Goals and points, regulations and results

Twelve matches are still to come in the Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League – and several decisions need to be taken on the last match day.

www.ehfCL.com explains all possible constellations and decisions.

The EHF Regulations for the VELUX EHF Champions League state the following rule:

If two or more teams are equal after the completion of the Group Phase, the ranking will be determined as follows:
a) number of points in matches of all teams directly involved;
b) goal difference in matches of all teams directly involved;
c) greater number of plus goals in matches of all teams directly involved;
d) goal difference in all matches of the group;
e) greater number of plus goals in all matches of the group;
If no ranking can be determined, a decision shall be obtained by drawing lots. Lots shall be drawn by the EHF, if possible in the presence of a responsible of each club.

The away goals rule will be used only for the knock-out stage if teams are equal on aggregate score.

Those are the constellations and possible rankings of the four groups:

Group A

Top three positions

Currently, HSV Hamburg and SG Flensburg-Handewitt top the table by 14 points each ahead of Chekhovskie Medvedi (13). In the final Round Medvedi host Flensburg and Hamburg face Montpellier. Maximum two teams will have the same number of points in the end, either Hamburg and Flensburg or Hamburg and Medvedi.

In both cases Hamburg would be ahead currently, thanks to regulation d.). Hamburg tied twice against Medvedi and are equal in points and goal difference with Flensburg too (31:28, 26:29). In this case the overall goal difference would be decisive, and currently HSV have +39 compared to Flensburg (+31) and Medvedi (+28).

Hamburg are group winners, if they beat Montpellier and Flensburg do not catch up in the points and in the goal difference.
Medvedi are group winners, if they beat Flensburg and Hamburg lose against Montpellier, or if they beat Flensburg by eleven and more goals and Hamburg draw with Montpellier.
Flensburg are group winners, if they have more points than Hamburg (i.e. winning at Chekhov and HSV do not beat Montpellier) or if they catch-up eight goals compared to Hamburg if both win.

Fourth spot

Montpellier Agglomeration have six points on their account, Reale Ademar León five. The Spanish team host Partizan Beograd (already eliminated from the knock-out stage), Montpellier play at Hamburg. León have won both direct duels against the French team (29:27, 30:28).

Montpellier are among the Last 16, if they win or tie at Hamburg in the end and León do not beat Partizan or if they lose at Hamburg and León lose against Partizan.
Leon are among the Last 16, if they at least have the same number of points as Montpellier, so at minimum they need a draw against Partizan, if Montpellier lose or they need to win if Montpellier ties.

Group B

The constellation for the group victory

MKB Veszprém are on top of the group with 16 points, THW Kiel are second ranked with 14 points, but have won the direct encounter by aggregate goals (62:53).

Veszprém are group winners, if they at least tie with Madrid.
Kiel are group winners, if they win at HCM Constanta and MKB Veszprém lose at home against Atlético Madrid (the only team with its confirmed final position as third ranked).

Fourth spot

Three teams still can hope to proceed to the knock-out stage: RK Celje (six points), IK Sävehof and HCM Constanta (four points each).
On Wednesday the first decision will be taken, when Constanta face THW Kiel: If the Romanians do not win, they are out of the race. If they win, they still have the chance to be the “lucky fourth”. Then the match Sävehof vs. Celje will bring the final decision.

RK Celje are qualified for the Last 16, if they at least tie in Sweden, regardless all other results in Round 10.
Sävehof can make it to the Last 16, if they beat Celje by seven or more goals after their 25:31 defeat in the first leg, and if Constanta do not win.

If Constanta and Sävehof win, all three teams are equal by six points – and an internal ranking with the results of this trio needs to bring the decision.
In this internal ranking Celje have 4:2 points, Constanta 4:4 and Sävehof 2:4. If the Swedish champions win, all teams would have 4:4 points – then the internal goal difference of those matches involved need to decide.

Currently the internal goal ranking is like this: Celje: 72:66 goals (+6), Constanta: 100:99 goals (+1), Sävehof: 83:90 goals (-7)

In case Constanta win and Sävehof beat Celje with less than or exact five goals difference, the Slovenian club have made it to the Last 16, as their overall goal difference (-18) is much better than Constanta (-46) and Sävehof (-49).

If Constanta win and Sävehof win by six or seven goals difference, Constanta would be qualified for the Last 16.

If Constanta win and Sävehof beat Celje by eight or more goals difference, the Swedish champions would make it to the Last 16.

Group C

Vive Targi Kielce are confirmed group winners, Bjerringbro Silkeborg are confirmed as fourth ranked team, Chambéry and St. Petersburg are out of the race for the Last 16.

The constellation for the positions two and three:
Metalurg Skopje and Gorenje Velenje are equal by 12 points, the Macedonian team host Bjerringbro in their final match, the Slovenian side host Kielce.

Metalurg secure the second rank, if they win, as they won the direct encounter against Velenje by aggregate goals (30:23, 19:23).
Velenje can only finish ahead of Metalurg, if they win and Metalurg do not win or if they tie and Metalurg lose.

Group D

The first three positions are confirmed for group winners FC Barcelona Intersport, second ranked Füchse Berlin and third ranked Dinamo Minsk.

The current constellation for the fourth spot for the Last 16:
Pick Szeged (six points) and Kadetten Schaffhausen (four points) still have chances to proceed. Szeged play at Berlin, Kadetten at Zagreb.

If Kadetten do not win on Saturday, they are out. If they win, and Szeged lose at Berlin on Sunday, the Swiss champions are qualified for the Last 16, as they won the direct encounter against Szeged by aggregate goals (29:30, 36:29).

If Kadetten win, Szeged need at least a tie to proceed to the knock-out stage.