Thüringer, Nantes and Gloria earn second straight wins

• Thüringer HC lead group B with the maximum of four points, as 13 goals from Austrian left back, Johanna Reichert propelled them to a four-goal home victory against H.C.Dunarea Braila
• Chambray Touraine Handball recorded their first win group stage win, as they defeated Lokomotiva Zagreb by two goals
• it was a good day for the French teams in the second-tier EHF competition, as Neptunes Nantes also won, 34:29 at MKS FunFloor Lublin
• Nantes top Group C alongside CS Gloria 2018 BN from Romania, as both teams have four points after two matches
• all four matches in Group A and Group D will be played on Sunday

GROUP B

Chambray Touraine Handball (FRA) vs HC Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO) 27:25 (13:11)

Both sides had lost their opening group games a week before, so obviously both teams were eager to bounce back and improve their chances for progressing. Lokomotiva were a slightly better side early in the match, but a 5:0 run propelled Chambray to an 11:7 lead, and a two goal lead at the break. After the restart, Zagreb continued to cause problems for the hosts with their long-range shots, but goals from Laura van der Heijden and Melvine Deba kept the French side in front. And Monti, Danielsson rose to prominence in the crucial phase of the game, as the Swede scored three consecutive goals and helped her team to win.

Thüringer HC (GER) vs H.C.Dunarea Braila (ROU) 32:28 (16:11)

It was a match between teams that had started the group stage with victories, so it was clear that the winner of this clash would go top of Group B. And, it was the German team who claimed their second consecutive win and now seem to have a good chance to reach the quarter-final. The opening 15 minutes were nearly perfect for Thüringer, as Dina Eckerle's saves lifted them to a 10:3 lead. And, although Braila then had a 5:0 run, a five-goal advantage at half-time gave the hosts plenty of confidence. In the second half, the Romanian side tried to fight back and cut the deficit to 23:20 in the 45th minute, but Thüringer held their nerve.  Johanna Reichert led both teams in scoring with 13 goals in the match.

GROUP C

HSG Bensheim/Auerbach (GER) vs CS Gloria 2018 BN (ROU) 27:35 (15:21)

The "Flames" from Bensheim were playing their debut home match at the group stage of an EC club competition, but the German team came up short against Gloria, who have more quality and experience. Ndidi-Silvia Agwunedu opened the score for the home side, but it was Bensheim's only lead in this encounter. Gloria quickly seized the initiative and showed their fire power  in the first half, as they scored 21 goals before half-time. While the game became more balanced afterwards, the outcome was clear long before the final whistle. Gloria's goalkeeper Renata Lais de Arruda had a good game, boasting a 42% efficiency (16 saves) to help the Romanian team to take their second straight win, while Bensheim are still without points.

MKS FunFloor Lublin (POL) vs Neptunes Nantes (FRA) 29:34 (14:16)

Nantes also took their second win in a row, and the French side actually lead the group, as they have a goal difference of +17 compared to Gloria's +11. The match in Lublin was hard-fought, as both rivals had a chance to grab points. Following a 6:2 run, the Polish team were in front 14:12 in the 26th minute, but Nantes scored four unanswered goals to enjoy a two-goal lead at half-time. Midway through the second half, the hosts restored a two-goal advantage, 25:23, but Nantes were a clearly better side in the last 10 minutes. 12 of their 13 court players netted at least once and Naemi Ardouin was the top scorer with six goals.  Goalkeepers, Jessica Ryde and Floriane Andre combined for 14 saves.