ROUND PREVIEW: While six of the eight teams for the Women’s EHF Cup Quarter-final have been confirmed, the fight for the remaining two tickets promises excitement as the group phase ends this weekend
Six teams battle for two quarter-final spots
Last week's games could have determined all eight teams for the Women's EHF Cup Quarter-final, but Kuban in Group C and Nykøbing in Group D let their tickets to the next round slip away in the closing minutes.
Ahead of the final round of the group phase, the situation in both groups is complicated. Kuban will compete with Besançon and Larvik for the second place in Group C, while Nykøbing are challenged by Bera Bera and title holders Craiova in Group D.
GROUP A
Team Esbjerg (DEN) vs Storhamar Handball Elite (NOR)
Saturday 9 February, 13:00 hrs local time
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Both Esbjerg and Storhamar are already through to the quarter-final
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Unbeaten Esbjerg will win the group in case of a win or draw
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Storhamar will take the first place if they claim victory Saturday
SG BBM Bietigheim (GER) vs Sports Club Magura Cisnadie (ROU)
Sunday 10 February, 17:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Neither team has a chance of progressing
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Bietigheim are certain to finish third; Magura will stay bottom of Group B
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Bietigheim are on a three-game losing run; Magura have lost all five games so far
GROUP B
Siófok KC Hungary (HUN) vs TusSies Metzingen (GER)
Sunday 10 February, 15:00 hrs local ime, live on ehfTV.com
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Siófok have a perfect record and will finish top of the group
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Third-place Metzingen cannot qualify anymore
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Siófok's Andrea Kobetic is joint top scorer of the group phase, with 38 goals
IK Sävehof (SWE) vs Herning-Ikast Handbold (DEN)
Sunday 10 February, 15:00 hrs local time
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Last-place Sävehof get final chance to claim some points in this competition
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Herning-Ikast have six points and will finish second in the group
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The Danish team's Helene Fauske has 38 goals, like Siofok's Andrea Kobetic
GROUP C
Larvik HK (NOR) vs Kuban (RUS)
Saturday 9 February, 16:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Kuban are through with a win at Larvik, or with a draw if Besançon do not beat Viborg
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Larvik could qualify if they take a very big win against Kuban, and Viborg beat Besançon
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Kuban are without coach Evgenii Trefilov, who has been hospitalized because of heart problems
E.S. Besançcon Feminin (FRA) vs Viborg HK (DEN)
Sunday 10 February, 18:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Viborg have a perfect record and are certain to finish top of the group
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Besançon stayed in the race after snatching two points in a thriller against Kuban
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Besançon will go through if they get a better result than Kuban in Round 6
GROUP D
HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) vs Nykøbing Falster Handbold-NFH (DEN)
Saturday 9 February, 17:30 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Despite losing at Bera Bera in Round 5, Podravka are certain to stay top of the group
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Nykøbing almost qualified for the quarter-final but dropped a point in the last minute against Craiova
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Nykøbing will go through with at least a draw at Podravka
SCM Craiova (ROU) vs Super Amara Bera Bera (ESP)
Sunday 10 February, 13:30 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Bera Bera are third with four points, Craiova last with three
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Only a win will see any of these teams go through, and only if Nykøbing lose at Poravka
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In the reverse fixture last month, Bera Bera comfortably won at home, 32:21
TEXT:
Sergey Nikolaev / ew