Round 11 of the DELO EHF Champions League group phase 2021/22 will feature two exciting clashes between Danish and Hungarian sides as the teams continue their bid to qualify for the quarter-finals directly.
In Match of the Week in Denmark, group A leaders Team Esbjerg are aiming to increase the gap to FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, who are only one point behind in the standings, in a pivotal game for the race to finish in the top two places.
In group B, another Danish-Hungarian duel will be a highlight, as Györi Audi ETO KC will be looking for their 11th straight win in the current competition. However, their rivals Odense Håndbold seem to be a hard nut to crack, as they have won four of their five away games so far.
GROUP A
Rostov-Don (RUS) vs Buducnost BEMAX (MNE)
Saturday 22 January, 16:00 CET, live on EHFTV
- Rostov have secured at least a place in the play-offs after last weekend's 31:25 win against Dortmund, but they have lost two of their five home matches this season
- Buducnost have a poor record in away games, suffering five losses this season and winning only twice in their last 18 away games in the DELO EHF Champions League
- if Rostov score 24 goals, they will become the 14th team to have scored 2,500 goals in the DELO EHF Champions League
- in a domestic league game on Wednesday afternoon against HC Lada, Rostov suffered their second loss in four matches in 2022 (29:30)
- Rostov have won all three games played against Buducnost, including a 25:19 win in the most recent game in October 2021
CSM Bucuresti (ROU) vs BV Borussia 09 Dortmund (GER)
Saturday 22 January, 16:00 CET, live on EHFTV
- CSM Bucuresti, whose longest winning streak this season is three games, have won two of their last five games in the DELO EHF Champions League
- for Dortmund, left wing Jennifer Gutierrez, goalkeeper Madita Kohorst and centre back Alina Grijseels are doubtful for the game
- Romanian left back Cristina Neagu (70 goals) is CSM's top scorer and is only two goals behind the competition's top goalscorer: Vipers right back Nora Mørk
- the German side have the best attack in the group, averaging 28.6 goals per game, the fourth highest in the DELO EHF Champions League this season, after Györi Audi ETO KC, Vipers Kristiansand and Metz Handball
- Dortmund have not won on Romanian soil in six games. Their best result was a draw against HC Zalau in qualification round 2 of the Women's EHF Cup 2018/19
- CSM Bucuresti coach Adrian Vasile said: "We are looking forward to the game vs Dortmund. We have had a very exciting game against them in the first leg and I think there are all the ingredients for yet another strong game."
- CSM Bucuresti centre back Elizabeth Omoregie said: "It will be a great honour to play again in front of our audience after a long time. This is additional motivation and with good play, I hope the game will finish with two points deservedly for us."
- Borussia Dortmund coach Andre Fuhr said: "A victory would be a sensation for us – but because of that we can play without any pressure. (CSM) Bucuresti is a world-class team; Cristina Neagu won the title "world handballer" multiple times. Elizabeth Omoregie is a world-class player, too."
After a good season in the DELO EHF Champions League so far, we have a unique opportunity to take a huge step towards the quarter-finals on our own court. A win against FTC is required, and we are all aware of the class they possess. We have played many great matches against them so far, and this match will not be an exception.
I think we have to focus on ourselves because we are playing against a quality team that has two national team members in each position. They (Brest) don't have a weak link – it's hard to find a flaw.
An exciting challenge waits for us in Györ. We expect to be under a big pressure both in terms of physics and the way we play. At this moment, we focus very much on developing our own play and taking the right steps to become more stable and secure. Our team spirit is one of our strengths, and that is indeed important right now as we struggle with some injured players.
Odense players are fast and their defence is strong, so it is hard to play against them. This match also requires the best from us. Our defence is always important because this gives stability to our game. We have to be mentally strong, but fortunately the team can do it, as we have seen in previous matches.
