12.11.2017, 08:10
First three teams ready for Last 16

ROUND REVIEW: Three teams have already qualified for the Last 16 of the Women's Challenge Cup, and one more will follow on Monday.

First three teams ready for Last 16

Three teams are through to the Last 16 of the Women's Challenge Cup after double headers this weekend.

Rincon Fertilidad Malaga had no trouble against WCH Metalurg from FYR Macedonia. Malaga won the first leg on Friday 31:14. In the second match on Sunday, the Spanish team won by an even greater margin of 37:14, with Serbian left wing Maja Veljkovic scoring 10 of those goals.

ADA CJ Barros had just as few problems, as they hosted KHF Shqiponja on Saturday and Sunday.

In the first match, the Portuguese hosts won 38:16 against the team from Kosovo who only had eight players in their roster.

On Sunday, the home team sealed their Last 16 berth with another big winof 37:22.

With 10 goals in the first match, line player Betül Yilmaz made an important contribution to Turkish club Zagnosspor winning the first match at home against SPONO Eagles from Switzerland 35:28.

In the second leg on Sunday, 11 goals from Slovenian right wing Neli Irman were not enough for the visitors to catch up. Instead, Zagnosspor won again, booking their Last 16 ticket with a 23:20 victory.

More teams to progress

MKS Selgros Lublin have guaranteed their place as the fourth team in the next round.

There is no doubt about that, after the Polish side won the first leg of their double header at home against ZRK Kumanova from FYR Macedonia by no less than 54:13 on Sunday. The second leg on Monday evening will be a formality.

Swedish club Boden Handboll IF, who are debutants in Europe this season, also seem to be heading for the next round, although they must wait until next Saturday to find out.

However, their chances are more than good, after they defeated HIFK from Finland 34:21 at home this weekend. A total of 10 goals from left wing Emmy Nordmark contributed to the big win.

Defending Challenge Cup winners HC Lokomotiva Zagreb are also virtually in the next round after winning no less than 37:19 at home against Austrian side UHC Müllner Bau Stockerau. Meanwhile 2016 winners Rocasa Gran Canaria ACE are also close to the Last 16 after winning 32:26 in the Netherlands against Maedilon/VZV. Cuban left back Lisandra Lusson played a big part by netting 14 goals.

TEXT: Peter Bruun/jh