Kielce start title defence as Balkan rivals clash

The new season in the VELUX EHF Champions League is underway and first-round clashes in Group B offer several exciting encounters, as some of the old rivals will lock horns. Reigning champions, KS Vive Tauron Kielce, begin their title defence at Meshkov Brest, who are aiming to reach the knockout round for the first time.

The clash between Balkan rivals RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko and HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb will also be a focus of attention, as will Rhein-Neckar Löwen’s visit to MOL-Pick Szeged.

The German champions look to improve on last season’s result, when they were eliminated from the tournament by Zagreb in the Last 16.

Finally, Macedonian powerhouse, HC Vardar, face a tricky trip to Sweden’s IFK Kristianstad, who produced several eye-catching performances in their maiden appearance on the big stage last year. HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Saturday, 16:00 hrs. local time, live on ehfTV Meshkov could not have asked for a more entertaining introduction to the 2016/17 season in Europe’s flagship club competition, as they host the continent’s kings from Poland in the opening round.

Kielce, who took the competition by storm last season with a pair of impressive wins over PSG in the semi-final and then defeating Veszprem in a rip-roaring final in Cologne, will be eager to get their campaign back on track immediately.

Several key players have left Kielce, but they are by no means a weaker side, as three of their four new signings are household names in European club handball. Currently injured Dean Bombac (MOL-Pick Szeged) and Filip Ivic (Zagreb) require no special introduction, while Serbian Darko Djukic joined the squad after an outstanding season at Besiktas Mogaz HT.

Kielce also signed Patryk Walczak from local rivals, Pogon Szczecin, to compensate for the departure of Croatian trio Denis Buntic, Ivan Cupic and Marin Sego. In addition, veteran Grzegorz Tkaczyk retired.

Meshkov have proven they can be a tough nut to crack on home court, even against the most herald opposition; hence Kielce cannot afford to take the victory for granted. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) vs HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Saturday, 18:30 hrs. local time, live on ehfTV The two teams from the former Yugoslavia region – now the leading forces in Slovenia and Croatia – will renew their long-standing rivalry when they meet in Celje. The outcome of the match could be …

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