THW Kiel can take a big step towards the quarter-finals in the Handball Champions League today – and can even advance if the competition plays along. The basic condition for this: a victory for the “Zebras” against the North Macedonian champions HC Pelister Bitola, the last team in Group A.
The conditions for coach Filip Jicha’s team are excellent – and they have earned them themselves: The last-second draw in Kielce last week was not only good for morale, it could also be extremely important with a view to the rest of the competition have been valuable. With 16 points in the strong and highly competitive group, leader THW Kiel has by far the best cards for a direct entry into the quarter-finals of the European Champions League.
Good starting point for the THW
Only the first two teams in the two groups advance directly to the round of the last eight. The clubs in places three to six have to take the detour via a play-off round.
A win today in the home game (6.45 p.m.) against the North Macedonian title holders, who do not yet have a point in their account, would further increase Kiel’s chances of direct entry – or even make it a reality. On the one hand, the possibility exists because the opponents Aalborg (14 points) and Pick Szeged (3rd, 13) as well as Paris (5th, 13) and Kielce (4th, 13) will steal points from each other in direct duels on Thursday.
And on the other hand, it exists because in the event of a tie, the direct comparison counts: THW lost against Aalborg, but won against Paris and Kielce. He is still open against Szeged. With the following constellation, the round of the last eight would be reached on Thursday: a victory for Kiel, a success for Aalborg over Szeged and a draw between Paris and Kielce.
Duel with Pelister “first of three finals”
The basic prerequisite for this is and remains a Kiel victory. Backcourt player Harald Reinkind calls the game against Pelister the “first of three finals. We want direct qualification for the quarter-finals, a win against Pelister would be incredibly important for that.” Because the tasks in the two remaining matches don’t get any easier: THW then has to play in Szeged (February 28th) and at home against Zagreb (March 6th).
But first the task must be solved against the handball players from Bitola, a city in the south of North Macedonia. At the end of September, the Bundesliga team narrowly had the upper hand with a score of 23:20 in a heated atmosphere. At the time, THW benefited from goalkeeper Samir Bellahcene and a strong defense.
Last Sunday, despite the 39:36 victory over Stuttgart, things were completely different. “In defense we were often just a few centimeters short of getting to the ball or we were a step too late,” said veteran Niclas Ekberg angrily.
Pelister is back for the first time in 18 years
HC Pelister made it back into the international premier class for the first time in 18 years, as the former North Macedonian subscription champion Vardar Skopje lost the top position after financial capers and sporting bloodletting.
The North Macedonian champions have some well-known professionals in their ranks. Right winger Bogdan Radivojevic once played in Flensburg, half-left winger Filip Kuzmanovski, goalkeeper Urban Lesjak and left-hander Nejc Cehte played together in Hanover.
Nevertheless, the guest from the Balkans on the Baltic Sea is the clear outsider, especially since Jicha can probably plan with all of his players. The stress caused by the many English weeks should not be used as an excuse. “We are used to this rhythm,” said Ekberg. “Our fans can expect us to concentrate on the matter.”
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Sports current | 02/22/2024 | 9:17 p.m
