GROUP A PREVIEW: The star-studded CSM Bucuresti are eyeing their second win in a row, after drubbing Krim 30:18 last week. They face Vistal Gdynia, who will host their first Women’s EHF Champions League match.
Two from two for CSM?
The Romanian side has impressed with their offensive weapons and their defensive prowess, running like a well-oiled machine only three months after securing several important transfers.
Their objective is to finish their group with six wins from six matches and proceed to the next phase with maximum points.
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Cristina Neagu was CSM’s main offensive weapon, scoring eight times against Krim
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The Polish side lost on their Women’s EHF Champions League debut - 27:21 against NFH
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Gdynia will host their first-ever home match in Europe's top competition
GROUP A
Vistal Gdynia (POL) vs CSM Bucuresti (ROU)
Wednesday 11 October, 20:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
A surprise should never be ruled out in the Women’s EHF Champions League, but CSM are as big a favorite as it gets after they thumped Krim 30:18 in the first round.
The Romanian powerhouse, who have set their eyes on a second title in three years, have gelled incredibly well. Cristina Neagu and Isabelle Gullden have formed a magnificent duo, who will apply serious pressure even on the most experienced defences in the competition.
"This group is ideal for us, as we are a new team and having easier opponents means we can focus more on our gameplay. It will not be the same in the next round, where we will have difficult opponents."
"Therefore, we have to be ready for that and work to achieve our best form then," said Cristina Neagu, after she scored eight times against Krim.
It will be hard for Gdynia to stop all of CSM’s offensive weapons, as most of their players are rookies in the Women’s EHF Champions League.
However, they may get energy from facing such illustrious opponents in their first ever home game in Europe's premium competition.
However, they will need their 9-meter line to perform way better than they did against NFH, with CSM branding themselves as a "defence-first" type of team.
TEXT:
Adrian Costeiu / ap