Media Guide - Montpellier Handball

Transcription

Media Guide
VELUX EHF Champions League
Season 2014/15
Group Phase
Title sponsor
Premium sponsors
Regional
Premium sponsor
Partners
VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
SPONSORS
Table of contents
Foreword5
Media contacts
6
Map of participating clubs 7
Playing system diagrams - stages and dates
8
Important regulations - scoring of matches and ranking
10
EHF Champions League information
11
ehfTV.com
12
VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown
14
Facts & Figures of the Group Phase
16
GROUP A
Preview
19
Head-to-heads in the EC
20
THW Kiel
21
HC Metalurg
25
HC Prvo Plinarsko Drustvo Zagreb
29
Naturhouse La Rioja
33
PSG Handball
37
HC Meshkov Brest
41
GROUP B
Preview
45
46
FC Barcelona
47
KIF Kolding Köbenhavn
51
Alingsas HK
55
Orlen Wisla Plock
59
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
63
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
67
3
Table of contents
GROUP C
Preview
70
71
MKB-MVM Veszprem
73
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
77
Chekhovskie Medvedi
81
Rhein-Neckar Löwen 85
HC Vardar 89
Montpellier Agglomeration HB
93
GROUP D
Preview
97
98
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
99
Dunkerque Grand Littoral
103
Kadetten Schaffhausen
107
MOL-Pick Szeged
111
Aalborg Handbold
115
HC Motor Zaporozhye
119
HISTORY
Past winners
123
History of the EHF Champions League
124
Top scorers of the past seasons
126
Top scorers of the 2013/14 season
127
All-time club standings
128
4
Foreword
Dear Media Representative,
On behalf of the European Handball Federation, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Group
Phase of the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League. Moving into the first stage of the new
season, I welcome all the teams who have made it to this stage of the competition.
Following an emotionally intense qualification phase that concluded on 7 September 2014,
the final line-up of the Groups A to D is finally known. Twenty-four teams from all corners of
Europe will play the Group Phase that will begin in September 2014 and conclude in February
2015 following the winter hiatus, in all there will be ten rounds of competition.
The Group Phase is the first challenge that the teams have to face; this is by no means easy. In
the past, we have borne witness, watching stunned as handball giants have failed to progress
and the underdogs have thrived against all odds. The Group Phase is the first hurdle that has to
be conquered on the road to the FINAL4.
Once again, as in the previous season, the final 24 teams representing 15 countries are ready
for their first matches. The defending champions, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, will launch their
new Champions League campaign from Group B; anew they will meet FC Barcelona, the record
holder for most Champions League titles (7 wins).
The VELUX EHF Champions League is the only place where the handball elite meet on a
European club competition level. The event is guaranteed to bring both great highs and
excruciating lows to the teams. But the Champions League remains unpredictable as ever;
there is just so much to look forward to. I wish all the teams on their VELUX EHF Champions
League journey the very best of luck and I wish you, the fans an enjoyable season!
We pride ourselves on our positive and cooperative relationship with the press and media and
I am sure this will continue and develop in the future. I therefore hope you consider this media
guide a useful and enriching resource for your work in the upcoming weeks and months.
Should you require any further information, help or assistance during the course of the season,
your first point of contact is the EHF Media and Communications Department based in our
office in Vienna.
They will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you might have.
We look forward to working with you in the coming season!
Jean Brihault
EHF President
5
EHF/M Media contacts
Media matters
TV and Radio
Vlado Brindzak
Media and Communications
European Handball Federation
+43 1 80 151 161
brindzak@eurohandball.com
Twitter: @ehfmedia
Miguel Mateo Marcellan
Media Manager
EHF Marketing GmbH
+43 1 80 151 224
mateo@ehfmarketing.com
Clubs – Media contacts
GROUP A
GROUP B
GROUP C
GROUP D
THW Kiel (GER)
Christian Robohm
+49 1635306300
christian.robohm@thw-handball.de
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Gustau Galvache
+34 618522789
gustau.galvache@fcbarcelona.cat
MKB-MVM Veszprém KC (HUN)
Zsolt Sevinger
+36 305024547
mkbveszpremkezilabdazrt@
upcmail.hu
Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
Sebastian Kozubek
+48 505031244
s.kozubek@vivetargi.pl
HC Metalurg (MKD)
Zoran Cvetanovski
+389 78223505
zoran.cvetanovski@gmail.com
KIF Kolding København (DEN)
Thomas Christensen
+45 22 629062
tc@kif.dk
RK Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
Nejc Ajdnik
+386 40687766
nejc.ajdnik@rk-celje.si
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA)
Melanie Lefevbre
+ 33 3 28 66 91 52
melanie.lefebvre@usdk.fr
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
Goran Roknić
+385 95 9999 334
glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr
Alingsas HK (SWE)
Christer Martensson
+46 705 919625
christer.martensson@ahk.nu
Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)
Benjamin Kuznetsov
+7 9166186054
benkuz@gmail.com
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)
Barbara Imobersteg
+41 787203247
imo.schule@gmx.ch
Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP)
Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez
+34 63 77 66 107
naturhouselarioja.ehf@gmail.com
Orlen Wisła Płock (POL)
Piotr Raczkowski
Tel: +48-691-99881
sekretariat@sprwislaplock.pl
Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER)
Christopher Monz
monz@rhein-neckar-loewen.de
+491744288849
MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)
Nandor Szögi
+36 70 3878234
nandor.szogi@pickhandball.hu
PSG Handball (FRA)
Louise Cosnard
+33 (0)675 591 939
lcosnard@psg.fr
SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)
Sandra von Wallis
+49 4611609625
s.vonwallis@
sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
HC Vardar Skopje (MKD)
Marko Savovski
+389 75 200 008
markosavovski@live.com
Aalborg Handball (DEN)
Poul Madsbjerg
+4520804976
pm@aalborghaandbold.dk
HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
Alexandr Kulbaka
+375 293 50 74 79
office@bgk-meshkova.com
Besiktas Mogaz HT (TUR)
Berk Karahan
+90-535-358-8747
berk.karahan@bjk.com.tr
(FRA)
Suzy Demonte
+33 499 610 358
suzy.demonte@montpellierhandball.com
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Dmitriy Karpushchenko
+380 50 5581181
hkmotor@yandex.ru
6
Naturhouse
La Rioja, ESP
Futebol Clube
do Porto, POR
Montpellier HB,
FRA
PSG Handball,
FRA
Rhein-Neckar
Löwen, GER
F.C. Barcelona,
ESP
Dunkerque HB
G. Littoral, FRA
Hubo Initia
Hasselt, BEL
Host City Cologne, GER
VELUX EHF FINAL4
Teams in the Group Phase
Kadetten
Schaffhausen, SUI
Targos
HC Bevo, NED
bevo hc
Haslum HK,
NOR
Alpla
HC Hard, AUT
Aalborg
Handbold, DEN
KIF Kolding
Kobenhavn, DEN
Teams eliminated in the Qualification
Season 2014/15
VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
7
RK Celje Pivo.
Lasko, SLO
Alingsas HK,
SWE
Junior Fasano
ITA
RUKOMETNI KLUB
PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO
Z A G R E B
SG FlensburgHandewitt, GER
HC PPD
Zagreb,CRO
THW Kiel,
GER
HC Metalurg,
MKD
HC Vardar
MKD
HC Vojvodina
Novi Sad, SRB
HCM Constanta,
ROU
MOL-Pick
Szeged, HUN
MKB-MVM
Veszprem, HUN
HC Motor
Zaporozhye, UKR
Tatran Presov,
SVK
Chekhovski
Medvedi, RUS
HC Brest
Meshkov, BLR
Besiktas
MOGAZ HT, TUR
KS Vive Tauron
Kielce, POL
Orlen Wisla
Plock, RUS
8
06. - 07.09.2014
24. - 28.09.2014
01. - 05.10.2014
08. - 12.10.2014
15. - 19.10.2014
12. - 16.11.2014
4
Last 16
vs.
vs.
vs.
vs.
vs.
3
vs.
1
vs.
vs.
vs.
vs.
vs.
vs.
1
1
2
second leg
15.04. - 19.04.2015
second leg
18.03. - 22.03.2015
8 teams
Quarter-finals
2
first leg
08.04. - 12.04.2015
1
2
2
Quarter-finals
first leg
11.03. - 15.03.2015
16 teams
Last 16
Season 2014/15 playing dates
19. - 23.11.2014
26. - 30.11.2014
03. - 06.12.2014
11. - 15.02.2015
18. - 22.02.2015
4 groups with 6 teams each
3 tournaments with semi-finals
and finals
Group Phase
5
10
Qualification Tournaments
Home Matches
Total Matches
Group Phase
12 teams
Qualification Tournaments
VELUX EHF Champions League 2014/15 playing system
vs.
30/31.05.2015
4 teams
FINAL4
Final
vs.
3rd Place Match
vs.
vs.
