Three teams aim for first-ever EHF European Cup semi-final

QUARTER-FINALS

• Slovakia’s MSK IUVENTA Michalovce aim for their fourth semi-final participation in four years against Dutch side Cabooter Fortes Venlo, with both matches played in Michalovce
• the two teams met in the 2023/24 quarter-finals, when the Slovak side won both matches; this is the further Venlo have got in a European competition
• Spain’s Costa del Sol Malaga were winners of the EHF European Cup Women in 2021 and finalists in 2022, and host two-time quarter-finalists Czech side Hazena Kynzvart in their double-header
• in 2024/25, Kynzvart were eliminated in their first-ever semi-final by another Spanish team, Porriño
• Bursa opened the gates to the semi-finals after a 36:30 home win in the first leg against Greece’s A.C. PAOK after seven goals from Alena Ikhneva and six by Yeliz Özel
• Bursa could become the third Turkish side to make it to the European Cup semi-finals after Yalikavaksports in 2020/21 and 2023 winners Antalya; PAOK would be the first Greek side ever in the last four
• Atlético Guardes almost gave alway a seven-goal lead in the first leg of the all-Spanish duel against ATTICGO Bm Elche, finally winning 21:20
• Guardes were finalists in 2023 and semi-finalists in 2023, while Elche won the competition in 2024 and were semi-finalists in 2023, losing to Guardes
• the semi-final pairings are already drawn: the winner of Costa del Sol Malaga/Hazena Kynzvart will play the winner of Club Balonmán Atlético Guardes/ATTICGO Bm Elche; the winner of Bursa Büyüksehir BSK/A.C. PAOK will meet the winner of Cabooter Fortes Venlo/MSK IUVENTA Michalovce

Home advantage for Michalovce?

MSK IUVENTA Michalovce have enjoyed a considerable home advantage in recent years in the EHF European Cup — apart from in the 2023/24 finals, when they lost 22:28 to ATTICGO Bm Elche at home in the second leg.

Last season, they won all home matches by at least 10 goals except for the semi-final first leg against Valur, where they took a 25:23 victory that was cancelled out in Iceland the following week. This year, Michalovce have played double-headers at home in each round, and have four wins to their name so far. They will be hoping that their fans can cheer them on to what would be a fourth consecutive appearance in the European Cup semi-finals.

Photos © www.marekf.sk, Tamara Alonso SportCoeco