Budućnost Podgorica was title holder, after beating Győri Audi ETO KC in past season's final.

A Wild Card Tournament with three teams was organized, the winner were qualified for the Group Phase.

Places were distributed according to the EHF league coefficient, which took into account the performances in European competitions from 2008–09 to 2010–11.

[4] th Title Holder The draws will be held in Vienna, Austria and Herzogenaurach, Germany.

[5] The two remaining teams from Pot 1 and 4 played a knock-out match, the winner went into the group stage.

[6] IUVENTA Michalovce and FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria played a playoff series to determine a participant for the group stage.

Clubs from the same pot or the same association could not be drawn into the same group, except the wild card tournament winner, which did not enjoy any protection.