The quarterfinals finish up on Tuesday with 2nd leg matches. Below are the times for those matches along with the 1st leg scores. Remember, the aggregate score for both matches determine who advances. If the aggregate is zero, the next tiebreaker is away goals. And, the next tiebreaker is a penalty shootout to take place immediately after the match. (And, yes that has happened before: Link)
One thing I find interesting about this competition is that is often a good test as to whether the Germany HBL is indeed the best league in the world. Three German sides entered the competition, three German teams remain and are favored to advance to the Final Four. If indeed that happens it’s pretty much impossible to argue against the HBL not being the best league.
Cisne’s win over Guadalajara has moved them out of last place, but Friday night they face the ultimate test, taking on the best team in the world, Barcelona in the Palau Blaugrana.
5th place Dormagen got a 25-20 road win last week vs 17th place HSG Konstanz. This week they host 9th place Aue in Dormagen
Pro Ligue (France)
Angers vs Dijon (-5) (Friday, 2030 CET): Video Link
Abou Fofana plays left back and defense for Angers
14th place Angers takes on 6th place Dijon. The season is getting short so Angers needs to pick up points anywhere they can find them to avoid relegation.
World Championship Qualification (Europe)
Slovenia (-6.5) vs Iceland (Saturday, 1730 CET) ehfTV
Lovisa Thompson plays left back for Iceland. Although she has no plans to play for the U.S. this is an excellent opportunity to check out the skills of this dual citizen in a big match.
K&H League (Hungary)
Gyöngyös (-4.5) vs Dabasi (Saturday, 1800 CET): Video Link
7th place Harrislee has lost 4 in a row and takes on 8th place Waiblingen which is just 3 points ahead of them in the standings.
Liga ASOBAL (Spain)
Anaitasuna vs Leon (-0.5) (Saturday, 2030 CET): Video Link
Drew Donlin plays defense and circle runner for Leon.
Leon was eliminated by Kristianstad in the EHF European League, but thanks to their Copa Del Rey 2nd place showing they know they’ll have a return ticket to Europe next year. The focus now is building for next year as they continue play in the Liga ASOBAL. Currently in 7th place they take on 9th place Anaitasuna.
Eredivisie (Netherlands)
HV Hurry-Up vs KRAS/Volendam (Sunday, 1430 CET): Video Link
Mark Ortega is Volendam’s coach and Alex Binderis (#4) plays circle runner for Volendam
Volendam is in 4th place and Hurry-Up is in 5th place in the 5 team league. I’m thinking Hurry-Up is one of the strangest if not the strangest club name I’ve ever seen.
The quarterfinals start on Tuesday and these teams will be playing 2 matches with the aggregate score for both matches deciding who will advance. These 1st leg matches today are being played at the lower ranked seeds home court so those teams will be looking to try and get a win by as many goals as possible to improve their chances in the 2nd leg next Tuesday.
One thing I find interesting about this competition is that is often a good test as to whether the Germany HBL is indeed the best league in the world. Three German sides entered the competition, three German teams remain and are favored to advance to the Final Four. If indeed that happens it’s pretty much impossible to argue against the HBL not being the best league.
Who’s the top handball athlete playing for a North American & Caribbean nation today? Arguably, it’s this guy: Cuba’s Reinier Taboada. Watch him play for his club team, Dunkerque on LNH TV this Tuesday at 2000 CET / 1400 US ET
For regular updates on when and where handball matches can be streamed online follow Team Handball News on social media: TwitterFacebookInstagram
All times are CET which is 6 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of Bet MGM and/or OddsPortal.
American Athletes in Action
K&H League (Hungary)
Gyöngyös vs Grundfos Tatabánya KC (-3.5) (Wednesday, 1800 CET): Video Link
8th place Gyöngyös takes on 7th place Tatabanya. However, it’s a bit misleading as Tatabanya has played 7 fewer matches and they are often seen as the 3rd best club in Hungary after Veszprem and Szeged.
The Last 16 playoffs finish up on Wednesday and Thursday with 2nd leg matches. Below are the times for those matches along with the 1st leg scores. Remember, the aggregate score for both matches determine who advances. If the aggregate is zero, the next tiebreaker is away goals. And, the next tiebreaker is a penalty shootout to take place immediately after the match. (And, yes that has happened before: Link)
Flensburg (-13.5) vs Zagreb (Wednesday, 1845) ** Cancelled**
Due to Zagreb’s positive COVID tests the EHF determined that it was not possible for Zagreb to form a competitive team. Therefore, Flensburg advances to the quarterfinals where they will play the winner of Aalborg-Porto.
