Top battles before the break

VELUX EHF Champions League top teams Kiel, Kobenhavn and Montpellier finish off this year’s programme in Europe’s premier club competition.

Two matches in Group D of the VELUX EHF Champions League on Sunday 18 December will round off the year before the competition takes a break for the EHF EURO 2012, which takes place in Serbia from 15 to 29 January 2012.

Group D:

THW Kiel (GER) vs.  AG Kobenhavn (DEN)
Sunday, 17:00 hrs local times

One more clash of the giants in Group D sees the table leaders fight it out for a place in the Last 16. A win could mean early qualification for the first knock-out round, if Szeged lose in Montpellier, and a strong base from which to fight it out for top spot in the Group when the competition resumes in February.

Kiel and Kobenhavn have each lost only one match – Kiel were defeated by Montpellier at home, whilst the Danish champions lost at Szeged.

With Kiel also drawing at Leon, Kobenhavn are ahead with one point.

Both teams are on excellent form in their domestic competitions, clearly out in front in their respective leagues.

THW Kiel have extended their starting record in the German Bundesliga to 32:0 points after 16 straight victories including a 30:25 victory in the top duel against Hamburg last weekend.

This game will bring two of the world’s best handball players together on court: Mikkel Hansen (AGK) and Filip Jicha (THW).

Of course the arena in Kiel has been sold-out out for months, with around 500 Kobenhavn fans making the short trip across the border.

Handball fans can watch the match live on ehfTV.com from 17.00 CET on Sunday.

Montpellier MAHB (FRA) – Pick Szeged (HUN)
Sunday, 17:00 hrs. local time

This match poses an important question for the French champions: can they break their series of defeats in the VELUX EHF Champions League?

After losing three matches in a row, the possibility of Montpellier taking a top spot in Group D is in serious danger.

Montpellier urgently need a victory if they are to reduce the gap to the top trio Kobenhavn, Kiel and Leon.

Pick Szeged won their first encounter in Hungary 38:35 and can play without too much pressure. The spotlight is almost certainly on Karabatic & Co. as they look to turn round their fortunes in this year’s competition.