24.11.2014, 08:20
Challenge Cup winners enter EHF Cup in convincing style

ROUND REVIEW: Having won the Women's Challenge Cup last season, H 65 from Sweden are now successful in the EHF Cup.

Challenge Cup winners enter EHF Cup in convincing style

Last season, H 65 from the small Swedish town Höör won the Women's Challenge Cup for the first time.

This season, H 65 are in the EHF Cup, but so far, this does not seem to intimidate the ambitious Swedish team at all. Having won the first leg against HC Karpaty convincingly 30:21 last weekend, Höor confirmed their place in Ukraine.

The Swedish team lost 34:28 this time, which was enough to progress and coach Niklas Harris was delighted: “I am so proud of the girls. They fought extremely well and gave themselves the chance to play more European matches this season. First and foremost, this was a team effort performed by a bunch of warriors.”

Buxtehuder SV had given themselves a good position against Succes Schoonmaak/VOC Amsterdam through a 32:25 home win in the first match, and things went even better for the German Bundesliga team, when this visited their Dutch opponents Saturday night. This time, Buxtehude won by one goal more, 32:24 despite missing several players to injury.

“It is just great how this team has performed without Isabell Klein, Randy Bülau, Jana Podpoliniski and Frederike Gubernatis. Compliments to our young players,” commented Buxtehude manager Peter Prior.

Another Bundesliga team, TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen-Werkselfen were also seven goals up after their first leg, in this case against former Polish champions KGHM Metraco Zaglebie Lubin.

30:23 for the German team had been the result of the first match, and even though Lubin were leading 16:13, Leverkusen managed to prevent any further trouble in the last 30 minutes and even get another win, although a narrow one, 29:28.

“It was a great performance from my team who managed to keep their nerves under control in a tough environment and who managed to stay cool even when being down by four goals,” found Leverkusen coach Renate Wolff.

Former Women's EHF Champions League participants Balonmano Bera Bera are also in the Last 16 after defeating Jomi Salerno form Italy 57:39 in two away matches this weekend.

On Friday, the Spanish team won 29:19, and this ten goal win was followed by a 28:20 win in the second match Sunday.

Find all the results of the Women's EHF Cup Round 3 matches here

TEXT: Peter Bruun / br