EVK Zaibas (Lithuania), Galatasaray (Turkey), Kreuzlingen (Switzerland) and Triglav Kranj (Slovenia) qualified for the semifinals of the 2nd Challenger Cup.
The return matches of the quarterfinals were played this weekend.
An encounter between Kreuzlingen and KVP Novaky (Slovakia) in Switzerland turned into a real thriller. But, an exciting match was more or less expected. Novaky brought only one-goal advantage to Switzerland (it earned a 15:14 win in Slovakia).
After the first half of the 2nd game, Kreuzlingen had a 4:2 lead. Novaky halved the deficit by the last break (6:7). The culmination of the big battle was a high-scoring fourth quarter, with 11 goals. Kreuzlingen entered the final minute leading 12:10 and was close to the semifinals. But, just nine seconds before the end, Novaky’s Tisaj converted a penalty for 11:12, so the teams were again tied in the aggregate score. But Kreuzlingen’s captain, Robin Pleyer, beat the buzzer. Just two seconds from the end, he scored his sixth goal, and the drama ended with Kreuzlingen’s 13:11 victory.
EVK Zaibas cruised to the semis with two convincing wins over Royal Dauphins Mousconnois (Belgium) – 17:7 and 18:7.
Galasatasay was better than Valetta twice. It recorded a 15:12 win in Istanbul, but the match had a peaceful ending since the Turks recorded a 10:6 victory in Malta.
Triglav lost to Carouge Natation in Switzerland – 12:14, but the Slovenians’ ticket for the semifinals wasn’t in danger. They completely outplayed the Swiss in Kranj (17:7). Triglav led 12:9 after three quarters of the return match, but Carouge netter five unanswered goals in the final period to achieve a consolation win.
Triglav will play against Kreuzlingen and EVK Zaibas against Galatasaray in the semifinals.
2024 Challenger Cup, quarterfinals, return matches
EVK Zaibas – Royal Dauphins Mousconnois 18:7 (3:4, 5:0, 7:1, 3:2) – 1st leg 17:7
Galatasaray – Valletta 15:12 (4:2, 3:2, 4:4, 4:4)- 10:6
Kreuzlingen – KVP Novaky 13:11 (2:1, 2:1, 3:4, 6:5) – 14:15
Carouge Natation – AVK Triglav Kranj 14:12 (3:2, 3:5, 3:5, 5:0) – 7:17
Pairs of the semifinals (March 9 and 23)
Triglav – Kreuzlingen
EVK Zaibas – Galatasaray
