Ljuba’s boys eager for victory: SG Flensburg Handewitt – FC Barcelona Lassa

SG Flensburg Handewitt – FC Barcelona Lassa: will the defenses have the main role for the victory in the match?

The group A in the EHF Champions League does not stop with the super attractive matches. After THW Kiel- PSG in the first and Barcelona-THW Kiel in the second round it is time to see a new European derby: Flensburg Handewitt against FC Barcelona Lassa. FC Barcelona won the last two matches between them in the season 2014/2015 celebrating a victory in the Flens Arena with 33-37 and winning also in Palau with 36-27. However, matches between these two teams used to be attractive and uncertain and the best illustration for that is certainly the semi-final played in Cologne in the season 2013/14 when Flensburg won Barcelona after the execution of penalties. With the current situation in both teams it all seems that we are about to see a similar thriller ending in the Flens Arena this year too. Whether you are handball fan or simply someone who likes to bet on sports in EU, this handball derby is something that can not be missed!

Flensburg Handewitt: still looking for more efficient attack

The beginning of the season for Flensburg seems to be almost perfect according to the results achieved. In the Handball Bundesliga they have a magnificent start with five victories in the first five matches, one of which was against their direct opponents for the title, the current champions Rhein-Neckar Lowen. It seems that the squad that won the Champions League in the season 2013/14, composed then of mainly young players, is now a compact team with experience as well as strength to repeat that success again. As we saw on their last match in Denmark, certain things still don’t function well, especially in attack, but nevertheless the fact of the good start of Flensburg must be acknowledged.

• Barca took the victory of their last visit to the Flens Arena

• Barcelona is also with a positive total score in the matches against Flensburg

• Flensburg counts on the experience and the possession of a more integrated squad

The boys of Ljuba Vranjes started the EHF Champions League 2016/17 with a draw against the super powerful team of Veszprem, main favorite for the title this season. They continued with a victory against Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and now have a real challenge against FC Barcelona. In the first round it was Mahe who had a show on the court with 9 goals while in the second it was we saw more of a team game although with a special stress on the defense. As internet betting sites in Germany note, they will need to repeat a similar game but on a higher level against the team of Barcelona who is also not very efficient at the start of the new season.

Barcelona looking for continuation of a clear winning record

Barcelona took a more difficult victory than expected against THW Kiel. The reconstruction in the team is obvious. They are still experimenting, integrating the new players and looking for the right shape. And they will have plenty of time for doing that since there is a whole season in front of them in which there is not pressure above them concerning the favorite role for Champions League title this year.

Last week against Kiel we saw many rotations in their play where the youngsters Lasse Andersson and Dika Mem showed a bit of their potentials. However, it was the creative game with the pivots and the wings that brought the victory against the zebras in the end. The attack is still not functioning on the level we are used to see, hardly scoring above 25 goals. It seems that if they want to have a positive result in the Flens Arena, then more effective game in the attack will be needed. Having in mind the fast play that Flensburg is used to play this is something probable to expect, note internet betting sites in Spain.

The betting odds

Online sportsbooks in Austria such as bwin give 2.70 odds to FC Barcelona for the win, favoring SG Flensburg Handewitt with amazing 1.65. The draw between these two teams is evaluated by the Austrian bookies on 9.75. Other sportsbooks such as netBet offer the European derby for betting at the top of their huge handball betting section including all European handball Leagues. To the current Spanish champions FC Barcelona Lassa they give a even higher betting odds of 2.80 for a win, while Flensburg are estimated on 1.66.