Talking points: The third round of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase is now over, with reigning champions in trouble and historic streaks amongst the things to talk about
Historic statistics after Round 3
Reigning champions in trouble and historic winning and losing streaks are amongst the subjects included in the talking points after Round 3 of the VELUX EHF Champions League.
There is always something of note when looking at the team statistics. This week, we take a look at some of the curious topics that can be found there.
Trouble with the champions
Reigning champions Montpellier HB are writing their names into the history books for all the wrong reasons, after a 26:29 defeat against PGE Vive Kielce in Group A.
Since the FINAL4 format was established, this is the first time that the reigning champions lost their first three games in the following season of the VELUX EHF Champions League.
The French side have their work cut out for them in their search for their first win, as they face Barca Lassa in an away match in the next round. However, Montpellier eliminated the Catalan side last season and that could help them to keep the faith.
An unhappy historic moment in Sweden
Swedish champions IFK Kristianstad have not begun this new season in Group A well. A Round 3 defeat against Barca Lassa, 44:25, was an historic moment for them – and not a good one.
Kristianstad have never begun a new season in the VELUX EHF Champions League worse, having lost the first three games in the group for the first time. This was also the fifth game in a row the Swedish side lost and they have therefore equalled their worst-ever run of defeats in the VELUX EHF Champions League.
Maybe it is a small consolation that Helge Freiman was included in the Top 5 Goals from the round.
Vardar know how to start a season
HC Vardar know how to start off on the right foot, having now won their opening three games for the fifth season in a row. Their Group A victory against Telekom Veszprém HC, 27:25, was also the first time they beat the Hungarian side in seven games.
Veszprém are not used to losing at home and had won 12 of their last 13 home Champions League games prior to the match against Vardar.
Szeged extend their record
Things are looking good in in Group B for MOL-Pick Szeged, who have a full house alongside Paris Saint-Germain Handball. It is the first time that the Hungarian side have won their first three games.
The Hungarian champions took a narrow victory against HC Motor Zaporozhye, 32:31, in the first Champions League encounter between the two since 2014 – when Szeged were also the winning side. The Ukrainian team are now the only one in the group without a point.
TEXT:
Andri Yrkill Valsson / cg