The journey that started in 1995 continues this September, as the Buducnost handball team prepares for their 30th consecutive season in the Champions League (it would have been the 31st without the disruption caused by the coronavirus). The names of their opponents will be revealed on Friday.

The draw for the European elite league will take place in Vienna at 3 p.m. However, before the balls determine the fate of the teams, the EHF has released the full list of Champions League participants for the upcoming season.

Like last season, Buducnost is one of the nine guaranteed participants. Additionally, last-minute invitations have opened doors for teams such as Podravka (Croatia), Ikast (Denmark), Brest (France), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Debrecen (Hungary), FTC (Hungary), and Gloria from Bistrica (Romania).

Teams such as Sole (Norway), Tertnes Bergen (Norway), and Minaur Baia Mare (Romania) did not receive a wild card.

Joining Buducnost are Danish teams Esbjerg and Odense, French team Metz, German Ludwigsburg, Hungarian Győr, Norwegian Storhamar, Romanian ĆSM Bucharest, and Slovenian Krim.

A total of 16 teams will convene in Vienna, where the draw will allocate them into two groups of eight. Similar to last season, the top two teams from each group will progress directly to the quarterfinals, while the teams finishing in 3rd to 6th place will compete in the play-offs.

The giants from Podgorica and the club that has been a two-time European champion in the past two turbulent seasons were unable to advance past the group stage. It appears to be the perfect time for Bojana Popović’s squad to aim for significant achievements in the Champions League once again.

News