Melsungen 28:26 Wisla Plock — Vardar 1961 and Pick Szeged miss Champions League knockouts
Melsungen's win on 22 October 2026 ends Vardar 1961's mathematical chance; Pick Szeged drew and will also continue in the European League.
Melsungen beat Wisla Plock 28:26 in the fifth round of the EHF Champions League on 22 October 2026 (22.10.2026), a result that eliminated Vardar 1961 from mathematical contention to qualify for the EHF European League.
The German side led 15:14 at half-time and controlled the second period, preserving a two- to three-goal cushion until the final whistle. Erik Balenciaga and Aron Hans Mensing finished as Melsungen's top scorers with six goals apiece, while Bjerre and Kosorotov netted four each for Wisla Plock.
Pick Szeged draw leaves another contender outside the knockouts
Pick Szeged drew 33:33 with GOG Gudme, and like Vardar, lost any hope of reaching the Champions League knockout phase. The match featured newly capped Macedonian international Dmytro Khorikha for Pick Szeged.
With those results, both Vardar 1961 and Pick Szeged are set to continue their European campaigns in the EHF European League rather than the Champions League knockout rounds.
No other major changes were recorded in the group standings after the fifth round, with several teams still fighting for the remaining qualifying berths as the group stage approaches its final fixtures.
Photo: press material from the event
