Nexe are still dreaming of their second consecutive EHF Finals but will have to put on the best performance of the season to overcome the huge 23:31 deficit against Frisch Auf Goppingen in the second leg of the European League quarter-finals. Vojvodina’s chances to proceed to the finals of the European Cup are much better, as the Serbian side lost only 24:25 at Alingsas in Sweden - and have the second leg on home ground too.

EHF European League

It was a Croat, who limited the chances of Croatians, when Frisch Auf Goppingen faced Nexe: Goalkeeper Marin Sego showed an excellent performances against his compatriots, saving 41 per cent of all Nexe shots. After a good start, the team of head coach Branko Tamse did not score for eight minutes in the middle of the first half, being down 9:15 at the break already. And the gap rose, as Nexe scored only twice in the first ten minutes after the break. In the end, Goppingen won the one-sided encounter 32:23 - and Nexe need a miracle now to proceed to the EHF finals in Flensburg on 27/28 May. The statistic proves, how high this hurdle is, as Nexe never won any of now three matches against Goppingen. The good news: Nexe only lost two of six home matches by now in this European League season. Best scorers in the first leg were Janko Kevic with seven goals and Luka Moslavac with six strikes.

Tuesday, 18 April (18:45 CEST): Nexe - Frisch Auf Goppingen

EHF European Cup

Vojvodina are the only non-Scandinavian side in the semi-finals of the European Cup - and the team of Boris Rojevic have best chances to make it to the finals. After a fully equal first half with light advantages for the Novi Sad based team, the score was 13:13. Backed by each six goals of Milos Grozdanic and Barys Pukhouski, Vojvodina seemed to be on the winners’ way seven minutes before the end, leading 23:21. But then the hosts stroke back and turned the match around, Pukhouski missed Vojvodina’s last chance to level the result with the final buzzer. Both goalkeepers stood out, with Alingsas’ Richard Frisk saving 16 shots, four more than Fran Lucin (12).

Saturday, 22 April (20:00 CEST): Vojvodina - Alingsas HK