15.11.2013, 09:17
Thrillers waiting among return matches

ROUND PREVIEW: Just two tickets have been reserved in the first weekend of the Round 3 action in the Women's Cup Winners' Cup. Only three more teams can take their participation in the Last 16 for all but granted as a tough fight awaits others.

Thrillers waiting among return matches

Several ties are completely open ahead of the second weekend of the Women's Cup Winners' Cup. After Team Tvis Holstebro from Denmark and Norwegian Byasen Trondheim booked their tickets for the Last 16 last weekend already, some exciting duels seem to be coming up this weekend, when the second leg of the vast majority of the ties are taking place.

Two-goal cushion many times

When you think of Veszprem, you usually think of the men's team MKB-MVM Veszprém. But actually, the womens' team of Veszprem Barabas Dunatakarek KC have a good chance of reaching the Last 16 of the Cup Winners' Cup before receiving Gorodnichanka in Györ Saturday afternoon. The Hungarian side lost only 27:25 in Belarus last weekend and stand with fine chances to advance in the tournament.

The same goes for Cercle Dijon Bourgogne who received HC Odense in the Palais des Sports JM Geoffroy Sunday afternoon. The Danish outfit only has a 24:22 lead with them from the first match in Odense, and that may turn out not be enough in France.

Lugi HF also won their first match with just two goals, but their 26:24 win against Buxtehuder SV was away, so the Swedes have the edge, when the Germans visit the old university city Lund Sunday.

The situation is similar before the matches HC Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO) vs ASC Corona 2010 Brasov (ROM) and Rostov-Don (RUS) vs Muratpasa Belediyesi SK (TUR) where the home teams are also leading by two after the first leg, while Hungarian Erd even have a slightly bigger edge, having won 26:23 in the Netherlands against SERCODAK Dalfsen.

Three favourites with one foot in the next round

For treble EHF Champions League and EHF Cup winners Viborg HK, the return match against ZORK Jagodina should only be a formality after the Danish 31:18 win in Serbia, and the same goes for Zvezda Zvenigorod, as the former Champions League winners take a 36:15 lead with them to Spain for the meeting with Mecalia Atletico Guardes.

Fleury Loiret Handball may not have a lot to fear either before going to Norway for the second leg against Stabaek Handball, as the French ladies can take a 37:28 lead with them

Finally, this weekend also sees a double-header, as Jomi Salerno and Norwegian Tertnes Bergen decide their internal affair in Italy Saturday and Sunday.

Further information

Find the complete overview of the second leg matches here

TEXT: Peter Bruun / br