SUMMARY: Barça survive scare as Nantes, Kiel and Plock win
Round 3 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2022/23 group phase included eight high-profile games on Wednesday – including the Match of the Week between SC Magdeburg and Paris-Saint Germain HB (22:29) – and Thursday.
- round 3 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2022/23 group phase
- Thursday's action ended with wins for the four home sides; Barça were forced to work for their win vs Celje; Nantes scored 41 vs Elverum (41:30); Kiel beat Szeged 34:29 and Plock recorded a 31:27 victory over GOG
- the Match of the Week ended with a big 29:22 win for PSG in Magdeburg
- in the other matches Wednesday, Kielce hand Aalborg their first home defeat in two years (30:28); Zagreb beat Porto 29:23 for their first points of the season; Veszprém come from behind to defeat Dinamo 33:30
Thursday 29 September
23:17
Goodnight!
Thank you for joining us for what has been a terrific round 3 in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League!
The action just keeps coming, though... we'll see you next Wednesday for the start of round 4!
23:15
And last but certainly not least, here are the highlights from a superb game at the Palau Blaugrana...
23:10
A cracking performance from start to finish by HBC Nantes this evening... check out highlights of their win over Elverum and read the match report below
22:58
Enjoy some of the very best images from all four of our Machineseeker EHF Champions League matches this evening
There will be even more for your eyes to feast on on our social media pages
22:48
22:40
Are coverage may be starting to wind down but we just had to include this! What a stop!
22:39
There we have them... the full results from round 3 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League
22:37
Did you miss any of the action from earlier? Check out the highlights from Plock against GOG and Kiel against Szeged...
22:25
And this is what those late games (and Kiel's win earlier) have done to the group B standings.
Barça return to the summit, with THW just in behind. Nantes stay level on points with the guys from northern Germany while Szeged and Elverum remain rooted to the bottom on zero
22:23
FULL-TIME
71 goals scored in Nantes this evening, 41 of which belong to the home team, meaning none of the visitors from tonight's matches go home with points
Although, it was an Elverum player, Kassem Awad, who top scored in the match!
22:14
FULL-TIME
In the end they made it look easy!
The result doesn't reflect the scare provided by Celje, who remain on two points, while Barça move on to a maximum of six - which only they and Veszprem hold
22:08
Elsewhere, Nantes really are cruising now! They are 35:26 up against Elverum with eight minutes remaining
22:06
But, within a few minutes, the home side stamp their authority on proceedings and retake a healthy lead.
That's why they're champions
21:55
WOW... Celje are on the march! They have come back to level the match in Barcelona.
Are the champions going to drop points at home? Few would have predicted them to at the start of the night. It's now 26:26.
21:46
Nothing quite like a goal right on the buzzer to extend your lead!
Nantes have now increased the lead to 8, so it looks like it really helped their half-time momentum!
26:19 to le H!
21:44
I did say how about Dika Mem for the top scorers poll! I'll be having words with the Twitter admin!
21:39
We are underway again in the second halves! Stay right here for updates or watch live on EHFTV
21:37
Eight different players scored for Barcelona in the last 18 minutes of the first half! But still Celje are in this contest!
Here are some of the best photos from that first half!
21:25
Will we have four home wins out of four this evening?
It's looking possible, as Nantes hold a decent advantage over Elverum, 20:14
21:22
FCB maintain their few-goal lead up until the half-time buzzer.
As it stands they will return to the top of group B and Blaz gets the bragging rights in the Janc household
21:15
No way through early on but Nantes are starting to find their goalscoring form, seven minutes to go until the break at they lead 13:9
21:10
No one finds it easy going to the Palau Blaugrana, and Celje are working hard not to fall too far behind.
This attack led to a goal, making it 15:12
21:03
It's level-pegging in our other match at the 15-minute mark.
21:00
The score in Janc vs Janc is... 0:0 so far!
But in the match, it's been the home side with the better of the opening minutes, Barça lead 11:7
20:42
What's on the line tonight in our late matches?
