Your legends deserve daylight The VELUX Group is donating roof windows to sports clubs across Europe. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are donating roof windows to sports clubs around Europe. Your sports club can apply for a donation of a complete installation of six windows by simply filling out the online application and contacting an installer. This is your chance to bring light and fresh air into your clubhouse, making it more bright, inviting and comfortable – and giving your legends the daylight they deserve.
Apply now at www.velux.com/sportsclubs
SG FlensburgHandewitt GER
IFK Kristianstad SWE
Cocks FIN
THW Kiel GER
Orlen Wisla Plock, POL
Elverum HH NOR BjerringbroSilkeborg, DEN
HC Meshkov Brest BLR
TTH Holstebro, DEN KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL VELUX EHF FINAL4 Host City Cologne, GER
Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
Achilles Bocholt, BEL
Tatran Presov SVK
Red Boys Differdange, LUX
HC MotorZaporozhye UKR
Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
Paris Saint-Germain Handball, FRA
Telekom Veszprém, HUN
HBC Nantes FRA MOL-PickSzeged HUN Montpellier Handball, FRA Dinamo Bucuresti, ROU
ABC/UMinho POR
Bregenz Handball, AUT
Naturhouse La Rioja ESP
Besiktas MOGAZ HT, TUR
Gorenje Velenje, SLO
HC Vardar MKD
RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO Z A G R E B
FC Barcelona Lassa ESP
Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, SLO
HC PPD Zagreb, CRO
HC Metalurg MKD
Maccabi CASTRO Tel Aviv, ISR
Tournaments
Last 16
Qualification Tournaments 03./04.09.2016 tournaments played in semi finals and finals
Group Phase 21.-25.09.2016 (1); 28.9.-2.10.2016 (2); 05.-09.10.16 (3); 12.-16.10.16 (4) 19.-23.10.2016 (5); 09.-13.11.2016 (6) 16.-20.11.2016 (7); 23.-27.11.2016 (8) 30.11.-4.12.2016 (9); 08.-12.2.2017 (10) 15.-19.2.17 (11-A/B); 22.-26.2.17 (12-A/B)
01.-05.03.17 (13); 08.-12.03.17 (14)
22.-26.03.2017 first leg
19.-23.04.2017 first leg
03./04.06.2017 tournament
29.03.-02.04.2017 second leg
26.-30.04.2017 second leg
played in semi finals and finals
Telekom Veszprem
9
HC Meshkov Brest
BLR 1
24 FRA 3 25 ROU 1
Montpellier Handball Dinamo Bucuresti RK Gorenje Velenje ABC/UMinho Tatran Presov Bregenz Handball Red Boys Differdange Achilles Bocholt Cocks Maccabi Castro Tel-Aviv 2 groups with 4 teams
KO matches from Group C and D qualify for the Last 16
2 groups with 8 teams
1 HUN 1 2
Your legends deserve daylight The VELUX Group is donating roof windows to sports clubs across Europe. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are donating roof windows to sports clubs around Europe. Your sports club can apply for a donation of a complete installation of six windows by simply filling out the online application and contacting an installer. This is your chance to bring light and fresh air into your clubhouse, making it more bright, inviting and comfortable – and giving your legends the daylight they deserve.
Apply now at www.velux.com/sportsclubs
All matches of the new season live
Wherever you are!
All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League and WOMEN’S EHF Champions League, selected games of European Cups, DKB Handball-Bundesliga, Liga Bauhaus Asobal live and on demand. Don’t miss the best highlights, compilations, interviews, features, behind the scenes and more. Watch it wherever you are on ehfTV.com!
Der beste Live-Sport. Auch unterwegs. Nur auf Sky.
Ganz großer Sport Mehr Sport zeigt keiner. Gönn Dir jetzt alle Wettbewerbe live. Bundesliga und 2. Bundesliga – Alle 612 Spiele der Saison 2016/2017 live, einzeln und in der Original Sky Konferenz oder UEFA Champions League – Alle 145 Spiele live, UEFA Europa League – Alle 205 Spiele live und DFB-Pokal – Alle 63 Spiele live Internationaler Live-Sport: Golf, Tennis, Formel 1, Handball, Beachvolleyball – vieles exklusiv
Inklusive Preisgekrönte Berichterstattung zu jedem Sportevent und jederzeit top informiert mit Sky Sport News HD Sky+: Dein HD-Festplattenleihreceiver.* Aufnehmen und anschauen, wann Du willst Sky Starter* – Großartige Programmvielfalt mit bis zu 26 hochwertigen Pay-TV-Sendern Sky Go* – Immer live dabei, auch unterwegs
Für
19
99 € mtl.*
(im 12-Monats-Abo, danach € 37,49 mtl.*)
Bis 30.9.2016
€0 € 59 statt
Aktivierungsgebühr*
Jetzt auf sky.de 01806 884 000 00
€ 0,20 inkl. MwSt./Anruf aus dem dt. Festnetz; max. € 0,60 inkl. MwSt./Anruf aus dem Mobilfunknetz *Angebot gilt bei Buchung von Sky Starter und einem Premiumpaket (Fußball-Bundesliga oder Sport) für mtl. € 19,99; jeweils mit einer Mindestvertragslaufzeit von 12 Monaten (Monat der Freischaltung (anteilig) zzgl. 12 Monaten) plus einer Logistikpauschale i. H. v. € 12,90. Aktivierungsgebühr: Die einmalige Aktivierungsgebühr in Höhe von € 59 für Neukunden entfällt. Für Abonnenten, in deren Haushalt und/oder unter deren Kontonummer ein Sky Abonnement für sich oder Dritte besteht oder bestand, welches bereits gekündigt oder innerhalb von 3 Monaten vor Neuabschluss beendet worden ist, fällt eine Aktivierungsgebühr i. H. v. € 100 an. Verlängerung: Wird das Abo nicht fristgerecht 2 Monate vor Ablauf der Vertragslaufzeit gekündigt, verlängert es sich jeweils um weitere 12 Monate zu mtl. € 37,49. Sky Go: Mit Sky Go können Kunden einzelne Inhalte ihres Sky Abonnements über das Internet mit ausgewählten Smartphones/Tablets empfangen (ab iOS 7.0, Android 4.2). Empfohlene Bandbreite: 1 Mbit/s für SD-Qualität, 6 Mbit/s für HD-Qualität. Empfang nur in Deutschland und Österreich. Weitere Infos: skygo.de/faq. Receiver: Zu diesem Abonnement stellt Sky einen Sky+ HD-Festplattenreceiver während der gesamten Laufzeit leihweise zur Verfügung (Servicepauschale i. H. v. € 169 entfällt). Alle Preise inkl. gesetzlicher MwSt. Angebot gültig bis 30.9.2016. Stand: August 2016. Änderungen vorbehalten. Sky Deutschland Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG, Medienallee 26, 85774 Unterföhring. Fotos: Kaymer © 2016 Getty Images; Handball © Sascha Klahn; Rosberg © dpa/picture alliance/Thomas Melzer; Kerber © 2014 Getty Images/Bongarts/Adam Pretty; Müller © imago/Camera 4; © Sky/Andreas Hoffmann
VELUX EHF FINAL4 travel and ticket partners announced
MOTW - A fresh new look
VELUX EHF FINAL4 travel and ticket partners announced With over 8,000 tickets already sold for the next edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, those unlucky enough not yet to have secured their place in the LANXESS arena, Cologne on 3/4 June 2017 have been waiting for a chance to buy their ticket. The event’s organiser, EHF Marketing GmbH, has released details of the first of its official travel and ticket partners, through which fans will be able to purchase not just tickets but also hotel and travel packages. The first nine official partners covering Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and Switzerland have been announced, and will be offering complete packages for fans wanting to travel to Cologne in June 2017. Additional official ticket partners will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans wanting to make a booking with one of the official travel partners should contact one of the following companies direct:
Vietentours
The well-known German sports travel specialist, Vietentours, has been a partner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 since 2010 and offers travel packages to all major handball and sports events worldwide. Contact: +49 211 17 7000
[email protected] www.vietentours.com.
Svenskahandbollfans
Official partner for the Swedish market. Contact: +46 73-250 20 17
[email protected] www.svenskahandbollfans.se
Hemispheres Voyages
A new partner, Hemispheres Voyages is the exclusive travel partner for the French market. Specialising in sports travel, the company has been organising travel arrangements to major rugby, football, tennis and handball events for the past 18 years. Contact: + 33 4 38 37 22 21
[email protected] www.hemispheres-voyages.fr
Travel Sense A/S
Travel partner for the Danish market and official partner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the second time is Travel Sense A/S. The company has tickets available in all categories. Contact: + 45 70 23 06 44
[email protected] www.travelsense.dk
Kagan’s Turist Aps
Travel partner for the Danish market Contact: +45 24 41 93 50
[email protected] www.busudlejning.dk www.koncertbussen.dk
Treff AG
Official travel partner for the Swiss market for a number of years Contact: +41 32 387 00 87
[email protected]
Danish markets (Travel packages available from October) Contact:
[email protected] www.opproductions.se
Ticket2Final
A partner for several years, offering unique reservation packages, which entitle you to tickets should your team qualify. Contact: +44 2033180475
[email protected] www.ticket2final.com
TF travels
A long-standing partner covering the Swedish market.
[email protected]
Sportimadok.hu
A new partner covering the Hungarian market. Contact: +36 70 / 630 1040
[email protected] www.sportimadok.hu
MOTW - A fresh new look The VELUX EHF Champions League is one of the most attractive sporting competitions in Europe, and during a season over 200 matches of top handball are broadcast live to handball fans from around the world on ehfTV.com. Starting this season EHF Marketing would like to bring Europe’s premier handball competition to a whole new level. To achieve this, a greater focus will be put on this season’s MATCH OF THE WEEK (MOTW) ties and the engagement with fans through our various social media channels will increase. The aim of this is to make games during the whole season more accessible for handball fans and to create an arc of suspense towards the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. EHF Marketing will take one match per round as the MOTW, as it has been custom in past seasons. The most interesting game in terms of fan’s expectations and the entertainment value of the tie will be selected. Whether well-known clubs compete against each other or less experienced clubs fight to get into the next round – we are sure that all the games will be captivating and thrilling. The MOTW will receive more attention in terms of TV commentary, branding, social media activities, half-time games, mobile reporting and the sale of merchandise in the hall itself. The idea is to continuously develop the concept throughout the season and also to bring fresh content to fans in the arena, in front of their TV or on their laptops at home. Live commentary with insights and captivating explanations, and an enhanced look and feel of TV graphics will give the audience the feeling of being right in the action. This season the commentary team will be expanded with Tom O’Brannagain being joined by David Bregazzi and Chris O‘Reilly, who will all take their own MOTW games.
Match of the Week set for opening four rounds The ehfTV.com Match of the Week will be played in four different countries in the first four rounds with matches showcasing the VELUX EHF Champions League’s finest talent, certain to satisfy handball fans across Europe in September and October. The four matches will feature seven sides from five countries, all serious contenders in Europe’s top flight in recent seasons. Special MOTW media pack In order to help all media professionals covering the Matches of the Week the EHF Media & Communications department will release a special media pack two days prior each match. Round 1: Saturday 24 September (17:30 CET), FLENS Arena (Flensburg, GER) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Telekom Veszprém Round 2: Saturday 1 October (TBC), Palau Blaugrana (Barcelona, ESP) FC Barcelona Lassa vs THW Kiel Round 3: Sunday 9 October (17:00 CET), Varosi Sportcsarnok (Szeged, HUN) MOL-Pick Szeged vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce Round 4: Sunday 16 October (18:30 CET), Stade Pierre de Coubertin (Paris, FRA) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG FlensburgHandewitt
MOTW also offers also the perfect platform to develop and implement new exciting technical equipment that brings the best handball directly into households around world. For example, referee cameras and other new broadcasting elements will come into use at selected matches during this season.
OlliP AB
Partner for both Swedish and 20
21
Qualification Tournament 1
Qualification Tournament 2
Qualification Tournament 1 (Presov, SVK) Group C Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) HC Metalurg (MKD) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Montpellier Handball (FRA) Elverum Handball (NOR) Tatran Presov (SVK)
3-4 September 2016 Rk Gorenje Velenje (SLO) Cocks (FIN) Tatran Presov (SVK) Red Boys Differdange (LUX)
2nd ranked team - Rk Gorenje Velenje - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - Cocks - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4th ranked team - Red Boys Differdange - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs: Maccabi Srugo Rishon Lezion (ISR)
Review: Presov impress and seal group phase berth The Slovakian side powered past the experienced RK Gorenje Velenje in their group phase decider match, while the Finnish side take third spot in the VELUX EHF Champions League Qualification Group 1 after their win over the Luxembourg champions Red Boys Differdange. • TATRAN broke the qualification tournament curse after five failed attempts • The hosts took full advantage of their home court, leading from start to finish • Cocks take third in Group 1 on their debut in the CL • Differdange finish bottom of the group on their return to the European elite for first time since 1999 FINAL RK Gorenje Velenje (SLO) vs TATRAN Presov (SVK) 21:23 (10:12) After failing five times in the qualification tournaments, TATRAN Presov impressed against RK Gorenje Velenje to win a second consecutive berth in the group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Strong back court helped TATRAN pull away
A motivated Slovakian side never went behind in one of the most important games of their season. With a loud croud behind them, TATRAN pressed from the start and never looked back, helped by a flawless back court, in which Oliver Rabek and Lukas Urban were stars from the first minute. However, TATRAN would have had a lot of trouble if not for their amazing defence, that helped the Slovakian champions power to a 10:7 lead after 21 minutes. But the real difference was made in the first 15 minutes of the second half. A 6:2 run, spurred on by Rabek and Urban helped TATRAN jump to a 20:14 lead that could not be recovered by the Slovenian side. As Presov were already celebrating the win, Velenje clawed back, but the 23:21 win was enough for TATRAN who play against Naturhouse La Rioja, HC Metalurg, Chehovskie Medvedi, Montpellier HB and Elverum Handball in this year’s VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase. THIRD PLACE MATCH: Cocks (FIN) vs Red Boys Differdange (LUX) 30:21 (18:14) SEMI-FINALS: RK Gorenje Velenje (SLO) vs Cocks (FIN) 28:25 (16:14) TATRAN Presov (SVK) vs Red Boys Differdange (LUX) 38:32 (19:17)
22
Qualification Tournament 2 (Bregenz, Austria) Group D HBC Nantes (FRA) TTH Holstebro (DEN) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Besiktas Mogaz HT (TUR) Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) ABC/UMinho (POR)
3-4 September ABC/UMinho (POR) Achilles Bocholt (BEL) Bregenz Handball (AUT) Maccabi CASTRO Tel Aviv
2nd ranked team - Bregenz Handball - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - Maccabi CASTRO Tel Aviv - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4th ranked team - Achilles Bocholt - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Csurgo KK (HUN)
Review: ABC/UMinho hold their nerve against Bregenz Bregenz failed to take advantage of their home court against the Portuguese champions ABC/UMinho. • ABC/UMinho will try to emulate Porto winning seven games in the group phase • ABC lost their two previous qualifying tournaments • After a 15-year hiatus, the Portuguese side will play in Group D • The Israeli side took 3rd place and will continue in EHF Cup Round 3 • In their fourth game in Europe, Maccabi earned their first win • Pomeranz was Maccabi’s top scorer (ten goals) adding to his 12 scored against ABC FINAL ABC/UMinho (POR) vs Bregenz Handball (AUT) 33:32 (16:16) There was no shortage of drama near Lake Constance. The home fans left disappointed after a hard-fought game that saw ABC/UMinho claim one of the most important wins in their history. The lead changed hands five times in only 30 minutes, this could only mean that the Bregenz fans were in for a long afternoon. This deadlock came from the sturdy attacks from both sides -- each side
boasting a shot efficiency of 60 per cent. However, clues that ABC were the better team were soon clear to see as Nuno Pereira seemed unstoppable with seven goals. It quickly emerged that the game was to be won in the attack and ABC were the better team in that section. Both Pereira and right back Pedro Spinola had astonishing games, with 11 and 8 goals scored respectively, as the Portuguese champions pulled away thanks to a 6:2 run between the 41st and 48th minute. While Bregenz managed to claw back and close the game (29:29), ABC had the stronger nerves and after a well-taken timeout by coach Carlos Resende, the Portuguese side won the game by the lowest of margins, 33:32, thanks to a Miguel Pereira goal. ABC will play against HBC Nantes, TTH Holstebro, HC Motor Zaporozhye, Besiktas Mogaz HT and Dinamo Bucuresti in Group D. THIRD PLACE MATCH: Maccabi CASTRO Tel Aviv (ISR) vs Achilles Bocholt (BEL) 33:30 (16:15) SEMI-FINALS ABC/UMinho (POR) vs Maccabi CASTRO Tel Aviv (ISR) 34:27 (16:16) Bregenz Handball (AUT) vs Achilles Bocholt (BEL) 39:31 (20:17)
23
Facts and figueres of the group phase
Facts and figueres of the group phase
23 Champions League participations in 24 years since the start of the competition in the 1993/94 season give RK Zagreb this record ahead of Veszprem and Celje (22 participations each).
Facts and figures of the group phase After Tatran Presov (Slovakia) and ABC/UMinho (Portugal) took the last spots as the winners of the qualification tournaments on Sunday, the group phase of the 2016/17 VELUX EHF Champions League season is ready to begin. To celebrate the return of the competition, here are the most important facts and figures of the upcoming group phase and beyond: 0 times since the inauguration of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010, have the champions defended their title. The last team to do so was BM Ciudad Real in 2009.
6 former or current EHF Champions League winners with a combined total of 15 trophies are part of the 2016/17 group phase: Kielce, Barcelona, Kiel, Flensburg, Montpellier and Celje.
6
1 draw only will be held between now and the end of the season - for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 semi-finals in Cologne. All pairings of the Last 16 and quarter-finals are set by the rankings of the group phase. 1 person won the EHF Champions League as a player and a coach: Talant Dujshebaev. The current coach of Vive Tauron Kielce won the competition in 1994 as a player of Santander (ESP) and 2006, 2008 and 2009 as a coach of Ciudad Real, before steering Kielce to their first trophy in 2016. 2 winners of Groups A and B progress directly to the quarter-finals. 2 coaches led two different teams to the EHF Champions League trophies: Icelandic born Alfred Gislason (2002 SC Magdeburg, 2010 and 2012 THW Kiel) and Talant Dujshebaev (2006, 2008, 2009 Ciudad Real, 2016 Vive Tauron Kielce).
2
teams are debutants of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase: Holstebro (DEN) and Nantes (FRA). 4 participants of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2016 have qualified for the group phase again: Kielce, Veszprem, PSG and Kiel. 4 playoff matches featuring the two best ranked teams of Groups C and D in March will decide the remaining Last 16 spots 4 times each, Thierry Omeyer (Montpellier 2003, Kiel 2007, 2010, 2012) and Uros Zorman (Celje 2004, Ciudad Real 2008 and 2009, Kielce 2016) have won the EHF Champions League and are the most successful active players. Still, Andrej Xepkin is the individual record winner with seven trophies (six with Barcelona, one with Kiel).
pairings will compose the Last 16. Teams in the positions 2-6 of Groups A and B and the Group C/D playoff winners will face off. 6 former or current top scorers of the VELUX EHF Champions League are still on court in the 2016/17 season: Momir Ilic (2014/15 - 114 goals, 2013/14 - 103 goals, Veszprem), Mikkel Hansen (2011/12 - 98 goals for AG Kobenhavn, 2015/16 - 141 goals for PSG), Uwe Gensheimer (2010/11 - 118 goals, Rhein Neckar Löwen, now PSG), Filip Jicha 2008/09 - 99 goals, and 2009/10 - 119 goals for Kiel, now Barcelona), Kiril Lazarov (2007/08 - 96 goals and 2005/06 - 85 goals for Veszprem, now Barcelona), Nikola Karabatic (2006/07 - 89 goals for Kiel, now PSG) 8 times (1995-2000, 2011, 2015) FC Barcelona have won the EHF Champions League and they are the record winners. 8 former or current IHF World Handball Players of the Year are part of the 28 squads of this Champions League season, four of them are contracted by PSG: Arpad Sterbik (2005/ Vardar), Nikola Karabatic (2007, 2014/PSG), Thierry Omeyer (2008/PSG), Slawomir Szmal (2009/Kielce), Filip Jicha (2010/ Barcelona), Mikkel Hansen (2011, 2015/PSG), Daniel Narcisse (2012/PSG) and Domagoj Duvnjak (2013/Kiel). Kielce coach Talant Dujshebaev was awarded twice (1994, 1996). 14 rounds will be played in Groups A and B. Groups C and D will play 10 rounds, followed by two rounds in the playoffs.
14
times Spanish teams have won the EHF Champions League - Barcelona (8), Ciudad Real (3), Santander, Irun and Portland (each 1).
5 countries are represented by the previous 22 EHF Champions League champions: Spain (14 titles), Germany (6), Poland, Slovenia and France (one each). 5 times only Spanish and/or German teams had qualified for the final of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 (2010 Kiel vs Barcelona, 2011 Barcelona vs Madrid, 2012 Kiel vs Madrid, 2013 Hamburg vs Barcelona, 2014 Flensburg vs Kiel). 2016 meant the first final without a Spanish or German team, when Kielce faced Veszprem. 6 times THW Kiel have qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 so far, winning the trophy at Cologne twice (2010, 2012).
19 different nations (one less than last season) are represented by the 28 group phase participants. Germany and France have three clubs each, Spain, Denmark, Hungary, FYR Macedonia and Poland each two. 20 matches is the maximum, participants of the 2016 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL 4 will play, unless they skip the Last 16 or progress from Groups C/D.
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28 teams are part of the group phase, split in eight teams each in Groups A and B and six teams each in Groups C and D. 57.03 goals were scored in average in all 160 matches of the 2015/16 VELUX EHF Champions League season.
71
Frenchmen among the 641 eligible players from 34 countries in total. Denmark has 51 and Croatia 47. Only one player each for Egypt, Estonia, Finland and Republic of Congo. 141 goals were scored by current World Handball Player of the Year and Olympic champion Mikkel Hansen for PSG to become top scorer of the 2015/16 season. 208 matches will be carried out in the 2016/17 season of the
Teams by age average
VELUX EHF Champions League. After those eight qualification matches, which took place already, 172 group matches, four Group C/D playoffs, 12 Last 16 matches, eight quarter-finals and four matches at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will follow. 496 goals were conceded by Paris in their 18 matches of the 2015/16 season, which was the competition’s best defensive record. 614 goals were scored by Kielce in their 20 matches of the 2015/16 season, which is the best attacting record. 11,522 goals were scored the 2015/16 VELUX EHF Champions League season, 248 in qualification, 9619 in the group phase, 249 in the playoff matches of Groups C/D, 704 in the Last 16 matches, 456 in the quarter-finals and 246 at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 15,200 spectators attended the fans attended Zagreb’s two matches against PSG in the group phase and quarter-final and the group phase match against Veszprem, the highest attendance in the 2015/16 season prior to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 19,750 fans are expected for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 once again on 3/4 June 2017.
Teams by height average
Teams by weight average
HC Meshkov Brest Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Kadetten Schaffhausen FC Barcelona Lassa HC Vardar HC Motor Zaporozhye Naturhouse La Rioja Dinamo Bucuresti HC PPD Zagreb KS Vive Tauron Kielce Besiktas Mogaz HT Rhein-Neckar Löwen Telekom Veszprém THW Kiel Orlen Wisla Plock ABC/UMinho Elverum Handball SG Flensburg-Handewitt Paris Saint-Germain Handball TATRAN Presov HBC Nantes MOL-Pick Szeged IFK Kristianstad Chekhovskie Medvedi Montpellier HB TTH Holstebro HC Metalurg RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
28,9 28,1 27,5 27,3 27,3 27,1 27,1 27,0 27,0 26,9 26,6 26,2 26,1 26,0 25,7 25,5 25,3 24,9 24,0 24,0 23,9 23,8 23,8 23,3 23,0 22,9 22,5 22,0
Orlen Wisla Plock Naturhouse La Rioja THW Kiel Bjerringbro-Silkeborg MOL-Pick Szeged HC Motor Zaporozhye KS Vive Tauron Kielce HC Meshkov Brest HC Vardar Telekom Veszprém Dinamo Bucuresti Paris Saint-Germain Handball Besiktas Mogaz HT FC Barcelona Lassa Kadetten Schaffhausen TATRAN Presov HBC Nantes TTH Holstebro HC Metalurg Chekhovskie Medvedi Elverum Handball Montpellier HB Rhein-Neckar Löwen IFK Kristianstad HC PPD Zagreb RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SG Flensburg-Handewitt ABC/UMinho
196,2 194,9 194,4 194,3 193,5 193,4 193,2 193,2 192,7 192,7 192,4 192,3 192,0 192,0 191,9 191,7 191,5 191,5 191,3 191,3 191,2 191,0 190,7 190,3 190,1 189,4 189,0 187,4
THW Kiel Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Dinamo Bucuresti HC Vardar Orlen Wisla Plock Elverum Handball MOL-Pick Szeged HC Meshkov Brest KS Vive Tauron Kielce Telekom Veszprém Besiktas Mogaz HT Naturhouse La Rioja IFK Kristianstad Rhein-Neckar Löwen TTH Holstebro Kadetten Schaffhausen FC Barcelona Lassa HC PPD Zagreb HC Motor Zaporozhye Paris Saint-Germain Handball HC Metalurg TATRAN Presov Montpellier HB HBC Nantes RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SG Flensburg-Handewitt ABC/UMinho Chekhovskie Medvedi
97,3 97,3 96,9 96,8 96,6 95,8 95,6 95,3 95,0 95,0 94,9 94,6 93,8 93,3 93,3 92,9 92,4 92,1 91,9 91,6 91,5 91,5 91,5 90,5 89,8 89,5 88,5 88,0
CL average
25,3
CL average
191,9
CL average
93,1
25
Facts and figueres of the group phase
Facts and figueres of the group phase
Facts and figures of the group phase Oldest
Youngest
16.1.2001 Luka Savanovic RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko / BIH
Luka Savanovic Teo Jezernik Domen Makuc Dogukan Keser Andi Muris Houlbert Dylan Nahi Andry Goujon Bellevue Luka Simonic Viktor Miller Jannek Klein Stefan Zabic Eduardo Cadarso Caballero Adam Dimovics Martin Nagy Jens Dolberg Plougstrup
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Besiktas Mogaz HT HBC Nantes Paris Saint-Germain Handball Paris Saint-Germain Handball RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Chekhovskie Medvedi SG Flensburg-Handewitt RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Naturhouse La Rioja MOL-Pick Szeged MOL-Pick Szeged Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
BIH SLO SLO TUR FRA FRA FRA SLO RUS GER SLO ESP HUN HUN DEN
16.1.2001 29.8.2000 1.7.2000 24.1.2000 24.12.1999 30.11.1999 2.9.1999 27.8.1999 16.4.1999 25.3.1999 17.2.1999 13.2.1999 23.1.1999 9.1.1999 8.1.1999
31.8.1971 Tom Jensen Bjerringbro-Silkeborg / DEN
Shortest
168 cm Ljubomir Vranjes SG Flensburg-Handewitt / SWE
Ljubomir Vranjes Tadej Matijasic Miha Zarabec Balazs Molnar Viktor Miller Stas Skube Emil Sidelmann Gal Marguc Victor Tomas Gonzalez Edouard Kempf Benedek Szakaly Ivan Cupic Sergio Muggli Tim D. Sörensen Ogulcan Güney
65 kg Benedek Szakaly Telekom Veszprém / HUN
26
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg IFK Kristianstad SG Flensburg-Handewitt TATRAN Presov Besiktas Mogaz HT Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Kadetten Schaffhausen Paris Saint-Germain Handball Paris Saint-Germain Handball Naturhouse La Rioja ABC/UMinho SG Flensburg-Handewitt MOL-Pick Szeged HC PPD Zagreb Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
DEN SWE SWE UKR TUR DEN AUT FRA SLO ESP POR SWE ESP CRO DEN
HC Meshkov Brest Naturhouse La Rioja Orlen Wisla Plock Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Telekom Veszprém Orlen Wisla Plock Telekom Veszprém IFK Kristianstad HC Motor Zaporozhye Chekhovskie Medvedi FC Barcelona Lassa Paris Saint-Germain Handball MOL-Pick Szeged Elverum Handball
LAT ESP POL DEN DEN CRO POL HUN RUS UKR RUS POL FRA HUN NOR
213 213 212 211 210 210 210 208 208 208 207 206 206 206 206
HC Meshkov Brest HC Vardar Rhein-Neckar Löwen MOL-Pick Szeged Bjerringbro-Silkeborg RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko FC Barcelona Lassa Orlen Wisla Plock RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HC Vardar HC Vardar Paris Saint-Germain Handball Dinamo Bucuresti Besiktas Mogaz HT Telekom Veszprém
LAT SRB ESP HUN DEN SLO POL POL CRO ESP BRA SWE ROU TUR HUN
135 132 128 123 121 121 120 120 120 119 118 118 118 118 118
31.8.1971 27.7.1973 3.10.1973 25.2.1975 4.10.1975 12.8.1976 29.8.1976 2.11.1976 11.7.1977 26.10.1977 1.1.1978 29.3.1978 21.5.1978 9.6.1978 4.9.1978
Tallest SG Flensburg-Handewitt HC Metalurg RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Telekom Veszprém Chekhovskie Medvedi MOL-Pick Szeged TTH Holstebro RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko FC Barcelona Lassa Paris Saint-Germain Handball Telekom Veszprém HC Vardar Kadetten Schaffhausen IFK Kristianstad Besiktas Mogaz HT
SWE SLO SLO HUN RUS SLO DEN SLO ESP FRA HUN CRO SUI DEN TUR
168 173 174 175 175 176 177 177 178 178 178 178 178 178 178
Dainis Kristopans Angel Montoro Cabello Tomasz Gebala
Nikolaj Rømer Berg Markussen
213
213
Dainis Kristopans HS Meshkov Brest / LAT
Angel Montoro Cabello Naturhouse La Rioja / ESP
Kristian Krag Orsted Marko Kopljar Mateusz Piechowski Laszlo Nagy Alexander Tatarintsev Sergii Burka Evgeny Dzemin Kamil Syprzak Robin Dourte Bence Banhidi Aleksander Borresen
Heaviest
Lightest Benedek Szakaly Artem Kozakevych Roland Selmeczi Michal Daszek Teo Jezernik Andrei Yurynok Emil Sidelmann Balazs Molnar Eduardo Cadarso Caballero Aleix Gomez Abello Kyllian Villeminot Lukas Blohme Gal Marguc Miha Zarabec Matej Vernarsky
Tom Jensen Jesper Larsson Ljubomir Vranjes Vadym Brazhnyk Ibrahim Demir Sören Rasmussen Nikola Marinovic Thierry Omeyer Gorazd Skof Gurutz Aguinagalde Aquizu Humberto Gomes Mattias Andersson Jose Manuel Sierra Mendez Tonci Valcic Michael V. Knudsen
Telekom Veszprém HC Motor Zaporozhye MOL-Pick Szeged Orlen Wisla Plock RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HC Meshkov Brest TTH Holstebro Telekom Veszprém Naturhouse La Rioja FC Barcelona Lassa Montpellier HB SG Flensburg-Handewitt RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko TATRAN Presov
HUN UKR HUN POL SLO BLR DEN HUN ESP ESP FRA GER SLO SLO SVK
65 68 70 70 70 70 70 70 71 71 72 72 72 72 73
135 kg Dainis Kristopans HS Meshkov Brest / LAT
Dainis Kristopans Strahinja Milic Rafael Baena Gonzalez Bence Banhidi Kristian Krag Orsted Matic Suholeznik Kamil Syprzak Zbigniew Kwiatkowski Kristian Beciri Arpad Sterbik Capar Rogerio Ferreira Moraes Jesper Nielsen Ionut Adrian Irimus Tolga Özbahar Adam Borbely
27
Group A preview
Group A preview
Group A preview THE STRONGEST EVER GROUP IN EUROPEAN CLUB
league, SEHA-Liga and Champions League) and aim to finish on top of all.
HANDBALL
Former PSG and Barcelona player Marko Kopljar or the top scorer of the 2015 World Championship, Dragan Gajic, are among the new arrivals at the unlucky losers of the 2016 final.
“Nearly impossible to predict the group winner,” as five teams from Group A aim for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 When the group phase draw for the VELUX EHF Champions League on 1 July had come to an end, one could see open mouths and stunned faces. “This is the strongest group ever in European club handball,” was the unanimous opinion of everybody involved in Group A. After Veszprém, PSG, Kiel and Flensburg had already been part of last season’s Group A, now record winners FC Barcelona Lassa will join this quartet to be the icing on the cake. Barcelona (8), Kiel (3) and Flensburg (1) represent 12 EHF Champions League titles, Veszprem were finalists in 2015 and 2016 and PSG are the top favourites, and all five of them have the goal to make it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne - a goal, which at least one of them will miss. “It is impossible to predict the winner of this group,” says THW Kiel new team captain Domagoj Duvnjak. Last season’s Group A and B winners - PSG and Barcelona - are part of Group A. “This is a dream come true for every handball fan,” says PSG manager Bruno Martini. “In every round you will face world-class players either at home or away,” continued Martini.
