25.09.2018, 10:38
Fascinating facts from the first two rounds

TALKING POINTS: The new season of the VELUX EHF Champions League is getting into its stride. The second round of the group phase is now in the bag and with it some interesting facts and figures emerged

Fascinating facts from the first two rounds

The second round of the new VELUX EHF Champions League season is behind us. The competition is finding its rhythm again and providing plenty of entertainment to action-thirsty handball fans.

With only two rounds completed, we have already seen some interesting scenarios and facts which deserve a closer look.

Defending champions set undesirable record

The reigning champions in Montpellier HB set an undesirable record with a 26:23 loss against HC Meshkov Brest in Group A.

This is the first time since the VELUX EHF FINAL4 format was introduced that the defending champions lost their first two games the following season. Montpellier lost against HC Vardar in the first round and will now try to get back on track and not turn this negative record to an unwanted streak.

Brest were deserved winners in Match of the Week and it is clear how much it meant for the team and their fans in the stands.

Paris is unstoppable at home

Paris Saint-Germain HB reached a big milestone with a win against RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko in Group B, 33:21. It is safe to say that the French giants are unstoppable at home.

PSG has now gone 30 games unbeaten in a row on home court in Europe’s top flight. We have to go back to November 2014 to the most recent loss at home, against THW Kiel.

Long-awaited win in Germany for Zagreb

Not only was it a thrilling match when SG Flensburg-Handewitt met HC PPD Zagreb in Group B, but the 31:29 win for the Croats was long-awaited to say the least.

This is the first time in eight seasons that Zagreb earned points in a group phase in Germany. Last time it happened was in the 2010/11 season when Zagreb drew against Rhein-Neckar Löwen.

If ever is a reason to celebrate it is after a moment like this and the Croats did not disappoint in that regard.

Warning bells ring in Löwen

Rhein-Neckar Löwen lost their first match of the season when they visited PGE Vive Kielce in Group A. Not that the 35:32 victory for the Polish team should be a surprise, but rather how the Germans lost.

Just like in the first round of the group phase, the Mannheim Lions were their own worst enemy towards the end of the match. They got away with it against Barca Lassa last week and snatched a one-goal victory, but they were not as lucky this time.

With a three-goal lead for Löwen at 30:27, Kielce scored six goals in a row while Löwen could only manage one in the last 10 minutes of the game. Something for Nikolaj Jacobsen to think about while Alex Dujshebaev and his team-mates enjoyed their Sunday.

What a winning-goal

Carlos Ruesga caught the attention of the sporting world with a stunning last-second goal to secure a thrilling victory for Sporting CP against Chekhovskie Medvedi in Group C.

With that dramatic goal, Sporting maintain their perfect record in the group phase this season and the spotlight was shone on the handball players at a club known traditionally for its football team.

TEXT: Andri Yrkill Valsson / cor
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