Powerhouses set for their second win

With almost identical results on the first match day, Buducnost and CSM Bucuresti are already ahead of their competition after only 60 minutes.

But before the two powerhouses clash on the 1 November in Bucharest, they will have a chance to go clear in the group’s rankings.

GROUP D

MKS Selgros Lublin (POL) vs Buducnost (MNE)
Friday 23 October, 18:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

With only three reserves on the bench, Lublin never stood a chance against CSM Bucuresti as the Romanian outfit ran riot in the second half, winning 33:21.

But the hosts will be bolstered by big comebacks.

Their two right backs, Alesia Mihdaliova and Krystsina Repelewska, played in Tuesday’s win against rivals Zaglebie Lubin (30:22) and are set to play their part against Buducnost.

However, the current champions will be the big favourites going into this tie.

The Montenegrin powerhouse are known for their goal-scoring power, winning by an average of 7,76 goals per game.

“Every point is now very important, because we will play in the Main Round in a very tough group against Györ, Vardar or Midtjylland - all very good teams.

Therefore, we need to prepare accordingly and come up with the maximum number of points,” said Dragan Adzic, Buducnost’s coach, for the team’s website.

“We can and we must do better than we did against Sävehof and I believe that in Lublin we will be up to the task,” concluded Adzic.

Kinga Achruk and Suzana Lazovic will make their comebacks after both being injured.

IK Sävehof (SWE) vs CSM Bucuresti (ROU)
Friday 23rd October, 19:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com

Except the last 15 minutes of the first half against MKS Selgros Lublin, CSM Bucuresti never looked like a newbie in the Women’s EHF Champions League.
Kim Rasmussen’s team boasted a strong defense and a stellar attack, firing on all cylinders.

While it may look premature, the Romanian champions are already looking like a polished team and one could tip them as a surprise package for the FINAL4 in Budapest.

Nothing seems to faze CSM, not even changing coaches, with Kim Rasmussen taking over from Mette Klit only one month ago.

“While I have the utmost respect for Mette Klit, there was the need for a change. I am excited to work with Kim and I hope I will win the Champions League with a Romanian team”, said Romanian ace Cristina Varzaru.

Anything bar a win in Sävehof will be deemed unacceptable, as they face one of the youngest ever teams to play in the European premium competition, with an average age of 21 years old.

But Sävehof hope their immaculate record in the home championship will help the team to test the Romanian side.

The Swedes are five from five, the last win coming against Heid (26:23).

Bucuresti is also having a perfect season, with nine wins from nine matches in their home league, the latter coming with a 34:23 win against SCM Craiova.