In the previous season with nearly the same line-up, PSG finished on top, ahead of Veszprém, Flensburg and Kiel, while Plock took sixth. In the end, Veszprém, PSG and Kiel made it to the FINAL4, but all were below Kielce after the final day. “It would definitely be no surprise, if both 2017 finalists would come from Group A. But definitely I cannot name them right now,” is the opinion of Flensburg manager Dierk Schmäschke. But due to the huge number of Olympic Games participants, and a shorter period of preparation than normal, the top sides are aware that a lot of surprises could occur up until the winter break in December. “But in the end, the big names will fight for the top positions. Though it will not be easy for us, we are aiming for a position among the top four as you can make your life in the knockout stages a little easier,” says THW manager Thorsten Storm. His team is the record holder in terms of FINAL4 participations with six appearances followed by Barcelona (5), Veszprem (3) and Flensburg and PSG, who both have made it to Cologne once. Björn Pazen
New Veszprém sports director Nikola Eklemovic shares this opinion: “Every game will be like a FINAL4 game. For the supporters it will be amazing because they will see extremely good and interesting games each and every week.” Besides those five powerhouses of European club handball, Polish runners-up Plock, the Danish champions Bjerringbro and the Swiss champions Schaffhausen will mainly fight for the last remaining spot for the Last 16. With new coaches and bolstered squads, Plock (coached by Piotr Przybecki) and Schaffhausen (Lars Walther) are eager to enter this fight. While the Flensburg squad has nearly remained unchanged, Barcelona and Kiel have started a rejuvenation of their rosters. After losing some experienced players, both signed young guns, who are seen by many to be the Champions League heros in the upcoming years such as Lasse Andersson (Barcelona), Lukas Nilsson or Nikola Bilyk (both Kiel). In contrast, PSG have added some more world-class players to their star-studded team like Uwe Gensheimer or Luka Stepancic. Veszprém have increased the number of players significantly, as they are part of three competitions (Hungarian
28
29
Group A preview
Group A preview
Group A head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group A opponents in the EC Telekom Veszprém vs FC Barcelona Lassa 4-1-11 (422:462) 9:23 13.04.1986 19.04.1986 21.02.1998 01.03.1998 31.01.1999 07.02.1999 14.11.1999 04.12.1999 13.12.2003 20.12.2003 25.04.2010 01.05.2010 27.03.2011 02.04.2011 01.06.2014 31.05.2015
VAEV Epitök SC vs FC Barcelona, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final FC Barcelona vs VAEV Epitök SC, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Last 16 Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Last 16 FC Barcelona Borges vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs FC Barcelona Borges, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona Borges vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 MKB Veszprém KC vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Final
Telekom Veszprém vs THW Kiel 7-0-7 (402:406) 14:14 27:25 (13:12) 29:19 (13:10) 33:28 (19:13) 32:27 (13:15) 29:29 (14:15) 29:24 (16:11) 23:31 (13:16) 25:21 (13:13) 33:29 (18:15) 31:26 (16:14) 33:27 (17:15) 33:34 (19:15) 28:21 (14:13) 30:26 (15:8) 26:25 (9:10) 28:23 (14:10)
Telekom Veszprém vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 4-1-1 (172:153) 9:3 19.04.2014 26.04.2014 12.04.2015 19.04.2015 25.10.2015 28.11.2015
PSG Handball vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 26:28 (14:12) MKB-MVM Veszprém vs PSG Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 31:26 (12:12) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qu.-final 24:24 (10:12) MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qu.-final 34:28 (16:12) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs MVM Vészprem, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 29:27 (16:12) MVM Veszprém vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:20 (16:14)
MKB Veszprém KC vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
32:25 (17:11) 19:25 (5:14)
Wisla Plock SSA vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Group A Fotex KC Veszprém vs Wisla Plock SSA, EHF Champions League – Group A Orlen Wisla Plock vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Orlen Wisla Plock vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A MVM Veszprém vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – group A
25:30 (9:13) 38:24 (20:14) 34:33 (16:16) 31:26 (16:11) 27:27 (11:13) 27:25 (16:13)
Telekom Veszprém vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 3-0-3 (157:165) 6:6 24.02.2001 03.03.2001 05.10.2008 16.11.2008 26.09.2015 27.02.2016
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Fotex KC Veszprém, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Group F SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Group F MVM Veszprém vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
31:22 (13:12) 20:22 (9:10) 29:28 (14:14) 32:29 (15:15) 28:24 (15:14) 28:29 (12:10)
Telekom Veszprém vs Kadetten Schaffhausen 1-1-0 (58:52) 3:1 06.04.2008 12.04.2008
Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ vs MKB Veszprém KC, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-Final MKB Veszprém KC vs Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-Final
30
28:25 (17:15) 23:21 (11:9) 23:31 (11:15) 39:36 (19:20) 39:32 (22:15) 31:30 (14:15) 32:21 (17:13) 32:31 (15:16) 28:29 (14:12) 26:29 (13:13) 27:31 (13:13) 29:27 (17:15) 25:24 (11:12) 28:31 (15:12, 25:25)
FC Barcelona Lassa vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 2-0-0 (71:57) 4:0) 20.10.2013 15.02.2014
PSG Handball vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C FC Barcelona vs PSG handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
29:33 (17:17) 38:28 (19:9)
FC Barcelona Lassa vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 2-0-0 (71:57) 4:0) 20.10.2013 15.02.2014
PSG Handball vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C FC Barcelona vs PSG handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
29:33 (17:17) 38:28 (19:9)
17.03.2013 24.03.2013
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 FC Barcelona Intersport vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
26:32 (12:15) 26:24 (12:13)
FC Barcelona Lassa vs Orlen Wisla Plock 1-0-1 (61:59) 2:2)
Telekom Veszprém vs Orlen Wisla Plock 4-1-1 (186:161) 9:3 09.11.2002 08.12.2002 23.03.2014 29.03.2014 19.09.2015 05.03.2016
THW Kiel vs Fotex Veszprém SE, EHF Champions League – Group A Fotex Veszprém SE vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Fotex KC Veszprém, European Championship for Club Teams – Semi-final MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB-MVM Veszprém vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final MVM Veszprém vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final
FC Barcelona Lassa vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg 2-0-0 (58:50) 4:0)
Telekom Veszprém vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg 2-0-0 (57:44) 4:0 08.10.2011 04.12.2011
24.01.1996 13.02.1996 25.10.2002 24.02.2007 01.03.2007 18.10.2012 17.02.2013 21.04.2013 27.04.2013 31.05.2014 30.05.2015 17.10.2015 06.12.2015 28.05.2016
05.10.2014 06.12.2014
FC Barcelona vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Orlen Wisla Plock vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
30:25 (13:12) 34:31 (17:15)
FC Barcelona Lassa vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 4-0-2 (199:190) 8:4 18.12.1999 FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, European Championship for Club Teams – Semi-Final 23.02.2007 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs FC Barcelona-Cifec, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 03.03.2007 FC Barcelona-Cifec vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 31.05.2014 FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 - Semi-final 15.11.2014 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 23.11.2014 FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
32:29 (16:14) 31:21 (13:10) 34:29 (14:12) 39:41 (17:18, 32:32, 36:36) 33:37 (16:16) 36:27 (14:16)
FC Barcelona Lassa vs Kadetten Schaffhausen 4-0-0 (132:103) 8:0 06.10.2011 03.12.2011 27.09.2012 01.12.2012
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona Intersport vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Kadetten Schaffhausen vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona Intersport vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
28:28 (12:18) 30:24 (16:14)
31
26:30 (13:14) 33:29 (18:15) 23:33 (12:17) 36:25 (19:13)
Group A preview
Group A preview
FC Barcelona Lassa vs THW Kiel 10-1-10 (627:637) 21:21 22.04.2000 29.04.2000 25.03.2001 31.03.2001 20.04.2002 28.04.2002 05.03.2005 12.03.2005 06.04.2008 13.04.2008 19.10.2008 23.11.2008 11.10.2009 14.02.2010 30.05.2010 03.10.2010 05.12.2010 24.04.2011 01.05.2011 24.04.2016 30.04.2016
THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Final FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Final THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Semi-final FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Semi-final THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, EHF Cup – Final FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Final THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Semi-final FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Semi-final FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Group C THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, EHF Champions League – Group C FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Group D THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel GER, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Final THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona Lassa vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs Kadetten Schaffhausen 1-0-1 (58:50) 2:2 28:25 (15:14) 29:24 (15:12) 28:24 (12:11) 33:28 (14:11) 36:29 (19:13) 28:24 (14:08) 30:25 (13:14) 33:27 (17:14) 41:31 (20:15) 44:37 (19:20) 27:31 (15:15) 33:26 (16:11) 27:30 (17:20) 30:32 (15:17) 34:36 (20:17) 28:28 (14:10) 32:29 (13:15) 27:25 (14:15) 33:36 (15:19) 29:24 (16:12) 33:30 (13:14)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg No previous encounters in European competitions
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs Orlen Wisla Plock 2-0-0 (56:46) 4:0 27.09.2015 27.02.2016
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Orlen Wisla Plock vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
29:24 (16:13) 22:27 (12:16)
SG Flensburg Handewitt vs Paris Handball, EHF Champions League – Group H Paris Handball vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Group H SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Gr. A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Gr. A
37:24 (17:13) 33:31 (16:16) 39:32 (21:16) 35:32 (16:16)
No previous encounters in European competitions
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel 3-0-6 (256:281) 6:12 THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, EHF Cup – Last 16 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Last 16 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Last 16 THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, EHF Champions League – Last 16 Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs THW Kiel No previous encounters in European competitions
Orlen Wisla Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 2-0-4 (166:181) 4:8 08.12.2001 15.12.2001 08.10.2014 22.02.2015 25.10.2015 25.11.2015
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Orlen SSA Plock, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 Orlen SSA Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Orlen Wisla Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Orlen Wisla Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
Orlen Wisla Plock vs Kadetten Schaffhausen
Orlen Wisla Plock vs THW Kiel 1-0-7 (207:262) 2:14 08.10.2005 22.10.2005 14.03.2012 18.03.2012 22.09.2013 01.12.2013 10.10.2015 17.02.2016
Wisla Plock SSA vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Group E THW Kiel vs Wisla Plock SSA, EHF Champions League – Group E Orlen Wisla Plock vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 THW Kiel vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Orlen Wisla Plock vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Orlen Wisla Plock vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
13.10.1996 19.10.1996 24.04.2010 01.05.2010
SG Flensburg Handewitt vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, EHF Cup – Round 2 Kadetten Schaffhausen vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Cup – Round 2 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Kadetten SH Handball, EHF Cup – Semi-final Kadetten SH Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Cup – Semi-final
34:27 (19:12) 30:32 (14:19) 21:28 (11:13) 44:28 (22:12) 25:27 (13:12) 33:29 (14:15) 26:30 (10:16) 37:30 (18:12) 29:27 (15:11)
18.04.1998 22.04.1998 28.10.2001 28.02.2006 04.03.2006 22.04.2007 29.04.2007 01.06.2014 15.03.2015 22.03.2015 03.10.2015 14.02.2016
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Final THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Cup – Final THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, European Championship for Club Teams – Place 3/4 THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final SG Flensburg Handewitt vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Final THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Final SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Final SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
No previous encounters in European competitions
No previous encounters in European competitions
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt No previous encounters in European competitions
32
33:27 (19:12) 25:23 (10:9) 35:28 (21:16) 31:29 (14:13) 30:34 (13:17) 27:25 (13:11)
No previous encounters in European competitions
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs THW Kiel
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs Orlen Wisla Plock
30:20 (19:7) 30:28 (15:14)
32:31 (16:15) 37:22 (17:12) 24:36 (12:14) 27:24 (15:10) 33:34 (14:14) 34:25 (16:11) 23:37 (8:18) 26:24 (14:14)
27:16 (13:7) 21:23 (10:11) 31:30 (15:15) 24:21 (12:12)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel 4-1-7 (335:346) 9:15
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs Kadetten Schaffhausen
14.12.2003 21.12.2003 04.12.2005 10.12.2005 16.11.2014 22.11.2014 12.11.2015 21.11.2015 29.05.2016
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg A/S vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg A/S, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Kadetten Schaffhausen 3-0-1 (102:91) 6:2
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 2-0-2 (124:139) 4:4 15.10.2005 13.11.2005 19.09.2015 06.03.2016
03.12.2006 10.12.2006
33
25:23 (12:9) 26:21 (16:9) 33:31 (17:14) 28:32 (13:12) 32:34 (16:17) 28:28 (10:12) 29:27 (15:10) 30:28 (14:16) 21:30 (9:16) 33:28 (16:10) 27:23 (14:13) 37:27 (17:14)
Telekom Veszprém
GROUP A
Club Address
Veszprem HC 5 Külső Kádártai út 8200 Veszprém Hungary Media contact
Zsolt Sevinger +36 305024547
[email protected] handballveszprem.hu veszpremhandballteam @mkbveszpremkc
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: green
Telekom Veszprém
Telekom Veszprém
EHF Champions League club records
‘#40 years’ is the hashtag for the upcoming season, as Telekom Veszprém will celebrate their 40th anniversary since the club was founded on 9 January 1977 and all of Balaton Lake are eager to crown the anniversary season with several trophies. After winning the SEHA Liga twice in a row, Veszprém hopes for the treble and under the helm of new Sports Director, Nikola Eklemovic, the team wants to forever forget their cruellest minutes throughout their 21 Champions League participations. Fifteen minutes before the end of the 2016 final game in Cologne, Veszprém were ahead by eight goals, but nearly an hour later, after extra time and a penalty shoot-out, Vive Tauron Kielce were on the podium. Veszprém were beaten for the third time in a Champions League final, following 2002 (Magdeburg) and 2015 (Barcelona). Veszprém learned from this match and as they face three hard competitions (Hungarian League, SEHA, Champions League), the team has clearly increased the number of players on their squad. The top signings among the eleven new players include Croat Marko Kopljar from Barcelona and Slovenians Dragan Gajic from Montpellier and Blaz Blagotinsek from Celje. “With a team such as this one, Veszprém has a goal which is nothing short of being among the best teams in every competition and doing anything for the final victory,” clarifies team captain, Laszlo Nagy. Sports director Eklemovic is more concrete with the goals. “Our target is the fourth straight qualification for the FINAL4. It will be very hard, but I hope our team will not be limited by injuries and I hope all players will be ready to play to the end of season.” Veszprém were drawn in tough Group A. “Every game will be like a FINAL4 game. For the supporters, it will be amazing because they will see extremely exciting and very interesting games every single week,” says Eklemovic confidently. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 22 Final (3): 2001/02, 2014/15, 2015/16 Semi-final (3): 2002/03, 2005/06, 2013/14 Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Last 16 (3): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, 2007/08
Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: black
Playing hall
Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Runners-up 1996/97 SEHA-league: 2 titles (2015, 2016) Hungarian league: 24 titles (1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Hungarian Cup winner: 25 times
Veszprém Arena Külso Kadartai ut 8200 Veszprém Hungary Capacity: 5,020
34
11 46 77
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
38:17 (18:9) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004 30:18 (16:8) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) 3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996) 4 matches (09.01.1999 – 31.10.1999) 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 46:26W (h), 07.10.2006 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:32L (a), 01.03.2007 39 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 39:38La7m (a), 29.05.2016 77 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 39:38La7m (a), 29.05.2016 15 v TEKA Santander ESP 25:15L (a), 15.03.1995 13 v SO Chambery FRA 29:13W (h), 18.11.2001 13 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002 32 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1994/95 Fotex Veszprem HUN 1995/96 Fotex Veszprem HUN 1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 1998/99 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 1999/00 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2001/02 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2002/03 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2003/04 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2004/05 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2006/07 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2007/08 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2008/09 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2009/10 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2010/11 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2011/12 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2012/13 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2013/14 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 2014/15 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 2015/16 MVM Veszprém HUN Total:
6 6 8 8 8 12 10 10 10 12 10 6 12 14 12 12 14 16 16 20 222
2 3 5 3 4 9 8 7 7 9 7 2 8 11 9 7 11 11 13 15 151
2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 10
2 3 2 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 5 3 4 2 3 61
131:147 147:144 228:204 200:188 203:202 310:267 276:238 306:276 317:259 373:318 338:288 184:171 351:320 419:368 373:338 321:322 410:348 477:410 480:423 600:539 6444:5770
–16 +3 +24 +12 +1 +43 +38 +30 +58 +55 +50 +13 +31 +51 +35 -1 +62 +67 +57 +61 +674
6:6 6:6 11:5 7:9 8:8 18:6 16:4 14:6 14:6 18:6 14:6 6:6 16:8 22:6 18:6 14:10 22:6 23:9 27:5 32:8 312:132
3rd Gr. A 3rd Gr. A 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Runner-up 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 3rd Gr. F 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/4-finals Fourth Place Runner-up Runner-up
35
Telekom Veszprém
Telekom Veszprém
Team roster No. First Name Surname 22 Inal
Aflitulin
Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
RUS
Centre Back
22.3.1988
Astrakhan, RUS
183
85
Goalkeeper
15.9.1985
Ljubuski, CRO
200
110
32 Mirko
Alilovic
CRO
27 Gabor
Ancsin
HUN Right Back
27.11.1990
Bekescsaba, HUN
201
109
31 Blaz
Blagotinsek
SLO
Line Player
17.1.1994
Celje, SLO
202
110
12 Adam
Borbely
HUN Goalkeeper
22.6.1995
Debrecen, HUN
196
118
41 Mate
David
HUN Line Player
24.9.1996
Cegléd, HUN
195
97
55 David
Fekete
HUN Left Wing
12.10.1996
Budapest, HUN
180
82
43 Daniel
Füzi
HUN Line Player
9.8.1996
Veszprém, HUN
188
95
17 Dragan
Gajic
SLO
21.7.1984
Celje, SLO
188
84
Veszprem, HUN
200
105
Right Wing
Gulyas
HUN Right Wing
4.3.1984
15 Norbert
Gyene
HUN Right Wing
18.4.1994
Veszprém, HUN
188
75
13 Momir
Ilic
SRB
22.12.1981
Andjelovac, SRB
198
107
Ivancsik
HUN Left Wing
30.11.1981
Györ, HUN
190
86
21 Marko
Kopljar
CRO
12.2.1986
Pozega, CRO
210
108
66 Mate
Lekai
HUN Centre Back
16.6.1988
Budapest, HUN
190
89
Xavier Sabate
96 Patrik
Ligetvari
HUN Left Back
13.2.1996
Várpalota, HUN
200
94
coach
24 Gasper
Marguc
SLO
Right Wing
20.8.1990
Celje, SLO
180
84
Dunaujvaros, HUN
190
101
3
4
• • • •
signed with Veszprém as assistant coach of Antonio Carlos Ortega but became interim coach after Ortega parted ways with the club Spanish tactician earned a per manent contract on 8th January 2016, he is contracted until June 2017 worked as an assistant coach under Ortega for more than ten years, their co-operation started at BM Antequera in Spain Veszprém is the first club Sabaté has lead as head coach but in March 2016 he was appointed as interim coach to train the Hungarian national team
Left the club: Christian Zeitz (THW Kiel) Isaias Guardiola (HC Erlangen)
36
Gergö
Right Back Right Back
16 Roland
Mikler
HUN Goalkeeper
20.9.1984
40 Mirko
Milasevic
MNE Left Back
27.7.1985
Cetinje, MNE
196
93
Molnar
HUN Left Wing
25.6.1997
Veszprém, HUN
175
70
Nagy
HUN Right Back
3.3.1981
Szeged, HUN
208
116
18 Andreas
Nilsson
SWE Line Player
12.4.1990
Trelleborg, SWE
197
116
14 Aron
Palmarsson
ISL
Centre Back
19.7.1990
Reykjavik, ISL
193
94
Centre Back
5.1.1980
Palencia, ESP
187
98
HUN Centre Back
6.8.1996
Veszprém, HUN
190
92
HUN Line Player
5.6.1985
Nagyatad, HUN
197
109
44 Balazs C 19 Laszlo
25 Jose Maria “Chema” Rodriguez ESP 45 Peter 5
Newcomers: Inal Aflitulin (Bergischer HC) Mirko Milasevic (Dinamo Bucuresti) Gábor Ancsin (Szeged) Dragan Gajic (Montpellier) Marko Kopljar (Barcelona) Blaz Blagotinsek (Celje) Patrik Ligetvári (Balatonfüred – back from loan) Norbert Gyene (Balatonfüred – back from loan) Dávid Fekete (Vác – back from loan) Ádám Borbély (Tatabánya – back from loan) Attila Tóth (junior Veszprém)
Peter
Schmid
Timuzsin I. Schuch
91 Ivan
Sliskovic
CRO
Left Back
23.10.1991
Split, CRO
197
98
33 Renato
Sulic
CRO
Line Player
12.10.1979
Rijeka, CRO
192
108
46 Benedek
Szakaly
HUN Right Wing
7.9.1997
Budapest, HUN
178
65
47 Erik
Szeitl
HUN Line Player
18.7.1997
Tapolca, HUN
194
103
48 Zoltan
Szita
HUN Centre Back
10.2.1998
Veszprém, HUN
196
90
30 Mirsad
Terzic
BIH
12.7.1983
Priboj, BIH
196
105
97 Attila
Toth
HUN Right Back
17.3.1997
Badapest, HUN
193
90
49 David
Ubornyak
HUN Centre Back
8.9.1998
Szabadszállás, HUN
188
74
23 Cristian
Ugalde Garcia
ESP
19.10.1987
Barcelona, ESP
187
80
Left Back
Left Wing
37
Telekom Veszprém
Telekom Veszprém
Roland Mikler goalkeeper
Aron Palmarsson centre back
• 2005 All-Star goalkeeper of the junior WCh, at which he led Hungary to bronze
• before joining Veszprem in summer 2015 the versatile and tactically as well as technically skilled playmaker was with Kiel for six years
• Hungarian national team member is quick, compact, excellent at directing defence • as a teenager Mikler reached the semi-final of the EHF Cup over a decade ago, with Dunaferr in 2003, and won it with Szeged in 2014 • joined Veszprem in 2014 after the EHF Cup success with Szeged
• struggled to find his game in Veszprém but became an influential player of the Hungarian team with some top-drawer performances. • won all possible trophies with Veszprém in his first year (Hungarian Championship and Cup, SEHA League) apart from the CL trophy
EC trophy: EHF Cup 2014
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: B 2010
Mirko Alilovic goalkeeper
Andreas Nilsson line player
• like his predecessor (Dejan Peric) belongs to the elite class of goalkeepers who can send the audience to their feet and inspire his teammates
• the 26 year-old pivot has already featured in three Champions League finals having been crowned as champion in 2013 with Hamburg
• Croatian national team member, has been fighting for the first choice position with Roland Mikler in Veszprém
• won two SEHA League titles, two national championships and cups in Hungary with Veszprém
• very familiar with the Spanish contingent in Veszprém as he played for five years in the ASOBAL
• the Swede is sharing line-playing duties with Croatian Renato Sulic and the newcomer from Celje Blaz Blagotinsek
OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, 2016, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: S 2012
Cristian Ugalde left wing
Laszlo Nagy right back
• brought up by Barcelona and played regularly in the first team since he was 18 • excelled at international level in the 2007/08 season with his 34 goals and participation in the national team • won every possible title with Barca – some of them multiple times
• started his career as a basketball player and was close to a move to the USA at 13 • decided for handball and became one of the best right backs in the world • transferred from Szeged to Barcelona in 2006 and became the captain despite being a foreigner; captain of Veszprém since 2014
• found a new challenge in Veszprém with Gergö Iváncsik, who is one of the best players in this position according to Ugalde
• All-Star right back of the 2013 WCh and the 2012/13 CL season
EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: B 2011
EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003
Momir Ilic left back
Dragan Gajic right wing
• top scorer and only player passing 100 goals (103) in the 2013/14 CL season and again top scorer in 2014/15 (114 goals), in 2015/16 2nd behind Mikkel Hansen (120 goals) • joined THW Kiel in 2009 from VfL Gummersbach and won seven titles during his four years with the club, including two CL titles
• signed by Montpellier in 2011 together with fellow Slovenian Vid Kavticnik • has had two stellar seasons behind him in 2014/15 & 2015/16 scoring 71 & 73 goals respectably
• led Serbia to their 1st medal as an independent nation at EHF EURO 2012 as MVP
• signed with Veszprém in 2016, where he will share minutes with fellow Slovenian Gasper Marguc and the team’s co-captain Peter Gulyas
• 2013/14 and 2015/16 CL All-star team left back
• 2015 WCh top scorer (71 goals) and All-Star team right wing
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: S 2012
38
39
FC Barcelona Lassa
GROUP A
Club Address
FC Barcelona Lassa Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n 08028 Barcelona Spain Media contact
Gustau Galvache +34 618522789
[email protected] www.fcbarcelona.cat FCBHandbol @FCBHandbol
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: light green Player short: light green GK shirt: blue or yellow
FC Barcelona Lassa
FC Barcelona Lassa It is an anniversary for the record winners of the EHF Champions League: For the 20th time, FC Barcelona Lassa are a part of Europe’s top handball competition. In the previous 19 years, the Catalans have been semi-finalists 13 times, finalist 11 times and they have won the competition eight times - impressive numbers! But last season, Barcelona joined the fate of every other VELUX EHF FINAL4 winner before - they did not defend their title in Cologne. In two thrilling quarter-final encounters against THW Kiel, Barcelona missed the qualification for the tournament for the second time, similar to 2012 when they were also the defending champions. After winning their 23rd championship title in Spain, their sixth in a row, the squad of Xavi Pascual has undergone several changes. World class goalkeeper, Danijel Saric, was traded to Qatar and was replaced by Macedonian Borko Ristovski. In addition, experienced players such as Marko Kopljar (Veszprem), Daniel Sarmiento (Saint-Raphael), Eduardo Gurbindo (Nantes) and Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (Rhein Neckar Löwen) all left the club for a new adventure. On the other hand, FC Barcelona Lassa signed a couple highly talented young guns from all over Europe, including the two Frenchmen, Dika Mem (Tremblay) and Timothey N’Guessan (Chambery), as well as Dane Lasse Andersson (Kolding). In addition, one ‘forgotten son’ returned to his home club, where his career first began: Valero Rivera jun (from Nantes), the son of current Qatar coach and former Barca coach, Valero Rivera. Rivera is the only coach in the history of the EHF Champions League to win the trophy five times. As per usual, in the upcoming season, Barcelona belongs to the list of favourites for making it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. To clinch the berth for this pinnacle event is the goal of Barcelona coach, Xavi Pascual. “We will try to go all the way and play good matches,” Pascual says. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 sea6son): 20 Winner (8): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11, 2014/15 Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13 Semi-final (2): 2007/08, 2013/14 Quarter-final (4): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2015/16 Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Main Round (1): 2008/09 Other EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up 2001/02 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, 1994/95 Spanish league: 23 titles (1969, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988-92, 1996-2000, 2003, 2006, 2011-16) Spanish Cup winner: 20 titles Asobal Cup winner: 11 titles
Dark Player shirt: blue and red Player short: blue GK shirt: green or black
Playing hall Palau Blaugrana Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n 08028 Barcelona Spain Capacity: 7,250
40
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
12 46 82
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals
Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
17:43 (9:21) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (a), 19.11.2011 31:21 (13:10) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 23.02.2007 41:31 (20:15) v THW Kiel GER (a), 06.04.2008 12 matches (24.04.2011 – 12.02.2012) 16 matches (24.01.1996 – 16.03.1997) 2 matches (25.03.2000 – 22.04.2000) 2 matches (16.10.2004 – 23.10.2004) 2 matches (11.12.2004 – 05.03.2005) 2 matches (15.03.2008 – 06.04.2008) 2 matches (23.11.2008 – 14.02.2009) 2 matches (30.05.2010 – 25.09.2010) 3 matches (30.05.2010 – 03.10.2010) 46 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 41 v THW Kiel GER 41:31L (a), 06.04.2008 41 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 39:41L (a), 31.05.2014 82 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 21 v ABC Braga POR 21:21D (a), 09.11.1997 21 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:21L (a), 23.10.2004 21 v Portland San Antonio ESP 25:21L (a), 25.02.2006 21 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 31:21L (a), 23.02.2007 21 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 22:21L (a), 20.09.2015 11 v Aalborg Handball DEN 11:31W (a), 15.03.2015 38 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 23:15W (h), 20.04.1996 38 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1995/96 FC Barcelona ESP 1996/97 FC Barcelona ESP 1997/98 FC Barcelona ESP 1998/99 FC Barcelona ESP 1999/00 FC Barcelona ESP 2000/01 FC Barcelona ESP 2003/04 FC Barcelona ESP 2004/05 FC Barcelona Cifec ESP 2005/06 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 2006/07 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 2007/08 FC Barcelona ESP 2008/09 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 2009/10 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 2010/11 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 2011/12 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 2012/13 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 2013/14 FC Barcelona ESP 2014/15 FC Barcelona ESP 2015/16 FC Barcelona Lassa ESP Total:
8 12 12 12 12 12 8 14 10 10 14 10 16 16 14 16 16 16 16 244
5 10 9 8 10 8 5 8 9 8 11 6 13 10 11 13 12 14 12 182
2 1 1 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 1 1 17
1 1 2 1 2 2 2 6 1 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 3 1 3 45
213:173 358:264 358:284 357:289 345:271 316:281 262:212 400:360 293:244 314:263 475:407 307:275 545:461 501:451 459:357 488:404 535:426 527:408 480:431 7533:6261
+40 +94 +74 +68 +74 +35 +50 +40 +49 +51 +68 +32 +84 +50 +102 +84 +109 +119 +49 +1272
12:4 21:3 19:5 19:5 20:4 18:6 11:5 16:12 18:2 16:4 22:6 12:8 27:5 23:9 22:6 26:6 25:7 29:3 25:7 381:107
Winner Winner Winner Winner Winner Runner-up 1/8-finals Winner 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/2-finals 3rd MR Gr. 4 Runner-up Winner 1/4-finals Runner-up Third Place Winner 1/4-finals
41
FC Barcelona Lassa
FC Barcelona Lassa
Team roster No. First Name Surname
•
played for a lengthy period for Barcelona and some other Spanish clubs, before becoming the goalkeeper coach at the CL record winners in 2005
•
in 2009 he succeded Manolo Cadenas at Barcelona’s helm
•
in June 2016 he signed a four-year contract with the Romanian national team
•
in a historic season 2014/15 season won all the titles with Barca emulating Valero Rivera’s (7 out of 7) success in 1999/00
Date of birth Place of birth Barcelona, ESP
Amigo Boada
ESP
Left Back
190
92
11 Lasse
Andersson
DEN
Left Back
11.3.1994
København, DEN
195
96
13 Aitor
Arino Bengoechea ESP
Left Wing
5.10.1992
Penarth, ESP
187
80
Entrerrios
ESP
Centre Back
12.2.1981
Gijon, ESP
193
92
36 Gerard
Forns Galve
ESP
Goalkeeper
26.12.1994
Sant Boi de Llobregat, ESP 185
82
41 Aleix
Gomez Abello
ESP
Right Wing
7.5.1997
Sabadell, ESP
182
71
42 Wael
Jallouz
TUN
Left Back
3.5.1991
Grombalia, TUN
197
92
39 Filip
Jicha
CZE
Left Back
19.4.1982
Pilsen, CZE
201
105
Raul
77 Kiril
Lazarov
MKD Right Back
10.5.1980
Veles, MKD
195
99
24 Dika
Mem
FRA
Right Back
31.8.1997
Paris, FRA
195
85
27 Viran
Morros de Argila
ESP
Line Player
15.12.1983
Barcelona, ESP
199
99
19 Timothey
N’guessan
FRA
Left Back
18.9.1992
Massy, FRA
194
94
3
Jesper
Nöddesbo
DEN
Line Player
23.10.1980
Herning, DEN
199
100
1
Gonzalo
Perez de Vargas
ESP
Goalkeeper
10.1.1991
Toledo, ESP
189
93
6
Oriol
Rey Morales
ESP
Line Player
31.3.1994
St Maria de Palautordera, ESP 190
95
Ristovski
MKD Goalkeeper
2.11.1982
Skopje, MKD
190
98
22.2.1985
17 Valero
Rivera Folch
ESP
Left Wing
Barcelona, ESP
189
80
37 Joan
Saubich Mir
ESP
Right Wing
7.11.1989
Sarrià de Ter, ESP
186
82
10 Cedric
Sorhaindo
FRA
Line Player
7.6.1984
La Trinite, FRA
192
100
21 Kamil
Syprzak
POL
Line Player
23.7.1991
Plock, POL
206
120
Tomas Gonzalez
ESP
Right Wing
15.2.1985
Barcelona, ESP
178
85
C 8
Victor
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015
Newcomers: Borko Ristovski (Rhein-Neckar Löwen) Joan Saubich (Aix-En-Provence) Dika Mem (Tremblay) Lasse Andersson (Kolding) Timothey N’Guessan (Chambery) Valero Rivera jun (Nantes)
Left the club: Danjel Saric (Qatar) Marko Kopljar (Veszprem) Daniel Sarmiento (Saint Raphael) Eduardo Gurbindo (Nantes) Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (Rhein-Neckar Löwen) Carlos Ruesga (Sporting Lisbon)
42
Height Weight
31 Joan
12 Borko
coach
Position
17.7.1993
9
Xavi Pascual
Nat.
43
FC Barcelona Lassa
FC Barcelona Lassa
Gonzalo Perez de Vargas goalkeeper
Raul Entrerrios centre back
• returned to the Catalan club in 2014 after having played for BM Granollers and Tolouse to gain more experience
• one of the household names in Spanish handball for his experience
• in 2016/17 has more responsibility following the departure of Danijel Saric to Qatar • international with Spain in all age categories, in the senior national team shares the position with another former Barcelona goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik
• EHF EURO 2016 MVP • although his natural position sees him playing in the center, his skills on the first line allow him to change permanently with effectiveness and perform with ease in all positions • with three Spanish clubs (Leon, Valladolid, FC Barcelona) has won all the most important European Cup competitions including the CL
EC Trophies: CL 2015 EURO: B 2014, S 2016
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015, Cup Winner’s Cup 2005, 2009 OG: B 2008, EURO: S 2006, 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2015, B 2011
Valero Rivera left wing
Cedric Sorhaindo line player
• returned to the CL after 11 years following his transfer from Nantes
• with Viran Morros, Sorhaindo is a key player in defence for FC Barcelona
• started to play handball in Barcelona and played with the first team from 2001 to 2005, later played for four different Spanish teams in 5 years and spent 6 years in Nantes
• arrived in Barcelona as an unknown player and now he is one of the best in the world in his position with a lot of experience
• top scorer of the EHF EURO 2016 (48 goals), elected WCh 2015 best left winger and MVP in French League in 2012; also best left-wing in the French League 2012 & 2013
• prolonged his contract with Barcelona until 2020, ten years after his arrival
• his father, also named Valero Rivera, currently coaches Qatar
• one of the stalwarts in the French national team
EC trophies: CL 2005 EURO: B 2014, S 2016, WCh: G 2013
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015 EURO: G 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2015, OG: G 2012, S 2016
Wael Jallouz left back
Kiril Lazarov right back
• key player in the Tunisian national team, which also made it to the Rio 2016 OG
• has scored over 1,000 goals in the CL, two-time top scorer (2005/06 and 2007/08)
• became the first African player at the FINAL4 in 2014 in his first season with Kiel
• powerful Macedonian back court shooter and the specialist from 7m
• left his home town Hammamet for Kiel in 2013 and joined Barcelona in 2014
• most successful scorer at a single EURO (61 goals - 2012) and at WCh (92 - 2009)
• became a key player for FC Barcelona in 2015/16 thanks to his progress
• joined Barcelona in 2013 after stints with Pelister, Zagreb, Veszprem and Ciudad Real/Atletico de Madrid
EC trophies: CL 2015
EC trophies: CL 2015
Filip Jicha left back
Victor Tomas right wing
• 2010 World Handball Player of the Year as the first Czech to win the award
• team captain, one of the most beloved players for his courage and passion
• twice top scorer of the CL, top scorer and MVP at the EHF EURO 2010
• joined Barcelona’s youth team in 1998 and has not played for any other club
• former captain of the THW Kiel came to Barcelona in the summer of 2015, but his first season was hampered by injuries
• his biggest assets are his great pace and his impressive flexibility that make him a strong player in attack but also in defence
• one-against-one ability and tough shots make him feared by defences, also a strong defender
• in 2015/16 reached 500th goal in CL and goal 1.000th in the Spanish league
EC • trophies: CL 2010, 2012, EHF Cup 2006
EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, 2015, EHF Cup: 2003 OG: B 2008, EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2013
44
45
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
GROUP A
Club Address
Paris Saint-Germain Handball 82 avenue Georges Lafont 75016 Paris France Media contact
Louise Cosnard +33 675 591 939
[email protected] www.psghand.fr PSGHAND @PSG_HANDBALL
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: green
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Paris SaintGermain Handball In 2014 and 2015, they failed during the last stage before the pinnacle event. In May 2016, Paris Saint-Germain made their first-ever appearance at the VELUX EHF FINAL4, but missed the final. Since Montpellier’s triumph in 2003, no French team has made it to the VELUX EHF Champions League Final, let alone even won the competition, but PSG hopes that their time will soon come. After 90 percent of the squad was involved with the Olympic Games in Rio - and half of them returned to the French capital with medals, including the Danish gold medallists, Mikkel Hansen and Henrik Möllgaard, the biggest pre-season challenge was the IHF Super Globe in Doha. At their debut, Paris made it to the final by beating current VELUX EHF Champions League winners Kielce, but then failed against Füchse Berlin. This tournament already proved that Paris’ top transfer was an ace: German Uwe Gensheimer, All-star team member and bronze medallist in Rio, was by far PSG’s best scorer at the Super Globe. Alongside Gensheimer, the PSG signings are mainly international, with Croat Luka Stepancic, Slovenian goalkeeper Gorazd Skof, Dane Jesper Nielsen and some additional native French players. Now, the French champions belong to the top favourites once again. The new key players are meant to strengthen the squad, after several players departed, including left-handed Sergey Onufriyenko or Croatian line player, legend Igor Vori. “Due to the Olympic Games our pre-season was quite short, but we hope that the impact is not too harsh,” says manager Bruno Martini. Everyone within the Paris organization agrees that their group A is the “hardest and strongest ever group in the history of the Champions League.” Despite all those big names, Paris aim to repeat last season’s success, when they captured first position to skip the Last 16 in a nearly similar group. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 5 Semi-final (1): 2015/16 (3rd) Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 16 (1): 2005/06
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: green
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
7 40 72
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals
Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
38:24 (22:11) v Wacker Thun SUI (h), 23.11.2013 44:28 (22:12) v THW Kiel GER (a), 10.12.2005 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) 7 matches (06.12.2015 – 01.05.2016) 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 40 v Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu TUR 30:40W (a), 03.10.2015 40 v Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu TUR 40:28W (h), 20.02.2016 44 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 72 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 20 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:26L (h), 11.01.1997 20 v Caja Cantabria Santander ESP 26:20L (a), 18.01.1997 20 v MVM Veszprém HUN 28:20L (a), 28.11.2015 18 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005 39 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1996/97 PSG Asnières FRA 2005/06 Paris Handball FRA 2013/14 PSG Handball FRA 2014/15 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 2015/16 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA Total:
6 8 14 14 18 60
1 4 7 8 14 34
0 1 1 1 1 4
5 3 6 5 3 22
131:161 212:229 429:402 395:367 557:496 1724:1655
–30 -17 +27 +28 +61 +69
2:10 9:7 15:13 17:11 29:7 72:48
4th Gr. D 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Third Place
Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2006/07, Last 16 2003/04
Playing hall Stade Pierre de Coubertin 82, Avenue Georges Lafond 75016 Paris France Capacity: 4,012
46
French league: 3 titles (2013, 2015, 2016) French cup: 2 titles
47
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Team roster No. First Name Surname 19 Luc
Abalo
Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
FRA
Right Wing
6.9.1984
Creteil, FRA
182
80
194
94
Accambray
FRA
Left Back
8.4.1988
Cannes, FRA
88 Titouan
Afanou Gatine
FRA
Right Back
27.1.1995
Lyon, FRA
193
97
14 Xavier
Barachet
FRA
Right Back
19.11.1988
Nice, FRA
196
95
29 Djordane
Bougrainville
FRA
Left Back
8.8.1993
Saint-Denis Reunion, FRA 190
88
34 Clement
Branco
FRA
Right Wing
25.8.1996
Perpignan, FRA
190
85
10 Adrien
Chaudanson
FRA
Line Player
1.12.1998
Lyon, FRA
192
100
13 Paul
Correia
FRA
Right Back
12.2.1997
Nantes, FRA
185
91
Dourte
FRA
Line Player
30.6.1998
Thionville, FRA
206
105
192
86
6
2
William
Robin
17 Dylan
Garain
FRA
Left Back
22.8.1996
Les Abymes, FRA
70 Clement
Gaudin
FRA
Goalkeeper
13.3.1997
Martigues, FRA
197
87
Gensheimer
GER
Left Wing
26.10.1986
Mannheim, GER
188
89
97 Andry
Goujon Bellevue
FRA
Left Wing
2.9.1999
Courtry, FRA
193
80
24 Mikkel
Hansen
DEN
Left Back
22.10.1987
Helsingor, DEN
192
93
23 Gauthier
Ivah
FRA
Goalkeeper
6.1.1999
Saint-Denis, FRA
191
95
Noka Serdarusic
66 Halil
Jaganjac
CRO
Left Back
22.6.1998
Rijeka, CRO
200
95
coach
22 Luka
Karabatic
FRA
Line Player
19.4.1988
Strasbourg, FRA
202
103
Nis, SRB
196
102
3
Uwe
Karabatic
FRA
Left Back
11.4.1984
Keita
FRA
Left Wing
5.6.1997
Paris, FRA
183
77
Kempf
FRA
Right Wing
20.3.1998
Mulhouse, FRA
178
76
11 Benoit
Kounkoud
FRA
Right Wing
19.2.1997
Versailles, FRA
188
78
77 Janus
Lapajne
SLO
Right Back
3.3.1995
Sampeter pri Gorici, SLO 192
93
his previous coaching experience includes eleven seasons with THW Kiel and three with SG Flensburg-Handewitt
90 Jeffrey
M’tima
FRA
Left Wing
16.7.1991
Schlitighelm, FRA
188
80
Møllgaard Jensen
DEN
Left Back
2.1.1985
Bramming, DEN
195
97
almost a honourary member of the Karabatic family
99 Dylan
Nahi
FRA
Left Wing
30.11.1999
Paris, FRA
190
90
Centre Back
16.12.1979
St Dennis-Reunion, FRA 189
93
•
born in Yugoslavia, became a German citizen in 2008
44 Nikola
•
came out of retirement in 2012 to coach Aix, then moved to PSG in 2015
9
does not speak French, only German, but since many players in PSG have played in Germany before it seems to be no problem
20 Edouard
•
• •
EC trophies: CL 2007, EHF Cup 1998, 2002, 2004
Newcomers: Luka Stepancic (Zagreb) Uwe Gensheimer (Rhein Neckar Löwen) Gorazd Skof (Nantes) Nedim Remili (Créteil) Jesper Nielsen (Berlin) Dylan Garain (Paris Saint-Germain Youth)
Left the club: Fahrudin Melic (Chambéry) Sergiy Onufriyenko (Aix) Robert Gunnarsson (Aarhus) Patrice Annonay (Tremblay) Samuel Honrubia (Tremblay) Igor Vori (Zagreb)
48
5
Adama
Henrik
C 25 Daniel
Narcisse
FRA
36 Jesper
Nielsen
SWE Line Player
30.9.1989
Norrköping, SWE
200
118
16 Thierry
Omeyer
FRA
Goalkeeper
2.11.1976
Mulhouse, FRA
192
93
18 Nedim
Remili
FRA
Right Back
18.7.1995
Creteil, FRA
195
94
12 Gorazd
Skof
SLO
Goalkeeper
11.7.1977
Novo Mesto, SLO
188
91
Luka
Stepancic
CRO
Right Back
20.11.1990
Pula, CRO
203
105
21 Jonathan
Troudart
FRA
Line Player
15.1.1996
Fort de France, FRA
194
82
7
49
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Daniel Narcisse centre back
Thierry Omeyer goalkeeper • crowned best goalkeeper in history by the IHF
• might well go down in history as one of the most decorated French players
• returned to Montpellier from Kiel for the 2013/14 season, reached the EHF Cup final and decided to move on to PSG in the summer of 2014
• 2012 IHF World Handball Player of the Year
• awarded the best goalkeeper and the MVP at the WCh 2015 in Qatar • IHF Player of the Year 2008, All-star goalkeeper of OG 2008 and 2012, EURO 2006
• after three years of absence, ended up back to Cologne with former THW Kiel teammate Thierry Omeyer in May 2016
EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, B 2003, 2005
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2015, B 2003, 2005
Uwe Gensheimer left wing
Luka Karabatic line player
• nicknamed “Air France” because of his jumping skills
• after 13 seasons playing for Rhein-Neckar Löwen, the German player of the year in 2011-14, left to join PSG in the summer of 2016
• was a national-level tennis player until he was 19, only then turned his back on the yellow ball and chose handball
• his talent discovered early as he became Junior European champion in 2006, one year later awarded MVP at the Junior WCh
• began in Montpellier, then moved to Aix and finally to PSG in the summer of 2015
• top scorer of 2010/11 CL season, when he also reached his only FINAL4
• on the CL list of Montpellier for six seasons, but did not enjoy too much playing time (in total 22 goals) • PSG is the third club where he reunites with his brother Nikola
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016
OG: S 2016, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015
Mikkel Hansen left back
Luka Stepancic right back
• 2011 & 2015 IHF World Handball Player of the Year went back to the FINAL4 in May 2016 with PSG, after already visiting twice with FC Barcelona and AG Kobenhavn • son of former Danish international Flemming; having grown into a top player at GOG • joining AG in 2011 arrived in PSG before the 2012/13 season; his headbands have now become a collector item among PSG fans
• at 25, had been a target for PSG for years, but has just arrived in 2016 summer • follows the footstep of another tall Croatian right back who used to play in PSG in couple of seasons ago, Marko Kopljar • more than 2 m tall left-hander with a great jump shot and ability to play in defence • member of Croatian national team; at the 2009 Junior WCh in Tunisia won the gold
• best CL scorer of the 2011/12 and 2015/16 editions OG: G 2016, EURO: G 2012, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013
WCh: B 2013
Luc Abalo right wing
Nikola Karabatic left back / centre back • 2007 & 2014 World Handball Player of the Year
•
• in his first season with PSG (2015/16), helped the club get the first taste of Cologne
• immediately showed how much progress he has made during his four seasons in Spain reached the final of the CL in 2011 and 2012
• won everything there is to win, as he has triumphed at Olympics, WChs and EHF EUROs with the French national team and three times in the CL (Montpellier, Kiel and Barcelona) • one of the most complete players with strengths both in attack and defence EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2015 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, B 2003, 2005, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008
50
•
spectacular winger returned to France from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2012
regular fixture in the national team as well
• with his high jumps and all the tricks a winger must have in their bag, he is one of the best in his position EC trophies: CL 2009 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2009, 2011
51
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
GROUP A
Club Address
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Vestre Ringvej 7 8850 Bjerringbro Denmark Media contact
Jonas Loytved +45 23 323235
[email protected] bjerringbro-silkeborg.dk bjerringbrosilkeborg @BSVofficiel
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: blue GK shirt: red
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
BjerringbroSilkeborg Even before the national final had been played, it was settled that Denmark would see a new champion as the successor of KIF Kolding. In the end, Bjerringbro defeated Holstebro to capture their first domestic trophy and thanks to the EHF ranking, they are now part of group A in the VELUX EHF Champions League. For manager Christian Lynnerup, a dream will come true in his team’s fourth-ever participation within the top flight of European club handball. “We have the great pleasure to be in the strongest group ever of the VELUX EHF Champions League. We are going to face five teams, which have a very realistic chance to win the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. We are very much looking forward to playing in these matches.” Only one top player left the Peter Bredsdorff-Larsen’s team - Danish Olympic champion Mads Christiansen (to Magdeburg). Bjerringbro were quarter-finalists in the previous EHF Cup season, missing the EHF Cup Final at Nantes by only one goals against Granollers (Spain). Lynnerup underlines that the anticipation is at its highest. “We will play in some of the biggest arenas of Europe, where the atmosphere will be incredible. In some matches, our chances to gain points will be minimal, but we will enjoy every minute. Even though we will play against clubs with a more positive economic background, we will be ready to take the points when the opportunity arises and we will do anything to get enough points to qualify for the Last 16.” In 2013, Bjerringbro made it to the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League for the one and only time thus far. Experienced team captain, Michael Knudsen, is confident they will return. “It is a very tough group with world class teams, as five of them were already part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4. We will give our best in all the matches and we hope it will be enough to qualify for the Last 16.”
EHF Champions League club records
2 35 66
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
23:35 (11:18) v St. Petersburg HC RUS (a), 18.11.2012 32:18 (18:14) v HC Metalurg MKD (a), 24.02.2013 2 matches (18.11.2012 – 25.11.2012) 2 matches (18.11.2012 – 25.11.2012) 11 matches (02.10.2011 – 30.09.2012) 11 matches (02.10.2011 – 30.09.2012) 35 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 23:35W (a), 18.11.2012 37 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 37:29L (a), 23.10.2011 37 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 26:37L (h), 19.02.2012 66 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 37:29L (a), 23.10.2011 18 v HC Metalurg MKD 32:18L (a), 24.02.2013 22 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:22W (h), 25.11.2012 44 v MKB Veszprém HUN 19:25L (h), 04.12.2011
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2011/12 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN 2012/13 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN Total:
10 12 22
0 4 4
0 0 0
10 8 18
253:315 309:339 562:654
-62 –30 -92
0:20 8:16 8:36
6th Gr. B 1/8-finals
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Last 16 (1): 2012/13 Group Phase (1): 2011/12 Qualification (1): 2010/11
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red
Other EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2002/03, 2008/09, 2015/16, Last 16 2010/11 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2006/07
Playing hall JYSK Arena, Silkeborg Ansvej 114 8600 Silkeborg Denmark Capacity: 3,000
Danish league: 1 title (2016)
52
53
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Team roster 21 Allan
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Damgaard
DEN
Centre Back
11.4.1986
Nysted, DEN
185
88
Frandsen
DEN
Goalkeeper
27.5.1994
Århus, DEN
204
102
10 Johan
Hansen
DEN
Right Wing
1.5.1994
Torshavn, FAR
190
91
23 Stefan
Hundstrup
DEN
Left Wing
30.6.1986
Svendborg, DEN
193
86
29 Rasmus
Jensen
DEN
Line Player
17.6.1989
Odense, DEN
190
102
16 Tom
Jensen
DEN
Goalkeeper
31.8.1971
Hobro, DEN
190
91
34 Rasmus
Kier
DEN
Right Wing
4.7.1996
Silkeborg, DEN
180
78
27 Kristian
Klitgaard
DEN
Left Wing
20.6.1986
Esbjerg, DEN
196
102
C 77 Michael V. Knudsen
DEN
Line Player
4.9.1978
Hobro, DEN
192
99
Lassen
DEN
Right Back
11.9.1995
Randers, DEN
197
117
Markussen
DEN
Left Back
1.8.1988
Gribskov, DEN
211
106
DEN
Right Back
26.9.1986
Bjerringbro, DEN
197
100
1
9
Sebastian
Jacob
22 Nikolaj 7
Nikolaj Oris Nielsen
11 Kasper
Olsen
DEN
Left Back
1.2.1990
København, DEN
193
90
17 Kristian
Orsted
DEN
Line Player
22.5.1995
Århus, DEN
210
121
39 Jens
Plougstrup
DEN
Left Back
8.1.1999
Silkeborg, DEN
190
88
12 Sören
Rasmussen
DEN
Goalkeeper
12.8.1976
Skive, DEN
193
98
coach
11 Sebastian
Skube
SLO
Centre Back
3.4.1987
Novo Mesto, SLO
189
90
• •
4
Thomsen
DEN
Line Player
26.4.1986
Haderslev, DEN
198
102
Peter Bredsdorff-Larsen
• • •
head coach in Bjerringbro-Silkeborg since 2014 at club level, had a previous career as head coach in Danish league clubs Skanderborg, AaB, Aalborg, KIF Kolding and KIF Kolding Kobenhavn assistant national coach, Denmark, 2005-2012 and again 2015 won the Danish championship 2009-10 as head coach by AaB Handball and in 2015-16 with Bjerringbro in his days as a player, he played the right wing in the Aarhus based club VRI
Klaus
EURO: G 2008 and 2012, WCh: S 2011 (as coach)
Newcomers: Sebastian Frandsen (Ribe-Esbjerg) Kasper Olsen (Aarhus Haandbold) Jacob Lassen (Randers HH) Rasmus Kier (youth team)
Height Weight
Nat.
No. First Name Surname
Left the club: Mads Christiansen (Magdeburg) Kasper Larsen (Mors-Thy) Mikkel Münter (Aarhus) Peter Pucelj (retired)
54
55
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Sören Rasmussen goalkeeper
Sebastian Skube centre back
• joined the club in the summer 2014 from SG Flensburg-Handewitt after winning the CL with the North German side
• joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from RK Celje in the summer of 2014 • Bjerringbro-Silkeborg is his first club outside Slovenia
• before going abroad to represent Flensburg in 2010, he represented Viborg HK and AaB Handbold, with the latter, he won the Danish championship in 2010
• has played more than a hundred internationals for Slovenia and was part of the Slovenian team for the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland
• played 35 internationals for Denmark (2000-13), most of them as substitute
• his younger brother, Stas, who plays for Szeged, plays the playmaker position just like Sebastian
• despite his age, extended his contract until the summer of 2017 EC trophies: CL 2014 WCh: S 2011
Sebastian Frandsen goalkeeper
Michael V. Knudsen line player
• joined from league rivals Ribe Esbjerg in the summer of 2016
• joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the summer of 2014
• goalkeeper for the future and seen as a perfect partner for veteran Rasmussen
• represented Viborg HK as well as Skjern Handbold in the Danish league before
• has experience from several junior national teams, where his greatest triumph so far was winning the Men's U20 WCh in Hungary in 2013
• strong and versatile on the line in the attack, clever and uncompromising defender, his slogan “Winners never quit and quitters never win”
• turned down an offer from Barca in 2014, as he preferred court time in Esbjerg
• played 244 internationals for Denmark (796 goals) before saying goodbye in 2014 EC trophies: CL 2014 EURO: G 2008, 2012, S 2014, B 2002, 2004, 2006, WCh S 2011, B 2007
Stefan Hundstrup left wing
Nikolaj Oris Nielsen right back
• arrived in the summer of 2014 from KIF Kolding København
• has played in Bjerringbro-Silkeborg all his career apart from being loaned out to league colleagues Lemvig Thyborøn one year
• has won the Danish championship with AG København as well as with KIF Kolding København • also represented GOG and Viborg HK in the Danish league • he is good as the advanced player in a 5-1 defence.
• made his break-through in the Danish national team under coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson in 2015 and took part at the EHF EURO 2016 • his older brother Mads, a former national team player, plays for Danish league rivals Skive FH, while his younger brother Mikkel has a past career with Aarhus Handball • only left-handed back court player in the squad after Danish international Mads Christiansen left for SC Magdeburg
Nikolaj Markussen left back • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from nearby league rivals Skjern Handbold ahead of this season • the 213 cm tall already represented another Danish league club, Nordsjælland – the club of his childhood – as well Atletico Madrid and the Qatari club El Jaish • his career has been hampered by a couple of long injury breaks, but he has been completely fit for some time now and is back at full strength
Johan Hansen right wing • born on the Faroe Islands and started his career in the Faroe Islands club Kyndil • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from another Danish club Skanderborg in 2015 • could have played for the Faroe Islands, but has chosen the Danish national team • over the 2015/16 season, his obvious skills has made him first choice on the right wing in the team
EURO: G 2012, WCh S 2011
56
57
Orlen Wisla Plock
GROUP A
Club Address
Orlen Wisła Płock Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland Media contact
Tomasz Bauman Tel: +48 723 100 787
[email protected] www.sprwislaplock.pl sprWisla @SPRWisla
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white, blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow
Orlen Wisla Plock
Orlen Wisla Plock A new coach, players from nine nations and the aim to make another step forward in the VELUX EHF Champions League: This is the situation of Orlen Wisla Plock prior to the start of their 12th Champions League season. After Manoel Cadenas said good-bye to the Polish runners-up and is no longer the Spanish national team coach, Piotr Przybecki, is in control of the Oilers. On a domestic level, Plock will attempt to end the chain of Kielce’s successes in the league and on route to the cup. On the international stage, Plock hopes for their first ever participation in the Champions League quarter-final. “First, we want to be a tough opponent for all teams in our group. Secondly, we want to secure a better ranking in the final group phase to have a higher chance in the knockout stage, beginning with the Last 16,” says coach Piotr Przybecki. Przybecki will steer a quiet international team, which is bolstered by the Polish Gebala brothers and the Croats, Sime Ivić and Lovro Mihić. On the other hand, line player Marco Oneto, the tall Spanish shooter Angel Montoro, Serb Ivan Nikcevic and Polish international Bartosz Konitz have all left Plock. In the previous two seasons, Plock lost their Last 16 matches: in 2014 against Vardar and Veszprem was the victorious gladiator in the same round in 2015. Once again, Plock will need to rely on their Orlen Arena as a true fortress, as proven in the previous years, when they have beaten teams, such as Barcelona or Flensburg, at home. “It is great for us to see the best European teams return to the Orlen Arena; it is highly important for our fans, the club and the city to be part of the VELUX EHF Champions League,” says Przybecki. Kiel, Barcelona and Kielce are the favourites for winning the VELUX EHF Champions league title this season.
