PREVIEW- MATCH OF THE WEEK, GROUP 2 – A draw will qualify FC Midtjylland for the quarter-finals, while Larvik is already qualified before the Scandinavian derby in Ikast, on Saturday evening. By Peter Bruun FC Midtjylland (DEN) vs Larvik (NOR) Saturday, March 4th, 2017 18:30 CET Match Facts Larvik are sure to proceed to the quarter-finals, following CSM Bucuresti’s victory …
Celje boost hope for round of Last 16
MATCH OF THE WEEK – GROUP B – Celje out-ran and out-played Rhein-Neckar Löwen for great parts of the match, as they defeated the German champions by no less than six goals, at home, on Thursday evening. While Celje boosted their hope to reach the round of Last 16, Löwen only have a theoretical chance of winning Group B now. …
Rolling the dice
Just recently the IHF announced the shortlist of nominees for the World Handball Player of the Year 2016 award. While the nominated players raise some question marks, the list of coaches on the men’s side I find unacceptable. But first, I will take a look on the women’s side – ladies first, as it should be. Here the IHF did …
Two teams with very different objectives
PREVIEW – MATCH OF THE WEEK, GROUP B – While Rhein-Neckar Löwen still hope to win the group and skip the round of Last 16, Celje are struggling making it through to the knockout stages, when the two teams meet Thursday evening. By Peter Bruun RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Thursday, March 2, 2017, 19:00 CET …
Hips don’t lie
Andreas Wolff was named German Handball Player of the Year once again and also made the shortlist of the five players being nominated for World Handball Player of the Year 2016 by the IHF. The stunning loss of Germany against Qatar in France, in January, his new experience in the EHF Champions League with Kiel and his burden as Germany’s …
“I do not count my goals”
INTERVIEW – Having scored 14 goals, Katarina Bulatovic played a crucial part in Buducnost´s stunning 31:28 win, on the road, against Vardar on Sunday. The loss was not only Vardar´s first defeat in their current Champions League campaign, it also marked Buducnost´s comeback after a series of poor performances. By Peter Bruun For Katarina Bulatovic, scoring 14 goals was really …
Loerper not feeling the pressure – yet
Just recently Anna Loerper was named Germany’s Handball Player of the Year for a second time in a row. While she didn’t outperform her competitors as much as last year, she still did an outstanding job, on and also off the court, as the new captain of the German national team. I talked to the playmaker of the TuSsies Metzingen …
Hope, Swiss, hope
Isn’t it strange that the possibly best handball playmaker in the world is coming from Switzerland? Andy Schmid is showing off his skills almost every time he puts on the jersey of Rhein-Neckar Löwen. He was voted the Player of the Season in the DKB Handball-Bundesliga for three consecutive years and he led his club to its first ever league …
Kielce overcome trouble and keep up with top teams
MATCH OF THE WEEK, GROUP B – Kielce were in trouble for large parts of their home game against Szeged, but a strong last quarter of a hour secured them a crucial win By Peter Bruun KS Tauron Vive Kielce (POL) vs MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 28:24 (13:14) Before the Match Kielce were in third position, two points behind Rhein-Neckar Löwen …
Goalkeepers shine as “Barca” takes expected win
MATCH OF THE WEEK – GROUP A – FC Barcelona had no real trouble taking the expected home win against a decimated Flensburg. By Peter Bruun FC Barcelona (ESP) vs SG-Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 26:23 (14:12) Before the Match Barcelona were sharing first place in the Group A with Paris Saint-Germain, both with 20 points, but with Barcelona having played one match …