The EHF has revealed the seeding and schedule for next year's Champions League. http://cms.eurohandball.com/PortalData/1/Resources/2_cl/3_download_pdf/MCL.pdf
A few notes:
– Notably next year's tournament will have two rounds of Group Play instead of one. The second round should be a real treat with the top 8 teams playing a double round robin. This will avoid a Ciudad Real – Portland San Antonio quarter final, as happened this year.
– The potential for a legitimate group of death exists with the 4th German side Gummersbach being placed in the 3rd pool. As clubs from the same nation can't meet in the first round of Group Play, however it is not a guarantee and a possible group of death would consist of 1 German, 1 Spanish club and a top club from another nation (Celje and Montpellier are two possibilities)
– The top 2 groups will contain some weaker sides. Notably, Ivry (FR) which surprised Montpellier this season will be a dramatically weaker side with the Abalo moving to Spain and Oskarsson switch to French side Nimes.
They should change the final round into a final 4.
I concur, but only if they play it at a neutral site. The Eurobasket final four has certainly become a major event, but letting one side host it, isn't fair to the other 3 teams.