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 12 Last 16 (5): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Group Phase (5): 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09 Qualification (1): 2012/13
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
5 42 72
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent
Fewest goals both teams
42:26 (19:11) v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG (h), 13.11.2004 35:18 (19:4) v KIF Kolding Elite A/S DEN (a), 07.10.2006 34:17 (15:7) v HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO (a), 12.10.2008 5 matches (29.11.2014 – 14.03.2015) 6 matches (23.11.2014 – 14.03.2015) 6 matches (05.10.2008 – 20.11.2008) 8 matches (25.11.2015 – 26.03.2016) 42 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG 42:26W (h), 13.11.2004 40 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 72 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 13 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006 19 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SRB 31:19W (h), 28.09.2006 19 v HCM Constanta ROU 19:34W (a), 09.02.2012 19 v Besiktas MOGAZ HT 28:19W (h), 27.09.2014 34 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2002/03 Wisla Plock SSA POL 2004/05 Wisla Plock SSA POL 2005/06 Wisla Plock SSA POL 2006/07 Wisla Plock SA POL 2008/09 Wisla Plock SA POL 2011/12 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 2013/14 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 2014/15 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 2015/16 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
6 6 6 6 6 12 12 12 16 82
1 1 2 2 0 4 5 7 3 25
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 5
5 5 4 4 6 7 7 4 10 52
167:195 159:177 155:182 141:170 122:188 321:332 335:341 340:337 426:452 2166:2374
–28 -18 -27 –29 -66 -11 -6 +3 –26 –208
2:10 2:10 4:8 4:8 0:12 9:15 10:14 15:9 9:23 55:109
3rd Gr. A 4th Gr. D 3rd Gr. E 3rd Gr. C 4th Gr. H 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals
Other EHF Cup: quarter-finals 1993/94, Group Phase: 2012/13
Playing hall Orlen Arena Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland Capacity: 5,467
Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011) Polish Cup: 10 titles
58
59
Orlen Wisla Plock
Orlen Wisla Plock
Team roster Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Corrales Rodal
ESP
Goalkeeper
24.1.1991
Cangas, ESP
202
99
Daszek
POL
Right Wing
27.6.1992
Tczew, POL
180
70
De Toledo
BRA
Right Back
11.1.1994
Sao Paulo, BRA
193
96
Duarte
POR
Left Back
6.7.1990
Portimao, POR
197
96
28 Maciej
Gebala
POL
Line Player
10.1.1994
Gdyna, POL
200
102
20 Tomasz
Gebala
POL
Left Back
23.11.1995
Gdyna, POL
212
117
15 Valentin
Ghionea
ROU Right Wing
29.4.1984
Baia Mare, ROU
197
90
21 Sime
Ivic
CRO
Right Back
21.1.1993
Split, CRO
195
93
Kwiatkowski
POL
Line Player
2.4.1985
Mlawa, POL
202
120
34 Lovro
Mihic
CRO
Left Wing
25.8.1994
Zagreb, CRO
180
74
16 Adam
Morawski
POL
Goalkeeper
17.10.1994
Ciechanów, POL
192
84
18 Mateusz
Piechowski
POL
Line Player
1.3.1995
Plock, POL
210
110
33 Miljan
Pusica
SRB
Left Back
30.6.1991
Prijepolje, SRB
199
101
7
Racotea
ROU Left Back
21.7.1995
Brasov, ROU
202
98
17 Tiago
Rocha
POR
Line Player
17.10.1985
S. Paio Oleiros, POR
196
104
26 Marko
Tarabochia
BIH
Centre Back
28.11.1988
Zagreb, BIH
192
92
Wichary
POL
Goalkeeper
17.2.1980
Zabrze, POL
193
100
Wisniewski
POL
Left Wing
24.10.1980
Plock, POL
192
100
Zhitnikov
RUS
Centre Back
20.11.1989
Zvolen, RUS
193
90
36 Rodrigo 3
Michal
37 Jose D. 5
2
Piotr Przybecki • • • • •
Gilberto
Zbigniew
Dan Emil
12 Marcin
coach replaced Manuel Cadenas at the helm of Plock in the summer of 2016 former centre and left back, member of Polish national team with 372 goals after several years spent in the Polish league he moved to Germany, where played for TV Hüttenberg, TUSEM Essen, THW Kiel, HSG Nordhorn and TSV Hannover-Burgdorf with Kiel won the German Championship and two EHF Cups and he remains the best Polish player in Bundesliga was a candidate for the coach of Polish national team in 2016 but he lost against Talant Dujshebaev
C 10 Adam 89 Dmitry
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004, 2008 (as player)
Newcomers: Gilberto Duarte (FC Porto) Sime Ivić (HBC Nantes) Lovro Mihić (HC PPD Zagreb) Tomasz Gębala (SC Magdeburg) Maciej Gębala (SC Magdeburg)
Left the club: Bartosz Konitz (Pogon Szczecin) Marco Oneto (uknown) Ivan Nikcević (Sporting Lisbon) Angel Montoro (Naturhouse La Rioja)
60
Height Weight
Nat.
No. First Name Surname
61
Orlen Wisla Plock
Orlen Wisla Plock
Rodrigo Corrales goalkeeper
Dmitry Zhitnikov centre back
• coming to Plock in 2014 seems to be one of the best decisions made by the Spaniard who had been in the shadow of other keepers in FC Barcelona
• comes from Krasnodar, and his first coach at the local school was his father
• taken under previous coach Manolo Cadenas wings, which soon made the experts call him the future of Spanish handball • talented, hard-working and dynamic player soon gained hearts of the local fans with incredible saves in crucial moments of many games
• at the age of 16, the talented boy was invited to Chekhov where he played five seasons in the reserve team • as he matured and experienced players left, Zhitnikov began to play a more prominent role at Medvedi
EC trophies: CL 2011
• member of the Russian national team joined Plock in the summer of 2015 and turned out to be one of the most successful recent transfers of the team
Marcin Wichary goalkeeper
Tiago Rocha line player
• despite his inconspicuous look, while standing in the goal he turns into a beast
• first Portuguese player in Polish league
• came to Plock in 2004 and since that moment he has become a true Oiler, beloved by the local fans
• hard-working player aware of his physical assets, despite his huge dimensions possesses a good coordination
• in his WCh debut in 2013 impressed with a 50% save efficiency in the group phase
• after spending 12 years in FC Porto made his first step abroad joining Płock in 2014
• his best achievement to date remains the 5th place in the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing and the bronze medal from the WCh 2015 in Qatar
• after the departure of Kamil Syprzak to Barcelona in 2015 he became the main line player of Płock
WCh: B 2015
Adam Wisniewski left wing
Jose Guilherme de Toledo right back
• team's captain has spent all his career in Płock and wants to finish it there as well • was about to finish his career after rapturing his knee ligaments three times but he came back in 2009 after a three-year break
• surprisingly joined Plock in November 2015 after Nemanja Zelenovic’s transfer to Magdeburg • top scorer of the Men’s U-19 World Championship in 2013
• due to serious injuries missed the biggest success of the Polish national team to finally win a bronze medal on WCh in Qatar in 2015
• already during his first months in Plock he became an important part of the club in both domestic and European context
• his nickname “Gadżet” is a reference to popular cartoon “Inspector Gadget”
• talented young player will share his position with other clever youngster Sime Ivić
WCh: B 2015
• before handball he used to train football and hockey
Dan-Emil Racotea left back
Valentin Ghionea right wing
• reinforced the ranks of Wisla before 2014/15was his first move abroad • besides his shooting abilities he has a great jump and a clear view over the court • playing for Wisła Płock enabled him to perform in the CL where he has been improving over past years • in his third season in the tournament he may play a key role in the team, but is expected to share his position mainly with a new signing from Porto Gilberto Duarte
62
• Romanian Handballer of the Year in 2008 and two-time top scorer in Romania (2005, 2007) • joined Wisla Plock in 2012 and already during his first season, he showed his great goalscoring ability • quickly became a very important Wisla player and his team’s top scorer • in his free time he likes to play football, billiards and to fish
63
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
GROUP A
Club Address
SG Flensburg-Handewitt Schiffbrücke 66 24939 Flensburg Germany Media contact
Sandra von Wallis +49 4611609625
[email protected] sg-flensburg-handewitt.de SGFleHa @SGFleHa
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: blue GK shirt: black
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
SG FlensburgHandewitt
Before Vive Tauron Kielce leaped onto the winner’s podium in May 2016, the Champions League triumph of SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2014 had been the biggest surprise ever at a VELUX EHF FINAL4 event. After the team of Ljubomir Vranjes missed another ticket to Cologne in 2016 by only one goal in the quarter-final at Kielce, they now dream of another berth at the LANXESS arena in the 2016/17 season. “We played a great season and we increased our consistency. From this, we will try everything to qualify for the VELUX EHF FINAL4. But in a group such as ours, the first goal is to proceed to the Last16, as even that will be anything but easy,” Vranjes said. SG Flensburg finished second in the Bundesliga, below Rhein Neckar Löwen, but ahead of THW Kiel. For the new season, the ticket for the VELUX EHF Champions League is Flensburg’s main objective on domestic ground. The Vranjes’ squad basically did not change at all - as only one Croatian player (Kresimir Kozina) left and another (Ivan Horvat) arrived. The rest of the roster remains the same for the ultimate season of left winger, Anders Eggert, in a Flensburg jersey, as he will return to Denmark in 2017. Before SG can experience true and top handball, as manager Dierk Schmäschke says, Flensburg must be perfect. “This is the toughest group ever in the Champions League history. Every single match represents world class and you have to be 100 percent in all the matches to be victorious.” For Schmäschke, there are no favourites in this group. “Kiel, Veszprem, Paris, Barcelona and Flensburg are on an equal level, but we all need to have respect for Schaffhausen, Plock and Bjerringbro, too.” Similar to their group phase opponents PSG and Barcelona, Flensburg was the third club to be represented on both sides in the Olympic final in Rio by silver medallist Kentin Mahe (France) and Danish Olympic champions, Henrik Toft Hansen and Lasse Svan. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 12 Winners (1): 2013/14 Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 Quarter-final (5): 2004/2005, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2015/16 Last 16 (1): 2014/15 Main Round (1): 2007/2008
Dark Player shirt: dark-blue Player short: blue GK shirt: orange
Playing hall
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 2011/2012 EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 City Cup: Winners 1998/1999
Flens Arena Campusallee 2 24943 Flensburg Germany Capacity: 6,000
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
9 44 80
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
43:24 (23:12) v RK Metalurg Skopje MKD (h), 19.10.2006 36:22 (16:10) v Montpellier HB FRA (a), 06.03.2005 24:38 (08:19) v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP (h), 21.04.2011 35:21 (19:13) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (a), 28.09.2014 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 20.02.2016) 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 20.02.2016) 3 matches (04.03.2006 - 01.04.2006) 3 matches (22.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) 5 matches (10.02.2008 – 08.03.2008) 44 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003 41 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 41:31L (a), 02.12.2006 80 v FC Barcelona ESP 39:41W (a), 31.05.2014 19 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 27:19L (a), 22.09.2010 18 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 43 v Montpellier HB FRA 22:21W (h), 01.03.2009 43 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 43 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 21:22W (a), 01.05.2011
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2003/04 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2004/05 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2005/06 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER 2006/07 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2007/08 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2008/09 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2010/11 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2012/13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2013/14 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2014/15 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2015/16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
14 10 12 14 12 12 14 14 16 12 18 148
10 7 7 8 4 8 11 9 12 6 12 94
1 1 0 1 2 0 0 3 1 0 1 10
3 2 5 5 6 4 3 2 3 6 5 44
450:401 319:270 372:326 437:398 355:356 360:329 394:354 416:384 489:441 337:340 544:494 4473:4093
+49 +49 +46 +39 -1 +31 +40 +32 +48 -3 +50 +380
21:7 15:5 14:10 17:11 10:14 16:8 22:6 21:7 25:7 12:12 25:11 198:98
Runner-up 1/4-finals 1/2-finals Runner-up 4th MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Winner 1/8-finals 1/4-finals
German league: 1 title (2004) German cup: 4 titles
64
65
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Team roster No. First Name Surname 1
Mattias
42 Philipp
Andersson
66
185
93
187
87
Asmussen
GER
Right Back
17.8.1996
GER
Right Wing
7.11.1994
Flensburg, GER
188
72
GER
Left Wing
2.1.1998
Flensburg, GER
183
74
27 Morten
Dibbert
GER
Left Back
19.10.1991
Rendsburg, GER
193
95
17 Petar
Djordjic
SRB
Left Back
17.9.1990
Sabac, SRB
197
102
Left Wing
14.5.1982
Aarhus, DEN
179
77
Right Back
30.3.1983
Osnabrück, GER
195
90
2.9.1992
Ystad, SWE
190
95
195
101
7
Anders
Eggert Magnussen DEN
9
Holger
Glandorf
GER
Gottfridsson
SWE Centre Back
21 Jacob
Heinl
GER
Line Player
9.10.1986
Hamburg, GER
73 Ivan
Horvat
CRO
Centre Back
17.2.1993
Balzano, ITA
192
97
12.2.1987
Lundby, SWE
195
89
28.7.1995
Kiel, GER
184
84
4.6.1981
Karlskrona, SWE
196
102
SWE Right Back Goalkeeper
Jöhnck
GER
Karlsson
SWE Line Player
28 Jannek
Klein
GER
Right Back
25.3.1999
Rendsburg, GER
197
92
26 Per Oke
Kohnagel
GER
Centre Back
28.5.1994
Flensburg, GER
188
83
20 Johannes
Krüger
GER
Left Wing
28.6.1997
Flensburg, GER
179
76
191
91
C 3
Left the club: Kresimir Kozina (Füchse Berlin)
Malmö, SWE
Breitenfeldt
77 Thore
Newcomers: Ivan Horvat (GRK Varaždin 1930)
Height Weight
29.3.1978
Flensburg, GER
19 Johan Mikael Jakobsson
EC trophies: CL 2014 (as coach), Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 (as coach) OG: S 2000, WCh: G 1999, EURO: G 1998, 2000 and 2002
SWE Goalkeeper
Date of birth Place of birth
Blohme
Lukas
24 Jim
coach • former Swedish national team player, still on the players’ list of Flensburg • became club manager in 2009 and coach in November 2010; awarded IHF coach of the Year in 2014 • after winning the CL in the 2014/15 season he declined the number of top offers from PSG and the German national team • led Serbia to the EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark as a caretaker, but did not continue • highly creative photographer in his spare time and published his book of memoirs
Position
33 Robin
2
Ljubomir Vranjes
Nat.
Tobias
18 Toms
Lielais
LAT
Left Back
20.5.1996
Aizkraukle, LAT
82 Norman
Louwers
GER
Line Player
21.5.1994
Wolfsburg, GER
200
103
35 Kentin
Mahe
FRA
Centre Back
22.5.1991
Paris, FRA
185
81
32 Andreas
Meyer Ejlersen
DEN
Goalkeeper
28.6.1997
Horsens, DEN
188
85
37 Marcel
Möller
GER
Line Player
25.7.1990
Eutin, GER
191
96
10 Thomas
Mogensen
DEN
Centre Back
30.1.1983
Odder, DEN
187
100
16 Kevin
Møller
DEN
Goalkeeper
20.6.1989
Tondern, DEN
200
103
34 Jamo
Mumm
GER
Left Wing
8.10.1997
Rendsburg, GER
185
83
186
84
41 Bogdan
Radivojevic
SRB
Right Wing
2.3.1993
Beograd, SRB
36 Georg
Rohwer
GER
Centre Back
4.9.1997
Rendsburg, GER
183
83
50 Marlon
Runow
GER
Left Back
11.1.1997
Flensburg, GER
197
87
25 Rasmus
Lauge Schmidt
DEN
Centre Back
20.6.1991
Randers, DEN
193
96
GER
Right Back
12.9.1994
Flensburg, GER
179
83
Steidtmann
GER
Right Wing
8.9.1996
Flensburg, GER
194
90
11 Lasse
Svan
DEN
Right Wing
31.8.1983
Stevns, DEN
184
84
23 Henrik
Toft Hansen
DEN
Line Player
18.12.1986
Skive, DEN
200
108
Göteborg, SWE
168
80
38 Niels-Jonas Simons 6
Janos
40 Ljubomir
Vranjes
SWE Centre Back
3.10.1973
14 Hampus
Wanne
SWE Left Wing
10.12.1993
Lundby, SWE
184
84
27 Leon
Witte
GER
Left Wing
25.9.1995
Flensburg, GER
183
84
22 Anders
Zachariassen
DEN
Line Player
4.9.1991
Sonderborg, DEN
192
96
67
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Mattias Andersson goalkeeper • already in the younger age categories part of all All-Star teams and became member of the senior national team • played at Kiel (2001-08), TV Großwallstadt before signing in Flensburg; awarded “best player of the Bundesliga season 2011/12” • his saves at the 2014 FINAL4 were key for Flensburg winning his last missing EC trophy
Henrik Toft Hansen line player • whole family involved in handball: brothers Rene (also a line player of Kiel) and Allan (Mors-Thy) and sisters Majbritt (Skive) and Jeanette players in the Danish league • his girlfriend Ulrike Agren plays in the women's CL for Esbjerg in 2016/17 • part of AG Kobenhavn, later transferred to Aalborg, before he joined Hamburg in 2013 and then Flensburg in 2015 after being part of the EHF Cup final
• preparation perfectionist, no other keeper has a bigger video archive of top players EC trophies: CL 2007, 2014, EHF Cup: 2002, 2004, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2000
OG: G 2016, EURO: G 2012, WCh: S 2013
Anders Eggert left wing
Tobias Karlsson line player
• had big shoes to fill in Flensburg as successor of legendary Lars Christiansen • top scorer of the German Bundesliga in 2011 (248 goals) and top scorer of the 2013 WCh in Spain (55 goals)
• typical powerful Scandinavian defence specialist; best defence player at the EHF EURO 2014; awarded best Bundesliga defender in the 2015/16 season • team captain, a great honour after legendary Lars Christiansen left SG
• started his career at Braband, in his tenth season in Flensburg after intermediately being on loan at Skjern Handball, where he moves again in 2017
• Swedish champion three times with Hammarby IF, retired from the national team just before the 2016/17 season
• also famous for one of the highest percentages in the CL from the penalty throws
• founded an insurance company with some other former players in Sweden
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2008, 2012, S 2014
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012
Kentin Mahe centre back
Holger Glandorf right back
• joined Flensburg in 2015 after spells with HSV Hamburg, VfL Gummersbach and Bayer Dormagen (coached by his father Pascal in Dormagen)
• left-handed shooter and the last remaining German 2007 world champion in the Flensburg roster
• Men's 20 EURO 2010 MVP and top scorer (49 goals); 2015 EHF Cup Finals MVP
• despite some injury breaks, always returned to a high level of performance
• in 2010 a debut in the French national team, now one of the key players
• has the full set of three major European Cup competitions titles on his tally, with Nordhorn and Flensburg
• reached the Cup Winners’ Cup final with Gummersbach in 2011/12 and EHF Cup final with HSV in 2014/15
• in August 2014 retired from the German national team to only focus on his club
OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2015
EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2008, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: G 2007
Thomas Mogensen centre back
Lasse Svan right wing
• experienced Danish playmaker with more than 1,000 goals for his club and long list of silverware
• one of the fastest wing players in the CL; same qualities as Eggert on the other side: fast counter-attacks and a high scoring efficiency
• since 2007 playing for Flensburg – his first stop outside his home country
• 2nd best Danish scorer at Rio Olympics 2016 another task in his team: motivation and relaxing – as his business is mental coaching
• before played for Viborg and GOG, Danish champion and cup winner twice • to focus only on SG he quit his career in the national team after the EURO 2014 EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
68
• after four seasons at GOG Svendborg he moved to Flensburg in 2008 • was also a billiard’s champion in his home region Seeland EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
69
Kadetten Schaffhausen
GROUP A
Club Address
Kadetten Schaffhausen Schweizersbildstrasse 10 8207 Schaffhausen Switzerland Media contact
Barbara Imobersteg +41 787203247
[email protected] www.kadettensh.ch @kadettensh kadettensh
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black GK shirt: yellow
Kadetten Schaffhausen
Kadetten Schaffhausen After winning their third double (league and cup) in Switzerland since 2011, Kadetten Schaffhausen have clearly bolstered their squad to take on a tough Group A. Swiss number 1 Aurel Bringolf replaces Nikola Portner between the goal posts, while Polish World Championship bronze medallist and Olympic semi-finalist Michel Szyba and Swedish Kristian Bliznac will increase the squad’s international experience massively. Despite opponents like Barcelona, Veszprem, Kiel, Flensburg and PSG lying in wait, the Swiss champions hope to reach the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League for the third time. “This is perhaps the strongest group in the history of the competition,” says manager Gabor Vass. “This group will be extremely tough, but we are ready to fight for sixth position, which will be a huge challenge,” adds team captain David Graubner. After German 2007 world champion Markus Baur had been coach for several years, Schaffhausen made a change early in 2016 by signing Lars Walther. The Dane had been coaching several Champions League teams such as Wisla Plock (Poland) and last season Baia Mare (Romania). Though Szyba missed pre-season due to the Olympic Games, Kadetten produced some good results, including victory at the test tournament in Altensteig. In domestic competitions, Schaffhausen aim to win all possible trophies, and: “We need to be part of the Champions League to improve the team and to represent the club and the country,” Vass says. Graubner is looking forward to “a fantastic international season and matches against five of the best clubs in handball. “It’s going to be a year with nothing but highlights for us. Barcelona, Kiel, PSG, Veszprem, Flensburg - to face them all in one season is probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” The Kadetten team captain expects hard fights with Plock and Bjerringbro for the spot in the knock-out stage: “We can’t wait for the season to get started.” Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 10 Last 16 (2): 2010/11, 2011/12 Group Phase (6): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (1): 2009/10
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: orange GK shirt: black
EHF Champions League club records
3 43 75
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
43:18 (23:8) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (h), 09.02.2012 36:25 (19:13) v FC Barcelona Intersport ESP (a), 01.12.2012 3 matches (25.10.2015 – 19.11.2015) 3 matches (25.10.2015 – 19.11.2015) 4 matches (06.10.2011 – 17.11.2011) 4 matches (17.10.2012 – 01.12.2012) 4 matches (18.10.2014 – 30.11.2014) 5 matches (25.11.2007 – 14.10.2010) 5 matches (18.10.2014 – 04.12.2014) 43 v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18W (h), 09.02.2012 40 v Füchse Berlin GER 35:40L (h), 14.02.2013 75 v Füchse Berlin GER 35:40L (h), 14.02.2013 22 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:22L (a), 15.10.2005 22 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:23L (h), 11.11.2006 17 v HC Metalurg MKD 27:17W (h), 19.11.2015 44 v HC Metalurg MKD 27:17W (h), 19.11.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
2005/06 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 6 2006/07 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 6 2007/08 Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ SUI 6 2010/11 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 12 2011/12 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 12 2012/13 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 10 2014/15 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 10 2015/16 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 10 72
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1 2 2 5 5 2 2 5 24
1 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 7
4 3 3 6 7 8 6 4 41
160:181 168:169 179:174 362:376 366:345 284:330 264:297 270:270 2053:2142
-21 -1 +5 -14 +21 –46 –33 0 -89
3:9 5:7 5:7 11:13 10:14 4:16 6:14 11:9 55:89
3rd Gr. G 3rd Gr. B 3rd Gr. C 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 6th Gr. D 6th Gr. D 3rd Gr. D
Other EHF Cup: final 2009/10 Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final: 2007/08
Playing hall BBC Arena Schweizersbildstr. 10 8207 Schaffhausen Switzerland Capacity: 3,000
Swiss league: 9 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016) Swiss Cup: 8 titles
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71
Kadetten Schaffhausen
Kadetten Schaffhausen
Team roster No. First Name Surname 15 Kristian
Bliznac
10 Christoffer Brännberger 1
C 8 4
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
SWE Left Back
27.5.1983
Göteborg, SWE
204
104
SWE Line Player
29.12.1990
Farsta, SWE
200
105
SUI
Goalkeeper
2.11.1987
Winterthur, SUI
190
88
Csaszar
HUN Centre Back
16.6.1984
Celldömölk, HUN
188
98
Ron
Delhees
SUI
Right Back
28.8.1995
Zug, SUI
197
96
David
Graubner
SUI
Left Back
29.5.1984
Moosseedorf, SUI
194
93
Ivan
Karacic
BIH
Centre Back
26.5.1985
Mostar, BIH
190
93
Koch
DEN
Line Player
29.11.1990
Svendborg, DEN
185
91
21 Johan 6
Dimitrij
Küttel
SUI
Right Back
18.2.1994
Gersau, SUI
192
90
5
Manuel
Liniger
SUI
Left Wing
10.9.1981
Winterthur, SUI
180
76
12 Nikola
Marinovic
AUT
Goalkeeper
29.8.1976
Belgrade, SRB
198
100
20 Luka
Maros
SUI
Left Back
20.3.1994
Zürich, SUI
196
98
Meister
SUI
Line Player
16.8.1996
Basel, SUI
197
100
Muggli
SUI
Left Wing
6.7.1993
Zürich, SUI
178
78
Pendic
SUI
Centre Back
12.3.1987
Arbon, SUI
190
90
Richwien
GER
Right Wing
5.7.1985
Magdeburg, GER
186
84
2
Lucas
22 Sergio 9
Andrija
Lars Walther
7
coach • arrived in spring 2016 at Schaffhausen, replacing Markus Baur, who then only focused on the German junior national team and now is coach of TVB Stuttgart • had before been coach at teams in six different countries: Denmark, Germany, Slovenia, Poland, Italy and Romania • his last job before was at HCM Baia Mare men’s team, which had been part of the CL season 2015/16; had his biggest successes as a coach at Wisla Plock, leading them to the Polish championship 2011 and being a permanent CL participant • as a player had been signed by clubs in Denmark, Portugal, Germany and Iceland
16 Kaj
Stokholm
SUI
Goalkeeper
15.4.1995
Zürich, SUI
195
100
14 Michal
Szyba
POL
Right Back
18.3.1988
Lublin, POL
196
97
24 Nik
Tominec
SLO
Right Wing
26.3.1991
Luzern, SUI
190
85
Markus
EC Trophies : CL 2007, EHF Cup 1998, 2002, 2004
Newcomers: Aurel Bringolf (Pfadi Winterthur) Ron Delhees (GC Amicitia Zürich) Michal Szyba (RK Gorenje Velenje) Kristian Bliznac (HSG Wetzlar)
Height Weight
Bringolf
Aurel
17 Gabor 3
Nat.
Left the club: Aleksandar Stojanovic (SG GS Kadetten Espoir SH) Nikola Cvijetic (RTV Basel) Nikola Portner (Montpellier Handball)
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Kadetten Schaffhausen
Kadetten Schaffhausen
Nikola Marinovic goalkeeper
Ivan Karacic centre back
• for more than ten years the number 1 of the Austrian national team
• arrived at Schaffhausen in spring 2016 with his new and old coach Lars Walther, being signed by Baia Mare (Romania) before
• born in Belgrade, but changed his citizenship to Austrian in 2004 • his first CL start with Austrian side Bregenz, later transferred to various German clubs (Wetzlar, Balingen and Göppingen)
• number 1 playmaker of the Bosnian national team • has CL experience with his former clubs Borac Banja Luka, Brest and Baia Mare
• joined Kadetten before the 2015/16 season to replace Jonas Maier
• national champion with his former teams in Bosnia, Belarus and Romania
• Austrian handball player of the year in 2007
• older brother of Igor Karacic, who plays for the Croatian national team; younger brother Goran is football goalkeeper in the Bosnian first league team of Mostar
Manuel Liniger left wing
Johan Koch line player
• experienced wing player had been part of the successful Kadetten team from 2007 until 2010
• had been playing for German side Emsdetten before he joined Kadetten at the start of the 2015/16 season
• twice semi-finalist of the Cup Winners’ Cup (becoming top scorer of the competition in 2008/09) and finalist in the EHF Cup 2009/10
• replaces Swedish line player Anton Mansson, who left for Lemgo (Germany)
• started his career in Winterthur and also had spell at German sides Wilhelmshaven, Lemgo and Balingen • one of the all-time top scorers of Swiss national team with over 800 goals
• had been teammate of Mikkel Hansen in his first club GOG Svendborg • played three years for current Swedish champions Kristianstad until 2013, before he moved to Germany
Kristian Bliznac left back
Michal Szyba right back
• with 2,04 m one of the tallest players in the Kadetten squad
• arrived in the summer of 2016 from Slovenian runners-up and former CL participants Gorenje Velenje, with whom he reached the 2015 EHF Cup Finals in Berlin
• arrived from German side HSG Wetzlar at Schaffhausen, where had played together with world stars like Jose Javier Hombrados and Ivano Balic • had been signed by several Swedish clubs, before his first top side was Alingsas, where he became Swedish champion in 2009 and later on had his first CL appearance • later on he played for Sävehof, before he joined Wetzlar in 2014
• had played for Polish side Azoty Pulawy from 2004 to 2014 • builds the left handed duo in the right back with Swiss international Dimitrij Küttel • part of the Polish national team at the WCh at Qatar and scored the decisive goal to win the bronze medal against Spain WCh: B 2015
Gabor Csaszar centre back
Markus Richwien right wing
• had played professional handball in five different countries: Hungary, Denmark, Spain, France and now Switzerland
• only current Kadetten player, who was part of a VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournament, playing at Cologne with Füchse Berlin in 2012
• joined Kadetten in the middle of the 2014/15 season, arriving from French powerhouse PSG
• born in Magdeburg, he went through all youth teams of former CL winner SCM
• the playmaker of the Hungarian national team • part of two Olympic Games (2004, 2012) with Hungary, each time finishing fourth • national champion in Hungary and Switzerland
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• in 2007 joined Füchse Berlin, where he became German international – making debut against Switzerland in 2008 • after winning the German cup and making it to the EHF Cup Finals on home court in 2014, signed for Kadetten, his first club abroad
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THW Kiel
GROUP A
Club Address
THW Kiel Ziegelteich 30 24103 Kiel Germany Media contact
Christian Robohm +49 1635306300
[email protected] www.thw-provinzial.de thwhandball @thw_handball
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: black
THW Kiel
THW Kiel
EHF Champions League club records
No club has qualified more often for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne than THW Kiel. By eliminating FC Barcelona in the 2016 quarter-finals, the German record champions are on top with six participations at seven editions. But the last time they raised the trophy is four years ago for the three-time winners (2007, 2010, 2012). And the new season is something like the start of a new era: After players like Ilic, Palmarsson and now Canellas and Klein leaving, coach Alfred Gislason is building a new squad with talented players from all over Europe like Swede Lukas Nilsson or the Austrian Nikola Bilyk. Having in mind the previous season, when THW were hit extremely hard by longterm injuries, the German side increased the number of players - and welcomes back a ‘forgotten son’. After two years at Veszprem, Christian Zeitz is back at Kiel to be the only player in the current squad to be part of all three Champions League titles. But the biggest signing is the one between the posts: Andreas Wolff, the German EURO hero, gold medallist and member of the All-star Team, will form the new goalkeeper duo with the newly crowned Olympic champion, former EURO champion and Rio All-star team goalkeeper Niklas Landin. Kiel will need a strong squad to keep up with the rest of Group A such as Barcelona, PSG, Veszprem or their local rivals Flensburg. The anticipation of the “toughest group phase ever in the history of handball” (new team captain Domagoj Duvnjak) is huge at Kiel, as the club already sold more than 7,000 ‘season tickets’ for the seven home matches in the group phase. Duvnjak - the 2013 Champions league winner with Hamburg - still waits for his first international trophy with Kiel – but he will do everything to reach the final destination in Cologne again. In the first group matches, Kiel will have to replace left back Christian Dissinger after his severe injury at Rio 2016 (compartment syndrome). Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 20 Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2013/14 Semi-final (5): 1996/97, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16 Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11 Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: red
Playing hall Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel Europaplatz 1, 24103 Kiel Germany Capacity: 10,000
Other EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04 German league: 20 titles (1957, 1962, 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) German Cup winners: 9 times
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11 50 81
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS
Longest run without win
Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
26:50 (13:24) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006 37:27 (17:14) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 14.02.2016 11 matches (02.10.2014 – 22.03.2015) 17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012) 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) 3 matches (30.05.2015 – 17.09.2015) 3 matches (30.04.2016 – 29.05.2016) 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) 3 matches (30.05.2015 – 17.09.2015) 3 matches (12.11.2015 – 28.11.2015) 3 matches (30.04.2016 – 29.05.2016) 50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006 44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 81 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 13 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 15:27W (a), 10.11.1996 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 21:15W (h), 12.01.1997 35 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1994/95 THW Kiel GER 1995/96 THW Kiel GER 1996/97 THW Kiel GER 1998/99 TKW Kiel GER 1999/00 THW Kiel GER 2000/01 THW Kiel GER 2002/03 THW Kiel GER 2004/05 THW Kiel GER 2005/06 THW Kiel GER 2006/07 THW Kiel GER 2007/08 THW Kiel GER 2008/09 THW Kiel GER 2009/10 THW Kiel GER 2010/11 THW Kiel GER 2011/12 THW Kiel GER 2012/13 THW Kiel GER 2013/14 THW Kiel GER 2014/15 THW Kiel GER 2015/16 THW Kiel GER
6 6 10 8 12 10 8 10 10 14 16 16 16 14 16 16 16 16 20 240
3 3 6 7 7 5 4 8 8 11 13 12 14 9 12 11 13 12 10 168
0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 3 0 1 0 1 14
3 3 3 1 4 4 3 2 2 2 3 3 1 3 1 5 2 4 9 58
137:136 151:148 247:211 229:199 319:283 279:255 234:211 336:274 346:293 517:420 533:462 548:461 534:444 456:393 496:414 518:457 491:427 498:421 579:567 7448:6476
+1 +3 +36 +30 +36 +24 +23 +62 +53 +97 +71 +87 +90 +63 +82 +61 +64 +77 +12 +972
6:6 6:6 13:7 14:2 15:9 11:9 9:7 16:4 16:4 23:5 26:6 25:7 29:3 20:8 27:5 22:10 27:5 24:8 21:19 350:130
2nd Gr. B 2nd Gr. A 1/2-finals 1/4-finals Runner-up 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Winner Runner-up Runner-up Winner 1/4-finals Winner Fourth Place Runner-up Fourth Place Fourth Place
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THW Kiel
THW Kiel
Team roster Position
Date of birth Place of birth
53 Nikola
AUT
Left Back
28.11.1996
Tunis, TUN
198
94
34 Ilija
Brozovic
CRO
Line Player
26.5.1991
Split, CRO
195
107
23 Rune
Dahmke
GER
Left Wing
10.4.1993
Kiel, GER
190
81
15 Christian
Dissinger
GER
Left Back
15.11.1991
Ludwigshafen, GER
202
102
Duvnjak
CRO
Centre Back
1.6.1988
Dakovo, CRO
198
100
18 Niclas
Ekberg
SWE Right Wing
23.12.1988
Ystad, SWE
191
91
26 Lucas
Firnhaber
GER
Right Back
23.4.1997
Buxtehude, GER
200
93
Firnhaber
GER
Left Back
18.4.1994
Buxtehude, GER
198
97
Jaanimaa
EST
Right Back
9.8.1989
Tallinn, EST
185
92
Lackovic
CRO
Left Back
25.12.1980
Varazdin, CRO
197
100
Landgraf
GER
Goalkeeper
11.3.1996
Aschersleben, GER
198
106
Landin Jacobsen
DEN
Goalkeeper
19.12.1988
Soborg, DEN
200
95
65 Lukas
Nilsson
SWE Left Back
16.11.1996
Ystad, SWE
192
97
92 Raul
Santos
AUT
Left Wing
1.6.1992
Santo Domingo, DOM
180
75
11 Christian
Sprenger
GER
Right Wing
6.4.1983
Ludwigsfelde, GER
190
94
Toft Hansen
DEN
Line Player
1.11.1984
Rybjerg, DEN
200
110
C 4
5
Domagoj
Sebastian
24 Dener 8
Blazenko
16 Tom 1
Niklas
Rene
Alfred Gislason
7
coach • won nine German championships (with Essen, Magdeburg and Kiel), four German cup titles, six European club titles; five times “coach of the year” in Germany • his first job on the bench was in his home town Akureyri, before taking over Hameln, Magdeburg and Gummersbach in Germany and the Icelandic national team • joined Kiel in 2008 as the successor of Noka Serdarusic – to lead THW to 16 trophies to date
41 Marko
Vujin
SRB
Right Back
7.12.1984
Backa Palanka, SRB
200
100
13 Steffen
Weinhold
GER
Right Back
19.7.1986
Fuerth, GER
191
100
17 Patrick
Wiencek
GER
Line Player
22.3.1989
Duisburg, GER
200
109
25 Alexander
Williams
GER
Left Back
15.8.1996
Hamburg, GER
187
95
77 Andreas
Wolff
GER
Goalkeeper
3.3.1991
Euskirchen, GER
198
100
20 Christian
Zeitz
GER
Right Back
18.11.1980
Heidelberg, GER
186
103
EC trophies: CL 2002, 2010, 2012 (as coach), EHF Cup 2001 (as coach)
Newcomers: Raul Santos (VfL Gummersbach) Nikola Bilyk (HC Fivers Margareten) Andreas Wolff (HSG Wetzlar) Lukas Nilsson (Ystads IF HF) Christian Zeitz (Telekom Veszprem)
Height Weight
Nat.
Bilyk
No. First Name Surname
Left the club: Dominik Klein (HBC Nantes) Joan Canellas (RK Vardar Skopje) Nikolas Katsigiannis (HC Erlangen) Erlend Mamelund (Haslum HK) Igor Anic (Saran HB) Rogerio Moraes Ferreira (RK Vardar Skopje) Torsten Jansen (end of career/coach Handball Sportverein Hamburg) Dominik Plaue (Handball Sportverein Hamburg)
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THW Kiel
THW Kiel
Niklas Landin goalkeeper • joined Kiel in the summer of 2015 after three seasons with Rhein-Neckar Löwen • successor of legendary Kasper Hvidt in the Danish national team broke through during the 2011 WCh
Rene Toft Hansen line player • even better in defence than on the line in attack, but after Marcus Ahlm’s departure in 2013, the learning period in attack was over for him • new captain since Jicha’s departure; EHF EURO 2012 All-Star Team member
• played also for Gudme in Denmark, where he was number 1 at the age of 20
• in the CL since 2007 with former clubs KIF Kolding and AG Kobenhavn
• best goalkeeper at the 2013 WCh, EHF EURO 2014, 2013/14 CL and 2016 Olympics
• his brother Henrik is playing for Flensburg, his brother Allan for Mors-Thy and his sister Majbritt for Skive – all four line players
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Andreas Wolff goalkeeper
Steffen Weinhold right back
• German No.1 since the autumn of 2015, excelled at the EURO 2016, where he was awarded best goalkeeper and later also EHF Player of the Month • in the summer of 2016 arrived in Kiel from Wetzlar, also played in Großwallstadt • learnt a lot from his former legendary Spanish teammate Jose Javier Hombrados • 2016 “title holder” of the “German beard of the year” award; also known for his blood donations
• one of the most prominent players in current German handball • after the 2008 junior WCh, the Bavarian changed from Erlangen to HSG Nordhorn winning the EHF Cup in his first season • after signing for TV Großwallstadt was in the focus of the national team coach Heiner Brand, made the next step in his career, signing for SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2012 and joined THW just weeks after Flensburg beat them in the 2014 CL final
OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016
EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup 2008 OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016
Rune Dahmke left wing
Marko Vujin right back
• only Kiel-born player in the team; when younger cheered for his idols in the stands • got his first professional contract in 2012 after being part of the THW youth teams • his father Frank Dahmke was THW player and now is member of the club board • following Dominik Klein's departure to Nantes the number 1 on the left wing • youngest of the EURO gold medallists in 2016 in Krakow
• in 2012 the Serbian shooter arrived to fill the gap after the departure of Kim Andersson to KIF • top scorer of the 2013/14 Bundesliga (248 goals) • won eight consecutive national championships with Veszprém and Kiel until 2015 • started his international career in Dunaferr, then played five years in Veszprem
EURO: G 2016
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008 EURO: S 2012
Domagoj Duvnjak centre back
Niclas Ekberg right wing
• THW’s top signing before the 2014/15 season, arrived from Hamburg, where he played since 2009 • 2013 IHF World Handball Player of the Year, best Bundesliga player in 2013 • not just a typical playmaker he is also a scorer and is an essential part of defence • started his career in Dakovo EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2010, B 2012 B 2016
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• tall winger from Ystad has large variety of shots, also effective on counterattacks • these qualities have also earned him more than 90 internationals for Sweden • joined Kiel in 2012 after after his first VELUX EHF FINAL4 with AG Kobenhavn, who spotted and signed him in 2010 • top scorer of the London Olympics 2012 (50 goals), but missed the 2016 Games due to injury OG: S 2012
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Group Bpreview
Group B preview
Group B preview EUROPEAN KINGS KIELCE LEAD STRONG FIELD IN GROUP B KS Vive Tauron Kielce, who lit up last season’s VELUX EHF Champions league when they won Europe’s elite competition for the first time in the club’s history, will head into the new season as the favourites in an exceptionally tough preliminary section. The Polish giants will lock horns with some familiar rivals in Rhein-Neckar Löwen, HC Vardar and MOL-Pick Szeged, a quartet expected to finish in the top half of the table and sail into the knockout rounds. With two more berths available in the Last 16, HC PPD Zagreb, RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, last season’s top flight debutants IFK Kristianstad and Meshkov Brest are likely to be tied up in a tight four-way survival battle aimed at avoiding an early exit. However, the competition’s beauty is that there is so little between the teams and hence one of the upstarts could easily sneak into the top four to spice up what promises to be a fascinating group from start to finish. Having claimed their maiden title with an epic 39:38 overtime win over Telekom Veszprém in May, Kielce wasted no time in boosting their impressive squad to make sure they launch a strong title defence against hungry opposition.
