, to the 16:12 lead at the break.

Löwen lacked power and effectiveness in attack – and were punished by a series of SCM counter attacks, especially from 19:16 to 23:16.

But when Magdeburg tried hard to extend the gap even more Löwen stroke back, while the host missed too many chances in the final minutes.

Text photo credit: Eroll Popova