The Bundesliga club Füchse Berlin, which is heavily weakened, has reached the group phase of the European EHF Cup after a feat of strength. After the 29:31 at Aalborg HB, the defending champion won in the home Max-Schmeling-Halle against the Danes with 28:23 (11:13) and thus more than made up for the first leg defeat.
Coach Velimir Petkovic’s team were behind the music against Aalborg and were only two goals behind at halftime thanks to a chase to catch up after being 8:13 behind in the meantime. The Berliners took the momentum with them after the change and gained a comfortable lead. Hans Lindberg with six goals in seven throws and Jacob Holm with five goals were the best thrower of the Berliners, Andreas Jensen (7) scored the most with the guests.
On Saturday TSV Hannover-Burgdorf had reached the group stage with a 33:33 in the return leg at Benfica Lisbon, the 41:36 from the first leg was enough for the Lower Saxony. On Sunday, record champions THW Kiel against Drammen HK (first leg: 34:23) from Norway and SC Magdeburg at FC Porto (26:23) have the chance to advance.
The group stage with the last 16 teams will take place from 9 February to 31 March 2019, the four groups will be drawn next Thursday (29 November). The quarter-finals will take place from 20 to 28 April, the final four from 18 to 19 May.