Mixed fortunes for Russian sides 

With 11 goals Swedish international Linnea Torstensson made a strong contribution to Viborg HK taking a huge step towards the final of the Women’s Cup Winners’ Cup, as the Danish team won 27:25 away against Rostov-Don in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Another Russian team, Zvezda Zvenigorod, has a considerably better chance than Rostov-Don, when it comes to dreaming of the final.

Zvezda appear to be heading for the final after their 27:26 win against Byasen Trondheim in a close game in Norway.

Rostov-Don (RUS) vs Viborg HK (DEN) 25:27 (12:10)

In Viborg, they will probably regret losing Linnea Torstensson to CSM Bucuresti after this season.

Already during her short stay in the Danish club after her transfer from RK Krim Mercator in January has the Swedish international turned into a crucial player for Viborg.

She proved this beyond any reasonable doubt on Saturday at the Palace of Sport in Rostov-Don, where her 11 goals contributed considerably to Viborg’s two-goal win which meant that the Danish team took a huge step towards the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup.

Rostov-Don got the far better start, though, and were leading by five goals a few times in the first half. 

Already before half-time, Viborg managed to get into the game, and after the first 30 minutes the visitors reduced the distance to two goals.

Viborg continued their positive streak after the break, scoring the first three goals of the second half and getting their first lead of the match at 13:12.

Later, the guests were even leading by four goals, before the hosts managed to score the last two goals of the match.

Apart from Torstensson, another player who will be leaving after this season made herself known to the 2,500 spectators, as French goalkeeper Cleopatre Darleux saved no less than three penalty shots.

“Danish teams seldom win in Russia. Right now I cannot remember when it happened last, so we are proud of having beaten them,” Viborg coach Christian Dalmose told his club’s website.

Byasen Trondheim (NOR) vs Zvezda Zvenigorod (RUS) 26:27 (12:11)

While Rostov-Don may have trouble reaching the final, another Russian team stands with an extremely good chance of making it.

Zvezda´s 27:26 win in Stjördalshallen by Trondheim Sunday evening puts them in a very comfortable position before the return match in Zvenigorod on Saturday.

Byasen were leading almost throughout the first half, but at half-time the visitors had managed to minimise the distance to one goal.

The home team got up by three goals again at 18:15 in the second half, but once again Zvezda came back, and after an equal last phase of the match, the Russian team booked a 27:26 win.

“We met a strong team, but still we feel we could have done better. We missed too many obvious scoring opportunities, partly because (Maria) Sidorova did extremely well in the Zvezda goal, but also due to lack of concentration from our side.

“Furthermore, we had a lot of trouble with their line player,” Byasen coach Claus Mogensen explained to eurohandball.com.