Aalborg (-2.5) vs Porto (Wednesday, 1845 CET) Video Link
Abou Fofana and his club, Angers, face Besançon Friday in a relegation battle at 2000 CET / 1400 US ET
For regular updates on when and where handball matches can be streamed online follow Team Handball News on social media: TwitterFacebookInstagram
All times are CET which is 6 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of Bet MGM and/or OddsPortal.
American Athletes in Action
Pro Ligue (France)
Besançon (-1) vs Angers (Friday, 2000 CET): Video Link
Abou Fofana plays left back and defense for Angers
It’s a big match for Angers as they are in the relegation zone (13th place) and Besancon is right above them in 12th place. With a win they gain 2 points on Besancon, but if they lose they fall 2 points further behind.
D2F (France)
As Cannes Mandelieu vs Le Pouzin HB 07 (Saturday, 1800 CET): Video Link
Cisne is currently in last place and they had a bad loss, a 33-21 defeat to Logrono earlier in the week. Nava is much closer to them in the standing and presents a good bounce back opportunity.
Kristianstad (-3.5) vs Leon (Monday, 2045 CET) **Kristianstad won 34-27**
Kristianstad (-2.5) vs Leon (Tuesday, 1845 CET)
Drew Donlin plays defense and circle runner for Leon.
Leon had 5 members of its staff (players and coaches) test positive for COVID-19 and the 1st leg match in Leon had to be postponed. As a consequence, Leon and Kristianstad will play back to back matches on Monday and Tuesday in Kristianstad with the aggregate score deciding who will advance to the quarterfinals.
Leon faces a big challenge. It’s tough enough that both matches have to be played on the road, but it also likely that Leon hasn’t been able to fully practice for the last 10 days or so.
UPDATE: Kristianstad won the first leg 34-27. This means Leon has the difficult task of making up 7 goals in the 2nd leg.
Liga ASOBAL (Spain)
Cisne vs Cangas (-0.5) (Wednesday, 1900 CET): Video Link
The Last 16 playoffs finish up on Tuesday with 2nd leg matches. Below are the times for those matches along with the 1st leg scores. Remember, the aggregate score for both matches determine who advances. If the aggregate is zero, the next tiebreaker is away goals. And, the next tiebreaker is a penalty shootout to take place immediately after the match. (And, yes that has happened before: Link)
Pal Merkovszki and his club Gyongyos play Friday at 1600 CET / 1100 US ET.
Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: TwitterFacebookInstagram
While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until this Sunday, March 28. Because of this CET will be just hours 5 ahead of US ET on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday it will be back to the usual 6 hours difference. Odds courtesy of Bet MGM and/or OddsPortal.
American Athletes in Action
K&H League (Hungary)
Budakalász (-0.5) vs Gyöngyös (Friday, 1600 CET): Video Link
Gyöngyös got a much needed win last week vs Oroshazi. Now in 8th place in the league they will take on 9th place Budakalasz.
Pro Ligue (France)
Angers (-0.5) vs Sarrebourg (Friday, 2030 CET): Video Link
Abou Fofana plays left back and defense for Angers
Angers and Sarrebourg are tied for last place in the league and a win here is important in order to climb out of the relegation zone.
Eredivisie (Netherlands)
KRAS/Volendam vs Kembit (Saturday, 1630 CET): Video Link
Mark Ortega is Volendam’s coach and Alex Binderis (#4) plays circle runner for Volendam
The Netherlands recently resumed play and will be playing an abbreviated NL only season. (Normally their top league is combined with Belgium.) Volendam is currently in 3rd place and Kembit is in 2nd place in the 5 team league: Link
Liga ASOBAL (Spain)
Cisne vs Logrono (-6.5) (Saturday, 1700 CET): Video Link
This is a test match as Krefeld has just resumed competition. They will be playing in an abbreviated competition for 3rd division clubs seeking promotion to the HBL 2
Other Matches this Weekend
Super Liga (N Macedonia)
Vardar vs Eurofarm Pelister (Saturday, 1700 CET) Video Link
Abou Fofana faces his former teammates tonight in Nancy
Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: TwitterFacebookInstagram
While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently just 5 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of Bet MGM and/or OddsPortal.
American Athletes in Action
Pro Ligue (France)
Nancy (-5.5) vs Angers (Tuesday, 2000 CET): Video Link )
Abou Fofana plays left back and middle defense for Angers.
This is the first month in almost a month for Angers as several matches had to be postponed due to positive COVID cases.
Angers is in last place fighting to avoid relegation while Nancy is in 3rd place and seeking promotion to the LIDL Star Ligue.
