European League Women group phase starts with blockbuster matches

Ikast Håndbold, the title winners in 2021/22, host Sola HK in one of the highlight matches, while the ambitious Thüringer HC face the former European powerhouse Larvik. Alongside the highlight matches, there are six additional games on the agenda.

HIGHLIGHT MATCHES

GROUP A

Thüringer HC (GER) vs Larvik (NOR)
Saturday 11 January, 20:00 CET, live on EHFTV

• Thüringer HC are on a six-match winning streak in all competitions, stretching back to November last year
• the German club secured a place in the EHF European League group phase by eliminating Vác in qualification round 3 with wins in both legs of the home-and-away tie
• Thüringer HC and Larvik last met in the EHF Champions League 2017/18 group phase, with the Norwegian club emerging from the trip to Germany victorious, 25:22 
• the Arne Senstad-led squad, Larvik, booked their ticket for the European League group phase in a dramatic fashion, via a penalty shootout against KPR Gminy Kobierzyce in qualification round 3
• Larvik are two-time Cup Winners' Cup and EHF Champions League winners, with their most recent success dating back 2010/11, when they raised the Champions League trophy
• the visitors' squad is made up of only Norwegian players, with veteran Heidi Løke spearheading the roster

GROUP B

Ikast Håndbold (DEN) vs Sola HK (NOR)
Sunday 12 January, 18:00 CET, live on EHFTV

• the Danish club boast an impressive record on the home court this season, with six wins and only one defeat in IBF Arena; they sit third in Denmark's top-tier, behind Team Esbjerg and Odense Håndbold
• Ikast last featured in the EHF's second-tier club competition in 2022/23, when they lifted the trophy at the EHF Finals in Graz; they played the EHF Champions League last season
• it is the first meeting ever between the clubs and the blockbuster match of the round, with the two sides among the favourites in the competition
• Sola HK defeated LC Brühl Handball in qualification round 3 on the way to the group stage, winning both legs of the double-header in Norway
• the Norwegian club's record on the road this season is encouraging, as Sola HK have won eight of their nine away matches in all competitions

IN OTHER MATCHES

GROUP A

H.C. Dunarea Braila (ROU) vs ATTICGO Bm Elche (ESP)
Sunday 12 January, 14:00 CET, live on EHFTV

GROUP B

BV Borussia Dortmund (GER) vs SCM Ramnicu Valcea (ROU)
Sunday 12 January, 18:00 CET, live on EHFTV

GROUP C

KGHM MKS Zaglebie Lubin (POL) vs Motherson Mosonmagyarovari KC (HUN)
Saturday 11 January, 16:00 CET, live on EHFTV

HSG Blomberg-Lippe (GER) vs JDA Bourgogne Dijon Handball (FRA)
Saturday 11 January, 16:00 CET, live on EHFTV

GROUP D

Super Amara Bera Bera (ESP) vs Paris 92 (FRA)
Saturday 11 January, 18:00 CET, live on EHFTV

Fredrikstad Ballklubb (NOR) vs HSG Bensheim/Auerbach Flames (GER)
Sunday 12 January, 16:00 CET, live on EHFTV