Draw for the Handball Champions League 2015/16: Review Group D

GamingZion points on the favorites, the outsiders and the possible surprises in the group D of the Velux EHF Champions League 2015/16.

If handball fans only see the names of the participants in Group D of the following EHF Velux Champions League they would definitely come to the conclusion that this is going to be the most unattractive group in the competition. But that’s true only on paper. If we think about the style these teams prefer to play and the young talents they will exhibit in the Champions League we might adjust our initial conclusion a bit. At the same time this is one of the most well-balanced groups in the League, so the odds by online sportsbooks in the EU cannot help us much in determining the favorite.

• EHF Velux Champions League 2015/16
• No clear favorite for top position
• Baia Mare are the true outsiders of the group

The group is formed by Macedonian runners-up and regular participants in the group phase of the Champions League, RK Metalurg, Danish runners-up Skjern, Motor Zaporozhye from Ukraine, Kadetten Schaffhausen from Switzerland and Romanian champions Baia Mare. The last team that will join the group will be the winner of the qualifying tournament that will finish on 6th of September between the teams of Elverum HH, Alpla HC Hard, Limburg Lions and RK Borac.

No clear favorite for top position

Except Romanian champions Baia Mara we have already seen the rest of the teams in some of the previous editions of the Champions League. Among them, however the most successful is the Macedonian runners-up RK Metalurg Skopje that reached the quarter-finals of the EHF Velux Champions League in seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 when only to be eliminated by Vive Targi Kielce and THW Kiel respectively, online gambling sites in the EU report.

But the team of the legendary Lino Cervar went through a series of problems during the past two seasons, when even its existence was put under question. Many of their stars like Darko Stanic, Pavel Atman, Luka Cindric, Renato Vugrinec left the club opening spots for the youngsters. In the following season Metalurg will again count on the young prospects from their junior school such as Taleski and Neloski, but will also reinforce some key positions with experienced players. They have already signed Janko Bozovic and Marko Matic who play on the right and the centre back positions respectively and expect two new players to join during the summer period.

Another well-known name from Group D is the one of Danish runners-up Skjern. The team of Ole Norgaard is a mixture of young and experienced handball players some of which were wearing the national shirt of Denmark for years like Casper Sondergaard. If we look for leaders in the young team of Skjern then that would definitely be the right back Nikolaj Markussen, former player of BM Atletico de Madrid, and the Danish international central back Henrik Mollgaard.

Both put together a wonderful past season in the domestic league which everyone in the club is expecting to be repeated in the Champions League the following year. If their excellent collaboration in the back line continues then many of those who bet on sports in the EU, won’t think twice for placing their wagers on Danish Skjern.

The teams of Motor Zaporozhye and Kadetten Schaffhausen won’t let things to be driven by the Macedonian nor the Danish vice-champions. The team of Sergei Bebeshko sees its chances in winning all the matches that will be played in their home court, as well as in gaining some points in the away matches with Baia Mare and the last team that will be qualified for the group in September. Kadetten have a strong potential in talented young players such as Mamic and Tominec who are becoming real leaders of the champion of Switzerland. As it is the case in the domestic championship this year they will be their greatest “aces” in the following European season too.

GamingZion prognosis

As it was the case with Group C, Group D is also a hard one for any prediction. The only certainty, if there is such at all, is that the Romanian champions are the true outsiders in this company. Everything else is opened. All the teams will try to win in their home arenas and do their best in their away matches. Goal difference might also be decisive for passing into the further stages of the competition.

However uncertain it is, GamingZion will take the risk here with the prognosis. First place for Danish Skjern, second for Kadetten Schaffhausen, third for Lino Cervar’s Metalurg Skopje, fourth for the Ukrainian champions and therefore the last places remain for Baia Mare and the last qualified participant from the qualification tournament.