Top British teams preparing for European action

TWO of the strongest domestic teams in Britain, London GD and Ruislip Eagles men are preparing to take on some tough opponents in European competitions.

Each season the top teams from each country qualify for one of three levels of European competition, and London GD will play in the EHF Cup, while Ruislip Eagles will see action in the EHF Challenge Cup.

Third in last season’s National League, London GD are first in action playing Danish side KIF Kolding away on both September 15 and 16. The winner on aggregate goes through to the second round of the competition on October 13/14 and October 20/21.

National League runners-up Ruislip Eagles face three opponents in three days in the Challenge Cup.

They travel to Chisinau in Moldova for their matches, which begin with a game against home side Olimpus 85 USEFS on October 12.

The following day they play Cypriot outfit SPE Strovolos, and then finally take on Lithuania’s Dragunas on October 14.

English National League winners Salford turned down their invitation to play in European competition for financial reasons.

English Teams Prepare for Europe

LONDON GD Handball Club get their European Challenge Cup campaign under way with a clash against English rivals Ruislip Eagles on Friday (Sept 30) at the Tal-Qroqq University Sports Hall in Malta.

The first of three games in three days, the opening clash for the team – formerly known as Great Dane - begins at 7.30pm (local time).

They take on Maltese outfit Aloysians ProMinent in their second match the following day at 6pm, while their final clash is on October 2 against Dublin International HC at 5pm.

"We are going to this year's Challenge Cup with a desire to win all our games and make British history by being the first English club to reach the next round of a European Cup Competition,” said London GD's coach Philippe Seray, confident about their chances.

“We have been training hard over the summer and the players are fully committed to the club, arranging their day-to-day work schedule to attend as many trainings and friendly games as possible. Our new players are integrating very well, and I am confident that we have a real chance of winning our group.”

Meanwhile, after their opening clash with London GD on Friday, Ruislip Eagles will take on Dublin International on Saturday at 3.30pm, and will then complete their campaign with a clash against Aloysians ProMinent at 2.30pm.

And in the women’s competition, Olympic HC from London will play Croatian side RK Zelina at 9pm (local time) on Friday in the opening match of their group, which is being held in Portugal at the Pavilhao Municipal de Oliveira do Bairro.

They will then take on Portugese team Alavarium at 5.30pm on Saturday, followed by a final match against Panetolikos of Greece on Sunday.

Good luck to all the English teams competing in Europe this weekend!