Krasnodar and Playa Algeciras claim Champions Cup titles

“Ekaterinodar” Krasnodar and C.BM Playa Algeciras were crowned winners of the EHF Beach Handball Champions Cup on Sunday afternoon after four exciting days of competition in Gran Canaria.

Krasnodar reclaimed their 2014 and 2015 title as they beat 2016 champions Club BM Playa Ciudad de Malaga 2:1 in the final of the men’s competition. With the victory, the Russian team took revenge for their 1:2 loss at the hands of the Spanish side in the 2016 trophy match.

The women’s tournament saw a new champion crowned, as C.BM Playa Algeciras recorded a 2:0 win versus Dutch team Westside to claim the title.

Krasonodar made their way to the final by way of a 2:1 win versus Orosházi FKSE Hír-Sat in their semi-final on Sunday morning, while Ciudad de Malaga beat OS Gordos / Labminho - Clube Naval de Leca with the same result in the penultimate match.

Both women’s semi-finals were also decided with shoot-outs on Sunday morning. First 2015 champions Multichem Szentendrei, who entered the semi-final against C.BM Playa Algeciras undefeated, lost 1:2 to the Spanish side. In the second semi-final on Sunday, Westside beat Brüder Ismaning 2:1.

Szentendrei went on to claim the bronze medal, leaving Brüder Ismaning to finish fourth. The men’s bronze medal was won by OS Gordos, as they beat Orosházi FKSE Hír-Sat 2:0 in the three/four play-off.

In the 5-8 placement matches, SPORT CLUB Senec - Cannabis Energy Drink secured fifth in the women’s competition with a 2:0 win over Portuguese team OS GORDOS LABMINHO, who therefore finish sixth. Polish side BHT GRU JUKO Piotrkow Trybunalski recorded a 2:0 victory against Detono Zagreb to claim seventh.

The men’s placement games saw BHT Auto Forum Petra Plock beat Pinturas Andalucía BM Playa Sevilla 2:1 to rank fifth ahead of the Spanish team, and Dutch side Hiekka Hauskaa defeat Team Italia 2:1, thereby finishing seventh.

Following the finals, the All-star awards were announced.

Men’s competition:

Most Valuable Player: Norbert Gyene (Orosházi FKSE Hír-Sat)
Best goalkeeper: Ricardo Castro (OS Gordos / Labminho - Clube Naval de Leca)
Top scorer: Milosz Rupp (BHT Auto Forum Petra Plock – 125 points)
Fair Play team: Rodby HK (Denmark)

Women’s competition:

Most Valuable Player: Maria Asuncion Batista Portero (C.BM Playa Algeciras)
Best goalkeeper: Magdalena Frey (Brüder Ismaning)
Top scorer: Maria Asuncion Batista Portero (C.BM Playa Algeciras – 116 points)
Fair Play Team: Team Schwan (Switzerland)