On Tuesday, Motor defeated Nexe 29:27 (16:9) away from home in the return match of the round of 16 of the Europa League. However, it was not enough, because last week the most famous club of Ukraine lost at their temporary home in Dusseldorf by a larger margin of 23:27.
Motor started the return match very decisively and already in the middle of the first half gained the necessary five-goal lead 9:4. Just before the break, following scoring four goals in a row, the Ukrainians increased the lead to 16-9, and in the second half they led for a long time by a difference of 6-8 goals.
“Nexe” turned around only in the middle of the second half. The Croatian runners-up scored four goals in a row to cut the deficit to 20-24, then pulled even closer to 23-25.
The tension did not subside until the last seconds. In the last minute, Motor led 29-26 and was preparing an attack in which they might snatch overtime. However, the Zaporizhia handball players lost the ball and Nexe advanced to the quarterfinals.
“Nece” became the winner of the group in the first round (16 points in 10 games), while “Motor” took only fourth place in the other group (7 points).
Flensburg-Handewitt (Germany), Berlin Füchse (Germany), Goipingen Frisch Auf (Germany), Montpellier (France), Granoyers Fraikin (Spain) also won their tickets to the Europa League quarterfinals on Tuesday. Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) and Schaffhausen Kadetten (Switzerland).
Benfica, who won the Europa League last year, was eliminated in the round of 16. She lost to Flensburg-Handewitt.
The quarter-final matches will take place on April 11 and 18, and the final four is scheduled for May 27-28 in Flensburg.
Round of 16 second leg
Našice “Nexe” – Zaporizhia “Motor” 27:29 (9:16). Severec 8 / Turchenko 7. First game 27:23.
“Frisch Auf” of Giopingen – “Valur” of Reykjavik 33:31 (18:15). First match 36:29.
Ystads IF – Schaffhausen Kadetten 25:27 (9:14). First match 32:38.
Berlin “Füchse” – “Skjern” 38:32 (21:18). First match 28:23.
Sporting Lisbon – Bidasoa-Irun 34:24 (15:12). The first match at 27:30.
“Montpellier” – Budapest “Ferencvaros” 43:29 (23:11). First match 36:30.
Skanderborg-Aarhus – Granojers Fraikin 25:30 (13:16). First match 34:32.
Flensburg-Handewitt – Lisbon Benfica 33:28 (19:16). First match 39:26.
