It goes blow by blow. On Tuesday at 18:45, SG Flensburg-Handewitt will be challenged for the second time in the main round of the EHF European League. A home win against Montpellier HB is on the cards in the GP JOULE Arena.
Montpellier HB and the SG have already faced each other 13 times in the last 30 years. Six times, the teams have played back-and-forth matches to advance to the next round, and once the two teams met for a final at a neutral venue. That was on May 25, 2025 in Hamburg, when the SG celebrated the 17th title in the club's history. The memories of the 32:25 victory, which was played out so confidently, are fond and fresh. When the SG set off for the Mediterranean at the beginning of March, the destination was the "Sud de France Arena". The MHB management has chosen the match as the "top game" and is organizing a home event at the 9,000-capacity venue for the third time this season. Although Montpellier are currently only in third place in the French league and go into the main round of the EHF European League without any points, their ambitions are nevertheless high. "We want to defend the Coupe de France, reach the Final Four in Hamburg and fight hard in the league until the end of the season," promises MHB President Julien Deljarry.
A shake-up in the south of France
The Champions Trophy, comparable to the Super Cup here in France, has already brought in a minor title. This was not to be expected. Coach Erick Mathé, who took over from MHB legend Patrice Canayer in the summer of 2024, had to manage a huge upheaval. It would take almost all the fingers on both hands to list all the notable departures. Only the goalkeeper position remained the same. Remi Desbonnet and Charles Bolzinger have formed a team at the club and in the national team for years. Brazil's top player Bryan Monte, midfielders Kylian Villeminot and Diego Simonet and captain Valentin Porte form the tried-and-tested back line. The team has looked across borders several times for transfers. Brazilian center Rogerio Moraes was brought to the south of France from MT Melsungen. From RK Zagreb, MHB acquired the tall half-back Zvonimir Srna. The Spaniard Agustin Casado was recruited from Veszprém as another playmaker option. Swedish left-back Jack Thurin previously played for Aalborg. For the right wing, Montpellier made use of Paris and Chambery, bringing in David Balaguer and Benjamin Richert. The Swede Lucas Pelle is still on the left wing. Drevy Paschal, who made his debut with St. Raphael in Flensburg in the fall, recently signed a two-year contract.
