21.10.2015, 04:10
Group C sides turn to 'second leg' ties

GROUP C PREVIEW: Porto, La Rioja and Presov will look to repeat the same results in their Round 6 match-ups

Group C sides turn to 'second leg' ties

With Group C having reached its halfway mark, each team will now play the reverse tie of their last encounter.

Presov are hosted by Chekhovskie Medvedi after their first VELUX EHF Champions League win of the season while the Slovakian side stays hungry for more.

La Rioja are big favourites in their fortress against Vojvodina, who are hunting for more European experience.

Expect a big rematch as Meshkov are fired up to get back to winning ways against a performing Porto.

Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) vs TATRAN Presov (SVK)
Thursday 22 October 18:00 local time, live on ehfTV

After a 27:21 win against Chekhovskie Medvedi, Presov won their first Champions League group phase match in seven years, and now are travelling to Russia trying to make the most of this ‘winning-momentum’.

Medvedi, won their first home match against La Rioja, but are without a win in their last four consecutive matches and according to Vladimir Maximov their performance in Presov was their worst this season.

The Slovakian champions will count on goals from their star wingers Jakub Hrstka and Radoslav Antl.

And a plus point is that Oliver Rabek and Dominik Krok are back after injury for Rastislav Trtik’s men.

On the other side, Dmitry Kovalev has ten more goals than Antl (33 so far), and is one of the players that remembers the wins against Presov back in 2006 as the Bears went on to win the Cup Winners’ Cup.

The Bears will, however, miss injured Alexander Kotov in the back court.

In their last clash, the Russian’s side 3-2-1 defence left too much space for Presov wingers and line players.

Michal Kopco with Andrej Petro played important roles in defence together with goalkeeper Igor Chupryna for Presov.

Aggressive and effective defence might be the key in Russia for Presov; however, the Bears are expected to bounce back after this slight dip of form.

HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) vs Futebol Clube do Porto (POR)
Saturday 24 October, 18:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV

Drama unfolded in their first head-to-head match, as Areia Rodrigues scored the winning goal fourteen seconds before the end.

Porto are travelling to Brest full of confidence as joint leaders of the group.

Brest will try to end their poor run of form of two consecutive losses after starting the competition well.

The team's performance was key in taking a win for Ricardo Costa’s men, however, the Portuguese coach is aware that similar errors made in second half could be crucial in Belarus.

A busy schedule for Dragons sees them winning their last seven competitive games.

Rastko Stojkovic made it into the Best 7 of match day five, with nine goals in Porto and much is expected from the Serbian line player at home as well.

It will be interesting, whether Breast’s goalkeeper Ivan Pesic will manage to play after his injury.

Brest seems to be struggling with the expectations that came after the first few games of the season.

Porto are on a winning run, their star players deliver great performances, with Gilberto Duarte being the leader with 27 goals so far.

Slips in their games suggest Porto are a beatable side for Meshkov Brest.

Both defeats against La Rioja and Porto were close ones, so there is no room for panic.

There are enough matches for Bebeshko’s team to rediscover their form.

Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) vs Vojvodina (SRB)
Saturday 24 October, 18:00 local time, live on ehfTV

Last year’s Last 16 participants in the VELUX EHF Champions League, La Rioja, sit on the top of the table after the group phase reached its halfway mark.

Following a convincing 31:25 win in Novi Sad against newcomers Vojvodina, La Rioja have an ideal chance to strengthen their position in the group.

The Spanish side count heavily on their two top scorers, right back Cristian Malmagro and left winger Angel Fernandez.

Both have scored an amazing 69 goals as a duo and they seem unstoppable in recent games.

Supported by Swedish star keeper Richard Kappelin, La Rioja have found their rhythm with their four consecutive wins.

Three of their players have been called into the Spanish national side, which can only boost their confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

Vojvodina base their game on fast counter attacks; therefore, La Rioja need to be careful handling errors.

The Spanish side themselves possess great quality on the wings with Angel Fernandez and Pedro Rodriguez performing beyond their expectations.

No wonder La Rioja have the best attack in the group and second best attack in the competition with 157 goals scored so far.

TEXT: Tomas Cuncik / bc