Semi-finals
FINAL4
VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2014/15 GER 1
ESP 1
HUN 1
POL 1
DEN 1
MKD 1
SLO 1
FRA 1
CRO 1
RUS 1
SUI 1
SWE 1
GER 2
ESP 2
HUN 2
POL 2
GER 3
DEN 2
MKD 2
FRA 2
FRA 3
UKR 1
BLR 1
ROU 1
SRB 1
POR 1
NOR 1
SVK 1
AUT 1
TUR 1
NED 1
BEL 1
ITA 1
HC Motor Zaporozhye
HC Meshkov Brest
HCM Constanta
RK Vojvodina
FC Porto
Haslum HK
Tatran Presov
Alpla HC Hard
Besiktas JK
Targos Bevo HC
Initia Hasselt
Junior Fasano
FINAL4
4 groups with 6 teams
16 teams
8 teams
4 teams
24.‐28.09.2014 (1)
01.‐05.10.2014 (2)
08.‐12.10.2014 (3)
15.‐19.10.2014 (4)
12.‐16.11.2014 (5)
19.‐23.11.2014 (6)
26.‐30.12.2014 (7)
03.‐06.12.2014 (8)
11.‐15.02.2015 (9)
18.‐22.02.2015 (10)
11.‐15.03.2015 08.‐12.04.2015 30./31.05.2015
first leg
first leg
tournament
18.‐22.03.2015 15.‐19.04.2015
second leg
second leg
27 June 2014 in Vienna
24 February 2015
24 March 2015
21 April 2015
THW Kiel
FC Barcelona
MKB‐MVM Veszprem
KS VIVE Targi Kielce
KIF Kolding
HC Metalurg
Dunkerque Grand Littoral
RK Zagreb
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Alingsas HK
Rhein‐Neckar Löwen
Naturhouse La Rioja
Pick Szeged
Orlen Wisla Plock S.A.
SG Flensburg‐Handewitt
Aalborg Handbold
HC Vardar
PSG HB
Montpellier AH
4 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Quarterfinals
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
26 June 2014 in Vienna Quarterfinals
8 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16
DRAWS:
played in semi finals and finals
NATION
Last 16
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed team from each group 06./07.09.2014
tournaments
Group Phase
Winners of the 3 Qualification tournaments Qualification
Tournaments
3 groups with 4 teams
4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go to the
EHF Cup Qualification Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of CL
Qualification Tornaments go to the EHF Cup Qualification
Rd 3
status: 23.06.2014
Important regulations
Scoring of the matches and ranking
General
If two or more teams have scored the same number of points, the
ranking will be determined as follows:
All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League shall be played in 2
x 30 minutes with a half-time break of 10 minutes. The EHF reserves
the right to extend the half-time break in special circumstances to 15
minutes.
During the Group Phase:
a) higher goal difference in all matches;
b) higher number of plus goals in all matches;
The matches shall be scored as follows:
a) win = 2 points
b) draw = 1 point
c) loss = 0 points
After completion of the Group Phase if two teams have scored the
same number of points:
a) number of points in matches of the two teams directly involved;
b) goal difference in matches of the two teams directly involved;
c) higher number of goals scored in the away match of the two teams directly involved;
d) goal difference in all matches of the group;
e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group;
Teams’ rankings are obtained by adding up the number of points won.
Group Phase
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 determined, the criteria are
consecutively followed until the ranking of all teams is determined.
If no ranking can be determined, a decision shall be obtained by
drawing lots. Lots shall be drawn by the EHF, if possible in the
presence of a responsible of each club.
10
EHF Champions League information
Team line-ups and match reports
Online information
Already with the start of the 2012/13 season, an improvement to the
media services offered by the EHF has come.
ehfCL.com
ehfTV.com
Regulations of the VELUX EHF Champions League
Twitter: @ehfmedia, @ehfcl
Facebook: ehf.champions.league
From the opening matches of the season, the complete team lineup has been available online at eurohandball.com and available to
download as a PDF document. The change has been made possible
thanks to the introduction of a new online solution, which sees the
EHF match delegate complete the final team line-up immediately
after the technical meeting. This development means that team lineups are available for commentators and reporters hours before each
match throws-off.
Official name
The official name of the competition is: VELUX EHF Champions
League. The full name of the competition should always be used.
VELUX and the three letter abbreviation for the European Handball
Federation should always be displayed in capital letters before the
name of the competition.
A further change means that a short time after each match, a
completed match report will also be available online with details such
as goal scorers and number of spectators.
Please note: If the season is required, it has to be positioned after
“Champions League” e.g. VELUX EHF Champions League 2013/14. The
wording “Champions League” should be written with a capital letter
at the beginning of each word, i.e. Champions League. The remaining
letters should be in lower case. The word Champions does not have
an apostrophe after the ‘s’.
Team line-ups and match reports can be viewed by clicking on a
particular match on the eurohandball.com or ehfCL.com websites.
The online system is also under further development with the
ultimate aim being to provide live scores and statistics from EHF
competitions and available on the EHF website.
Accreditation for GroupPhase
The written media and photographer’s accreditation procedure in
the Group Phase is entirely in the responsibility of the participating
clubs. TV and Radio accreditations are subjects to approval by EHF
Marketing GmbH – please contact Miguel Mateo Marcellán.
11
ehfTV.com
All matches of new season live
Schedule of first 4 MOTW released
Handball fans across Europe will not miss a single match in the
new season of both elite European club competitions. All matches
starting from Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League
and Group Matches of the Women´s EHF Champions League will be
broadcast live on ehfTV.com and the videos of all matches will be
also on demand. Furthermore, like in the past season fully produced
highlights magazine - “Rewind - the handball show” will feature
stories and highlights from all Men´s top matches will be played out
on Monday 7:00 / 8:00 GMT after each playing round.
ehfTV commentator Tom Ó Brannagáin will be heading to FYR
Macedonia, Hungary and Denmark for the opening four rounds of the
group phase.
On his travels, he will get to know Skopje very well with trips fto both
Metalurg (Round 1) and Vardar (Round 3) in store. The confirmed
dates and times for Match of the Week are as follows:
Round 1: HC Metalurg vs Paris Saint-Germain – Sunday 28 September,
19:15 hrs. local time
Round 2: MKB-MVM Veszprem vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen – Saturday 4
October, 21:00 hrs. local time
Round 3: HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen – Sunday 12 October,
19:30 hrs. local time
Round 4: KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs FC Barcelona – Sunday 19
October, 1650 hrs. local time
The complete coverage of all matches means that only during the
group stage of both competitions handball fans will be spoilt by
120 men´s and 78 women´s matches. Together with men´s knockout
stage, respectively women´s Main Round and knockout stage this is
supposed to create this season more than 226 hours of live handball
on ehfTV.com.
*Note that live matches will be geo-blocked in some territories.
12
VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown
It is undeniable that the 2014 VELUX EHF FINAL4 was the season’s
highlight in European handball – 20,000 spectators in the LANXESS
arena and millions of fans at home watched four unforgettable
handball games and a unique entertainment show. Just before the
event - “Do it like us”, the official song of the VELUX EHF Champions
League was released.
The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the culmination of the European club
handball season. The two-day event sees the best four men’s teams
in Europe playing to decide the ultimate winner of the VELUX EHF
Champions League.
Introduced in the 2009/10 season and to be played until at least 2014
in the LANXESS arena, Cologne, the decision to create a new format
for the final phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League was seen as
crucial for the growth of handball across Europe.
Tickets for the 2015 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 went on sale on
the opening day of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2014. Now, eight months
before the participating teams are known, only a very limited number
of tickets remained.
The aim was to create a flagship event, one that could compete on
the international sports market and make the Europe´s leading club
competition even more attractive to fans, partners and sponsors.
The success of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is also thanks to the
commitment of a great number of volunteers who have been active
on the weekend of the event. The application procedure for next
edition has already started and applications are invited also in the
area of media.
The success of the first four editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 showed
that this new format was the right strategy. It has set new standards
in organisation and entertainment: it is not just four games played
over two days but a true entertainment event. The engagement of a
top international act such as EUROPE was a sign too of the direction
the event is taking.
Full information at: www.ehfFINAL4.com
VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media Accreditation
The accreditation procedure of media representatives for the VELUX
EHF FINAL4 will start early in 2015.
14
30 / 31 May 2015 LANXESS arena Cologne
2015 VELUX
EHF FINAL4
TICKET SALE
Admission prices
Category 1:
€ 265,Category 2:
€ 195,Category 3:
€ 135,Category 4:
€ 65,-
THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.
THE ABSOLUTE THRILL. EUROPE’S BEST.
ehfFINAL4.com
#EHFFINAL4
Tickets are available
by phone, online and
at the LANXESS arena
ticket shops
www.ehfFINAL4.com
Ticket hotline
+49 221 280 288
Imagine your !
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VIP Arrangemen 151 – 216
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Facts and figures of the group phase
9600 minutes, 24 teams, 15 nations
With the completion of the three qualification tournaments on
Sunday, all 24 group phase participants of the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season have been confirmed.
Motor Zaporozhye, Besiktas and Meshkov Brest were the last to
book their tickets as winners of their respective tournaments for
the flagship event of European club handball.
To celebrate the return of the VELUX EHF Champions League,
here are the most important facts and figures of the upcoming
group phase and beyond:
1 debutant is among those 24 teams qualified: Besiktas - and
their qualification also means that a Turkish side is part of the
EHF Champions League group phase for the first time.
1 coach took the EHF Champions League trophy with two
different clubs: Alfred Gislason, who won the title in 2002 with
SC Magdeburg and 2010 and 2012 with THW Kiel.
1 person is EHF Champions League winner as a player (Teka
Santander/ESP) and a coach (Ciudad Real/ESP): Talant
Dushebaev. This season Dushebaev is aiming for his next record,
trying to lead Polish champions Kielce to the podium in Cologne.
