There will most likely be a switch on the throne in the elite European cup. Györi Audi ETO KC distanced reigning champion Vipers Kristiansand by seven goals in the first quarterfinal. Team Esbjerg has a narrow lead with the home game to go.
Despite economical issues during the season Vipers has overcome most hurdles to join top eight. But Györ might be unreachable in the penultimate power struggle. Per Johanssons first international club game with the green giant put Györ way ahead and the top capacity from the guests was visible from the very beginning.
Whether it was Ana Gros hard hits, Kari Brattiest Dale´s performance in the pivot position or the energy in Veronica Kristiansen´s breakthroughs Györ scored continuously. Brattset Dale and Line Haugsted also ruled in central defense and allow only one Vipers lead, 1–0.
After 21 minutes, 5–12 revealed the capacity gap between the teams and Vipers had to dig deep just the balance the rest of the game goal-wise.
Team Esbjerg made the most of a tight game against Ferencvaros. 26–25 bore the mark of Henny Reistad´s ten goals and never-ending effort to get the upper hand on the excellent keeper Blanka Böde-Biro.
Esbjerg wasn’t all efficient with some flaws in the fast breaks and failed to score on three penalties. Centre back Andrea Lekic (seven goals) became top scorer for Ferencvaros who hope to overturn the action in the away game, which the Hungarian team managed in the play-off round versus Brest Bretagne.
Champions League
Ferencvaros–Team Esbjerg 25–26 (11–13)
Vipers Kristiansand–Györi Audi ETO KC 23–30 (9-15)