13.02.2015, 10:30
Six quarter-final spots still up for grabs

ROUND PREVIEW: 12 teams chasing six quarter-final tickets in second leg of Women's Cup Winners' Cup Last 16.

Six quarter-final spots still up for grabs

With FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria and Zvezda Zvenigorod already through to the quarter-finals, 12 teams are now fighting for the remaining six positions among the last eight in the Women's Cup Winners' Cup.

FC Midtjylland, who made it to the Women's EHF FINAL4 in last season's Champions League have very good chances to proceed, being up 24:20 after the away match against HCM Roman last weekend. This result makes the Danish top team obvious favourites before meeting their Romanian adversaries in Ikast-Brande Arena Sunday afternoon.

However the second Danish team Randers HK find themselves on the brink of elimination as they head for Poland to be received by MKS Selgros Lubin. The Polish champions won in Denmark 27:18 as the Brazilian right wing Jessica Da Silva Quintino led their charge with eight goals.

Another Scandinavian team is almost sure to advance to the quarter-finals, as Byasen Trondheim are leading by 15 goals after defeating WHC Radnicki Kragujevac 39:24 at home in the first leg. That difference puts a heavy pressure on the Serbian team ahead of the return match in Kragujevac, to say the least.

France also have great chances of being represented in the quarter-finals, as Fleury Loiret Handball are defending a two goal lead at home against SERCODAK Dalfsen Saturday afternoon. The French ladies won the first match in Belgium 29:27 which puts them in an obviously fine position ahead of the return match.

Hypo Niederösterreich also hang on to the chance of maintaining their proud traditions in European handball despite being five goals down after their first match against Siófok KC – Galérius Fürdö. The Hungarian team won 25:20 at home, but in Maria Enzerdorf, Hypo have turned tougher tables than this in the past.

A double-header is also on the menu this weekend. In the Dom Sportova hall 2, HC Lokomotiva Zagreb are receiving German Bundesliga team HSG Blomberg-Lippe for two deciding matches on Saturday and Sunday evening.

Find all the fixtures of the Women's Cup Winners' Cup Last 16 here

TEXT: Peter Bruun / br