MATCH REVIEW: Füchse Berlin became the first team to reach the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase, thanks to a 33:25 second leg victory at home to Porto
Füchse cruise into EHF Cup Group Phase
Last season’s finalists Füchse Berlin became the first team to qualify for the group phase of the Men’s EHF Cup this season.
After an even start, the German side picked up the pace and ensured a clear home win against Portuguese side Porto on Thursday night.
Men's EHF Cup Round 3, Leg 2
Füchse Berlin (GER) vs Futebol Clube do Porto (POR) 33:25 (17:12)
First leg 30:27, Agg. 63:52
Füchse Berlin have the honour of being the first of 16 teams to book their spot in next Thursday’s draw event in Vienna, having won the first leg 30:27 in Portugal, they left no doubt in the return match at home.
The sides went toe to toe in the opening stages, with the score at 6:6, but from that point on the home team stepped up a gear.
Füchse lead by five goals at the end of the first half and the second 30 minutes saw more of the same as they continued to impress the 6,009 spectators in attendance and increase their lead, which stood at nine goals several times.
Steffen Fäth and Mattias Zachrisson lead the scoring for Berlin with six goals each, while 20-year-old Miguel Soares found the net four times for Porto.
14 of the remaining 15 teams for the group phase will be found this weekend, while Tatran Presov and FH Hafnarfjordur will conclude their tie on 2 December.
TEXT:
Peter Bruun / cor