Pivotal games could change group’s outcome

Györ were the first team to secure a quarter-final berth and could edge one step closer to winning the group if they stop Vipers’ four-game winning streak on Saturday.

A Györ win would also have ramifications in the battle for the second place, where Vipers and CSM are tied, with the Norwegian side holding the tiebreaker between them.

An injury-battered CSM need to win against Thüringer HC on Sunday to regain second place, which would virtually end the German’s chances for a quarter-final berth.

Also, Krim host FTC in a do-or-die clash for the Slovenian side, which must win if they are to progress to the next phase. A loss would mean that the Hungarian side opens a four-point gap, a mountain to climb for the Slovenian champions.

GROUP 2

RK Krim Mercator (SLO) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN)
Saturday, 9 February, 15:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• A loss would see Krim, winless since four games, virtually out of contention for a quarter-final berth

• A win would help FTC challenge for a higher place in the group

• FTC have the worst defence in the competition, conceding 32.5 goals per game

• FTC have only two wins in seven games when facing Krim

Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) vs Vipers Kristiansand (NOR)
Saturday, 9 February, 19:30 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• Kristiansand are riding a record four-game winning streak, which helped them climb to the second place

• The two best defences in the group meet, yet Kristiansand will be tested by the best attack in the competition (34.75 goals per game)

• Györ’s 15-game winning streak was stopped by FTC last week, yet they are unbeaten for 16 games, six short of the all-time CL record

• The two sides met in the EHF Cup in two consecutive seasons (2003/04 and 2004/05), with Györ progressing twice

Thüringer HC (GER) vs CSM Bucuresti (ROU)
Sunday, 10 February, 14:00 CET, live on ehfTV.com

• CSM are tied for second place with Vipers, and could leapfrog them if the Norwegian side drop points at Györ

• A German coach of Romanian heritage, Herbert Müller, is in his eight CL season with THC

• THC have been hit by many injuries, while star playmaker Iveta Luzumova is still not at 100 per cent after her shoulder injury

• THC and CSM have not met before in any European Cup competition