Kiel vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, Barcelona against Silkeborg

Defending champions of the VELUX EHF Champions League, THW Kiel, will face Chekhovskie Medvedi in the Last 16. All eight pairings of the first knock-out stage were confirmed on Tuesday as the last 16 draw of the premier European club competition took place in Vienna.

The draw was carried out by chairman of the Competitions Commision, Leopold Kalin, and EHF Secretary General, Michael Wiederer.

In total, four former winners of the continental top flight progressedf from the group phase. The record seven times trophy holders FC Barcelona Intersport will meet Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, who play in the last 16 for the first time, their domestic rivals from Atlético Madrid (2006, 2008 and 2009 winners) will play against Füchse Berlin, and 2004 winners Celje Pivovarna Laško will lock horns with HSV Hamburg.

The other pairings were: Reale Ademar León (ESP) vs MKB Veszprém KC (HUN), Pick Szeged (HUN) vs Vive Targi Kielce (POL), Gorenje Velenje (SLO) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER), and Dinamo Minsk (BLR) vs Metalurg Skopje (MKD).

The first leg is scheduled for 13-17 March, the second leg will be played 20-24 March. The winning teams of the last 16 qualify for the quarter-finals and only the four best outfits will make it to the climax of the season, the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne (1 and 2 June 2013).

VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 draw:

Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO) vs HSV Hamburg (GER)
Reale Ademar León (ESP) vs MKB Veszprém KC (HUN)
Pick Szeged (HUN) vs Vive Targi Kielce (POL)
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN) vs FC Barcelona Intersport (ESP)

Gorenje Velenje (SLO) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
Chekhovski Medvedi (RUS) vs THW Kiel (GER)
Dinamo Minsk (BLR) vs Metalurg Skopje (MKD)
Atlético Madrid (ESP) vs Füchse Berlin (GER)

(first leg 13-17 March, second leg 20-24 March)