LAST WEEK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: The days gradually get shorter and the court time gets longer for the Champions League stars. Here is what they were up to the past week

VELUX EHF Champions League Countdown: Riihimäen Cocks (FIN). The Finnish champions, the only newcomers this season, are fully aware of their underdog role - and they are enjoying it

VELUX EHF Champions League Countdown: HBC Nantes (FRA). Last year's runners-up are ambitious again going into only their third season in Europe's top flight

VELUX EHF Champions League Countdown: IFK Kristianstad (SWE). The Swedish champions are targeting a return to the knockout phase after last season's success

VELUX EHF Champions League Countdown: Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN). Returning to the competition after a one-year absence, the Danish side are targeting a play-off spot

VELUX EHF Champions League Countdown: Dimamo Bucuresti (ROU). With some serious changes made to the team, the Romanian side want to improve from last season

VELUX EHF Champions League Countdown: Skjern Håndbold (DEN). After their standout results in Europe as well as in the domestic competition, the Danish champions are confident going into the new season

LAST WEEK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: We are less than a month until Europe’s elite club competition returns to an arena or TV screen near you, clubs are facing-off in pre-season friendly matches

VELUX EHF Champions League Countdown: Montpellier HB (FRA). The defending champions want to prove that their inspiring run to the title last season was no coincidence

FEATURE: CSM Bucuresti and Györ have been the big winners after the collapse of Vardar, bolstering their ranks with top players

LAST WEEK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Teams are trying everything from biathlon to surfing as they settle into the new season

Ranking the top 10 transfers of the summer in the VELUX EHF Champions League sees Veszprém and PSG looking strong