GROUP A PREVIEW: Defending champions Füchse Berlin and runners-up Saint-Raphael go head-to-head again in the opening weekend of the Men's EHF Cup Group Phase
Last year’s finalists clash in Group A
What better way to get right into action than a rematch of last year’s EHF Cup Final? On Sunday, title holders Füchse Berlin will be up against the team they beat in the 2017/18 final, Saint-Raphael, when the Men's EHF Cup Group Phase gets underway this weekend.
A day before, La Rioja and Balatonfüred open play in this group in a match between two contenders for a quarter-final spot.
GROUP A
BM Logroño La Rioja (ESP) vs Balatonfüredi KSE (HUN)
Saturday 9 February, 21:15 CET, live on ehfTV.com
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La Rioja return to the EHF Cup Group Phase after six years, having played in the VELUX EHF Champions League for four seasons
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La Rioja lost in Qualification Round 3 last season
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Balatonfüred are in the group phase for the second time, after their debut in 2014/15
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Both teams have not met before in a European Cup competition
Füchse Berlin (GER) vs Saint-Raphaël Var HB (FRA)
Sunday 10 February, 15:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com
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This is a re-match of last season’s final, which Füchse won 28:25
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Füchse reached the finals four times in the last five years, Saint-Raphaël both times in the last two years
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Both teams also met in the group phase last season, with each team winning the away game
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Saint-Raphaël are without injured Spanish playmaker Daniel Sarmiento
TEXT:
Kevin Domas / ew