There were no thrills and surprises in three return matches of the LEN Euro Cup quarterfinals played today.
However, considering the results of the first leg, nobody expected miracles in today’s matches. Enka Istanbul and two Spanish clubs, Terrassa and Tenerife, qualified for the semifinals. These three teams recorded convincing wins two weeks ago.
The return match Galatasaray – Apollon has been postponed to February 18 due to a disastrous earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
LEN Challenger Cup, Quarterfinals, 2nd leg
ZPC Het Ravijn – Enka Istanbul 16:15 (5:3, 3:4, 3:3, 5:5) – first match 8:14
ZPC Het Ravijn:Loos 6, E.M.Wouters 2, H.F.Wouters 2, Ter Brake 2, Muller 2, Hageman 1, AAnstoot 1.
Enka Istanbul:Obradovic 5, Alkan 3, Kahraman 3, Yengun 2, Ozbek 1, Baskaya 1.
Het Ravijn said goodbye to the first edition of the LEN Challenger Cup with a win. However, the game in Nijverdal lacked real excitement. Het Ravijn had a mountain to climb after a 6-goal loss in Istanbul. The Dutch team led throughout the game. Still, the hosts were never close to a 6-goal lead. They had a 3-goal advantage (6:3 and 11:8), but the Turks cut the deficit to one goal quickly on both occasions. Enka leveled the score in the fourth quarter (12:12 and 13:13). Still, Her Ravijn recorded a consolation win.
SKP Modri Draci Kosice– Tenerife 8:13 (0:2, 2:3, 2:5, 4:3)– first match 8:22
Kosice: Muzhychuk 3, haluska 3, Juhasz 1, Horvath 1.
Tenerife:Alegre 5,Espanol 3, Espinosa 1, Diaz 1, Magrina 1, Gutierrez 1, Mercado 1.
Tenerife secured a spot in the semifinals already after the first leg. The Spaniards dominated in the match in Slovakia. After an opening 3:0 lead, they stretched the margin to seven in the third quarter (9:2). The Slovaks didn’t give up and reduced the gap to five.
Terrassa – Ludwigsburg 15:12 (3:3, 4:3, 6:3, 2:3)– first match 16:7
Terrassa: Delgado 4, Rodriguez 4,Flores 3, Sanchez 2, Diaz 2.
Ludwigsburg: Prieto 3, Blazevic 3, Bauer 2, Kutchashvili 1, Dzaja 1, Metodiev 1, Lipar 1.
After a 9-goal victory in the first match, Terrassa entered the second game quite relaxed Ludwigsburg led 2:0 and 5:3 in the first half. Still, the Spaniards proved they were a better team. They didn’t care much about defense. Still, Terrassa advanced to the semifinals with a double win.
Galatasaray – Apollon Smyrnis on February 18 – first match 5:9
