The play-offs in the Men’s European League is just around the corner. Ola Selby of GoHandball have ranked the twelve remaining teams.
Four teams: THW Kiel, Montpellier, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, and Bidasoa Irun, are directly qualified for the European League quarterfinals.
The other eight teams that advanced from the main round will compete in play-offs to determine which four will join them in the quarterfinals.
Ola Selby of GoHandball has ranked the twelve remaining teams in Power Rankings – a ranking based on how the teams have performed so far in the European League season.
Here are the matches in the play-offs:
Fenix Toulouse – FC Porto
GOG – Benfica
Limoges Handball – HC Kriens-Luzern
MT Melsungen – VfL Gummersbach
1: THW Kiel
Kiel doesn’t really want to play in the European League, but now that they are here, it seems they’ve adopted the mindset of “since we’re here, we might as well win the tournament.” It’s looked good in their matches, with Kiel winning five and drawing one (away against Melsungen) in the main round.
A lot depends on two players: Andreas Wolff’s goalkeeping and Eric Johansson’s dominance in the offensive play. More encouraging for Kiel is that the defense has looked better at times during the spring, and Elias Ellefsen a Skipagötu has had some really strong performances.
Kiel is considered the main favorite to win the tournament they didn’t even want to participate in.
2: Montpellier Handball
Another team that “belongs” in the Champions League but, due to the tough competition in the French league with PSG and Nantes, had to settle for playing in the European League this season.
And once there, Montpellier has looked strong. Five wins in the main round and only one loss, the disappointing match away against GOG. As expected, the team is filled with skilled players. Charles Bolzinger and Remi Desbonnet are two goalkeepers who are questioned at the French national team level but often deliver for their club.
Additionally, Mohamed Hesham, Bryan Monte, Valentin Porte, Sebastian Karlsson, Yanis Lenne, and Karl Konan all exude class. Montpellier could very well make it to the final.
3: SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Flensburg has struggled throughout the season, which led to Nikolej Krickau being dismissed in the winter. However, as we know, there is plenty of quality in this team, and their highest level is undoubtedly high enough for Flensburg to defend their title from last season.
Much of the focus is on the Danish players, and especially the quartet of Kevin Möller, Simon Pytlick, Lukas Jörgensen, and Emil Jakobsen, who are crucial for the team.
It would be a surprise if any team other than Kiel, Montpellier, or Flensburg were to take home the title.
4: MT Melsungen
Just like last season, Melsungen started this year’s league season in brilliant fashion. In fact, they were really strong all the way up to the World Championship break, both in the league and the European League.
However, since then, their play has faltered somewhat, and they haven’t picked up points at the same rate as they did from September to December. In the European League, their record in the main round is three wins, two draws, and one loss.
So there are questions about their form, especially since they drew at home against the whipping boys, Vojvodina. On the other hand, Melsungen has perhaps the second-biggest potential match-winner in the tournament in Nebojsa Simic.
5: GOG
The main round was almost nothing but tight matches for GOG. Granted, it was a tough group with teams like Montpellier and Granollers, but three wins, one draw, and two losses is really a mixed bag.
Beating Montpellier at home was certainly strong, as was earning a point away against Granollers.
However, the feeling is that the magical center back Tobias Gröndahl has been a bit too alone in delivering top performances. GOG clearly has more to give. But this is a club that is used to playing in Europe, and a team with a high ceiling, which is why they earn the fifth spot in this ranking.
6: Fenix Toulouse
They managed to “steal” points from the defending champions Flensburg twice during the main round, and that alone shows the high level this team is capable of.
In fact, Toulouse only lost one match in the main round, so naturally, they are a tough team to beat.
What impresses most, however, is the experienced Nemanja Ilic. The left back still has it and, above all, boasts a high shooting percentage in his finishes.
7: FC Porto
Is it too generous of me to place Porto seventh, given that they lost two matches in the main round? No, I don’t think so. Porto was in the toughest group, with both Kiel and Melsungen.
I still see quality in this team that makes them deserving of the seventh spot. Diogo Marquez showed during the World Championship for Portugal that he’s an up-and-coming goalkeeper. And there’s plenty of talent in Leonel Fernandes, Leo Gunnarsson, Victor Iturriza, and Rui Silva. On top of that, they have a skilled coach in Magnus Andersson. Porto could surprise.
8: VfL Gummersbach
The fourth German team to make it past the main round and into the playoffs. Gummersbach, with great players like Julian Köster and Dominik Kuzmanovic, has a lot of potential. Additionally, Miro Schluroff has been outstanding in the European League, leading the team in both goals and assists.
However, three wins and three losses are not particularly impressive for a team that seems to have struggled to balance the tough Bundesliga competition with delivering in Europe.
On the other hand, they have a very exciting coach in Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson. But the prediction is still that Gummersbach will be knocked out by Melsungen in the playoffs.
9: Bidasoa Irun
I might be a bit disrespectful by placing Bidasoa Irun, the fourth group winner, as the ninth-best team. But the fact is, Irun’s group was one of the weaker ones, with Limoges, Benfica, and Ystads IF as opponents.
A tougher group would likely have meant an exit already in the main round. That said, Irun has done well. This relatively anonymous team plays very disciplined and is also well-coached.
They’ve already secured a quarterfinal spot, but my guess is that their run will end before the Final Four.
10: Limoges
Maybe not the most glamorous team on paper, but still a team that has delivered good handball throughout the European League season, with four wins and two losses in the main round.
Ihor Turchenko has probably been their standout player. The left back has scored a lot of goals and has also been great at setting up his teammates in good positions. And there are more quality players in this team, like Seif Yehia El Deraa, to name one.
Limoges could have just as easily finished first in the group with Irun, Benfica, and Ystads IF.
11: Benfica
A that must be ranked as the third-best team in Portugal after Sporting and Porto. Not because they lack quality, but Benfica is simply not quite on the same level as their rivals, at least not right now.
They finished the main round with three wins and three losses, which isn’t particularly impressive considering they were in the “easiest” group.
At home, Benfica is strong, but they haven’t picked up many points on the road this season.
12: HC Kriens-Luzern
Someone has to be ranked “last,” and this time it’s the Swiss powerhouse. Not because they’ve been bad, but rather because they’ve actually impressed me in many ways.
However, it’s still hard to rank any other team here, even though it’s obviously tight between several teams, and the difference between teams ten and twelve isn’t that significant.
Who’s the most fun to watch? Luca Sigrist. The 19-year-old Swiss player is leading the top scorer list in the European League.