Kur advances in EHF European Cup after beating APOEL twice

Handball team Kur eliminated Cyprus’ APOEL in the second qualifying round of the EHF European Cup, winning both legs. The Mingachevir side recorded 40-18 and 39-13 victories to advance to the next round.

Team captain Sabina Smaqina said the achievement marked the first time in her career that she had reached this stage of the competition. She said the victory was particularly significant given the current state of handball in Azerbaijan, adding that having only one club operating in the country was not a positive development. Despite handball being an Olympic sport, she said, the situation was disappointing.

The captain recalled that last season Azerbaijan’s national championship was left unfinished after the federation stopped funding it. The team went a long time without playing an official match, and friendly games were also not held because other clubs had suspended operations. Smaqina said the prospect of continuing in European competition had encouraged the team to work harder in training.

She noted that the club teaches handball to children and that interest in the sport in Mingachevir has grown over the past four years. Despite the difficulties facing senior teams, youth handball is developing both in Mingachevir and in other regions, Smaqina said.