Bundesliga last season and will try to prove their worth on the European stage, where the elusive trophy again turned out to be a far-fetched dream after a shock 54:53 aggregate defeat to Zagreb in the Last 16. The German giants have lost iconic winger Uwe Gensheimer to PSG but Icelander Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson, who has arrived in from FC Barcelona Lassa, should prove to be an apt replacement. Dejan Manaskov has been hauled in to provide reliable back-up, having spent one season with Vardar after a long spell at their bitter Macedonian rivals Metalurg. Vardar will themselves be boosted by the arrival of livewire Croatian right wing Ivan Cupic from Kielce, who enjoyed four excellent years at the Polish champions and netted 67 goals last term in the VELUX EHF Champions League. In contrast to their heralded rivals, Szeged have a completely revamped outfit with a haul of new players joining the club while just as many have left for new pastures. Among those who arrived are Kielce’s Croatian duo Marin Sego and Denis Buntic to compensate for Bombac going the other way while Spaniard Antonio Garcia joined Kolding Kobenhavn. Zoran Milosavljevic
Their most notable acquisition is Slovenian right wing Dean Bombac. Bombac was last season’s fifth-highest scorer in the competition with 101 goals, which carried Szeged through the group stage and into the Last 16, where they were beaten by THW Kiel. Bombac should have no trouble fitting into a squad featuring an array of household names, with the core of the side comprising of experienced Polish stalwarts who were part of the national team that finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The other big name to join Kielce is Croatian goalkeeper Filip Ivic, an ideal back-up to veteran Slawomir Szmal, while the 21-year old Serbian sharpshooter Darko Djukic will get his first taste of action at the highest level after an impressive season with Besiktas, having scored 87 goals for the Turkish title holders last term. Kielce had a patchy dress rehearsal for the new season earlier this month with a third-place finish at the IHF Super Globe 2016, the annual club world championship, having lost to Paris Saint-Germain Handball 29:25 in an entertaining semi-final. The outcome handed the French side a measure of revenge for their 28:26 defeat by the Polish powerhouse in their VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 tie. Löwen have celebrated the biggest success in the club’s history by winning the
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Group B preview
Group B preview
Group B head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group B opponents in the EC Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs IFK Kristianstad 1-0-1 (52:58) 2:2
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce 3-3-3 (260:258) 9:9 08.10.2009 13.02.2010 17.10.2010 27.02.2011 04.09.2011 22.03.2014 31.03.2014 30.09.2015 20.02.2016
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Tournament Group W KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
29:29 (17:15) 32:35 (19:15) 23:23 (12:12) 29:27 (11:13)
22.10.2015 26.11.2015
32:30 (13:11) 32:28 (17:13) 27:23 (16:14) 32:32 (19:15) 28:27 (12:10)
11.04.2015 19.04.2015 24.10.2015 28.11.2015
IFK Kristianstad vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
32:29 (20:12) 29:20 (15:10)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Vardar 3-0-1 (102:105) 6:2 HC Vardar vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final HC Vardar vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
20:22 (11:11) 33:31 (16:14) 34:24 (18:14) 23:20 (10:6)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar 1-0-3 (100:115) 2:6 12.10.2014 21.02.2015 10.10.2015 11.02.2016
HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
No previous encounters in European competitions 28:25 (13:13) 28:35 (13:20) 25:19 (11:10) 28:27 (14:15)
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 4-3-1 (233:219) 11:5 04.10.2008 13.11.2008 27.03.2011 31.03.2011 14.11.2013 23.11.2013 19.03.2016 27.03.2016
HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group H 33:33 (16:14) Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group H 27:27 (11:15) HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 28:31 (12:15) Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 27:27 (11:9) Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 34:26 (21:11) HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 24:28 (12:13) HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 23:24 (12:10) Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – last 16 29:31 (15:13)
No previous encounters in European competitions
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MOL-Pick Szeged 3-0-3 (176:172) 6:6 Pick Szeged vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group H Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group H Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 MOL-Pick Szeged vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
24:28 (17:13) 35:28 (15:13) 30:34 (17:16) 31:29 16:13) 30:25 (13:13) 30:24 (14:12)
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 7-0-1 (252:223) 14:2 14.02.2009 26.02.2009 02.10.2010 04.12.2010 12.10.2013 20.02.2014 13.11.2014 23.11.2014
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 2 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 2 HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
84
28:34 (14:16) 31:26 (15:16) 28:32 (12:14) 33:32 (14:16) 25:28 (07:13) 35:25 (19:12) 31:27 (13:15) 32:28 (16:11)
HC Meshkov Brest vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
28:32 (14:12) 33:30 (14:14)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MOL-Pick Szeged 4-0-2 (178:168) 8:4 17.03.2013 24.03.2013 04.10.2014 06.12.2014 20.09.2015 06.03.2016
Pick Szeged vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D MOL-Pick Szeged vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D MOL-Pick Szeged vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
26:25 (15:14) 32:27 (14:11) 37:32 (18:17) 26:27 (11:14) 31:30 (17:14) 27:26 (12:16)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 0-0-4 (116:136) 0:8 30.10.1999 27.11.1999 26.09.2010 19.02.2011
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Meshkov Brest
12.10.2008 09.11.2008 13.03.2015 22.03.2015 17.10.2015 05.12.2015
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Meshkov Brest 2-0-0 (65:58) 4:0 19.03.2016 26.03.2016
KS Iskra-Lider Market vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group B Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs KS Iskra-Lider Market, EHF Champions League – group B KS Vive Targi Kielce vs HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
25:30 (13:14) 40:32 (20:13) 30:36 (11:18) 30:29 (12:14)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs IFK Kristianstad 1-1-0 (70:62) 3:1 10.10.2015 11.02.2016
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
35:27 (20:12) 35:35 (17:19)
HC Vardar vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 1-1-4 (153:175) 3:9 10.11.2002 08.12.2002 03.04.2005 10.04.2005 07.10.2007 10.11.2007
Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs RK Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group D RK Zagreb vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group D Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs RK Zagreb, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final RK Zagreb vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs HC Vardar PRO – Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group C HC Vardar PRO – Skopje vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group C
HC Vardar vs HC Meshkov Brest No previous encounters in European competitions
85
25:28 (13:11) 30:25 (17:9) 23:21 (10:11) 34:26 (16:11) 28:28 (10:16) 26:34 (12:16)
Group A preview
Group A preview
HC Meshkov Brest vs MOL-Pick Szeged 0-0-4 (93:115) 0:8
HC Vardar vs MOL-Pick Szeged 2-1-1 (100:101) 5:3 16.10.2004 30.10.2004 27.09.2015 28.02.2016
Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group A SC Pick Szeged vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group A HC Vardar vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
24:24 (9:10) 25:18 (13:8) 27:23 (11:11) 29:31 (14:13)
07.10.2006 21.10.2006 14.10.2007 24.11.2007
26:27 (12:12) 34:32 (19:17)
No previous encounters in European competitions
HC Vardar vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 2-0-0 (61:58) 4:0 27.09.2014 29.11.2014
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Vardar vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
IFK Kristianstad vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
HC Meshkov Brest vs IFK Kristianstad
No previous encounters in European competitions 25:30 (13:15) 38:36 (21:19)
HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs HC Meshkov Brest 1-0-1 (47:49) 2:2) 15.11.2014 23.11.2014
HC Meshkov Brest vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 26:22 (12:7) HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 25:23 (11:8)
SC Pick Szeged vs Badel Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group B Badel Zagreb vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group B SC Pick Szeged vs RK Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group E RK Zagreb vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group E Pick Szeged vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group H HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group H HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Pick Szeged vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
MOL-Pick Szeged vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 1-1-2 (93:98) 3:5 04.12.2004 12.12.2004 10.02.2008 08.03.2008
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Last 16 SC Pick Szeged vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Last 16 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 4 Pick Szeged vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 4
22:22 (12:13) 29:29 (17:13) 27:26 (15:12) 26:25 (15:13) 30:36 (14:15) 29:25 (14:14) 30:27 (15:8) 26:24 (16:10)
12.02.2014 29.03.2014 14.11.2015 18.11.2015
IFK Kristianstad vs Pick Szeged, EHF Cup – Group C Pick Szeged vs IFK Kristianstad, EHF Cup – Group C MOL-Pick Szeged vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs IFK Kristianstad
No previous encounters in European competitions
HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 9-1-6 (380:354) 19:13 27.09.1992 03.10.1992 11.11.1995 18.11.1995 04.01.1998 31.01.1998 22.03.1998 28.03.1998 26.11.2000 16.12.2000 21.02.2009 07.03.2009 21.09.2013 30.11.2013 26.09.2015 27.02.2016
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs RK Zagreb, Champions Cup – Qualification Round 2 18:17 (6:9) RK Zagreb vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, Champions Cup – Qualification Round 2 26:17 (13:7) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Croatia Banka Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 3 25:21 (11:9) Croatia Banka Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 3 25:20 (14:11) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group A 26:21 (13:8) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group A 26:22 (14:10) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Semi-final 27:20 (14:10) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Semi-final 25:24 (10:10) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group A 29:26 (12:12) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group A 22:22 (12:11) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2 22:25 (11:16) HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2 31:18 (14:6) HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 24:21 (13:10) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 26:20 (14:11) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 20:21 (10:9) HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 24:23 (8:9)
HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs IFK Kristianstad No previous encounters in European competitions
86
23:23 (11:10) 20:21 (12:9) 35:30 (18:13) 20:19 (8:7)
MOL-Pick Szeged vs IFK Kristianstad 4-0-0 (124:101) 8:0
HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs MOL-Pick Szeged 4-2-2 (222:211) 10:6 23.11.1996 18.01.1997 08.11.2003 30.11.2003 18.10.2008 22.11.2008 29.09.2012 01.12.2012
24:30 (14:17) 28:23 (14:10) 22:24 (12:14) 33:24 (12:9)
HC Meshkov Brest vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
HC Vardar vs IFK Kristianstad 2-0-0 (68:61) 4:0 04.10.2015 20.02.2016
Brest HC Meshkov vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group B SC Pick Szeged vs Brest HC Meshkov, EHF Champions League – Group B HC Meshkov Brest vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group H Pick Szeged vs HC Meshkov Brest, EHF Champions League – Group H
87
23:26 (12:13) 29:18 (16:9) 35:28 (19:14) 32:34 (19:16)
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
GROUP B
Club Address
Rhein-Neckar Löwen Mollstraße 49a 68165 Mannheim Germany Media contact
Christopher Monz +491744288849
[email protected] rhein-neckar-loewen.de rnloewen @RNLoewen
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue GK shirt: red/blue
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Rhein-Neckar Löwen For the first time and in their eighth appearance in the VELUX EHF Champions League, the Löwen have qualified for the competition as German champions, managing to leave THW Kiel behind. The Löwen’s final league match, after which they raised the trophy, was also a great farewell to their unique ‘son of Mannheim.’ After 13 years, Olympic All-star left winger, Uwe Gensheimer, departed from the Löwen to accept a challenge at Paris Saint-Germain. The successor of the four-time German handball player of the year is a well-known face in the club - Icelandic Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson will be returning to the yellow dressed from Barcelona. Goalkeeper Borko Ristovski was replaced by Andreas Palicka to create an all Swedish goalkeeping duo alongside Mikkael Appelgren. At the beginning of the new season, the Löwen captured the German Super Cup by defeating Magdeburg and therefore, they will be full of confidence moving forward. After an unexpected elimination against Zagreb in last season’s Last 16, the international goal is set quite humble: to make it to the knockout stage. The Löwen will play all their VELUX EHF Champions League matches in Frankfurt this season, after moving between different venues in past years. The preparation was not that easy, as both right backs, Alexander Petersson and Harald Reinkind, were ruled out by injuries and four players were involved with the Olympic Games. Mads Mensa Larsen returned as a gold medallist with Denmark and Hendrik Pekeler took the bronze medal with Germany. After Gensheimer’s exit, Swiss international Andy Schmid was selected as the Löwen’s new team captain, having been previously awarded the best Bundesliga player for three consecutive years. Since last July, Jennifer Kettemann is the new club director, taking over from Lars Lamade. “First we want to make it to the Last 16, then we can look ahead,” Kettemann’s general opinion on the group phase. “After the Last 16, we will face demanding opponents. We know some teams from the past seasons; Brest are the only unknown opponent to us.” Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 8 Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14 Last 16 (2): 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (1): 2011/12
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red/white
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win
5 40 76
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
40:25 (19:10) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 08.03.2009 24:39 (10:20) v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH (a), 18.10.2009 37:22 (19:11) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 10.10.2010 37:23 (20:8) v THW Kiel GER (a), 26.04.2009 5 matches (12.10.2013 – 28.11.2013) 8 matches (30.04.2009 – 13.02.2010) 8 matches (12.10.2013 – 20.02.2014) 3 matches (21.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) 4 matches (28.05.2011 - 29.09.2013) 40 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 40:25W (h), 08.03.2009 38 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 76 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 19 v HC Vardar MKD 25:19L (a), 10.10.2015 17 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:17W (h), 17.10.2013 43 v FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 22:21W (h), 20.09.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2008/09 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2009/10 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2010/11 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2013/14 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2014/15 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2015/16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
14 14 16 14 12 16 86
9 9 7 9 6 9 49
2 2 4 2 0 1 11
3 3 5 3 6 6 26
447:392 450:408 486:465 422:369 361:347 422:407 2588:2388
+55 +42 +21 +53 +14 +15 +200
20:8 20:8 18:14 20:8 12:12 19:13 109:63
1/2-finals 1/4-finals Fourth Place 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08 EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07
Playing hall Fraport Arena Silostrasse 46 65 929 Frankfurt Germany Capacity: 5,000
German league: 1 title (2016)
88
89
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Team roster 26 Michel
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Abt
GER
Left Back
25.7.1990
Heidelberg, GER
193
97
Appelgren
SWE Goalkeeper
6.9.1989
Uddevalla, SWE
191
100
16 Rafael
Baena Gonzalez
ESP
Line Player
7.11.1982
Estepa, ESP
191
128
61 Lukas
Bauer
GER
Goalkeeper
22.8.1995
Germersheim, GER
192
95
60 Kim
Ekdahl du Rietz
SWE Left Back
23.7.1989
Lund, SWE
194
100
42 Marvin
Gerdon
GER
Right Wing
24.7.1996
Speyer, GER
179
75
24 Patrick
Groetzki
GER
Right Wing
4.7.1989
Pforzheim, GER
189
84
30 Gedeon
Guardiola Villaplana ESP
Line Player
1.10.1984
Petrer, ESP
200
103
26.4.1996
Heidelberg, GER
197
105
1
Mikael
14 Max
Haider
GER
Line Player
97 Rico
Keller
GER
Left Back
30.7.1997
Heidelberg, GER
192
87
22 Mads
Mensah Larsen
DEN
Centre Back
12.8.1991
Holbæk, DEN
188
109
11 Dejan
Manaskov
MKD Left Wing
26.8.1992
Veles, MKD
181
78
12 Andreas
Palicka
SWE Goalkeeper
10.7.1986
N Nöbbelöv, SWE
189
88
23 Hendrik
Pekeler
GER
Line Player
2.7.1991
Itzehohe, GER
203
101
32 Alexander
Petersson
ISL
Right Back
2.7.1980
Riga, LAT
186
87
Nikolaj Jacobsen
27 Harald
Reinkind
NOR Right Back
17.8.1992
Trondheim, NOR
196
95
coach
13 Maximilian Rolka
• • • • •
arrived on the Löwen bench in 2014 as his predecessor Gudmundur Gudmundsson became Danish national team coach coached Viborg, Bjerringbro (both as an assistant) and Aalborg in the past, steering Aalborg to a surprising title and the CL in 2013 six league titles and seven cup titles in Denmark and Germany in his playing career now made history by steering Löwen to their first ever bundesliga trophy TV expert since 2007
C 2
Andre
35 Max 9
POL
Left Back
21.11.1996
Bremen, GER
190
87
Schmid
SUI
Centre Back
30.8.1983
Horgen, SUI
190
86
Schwarz
GER
Right Back
2.4.1993
Pforzheim, GER
190
90
ISL
Left Wing
8.8.1979
Reykjavik, ISL
187
82
GER
Right Wing
6.2.1993
Karlsruhe, GER
187
83
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson
19 Marius
Steinhauser
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004 (as player)
Newcomers: Andreas Palicka (Aalborg Handbold) Dejan Manaskov (Vardar Skopje) Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (FC Barcelona) Michel Abt (SG Kronau-Östringen)
Height Weight
Nat.
No. First Name Surname
Left the club: Uwe Gensheimer (Paris St. Germain) Stefan Kneer (HSG Wetzlar) Stefan Sigurmannsson (Aalborg Handbold) Borko Ristovski (FC Barcelona)
90
91
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Mikael Appelgren goalkeeper
Mads Mensah Larsen centre back
• awarded best goalkeeper of the Swedish league 2011/12, when he played for Skövde
• started his international career at AG Kobenhavn & made it to the 2012 FINAL4
• then transferred to German club Melsungen, where he made it twice to the German cup final tournament and played in the group phase of the EHF Cup
• became Danish champion for the second time at Aalborg, where he firstly was coached by Nikolaj Jacobsen, when Jacobsen became Löwen coach in 2014, he followed him to Mannheim
• was signed by Löwen in 2015 to become the successor of Niklas Landin • formed the duo between the post with three different goalkeepers in 2015/16: Darko Stanic, Borko Ristovski and Richard Stochl – all have gone by the end of the season
• was U20 EHF EURO champion with Denmark • his father is from Ghana, his mother Danish
• since 2016/17 shares his time with Andreas Palicka (former Kiel and Aalborg keeper)
OG: S 2016, WCh: S 2013, EURO: S 2014
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson left wing
Gedeon Guardiola Villaplana line player
• after two seasons at FC Barcelona the Icelander returned to Bundesliga and Löwen, where he was until 2012
• defence boss of Löwen as the successor of Oliver “The Rogg” Roggisch
• before his stay in Barcelona spent just one season away from Germans sides- in 2011/12 he played for AG Kobenhavn, also former Essen, Gummersbach and Kiel player • all-time top scorer of the Icelandic national team, reached 500 CL goals in 2015/16 • his fifth trip to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 brought him the CL title 2015 with Barcelona
• arrived in Mannheim in 2012 with his twin brother Isaias, who then left to Aalborg in 2014; played at Logrono and San Antonio before he joined Löwen • had been a karateka in his younger days • when scores for Löwen, the whole arena shouts “Ole!” EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014, S 2016
EC trophies: CL 2015, EHF Cup 2005 OG: S 2008
Kim Ekdahl Durietz left back
Harald Reinkind right back
• despite the huge competition at left back in the past, the Swede became No 1, important part of the defence as well, but famous for his long-range shots
• played EHF Champions League already at the age of 18
• arrived in Mannheim in 2012 from Nantes after beginning his career at Lugi Lund • made his first league debut at the age of 16 • particularly large shoe size of 51
• had his debut in the Norwegian league at 16 already, playing for Fyllingen Bergen • was awarded best right back at the U21 World Championship in 2013 • had his debut in the Norwegian men’s team at the age of 19, part of the successful team, which made it to the semi-final of the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • transferred to Löwen in 2014, later took the number 1 role on his position from Icelandic Alexander Petersson
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: S 2012
Andre Schmid centre back
Patrick Groetzki right wing
• seven-time Swiss handball player of the year
• born in Pforzheim only a few kilometres away from Mannheim
• played for both Zürich clubs Grasshoppers and ZMC Amicitia until 2009, joined Löwen after one season with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
• right after ending his youth career he switched to Löwen and became part of the German younger age category national teams; MVP and silver medallist of the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in 2008 and junior world champion in 2009
• key in attack – both as playmaker and as shooter, awarded best Bundesliga player in the previous three seasons • new team captain after Uwe Gensheimer's departure to PSG EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
92
• key player right after he was nominated for the men’s national team for the first time, missed the EHF EURO 2016 due to a broken leg OG: S 2012 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016
93
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
GROUP B
Club Address
KS Vive Tauron Kielce ul. Robotnicza 5 25-662 Kielce Poland Media contact
Sebastian Kozubek +48 505031244
[email protected] www.vtkielce.pl kielcehandball @ksvive
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue GK shirt: blue
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
EHF Champions League club records
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
It was the biggest surprise in the history of the VELUX EHF FINAL4; after going down by eight goals in the middle of the second half of the final against Veszprém, Kielce turned the match around and became the first team to win the trophy after a penalty shoot-out. Now the Polish champions and their coach Talant Dujshebaev & Co. are the hunted. Dujshebaev is only the second ever coach to win the Champions League with two different clubs (Ciudad Real/Kielce) after Alfred Gislason (Magdeburg/Kiel). The squad had changed a little, but mainly the new arrivals Darko Djukic (Besiktas) and Filip Ivic (Zagreb) have already proved during the IHF Super Globe in Doha (third place for Kielce) that they fit well in the team. The only question mark sits over their top signing Slovenian Dean Bombac (coming from Szeged), who returned from the Olympic Games in Rio with a shoulder injury. On the other hand, three Croats (Buntic and Sego to Szeged, Cupic to Vardar) have left Kielce, while long term team captain Grzegorz Tkaczyk has retired. His successor is EURO 2016 All-star left back Michal Jurecki; one of half a dozen of Polish national team players, who made it to the Olympic semi-final, under the helm of their ‘double coach’ Dujshebaev. For Jurecki, the big goal for the next season is to book another ticket to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne, but “of course the road there will be very hard. We face a lot of top teams in our group, all of them we came up against last season. Thus, every game in the group phase will be really difficult. We want to go step by step and we will only think about every next opponent.” For manager Radoslaw Wasiak, the home matches in the Hala Legionów are “the most important games of the season due to the huge fan interest”. In general, Wasiak (a former Kielce player) expects a “very exciting season for our team after that magic final against Veszprem.” Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: green
Playing hall Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów ul. Boczna 15A 25-093 Kielce Poland Capacity: 4,000
94
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 14 Winners (1): 2015/16 Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third ranked in VELUX F4) Last 16 (5): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2013/14 Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99 Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, 2003/04, 2010/11
11 39 77
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS
Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals
Most goals both teams
Fewest goals opponent
Fewest goals both teams
35:23 (16:13) v FC Porto Vitalis POR (h), 29.09.2013 30:41 (19:19) v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN (h), 15.11.2003 11 matches (25.09.2014 – 15.03.2015) 14 matches (15.11.2015 – 29.05.2016) 5 matches (13.02.2010 – 27.03.2010) 5 matches (19.02.2011 – 09.10.2011) 6 matches (26.09.2010 – 27.11.2010) 39 v MVM Veszprém HUN 39:38Wa7m (a), 29.05.2016 41 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:41L (h), 15.11.2003 77 v MVM Veszprém HUN 39:38Wa7m (a), 29.05.2016 21 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 25:21L (a), 27.02.2010 21 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 20 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 20 v HC Vardar MKD 20:22W (a), 11.04.2015 20 v HC Vardar MKD 23:20W (h), 28.11.2015 41 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1999/00 KS Iskra-Lider Market POL 2003/04 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce POL 2009/10 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2010/11 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2011/12 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2012/13 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2013/14 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2014/15 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 2015/16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL
6 6 12 10 12 16 12 16 20 110
3 2 5 1 6 14 7 14 14 66
0 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 4 10
3 3 6 7 5 2 4 2 2 34
173:186 159:177 345:344 276:300 345:336 469:400 362:331 483:439 614:577 3226:3090
–13 -18 +1 -24 +9 +69 +31 +44 +37 +136
6:6 5:7 11:13 4:16 13:11 28:4 15:9 28:4 32:8 142:78
3rd Gr. B 3rd Gr. G 1/8-finals 6th Gr. A 1/8-finals Third Place 1/8-finals Third Place Winner
Other 11 participations in other ECs Polish league: 13 titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Polish cup: 13 titles
95
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
Team roster No. First Name Surname
110
POL
Left Back
23.1.1982
Sandomierz, POL
202
101
POL
Line Player
25.3.1997
Kielce, POL
198
98
SLO
Right Wing
4.4.1989
Koper, SLO
188
92
Bulski
POL
Line Player
29.4.1998
Kielce, POL
195
96
10 Piotr
Chrapkowski
POL
Right Wing
24.3.1988
Goreczno, POL
202
100
45 Darko
Djukic
SRB
Right Wing
11.12.1994
Nis, SRB
191
78
Grabowski
POL
Right Wing
28.11.1997
Kielce, POL
188
87
16 Filip
Ivic
CRO
Goalkeeper
30.8.1992
Zagreb, CRO
195
95
15 Mateusz
Jachlewski
POL
Left Back
27.12.1984
Gdynia, POL
185
88
C 5
• • • •
195
Bombac
4
most awarded figure in the club; during his longstanding playing career won plenty of trophies with three different national teams (CIS, Russia, Spain) voted twice as the IHF World Player of the Year, in 1994 and in 1996 has successfully continued as a coach for the last 10 years joined Kielce in the half of the 2013/14 season, replacing Bogdan Wenta changed the playing style of Kielce placing emphasis on the aggressive defence
Irun, ESP
Bielecki
3
•
8.12.1982
14 Karol 44 Dean
coach
Date of birth Place of birth
Line Player
13 Julen
18 Bartlomiej Bis
Talant Dujshebaev
Jakub
Michal
Jurecki
POL
Left Back
27.10.1984
Koscian, POL
198
110
20 Mariusz
Jurkiewicz
POL
Centre Back
3.2.1982
Lubin, POL
199
103
11 Mateusz
Kus
POL
Right Back
14.7.1987
Piekary SL, POL
200
110
19 Krzysztof
Lijewski
POL
Right Back
7.7.1983
Ostrów Wlkpl., POL
198
94
Markowski
POL
Goalkeeper
5.8.1997
Kielce, POL
185
82
22 Pawel
Paczkowski
POL
Right Back
14.6.1993
Swiecie, POL
192
90
Tobias
Reichmann
GER
Right Wing
27.5.1988
Berlin Ost, GER
188
85
Strlek
CRO
Left Wing
1.12.1988
Zagrzeb, CRO
181
79
Goalkeeper
Michal
Krzysztof 9
17 Manuel 1
Slawomir
Szmal
POL
2.10.1978
Strzelce Opolskie, POL 190
90
2
Branko
Vujovic
MNE Right Back
20.4.1998
Niksic, MNE
194
99
7
Patryk
Walczak
POL
Line Player
29.7.1992
Szczecin, POL
198
108
Zorman
SLO
Centre Back
9.1.1980
Kranj, SLO
189
96
23 Uros
EC Trophies: CL 1994 (as player), 2006, 2008, 2009, 2016 (as coach), EHF Cup 1993, Cup Winners’ Cup 2002, 2003 OG: G 1992, B 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1993, EURO: S 1996, 1998, B 2000
Newcomers: Darko Djukic (Besiktas Mogaz HT) Dean Bombac (MOL-Pick Szeged) Filip Ivic (HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb) Patryk Walczak (Pogon Szczecin)
Left the club: Denis Buntic (MOL-Pick Szeged) Ivan Cupic (HC Vardar) Marin Sego (MOL-Pick Szeged) Grzegorz Tkaczyk (retired)
96
Height Weight
Position
Nat.
Aguinagalde Akizu ESP
97
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
Slawomir Szmal goalkeeper
Uros Zorman centre back
• 2009 World Handball Player of the Year; one of the key players in the Polish national champions’ defence
• one of the best playmakers in the game and one of only two players (with Thierry Omeyer) who has ever managed to win four CL titles
• spent several years in Germany playing for TuS N-Lübbecke and Rhein-Neckar
• not known for scoring lots of goals, but his movement and passes provide ample space for his teammates in attack
• competed in three VELUX EHF FINAL4 events with Löwen in 2010/11 and thrice with Kielce in 2012/13, 2014/15, 2016/17 • on the court a hardworking Titan, beyond it always keen on initiatives for kids
• longstanding captain of Slovenian national team, famous for his charisma, weakness for coffee, work with children, for whom he has been organising summer camps over past years
EC Trophies: CL 2016 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
EC Trophies: CL: 2004, 2008, 2009, 2016 EURO: S 2004
Manuel Strlek left wing
Julen Aguinagalde line player
• his arrival in Kielce in 2012 were his first steps abroad, after leaving his boyhood club Zagreb
• All-Star team line player of the 2013 WCh in Spain, EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark and EHF EURO 2016 in Poland
• started gathering CL experience in 2006
• nominated for World Handball Player of the Year 2012
• very fast player, scoring a lot of goals on the counterattacks
• joined Kielce from Atlético Mardid in 2013 for his first foreign league experience
• All-Star team left wing at EHF EURO 2010, EHF EURO 2016 and CL 2015/16
• five times participated in VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010-16, scored the deciding penalty throw in the 2015/16 shootout against Veszprem
EC Trophies: CL: 2016 OG: B 2012, WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2012, 2016
EC Trophies: CL: 2016 WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014, S 2016
Krzysztof Lijewski right back
Michal Jurecki left back • Kielce’s powerful left back returned to Poland in 2010 after a three-season stint in Germany and spells at HSV Hamburg and TuS N-Lübbecke
• wanted to be a basketball player, but under the influence of his father and older brother Marcin, he chose handball
• All-Star Team Left back of the EHF EURO 2016
• joined Kielce in 2012 after seven successful years spent in Germany with Hamburg and Rhein-Neckar Löwen
• under his steel covering the Polish tank hides a cheerful nature and a volcano of energy exploding in the most thrilling moments of the game • since 2015/16 a new captain of the team EC Trophies: CL: 2016 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
• best right back of EHF EURO 2014; most versatile player in the team, clever in attack and vigilant in defence EC trophies: CL: 2016, Cup Winners’ Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
Tobias Reichmann right wing
Karol Bielecki left back • Poland’s biggest handball icon • spent eight seasons in the Bundesliga playing for Magdeburg and Rhein-Neckar • after losing sight in his left eye in an accident in 2010, the 33-year-old has made a remarkable comeback to his current steady form • known for his ability to score from long-range EC trophies: CL: 2016, EHF Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
98
• started his career at SC Magdeburg, played three seasons in Kiel and two in Wetzlar before joining Kielce in 2014 as the first German player in the Polish league • All-Star team right winger of the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • his development in Kielce amplified his position in German national team • winner of the IHF Super Globe in 2011 as part of THW Kiel EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012, 2016 OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016
99
HC Vardar
GROUP B
Club Address
HC Vardar Marko Savovski BUL 8 mi Septemvri 20 FYR Macedonia Media contact
Biljana Crvenkoska +38971247214
[email protected] www.rkvardar.com.mk rkvardar @HCVardar
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red
HC Vardar
HC Vardar
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
In three consecutive years, from 2014 to 2016, Vardar failed to make it to Cologne and after those quarter-final eliminations, the Macedonians now hope for an improvement this season. “The last three years have been a major success for our club, but now we want to improve, as we believe that our team can accomplish our highest expectations,” says manager Davor Stojanovski. “All our fans and everyone in the club would be overjoyed, if we could finally make it to the FINAL4 in Cologne. Achieving the top results is always difficult in a competition like the Champions League, but we are ready for the challenge.” The new team captain, Macedonian international Stojanche Stoilov, fully agrees and emphasizes the importance of competing in the VELUX EHF FINAL4. “Vardar has continuously proven that this is a serious project with high goals. Our clear priority for this season is to qualify for the FINAL4 in Cologne. We showed continuity by qualifying for the top 8 within Europe three times and now, I hope we can make this one final step further. I cannot guarantee that we will make it, but I hope to fulfil our wishes.” Vardar signed some big names, such as Joan Canellas (Kiel) and Ivan Cupic (Kielce). On the other hand, some key players left the team coached by Raul Gonzalez, including Sergej Harbok. In group B, Vardar will face some well-known competitors, like their SEHA-Liga opponents Brest, Zagreb and Celje, plus two of their Champions League group phase opponents from last year, Kielce, who previously eliminated Vardar twice in the quarter-final and the Löwen. “We know all those rivals,” says Stojanche Stoilov, “some more, some less, but we are familiar with their qualities. We have a real chance to fight for one of the top two spots in the group. We will not surrender in any game and we will not under-estimate any opponent.” Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 11 Quarter-final (3): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Last 32 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10
Dark Player shirt: black/red Player short: black GK shirt: green, black
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1998/99, 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-finals 2006/07
Playing hall Jane Sandanski Skopje FYR Macedonia Capacity: 5,000
4 39 74
MATCHES Longest winning run
Longest unbeaten run
Most goals
Longest losing run Longest run without win
GOALS
Most goals
GOALS
Most goals both teams
Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
24:37 (11:19) v Wacker Thun SUI (a), 19.10.2013 41:19 (19:8) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.10.2003 4 matches (26.04.2014 – 12.10.2014) 4 matches (29.11.2014 – 21.02.2015) 4 matches (20.09.2015 – 10.10.2015) 5 matches (26.04.2014 – 19.10.2014) 5 matches (20.02.2016 – 26.03.2016) 7 matches (12.10.2003 – 09.10.2004) 8 matches (12.10.2003 – 16.10.2004) 8 matches (03.10.2009 – 20.02.2010) 39 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:28W (h), 04.10.2014 39 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 34:39W (a), 06.12.2014 41 v FC Barcelona ESP 41:19L (a), 18.10.2003 74 v IFK Kristianstad SWE 38:36W (h), 20.02.2016 12 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004 19 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 25:19W (h), 10.10.2015 38 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2001/02 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2002/03 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2003/04 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2004/05 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2007/08 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 2009/10 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 2013/14 HC Vardar – Skopje MKD 2014/15 HC Vardar MKD 2015/16 HC Vardar MKD
6 6 6 6 6 10 14 14 18 86
1 2 0 1 2 1 6 8 10 31
1 0 0 2 1 1 3 1 2 11
4 4 6 3 3 8 5 5 6 44
152:175 152:181 157:210 124:153 161:180 253:316 376:369 421:396 527:486 2323:2466
–23 –29 -53 -29 -19 -63 +7 +25 +41 –143
3:9 4:8 0:12 4:8 5:7 3:17 15:13 17:11 22:14 73:99
4th Gr. D 4th Gr. D 4th Gr. B 3rd Gr. A 4th Gr. C 5th Gr. D 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals
SEHA league: 1 title (2012) Macedonian league: 10 titles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016) Macedonian cup: 11 titles
100
101
HC Vardar
HC Vardar
Team roster No. First Name Surname
• • • •
Newcomers: Joan Canellas (THW Kiel) Rogerio Moraes (THW Kiel) Vuko Borozan (TuS N-Lübbecke) Ivan Cupic (Vive Tauron Kielce)
former stalwart of BM Valladolid and a member of the Spanish national team started his coaching carrier in Atletico Madrid and Ciudad Real working in team with Talant Dujshebaev replaced Zoran Kastratovic early in the 2013/14 season at Vardar steered the team to a historical success - the quarter-finals of the CL for the first time and was just one goal shy of the FINAL4
Left Back
Date of birth Place of birth 2.8.1988
202
99
SRB
26 Petar
Angelov
MKD Goalkeeper
8.3.1977
Kavadarci, MKD
185
90
34 Vuko
Borozan
MNE Left Back
9.4.1994
Cetinje, MNE
203
105
21 Joan
Cañellas Reixach
ESP
Centre Back
30.9.1986
St. Maria de Palau, ESP 198
100
25 Luka
Cindric
CRO
Centre Back
5.7.1993
Ogulin, CRO
185
92
27 Ivan
Cupic
CRO
Right Wing
27.3.1986
Metkovic, CRO
178
78
17 Alexander
Dereven
RUS
Left Back
26.3.1992
Toliatti, RUS
199
85
31 Timur
Dibirov
RUS
Left Wing
30.7.1983
Petrozavodsk, RUS
180
74
2.4.1998
Bitola, MKD
185
75
22 Ivan
Dimitrovski
MKD Left Wing
19 Alex
Dujshebaev
ESP
Right Back
17.12.1992
Santander, ESP
187
88
Ferreira Moraes
BRA
Line Player
11.1.1994
Abaetetuba, BRA
204
118
18 Igor
Karacic
CRO
Centre Back
2.11.1988
Mostar, BIH
189
87
15 Jorge
Maqueda Pena
ESP
Right Back
6.2.1988
Toledo, ESP
197
105
93 Mijajlo
Marsenic
SRB
Line Player
9.3.1993
Berane, MNE
202
107
12 Strahinja
Milic
SRB
Goalkeeper
22.12.1990
Pristina, SRB
200
132
77 Vlado
Nedanovski
MKD Left Wing
23.6.1985
Resen, MKD
187
90
Kustanay, RUS
190
85
Rogerio
Shishkarev
RUS
Right Wing
6.7.1988
1 C 5
Arpad
Sterbik Capar
ESP
Goalkeeper
20.11.1979
Senta, SRB
200
119
Stojanche
Stoilov
MKD Line Player
30.4.1987
Skopje, MKD
191
110
Left the club: Dejan Manaskov (Rhein-Neckar Löwen) Matjaz Brumen (Gorenje Velenje) Alem Toskic (Gorenje Velenje) Sergei Gorbok (Pick Szeged) Filip Lazarov (HC Timisoara)
102
Height Weight
Vrbas, SRB
Abutovic
33 Daniil
coach
Position
20 Ilija
6
Raul Gonzalez Gutierrez
Nat.
103
HC Vardar
HC Vardar
Arpad Sterbik goalkeeper
Stojance Stoilov goalkeeper
• one of the best goalkeepers who holds Hungarian, Serbian and Spanish citizenship
• first choice on the line player position in the Macedonian national team
• after ten seasons spent in Spain moved from Barcelona in 2014 and signed a four- year contract with Macedonian powerhouse
• joined Vardar in 2010 from city rivals Metalurg (after a brief spell in with Odorheiu Secuiesc) - a step that saw his career spiralling upwards
• dozens of international awards incl. 2005 IHF World Handball Player of the Year
• played a brilliant tournament at the EHF EURO 2012 when FYR Macedonia finished 5th
• voted as the best goalkeeper of the Spanish league five times EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009 WCh: B 1999, B 2001, B 2011, G 2013, EURO: S 2016
• had to share his playing time with Alem Toskic in the 2015/16 season
Timur Dibirov left wing
Alex Dujshebaev right back
• in 2013 he joined Vardar as just the second club in his career
• son of Talant Dujshebaev joined Vardar at the beginning of the 2013/14 season
• first was Chekhovskie Medvedi, with whom he reached the FINAL4 in 2010
• voted best right back at the 2012 Men’s 20 EHF EURO and the 2013 Junior WCh
• key player of the Russian national team; voted best left wing of at the 2013 WCh
• top scorer of the Spanish ASOBAL with BM Aragon in 2011/12 and 2012/13
• fast breaks specialist and also key in defence
• voted best young player of the CL in 2014/15
• married to one of the greatest Russian players - Irina Poltoratskaya
• will join his father as he has signed with KS Vive Tauron Kielce from 2017
EC trophies: Cup Winners' Cup 2006
EURO: S 2016
Alexander Dereven left back
Jorge Maqueda right back
• started playing handball in Togliatti Handball School • played in all age categories of Chekhovskie Medvedi
• arrived in Skopje at the beginning of the 2015/16 season and signed a two-year contract
• his personal best 62 goals in the CL 2014/15
• before his arrival in Vardar he played for Barcelona, Alcobendas, Aragon and Nantes
• won three titles in the Russian championship 2013, 2014, 2015
• the world class defender is gold medalist from the World Championship 2013 in Spain and bronze holder from EHF EURO 2011
• joined Vardar in 2015 but missed the biggest part of 2015/16 due to injury
WCh: G 2013, EURO: S 2016
Joan Canellas centre back
Ivan Cupic right wing
• top scorer of the EHF EURO 2014 (50 goals in eight matches)
• second top goal scorer at the London 2012 Olympics
• with Barcelona and Ciudad Real Spanish champion and cup winner
• named on the All-Star team at the 2009 WCh
• twice (2011, 2012) CL finalist with Ciudad Real and Atletico Madrid – the club with which he also won the IHF Super Globe twice (2010, 2012)
• despite losing one finger in an accident in 2008 remained an important player of each team he has played for including the national team
• came in 2016 from Kiel and signed a three-year contract
• won the CL with Vive Tauron Kielce in his fourth season in the club, before he signed a four-year contract with Vardar
WCh G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014, S 2016
EC trophies: CL 2016 OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, 2016
104
105
HC PPD Zagreb
GROUP B
Club Address
HC PPD Zagreb Veprinecka 16 10000 Zagreb Croatia Media contact
Goran Roknić +385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr www.rk-zagreb.hr RK-Zagreb @RKZagreb
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: blue
HC PPD Zagreb
HC PPD Zagreb
EHF Champions League club records
26 straight years Croatian champions, and for the 22nd time part of the EHF Champions League – HC PPD Zagreb maintain their records in both rankings. After clinching the berth for the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-finals twice in 2015 and 2016, now the four-time finalists have the dream of making it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. Their historic elimination of Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the previous season boosts the hopes of the team of legendary coach Veselin Vujovic. Another reason for the huge confidence is the homecoming of one of the most successful Croatian handball players ever: Igor Vori. And he is back in Zagreb, where it all started. The World and Olympic champion and 2013 VELUX EHF Champions League winner returns home from Paris, while back court ace Luka Stepancic has gone in the opposite direction to the French capital. Like Stepancic, another top talent of the Croatian record champions has made it to a top club abroad, goalkeeper Filip Ivic signed for the Champions League winners Kielce; he was replaced by Slovenian international Matevz Skok. His fellow countryman Darko Cingesar (Maribor) is another top PPD signing. But the preparation for the new season was anything but easy for the Croats. Five players - Cingesar, David Miklavcic, Skok, Zlatko Horvat and Ivan Stevanovic – as well as coach Veselin Vujovic (as Slovenian NT coach) missed out on most of the pre-season due to the Olympic Games. In addition, Zagreb suffer from two longterm injuries, left back Domagoj Pavlovic (shoulder injury) is ruled out until the end of the year, while PPD expects right back Luka Sebetic (elbow injury) to be back in November. Despite those problems, the hopes are high: “We want to qualify for the Last 16, and to make it among the top eight teams again. That would be a fantastic result for us; to qualify for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 would be a dream come true,” says club director Ante Ancic. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 23 Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99 Semi-final (1): 1999/00 Quarter-final (7): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16 Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 Main Round (1): 2007/08 Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow
Playing hall Arena Zagreb Laniste b.b., 10000 Zagreb Croatia Capacity: 15,200
Other EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2006/07 SEHA League: 1 title (2013) Croatian league: 26 titles (1991-2016) Croatian Cup winner: 23 times
106
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
6 38 69
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
34:15 (16:8) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 04.12.2010 43:21 (23:10) v FC Barcelona ESP (h), 18.04.2015 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) 6 matches (09.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) 6 matches (30.10.1999 – 05.12.1999) 6 matches (04.10.2008 – 22.11.2008) 7 matches (11.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) 8 matches (04.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) 38 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 38:30W (h), 23.02.2013 43 v FC Barcelona ESP 43:21L (a), 18.04.2015 69 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010 15 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:15L (a), 22.10.2005 13 v THW Kiel GER 22:13W (h), 25.03.2000 13 v Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13W (h), 16.10.2005 36 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 18:18D (a), 20.11.1999 36 v HC Metalurg MKD 19:17W (h), 11.10.2014
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
1993/94 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 6 1994/95 Badel Zagreb CRO 8 1995/96 Croatia Banka Zagreb CRO 6 1996/97 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1997/98 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1998/99 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1999/00 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 10 2000/01 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 8 2002/03 RK Zagreb CRO 8 2003/04 RK Zagreb CRO 10 2004/05 RK Zagreb CRO 6 2005/06 RK Zagreb CRO 8 2006/07 RK Zagreb CRO 6 2007/08 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2008/09 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2009/10 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2010/11 HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB CRO 12 2011/12 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 14 2012/13 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 2013/14 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 2014/15 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 14 2015/16 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 18 226
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
0 5 2 6 7 8 7 4 3 4 3 5 3 5 7 6 6 9 2 4 7 6 109
2 1 1 3 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 3 1 1 0 0 2 24
4 2 3 3 5 3 2 3 3 6 3 2 3 6 2 6 3 4 7 6 7 10 93
135:147 203:203 138:144 310:294 300:287 288:269 260:230 195:192 209:216 273:258 165:170 212:194 153:148 339:344 357:313 351:335 358:319 391:359 266:284 267:282 328:356 464:480 5962:5824
–12 0 -6 +16 +13 +19 +30 +3 -7 +15 -5 +18 +5 -5 +44 +16 +39 +32 –18 -15 -28 –16 +138
2:10 11:5 5:7 15:9 14:10 17:7 15:5 9:7 8:8 8:12 6:6 11:5 6:6 11:13 17:7 12:12 15:9 19:9 5:15 8:12 14:14 14:22 242:210
4th Gr. A Runner-up 3rd Gr. B Runner-up Runner-up Runner-up 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 3rd Gr. B 1/8-finals 3rd Gr. D 3rd MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 5th Gr. D 5th Gr. A 1/4-finals 1/4-finals
107
HC PPD Zagreb
HC PPD Zagreb
Team roster Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Cingesar
SLO
Left Wing
25.7.1990
Ljubljana, SLO
183
85
Ljubuski, BIH
185
78
13 Darko 3
Josip
Eres
BIH
Right Wing
19.3.1995
Horvat
CRO
Right Wing
25.9.1984
Zagreb, CRO
179
86
23 Lovro
Jotic
CRO
Centre Back
12.11.1994
Zagreb, CRO
191
86
51 Arijan
Jovic
CRO
Goalkeeper
18.6.1996
Zagreb, CRO
184
90
Tin
Kontrec
CRO
Line Player
9.9.1989
Nasice, CRO
191
89
83 Mateo
Lukacec
CRO
Centre Back
24.1.1995
Ivanic Grad, CRO
180
85
27 Stipe
Mandalinic
CRO
Left Wing
9.9.1992
Split, CRO
195
90
64 Velko
Markoski
MKD Left Back
5.4.1986
Struga, MAD
194
100
15 Dobrivoje
Markovic
SRB
Left Wing
22.4.1986
Teslic, SCG
188
81
48 Petar
Medic
CRO
Centre Back
12.6.1996
Zagreb, CRO
190
85
28 David
Miklavcic
SLO
Right Back
29.1.1983
Ljubljana, SLO
195
98
94 Domagoj
Pavlovic
CRO
Left Back
21.3.1993
Zagreb, CRO
189
82
17 Luka
Rakovic
CRO
Right Wing
6.6.1988
Zagreb, CRO
179
86
14 Luka
Sebetic
CRO
Right Back
26.5.1994
Bjelovar, CRO
198
97
Veselin Vujovic
16 Matevz
Skok
SLO
Goalkeeper
2.9.1986
Celje, SLO
189
96
coach • hired by Zagreb right before the beginning of the 2014/15 CL campaign • one of the best players ever, worked as a head-coach in Ciudad Real, Vardar, Yugoslavian national team, Serbia and Montenegro (fourth place the OG in Sydney 2000) and is in charge of Slovenia now • with Vardar won the regional SEHA League title in its first season • known as an outstanding specialist but also as an impulsive coach • nominated for best coach in the CL 2015/16 season
11 Lovro
Sprem
CRO
Left Wing
26.1.1990
Zagreb, CRO
186
88
18.5.1982
Rijeka, CRO
193
101
C 18 Zlatko
9
12 Ivan
Stevanovic
CRO
Goalkeeper
19 Leon
Susnja
CRO
Line Player
5.8.1993
Siroki Brijeg, CRO
204
113
22 Josip
Valcic
CRO
Centre Back
21.4.1984
Zadar, CRO
190
97
24 Tonci
Valcic
CRO
Left Back
9.6.1978
Zadar, CRO
194
100
10 Igor
Vori
CRO
Line Player
20.9.1980
Zagreb, CRO
203
114
Vujic
CRO
Centre Back
6.7.1991
Rijeka, CRO
192
91
6
Stefan
EC trophies: Champions Cup 1985, 1986, 1991 (as player) OG: G 1984, WCh: G 1986 (as player) Newcomers: Darko Cingesar (Maribor) David Miklavcic (HC Tremblay) Matevz Skok (HC Lübbecke) Josip Eres (HC Izvidac Ljubuski) Igor Vori (PSG) Lovro Jotic (HC Dubrava)
Height Weight
No. First Name Surname
Left the club: Filip Ivic (Vive Tauron Kielce) Luka Stepancic (PSG) Antonijo Kovacevic (HC Dubrava) Lovro Mihic (Orlen Wisla Plock) Stanko Sabljic (HC Erlangen)
108
109
HC PPD Zagreb
HC PPD Zagreb
Ivan Stevanovic goalkeeper
Josip Valcic centre back
• one of the oldest and most experienced Zagreb players
• co-captain of Zagreb plays together with brother Tonci Valcic on the team
• had amazing 2015/16 season that earned him place in Croatian national team at the age 33, originally wanted to quit handball at the age of 29
• started in Split, played in Gummersbach but spent most of his career in Zagreb
• his first sport was swimming, started handball at the end of primary school
• in his 11th season has to step in for injured Domagoj Pavlovic, who is out until the end of 2016
• played in Trsat, Pecine, Zamet, Porec, Krsko EURO: S 2008, WCh: S 2009
EURO: B 2016
Darko Cingesar left wing • newcomer to Zagreb made his first international move, played only in Slovenia before (Skofja Loka, Gorenje Velenje, Branik Maribor)
Igor Vori line player • played handball in five countries so far, including, France (PSG), Spain (Barcelona), Germany (Hamburg) and, more strangely, Italy
• played CL with Gorenje, known for efficient shooting
• returning to Zagreb after seven years
• expected to make excellent pair on left wing side with Dobrivoje Markovic
• great defensive player who will enforce Zagreb's defence and be a mentor to younger players
• Veselin Vujovic made him a national team player in 2016 when he got invited for EURO in Poland
• started playing handball in Zagreb EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: G 2004, B 2012; EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009, B 2013
Luka Sebetic right back
Stipe Mandalinic left back • voted MVP of Men's 20 EHF EURO 2012, where he also won a silver medal with his team
• holds gold medal from Men's EHF EURO 2010
• his best season in the CL was 2013/14 when he scored 43 goals
• scored his first goal in the CL when he was 17
• nicknamed “Little Lacković” (or “Little Lac”) because of similar style of shooting and playing
• season 2016/17 will be his seventh in the CL
• had a great return from the second knee injury scoring 40 goals in 8 CL matches, but another injury will keep him sidelined until November 2016
• scored 52 CL goals in 2015/16
EURO: B 2016
WCh: B 2013
Velko Markoski left back • Macedonian defence specialist arrived in Zagreb in 2015 • came from Metalurg where he was coached by former Croatian national team coach Lino Cervar • coached by Vujovic as a junior in 2007 when he was at the helm of the Macedonian junior team
Zlatko Horvat right wing •
captain and speedy wing is a counter-attack specialist, but he is an important part of defence at the same time
•
had his debut in the national team in 2006 and since then he has won four medals
•
played in Zagreb from the beginning of his career and has already 13 campaigns in the CL under his belt
•
in the 2010/11 season the third top scorer with 94 goals
OG B 2012, EURO B 2012, B 2016, WCh S 2009, B 2013
110
111
HC Meshkov Brest
GROUP B
Club Address
HC Meshkov Brest Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus Media contact
Ivan Karaitschev +375 529 3101161
[email protected] bgk-meshkova.com bgkmeshkova bgk_meshkova
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: yellow
HC Meshkov Brest
HC Meshkov Brest Meshkov Brest again took the double in Belarus by becoming league champions and cup winners last season. In 2001, they named the club after famous Belarusian handball coach Anatoly Meshkov, who died in 1994. The whole club in Brest will celebrate its 80th anniversary in February 2017. When the time rolls around, everybody at Meshkov hopes to still be part of the VELUX EHF Champions League. In the 2015/16 season, Brest made it through to the Group C+D playoffs, but were eliminated by eventual Champions League winners Vive Tauron Kielce in the Last 16. Proceeding to the knockout stage is again one major goal of Brest, besides taking all domestic titles and qualifying for the final tournament of the SEHA Liga. The squad of coach Sergej Bebeshko did not change that much, compared to the previous season. The biggest names among the new arrivals are Rajko Prodanovic (MOL-Pick Szeged), Vladislav Ostroushko (HCM Baia Mare) and Iman Jamali (IFK Kristianstad). Besides those newcomers, Dzianis Rutenka is back after injury. Maksim Baranau is the only key player who left. In addition, Dzmitry Kamyshyk will miss the whole 2016/17 season after a serious injury during pre-season. This year, Meshkov had been seeded among the 16 top teams in Group B. Thus, manager Pavel Bashkin expects great matches for his side: “The strongest teams in our group are Kielce and Rhein-Neckar Löwen. All other teams are almost equal. So it is our main goal is to finish this stage among the first six teams, preferably to be in top four of the group.” For Bashkin “it is a prestigious thing to play in the elite group. The team will only develop and progress by playing against the strongest teams.” Team captain Dzmitry Nikulenkau is looking forward to this development: “We would like to take the next step and qualify for the quarter-finals. But first of all, we need to be among first six teams of the group.“ Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 8 Last 16 (1): 2015/16 Group Phase (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2014/15 Qualification (1): 2008/09
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black
EHF Champions League club records
5 35 70
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
34:22 (15:14) v Vojvodina SRB (h), 19.09.2015 36:17 (16:8) v GOG Gudme DEN (a), 09.10.2004 5 matches (24.10.2015 – 05.12.2015) 7 matches (24.10.2015 - 05.03.2016) 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) 35 v Vojvodina SRB 26:35W (a), 14.11.2015 39 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006 39 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:31L (a), 28.09.2014 70 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:31L (a), 28.09.2014 17 v GOG Gudme DEN 36:17L (a), 09.10.2004 17 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004 20 v TATRAN Presov SVK 20:30W (a), 26.09.2015 44 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2004/05 Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR 2005/06 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 2006/07 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 2007/08 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 2014/15 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 2015/16 HC Meshkov Brest BLR
6 6 6 6 10 14 48
1 1 0 1 2 9 14
0 0 0 0 2 1 3
5 5 6 5 6 4 31
143:184 165:183 146:189 154:182 267:293 437:383 1312:1414
-41 -18 –43 -28 –26 +54 -102
2:10 2:10 0:12 2:10 6:14 19:9 31:65
4th Gr. C 4th Gr. E 4th Gr. B 4th Gr. H 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final 2011/12
Playing hall
Belarusian league: 8 titles (2004-08, 2014-16) Belarusian cup: 10 titles
Sportshall Victoria Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus Capacity: 3,500
112
113
HC Meshkov Brest
HC Meshkov Brest
Team roster 20 Pavel
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
RUS
Left Back
25.5.1987
Volgograd, RUS
190
94
Babichev
BLR
Line Player
7.3.1986
Minsk, BLR
200
100
21 Vitali
Charapenka
BLR
Goalkeeper
27.1.1984
Brest, BLR
194
86
22 Iman
Jamali
HUN Left Back
11.10.1991
Esfahan, IRI
202
102
10 Dainis
Kristopans
LAT
Right Back
27.9.1990
Ludza, LAT
213
135
Kulak
BLR
Centre Back
23.2.1996
Brest, BLR
190
75
Mijatovic
MNE Goalkeeper
30.6.1981
Sombor, SRB
192
98
Nikulenkau
BLR
Centre Back
12.7.1984
Minsk, BLR
188
90
Ostroushko
UKR
Left Back
5.3.1986
Cherkasy, UKR
202
101
6
7
Maxim
Artsiom
30 Rade C 17 Dzmitry 32 Vladislav
Pesic
CRO
Goalkeeper
17.3.1989
Rijeka, CRO
194
112
22 Rajko
Prodanovic
SRB
Right Wing
24.4.1986
Beograd, SRB
186
87
31 Simon
Razgor
SLO
Left Wing
18.9.1985
Celje, SLO
183
84
Rutenka
BLR
Right Wing
14.2.1986
Minsk, BLR
187
85
22 Viachaslau Shumak
BLR
Line Player
22.12.1988
Brest, BLR
204
116
1
3
Sergey Bebeshko coach • was appointed the new head coach of Brest in June 2015 replacing Zeljko Babic who concentrated on his job with Croatia national team then • as a head coach of Dinamo Minsk in 2009-13 and led them to four consecutive league titles and the first time in Belarusian handball to the CL Last 16 in 2013 • number of players that had worked with him in Minsk including Pavel Atman, Siarhei Shylovich, Dzianis Rutenka, Dzmitry Nikulenkau and Maxim Babichev • led Brest to another Belarusian title as well as to the CL Last 16 in 2015/16
Ivan
Dzianis
88 Siarhei
Shylovich
BLR
Right Back
16.5.1986
Bobrujsk, BLR
198
95
18 Rastko
Stojkovic
SRB
Line Player
12.7.1981
Belgrad, SRB
191
110
19 Alexander
Tioumentsev
ESP
Centre Back
4.10.1983
Ajtubinsk, RUS
185
85
23 Ljubo
Vukic
CRO
Left Wing
3.8.1982
Split, CRO
192
96
Yashchanka
BLR
Left Back
7.1.1992
Gomel, BLR
194
85
Yurynok
BLR
Left Wing
21.9.1996
Brest, BLR
179
70
7
Andrei
14 Andrei
OG: G 1992 (as player)
Newcomers: Andrei Yashchanka (HC Gomel) Andrei Yurynok (SKA Minsk) Rajko Prodanovic (MOL-Pick Szeged) Rade Mijatovic (Grundfos Tatabanya KC) Vladislav Ostroushko (HCM Baia Mare) Iman Jamali (IFK Kristianstad)
Left the club: Maksim Baranau (Odorhei) Artsiom Selvasiuk (Mezökövesdi KC)
114
Height Weight
Nat.
