09.02.2019, 10:10
Kiel start title mission at Granollers

GROUP D PREVIEW: The tournament favourites from Germany face a big test in the opening match of the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase, while Azoty-Pulawy count on their home strength against GOG

Kiel start title mission at Granollers

Two former EHF Cup winners clash in the opening round of the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase in Granollers on Sunday. THW Kiel, hosts of the EHF Cup Finals, will have to stand their probably biggest test in the group phase.

Group D will be opened in Poland the day before, where Azoty-Pulawy lock horns with GOG.

GROUP D

KS Azoty-Pulawy (POL) vs GOG (DEN)
Saturday, 9 February 17:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• GOG are back in the group phase after a one-year absence

• Last time GOG faced a Polish opponent was in the Last 16 of 1999/2000, beating Warsaw twice

• GOG’s right back Niclas Kirkeløkke suffered an ACL injury and it out for the rest of the season

• Former player Bartosz Jurecki is the new coach at Azoty-Pulawy, which have their eighth straight appearance in European Cup competitions

Fraikin BM Granollers (ESP) vs THW Kiel (GER)
Sunday, 10 February 19:30 hrs CET, live on ehfTV.com

• Despite their long history in European Cup competitions, Kiel and Granollers never faced before

• Both sides combined have won the five EHF Cups under the old format: Granollers in 1995 and 1996, Kiel in 1998, 2002 and 2004

• After 14 straight seasons in the EHF Champions League (including three titles), Kiel are back in the EHF Cup, which they won in their last appearance in 2004

• THW have to replace Icelandic talent Gisli Kristjansson after shoulder surgery

TEXT: Björn Pazen / ew