07.02.2014, 10:54
Busy weekend in Women's Challenge Cup

ROUND PREVIEW: No less than 12 matches this weekend, when the last seven quarter-finalists are being found.

Busy weekend in Women's Challenge Cup

This weekend will see no less than 12 matches, when the second leg of the Last 16 in the Women's Challenge Cup is taking place.

The reason for this extraordinary high number of matches with only eight encounters is the fact that five of the ties are going to be decided as double headers this weekend.

One team is in the quarter-finals already. PO SC Galytchanka-Lviv qualified already last weekend through a 51:37 aggregate win in the all-Ukrainian battle with HC Dnepryanka Kherson, while Union Mios Bignanos-Begles from France are practically through after their huge 45:22 win in Switzerland against SG Basel Regio Handball.

H 65 Höör also seem to have a very good chance to qualify for the quarter-final after their 25:24 away win against DHC Sokol Poruba.

Still, Höör coach Niklas Harris has great respect for the Czech team ahead of the home game in Sweden Saturday afternoon.

“We are looking forward to a tough match. We are obviously in a fine position after the first match, but we are up against a team who is definitely on the same level as top four in our league, and they practice and aggressive defence and a lot of changing positions,” Harris said.

Actually, the round starts already Friday evening in the Salle Marcel Cerdan in Villeneuve d'Asq in France, where Issy Paris Hand will be trying to give France double representation in the quarter-finals, when they are receiving Istanbul Maltepe Bel. GSK for the first match of the weekend´s double header.

Saturday night the French and the Turkish ladies will then move on to the Salle Pierre de Coubertin in Maubeuge for the return match.

In the remaining four double headers this weekend, Croatian RK Zelina are hosting DHC Slavia Praha from the Czech Republic, while H. V. Quintus are taking the trip from the Netherlands to Portugal for two matches against Colegio de Gaia, ABU Bakan are travelling from Azerbaijan to Serbia to face HC BMS Milenium in Belgrad, and finally Ardesen GSK are receiving another Serbian team, ZRK Naisa-Nis for two matches in Turkey.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / br