Summary: Montpellier win MOTW; Veszprém topple Barça

22:53

What a round it's been — and what a night and a MOTW to end it! If you missed tonight's action, recap on all the results below with our match reviews. 

See you for round 4! 

22:16
RESULT: MOTW MONTPELLIER HB VS THW KIEL 37:30

Montpellier left absolutely no doubt as they clinched the two points from the Match of the Week in superb style. Kiel were behind from the opening whistle to the last as the home side romped to their first victory over the German powerhouse since 2011, and only their second over THW in history. 

For his huge game with eight goals and two assists, Kyllian Villeminot scoops the Player of the Match award. 

22:03

12 minutes left. Six goals for 2019/20 champions Kiel to make up. 

It looks very much as though Kiel have no chance of turning the momentum here, but we have seen plenty of bigger comebacks in the EHF Champions League — there's a reason we refer to it as unscripted drama! 

On an individual level, Niclas Ekberg has notched up eight goals for Kiel, but it's Montpellier's attack that is stealing the show. Right back Julien Bos and centre back Kyllian Villeminot have been unstoppable, combining for 14 goals — seven apiece. 

21:53

Can anything go wrong for Montpellier? Left-handed right back Marko Panic scores a big ground shot with his right hand to pull the French side to a 28:23 advantage with just over 15 minutes left in the MOTW — a moment highly symbolic of how brilliantly all is working for MHB. 

Kiel coach Filip Jicha responds with a timeout and we hear a spirited discussion from the German side, as commentator Chris O'Reilly — who was here on the live blog guiding you through the matches last night — speculates whether we will see some seven-on-six from THW as they fight to decrease the deficit. 

21:42

We are back for more in the MOTW, and so are Montpellier. Five minutes into the second period, the two-time Champions League winners remain in front with a four-goal cushion at 21:17. 

So far it seems to simply not be Kiel's day, while everything is clicking perfectly into place for Montpellier — although the German team are certainly enjoying their moments, like this classic hammer shot from Sander Sagosen. 

21:22
HALF-TIME UPDATE: MOTW MONTPELLIER VS THW KIEL 18:14 

A huge opening half from Montpellier sees them maintain their strong lead as we go to the break — there was simply no recovering from the opening minutes for Kiel. The German side have their work cut out for them with the hosts so clearly in command. Can they turn it around? 

On an individual level, Montpellier's 23-year-old centre back Kyllian Villeminot — MVP of both the M18 EHF EURO 2016 and the 2017 Youth World Championship — is having an eye-catching game, serving up two assists and contributing four goals. 

21:10

10 minutes on the clock until half-time and Montpellier are showing no signs of slowing, as they stay in command at 14:11. A win would be a huge boost for the home side, as they would put some distance between themselves and the bottom-ranked sides in the group and stay within easy reach of the frontrunners. 

But there are still 40 minutes to play and plenty of time for Kiel to destroy their hosts' hopes...

21:01

Montpellier have come out of the gate incredibly strong in the MOTW, and THW are well and truly on the back foot and working hard to catch up. 

Kiel did not open their account until the fifth minute, at which point Montpellier had already scored four goals. As we reach the 14-minute mark, Yanis Lenne nets for Montpellier to stay steady in front at 9:6. 

So far two Swedish wings are standing out, with Kiel's Niclas Ekberg netting three shots and his compatriot Lucas Pellas scoring the same for the French team. 

20:45

As the MOTW gets underway, let's check out some key facts surrounding this encounter. 

While Kiel bring the maximum of four points into the match, Montpellier are still targeting their first victory in 2021/22 following a draw versus Szeged and a loss in Aalborg. And history does not favour the French side as they aim for a precious two points, as they have won against Kiel only once in eight previous clashes. 

Between the two sides, six Champions League titles are represented, with four for Kiel and two for Montpellier. Three players even won the trophy with both sides, but none from the current lineups. 

20:39

We are ready to conclude the round with a bang! The Match of the Week, Montpellier vs THW Kiel, is just minutes from throw-off. Be sure to join us live on EHFTV.com for all the excitement. 

20:16
RESULT: MESHKOV BREST VS PICK SZEGED 25:28

An admirable fight from Meshkov but Szeged did the damage at the end of the first half and there was no coming back from there. The Hungarian team hold on to clinch a three-goal victory and move up to five points in group, which puts them alongside leaders Vardar — but Kiel are just one point behind and have the chance to add to that in the MOTW still to come tonight. 

RESULT: DINAMO BUCURESTI VS FC PORTO 26:27

Right down to the wire in Bucharest, with the home side in attack and a chance to draw, but Dinamo miss their chance to level and Porto secure yet another nail-biting win in group B. With that a wrap on the group's round 3 schedule, Porto settle in among the top four teams on the table, in the illustrious company of Barça, Veszprém and Kielce. 

20:09

In Belarus, it's looking as though Szeged are very much on the way to their second win of the season, which would maintain their unbeaten record so far in 2021/22. 

It's a far cry from last season, when the Hungarian side were one of the most impacted by Covid-19 and had a very difficult year in Europe, recording only five victories in the whole group phase. A win in round 3 will already represent their second this season, adding to one draw — five points and therefore half the tally from the 2020/21 group stage. 

20:01

Is Dinamo's chance slipping away? Coach Xavi Pascual calls a timeout after his side draw level off a Nantes Campos goal, before Porto netted three straight goals to pull ahead and lead 25:22 with nine minutes until the final buzzer. 

Bucharest have certainly improved their form in the second period, with a far higher save rate (38 per cent versus 12 per cent in the first half) and attacking efficiency more evenly matching Porto's — but has the power required for the chase to close the gap taken its toll?

Let's see if the hosts can pull off another comeback or if Porto have sealed the deal with this critical advantage late in the game...

19:49

10 minutes into the second period, Szeged are holding their half-time advantage steady as they stay in front 22:18 on Brest's court. The back court continues to run rampant with goals flowing in from Garciandia and Bombac in particular, as well as line player Bence Banhidi. 

Over in Bucharest, the home side appear in with more hope to snatch the upper hand from their rivals Porto, as they sit one behind, 20:21, with 17 minutes on the clock. Dinamo coach Xavi Pascual is favouring huge rotation in his side, with every player having stepped on court and almost all field players having contributed on the score board. 

But Porto are looking superb, as goals like this one highlight...

19:22
HALF-TIME UPDATE: MESHKOV BREST VS PICK SZEGED 12:16

Szeged have the final say in the half and create a more decisive lead right in time for the break thanks to goals from Dean Bombac and Borut Mackovsek, who turn it into a four-goal game with their strikes in the final two minutes. 

HALF-TIME UPDATE: C.S. DINAMO BUCURESTI VS FC PORTO 14:15

We see the complete opposite situation in Bucharest, where the home side were the ones to enjoy a strong finish to the half, as they turned a difference of three (12:15) with just over a minute to go into a distance of just one. 

Raul Nantes Campos ends the first 30 minutes with three goals to his name, taking him back up the season's top scorer list to second overall. One more goal will put him first level with Flensburg's Hampus Wanne. Two more and he's alone in first. 

19:19

Brest are still chasing Szeged as half-time edges closer, but what a show we are seeing from some individuals in their squad! Stas Skube is having a huge game with three goals from the field plus five assists, making him a huge asset for Meshkov so far. 

But Szeged see Brest's Slovenian centre back and raise them one: Dean Bombac is also on fire for the Hungarian team, leading with seven assists so far, along with two goals. 

19:08

As we near the end of the half, Dinamo Bucuresti have reduced a deficit that grew as large as four goals (7:11 in the 18th minute) down to one, but the Romanian side are fighting against their own attacking form as they record a far lower shooting and attacking accuracy than their visitors Porto. 

Bucharest's keepers have not been helping matters, with just one save between them. In Porto's goal, Nikola Mitrevski has recorded six saves and is clearly winning the battle between the posts.

18:55

As we near the 10-minute mark in both currently live encounters, the visitors are overrunning their hosts as Porto create a 6:3 lead versus Dinamo while Szeged have the upper hand at 6:4 against Meshkov. 

