GROUP 1 PREVIEW: Buducnost climbed to the top of their Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round group last weekend, but will now face a serious challenge at Rostov-Don
Buducnost's ambition to be tested in Rostov
The opening Women's EHF Champions League Main Round matches last weekend saw Buducnost grab the leading position in Group 1 when they defeated Kobenhavn. But on Saturday, the Montenegrin side will face a difficult test against Rostov, who are determined to fight back after their first defeat in the current competition in Metz.
Two other matches in Group 1 are national derbies: on Saturday, Brest will host Metz, while on Monday, Kobenhavn will play at home against Odense.
GROUP 1
Rostov-Don (RUS) vs Buducnost (MNE)
Saturday 2 February, 16:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Buducnost lead Group 1 with eight points; Rostov are third with seven
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Rostov suffered their first defeat of the Champions League season last week at Metz
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Buducnost's Katarina Bulatovic will face her former teammates, as she played for Rostov last season
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Rostov's leader Anna Vyakhireva is uncertain to play after she injured her elbow in Metz
Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA) vs Metz Handball (FRA)
Saturday 2 February, 17:45 local time, live on ehfTV.com
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After beating Rostov, Metz climbed to second place in the group with seven points; Brest stay bottom with just two points
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With 51 goals, Brest's Ana Gros is the competition's joint top scorer alongside Rostov's Anna Vyakhireva
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Metz have the best defensive record among all main round participants (117 goals conceded)
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When these teams met in the French league this season, Metz won comfortably, 35:20, away at Brest
Kobenhavn Handball (DEN) vs Odense HC (DEN)
Monday 4 January, 19:00 local time, live on ehfTV.com
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Odense started the main round with a win against Brest; Kobenhavn lost to Buducnost
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The Danish teams are level on three points, but Kobenhavn have an advantage on goal difference
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Odense top the Danish league with 19 wins in as many matches and sit 10 points ahead of Kobenhavn
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Their last domestic league clash, in September, ended in Odense's favour, 24:19
TEXT:
Sergey Nikolaev / cg