Barcelona have the chance to retake the lead in group B having just lost it to Kiel, while Elverum have a chance to get off the mark in the same group.
The teams they're taking on are both looking for a second win of the campaign, respectively.
Watch the action live on EHFTV
20:40
Wanted to catch your breath did you? No chance!
We have the battle of the Janc brothers as Barça welcome Celje AND Nantes taking on Elverum
AND they throw off in just 5 minutes!
20:35
And in the other game, here is the top scorer; Niklas Ekberg found the back of the net 6 times, while Szeged's highest scorer was Miklos Rosta with 5.
20:32
Only one goal for Daniel Sarmiento tonight, but what a cracker!
Talking of goal stats; Tin Lucin top scored for Plock with 7 from his 8 attempts, while Simon Pytlick and Jerry Tollbring scored 6 each for GOG.
20:24
FULL-TIME
All over too in Kiel, where THW have reached the top of the group B standings
A superb second half showing against Szeged earned them a five-goal win, 34:29
20:19
FULL-TIME
Celebrations can begin on the court now as well as in the stands for the home side
Orlen Wisla Plock take the victory over GOG, 31:27
20:13
They have been in terrific voice tonight!
The eighth man for the men in blue this evening and they are just a couple of minutes away from two more points!
20:11
7m goals making the difference in Plock!
Sergey Kosorotov just nabbed his side's fourth of the evening to regain a three-goal lead with 4 minutes remaining... has that sealed things?
20:06
Everything's coming up Kiel! After such a tense first 30 minutes, this half has belonged to the black and whites!
They are 33:25 up now against their visitors from Hungary.
19:57
A few more of these needed for GOG... or even just a few goals from normal shots!
They take a time-out with 14' remaining, still trailing by three, 24:21
19:53
It's okay Filip, you can look at the scoreboard!
His side have begun the second half strongly, and have opened up a 22:18 lead
19:50
No mistake here from Tin Lucin, extending the Plock lead to four goals with just under 20 minutes remaining.
GOG will need a response but they still have time.
19:45
Never doubt the mind control powers of a goalkeeper...
Kiel have edged back in front, 17:16, against Szeged, and as we can see that's no mean... feet...
19:40
So much emotion! Here are just a handful of the photos from the first halves of our opening matches.
Catch the second 30 minutes over on EHFTV
19:30
HALF-TIME
Top 'keeping by Tomas Mrkva has given the Zebras the edge in the first 30 minutes, Kiel lead 15:14 in what's looking like an epic battle.
19:22
HALF-TIME
We've reached the midpoint in Poland, Plock have gone back in front and taken one of the biggest leads of the whole match.
19:19
Despite this from Mykola Bilyk it's Szeged who have their noses in front now just before the break, 12:13
19:09
Both teams involved in the early highlight reel between Plock and GOG!
GOG have levelled things back up at the 20-minute mark, it's 10:10
19:03
The more times you shoot, the more times you score!
That might not always be true, but it certainly is so far in group A between Plock and GOG. The home team with the advantage.
GOG have just used a time-out, midway through the first half.
18:59
Ten minutes in the books in Germany and as you can see it's as close on the scoreboard as it is between opposing players!
A win by a decent margin takes THW to the top of group B, at least for a couple of hours.
18:48
The face of a man who would much rather be on court than in the stands! If you aren't lucky enough to be sat with Sander, you can watch Kiel vs Szeged on EHFTV, or stay right here for updates!
0:0 after 2 minutes
18:42
Warm-ups completed... throw-off minutes away! Plock and GOG are ready to go head-to-head in group A
18:37
Hmmm... maybe in a few hours there'll be some other names in the mix! Patrick Wienciek is on 15 goals already... Dika Mem is not far behind!
Go an have your say now on Twitter!
18:10
Geo-blocking may apply, depending on where you're joining us from, but all our matches tonight are live on EHFTV
Watch your favourite team or watch two matches at once with the split-screen option.
