Donk didn’t survive the ‘death group’
http://www.len.eu/?p=7129
One major casualty of the qualification round: Dutch team Donk didn’t make it in Group C where a huge tussle had been in sight with four great teams battling for the three qualifying spots. The other three venues saw the favourites going through.
Group C was labelled the death group in the qualifications as four outstanding sides were drawn together. The games didn’t disappoint, no team could finish with a clean sheet and at the end Donk (NED) fell shy of making the cut.
The decisive match against Bogliasco (ITA) was full of ups and downs as the Italians took a 3-6 lead deep into the second period. Next came Donk, scoring four in a row for a 7-6 lead and later they went 9-7 up. The Italians hit back with a 0-5 rush, with 3:55 to go they led 9-12. Donk pulled back two goals, with 1:21 remaining on the clock it was 11-12 but they couldn’t save the match to a draw and that meant an end to their quest this year, despite they beat eventual group winner Hanty-Mansiysk (RUS).
Italy enjoyed a fine weekend, all three sides reached the next stage, two of the three Dutch entrants are also through just as both Hungarian and Spanish clubs.
Women’s Euro League, Qualification Round – rankings
Group A (Dunaujvaros)
- Dunaujvaros (HUN) 9, 2. BVSC-Zuglo (HUN) 6, 3. Messina (ITA) 3, 4. Heidelberg (GER) 0
Group B (Utrecht)
- Sant Andreu (ESP) 10, 2. Utrecht (NED) 9, 3. Vouliagmeni (GRE) 7, 4. Rethymno (GRE) 3, 5. Uerdingen (GER) 0
Group C (Porto)
- Khanty-Mansiysk (RUS) 9, 2. Leiden (NED) 9, 3. Bogliasco (ITA) 6, 4. Donk (NED) 6, 5. Portuense (POR) 0
Group D (Padova)
- Padova (ITA), 2. Mataro (ESP) 6, 3. Lille (FRA) 3, 4. Otter (GBR) 0
