Three derbies this weekend

Three derbies this weekend

Three of the ties in the Last 16 of the Women's EHF Cup are derbies between teams from the same nation. In Romania, H.C.M. Roman have the home advantage in the first leg against ASC Corona 2010 Brasov on Sunday morning. Last season, both teams made it no further than the Last 16 in the tournament, but this time, one of them will make it at least one step further.

On Sunday afternoon, another derby takes place in Hungary, where Dunaujvarosi Kohasz Kezilabda Akademia are at home against Siófok KC for the first leg. Both teams were also in the Last 16 of their respective European tournaments last season – Dunaujvaros in the EHF Cup and Siófok in the Cup Winners' Cup. For one of these clubs, this stage will also be the end.

The last national derby is taking place in Russia on Sunday afternoon, where Astrakhanochka host last season's MVM EHF FINAL4 participants Dinamo-Sinara for the first leg.

The Last 16 also contains two meetings between Scandinavian neighbours. On Sunday evening in Haukelangshallen in Bergen, current number one in the Norwegian league, Tertnes Bergen,welcome Danish side HC Odense.

“I expect a difficult match against a top Norwegian team. I do realise, of course, that Tertnes are only number one because Larvik had some points deducted administratively, but they are still a top team we are up against,” Odense coach Flemming Larsen tells eurohandball.com.

“I see our chances to qualify for the quarter-final to be 50-50 and in the away game, I will be content if we can keep the game tight. A draw in the first leg would be absolutely acceptable.”

The other Scandinavian clash is taking place in Björkvikshallen, where Challenge Cup winners from 2014 H 65 Höörs Handbollsklubb host Denmark's Silkeborg-Voel KFUM, who are experiencing their first European adventure. Last season, Höörs only made it to the Last 16 of the EHF Cup and will be keen on improving that achievement.

Full details of all EHF Cup Last 16 matches here.