Malaga ready for the Last 16 again

Last season, as debutants in Europe, Rincon Fertilidad Malaga reached the quarter-final of the Women’s Challenge Cup.

This season, the team from the south coast of Spain is once again in the Challenge Cup, and have again progressed to the Last 16.

After a 28:28 draw last weekend in Switzerland against DHB Rotweiss Thun SPL 1, Malaga made it all clear at home this weekend.

In fact, the Spanish team seemed to decide everything already in the first half in the Polideportivo el Limon, taking a 15:8 lead with them to the dressing room.

As the second half progressed, Thun managed to move closer, but at the end, Malaga could celebrate their Last 16 berth through a 25:22 win.

In the Last 16, Malaga will be joining Spain’s other representative in the competition, Rocasa Gran Canaria who won the tournament last season.

A 26:24 win in the first leg was not enough for Polatli Belediyespor, as the Turkish side visited Israel for the return match against Maccabi Srugo Rishon Lezion.

No less than 16 goals from Brazilian left back Jaqueline Anastacio played a big part in the home team booking the Last 16 ticket with a 36:27 win.

The Turkish team should have been warned about Anastacio, as she scored 12 goals already in the first match.

Gomel and Boden proceed in style

HC Gomel were already well on their way to the next round after winning 35:31 in Lithuania against ACME-Zalgiris-2 from Kaunas last Saturday, and the Belarusian team finished the job in convincing style, as they had the home right in the second leg this weekend.

Once again Gomel won by four goals, this time 30:26 after leading 15:12 at half time.

Last year, Boden Handboll IF celebrated their European debut by reaching the Last 16 in the Challenge Cup.

The Swedish team are ready for the same stage this season after eliminating ZRK Z´Dezele from Celje, but they had to wait until the second leg of the double-header on home ground to decide the matter.

The first match in the Boden Arena ended in a 27:27 draw, but in the return match on Sunday, the home team left no doubt.

By way of 22:14 at half time, the Slovenian visitors were defeated as clearly as 39:28, and Boden were ready for the next round.