12.02.2017, 09:40
Quarter-final of the Women's Challenge Cup set

ROUND REVIEW: Two double-headers and five second legs this weekend complete the Last 16 in the Women's Challenge Cup.

Quarter-final of the Women’s Challenge Cup set

The two double-headers this weekend both ended with clear aggregate wins for the hosts.

In Switzerland, LK Zug won the first leg Saturday 29:25 against HC Karpaty from Ukraine; with 10 goals from Iryna Kompaniiets not being enough for Karpaty. And in the return match in the Sporthalle Zug, the Ukrainian side had no hope at all. Leading 19:10 already after the first half, Zug went on to win 36:25. This time, it was a Zug player, left back Sibylle Scherer who scored 10 goals.

In Poland, Kram Start Elblag also won both legs against ABU Baku. On Friday night, Elblag had a clear start with a 33:23 win and thus, together with a 32:24 win Saturday, the home side finished the job.

The defending Challenge Cup winners, Rocasa Gran Canaria ACE, were virtually in the quarter-final already, before receiving ZRK Mlinotest Ajdovscina from Slovenia for the return match on Saturday. Having won 31:18 away, Gran Canaria could see the home game as a formality, but they managed to stay sufficiently focused to win even bigger this time at 36:21.

Having won no less than 51:18 at home, DHC Sokol Poruba were also sure to reach the quarter-final before visiting KHF Shqipona in Kosovo. This time, the Czech team won 46:22 and their Slovakian left winger, Maria Revajova, having a particularly special Saturday afternoon with 12 goals.

H 65 Höörs HK, who won the Challenge Cup in 2014, were leading by 13 goals before visiting the Sport Center Jane Sandanski in Skopje to meet HC Vardar’s youth team, HC Vardar SCJS. After winning 26:13, the Swedish team left no doubt in the return match either. Once again, they scored 26 goals and with a 26:20 win Sunday afternoon, they were ready for the quarter-final.

In Switzerland, LK Zug won the first leg on Saturday 29:25 against HC Karpaty from Ukraine. Ten goals from Iryna Kompaniiets did not assist Karpaty and in the return match in the Sporthalle Zug, nothing helped the visitors at all. Already leading 19:10 after the first half, Zug went on to win 36:25. This time, it was a Zug player, left back Sibylle Scherer, who scored 10 goals.

Lokomotiva Zagreb are also set for the quarter-finals. The Croatian champions had won the first leg at home 33:25 against Ardesen GSK and on Sunday, they followed this win up with a further victory in Turkey. Away, 24:20 Zagreb won this time.

Mecalia Atletico Guardes complete the quarter-final list, after winning 32:22 at home against Portuguese Colegio de Gaia Sunday evening. The Spanish side previously won 30:26 away.

TEXT: Peter Bruun/tm