21.10.2015, 12:20
13 Champions League winners face in Paris

GROUP A PREVIEW: Top clash Paris Saint-Germain vs Veszprem highlights the sixth round, while Plock, Celje and Besiktas are feeling the pressure

13 Champions League winners face in Paris

The last round prior to the first group phase break of the VELUX EHF Champions League season brings a real handball feast in Group A, when PSG host unbeaten number group leaders Veszprem. Flensburg want to take revenge against Plock, while Besiktas hope for their first points and Kiel need a victory to keep up with the top teams.

GROUP A:
THW Kiel vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Wednesday 18:45 hrs. local time, live on ehfTV

Both sides were defeated last Sunday and both are performing slightly below expectations. Celje have won only their opener at Besiktas and then were defeated four straight times to sit outside the Last 16 qualification spots. Kiel have lost twice already and are three points below Veszprem – so a victory is definitely needed prior to the double-header with PSG in November, if Kiel want to remain in the race for top position.

Statistics speak for the hosts, as Kiel have never lost a match at home against Celje, but had enormous problems to leave the Slovenian record champions behind in their last duel in 2012 (30:26), after they had lost their away game at the Zlatorog Arena. The overall head-to-head of both traditional Champions League participants includes four wins for Kiel, two for Celje.

Ten days ago, the “Brewers” had little chance in their first visit in Germany, losing 30:20 at Flensburg. But THW coach Alfred Gislason is aware of Celje: “This young team is better than their current ranking. They play extremely fast handball, so we have to avoid giving them the chances for counter-attacks.”

Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb
Saturday 18:00 hrs. local time, live on ehfTV

These teams clash for the first time in international competition on Saturday – and the roles seem to be clearly set. While Besiktas showed some brave performances like in Veszprem, they still wait for their first point. And the Zagreb boys are on a riding a wave of good form, having already gained six points.

Another win and parallel defeats for Celje and Plock could provide the Croats with a serious cushion for the rest of the group phase. Zagreb showed their currently high level on Monday by beating Group B participant and Macedonian champions Vardar in the SEHA Liga 30:25. 

Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs MVM Veszprém
Sunday 17:00 hrs. local time, ehfTV.com Match of the Week

In 2014 and 2015, Vesprem kicked PSG out in the quarter-finals, making the final step towards Cologne, now – after bolstering their squad intensely - the French champions are eager to take revenge. Veszprem are the only one of all 28 teams in the VELUX EHF Champions with an unbeaten record, PSG have won their last four matches after the opening defeat at Flensburg. So both teams are on top form coming into the ehfTV Match of the Week.

Three former Champions League top scorers, four World Handball Players of the Year and 13 players with at least one Champions League medal, will be facing in the clash of the titans, the duel of two main contenders for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.

Since Xavier Sabate took over as interim successor of Carlos Antonio Ortega, his team won all matches including the Champions League top duels against Flensburg and Kiel. The only point, the Hungarian record champions dropped was at the opener at Plock.

And the match is special reunion of former THW Kiel stars and staff: PSG coaches Serdarusic and Olsson, PSG players Omeyer, Narcisse and Karabatic vs the Veszprem players Palmarsson, Ilic and Zeitz, who is currently injured.

Orlen Wisla Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Sunday 18:00 hrs. local time, live on ehfTV

A 31:29 win on home court was the key for Plock to finally rank ahead of Flensburg in last season’s group phase – and due to this defeat, the 2014 Champions League winners were paired against and eliminated by Kiel in the Last 16. Plock’s run also did not make it to the quarter-final, losing against Vardar.

After a brilliant start with the draw against Veszprem, the Polish runners-up only took one win at Celje. Their last home match was a “day to forget”, losing 23:37 against Kiel, followed by a defeat at Zagreb.

Flensburg took four points from the past two matches and are on six points, but did not take a single point in away matches, meaning both sides will fancy their chances in this encounter.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / cor