26.02.2017, 09:12
JMS Hurry-Up overturn 11-goal deficit to make quarter-finals

ROUND REVIEW – A 13 goal win on Sunday made Dutch side JMS Hurry-Up one of the four last teams to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Men´s Challenge Cup after overturning an 11-goal deficit.

JMS Hurry-Up overturn 11-goal deficit to make quarter-finals

Facing MSK Povazska Bystrica in Slovakia last week Dutch side JMS Hurry-Up lost 30:19, but in the return match on home ground, they managed to turn the tables to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Men's Challenge Cup.

At half time, they were leading 17:10, and much to the joy of the 1500 spectators, they carried on after the break and won 32:19, which was enough to reach the next round.

With 13 goals, right back Ronald Suelmann made a strong contribution to the Dutch triumph.

While an 11 goal lead was not enough for Povazska Bystrica, a lead of only three goals turned out to be enough for another Slovakian team.

HKM Sala had won 30:27 at home against TSV St. Otmar St. Gallen, and although they lost the return match in Switzerland, the Swiss win was only one goal, 28:27, meaning Sala progress to the quarter-finals.

Doukas move on after double-header

Two four-goal wins saw A. C. Doukas also progress. The Greek side hosted Turkey's Tasova Yibo SK for a double header Friday and Saturday.

Doukas won the first match on Friday evening 32:28, and as the two teams met again 24 hours later, the final digits were 34:30 in favour of the hosts.

It was not nearly as close in Pozega, Serbia, where HC Sloga were receiving Bulgarian HC “Lokomotiv” Varna.

The hosts practically decided the matter in the first leg on Saturday, which they won 35:22.

Left back Milan Pavalovic scored no less than 13 goals for Sloga, so it did not help Varna much that their left back Branimir Balcheve found the net 10 times.

Soga took things more calmly in the rematch Sunday. In fact, Varna were leading most of the time, before the home side harvested a narrow 23:22 goal win at the end.

TEXT: Peter Bruun / jh