First-ever win for Alpla Hard

GROUP C

Fraikin BM. Granollers (ESP) vs Skjern Handbold (DEN) 34:31 (15:15)

The Spanish side got back to winning ways by beating Skjern, who are now fixed in fourth with one round to play. The first half was filled with comebacks. Granollers took their first lead in the sixth minute and made a 7:0 goal run with a 70 per cent save efficiency by Rangel Luan da Rosa. But Skjern never backed down and rebounded with five straight goals narrowing the gap to only one (9:10). With both sides at 54 per cent of converted shots, the game was level up until the 50th minute; Skjern even took a short lead but playing without a goalkeeper proved a dangerous move as Granollers made a new goal run and decided the winner.

RK Nexe (CRO) vs Alpla HC Hard (AUT) 22:29 (12:14)

Even without a win this season and no chance of progressing further, Alpla Hard took their job seriously and midway through the first half gained a four-goal lead. Both sides’ goalkeepers had a good night, but the effort was not rewarded in attack. One-on-one misses kept Nexe behind until the 40th minute when Fahrudin Melic delivered a turnaround (19:18). However, errors in the following minutes cost Nexe again and Hard produced a 6:0 goal run. Six out of 14 field players netted four or more for Hard's historic win.

Balatonfüredi KSE (HUN) vs Sporting CP (POR) 25:31 (13:16)

Sporting secured second place in the group after extending their winning streak to six ahead of the crucial match against Nexe next week. After a level game, the Portuguese side made a good effort in defence and with fast breaks and Francisco Costa's six goals took a three-goal advantage. The efficient attack with the backup of strong defence continued in the second half. Arián Andó's 13 saves kept Balatonfüredi close as their offensive display was not high. Sporting stayed on a victorious course, reaching the highest five-goal lead seven minutes before the buzzer.