Another Champions League winning player who hopes to follow
in Dushebaev’s footsteps is Carlos Antonio Ortega, six times
winner as a player with FC Barcelona and is one of the FINAL4
contenders with his club Veszprem.
3 winners of the qualification tournaments are part of the group
phase: Motor Zaporozhye (Ukraine), Besiktas (Turkey) and Brest
(Belarus).
4 (all) participants of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2014 are part of
the group phase again: defending champions SG FlensburgHandewiit (GER), beaten finalist THW Kiel (GER), third ranked FC
Barcelona (ESP) and MVM-MKB Veszprem (HUN).
4 countries were represented by the winners of the EHF
Champions League since the start of this competition in 1993:
Spain (13 titles), Germany (6), France and Slovenia (each 1).
4 times both THW Kiel and FC Barcelona have been part of the
VELUX EHF FINAL 4 in Cologne, which has been played five times
so far. Kiel took the trophy twice (2010, 2012), Barcelona once
(2011).
5 former or current winners of the EHF Champions League
are part of the 2014/15 group phase: SG Flensburg-Handewitt
(GER/2013), THW Kiel (2010, 2012), FC Barcelona (1996-2000,
2005, 2011), RK Celje (2004), Montpellier AHB (2003).
5 times (every edition since the first in 2010) that the final of the
VELUX EHF FINAL4 was composed of Spanish and/or German
teams: 2010: Kiel vs Barcelona, 2011: Barcelona vs Madrid,
2012: Kiel vs Madrid, 2013: Hamburg vs Barcelona, 2014:
Flensburg vs Barcelona
5 times Belarusian Siarhei Rutenka has won the EHF Champions
League (three times with Ciudad Real, once with Celje and
Barcelona each) - which makes him the most successful
currently active player. Thierry Omeyer (now PSG) can catch
him, as he won the trophy four times already (three times with
Kiel and once with Montpellier).
6 different nations have been represented by clubs qualified
for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 since 2010: Spain, Germany, Russia,
Denmark, Poland and Hungary.
6th edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will take place in Cologne
30/31 May 2015.
6 times the winner of the EHF Champions League was a German
side: Magdeburg (2002), Kiel (2007, 2010, 2012), Hamburg
(2013) and Flensburg (2014).
7 times FC Barcelona has won the trophy of the EHF Champions
League, making them record winners of the competition.
7 times Andrej Xepkin has raised the EHF Champions League
trophy, six times with Barcelona (1996-2000 and 2005), once
with Kiel (2007), making him the most successful player of all
time.
7 former top scorers of the EHF Champions League are part
of the 2014/15 group phase: Momir Ilic (2013/14 - 103 goals,
Veszprem), Mikkel Hansen (2011/12 - 98 goals, then AG
Kobenhavn, now PSG Paris), Uwe Gensheimer (2010/11- 118
goals, Rhein Neckar Löwen), Filip Jicha 2008/09- 99 goals and
2009/10 - 119 goals, Kiel), Kiril Lazarow (2007/08 - 96 goals and
2005/06 - 85 goals, then Veszprem, today Barcelona), Nikola
Karabatic (2006/07 - 89 goals, then Kiel, today Barcelona),
Siarhei Rutenka (2003/04 - 103 goals and 2004/05 - 85 goals,
then Celje, today Barcelona).
10 years ago was the last time that there was neither a Spanish
nor German winner of the competition, when RK Celje from
Slovenia won.
13 times Spanish teams have raised the trophy: Barcelona (7),
Ciudad Real (3), Santander, Irun, Portland (each 1).
16
15 different nations, the same number as the previous season,
are represented by the 24 group phase participants. Germany
and France have three teams each among those 24, Spain,
Denmark, Hungary, FYR Macedonia and Poland have two each.
In contrast to the previous season, the champions of Portugal
missed the qualification for the group phase, but Turkey is
present.
17 of those 24 teams were part of the 2013/14 group phase:
Kiel, Metalurg, Zagreb, La Rioja and Paris from Group A,
Barcelona, KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, Plock and Flensburg from
Group B, Veszprem, Celje, Löwen, Vardar from Group C and
Kielce, Dunkerque, Aalborg and Zaporozhye from Group D.
160 matches (including those 12 from the qualification
tournaments) must be played until the 2014/15 winner of the
VELUX EHF Champions League will celebrate on the podium.
9600 minutes (if no extra-time is needed to decide games) must
be played until the winner of the competition is confirmed.
15,320 spectators was a record high for the 2013/14 group
phase in the game between Minsk and Barcelona.
20,000 fans are once again expected to be part of the 2015
VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.
120 group matches are ahead until the participants of the Last
16 are confirmed in February 2015.
Teams by age average
Teams by weight average
Teams by height average
HC Vardar 30
FC Barcelona 30
29
HC Meshkov Brest 28
HC Motor Zaporozhye 28
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 27
Naturhouse La Rioja
27
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 27
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
26
MKB-MVM Veszprém
26
Orlen Wisla Plock
26
THW Kiel 26
PSG Handball 26
Kadetten Schaffhausen 25
HC Metalurg 25
Rhein-Neckar Löwen 24
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral24
Montpellier HB
24
MOL-Pick Szeged 24
Aalborg Handball 24
Chekhovskie Medvedi
23
Alingsas HK 23
HC PPD Zagreb 22
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 22
CL average
25
HC Vardar
100.4
Orlen Wisla Plock
98.8
MKB-MVM Veszprém
98.3
96.1
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
95.8
THW Kiel
95.4
HC Meshkov Brest
95.3
Naturhouse La Rioja
94.2
HC Motor Zaporozhye
94.1
Aalborg Handball
94.0
HC PPD Zagreb
94.0
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
93.2
FC Barcelona
92.9
PSG Handball
92.3
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral92.2
Montpellier HB
92.2
MOL-Pick Szeged
92.1
Alingsas HK
91.9
91.2
91.1
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn
91.0
HC Metalurg
90.7
89.3
Chekhovskie Medvedi
87.4
CL average
93,4
Orlen Wisla Plock
197
THW Kiel
194
Naturhouse La Rioja
193
193
Aalborg Handball
193
HC Meshkov Brest
193
HC Vardar
193
HC Motor Zaporozhye
193
HC PPD Zagreb
192
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
192
FC Barcelona
192
HC Metalurg
192
Chekhovskie Medvedi
192
MKB-MVM Veszprém
192
PSG Handball
191
191
Montpellier HB
191
MOL-Pick Szeged
191
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
191
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn
190
190
Alingsas HK
190
189
CL average
192
17
shortest vs tallest
Ljubomir Vranjes
Miha Zarabec
Juanin Garcia
Ugur Coban
Gal Marguc
Victor Tomas
Davor Palevski
Sergio Muggli
Ivan Cupic
Oguzhan Büyük
Jalleledine Touati
Theophile Causse
Zlatko Horvat
Luka Rakovic
Michael Guigou
Marvin Gerdon
Anders Eggert
SWE
SLO
ESP
TUR
SLO
ESP
MKD
SUI
CRO
TUR
TUN
FRA
CRO
CRO
FRA
GER
DEN
168
174
Naturhouse La Rioja
176
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
177
177
FC Barcelona
178
HC Metalurg
178
178
178
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
179
HC PPD Zagreb
179
HC PPD Zagreb
179
Montpellier Aggl. HB
179
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
179
179
Angel Montoro
Mateusz Piechowski
Marko Kopljar
Sergii Burka
Michal Kasal
Laszlo Nagy
Ivan Ivkovic
Kamil Syprzak
Otto Kancel
Patrick Eilert
Viachaslau Shumak
Egor Evdokimov
Leon Susnja
Jakov Gojun
Janko Bozovic
Borut Mackovsek
Igor Vori
ESP
POL
CRO
UKR
CZE
HUN
CRO
POL
SVK
DEN
BLR
RUS
CRO
CRO
AUT
SLO
CRO
Orlen Wisla Plock
Orlen Wisla Plock
PSG Handball
HC Motor Zaporozhye
MKB-MVM Veszprém
HC PPD Zagreb
Orlen Wisla Plock
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Meshkov Brest
HC Motor Zaporozhye
HC PPD Zagreb
PSG Handball
HC Meshkov Brest
PSG Handball
213
210
210
208
208
207
206
206
205
205
204
204
204
204
203
203
203
SRB
RUS
HUN
ESP
HUN
ESP
CRO POL
POL
ESP
CRO
SWE
HUN
SLO
BLR
FRA
TUR
HC Vardar
HC Vardar
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Naturhouse La Rioja
MOL-Pick Szeged
Naturhouse La Rioja
PPD Zagreb
Orlen Wisla Plock
Orlen Wisla Plock
HC Vardar
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
MKB-MVM Veszprém
MKB-MVM Veszprém
HC Meshkov Brest
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
135
128
122
121
120
120
120
120
120
119
118
117
117
116
116
115
115
lightest vs heaviest
Davor Palevski
MKD
Fabian Schneider SUI
Artem Kozakevych UKR
Michal Daszek
POL
Bostjan Kostomaj SLO
Miha Zarabec
SLO
Gal Marguc
SLO
Theophile Causse FRA
Lenard Nagy
HUN
Lukas Blohme
GER
Timur Dibirov
RUS
Arthur Anquetil FRA
Nikola Kosteski
MKD
Juanin Garcia
ESP
Marvin Gerdon
GER
Goce Ojleski
MKD
Peter Schmid
HUN
HC Metalurg
65
66
HC Motor Zaporozhye
68
Orlen Wisla Plock
70
70
72
72
MOL-Pick Szeged
72
72
HC Vardar
74
74
HC Metalurg
74
Naturhouse La Rioja
75
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
75
HC Metalurg
75
MKB-MVM Veszprém
75
Mathias Pedersen
Erik Pettersson
Lenard Nagy
Ömer Mercan
Kubilay Yilmaz
Martin Velkovski
Berkay Gulyurt
Davor Palevski
Tom Pelayo
Benoit Kounkoud
Yigit Ilgin
Felix Claar
Egon Urban
R. Torbjörnsson
Richard Mezei
