Road to knock-out round begins in Hungary

The battle to reach the Men’s EHF Cup knock-out round begins on Friday in Hungary, when Grundfos Tatabanya KC host Croatian side RK Nexe in the first Group B match. On Saturday, Macedonian team HC Eurofarm Rabotnik will travel to Germany to meet TSV Hannover-Burgdorg. 

The home teams appear to be the favourites, but Nexe and Rabotnik can make their paths to the two points tough. 

GROUP B
Grundfos Tatabanya KC (HUN) vs RK Nexe (CRO)
Friday 8 February, 19:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• Tatabanya are in great form, having won five of their last six games and drawing in the other

• Nexe have stayed unbeaten in their last five clashes and lead the SEHA-Gazprom League

• The Hungarian side are expecting to move forward from the group phase, but the first challenge is hosting the Croatian team and keeping the two points at home

• The match will be held in Györ, home of the Women’s EHF Champions League title holders Györi Audi ETO KC 

TSV Hannover-Burgdorf (GER) vs HC Eurofarm Rabotnik (MKD)
Saturday 9 February, 19:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• Hannover’s current domestic season is not meeting expectations, as the team’ modest performance means 14^thplace in the Bundesliga

• This season, Rabotnik have enjoyed 13 victories and one draw so far to lead the Macedonian standings and secure a spot in the play-off series. The Bitola-based side will fight for the championship title with Vardar and Metalurg

• Only eight years after the Macedonian club was founded, it is an achievement for the squad to qualify for group phase