Porto back Fabio Magalhaes is standing out early, with three goals for his side in the first nine minutes — but over in Belarus, Imanol Garciandia is having an even better outing, with four goals from four shots so far. Both right backs have netted all their shots from the field and are clearly huge dangers to their opponents' defence tonight. 

18:45

We are now underway with the second-to-last games of the round! Meshkov Brest vs Pick Szeged and CS Dinamo Bucuresti vs FC Porto have thrown off and you can catch all the action live on EHFTV.com. 

You can also keep track of all the match statistics by following the live scores right here on eurohandball.com: 

• Meshkov Brest vs Pick Szeged
• CS Dinamo Bucuresti vs FC Porto

18:20

Over to Romania, where Dinamo Bucuresti are meeting FC Porto for the very first European cup clash ever between the sides. Both teams count two points on the group B table, and a win in this encounter will take the victors to four points alongside the group frontrunners Barça, Veszprém and Kielce — so a pivotal match indeed!  

While Dinamo earned their first two points in round 1 against Kielce, Porto took theirs at home in round 1 with this memorable finish: 

Bucharests' Raul Nantes Campos entered round 3 as the top scorer of the Champions League season thanks to his 17 goals in the opening two rounds. After five games to open the round last night, Campos is now sixth ranked overall, but only needs two goals to level with Barça's Dika Mem and Aalborg's Lukas Sandell in second, and four to equal Flensburg's Hampus Wanne on top. 

17:55

We are inside the final hour before tonight's action begins, and warm-up is well underway in Brest and Bucharest. 

Let's take a closer look at the upcoming clashes, starting with Meshkov Brest vs Pick Szeged. 

Brest are hoping for their first points of the season as they host the Hungarian side, who have yet to record a loss in the EHF Champions League Men 2021/22 and sit fourth in group A. Meshkov are so far the only team in the group not to collect any points, although Zagreb only registered their first in round 3 as they managed a draw in their encounter on Wednesday. 

Overall, Szeged have beaten Meshkov six times in eight mutual duels, although Brest did win both the last Champions League games on their own turf, in 2017 and 2020. 

It will be a special match for the coaches of the two sides, as Spaniards Dani Gordo (Brest) and Juan Carlos Pastor (Szeged) come face to face. The two hail from the same city, Valladolid, and Gordo affirms he learned plenty from the mentor who became a friend in our recent feature on the coach battle.   

12:30

Another MOTW, another great episode of the Breakfast for Champions series! Check out today's episode ahead of tonight's Montpellier vs Kiel clash, featuring Marko Panic and Rune Dahmke. 

12:20

Welcome to day two of round 3 of the EHF Champions League Men 2021/22 group phase! What a day we enjoyed yesterday as the round opened with five exciting clashes, with highlights including the long-awaited toppling of Barça's huge unbeaten run by Veszprém and two draws. 

And there is plenty more coming your way today! Here's what's coming up:

• 18:45 CEST Meshkov Brest vs Pick Szeged
• 18:45 CEST Dinamo Bucuresti vs FC Porto
• 20:45 CEST Montpellier HB vs THW Kiel 

As we impatiently wait for match time, enjoy a special feature on Meshkov Brest coach Dani Gordo and his battle against his colleague, teacher and friend Juan Carlos Pastor, and also brush up on all the facts regarding tonight's games. For the MOTW, check out the feature with Montpellier wing Yanis Lenne. 

Wednesday

22:52

That's it for today and there is even more to come tomorrow!

2018 champions Montpellier face 2020 champions Kiel in Match of the Week at 20:45 CEST, which is preceded by Dinamo Bucuresti vs FC Porto and Meshkov Brest vs Pick Szeged. Thanks for joining us and see you for more on Thursday.

22:34

What an evening of handball at the highest level! Among the five matches, we were treated to everything and all in incredibly tight battles with two draws, two one-goal wins and a single two-goal win.

It is early days in the competition but we are seeing that anyone is capable of beating another team at this level and it bodes very well for the rest of the group phase.

