The Austrian champions reach CL Group D after winning away and at home against Italian side, Casarano.
Bregenz qualify
In the second qualification match, A1 Bregenz defeats Italgest Casarano by 36:29. After the Austrians winning the first match (28:31) they qualify for the CL group stage with a 67:57 aggregate result.
The Austrian champions did most of the job already at the first away game when they defeated Italians on their home ground in Lecce by 28:31 (8:16). The guests had a great start in Italy with an extraordinary defence, getting only 8 goals in the first half. But in the second half the Italians woke up and they came very close at 23:25, but they did not have strength to turn it around. The first match ended 28:31. Slovenian Mare Hojc had a big share in the victory with 9 goals scored.
Home victory
In the second leg everything went according to plans for the Austrians. Although Casarano was not an easy opponent, the first half again finished with Austrian lead, 17:15. In the rest of the match Bregenz controlled the game cleverly and won 36:29.
The key player was a 25-year old Croatian, Mario Obad, who scored 7 goals.
The Austrians will play in Group D with GOG Svendborg, Portland San Antonio and Tatran Presov. Their CL adventure will begin on 29 September in Presov, Slovakia.
TEXT:
Ivan Ambros