EHF Women's Champions League: Main Round Groups

Following completion of the Group Matches stage last weekend, the draw of the two groups for the Main Round of EHF Women’s Champions League were carried out on 15 November 2011 at the EHF Headquarters in Vienna.

The first part of the draw was carried out by Anabel Calanda Lopez, Secretary General Grupo Asfi Itxako Navarra (ESP), and the second part by Michael Wiederer, EHF Secretary General. 

Larvik (NOR)
Györi AUDI ETO KC (HUN)
Grupo Asfi Itxako Navarra (ESP)
FC Midtjylland (DEN)

Buducnost (MNE)
C.S. Oltchim Rm. Valcea (ROU)
RK Krim Mercator (SLO)
Metz Handball (FRA)

Statements of the clubs

After the draw representatives of the eight clubs commented on the result.

Bjørn-Gunnar Bruun Hansen, Larvik HK (NOR): "There are strong teams in both groups, so we can expect very interesting games for both fans and media. In Group 1 there are both finalists from last season, and also semi-finalists Györ, who have some Norwegian players in their squad, including pivot Heidi Løke who transferred from our club. For us it is also always interesting to meet Danish teams, these matches attract a lot of fans. Itxako will probably aim for revenge after we defeated them in last year’s final. All matches will be very tough, like it should be at this stage of the EHF Women’s Champions League."

Ernö Kelecsényi, President Györi AUDI ETO KC (HUN): "A very strong group that will produce very interesting matches for media and fans. We will have to face both of last season’s finalists. Itxako, who defeated us in last season’s semi-finals, are a very good side which we met again in August. Duels with Norwegian or Danish teams are always interesting, and this year in particular Larvik, as our pivot Heidi Løke just came from this club."

Anabel Calanda Lopez, Secretary General Grupo Asfi Itxako Navarra (ESP): "If the outcome of the draw is good or bad we will see in March. Right now we stick to our motto, which we have always had, and which took us to the finals last season: we only think from match to match. The group is incredibly strong, and two opponents we know quite well, whereas we haven’t met Midtjylland yet. I believe that after last year’s defeat in the final, my players will be looking forward to getting a chance for revenge with Larvik."

Ryan Zinglersen, Coach FC Midtjylland (DEN): "It is just a dynamite group; there is no other way to describe it. We will have to meet the finalists of last season plus one of last year’s semi-finalists. All are very interesting teams but of course it is a tough task for us. Before this season we had the dream to reach the Top 8 clubs in this competition, which we fulfilled. Now we have a new dream, to become one of the two top teams in the group. But that demands a lot of hard work."

Predrag Bošković, President Budućnost Podgorica (MNE): "In my opinion both groups are equally strong. In our group Oltchim Vâlcea and we only had one defeat each in the Group Matches stage. It is a very tough group, but we are definitely going for group victory and for qualifying for the semi-finals in a good position."

Bogdan Diculoiu, sports manager C.S. Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea (ROU): "From this stage the EHF Champions League really starts as a hammer competition. There are only great teams left so it takes full concentration in order to take points. Our main objective this season is to reach the final, and on the way we hope to produce great games and a good show. All teams have their chances in the group but I believe that we are going to the semis together with Buducnost."

Tone Tiselj, coach RK Krim Mercator (SLO): "We are happy, it is a good group with interesting opponents that let us expect high-quality matches. I have very good friends at both Buducnost and Vâlcea, so it will be special for me to play against them. Both are very strong as clubs and teams, as they have built up a strong organisation over a long period. Also Metz are a strong side with a lot of French national team players. Krim is quite a young project, but I believe we are strong enough to battle our opponents."

Thierry Weizman, president Metz Handball (FRA): "We are very happy as it seems that we have been very successful – every team wanted to play against us today. We are here to learn and have nothing to lose. All opponents are big teams, having been drawn into the other group would not have made any difference. We will do our best."

Match schedule

The six rounds of the Main Round are planned to be played on the following dates:

• Round 1: 4/5 February 2012
• Round 2: 11/12 February 2012
• Round 3: 18/19 February 2012
• Round 4: 25/26 February 2012
• Round 5: 3/4 March 2012
• Round 6: 10/11 March 2012

The detailed match schedule, including dates, throw-off times and playing venues will be published in due time.

Playing modus

In the Main Round, the teams placed first and second in the Group Matches meet in two groups of four teams each.

After six rounds the final ranking of the Main Round will automatically give us the four teams playing in the semi-finals, no separate draw will be necessary.

The second of Main Round Group 2 will meet the winner of Group 1, and the second of Main Round Group 1 will meet the winner of Group 2, with the first named teams playing the first match at home.

Further information

View more information about the 2011/12 EHF Women's Champions League HERE.

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