Lazarov returns to Zagreb, Noka meets Kiel

Lazarov returns to Zagreb, Noka meets Kiel

It’s the fourth consecutive weekend of world class handball in the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League.

After Round 4 the top club competition will have a five weeks break before the re-start on 18 November. So the matches of this weekend will have a big impact in the four groups.

Currently, eight teams are still unbeaten, four of which have the optimum of six points. As four of the unbeaten teams (Kolding vs. Veszprem and Zagreb vs. Ciudad Real) have direct encounters this weekend the Group rankings might change before the break.

The round will be opened with three matches on Thursday. Two games include very emotional due to personal relationships: For the first time ever Celje coach Noka Serdarusic returns to meet his former club Kiel, and Kiril Lazarov will return with Ciudad Real to his former club Zagreb.

Group A

KS Vive Targi Kielce (POL) – Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER)

The ehftv.com Match of the Week will bring commentator Tom o’ Brannagain to Poland for the first time. He will attend a match important to both teams in a sold-out arena. Host Kielce are still waiting for their first points in this season, but showed a top performance last Sunday in Kiel.

After losing their opener against Celje they now want to show their frenetic audience that they’re still a candidate for the Last 16. On the other hand Löwen surprised by two victories in Barcelona and Celje. And after their easy going win against Chambery they rank number one as the only spotless team in this hammer group.

Mariusz Jurasik will have a special feeling in this game as he’ll meet his old team mates from Löwen, where he played until 2009. And next year Kielce fans will cheer for Slawomir Szmal the current Löwen goalkeeper who has already signed a contract at Kielce from 2011 on.

Chambery Savoie (FRA) – FC Barcelona-Borges (ESP)

"We have to take our points on home ground," Chambery coach Philippe Gardent said after beating Celje two weeks ago. Now the French runners-up (currently 2 points) have the second chance to do so.

But the opponent from Barcelona (3 points) arrives with a great self-assurance after overrunning Celje and taking a draw in Kiel. After his one match suspension Laszlo Nagy will be back on track for Barca.

Pivot Cedric Sorhaindo will return to his home country with his new club and will be able to give Coach Xavi Pascual some advices about the French opponent.

RK Pivovarna Lasko Celje (SLO) – THW Kiel (GER)

After two defeats against Löwen and in Barcelona, Celje hope for their second victory on home ground. It is title defenders Kiel’s first away match in this VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League season.

Kiel arrive unbeaten with five points on their account - but they are aware of the special atmosphere in the Celje Arena. The trio Metlicic, Pajovic and Zorman know Kiel best from some final clashes with their former club Ciudad Real.

The match will be something absolute special for Coach Noka Serdarusic. He coached THW for more than a decade before changing to Slovenia. Most of the Kiel players experienced him as a coach, which will bring tension to both sides – as it’s the first match ever for Serdarusic to be opponent of Kiel.

On Wednesday Serdarusic stepped back as Coach of the Slovenian men's national team.

This match will be broadcast live on our free of charge web stream on ehfTV.com on Sunday at 18:30 hrs (local time).

Group B

HSV Hamburg (GER) – IK Sävehof (SWE)

"Welcome back home" is the motto of HSV after three consecutive away matches in the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League and only two points on their account.

The Germans are the clear favourites against the Swedish champions, even as Sävehof took their first points last weekend against Presov.

HSV goalkeeper Per Sandström will be happy to prove his top form to mates from his home country.

MKB Veszprem (HUN) – KIF Kolding (DEN)

In total contrast to Hamburg, Veszprem will have their third home match in a row. The Hungarians will meet the big surprise team of Group B.

Like Veszprem Kolding have the optimum of six points on their account and the Danes travel to Hungary with high hopes after well-deservedly beating HSV. Still, like all teams Kolding have respect for the team and the great audience in Veszprem.

Two of the top shooters will meet in this game: Lars Christiansen from Kolding and current top scorer of the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League, Marko Vujin (Veszprem).

The winner of this game will make a great step forwards towards the round of the Last 16.

Tatran Presov (SVK) – Montpellier HB (FRA)

Will the Slovakians take their first points in this season? Or will the French team manage to accomplish their second victory after the defeats against HSV and in Veszprem?

Due to their individual class the French champion is the favourite, but Tatran are full of energy after their unlucky defeat in Sävehof.

Group C

Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) – Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)

After two close defeats and a draw Kadetten are eager for the surprise in Russia. But the Swiss champions know that the hurdle is very high.

Chekhovskie are still unbeaten, and especially on home ground the Russians are a class of their own thanks to their tall and physical strong back court players.

Cuatro Rayas Valladolid (ESP) – Pick Szeged (HUN)

Two winners of Round 3 meet in Spain: As Valladolid is still unbeaten, Szeged took their four points only on home ground (against Schaffhausen and Aalborg).

For Valladolid it’s the second home match after the unlucky draw against Chekhov – and they’re in the favourite role thanks to their bigger experience and individual class.

AaB Handball (DEN) – Dinamo Minsk (BLR)

Two debutants meet in Denmark – and after a draw against Schaffhausen Aalborg hopes for their first ever victory in the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League.

In case of a victory, AaB (1 point) would overtake Minsk (2) in the ranking. For the Belarusians it’s the first ever away match - and both teams lost their matches of Round 3 clearly.

Group D

HCM Constanta (ROU) – Bosna Sarajevo (BIH)

Will Eden Hairi earn his first points as new coach of Constanta in VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League?

After the expected defeat in Ciudad Real, the Romanians hope for their first points with Hairi. And by winning they would rank ahead of the opponent from Sarajevo (now 1 point).

As in this group the fight for the fourth position seems to be an equal race of Bosna, Constanta and St. Petersburg every point counts.

This match will be broadcast live on our free of charge web stream on ehfTV.com on Thursday at 18:00 hrs (local time).

HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb (CRO) – Renovalia Ciudad Real (ESP)

Will they cheer or will the whistle? The reaction of the Zagreb fans will be very interesting, when their former hero will return to the Croatian capital.

Kiril Lazarov left CO Zagreb before the start of this season – and since then he’s the top scorer of Ciudad Real, the next opponent of the Croats.

As Zagreb lost only one point in Bosna and Ciudad Real won all three matches up to now this match is a real clash for the number one in Group D.

Ciudad Real still can count on a "world selection", Zagreb hopes for their spectators and the reinforced young squad.

This match will be broadcast live on our free of charge web stream on ehfTV.com on Saturday at 17:30 hrs (local time).

SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) – HC St. Petersburg (RUS)

For Dmitry Torgovanov this match will be something very special – as it’s the first game in Germany for him as the coach of St. Petersburg after more than a successful decade as player for German clubs.

After two consecutive victories and thanks to their home strength Flensburg are the favourites, but have to be aware of the Russians that fight hard for the Last 16.