The German team was defeated 35:29 in the first leg, so they needed a victory by at least seven goals in the second leg to turn the tie around. Fredericia surprised Melzungen with their fast pace and control of the game, but in the second leg the home team managed to completely change the picture on the field.
Melzungen set the pace from the start and quickly took the lead, while on defense they successfully shut down Fredericia's cooperation with the linemen, which was one of the key factors in the first match.
The German team's attack was led by the full-backs and pivot Ruben Marčan, with goals well distributed among several players. In the first half, Melsungen scored 17 goals, with only three coming from wing positions.
Although Melzungen led throughout the match, Fredericia held on until the end of the first half. The home team took the lead for the first time in the 26th minute by four goals (12:8), and just before the break they reached plus five – 17:12.
The key moment came ten minutes into the second half, when Montenegrin goalkeeper Nebojša Simić saved a seven-meter throw and opened up space for Melzungen to reach the necessary seven-goal margin (23:17), thus turning the two-match aggregate score around. Simić ultimately made 12 saves.
From that moment on, the lead continued to grow, and Melzungen brought the match to an end with a confident play and deservedly earned a place in the top eight.
Flensburg, Montpellier and Nexen also made it to the quarterfinals.
After winning 36:34 in the first match against Kristianstad, Nekse celebrated in the second leg 32:27 and with a total score of 68:61, they secured a place among the top eight. Montenegrin handball player Aleksandar Bakić scored three goals in the winning team.
After winning 38:32 in the first match, Flensburg drew 33:33 against Aarhus and advanced with an overall score of 71:65.
Montpellier reached the quarterfinals despite losing to Elverum 35:31, as they won the first match convincingly 36:24, so the overall score of the two matches was 67:59.
Direct qualification to the quarterfinals was previously secured by Kiel, Porto, Vardar 1961 and Hannover-Burgdorf as group winners in the main round.
Quarterfinal pairings (April 28th / May 5th):
Nexe – Kil
Melsungen – Porto
Montpellier – Vardar 1961
Flensburg – Hanover-Burgdorf
