Open race for the rankings

108 of in total 120 matches of the Men’s Champions League group phase have been played, but still several decisions have to be taken concerning the last 16. Eurohandball.com explain the situation in the four groups before the last match day.

Even as 14 of the 16 participants of the first knock-out stage of the CL are known already, there’s still highest tension in the last 12 matches – specially in the race for the better ranking. If two or more teams are equal in points the direct encounter (points and goals) will have to decide. If the teams are still equal the goal difference in total will bring the decision.

The teams ranked first in their groups will meet the fourth ranked teams and the second ranked will meet the third ranked teams in the last 16.

Teams ranked first or second will have the home right in the re-match.

And the winners of the 1-4 matches will have the home right in the quarterfinals, too – what might be important for the qualification for the first time ever EHF FINAL4 in Cologne end of May.

The draw for the last 16 will take place in Vienna on March 9, the matches will be played in first and second leg until the Easter weekend, the draw for the quarterfinals will take place in Vienna on April 6.

The current situation in the four groups:

Group A:

All four participants for the last 16 are known in this group. Montpellier win the group, followed by Chekhovskie Medvedi, Valladolid and Constanta.

Group B:

Three of the four participants for the last 16 are known, same as their positions: MKB Veszprem is the winner of the group, Rhein Neckar Löwen are second and Vive Kielce third – no matter what results will occur next weekend. Three teams fight for the fourth position: Velenje, Bosna and Chambery each have five points. Most likely the match Velenje – Chambery will bring the decision. The Slovenians need to win the match, as a draw would be enough for Chambery after the French victory (28:24) in the first match. Unless they draw and Bosna make a surprise victory in Mannheim over the Rhein Neckar Löwen (first match 24:39) which would take the Sarajevo side on step further.

Group C:

Ciudad Real’s been a class of its own in the group matches, as the reigning champion have won all nine matches and will end on the first position. Zagreb and Hamburg are fighting for second position in the direct duel – with advantages for the Germans. HSV is not only ahead with two points, but have won the first match 35:26. Concerning these facts, the Croatians need a victory with at least ten goals difference for second place. It’s nearly the same situation in the fight for the fourth rank: FCK will meet Alingsås on home soil. The Danes are two points ahead of the Swedish team and have won the first match 33:21. Alingsås would need a victory with at least 13 goals to reach the last 16.

Group D:

This was the first group in which all four participants for the last 16 were known. But it’s the only group, in which the number one isn’t clear before the last match day and even number three and four can change. Barcelona’s ahead of Kiel with one point and will play in Kolding, as THW plays at Sparkassen Arena against Skopje. If both clubs are equal in points in the end, Kiel is the number one, as the Germans have won the direct encounter very closely (30:27, 30:32). Kolding is one point ahead of Leon, but the Spaniards are clear favourite against Zürich. So everything can happen in group D.