Mixed results for Norwegian teams at home

• 20 saves by Olivia Lykke Nygaard powered Storhamar to a big win against Praktiker-Vac
• Storhamar are top of Group A with four points, while HC Podravka Vegeta, who beat Nykøbing Falster Håndbold, rank second with three points
• Nykøbing, who were the runners-up of the same competition last season, are still without any points, having lost two games, albeit both in a tight fight
• Motherson Mosonmagyarovari KC lead Group D with the maximum of four points after they beat Sola HK in Norway
• Sola are level on two points with Costa del Sol Malaga, who took a commanding win at CSM Targu Jiu

GROUP A

Storhamar Handball Elite (NOR) vs Praktiker-Vac (HUN) 35:17 (16:10)

After narrowly beating Nykøbing (27:26) in their opening group stage match, Storhamar took a much more comfortable home win against Vac. Kristin Venn netted four times in the first eight minutes, helping the Norwegian team to open a 6:1 lead.  And, the hosts did not run out of steam afterwards, as the steadily increased their lead. Their goalkeeper, Olivia Lykke Nygaard became the heroine of the day, boasting 20 saves for a 54 per cent save rate and restricting Vac to just 17 goals. After the break, the Hungarian side netted just seven times, as Storhamar cruised to a well-deserved win.

HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) vs Nykøbing Falster Håndbold (DEN) 25:23 (12:6)

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.

GROUP D

CSM Targu Jiu (ROU) vs Costa del Sol Malaga (ESP) 25:35 (13:16)

Both sides had lost their opening group matches and were looking for the first win, but the more experienced Malaga were seen as favourites and lived up to that status, winning by 10 goals. Targu Jiu, who played their first-ever home match at the group stage of any EC club competition, enjoyed a good start, taking a 4:2 lead, but it did not take long for the Spanish team to turn things around. A three-goal lead after 30 minutes left the Romanian side some chances for a comeback, but Malaga's dominance became even more visible as the match progressed. Their goalkeeper, Mercedes Castellanos boasted a 41 per cent save rate (16 saves), as she denied the hosts time after time to help secure her team's victory.

Sola HK (NOR) vs Motherson Mosonmagyarovari KC (HUN) 28:32 (13:16)

The winners of this match were certain to go top of the group, and it was the Hungarian team who were more dominant and took a well-deserved victory. In the first half, Noemi Pasztor led Mosonmagyarovar by example, scoring six goals and also playing a big role in defence. The visitors led 16:11, and although Sola cut the deficit, the Hungarian side felt quite confident going into the break. In the second half, the visitors' coach made a few changes, but his team continued to have the upper hand. The gap reached six goals at a couple of occasions before Mosonmagyarovar ultimately wo by four goals.