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04.02.2014, 12:18 ROUND PREVIEW: All nine remaining spots for the Last 16 can mathematically be decided in the first VELUX EHF Champions League games of 2014. |
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All up for grabs in Round 8Seven teams are already confirmed for the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League – Veszprém, Rhein Neckar Löwen, Barcelona, Kiel, Kolding-Kobenhavn, Hamburg and Flensburg. The remaining nine places could be filled right at the re-start of the competition after the EHF EURO break. All 12 games will be streamed live on ehfTV.
Group A: The Slovenian league runners-up can make a huge step towards the Last 16 or even qualify, if they beat the Russians, who are virtually out of contention for the knock-out stage with zero points. If Celje win and Zagreb lose against Zaporozhye, all four Last 16 participants from this group would already be confirmed and Zagreb would miss out alongside the Russians.
HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO) vs. HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Do or die for the Croatian champions: To remain in the race for the knock-out stage they need to beat the Ukrainian champions, who already have seven points on their account (three points ahead of Zagreb). If Zaporozhye win, they are already through to the Last 16.
Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) vs. MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) The top duel of two teams already through to the knock-out stage. After their close defeat in the first leg, Löwen will be looking to win by more than one goal, which might be decisive in the end. However, even if they win, the German side are still one point below the Hungarian champions and do not have their fate their own hands. Since the 29:30 loss in Round 2, Löwen have won all five matches. Veszprém are without talisman Laszlo Nagy and signed Tamas Mocsai, son of former Veszprém coach Lajos, from German side Hannover-Burgdorf as cover. If the Hungarians win, they will be confirmed as group winners.
Group B: If both Polish sides win this weekend, both are qualified for the Last 16, as Porto could not pass the two arch rivals anymore. Plock need to be aware, as Dunkerque had a marvellous end to 2013, beating Kielce and will be looking to spring another surprise in the opening game of 2014.
FC Porto Vitalis (POR) vs. KS Vive Targi Kielce (POL) Friday night marks the international debut for Talant Dushebajev on the Kielce bench and it is the main goal of the newly signed coach to make it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4, but first his team need to stop their downswing. Kielce lost the last three matches prior to the EHF EURO break and gave away top position in this group. If they win at Porto, their berth for the Last 16 would be clinched and if Plock beat Dunkerque, both Polish sides would be through. Porto will be full of confidence after the impressive win over KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, which gave them a lifeline in the struggle for qualification.
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) vs. THW Kiel (GER) The ehfTV.com Match of the Week (including English live commentary of Tom O Brannagain) could go a long way to deciding the group winner. If THW (12 points) repeat the victory they secured at home, they will definitely finish ahead of the Danes (10 points) and only need one more point against Kielce to top this group. Both sides are already confirmed participants of the Last16. If KIF want to finish on top, they do not only have to beat Kiel, but beat them by four or more goals to have a better head to head record.
Group C: It is the biggest home match for the Swiss champions: FC Barcelona will be in town on Saturday. After the 19 goal defeat in the first leg, hopes of beating the Catalans (including eight EHF EURO medallists of all colours) are limited, but Wacker want to celebrate a huge handball party. If, as expected, the still unbeaten Barca will win, they only need one more point from their remaining matches against Paris and Metalurg to win the group.
PSG Handball (FRA) vs. HC Metalurg (MKD) “It’s time for revenge” is the motto of PSG after losing the away game at Skopje. As Metalurg are hit hard by a series of injuries the chances for the French champions are high. The winner of this duel of two teams level on nine points each will qualify for the Last 16 and have the best chances to finish second in the end, as both still have to face Barcelona. If Minsk lose at Vardar, both will have clinched their berth regardless the result of this duel.
HC Vardar Skopje (MKD) vs. HC Dinamo Minsk (BLR) If the Macedonians win the match by three or more goals, all four open spots of Group C for the Last 16 will be confirmed. In this case, Vardar (six points) would have won the direct encounter and could not be passed by Minsk (four points) in the remaining two rounds. Then also Paris and Metalurg would would also qualify. A victory would be a perfect present for Vardar’s new coach Raul Gonzalez. As for Minsk, this match is their last chance to stay in the hunt for a place in the Last 16.
Group D: If Velenje (six points) beat Hamburg and Aalborg win at Logrono, the Slovenians will have already clinched their spot for the Last 16 at the expense of Naturhouse La Rioja. The defending champions, including newly crowned World Handball Player of the Year, Domagoj Duvnjak, are eager to defend their top position in this group, with local rivals Flensburg breathing down their necks, just one point behind.
Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) vs. Aalborg Handball (DEN) Another “do or die” match – this time for the Spaniards (four points). If Aalborg (eight points) take both points, they are not only qualified for the Last 16, but parallel would further reduce the chances of La Rioja to proceed. A draw is enough for the Danish champions to progress.
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) vs. HK DROTT Halmstad (SWE) Flensburg are the clear favourites against the Swedish champions, who only have one point on their account. The match will be a very Swedish affair, as Flensburg have five Swedes in their squad. TEXT: Björn Pazen / cor |
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