Atman
No. First Name Surname
115
HC Meshkov Brest
HC Meshkov Brest
Rade Mijatovic goalkeeper
Rastko Stojkovic line player
• vetran Montenegrin goalkeeper arrived in Brest in the summer of 2016, moving from Hungary's Tatabanya
• joined Brest in December 2013 after spending a few months in Qatar
• Belarus is not a new country for him as he played for Dinamo Minsk in 2012-13, winning the title of a national champion in that season • also won the Serbian league with RK Vojvodina Novi Sad in 2005 and RK Red Star Belgrade in 2008, as well as the Macedonian league with Metalurg Skopje in 2014 • regularly plays for the Montenegro national team
• the native of Belgrade started his career at RK Crvena Zvezda and moved abroad at the age of 24, spent four seasons at Pfullingen and Nordhorn • played for Kielce in 2009-13 and won three titles of Polish champion as well as four Polish Cups, also reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013 • became the top scorer of Brest in 2015/16 CL with 89 goals and All-star line player EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008 EURO: S 2012
Simon Razgor left wing
Dainis Kristopans right back
• Slovenian is beginning his third season in Brest
• born in a small Latvian town Ludza and started his career in the local club Latgols
• before joining the Belarusian team, he spent his entire career at home playing for Celje and RK Maribor
• at the age of 18, moved to Tatran Presov and stayed almost six years in Slovakia, having won the national league five times
• top all-time scorer of RK Maribor with 1,052 goals
• left Tatran in February 2015 and spent a few months in Qatar before joining Brest
• his father was also a handballer who played for Celje as well as for the Yugoslavia junior national team and later became a coach
• with the height of 213 cm, he is the tallest handball player not only in Brest but together with Angel Montoro in the whole CL
Pavel Atman left back
Rajko Prodanovic right wing
• the blonde Russian international is going to play his second season in Brest
• Serb is a new player in Brest since the summer of 2016
• this is his second time in Belarus — between 2010 and 2013, he played for Dinamo Minsk, coached by Bebeshko at that time, and won three titles of Belarusian champion
• moved to Brest from Pick Szeged where he had two spells, in 2011-13 and 2014-16, and won silver medals of the Hungarian league in all four seasons
• in 2013 moved from Minsk to Metalurg Skopje where he quickly became one of the fans’ favorites and won the national league in 2014 • left Metalurg before the end of the 2014/15 season and spent the rest of the season playing for Al-Jaish in Qatar
• also played for Serbia's Jugovic as well as Spain's BM Antequera, Macedonia's Vardar and Germany's Rhein-Neckar Löwen • regular member of Serbia national team, he played at the 2012 Olympics EURO: S 2012
Dzianis Rutenka right wing
Dzmitry Nikulenkau centre back • native of Minsk is a national player of Belarus and a well-respected figure
• younger brother of Siarhei Rutenka, the famous left back
• during a number of years, he played a key role at Dinamo Minsk where he was the captain
• unlike his brother, Dzianis has spent most of his career at home — he became a five- time Belarusian champion with Dinamo Minsk and then added three more titles with HC Meshkov Brest
• was at Dinamo since the club foundation in 2008 and until the club ceased to exist in February 2014, and won five titles of Belarus league • had some offers from abroad but preferred to move to Brest where he won the Belarusian league three more times
116
• moved to Brest in March 2014 immediately after Dinamo Minsk had gone bankrupt and ceased to exist • sidelined for a big part of the 2015/16 season due to a severe knee injury
117
MOL-Pick Szeged
GROUP B
Club Address
MOL-Pick Szeged Deák Ferenc u. 28-30. 6720 Szeged Hungary Media contact
Levente Juhasz +36 70 543 0979
[email protected] www.pickhandball.hu pickszeged @pickhandball
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black GK shirt: white or red
MOL-Pick Szeged
MOL-Pick Szeged
EHF Champions League club records
When you have eleven new arrivals and ten players departed, the first objective is to build a new team structure. This is the main job of Juan Carlos Pastor at the 2014 EHF Cup winners MOL-Pick Szeged for the upcoming season. Big names such as playmaker and top scorer Dean Bombac (to Kielce) and Spanish World Champion Antonio Garcia (to Kolding Kobenhavn) have said farewell to Hungary, while other big names such as Sergei Gorbok (Vardar), two recent champions from Kielce Marin Sego and Denis Buntic as well as Velenje stars Stas Skube and Mario Sostaric came to the Hungarian runners-up. “We must learn to play together, to play as a team, to improve and to get to know each other,” details Pastor as his main tasks. Already in their season of transition Szeged hope to snatch away at least one title from the hands of their domestic arch rivals Telekom Veszprem, though they estimate the Balaton-based champions as the favourites again. “In the VELUX EHF Champions League our philosophy is to go step by step, from match to match; we have to prepare against each opponent very thoroughly. The goal is of course, to qualify for the knockout phase, but we will need to achieve a good place in the group to get a good opponent in the next phase and to hope for the quarter-finals. This year, each match, even in the group phase, will be like a final to everyone,” says Pastor. For club CEO Nándor Szögi, it is “a big honour being among big teams such as last season’s winners Kielce. Since we are going to have eleven new players, our main goal is to build our new team step by step, from match to match. “We are going to have minimum of 14 matches against the best handball teams, which is a big challenge for MOL-Pick Szeged. We are really proud of being in this top competition and we do hope that our team can achieve the quarter-final like we did two seasons ago.” Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black
Playing hall Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged Temesvari Krt.33 6726 Szeged Hungary Capacity: 3,200
118
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 15 Quarter-final (3): 1996/1997, 2003/2004, 2014/15 Last 16 (6): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13, 2015/16 Main Round (1): 2007/2008 Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
6 39 73
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
39:24 (15:10) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 07.10.2007 40:17 (19:5) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 15.02.1997 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) 6 matches (24.10.2015 – 14.02.2016) 6 matches (17.10.2009 – 20.02.2010) 6 matches (06.03.2011 – 15.10.2011) 7 matches (17.10.2009 – 27.02.2010) 39 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 39:24W (h), 07.10.2007 40 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997 73 v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 38:35W (h), 19.11.2011 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997 16 v Wisla Plock SA POL 16:26W (a), 05.10.2008 39 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:19W (h), 08.03.2008
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1996/97 Pick Szeged HUN 2003/04 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2004/05 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2005/06 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2006/07 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2007/08 Pick Szeged HUN 2008/09 Pick Szeged HUN 2009/10 Pick Szeged HUN 2010/11 Pick Szeged HUN 2011/12 Pick Szeged HUN 2012/13 Pick Szeged HUN 2014/15 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 2015/16 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN
8 10 8 8 8 12 6 10 12 10 12 14 16 134
3 4 4 3 3 9 2 2 5 3 4 9 8 59
2 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 10
3 6 2 5 3 3 4 6 7 7 8 4 7 65
205:216 269:262 190:187 219:218 202:203 361:310 159:161 287:307 336:351 285:316 313:350 395:383 466:455 3687:3719
–11 +7 +3 +1 -1 +51 -2 -20 -15 -31 –37 +12 +11 -32
8:8 8:12 10:6 6:10 8:8 18:6 4:8 6:14 10:14 6:14 8:16 19:9 17:15 128:140
1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 3rd MR Gr. 4 3rd Gr. H 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals 5th Gr. D 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals
Other EHF Cup: Winners 2014/15, Quarter-final: 2000/01 Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000 Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-final: 1993/94 Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09 Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007) Hungarian cup: 6 titles
119
MOL-Pick Szeged
MOL-Pick Szeged
Team roster No. First Name Surname
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Height Weight
91 Patrik
HUN Line Player
17.9.1996
Orosháza, HUN
197
110
19 Zsolt
Balogh
HUN Right Back
29.3.1989
Orosháza, HUN
189
98
27 Bence
Banhidi
HUN Line Player
9.2.1995
Gyor, HUN
206
123
99 Denes
Benak
HUN Line Player
20.10.1998
Szeged, HUN
188
95
21 Alen
Blazevic
CRO
Left Back
29.3.1986
Nasice, CRO
201
115
Bodo
HUN Left Back
13.3.1993
Mateszalka, HUN
204
114
77 Bendeguz
Boka
HUN Left Wing
2.10.1993
Veszprem, HUN
194
90
34 Denis
Buntic
CRO
13.11.1982
Ljubuski, BIH
199
110
93 Adam
Dimovics
HUN Left Back
23.1.1999
Szeged, HUN
187
83
95 Karoly
Doleszal
HUN Centre Back
1.12.1995
Székesfehérvár, HUN
190
85
15 Balint
Fekete
HUN Right Back
27.6.1995
Gyula, HUN
195
95
22 Matej
Gaber
SLO
Line Player
22.7.1991
Kranj, SLO
198
110
88 Bence
Götz
HUN Left Back
25.11.1998
Sárospatak, HUN
192
85
14 Thiagus
Goncalves Dos Santos BRA
Left Back
25.1.1989
Juiz de Fora, BRA
199
100
13 Sergei
Gorbok
RUS
Left Back
4.12.1982
Minsk, BLR
196
102
98 Gergö
Haszillo
HUN Centre Back
30.9.1996
Székesfehérvár, HUN
192
92
Källman
SWE Left Wing
17.7.1981
Växjö, SWE
201
100
9
Juan Carlos Pastor
Nat.
Arpasi
Richard
Jonas
Right Back
coach
8
•
94 Richard
Mezei
HUN Right Back
28.11.1996
Szeged, HUN
189
96
52 Martin
Nagy
HUN Goalkeeper
9.1.1999
Szeged, HUN
202
88
Obranovic
CRO
18.10.1992
Karlovac, CRO
195
98
Pasztor
HUN Goalkeeper
23.7.1996
Szolnok, HUN
193
115
81 Zoltan Peter Patyi
HUN Centre Back
18.2.1995
Szeged, HUN
182
90
26 Pedro
Rodriguez Alvarez
ESP
Right Wing
22.8.1990
Vigo, ESP
192
84
16 Marin
Sego
CRO
Goalkeeper
2.8.1985
Mostar, BIH
194
99
Selmeczi
HUN Right Wing
14.3.1997
Szeged, HUN
189
70 91
• • •
one of the masterminds of contemporary handball with an incredible amount of silverware in his career Szeged found him fit for the job of rebuilding their team in order to be able to challenge for the Hungarian title against Veszprém won the EHF Cup in his first year at the helm became also the sporting director after Szeged legend Richárd Mezei resigned
7
Sandro
12 Imre
82 Roland EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2009, EHF Cup 2014 WCh: G 2005, EURO: S 2006, OG: B 2008 Newcomers: Bence Banhidi (Balatonfüredi KSE) Richard Bodo (Grundfos Tatabanya) Bendeguz Boka (Balatonfüredi KSE) Denis Buntic (Vive Tauron Kielce) Marin Sego (Vive Tauron Kielce) Mario Sostaric (Gorenje Velenje) Matej Gaber (Montpellier Handball) Pedro Rodriguez Alvares (Naturhouse La Rioja) Sandro Obranovic (RK PPD Zagreb, on loan) Sergei Gorbok (Vardar Skopje) Stas Skube (Gorenje Velenje)
Left the club: Gabor Ancsin (Telekom Veszprem) Antonio Garcia (KIF Kolding Kobenhavn) Dean Bombac (Vive Tauron Kielce) Ferenc Ilyes (Grundfos Tatabanya) Marko Curuvija (unknown) Niko Mindegia (KIF Kolding Kobenhavn) Piotr Wyszomirski (TBV Lemgo) Rajko Prodanovic (Meshkov Brest) Roberto Garcia Parrondo (CYEB Budapest) Vladimir Vranjes (Grundfos Tatabanya) Vladan Loncar (Naturhouse La Rioja, on loan) 120
1
Jose Manuel Sierra Mendez
Centre Back
ESP
Goalkeeper
21.5.1978
Moguer, ESP
194
20 Stas
Skube
SLO
Centre Back
15.11.1989
Novo Mesto, SLO
176
80
24 Mario
Sostaric
SLO
Right Wing
25.11.1992
Slovenj Gradec, SLO
192
93
18 Stefan
Sunajko
SRB
Left Wing
10.4.1998
Zombor, SRB
190
80
83 Mate
Szabo
HUN Right Wing
27.1.1997
Szeged, HUN
190
75
C 17 Szabolcs
Zubai
HUN Line Player
31.3.1984
Mezokövesd, HUN
193
98
121
MOL-Pick Szeged
MOL-Pick Szeged
Marin Sego goalkeeper
Matej Gaber line player
• signed in 2016 to replace Polish international Wyszomirski, who left Szeged
• signed by Szeged at the beginning of the 2016/17 season and has done everything since to justify his “hard-defending” reputation
• like he had in Plock with Marcin Wichary and in Kielce with a Polish national team goalkeeper, Szmal, he has now Sierra as competition in Szeged • before his first FINAL4 was most successful with Zagreb, where he helped his club to progress twice to the CL quarter-finals
• should become a very important piece of coach Juan Carlos Pastor's puzzle in the forthcoming years • Slovenian rock is a regular at the national team having represented his country for more than 100 times
EC trophies: CL 2016 EURO: S 2010
• has played for Montpellier, where he already gained considerable CL experience
Jonas Källman left wing
Denis Buntic right back
• signed in the winter of 2013/14 and showed his ability to defend in 3 positions
• born in Ljubuski, traditional handball city of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• vital part of both coach Juan Carlos Pastor’s defensive variatons and Szeged’s attacking edge
• played for Izvidac, Zagreb, Koper, Ademar Leon and Kielce before joining Szeged
• spent more than a decade in Spain with Ciudad Real and Atlético Madrid before returning home (IFK Skövde) and finally signing a three-and-a-half year contract with Pick
• the Croatian arrived in Szeged as Champions League's defending champion
• the Swede is one of the survivors of the great changes in the Szeged locker-room EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012
• set his scoring record in the EC in 2009/10 with Ademar (57 goals)
EC trophies: CL 2016 OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2010, B 2012, WCh: S 2005, 2009
Zsolt Balogh right back
Sergei Gorbok left back • started his career in Minsk, also played in Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia, Germany • took Russian citizenship, started playing for Russia after three seasons in Chekhov • in the 2013/14 season with Rhein-Neckar Löwen he was close to the FINAL4 • joined the Russian “colony” of Vardar in 2014 and left for Szeged in 2016, where a lot is expected from him
• joined Pick Szeged from Braun Gyöngyös in 2012, by 2014 overtook Gábor Ancsin in the Pick roster in his poition • not as tall as one would expect from a backcourt player but has outstanding dribbling skills and a sharp eye for passing • coach Pastor gave him more time and he grabbed his chance, he is one of the few who remained in Szeged from the 2015/16 team
EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014
Sandro Obranovic centre back
Mario Sostaric right wing
• having started handball as a member of RK Karlovac youth squad, working his way up to the first team and the Challenge Cup berth • joined Szeged in 2016 from PPD Zagreb • flourished under guidance of Veselin Vujovic in the 2014/15 season, he will be a clutch 7th field player in Szeged • awarded best left back of the 2015 SEHA League Final tournament
122
• spent his latest years away from Champions League action but has more than 50 goals in the competetion from 2014 with Velenje. • the 1,92 m tall winger is unlucky to have such competition as Gajic and Marguc in the Slovenian national team • was voted to the All Star team in the junior ECh and WCh (2011, 12) • Juan Carlos Pastor asked for Sostaric personally, he signed a three-year contract with the club
123
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
GROUP B
Club Address
Celje Pivovarna Lasko Opekarniska Cesta 15 3000 Celje Slovenia Media contact
Nejc Ajdnik +386 40687766
[email protected] www.rk-celje.si rkceljepivovarnaLasko @RKCPL
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow-blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko For the past 70 years, handball has been played in Celje. During that period, RK Pivovarna Lasko have been the Slovenian champions 20 times and for the 22nd time, the 2004 winners are once again a part of the EHF Champions League. To celebrate their accomplishments, RK have produced and new club anthem. Celje aims high in all competitions they play. The main goals of Branko Tamse team are to defend their domestic titles (league and cup) and to proceed to the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League. One key player left (Blaz Blagotinsek to Telekom Veszprem), one retired (Luka Dobelsek) and one returned back to the club where he started (Borut Mackovsek). With this nearly equal squad, Celje will additionally begin in the multi-national SEHA Liga for the first time. With that, the Slovenian record champions want to use this international experience to accomplish a mission they did not fulfil in the 2015/16 season. “We missed the Last 16 by an inch in the last round; now, we want to fight until the end this season and be successful,” says manager Gregor Planteu. But, it is not only the sportive results which count for Planteu and his club. “We want to improve in terms of business, too - that means having an organization at the top level and a packed Zlatorog Arena with an average of 4000 spectators per game, which is impressive for the size of the city of Celje. We need to have great results. Of course, every fan expects more than a game; they want to have a top event and we are going to deliver that to them.” Experienced team captain, Luka Zvizej, shares the hopes and expectations of Celje proceeding to the knockout stage. “We know that this will be very hard task. Clubs like Kielce, Zagreb, Pick Szeged, Löwen and Vardar are always hard to beat. So, we hope to cause some upsets in a full Zlatorog arena.” Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 21 Winner (1): 2003/04 Semi-final (6): 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2004/05 Quarter-final (2): 2001/02, 2005/06 Last 16 (3): 1995/96, 2006/07, 2012/13, 2013/14 Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2010/11, 2014/15 Qualification (1): 2009/10 Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: semi-finals 2002/02, 2011/12
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red
Playing hall Dvorana Zlatorog Opekarinska cesta 15 3000 Celje Slovenia Capacity: 5,830
Slovenian league: 20 titles (1992-2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015) Slovenian cup: 19 times
124
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
6 44 77
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
37:17 (16:9) v Redbergslids IK SWE (h), 18.11.2000 43:27 (23:16) v THW Kiel GER (a), 27.02.2011 6 matches (23.03.1997 – 24.01.1998) 6 matches (25.03.2000 – 09.12.2000) 8 matches (31.10.2004 – 02.04.2005) 7 matches (26.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) 9 matches (26.09.2015 – 06.12.2015) 44 v HC ‘Granitas-Karys’ LTU 44:27W (h), 22.11.2008 44 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 44:33L (a), 09.10.2010 77 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 44:33L (a), 09.10.2010 17 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994 16 v SG Wallau-Massenheim GER 23:16W (h), 13.02.1994 16 v Redbergslids Göteborg SWE 31:16W (h), 14.11.1998 35 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1993/94 Celje ‘Pivovarna Lasko’ SLO 1996/97 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 1997/98 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 1998/99 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 1999/00 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2000/01 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2001/02 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2003/04 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2004/05 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2005/06 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2006/07 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2007/08 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2008/09 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2010/11 HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2012/13 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2013/14 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2014/15 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2015/16 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
6 10 10 10 10 10 8 14 12 10 8 12 10 10 12 12 10 10 184
2 7 8 7 7 6 6 10 8 7 6 4 4 3 5 5 3 3 101
0 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 10
4 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 6 6 7 7 6 7 10 77
120:116 254:213 268:234 290:245 294:250 292:254 232:217 447:398 360:327 311:273 272:237 342:344 296:287 300:332 305:324 322:327 284:293 385:398 5374:5069
+4 +41 +34 +45 +44 +38 +15 +49 +33 +38 +35 -2 +9 -32 –19 -5 -9 –13 +305
4:8 15:5 16:4 15:5 14:6 13:7 12:4 22:6 17:7 14:6 12:4 10:14 8:12 6:14 10:14 11:13 6:14 7:21 212:164
4th Gr. A 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/4-finals Winner 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 4th MR Gr. 4 4th MR Gr. 2 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 5th Gr. C 7th Gr. A
125
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Team roster No. First Name Surname 7
Povilas
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
LTU
Left Back
13.12.1988
Height Weight
Kaunas, LTU
200
90 120
80 Kristian
Beciri
CRO
Line Player
14.6.1994
Heppenheim, GER
202
66 Gasper
Dobaj
SLO
Goalkeeper
13.11.1998
Slovenj Gradec, SLO
184
84
26 Lucijan
Fizuleto
SLO
Centre Back
23.2.1994
Celje , SLO
186
84
16 Ivan
Gajic
SRB
Goalkeeper
17.5.1979
Nis, SRB
191
105
14 Matic
Groselj
SLO
Right Back
22.9.1997
Trbovlje, SLO
193
90
Janc
SLO
Right Wing
20.11.1996
Brezice, SLO
185
85
13 Teo
Jezernik
SLO
Right Wing
29.8.2000
Celje, SLO
180
70
25 Tilen
Kodrin
SLO
Left Wing
14.5.1994
Celje, SLO
190
89 79
8
Blaz
3
Matevz
Kunst
SLO
Left Back
25.3.1998
Celje, SLO
184
1
Urban
Lesjak
SLO
Goalkeeper
24.8.1990
Celje, SLO
188
95
Mackovsek
SLO
Left Back
11.9.1992
Koper, SLO
203
100
Makuc
SLO
Centre Back
1.7.2000
Postojna, SLO
189
83
Left Back
22.4.1993
Itajausc, BRA
188
97
51 Borut 4
Domen
29 Arthur 5
Jaka
Malburg Patrianova BRA Malus
SLO
Centre Back
15.6.1996
Celje, SLO
190
90
Branko Tamse
11 Gal
Marguc
SLO
Right Wing
16.11.1996
Celje, SLO
177
72
coach • former player and coach of Celje’s arch rivals from Velenje • took over the club in December 2014, just 48 hours after Vladan Matic and Celje announced the termination of their contract • major task of the former youth and junior national team player was to rebuild a young team with talents and create a competitive force to keep up with the pace of the more renowned rivals in the group
55 Ziga
Mlakar
SLO
Right Back
16.5.1990
Celje, SLO
192
95
193
94
15 Vid
Poteko
SLO
Line Player
5.4.1991
Celje, SLO
9
David
Razgor
SLO
Centre Back
13.7.1989
Celje, SLO
181
82
6
Luka
Savanovic
BIH
Right Back
16.1.2001
Banja Luca, BIH
186
82
Simonic
SLO
Goalkeeper
27.8.1999
Leoben, AUT
197
92
Sivka
SLO
Left Wing
12.7.1997
Celje, SLO
183
76
10 Matic
Suholeznik
SLO
Line Player
2.5.1995
Celje, SLO
202
121
17 Stefan
Zabic
SLO
Line Player
17.2.1999
Celje, SLO
202
100
23 Miha
Zarabec
SLO
Centre Back
12.10.1991
Novo Mesto, SLO
174
72
9.12.1980
Celje, SLO
185
88
12 Luka 2
Jan
C 77 Luka
Newcomers: Borut Mackovsek (ThSV Eisenach) Kristian Beciri (RK Maribor Branik)
Babarskas
Zvizej
SLO
Left Wing
Left the club: Blaz Blagotinsek (Telekom Veszprem) Luka Dobelsek (career end) Marko Dujmovic (unknown)
126
127
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Ivan Gajic goalkeeper
Miha Zarabec centre back
• started his handball career in his birthplace with RK Zeleznicar Nis in 1997
• joined Celje in the summer of 2014 from another Slovenian club RK Maribor Branik, where he experienced the EHF Cup Group Phase in 2012/13
• played five seasons (2008-2013) for Celje’s biggest rival RK Gorenje Velenje, under current Celje coach Branko Tamse, won three Slovenian champions titles • vast club-level experience playing at Hannover, Frisch Auf Göppingen, Silkeborg, Tremblay as well as Al Ahly for a season each • expected share his playing time with Slovenian international Urban Lesjak
• after Sebastian Skube and Mate Lekai left the club, Zarabec took over attacking duties • his main strenghts are speed, explosivity and his vision of play • in his first season in the CL he became the top scorer of his team with 54 goals
Luka Zvizej left wing
Vid Poteko line player
• competed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens
• member of Celje since 2010, now a key part of Celje’s defence, known as a true fighter, who never gives up
• listed among the top ten goal scorers at the 2012 EHF EURO, also part of the national team at the WCh 2013, where Slovenia finished fourth • moved from his home team to Spain in 2003 – first to CB Cantabria and then to FC Barcelona, where he won the CL in 2005 and ASOBAL in 2006 • before moving back had a second stint at Cantabria and spent 3 years with Szeged
• part of the Slovenian team playing in Mersin at the Mediterranean games 2013 together with Gasper Marguc, Urban Lesjak and Borut Mackovsek • since Alem Toskic left Celje for Vardar Skopje in 2013 and Blaz Blagotinsek for Veszprem in 2016, he gets more minutes in the offensive play
EC trophies: CL 2005
Arthur Malburg Patrianova left back • signed for Celje in the summer of 2015
Ziga Mlakar right back • started playing handball when 12-year-old, has never played for a foreign club yet
• despite his young age has been member of the Brazilian national team for some years and played both at the WCh 2013 in Spain and WCh 2015 in Qatar
• apart from the 2014/15 season, when he wore the Branik Maribor jersey, played his entire career in Celje
• came from Villa de Aranda, ASOBAL team, before he played in Naturhouse la Rioja, but longed for more minutes on the court
• one of the main figures of the successful 1990 generation
• can play in the centre back position too
• recorded his best season in 2015/16 scoring 60 goals in the CL
• in March 2015 suffered a knee injury and had to undergo a surgery
Blaz Janc right wing
Borut Mackovsek left back • returned to Celje in the summer of 2016 after two years with Montpellier
• one of the biggest talents in history of Slovenian handball
• played for three different clubs in the 2013/14 season: TSV Hannover-Burgdorf, then Dinamo Minsk, then RK Celje
• already in his 5th season in the first team making his debut in the CL at 15 years old and scoring over 100 goals in the CL still as a teenager
• famous for scoring 10 goals in a Last 16 CL match against Hamburg in 2013/14
• after Gasper Marguc’s departure to Veszprem in 2014 he used his extended playing time to become the third best Celje’s scorer (44 goals)
• reached his personal best in the CL in 2012/13 scoring 62 goals
• best right back in the previous Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2014 and Junior WCh 2015 where he was playing with players two years older than him • top scorer of Slovenia at the Rio 2016 Olympics (28 goals in 6 matches)
128
129
IFK Kristianstad
GROUP B
Club Address
IFK Kristianstad Västra Storgatan 69 29154 Kristanstad Sweden Media contact
Anders Hallengren +46 734 33 11 88 anders.hallengren@ ifkkristianstad.se www.ifkkristianstad.se IFKKristianstad @IFKKristianstad
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: orange Player short: white GK shirt: red/yellow/ black/white
IFK Kristianstad
IFK Kristianstad First they had to wait for more than 50 years - from 1953 until 2015 - to become Swedish champions again, and then IFK Kristianstad took their second straight league title in Sweden. Ola Lindgren’s team had not only been successful in domestic competition, but set showed signs of brilliance in the previous VELUX EHF Champions League season. Lindgren announced that he has resigned from his position as Swedish national team coach to focus on IFK. Kristianstad beat Kolding twice, Löwen once and tied with eventual Champions League winners Kielce in their first ever appearance in the group phase. Due to being drawn into a tough group, even those results were not enough to make it to the Last 16. Such outstanding performances made other clubs sit up and take notice of Kristianstad’s players: Thus, Fredric Pettersson and Andreas Cederholm have left for France, top star Kristian Björnsen signed for German side Wetzlar, while his Norwegian teammate Christian O’Sullivan joined Magdeburg (Germany). Lindgren’s job now is to cope with this transitional phase. It’s the club’s goal not only to take the treble in Sweden but also to go a step further in the VELUX EHF Champions League in the upcoming year. “We are aiming to continue our great performances in our home arena with a fantastic atmosphere and we will try to make it to the Last 16,” club manager Nikolas Larsson says, adding on the opponents: “We are playing in a very tough group with many strong teams including defending champions Kielce and German champions Rhein-Neckar Löwen.” Lindgren was Löwen coach some years ago as the predecessor of current Danish gold hero Gudmundur Gudmundsson. Icelandic team captain Olafur Gudmundsson - 2014 Champions League winner with SG Flensburg-Handewitt - expects an “inspiring challenge from which I hope to proceed to the knockout stage; Kielce, Löwen and Vardar will be the top three favourites in our group, but we will try to match the rest in our home arena.” Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 2 Group Phase (1): 2015/16
Dark Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red/yellow/ black/white
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
1 36 74
MATCH Longest winning run
Longest unbeaten run
GOALS Most goals
Longest losing run
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
21:30 (13:11) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (a), 06.03.2016 29:20 (15:10) v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER (a), 26.11.2015 1 match (16.09.2015) 1 match (22.10.2015) 1 match (06.03.2016) 1 match (16.09.2015) 1 match (22.10.2015) 1 match (11.02.2016) 1 match (06.03.2016) 4 matches (26.09.2015 – 17.10.2015) 4 matches (14.11.2015 – 05.12.2015) 7 matches (14.11.2015 – 25.02.2016) 36 v HC Vardar MKD 38:36L (a), 20.02.2016 38 v HC Vardar MKD 38:36L (a), 20.02.2016 74 v HC Vardar MKD 38:36L (a), 20.02.2016 20 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 29:20L (a), 26.11.2015 21 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 21:30W (a), 06.03.2016 49 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 29:20L (a), 26.11.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2015/16 IFK Kristianstad SWE
14 14
3 3
1 1
10 10
409:437 409:437
–28 –28
7:21 7:21
7th Gr. B
Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2013/14 Swedish league: 6 titles (1941, 1948, 1952, 1953, 2015, 2016)
Playing hall Kristianstad Arena Västra Storgatan 1 29154 Kristianstad Sweden Capacity: 4,800
130
131
IFK Kristianstad
IFK Kristianstad
Team roster No. First Name Surname 5
Arnar Freyr Arnarsson
Date of birth Place of birth
Line Player
14.3.1996
Reykjavik, ISL
200
110
Eriksen
NOR Back
25.4.1994
Stord, NOR
193
101
Gudmundsson
ISL
Back
13.5.1990
Hafnarfjarðar, ISL
194
96
14 Viktor
Hallen
SWE Left Wing
1.2.1994
Kungsholmen, SWE
188
84
29 Richard
Hanisch
SWE Back
2.6.1990
Eskilstuna, SWE
190
90
Henningsson
SWE Back
14.6.1995
Hörby, SWE
197
100
27 Gunnar
Jonsson
ISL
4.5.1987
Akureyri, ISL
193
95
10 Albin
Lagergren
SWE Back
11.9.1992
Varberg, SWE
187
90
Göteborg, SWE
182
83
Philip
Back
12 Fredrik
Landin
SWE Goalkeeper
2.6.1996
36 Jesper
Larsson
SWE Goalkeeper
27.7.1973
Kristianstad, SWE
190
95
11 Johannes
Larsson
SWE Right Wing
9.8.1991
Kristianstad, SWE
182
78
1
Leo
Larsson
SWE Goalkeeper
16.10.1990
Ystad, SWE
187
93
4
Mario
Lipovac
SWE Line Player
2.11.1991
Karlstad, SWE
198
112
12.8.1997
Kungälv, SWE
189
98
31 Filip coach • head coach in Kristianstad since 2012, celebrated his greatest triumph as a coach by leading them to their first Swedish championship title in 62 years in 2014/15 • before returning home was coach at HSG Nordhorn and Rhein-Neckar Löwen • apart from being head coach in Kristianstad, in 2008-16 was in charge of the Swedish national team together with his former national teammate Staffan Olsson • was a great line player in his active days, the golden age of Swedish handball • with 376 matches for Sweden, he is the Swedish player with second most caps
ISL
9
Stig Tore
35 Anton
Moberg Andersson SWE Back Moen Nilsen
NOR Back
9.8.1994
Alta, NOR
193
93
Persson
SWE Left Back
5.6.1998
Kristianstad, SWE
180
85
Kristianstad, SWE
192
82
32 Emil
Schuster
SWE Back
21.5.1997
16 Nebojsa
Simic
MNE Goalkeeper
19.1.1993
Cetinje, MON
194
115
Sörensen
DEN
Right Wing
10.2.1992
Skive, DEN
178
82
28 Alexander
Tatarintsev
RUS
Back
13.3.1990
Stavropol, RUS
208
106
17 Jerry
Tollbring
SWE Left Wing
13.9.1995
Norrtälje, SWE
182
81
7
Tim D.
OG: S 1992, 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1990, 1999, S 1997, 2001, B 1993, 1995, EURO: G 1994, 1998, 2000 Newcomers: Gunnar Steinn Jonsson (Gummersbach) Mario Lipovac (Redbergslid IK) Alexander Tatarintsev (Gornik Zabrze) Stig Tore Moen (Bodö HK) Philip Henningsson (IFK Ystad) Tim Sörensen (Skanderborg)
Left the club: Johan Jepson (retired) Fredric Pettersson (Toulouse) Andreas Cederholm (Toulouse) Kristian Björnsen (Wetzlar) Anton Lindskog (Wetzlar) Christian O’Sullivan (Magdeburg) Marcus Dahlin, (Mors-Thy) Oskar Cosmo (O/V Helsingborg)
132
Height Weight
Position
33 Inge Aas C 13 Olafur
6
Ola Lindgren
Nat.
133
IFK Kristianstad
IFK Kristianstad
Nebojsa Simic goalkeeper • joined in the summer of 2015 from HC Lovcen in his homeland Montenegro • advanced to being first choice as goalkeeper during the 2015/16 season, for a great part due to some stellar performances in the VELUX EHF Champions League • part of the Montenegrin national team at the EHF EURO 2014 and has played 15 internationals for his country • despite being a relatively stationary goalkeeper most of the time, he won the hearts of the fans in the Kristianstad Arena in the 2015/16 season with his saves
Mario Lipovac line player • joined this summer from Swedish league rivals Redbergslids, where he was captain • played in Redbergslids from 15 and had had his league debut at the age of 17 • has some kind of a challenge filling out the line player position after Swedish international Anton Lindskog who has left for HSG Wetzlar • can play at both ends of the court
Arnar Freyr Arnarsson line player
Jerry Tollbring left wing • joined from league colleagues Rimbo HK in the summer of 2014
• joined in the summer of 2016 from Icelandic league club Fram Reykjavik
• signed as substitute to experienced Johan Jepson in the left wing position, but his skills soon made him first choice on the left wing
• has signed a three-year contract with Kristianstad, his first foreign adventure
• his club performance in the 2015/16 season paved his way to the Swedish national team at the EHF EURO in Poland and also at the Rio Olympics
• with his two meters and 110 kilos, he has the size and physical strength to make an impact on the line, where he is always easy to find for his back court players
• his sister Cassandra plays on a centre back position in H65 Höör
• part of the Icelandic team for the M 20 EURO 2016 in Denmark and was also in the 28 players squad for the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland back in January
Olafur Gudmundsson left back
Albin Lagergren right back
• returned to IFK from German Bundesliga club TSV Hannover-Burgdorf in the summer of 2015
• one of the few IFK players, who were also in the club in the 2015/16 season mostly substituting for Andreas Cederholm, who has left for French Toulouse
• also represented IFK from 2012-14, and has represented Danish league clubs AG Kobenhavn and Nordsjælland Håndbold as well
• had several great performances last season already, not least in the VELUX EHF Champions League
• can look forward to more court time in the 2016/17 season after several key players having left the club
• extended his contract with IFK as far as until the summer of 2018
• has played over 70 internationals for Iceland
• had played two internationals for Sweden up until the summer 2016, but was nominated for the Swedish squad for the Rio Olympics 2016
Gunnar Steinn Jonsson centre back
Tim Sörensen right wing
• joined this summer from German Bundesliga club VfL Gummersbach
• joined this summer on a two-year contract from Danish league club Skanderborg
• succeeding Norwegian international Christian O'Sullivan who has left for another Bundesliga club, SC Magdeburg
• was actually under contract with Skanderborg this season too, but had an option to get out of that contract, if he got an offer from a foreign club – which he did
• no stranger to Sweden as he played for HK Drott Halmstad from 2009 to 2012
• will be trying to fill out the gap after Norwegian international Kristian Bjørnsen who has left for German Bundesliga club HSG Wetzlar
• complete playmaker with cleverness and ability to read the game as his biggest strengths • has played 30 internationals for Iceland
134
• top scoring player in Skanderborg and number two on the top scorers' list in the Danish league for large parts of the 2015/16 season
135
Group C preview
Group C preview
Group C preview MONTPELLIER TO PROVE THEIR ELITE STATUS CHALLENGING SPANISH CROWNED PRINCES Group C gets underway with a replay of the opening match from last season in Russia, where Chekhovskie Medvedi met Spanish runners-up Naturhouse La Rioja. Three of the six teams in Group C came across each other last season, also in Group C. La Rioja beat Presov twice, and the rest of the ties were very close, Presov and La Rioja both came out on top at home against Medvedi. Metalurg and Elverum also won their home head-to-head matches in Group D last term, so expect teams in this group to heavily count on their home advantage. Montpellier, who was seeded in Group B last time out, are considered the big favourite to take the top spot. The only French EHF Champions League winners from 13 years ago, with long serving coach Patrice Canayer, have been reinforced by All-star right back from the 2016 Rio Olympics Valentin Porte. Montpellier still have two members of the 2003 winning squad – coach Patrice Canayer and team captain Michael Guigou. The Spanish powerhouse, La Rioja, aim to repeat their success from 2015, when they reached Last 16 of the compeititon. Unlike last year, when they were knocked out by Zaporozhye in the Groups C+D elimination round. The Spanish side will do without Cristian Malmagro and Pedro Rodriguez (with a combined score of 125 goals), but instead have the 2,13 metres tall signing Angel Montoro from Plock to come up with the goods. Chasing Barcelona in the Spanish ASOBAL League for three consecutive years should give La Rioja enough confidence to challenge Montpellier for the top spot in the group in their fourth apperance in the group stage.
qualification tournament 1 at home by beating Gorenje Velenje in the deciding match might give the young team more confidence. Vadym Brazhnyk returns to Presov after 11 years, whilst important line player Michal Kopco has left for Sporting Lisabon. Elverum, led by Michael Apelgren won the Norwegian Championship for the third time. And the side from Norway signed Tamas Ivancsik from Baia Mare but had to omit Steffen Stegavik, one of the key players last year. The cards are set for Montpellier to fight for the first spot. Naturhouse La Rioja, ambitious club from Logrono should make the bid for second place in the group. They will be challenged by the young prospects from Chekhov, led by legendary Vladimir Maximov. It will be interesting to see how Metalurg will react to the number of changes made in the club and how the return to SEHA League will affect also their Champions League performances. Tatran Presov hope they can improve their last season’s bad record of two wins, finishing bottom of Group C, yet they have to show their young squad can match the European powerhouses. Elverum, debutants from last season, were seeded directly into the group phase for the first time. Their ambition is focused on building on their record from last season of three wins. Tomas Cuncik
Not many changes have been made to the young team of Chekhov. The Bears remain the only team joined with RK Zagreb, to win 15 consecutive domestic titles, but is it enough to match the European elite? After their apperance at the very first VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 in 2010, they are again reinforcing their position in Europe. They heavily count on veteran Alexander Chernoivanov, elected MPV, best defensive and line player of the Russian league. Metalurg Skopje leave no stone unreturned in their fight to return to the glory of 2013 and 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals. However Lino Cervar, coach of the ‘golden Croatian’ side at the 2014 Olympics, is cautious as his squad has undergone a number of vital changes, including the departure of key player Janko Bozovic. Tatran and Elverum can easily be considered the dark horses of the group. They can surprise, yet they are not considered as the knockout-stage favourites. Without Radoslav Antl, and his 46 goals last season, but with Czech right winger Jakub Hrstka, a new Presov return to Europe’s premier club competition. Winning the
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137
Group C preview
Group C preview
Group C head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC Naturhouse La Rioja vs HC Metalurg 1-0-1 (59:56) 2:2) 16.11.2014 22.11.2014
Naturhouse La Rioja vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC Metalurg vs Naturhouse La Rioja, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
31:27 (13:13) 29:28 (15:16)
Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Naturhouse La Rioja, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Naturhouse La Rioja vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
27:26 (13:13) 30:26 (14:14)
Naturhouse La Rioja vs Montpellier HB No previous encounters in European competitions
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Elverum Handball
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Tatran Presov 3-0-1 (115:110) 6:2 25.02.2006 04.03.2006 18.10.2015 22.10.2015
Tatran Presov vs Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov vs Tatran Presov, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final TATRAN Presov vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Chekhovskie Medvedi vs TATRAN Presov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
Naturhouse La Rioja vs Elverum Handball
Montpellier HB vs Elverum Handball
No previous encounters in European competitions
No previous encounters in European competitions
Naturhouse La Rioja vs Tatran Presov 2-0-0 (58:48) 4:0 03.10.2015 05.12.2015
Naturhouse La Rioja vs TATRAN Presov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C TATRAN Presov vs Naturhouse La Rioja, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
37:29 (22:15) 19:21 (8:6)
HC Metalurg vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 0-0-2 (53:72) 0:4 30.09.2006 04.11.2006
Chehovskie Medvedi vs RK Metalurg Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group D RK Metalurg Skopje vs Chehovskie Medvedi, EHF Champions League – Group D
40:25 (22:9) 28:32 (12:16)
TATRAN Presov vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs TATRAN Presov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
Elverum Handball vs Tatran Presov No previous encounters in European competitions
HC Metalurg vs Montpellier HB
HC Metalurg vs Elverum Handball 1-0-1 (45:48) 2:2 HC Metalurg vs Elverum Handball Herrer, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Elverum Handball Herrer vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
22:19 (10:12) 29:23 (15:7)
HC Metalurg vs Tatran Presov No previous encounters in European competitions
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB 3-3-10 (446:467) 9:23 09.11.1996 16.11.1996 10.11.2002 08.12.2002 12.10.2003 22.11.2003 16.10.2005 12.11.2005 08.11.2009 25.02.2010 28.04.2010 01.05.2010 18.10.2012 17.02.2013
Montpellier HB vs CSKA Moscow, EHF Cup – Last 16 24:18 (10:09) CSKA Moscow vs Montpellier HB, EHF Cup – Last 16 17:17 (10:09) Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group C 30:31 (15:11) Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau, EHF Champions League – Group C 25:24 (13:12) Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi Moscow, EHF Champions League – Group D 27:19 (14:09) Chehovski Medvedi Moscow vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group D 25:30 (14:13) Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov, EHF Champions League – Group A 36:29 (19:14) Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group A 35:28 (20:12) Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, EHF Champions League – Group A 33:28 (19:14) Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group A 27:28 (11:16) Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 32:27 (18:13) Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 36:32 (12:14, 32:27) Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 35:29 (19:15) Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 30:30 (17:17)
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27:30 (11:14) 35:28 (17:13) 27:21 (12:12) 29:28 (15:15)
Montpellier HB vs Tatran Presov 2-0-0 (73:56) 4:0 16.10.2010 27.02.2011
No previous encounters in European competitions
03.10.2015 06.12.2015
32:32 (15:14) 33:34 (17:16)
No previous encounters in European competitions
Naturhouse La Rioja vs Chekhovskier Medvedi 1-0-1 (53:56) 2:2 17.09.2015 14.11.2015
16.11.2014 22.11.2014
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31:33 (16:17) 40:25 (19:11)
Naturhouse La Rioja
GROUP C
Club Address
Naturhouse La Rioja Avenida de Moncalvillo 2 26008 Logrono Spain Media contact
Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez +34 63 77 66 107 naturhouselarioja.ehf @gmail.com www.cbclogrono.com Club-BalonmanoNaturhouse-La-Rioja @NaturhouseRioja Kit colours
Naturhouse La Rioja
Naturhouse La Rioja For the third straight time, the Logrono based team of Naturhouse La Rioja finished second in the Spanish league, only topped by FC Barcelona Lassa. After qualifying for the Last 16 in 2015 and missing the knockout stages narrowly in the playoffs against Zaporozhye in 2016, the Spanish runners-up are out looking for another spot among the best 16 teams in Europe once again. While Swedish back court ace Philip Stenmalm left for Kolding (Denmark), La Rioja managed to sign the tall right back Angel Montoro from Plock (Poland) and the Egyptian Mohamed Sanad from Hungary. Like their Brazilian player Vincius Langaro, Sanad was part of his national team at the Olympic Games in Rio. “Proceeding to the Last 16 would be a major success for us,” coach and manager Jesus Javier Gonzalez Fernandez adds: “We play in a tough group. The big favourite for the top position is Montpellier, so there will be a tight race for second.” Goalkeeper and team captain Gurutz Aguinagalde Akizu - brother of Spanish international Julen Aguinagalde - expects a tough fight for the two top positions: “Our opponents are big teams and a few of them are leaders in their domestic league, so I am sure they will be tough teams to beat. I think the best team is Montpellier, they are on a higher level compared to the rest of our group.” In general, the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League is something great for Gonzalez Fernandez: “For a small club like us, playing in the best club competition in the world is important keeping and reaching new sponsors.”
