Mosonmagyarovar complete quarter-final line-up

In the next stage, the Hungarian side join Norway’s Storhamar Handball Elite and Sola HK, Romania’s H.C.Dunarea Braila and CS Gloria 2018 BN, Croatia’s HC Podravka Vegeta, German side Thüringer HC and French team Neptunes Nantes.  

• Mosonmagyarovar struggled at Targu Jiu but ultimately took a two-goal win
• Storhamar beat Praktiker-Vác in their last group match and finished top of group A with five wins in six matches
• Csenge Kuczora, who netted six times for Vác, tops the competition's scoring chart with 59 goals (including qualification)
• Dinah Eckerle's 55 per cent save efficiency lifted Thüringer HC to a 12-goal win against HC Lokomotiva Zagreb
• Zagreb and Targu Jiu failed to take any points in the group stage
• the quarter-final matches will take place on 16/17 and 23/24 March

GROUP A

Praktiker-Vác (HUN) vs Storhamar Handball Elite (NOR) 24:30 (13:15)

After Podravka's defeat against Nykøbing Falster Håndbold on Saturday, Storhamar were certain to finish top of the group. In turn, Vác had no more chance of progression and hoped to end the tournament on a high, yet the visitors from Norway seized the initiative early in the match. Their lead reached five goals in the first half, but after the break, the home side turned the tide and pulled in front 19:18 after a few goals by Luca Csikos. The pendulum swung for a while, yet Storhamar were clearly the better side in the last 10 minutes, which helped them to win by six goals. Anniken Obaidli became the visitors' best scorer with eight goals, and Storhamar's goalkeepers Olivia Lykke Nygaard and Eli Marie Raasok also performed well, combining for 18 saves.

GROUP B

Thüringer HC (GER) vs HC Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO) 29:17 (13:10)

Before the match it was clear that Thüringer would finish second in the group, as Braila had an advantage over the German side on head-to-head results. But THC took the game seriously and claimed a commanding 12-goal victory. Lokomotiva, who hoped to end their five-match losing run, enjoyed a better start, opening a 4:2 lead. Yet the home team woke up and slowly took the match under their control. Thüringer's advantage was particularly clear in the second half, and their goalkeeper Dinah Eckerle, who boasted a 55 per cent save rate, became the heroine of the day.

GROUP C

Neptunes Nantes (FRA) vs MKS FunFloor Lublin (POL) 39:25 (19:15)

Gloria's win against HSG Bensheim/Auerbach helped Nantes to book their quarter-final ticket on Saturday, and on the following day, the French side demonstrated that they deserved to go through. At home against the last-placed Lublin, Nantes put on a strong attacking performance, nearly hitting a 40-goal mark. However, the fight was close during most of the first half, and the rivals were tied at 15:15 in the 25th minute. But the home team ended the half with a 4:0 run and continued to dominate after the restart. Helene Fauske became their top scorer with nine goals, while goalkeepers Floriane Andre and Jessica Ryde combined for 16 saves.

GROUP D

CSM Targu Jiu (ROU) vs Motherson Mosonmagyarovari KC (HUN) 20:22 (10:10)

Even a draw would have been enough for Mosonmagyarovar to go through, but defeat would have meant elimination for the Hungarian team, as Malaga held an advantage over them on head-to-head results. And it was a very nervous match for the visitors, as at half-time, the rivals were tied at 10:10. Both goalkeepers had a superb game, as Targu Jiu's Ekaterina Dzhukeva saved 42 per cent of shots, and Mosonmagyarovar's Zsófi Szemerey 50 per cent. In the second half, the Hungarian team started to find more solutions in attack, which helped them to pull clear at 21:15. Yet Targu Jiu did not give up and boasted a 5:0 run, making the visitors nervous in the closing minutes. However, Mosonmagyarovar weathered the storm, as Noémi Pásztor's goal sealed their win.

Main photo © IrinelC