Blaz Janc
Gal Marguc
Aalborg Handball
Alingsas HK
MOL-Pick Szeged
Besiktas MOGAZ Besiktas MOGAZ HC Metalurg
Besiktas MOGAZ HC Metalurg
Dunkerque HB PSG Handball
Besiktas MOGAZT
Alingsas HK
MOL-Pick Szeged
Alingsas HK
MOL-Pick Szeged
Celje Lasko
Celje Lasko
Strahinja Milic
Alexei Rastvortsev
Adam Borbely
Angel Rodriguez
Imre Pasztor
Francisco Garcia
Teo Coric
Zbigniew Kwiatkowski
Kamil Syprzak
Arpad Sterbik Capar
Josip Buljubasic
Andreas Nilsson
Laszlo Nagy
Matej Gaber
Viachaslau Shumak
Issam Tej
Tolga Özbahar
youngest vs oldest
DEN
SWE
HUN
TUR
TUR
MKD
TUR
MKD
FRA
FRA
TUR
SWE
HUN
SWE
HUN
SLO
SLO
30.7.1997
27.5.1997
8.5.1997
10.4.1997
22.3.1997
10.3.1997
3.3.1997
26.2.1997
23.2.1997
19.2.1997
1.2.1997
5.1.1997
12.12.1996
29.11.1996
28.11.1996
20.11.1996
16.11.1996
Nenad Puljezevic
Ljubomir Vranjes
Boris Schnuchel
Renato Vugrinec
Vladimir Petric
Ibrahim Demir
Richard Stochl
Kasper Hvidt
Venio Losert
Thierry Omeyer
Maik Machulla
Mladen Bojinovic
Petar Angelov
Oguzhan Büyük
Danijel Saric
Juanin Garcia
Gurutz Aguinalde
18
HUN
SWE
DEN
MKD
SRB
TUR
SVK
DEN
CRO
FRA
GER
SRB
MKD
TUR
BIH
ESP
ESP
Kadetten 13.3.1973
SG Flensburg-Han. 3.10.1973
KIF Kolding Kob. 15.3.1975
HC Metalurg
9.6.1975
HC Vardar
5.8.1975
Besiktas MOGAZ 4.10.1975
HC Motor 17.12.1975
KIF Kolding Kob. 6.2.1976
Montpellier Aggl. 25.7.1976
PSG Handball
2.11.1976
SG Flensburg-Han. 9.1.1977
PSG Handball
17.1.1977
HC Vardar
8.3.1977
Besiktas MOGAZ 18.3.1977
FC Barcelona
27.6.1977
La Rioja
28.8.1977
La Rioja
26.10.1977
Group A preview
RUKOMETNI KLUB
Z A G R E B
KIEL AND PSG TO LEAD LAST 16 CHARGE
The three-times VELUX EHF Champions League winners and a rapidly emerging force in European club
handball will be favourites to reach the knockout stages from a delicately balanced group
The summer break is over and the eagerly awaited VELUX EHF Champions League 2014-15 season kicks
off with a host of vastly entertaining fixtures, including a pair of Group A blockbusters in which quadruple
former finalists HC PPD Zagreb are at home to treble winners THW Kiel while HC Metalurg entertain rising
force Paris Saint-Germain Handball.
In the group’s other opener, Spanish contenders Naturhouse La Rioja clash with Belarus champions
Meshkov Brest who came through a tough qualifying tournament on home court to clinch their first group
stage berth since 2007.
Even at first glance it is easy to tell that Kiel and PSG are strong favourites to advance to the Round of 16
while the other four teams face a fierce dogfight with each other for the remaining two berths.
A dominant Kiel are aiming to reach their fourth successive final, having lost the last two after clinching
their third title in Europe’s premier club competition in 2012.
Still boasting an impressive squad led by the Czech Republic’s 2010 world player of the year Filip Jicha,
the German giants will expect to make a winning start at a youthful Zagreb side who recruited former
Yugoslavia stalwart Veselin Vujovic as coach on Sunday after a patchy start in the regional SEHA league cost
Boris Dvorsek his job.
Big-spending PSG will also aim to go at least a step further than last season when they were eliminated in
the quarter-finals. This time round, nothing less than the Final 4 in Cologne will do for an outfit boasting the
likes of Mikkel Hansen, Luc Abalo, Marko Kopljar, Theirry Omeyer and a stack of other household names
who’ve been assembled into an expensive unit expected to win the most coveted trophy in European club
handball.
Comprising mainly home-grown players, the group’s remaining teams appear to have a fairly even chance
of advancing into the business end of the competition.
While Metalurg and Zagreb have plenty of recent experience in the Champions League, La Rioja and Brest
can plausibly claim that they are venturing into something of an uncharted territory. The Spaniards made
their first group stage appearance last season while Brest have returned to the top tier after a lengthy
absence, but neither side will be happy to merely make up the numbers in their section.
Zoran Milosavljevic
19
Group A head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group A opponents in the EC
THW Kiel vs HC Metalurg
02.10.2008 THW Kiel vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
13.11.2008 HC Metalurg vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
19.04.2014 HC Metalurg vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
27.04.2014
THW Kiel vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
37:29 (18:15)
25:30 (12:15)
21:31 (09:14)
34:26 (19:11)
THW Kiel vs HC Zagreb
15.03.1997 THW Kiel vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
23:23 (08:11)
23.03.1997 Badel 1862 Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
25:23 (12:14)
19.03.2000 THW Kiel vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
32:21 (14:11)
25.03.2000 Badel 1862 Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
22:13 (08:07)
24.11.2002
RK Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
23:28 (08:15)
14.12.2002 THW Kiel vs RK Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
24:28 (14:10)
29.03.2009 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
28:28 (13:12)
04.04.2009 THW Kiel vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
31:27 (17:11)
21.04.2012 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
31:31 (15:12)
29.04.2012 THW Kiel vs Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
33:27 (16:16)
THW Kiel vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
14.12.2003 THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, EHF Cup – Last 16
34:27 (19:12)
21.12.2003 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Last 16
30:32 (14:19)
04.12.2005 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
21:28 (11:13)
10.12.2005 THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
44:28 (22:12)
THW Kiel vs HC Meshkov Brest
01.10.2005 THW Kiel vs Brest HC Meshkov, EHF Champions League, Group Matches - Group E
35:28 (19:11)
06.11.2005 Brest HC Meshkov vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League, Group Matches - Group E
31:37 (15:21)
HC Metalurg vs HC Zagreb
14.10.2006 RK Metalurg Skopje vs RK Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
12.11.2006 RK Zagreb vs RK Metalurg Skopje, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
18.03.2012 HC Metalurg vs Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
24.03.2012 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
18:22 (09:09)
32:24 (19:11)
19:18 (07:09)
26:21 (12:10)
HC Metalurg vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
14.02.2009 HC Metalurg vs Paris Handball, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
27:18 (16:12)
21.02.2009 Paris Handball vs HC Metalurg, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
27:21 (16:11)
28.09.2013 HC Metalurg vs PSG Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
28:26 (12:12)
08.02.2014 PSG Handball vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
32:29 (16:12)
HC Metalurg vs HC Meshkov Brest
02.10.2010
HC Meshkov Brest vs HC Metalurg, EHF Cup - Round 2
28:23 (14:12)
09.10.2010
HC Metalurg vs HC Meshkov Brest, EHF Cup - Round 2
32:23 (14:13)
No previous encounters in European competitions
THW Kiel vs Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Metalurg vs Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Zagreb vs Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Zagreb vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
HC Zagreb vs HC Meshkov Brest
Naturhouse La Rioja vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Naturhouse La Rioja vs HC Meshkov Brest
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Meshkov Brest
20
THW Kiel (GER)
GROUP A
The 2013/14 season of the VELUX EHF Champions League was something of a doubleanniversary for THW Kiel, reaching the quarter-finals for the 15th time and the semi-finals
for the tenth time – but alas, that was all forgotten in their seventh final participation as they
missed out on their fourth trophy, beaten by their local rivals SG Flensburg-Handewitt. It was
their fourth appearance in Cologne, but for the first time the Zebras lost a final after becoming
champions in 2010 and 2012 and finishing fourth in 2013.
Now the German record champions launch their next assault on the title, signing big names
such as Croatian World Handball Player of the Year Domagoj Duvnjak, Spanish world champion
and EHF EURO 2014 top scorer Joan Canellas (both from Hamburg) and German Champions
League winner Steffen Weinhold (Flensburg). On the other hand, Kiel legend Christian Zeitz bid
his farewell after eleven years to play abroad for the first time in his career at one of Kiel’s main
rivals, Veszprem. Additionally Tunisian talent Wael Jallouz and Icelandic left wing Gudjon Valur
Sigurdsson moved to another Champions League favourite, FC Barcelona. Nevertheless, with
perhaps the best back court axis in the world (Jicha, Duvnjak, Palmarsson, Canellas, Weinhold,
Vujin) hopes are high to win all four possible titles this season.
