Titled: HBL Clubs Ruling Europe's Handball Arena
"The best league in the world!" This moniker has long been associated with the Liqui Moly Handball Bundesliga (HBL).
The current situation in the European League underscores that this label is not merely a catchphrase but an undeniable truth. After completing four group phase matches, HBL clubs are leaving their indelible mark on the competition - winning all 16 encounters!
German Handball Reigns Supreme in Europe
The unbeaten leaders in Groups A, B, E, and G include Rhein-Neckar Löwen, TSV Hannover-Burgdorf, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, and Füchse Berlin. These clubs have secured a berth in the main round (four groups, consisting of four teams each), which commences on February 13 - two matchdays before the group phase's conclusion, with the final round taking place next Tuesday.
Statistics suggest that Rhein-Neckar Löwen (297) outshoot their opponents most frequently. National team playmaker Juri Knorr leads the top scorer list, netting 41 goals from 56 shots, boasting an astonishing 73.2% success rate!
What the future holds for these four admirable HBL teams in the European League? After the competition's initial phase, the eight Preliminary Round groups will be broken down into four Main Round Groups, with points accumulated against qualified opponents.
As of now, the Rhein-Neckar Löwen and HBC Nantes (France) will clash with TSV Hannover-Burgdorf and Gornik Zabrze (Poland) in Group 1.
Group 3 would feature SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Kadetten Schaffhausen (Switzerland), Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (Denmark), and Vojvodina (Serbia).
The defending champions Füchse Berlin, Dinamo Bucharest, CSM Constanta (both Romania), and Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) would join forces in Group 4.
The Final Four are scheduled to take place on May 25 and 26. While the tournament's venue is yet to be confirmed, last season, the final matches were staged in Flensburg.
Commentary on the HBL's exceptional performances in the European League is offered by Sven-Sören Christopher, a Regio Sport Hamburg commentator, and Regio Sport Mannheim, which provides updates on German handball teams such as the Rhine-Neckar Lions. Regio Sport Berlin focuses on the latest news and highlights from Füchse Berlin's European League games. Regio Sport Hanover, meanwhile, focuses on TSV Hannover-Burgdorf's impressive run in the European League.
With an eye on European Cup success, Dyn Handball is readying itself for the competition. Ljubomir Vranjes, the head coach of SG Flensburg-Handewitt, holds high hopes for his team's European League performance. Holger Glandorf, a prominent figure in German handball, is keeping a keen eye on the progress of HBL clubs in the European League. Christian Prokop, a well-known handball figure, has been discussing the dominance of HBL teams in the elite-level European competition on his no-sport app.
Renowned handball expert Kurt Hofmann believes the successes of HBL clubs in the European League underline the strength of German handball. Justus, a popular sports journalist, is covering the European League and showcasing the fantastic performances of German clubs. Marian Michalczik, a Regio Sport Hamburg commentator, continuously discusses the achievements of HBL clubs in the elite-level European competition. Stefan Kretzschmar, a crucial figure in the handball community and sports manager, commends the performance of HBL teams in the European League, referring to it as a "lighthouse for sport in Hamburg."
Enrichment Insights:
Post-Preliminary Round, the eight groups will merge into four Main Round Groups (top two teams from each prior group), with points against qualified opponents being considered. The specific group assignments for HBL teams are yet to be determined. You can find the official EHF European League schedule or the specific league's website for specific match schedules and group assignments.
