24.03.2017, 03:21
First semi-finalist will be known on Sunday afternoon

ROUND PREVIEW: One double-header in the quarter-finals of the Men's Challenge Cup this weekend will determine the first team to reach the semi-finals.

First semi-finalist will be known on Sunday afternoon

The first team for the semi-finals of the Men's Challenge Cup 2016/17 will be known already in the late afternoon hours this Sunday. What we know already is that the first team to reach the last four will be either A. C. Doukas or Sporting CP.

The two teams are meeting for a double-header on Saturday and Sunday with Sporting have the home right in the two matches.

With prominent names such as Ivan Nikcevic, Janko Bozovic and Carlos Ruesga in their team, Sporting have their eyes set on winning the Challenge Cup, and the home advantage in this weekend's double-header is likely to help them take a further step towards fulfilling this ambition.

Valur reached the quarter-finals with the narrowest possible margin. Only away goals saw the Icelandic team through in their Last 16 tie against RK Partizan 1949.

In a double header in Montenegro, the two matches both ended in draws – 21:21 and 24:22 – but as the last match was Valur's technical away game, they made it to the quarters.

Here, they are meeting HC Sloga Pozega from Serbia who have the home right in the first leg Saturday evening with the return match next Saturday.

In a way, JMS Hurry-Up had a just a dramatic Last 16 tie as Valur.

The Dutch side lost the first match 30:19 away to Slovakian MSK Povazska Bystrica, but in the home game, the Dutch managed win 32:19 and proceed after all.

Now, another Slovakian side get the chance to avenge the fate of Povazska Bystrica, as HKM Sala will be facing JMS Hurry-Up in the quarter-final.
JMS Hurry-Up have the home advantage in the first leg Saturday afternoon in the Sporthal Angelslo in Emmen.

The last quarter-final tie, between Romanian AHC Potaissa Turda and HB Dudelange from Luxembourg will be played as a double-header in Romania next weekend.

TEXT: EHF / br