FC Midtjylland practically in the semi-final
Last season, FC Midtjylland were in the Women's EHF FINAL4. This season, the current number two in the Danish league are practically among the last four in the Cup Winners' Cup.
That is a fact after Midtjylland won as big as 35:25 away against MKS Selgros Lublin in the first leg of the two teams' internal quarter-final tie.
The Polish champions came to the Cup Winners' Cup from a third place in their Women's EHF Champions League group, but they could not do much against Midtjylland who simply won both halves by five goals. 11 goals from Danish international Line Jørgensen contributed considerably to the Danish triumph.
“I must say that I expected us to get under a heavier pressure than we did, but instead we managed to seize the game, and I am content that we won by ten and score 35 goals against this team,” FC Midtjylland coach Helle Thomsen told her club's website.
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria also seem to be heading for the semi-finals after winning 34:25 at home against HSG Blomberg-Lippe. The hosts virtually decided the match in the first half, which they won 18:11, and after adding two further goals to their lead in the second half, they are in an extremely good position before going to Germany for the return match.
Two players scored 11 goals each in Budapest – Zita Szucsanszki for FTC and Gisa Klaunig for Blomberg-Lippe.
Last season, Hypo Niederösterreich were sent out of the Cup Winners' Cup by Byasen Trondheim. The Austrian record champions may very well be heading for a revenge after winning 24:23 in Norway in the first leg of the two teams' meeting in this season's edition of the tournament.
Hypo were leading 13:8 at half-time, but even though Byasen reduced the distance to one goal at the end, Hypo still appear as favourites ahead of the second leg at home.
“We were hoping for more today, but we have the feeling that we can still turn the table next Saturday,” Byasen coach Claus Mogensen said.
The last quarter-final tie in the tournament will be carried out as a double-head this coming weekend, when Zvezda Zvenigorod travel to France for two matches against Fleury Loiret Handball.
Find all the fixtures of the Women's Cup Winners' Cup here
TEXT:
Peter Bruun / br