VELUX EHF Champions League returns with a bang

A two-month hiatus will end Wednesday when the VELUX EHF Champions League returns with a thrilling game between Rhein-Neckar Löwen and HC Vardar.

With only four games still to be played in the group phase, the battle for the second place in Group A is well underway, with Vardar holding a one-point margin over Löwen, Kielce and Veszprém.

A French derby will throw off action in Group B on Thursday, as PSG travel to Nantes. The hosts will be trying to secure their Last 16 place, while the French champions could edge closer to winning the group.

GROUP A:

Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) vs HC Vardar (MKD)
Wednesday 5 February, 19:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• Löwen coach Nikolaj Jacobsen is back to club business after winning gold with Denmark at the World Championship

• Löwen have beaten Vardar only once at home; Vardar won six of their previous nine games

• The hosts could be missing injured Stefan Fäth and Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson, but line player Jesper Nielsen should be back

• Vardar won their first meeting this season, an emphatic 29:27 victory in Skopje

GROUP B:

HBC Nantes (FRA) vs Paris Saint-Germain HB (FRA)
Thursday 6 February, 20:45 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• Nantes and PSG meet for the fifth time this season: Paris won three times, including a 35:34 victory in the CL; Nantes won once

• PSG left back Mikkel Hansen was crowned MVP and best scorer, and he won gold with Denmark at the World Championship

• PSG have already secured their Last 16 presence and are eyeing top spot of Group A, Nantes are still in the race in fourth place with nine points

• Nantes have replaced goalkeeper Cyril Dumoulin, who injured his knee at the World Championship, with Kevin Bonnefoi until the end of the season