Fofana is no doubt looking forward to this match as he played for Nancy last season.
EHF European League
Leon vs Kristianstad ***Postponed***
Drew Donlin plays defense and circle runner for Leon.
Leon has had 5 members of its staff (players and coaches) test positive for COVID-19 and the 1st leg match in Leon had to be postponed. A match has been scheduled for next Tuesday in Kristianstad, but it’s not clear whether the match to have been played in Leon will be made up. If it isn’t the playoff will instead be decided by just the 1 match to be played in Sweden.
The Last 16 playoffs start today and these teams will be playing 2 matches with the aggregate score for both matches deciding who will advance. These 1st leg matches today are being played at the lower ranked seeds home court so those teams will be looking to try and get a win by as many goals as possible to improve their chances in the 2nd leg next Tuesday. EHF Preview: Link
Chekovskie (-0.5) vs Nimes (Tuesday, 1700 CET)
Montpellier (-5.5) vs Kadetten Schaffhausen (Tuesday, 1845 CET)
RK Nexe vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen (-5.5) (Tuesday, 1845 CET)
GOG (-2.5) vs HC CSKA (Tuesday, 1845 CET)
Fivers vs Füchse Berlin (-6.5) (Tuesday, 2045 CET)
Sporting vs Plock (-1.5) (Tuesday, 2045 CET)
HC Eurofarm Pelister vs Magdeburg (-4.5) (Tuesday, 2045 CET)
How to watch the Olympic Qualification Tournaments
If you live in a country where there is no TV broadcast the matches should be available on the IHF YouTube Channel. Those matches can be accessed here and I will be posting a daily preview with direct links to each match video (see below).
If you live in a country where there is a TV broadcast you may be geo-blocked out of accessing the IHF YouTube Channel. This is often the case even for matches that are not available on YouTube. It is, however, usually possible to watch matches using VPN. More information on how to use VPN; What I use) (Note: I would encourage handball fans to watch matches on TV when possible as usually get a better picture, but if there isn’t a TV broadcast available where you live… what else are you going to do?)
USA Residents: There is no USA TV broadcast and matches should be available on YouTube
Canadian Residents: The CBC will be live streaming the matches with English commentary: Link
Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online year round? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: TwitterFacebookInstagram
While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently 5 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of 10 Bet.
Tournament 1 Polideportivo Pla de l’Arc, Llíria, Spain)
Standings after Day 2
Argentina vs Spain (-10.5) (Sunday, 1930 CET / 1430 US ET) Video Link
Sweden beat Argentina by 13 yesterday and has qualified for Tokyo. Spain is also expected to have a big win, but on paper Argentina has a chance. If they can pull off an epic upset and beat Spain they will qualify for the Olympics.
Tournament 2 (Audi Aréna, Győr, Hungary)
Standings after Day 2
Serbia (-13.5) vs Kazakhstan (Sunday, 1730 CET / 1230 US ET) Video Link
This tournament has been decided and this match will simply determine who meaninglessly finishes in 3rd place.
Hungary vs Russia (-1.5) (Sunday, 2030 CET / 1530 US ET) Video Link
Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
Hungary and Russia have both qualified for Tokyo, but this match will determine seeding for the Olympic draw.
Montenegro (-0.5) vs Romania (Sunday, 1600 CET / 1100 US ET) Video Link
Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
On paper, Romania still has a chance to qualify for Tokyo, but they are in a big goal differential hole behind Montenegro and Norway. To guarantee qualification they have the tall task of beating hosts, Montenegro by 6 goals or more. (See below for scenarios.)
If Romania lose or win by 4 goals or less they will finish 3rd.
A Romania victory by exactly 5 goals could result in some interesting scenarios.
A 30-25 Romania victory would result in Romania and Montenegro qualifying and Norway staying home. (GF would be ROU: 54; MNE: 53; NOR: 52) Wins of 31-26, 32-27, etc. will have the same result.
A 29-24 Romania victory would result in Romania qualifying and Montenegro and Norway drawing lots. GF would be ROU: 53; MNE:52; NOR: 52
A 28-23 Romania victory would result in Romania and Norway qualifying and Montenegro staying home. (GF would be ROU: 52; NOR:52; MNE: 51) Wins of 27-22, 26-21, etc., will have the same result.
How to watch the Olympic Qualification Tournaments
If you live in a country where there is no TV broadcast the matches should be available on the IHF YouTube Channel. Those matches can be accessed here and I will be posting a daily preview with direct links to each match video (see below).
