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EHF Champions League: Matchday 11 review

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After their defeat at home to Plock on Thursday (28-31), Paris Saint-Germain handball relinquished second place and the direct path to the EHF Champions League quarter-finals that goes with it. However, Les Rouge et Bleu still have three matches left to claw their way back and avoid the play-offs. Ahead of their trip to Fredericia next week, we take a look at the other Group A Matchday 11 action.

Earlier on Thursday, Veszprém lived up to their status as favourites ias they travelld to Romania to face Dinamo Bucharest (26-33). Led by an on-fire Hugo Descat (nine goals) and an imperious Rodrigo Corrales (14 saves), the Hungarians all but assured themselves of direct qualification for the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, for Bucharest, it was a fourth defeat in a row, each one of which has been by a minimum of seven goals.

It's the opposite situation for Füchse Berlin, who recorded a fourth successive victory. Easily overcoming Les Rouge et Bleus' future opponents Fredericia (36-29), the Germans moved ahead of Paris on goal difference. Finally, Sporting avoided the trap against Pelister (30-24) and recorded a sixth consecutive home win, which allowed them to pip the capital club to second place.

The Table

Thanks to their victory in Bucharest, Veszprém consolidated their place atop the Group A table, opening up a five-point lead over nearest chasers Sporting CP. However, Berlin and Paris are hot on the heels of the Portuguese team, trailing second place by just one point. Although Bucharest still have a comfortable buffer between them and the drop zone, this fourth defeat in a row has put an end to their slim hopes of qualifying directly for the quarter-finals. Finally, at the bottom of the standings, Plock have bounced back and taken the last qualifying place for the play-offs at the expense of Pelister. The only newcomer to this edition, Fredericia, could be officially eliminated in the event of a defeat against the capital club next week.

Matchday 12 fixtures

On Wednesday, Paris will kick off EHF Champions League Matchday 12 with a trip to Denmark to face Fredericia, who currently sit bottom of Group A. The following day, Veszprém will host Sporting in a top-of-the-table clash, while Plock will try to continue their good form by getting a result at home against Berlin. Finally, Pelister and Bucharest will both try to end their negative spirals.

(Credits: E. Renard/Team Pics)