One more Romanian side reaches European League quarter-finals

Neptunes Nantes could have also gone through, but they were stunned by HSG Bensheim/Auerbach, who stay in the fight for a quarter-final berth thanks to their 37:30 win.

And in the clash of the group D leaders, Sola HK made a big step towards the next stage, as they beat hosts Motherson Mosonmagyarovari KC 34:29.

• Thüringer HC dropped their first group phase points, so there are no more teams with a 100 per cent record
• HC Lokomotiva Zagreb have no points after five games and have no chance to go through
• Bensheim's Lucie-Marie Kretzschmar scored 13 goals against Nantes and increased her tally in the competition to 49 goals (including qualification)
• Nantes (five points) and Bensheim (four) are still in the fight for second position in group C, after Gloria progressed last week
• an excellent performance by wing Camilla Herrem and goalkeeper Ine Skartveit Bergsvik helped Sola to take revenge on Mosonmagyarovar for the defeat in the reverse fixture

GROUP B

H.C. Dunarea Braila (ROU) vs Thüringer HC (GER) 33:23 (16:12)

The Romanian team needed one point to secure their progression, and they ultimately claimed a 10-goal victory, ending THC's four-game winning run in the competition. The visitors, who had already booked their quarter-final ticket, opened a 5:3 lead early in the match, but then Braila, who relied on a solid defence, enjoyed a 7:1 run and turned the tide. Early in the second half, the home team increased the gap to seven goals (20:13), and Thüringer's attempts to fight back were in vain. The Romanian team boasted a good team performance, with 11 of their players scoring at least once, and Kira Trusova recorded 14 saves (a 38 per cent save rate).

HC Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO) vs Chambray Touraine Handball (FRA) 22:29 (11:12)

Braila’s result did not helped Chambray, who have no more chances of reaching the quarter-final – just like their rivals Lokomotiva, who suffered their fifth consecutive defeat and are now certain to finish bottom of the group. In Croatia, the French side struggled in the opening 30 minutes, taking their first lead shortly before the break (12:11). However, Chambray became more dominant after the restart, as they pulled in front 19:14 in the 40th minute. After that, the visitors did not slow down, and Laurie Puleri became their top scorer with seven goals. While Antonija Mamic did a decent job in Lokomotiva's goal, none of her teammates shone in attack, with the leading scorer, Kristina Dramac, netting just four times.

GROUP C

HSG Bensheim/Auerbach (GER) vs Neptunes Nantes (FRA) 37:30 (19:19)

In the reverse fixture, Nantes had won 39:27 at home, and a victory in Germany would have seen them through to the quarter-finals. However, Bensheim also needed a win to stay in the fight for a quarter-final spot, and the home side reached their goal. Seen as favourites, Nantes pulled ahead early in the match to lead 11:7 midway through the first half, yet the "Flames" managed to turn things around. At the break, the teams were level, but Bensheim went on to dominate after the restart. Their top scorer Lucie-Marie Kretzschmar was on fire, ending the game with 13 goals, while goalkeeper Vanessa Fehr, who replaced Helen van Beurden during the match, stood like a wall, boasting a 48 per cent save rate.

MKS FunFloor Lublin (POL) vs CS Gloria 2018 BN (ROU) 26:29 (12:18)

Lublin also hoped to stay in contention for a quarter-final spot, but a home defeat against Gloria means that the Polish side have no more chances of progressing. Despite securing their quarter-final spot already in round 4, the visitors from Romania took the game seriously, and thanks to a win, they are now certain to finish top of the group. Centre back Cristina Laslo became their leading scorer with nine goals, and while Gloria used three goalkeepers in this game, it was Yuliya Dumanska who played an important role, boasting a 45 per cent save rate. The visitors led by seven goals in the 37th minute (22:15), and although Lublin cut the deficit to just one goal, 24:23, Gloria held their nerve to clinch a victory.

GROUP D

Motherson Mosonmagyarovari KC (HUN) vs Sola HK (NOR) 29:34 (16:22)

Both sides were level on six points before the match, but it was Sola who had the upper hand and took revenge for a 32:28 home defeat in round 2. In Hungary, Mosonmagyarovar were determined to win again and opened a 4:0 lead early in the match, but soon Sola turned things around. Their goalkeeper Ine Skartveit Bergsvik did a superb job, ending the match with 18 saves and a 51 per cent save rate, and Sola scored 22 goals in the first half, securing a six-goal advantage at the break. In the second half, the Norwegian team were less productive in attack, as Mosonmagyarovar's goalkeeper Zsófi Szemerey also did well, but it was Sola who continued to dominate. Their veteran Camilla Herrem played another excellent game, scoring nine goals from as many attempts, and she played an important role in her team's important win.

Main photo © Sorin Pană