Playing hall
Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel
Europaplatz 1,
24103 Kiel
Germany
Capacity: 10,000
Club Address:
THW Kiel
Ziegelteich 30
24103 Kiel
Germany
Media contact:
Christian Robohm
+49 1635306300
christian.robohm@thw-handball.de
Online information:
Website: www.thw-provinzial.de
Facebook: thwhandball
Twitter: @thw_handball
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: green
After raising the German Super Cup trophy at the end of August, THW are aiming to add the
Bundesliga, VELUX EHF Champions League and German Cup. In the 2013/2014 season they had
taken their 19th German title in the closest final round in years, leaving Rhein Neckar Löwen
(level in points) behind by only two goals. And Kiel did not only make remarkable signings on,
but also off the court: Thorsten Storm, manager of the Rhein Neckar Löwen, returned to where
his management career had started. Additionally, THW already set the signs for the future with
the signing of Löwen goalkeeper Niklas Landin. Chased by a number of Europe’s top clubs, he
signed a three-year contract valid from 2015 to 2018 with the zebras.
Kiel’s group contains two of last season’s quarter-finalists, PSG Handball and Metalurg Skopje,
as well as La Rioja, Zagreb and the winner of qualification tournament 1 in the Champions
League group phase. “This group is highly attractive and we are really looking forward to
meeting our former players Thierry Omeyer and Daniel Narcisse with PSG, the hardest nut
to crack in this group. But all remaining teams have either a long successful tradition or big
names, so we expect an exciting race for the top position,” says club director Sabine HoldorfSchust, adding: “Our main target is to make it to Cologne again. The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the
flagship event of European club handball and has become a big brand, at which we absolutely
want to be present.”
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: German
champions
Newcomers:
Joan Cañellas (HSV Hamburg)
Domagoj Duvnjak (HSV Hamburg)
Steffen Weinhold (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Rune Dahmke (THW Kiel youth team)
Fynn Ranke (TSV Altenholz)
Kim Sonne Hansen (Skive FH)
Left the club:
Wael Jallouz (FC Barcelona)
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (FC Barcelona)
Christian Zeitz (MVM-MKB Veszprem)
Past achievements
Participations (including 2014/15
season): 18
Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12
Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08,
2008/09, 2013/14
Semi-final (3): 1996/1997, 2000/01,
2012/13
Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03,
2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11
Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96
Other
EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02,
2003/04
German league: 19 titles (1957, 1962,
1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999,
2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014)
German cup: 9 titles
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: red
21
THW Kiel (GER)
Biggest win:
26:50 (13:24) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006
Biggest defeat
22:13 (12:8) v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO (a), 25.03.2000
Longest winning run
10 matches (21.02.2010 – 25.09.2010)
Longest unbeaten run
17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012)
Longest losing run
3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996)
Longest run without win 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996)
Most goals
50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006
Most goals opponent
44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008
Most goals both teams
Fewest goals
13 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000
Fewest goals opponent
15 v SKA Minsk BLR 15:27W (a), 10.11.1996
15 v SKA Minsk BLR 21:15W (h), 12.01.1997
Fewest goals both teams 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
Stage
1994/95 THW Kiel GER
6 3 0 3 137: 136 +1 6
2nd Gr. B
6 3 0 3 151: 148 +3 6
2nd Gr. A
10 6 1 3 247: 211 + 36 13
1/2-finals
1998/99 TKW Kiel GER
8 7 0 1 229: 199 + 30 14
1/4-finals
12 7 1 4 319: 283 + 36 15 Runner-up
10 5 1 4 279: 255 + 24 11 1/2-finals
8 4 1 3 234: 211 + 23 9
1/4-finals
10 8 0 2 336: 274 + 62 16 1/4-finals
10 8 0 2 346: 293 + 53 16 1/4-finals
14 11 1 2 517: 420 + 97 23 Winner
16 13 0 3 533: 462 + 71 26 Runner-up
16 12 1 3 548: 461 + 87 25 Runner-up
16 14 1 1 534: 444 + 90 29 Winner
14 9 2 3 456: 393 + 63 20 1/4-finals
16 12 3 1 496: 414 + 82 27
Winner
16 11 0 5 518: 457 + 61 22 Fourth Place
2013/14
THW Kiel GER
Runner-up
Total
16
13
1
2
491:427
+64
27
204
146
13
45
6371:5488
+883
305
All stats in the media guide provided by Roy Knoppert
22
THW Kiel (GER)
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of Birth Height Weight
21
23
4
18
39
33
19
12
24
6
1
16
11
7
41
13
17
25
26
Joan
Rune
Domagoj
Niclas
Filip
Dominik
Rasmus
Andreas
Aron
Fynn
Johan
Kim
Christian
Rene
Marko
Steffen
Patrick
Alexander
Lukas
Cañellas Reixach
Dahmke
Duvnjak
Ekberg
Jicha
Klein
Lauge Palicka
Palmarsson
Ranke
Sjöstrand
Sonne-Hansen
Sprenger
Toft Hansen
Vujin
Weinhold
Wiencek
Williams
Wucherpfennig
ESP
GER
CRO
SWE
CZE
GER
DEN
SWE
ISL
GER
SWE
DEN
GER
DEN
SRB
GER
GER
GER
GER
Centre Back
Left Wing
Centre Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Wing
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Line Player
Right Back
Right Back
Line Player
Back
Right Wing
30.9.1986
10.4.1993
1.6.1988
23.12.1988
19.4.1982
16.12.1983
20.6.1991
10.7.1986
19.7.1990
5.1.1993
26.2.1987
23.6.1992
6.4.1983
1.11.1984
7.12.1984
19.7.1986
22.3.1989
15.8.1996
23.8.1995
23
198
190
198
191
201
190
196
189
193
201
195
200
190
200
201
191
200
187
184
95
81
100
91
103
86
96
90
95
106
94
87
94
106
104
100
108
95
81
Alfreð Gíslason
coach
Nine German championships (with
Magdeburg and Kiel), four German cup titles,
five European club titles (including twice the
Champions Trophy) have made Gislason a
legendary coach, who was awarded 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. He joined Kiel in 2008 as the successor of
Noka Serdarusic – to lead THW to 15 trophies by now.
EC trophies: CL 2002, 2010, 2012 (as coach), EHF Cup 2001 (as coach)
Filip Jícha
left back
The left and centre back was the first Czech
player to be awarded World Handball Player
of the Year in 2010. Jícha was twice top scorer
of the CL, top scorer and MVP at the 2010 EHF
EURO and is captain of the THW squad since
2013. His one-against-one ability and tough
shots make him feared by defences, but he
is also a strong defender. Jícha was the only
active FINAL4 participant in the CL’s 20-year Ultimate Selection and
has been named Czech player of the year seven times.
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012, EHF Cup 2006
Domagoj Duvnjak
centre back
The Croatian is the top signing of THW this
season. The reigning IHF World Handball
Player of the Year arrived from Hamburg,
where played since 2009. Not just a typical
playmaker, Duvnjak is also a scorer and is an
essential part of the middle block in defence.
In 2013 after leading HSV to the winners’
podium of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 he was
awarded best Bundesliga player. Duvnjak, who has received multiple
international honours, started his career in Zagreb.
EC trophies: CL 2013
OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2010, B 2012
Marko Vujin
right back
Two years ago the Serbian shooter arrived to
fill the gap after the departure of Kim
Andersson to KIF Kolding. The two-metre tall
right back from Bačka Palanka became the
top scorer of the 2013/14 Bundesliga (248
goals). He has won seven consecutive national
championships with Veszprém and Kiel. In the
national team he is one of the stalwarts who
were key to silver at the EHF EURO 2012. He started his international
career in Dunaferr (Hungary), then played five years in Veszprem.
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008
EURO: S 2012
Johan Sjöstrand
goalkeeper
Since last season, Swedish is the language
between the THW goalposts. After Thierry
Omeyer left, Sjöstrand was brought in to
replace the legend together with a Sweden’s
teammate Andreas Palicka. Although the
former junior world champion is only 27, he
has already got a journey through Europe
behind him, with spells at Skövde, Flensburg,
Barcelona and Aalborg. Horse racing is another passion of Sjöstrand’s,
just one look at his Instagram account will tell you that.
OG: S 2012
Aron Palmarsson
centre back
Despite his young age of 23, this versatile
and tactically as well as technically skilled
playmaker has actually been with Kiel for five
years now – but will say good-bye after this
season, joining Veszprem. In competition
with so many world-class backcourt players,
match practice was scarce in his first years.
However, after the departure of Momir Ilic
and Daniel Narcisse, the 2012 Olympics All-Star has become more of
an influential figure on court.
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012
EURO: B 2010
Rene Toft Hansen
line player
The Danish international is even better in
defence than on the line in attack, but after
Marcus Ahlm’s departure last year, the
learning period in attack is over for him. The
EHF EURO 2012 All-Star Team member is a
regular in the competition, where he has
been playing every year since 2007, with
former clubs KIF Kolding and AG København.
His brother Henrik is playing for Hamburg, his brother Allan for MorsThy and his sister Majbritt for Skive – and all four are line players.
