Even before the draw for the group phase of the Handball Champions League, it is clear that SC Magdeburg will avoid at least two European heavyweights. A duel with the German record champions from Kiel is not (yet) possible.
After a long absence, SC Magdeburg is returning to the big European handball stage in the 2022/23 season. The German champions are eagerly awaiting the draw for the group phase on Friday afternoon (July 1st, 2022) in Vienna. The two groups of eight for the EHF Champions League will be drawn there from 11 a.m. There are 16 teams in total, divided into four pots.
16 teams with four pots each
In addition to the SCM, eight other teams already had a permanent place in the premier class: THW Kiel, GOG Gudme, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Szeged, Kielce, FC Porto and Dinamo Bucharest. Seven other clubs have received a wild card from the EHF: Zagreb, Aalborg, Nantes, Veszprem HC, Elverum, Plock and RK Celje.
| pot 1 | pot 2 | pot 3 | pot 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC Magdeburg | GOG Gudme (DEN) | Dinamo Bucharest (ROU) | Elverum (NOR) | |
| FC Barcelona (ESP) | Vive Kielce (POL) | THW Kiel (GER) | HC Zagreb (CRO) | |
| Paris Saint Germain (FRA) | FC Porto (POR) | Veszprem HC (HUN) | Aalborg (DEN) | |
| Pick Szeged (HUN) | RK Celje (SLO) | HBC Nantes (FRA) | Wisla Płock (POL) | |
Reunion with Nantes?
Since Magdeburg is in pot 1 together with Barcelona, Paris and Szeged, it is already clear that Bennet Wiegert’s team can only meet one of the three teams. A comparison in the group phase with the German record champions and four-time Champions League winner from Kiel is also not possible.
In any case, the SCM will meet Bucharest, Veszprem or Nantes from pot three. Against the French they secured a place in the Final Four in the last European League season. The Magdeburg opponents from pots two and four are still completely open.
After 21 years, Bennet Wiegert won the German Championship again with SC Magdeburg and qualified for the EHF Champions League.
mode
In the group stage, the teams play each other in two groups of eight in home and away matches. The top two in each group qualify directly for the quarter-finals. The third through sixth placed teams will play a two-way match against a team from the other group for the remaining spots in the quarter-finals. The winners of the playoff games will then play against the group winners and runners-up to qualify for the Final Four, which will be held over a weekend in Cologne.
Start in mid-September
The first group matchday will take place on September 14th and 15th. The defending champion is FC Barcelona, who prevailed against Kielce in the past. Kiel finished the tournament in third place. In the Bundesliga, SC Magdeburg will start the new season with a home game on September 4th.
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jsc/pm
