SEHA derby of the EHF Champions League in Skopje as Vardar 1961 welcomes PPD Zagreb

PPD Zagreb

Another week of the EHF competitions is ahead of us which means it is time for our weekly preview of EHF Champions League as well as EHF European League. The group stage is slowly coming to an end in both competitions and the race for the knockout stage is becoming more and more interesting with every round so without further ado – let’s get into it!

EHF Champions League

In Group A PPD Zagreb will, after a big and important win over Hungarian Szeged at home in the last round, travel to North Macedonia to meet big SEHA – Gazprom League rivals Vardar 1961. The ‘Red&Blacks’ are awaiting the match in a good mood as well after an away victory against French Montpellier in the last round which was, unfortunately for coach Davis and his guys, spoiled a bit after SEHA loss to Nexe only a few days later. Macedonians were, however victorious two days ago in their national Superleague and they will surely be looking to add another CL win against Zagreb. This is definitely one of the matches you don’t want to miss out on because the winner of this one makes a huge step towards securing a place in the Last 16 phase.

After the home loss versus Aalborg and a dominant away win in Belarusian Division 1, Meshkov Brest will on Thursday meet Pick Szeged away from home. Hungarians are currently fourth in the standings, but the match against PPD Zagreb proved there are a lot of weaknesses in their game which means Meshkov Brest have a chance to secure what would be vital points in order to keep their knockout stage dreams alive.

In Group B, reigning SEHA – Gazprom League champions, Telekom Veszprem, will be looking to make a significant step towards securing one of the top two spots in the standings playing Barcelona away from home. In the last round they welcomed Porto and the match finished with a draw which means coach Ilic and his guys will surely be motivated to rinse the bitter taste off in Spain.

Motor Zaporozhye will, on the other hand, travel to Poland to play Lomza Vive Kielce. Kielce is having an amazing season so far. Polish champs are leading the group at the moment and it will be interesting to see whether Motor’s players have what it takes to deliver a strong outing and stun favored hosts.

Wednesday, 23 February, 18.45 CET, Lomza Vive Kielce – Motor Zaporozhye
Wednesday, 23 February, 20.45 CET, Vardar 1961 – PPD Zagreb
Thursday, 24 February, 18.45 CET, Barcelona – Telekom Veszprem
Thursday, 24 February, 20.45 CET, Pick Szeged – Meshkov Brest

EHF European League

In Group A Tatran Presov will, after last week’s loss versus Spanish Bidasoa away from home, welcome Polish Wisla Plock – current group leader.

In Group C, third-positioned Nexe will play Savehof away from home. Nexe is having an amazing start of the year, securing three victories last week – European League one at home against French Aix, in SEHA – Gazprom League versus Vardar 1961 and against Gorica in Croatian Premier League

After last week’s loss versus Nimes, Eurofarm Pelister will on Tuesday evening welcome Swiss Kadetten Schaffhausen. Eurofarm is currently second with the same amount of points as Kadetten which means an eventual win would additionally solidify the position for coach Babic and his guys.

Tuesday, 22 February, 18.45 CET, Tatran Presov – Wisla Plock
Tuesday, 22 February, 18:45 CET, Savehof – Nexe Nasice
Tuesday, 22 February, 18:45 CET, Eurofarm Pelister – Kadetten Schaffhausen