EHF European Cup Men semi-final spots up for grabs

At the beginning of the weekend, all eyes will be set on the sole return leg on Saturday 29 March between HC Izvidac and Haukar. On Sunday, Greece’s top duo travels to Serbia and Norway, respectively, counting on a solid advantage, while the return leg in Skopje promises to be intense. 

• CS Minaur Baia Mare would like to repeat last season’s semi-final participation, but the task will be tough this time, having to beat HC Alkaloid in Skopje after their 31:31 draw in the first leg; Alkaloid celebrated a victory in the domestic league on Wednesday, while the Romanian side had time to focus on the return leg
• the second-closest margin is in the duel between HC Izvidac and Haukar; the Icelandic side travels to Bosnia and Herzegovina with a three-goal advantage; Izvidac qualified for the domestic cup semi-finals on Wednesday and are eager to repeat this feat on the European stage; Haukar beat last season’s EHF European Cup winners Valur in the domestic league, 35:33 on Wednesday
• AEK Athens HC enjoy a comfortable five-goal lead against RK Partizan AdmiralBet; the Greek side could reach the semi-finals for the first time since the 2020/21 season, when they won it all; Partizan’s hopes rely on their home crowd, having won every match at home in the domestic league this season
• Olympiacos SFP travel to Norway after beating Runar Sandefjord 37:31 at home last week; the Norwegian side is undefeated at home in the European Cup this season; Olympiacos could reach the semi-finals for the second time in a row

Potential semi-final returners could meet

Two of the four remaining teams this season could be returning to the EHF European Cup semi-finals for the second year in a row.

Last season, CS Minaur Baia Mare were defeated by later-crowned champions Valur, while Olympiacos SFP went to the finals. CS Minaur Baia Mare could be part of the last four for the third time in four seasons. The sides from Romania and Greece could meet in a potential semi-final in April.

Photos © Sotiris Dimitropoulos (main), Haukar (in-text)