18:00
Orlen Wisla Plock are looking pumped for this evening's fixture! They are taking on GOG in the other 18:45 throw-off. A win for the hosts takes them above the visitors, but GOG are aiming to go second in group A this evening.
17:55
We're less than an hour away from throw-off in our first two matches of the evening.
Pick Szeged are looking for their first points of the season, here's there team to take on THW Kiel
16:00
He might have retired three years ago, but legendary French goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer wrote his piece of handball history during his career - winning the Champions League three times with Kiel, who play tonight. He's the latest player to feature in our fantastic This is Me series, and there's plenty of time to savour his words before tonight's action throws off.
15:30
Welcome back to the live blog for round 3 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League. We've got another four matches coming up tonight: Kiel look to bounce back from last week's defeat by Celje, Plock and GOG both go for a second win, Elverum will try and earn their first points in Nantes, and Barça host Celje. That last match has an unusual feature as brothers Blaz and Mitja Janc go head-to-head for the first time in their careers. Blaz features for the hosts, while Mitja plays for Celje. Find out what the game means to them in our feature!
Wednesday 28 September
23:15
A fascinating start to round 3 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League tonight! And the good thing is: we are only halfway through, with four more matches coming up on Thursday.
So, make sure to join the live blog again tomorrow. For now, it is good night, and enjoy this gallery of the best pictures from today:
23:06
There has been no doubt about the winner of the Match of the Week. There has also been no doubt about the Player of the Match: PSG goalkeeper Jannick Green, returning to his former club Magdeburg for the MOTW tonight, has been outstanding the whole game. A key factor in PSG's big win tonight!
23:01
Both group leaders knew they had tough tests coming up – and they both failed to pass tonight. Read how PSG dominated MOTW in Magdeburg, and how Kielce became the first team in nearly two years to take both points home from Aalborg:
22:52
PSG head coach Raul Gonzalez is a happy man tonight, obviously. For him, it will be hard to explain how his team go down by eight goals (35:27) against Toulouse in the French league on Sunday, and then win the highly anticipated MOTW in Magdeburg by seven goals (29:22) tonight:
I am very proud of my team. After our defeat in the French league, we played a very good game today.
22:31
The MOTW tonight has been a lot – but not the expected close battle between Magdeburg and PSG. With the game all but decided at half-time (18:10 for PSG), the second half has certainly been a more balanced affair, but the final results speaks for itself: 29:22.
Here are the best moments (and you will find the highlights of all matches tonight on the YouTube Home of Handball channel):
22:24 RESULTS |
- MOTW MAGDEBURG VS PSG 22:29 (10:18)
- AALBORG VS KIELCE 28:30 (15:17)
The two unbeaten group leaders before tonight both suffer their first loss. Magdeburg improved in the second half but had already lost the MOTW against PSG in the first half.
And Kielce take an important win in Denmark, handing Aalborg their first home defeat in nearly two years – a loss against eventual champions Barça on 2 December 2020.
22:14
It is one-way traffic most of the time in Magdeburg tonight...
22:02
Magdeburg might not have played against PSG since 2004, they certainly have met other French clubs in the meantime. As a matter of fact, they have a very positive balance against French teams, with just four losses in 25 matches.
OK, that will become five in 26 tonight – their first defeat against French opponents since losing to St. Raphaël Var in the semi-final of the EHF Cup Finals in 2018:
21:58
This MOTW is certainly not what Magdeburg have expected from their first duel with PSG in almost 18 years... Remember, in 2004, the German side had two easy wins against the then up-and-coming team from France. How different is tonight going to pan out...
21:47
Power and precision in perfection:
21:27 HALF-TIME |
- MOTW Magdeburg vs PSG 10:18
- Aalborg vs Kielce 15:17
Not sure many fans have seen this coming, but PSG have been completely dominant in the opening half of the MOTW and deservedly lead Magdeburg by eight (!) goals. Ferran Sole with five the big man for Paris so far.
