In the first match of the first qualification round for the EHF European League, handball players of Dugo Selo achieved a significant victory against Sesvete with a score of 32:29. The match was played on Sunday in the Dugo Selo hall with a great atmosphere. Dugo Selo held the lead for most of the game, having an advantage of up to five goals in the first half.

Sesvete got close in the second half, narrowing the gap to just one goal in the 52nd minute, but the home team managed to maintain their lead and now goes to the return leg with a three-goal advantage. Top scorers for Dugo Selo were Dorian Markušić with seven goals and Ante Kaleb with six goals. Goalkeeper Vladimir Gošić made 18 saves.

For Sesvete, Zlatko Raužan stood out with six goals, and Tin Baković scored five. Goalkeeper Nikola Kahlina saved ten shots.

The return match is scheduled for September 6 at the Jelkovec High School Hall in Sesvete. The winner of this tie will join the European League group with Kristianstad (Sweden), Vardar (North Macedonia), and Fenix (France).

Alongside Dugo Selo and Sesvete, Čakovec also participates in the EHF European League qualifiers but lost the first match to the Swiss team Bern 28:31.

Nexe is directly qualified for the European League group stage along with the Swiss team Schaffhausen, the Spanish Ademar León, and the winner of the qualifying match between Partizan Belgrade and Karvina.

This victory sets the stage for an exciting fight for further progress in the EHF European League.