Kuban and Randers ready for the final qualification round

Neither Russian Kuban nor Danish Randers HK had much trouble qualifying for the third and deciding qualification round for the new group phase of the Women’s EHF Cup.

Both teams booked clear wins in their double-headers this weekend.

Kuban, the team under Russian national coach Evegenij Trefilov, left no doubt in their two home games against SPONO Eagles from Switzerland.

In the Palace of Sports in Krasnodar, Kuban won 35:23 on Saturday, and even bigger (38:28) on Sunday.

After winning the first leg Saturday 30:20, Randers HK won even more clearly in the second match of their double-header at home against Muratpasa Belediyesi SK.

The Turkish visitors were able to follow the Danish hosts until half-time, where Randers were leading 8:7. In the second half, however, Randers cruised to a 26:13 win.

SG BBM Bietigheim are not in the third round yet, but the European debutants from Germany are very close after winning 37:24 at home against ASC Corona 2010 Brasov.

After a 17:13 lead at half time, Bietigheim increased their lead considerably after the break and put themselves in a very favourable position ahead of the return match in Romania on Saturday.

Without Norwegian international Linn Jørum Sulland, Vipers Kristiansand got in trouble in Togliatti against Handball Club Lada.

The Russian hosts, who lost the Cup Winners’ Cup final to Danish TTH Holstebro last season, won 29:23 and have very good chances to proceed to the next round, when the two teams meet in Norway on Saturday.

Norwegian left back Malin Holta’s 11 goals will be far from enough for Nantes Loire Atlantique HB to feel secure to reach the next round.

Despite the support from 4,100 spectators, the French side only won 24:23 at home against DVSC-TVP from Hungary, which have a good chance to make up this one-goal deficit in the return game.

Another Hungarian team, Alba Fehérvár KC are even close to the third round after winning 27:25 in Romania against H. C. M. Roman.

Pogon Baltica Szczecin were able to follow their Danish visitors Nykøbing Falster Håndboldklub until 9:9. From then on, the European debutants ran away from the hosts, and after a 16:12 at half time, Nykøbing took a huge step towards Round 3 by winning as clearly as 35:29.