Kiel down Melsungen to win group; Porto claim last play-off berth
The main round of the EHF European League Men 2024/25 ended Tuesday night with THW Kiel becoming the unbeaten winners of group III and taking the last of the four available spots for direct entry into the quarter-finals. Kiel beat MT Melsungen 35:24, with their domestic rivals going to the play-offs as the second-ranked team. FC Porto grabbed the last play-off spot by winning 38:30 at Vojvodina. The hosts came back from 20:14 down at the break to 25:22, but in the end lost clearly and saw their European season come to an end.
Over in group II, the victories of Sport Lisboa e Benfica (33:30 against Bidasoa Irun) and Limoges Handball (31:30 against Ystads IF HF) had no effect on the final standings. Already last week it was confirmed that Irun as group winners head straight into the quarter-finals, while Limoges as No. 2 and Benfica as No. 3 continue in the play-offs.
The end of the main round also means the playing schedule for the play-offs has now been confirmed.
IN OTHER MATCHES
GROUP II
Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR) vs Bidasoa Irun (ESP) 33:30 (13:14)
Limoges Handball (FRA) vs Ystads IF HF (SWE) 31:30 (15:13)
GROUP III
Vojvodina (SRB) vs FC Porto (POR) 30:38 (14:20)
PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE (first leg: 25 March; second leg: 1 April)
- Sport Lisboa e Benfica (POR) vs GOG (DEN)
- HC Kriens-Luzern (SUI) vs Limoges Handball (FRA)
- VfL Gummersbach (GER) vs MT Melsungen (GER)
- FC Porto (POR) vs FENIX Toulouse (FRA)
QUARTER-FINALISTS
- Montpellier HB (FRA)
- Bidasoa Irun (ESP)
- THW Kiel (GER)
- SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
