Russian powerhouse and triple Champions League winners seek success

With players like Polina Kuznetsova, Alexandra Davidenko and Kristina Liscevic, to mention just a few of the prominent names in the squad, Kuban look to be one of the most dangerous teams in the Women’s EHF Cup 2016/17.

The team led by Russia national coach Evgenii Trefilov get the first chance to show what they are capable of on the European stage this weekend, when they host SPONO Eagles from Switzerland in a double header on home ground.

The first leg in Palace of Sports ‘Olimp’ in Krasnodar will take place on Saturday evening with the second match exactly 24 hours later.

As many handball fans will still remember, Viborg HK won the Women’s EHF Champions in 2006, 2009 and 2010 – and there are some indications that the Danish club has a new top team on the way.

Viborg are undefeated after six matches in the Danish league, and it is therefore with natural confidence that they visit Prague on Sunday afternoon for the first match against DHC Slavia Praha.

The Czech team overcame another Scandinavian side, Swedish Skuru IK, in Qualification Round 1, but Viborg will be a bit more of a handful.

With players like Linn Jorum Sulland, Marta Tomac, Jeannette Kristiansen, Kristin Noersteboe and Kari Brattset in the squad, Vipers Kristiansand also look to be in with a strong chance in the EHF Cup this season.

In the first qualification round, the Norwegian team had no problem against Italian Cassano Magnago as they recorded two decisive wins, but the Vipers may be challenged a bit more in this round. Their opponents in Round 2 will be Handball Club Lada, who were in the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup last season.

Another team with high ambitions for the Women’s EHF Cup 2016/17 are German side SG BBM Bietigheim.

Despite being debutants in the Europe competition this season, the team under Danish head coach Martin Albertsen are aiming high, and with Brazilian, Dutch, Danish and German internationals in their team roster, they can probably achieve their goals.

On Saturday evening, Bietigheim host ASC Corona 2010 Brasov for the first leg in MHP Arena in Ludwigsburg.

“This will be an international top match in women’s handball. The Romanian league is at least strong as the German. We realise that we will need a strong performance as well as the support from our spectators,” Albertsen told his club’s website.

Another highlight of this round will be the Norwegian derby between Byasen Trondheim and Tertnes Bergen. Byasen have the home advantage in the first leg on Sunday evening in Trondheim Spektrum.