01.10.2010, 03:12
Clash of the Titans

Preview on Match Day 2 of the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League.

Clash of the Titans

The clash between last season’s finalists from Cologne – THW Kiel and F.C. Barcelona-Borges – will be the top match of Round 2 of the VELUX EHF Champions League. But besides that duel crucial matches also take place in Celje, Valladolid and Veszprém.

Group A

HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) – Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER)

Two away winners of match day 1 meet in the direct encounter to prove their particular strength. As Celje had stolen both points in Kielce, Löwen sensationally won in Barcelona. Only the winner of this match will remain on best way to the Main Round. For Celje coach Noka Serdarusic matches against German opponent are always something very emotional, but on the other hand the new Löwen coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson wants nothing but to keep his white vest.

THW Kiel (GER) – F.C. Barcelona-Borges (ESP)

Together they have won eight CL titles, a huge number of World, Olympics and European Champions are in the squads for the revenge match of last season’s final. As Kiel started with a clear and easy victory against Chambery, Barca’s under pressure after losing against Löwen on home ground. Last season the Catalans won that particular duel in Kiel for the very first time, but THW beat them in Barcelona. The final Kiel victory in Cologne at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is now history, after an impressive catch-up chase. Kiel will have to play without three important back court players in this crucial match (Ilic, Andersson and Narcisse) due to injuries.

This spectacular game was selected as the second edition of the "Match of the Week" on ehfTV.com where it will be shown on Sunday on a free of charge live stream with English commentary of Tom O’Brannagain.

Chambery Savoie (FRA) – Vive Targi Kielce (POL)

In "Hammer Group A" six international top teams fight for the qualification to the Last 16 – and two will fail. So every defeat hurts – and Kielce and Chambery have lost their games on match day 1. Chambery coach Philippe Gardent said that "we’ll have to collect all possible points on home soil" – and his team has the first change now. But Kielce’s highly motivated, as they’re aiming high, too. "We shouldn’t give the points away as easily as we did against Celje," Coach Bogdan Wenta said.

This game will be broadcast live on our free of charge web stream on ehfTV.com

Group B

MKB Veszprém (HUN) – HSV Hamburg (GER)

Another away clash for the Germans, and the first opportunity for Veszprem to give happiness to their great audience: Both teams won their openers – HSV in Montpellier and Veszprem in Presov. So the situation is similar to the Celje – Löwen match in Group A. The Hungarians really have a fortress as home soil, as last season they only lost one match on home ground, the quarterfinal against later-on finalist Barcelona. For HSV, Veszprem means a new challenge, as they have never played there before. "We have greatest respect for Veszprem and are looking forward to playing in an outstanding atmosphere," manager Christian Fitzek said.

This game will be broadcast live on our free of charge web stream on ehfTV.com

Montpellier Agglomeration (FRA) – IK Sävehof (SWE)

After failing against Hamburg in the opener in their new arena the French champions are clear favourites against the Swedes, even as Sävehof had shown great resistance to Kolding on match day 1. Montpellier want to finally show their real strength to their spectators, but have to be aware, as another home defeat could totally decrease the chances for a good position for the Last 16.

Tatran Presov (SVK) – KIF Kolding (DEN)

After having no chance against Veszprem, the Slovak champion gets the second consecutive chance for points on home ground in the City Hall. Kolding seems to be an easier opponent – but they can count on Lars Christiansen, the match winner in their opener at Sävehof with ten goals. With their second consecutive away victory the Danish runner-up could make a great step towards the Last 16, as they’re known as a team being very hard to beat on home court.

Group C

Cuatro Rayas BM Valladolid (ESP) – Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)

The top match of this group on Match Day 2 will bring together two opening winners. As Valladolid had to fight hard to get both points in Minsk, last season’s VELUX FINAL4 participant Chekhov didn’t have any problems with Aalborg. The direct encounter could give a hint what team will finish first in this group, even in this early stage of the competition. Last season both teams met in the group stage and by taking one point from Spain, Chekhov build the foundation for the second rank, ahead of Valladolid. Both teams already met in the finals of the Cup Winner’s Cup in 2006, with the better end for the Russians.

This game will be broadcast live on our free of charge web stream on ehfTV.com

HC Dinamo Minsk (BLR) – Pick Szeged (HUN)

The Belarusians showed that they can count on their home strength in their opener even as they lost against Valladolid, but they were 50 minutes on eye level. Now coach Bebeshko hopes for the first points ever in the VELUX EHF Champions League as his team should be able to beat the newly formed team from Hungary. Szeged took two important points on Match Day 1 against Schaffhausen – and by winning in Minsk the base for reaching the Last 16 could be enlarged.

AaB Handball (DEN) – Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)

Two teams that lost their opener on Match Day 1 will meet in Denmark. And as both teams started with the objective of "reaching the Last 16" they need points. The bigger pressure is on Aalborg, as the home team. The Swiss team from Schaffhausen can hope for their home matches in the upcoming rounds.

Group D

HC St. Petersburg (RUS) – Renovalia Ciudad Real (ESP)

Can the Russian runner-up and debutant in the VELUX EHF Champions League keep on surprising? After beating Bosna in their first ever match on international ground, confidence is high in St. Petersburg. They don’t have anything to lose against the top team from Ciudad Real. The Spaniards had to work hard until the opening victory against Flensburg was secured – but still they are the clear favourite in Russia. Especially Russian line player Egor Evdokimov will be in focus in this game. Ciudad Real player Viran Morros, who received a red card against Flensburg, will be suspended for one game.

SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) – HCM Constanta (ROU)

The Germans are in the favoured role in this match of two losers of the opening round. Flensburg is known to be strong at home, supported by their loud audience. Constanta lost with a ten goal difference on home ground against Zagreb, Flensburg with eight goals in Ciudad Real. From the individual class and international experience the Northern Germans should be able to take both points.

Bosna Sarajevo (BOS) – HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO)

Balkan duel in the Skenderija: Like Ciudad Real in St. Petersburg, Zagreb is the favourite in this neighbourhood clash in Bosnia. Sarajevo missed too many chances to win in St. Petersburg at their opener, as Zagreb played highly dominant in Constanta with their new and hungry squad. Ljubo Vukic will be in the focus after his 13 goals in Romania.

TEXT: Björn Pazen