20.11.2015, 02:10
More than sport on this 'Super-Saturday'

GROUP A PREVIEW: Paris host THW in a top clash; Zagreb want to get back to winning ways again against Flensburg

More than sport on this 'Super-Saturday'

For the second time this season, all the matches from the VELUX EHF Champions League Group A will take place on the same day, this time on ‘Super-Saturday’.

These four games are the direct re-matches from Round 7, with the PSG vs Kiel clash being the highlight of the round.

EHF President Jean Brihault will be present to spread his message against terror in the severely hit French capital.

From a sporting point of view, PSG with a win can become the first team in this group to book a place in the Last 16 ticket - should Celje and Besiktas both lose.

And another Plock victory against Besiktas would separate the wheat from the chaff in this group, as it would put them five points ahead of - at least - the Turkish outfit.

GROUP A

MVM Veszprém (HUN) vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO)
Saturday 21 November, 16:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

The 30:27 win last weekend did not really reflect Veszprém’s dominance at Celje, so the Hungarian record champions are again the clear favourites on home court, where they have not lose a single Champions League match since March 2013.

Against the Slovenian title-holders they extended their run to nine wins from eleven duels last weekend.

If Veszprém win and PSG lose, the Hungarians will be back on top of the table.

On the other hand, the young Celje side only have two points on their account and are struggling hard to win a spot in the Last 16.

But coach Branko Tamse and his players know that there are easier places to take points than in the Veszprem Arena.

The hosts hope for a return of their Swedish line player Andreas Nilsson after a bout of concussion.

Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR) vs Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Saturday 21 November, 17:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

Can Besiktas pull off another home-court win as they did against Zagreb? Or will the Turkish champions be hopeless, like they were last weekend in their 32:26 defeat to Plock?

These are the main questions ahead of this crucial encounter.

Besiktas know that they are a stronger force on home ground, but thanks to their stronger individual skills and international experience, the Polish runners-up are seen to be the favourites.

Plock have won all three previous encounters against Besiktas and can make a huge step towards the knock-out stage in this tough group with another win.

And after the first leg, they know who to focus on in defence - Istanbul’s strong back court axis Pribak, Djukic and Döne.

Looking at the remaining home fixtures with matches against Veszprem, Kiel and Flensburg, Istanbul know that it might be their last chance to take some points at home this season.

HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb (CRO) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
Saturday 21 November, 19:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

Looking back at Flensburg’s lucky 28:27 win in the first encounter and taking Zagreb’s home strength into consideration, this clash is really hard to call.

But the hosts have been hit by a severe injury with right back, Luka Stepancic, suffering ligament damage in Flensburg – all of this after he just had recovered from a long-term injury.

This loss is a severe setback for coach Veselin Vujovic and for his team ahead of this re-match.

The hosts proved their incredible home strength by beating Kiel, and their only home defeat was a narrow 20:21 loss against Veszprém.

It is the eleventh time both sides meet in the EHF Champions League, and Flensburg extended their successful streak to eight wins with their victory in Round 7 - their fourth straight win in the group phase.

In domestic competitions, Flensburg beat former EHF Cup participant Hannover-Burgdorf on Wednesday 35:21, while Zagreb got a lucky 28:27 win against their Croatian rivals and EHF Cup participants Nexe in their most recent SEHA-Liga match.

MOTW: Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) vs THW Kiel (GER)
Saturday 21 November, 20:45 local time, live on ehfTV.com

Group A’s top duel is much more than a mere sporting event after the tragic attacks in Paris last week: EHF President Jean Brihault will attend the match and address handball fans ahead of throw-off, and there will be special slogans and messages in the official magazine as well as on the court and on the LED advertising system.

PSG will wear a special jersey for this match, including the “Je suis Paris” logo.

And the match will, of course, be carried out under strict security measures.

Life has changed drastically for Paris who took their first ever win against THW after the seven attempts, winning 30:26 in Sparkassen arena, the first THW Champions League home defeat after more than four years.

Both sides won their league matches this week (Kiel against Wetzlar; Paris against Toulouse), both sides still have to replace some injured players such as in Klein, Jansen and Wiencek (THW) or Barachet and Accambray (PSG).

Kiel won their group phase match in Paris last year, but this season PSG have won all their respective home matches including the previous clash against Veszprém.

Again, former THW players like Karabatic, Narcisse or Omeyer will try to impose their presence on this match for PSG.

Another victory would extend their winning streak to seven matches after losing their opener at Flensburg.

On the other hand, THW need to win to remain in the race for pole position after three defeats against Zagreb, Veszprém and PSG leave them four points adrift from the top spot.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / bc