Dinamo confirmed top spot in Group A with a routine victory against Hypo, which knocked out the Austrian club. 

The odds were stacked against Hypo heading into the final round of games as they needed RK Krim Mercator to lose at home against HC Leipzig on Saturday as well as recording a win in Russia on Sunday.

The result went their way on Saturday, meaning success in Volgograd would see them through, but the Austrian champions lacked the required attacking composure to extend their campaign.

They did start strongly, however, establishing a 3:1 lead after five minutes of play - but 15 minutes of disjointed attacks followed. 

Hypo's turnovers and general indecision allowed Dinamo to counter attack and score 10 unanswered goals. 

The hosts’ lead was up to 11:3 by the 21st minute and it could have been much worse were it not for the heroics of Olga Sanko in the Hypo goal. Sanko made nine first-half saves, 15 in total.

But the Russian side took their foot off the gas and allowed Hypo, who switched to a 5-1 defence, to reduce the deficit to 13:9 at half-time.

Dinamo’s somewhat complacent approach continued after the break and their advantage dwindled.

The lead was down to 16:14 at the 38-minute mark, prompting coach Viktor Ryabykh to call a timeout.

His message was short but stern and his side shifted up a gear, lifting their performance with a 5:1 run. Their lead was back up to 21:15 six minutes later.

The hosts kept their visitors at arm’s length for the rest of the game, increasing the gap to 27:19 with eight minutes remaining, at which point Ryabykh afforded some playing time to his less experienced players.

Hypo rallied with three straight goals but it was too little, too late and their campaign ended with them at the foot of Group A while Dinamo move on to the main round after three straight victories.

Gorica Acimovic was once again Hypo’s top scorer with nine goals, as Anna Kochetova scored six for the Russian club and Daria Dmitrieva added five as she shone in Volgograd.