Tough qualification draw for the record winners

The four-time trophy holders of the Women's EHF Champions League Hypo Niederösterreich will face a stern test in the qualification semi-final after the draw at the EHF Office has pitted them against the Spanish champions Balonmano Bera Bera.

The draw, conducted by Michael Wiederer, the EHF Secretary General together with Gerd Butzeck, Forum Club Handball Managing Director, has determined semi-final pairings in all three qualification tournaments which will be played over 10-11 September 2016.

The hosting right for the tournaments was not decided by the lots anymore but was awarded according the seeding.

Group 2 with Hypo and Bera Bera should be hosted by the German club HC Leipzig who will meet HC Gomel from Belarus in the semi-final.

"We want to take this opportunity and host the tournament," Leipzig manager Kay Sven Hähner reassured.

"Although we have no information on Gomel and also lack the newest update on Hypo, Bera Bera are a strong team. If we want to play in the group matches we have to beat all teams in our way. It is easy as that," Hähner added.

RK Krim Ljubljana who won the European top flight twice (2001 and 2003) will play against Slovakian champions IUVENTA Michalovce in the semi-final and are bound to enjoy the support of the crowds in the Arena Stozice.

"We are thinking of using the right to host the tournament. Basically, we are satisfied with the draw, but everything will have to be shown on the court," Jaka Kravanja from Krim said.

Italian champions Indeco Conversano meet Polish title holders MKS Selgros Lublin in the other Group 3 semi-final.

The Norwegian runners-up Glassverket, who hosted the qualification tournament also last year, will once again have a chance to use the home advantage as they face Ankara Yenimahalle BSK from Turkey.

The third former Champions League winner on the starting grid Podravka Vegeta and the Dutch champions SERCODAK Dalfsen will lock horns in the other Group 1 semi-final.

The three winners will join 13 seeded teams in the group matches which will start 14-16 October. The group matches draw will take place on Friday 1 July at 13:00 hrs in Glostrup, Denmark.