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Christian Sprenger
right wing
31-year-old worked under coach Alfred
Gislason at former club SC Magdeburg and
after seven years, including one EHF Cup title
in 2007, the former German international
transferred to Kiel in 2009. Since then, he has
won twelve titles with THW. His international
achievements include selection on the EURO
2012 All-Star team. After this event Sprenger
quit from playing for Germany. He started his sportive career in judo,
before joining the Magdeburg handball team.
24
GROUP A
HC Metalurg (MKD)
Metalurg Skopje’s players certainly know how to make history. In the 2012/13 season they
were the first Macedonian team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the VELUX EHF Champions
League. One year later they were part of the first duels between two teams from one city in
the competition, facing Vardar in the group phase, and then again made it to the quarter-finals,
finally beaten by eventual finalists THW Kiel.
In the new season the team of Lino Cervar will travel to Kiel again, as part of a tough group
in the first stage of the competition including Paris Saint-Germain, HC Zagreb, La Rioja and
another team they know from SEHA Liga, Meshkov Brest. In the domestic championship,
Metalurg left Vardar behind to win the title for the sixth time – despite missing their team
captain Naumche Mojsovski due to injury.
With Naumche Mojsovski back on track, his brother Zlatko left Metalurg to sign for Pelister
Bitola - one of five players transferring from the Macedonian champions. Meanwhile, the
same number of newcomers arrived in Skopje, three Serbians, one Montenegrin and one
Macedonian. These newcomers appear to have fit in quite well, as Metalurg beat Vardar 25:19
in the highlight of their preparation in Struga.
Taking into consideration the tough group and the changes within the team, the objective
in Europe is simply to qualify for the knock-out stages. On home court and in the SEHA Liga,
Metalurg expects a fierce battle with their local rivals Vardar for top spot.
Playing hall
Boris Trajkovski
bul. 8 Septemvri bb
Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Capacity: 7,000
“As always, HC Metalurg strives to present itself in the best possible light in the Champions
League and will do everything possible this season to play an important part. Our group is
strong starting with PSG and THW Kiel, however, Metalurg will make an attempt to attack
second place in the group,” says coach Lino Cervar, who also acts as the manager of the club.
Team captain Mojsovski maintains a mixture of realistic expectations and dreams. “The basic
goal this season will be to secure a place in the Last 16 and then to take it step by step, but we
will again attempt to fight for the VELUX EHF FINAL4,” he says.
Club Address:
HC Metalurg
ul. Jane Lukroski 6
1000 Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Media contact:
Zoran Cvetanovski
+389 78223505
zoran.cvetanovski@gmail.com
Online information:
Website: http://www.rkmetalurg.mk/
Facebook: rkmetalurgofficial
Twitter: @RKMetalurg
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/orange/white
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: blue
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Macedonian
champions
Newcomers:
Vladan Lipovina (BM Ciudad Encantada)
Mijajlo Marsenic (Partizan Belgrade)
Darko Djukic (Zeleznicar Nis)
Miroslav Kocic (Vojvodina)
Milorad Kukoski (Zomimak)
Left the club:
Rade Mijatovic (Csurgoi KK)
Dejan Pecakovski (Pelister Bitola)
Nikola Kedzo (HCM Constanta)
Igor Mandic (destination unknown)
Zlatko Mojsoski (Pelister Bitola)
25
Past achievements
season): 7
Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14
Last 16 (1): 2011/12
Group Matches (2): 2006/07, 2008/09
Qualification (1): 2010/11
Other
9 participations in other EC
Macedonian league: 6 titles (2006,
2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)
Macedonian cup: 5 titles
HC Metalurg (MKD)
Biggest win:
32:18 (18:14) v Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN (h), 24.02.2013
Biggest defeat:
43:24 (23:12) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 19.10.2006
Longest winning run:
4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012)
4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013)
Longest unbeaten run:
4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012)
4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013)
4 matches (16.02.2014 – 30.03.2014)
Longest losing run:
8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008)
Longest run without win: 8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008)
Most goals:
37 v Drammen HK NOR 37:30W (h), 18.10.2008
Most goals opponent:
43 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 43:24L (a), 19.10.2006
Most goals both teams: 67 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 43:24L (a), 19.10.2006
67 v Drammen HK NOR 37:30W (h), 18.10.2008
Fewest goals:
15 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 26:15L (a), 28.04.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 14 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 14:32W (a), 16.02.2013
Fewest goals both teams:37 v Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 19:18W (h), 18.03.2012
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2006/07 RK Metalurg Skopje MKD
6
0
0
6
148:206
–58
0
4th Gr. D
2008/09 HC Metalurg MKD
6
2
0
4
157:172
-15
4
3rd Gr. C
12
6
2
4
294:275
+19
14
Last 16
14
9
0
5
361:313
+48
18
1/4-finals
14
7
2
5
356:373
-17
16
1/4-finals
Total
52
24
4
24
1316:1339
-23
52
26
Stage
HC Metalurg (MKD)
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of Birth Height
19
45
21
4
45
9
29
81
8
25
23
5
6
26
11
10
17
14
33
13
16
18
24
3
15
44
1
28
30
7
Pavel
Vuko
Luka
Vancho
Darko
Goce
Ace
Miroslav
Nikola
Goran
Milorad
Vladan
Bojan
Borjan
Dejan
Martin
Nikola
Velko
Mijajlo
Filip
Nikola
Naumce
Marko
Goce
Davor
Zharko
Darko
Filip
Martin
Renato
Atman
Borozan
Cindric
Dimovski
Djukic
Georgievski
Jonovski
Kocic
Kosteski
Krstevski
Kukoski
Lipovina
Madjovski
Madjovski
Manaskov
Manaskov
Markoski
Markovski
Marsenic
Mirkulovski
Mitrevski
Mojsovski
Nelovski
Ojleski
Palevski
Peshevski
Stanic
Taleski
Velkovski
Vugrinec
RUS
MNE
CRO
MKD
SRB
MKD
MKD
SRB
MKD
MKD
MKD
MNE
MKD
MKD
MKD
MKD
MKD
MKD
SRB
MKD
MKD
MKD
MKD
MKD
MKD
MKD
SRB
MKD
MKD
MKD
Centre Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Right Wing
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Centre Back
Left Back
Right Back
Left Wing
Centre Back
Left Wing
Left Back
Line Player
Left Back
Line Player
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Left Back
Left Wing
Left Wing
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Right Back
Right Back
25.5.1987
9.4.1994
5.7.1993
4.4.1979
11.12.1994
12.2.1987
29.12.1980
3.7.1981
22.8.1992
29.3.1996
7.12.1987
7.3.1993
8.5.1994
8.5.1994
26.8.1992
7.6.1994
22.5.1990
5.4.1986
9.3.1993
14.9.1983
3.10.1985
17.6.1980
6.6.1996
10.10.1989
26.2.1997
11.4.1991
8.10.1978
28.3.1996
10.3.1997
9.6.1975
27
190
203
185
187
195
185
200
200
183
196
195
198
185
198
181
189
195
194
202
189
188
187
200
180
178
197
191
200
186
196
Weight
94
105
90
110
85
83
104
91
74
79
100
94
76
88
78
83
110
100
107
91
84
92
92
75
65
110
102
80
77
101
Darko Stanić
goalkeeper
Courtesy of his excellent skills Serbian
goalkeeper Darko Stanić, who joined
Metalurg in 2011, is referred to as ‘Minister
of Defence’. Immediately he won the hearts
of the fans and coach Lino Červar. At the end
of the 2012/13 season Stanić was voted into
the VELUX EHF Champions League All-star
team, the same award he received at the end
of the EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia, where he won the silver medal with
the hosts Serbia. While still playing for Koper he won the Challenge
Cup in 2011.
Lino Červar
coach
He was the most successful coach of the
Croatian men’s national team, becoming
Olympic gold medallist in 2004 and world
champion in 2003. Furthermore he collected
several more medals like two WCh silver
medals in 2005 and 2009 and EHF EURO
silver 2008 and 2010. Parallel to his work for
the Croatian federation, he was coach of RK
Zagreb for a long time. In 2009 he started coaching Metalurg – a job
he focuses on completely since resigning from the helm of Croatia. He
steered them to quarter-finals twice in a row.
OG: G 2004, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009
EURO: S 2012
Dejan Manaskov
left wing
He is referred as one of the biggest
Macedonian talents and has been a part of
the squad since 2008. The son of Macedonian
handball legend Pepi Manaskov is also one of
the key players of the national team. The fifth
place at the EC 2012 in Serbia is his highest
achievement. The 2013/14 season was a
breakthrough year for the left win in European
competition, scoring 33 goals on his team’s impressive run to the
quarter-finals.
Pavel Atman
left back
It did not take long for the Russian leftback to become the favourite player of the
Macedonian audience. After one season
spent in Skopje, Atman appears to be one of
the best players in the Metalurg squad and he
showed great performance leading his team
to the title in the domestic championship and
quarter-finals in the EHF Champions League.
Before Metalurg the famous “Pasha” played for Kaustik Volgograd
and Belarusian team Dinamo Minsk.
Naumce Mojsovski
centre back
Two seasons ago the 34-year-old centre
back of the Macedonian national team as
a topscorer with 77 goals led his team to
its first quarter-finals appearance in the
Champions League. Last December an injury
drove him away from the court and he
missed the biggest part of the season. Since
he joined Metalurg in 2009 he has won four
national championships. He reached the Challenge Cup final with
Pelister Bitola in 2002, but lost against Danish side Skjern. He was
named 2012 Macedonian Athlete of the Year.
