Group Phase draw provides great battles

All 18 teams with direct tickets to the Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League can start planning their travel schedule for the next season as the draw on Friday at the Gloriette, Vienna defined all four groups.

Even all 20 teams from the qualification know now, what kind of reward is waiting for them in case they make it through to the Group Phase - especially, the defending champions HSV Hamburg, who have to overcome their bundesliga rivals Füchse Berlin in the Wild Card knock-out match first.

If HSV qualify they will play in the Group D together with Aalborg, Gorenje Velenje, Flensburg, Naturhouse La Rioja and the winner of DROTT Halmstad and HB Esch.

In Group C record winners FC Barcelona take on the emerging French powerhouse PSG Handball, Vardar Skopje, Wacker Thun, the qualifier from Group 2 and the Wild Card Tournament winner

In Group A, Veszprém will take on EHF Cup holders Rhein Neckar Löwen, Zagreb, St. Petersburg, Celje and the winner of Qualification Group 3

There will be a repeat of last season's third place play-off at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 between THW Kiel and Kielce in Group B, they are joined by Atletico Madrid, KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, Dunkerque and the winner of Qualification Group 4.

The first round of the Group Phase will be played from 18 to 22 September. Only four best teams from each group will qualify for the Last 16 stage.

Results of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase Draw:

Read about the Qualification draw here

Playing dates of the Group Phase:
Round 1: 18-22 September 2013
Round 2: 25-29 September 2013
Round 3: 9-13 October 2013
Round 4: 16-20 October 2013
Round 5: 13-17 November 2013
Round 6: 20-24 November 2013
Round 7: 27 November – 1 December 2013
Round 8: 5-9 February 2014
Round 9: 12-16 February 2014
Round 10: 19-23 February 2014