Both Kriens Luzern and FC Porto are close to qualify for the quarterfinals of the European League. However, the other two matches from yesterday remain far from decided ahead of the second leg.
– We are leading by three goals at halftime, but there is still a lot of handball left to play, said MT Melsungen’s head coach, Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson, after his team’s victory over VfL Gummersbach.
In the all-German Round of 16 clash between Melsungen and Gummersbach, the home side, Melsungen, had the upper hand throughout the match. Seventh-placed Gummersbach in the Bundesliga found themselves chasing third-placed Melsungen for most of the game. While the teams were level at times during both halves, Gummersbach ultimately couldn’t keep up. The final score: 29–26.
– We were not happy with our first half, but I am very pleased with our second half because the team fought really well. That is important for us. This was just the first match, and there are still 60 minutes left to play, said Gummersbach’s coach, Roberto García Parrondo, at the post-match press conference.
In Portugal, SL Benfica defeated GOG 33–31, keeping the Danish side well in contention ahead of next week’s return leg. However, things looked much worse for the visitors earlier in the match. Benfica led by five goals at one point in the first half (15–10), but when Frederik Tilsted scored his eighth and final goal of the game, the scoreboard showed 33–31.
The other two matches from yesterday were far less even. FC Porto secured a dominant 35–28 home win against Toulouse, while Kriens Luzern defeated Limoges 36–29.
The second-leg matches will be played on Tuesday.