09.03.2018, 01:00
Race for the quarter-finals – what happens if?

ROUND 6 PREVIEW: The last Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round matches have arrived, bringing with them the final decisions regarding quarter-finalists and table ranking

Race for the quarter-finals – what happens if?

Some questions remain in Women’s EHF Champions League Groups A and B before the last main round matches.

In Group A, three teams still have a mathematical chance to claim the top spot, while the remaining three fight for the last quarter-final ticket.

In Group B, the picture is clearer, but Metz and FTC are still competing for second place.

GROUP 1
Rostov-Don (RUS) vs CSM Bucuresti (ROU)
Saturday 10 March, 16:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs RK Krim Mercator (SLO)
Saturday 10 March, 17:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com

FC Midtjylland (DEN) vs NFH - Nykøbing Falster Håndboldklub (DEN)
Saturday 10 March, 19:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

What is already decided?

• Györ, CSM and Rostov have secured their quarter-final spots

Winner of Group 1

Györ (14 points) are one point ahead of both CSM and Rostov – and while they hold a head-to-head advantage against Rostov, this is not the case versus CSM.

Rostov and CSM, who will meet in the final round, drew in their previous clash. If all three teams end up on 14, the internal ranking will be four points each, but CSM will finish on top thanks to the better goal difference (+2) ahead of Györ and Rostov (both -1).

Györ will finish on top:

• If they win against Krim
• If they draw with Krim and Rostov beat CSM

CSM will finish on top:

• If they win against Rostov and Györ do not win against Krim
• If they draw with Rostov and Györ lose against Krim

Rostov will finish on top:

• If they win against CSM and Györ lose to Krim

The final quarter-final spot

NFH and Krim are level on five points, while Midtjylland have four. Midtjylland will host NFH in the final round. NFH hold a better head-to-head against Krim and drew with Midtjylland in their first clash, while Krim lead Midtjylland in their head-to-head record.

NFH will make it to the quarter-final:

• If they win against Midtjylland
• If they draw with Midtjylland and Krim do not win against Györ

Krim will make it to the quarter-final:

• If they win against Györ and NFH do not win against Midtjylland
• If they draw with Györ and Midtjylland win against NFH

Midtjylland will make it to the quarter-final:

• If they win against NFH and Krim lose against Györ

GROUP 2
Buducnost (MNE) vs HC Vardar (MKD)
Saturday 10 March, 19:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com

SG BBM Bietigheim (GER) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN)
Sunday 11 March, 17:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

Metz Handball (FRA) vs Thüringer HC (GER)
Sunday 11 March, 17:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

What is already decided?

• Vardar are confirmed as group winners
• Buducnost will definitely finish fourth
• THC and Bietigheim are out of race for the quarter-final

The battle for second place

Metz and FTC are square on 12 points, and the French team hold an advantage on head-to-head encounters thanks to the higher number of goals scored away from home. If the two rivals are still level on points after the final round, the French team will finish second.

Metz will finish second:

• If they win against THC
• If they draw with THC and FTC do not beat Bietigheim
• If they lose against THC and FTC are defeated by Bietigheim

FTC will finish second:

• If they win against Bietigheim and Metz do not beat THC
• If they draw with Bietigheim and Metz lose against THC

TEXT: Sergey Nikolaev / cg