Krasnodar and Berchem reach quarter-finals

In the first weekend of the Men’s Challenge Cup Last 16, SKIF Krasnodar had the honour of becoming the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Russian side won their double-header at home against Bosnian HMRK Mostar.

After comfortably winning the first match Saturday 39:27, the hosts could afford a minor defeat (30:28) in the second leg Sunday.

More than enough to go through

Later Sunday, HC Berchem from Luxembourg became winners of the second double-header this weekend.

In the first of their two home games against Ukrainian HC ZNTU-ZAB Zaporozhye, Berchem won 34:29 after leading 16:13 at half-time.

The hosts added a second win (31:30) in the Sunday game in the Hall Omnisport Crauthem, which was more than enough for them to go through.

FyllingenBergen positioned themselves well for going to the quarter-finals by winning 25:22 away against Macedonian HC Eurofarm Rabotnik.

The Norwegian visitors led 12:11 at half-time and they the team from Norway´s second largest city landed a three-goal win in the end.

“I think we had a fine performance. We took an early lead and maintained momentum although they came close a few times,” FyllingenBergen coach Andreas Gjeitrem said.

The tie between Göztepe SK and A.E.K. Athens still seems relatively open after the Turkish hosts’s 29:25 win. The same goes for the meeting between Dynamo-Victor and Red Boys Differdange from Luxembourg, with the Russian side winning the first leg 31:26.

Step towards the next round

IBV Vestmannaeyar took a bigger step towards the next round with a 32:25 home win against SGS Ramat Hashron HC from  Israel, while AHC Potaissa Turda’s quarter-final berth looks just a formality after the Romanian side won 44:24 at home against HC Vise BM from Belgium.

The closest tie in the Last 16 is the one between MSK Povazska Bystrica and AM Madeira Andebol SAD. Only two goals are separating the two teams after the first leg in the Sporting Hall MSK of Povazska Bystrica.

The Slovakian home team had several clear leads in the first half, but after the break, the Portuguese visitors caught up and were even leading a couple of times, before the hosts carved out a 25:23 win.