Four players on ten goals as Challenge Cup launches

The Men’s Challenge Cup launched this weekend with the first leg for four of the ties, and four players have already notched up 10 goals. 

Slovakian team, MSK Povazska Bystrica, drew 29:29 against HC Vogosca Poljine Hills at home in front of 1000 spectators in Sporting Hall MSK, with back court player Peter Jurák the top scorer on 10. 

Bystrica were leading 14:12 at half-time, but in the second half the Bosnian visitors caught up to put themselves in a strong position ahead of the return match at home next weekend.

French left back Loic Goemare also hit the net ten times for his Luxembourg team HC Berchem, but that was not enough for a win away against JMS Hurry-Up. However, the narrow 32:30 defeat in the Netherlands means Berchem still have a good chance ahead of the second leg on home court.

Bulgarian left back Branimir Balchev from HK “Lokomotiv” Varna and his Belgian colleague Benjamin Danesi from HC Vise BM both scored ten times when their teams met in Bulgaria.

Danesi and his Belgian teammates comfortably won the match 36:28; a result which makes HC Vise the favourites from this pairing to reach the next round.

Though no player reached ten goals in Loutraki, Greece, AO Poseidon Loutrakiou celebrated winning their home game 26:23 against Viljandi HC from Estonia. Being only three goals down, Viljandi still have a good chance to proceed in the tournament ahead of the deciding home game next weekend. 

Next weekend will see a lot of Challenge Cup action, with six pairings playing double headers.