Sporting CP, Kielce, and Nantes Set Blistering Pace in Expanded EHF Champions League

The Machineseeker EHF Champions League has officially completed its second round of the 2026/27 group phase, and four clubs have immediately separated themselves from the newly expanded 24-team field. Sporting CP, Industria Kielce, HBC Nantes, and One Veszprém HC all secured their second consecutive victories on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, establishing early control over the standings and putting immense pressure on the chasing pack. In a tournament format where early momentum often dictates knockout stage seeding, these four squads have laid down an imposing marker. The flawless starts are particularly vital this season, as the expanded structure leaves zero room for early complacency, forcing the continent's elite to peak from the opening whistle.[1][3]

Sporting Clube de Portugal has undeniably been the tournament's most lethal attacking force through the opening two weeks of continental play. The Portuguese champions currently sit atop Group D with a maximum four points and a staggering +18 goal differential, having poured in 80 goals across their first two matches. Their latest triumph, a comprehensive 37:29 demolition of IFK Kristianstad on Swedish soil, showcased a terrifying blend of backcourt depth and relentless transition speed. Sporting's ability to punish turnovers and maintain a blistering offensive pace for the full 60 minutes has left their early opponents scrambling for answers and gasping for air.[1][3][6]

The offensive engine for Sporting has been driven masterfully by the backcourt and the wings, with individual brilliance amplifying their tactical system. Orri Freyr Þorkelsson and Martim Costa combined for 15 goals against Kristianstad, consistently breaking down the Swedish defensive block with sharp isolation moves and precise finishing. Yet, the team's core identity remains deeply rooted in stopping opponents rather than simply outscoring them. As Sporting captain Salvador Salvador stated regarding the club's tactical philosophy earlier this year, "I prefer to have success on our defence." That foundational commitment to defensive solidity, paired with their current scoring explosion, has made them the early benchmark in the competition.[1][4]

Over in Group F, Polish powerhouse Industria Kielce maintained their perfect start with a thoroughly one-sided 36:29 road victory over Norway's Kolstad Håndball. The match was effectively decided in the first 30 minutes, orchestrated entirely by the brilliance of Aleks Vlah. The Slovenian playmaker netted seven of his nine total goals before the halftime whistle, dictating the offensive tempo, threading passes through tight windows, and completely silencing the raucous home crowd. Kielce's veteran experience shone through as they managed the second half with clinical precision, ensuring that Kolstad never mounted a serious comeback threat.[1]

HBC Nantes survived a much tighter and far more hostile contest to keep their unblemished record intact in Group B. Traveling to the notoriously difficult Jane Sandanski Arena in Skopje to face HC Vardar 1961, the French side found themselves locked in a tense, goal-for-goal battle that went down to the absolute final possession. Just as he did in their opening round victory, Noam Leopold delivered the clutch game-winning strike in the dying moments, securing a dramatic 33:32 win for Nantes and leaving Vardar empty-handed despite a valiant and physical home effort. The victory proved Nantes possesses the grit required to win ugly on the road.[1][2]

Rounding out the unbeaten quartet is Hungarian giant One Veszprém HC, who secured a massive 35:29 away victory against 2025 and 2026 finalists Füchse Berlin in Group A. The Hungarian side relied heavily on their defensive anchor, world-class goalkeeper Emil Nielsen. While Berlin's veteran shot-stopper Andreas Palicka actually recorded more total saves over the course of the evening, Nielsen's timely stops during critical second-half stretches proved to be the deciding factor. Veszprém capitalized on those crucial saves to fuel a devastating counter-attack, ultimately pulling away for a comfortable six-goal victory in one of the toughest arenas in Europe.[1]

For the heavyweights that stumbled unexpectedly in the opening week, Round 2 offered a crucial lifeline to get their campaigns back on track. Paris Saint-Germain Handball earned their first victory of the 2026/27 season in Group C, edging Croatian champions HC Zagreb in a tightly contested and physical match. The French champions, desperate to avoid an 0-2 hole, leaned heavily on their star backcourt duo of Yahia Omar and Elohim Prandi. The pair combined for 18 goals, taking on the bulk of the offensive responsibility and dragging PSG to the two points through sheer individual shot-making.[1][6]

Similarly, Danish side GOG bounced back in Group D with a wildly entertaining, high-scoring 36:34 home victory over Hungary's OTP Bank-PICK Szeged. The crucial win was fueled by a spectacular dual performance from Manuel Zehnder and Olí Mittún, who each fired in 10 goals to completely overwhelm the Szeged defense. The fast-paced, run-and-gun style suited the Danish club perfectly, allowing them to outlast their Hungarian visitors in a shootout and firmly re-enter the race for the top spots in the group standings.[1]

The stakes in these early group phase matches are heavily amplified by the tournament's new and demanding structure. With the field officially expanded to 24 teams spread across six groups, as confirmed by the European Handball Federation and participating clubs like PSG, securing a top-two finish in the group is paramount for direct quarter-final qualification. The margin for error is razor-thin, and the four pacesetters have already built a critical buffer over the rest of the continent. As the grueling schedule continues, the ability to grind out away victories will likely separate the true title contenders from the rest of the pack.[5][6]