Molde and Bera Bera edge out rivals in round 3 openers

QUALIFICATION ROUND 3, FIRST LEGS

HIGHLIGHT MATCHES

Molde Elite (NOR) vs H.C. Dunarea Braila (ROU) 30:29 (16:14)

Raymond Hamar’s squad began the match on the front foot and established control early, with Anniken Obaidli taking Molde up by five goals (7:2) in the 11th minute, but Dunarea improved as the first half progressed. However, a three-goal run between the 23rd and 26th minutes enabled Rebeca Necula to tie the scoreline at 13:13, but the hosts still managed to take a narrow advantage at the break. The tight contest continued in the second half with the clubs going toe-to-toe before Molde took a lead of 26:22 in the 46th minute once again. Dunarea were not going to let the match finish like that, and drew level once more eight minutes later at 27:27, but Lene Tveiten decided the final outcome inside the dying seconds by scoring her eighth goal and securing a hard-fought win for Molde.

Rocasa Gran Canaria (ESP) vs Super Amara Bera Bera (ESP) 27:30 (15:15)

In an exciting and close first half, Gran Canaria and Bera Bera each held a three-goal lead during the opening 30 minutes, but went into the break level at 15:15. The drama continued in the second half and the home team managed to take a two-goal lead (20:18) thanks to Uxue Morentin in the 39th minute. Two goals from Carmen Arroyo later and the Spanish runners-up were level again, before taking the lead at 22:23 in the 47th minute. Bera Bera did not let Gran Canaria regain their advantage, instead building a decisive three-goal advantage (26:29) with less than three minutes to play. Arroyo, with nine goals, was the match's top scorer.

IN OTHER MATCHES

SCM Ramnicu Valcea (ROU) vs PGE MKS El-Volt Lublin (POL) 32:27 (17:16)

VfL Oldenburg (GER) vs Costa del Sol Málaga (ESP) 30:28 (15:12)

HC Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO) vs Boden Handboll IF (SWE) 33:25 (18:14)

St Amand HB-Porte du Hainaut (FRA) vs Larvik (NOR) 25:25 (14:15)

KGHM MKS Zaglebie Lubin (POL) vs Tertnes Bergen (NOR) 29:30 (17:15)

HSG Bensheim/Auerbach Flames (GER) vs IK Sävehof (SWE) 26:33 (12:15)

MOL Esztergom (HUN) vs DHK Banik Most (CZE) 33:19 (14:9)

Chambray Touraine Handball (FRA) vs CSM Corona Brasov (ROU) 25:26 (11:16)

Main image © Jon Forberg / Handball Today