With the exception of Brescia (ITA), teams arriving from the Champions League qualifications didn’t find any consolation in the first leg of the quarters in the Euro Cup.
At the beginning of the season, in the Champions League qualifying process, Hannover (GER) drew with the Hungarian runner-up OSC and almost caught champion Szolnok (later both reached the prelims, despite of those slumps) – but the German’s third Magyar test ended in a nightmare in Szeged. The hosts, with a less strong line-up than in the past, did a tremendous job especially in defence (the goalie, Marcell Meixner posted an amazing 79% saving percentage) and crashed their rival (9-3).
Mornar (CRO), semi-finalist last season, managed to widen the gap against Oradea quarter by quarter and after an action-packed, 10-goal last period they can travel to Romania with a big win (14-9).
Though Marseille (FRA) took command in the first half against Sintez (RUS) and led 4-2, the second part belonged to the Russians who could turn the cards and win at the end (8-9).
Among the Champions League contestants – who bowed out in the last round of the qualifications – only Brescia could taste success on Wednesday, mainly thanks to Guillermo Molina’s 5 goals. The Italians downed Kirishi (RUS) in the first two periods, gaining a 1-7 lead and didn’t look back (5-11) – indeed they can look forward to play in the semis.
Euro Cup, Quarter-finals, 1st leg
Kinef Kirishi (RUS) v AN Brescia (ITA) 5-11
Diapolo-Szeged (HUN) v Waspo 98 Hannover (GER) 9-3
Mornar Brodospas Split (CRO) v CSM DiGi Oradea (ROU) 14-9
CN Marseille (FRA) v Sintez Kazan (RUS) 8-9
