Travel itinerary for all clubs in the anniversary season outlined

HC Vardar will launch their VELUX EHF Champions League title defence in Poland at Orlen Wisla Plock in the first round of the new season after the playing schedules of the anniversary 25th edition have been released for all four groups.

There was no immediate publication of a playing schedule of the four groups of the new 2017/18 season after the draw in Ljubljana three weeks ago.

This was a new procedure in order to offer a possibility to the European Handball Federation and EHF Marketing to adapt the playing schedule in each group by taking into consideration the input of the clubs regarding their playing hall availability as well as from other stakeholders regarding certain issues, which have an influence on the playing schedule.

In Group A, the record champions of the European top flight FC Barcelona Lassa will start yet another trophy-chasing quest in Germany at the reigning Bundesliga champions Rhein-Neckar Löwen.

In Group B, the 2016 title holders Vive Tauron Kielce will begin just right beyond the eastern Polish bordersat HC Meshkov Brest in Belarus, while last season’s runners-up Paris Saint-Germain Handball will make their first steps into the new season at the three-time winners THW Kiel, while Celje Pivovarna Lasko host Telekom Veszprem in a clash of the two regional rivals.

Two returnees to the VELUX EHF Champions League Rk Gorenje Velenje and ABANCA Ademar Leon will lock horns in Group C while in Group D a surprise package of the last season Montpellier Handball will host Metalurg in their season opener.

Check the complete playing schedules of all four groups here.

The playing dates and times of the first rounds will be confirmed in due time.