Mijajlo Marsenic
line player
Marsenic’s standout performances in
the SEHA league earned the Serbian line
player a three-year contract with Metalurg
this summer. Before his transfer to the
Macedonian club, he played for Partizan,
with whom he won two Serbian league titles.
Marsenic is the first choice line player in the
Serbian junior team and 203 cm tall player
made his debut for the senior national team during an unsuccessful
qualification campaign for the 2015 World Championship in Qatar.
Renato Vugrinec
right back
Renato Vugrinec is the only Metalurg player
who has won a European Cup title to date as
he was a Celje player when they won the CL
in 2004. During the ten seasons he played for
the Slovenian side (interrupted by stints at SC
Magdeburg and San Antonio) he won eight
national championships and five times the
national cup, scoring 1,465 goals on the go. At
the age of 38 he debuted for the Macedonian national team and he was
among the top scorers of the last season.
Goce Georgievski
right wing
Together with Dejan Manaskov, Goce
Georgievski is part of a new generation of
young players who come from the Metalurg
handball school. The 27-year-old played a
successful 2013/14 VELUX EHF Champions
League season, scoring 31 goals overall. He
only started playing handball at the age of 16,
but quickly improved his skills and has been
part of Metalurg’s senior team from 2006 onwards. He was part of the
Macedonian national team that finished 14th at the 2013 WCh in Spain.
EURO: S 2004
28
GROUP A
RUKOMETNI KLUB
Z A G R E B
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
One of the competition’s stalwarts, Croatian all-time record champions (24 titles in 24 years)
HC PPD Zagreb, have reached the finals on four occasions, but the last time the team made
an impact internationally, besides winning the SEHA Liga in 2013, was the participation in the
VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-finals in 2012.
Times have changed in Zagreb, and since last season the club has gone firmly back to its roots.
HC PPD Zagreb is the base for hopeful Croatian talents, though the threat of them disappearing
elsewhere remains. Last season, the young squad narrowly missed out on qualification for the
Last 16 from a tough group and this year will not be much easier with opponents such as Kiel,
PSG, Metalurg, La Rioja and Meshkov Brest all hunting for a top four finish in Group A.
After twice missing the Last 16, manager Božidar Jović hopes to turn the tide despite the strong
opponents: “Our main objective is to qualify for the Last 16. In the last two seasons we failed
to do so and because of that it is even more important for us to break this negative streak.
Our group is very strong but also very attractive. I believe that there is no easy opponent in
the VELUX EHF Champions League, and if that is the case than I would rather play in the group
which is attractive,” Jovic says. He has already calculated what needs to happen to proceed:
“THW Kiel and PSG are above the rest of the group but I think we have a solid chance to
outplay Metalurg, La Rioja and Meshkov Brest in our arena. Along with those six points we
need one away win to qualify for the Last 16. Last season we won eight points but it wasn’t
enough. This year I believe that with eight points we can qualify.”
Playing hall
Arena Zagreb
Laniste b.b.,
10000 Zagreb
Croatia
Capacity: 15,200
Club Address:
HC PPD Zagreb
Veprinecka 16
10000 Zagreb
Croatia
Media contact:
Goran Roknić
+385 95 9999 334
glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr
Online information:
Website: www.rk-zagreb.hr
Facebook: RK-Zagreb
Twitter: @RKZagreb
Experienced team captain Zlatko Horvat is proud of the way his club is working now – and is
also confident: “We have a very young team which is built with domestic players only. Our
strength is the fact that we have played together for three years now and I honestly believe
that it is time that we qualify for the Last 16.”
Part of the preparation was the participation at several top tournaments all over Europe.
Zagreb finished 2nd in the Casino Merkur Spielothek Cup in Germany, 5th in the Sparkassen
Cup in Germany and 4th in the Vendee Hand Trophee tournament in Nantes.
EHF Champions League season: Croatian
Champion
Newcomers:
coach Veselin Vujovic
Domagoj Pavlović (RK Dubrava)
Mateo Lukačec (RK Ivanić Grad)
Luka Raković (RK Vardar)
Left the club:
coach Boris Dvorsek
Jerko Matulić (Chamberry Savoie)
Marino Marić (Melsungen)
Marko Matić (destination unknown)
Hrvoje Batinović (RK Zadar)
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Past achievements
season): 21
Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98,
1998/99
Semi-final (1): 1999/00
Quarter-final (6): 1995/96, 2000/01,
2002/03, 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12
Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11
Main Round (1): 2007/08
Group Phase (5): 1993/94, 2004/05,
2006/07, 2012/13, 2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05
Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-final 2006/07
SEHA League: 1 title (2013)
Croatian league: 24 titles (1991, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Croatian cup: 22 titles
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
29
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
RUKOMETNI KLUB
Z A G R E B
Biggest win
34:15 (16:08) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 04.12.2010
Biggest defeat:
17:29 (09:12) v FC Barcelona ESP (h), 24.02.2001
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)
Longest losing run:
7 matches (11.10.2012 – 16.02.2013)
Most goals:
38 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 38:30W (h), 23.02.2013
36 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010
Most goals both teams: 69 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010
Fewest goals:
15 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:15L (a), 22.10.2005
Fewest goals opponent: 13 v THW Kiel GER 22:13W (h), 25.03.2000
13 v Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13W (h), 16.10.2005
Fewest goals both teams:36 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 18:18D (a), 20.11.1999
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1993/94 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO
6
0
2
4
135:147
–12
2
4th Gr. A
1994/95 Badel Zagreb CRO
8
5
1
2
203:203
0
11
Runner-up
1995/96 Croatia Banka Zagreb CRO
6
2
1
3
138:144
-6
5
3rd Gr. B
12
6
3
3
310:294
+16
15
Runner-up
12
7
0
5
300:287
+13
14
Runner-up
12
8
1
3
288:269
+19
17
Runner-up
10
7
1
2
260:230
+30
15
1/2-finals
8
4
1
3
195:192
+3
9
1/4-finals
2002/03 RK Zagreb CRO
8
3
2
3
209:216
-7
8
1/4-finals
10
4
0
6
273:258
+15
8
1/4-finals
6
3
0
3
165:170
-5
6
3rd Gr. B
8
5
1
2
212:194
+18
11
Last 16
6
3
0
3
153:148
+5
6
3rd Gr. D
2007/08 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO
12
5
1
6
339:344
-5
11
3rd MR Gr. 3
12
7
3
2
357:313
+44
17
1/4-finals
12
6
0
6
351:335
+16
12
Last 16
2010/11 HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB CRO
12
6
3
3
358:319
+39
15
Last 16
2011/12 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO
14
9
1
4
391:359
+32
19
1/4-finals
2012/13 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO
10
2
1
7
266:284
–18
5
5th Gr. D
2013/14 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO
10
4
0
6
267:282
-15
8
5th Gr. A
Total
194
96
22
76
5170:4988
+182
214
30
Stage
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
5
13
18
16
33
51
77
83
27
48
4
41
37
94
11
14
43
11
7
12
19
36
22
24
45
74
35
Ilija
Teo
Zlatko
Filip
Ivan
Arijan
Antonijo
Mateo
Stipe
Petar
Lovro
Matej
Sandro
Domagoj
Luka
Luka
Marko
Lovro
Luka
Ivan
Leon
Robert
Josip
Tonci
Jakov
Mario
Bruno-Vili
Brozovic
Coric
Horvat
Ivic
Ivkovic
Jovic
Kovacevic
Lukacec
Mandalinic
Medic
Mihic
Mudrinjak
Obranovic
Pavlovic
Rakovic
Sebetic
Sehic
Sprem
Stepancic
Stevanovic
Susnja
Tokic
Valcic
Valcic
Vrdoljak
Vuglac
Zobec
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
Line Player
Line Player
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Centre Back
Left Back
Left Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Right Back
Line Player
Left Wing
Right Back
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Left Back
Centre Back
Left Back
Left Back
Right Back
Left Back
26.5.1991
195
25.3.1992
197
25.9.1984
179
30.8.1992
195
19.3.1996
206
18.6.1996
21.5.1987
190
24.1.1995
9.9.1992
195
12.6.1996
25.8.1994
18.1.1994
188
18.10.1992
194
21.3.1993
6.6.1988
179
26.5.1994
197
21.8.1996
188
26.1.1990
185
20.11.1990
201
18.5.1982
193
5.8.1993
204
9.3.1996
190
21.4.1984
190
9.6.1978
194
1.11.1996
30.1.1992
29.1.1996
185
31
110
120
80
96
103
90
90
90
83
86
93
84
85
97
101
113
85
96
100
78
Filip Ivić
goalkeeper
He is a home-grown goalkeeper from
Zagreb’s handball school. As the captain of
Croatian junior national team he already won
European gold and was fourth in the world.
Last season he was given a chance in Zagreb’s
first team and he used the opportunity to
open gates of senior handball in great style
through some great saves in the CL and
regional SEHA league. In his first senior season he also made it to the
national team and backing Mirko Alilović he won bronze at the WCh in
Spain with Croatia.
Veselin Vujović
coach
Right before the beginning of the new CL
campaign, PPD Zagreb have decided to hire
a new coach – one of the best players ever,
Veselin Vujović. He has, as a head-coach
worked in Ciudad Real, Yugoslavian national
team, Serbia and Montenegro (fourth place
the OG in Sydney 2000). With Vardar he
has won the regional SEHA League title in
its first season. During his extraordinary career he was known as an
outstanding specialist but also as an impulsive coach.