Light Player shirt: white Player short: red GK shirt: yellow
EHF Champions League club records
6 39 76
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
31:22 (15:9) v Vojvodina SRB (h), 24.10.2015 37:25 (19:11) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 12.02.2014 6 matches (26.09.2015 – 14.11.2015) 6 matches (26.09.2015 – 14.11.2015) 3 matches (14.03.2015 – 17.09.2015) 4 matches (21.09.2013 – 19.10.2013) 4 matches (22.11.2014 – 14.02.2015) 39 v Meshkov Brest BLR 39:31W (h), 28.09.2014 39 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 39:37L (a), 05.03.2016 76 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 39:37L (a), 05.03.2016 21 v TATRAN Presov SVK 19:21W (a), 05.12.2015 19 v TATRAN Presov SVK 19:21W (a), 05.12.2015 40 v TATRAN Presov SVK 19:21W (a), 05.12.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2013/14 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 2014/15 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 2015/16 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP
10 12 12 34
3 4 7 14
2 1 0 3
5 7 5 17
292:320 359:373 365:340 1016:1033
-28 –14 +25 -17
8:12 9:15 14:10 31:37
5th Gr. D 1/8-finals Elimination C+D
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Group Phase (3): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: blue
Other EHF Cup: Semi-finalists 2009/10, 2010/11, Group Phase 2012/13 Spanish league: no titles Spanish Cup winners: - (runners-up in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Playing hall Palacio de los deportes de la Rioja Avenida Moncalvillo 2 Logrono Spain Capacity: 3,500
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141
Naturhouse La Rioja
Naturhouse La Rioja
Team roster Date of birth Place of birth
Goalkeeper
26.10.1977
Irun, ESP
201
110
11 Pablo
Cacheda Gonzalez ESP
Centre Back
9.1.1992
Lalín, ESP
180
82
33 Eduardo
Cadarso Caballero ESP
Left Wing
13.2.1999
Logroño, ESP
190
71
32 Angel
Fernandez Perez
ESP
Left Wing
16.9.1988
Santander, ESP
192
90
17 Ruben
Garabaya Arenas
ESP
Line Player
15.9.1978
Aviles, ESP
201
110
22 Francisco
Garcia Rubio
ESP
Line Player
7.1.1990
Bolanos, ESP
196
115
41 Imanol
Garciandia Alustiza ESP
Right Back
30.4.1995
Urretxu, ESP
201
98
91 Mohamed Hisham Sanad
EGY
Right Wing
16.1.1991
El Cairo, EGY
186
86
Inoue Langaro
BRA
Left Back
7.3.1995
Umuarama, BRA
196
100
13 Luis Felipe Jimenez Reina
ESP
Right Back
12.6.1989
Puente Genil, ESP
193
90
C 12 Gurutz
23 Haniel
Kappelin
SWE Goalkeeper
30.9.1983
Irsta, SWE
191
96
Molina Cosano
ESP
Left Back
31.5.1991
Barcelona, ESP
202
90
25 Carlos
Montoro Cabello
ESP
Right Back
10.4.1989
Toledo, ESP
213
105
24 Angel
Munoz Cabezon
ESP
Right Wing
22.5.1992
Madrid, ESP
192
86
Richard
5
Javier
Pecina Tome
ESP
Line Player
31.5.1988
Irún, ESP
200
104
4
Inaki
Rocas Comas
ESP
Right Wing
16.6.1982
Palafrugell, ESP
188
84
Romeo Lopez
ESP
Goalkeeper
1.6.1990
Logroño, ESP
195
95
Sanchez Migallon
ESP
Left Wing
8.2.1995
Ciudad Real, ESP
200
96
Vigo Gerpe
ESP
Centre Back
9.5.1984
Camariñas, ESP
186
90
coach
90 Albert
•
2
• • •
for the first time in his coaching career he led a CL participant in the 2013/14 season awarded “best coach of the Spanish league” in the 2012/13 season for the second time in his life in 2007 the former player took over the team of Logroño after being coach in Valladolid, his first coaching job was an assistant position to Juan Carlos Pastor after his arrival the club made their first steps on the European stage
Newcomers: Angel Montoro Cabello (Orlen Wisla Plock) Javier Munoz Cabezon (BM Villa De Aranda) Mohamed Hisham Mohamed Anis Aly Sanad (Sport 26 Kolmo)
Nat.
18 Johan
1
Jesús Javier González Fernández
Javier
14 Miguel
Left the club: Alberto Val Sancho (Bada Huesca) Cristian Malmagro (Saudi Arabia) Philip Stenmalm (KIF Kolding) Pedro Rodriguez Alvarez (MOL Pick Szeged)
142
Height Weight
Position
Aguinagalde Aquizu ESP
No. First Name Surname
143
Naturhouse La Rioja
Naturhouse La Rioja
Gurutz Aguinagalde Aquizu goalkeeper
Pablo Cacheda centre back
• one of the most experienced players at La Rioja during each of their European campaigns
• played for SD Octavio and Valladolid before he decided to transfer to La Rioja in 2014
• winner of the Spanish King’s Cup in 1996 and the Spanish Super Cup in 1996
• U20 World champion with Spain in 2012 and MVP of that tournament's final
• important part in the Rioja’s run in the 2012/13 EHF Cup when they only narrowly missed the quarter-finals
• troubled by some long injures, but regained consistency in the 2015/16 season
• brother of Spanish national team line player Julen
• still a young talented player with a potential to grow
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 1997
Richard Kappelin goalkeeper • joined La Rioja ahead of the 2015/16 season from French Selestat Alsace Handball
Francisco Javier Garcia line player • in the past played for Barcelona and Aragon
• has previous CL experience from another Spanish club, Aragon as well as from Danish Aalborg
• spent the 2013/14 season in the French club Nantes, but returned to Spain in the summer of 2014 to join La Rioja
• has been a bit around in his career, which also took him to Al Gharafa in Qatar for six months before he joined Aalborg in 2013
• strong line player, defensive specialist, expected to share his duties with a veteran Ruben Garabaya
• represented the Swedish league clubs IK Sävehof and Alingsas HK before
• played for the young categories on the national team
• has not played any senior internationals, won the Junior WCh with Sweden in 2003
Angel Fernandez Perez left wing
Angel Montoro right back
• playing in Naturhouse La Rioja since the 2013/14 season
• with 2,13 meters one of the tallest players in CL
• replacement for Juanin Garcia who left for Ademar
• played football and basketball, before he switched to handball
• in the 2014/15 season he played more minutes in left back
• started with Ademar Leon, later joined FC Barcelona, which opened the door to the national team for him
• called up by Manolo Cadenas for the Spanish national team, played two games against Germany in 2015
• after two foreign stints with Tolouse and Wisla Plock, he returned to Spain in 2016 and joined La Rioja WCh: G 2013
Albert Rocas right wing
Carlos Molina left back • his speciality has always been defence, but gradually he has been taking more responsibility in attack • studies nursing • born in South Spain, joined young age categories in FC Barcelona • was in Aragon and Huesca before he arrived in La Rioja in 2014 • 6 caps for Spain and 11 times with the beach handball national team, also played for the U20 and U18 national teams
144
• double world champion with the Spanish national team (2005 and 2013) • nominated as the best ASOBAL right wing in 2004, 2007 and 2008, and best right wing of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 • after six seasons at Barcelona, Rocas made the move to Kolding before the 2013/14 season, his first to a foreign league • in 2015/16 he was hit by a knee injury which sidelined him for a major part
145
HC Metalurg
GROUP C
Club Address
HC Metalurg ul. Jane Lukroski 6 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia Media contact
Ana Neloska +389 723 103 98
[email protected]
HC Metalurg
HC Metalurg
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
After hitting their VELUX EHF Champions League peak by reaching the quarter-finals in 2013 and 2014, things have changed at Metalurg. With another huge exodus prior to this season, coach Lino Cervar is implementing a new, young team in the Macedonian capital. While on the domestic front their clear target is to remain second in the ranking chasing champions Vardar, the aim for the Champions League is to simply win more than last season. Some young Macedonian and Serbian players have arrived at Metalurg, but some big names such as Janko Bozovic (now in Lisbon) have left. For Cervar, who steered the Croatian national team to several trophies and medals, including the Olympic triumph in 2004, building a new team is a major challenge: “We have plenty of potential among our young players, who are the future of Macedonian men’s handball.” Facing teams like Montpellier, La Rioja or Medvedi, Cervar expects a tough race for the playoffs: “This season we will play in a much stronger group than last time. Thus, it will be very difficult to snatch victories. Montpellier are very experienced, but we can learn a lot from them. La Rioja are well-known in Skopje, but we will be competitive in both matches.”
Longest winning run
7 37 69
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest unbeaten run
Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
32:18 (18:14) v Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN (h), 24.02.2013 43:24 (23:12) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 19.10.2006 35:16 (17:3) v THW Kiel (a), 15.02.2015 4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012) 4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013) 4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012) 4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013) 4 matches (16.02.2014 – 30.03.2014) 8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008) 8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008) 37 v Drammen HK NOR 37:30W (h), 18.10.2008 43 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 43:24L (a), 19.10.2006 69 v THW Kiel 27:42L (h), 18.10.2014 15 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 26:15L (a), 28.04.2013 14 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 14:32W (a), 16.02.2013 36 v HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 19:17L (a), 11.10.2014
www.rkmetalurg.mk rkmetalurgofficial @RKMetalurg Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: yellow/ black/red
Looking at the general development of the club, Cervar remains realistic: “After all that’s happened over the last two years, we feel excited to face the best teams in the world. Currently, we are far away from the level we had when we saw major Champions League success, but we are working hard to get back to where we were.” Metalurg started their preparation in the Macedonian ski region Mavrovo, and then they played two big tournaments in Struga (FYR Macedonia) and Kanjiza (Serbia). After a one-year absence the Macedonian runners-up are back in the SEHA Liga, and their first matches against Vardar, TATRAN Presov and Brest will be perfect tests ahead of their Champions League opener against Elverum.
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow/black/ red
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 9 Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14 Last 16 (1): 2011/12 Group Phase (4): 2006/07, 2008/09, 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (1): 2010/11
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2006/07 RK Metalurg Skopje MKD 2008/09 HC Metalurg MKD 2011/12 HC Metalurg MKD 2012/13 HC Metalurg MKD 2013/14 HC Metalurg MKD 2014/15 HC Metalurg MKD 2015/16 HC Metalurg MKD
6 6 12 14 14 10 10 72
0 2 6 9 7 1 2 27
0 0 2 0 2 1 0 5
6 4 4 5 5 8 8 32
148:206 157:172 294:275 361:313 356:373 233:294 219:241 1768:1874
–58 -15 +19 +48 -17 –61 –22 -106
0:12 4:8 14:10 18:6 16:12 3:17 4:16 59:85
4th Gr. D 3rd Gr. C 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 6th Gr. A 6th Gr. D
Other 9 participations in other EC Macedonian league: 6 titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) Macedonian cup: 5 titles
Playing hall Boris Trajkovski bul. 8 Septemvri bb Skopje FYR Macedonia Capacity: 7,000
146
147
HC Metalurg
HC Metalurg
Team roster No. First Name Surname
• • • •
most successful coach of the Croatian men’s national team, becoming Olympic gold medallist in 2004 and world champion in 2003 collected several more medals like two WCh silver medals in 2005 and 2009 and EURO silver 2008 and 2010 parallel to his work for the Croatian federation, was coach of Zagreb for a long time in 2009 he started coaching Metalurg – a job he focuses on completely since resigning from the helm of Croatia, steered them to quarter-finals in 2013 and 2014 in 2016 became head coach of the Macedonian national team
97
16 Darko
Arsic
SRB
Goalkeeper
20.1.1989
Vranje, SRB
195
95
34 Vojislav
Brajovic
SRB
Right Back
7.11.1994
Sarajevo, SRB
193
94
88 Darko
Dimitrievski
MKD Centre Back
16.5.1993
Veles, MKD
194
90
33 Milos
Dragas
SRB
11.6.1990
Priboj, SRB
201
110
Drogrishki
MKD Centre Back
9.9.1994
Bitola, MKD
192
92
10 Daniel
Dupjacanec
MKD Goalkeeper
15.7.1983
Prilep, MKD
190
95
22 Tomislav
Jagurinoski
MKD Right Wing
19.8.1998
Skopje, MKD
188
81
Struga, MKD
183
74
Stefan
Left Back
Nikola
Kosteski
MKD Right Wing
22.8.1992
25 Goran
Krstevski
MKD Centre Back
29.3.1996
Resen, MKD
197
88
18 Filip
Kuzmanovski
MKD Left Back
3.7.1996
Bitola, MKD
198
103
73 Martin
Marcec
CRO
Left Wing
24.11.1992
Varazdin, CRO
180
80
17 Tadej
Matijasic
SLO
Left Wing
22.1.1994
Ljubljana, SLO
173
76
Mladenovic
SRB
Centre Back
4.1.1994
Sid, SRB
193
90
24 Marko
Neloski
MKD Left Back
6.6.1996
Struga, MKD
200
100
14 Nemanja
Obradovic
SRB
8.1.1991
Krusevac, SRB
200
105
Skopje, MKD
182
75
Nemanja
Centre Back
71 Davor
Palevski
MKD Left Wing
26.2.1997
23 Goran
Pecenkovski
MKD Centre Back
21.6.1988
Resen, MKD
180
78
Peshevski
MKD Line Player
11.4.1991
Skopje, MKD
195
110
Petrov
MKD Line Player
30.3.1992
Veles, MKD
190
105
28 Filip
Taleski
MKD Left Back
28.3.1996
Krusevo, MKD
200
86
12 Martin
Tomovski
MKD Goalkeeper
10.7.1997
Skopje, MKD
192
88
30 Martin
Velkovski
MKD Right Back
10.3.1997
Skopje, MKD
191
93
C 44 Zharko 3
Kostadin
Left the club: Janko Bozovic (Sporting Lisbon) Marko Buvinic (Handball Bregenz) Milorad Kukoski (Odorhei) Milos Vukovic (Spartak Subotica) Bojan Madzovski (Pelister Bitola) Marko Matic, Stevan Vujovic Luka Mrakovcic Milan Sajin (all unknown)
148
193
MKD Line Player
OG: G 2004, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009 Newcomers: Vojislav Brajovic (RK Maribor) Darko Dimitrievski (Csurgoi KK) Nemanja Obradovic (Valence Handball) Darko Arsic (Metaloplastika Sabac) Milos Dragas (Bergischer HC) Martin Marchec (Varazdin) Stefan Drogriski (Pelister Bitola) Goran Pecenkovski (HC Ohrid) Martin Tomovski (HC Prolet) Tomislav Jagurinovski (Vardar Skopje II) Filip Arsenovski (Vardar Skopje II)
Height Weight
Skopje, MKD
Arsenovski
3
•
Date of birth Place of birth
99 Filip
8
coach
Position
30.7.1998
5
Lino Cervar
Nat.
149
HC Metalurg
HC Metalurg
Darko Arsic goalkeeper • signed a two-year contract with Metalurg • part of Metaloplastika Sabac for many years
Nemanja Obradovic centre back • before his transfer to Metalurg he played in the 2nd French league for Valence handball
• in the last three seasons he played with Metaloplastika in the Challenge cup
• in Metalurg he will play with his former teammate from Metaloplastika – Darko Arsic
Martin Marcec left wing
Zharko Peshevski line player
• has been member of the Croatian U20 national team
• has also been member of RK Jagodina and RK Napredak
• arrived in Macedonia from Varazdin where he played in the last three seasons
• current Macedonian national team member, having played in all the youth selection for his country
• previously played for Varteks Di Caprio and Vidovec
• Metalurg team captain • brother Antonio a teammate, goalkeeper at Metalurg • made his first team debut in 2009, becoming a first-choice line player after Mijajlo Marsenic left to join Vardar
Filip Taleski left back • considered one of the biggest talents in Macedonian handball • made his first team debut for Metalurg at the age of 17
Filip Kuzmanovski left back • started his career in Pelister Bitola and moved in Metalurg in 2015 where he signed three year contract
• scored 27 goals in three matches at the Men’s 20 EURO qualification, has made 16 caps for all Macedonian youth selections before called up for the senior team
• debuted for the senior Macedonian national team at the EHF EURO 2016
• his debut for Macedonian national team came in 2014 in the WCh 2015 play-off against Greece
• scored 11 goals in his debut CL season 2015-2016
• with his first club Pelister Bitola played in the Challenge Cup
• made his CL debut in a match against THW Kiel
Nemanja Mladenovic left back • one of the most promising Serbian young players • after two years in VfL Gummersbach youth academy was promoted to the first team • shortly after his promotion to VfL Gummbersbach was sent on loan to the second team HC Empor Rostock
Nikola Kosteski right wing • started his career in Struga and moved to Metalurg in 2015 • makes his debut in the Champions League in the 2014/2015 season • scored 17 goals in his premiere CL season • member of the wider squad of the Macedonian national team
• before his arrival in Metalurg, part of the French team Cesson-Rennes Métropole
150
151
Chekhovskie Medvedi
GROUP C
Club Address
Chekhovskie Medvedi Poligrafistov str. 30 142300 Chekhov, Mosk. oblast Russia Media contact
Olga Belysheva +7 909 6391 839
[email protected] www.ch-medvedi.ru
Kit colours
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Chekhovskie Medvedi Can you think of clubs in the VELUX EHF Champions League with the strength and tradition to win 15 consecutive national titles? Barcelona perhaps; maybe Kiel or Veszprem? No, Only Croatian side RK Zagreb have matched the phenomenal feat of Russian powerhouse Chekhovskie Medvedi. The team of coaching legend Vladimir Maximov took their 15th straight title in the 2015/16 season. Since 2002, no team could beat the “Bears of Chekhov”, despite the best efforts of the likes of St. Petersburg and Perm. Chekhov have come close in recent years to replicate their success internationally, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2006 and being part of the very first VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010. 71-year-old coach Maximov’s main task is to develop Russian youngsters in his team. “As the Russian championship is a weak competition, it is highly important for us and mainly the players to have international opponents in the Champions League. Without these matches there would be no development,” says Maximov, who has lead the team for 16 years. The Medvedi squad has not changed much over the summer, two Evgenis (Prokopiew and Dzemin) arrived, while Anton Otrezow left. For Maximov, Montpellier and La Rioja are the toughest obstacles on the way to the Group C/D playoffs. In the previous season, Medvedi never really challenged for a spot in the knockout stages.
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: yellow
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 16 Semi-final (1): 2009/10 Quarter-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Last 16 (3): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13 Main Round (1): 2007/08 Group Phase (8): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16
Dark Player shirt: purple Player short: purple GK shirt: black
Playing hall Sport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” Chekhov Poligrafistov Str. 30 142300 Chekhov Russia Capacity: 3,000
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06 Russian league: 15 titles (2002-2016) Russian cup: 14 titles
152
EHF Champions League club records
5 46 77
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
22:46 (12:24) v AC PAOK GRE (a), 03.03.2010 38:24 (20:15) v HSV Hamburg GER (a), 23.04.2011 5 games (29.11.2003 – 06.11.2004) 8 games (18.10.2012 – 14.03.2013) 5 games (10.11.2001 – 08.12.2001) 5 games (24.03.2013 – 19.10.2014) 5 games (22.11.2014 – 21.02.2015) 11 games (24.03.2013 – 21.02.2015) 46 v AC PAOK GRE 22:46W (a), 03.03.2010 45 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004 77 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004 19 v Montpellier HB FRA 27:19L (a), 12.10.2003 19 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006 17 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 30:17W (h), 31.03.2011 45 v TBV Lemgo GER 23:22W (h), 11.12.2004 45 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2001/02 CSKA Moskau RUS 2002/03 Chehovski Medvedi. Moskau RUS 2003/04 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS 2004/05 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS 2005/06 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS 2006/07 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 2007/08 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 2008/09 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 2009/10 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2010/11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2011/12 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2012/13 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2014/15 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2015/16 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
6 6 6 8 6 8 12 12 16 14 10 12 10 10 136
1 2 3 6 3 4 7 7 9 8 3 6 0 4 63
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 4 4 1 0 15
5 4 3 2 3 4 4 5 5 3 3 2 9 6 58
155:181 182:170 166:165 252:246 192:184 242:233 369:331 387:370 529:476 437:396 291:276 373:347 300:349 271:292 4146:4016
–26 +12 +1 +6 +8 +9 +38 +17 +53 +41 +15 +26 –49 –21 +130
2:10 4:8 6:6 12:4 6:6 8:8 15:9 14:10 20:12 19:9 10:10 16:8 1:19 8:12 141:131
4th Gr. C 3rd Gr. C 3rd Gr. D 1/8-finals 3rd Gr. A 1/8-finals 2nd MR Gr. 1 1/4-finals Fourth Place 1/4-finals 5th Gr. B 1/8-finals 6th Gr. C 4th Gr. C
153
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Team roster No. First Name Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
195
85
Andreev
RUS
Line Player
19.7.1992
Avtonomov
RUS
Goalkeeper
8.4.1998
Samarkand, UZB
196
97
Chernoivanov
RUS
Line Player
13.2.1979
Krasnodar, RUS
202
105
Dzemin
RUS
Left Back
30.8.1997
Ussuriysk, RUS
207
90
Furtsev
RUS
Line Player
17.6.1996
Belgorod, RUS
198
95
Grams
RUS
Goalkeeper
20.2.1984
Krasnodar, RUS
200
103
36 Artem
Grushko
RUS
Goalkeeper
20.6.1993
Odessa, UKR
193
91
23 Alexander
Izmailov
RUS
Centre Back
30.10.1995
Astrakhan, RUS
185
85
192
93
11 Pavel Nikita 10 Alexander Evgeny 31 Victor 1
Oleg
30 Alexey
Karibov
RUS
Right Back
3.5.1996
Astrahan, RUS
Kornev
RUS
Right Wing
16.6.1992
Vologda, RUS
186
75
17 Alexander
Kotov
RUS
Right Back
11.7.1994
Volgograd, RUS
198
97
Kirill
Kotov
RUS
Centre Back
23.5.1992
Moscow, RUS
185
75
Dmitry
Kovalev
RUS
Right Wing
15.5.1982
Omsk, RUS
180
80
14 Maxim
Kuretkov
RUS
Right Back
16.11.1994
Maykop, RUS
191
87
13 Timofei
Maslennikov
RUS
Right Wing
10.3.1997
Chekhov, RUS
185
88
Miller
RUS
Left Wing
16.4.1999
Kaluga, RUS
175
90
184
83
6 9 C 7
Vladimir Maximov
Dmitriy
Viktor
coach
19 Roman
Ostashchenko
RUS
Left Wing
26.9.1992
Moscow, RUS
•
12 Dmitry
Pavlenko
RUS
Goalkeeper
1.1.1991
Zaporoje, UKR
190
76
18 Evgeny
Prokopyev
RUS
Left Back
23.2.1996
Tolyatti, RUS
198
99
Dmitrii
Santalov
RUS
Left Back
7.4.1996
Blagoveshensk, RUS
196
87
Fedor
Selin
RUS
Right Back
1.6.1998
Belorechensk, RUS
195
88
34 Dmitry
Shelestyukov
RUS
Left Back
29.7.1992
Volgograd, RUS
185
74
20 Oleg
Skopintsev
RUS
Left Wing
15.4.1984
Krasnodar, RUS
184
80
• •
handball legend is still the only person who has become an Olympic champion both as a coach and as a player led the Russian national team to a number of big titles but resigned from that job in 2012 to fully concentrate on his club duties at Medvedi joined the club in 2001 and has led the team to the title of the Russian champion every year since that time
3
EC trophy: Cup Winner’s Cup 2006 OG: G 1976 (as player), 2000, B 2004, WCh: G 1993, 1997, S 1978 (as player), 1999, EURO: G 1996, S 1994, 2000
Newcomers: Evgeni Prokopiev (St. Petersburg) Evgeni Dzemin (UOR Moscow)
Height Weight
Saint Petersburg, RUS
Left the club: Anton Otrezow (Dinamo Victor Stavropol)
154
155
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Oleg Grams goalkeeper • born and raised in Krasnodar moved to Chekhov at a very young age • has been a member of Medvedi since the club foundation in 2001 • during this time, he has become a 15-time Russian champion • gained a lot of experience on the international stage, competing both for Medvedi and for the Russian national team at he EURO, WCh and the Olympics EC trophy: Cup Winner’s Cup 2006
Roman Ostashchenko left wing • born in Moscow and started to play handball at Kuntsevo • joined the reserve team of Medvedi in 2007 and was promoted to the main team in 2013
Alexander Chernoivanov line player • veteran was elected the MVP, the best defensive player and the best line player of the Russian league in the 2015/16 season • born in Krasnodar and started his career at the local club SKIF • joined Chekhov in 2004 but needed two years to move up from the reserve to the first team • ten-time Russian champion EC trophy: Cup Winner’s Cup 2006
Alexander Kotov right back • born in Volgograd and started his career at Kaustik • moved to Chekhov together with his teammate from Kaustik Dmitri Shelestyukov
• elected the best left wing of the Russian league in the 2015/16 season
• in the summer of 2015, he has played for the Russia U-21 team at the Junior WCh in Brazil
• member of the Russia national team
• not a relative of his teammate Kirill Kotov
Dmitriy Santalov left back
Dmitry Kornev right wing
• born and raised in Blagoveshchensk, a town in the Russian Far East • at the age of 16 he moved to Chekhov, which is about 7,700 km from his home town, and joined the handball academy of Medvedi • promoted to the main team of Medvedi in 2014 and at first was the youngest player in the squad
• born in Moscow and started to play handball in the Russian capital • two-time Russian champion with Medvedi • used to play for the Russian U-21 national team in the 2013 WCh in Bosnia • in April 2016 made his debut in the Russia senior national team
• studies at the university in Moscow and is expected to get a diploma in ecology
Kirill Kotov centre back
Dmitry Kovalev right wing
• started to play handball in Dolgoprudny, a small town near Moscow
• captain of Medvedi and one of the key figures both on and off the court
• joined Medvedi in 2007 at the age of 15 and became a member of the main team in 2013
• born in Omsk, he played a few seasons at Sungul Snezhinsk before moving to Chekhov in 2003
• three-time Russian champion is already a member of the Russia national team • was elected the best playmaker of the Russian league in the 2015/16 season
• last spring, he won the Russian league for the 13th consecutive time • with the Russia national team he participated in a number of major international tournaments including the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing EC trophy: Cup Winner’s Cup 2006
156
157
Montpellier HB
GROUP C
Club Address
Montpellier HB Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000 34090 Montpellier France Media contact
Suzy Demonte +33 499 610 358 suzy.demonte@ montpellier-handball.com montpellierhandball.com montpellierhandball @mhbofficiel Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: light blue/yellow
Montpellier HB
Montpellier HB Despite the ever-growing strength of Paris Saint-Germain, Montpellier are the only French EHF Champions League winners. 13 years ago, they beat Portland in the finals, and two of those heroes are still part of the current squad: Team captain Michael Guigou and coach Patrice Canayer, who has been at the helm since 1994. In the 2015/16 season, Montpellier finished up as runners-up of the French league, but managed to snatch away two trophies from PSG by winning the French cup and the French league cup. To take at least one domestic title is one for the objectives for the upcoming season. In addition, the 2014 EHF Cup finalist want to go one step further in the Champions League, and proceed to the quarter-finals, after being eliminated in the Last 16 last season. Canayer strengthened the squad by signing French international Valentin Porte, who was part of the Olympic Games All-star Team in Rio as best right back and took home a silver medal. The Slovenian Olympian Miha Zvizej arrived in from Fenix Toulouse. While one Slovenian came, two others left Montpellier: right wing Dragan Gajic (now Veszprem) and powerful line player Matej Gaber, who joined another Hungarian side, Pick Szeged. In addition, Montpellier have changed their goalkeeper by signing the Swiss talent Nikola Portner, while Arnaud Siffert left to their domestic rivals HBC Nantes. Another new arrival with Champions League experience is Theophile Causse from Dunkerque. In contrast to the previous Champions League season, Montpellier were not seeded in Groups A/B, but start in Group C. Canayer is aware of what is ahead: “Our opponents in the group phase seem to be on the same level as each other. They neither seem to be unbeatable but all are dangerous in terms of the qualification for the knockout stages. We want to do better than last season and to finish amongst the best eight teams.” Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 19 Winners (1): 2002/03 Semi-final (1): 2004/05 Quarter-final (4): 2000/01, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 Last 16 (6): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2016/17 Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, 2012/13 Qualification (1): 2013/14 Other EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter-final: 1996/97 Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95 Last 32: 1997/98 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2001/02 French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) French cup: 13 titles
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: purple
Playing hall Park & Suites Arena Montpellier Rue de la Foire 34470 Pérols/Montpellier France Capacity: 8,000
158
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
7 46 78
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
46:20 (26:9) v AC PAOK GRE (h), 04.10.2009 37:20 (16:10) v Prosesa Ademar Leon ESP (a), 06.11.1999 7 matches (21.12.2003 – 14.11.2004) 7 matches (18.10.2009 – 25.02.2010) 7 matches (16.10.2010 – 06.03.2011) 10 matches (18.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) 46 v AC PAOK GRE 46:20W (h), 04.10.2009 38 v Kolding KIF DEN 38:29L (a), 05.12.2004 38 v Pick Szeged HUN 38:35L (a), 19.11.2011 78 v VfL Gummersbach GER 41:37W (h), 09.02.2008 17 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 26:17L (a), 03.01.1999 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 24:17L (a), 10.12.2000 16 v HC Portovik Yuzhny UKR 26:16W (h), 07.10.2006 38 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 21:17W (h), 08.11.1998
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1998/99 Montpellier HB FRA 1999/00 Montpellier HB FRA 2000/01 Montpellier HB FRA 2002/03 Montpellier HB FRA 2003/04 Montpellier HB FRA 2004/05 Montpellier HB FRA 2005/06 Montpellier HB FRA 2006/07 Montpellier HB FRA 2007/08 Montpellier HB FRA 2008/09 Montpellier HB FRA 2009/10 Montpellier HB FRA 2010/11 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2011/12 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2012/13 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2014/15 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2015/16 Montpellier HB FRA
6 6 8 12 8 12 10 8 12 10 14 14 12 10 12 16 170
3 3 4 8 6 9 6 5 7 6 10 10 6 2 4 3 92
0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 2 1 11
3 3 3 3 2 3 4 2 5 3 2 4 6 6 6 12 67
134:134 139:148 193:193 334:311 216:199 375:328 282:272 224:198 358:348 295:275 447:372 442:379 357:357 301:311 351:377 429:472 4877:4674
0 -9 0 +23 +17 +47 +10 +26 +10 +20 +75 +63 0 –10 –26 –43 +203
6:6 6:6 9:7 17:7 12:4 18:6 12:8 11:5 14:10 13:7 22:6 20:8 12:12 6:14 10:14 7:25 195:145
3rd Gr. A 3rd Gr. A 1/4-finals Winner 1/8-finals 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 3rd MR Gr. 2 4th MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals 1/8-finals
159
Montpellier HB
Montpellier HB
Team roster Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Anquetil
FRA
Left Wing
23.7.1995
Montpellier, FRA
182
78
9.1.1998
Montpellier, FRA
190
90
3
Arthur
21 Nassim
Bellahcene
FRA
Right Back
12 Samir
Bellahcene
FRA
Goalkeeper
20.2.1995
Montpellier, FRA
190
116
29 Arnaud
Bingo
FRA
Left Wing
12.10.1987
Lyon, FRA
190
83
24 Baptiste
Bonnefond
FRA
Left Back
22.1.1993
Lyon, FRA
194
99
26 Julien
Bos
FRA
Left Wing
18.8.1998
Pessac, FRA
188
76
20 Maxime
Bouschet
FRA
Right Back
2.4.1996
Montpellier, FRA
185
87
Causse
FRA
Right Wing
12.10.1992
Port au Prince, FRA
179
75
Dolenec
SLO
Right Back
6.12.1988
Kranj, SLO
190
95
1.7.1996
Perpignan, FRA
198
102
6
Theophile
11 Jure 27 Ludovic
Fabregas
FRA
Line Player
25 Jean Loup
Faustin
FRA
Centre Back
23.3.1995
Montpellier, FRA
185
88
Gerard
FRA
Goalkeeper
16.12.1986
Woippy, FRA
189
98
10 Mathieu
Grebille
FRA
Left Back
6.10.1991
Paris, FRA
198
98
C 14 Michael
Guigou
FRA
Left Wing
28.1.1982
Apt, FRA
179
77
30 Ilies
Hakiki
FRA
Line Player
9.10.1998
Montpellier, FRA
193
90
Patrice Canayer
15 Antoine
Jonnier
FRA
Line Player
18.8.1998
Libourne, FRA
197
95
coach
23 Vid
Kavticnik
SLO
Right Back
24.5.1984
Gradec, SLO
191
88
Paulin
FRA
Left Back
20.5.1998
Montpellier, FRA
202
98
28 Valentin
Porte
FRA
Right Back
7.9.1990
Versailles, FRA
190
93
16 Nikola
Portner
SUI
Goalkeeper
19.11.1993
Lyon, FRA
194
91
97 Maxime
Savonne
FRA
Goalkeeper
11.1.1997
Nimes , FRA
195
100
1
• • •
currently in his 23rd season at the head of Montpellier, in which he has won over 40 trophies in 1994 he started his coaching career and coached players like Nikola Karabatic, Thierry Omeyer, Jerome Fernandez and Didier Dinart in his active career played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris
5
Vincent
Samuel
4
Diego
Simonet
ESP
Centre Back
26.12.1989
Buenos Aires, ARG
188
88
9
Aymen
Toumi
TUN
Right Wing
11.7.1990
Sousse, TUN
184
88
7
Jonas
Truchanovicius
LTU
Left Back
24.6.1993
Siauliai, LTU
203
105
Villeminot
FRA
Centre Back
20.5.1998
Lyon , FRA
189
72
Zahm
FRA
Left Back
23.5.1996
Saint Denis, FRA
200
100
Celje, SLO
193
100
19 Kyllian 2 EC trophies: CL 2003
Newcomers: Valentin Porte (Fenix Toulouse) Nikola Portner (Kadetten Schaffhausen) Miha Zvizej (Fenix Toulouse) Jonas Truchanovicius (Union Leoben) Theophile Causse (Dunkerque)
Height Weight
No. First Name Surname
Iswaran
22 Miha
Zvizej
SLO
Line Player
6.11.1987
Left the club: Felipe Borges (Sporting Lisbon) Jose Costa (Inconnus-Harnes HC) Dragan Gajic (Telekom Veszprem) Arnaud Siffert (HBC Nantes) Matej Gaber (MOL Pick Szeged)
160
161
Montpellier HB
Montpellier HB
Vincent Gerard goalkeeper
Ludovic Fabregas line player
• formed in Montpellier, he came back to his first club in the summer of 2015 after playing in Istres and Dunkerque
• at only 20 and he has already played the EURO and the Olympics, making him one of the most promising French players of late
• welcomes a new comrade between the posts this season, the promising Swiss Nikola Portner
• part of the new Golden generation of French handball, along with teammate Mathieu Grébille and PSG right winger Benoit Kounkoud
• his exuberant celebrations have instantly made him a fan favourite
• national team coach Didier Dinart counts on him to be the foundations of defence
• reached four times in a row the CL Last 16 (2x Dunkerque, 2x Montpellier)
• youth European and world champion in mountain biking before definitely turning to handball at 15
OG: S 2016
OG: S 2016
Valentin Porte right back
Michael Guigou left wing / centre back • player with the longest history in Montpellier since he has played there for 16 seasons in a row
• arrived in the summer of 2016 from other French club Toulouse with the ambition of playing the CL
• able to play on the left wing or on the centre back position, very quick on fast breaks and able to play in tiny spaces inside the defences
• played on the right wing until 2014, Claude Onesta then decided to place him on the backcourt, to much success
• over the years, he has become less of a scorer and turned more into a play-maker
• rose to prominence during the EURO 2014 (16 goals in the semi-final and the final)
• only player of the winning CL campaign in 2003 who still plays for MAHB
• golf aficionado, taught a lot of his former teammates, including now FC Barcelona goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas
EC trophies: CL 2003 OG : G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, B 2005
Mathieu Grebille left back • most known figure of the new Montpellier wave, along with Ludovic Fabregas • enjoyed his first national team appearance at only 21 • missed most of the last two seasons due to knee injuries • his jumps have earned him the nickname "Flying Grébille" • his great-grand father was an Olympic champion in boxing
OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2015, EURO: G 2014
Jure Dolenec right back • uses his original style much to his advantage, he's very efficient in small spaces and likes to shoot through the defense • made his name in the CL with his former team of Gorenje Velenje, scoring 64 goals in the 2012/13 season • doesn't particularly like resting since, as he says, "the more I play, the better I am" • already has nearly a hundred games with his national team
OG: S 2016, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015
Vid Kavticnik centre back / right back
Aymen Toumi right wing
• experienced Slovenian has entered his 9th season with Montpellier
• arrived last summer and was only meant to stay for a season, but his stellar performances in the CL and Dragan Gajic's departure convinced the club to keep him
• played with Gorenje Velenje and THW Kiel in the past • used to play on the right wing when he was in Kiel, then moved to the right back a couple of seasons later, before being mostly used as centre back in 2015/16 • having arrived in 2009 alongside Nikola Karabatic, he was the first of many Slovenians to join Montpellier
162
• has had a troubled relationship with his national team in the team, but everything's gone back to normal now • last remaining Tunisian player in Montpellier, which counted five just a couple of seasons ago
163
Elverum Handball
GROUP C
Club Address
Elverum Handball Herrer Postboks 295 2403 Elverum Norway Media contact
Erik Henriksen +47 400 21299
[email protected] www.ehh.no elverumhandball @ElverumHandball Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: yellow
Elverum Handball
Elverum Handball
EHF Champions League club records
In the 2015/16 season, Elverum Handball Herrer embarked on their maiden voyage to the group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League after they had won the qualification tournament in Banja Luka. This season, for the first time, the Norwegian champions have been granted with a direct place in the group phase. For the third time after 2013 and 2015, the team of coach Michael Apelgren won the Norwegian championship. For this season the club’s aim is to continue developing the team on international level and edge closer to the European top clubs. In 2015/16 Elverum won three of their ten matches – it should be more this season. In order to do so, Elverum signed the highly experienced former Hungarian international Tamas Ivancsik who arrives from Baia Mare. However, on the other side one of last season’s key players, Steffen Stegavik, has left the club. Club manager Bjørnar Myhren hopes that participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League pushes the team’s development. “We want to get closer and closer to the level of performance the best teams in Europe deliver. We want to fight for points, and want to be a good representative for Norwegian handball,” he says. “We face many good teams and we are looking forward to playing them at home in Terningen Arena.” Team captain Morten Nergaard expects “a tough group with a lot of good teams. “We know we need to be at our maximum level to be able to compete with them. But it will be fun and challenging for our team.” Most of the 20,000 inhabitants of Elverum love handball. Therefore being part of Europe’s top club competition is something very special for the entire region. “It is of great importance for the club and the town of Elverum. For us as a club it is important to meet the best teams in Europe to develop our team and get closer and closer to the level they are at,” says Bjørnar Myhren.
2 31 63
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
29:23 (15:7) v HC Metalurg MKD (h), 06.12.2015 23:37 (12:18) v Skjern Handbold DEN (h), 27.09.2015 2 matches (29.11.2015 – 06.12.2015) 2 matches (29.11.2015 – 06.12.2015) 4 matches (18.10.2015 – 22.11.2015) 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 22.11.2015) 31 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 30:31W (a), 17.09.2015 37 v Skjern Handbold DEN 23:37L (h), 27.09.2015 63 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 33:30L (a), 24.10.2015 63 v Skjern handbold DEN 34:29L (a), 22.11.2015 19 v HC Metalurg MKD 22:19L (a), 03.10.2015 22 v HC Metalurg MKD 22:19L (a), 03.10.2015 41 v HC Metalurg MKD 22:19L (a), 03.10.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
2015/16 Elverum Handball Herrer NOR 10 10
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
3 3
1 1
6 6
274:289 274:289
–15 –15
7:13 7:13
5th Gr. D1999/00
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 3 Group Phase (1): 2015/16 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: green
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2010/11 EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Playing hall Terningen Arena Hamarvegen 112 2418 Elverum Norway Capacity: 2,400
Norwegian league: 4 titles (2009, 2013, 2015, 2016)
164
165
Elverum Handball
Elverum Handball
Team roster No. First Name Surname 7
Aleksander Borresen
Baerum, NOR
206
114
NOR Right Back
20.10.1993
Oslo, NOR
195
97
Bratvold Ekren
NOR Centre Back
10.7.1994
Elverum, NOR
186
100
Fredriksen Eide
NOR Left Back
27.11.1990
Melhus, NOR
192
97
12 Emil Kheri
Imsgaard
NOR Goalkeeper
6.3.1998
Hamar, NOR
196
92
Tamas
Ivancsik
HUN Right Wing
3.4.1983
Györ, HUN
180
78
14 Joergen
Jansrud
NOR Left Back
23.7.1996
Eidskog, NOR
195
98
15 Andre
Lindboe
NOR Left Wing
24.6.1988
Tonsberg, NOR
186
80
Linderud
NOR Right Wing
7.12.1995
Oslo, NOR
182
86
Mehl
DEN
3.8.1984
Struer, DEN
190
95
Nergaard
NOR Goalkeeper
26.2.1987
Elverum, NOR
190
93
10 Lars
Nordberg
NOR Left Back
23.4.1982
Elverum, NOR
197
105
24 Vegard
Bakken Oeien
NOR Goalkeeper
8.7.1994
Elverum, NOR
192
115
Överby
NOR Line Player
26.3.1992
Kongsvinger, NOR
200
112
10 Tine
Poklar
SLO
5.10.1990
Koper, SLO
190
93
70 Josef
Pujol
SWE Centre Back
19.2.1992
Stocholm, SWE
183
81
17 Erik
Thorsteinsen Toft
NOR Left Back
14.11.1992
Elverum, NOR
192
96
Wattström
SWE Left Wing
26.6.1993
Hägersten, SWE
190
93
Torbjörn
Didrik W.
11 Nikolaj C 87 Morten
5
6
Petter
David
Right Back
Left Back
Left the club: Luka Mitrovic (Gorenje Velenje) Steffen Stegavik (uknown) Lars Nordberg (retired) Kalle Bjørkman (retired)
166
Height Weight
30.8.1985
Burud
2
Newcomers: Josef Pujol (Hammarby) Tamas Ivanscik (Baia Mare)
Date of birth Place of birth
19 Hakon
9
coach • joined Elverum as playing head coach ahead of the 2014/15 season • succeeded former Norwegian international Christian Berge, as Berge became national team coach of Norway • former successful playmaker for Puerto Sagunto in the Spanish ASOBAL • as a player, he has also represented BM Granollers as well as several Swedish clubs; has five Swedish championships as a player • played five internationals for Sweden in his playing days
Position
NOR Line Player
18 Jonas 3
Michael Apelgren
Nat.
