Preview of Round 5 of the VELUX EHF Champions League

The VELUX EHF Champions League is back on track with the second stage of the Group Phase. Four rounds had been played until 21 October, now three more rounds will follow until the beginning of December, before the top competition will have its break for the World Championship in Spain. The final three rounds before the start of the knock-out stage are scheduled for February 2013.

Round 5 which starts on Thursday with three matches in Romania, Belarus and Germany will be the start of the “double-headers”, as the same teams face each other in the re-matches of Round 6 one week later.

Only four teams have a clear record of four victories after the first part of the VELUX EHF Champions League: MKB Veszprém (HUN, Group B), Vive Targi Kielce (POL), HC Metalurg Skopje (MKD, both Group C) and FC Barcelona Intersport (ESP, Group D). Additionally the German sides from Hamburg and Flensburg – which face in direct duels in the rounds 5 and 6 – are still unbeaten in Group A.

The French teams Montpellier and Chambéry need to start a catch-up chase, as they are currently the only ones among the 24 participants without any victory on their accounts. One hope for Montpellier is the comeback of Nikola Karabatić in the match in Serbia, his native country.

www.ehfTV.com Match of the Week is the top encounter of Group C, when the two leading powerhouses from Skopje and Kielce meet in their first duel to fight for the top ranked position in the final standings.

Group A:
RK Partizan (SRB) vs. Montpellier Agglomeration (FRA)
Sunday, 17:00 hrs local time, in Niš

Nikola Karabatić carries all the hopes of Montpellier on his shoulders. The double world and Olympic champion has returned to his squad. Without him Montpellier did not win a single point in the VELUX EHF Champions League, besides Issem Tej is also back for his team.

But the match will be something very special for Karabatić not only because of his comeback, but as he returns to Niš, the city where he was born. Partizan – currently one point ahead of the French champions - can play without any pressure, as another victory like against León would be a major surprise. If Montpellier loses again, the chances of reaching Last 16 could melt like snow.

HSV Hamburg (GER) vs. SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
Sunday, 17:30 hrs local time

118 of 120 matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase are duels of teams from different countries, only the two encounters of the Northern Stars from Germany are “league-internal”.

Both teams have injury problems before their second clash on international ground, after Hamburg had eliminated Flensburg in the Quarter-finals of the 2008/2009 season.

And both teams have suffered from defeats in the German league against defending VELUX EHF Champions League winners THW Kiel – the distance to the top position in the bundesliga table occupied by Kiel and Rhein Neckar Löwen has increased.

In the VELUX EHF Champions League both are unbeaten after four rounds, with Hamburg one point ahead of their rivals. The aggregate winner of this duel should have best chances to finish on top of this group.

Reale Ademar León (ESP) vs. Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)
Saturday, 18:00 hrs local time

Both teams are separated only by two points, so the aggregate winner of this duel makes a huge step towards the Last 16. The rejuvenated team from León has proven that they are still a top contender on home ground though they were defeated by Hamburg in their lion’s den. From their international experience Medvedi should be the favourite in both encounters despite they have not yet earned an away victory in the current season.

Group B:
HCM Constanta (ROU) vs. Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Thursday, 18:30 hrs local time (in Bucharest)

The opener of Group B will – surprisingly – see two teams equal at two points. As the only victory of Constanta against Celje was expected, the three defeats of the last season´s finalists Atlético Madrid (especially the one at Sävehof) are quite sensational.

The Spaniards, who will have to replace team captain and goalkeeper Jose Javier Hombrados for approximately six to eight months, need to win both encounters against the Romanian champions to remain in the race for a top position. Constanta have nothing to lose against the favoured Iberians.

RK Pivovarna Laško Celje (SLO) vs. THW Kiel (GER)
Saturday, 16:30 hrs local time

In the German league THW Kiel are undefeated for 49 straight matches now, in the VELUX EHF Champions League they lost the top duel in Veszprém in Round 4. Now the defending champions want to return on the winner’s way to fight for the number one in this group.

The young Celje team, which took their only victory against Sävehof, are the underdog despite the support from the stands of the expected sold-out arena.

Sävehof IK (SWE) vs. MKB Veszprém (HUN)
Sunday, 16:30 hrs local time

Will the Swedish champions be able to cause another major sensation? After beating Madrid Sävehof are flying on the wings of success, ranking ahead of the Spaniards.

But Veszprém will be an opponent on higher level.

The Hungarians proved their ability to go all the way in this VELUX EHF Champions League season by beating Kiel, but their undefeated series came to an end on domestic ground, as they lost the encounter at their old rival Pick Szeged – maybe Sävehof now have to pay for this.

Group C:
Chambéry Savoie (FRA) vs. Gorenje Velenje (SLO)
Sunday, 19:00 hrs local time

Gorenje Velenje have a quite comfortable cushion after their victories against St. Petersburg and Bjerringbro –another victory at the Alps would boost their chances to qualify for the Last 16, as then their opponent would already be six points below the Slovenian champions.

Chambéry are in the “red alert mode” after four defeats, being the only of 24 teams without any point on their account. The French runners-up urgently need a victory to remain in the race for the knock-out stage.

St. Petersburg HC (RUS) vs. Bjerringbro Silkeborg (DEN)
Sunday, 20:00 hrs local time (in Chekhov)

The two encounters of the runners-ups from Russia and Denmark will mark another highly decisive duel. Both teams currently have two points on their account, both teams are aiming for the Last 16 and both aside could profit from another Chambéry defeat.

Metalurg HK (MKD) vs. Vive Targi Kielce (POL)
Sunday, 18:00 hrs local time

The double clash of the titans will start in the sold-out arena in the Macedonian capital.

As Kielce were expected to top the group after four matches, Metalurg are the biggest surprise of the season.

The duel of the best defence sides including the brilliant goalkeepers Darko Stanić (Metalurg) and Sławomir Szmal (Kielce) maybe could already bring the decision whether the Macedonian or Polish team will top the group in the end.

Two completely different tactic system will clash, as Kielce are going on full speed, especially by their highly efficient wing players like Ivan Čupić, Metalurg focus on defence and patient attacks, counting on their back court shooters.

The duel will be broadcasted free of charge and with English live commentary on www.ehfTV.com as an internet stream.

Group D:
Füchse Berlin (GER) vs. RK Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO)
Thursday, 19:30 hrs local time

Füchse players Denis Spoljarić and Ivan Ninčević will face their Croatian country-fellows. After three wins and a defeat at Barcelona the Germans want to settle down on the second rank.

If they can win the first ever encounter against Zagreb, they could extend the gap over their contenders for second place to five points.

After the draw at Minsk and the defeat at Schaffhausen, Zagreb are again not the favourite in their third away match.

Dinamo Minsk (BLR) vs. Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)
Thursday, 20:00 hrs local time

Minsk want to grab the opportunity to improve their chances to reach the Last 16. The Belarusians took all their three current points on home ground and are supposed to be the favourites against the Swiss champions. Schaffhausen had finished their series of defeats by beating Zagreb and rank one point below their hosts.

Pick Szeged (HUN) vs. FC Barcelona Intersport (ESP)
Sunday, 18:30 hrs local time

Unbeaten group leader against sixth ranked team – what looks like a clear matter for FC Barcelona Intersport, can be a close challenge for the record winner of the EHF Champions League. Pick Szeged are expected much stronger in home matches, and they are boosted by the victory against Veszprém in the Hungarian league. Despite their favoured role, Barcelona should beware in the cauldron of Szeged.