09.11.2018, 01:30
What a hit! Rivals challenge each other even before MOTW

FEATURE: Zagreb and Celje cannot wait to face off in Match of the Week on Saturday, so they already played a little game on social media against each other this week. But the game is not over yet…

What a hit! Rivals challenge each other even before MOTW

It is a long wait until Saturday if you are supposed to play your eternal rivals in the Match of Week.

So RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko took to social media to challenge HC PPD Zagreb even days before both teams will meet for their VELUX EHF Champions League Group B clash in Zagreb Arena on Saturday at 20:00 hrs (live on ehfTV.com).

The question: who will do best at the crossbar challenge?

First, the Slovenian champions showed off their skills. Celje players Tilen Kodrin, Branko Vujovic and Jan Jurecic all hit the crossbar throwing at the same time.



In their reply, the Croatian champions added a grade of difficulty as Zagreb captain Zlatko Horvat, Tin Kontrec and Urh Kastelic stood on the centre line for their efforts. But all three hit the crossbar as well.



So it’s a draw? Not so fast! On Friday, the EHF has given both teams a new challenge…



The midweek challenges started the build-up to Saturday’s spectacle in Croatia. There is a long history of rivalry between Zagreb and Celje. The two cities are just 115 kilometres apart and share the same passion for handball.

No other team in Europe has played more seasons in the EHF Champions League than Zagreb (25), while Celje (23) have been almost ever-present as well. The teams have played 18 times against each other, with Zagreb leading the head-to-head stats 10-7, while they had one draw.

As Celje are no part of the regional SEHA league 2018/19, it will be their first encounter of the season. Both teams have undergone some changes and it will be interesting to see who will end up as winners.

Not just the victory is at stake on Saturday

Not just the victory is at stake, but the sixth place in the group as well. After their win against Motor Zaporozhye in Round 6, Celje are currently in that position with four points, one ahead of Zagreb. Sixth is the final spot to qualify for the Last 16 from Group B.

Matches between the two teams are usually tight, so fans in the Zagreb Arena - including an estimated 200 supporters crossing the border from Celje - should be up for a treat.

The last time they shared a group in the VELUX EHF Champions League, two years ago, Zagreb and Celje both won their respective home game by just two goals.

Only eight days after Saturday’s Match of the Week in Croatia, both teams will meet again in Slovenia, on Sunday 18 November.

TEXT: Jelena Bagarić / ew