Knockout action begins in Lisbon and Plock

After 10 gruelling rounds in the fascinating Groups C and D, four teams remain in the race for the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16.

The two group winners, Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and Dinamo Bucuresti face tough away trips in the first leg matches, both of which take place on Saturday evening.

GROUP C/D KNOCKOUT

Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN)
Saturday 23 February, 18:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV

• the two teams met in the group phase in 2016/17: BSV won 33:24 at home, Plock won 28:25 in the reverse fixture

• world champion Nikolaj Markussen is missing for BSV with a toe injury and the left back will miss the rest of the season

• Plock needed a penalty shootout to win their midweek league match against Górnik Zabrze after drawing 23:23, BSV beat Lemvig 33:27

• Group C/D’s toughest defence, Plock conceded 250 goals, face the best attacking record, BSV scored 323 goals

Sporting CP (POR) vs Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU)
Saturday 23 February, 18:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV

• both sides recorded identical group phase records of seven wins and three lossesp

• potential for a goal-fest in Lisbon as the second and third best attacking records in Groups C/D clash

• Dinamo’s top scorer Amine Bannour has returned from injury and scored nine goals in the most recent league win over CSM Bacău

• Sporting’s had mixed fortunes at home in the group phase with two losses from five games, while Dinamo picked up two away victories