08.02.2019, 04:00
Pivotal games could change group's outcome

GROUP 2 PREVIEW: The status quo of the group could change after Round 3, with every point counting as the business end of the competition is drawing nearer

Pivotal games could change group’s outcome

Györ were the first team to secure a quarter-final berth and could edge one step closer to winning the group if they stop Vipers’ four-game winning streak on Saturday.

A Györ win would also have ramifications in the battle for the second place, where Vipers and CSM are tied, with the Norwegian side holding the tiebreaker between them.

An injury-battered CSM need to win against Thüringer HC on Sunday to regain second place, which would virtually end the German’s chances for a quarter-final berth.

Also, Krim host FTC in a do-or-die clash for the Slovenian side, which must win if they are to progress to the next phase. A loss would mean that the Hungarian side opens a four-point gap, a mountain to climb for the Slovenian champions.

GROUP 2

RK Krim Mercator (SLO) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN)
Saturday, 9 February, 15:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• A loss would see Krim, winless since four games, virtually out of contention for a quarter-final berth

• A win would help FTC challenge for a higher place in the group

• FTC have the worst defence in the competition, conceding 32.5 goals per game

• FTC have only two wins in seven games when facing Krim

Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs Vipers Kristiansand (NOR)
Saturday, 9 February, 19:30 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• Kristiansand are riding a record four-game winning streak, which helped them climb to the second place

• The two best defences in the group meet, yet Kristiansand will be tested by the best attack in the competition (34.75 goals per game)

• Györ’s 15-game winning streak was stopped by FTC last week, yet they are unbeaten for 16 games, six short of the all-time CL record

• The two sides met in the EHF Cup in two consecutive seasons (2003/04 and 2004/05), with Györ progressing twice

Thüringer HC (GER) vs CSM Bucuresti (ROU)
Sunday, 10 February, 14:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• CSM are tied for second place with Vipers, and could leapfrog them if the Norwegian side drop points at Györ

• A German coach of Romanian heritage, Herbert Müller, is in his eight CL season with THC

• THC have been hit by many injuries, while star playmaker Iveta Luzumova is still not at 100 per cent after her shoulder injury

• THC and CSM have not met before in any European Cup competition

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / ew