After 11 matchdays, SC Magdeburg were the model team in Group B, with a perfect record and direct qualification for the quarter-finals already assured. However, in the hostile atmosphere of the Orlen Arena in Plock, the Germans were shaken up. For a long time, the home side thought they could end the defending champions' unbeaten run. Leading by as many as six goals (34': 18-12), the Polish team saw their lead melt away as the minutes ticked by, until their opponents equalised in the last minute (60': 29-29). Magdeburg can thank Matej Mandic, the Croatian goalkeeper who made 12 saves last night, but their place atop the standings is now under threat.
On Thursday evening, Barcelona treated their fans to a real show against Zagreb, who are bottom of Group B. With 25 goals scored by half-time and already twelve goals ahead, the Catalans made the second half look like it would be a mere formality (30': 25-13). In total control, the Spanish side managed to increase their lead even further to secure their biggest win of the season on the continental stage (60': 46-26). Beyond being a crucial victory in terms of points, it was also a striking collective performance by the Blaugrana, as all the court players except Antonio Bazan and Djordje Cikusa found the back of the net. The defence was not to be outdone, with Viktor Hallgrimsson making 17 saves, while Emil Nielsen was rested for this match.
GOG will have plenty of regrets after conceding a draw six seconds before the end of the match against Pelister. Although this result secures their qualification for the play-offs, the Danes were hoping to take maximum points against the Macedonians in order to draw level with the capital club. Leading for almost the entire match, thanks in particular to another outstanding performance from Oli Mittun (seven goals) and Salah Boutaf (12 saves), GOG saw Pelister show impeccable spirit to snatch a point in the dying moments (60': 28-28).
There was no change in the Group B standings after Round 12, but the gaps are narrowing with just two weeks to go until the end of the group stage. Following their draw in Poland, Magdeburg are now just one point ahead of Barcelona at the top of the group.
Although they can no longer catch up with the Catalans, Plock can nevertheless be satisfied with this result against the Germans, as it guarantees third place. Szeged's defeat at Coubertin yesterday left the Hungarian team five points behind Plock, with only two matches left to play.
Les Rouge et Bleu now have the same number of points as Michael Apelgren's men, but remain behind due to an unfavourable goal difference. With nine points, GOG can still hope to finish higher, but no longer need to look over their shoulder as Pelister and Zagreb are both out of the play-off race.
The penultimate matchday of the group stage could give us the first indications of the match-ups that the play-offs might offer us. It will kick off on Wednesday 4 March with a dead rubber between already-eliminated Zagreb and Plock, who are guaranteed to finish third. Later in the evening, our Parisians will travel to Pelister with the aim of securing a third consecutive victory on the continental stage and potentially overtaking Szeged in the standings. The Hungarians will play host to GOG on Thursday evening in a match that will be of particular interest to Stefan Madsen's men. Finally, the clash of the week will see Magdeburg and Barcelona battle it out for top spot in the group.
