The EHF European League Women will throw off this weekend, with 22 teams taking to the court in Qualification Phase 2, in 11 double-headers, which will send 11 teams to Qualification Phase 3, where 13 other teams are waiting.

In total, 39 teams have entered the competition, with the teams of the four best leagues according to EHF seeding – Hungary, Denmark, Romania and Russia – boasting a team directly in the group phase.

The headliner for this round should be the all-German duel between TUSSIES Metzingen and HSG Blomberg-Lippe, while another German side, Thüringer HC, face a difficult challenge against Norwegian side Molde Elite.

A Norwegian-Russian duel of Sola HK and Kuban will also provide a strong side for the next round of the competition, while another strong pairing will feature Spanish side Super Amara Bera Bera and French team Paris 92.

Reigning champions Les Neptunes de Nantes, who won their title with their previous name, Nantes Atlantique Handball, will enter the competition in the Qualification Phase 3, alongside other 12 strong sides.

Danish side Herning-Ikast Handbold, who made it to the EHF Finals last season, will be one of the teams to watch, as well as Hungarian pair DVSC Schaeffer and Vaci NKSE. Russian sides Astrakhanochka and Zvezda will also try to qualify for the second season in a row in the group phase, as well as Norwegian team Storhamar Handball Elite.

French outfits Chambray Touraine HB and ES Besancon, Romanian powerhouse SCM Ramnicu Valcea, Germany’s SG BBM Bietigheim and Croatia’s Lokomotiva Zagreb complete the card in the Qualification Phase 3.

Only four teams are assured a group phase berth – Hungary’s Mosonmagyarovar, Denmark’s Viborg HK, Russian side Lada and the hosts of last season’s EHF Finals, CS Minaur Baia Mare.

EHF European League Women – Qualification Phase 2

TUSSIES Metzingen (GER) vs HSG Blomberg-Lippe (GER)
SPD Radnicki Kragujevac (SRB) vs H65 Höörs HK (SWE)
DHK Banik Most (CZE) vs Magura Cisnadie (ROU)
Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT) vs Club Balonmano Atletico Guardes (ESP)
ZRK Bjelovar (CRO) vs MKS FunFloor Perla Lublin (POL)
Super Amara Bera Bera (ESP) vs Paris 92 (FRA)
Thüringer HC (GER) vs Molde Elite (NOR)
Yalikavaksports Club (TUR) vs MTK Budapest (HUN)
Tertnes Bergen (NOR) vs ZORK Jagodina (SRB)
LC Brühl Handball (BRA) vs MKS Zaglebie Lubin (POL)
Sola HK (NOR) vs Kuban (RUS)

For more information about the competition, visit the European Handball Federation website.

Photo: SCM Râmnicu Vâlcea / Alexandru Nitisor / Image Plus