RK Nexe claimed a crucial 39–37 away win against Elverum Håndball, while Bergischer HC and TTH Holstebro also suffered their first defeats of the EHF European League Men 2026/27 group phase.
The third round of the EHF European League Men group phase brought a shake-up in several groups on Tuesday night. RK Nexe edged Elverum Håndball 39–37 in Norway, despite a remarkable 15-goal performance from Kevin Gulliksen, while MRK Sesvete Triglav osiguranje and Bathco BM. Torrelavega handed Bergischer HC and TTH Holstebro their first defeats of the campaign.
RK Nexe bounced back from their defeat in the previous round with a hard-fought 39–37 victory away to Elverum Håndball in Group A. The sides were level at 18–18 at half-time after exchanging the lead throughout the opening period. Nexe then took control early in the second half, with Aleksandar Bakić’s steal and fast-break goal putting the Croatian side ahead 21–20 three minutes after the restart.
Nexe gradually built a lead of up to four goals, but Elverum remained within touching distance. Kevin Gulliksen’s 15 goals helped the Norwegian side stay in contention, and Elverum levelled at 29–29 in the 48th minute.
The hosts were still just one goal behind twice in the final two minutes, but Tin Lučin converted a penalty to secure the two points for Nexe. Lučin finished with nine goals from 12 attempts, while Gulliksen scored 15 from 18 attempts.
The result left Elverum, Nexe and Hammarby Handboll level on four points after three rounds, with all three teams holding two wins and one defeat.
Bergischer HC beaten by Sesvete
Bergischer HC also lost for the first time in the group phase, going down 37–31 away to MRK Sesvete in Group D. The Croatian side led 18–13 at half-time and went on to claim their first victory of the international season. Despite the defeat, Bergischer HC remained on four points after three matches, level with group leaders IK Sävehof. Sesvete moved to three points, having recorded one win, one draw and one defeat.
In Group F, TTH Holstebro suffered their first defeat, losing 38–30 away to Torrelavega. The Danish side had kept pace with their Spanish opponents in the first half, with the teams level at 16–16 at the break. Torrelavega pulled away after half-time to claim their third consecutive victory. The result left Torrelavega on six points at the top of Group F, with Holstebro second on four points after two wins and one defeat.
Five teams maintain perfect records
After three rounds, five teams remain unbeaten in the standings with maximum points: Limoges Handball, Kadetten Schaffhausen, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, RD LL Grosist Slovan and Torrelavega.
Limoges defeated IRUDEK Bidasoa Irun 32–28 in Group B, while Kadetten Schaffhausen won 35–28 away to Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc Handball in Group C. SG Flensburg-Handewitt beat ACS HC Buzau 2012 36–27 in Group E, and RD LL Grosist Slovan won 36–30 away to Mors-Thy Håndbold in Group H.
The group phase has now reached its halfway point, with three rounds remaining.