Tomorrow sees the return of the EHF Women’s Champions League with the first match of the main round.  The ‘Main Round’ is the second group stage of the competition wherein the eight remaining teams slug it out for the semi final spots.  This weekend, oddly(*), sees only the one match but it could be a good one: the Scandinavian ‘derby’ between the Norwegians of Larvik and the Danes of Randers.

Randers finished second in their group with a three wins, three losses record and were dependent on a final game victory over Hypo Niederoesterreich to progress.  Larvik were Champions League winners in 2011 but were overwhelmed by winners Buducnost in the semi finals last year.  The bookies make Larvik 1/8 favourites and in their two previous Champions League meetings (in 2010) they were indeed comfortable winners.  But if for no other reason than it’s good both to have the Champions League back and handball available in the UK via decent streams let’s hang on to the idea that it might be a bit closer than all that suggests.

You can see it here from 4.15pm.  And read a proper preview here.

(* = It’s because the Larvik arena is double-booked next weekend).