GROUP C/D PREVIEW: Round 7 features key battles at the top of both groups this weekend as well as a piece of history up for grabs in Finland
Elverum’s hot streak put to the test in Plock
Both Groups C and D are set to go down to the wire as seven teams remain in serious contention for the four play-off spots.
Excitement is guaranteed in this weekend’s VELUX EHF Champions League fixtures as Presov and Bjerringbro face separate challenges, Plock and Elverum face each other, while a historic first victory is on the line for Thun and Cocks.
GROUP C
TATRAN Presov (SVK) vs Besiktas Mogaz (TUR)
Saturday, 10 November, 18:00 hrs local time, live on efhtv.com
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Presov need the win to keep in contest for the play-off spot
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Lukáš Urban and Leon Vučko are fit again after injuries
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Presov are struggling at home, winning just once in three matches
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Besiktas are on a three-game losing streak and are left with a rather theoretical chance to reach the play-off
Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN)
Saturday, 10 November, 16:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Top scorer Johan Hansen is still on fire with 43 goals, an average of more than seven per game
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Bjerringbro have won four times in a row, another win could put them with one foot in the play-offs
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Chekhov still lead the head-to-head 2-1 but both their victories against BSV date back to the 2011/12 season
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Both defences have done equally well so far: Medvedi condeded 164 goals, Bjerringbro 163
HC Metalurg (MKD) vs Sporting CP (POR) 24:31 (18:17)
Thursday, 8 november, match report
GROUP D
Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) vs Elverum Handball (NOR)
Saturday 10 November, 18:00 hrs local time, live on ehfTV
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Jose Guilherme de Toledo is out with a one-game suspension after his direct red card last week
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Plock came from behind to win 30:28 in an entertaining reverse fixture in Round 2
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Since that defeat, Elverum have gone on a four-game winning streak
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Plock won their first game since Round 3 last weekend against Bucharest, but maintain a perfect record at home this season
Riihimäen Cocks (FIN) vs Wacker Thun (SUI)
Sunday 11 November, 15:15 hrs local time, live on ehfTV
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The only teams in Groups C/D with no win so far collide in Vantaa
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Both have suffered a number of last-minute disappointments throughout the campaign
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Cocks let a four-goal lead slip in the reverse fixture (26:26)
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Goal-machines Nico Rönnberg (Cocks, 38 goals) and Ron Delhees (Thun, 33 goals) come face to face
Dimamo Bucuresti (ROU) vs Abanca Ademar Leon (ESP) 35:30 (18:15)
Thursday 8 November, match report
TEXT:
Tomas Cuncik, Chris O'Reilly / ew