20 teams eye spot in DELO EHF Champions League

A total of 20 clubs from 13 different nations has registered at the European Handball Federation for a place in the DELO EHF Champions League 2021/22.

Registration does not automatically mean participation, and the final list of all 16 participants will only be confirmed following the EHF EXEC meeting and made public on Tuesday 29 June.

The 2021/22 season is the 28th in the history of Europe’s prime women’s club competition. Like last season, its format includes a group phase with two groups of eight teams each.

10 teams with fixed places

Based on the EHF ranking list the teams from the top eight countries have been registered as national champions; the Macedonian champions have not submitted a registration.

The participation of these 10 teams, which include defending champions Vipers Kristiansand from Norway, is now only subject to approval by the EHF EXEC.

10 requests for an upgrade

In addition, 10 clubs eligible to enter the EHF European League have submitted their requests for a Champions League upgrade via their national federations.

What’s next

The clubs which request an upgrade will now be evaluated based on several different criteria (venue, TV, spectators, results in past EHF competitions, product management and digital) and recommendations will be prepared for the following EXEC, which will confirm the teams for the remaining six positions on the starting grid.

The final list of the 16 teams for the new season will be announced on Tuesday 29 June.

The group phase draw will be held on Friday 2 July in Vienna and will be streamed live on the EHF digital channels.

Teams with fixed places (10):

CRO – RK Podravka Vegeta
DEN – Odense Håndbold
FRA – Brest Bretagne Handball
GER – BV Borussia 09 Dortmund
HUN – FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria
HUN – Györi AUDI ETO KC
MNE – Buducnost BEMAX
NOR – Vipers Kristiansand
ROU – CSM Bucuresti
RUS – CSKA

Requests for an upgrade from the EHF European League (10):

DEN – Team Esbjerg
FRA – Metz Handball
GER – SG BBM Bietigheim
NOR – Storhamar Håndball Elite
ROU – CS Minaur Baia Mare
RUS – Rostov-Don
CZE – DHK Banik Most
SLO – RK Krim Mercator
SWE – IK Sävehof
TUR – Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK