All hail the mighty Barcelona

The last VELUX EHF Champions League Power Ranking in 2016 does not contain real surprises.

However, Szeged made a huge leap forward after they moved top of Group B – even if it was just for one day. On the other hand, last year’s semi-finalists Kiel and finalists Veszprém continue to sink. Let’s rank the powers that be!

Please note that these rankings are not about how strong these teams are but about their current form based on their previous results.

10. Meshkov Brest

The team with the joint-most draws (three) after nine rounds are marching towards the knockout stage. They remained unbeaten away against all three lower-ranked teams in Group B, and are in fifth place, four points clear of Celje.

Meskhov are worthy opponents for the top teams, having beaten Rhein-Neckar Löwen and Zagreb away. Since only Kielce and Vardar scored more goals, it is a safe bet that the Belorussian team’s remaining home games (against Szeged, Zagreb and Vardar) will be spectacular clashes.

9. Rhein-Neckar Löwen

They won away in Kielce but lost at home to Vardar. Then they won in Skopje but a week later lost against Zagreb. The word you are looking for is inconsistency.

Their 253 scored goals are nothing to be ashamed of but the German powerhouse also conceded 251. Andre Schmid and Co. are very much in the race for the top spot of Group B as they are only three points behind group leaders Kielce. But they need to find that consistency. A good start would be catching Kielce when Champions League action resumes in February.

8. THW Kiel

It takes an Alfred Gislason to turn a heavy home defeat in the German derby against Flensburg into an away win against the same rivals in a week’s time. Yet, Kiel struggle as shown by their results against Wisla Plock, who remained unbeaten against the German giants snatching a point with them from Germany with patient handball in the last round.

Kiel’s defence looks solid but their attack is still influenced by the fact that they were forced to let players like Aron Palmarsson, Joan Canellas and Filip Jicha leave in previous seasons. Gislason’s branch have scored the fewest goals from all teams with nine games played in Group A. It is time for a break now but Kiel have to come back firing on all cylinders in February as their last five group games include matches against Veszprém, Barcelona and PSG.

7. Veszprém

Xavier Sabaté’s injury-hit squad finally broke their duck away from home. But the fact that it took them nine rounds to record their first away victory speaks volumes …

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