After 20 qualification matches, the group stage of the EHF European League Men officially starts today, featuring some of Europe’s biggest handball clubs. Right in the first round, many top duels are scheduled, showcasing both seasoned teams and newcomers to the competition.
One of today’s standout encounters sees Montpellier Handball face Denmark’s Bjerringbro-Silkeborg at 20:45 CEST. Montpellier, former Champions League winners, narrowly missed out on last season’s EHF FINAL4 after a thrilling quarter-final duel with Kiel. Meanwhile, Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, who were eliminated by Dinamo Bucuresti in last year’s play-offs, arrive confident after comfortably advancing through the qualifiers and securing a recent league win against Kolding.
In another exciting matchup, Slovenian champions RK Gorenje Velenje take on Danish titans GOG. Velenje, competing in their 32nd European season, have a rich history in the competition and were part of the EHF Finals in 2015. GOG, fresh off a significant domestic win against Aalborg, will be looking to carry that momentum onto the European stage.
The EHF European League Men, 8 October
(18.45 CEST) Kadetten Schaffhausen–Sport Lisboa e Benfica
(18.45) SG Flensburg-Handewitt–MRK Sesvete
(18.45) MOL Tatabanya KC–HCB Karvina
(18.45) VfL Gummersbach–IK Sävehof
(18.45) RK Gorenje Velenje–GOG
(18.45) HC Kriens-Luzern–Abanca Ademar Leon
(18.45) Fenix Toulouse–FH Hafnarfjordur
(18.45) CSM Constanta–Ystads IF
(20.45 CEST) FC Porto–MT Melsungen
(20.45) Górnik Zabrze–Fraikin BM. Granollers
(20.45) RK Nexe–Vojvodina
(20.45) Bidasoa Irun–KGHM Chrobry Glogow
(20.45) HC Vardar 1961–Valur
(20.45) Montpellier Handball–Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
(20.45) Limoges Handball–TATRAN Presov
(20.45) THW Kiel–Bathco Bm. Torrelavega
Source: EHF