If you live in a country where there is a TV broadcast you may be geo-blocked out of accessing the IHF YouTube Channel. This is often the case even for matches that are not available on YouTube. It is, however, usually possible to watch matches using VPN. More information on how to use VPN; What I use) (Note: I would encourage handball fans to watch matches on TV when possible as usually get a better picture, but if there isn’t a TV broadcast available where you live… what else are you going to do?)
USA Residents: There is no USA TV broadcast and matches should be available on YouTube
Canadian Residents: The CBC will be live streaming the matches with English commentary: Link
Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online year round? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: TwitterFacebookInstagram
While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently just 5 hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of 10 Bet.
Tournament 1 Polideportivo Pla de l’Arc, Llíria, Spain)
Standings after Day 1
Sweden (-8.5) vs Argentina (Saturday, 1815 CET / 1315 US ET) Video Link
Spain and Sweden played to a draw to open this qualifying tournament and now both of those teams will play Argentina and both will be favored to win by a significant margin. Because they tied, 1st and 2nd place will now likely be determined by whoever beats Argentina by more goals.
Tournament 2 (Audi Aréna, Győr, Hungary)
Standings after Day 1
Serbia vs Hungary (-1.5) (Saturday, 1730 CET / 1230 US ET) Video Link
Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
With Serbia losing yesterday as expected to Russia 29-24 this match is very likely to settle 2nd place in the tournament. Hungary easily beat Serbia 38-26 just a few months ago at the European Championships and is missing a key player in Andrea Lekic. But, as this IHF article suggests this is a different Serbian team and they know this is a pivotal match.
A Hungarian victory will qualify Hungary for Tokyo.
A Serbian victory will probably qualify Serbia, but it would have to await the outcome of the Hungary-Russia match on Sunday. A victory by Hungary over Russia would set up a 3 way tie that would be settled by goal differential.
Russia (-22.5) vs Kazakhstan (Saturday, 2030 CET / 1530 US ET) Video Link
Based on Hungary’s 27 goal victory over Kazakhstan yesterday, Russia should have no problems today.
Norway (-6.5) vs Romania (Saturday, 1930 CET / 1430 US ET) Video Link
Includes English Language commentary with Paul Bray
This match was supposed to confirm Norway’s status as the winner of the tournament, but thanks to Montenegro’s huge surprise 28-23 victory over Norway this is now the likely battle for 2nd place. Undoubtedly, Romania will be taking notes as to how Montenegro effectively slowed down Norway’s offense and will try to accomplish the same feat.
A Romanian victory will qualify Romania for Tokyo and will eliminate Norway
A Norway win will not guarantee them qualification as a Romanian victory over Montenegro on Sunday would set up a 3 way tie that would be settled by goal differential. Every plus goal improves Norway’s chances and a 6 goal victory would guarantee them qualification for Tokyo. Conversely, a win by just 1-3 goals would likely require a big Romanian victory over Montenegro. (see below for details)
3 Way Tie Scenarios
This chart depicts possible Goal Differential combinations. The first column shows the goal differential standings after yesterday’s game. The 2nd column shows what the standings after today’s Norway-Romania match based on different margins of victory. The 3rd column shows different possibilities after the 3rd and final match between Romania and Montenegro. Green = Qualification; Red = Eliminated and Yellow = Tied (with the next tiebreaker being offensive goals scored)
Would you like to know when and where handball matches can be streamed online? If yes, follow Team Handball News on social media for regular updates: TwitterFacebookInstagram
While the U.S. and Canada have started Daylight Saving Time, Europe doesn’t start it until March 28. Because of this CET is currently 5 just hours ahead of US ET. Odds courtesy of Bet MGM and/or OddsPortal.
A huge challenge for 5th place Dormagen as they host 1st place Hamburg, a team all but destined to get promoted to the 1st division
Liga ASOBAL (Spain)
Leon (-2.5) vs Granollers (Saturday, 1800 CET): Video Link***Postponed***
Drew Donlin plays defense and circle runner for Leon.
Leon took 2nd in the Copa del Rey and got a win mid-week win vs Cuenca (29-21). Currently in 6th place in the standings they take on 4th place Granollers. With just a point separating them a win could leap frog them into 4th place
Huesca (-8.5) vs Cisne (Saturday, 1930 CET): Video Link
Last Saturday Cannes played undefeated Belles-sur-Celles close for much of the game but ended up losing 17-25. They face another stiff challenge this week vs 2nd place Boulillargues.
HBF 2 (Germany)
TSV Nord Harrislee vs HSV Solingen-Gräfrath (Saturday, 1730): Video Link
