The draw for the Champions League groups, carried out this Thursday late in the afternoon, should delight Metz Handball supporters. Firstly because it is rather favorable. Emmanuel Mayonnade’s players avoid three big players, Györ, the title holder, Esbjerg, finalist of the Final Four at the beginning of June, and Vipers Kristiansand, all placed in group B. But also because it promises a great reunion at the Arena .
The three-time reigning French champion inherited Group A, like Budapest, which will have three former Messines in its ranks, with Laura Glauser, Orlane Kanor and Valeriia Maslova. He will also meet Krim Ljubljana, who recruited two other French internationals trained in Moselle, Grace Zaadi and Tamara Horacek. Finally, as in the quarterfinals of the Champions League last season, Metz Handball will face CSM Bucharest, reinforced by Alina Grijseels.
These three teams should be the French club’s main rivals in the fight for qualification in the round of 16 or the quarter-finals. Chloé Valentini’s teammates will also have to perform against Nykobing, outgoing finalist of the Danish championship, against the Norwegians of Storhamar and the Romanians of Gloria Bistrita.
Metz Handball will have to wait until the final stages to hope to meet Louise Burgaard (Odense), Kristina Jorgensen or Hatadou Sako (Györ) who will battle with Brest in the other group.
