22.11.2011, 04:15
Short wait for revenge

Round 6 of VELUX EHF Champions League with the re-matches of Round 5 – Beograd return to Pionir Arena for the first time.

Short wait for revenge

Round 6 of VELUX EHF Champions League with the re-matches of Round 5 – Beograd return to Pionir Arena for the first time.

Group A

Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) vs. IK Sävehof (SWE)
Thursday, 20:30 hrs. (local time)

After four straight defeats the pressure on Kadetten is high. And the aim of the Swiss champions is not only to beat Sävehof to get equal in points, but aside they try to win the direct encounter, which is a tough task after their 25:31 defeat in Sweden last Thursday. Sävehof, currently ranked fourth and ahead of Kadetten, on the other hand have a great chance to distance their opponent in the race towards the knock-out stage.

Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO) vs. Chambery Savoie (FRA)
Saturday, 20:15 hrs. (local time)

After the highly close 28:26 victory last Sunday at Chambery, Zagreb hope to increase the gap to the main opponent for reaching the second place in this group even further. As Zagreb is known as a highly strong home team, another victory would not be a surprise.

FC Barcelona Intersport (ESP) vs. Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo
Saturday, 16:15 hrs. (local time)

Bosna hope for a closer result than the 17:43 last Saturday, but they also know well that the defending champions are the great favourites. With their sixth victory of this season, the Catalans would only need two more points from the remaining four matches to qualify for the Last 16 in the optimal case.

Group B

Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) vs. Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN)
Thursday, 19:00 hrs. (local time)

The Bears from Russia have woken up – and can make another step towards the Last 16 by beating Bjerringbro a second time. In the first match (35:25) Chekhovskie was highly dominant – and on home ground they even have more powers.

MKB Veszprem (HUN) vs. Füchse Berlin (GER)
Sunday, 17:00 hrs (local time)

Veszprem is one of the strongest teams on home ground – but Füchse Berlin showed their away strength by a draw in Chekhov. If Veszprem take the points like in the 29:24 victory in Berlin last Wednesday, they remain the hunter of Madrid. For Füchse a defeat could mean that they lose the third rank to Medvedi.

BM Atletico Madrid (ESP) vs. Vive Targi Kielce (POL)
Sunday, 20:15 hrs. (local time)

After the 37:29 victory in Poland, Madrid is again the clear favourite against the wild-card tournament winner Kielce. Another two points would mean to distance the opponent with seven points and to secure the lead in this group.

Group C

HCM Constanta (ROU) vs. HC Metalurg (MKD)
Thursday, 20:00 hrs. (local time)

Can Constanta take their last chance – or will Metalurg be able to take the points from Romania? In this case the FYR Macedonians would early be highly close to their first objective, the Last 16. The Romanians still wait for their first point and lost the first match 18:25 in Skopje.

RK Cimos Koper (SLO) vs. HC St. Petersburg (RUS)
Saturday, 17:00 hrs. (local time)

Cimos Koper have the great chance to increase their base for the knock-out stage. In case of a victory – like the clear 35:26 last Wednesday in St. Petersburg - the Slovenian champions not only build up their cushion to the Russians to six points, but have the chance to distance Wisla Plock, too.

HSV Hamburg (GER) vs. Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Sunday, 15:30 hrs. (local time)

Another away winner have the chances to increase the gap at home: After the 30:26 in Poland HSV is clear favourite against Plock – especially as playmaker Michael Kraus is fit again after his injury. A Plock victory against the spotless group leader would be a great surprise.

Group D

RK Partizan Beograd (SRB) vs. THW Kiel (GER)
Wednesday, 19:00 hrs. (local time)

The Germans can overtake Montpellier this week, as the French champions will play their game against Szeged on 18 December, when the ranking will be completed with also the Kobenhavn vs. Kiel match. THW had enormous problems against Beograd in the first half, but then secured a clear 36:28. For Partizan the game will be the first "real" home match, as after their journeys to Vrsac now they re-start at their usual Pionir hall.

AG Kobenhavn (DEN) vs. Reale Ademar Leon (ESP)
Sunday, 16:50 hrs. (local time)

How will Kobenhavn react on their first ever defeat in their VELUX EHF Champions League history? After months with only victories the Danes lost 26:28 in Leon – but now they have the fate in their hands, not only to overtake the current leader from Spain, but also win the direct encounter with a margin higher than two goals.

The match MAHB Montpellier vs. Pick Szeged is postponed to 18 December.

TEXT: Björn Pazen