The draw for the 2026/27 EHF Champions League group stage took place today at the headquarters of the European Handball Federation (EHF) in Vienna.
Krim OTP Group Mercator will once again be among Europe’s top 16 teams, marking the club’s 32nd consecutive season in the EHF Champions League – an all-time record for consecutive appearances in Europe’s elite club competition.
The Ljubljana side has been drawn into Group A, where they will face Team Esbjerg (DEN), CSM București (ROU), FTC (HUN), Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA), BV Borussia Dortmund (GER), Sola HK (NOR) and OTP Group Budućnost (MNE).
Following the draw, head coach Rasmus Poulsen shared his thoughts: “The group stage brings mixed feelings because, regardless of the draw, we know we will face extremely strong teams. In the Champions League, it’s all about peaking at the right time and having the team ready for the most important matches. Our main objective this season is to progress from the group stage to the playoffs. It will be a difficult challenge, but with good preparation it is realistic. We are highly motivated to show the true spirit of Krim.”
Rasmus Poulsen: “Our main objective this season is to progress from the group stage to the playoffs. It will be a difficult challenge, but with good preparation it is realistic.”
The competition format remains unchanged for the upcoming season. Sixteen teams will compete in the group stage, divided into two groups of eight. The opening matches of the new European season will take place on the first weekend of September, 5/6 September 2026, with Krim OTP Group Mercator hosting Romanian side CSM București in Ljubljana.
EHF Champions League 2026/27 Match Schedule*:
Round 1: RK Krim OTP Group Mercator : CSM Bucuresti (ROM)
✈️ Round 2: FTC (MAD) : RK Krim OTP Group Mercator
Round 3: RK Krim OTP Group Mercator : Team Esbjerg (DAN)
✈️ Round 4: Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA) : RK Krim OTP Group Mercator
✈️ Round 5: BV Borussia Dortmund (NEM) : RK Krim OTP Group Mercator
Round 6: RK Krim OTP Group Mercator : OTP Group Budućnost (MNE)
Round 7: RK Krim OTP Group Mercator : Sola HK (NOR)
✈️ Round 8: Sola HK (NOR) : RK Krim OTP Group Mercator
✈️ Round 9: OTP Group Budućnost (MNE) : RK Krim OTP Group Mercator
Round 10: RK Krim OTP Group Mercator : BV Borussia Dortmund (NEM)
Round 11: RK Krim OTP Group Mercator : Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA)
✈️ Round 12: Team Esbjerg (DAN) : RK Krim OTP Group Mercator
Round 13: RK Krim OTP Group Mercator : FTC (MAD)
✈️ Round 14: CSM Bucuresti (ROM) : RK Krim OTP Group Mercator
* The match schedule is provisional and subject to change. The exact dates and times will be announced at a later stage.