08.03.2019, 12:00
Three Danish teams with big chances to reach semi-finals

QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: Denmark’s Viborg, Herning-Ikast and Esbjerg as well as Hungary’s Siofok hope to defend their solid advantages from the first-leg matches

Three Danish teams with big chances to reach semi-finals

After the first-leg matches of the Women’s EHF Cup Quarter-final, it looks quite possible that three of the four semi-finalists will represent Denmark.

Herning-Ikast Handbold need to defend an eight-goal advantage away at Podravka, while Team Esbjerg are in an even stronger position following their 13-goal win away at Kuban. Viborg HK and Nykøbing Falster Håndbold – NFH meet in the Danish derby, with Viborg holding the upper hand after winning the first leg 28:20.

Siófok KC Hungary are likely to become the only non-Danish team in the next round, having a good chance after their seven-goal away victory at Storhamar. 

Viborg HK (DEN) vs Nykøbing Falster Håndbold – NFH (DEN)
Saturday 9 March, 14:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• Viborg enter the match on the back of an impressive winning streak, with victories in all 13 games in the current competition

• The 28:20 victory at Nykøbing makes Viborg strong favourites before the home match

• In the Danish league games on Wednesday, Viborg beat Silkeborg 31:28, while Nykøbing lost to Kobenhavn, 30:40

Siófok KC Hungary (HUN) vs Storhamar Handball Elite (NOR)
Sunday 10 March, 17:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• Siófok enjoyed a successful trip to Norway, winning the first-leg game 34:21

• Andrea Kobetic scored 10 goals in that game and now takes third place in the competition’s scoring chart, with 48 goals

• Siófok have won eight straight games in the tournament, starting from the return leg against Lada in Qualification Round 3

• Storhamar are not so strong away from home, having lost two of three matches on the road during the group phase

HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) vs Herning-Ikast Handbold (DEN)
Sunday 10 March, 17:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• Podravka has a mountain to climb following the 34:26 defeat in Denmark

• The Croatian team were the only group winner to lose the first leg quarter-final

• Herning-Ikast’s attacking duo of Emma Friis and Helene Fauske did a great job in that match, scoring 10 and nine goals, respectively

• Fauske continues as the competition’s top scorer, with 59 goals

Team Esbjerg (DEN) vs Kuban (RUS)
Sunday 10 March, 13:00 local time

• Esbjerg claimed an emphatic win, 37:24, in Krasnodar

• The Danish team confirmed their good shape on Wednesday by clearly beating Danish league leaders Odense, 29:18

• On the same day, Kuban suffered another setback, losing to Rostov 35:24 in the Russian Cup Quarter-final

• The Russian side still cannot count on their playmaker Yaroslava Frolova, who is sidelined with a broken finger

TEXT: Sergey Nikolaev / cg