First hints for the rest of the season

Preview on Round 2 of the VELUX EHF Champions League – including the classics Madrid vs. Chekhovskie and Kiel vs. Montpellier.

Group A

Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) vs. FC Barcelona Intersport (ESP)
Thursday, 20:00 hrs (local time)

It is the match of the year for Kadetten: In their newly built BBC Arena they will have their first ever match of the VELUX EHF Champions League – and that against the defending champions from Barcelona. Both teams won their openers, but despite their home strength and their huge number of spectators Schaffhausen will not be favourites against the record winners of the EHF Champions League.

RK Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO) vs. HC Bosna Gas Sarajevo (BIH)
Saturday, 20:15 hrs (local time)

Balkan derby in the Dom Sportova: After their clear opening victory against Sävehof, Zagreb have their second straight home match. Last season the Croats took the points easily in this neighbour duel (but then only tied in Sarajevo). After their surprising clear home defeat against Kadetten, Bosna is under pressure – but need a huge sensation to win this duel.

Chambery Savoie HB (FRA) vs. IK Sävehof (SWE)
Sunday, 17:00 hrs (local time)

Two losers of the first round meet in the Alps – but Chambery are in the favourite role against the Swedish qualifiers – especially after their highly strong performance in Barcelona, where the French runners-up were close to a huge surprise.

Group B

MKB Veszprem (HUN) vs. Bjerringrbo Silkeborg (DEN)
Saturday, 18:15 hrs (local time)

After their absolutely dominant performance in Kielce and due to their even more dominant role on home ground, Veszprem are in a better position. But the Hungarian champions should be aware, as Bjerringro Silkeborg played strongly against Madrid, when they had the Spaniards close to a defeat in their opener.

Füchse Berlin (GER) vs. Vive Targi Kielce (POL)
Sunday, 17:30 hrs (local time)

Their first ever point in the VELUX EHF Champions League was celebrated for a long time, but now Füchse Berlin want to repeat their great performance on home ground. The hall will be packed against the Polish champions with several former Bundesliga players. Kielce paid their tribute to Veszprem, and now hope for an improvement.

BM Atletico Madrid (ESP) vs. Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)
Sunday, 20:15 hrs (local time)

The top duel in this ‘hammer group’ will be played in Madrid. Both teams met at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2010 in Cologne for the last time, when Ciudad Real (now Atletico Madrid) won the Bronze final. As Madrid had some problems to tame Bjerringbro, Chekhovskie were lucky with the draw against Füchse. Thanks to their nearly everlasting series of victories on home ground the Spaniards are the favourites.

Group C

HCM Constanta (ROU) vs. HSV Hamburg (GER)
Thursday, 20:00 hrs (local time)

HSV will travel to Buzau without their injured key players Michael Kraus, Marcin Lijewski, Oscar Carlen and Igor Vori. The German champions started with an easy victory against St. Petersburg, as Constanta lost after a terrific thriller 29:30 in Plock. From the individual class HSV are the favourites, but they have to prove that they can cope with their injury problems.

RK Cimos Koper (SLO) vs. Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Saturday, 20:00 hrs (local time)

After their clear defeat in Skopje, Koper need improvement, especially in attack, to take their first points in this season. Plock luckily beat Constanta, but have to be aware of the home strength of the Slovenians.

HC St. Petersburg (RUS) vs. HC Metalurg (MKD)
Sunday, 15:00 hrs (local time)

Last season St. Petersburg took all their points on home ground, so the Russian runners-up hope to continue this series. But the FYR Macedonian champions arrive with a lot of confidence after their opening victory against Koper.

Group D

Reale Ademar Leon (ESP) vs. Partizan Beograd (SRB)
Saturday, 18:00 hrs (local time)

Two losers of the first round meet in Spain – but the starting position is completely different: Leon have a strong squad with international experienced players, known to be even stronger on home turf, Beograd are the underdogs with a young team full of Serbian talents.

AG Kobenhavn (DEN) vs. Pick Szeged (HUN)
Sunday, 16:50 hrs (local time)

It is the first ever home match in the VELUX EHF Champions League for AGK against Szeged, so the motivation is high – especially as a huge crowd is expected in Bröndby arena. Kobenhavn did not have problems in winning their opener in Serbia. Szeged stood strong for 30 minutes against Kiel, but then lost clearly. The Danes with their top star squad are the favourites.

THW Kiel (GER) vs. Montpellier MAHB (FRA)
Sunday, 19:00 hrs (local time)

The first clash of two teams with the absolute ambition to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for this season. The ehfTV.com Match of the Week will bring world class players, World and Olympics champions to the Sparkassen Arena. All eyes are on Nikola Karabatic and Vid Kavticnik, who return to their former club for the first time in an official match. Both teams won their openers – and right Round 2 will bring an early hint of the strength of those contenders.