167
Elverum Handball
Elverum Handball
Morten Nergaard goalkeeper • has spent far most of his career in Elverum, had a short foreign adventure by Danish Aalborg in 2012 •
played eight internationals for Norway
Josef Pujol centre back • joined in 2016 from Swedish league club Hammarby, where he played for 11 years • filling out the footprints of playmakers Luka Mitrovic and Steffen Stegavik who have both left the club
• one of the Elverum players who has European experience from the 2012/13 CL qualification and the EHF Cup Group Phase
• nominated for the All-Star team of the Swedish league in the 2015/16 season
Andre Lindboe left wing
Petter Överby line player
• fast-thinking playmaker with a good eye for the game and his teammates
• born in the women’s handball stronghold Larvik played for four other Norwegian clubs before he joined Elverum in 2011 (Halsen, Larvik, Fram, Sandefjord)
• joined Elverum ahead of the 2015/16 season from league rivals Notteroy signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year
• made a debut in the national team of Norway in April 2011 against Germany
• played 12 senior internationals for Norway, including the EHF EURO 2016 qualifiers against Croatia
• took part at the EHF EURO 2014 scoring seven goals in three matches
• by joining Elverum, he left his younger brother Henrik who was among his teammates in Notteroy • strong and solid pivot who is good at making room on the line and with a fine scoring percentage from the line.
Erik Toft Thorsteinsson left back
Nikolaj Mehl right back
• versatile back court player, and though being right handed, he can actually play all three back court positions
• playing his third season in Elverum after joining from league rivals Drammens HK in the summer of 2014
• has always played in Elverum, the place where he was also born
• has been playing in Norway since 2012
• had his debut in Elverum’s league team at the age of 16
• has a past career in the Danish league clubs Team Tvis Holstebro and Lemvig Thyboron as well as second league club Faaborg HK
• is not the only famous name in his family, as his mother is in charge of a well-known Norwegian TV program
• has an academy diploma in international trade and marketing
• played 27 junior internationals for Norway
Tamas Ivancsik right wing
Jörgen Jansrud left back • joined in the summer of 2015 from Falk Horten • his height, 195 cm and his shot are among his greatest assets, but after his first year in Elverum, he has also developed as a defender • got a taste of the CL already in the 2015/16 season, where he also gathered valuable experience in the Norwegian league
• Elverum's most decorated player, with seven Hungarian championships, six Hungarian Cups and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2008 • his older brother, Gergö plays for Veszprem, while younger brother Adam is in Tatabanya KC • played 8 consecutive seasons in the CL (2007-14), scoring at least 11 goals in each
• seen as one of the greatest back court talents in Norwegian handball
• married to a successful lawyer with whom he shares the exact date of birth
• part of the Norwegian team for the Men's 20 EURO in Denmark this summer
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008, Champions Trophy 2008
168
169
TATRAN Presov
GROUP C
TATRAN Presov
TATRAN Presov
EHF Champions League club records
After failing four straight times in VELUX EHF Champions League qualification tournaments, now TATRAN Presov broke the curse. On home court, they first beat champions from Luxembourg Red Boys Differdange and then left experienced Slovenian runners-up Velenje behind - though coach Rastistlav Trtik had to start with a completely new line-up. Club Address
TATRAN Presov Holleho 3 080 01 Presov Slovakia Media contact
Branko Benko +421 911 620435
[email protected] www.tatranpresov.sk TatranPresovHandballTeamSlovakia
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: green
Nine players including SEHA Liga top scorer Radoslav Antl (to SBS Eger-Eszterhazy), Alexandr Radcenko (HCB Karvina) or Michal Kopco (Sporting Lisboa) all have left Tatran. And the new arrivals do lack international experience. But the Slovakian champions, who won the league and the cup trophy for the tenth consecutive time in 2016, managed to snatch a spot in Europe’s premier club competition after they had been granted a direct spot for the group phase last season. In the new season, Tatran will celebrate their 15th anniversary as an incorporated company, marking a new era of handball in Presov. Thus, even a new mascot (a white horse) will be presented, as the successor of Nestor. After finishing on the bottom of their group last time out, the “new Tatran” aim to climb the ladder. Their pre-season was quite successful, winning the International Memorial Cup in Mielec, Poland, and the Czecho-Slovak Cup on home court in Presov. Besides that, they finished second at tournaments in Sala and Doboj before clinching a berth for the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase. “It is really a great honor to be part of this competition and to promote Presov’s and Slovakian handball in Europe,” says manager Branko Benko. Like last season, his team will face La Rioja and Medvedi in their group, and Benko has huge respect for both teams, but his personal favourite for finishing on top of the group is French side Montpellier. In addition, Presov will face Metalurg like in SEHA Liga. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 12 Last 16 (1): 2004/05 Last 32 (1): 1993/94 Group Matches (4): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11 Qualification (5): 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 Other EHF Cup Quarter-final 2011/12, Last 16 1994/95, 1995/96, Group Phase 2012/13, Round 4 2009/10, Round 3 2006/07 Cup Winners’ Cup Quarter-final 205/06, Last 16 2007/08, 2008/09, Round 4 2002/03 Slovak league: 11 titles (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Slovak cup: 12 titles
Dark Player shirt: green Player short: green GK shirt: black
Playing hall City Hall Presov Jana Pavla II 2 0801 Presov Slovakia Capacity: 3,500
170
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
2 37 74
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
37:24 (17:11) v RK Metkovic CRO (h), 30.10.2004 42:25 (22:12) v MKB Veszprém KC HUN (a), 05.11.2005 2 matches (12.11.2005 – 29.09.2007) 2 matches (09.10.2004 – 17.10.2004) 2 matches (12.11.2005 – 29.09.2007) 7 matches (05.12.2004 – 05.11.2005) 7 matches (16.11.2008 – 20.11.2010) 16 matches (16.11.2008 – 10.10.2015) 37 v RK Metkovic CRO 37:24W (h), 30.10.2004 42 v MKB Veszprém KC HUN 42:25L (a), 05.11.2005 42 v GOG Svendborg TGI Gudme DEN 42:32L (a), 07.10.2007 74 v GOG Svendborg TGI Gudme DEN 42:32L (a), 07.10.2007 19 v Vojvodina SRB 19:27L (h), 10.10.2015 19 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 19:21L (h), 05.12.2015 18 v RK Metkovic CRO 18:29W (a), 17.10.2004 40 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 19:21L (h), 05.12.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2004/05 Tatran Presov SVK 2005/06 Tatran Presov SVK 2007/08 Tatran Presov SVK 2008/09 Tatran Presov SVK 2010/11 TATRAN Presov SVK 2015/16 TATRAN Presov SVK
8 6 6 6 10 10 46
3 1 1 2 0 2 9
1 0 1 0 2 0 4
4 5 4 4 8 8 33
231:237 154:201 182:211 165:183 273:325 240:279 1245:1436
-6 -47 -29 -18 -52 –39 -191
7:9 2:10 3:9 4:8 2:18 4:16 22:70
1/8-finals 3rd Gr. F 3rd Gr. D 3rd Gr. D 6th Gr. B 6th Gr. C
171
TATRAN Presov
TATRAN Presov
Team roster Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
20 Vadym
Brazhnyk
UKR
Goalkeeper
25.2.1975
Brovary, UKR
200
100
73 Igor
Chupryna
UKR
Goalkeeper
25.4.1990
Illychevsk, UKR
198
95
12 Juraj
Cikarev
SVK
Goalkeeper
3.10.1996
Kosice, SVK
188
87
21 Tomas
Cip
CZE
Right Wing
5.10.1989
Zubri, CZE
189
94
6
Jakub
Hrstka
CZE
Left Wing
17.3.1990
Zubri, CZE
188
91
4
Patrik
Humenansky
SVK
Right Wing
28.3.1997
Presov, SVK
188
81
33 Stefan
Jankovic
BIH
Centre Back
20.8.1992
Banja Luka, BIH
189
86
14 Martin
Kriz
SVK
Left Wing
27.7.1997
Presov, SVK
186
77
Krok
SVK
Left Back
22.1.1991
Bardejov, SVK
189
79 100
9
Dominik
44 Marek
Pales
SVK
Line Player
8.7.1994
Prievidza, SVK
192
C 19 Radovan
Pekar
SVK
Left Back
27.12.1980
Presov, SVK
196
107
22 Alexey
Peskov
RUS
Right Back
16.12.1983
Moscow, RUS
199
99
Oliver
Rabek
SVK
Left Back
30.9.1987
Nove Zamky, SVK
204
110
10 Tomas
Recicar
SVK
Left Back
30.11.1998
Presov, SVK
189
82
30 Boris
Resovsky
SVK
Line Player
4.10.1998
Presov, SVK
189
87
UKR
Left Back
11.7.1990
Kiev, UKR
190
99
SVK
Right Wing
15.1.1996
Presov, SVK
185
85 85
2
Rastislav Trtik
11 Viacheslav Sadovyi
coach
13 Lubos
• • • •
Newcomers: Vadym Brazhnyk (AHC Dunarea Calarasi) Stefan Jankovic (Borac Banja Luka) Leon Vucko (PPD Zagreb) Roman Tsarapkin (Chekhovskie Medvedi) Marek Pales (HKM Sala)
collected his first coaching experience with Banik Karvina in the Czech Republic Czech Republic national team head coach for three years between 2002 and 2005 in 2005, won promotion to German Bundesliga with MT Melsungen head coach of Tatran Presov between 2008 and 2011, winning three Slovak championship titles, leading Tatran into their last CL Group Phase campaign in 2010/11
Sarpataky Sarpataky
SVK
Centre Back
15.1.1996
Presov, SVK
185
77 Roman
Tsarapkin
RUS
Left Back
9.5.1995
Moscow, RUS
197
95
17 Lukas
Urban
SVK
Centre Back
22.6.1995
Presov, SVK
199
86
16 Matej
Vernarsky
SVK
Goalkeeper
1.3.1994
Presov, SVK
186
73
23 Leon
Vucko
CRO
Line Player
9.1.1995
Zagreb, CRO
192
115
3
Milos
Left the club: Radoslav Antl (SBS Eger-Eszterhazy) Andrej Petro (SBS Eger-Eszterhazy) Alexandr Radcenko (HCB Karvina) Michal Kopco (Sporting Lisbon) Vasja Furlan (US Ivry Handball) Richard Wilga (Fuzesabony) Vladimir Bozic (Neusser HV) Ivan Ivkovic (Budakalasz FKC) David Pogany (unknown)
172
Height Weight
No. First Name Surname
173
TATRAN Presov
TATRAN Presov
Igor Chupryna goalkeeper
Dominik Krok left back / centre back
• Ukrainian national team goalkeeper moved to Presov in summer 2015 from HC Portovik
• one of the players who remembers the CL group phase adventure back in 2010/2011
• 2015/16 was his first CL season • supposed to back up Vladimir Bozic last season, but became number one for Trtik • one of the best Tatran players in 2015/16 season in European competitions, making it to the save of the week in November with his unorthodox save against Meshkov Brest
• joined Presov in 2009, ever since became one of the longest serving players in current squad • known for his powerful shots from the distance, one of the favourites of fans in Presov for his friendliness and ever present smile • big fan of tennis, where he develops his skills and accuracy
Jakub Hrstka left wing
Marek Pales line player
•
born in Zubří, Czech Republic from where he left for Presov in 2011 together with Tomas Cip
• returns back to Presov after spending two seasons on loan in HKM Sala, winning bronze medals in Slovakian Championship
•
second best Presov scorer in the CL group phase 2015/16 with 40 goals
• has very little European experience -this season will be his big test
•
Czech Handball talent of the year in 2010
•
featured at 2014 European Championship and 2015 World Championship For Czech Republic
• both line players from last season left, Michal Kopco and Andrej Petro, new faces Leon Vucko and Marek Pales are the new blood to replace them
•
great friend with his teammate Tomas Cip, also a winger
• both Pales and Vucko got injured in pre-season but are declared to be fit
Oliver Rabek left back
Alexey Peskov right back
• scored ten goals for Presov last season in CL
• two-metre tall Russian international came to to replace Latvian giant Dainis Kristopans in 2015
• one of the pillars of offensive play for Presov • known for very accurate and hard shots from the distance, able to coordinate his movement in the air • has four league titles and Slovakian Cup wins with Presov - every season since he joined in 2012 • played at EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia – his only major tournament for Slovakia
Radovan Pekar left back • one of the most experienced players in the current Presov squad, local patriot, born and raised in Presov • captained Slovakian national team as one of the most experienced national team player • played at 2008 EHF EURO in Norway and 2009 WCh in Croatia for the national team, scored first Slovakian goal at WCh – against Argentina in 2009 • captain and defensively most important player in the squad has most domestic titles with Presov than any other player in the squad – 10 174
• most experienced player from the squad, played the CL for his mother club Chekhovski Medvedi and Celje • also played in Poland’s Wisla Plock and Ukraine’s Dinamo-Poltava, with the latter having won the Ukrainian league in 2012, spent three seasons in Ukrainian Zaporozhye EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
Tomas Cip right wing • Czech international started his career in his hometown, Zubri, where he played until his transfer to Presov in the summer of 2011 • one of the two players from Zubri, the other one being left winger Jakub Hrstka • regular Czech national team starter, until now has featured in over 50 games and scored more than 100 goals • able to defend on the wing as well as attack, although he is highly rated for his game in offence
175
Group D preview
Group D preview
Group D preview A TALE OF NEWBIES AND COMEBACKS
ended in a 2-1 win against rivals CSM Bucuresti in the Romanian League final.
Two newbies coming from France and Denmark will face long trips to the Ukraine, Romania, Turkey and Portugal in a group, which promises to provide a nail-biting finish.
With no real stars in the team, Dinamo will rely on their team strength and also on their fans --some of the best in the country -- who promise to prepare special support for the team in all home games.
With only five group appearances between the six teams in their whole history, Group D promises to be a battle of grit and team spirit. While HBC Nantes and TTH Holstebro have the pedigree from their respective championships and experience from playing in Europe. Motor Zaporozhye hope to emulate last season’s heroics when they reached the Last 16. Besiktas, Dinamo Bucuresti and ABC/UMinho will try to establish themselves on this level and to create problems for the favourites.
Last, but not least, ABC/UMinho will represent Portugal, after a successful qualifying tournament, in which the Portuguese champions shocked hosts Bregenz. After taking their first European trophy in May, ABC powered past Benfica again in the domestic league, in which proved to be the most important month in the club’s history. It is a tall task, but the Portuguese side was inspired by Porto’s amazing group phase last season and will try to emulate their counterparts’ performances.
Already having proven themselves in European competitions, and having qualified two times for the EHF Cup Final during the last three seasons, it was high time for HBC Nantes to have a shot at the VELUX EHF Champions League. Their chance came in form of a wild card, but the French side is taking nothing for granted.
Adrian Costeiu
A Finn, a Swede, two Icelandic players and a plethora of Danes will look to boost TTH Holstebro’s chances on their maiden voyage into the deep waters of the VELUX EHF Champions League. After a one-year hiatus in the Last 16, Denmark has had their chances boosted, by having two teams in the group phase, with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and Holstebro. However, Holstebro look to have the best chance, as the Danish champions were drawn into the group of death. It is also time for Holstebro to take their revenge on Nantes, who beat them four years ago in the EHF Cup Final, 26:20. HC Motor will look to repeat last year’s run when they were stopped by the to-be-finalists Veszprém. The Ukrainian side has already established themselves as a constant in Europe’s premium handball competition by playing their fourth consecutive season. Without important changes in the team, the Ukrainian champions are looking to build upon their home record from last season of five wins from five matches in the group phase. It is Besiktas’ second year in a row in the group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League. However, this time, the Turkish champions will aim to be a competitive side, after winning only one game of their 14 from last season. The home support will be, of course, one of the most important factors for the Turkish side, who have bolstered their squad with experience from the Bundesliga, but lost key player Darko Djukic to Kielce. A powerhouse of Romanian handball, Dinamo Bucuresti were closer to folding than to winning another championship in the last few years. The ‘Red Dogs’ were forced to move to Brasov and Calarasi in order to survive, but found a way to once again settle in Bucharest in 2013. The wait was enough and after an 11-year hiatus, Dinamo will make their comeback to Europe. Last season was a stellar one, which
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Group D preview
Group D preview
Group D head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group D opponents in the EC Besiktas Mogaz HT vs ABC/UMinho
HBC Nantes vs TTH Holstebro 3-0-0 (86:70) 6:0 18.05.2013 21.02.2016 27.03.2016
Team Tvis Holstebro vs HBC Nantes, EHF Cup – Semi-final HBC Nantes vs Team Tvis Holstebro, EHF Cup – Group B Team Tvis Holstebro vs HBC Nantes, EHF Cup – Group B
20:26 (9:11) 32:23 (17:9) 27:28 (10:13)
No previous encounters in European competitions
Dinamo Bucuresti vs ABC/UMinho No previous encounters in European competitions
HBC Nantes vs HC Motor Zaporozhye No previous encounters in European competitions
HBC Nantes vs Besiktas Mogaz HT 2-0-0 (55:45) 4:0 17.02.2013 23.03.2013
HBC Nantes vs Besiktas JK, EHF Cup – Group D Besiktas JK vs HBC Nantes, EHF Cup – Group D
31:24 (16:10) 21:24 (11:12)
HBC Nantes vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions
HBC Nantes vs ABC/UMinho No previous encounters in European competitions
TTH Holstebro vs HC Motor Zaporozhye No previous encounters in European competitions
TTH Holstebro vs Besiktas Mogaz HT No previous encounters in European competitions
TTH Holstebro vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions
TTH Holstebro vs ABC/UMinho No previous encounters in European competitions
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Besiktas Mogaz HT No previous encounters in European competitions
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs ABC/UMinho No previous encounters in European competitions
Besiktas Mogaz HT vs Dinamo Bucuresti 1-0-1 (70:76) 2:2 04.09.2005 10.09.2005
Besiktas Istanbul vs Dinamo Baumit Bucuresti, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round Dinamo Baumit Bucuresti vs Besiktas Mogaz HT, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round
178
34:41 (14:22) 35:36 (19:17)
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HBC Nantes
GROUP D
Club Address
HBC Nantes 91 rue de la Trocardiere 44400 Reze France Media contact
Marina Normand +33 671 55 63 49 marina.normand@ hbcnantes.com www.hbcnantes.com HBCNantesOfficiel HBCNantes Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white/purple Player short: white GK shirt: orange or blue
HBC Nantes After hosting the EHF Cup Finals twice (in 2013 and 2016) and making it to the finals at both events, HBC Nantes have their maiden voyage in the VELUX EHF Champions League ahead; the club being awarded a wild card for the group phase. Though Spanish 2013 World Champions Alberto Entrerrios (now assistant coach) and Valero Rivera (FC Barcelona) and two goalkeepers Mattias Schulz and Gorazd Skof have left, coach Thierry Anti’s squad looks well-prepared for their first challenge in the Champions League. Nantes have signed two new World Champions, Eduardo Gurbindo (Spain 2013) and Dominik Klein (Germany 2007) from two of the best clubs in the world, Barcelona and Kiel. The new goalkeepers are Cyril Dumoulin (Toulouse) and Arnaud Siffert (Montpellier). Entrerrios takes over from Gregory Cojean, who now is in charge of the club’s youth team. Under his guidance four U18 and U20 World Champions came to fruition. As Cojean needs more time for the development of talent, he resigned as assistant of Anti to connect the club’s youth team and the professional team. Supported by their “Big H superhero” mascot, Nantes know how to organise great events in a Trocardière arena. The arena, staff and the team are ready for the new adventure, as club president Gaël Pelletier points out: “We have been playing in European Cup competitions since 2011 and our objective was to qualify for the VELUX EHF Champions League - this is the first step. It’s an important competition; it’s a reward for the club’s hard work; the staff, the players, and the partners will all enjoy us playing in the Champion’s League. We have entered into a new era.” The first goal is to reach the Last 16: “It would be a good start, if we could manage it,” says Pelletier.
OFFICIAL EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH BALL New SELECT Ultimate. Completely controlled bounce. Extreme durability. Optimal roundness. Perfect grip and soft feel.
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 1
Dark Player shirt: purple/yellow Player short: purple GK shirt: black
Other EHF Cup: runners-up 2012/13, 2015/16, quarter-finals 2013/14 French League Cup: 1 title (2015) Playing hall Salle Sportive de la Trocardiere 91 Rue de la Trocardiere 44400 Reze France Capacity: 4,500
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select-sport.com
HBC Nantes
HBC Nantes
Team roster Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
20 Lucien
Auffret
FRA
Right Wing
25.1.1997
La Roche sur Yon, FRA 182
73
30 Valentin
Bachele
FRA
Goalkeeper
25.6.1998
FRA
190
95
19 David
Balaguer Romeu
ESP
Right Wing
17.8.1991
Barcelona, ESP
185
93
10 Senjamin
Buric
BIH
Line Player
20.11.1990
Maglaj, BIH
198
100
12 Robin
Cantegrel
FRA
Goalkeeper
13.2.1995
Nantes, FRA
194
91
Claire
FRA
Centre Back
10.7.1987
Saint-Denis Réunion, FRA 190
91
17 Florian
Delecroix
FRA
Right Back
17.3.1994
Niort, FRA
197
93
14 Théo
Derot
FRA
Left Back
17.6.1992
Nîmes, FRA
193
96
200
100
7
1
Nicolas
Dumoulin
FRA
Goalkeeper
2.2.1984
Rillieux la Pape, FRA
Feliho
FRA
Back
13.8.1982
Cotonou, BEN
192
100
Mahmoud Gharbi
TUN
Line Player
11.2.1982
Tunis, TUN
192
86
Right Back
8.11.1987
Pamplona, ESP
195
92
Centre Back
9.9.1998
FRA
189
78
Cyril
C 13 Rock 5
Thierry Anti
18 Eduardo
Gurbindo Martinez ESP
23 Edson
Imare
FRA
Nicolas
Jauffrineau
FRA
9
Dominik
Klein
GER
Left Wing
16.12.1983
Miltenberg, GER
190
86
2
Romain
Lagarde
FRA
Left Back
5.3.1997
Lorient, FRA
194
95
185
80
coach
27 Arthur
•
21 Michel Junior Matiaba-Tuzolana
• • • •
arrived in 2009 as they just promoted to the French first league steered them to one trophy, the League cup in 2014/15 previously coached Créteil and Paris and reached the IHF Cup Winners’ Cup final with Créteil in 1989 reached EHF Cup Final twice but Nantes lost in both cases trusts a lot his young players and helps them develop
Laugier
31.1.1997
FRA
Right Wing
6.2.1998
FRA
FRA
Left Wing
27.5.1997
Argenteuil, FRA
188
75
Matulic
CRO
Right Wing
20.4.1990
Supetar, CRO
187
83
Andi
Muris Houlbert
FRA
8
O’Brian
Nyateu
FRA
Centre Back
7.11.1992
Bordeaux, FRA
186
90
6
Guy Olivier Nyokas
FRA
Left Back
28.6.1986
FRA
187
86
FRA
Line Player
5.1.1996
FRA
194
94
FRA
Left Back
27.5.1996
Lens, FRA
200
83
6.12.1978
Longjumeau, FRA
190
93
15 Jerko
22 Dragan
Pechmalbec
24 James Junior Scott 16 Arnaud
Siffert
FRA
24.12.1999
Goalkeeper
26.5.1997
Tourancheau
FRA
11 Nicolas
Tournat
FRA
Line Player
5.4.1994
Niort, FRA
200
116
26 Lucas
Weiss
FRA
Left Back
4.3.1997
Colmar, FRA
189
93
Nathan
Newcomers: Senjamin Buric (Gorenje Velenje), Eduardo Gurbindo (FC Barcelona Lassa) Dominik Klein (THW Kiel) Jerko Matulic (Chambery) Olivier Nyokas (Göppingen) Arnaud Siffert (Montpellier Handball) Romain Lagarde (Nantes youth) Cyril Dumoulin (Toulouse)
Left the club: Uros Bundalo (HC Erlangen) Matias Schulz (Pfadi Winterthur) Alberto Entrerrios (ended playing career) Valero Rivera (FC Barcelona Lassa) Jordan Camarero (Pays d’Aix Universite Club) Sime Ivic (Orlen Wisla Plock) Gorazd Skof (Paris Saint-Germain) Vitaly Komogorov (HC Odorhei) Rodrigo Salinas (Chartres Metropole Handball 28)
182
Height Weight
No. First Name Surname
183
HBC Nantes
HBC Nantes
Cyril Dumoulin goalkeeper
Nicolas Claire centre back
• after playing in Chambéry and Toulouse, he arrived in Nantes
• former player of PSG Handball joined Nantes in 2014 to meet Thierry Anti, the coach who coached him at the beginning of his professionnal career
• arrived at the end of the 2015/16 season, to make up for the injury of Gorazd Skof • with 1.99 m height, one of the tallest goalkeeper on the circuit • beside his handball career, he's also published two books he wrote - a diary of his seasons and they gained much critical success EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015
• played his first international games with France in April 2015 • born on Réunion Island, where Jackson Richardson and Daniel Narcisse are from • handball is a family affair for him, since his two younger brothers play in the second league in France • delighted to be able to play with Olivier Nyokas, one of his best friends
Dominik Klein left wing
Nicolas Tournat line player
• in 2016, after ten seasons in THW Kiel, the left winger decided to give himself a new challenge by moving to France
• considered by Didier Dinart as “one of the brightest hopes in French handball”
• his wife Isabell has moved with him and play for the women's club in Nantes • scored 1,071 goals in his 15 seasons in bundesliga, won 8 bundesliga titles and 6 German cup trophies • in his homeland played also for Obernburg, Wallau-Massenheim and Grosswallstadt
• as a consequence, he made his first national team appearance in November 2015 • signed his first contract in the 2014/15 season and is now a regular fixture in the Nantes squad • without a doubt, the best player of his team during the EHF Cup Finals last season, where Nantes lost the final to Frisch Auf! Göppingen
EC trophies : CL 2007, 2010, 2012 WCh: G 2007
Olivier Nyokas left back
Eduardo Gurbindo right back
• the 2016 recruit came back to France after two seasons in German Balingen
• after trying his luck for two seasons, Thierry Anti finally managed to convince the Spaniard to come to Nantes in 2016
• late bloomer, he impressed at the last EURO, most notably scoring eight goals against Serbia in his first game at a major tournament • major difference between him and his twin brother Alix Kevynn, who plays for Frisch Auf Göppingen, is their shooting hand - Olivier right, Alix Kevynn left • reunited with Thierry Anti, who was important to him as a young player in Paris
• will perpetuate the tradition of Spanish players in Nantes, even though Valero Rivera made the inverse trip to Barcelona • has the advantage to be able to play both on the wing and the backcourt position • has taken part three times in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with FC Barcelona EC trophies : CL 2015 EURO: S 2016, B 2014
Theo Derot centre back
Jerko Matulic right wing
• born in a handball family, his dad was a French international player and his uncle, Christian Gaudin, won the CL with SCM Magdeburg in 2002
• young Croatian decided to try his luck in France in 2014, after waiting behind Zlatko Horvat in Zagreb for a long time
• aged 25, he left his beloved club of Istres, where he was coached by his father, in the summer of 2015 to join Nantes
• proved to be a successful move, since a lot of teams wanted to sign him in the summer of 2016
• immediately rewarded with a EURO participation in January 2016
• even though all Europe is aware of his talents, he still does not get his chance in the national team, being third choice behing Ivan Cupic and Zlatko Horvat
• still needs to toughen up physically as he is very injury-prone
184
• played in Chambéry in 2015/16, with whom he took part in the EHF Cup Finals
185
TTH Holstebro
Official Partner of the EHF and the EHF Champions League GROUP D
Club Address
TTH Holstebro Hostrupsvej 27 7500 Holstebro Denmark Media contact
Line Kristoffersen +45 2845 9081
[email protected] teamtvisholstebro.dk teamtvisholstebro
TTH Holstebro After three successful seasons in the EHF Cup, including their very first EHF Cup Final at Nantes in 2013, TTH Holstebro are ready for the next step in their development. This season will be their first adventure in the VELUX EHF Champions League. “We are very proud to play against the best teams in Europe. We look forward to having close, intense matches and we will do everything we can to be a well-deserved opponent. The Champions League will provide our club and the team with international experience. We will fight to make it to the next round,” says new club director John Mikkelsen; a former Holstebro player, who played 404 matches for TTH. The biggest success for the club thus far was winning the EHF Cup with their women’s team and now, TTH Holstebro has high hopes in their maiden voyage in the men’s major club competition. The squad of Patrick Westerholm and Sören Hansen underwent some changes prior to the season. In total, ten players left TTH, including cornerstones Swede Jonas Larholm and Anders Oechsler. Among the new arrivals are Swedish talent Victor Östlund, as well as Icelandic international Vignir Svavarsson. Apart from building up a new team, TTH hopes to reach the Danish league play-offs and the Champions League Last 16. “We hope to gain some international experience,” says team captain Peter Balling. Dinamo Bucuresti and HBC Nantes are the favourites for winning group D.
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: black
KOBRA MEN Magma Red/Black Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 1
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: blue or green
Other EHF Cup: semi-finals (3rd ranked) 2012/13, quarter-finals 2014/15 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2009/10 Challenge Cup: Round 4 2002/03
Playing hall Gräkjaer Arena Hostrupvej 27 7500 Holstebro Denmark Capacity: 3,250
Danish league: -runners-up 2016 Danish cup: 1 title (2008)
KOBRA WOMEN Diva Pink/Turquoise
KOBRA MEN Black/Shocking Orange
salminghandball.com 186
WATCH THE SALMING KOBRA VIDEO ON www.salminghandball.com
TTH Holstebro
TTH Holstebro
Team roster Position
Date of birth Place of birth
DEN
Centre Back
19.7.1998
Silkeborg, DEN
192
87
6 Oliver C 26 Peter
Sommer Asmussen DEN
Centre Back
28.10.1997
Holstebro, DEN
185
82
Balling Christensen DEN
Right Back
5.4.1990
Skive, DEN
188
87
23 Simon
Ellersgaard BirkefeldtDEN
Right Back
22.1.1991
Århus, DEN
198
105
10 Magnus
Grubb Bramming
DEN
Left Wing
1.10.1990
Roskilde, DEN
182
80
11 Martin
Lysdal Hansen
DEN
Centre Back
15.9.1987
Herning, DEN
185
96
Favrholt Hauskov
DEN
Right Wing
5.12.1998
Lemvig, DEN
189
75
Byskov HojJensen DEN
Right Back
26.3.1998
Lemvig, DEN
196
99
16.4.1986
Karis, FIN
186
90
16 Marcus
3
Jeppe
16 Mads
Abildgaard
Jac
Karlsson
FIN
Centre Back
21 Kasper
Kildelund
DEN
Right Wing
11.5.1994
Svendborg, DEN
183
80
12 Rasmus
Schmidt Lind
DEN
Goalkeeper
8.4.1983
Struer, DEN
192
103
18 Egill
Magnússon
ISL
Left Back
22.2.1996
Reykjavik, ISL
200
99
Mousing Nielsen
DEN
Line Player
4.3.1992
København, DEN
195
95
CGO Goalkeeper
23.1.1998
Repub. Congo, CGO
192
99
Östlund
SWE Left Back
19.1.1992
Husby- Ärlinghndra, SWE 198
96
Agger Pedersen
DEN
Line Player
20.9.1998
Holstebro, DEN
203
109
DEN
Left Back
12.2.1991
Lemvig, DEN
197
103
8
5
Lars
1
Shadrach-A. Nsoni
15 Viktor
Newcomers: Martin Hansen (HC Midtjylland) Jonas Porup (Mors-Thy) Vignir Svavarsson (HC Midtjylland) Kasper Kildelund (GOG) Anders Agger Shadrach-Amie Nsoni Viktor Östlund (Eskilstuna Guif) Rasmus Lind (Ribe-Esbjerg)
Anders
Patrick Westerholm
7
coach • Finland-born coach joined from league colleagues HC Midtjylland in 2015, replacing Klavs Bruun Jørgensen who took over as women’s national coach • before coaching men was head coach for the women of SønderjyskE and later assistant coach in Team Esbjerg • former centre back celebrated his greatest triumphs as a player during his nine years with KIF Kolding winning five Danish championships and three Danish Cups • ended his active career in Skjern Handbold, in his first season in Holstebro, he led the team to a shared first place in the Danish league at the end of the autumn season
25 Jonas
Sogaard Porup
DEN
Left Back
19.10.1998
Holstebro, DEN
193
96
14 Emil
Sidelmann
DEN
Left Wing
30.10.1996
Holstebro, DEN
177
70
30 Torbjoern
Sittrup Bergerud
NOR Goalkeeper
16.7.1994
Drammen, NOR
199
106
9
Toke Bjelke Schröder
2
Vignir
Svavarsson
ISL
Line Player
20.6.1980
Reykjavik, ISL
196
110
4
Michael
Krohn Thogersen
DEN
Right Wing
10.4.1996
Struer, DEN
186
85
Left the club: Patrick Wiesmach (Aalborg) Anders Oechsler Søren Tau (Ribe-Esbjerg) Jonas Hansen (Ribe-Esbjerg) Nicolai Neupart (Odder Haandbold) Jonas Larholm (IK Sävehof) Sigurbergur Sveinsson (IBV Handbolti) Mathias Bitsch (Skive) Frederik Ladefoged Simon Gade (on loan Lemvig-Thyboron) 188
Height Weight
Nat.
No. First Name Surname
189
TTH Holstebro
TTH Holstebro
Torbjörn Bergerud goalkeeper
Jac Karlsson centre back
• joined this summer from Swedish league club Lugi HF
• joined from neighbours Mors-Thy Handball in the summer of 2015
• has played 15 internationals for Norway and did particularly well in the recent WCh qualifiers against Slovenia
• started his career in BK 46 Karis in his homeland, Finland, but has played in Denmark since 2010
• as a boy, he was afraid of the ball - he has certainly got over that fear over time
• experienced playmaker with a good eye for his teammates and with a good shot
• his girlfriend, Hege Bakken Wahlquist also joined TTH in 2016 (from Norwegian league club Glassverket)
• used to be a crucial playmaker in the Finnish national team too, but he has made a break from the national team due to knee problems
Magnus Bramming left wing
Vignir Svavarsson line player
• fast and versatile winger with a varied shot, good on counter attacks and penalties
• joined in summer 2016 from league rivals HC Midtjylland, has a rich experience with the Danish league, having also represented Skjern Handbold for several years
• can also play the playmaker position and has done so several times, when the back court line was haunted by injury • has played a total of 46 junior internationals for Denmark, but with regards the senior team, he is still standing in the shadow of Anders Eggert and Casper Mortensen • contributes a lot to the spirit in the team, is known for his changing hair styles
• also has experience from the German Bundesliga, representing TBV Lemgo before returning to Denmark and HC Midtjylland in the summer of 2014 • physically strong and with a lot of experience at high level, has played 230 internationals for Iceland and scored 261 goals EURO: B 2010
Viktor Östlund left back
Simon Birkefeldt right back
• joined this summer from Swedish Eskilstuna Guif
• joined in 2013 from league rivals Aarhus Handball
• one of his reasons for joining TTH was a wish to get stronger in a physically stronger league at a higher level than the Swedish league
• started his career in Odder outside Aarhus
• has played 36 internationals for Sweden and was part of the Swedish squad for the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland this January
• missed most of 2015/16 season due to a brain concussion, and missed also the 2nd leg of the Danish championship final against Bjerringbro due to a broken hand
• already a strong and solid back court player with a good variety of hard shots
• get a lot of extra responsibility in 2016/17 season, as the other right back, Danish international Peter Balling is sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament
Martin Lysdal Jansen left back / centre back
Kasper Kildelund right wing
• joined this summer from league rivals HC Midtjylland, also had a fine career at another Danish club, SønderjyskE
• joined in the summer of 2016 from league rivals GOG, whom TTH defeated in the Danish championship play-off semi-finals the season before
• versatile playmaker and also a shooting playmaker with a pretty hard shot
• got his handball upbringing in GOG, one of Denmark's largest talent factories
• with his 186 cm, he is not the tallest among back court players these days, but he compensates with technical skill, his hard shot and a lot of fighting spirit.
• son of one of the legends in GOG, Søren Kildelund, who was part of the team that won the first titles to the club on Southern Funen
• many of his qualities are so different from Jac Karlsson, that those two are expected to supplement each other fine as playmakers
• has played in several junior national teams, will have to fill out the rather big foot prints of Patrick Wiesmach who has returned to Aalborg Handball
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191
HC Motor Zaporozhye
GROUP D
Club Address
HC Motor Zaporozhye Ivanova Str. 24 69068 Zaporozhye Ukraine Media contact
Dmitriy Karpushchenko +380 50 5581181
[email protected] handball.motorsich.com HC-Motor
HC Motor Zaporozhye
HC Motor Zaporozhye Like their Belarusian neighbours Meshkov Brest, Motor Zaporozhye grabbed a Last 16 spot from the Group C/D play-offs of the VELUX EHF Champions League last season. The first knock-out stage against eventual finalists Veszprem was the final destination for the Ukrainian champions, but this season it is their goal to make the next step to the quarter-finals. In contrast to previous years, the squad remains almost the same - three newcomers arrived and three players left the club, coached by Mykola Stepanets since 2015. Just like in the previous season, the four-time consecutive domestic champions will play their home matches in Kharkov. Manager Gennady Kasay expects up to three teams with the ability to top the group and to make it to the Last 16 playoffs. “We are able to compete with all of these rivals. We would like to repeat last season’s success and even hope to make it to the quarter-finals. Our fans expect us to play in the Champions League, and we want to do it in a successful way.” Team captain Sergey Shelmenko is also confident: “After a good preparation, we are ready to battle, but it will not be easy to fight for our goals. There are no weak opponents in the Champions League, as each team tries to show their best. It is a matter of will when deciding which teams make it through.”
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white/red Player short: white GK shirt: yellow/black
EHF Champions League club records
5 39 76
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
31:23 (13:9) v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI (h), 28.11.2015 44:27 (20:13) v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN (a), 10.10.2013 5 matches (18.10.2015 – 28.11.2015) 8 matches (18.10.2015 – 05.03.2016) 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014) 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014) 39 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:37W (h), 05.03.2016 44 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013 76 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:37W (h), 05.03.2016 21 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 21:23L (h), 04.10.2014 18 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013 42 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2013/14 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 2014/15 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 2015/16 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
12 10 14 36
4 3 9 16
1 0 1 2
7 7 4 18
333:367 283:284 418:414 1034:1065
-34 -1 +4 -31
9:15 6:14 19:9 34:38
1/8-finals 5th Gr. D 1/8-finals
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Last 16 (2): 2013/14, 2015/16 Group Phase (1): 2014/15
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red/black
Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 2011/12 Playing hall Lokomotiv Sport Complex Kotlova 90/1 Kharkiv Ukraine Capacity: 4,500
192
Ukrainian league: 4 titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Ukrainian cup: 3 titles
193
HC Motor Zaporozhye
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Team roster Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Buinenko
UKR
Right Back
20.9.1992
Zaporozhye, UKR
201
93
69 Sergii
Burka
UKR
Left Back
9.6.1987
Zaporozhye, UKR
208
110
11 Zakhar
Denysov
UKR
Left Wing
1.3.1990
Ilychevsk, UKR
188
82
14 Dmytro
Doroshchuk
UKR
Line Player
29.9.1986
Volyn reg., UKR
198
115
99 Dmytro
Gunko
UKR
Left Back
14.2.1992
Slavyanoserbsk, UKR
192
82
21 Gleb
Kalarash
RUS
Line Player
29.11.1990
Moscow, RUS
205
95
87 Victor
Kireev
RUS
Goalkeeper
5.5.1987
Penzenskaya obl., RUS 190
94
55 Gennadiy
Komok
UKR
Goalkeeper
5.7.1987
Zaporozhye, UKR
196
96
182
68
4
Evgeniy
20 Artem
• • • •
Newcomers: Lev Tselishchev (Dinamo Astrakhan) Dmitry Gunko (Dinamo Astrakhan) Viktor Kireev (Neva St. Petersburg) Ievgen Buinenko (GK Portovik)
led Motor to the three titles of the Ukrainian champion used to be an interim coach, but last year convinced Motor’s management to appoint him the head coach and did a good job born in Kiev, the 51-year-old also coached domestic rivals Budyvelnik Brovary with Etoile Sportive du Sahel he won the Tunisian league silver medals and the League Cup in 2007
UKR
Right Wing
2.10.1992
Iurii
Kubatko
UKR
Right Wing
28.8.1988
Zaporozhye, UKR
184
78
7
Aidenas
Malasinskas
LTU
Centre Back
29.4.1986
Lietuva, LTU
189
84
Pukhouski
BLR
Centre Back
3.1.1987
St.Mazorita, BLR
186
100
Shelmenko
RUS
Right Back
5.4.1983
Kiev, UKR
195
98
10 Olexandr
Shevelev
UKR
Line Player
2.12.1987
Zaporozhye, UKR
200
115
44 Igor
Soroka
RUS
Left Back
27.5.1991
Cherkessk, RUS
180
73
74 Lev
Tcelishchev
RUS
Back
16.4.1990
Kishtim, RUS
205
103
184
75
198
94
C 83 Sergey
coach
Kozakevych
Novovolynsk, UKR
5
87 Barys
Nikolay Stepanets
24 Ievgen 2
Stanislav
Zhuk
UKR
Left Back
4.8.1990
Zaporozhye, UKR
Zhukov
UKR
Right Back
26.3.1992
Novovolynsk, UKR
Left the club: Valentin Kosovy (Azot-Pulavy) Konstantin Kurilenko (Calarasi)
194
Height Weight
No. First Name Surname
195
HC Motor Zaporozhye
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Victor Kireev goalkeeper
Barys Pukhouski centre back
• arrived at Motor this summer, having signed a two-year contract with the club
• moved to Motor from SKA Minsk last summer and quickly established himself as one of Zaporozhye's leaders
• played in his native Russia for Kaustik Volgograd, and spent the last two seasons at St.Petersburg • expressed desire to continue his career elsewhere in Western Europe, but eventually opted to move to Ukraine • made a very solid performance at EHF EURO 2016 which was his first big tournament with the Russia national team
• with 90 goals, he was the top scorer of Motor in the 2015/16 CL season • also had stints at Dinamo Minsk in his native Belarus and at Csurgo in Hungary • one of the key players of the Belarus national team EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
Igor Soroka left wing
Olexandr Shevelev line player
• grew up in Cherkessk, in the southern part of Russia, and his first coach was his father Yuri
• one of not too many Ukrainians who have played in the Western European leagues in the recent years
• in Russia he played for Dinamo-Viktor Stavropol, RGUFK-Chekhovskie Medvedi and Permskie Medvedi
• arrived from Dinamo Minsk (BLR), but played in Astrakhan, Aalborg and scored his first goals in the CL for Ciudad Real in 2011
• following the 2014/15 season elected the best left wing of the Russian league
• his debut appearance in the CL was in the 2006/07 season with Portovik Yuzhny
• his move to Zaporozhye was initially planned for the summer of 2016, but due to financial problems Permskie Medvedi let him go to Ukraine already in winter
• his experience and physical strength make him a crucial figure in the center of defence and attack
Dmytro Gunko left back
Lev Tselishchev right back
• Ukrainian moved back to his home country after two years spent with Dinamo Astrakhan in Russia
• born and raised in Kyshtym, a small town in the Ural region, he played football for ten years before concentrating on handball
• had an option to stay in Russia but preferred to move to Motor in order to play in the VELUX EHF Champions League
• started his professional career at Sungul Snezhinsk and moved to Dinamo Astrakhan in 2013
• previously also played for Portovik Yuzhny and became the top scorer of the Ukrainian league in the 2013/14 season
• in the summer of 2016 decided to move to Ukraine and signed a contract with Motor
• will compete with Stanislav Zhukov and Sergii Burka at this position
• the 205-cm powerful left back is a specialist on defence
Artem Kozakevych right wing
Aidenas Malasinskas centre back • joined Motor in the summer of 2015 and quickly became a key element in the team • Lithuanian international has no problems with language barrier speaking Russian as well as the whole team at Motor • played also for Kaunas clubs (Lusis and Granitas-Karys) in his homeland followed by stints with Bidasoa Irun, Fraikin BM Granollers, Naturhouse La Rioja • arrived from BM Puerto Sagunto and finished third in the ASOBAL top scorers list in the 2014/15 season
196
• Motor’s long hunt for one of the most talented players in Ukraine was successfully completed in 2014 when the winger moved from Portovik Yuzhny • his dream was always to play in the CL, and he already took part twice in the competition with Motor • shares the position with Yuriy Kubatko and is considered as one of the main penalty takers in the team • in 2012, he won a silver medal with the Ukraine national team at the beach handball WCh 197
Besiktas Mogaz HT
GROUP D
Club Address
Besiktas MOGAZ HT Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48 34357 Besiktas - Istanbul Turkey Media contact
Berk Karahan Tel: +90 535 358 8747
[email protected] www.bjk.com.tr @BJKHentbol Besiktas Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: red Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: green
Besiktas Mogaz HT
Besiktas Mogaz HT
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win
It is all about establishing, developing and growing at Besiktas. Though the twelvetime Turkish champions have lost their top scorer and star Darko Djukic to VELUX EHF Champions League winners Vive Tauron Kielce, the hopes for the Istanbul-based club are high as they aim to be a competitive opponent in the upcoming season. The squad has undergone some changes and was bolstered by two players with German Bundesliga experience: Turkish goalkeeper Yunus Özmusul (returning from TVB 1898 Bittenfeld) and Bosnian Faruk Vrazalic (Füchse Berlin). With the new line-up manager Berk Karahan hopes to improve the club and raise more interest: “The VELUX EHF Champions League is a highly competitive and tough competition. It will take time to establish ourselves there, but we are sparing no effort. It is all about how much you fight in the matches. We have to fight until the end. No pain, no gain is our motto.” With good domestic and international results, Besiktas aim to drum up interest in handball: “Fans are so important. We consider ourselves new to the European handball family, and if our fans want us to be successful, they should fill the stands every time we come out to play,” stated Karahan. Last season, the Turkish champions came away from Group A with only one win from 14 matches - against Zagreb. Now they aim for more victories, as team captain Ibrahim Demir predicts: “We want to qualify for the Last 16, and with the help of our fans, we hope to play our games in a carnivalesque atmosphere.” In the pre-season Besiktas were shocked by a tragic car accident where their young right wing Kubilay Yılmaz was badly hurt. For two weeks he was in a critical condition, but the situation has recently improved. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 10 Group Phase (2): 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (7): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14
Playing hall Kocaeli Sehit Polis Recep Topaloglu Spor Salonu Yahya Kaptan Mah.Kizilay Sok No: 41050 Arasta Izmit, Turkey Capacity: 5,000
198
5 39 76
Biggest defeat Longest winning run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
28:26 (13:15) v Alingsas HK SWE (h), 16.11.2014 32:30 (17:13) v HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO (h), 24.10.2015 43:29 (21:14) v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO (a), 05.03.2016 1 match (16.11.2014) 1 match (24.10.2015) 1 match (16.11.2014) 1 match (24.10.2015) 10 matches (20.11.2014 – 14.10.2015) 10 matches (20.11.2014 – 14.10.2015) 34 v MVM Veszprém HUN 34:38L (h), 13.02.2016 43 v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 43:29L (a), 05.03.2016 72 v MVM Veszprém HUN 34:38L (h), 13.02.2016 72 v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 43:29L (a), 05.03.2016 19 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 28:19L (a), 27.09.2014 26 v Alingsas HK SWE 28:26W (h), 16.11.2014 47 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 28:19L (a), 27.09.2014 47 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 20:27L (h), 16.10.2014
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
2014/15 Besiktas MOGAZ HT TUR 10 2015/16 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu TUR 14 24
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1 1 2
0 0 0
9 13 22
253:303 382:487 635:790
–50 -105 –155
2:18 2:2 4:44
6th Gr. B 8th Gr. A
Other EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06, 2010/11 Challenge Cup: Semi-final 2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03 Turkish league: 12 titles (1981, 1982, 2005, 2007, 2009-2016) Turkish cup: 12 titles
199
Besiktas Mogaz HT
Besiktas Mogaz HT
Team roster No. First Name Surname
CRO
Left Back
11.7.1988
Metkovic, CRO
202
108
Dacevic
SRB
Left Back
21.7.1986
Belgrad, SRB
197
98
Demir
TUR
Goalkeeper
4.10.1975
Eskisehir, TUR
194
105
14 Mehmet
Demirezen
TUR
Line Player
3.8.1988
Ankara, TUR
193
100
53 Ramazan
Döne
TUR
Right Back
10.7.1981
Rize, TUR
192
106
21 Onur
Ersin
TUR
Centre Back
20.3.1992
Samsun, TUR
190
86
Güney
TUR
Left Wing
3.5.1995
Istanbul, TUR
178
81
Holpert
SRB
Left Wing
1.6.1988
Crvenka, SRB
190
88
Ogulcan
Karatay
TUR
Goalkeeper
7.2.1998
TUR
197
87
36 Dogukan
Keser
TUR
Right Wing
24.1.2000
Kars, TUR
179
82
29 Ömer
Mercan
TUR
Right Back
10.4.1997
Istanbul, TUR
195
93
27 Ivan
Nincevic
CRO
Left Wing
27.10.1981
Zadar, CRO
185
82
20 Tolga
Özbahar
TUR
Line Player
24.4.1984
Aydın, TUR
197
118
12 Yunus
Özmusul
TUR
Goalkeeper
4.2.1989
Eskisehir, TUR
199
100
Pribak
MKD Centre Back
26.3.1984
Nis, SRB
190
103
Radojkovic
SRB
Right Back
5.12.1994
Smederevo, SRB
197
96
Vrazalic
BIH
Right Wing
22.6.1990
Sarajevo, BIH
186
85
Yilmaz
TUR
Right Wing
22.3.1997
Istanbul, TUR
195
90
1
8
Newcomers: Yunus Özmusul (TVB 1898 Bittenfeld) Onur Ersin (Göztepe SK) Faruk Vrazalic (Füchse Berlin) Mihajlo Radojkovic (Partizan RK) Jozef Holpert (Bursa Nilüfer Bel)
Mehmet
Nemanja
Mufit Arin
17 Mihajlo
coach
7
•
18 Kubilay
Faruk
Left the club: Darko Djukic (Vive Tauron Kielce) Miroslav Kocic (Saran HB) Nikolay Sorokin (Steaua Bucuresti) Maksym Karamyshev (ZTR Zaporozhye) Ömer Ozan Arifoglu (Beykoz Bel SK) Ugur Coban (Beykoz Bel SK) Senol Boyar (Izmir BSB SK) Berkay Gülyurt (Izmir BSB SK) Ercan Asıkoglu (unknown)
200
Height Weight
Buljubasic
23 Jozef
• •
Date of birth Place of birth
25 Predrag
9
•
Position
11 Josip C 26 Ibrahim
had plenty of success as a coach with Besiktas JK, dominating the Turkish domestic league over the past ten years eight-time Turkish league champion, six-time Turkish cup winner, six-time Turkish Super Cup winner reached the Challenge Cup semi-final in the 2008/09 season notable playing achievement is winning the Turkish league with Arcelik HK in 1983, but nothing can be compared to the premiere of Turkish handball in the CL group phase in the 2014/15 season
Nat.
