Although the qualification is yet to start, EHF has established the set-up for the European League group stage. Eight groups of four teams to be played in October and November.
Title holders SG Flensburg-Handewitt starts with top two aim against Tatabanya KC from Hungary, Croatian MRK Sesvete and a qualification winner. With GOG, Gorenje Velenje and either Braga or Ademar Leon in group A and FC Porto, RK Vardar plus MT Melsungen or Elverum Handball in group F there is potential for classic European duels already from the start of the group stage.
A total of 22 teams is ready for full autumn action, ten remaining spots will be filled by qualification in September.
European League, group draw
Source: EHF
GROUP A
GOG (DEN)
RK Gorenje Velenje (SLO)
ABC de Braga (POR) or Abanca Ademar Leon (ESP)
GC Amicitia Zürich (SUI) or HC Kriens-Luzern (SUI)
GROUP B
Montpellier Handball (FRA)
Gornik Zabrze (POL)
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN) or FTC Green-Collect (HUN)
IFK Kristianstad (SWE) or Fraikin BM Granollers (ESP)
GROUP C
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)
Tatran Presov (SVK)
Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR)
RK Trimo Trebnje (SLO) or Limoges Handball (FRA)
GROUP D
Bidasoa Irun (ESP)
CSM Constanta (ROU)
KGHM Chrobry Glogow (POL)
Maritimo da Madeira Andebol SAD (POR) or Ystads IF HF (SWE)
GROUP E
RK Nexe (CRO)
THW Kiel (GER)
Bathco BM Torrelavega (ESP)
HC Vojvodina (SRB)
GROUP F
FC Porto (POR)
HC Vardar 1961 (MKD)
MT Melsungen (GER) or Elverum Handball (NOR)
Valur (ISL) or RK Bjelin Spacva Vinkovci (CRO)
GROUP G
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
MOL Tatabanya KC (HUN)
MRK Sesvete (CRO)
HCB Karvina (CZE) or RK Izvidac (BIH)
GROUP H
IK Sävehof (SWE)
FH Hafnarfjordur (ISL)
Fenix Toulouse Handball (FRA)
Mors-Thy Handbold (DEN) or VfL Gummersbach (GER)
Source: ELITE SIDES LEARN EHF EUROPEAN LEAGUE GROUP MATCHES FATE