Danish and Russian derbies coming up

Two ties in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Cup Winners' Cup, which have the first leg this weekend, are national derbies.

Two of the most successful Danish teams in Europe in recent years meet in the Gråkjær Arena in Holstebro, when Team Tvis Holstebro take on Viborg HK A/S for the first leg of this entirely Danish quarter-final tie.

Viborg have won the Women’s EHF Champions League and EHF Cup three times as well as the Cup Winners’ Cup once, while Team Tvis Holstebro have won the EHF Cup in 2013 and 2015.

However, it will be two teams with recent disappointments in the Danish league in their luggage, who meet on Sunday afternoon.

Holstebro have lost their two latest league matches clearly against Kobenhavn Handbold and HC Odense, while Viborg suffered a clear defeat at home against Team Esbjerg earlier this week.

Therefore, it may very well be the team whose self-confidence has suffered the least, who take the win Saturday.

Vipers Kristiansand have huge ambitions for the future.

Come Tuesday, the Norwegian club could present Norwegian international Linn Jorum Sulland from Györi Audi ETO KC as the new Kristiansand player for next season.

Vipers are also linked with the Glassverket trio Jeannette Kristiansen, Kristin Norsteboe and Kari Brattset. Furthermore, the club has confirmed their interest in Norwegian top keeper Katrine Lunde, who currently plays for the Russian Champions League side Rostov-Don.

However, none of these players can help Vipers on Saturday evening while they are taking on RK Krim Mercator in the Aquarama of Kristiansand.

As many people will remember, Krim were in the Women’s EHF Champions League Group Matches this season but did not make it to the main round.

However, the Slovenian champions may still put up a fierce fight against the Vipers.

On Sunday, two of the most traditional clubs in Russian women’s handball meet for the first leg of an entirely Russian clash.

Zvezda Zvenigorod start at home against Handball Club Lada.

The fourth and last tie in the quarter-finals stands between Hungarian ÉRD HC and Issy Paris Hand.

The first leg is being played in Erd on Saturday.