07.02.2019, 10:40
Last year's finalists clash in Group A

GROUP A PREVIEW: Defending champions Füchse Berlin and runners-up Saint-Raphael go head-to-head again in the opening weekend of the Men's EHF Cup Group Phase

Last year’s finalists clash in Group A

What better way to get right into action than a rematch of last year’s EHF Cup Final? On Sunday, title holders Füchse Berlin will be up against the team they beat in the 2017/18 final, Saint-Raphael, when the Men's EHF Cup Group Phase gets underway this weekend.

A day before, La Rioja and Balatonfüred open play in this group in a match between two contenders for a quarter-final spot.

GROUP A

BM Logroño La Rioja (ESP) vs Balatonfüredi KSE (HUN)
Saturday 9 February, 21:15 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• La Rioja return to the EHF Cup Group Phase after six years, having played in the VELUX EHF Champions League for four seasons

• La Rioja lost in Qualification Round 3 last season

• Balatonfüred are in the group phase for the second time, after their debut in 2014/15

• Both teams have not met before in a European Cup competition

Füchse Berlin (GER) vs Saint-Raphaël Var HB (FRA)
Sunday 10 February, 15:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• This is a re-match of last season’s final, which Füchse won 28:25

• Füchse reached the finals four times in the last five years, Saint-Raphaël both times in the last two years

• Both teams also met in the group phase last season, with each team winning the away game

• Saint-Raphaël are without injured Spanish playmaker Daniel Sarmiento

TEXT: Kevin Domas / ew