Knock-out battle sharpens

Two rounds remain in VELUX EHF Champions League Group C and there is no margin for error in the race for the Last 16.

With three teams on twelve points, Naturhouse La Rioja can become the first knock-out participant from the group should they beat Meshkov Brest on Saturday, Porto await a long journey to Russia and tough match against Chekhov, which they need to win to put themselves in a strong position.

Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) vs Futebol Clube do Porto (POR)
Thursday 26 November 19:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV

Porto follow their euphoric win at home in Iberian derby against La Rioja with a serious test on the road as they travel to Russia.

Chekhovskie Medvedi prevailed against Vojvodina last time out, already without any chance of qualifying from the group.

Vladimir Maximov’s men have had two more days of rest and do not have to travel, giving them an advantage.

The motivational factor, on the contrary, will be on Porto’s side. Ricardo Casto’s charges are full of confidence following their very convincing performance on Saturday.

The Dragons won the first encounter 31:27 in October thanks to a second half comeback.                     

“We always risked saying we were a serious candidate to grab one of the top two spots. I could have been wrong, but the reality is that this objective remains open. 

“We are in the fight for qualification and know that the next game is decisive, but we are used to big games," Ricardo Costa told the club‘s website.

Should they win, they will have their fate in their hands at home against Vojvodina on 5 December.

Vojvodina vs Tatran Presov
Thursday 26 November 19:30 local time, live on ehfTV

In the group’s second match on Thursday evening, Vojvodina play host to Tatran Presov in a match which will not have any impact on the top of the group. Nevertheless, should Presov win this way clash, they can equal four points of Vojvodina.

Tatran are no world beaters in this competition, despite leading the SEHA League. After falling against Meshkov Brest in Round 8, they beat the same opponent by eight goals two days later in, which suggests their focus is primarily on the regional league at the moment.

Vojvodina played well in Chekhov, but only for twenty minutes and not enough for a third win of the season.

”We are playing against a team of very high quality, which is more experienced than us, although we managed to beat them away. We are aware that Presov has the desire to prove that the defeat in Slovakia was just an accident,” said coach Nikola Markovic.

Oliver Rabek made comeback last week against, which is certainly a positive for Rastislav Trtik. For Presov, the remaining matches provide an opportunity to give more room for young prospects such as Lukas Urban.

La Rioja (ESP) vs Meshkov Brest (BLR)
Saturday 28 November 18:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV

The group’s final match this week is a direct duel for a top two spot between Spain’s Naturhouse La Rioja and Meshkov Brest from Belarus.

The home side have already got the better of Meshkov Brest away by two goals and should they win the return leg on Saturday, they are guaranteed to qualify for the next phase.

Javier Garcia‘s presence after returning from injury proved important against Porto and can be even more vital against group favourites from Brest. Cristian Malmagro worked his way to the top three goal scorers in the competition, whilst he will battle it out against Serbian line player for Meshkov Rastko Stojkovic, who is six goals behind with 50 on his tally.

La Rioja must use their wings to exploit the best defence in the group and at the same time make most of the pressure they can create from the back court combined with goals from the experienced Garcia.

On the other side, Meshkov Brest will count on their strength from back court in the form of Pavel Atman and Latvian Dainis Kristopans. Rastko Stojkovic is in fine form and is scoring important goals, whilst more is expected from their wings.

The Belarusians had their ups and downs but won three out four away matches this season and lost by only one in Porto. They are not favourites in this clash and that may help them.

La Rioja look to repeat last year’s success of reaching the Last 16, while Meshkov Brest are hoping to reach it for the first time in club history.