Last season's finalists out of the Challenge Cup
RK Metaloplastika Sabac will not get the chance to emulate their achievement in the Challenge Cup last season, when the Serbian team reached the final and were defeated by Swedish side IK Sävehof. This season, Round 3 marked the end for Sabac who were sent out by another team who lost to Sävehof last season.
KS Azoty-Pulawy were sent out of the Swedish side in the semi-final of the competition last season, but the Polish side has the chance to do better this year after eliminating Sabac over two matches.
Pulaty won the first match in Serbia 26:20 last Saturday, and this weekend they followed that win with a 32:24 win at home, leaving absolutely no doubt which team was to proceed to the Last 16.
Warrington Wolves HC from Manchester appeared on home court for the first time in the European Cup history of British teams, as they took on H.C. Holon from Israel in a double header this weekend.
Holon made it all clear in the first match Saturday, which the Israeli visitors won 27:15.
Sunday, however, the Warrington Wolves made a much better performance in the Trafford Sport Dome, where they managed to narrow down the defeat to two goals, losing 24:22.
In another double header this weekend, HB Dudelange became the second team from Luxembourg to qualify for the Last 16.
After Red Boys Differdange qualified last weekend, Dudelange made no doubt at home against RK Boka from Montenegro.
Saturday, Dudelange won 38:28 in the Centre Sportif René Hartmann, and Sunday they won by one goal more, 37:26 in the same arena.
Käsipalloseura Riihimänen Cocks from Finland still have the chance to copy their achievement from last season, when they reached the quarter-final of the competition.
So far, the Finnish team are in the Last 16 of the competition this season after two convincing home wins over Samtredia from Georgia.
A 41:25 win in the Sisu Arena of Karjaa Saturday was followed by an almost as convincing 38:26 victory a day later.
TEXT:
Peter Bruun / cor