Vardar still waiting for their first Champions League point

After two rounds of the EHF Champions League, Vardar still have no points - defeats to Melsungen and Nantes. The third chance comes on Thursday at 20:45, when Poland's Orlen Wisła Płock visit Skopje in Group B. Belgrade's Partizan are also pointless and, after two defeats, host Veszprém on Wednesday at 18:45. "There's no bigger challenge than Veszprém," says Partizan's Lumbroso. The Hungarians' coach Pascual, meanwhile, sees the danger in his own dressing room: after the Club World Championship title, he says, it's easy to lose focus. Also in action this round: Zagreb against Aalborg and Celje away at PSG. The Balkans have a seat at the top table - the question is whether they'll start collecting points or just applause for the atmosphere.

Pelister in Gdańsk tonight after a rough start in Europe

Eurofarm Pelister play away at Poland's PGE Wybrzeże Gdańsk tonight (Tuesday) at 18:45 in the second round of Group G of the EHF European League. The Bitola side opened with a 31:24 defeat to La Rioja, while Gdańsk beat Gummersbach 38:34 - a result that says the Poles are no easy hosts. Pelister are already training in Gdańsk and looking for a first positive result in the group. A seven-goal opening defeat is quickly forgotten if points come tonight. The evening will show whether La Rioja was a bad day or a serious problem.

No mercy at home: Vardar crush Ohrid, Alkaloid saved in the last second

In the Super League, Vardar beat GRK Ohrid 27:18 in round five, and the job was done by half-time - 14:6. Ohrid managed just six goals in a full 30 minutes against Čupić's defence. It was far more nervy in Alkaloid's hall: 31:30 against Tikveš, who equalised three times, the last at 30:30. Goalkeeper Ivan Galevski saved the win with his seventh save of the match, from Toše Ončev's final shot. Alkaloid's top scorer was Ben Mehfoud with seven goals. In the table, Vardar and Alkaloid have 10 points each, Pelister 9 and Ohrid 7. The league has two leaders - but only one of them is currently winning without putting the fans through it.

Gjorče Petrov's "Lionesses" take a four-goal lead to the Czech Republic

Macedonian champions ŽRK Gjorče Petrov beat Czech side Baník Most 22:18 in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the women's EHF European League, at the Jane Sandanski hall. It was 10:10 at half-time, and the second half was low-scoring for a long time. From 15:15 the "Lionesses" went on a run to 19:15 and held that margin to the end. Angela Gubernić scored seven goals and Rizoska four. The return leg is on 10 October in the Czech Republic. Four goals is a good base, but small enough to rule out any complacency.

Women's Champions League: Podravka finally on the board

Croatia's Podravka, after three straight defeats, got their first points in round four - 33:31 away at Germany's Blomberg-Lippe, with 11 goals from Matea Šošo. Ferencváros beat CSM Bucharest 24:23 with a last-second goal from Petra Simon, and goalkeeper Anna Kristensen made 18 saves. Győr celebrated a 36:32 win over Gloria Bistrița despite 14 goals from Austria's Johanna Reichert, and title holders Metz crushed Nykøbing 36:25. Ferencváros, Metz and Győr are the only teams with four wins from four. Croatia has its representative at the top table - and after three rounds of waiting, finally some points too.