12 more teams advance to EHF Cup Group Phase

Alingsas HK seemed to be heading for the group phase as the Swedish team followed their 29:26 win at home against GOG by leading 13:10 away in the second leg of the Scandinavian derby.

However, the Danish side made a remarkable comeback in the second half and through a 32:27 win, GOG advance to the group phase.

Denmark will have at least two teams in the bowl for the group phase draw as KIF Kolding Kobenhavn followed GOG.

KIF won 27:24 away against Abanca Ademar Leon last Saturday, and although the Spanish side won the second leg in Brøndbyhallen near Copenhagen 27:25 in front of 2156 spectators, their win was one goal too small to proceed.

Instead, the home team could celebrate their group phase berth after a dramatic finish.

Sunday, HC Midtjylland have the chance of becoming the third Danish team to reach the Last 16 when the European debutants host Russian Dinamo Astrakhan after their 29:29 draw last week.

More success for Spanish team

While Leon had to bite the dust, another Spanish team had more success. Helvetia Anaitasuna, who were in the group phase two years ago, will be there again this season.

Anaitasuna lost 30:26 in Hungary to Csurgói KK on Saturday afternoon, but the Spanish side could afford that defeat after their 27:21 win at home.

Spain will have two teams in the group phase as Fraikin BM Granollers just made it through away goals.

Granollers, who finished third in the EHF Cup last season, lost 29:27 at home to ZTR Zaporozhye but won the return match in Ukraine 30:28. It was just enough for them as they scored one more away goal than their opponents.

Zaporozhye were leading 15:12 at half time, but were unable to hold on against Granollers. Left wing Alvaro Cabanas Garcia became their most scoring player with 11 goals.

Portugal are sure to be represented by at least one team in the group phase after Futebol Clube do Porto qualified …

continue reading in source www.eurohandball.com