201
Besiktas Mogaz HT
Besiktas Mogaz HT
Ibrahim Demir goalkeeper
Nemanja Pribak centre back
• won more than 15 national championships (9 times with Besiktas - 7 times in a row), and the same number of Turkish Cups and Super Cups
• known for his excellent court vision, assists and playmaking ability
• played more than 250 games in 20 years for Turkey, retired from the national team in 2015, still captain of beach handball national team • graduated from two universities as an anesthesiologist and a teacher
• started playing handball in his hometown of Nis, for RK Zeleznicar before joining HC Vardar, following a stint at RK Trimo Trebnje • made a debut for Serbia at the WCh 2011, but opted to play for FYR Macedonia in 2013
• founding member of a sport center for disabled children
• joined Besiktas in 2015 after five seasons for HC Vardar, where he is considered a club legend
Yunus Özmusul goalkeeper
Tolga Özbahar line player
• after spending a season in the toughest league of the world, the German Bundesliga with TVB 1898 Bittenfeld, returned to Besiktas in 2016 to play the CL
• came to Besiktas in 2010 and is recognised as one of Turkey’s best line players
• bronze medallist at Mediterranean Games in 2013 • raised in handball city Eskişehir, like teammate İbrahim Demir • married to left back Ülkü Cagli of Kastamonu BGSK
• over 60 international matches for Turkey • awarded the best line player in the Turkish league several times • in the 2012/13 season, when Besiktas reached the EHF Cup Group Phase, he was the second best scorer (27) • first Turkish player nominated for the All-Star Team in 2014/15 (received almost 5,000 votes)
Ivan Nincevic left wing • Croatian national team’s left winger was a big reinforcement for Turkish champions right before their first CL season in 2014/15 • built his name in Germany - from the second division Stralsunder, as a top scorer he has earned a transfer to Füchse Berlin • played also in Dinamo Minsk and later accepted Beskitas’ call • outstanding scorer and a good defensive player able to motivate the whole team OG: B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
Ramazan Döne right back • joined Besiktas in 2006 from Cankaya Belediyesi • became the top scorer of the Challenge Cup in 2005/06 (66 goals in 7 games) as well as the top scorer of the Turkish league in 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2009/10 • in the 2012/13 season he helped Besiktas to reach the EHF Cup Group Phase and was their top scorer with 30 goals • awarded the best right back in the Turkish league several times and has played over 150 international matches for Turkey so far
Predrag Dacevic left back
Faruk Vrazalic right wing
• played for Partizan Belgrade, RK Kolubara Lazarevac, RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, MT Melsungen, HC Vardar, BSV Bern Muri, Ademar Leon before joining Besiktas
• has CL experience with HC Bosna Sarajevo and Reale Ademar Leon
• won Serbian Cup with RK Kolubara, national championship and Slovenian Cup with CL participant RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko • 2 national championships, 2 Turkish Cups and 2 Super Cups with Besiktas • graduated from two universities: Banking and sports management
202
• spent three years in the German Bundesliga at Eisenach, Balingen and German powerhouse Füchse Berlin before joining Besiktas in 2016 • started to play for Bosnian national team at the age of 19 • studying economics in Sarajevo • speaks local languages in his clubs he goes
203
Dinamo Bucuresti
GROUP D
Club Address
Dinamo Bucuresti Sos.Stefan cel Mare n° 7-9 ,sec2 Bucuresti Romania Media contact
Alexandru Enciu +40 754 929 106
[email protected] www.csdinamo.eu csdinamo
Dinamo Bucuresti
Dinamo Bucuresti
EHF Champions League club records
In May 2016, handball fans in the city of Bucharest went crazy. After a thrilling final win against Györi Audi ETO KC, CSM Bucuresti’s women’s team became the first Romanian side to win the Women’s EHF Champions League. In the 2016/17 season, Bucharest is also represented in the men’s event as Dinamo Bucuresti enter the VELUX EHF Champions League in Group D. It is 11 years ago that Dinamo was last part of the EHF Champions league. In the 2015/16 season they already participated and made it to the group phase of the EHF Cup; this season the team of head coach Elionor Voica ready to make the next step. Dinamo has been a household name for Romanian handball for more than 50 years. The club’s success story started when it won the Champions Cup, the predecessor of the EHF Champions League in 1965. In their upcoming campaign the Romanian champions hope to proceed to the playoffs of Groups C and D to have a chance to fight for the Last 16. “Being part of the VELUX EHF Champions League means to increase the image of our club and to gain international experience on all levels,” says club manager Ovidiu Semen.
1 28 65
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
28:24 (14:14) v Tatran Presov SVK (h), 15.10.2005 40:17 (19:9) v BM Ciudad Real ESP (a), 06.11.2005 1 match (15.10.2005) 1 match (15.10.2005) 3 matches (22.10.2005 – 12.11.2005) 3 matches (22.10.2005 – 12.11.2005) 28 v Tatran Presov SVK 28:24W (h), 15.10.2005 40 v BM Ciudad Real 40:17L (a), 06.11.2005 65 v MKB Veszprém KC HUN 27:38L (h), 22.10.2005 17 v BM Ciudad Real 40:17L (a), 06.11.2005 24 v Tatran Presov SVK 28:24W (h), 15.10.2005 52 v Tatran Presov SVK 28:24W (h), 15.10.2005
VELUX EHF Champions League record
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2005/06 Dinamo Baumit Bucuresti ROU 6
1
0
5
148:198
-50
2:10
4th Gr. F
6
1
0
5
148:198
-50
2:10
MP
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: orange Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: black
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Group Stage (1): 2005/06 Qualification (2): 1995/96, 1997/98
Playing hall Dinamo Bucuresti Arena Soseaue Stefan Cel Mare 7-9 Sector 2, 020121 Bucuresti Romania Capacity: 2,538
204
Other EHF Cup: semi-finals 2003/04, Last 16 2001/02, 2004/05 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2002/03 Challenge Cup: runners-up 2000/01, semi-finals 2007/08 City Cup: Semi-finals 1999/2000 European Champions’ Cup: 1 title (1965) IHF Cup Winners’ Cup: runners-up 1983 Romanian league: 13 titles (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1986, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2016) Romanian cup: 3 titles (1979, 1982, 1988)
205
Dinamo Bucuresti
Dinamo Bucuresti
Team roster No. First Name Surname 10 Mihai
Asoltanei
Nat.
ROU Left Wing
Date of birth Place of birth
Height Weight
14.9.1989
Vaslui, ROU
186
85
182
82
Bera
ROU Left Wing
26.5.1990
Fagaras, ROU
Cosmin
Capota
ROU Centre Back
13.5.1990
Bucuresti, ROU
197
92
11 Flavius
Cimpan
ROU Right Wing
3.9.1988
Timisoara, ROU
184
87
Constantinescu
ROU Goalkeeper
6.3.1998
Pitesti, ROU
189
86
Criciotoiu
ROU Right Back
13.3.1990
Tg. Jiu, ROU
196
100
73 Daniel 5 1
Alin
90 Bogdan
33 Allahkaram Esteki
IRI
Centre Back
20.3.1988
Esfahan, IRI
195
106
Esteki
IRI
Left Back
28.4.1990
Esfahan, IRI
189
97
Grigoras
ROU Goalkeeper
18.12.1990
Bacau, ROU
194
98
16 Ionut Adrian Irimus C 15 Liviu Mironescu
ROU Goalkeeper
22.8.1987
Baia Mare, ROU
200
118
ROU Right Wing
15.2.1985
Vaslui, ROU
184
86
66 Marius Iulian Mocanu
ROU Line Player
9.12.1986
Calarasi, ROU
195
106
Line Player
27.4.1990
Esfahan, IRI
197
100
Centre Back
14.5.1986
Nancy, FRA
187
90
ROU Left Back
27.2.1991
Sighisoara, ROU
194
96
6
Sajad
12 Stefan
88 Seyed Alireza Mousavi Ghalehmirz IRI 18 Pierre Yves Ragot 27 Ciprian
Sandru
FRA
Eliodor Voica
13 Alin Florin Sania
ROU Left Back
11.2.1983
CRAIOVA, ROU
198
109
coach
17 Dan Andrei Savenco
ROU Line Player
12.10.1985
Galati, ROU
197
110
12.6.1993
Split, CRO
200
97
• • • •
Newcomers: Bogdan Criciotoiu (ThSV Eisenach) Sania Alin (Dunarea Calarasi) Daniel Bera (HC Minaur Baia Mare) Cosmin Capota (CSM Ploiesti) Allahcaram Esteki (Montpellier HB) Sajad Esteki (TVB Stuttgart)
Position
considered to be one of Dinamo’s heroes, after bringing back the title after a 11-year drought was also coaching Dinamo between 2008 and 2011, when the club was close to folding, due to lack of funds former coach the Romanian national team, but failed to qualify for an important tournament, being forced to quit after a shameful defeat against Finland in 2014 as a player scored 867 goals in 205 games for the Romanian national team
77 Jakov
Vrankovic
CRO
Right Back
Left the club: Darius Makaria (BM Sinfin) Adrian Balut (CSM Focsani) Razvan Rapciuga (CSM Focsani) Ciprian Vancea (unknown) Ibrahima Diaw (Saran Handball)
206
207
Dinamo Bucuresti
Dinamo Bucuresti
Ionut Irimus goalkeeper
Pierre Yves Ragot centre back
• having a whooping height of 2.00m, he is the tallest goalkeeper ever to have played in the Romanian National League
• journeyman, the French player has changed seven teams in 13 years, coming to Dinamo in 2014
• nicknamed “Ață” (thread), Irimuș is also a very mobile goalkeeper, who was a vital piece in Dinamo’s title winning campaign last season
• usually deployed as a centre back, but can also play on the left wing, as his speed and technique are perfect for that position
• having already played in Europe for UCM Reșița and Minaur Baia Mare in the Cup Winners’ Cup and the EHF Cup but never the CL before 2016/17
• has been easily adopted by Dinamo’s fans, who are calling themselves “Red Dogs” and referring to Ragot as a pitbull, a player whose tenacity can be relied upon
Alexandru Asoltanei left wing
Dan Savenco line player
• one of the first players that have graduated from the National Excelence Centre in Sighișoara, a handball school that have provided Romania with a lot of players • played in the Cup Winners' Cup and the EHF Cup for Pandurii Târgu Jiu and Dinamo
• defensive specialist, Savenco rarely plays in attack, but is well-known in Romania for his power and harshness
• one week after winning his maiden champion title in Romania, he got married
• one of few players that knows the taste of the VELUX EHF Champions League, having already played there for Steaua MFA Bucuresti in 2008
• Dinamo’s left wing stated that he likes to be a journeyman and he never liked to stay more than four years at a team
• experienced line player plied his trade in Spain, at Antequera, before coming back to Romania in 2014 to play for Dinamo
Ciprian Sandru
Jakov Vrankovic right back
left back • in 2015/16 won the title and the Romanian Supercup with Dinamo and also the gold medal at the World University Games with the Romanian national team • with a powerful shot and the tactical nous on top, Sandru has been Dinamo’s top scorer last season, just four goals shy of the 200-goal mark • like Alexandru Asoltanei, one of the products of the National Excellence Center
• huge Croatian back has been in Dinamo’s roster since 2014, scoring 53 goals in the 2015/16 EHF Cup • pursued a career in modeling, winning the “Mr. Tourism” distinction in Porec in the summer of 2016, could have represented Croatia in the “Mr Tourism World” competition, but decided to continue playing for Dinamo • left France in order to join Dinamo, a decision that he considers one of the best of his entire life
Flavius Cimpan right wing
Alin Sania left back • one of the most experienced players in Dinamo’s roster, playing in United Arab Emirates and the Bundesliga, for Melsungen
• born in Timișoara, played for Potaissa Turda and Dinamo, representing his teams in the EHF Cup and the Challenge Cup
• one of the few men to have played for both Steaua and Dinamo, the two most successful teams in the Romanian handball’s history
• never before the 2016/17 season played in the VELUX EHF Champions League
• had been offered to play for Qatar’s national handball team, but refused, making his comeback into Romania’s squad in 2015
• considered one of the emerging players in the Romanian national team a few years ago
• In 2014, when he came back in Romania’s second league, for Calarasi, he stated he does not stand a chance to play again in the VELUX EHF Champions League EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2006
208
209
t
ABC/ UMinho
GROUP D
Club Address
ABC/UMinho Pavilhao Flavio sa Leite Apartado 2437/Parque da Ponte 4701-905 Braga, Portugal Media contact
Jose Carvalho +351 935 156 146
[email protected] www.abcdebraga.com
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow GK shirt: multicolour
ABC/ UMinho
EHF Champions League club records
Only two goals were missing on 30 April 1994 from making handball history. After a 22:22 draw on home court in the final of the first ever EHF Champions League season, ABC Braga travelled to Santander, but lost 21:23 in the return leg against the Basque club, who became the first ever Champions League winner. Still, this is the biggest success in ABC’s club history. 22 years later, the twelve-time Portuguese champions took their first international trophy in May 2016 by beating Benfica in the Challenge Cup Final. And now - after becoming Portuguese champions for the first time again since 2007 – they have crowned 2016 by qualifying for the group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League. In Bregenz, they beat the Austrian hosts in the final of the qualification tournament giving them their first appearance in the group phase since 2001. One of the keys to success is Carlos Resende, the most popular and successful handball player of all time, scoring 1,444 goals in 250 international matches. Resende arrived back at Braga - where he had played in the ‘golden era’ - in 2011 as the new coach. Now, he steers an all-Portuguese squad to the club’s 20th international season. Making it to the Last 16 is the goal for the Champions League, while in domestic competitions ABC/UMinho hope to go all the way. In the Champions League, they will have their home matches not in their regular Flávio Sá Leite Arena, but in the Parque de Exposicao de Braga. Carlos Resende shares his high estimations for the new adventure: “After being part of two straight Challenge Cup Finals, the club, and the players have the chance to express themselves on the highest European level.” Team captain Humberto Gomes calls ABC/UMinho “a modest team with a lot of history in European Handball. We are a team that embodies the true meaning of the word ‘team’.” Past achievements
3 33 60
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals
Most goals both teams
Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
33:24 (17:13) v Pallamano Trieste ITA (h), 16.12.2000 32:18 (18:8) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 24.01.1998 3 matches (15.11.1997 – 11.01.1998) 6 matches (26.01.1994 – 06.04.1994) 3 matches (30.04.1994 – 24.01.1996) 3 matches (24.01.1998 – 21.02.1998) 4 matches (23.04.1994 – 24.01.1996) 33 v Pallamano Trieste ITA 33:24W (h), 16.12.2000 34 v FC Barcelona ESP 34:26L (a), 18.01.1997 60 v FC Barcelona ESP 34:26L (a), 18.01.1997 16 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 27:16L (a), 24.01.1996 16 v Portland San Antonio ESP 25:16L (a), 24.02.2001 15 v Schachtjor Donetsk UKR 21:15W (h), 16.11.1996 36 v Schachtjor Donetsk UKR 21:15W (h), 16.11.1996
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1993/94 ABC Braga POR 1995/96 ABC Braga POR 1996/97 ABC Braga POR 1997/98 ABC Braga POR 2000/01 ABC Braga POR
8 6 8 8 8 38
3 2 4 3 4 16
3 0 0 2 0 5
2 4 4 3 4 17
182:180 129:153 187:185 190:195 188:202 876:915
+2 –24 +2 -5 –14 –39
9:7 4:8 8:8 8:8 8:8 37:39
Runner-up 4th Gr. A 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals
VELUX EHF Champions League Participation (including 2016/17 season): 9 Final (1): 1993/94 Quarter-finals (4): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2000/01 Last 32 (1): 1998/99 Qualification (2): 2006/07, 2007/08
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: multicolour
Playing hall Parque de Exposicao de Braga Av.Dr. Francisco Pires Goncalves, Apartado 60 4711-909 Braga, Portugal
210
Other EHF Cup: semi-finals 1999/00 Challenge Cup: winners 2015/16, runners-up 2004/05, 2014/15 Portuguese league: 13 titles (1987, 1988, 199193, 1995-98, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2016) Portuguese cup: 11 titles
211
ABC/UMinho
ABC/UMinho
Team roster No. First Name Surname 67 Tomas
Albuquerque
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
POR
Centre Back
31.5.1993
Braga, POR
182
85
Braga, POR
181
82
18 Dario
Andrade
POR
Left Wing
15.2.1981
34 Goncalo
Areias
POR
Centre Back
19.4.1997
Braga, POR
180
81
Bandeira
POR
Right Wing
3.2.1998
Penedono, POR
182
80
10 Diogo
Branquinho
POR
Left Wing
25.7.1994
Aveiro, POR
185
89
48 Jose
Costa
POR
Line Player
23.3.1984
Braga, POR
193
96
15 Lucas
Ferrao
POR
Centre Back
15.8.1998
Braga, POR
185
86
27 Andre
Gomes
POR
Left Back
27.7.1998
Braga, POR
193
86
Humberto Gomes
POR
Goalkeeper
1.1.1978
Braga, POR
193
101
POR
Line Player
21.2.1988
Braga, POR
188
102
8
C1
Carlos
24 Joao Pedro Goncalves Marques
POR
Centre Back
25.5.1990
Aveiro, POR
179
82
19 Carlos
Martins
POR
Right Wing
14.6.1994
Moimenta da Beira, POR 180
77
13 Miguel
Pereira
POR
Right Wing
7.2.1990
Braga, POR
185
82
22 Nuno
Pereira
POR
Left Back
22.3.1987
Aveiro, POR
193
95
14 Ricardo
Pesqueira
POR
Line Player
27.12.1991
Porto, POR
198
105
Carlos Resende
12 Emanuel
Ribeiro
POR
Goalkeeper
17.12.1994
Guimaraes, POR
189
80
coach • one of the most important names of contemporary Portuguese handball • his career as a coach started in 2006 with FC Porto, he moved to ABC in 2011 • won the first title as coach in 2006/2007 with FC Porto • in 2000, considered one of the best left backs in Europe • last time he still played (2006) was the last time Portugal qualified for an European Championship
6
Hugo
Rocha
POR
Left Back
17.12.1982
Porto, POR
201
100
Braga, POR
187
87
Funchal, POR
187
85
7
Pedro
78 Claudio
Silva
POR
Goalkeeper
6.7.1996
17 Pedro
Spinola
POR
Right Back
20.8.1983
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2016
Newcomers: Dario Andrade (AC Fafe) Jose Costa (Montpellier HB)
Height Weight
Nat.
Left the club: Nuno Rebelo (Aguas Santas-Milaneza) Fabio Vidrago (S.L. Benfica)
212
213
ABC/UMinho
ABC/UMinho
Humberto Gomes goalkeeper
Pedro Marques centre back
• started playing handball with ABC and, in 2010, returned to the club
• played for S. Bernardo and Sporting before arriving at ABC in 2011
• has two Challenge Cups in his curriculum: Sporting (2010) and ABC (2016)
• at 2015 Summer Universiade won the champions’ title and was announced as the MVP
• in 25 years as a handball player, played about 1,200 games, 80 of them for the national team
• known for his technical skills and a sense for good decisions in critical moments
• Alexander Donner was one of his great influencers
• came to ABC to replace Carlos Matos
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2010, 2016
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2016
Diogo Branquinho left wing
Jose Costa line player
• started playing handball at 12 and made his debut in ABC’ senior team at 19
• started playing handball with ABC and returned to the club after eight years
• in the last two years he developed remarkably and now is a key player for the club
• last season played for Montpellier Handball and won the Coupe de la Liga
• his idol is his teammate Nuno “Grilo” Pereira
• Portuguese international since 2007
• has two European University titles and one World University title
• experienced player known for his physical power
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2016
Hugo Rocha left back • more known for his defensive power, can also play as a line player
Pedro Spinola right back • arrived at ABC in January 2016 and will stay for another season
• one of ABC’s top scorers in the 2015/16 season and recorded his best season so far
• played the CL with FC Porto and accomplished a dream
• played for ABC between 2006 and 2009 and returned to the club after some years in Sporting
• was the second top scorer of 2015/16 Challenge Cup
• his father, his grandfather and his uncle were handball players
• was nominated for the best seven of the CL in 2013
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2010, 2016
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2016
Nuno Pereira left back
Miguel Pereira right wing
• started playing handball at 13
• started playing handball with ABC and returned in 2015
• played for FC Porto and SL Benfica before arriving at ABC in 2013
• played the CL qualification stage with FC Porto in 2013
• his idols are Nikola Karabatic and Carlos Resende (his coach)
• 2012/13 was the season he consolidated as a player
• known for his fast transitions and determination
• won a Summer Universiade title in 2015
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2016
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2016
214
215
Important regulations
All-time stats VELUX EHF Champions League
All-time stats VELUX EHF Champions League
Important regulations
31
Scoring of the matches and ranking General All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes with a halftime break of 10 minutes. The EHF reserves the right to extend the half-time break in special circumstances to 15 minutes. The matches shall be scored as follows: a) win = 2 points b) draw = 1 point c) loss = 0 points Teams’ rankings are obtained by adding up the number of points won.
After completion of the Group Phase if three or more teams have scored the same number of points: a) number of points in matches of all teams directly involved; b) goal difference in matches of all teams directly involved; c) higher number of plus goals in matches of all teams directly involved; d) goal difference in all matches of the group; e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group;
If the ranking of one of these teams is Group Phase determined, the criteria are consecutively If two or more teams have scored the same followed until the ranking of all teams is number of points, the ranking will be determined determined. as follows: If no ranking can be determined, a decision During the Group Phase: shall be obtained by drawing lots. Lots shall be a) higher goal difference in all matches; drawn by the EHF, if possible in the presence of b) higher number of plus goals in all matches; a representative of each club. After completion of the Group Phase if two teams have scored the same number of points: Group Phase KO matches a) number of points in matches of the two If, after the completion of the two matches, teams directly involved; both clubs have won the same number of b) goal difference in matches of the two teams points (no extra time will be played), the teams’ directly involved; standings shall be determined by the following c) higher number of goals scored in the away criteria: match of the two a) goal difference teams directly involved; b) higher number of plus goals scored in away d) goal difference in all matches of the group; match e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of c) penalty throws the group;
Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009
26 Montellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009
31 Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009
18 RK Zagreb CRO vs Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13 (23:5), 16.10.2005
50 THW Kiel GER @ HC Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50 (13:24), 22.10.2006
82 Barcelona Borges ESP vs KIF Kolding DEN 46:36 (23:19), 17.10.2009
11 Aalborg Handball DEN vs FC Barcelona ESP 11:31 (5:16), 15.03.2015
32 Wallau-Massenheim GER vs UHK West Wien AUT 17:15 (7:6), 20.03.1994
-9 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL @ HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 27:28 (19:10), 18.02.2015
-6 FC Barcelona ESP @ GOG Gudme DEN 22:22 (16:10), 14.02.1996
216
Biggest wins
29 26 26
ZTR Zaporozhye UKR @ AS Conversano 2003 ITA 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 Montpellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP @ HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 17:43 (9:21), 19.11.2011
Biggest home wins 25 25
FC Barcelona ESP vs Hapoel Rishon Le Zion ISR 42:17 (18:10), 15.11.1997 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI vs HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18 (23:8), 09.02.2012
Biggest away wins 29 26
ZTR Zaporozhye UKR @ AS Conversano 2003 ITA 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP @ HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 17:43 (9:21), 19.11.2011
Biggest lead at half-time 17
Montpellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009
Most goals 48 47
HSV Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009 THW Kiel GER vs CS HCM Constanta ROU 47:31 (24:18), 12.11.2006
Most goals both teams 81 80*
FC Barcelona ESP vs THW Kiel GER 44:37 (19:20), 13.04.2008 FC Barcelona ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 39:41 (17:18, 32:32, 36:36), 31.05.2014
Fewest goals: 12 12
AS Conversano 2003 ITA vs ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD vs FC Barcelona ESP 12:26 (8:15), 06.11.2004
Fewest goals both teams: 32 33
Fotex KC Veszprém HUN vs Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13 (9:7), 17.11.2002 Panellinios AC Athens GRE vs Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 16:17 (8:9), 30.11.2002
Biggest deficit overcome after losing first half to win a game
Biggest deficit overcome after losing first half to draw a game -6 -6 -6
HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO vs HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 28:28 (10:16), 07.10.2007 Pevafersa Valladolid ESP vs Pick Szeged HUN 35:35 (13:19), 27.02.2010 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 32:32 (13:19), 19.10.2013
217
2015/16 Top Scorers
All-star team votes
2015/16 Top Scorers Rank
All-star team votes
Player
Club
1
Mikkel Hansen (DEN)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)
141
2
Momir Ilic (SRB)
MVM Veszprém (HUN)
120
3
Kiril Lazarov (MKD)
FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)
109
4
Marko Vujin (SRB)
THW Kiel (GER)
103
5
Dean Bombac (SLO)
MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)
101
6
Domagoj Duvnjak (CRO)
THW Kiel (GER)
93
Michal Jurecki (POL)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
93
Anders Eggert (DEN)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
90
Nikola Karabatic (FRA)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)
90
Barys Pukhouski (BLR)
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
90
11
Rastko Stojkovic (SRB)
HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
89
12
Darko Djukic (SRB)
Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR)
87
13
Holger Glandorf (GER)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
83
14
Timur Dibirov (RUS)
HC Vardar (MKD)
78
Gasper Marguc (SLO)
MVM Veszprém (HUN)
78
Andre Schmid (SUI)
Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
78
Lasse Svan (DEN)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
18
Rasmus Lauge Schmidt (DEN)
19 20
8
Goals
Season
2012/2013
2013/2014
2014/2015
2015/2016
78
Number of votes
20,000
20,568
43,981
81,476
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
77
Goalkeeper
Karol Bielecki (POL)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
76
Darko Stanic (HC Metalurg)
Niklas Landin (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Roland Mikler (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Niklas Landin (THW Kiel)
Ramazan Döne (TUR)
Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR)
74
Left wing
Anders Eggert (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Timur Dibirov (HC Vardar)
Uwe Gensheimer (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Manuel Strlek (Vive Tauron Kielce)
Iman Jamali Moorchegani (HUN)
IFK Kristianstad (SWE)
74
Left back
Filip Jicha (THW Kiel)
Momir Ilic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Nikola Karabatic (FC Barcelona)
Momir Ilic (MVM Veszprem)
Centre back
Daniel Narcisse (THW Kiel)
Mikkel Hansen (PSG Handball)
Mikkel Hansen (PSG Handball)
Dean Bombac (MOL-Pick Szeged)
Line player
Julen Aguinagalde (Atletico Madrid)
Renato Sulic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Renato Sulic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Rastko Stojkovic (HC Meshkov Brest)
Right back
Laszlo Nagy (MKB Veszprem)
Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona)
Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona)
Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona Lassa)
Right wing
Ivan Cupic (Vive Targi Kielce)
Luc Abalo (PSG Handball)
Victor Tomas (FC Barcelona)
Gasper Marguc (MVM Veszprem)
Young player
N/A
N/A
Alex Dujshebaev (HC Vardar)
Darko Djukic (Besiktas JK)
Defender
Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MKB Veszprem)
Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Rene Toft Hansen (THW Kiel)
Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MVM Veszprem)
Coach
N/A
N/A
Talant Dujshebaev (Vive Tauron Kielce)
Xavier Sabate (MVM Veszprem)
218
219
Past winners
All-time club standings 1993 - 2016
All-time club standings 1993 - 2016
Past winners 2016
Vive Tauron Kielce
(POL)
2015
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
2014
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
(GER)
2013
HSV Hamburg
(GER)
TR
Name of the club
MP
W
D
L
GF:FA
GD
P
NP
%
1
FC Barcelona Lassa ESP
244
182
17
45
7533:6261
+1272
381:107
(19)*
78,07%
2
THW Kiel GER
240
168
14
58
7448:6476
+972
350:130
(19)*
72,92%
3
Telekom Veszprem HUN
222
151
10
61
6444:5770
+674
312:132
(20)*
70,27%
4
HC PPD Zagreb CRO
226
109
24
93
5962:5824
+138
242:210
(22)*
53,54%
5
BM Atletico Madrid ESP
144
111
5
28
4502:3803
+699
227:61
(10)
78,82%
6
Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
184
101
10
77
5374:5069
+305
212:164
(18)*
57,61%
2012
THW Kiel
(GER)
2011
FC Barcelona Borges
(ESP)
2010
THW Kiel
(GER)
2009
BM Ciudad Real
(ESP)
12
2008
BM Ciudad Real
(ESP)
2007
THW Kiel
(GER)
2006
BM Ciudad Real
(ESP)
2005
FC Barcelona-Cifec
(ESP)
2004
RK Celje Pivovarna Laško
(SLO)
2003
Montpellier HB
(FRA)
2002
SC Magdeburg
(GER)
2001
Portland San Antonio
(ESP)
2000
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1999
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1998
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1997
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1996
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1995
Elgorriaga Bidasoa
(ESP)
1994
TEKA Santander
(ESP)
220
7
SG Flensburg Handewitt GER
148
94
10
44
4473:4093
+380
198:98
(11)*
66,89%
8
Montpellier Handball FRA
170
92
11
67
4877:4674
+203
195:145
(16)*
57,35%
9
HSV Hamburg GER
98
68
9
21
3088:2670
+418
145:51
(7)
73,98%
10
KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL
110
66
10
34
3226:3090
+136
142:78
(9)*
64,55%
11
Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
136
63
15
58
4146:4016
+130
141:131
(14)*
51,84%
Portland San Antonio ESP
100
64
6
30
2929:2594
+335
134:66
(9)
67,00%
13
MOL-Pick Szeged HUN
134
59
10
65
3687:3719
-32
128:140
(13)*
47,76%
14
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN
118
54
9
55
3330:3361
-31
117:119
(12)
49,58%
15
Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
86
49
11
26
2588:2388
+200
109:63
(6)*
63,37%
16
Reale Ademar Leon ESP
100
50
6
44
2875:2817
+58
106:94
(10)
53,00%
17
HC Vardar MKD
86
31
11
44
2323:2466
–143
73:99
(9)*
42,44%
18
Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA
60
34
4
22
1724:1655
+69
72:48
(5)*
60,00%
19
Chambery Savoie Handball FRA
74
29
3
42
2028:2133
-105
61:87
(8)
41,22%
20
HC Metalurg MKD
72
27
5
32
1768:1874
-106
59:85
(7)*
40,97%
21
Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
72
24
7
41
2053:2142
-89
55:89
(8)*
38,19%
22
Orlen Wisla Plock POL
82
25
5
52
2166:2374
–208
55:109
(9)*
33,54%
30
ABC/UMinho POR
38
16
5
17
876:915
–39
37:39
(5)Q
48,68%
32
HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
36
16
2
18
1034:1065
-31
34:38
(3)*
47,22%
35
Naturhouse La Rioja ESP
34
14
3
17
1016:1033
-17
31:37
(3)*
45,59%
36
HC Meshkov Brest BLR
48
14
3
31
1312:1414
-102
31:65
(6)*
32,29%
46
Tatran Presov SVK
46
9
4
33
1245:1436
-191
22:70
(7)Q
23,91%
67
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN
22
4
0
18
562:654
-92
8:36
(2)*
18,18%
71
Elverum Handball NOR
10
3
1
6
274:289
-15
7:13
(1)*
35,00%
72
IFK Kristianstad SWE
14
3
1
10
409:437
-28
7:21
(1)*
25,00%
97
Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR
24
2
0
22
635:790
–155
4:44
(2)*
16,67%
105
Dinamo Bucuresti ROU
6
1
0
5
148:198
-50
2:10
(1)*
16,67%
NR
Team Tvis Holstebro DEN
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)*
0,00%
NR
HBC Nantes FRA
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)*
0,00%
221
History: 23 years of EHF Champions League
History: 22 years of EHF Champions League
History: 23 years of EHF Champions League 1993 - 2005 1993/94 Final: ABC Braga vs TEKA Santander 22:22/21:23 (43:45) The inaugural year of the Men’s EHF Champions League saw the classic home and away knockout matches being replaced with a totally new system. 32 teams went into two qualification rounds, eliminating 24 clubs. The remaining eight teams were placed into two groups of four teams each playing in a roundrobin system. TEKA Santander and ABC Braga topped their respective groups and faced each other in the final. Santander narrowly kept the upper hand and started what should become an eight-year Spanish club winning streak in the Men’s EHF Champions League. 1994/95 Final: Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun vs Badel Zagreb 30:20 / 26:27 (56:47) The final of the EHF Champions League’s second season became the match of a lifetime for Irun’s Nenad Perunicic, nicknamed “the canon” or “Il Conquistadore” by the fans. He was his team’s key player in the final and, in his first year in Spain, not only he lifted the EHF Champions League but also the national championship trophy with Irun. 1995/96 Final: FC Barcelona vs Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun 23:15 / 23:23 (46:38) In the season that was marked by the “Bosman decision”, which had substantial effects on transfer regulations and transfer fees in sport, FC Barcelona won their first EHF Champions League title. No other should be capable of dethroning the Catalan side for the next four years.
1996/97 Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 31:22 / 30:23 (61:45) In their second consecutive EHF Champions League Final Barcelona dominated both matches against Badel Zagreb. And while the Spanish side celebrated their second EHF Champions League triumph, the Croatian side had lost their second final. Also in 1996/97 the so called “fast break” was born due to a rule change, making handball more attractive and athletic than ever before. 1997/98 Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 28:18 / 28:22 (56:40) Barcelona beat Zagreb once more to win their third consecutive EHF Champions League title. But at least as much news as the repeated triumph made the wedding of Barcelona player Inaki Urdangarin who married Christina, youngest daughter of Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, on 4th October 1997. 1998/99 Final: Badel Zagreb vs FC Barcelona 22:22 / 18:29 (40:51) Once again there were tears in Zagreb and joy in Barcelona. The Spanish team beat Zagreb in their third consecutive final and lifted the EHF Champions League trophy for the fourth time in a row. Zagreb’s coach Velimir Klajic had to admit that Barcelona “at this moment in time, were quite simply the best club team in the world.”
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1999/00 Final: THW Kiel – FC Barcelona 28:25 / 24:29 (52:54) THW Kiel became the first German team to make it into the Final but even a 28:25-victory in the final’s first leg was not enough to end Barcelona’s EHF Champions League winning streak. Backed by half of the Spanish national team and international stars like Christian Schwarzer and Tomas Svensson, Barcelona won their fifth title.
2002/03 Final: Portland San Antonio – Montpellier HB 27:19 / 19:31 (46:50) A new star was born during the finals of the 2002/03 EHF Champions League season. Montpellier’s Nikola Karabatic scored 11 goals in the first leg in Spain and another six in front of his home fans, enabling his team to turn around the eight goal defeat from the first leg and to become the first French side to win the EHF Champions League.
2000/01 Final: Portland San Antonio – FC Barcelona 30:24 / 22:25 (52:49) For Barcelona it was a whole new feeling to watch another team celebrating at the end of the Champions League Final. Following five consecutive titles an era came to end when Spanish King Juan Carlos handed the huge tropy to Portland San Antonio at the end of allSpanish Final.
2003/04 Final: Celje vs Flensburg- Handewitt 34:28 / 28:30 (62:58) In March 2003 the EHF had decided on a new structure for the competition. Three teams from Spain and Germany now had a starting slot. Two representatives from Hungary, Slovenia, Denmark and Croatia would start in the Group Phase. Overall 32 teams (8 groups of 4 teams each) made up the Group Phase. Flensburg had profited from the new system but Slovenian side Celje was too strong in the final.
2001/02 Final: Fotex Veszprem vs SC Magdeburg 23:21 / 25:30 (48:51) One year after Barcelona’s dominance had ended in the EHF Champions League, the dominance of Spanish clubs also came to an end, when SC Magdeburg became the first German team to win the competition. And late at night, at the end of a glittering party, Stefan Kretzschmar and coach Alfred Gislason were still up for jokes: “Training is on the agenda. The entire team is going to run through the whole town until 08:00 tomorrow morning,” they both proclaimed.
2004/05 Final: BM Ciudad Real vs FC Barcelona Cifec 28:27 / 27:29 (55:56) Following four years without being present in the final, Barcelona won their sixth EHF Champions League title. And while the spectator record for one match was 10,000 fans, the whole city celebrated Barcelona’s victory. “We did a lap of honour in the Stadion Nou Camp in front of 100,000 spectators and were celebrated by the whole town,” remembers Barcelona’s Dane Lars Krogh Jeppesen.
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History: 23 years of EHF Champions League
History: 22 years of EHF Champions League
History: 23 years of EHF Champions League 2005 - 2016 2005/06 Final: Portland San Antonio vs BM Ciudad Real 19:25 / 28:37 (47:62) Spanish businessman and BM Ciudad Real president, Domingo Diaz de Mera, had put together a team that proved to be unbeatable in the 2005/06 Champions League season. Mera bought superstars from all over Europe and the team around Olafur Stefansson, Mirza Dzomba, Didier Dinart et al. paid justified Mera’s expenses when they beat Spanish rival San Antonio in the final. 2006/07 Final: SG Flensburg- Handewitt vs THW Kiel 28:28 / 27:29 (55:57) The EHF Champions League, through the efforts of the 2005 founded EHF Marketing GmbH, became a unified look. Since 2006, TV spectators across Europe know they are watching a men’s EHF Champions League match when they see the distinct blue lagoon and black supplied by flooring specialists Gerfloor in addition to the season’s individual yellow and blue handball supplied by adidas. On the sport side of things, Kiel won their first EHF Champions League title, beating arch rival Flensburg-Handewitt. 2007/08 Final: BM Ciudad Real vs THW Kiel 27:29 / 31:25 (58:54) In the 2007/08 season a second Group Phase with four groups of four teams each replaced the Last 16-matches and the quarter-finals. The first teams of each group qualified for the semi-finals and in the final 2006 champion Ciudad Real faced 2007 champion THW Kiel. The Spanish side prevailed and could win their second EHF Champions League trophy.
2008/09 Final: THW Kiel vs BM Ciudad Real 39:34 / 27:33 (66:67) THW Kiel and BM Ciudad Real faced each other in the final for the second year in a row and even though Kiel had won the first leg of the final by five goals, it was Ciudad Real that won the EHF Champions League for a second consecutive time. Kiel were still in the lead by 20:16 after 39 minutes but with a series of 10:3 goals within 11 minutes Ciudad Real turned the match in their favour. 2009/10 Final: FC Barcelona Borges vs HW Kiel 34:36 In the 2009/10 season the number of participating teams in the first Group Phase was reduced from 32 to 24. Four groups of six teams each were formed and the first four teams qualified for the knockout phase which replaced the second group phase. For the first time the VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournament, which combined the Semi-finals and the Final, was held in Cologne, Germany, to decide the champion. THW Kiel won their second title when they beat Barcelona. 2010/11 Final: FC Barcelona vs Renovalia Ciudad Real 27:24 Since 2010 the event is known as the VELUX EHF Champions League. 40,000 fans stormed to Cologne to attend the VELUX EHF FINAL4 weekend and TV viewing audience figures went to a new height. 310 million viewers from 76 countries worldwide watched 2,800 hours of TV transmissions 2010/11. Barcelona extended their lead as the most successful club in EHF Champions League history when won their seventh title, beating Ciudad Real in the Final.
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2011/12 Final: THW Kiel vs BM Atletico Madrid 26:21 The German powerhouse sensationally lost in their first home match of the season against Montpellier, but no other team was able to overcome THW Kiel throughout the remaining of the season. Gíslason led his team to the third trophy in the club’s history becoming the first coach who won with two different teams. Defending champions from Barcelona were eliminated in the quarter-finals by AG København, but the Danish side was stopped in the semi-final by Atlético Madrid, who made it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the fourth time in a row. 2012/13 Final: FC Barcelona vs HSV Hamburg 29:30 AET HSV Hamburg go into the new season as the defending champion. For the first time the extra-time had to decide the winner. In 20 years of EHF Champions League history there have only been two champions, Montpellier in 2003 and Celje in 2004, who neither came from Spain nor from Germany. The All-Stars team of the 20 years were announced: Goalkeeper Tomas Svensson (SWE), Left Wing Stefan Kretzschmar (GER), Left Back Filip Jícha (CZE), Line Player Andrei Xepkin (ESP), Centre Back Jackson Richardson (FRA), Right Back (Oláfur Stefansson), Right Wing Mirza Džomba (CRO), Best defender Didier Dinart (FRA) 2013/14 Final: SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel 30:28 For the third year in a row a team from
Northern Germany prevailed as SG FlensburgHandewitt took both of their opponents at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 by surprise. In the semi-final the “Vranjes boys” eliminated giants of FC Barcelona after a penalty-shoot-out thriller and made the Cinderrella story perfect by beating their neighbours from Kiel 30:28 in the final. 2014/15 Final: FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprem 28:23 The defending champions from SG FlensburgHandewitt were eliminated already in the Last 16 as well as Rhein-Neckar Löwen. The end of the three-year-old reign of Bundesliga was sealed only in Cologne as THW Kiel were unable to repeat their 2014 semi-final win against Veszprem. However, the effort of Hungarian champions for their premiere trophy were denied by FC Barcelona who rose to the throne for the eighth time in the EHF history. 2015/16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprem 39:38 after 7m shootout This final went down to history books of the Champions League as a breathtaking classic. Deep in the second half Veszprem were leading by nine goals, still Kielce put up a spritid fight to force the extra-time. Even the additional ten minutes could not solve the thriller and in the 7m shootout Kielce were luckier with Julen Aguinagalde’s last effort clinched the maiden title for the Polish champions adding only fifth country to the list of winners.
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Notes
Think one passion can reach many countries. EHF Media & Communications 20/09/16 Vlado Brindzak +43 1 80 151 161
[email protected] Contributors: Björn Pazen, Zoran Milosavljevic, Peter Bruun, Tomas Cuncik, Adrian Costeiu, Nemanja Savic, Bence Martha, Kevin Domas, Sergey Nikolaev, Jelena Bagaric, Amina Idrizi, Magda Pluszewska, Laia Coll, Filipa Sousa. All stats by Roy Knoppert.
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