Hamburg into semis

Despite losing 31-29 on the night, Hamburg progressed thanks to their greater margin of victory in the first leg in Flensburg nine days ago, when the former EHF Cup Winner's Cup champions won 28-25.

That result proved crucial as Hamburg ran out 57-56 aggregate winners against their fellow German side despite a nervy night in front of 13,000 home fans.

Hamburg became the first team to seal a place in the final four, with all three other quarter-finals still very much hanging in the balance.

A third German oufit, Kiel, host HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb after drawing the first leg in Croatia 28-28 while Ciudad Real take a 29-24 lead into their second leg against Veszprem in Hungary. Both matches are scheduled for Saturday.

A fourth Germann representative, Rhein-Neckar Loewen, trail Chehovski Medvedi of Russia 33-31 ahead of Sunday's final last-eight tie in Mannheim.