Braga in semi-final, Fyllingen close

ABC/UMinho from Braga are in the semi-final of the Men’s Challenge Cup after a 34:34 draw away against Wacker Thun.

Norwegian FyllingenBergen are close to following the Portuguese club after winning the first leg 31:20 against FIQAS Alsmeer.

FyllingenBergen took a huge step towards the semi-final as the club, who finished fourth in the Norwegian league which ended this week, defeated FIQAS Alsmeer as clearly ad 31:20 in the first leg.

Fyllingen were leading 14:9 at half-time and during the second half, the home team managed to more than double this five goal lead and take an 11 goal surplus with them for the return match in the Netherlands on Easter Sunday.

“Considering the challenges we met along the way, Andreas Gjeitrem having to stay at home due to illness and Eivind Tangen sent off with a red card, I think we could not have hoped for any more than this,” Fyllingen coach Vidar Gjesdal said.

“With several central players being sidelined, we saw that we still have numerous players who can contribute,” Gjesdal added.

12 goals from left back Lukas von Deschwanden was not enough for Wacker Thun to turn the table against ABC/UMinho from Portugal.

The match in the Sporthalle Lachen in Thun was already the second meeting between the two team, as the Portuguese side had won the first leg at home in Braga 30:23.

After a 16:15 lead for the ABC/UMinho at half time, Wacker Thin actually managed to establish a five goal lead with 17 minutes left, but the visitors came back and got a 34:34, which sent the former EHF Champions League side on to the semi-finals.

Portugal have a fairly good chance to be represented by two teams in the semi-finals, as S.L. Benfica are four goals up before going to Russia for the second leg against St. Petersburg HC.

In the first leg in Lisbon, Benfica were already leading by four goals, 13:9, at half-time and at the final buzzer, the difference was still four, now 24:20.

HC Dukla Praha have a good chance to clinch a semi-final berth as well after drawing 27:27 in Belgium against KV Sasja HC.

Dukla were leading 15:13 at half-time, but even though the hosts managed to catch up during the second half, the traditional club from the Czech capital still stands with the best chances ahead of the second leg in Prague next Sunday.

Portuguese right wing Sergio Rola scored eight goals for Sasja, while another right wing, Jakub Kastner reached the same number for Dukla.