Magdeburg are certainly better than what they have shown so far, but can they close such a gap in the second half?
Kielce have kept their cool in the first half in Aalborg, after the hosts lead 5:2 and 9:6 in the first quarter, only for the visitors from Poland to gradually turn it all around. Alex Dujshebaev and Dylan Nahi with three each their best scorers so far.
Both unbeaten teams in danger of slumping into their first loss tonight?
21:24
PSG are firmly ahead in this MOTW. That doesn't mean that every chance is a goal. Great save from Mike Jensen this:
21:19
Dutch delight! Watch how Luc Steins sets up his teammates in the MOTW:
21:15
This is how Jannick Green has been helping PSG to get an early advantage over his former club Magdeburg in the MOTW:
21:12
If you find a bit of time with two great matches running at the moment... here are the reviews of the earlier games played today:
21:04
Over in Denmark, Aron Palmarsson and Sebastian Barthold both score three goals early on to give unbeaten group B leaders Aalborg a 9:7 lead against Kielce after the first 15 minutes.
20:58
The opening phase of this MOTW belongs to PSG, building a useful early 7:3 lead. PSG goalkeeper Jannick Green, arrived from Magdeburg this season, has a lot to smile about in his previous home arena.
20:40
What a way to close the first night of round 3: the MOTW between Magdeburg and PSG, and Aalborg vs Kielce at the same time. Machineseeker EHF Champions League at its very best!
Here are your links for the streams on EHFTV:
20:23 RESULTS |
- VESZPRÉM VS DINAMO 33:30 (15:17)
- ZAGREB VS PORTO 29:23 (16:15)
What a match in Hungary: Veszprém have a terrible start to the first half and fail to really recover until the break; Dinamo have a terrible start to the second half and fail to really recover until the end of the match.
And congrats to Zagreb, who take a clear win over Porto, thanks to Timur Dibirov's 10-goal outing, to get their points of the season (what Porto are still waiting for...)
20:17
Watch this goal from Yahia Omar. Watch it again. And again. You won't regret it.
20:08
In the other match, saves like these keep Zagreb in front against Porto:
19:59
Rasmus Lauge certainly one of the driving forces behind Veszprém's resurgence tonight:
19:50
Seven minutes, 24 seconds.
That is the time it has taken Dinamo to finally score their first goal in the second half. And it takes them another penalty shot, from Andrei Negru, to finally do so.
Meanwhile, Veszprém storm ahead and lead 21:18 after nine minutes.
19:46
We are over five minutes into the second half and Veszprém enjoy their first lead of the night. Rodrigo Corrales has been stepping it up during the game, and Dinamo are yet to score after the break (and missing a penalty also doesn't help them..).
19:23 HALF-TIME |
- VESZPRÉM vs DINAMO 15:17
- ZAGREB vs PORTO 16:15
Dinamo keep Veszprém behind after their strong start, with Ante Kuduz, Stanislav Kasparek, and Andrii Akimenko all scoring four times for the team of head coach Xavi Pascual.
In the other game, Timur Dibirov has netted five times in the first half to give Zagreb the edge over Porto.
All to play for in the second half (which you can watch live on EHFTV)!
19:17
"..."
19:10
They might have zero points so far, but Zagreb can always count on their fans! And the support seems to help tonight: Zagreb lead Porto 11:9.
19:06
Team timeout Veszprém! They have more shots on goal, but Dinamo are leading 10:8, so coach Momir Ilic needs to talk to his players.
18:57
Strong start for Dinamo in Veszprém. While the hosts have suffered a very slow start, the guests from Bucharest are using their chances and, after 10 minutes, are still ahead by two: 6:4 – also thanks to three Ante Kuduz goals.
18:40
EHFTV is your place to go tonight for watching the games. Here are the direct links to the streams:
18:33
The MOTW between Magdeburg and PSG a clash between Germany and France? Not quite!
