For THW Kiel, it probably comes down to fourth place in Group B of the Handball Champions League. Before the last home game in the group phase today at 6.45 p.m. against RK Celje, the chances of third place are rather slim.
For that, the “Zebras” would have to win not only against the Slovenian champions, but also in the coming week against the Norwegian representative Elverum and also hope that HBC Nantes collects no more than one point against Kielce and in Szeged. The direct comparison speaks for the French runner-up, who is two points better.
Tight table constellation in Group B
On the other hand, THW can look relaxed in the rear-view mirror. Pick Szeged follows in fifth, two points behind, Aalborg Handbold in sixth is even three points behind. An additional insurance: The German record champion has won the direct comparison against both opponents. As fourth, the fifth from the parallel relay would be waiting for the Kiel team in the round of 16, probably Dinamo Bucharest.
Zarabec meets his ex-club
But first the “Zebras” want to settle an old score. At the end of September, the Schleswig-Holsteiners lost 36:38 at RK Celje, the former club of THW playmaker Miha Zarabec. “It’s going to be a really tough game,” said Zarabec ahead of the meeting with his compatriots. In Mittelmann Aleks Vlah, the Slovenians currently have the most successful thrower in the premier class in their ranks. So far, Vlah has scored 81 goals.
The guests are threatened with being eliminated in seventh place, three points behind Aalborg. Kiel will still have to do without Niclas Ekberg (ankle), Sven Ehrig (torn cruciate ligament) and Karl Wallinius (knee surgery).
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NDR 2 Sports | 02/20/2023 | 11:03 p.m
