ROUND PREVIEW: Despite having lost Erlend Mamelund to THW Kiel, Haslum are still favourites in EHF Cup double header against Dudelange.
Haslum to get by without Mamelund
Shortly before the start of this season, Haslum Handballklubb had to say goodbye to one of their most important key players, as the experienced back court player Erlend Mamelund joined German champions THW Kiel.
Despite the gap, Mamelund’s exit has obviously left in the Norwegian team, Haslum are still favourites when they take on HB Dudelange from Luxembourg in the EHF Cup.
The two teams meet on 12 and 13 September in a double header in the EHF Cup Qualification Round 1.
Haslum have the home advantage in both matches, as both legs are played on their home court in Nadderudhallen.
This weekend will see three further double headers in the Men’s EHF Cup.
In Hala Sportowa Pogon in Zabrze close to Katowice, Gornik Zabrze will have the home advantage in both matches against PGU-Kartina TV Tiraspol from Moldova who will be trying to get further than they did three years ago, as Round 1 was the end of their EHF Cup campaign.
The double header in the Sporthal Opperdam in Volendam (Netherlands) sees HV. KRAS/Volendam host HC Lovcen from Montenegro who had to leave the EHF Cup qualifiers after Round 1 the previous two years, and who will be hoping for improvement this year, just like Volendam who did not make it any further than the first round last season.
The last double header this weekend is taking place in Italy, where SSV Bozen Loacker go head to head against Haukar from Iceland.
Not only double headers will take place over the weekend of 12 and 13 September, but also the return leg of some closely contested ties.
The closest race is to be expected in the Svyturio Arena in Klaipeda (Lithuania), where the Klaipeda Dragunas are chasing a three-goal deficit against Polva Serviti.
Polva did win 29:26 at home, and this really leaves everything open ahead of the return match.
The opposite of the Luxembourg tie, where Ystad IF HF are defending a 13-goal lead against Handball Kaerjeng after winning 41:28 at home in Sweden in the first leg.
“The return match will have to be played, of course, but we are not letting go of a 13-goal lead,” was the confident comment from Ystad coach Sebastian Seifert.
Hubo Initia Hasselt from Belgium and RK Porec from Croatia have already qualified for the next round after winning their double headers last weekend.
TEXT:
Peter Bruun / bc