22:20 - RESULT: Flensburg 27:27 PSG

After a nervy 7vs6 attack, Luc Steins flies through the defence to draw PSG level. Flensburg have one last attack but Mensah's attempted pass to Gottfridsson goes astray and it's a draw! 

Playing PSG always seems to bring something special out of this Flensburg team but this time it was only enough for a point - an important point no less.

22:16 - RESULT: Zagreb 27:27 Elverum

What a tense second half!

A suspension for Sindre Heldal gives Zagreb a one-man advantage for the final attack but they still cannot find a way through Elverum's defence and with the way this match went, a draw feels like a fair result.

Elverum earn their second draw of the campaign and Zagreb get their first point, though the winless streak extends beyond 586 days - to 600 days in fact, as their next group game is on 13 October.

22:09

Elverum have snatched the lead for the first time, 26:25, with an empty net goal. The tension is palpable in Zagreb and it shows in the home side's attacks - 4 of their last 5 shots have been penalties.

Same scoreline in Flensburg but the home team lead in this one with five minutes remaining.

22:01

Big penalty save by Vincent Gerrard against Hampus Wanne, down the other end Kevin Moller cannot repeat that feat against Mikkel Hansen, who gives PSG a 23:22 lead. 10 minutes left in this clash...

21:56

21:49

Having trailed for the entire match, Dominik Mathe draws Elverum level with his 4th goal of the night - 20:20 after 42 minutes and real test of Zagreb's mental strength now...

21:39

The comeback kid Franz Semper gets his first goal of the game, and the season, as Flensburg open up a 17:15 lead - powered largely by Benjamin Buric and his brilliant 12 saves so far - a 44% save rate!

21:24 - HALF-TIME: Zagreb 14:11 Elverum

Zagreb with a nice lead but it could have been nicer. Elverum slowly but surely coming back into this game and will have confidence knowing how Zagreb have collapsed in the third quarter of their previous two games. Crucial period coming up in this early battle for 6th place in group A.

21:21 - HALF-TIME: Flensburg 14:13 PSG

Nikola Karabatic brings PSG back within one but has a chance to draw level right before the break - no dice.
Both sides will feel this game is within their grasp. Will Flensburg's relative lack of depth come back to haunt them again today?

21:14

Zagreb's early brilliance has sizzled out a bit but they still hold a decent lead, 12:9, as we near the half-time buzzer.

21:10

Flensburg are putting together a real team effort here and it is paying off. Hampus Wanne's third goal of the night gives them a 12:10 lead and half-time can't come quick enough for PSG, who need to set their attack straight.

21:00

4 goals by Csaba Leimeter and 3 by David Mandic have given Zagreb a dream start against Elverum. They lead 10:4 and Elverum have yet to come to the party.

20:56

With all of Flensburg's injury woes of late, the return of Franz Semper at right back today is a huge boost. He has not shied away from the action in a tense opening 13 minutes, which Flensburg lead 5:4.

20:45

Our late matches are underway, both live on EHFTV!
HC PPD Zagreb vs Elverum Handball
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball

20:38

As we look forward to the next two games, starting very shortly, here's a look at that final shot mentioned earlier.

20:25 - RESULT: HC Motor 25:26 Lomza Vive Kielce

That was not easy for Kielce but they did not expect it to be. Despite a heroic 15 goals scored by the combination of Malasinskas and Pukhouski, two red cards and eight suspensions did not help Motor's cause as they fall just short of claiming a second win of the campaign.

20:22 - RESULT: Telekom Veszprém HC 29:28 Barça

Veszprém a goal up and in possession with 10 seconds left, turn the ball over, Barça have one last chance but Mem's pass to Richardson is too low - a free throw given on the buzzer. Mem finds a way past the wall but not past Rodrigo Corrales, who makes his 19th save of the day, a match-winning save!

20:16 - RESULT: HC Vardar 1961 30:28 Aalborg Håndbold

First loss of the season for Aalborg and second big home win in a row for the Skopje club. Seven goals from Olivier Nyokas and a perfect five from five by Jeremy Toto led the way for Vardar, who will really enjoy this success.

