Success for Russian teams in first leg

Both Russia’s representatives in the third qualification round of the Women´s EHF Cup Group Phase pulled off wins in the first leg. Kuban were most successful, as they won 29:23 away against Hypo Niederösterreich.

Kuban were already leading by seven goals, 16:9, at half-time before finishing with a six-goal win that makes them huge favourites to reach the group phase.

“Krasnodar had more experience and more substance, and were deserved winners. We had our good phases, where we played really good handball, but winning the return match by seven goals will obviously be very difficult,” Hypo coach Martin Matuschkowitz told his club’s website.

Handball Club Lada may have more problems reaching the group phase than Kuban. The runners-up from last season’s Cup Winners’ Cup were leading by 10 goals at home against Viborg HK, but ended up winning by only three goals at 29:26.

In front of 2,800 spectators on home ground in Togliatti, Lada were in front 18:10 at half-time then 21:11 early in the second period, but the Danish visitors staged a comeback and reduced the defeat to three goals.

“We got to know them better as the game went on, and we started to defend very well. Furthermore, we began to run with them. It was cool that we were able to fight our way back into the game this way,” Viborg line player and Danish international Stine Bodholt told Viborg’s website.

10 goals from Yeliz Özel contributed a lot to Ankara Yenimahalle BSK’s 33:27 win at home against TuS Metzingen, who reached the final of the EHF Cup last season.

It was only towards the end that the Turkish home team managed to create a clear difference after a half-time score of 16:16, and BSK can now realistically hope to reach the group phase.

Niels Agesen, head coach of Nykøbing Falster Håndboldklub, did not expect a walk-over before travelling to Italy for the first match against Indeco Conversano. However, that was pretty much what he got, as Nykøbing won decisively at 36:24 after leading by 10 goals, 20:10, at half-time.

This win should remove any doubt that the European debutants from Denmark will be among the 16 teams in the group phase.

Dunaujvaros Kezilabda Akademia DKKA, who won the EHF Cup last season, may be heading for an early exit from Europe this time. They lost their first-leg match, a Hungarian derby against ÉRD HC, 22:29 away.

1,900 spectators in Erd Arena saw the home team leading 15:9 at half-time before adding another goal to their advantage before the final buzzer.

Hungary seem to be on the way to representation by two teams in the group phase, as Alba Fehérvár KC won their first match against Slovenian IUVENTA Michalovce 28:23 on away ground.