There are a lot of players from different nationalities involved. Both sides have a Danish line player (Magdeburg’s Magnus Saustrup and PSG’s Toft Hansen), a Dutch back (Magdeburg’s Kay Smits and PSG’s Luc Steins), and a Polish international (Magdeburg’s Piotr Chrapkowski and PSG’s Kamil Syprzak, who were teammates at Wisla Plock).
18:27
Have a look at this comparison: PSG score more goals on average than Magdeburg, but concede more, too. So, what will be key for victory in the MOTW?
18:18
Speaking about that Magdeburg vs PSG clash in 2004, maybe you check out who was playing back then:
This is only one cool piece of information out of our media pack we produce for the MOTW each week. Download the media pack for Magdeburg vs PSG here to find tons of interesting stuff about the game.
18:14
Many eyes tonight will be on our Match of the Week, featuring Magdeburg and PSG. What probably not many handball fans realise, is the fact that those two big teams have never met in the EHF Champions League before!
Even more so, they have only met in one European season so far – in the EHF Cup 2004/05, when Magdeburg won both at home and away. Of course, those results have no significance for the MOTW tonight...
... but interestingly, one Magdeburg player from almost 18 years ago will also be involved in this MOTW: Yves Grafenhorst was left wing in November 2004, and is assistant to head coach Bennet Wiegert anno 2022. EHF journalist Björn Pazen recently spoke with Grafenhorst for this MOTW interview:
17:58
Aalborg vs Kielce, that is a duel between the losing finalists from 2021 and 2022, respectively.
With the annual arrival of a top star (last season Aron Palmarsson, this season Mikkel Hansen, next season Niklas Landin), Aalborg are certainly a force to be reckoned with for years to come. Obviously, the same goes for Kielce, the 2016 champions.
Aalborg are leading group B with four points; Kielce have only dropped points against titleholders Barça so far – and have won all four previous duels with Aalborg, though the last one happened already five years ago.
Should be a good match this, at 20:45 CEST!
17:34
Veszprém have never made a secret of their ambition to finally win the trophy. There have been several seasons in the recent past where we thought that Veszprém's time had come... only for them to stumble at one of the last hurdles, if not the the very last...
Is this season going to be different? At least their start has been convincing, with victories over fellow we-want-our-first-title team PSG as well as Porto.
And you know what? Tonight might be just as big a test as those previous two matches. You would expect Veszprém to get a clear win at home against Dinamo, but just those games turn out to be the tricky ones so easily.
So, lots to look forward to, from 18:45 CEST in Veszprém.
"We have to control the game if we want to win," says Veszprém head coach Momir Ilic:
17:21
Zagreb and Porto are the only two teams in group A with zero points so far – but that will change tonight, at least for one of them.
When they meet in the Croatian capital at 18:45 CEST, it will be their first ever meeting. So far this season, their attacking prowess might have been the issue, as Zagreb (52 goals) and Porto (51) are the teams with the fewest goals scored so far in group A.
Who will kick-start their 2022/23 campaign tonight?!
17:06
While we have four promising duels coming up on Thursday, including current titleholders Barça taking on Celje and former champions Kiel hosting Szeged, we will now focus on the four games of tonight...
... and what a night it promises to be, with both group leaders in action: Magdeburg in the MOTW against PSG, and Aalborg against 2022 finalists Kielce, both starting at 20:45 CEST, after we have been to Croatia and Hungary first:
16:50
After two rounds, we have got a first impression of the teams that might do well this season, and of those who are rather struggling. But it is still very early days, of course.
To find out which teams want to continue their strong start into the season and which ones want to improve, read our round preview with detailed info on all eight matches scheduled for tonight and tomorrow evening:
16:45
It is Wednesday, and you know what that means... the best men's handball competition of the continent is on again! Only two hours until throw-off, so welcome to the live blog covering round 3 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2022/23.
Tonight and tomorrow, we have eight sparkling matches coming your way. This is the full schedule, so quickly check when your favourite team is playing:
