First teams secure next round tickets in intense double-headers

European Handball Federation

06 October 2024, 19:30

The EHF European Cup Women 2024/25 started with a bang, as 50 teams took the stage in round 2 this week. The action-packed weekend schedule included 12 double-headers, which decided the first teams to advance in round 3. Previous champions Malaga Costa del Sol hope for another successful European campaign after taking a win in the first leg against A.S.D. Handball Cassa Rurale Pontinia, while last year’s runners-up MSK IUVENTA Michalovce also celebrated a well-deserved victory.

in one of the closest double-headers of the weekend, ADA de Sao Pedro do Sul won 56:55 on aggregate against HK Slovan Duslo Sala to secure their ticket to round 3
four teams had clear missions during the weekend, as they finished their double-headers with major goal differences overall — Caja Rural Aula Valladolid, Conservas Orbe Zendal Bm Porrino, HC Galychanka Lviv and Haukar all imposed at least 30-goal gaps on aggregate and qualified to round 3
it was a disappointing weekend for Zalgiris Kaunas, who lost both legs at home, in Lithuania, against Valur (65:45)
six other participants ended the weekend on a high after advancing to the next round: JuRo Unirek VZV, Jomi Salerno, Garabagh HC, O.F.N. Ionias, WAT Atzgersdorf and Madeira Andebol SAD
for Greek teams, this round’s clashes were bittersweet, as O.F.N. Ionias took a 65:47 aggregate win at home against Kur, while Anagennisi Artas struggled in Portugal on Madeira Andebol SAD’s court (60:43 on aggregate) and missed out on a round 3 berth

Goals galore for home teams in Spain

Last year, the Spanish warriors from ATTICGO Bm Elche lifted the trophy in a tight final against MSK IUVENTA Michalovce. The defending champions aren’t part of the competition this season, but Spanish fans have their eyes set on other three teams — Caja Rural Aula Valladolid, Conservas Orbe Zendal Bm Porrino and Malaga Costa del Sol.

Caja Rural Aula Valladolid and Conservas Orbe Zendal Bm Porrino showed a lot of strength and determination on home soil, after securing impressive victories over KHF Ferizaj and SSV Brixen Südtirol, respectively, and grabbing round 3 tickets. Their wins were a result of team effort, as all players scored at least once in the double-headers. Inoa Lucio Garcia steered Valladolid to a 79:30 overall win with 12 goals, while Micaela Casasola stole the spotlight for Porrino, netting 16 times.

Malaga Costa del Sol have also started their European campaign in the right way, after winning 32:25 at A.S.D. Handball Cassa Rurale Pontinia, but they’ll have to make sure to keep their advantage in the second leg on home soil, scheduled for Saturday, 12 October.