The 2016 IHF Super Globe sees the return of three teams that contested the 2015 title, including champions Fuchse Berlin, and three debutants – though those first-time qualifiers are anything but lacking in experience. 

Two of the teams qualified for their first Super Globe are among the top-ranked in the VELUX EHF Champions League, with Vive Tauron Kielce earning their place as champions at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2016, while Paris Saint-Germain Handball claimed the Wild Card place after they finished third in the Champions League at the end of last season. 

With their equally intimidating squad lists and recent track records, both the European sides are considered favourites to win the title – but the 2015 Super Globe demonstrated that there are no guarantees for any team when Berlin beat both finalists of the EHF Champions League 2014/15 (MVM Veszprem and FC Barcelona Lassa) and raised the trophy on their first Super Globe participation last September. 

The third team debuting at the 2016 IHF Super Globe is Qatari side Lekhwiya, who, just like Kielce and PSG, are no strangers to success in their own nation or continent as they count both domestic and Asian medals in their cabinet. With stars like Egyptian Ahmed Elahmar and French-born Roine Bertrand, Lekhwiya are also a tough team to beat, setting up an exciting competition in Doha to determine the 2016 club world champion. 

Berlin, Sydney University Handball Club, Esporte Clube Taubate and Al Sadd all return to Qatar after finishing first, fourth, sixth and eighth respectively at the 2015 Super Globe, while Esperance Sportive de Tunis arrive for their second participation in the event after they ranked fifth on their debut in 2014. Berlin will begin their campaign against Lekhwiya, Taubate will start versus Kielce and Tunis will take on the might of PSG – a team their French coach Denis Lathoud once represented (1994-1996). 

Sydney Uni and Al Sadd will once again meet in the opening match, which could work out to be a positive draw in favour of the Australian side, who pulled off the first ever Super Globe victory for any team from Oceania against the Qatari team in 2015. 

"The first game will see us face Al Sadd again, who we met at this event several times before – last year’s opening match was against the same team and we came away with a narrow win," says Sydney Uni coach Philipp Enders ahead of the quarter-final game. “This win made us get recognised on the world stage. With success, expectations rise. Internally we have set ourselves a goal of making the semi-final of this event. 

"Our team certainly is not weaker compared to last year. If anything we have a squad whose individuals are stronger. As every year, the turnaround of players at SUHC is huge, which is something we are used to but it obviously also brings challenges. Like, for example, having to perform at the highest level without having our squad play together in a lot of competitive matches prior to facing Al Sadd. 

"[Al Sadd] they haven’t had a lot of time to gel as a team themselves," continues the German-born coach. "My prediction is that it will be a very tight match. My view is that we will get on the court and take a fight to Al Sadd. I trust in the abilities of my players and know that we are capable of coming away with the win.” 

Match schedule for Monday 5 September in Duhail Sports Hall

Quarter-final: Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Taubate 13:00 local time

Quarter-final: PSG Handball vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis 15:00 local time

Quarter-final: Fuchse Berlin vs Lekhwiya 17:00 local time

Quarter-final: Al Sadd vs Sydney University Handball Club 20:00 local time