Words of warning from Thomsen

FC Midtjylland and Fleury Loiret Handball are very likely to face each other in the final of the Women's Cup Winners' Cup after both won comfortably in the first leg of the semi-finals.

However, while the semi-final between Fleury and Hypo Niederösterriech seems to be decided after Fleury taking a comfortable 12-goal lead into the second leg at home, FC Midtjylland cannot rest on their 30:23 win away against FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria.

A seven goal win away against FTC last weekend was more than any FC Midtjylland player or fan had probably expected.

Even though the Danish team managed to make a huge step towards the final, head coach Helle Thomsen finds words of warning before the return match in the Ikast-Brande Arena on Saturday at 14:00 hrs local time.

"Being seven goals up, must not lead us to take things easy or relax in any way. FTC have a strong team, so we have to make a concentrated effort on Saturday.

"However, considering the position we have put ourselves in, we simply must advance," Thomsen told her club's official website.

Words of warning are probably not needed for the ladies of Fleury Loiret Handball.

The French team, who are in a European semi-final only for the second time in history, lead by no less than 12 goals after defeating Hypo Niederösterreich 32:20 away in the first leg.

This result makes the return match in Palais des Sports Aubrais in Orleans on Sunday at 16:30 hrs local time live on ehfTV appear to be a formality and the French women are on a steady course towards their first EHF European Cup final.