Two more teams confirmed in European League quarter-finals

• Sola secured not only the quarter-final ticket, but also first place in group D as they defeated Costa del Sol Malaga
• Malaga still have a chance to go through, but it will happen only if Mosonmagyarovar lose against CSM Targu Jiu on Sunday
• Nantes secured their progression even before their match on Sunday, as CS Gloria 2018 BN's win against HSG Bensheim/Auerbach was a favourable result for the French side
• following a defeat to Nykøbing Falster Håndbold, HC Podravka Vegeta are certain to finish second in group A behind Storhamar Handball Elite
• H.C.Dunarea Braila secured top position in group B following a victory at Chambray Touraine Handball, as their goalkeeper Kira Trusova did a great job

GROUP A

Nykøbing Falster Håndbold (DEN) vs HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) 23:22 (12:9)

Before this match, Podravka had already sealed their quarter-final spot, while their Danish rivals had lost a chance to progress. With a win, the Croatian side would have stayed in fight for the top position in the group, but now they will definitely finish second with seven points. In turn, Nykøbing left the tournament on a high, taking their second straight win on home court. The hosts were dominant throughout the match, boasting a good defence, and they led 20:16 with 10 minutes to go. Podravka slashed the gap to just one goal in the closing minutes, but they were unable to do more.

GROUP B

Chambray Touraine Handball (FRA) vs H.C. Dunarea Braila (ROU) 19:24 (10:14)

Following their fifth win in six matches, Braila are certain to finish top of the group, as they have an advantage over Thüringer HC on head-to-head results. In turn, Chambray rank third in the group with four points and are eliminated. The French team hoped to bow out in style in front of their home crowd, but Braila seized the initiative in the first half and led by four goals at the break. Their goalkeeper Kira Trusova played an excellent game, ending it with 19 saves and a 50 per cent save rate, and while her colleague from Chambray, Agathe Quiniou, also did quite well, the visitors had no problems clinching a victory.

GROUP C

CS Gloria 2018 BN (ROU) vs HSG Bensheim/Auerbach (GER) 33:24 (18:16)

After two straight wins, Bensheim still harboured some hopes of reaching the quarter-final, but the German debutants needed to defeat Gloria in order to stay in the fight, and it was a challenging task. The team from Bistrita had secured the top position in the group prior to this encounter, yet they did not relax their approach and showed their quality on Saturday. Right wing Sonia Seraficeanu played a superb game, converting 13 of 14 shots, while her teammate Renata De Arruda boasted a 42 per cent save rate. Being the only undefeated team in the current group stage, Gloria also helped Nantes, who have five points and will finish second regardless of their result against MKS FunFloor Lublin on Sunday. With four points, Bensheim are certain to take third position.

GROUP D

Sola HK (NOR) vs Costa del Sol Malaga (ESP) 36:31 (18:15)

Even a defeat by fewer than five goals would have secured Sola's top position in the group, but the Norwegian team put on a confident performance on home court, taking their fifth win in six group matches. Sola started the match very well, opening a 5:0 lead before Isabelle Dos Santos Medeiros scored Malaga's first goal seven and a half minutes into the game. After that, the Spanish side constantly tried to fight back, but the Scandinavians stayed in control. Kristina Novak did well in attack, scoring eight goals for Sola, while her teammate Rikke Granlund recorded 12 saves. Despite a defeat, Malaga still have a chance to become the first Spanish team to reach the EHF European League Women quarter-final. But their destiny is not in their hands, as only a home win for Targu Jiu against Mosonmagyarovar will see Malaga through.

Main photo © Kenneth McDowell