Champions League Qualification Round action kicked off in Group A and C; groups where five teams were drawn. As many expected, the favourites delivered, though Spandau had to dig deep to beat PAOK Saloniki. Elsewhere, Jug AO, Jadran M:TEL and Oradea all won lopsided matches.
The Qualification Round started in Oradea where the host side hit 20 against Enka Istanbul. After a slow start, the Romanians geared up, added eight in eight minutes in the following period and won with ease.
Also in Group C, Spandau 04 fended off PAOK Saloniki but it was an even match. The Germans jumped to a 2-0 lead but the Greeks responded with four connecting goals, though Spandau, a regular player in the Group Stage, were even by halftime. And after 7-7 they managed to stage a 3-0 run which proved to be decisive as Spandau landed a 12-10 victory.
In Dubrovnik, Jug AO brought its A-game to the pool for the second period. In the first, the Euro Cup winners were level with Dinamo Bucharest, then, after 3-3, they came up with a 6-0 blast in the second leaving no way back for the other Romanian side.
Jadran M:TEL thrashed Bosnia’s Banja Luka, the Montenegrins stopped at 35 goals, netted 10 action goals in a row in the first period to set the tone and never looked back.
From Friday, all four groups will be in action.
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