6:39 p.m
RK Celje is a young, dynamic team that continually develops excellent players from its own youth ranks. But it’s still a season to forget for the Slovenian subscription champion. So far, not a single point has been won in the Champions League, the gap to sixth place – to reach the playoffs – is six points away. Mathematically, progress is still possible, but a win against the defending champions would have to be achieved today. A Herculean task that was already evident in the first leg: Magdeburg impressively shot the Slovenians out of the hall with 39:23. If the Magdeburgers have a reasonably good day, their elimination from the competition should be sealed.
6:31 p.m
The Saxony-Anhalt team came out of the European Championship break with a lot of enthusiasm, made it into the Cup Final Four again and dominated the league opener against THW Kiel. In the traditional duel they made it clear against the record champions with a difference of seven goals. The following home game against Melsungen was also a demonstration of power, with the Hessians being sent home with a 15-goal difference. This dominance also extended through the premier class, and Montpellier, GOG Gudme and Porto, among others, felt it painfully. After more than two months without playing on the European stage, the Fördestadt team wants to build on their strengths today and further secure the all-important second place.
18:23
Up until last Sunday, the Fördestadt team had an impressive run: they had won 30 competitive games in a row across all competitions, including winning the Super Globe. After the two defeats at the start against Veszprem and Barcelona, coach Wiegert’s men are in an impressive rhythm. With second place in Group B, the SCM is more than on target and could continue to keep the pressure on the Hungarians behind them high today. But on Sunday there was a surprising first defeat in the league, with the Red-Greens having to admit defeat to the warriors from Hanover with a score of 27:28. A reaction can be expected in the first game after that, the pressure and the role of favorite are clearly on the German representative today.
6:15 p.m
Hello and welcome to the 12th matchday of the preliminary round in the Handball Champions League! In Group B, the defending champions SC Magdeburg face the Slovenian champions RK Celje, kick-off is in the Slatorog Arena at 6:45 p.m.!