CHAMPIONS | Mixed fortunes for Spanish teams on matchday two
Second matchday of the Champions League Women's qualifying round. With four Spanish representatives in the running, there has been mixed fortunes. The only team to rest on Friday was CN Terrassa after its victory on Thursday against ZF Eger. CN Sant Andreu made their debut with a win in Athens against Panionios (16-7), EPlus CN Catalunya won against the host Spandau in Berlin (11-12) and Tenerife Echeyde lost their debut against Plebiscito Padova in Italy (13-11).
Starting with the current third-placed team in the competition, CN Sant Andreu, made their debut with a comfortable win against Panionios in Athens (16-7). The victory of Javi Aznar's team was unassailable, having started off a bit slow (they were losing 5-6 at the long break) and then got going from the halfway point of the match. Partial, mind you, 11-1 in the last two quarters. Four goals from Gisel la Farré and Ari Ruiz.
Three very important points for EPlus CN Catalunya after their defeat on the opening day. The team from the Gràcia neighbourhood of Barcelona beat the hosts, Spandau Berlin, 11-12. A great game from Clara Díaz, the top scorer of the match with seven goals, was key to the victory. She was the 4-5 before the long break; Vosseberg's 10-12 with 1:27 left was decisive.
Tenerife Echeyde was unable to make its debut in the competition with a win. The islanders fell to the host Plebiscito Padova (13-11) after a first half in which they were always trailing (10-5 at the halfway point). Enrique Cruz's team improved after the restart, but the 13-11 with 53" to go was too late to seek a comeback.
RFEN communication. Photo: Archive image of Natalia Naya, from Tenerife Echeyde / Arsenio WP
