Defending champions remain on course for the quarter-finals

Four times previously Füchse Berlin have been part of the EHF Cup Group Phase, and four times, they have won their groups. Now, in their fifth participation, they are on course to top the group again after a crucial 34:29 victory away at Logrono in Spain. Their defeated opponents, La Rioja, remain on two points, while Berlin are now the only side in Group A with the maximum six points after three rounds.

• Until the 53rd minute, the biggest difference in the match was two goals
• Logrono’s James Scott was top scorer with nine goals, while Hans Lindberg netted seven times for Berlin
• A draw in the re-match in two weeks is enough for Füchse to finish at least in second position in the group

GROUP A
BM Logroño La Rioja (ESP) vs Füchse Berlin (GER) 29:34 (16:15)

After Saint-Raphael won in Hungary against Balatonfüred earlier today, Füchse Berlin were the second away winners in Group A.

Only two days after their unlucky Bundesliga defeat at EHF Cup participant Hannover-Burgdorf, it was a tough piece of work for the defending EHF Cup champions in their first-ever duel with La Rioja and the final result did not reflect the closeness of the match.

The first half was played at a fully-equal level with the lead changing several times with La Rioja ahead only twice by a two-goal margin and it was the Spaniards who took a close advantage (16:15) into the break.

The lead of the hosts lasted until the 45th minute (23:22) as from then Berlin took the upper hand, with their defence and goalkeeping becoming stronger. At 24:24 it would be the last time the teams were tied as Füchse pulled ahead to 32:27 after an 8:3 run within 11 minutes, and despite a high scoring efficiency from Scott.

Following FC Porto in Group C, the Foxes are the second team to win their third-straight group match.

Photo: cbmlogrorioja