EHF Champions League

Chance for group 1’s first quarter-final decisions

Sergey Nikolaev / cg

20 February 2020, 13:50

Chance for group 1’s first quarter-final decisions

Unlike group 2, no DELO WOMEN'S EHF Champions League quarter-finalists have been determined in group 1 as yet, but things may change this round.

Rostov-Don and Metz Handball, who are level on nine points, will meet in Match of the Week, and the winners of their duel are likely to go through to the next stage. Team Esbjerg, who also have nine points, will secure their quarter-final spot if they grab at least one point in the Scandinavian derby against Vipers Kristiansand.

CSM Bucuresti will improve their chances of progressing if they beat FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, who, in turn, will be eliminated in case of a loss.

CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN)
Friday 21 February, 17:30 CET, live on ehftv.com

CSM are fourth on the table with seven points, while FTC sit bottom of the group with three
in the reverse fixture, FTC put on an impressive performance and claimed a 33:23 home victory
Cristina Neagu, who scored 14 goals in each of the two last Champions League matches, has extended her contract with CSM for two more years
FTC’s Katrin Klujber is in second place in the competition’s top scorer chart, with 60 goals

MOTW: Rostov-Don (RUS) vs Metz Handball (FRA)
Saturday 22 February, 14:00 CET, live on ehftv.com

both teams have nine points, but Metz are first placed and Rostov are second based on goal difference
in the reverse fixture, Metz celebrated a 23:20 win at home
the French side claimed just one point in the last two games, losing at CSM and splitting points with Esbjerg
in contrast, Rostov have taken two straight victories, defeating Vipers and FTC
Metz’s Xenia Smits made her return after a half-year absence and helped her team to defeat Toulon in the French Cup Last 16 on Tuesday
Rostov coach Ambros Martin extended his contract and will stay with the Russian side in the next season

Team Esbjerg (DEN) vs Vipers Kristiansand (NOR)
Sunday 23 February, 16:50 CET, live on ehftv.com

Esbjerg are level with group leaders Metz and Rostov on nine points, but are third placed due to goal difference
the Danish side won the previous meeting against Vipers, 35:31 in Norway
Esbjerg ended their four-match winning run in the competition by playing a draw against Metz in the previous round
fifth-ranked Vipers have lost all three games since the start of the main round