22.02.2019, 03:46
CSM seek revenge against Györ in top-of-table clash

GROUP 2 PREVIEW: Györ handed CSM their worst Champions League loss ever in the first mutual game between the two sides. While CSM seek revenge, a win will see the Hungarian side clinch first place in the group

CSM seek revenge against Györ in top-of-table clash

In the midst of an injury crisis that has taken out their starting right back Amanda Kurtovic and local hero Cristina Neagu, CSM Bucuresti are hosting Györi Audi ETO KC in a test that will help them see where they stand before they aim for their fourth Women’s EHF FINAL4 berth in a row.

CSM were the last team to beat the Hungarian powerhouse – who are now undefeated for 18 games in the Women’s EHF Champions League – last year, in January.

Elsewhere, Vipers Kristiansand can clinch their first ever quarter-final berth with a win against RK Krim Mercator, while FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria could also secure their place in the next phase of the competition with a point against Thüringer HC and a Vipers win. 

GROUP 2
CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN)
Saturday 23 February, 15:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• The 28:22 loss that Györ suffered in Bucharest in last year’s main round was the last one for the Hungarian side in the Champions League. Since then, Györ have won 17 games and drew one, 32:32, against FTC

• Györ can clinch the group with a win in this clash, irrespective of what happens in the other games that are to be played in the group

• CSM miss Amanda Kurtovic and Cristina Neagu, while Györ are without Nora Mørk, who is still in rehabilitation for her knee injury

• CSM and Györ boast the most effective attacks in the competition: Györ have an average of 34.5 goals scored per game, while CSM tally an average of 31.5 per match

• Györ handed CSM their worst loss ever in the top European competition, 36:27, in the first-leg game between the two sides one month ago

Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) vs RK Krim Mercator (SLO)
Saturday 23 February, 18:15 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• A win for Vipers, their fifth in the last six games, would see them mathematically through to the next phase of the competition, as the gap between the Norwegian side and Krim would grow to seven points

• Krim have not won a game on an away court this season, having drawn two and lost the other two matches played until now

• Kristiansand have never ranked among the top eight teams in the Women’s EHF Champions League

• The Slovenian side have not won a game in the competition since November 3, being on a five-game winless streak

FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) vs Thüringer HC (GER)
Saturday 23 February, 19:30 local time, live on ehfTV.com

• The German side could be out of contention for a quarter-final berth even with a win 

• Thüringer HC have never won against FTC, losing six games and drawing one against their Hungarian counterparts

• The odds are stacked against Thüringer, who have only won one game this season in the top European competition

• FTC are unbeaten in this stage of the Champions League, winning two games and drawing one against their Hungarian rivals, Györ

TEXT: Adrian Costeiu / cg