In-form Kadetten ready to take on top team
Having earned three points in their last two group matches, Kadetten Schaffhausen have gained self-confidence and optimism before their home game against Skjern Handbold.
The two remaining games on the fifth match day in Group D are taking place Sunday (18 October).
HCM Baia Mare are hosting HC Metalurg while Elverum Handball Herrer are chasing further points at home against HC Motor Zaporozhye.
GROUP D
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) vs Skjern Handbold (DEN)
Thursday 15 October 19:30 local time, live on ehfTV
After starting the group phase with two defeats, Kadetten have showed improved form lately, taking three points in their two latest matches.
The Swiss champions got their first win in the tournament this season, defeating HC Motor Zaporozhye 30:27 in the BBC Arena of Schaffhausen.
However, there is no doubt that some kind of a challenge is awaiting head coach Markus Baur’s men, when the leaders of the league table are visiting Switzerland.
A last-gasp second goal from right wing Jesper Dahl secured Skjern a narrow 20:19 home win against Metalurg on Sunday, and now the Danish team is chasing their second away win in the competition.
“In a group, where all the teams seem to be able to defeat each other, it is not only important to win your home games.
If you can steal this or that point away, you are really on your way, so if we can get another two points in Schaffhausen, we will have taken a really big step towards finishing first of the two top positions which will give us a spot in the play-offs for the Last 16,” finds Skjern back court player Daniel Svensson.
HCM Baia Mare (ROU) vs HC Metalurg (MKD)
Sunday 18 October 16:00 local time, live on ehfTV
Last Sunday, Baia Mare were heading for a convincing away win against Elverum.
However, the Romanian champions lost a seven-goal lead in the second half to even go one goal down before pulling it back to a 28:28 draw at the end.
Baia Mare will definitely want to do better in front of their own fans against Metalurg who travel to Romania after a narrow 20:19 defeat in Skjern.
Metalurg have four points just like Baia Mare.
The winner will make contact to the top of the group while the play-off could be out of reach for the loser.
This fact has not escaped Metalurg coach Lino Cervar’s mind, of course.
“We were unlucky in Skjern, but we are not disappointed.
“In Skjern, my players showed character and courage.
“We want to finish our job from Skjern in Baia Mare. I know that the Romanian champions are a good and experienced team, but we will do our best to repeat our performance from Skjern and take a good result,” Lino Cervar tells ehfCL.com.
Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) vs HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Sunday 18 October 16:15 local time, live on ehfTV
An impressive comeback earned Elverum their first Champions League point at home last Sunday, as the Norwegian champions drew 28:28 against Baia Mare.
Elverum are chasing their first home win of the tournament, as they host Motor Zaporozhye who have a 30:27 defeat away against Schaffhausen to put behind themselves.
As Motor have four points and Elverum three, both teams need a win in order to keep hopes alive, but Elverum coach Mikael Apelgren looks at the that situation rather lightly.
“As I have said before, we have everything to win and nothing to lose in every match we play in the Champions League.
“We know that we are not favourites, no matter who we meet, regardless if we play at home or away.
“Zaporozhye have some great shooters in particular, but we will obviously try to pull off yet another surprise,” Apelgren tells ehfCL.com ahead of the match in Terningen Arena.
TEXT: Peter Bruun / bc
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