20:13

Veszprém vs Barça continues to thrill as the momentum sways between the teams. A three-goal run gives Veszprém the lead again but it doesn't last long as Aleix slots a penalty home to make it 27:27 - 4 minutes remain!

20:07

Vardar hold a three-goal lead over Aalborg as we enter the final 10 minutes and if they can hold onto this, it will cast aside all doubt about this team's ability to compete this season - Kevynn Nyokas makes it 27:24 but it is his brother Olivier who has led the line with six so far.

19:56

An incredibly tight tussle in Ukraine as Motor are keeping up with Kielce. The usually prominent line player Viachaslau Bokhan has been quiet in front of goal and will remain so as he has received a red card...

20:19 to Kielce with a quarter of the game left to play.

19:51

Huge momentum shift in Hungary as Barça enjoy a 5:1 run of their own, including three in a row by Ludovic Fabregas.

21:20 to Veszprém with 42 minutes played.

19:39

Gasper Marguc led all scorers in the first half with five goals, putting Veszprém's fans in top form. Many are staying on their feet at the start of this second half as their side are finding it a bit more difficult to find a route towards goal.

19:23 - HALF-TIME

HC Vardar 1961 16:16 Aalborg Håndbold
Telekom Veszprém HC 16:12 Barça
HC Motor 13:14 Lomza Vive Kielce

A 5:1 run in the final five minutes of the first half have given Veszprém something decent to take with them into the dressing room. The guests have a lot to improve upon but have shown how dangerous they can be.

Meanwhile, Vardar and Aalborg are locked at 16, thanks in part to six goals from Timur Dibirov for the Skopje outfit, and a late flourish from Aidenas Malasinskas has brought Motor into the mix against Kielce before half-time.

19:13

Spanish national teammates Rodrigo Corrales and Gonzalo Perez de Vargas both putting on a show in the two goals, making some phenomenal saves. Rodrigo is ahead 45 vs 32 per cent and Veszprém lead 13:11.

19:04

Carlos Ortega was given a heroes welcome at his former home, where he coached from 2012 to 2015, before the match, but no inch is being given on the court now as we have an arm-wrestle on our hands right now. Both sides down a man as Nenadic gives Veszprém an 8:7 lead.

18:59

While we have level matches in Veszprém and Zaporozhye, Aalborg have taken the initiative against Vardar, racing into an 8:4 lead.

18:54

The game has quickly heated up and the goals beginning to flow. A pair of cheap turnovers by Veszprém are sharply punished by Blaz Janc and Barça lead 4:3 after 10 minutes.

18:48

We're underway in the first three minutes and while the atmosphere is rocking in Veszprém, still no goals have been scored in 4 minutes of play.

18:32

The early throw-offs will also see another test for the resurgent Vardar, facing last season's beaten finalists Aalborg. Both claimed impressive victories last week and are unbeaten so far - a record which may well come to an end for one in their first competitive encounter.

Can anyone guess what Vardar coach Veselin Vujovic is trying to do here?

18:19

Veszprém suffered a fairly convincing defeat to Kielce in Match of the Week in round 2 and will need to produce something much better to bounce back against the defending champions today.

The Hungarian side has a full squad to choose from but who will step up for them? Barça, meanwhile, have a few injuries to contend with as Timothey N’Guessan and Aitor Ariño remain sidelined as does Luka Cindric, who suffered a shoulder injury in round 1.

18:05

Here's what is on the agenda today:

18:45 CEST
HC Vardar 1961 vs Aalborg Håndbold
Telekom Veszprém HC vs Barça
HC Motor vs Lomza Vive Kielce

20:45 CEST
HC PPD Zagreb vs Elverum Handball
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball

The encounters in Veszprém and Flensburg look set to grab the most attention tonight but you just never know in this competition. Whichever games you're looking forward to today, we'll have you covered with the blog, EHFTV and coverage on our social media channels.

18:00

Welcome to round 3 of the EHF Champions League Men and after two fascinating weeks of group play, we get things going this week with five matches, three of which throw-off in just 45 minutes. Ready?