EC: Champions Cup 1985, 1986, 1991 (as player)
OG: G 1984, WCh: G 1986 (as player)
WCh: B 2013
Stipe Mandalinić
left back
Young left back was one of the surprises
in the last season but a knee injury has
unfortunately slowed down his development.
Now he is back, probably better prepared
than ever. He was impressive at all junior
selections, especially due to his extraordinary
jump shot and super strong shot. Last season
he played all matches, scored 43 goals in total
with his best performance against RN Löwen in Mannheim where he
was unstoppable with nine goals.
Lovro Šprem
left wing
He has a well-known surname in Croatian
handball. His older brother Goran has won
many medals with Croatia including the gold
from the World Championship in 2003. Lovro
is Goran’s copy in speed, aggresiveness and
rhythm. He won the bronze medal with the
national team at the World Championship in
Spain in 2013. In 2009 he became the junior
world champion in Tunisia. He is very skillful at counter attacks and
playing at the front of a 5-1 defence.
WCh: B 2013
WCh: B 2013
Josip Valčić
centre back
This valuable and experienced central back
would probably be called Croatian “golden
reserve”. He has been Zagreb’s engine in
the game for many years, but speaking of
the national team he has remained in the
shadows of Domagoj Duvnjak and Ivano Balić.
Although, each time he got the chance in the
team, he gained a silver medal – first time at
the EHF EURO in 2008 and second time at the WCh on the home court
in 2009. He has played in Gummersbach and this will be his ninth CL
season with Zagreb.
Teo Ćorić
line player
He is a big talent on the line and a member of
Croatian junior golden generation. Incredibly
strong, tall, extraordinary scorer but also an
interesting solution in Croatian champions’
defence. He came to Zagreb two years ago
from Poreč which meant he will need some
extra time to adopt to a new kind of handball
tactics and trainings. He scored nine goals in
six CL matches last season and this season is expected to be his big
step forward.
EURO: S 2008, WCh: S 2009
Zlatko Horvat
right wing
Zagreb’s captain is currently enjoying his
best handball years. The speedy right wing
is a counter-attack specialist, but he is an
important part of defence at the same time.
Horvat had his debut in the national team in
2006 and since then he has won four medals
– one bronze at each WCh, EHF EURO, and
Olympics and silver at the WCh in 2009. He
has played in Zagreb from the beginning of his career and this will be
his 13th campaign in the CL. In the 2010/11 season he was the third
best scorer with 94 goals.
Luka Stepančić
right back
One of the most exciting of Zagreb’s players
is one of the most wanted on the European
player’s market. He’s a more than two meters
tall leftie with a great jump shot and ability
to play in defence, embodying everything
that modern handball requires. Last season
was his fourth in the CL. He is also member
of Croatian national team and already has
a bronze medal from the WCh 2013 in Spain. At the WC in Tunisia in
2009, he won the gold medal with the junior team.
WCh: B 2013
OG: B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
32
GROUP A
It’s not a matter of age when it comes to being successful – if you are fit and experienced
enough, you still can compete with the best of the best. So those at Naturhouse La Rioja say as
they prepare for their second season in the VELUX EHF Champions League.
The Spanish runners-up, who left Valladolid behind in the Asobal league, signed two of the
most experienced Spanish wing players over the summer - Juanin Garcia, the all-time top
scorer of the Asobal league, and Albert Rocas. Both had their magic years at FC Barcelona, and
as Garcia arrived straight from the Catalans, Rocas intermediately had been playing for KIF
Kolding in Denmark. In Logrono they are re-united again.
Mainly thanks to both top wings Naturhouse hope to go one step further compared to their
debut season, when they highly closely missed the qualification for the Last 16. In additional
to Rocas and Garcia, the Spaniards have signed Swedish talent Philip Stenmalm, who had been
awarded Most Valuable Player at the 2013 Junior World Championship when he took gold with
the “Tre Kronor” team.
Coach Jesús Javier González Fernández’s squad underwent plenty of changes over the summer,
as eight newcomers came in to replace ten departures, which included a quintet of retired
players. The goals are clear for Naturhouse this season: make it to the knock-out stage of the
VELUX EHF Champions League and qualify for Europe again with a strong showing in Spain.
Playing hall
Palacio de los Deportes de la Rioja
Avenida Moncalvillo 2
Logrono
Spain
Capacity: 3,500
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
Online information:
Website: www.cbclogrono.com
Facebook:
Club-Balonmano-Naturhouse-La-Rioja
Twitter: @NaturhouseRioja
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: green
Player short: green
Goalkeeper shirt: grey
Progressing from the group phase will not be easy, as they face three teams with sights firmly
set on the VELUX EHF FINAL4, Kiel, PSG and Metalurg, as well as Zagreb and qualifiers Meshkov
Brest. Manager Jaime Luis González Gutiérrez hopes to continue for as long as possible in the
“greatest adventure in the young history of our club. Our target is to have a good atmosphere
in our arena and to win our home matches.”
Champions League season: Spanish runnersup
Newcomers:
Jorge Gómez Lite (BM Aragón)
Juan Antonio García Lorenzana (FC Barcelona)
Philip Stenmalm (Drott Halmstad)
Víctor Vigo Gerpe (BM Guadalajara)
Pablo Cacheda González (CR BM Valladolid)
Albert Rocas Comas (KIF Kolding)
Javier García Rubio (HBC Nantes)
Diego Martín Santamaría (Rioja youth team)
Left the club:
Jorge Martínez Martínez (retired)
Unai Arrieta Aizpurua (retired)
Arthur Malburg Patrianova (Villa de Aranda)
José Manuel Rial Ricoy (Juanfersa Gr. Fergar)
Alexander Tioumentsev (Orlen Wisla Plock)
Aidenas Malasinskas (Puerto Sagunto)
Josep Masachs Gelma (Stiinta Bacau)
Jon Ramiro Pérez (retired)
Pablo Hernández Suárez (retired)
Miguel Ángel Velasco Encinas (retired)
33
Past achievements
season): 2
Group phase (1): 2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: semi-final 2009/10, 2010/11,
Group Phase 2012/13
Spanish league: - (runners-up 2014)
Spanish cup: - (runners-up 2013)
Biggest win:
38:34 (21:21) v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE (h), 20.02.2014
Biggest defeat:
1 match (16.11.2013)
1 match (05.02.2014)
1 match (20.02.2014)
3 matches (13.10.2013 – 16.11.2013)
Longest losing run:
2 matches (21.09.2013 – 29.09.2013)
2 matches (23.11.2013 – 27.11.2013)
Most goals:
38 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 38:34W (h), 20.02.2014
Most goals both teams: 72 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 38:34W (h), 20.02.2014
Fewest goals:
24 v HSV Hamburg GER 24:33L (h), 21.09.2013
24 v Aalborg Handbal DEN 28:24L (a), 29.09.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 23 v Aalborg Handbal DEN 25:23W (h), 05.02.2014
Fewest goals both teams:48 v Aalborg Handbal DEN 25:23W (h), 05.02.2014
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2013/14 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP
10
3
2
5
292:320
-28
8
Total
10
3
2
5
292:320
-28
8
34
Stage
5th Gr. D
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of Birth Weight
Height
12
23
89
32
17
6
15
1
4
11
24
26
26
18
59
2
3
14
Gurutz
Pablo
Patrick Lykke
Angel
Ruben
Juan Antonio
Francisco Javier
Jorge
Thiagus Petrus
Luis Felipe
Diego
Albert
Pedro
Javier
Angel
Miguel
Philip
Victor
Aguinalde Aquizu
Cacheda Gonzalez
Eilert
Fernandez Perez
Garabaya Arenas
Garcia Lorenzana
Garcia Rubio
Gomez Lite
Goncalves Dos Santos
Jimenez Reina
Martin Santamaria
Rocas Comas
Rodriguez Alvarez
Romeo Lopez
Romero Rodriguez
Sanchez Migallon
Stenmalm
Vigo Gerpe
ESP
ESP
DEN
ESP
ESP
ESP
ESP
ESP
BRA
ESP
ESP
ESP
ESP
ESP
ESP
ESP
SWE
ESP
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Right Back
Left Wing
Line Player
Left Wing
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Right Back
Left Wing
Right Wing
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Centre Back
Left Back
Centre Back
26.10.1977
9.1.1992
10.4.1989
16.9.1988
15.9.1978
28.8.1977
7.1.1990
6.6.1989
25.1.1989
12.6.1989
25.7.1993
16.6.1982
22.8.1990
1.6.1990
5.6.1984
8.2.1995
3.3.1992
9.5.1984
108
82
97
90
108
75
120
80
100
94
90
84
75
93
121
90
98
90
35
201
180
205
192
201
176
195
187
199
193
190
188
193
192
202
200
200
186
Gurutz Aguinagalde Aquizu
goalkeeper
The 37-year-old is one of the most
experienced players at La Rioja and he has
been with them for each of their European
campaigns. He played an important part in
the Rioja’s run in the EHF Cup where they
reached the Group Phase and only narrowly
missed the quarter-finals. He is the brother
of Spanish national team line player Julen
Aguinagalde. To date he has won the Spanish King’s Cup in 1996, the
Spanish Super Cup in 1996 and the Cup Winners’ Cup winner in 1997.
Jesús Javier González Fernández
coach
For the first time in his coaching career he
led a CL participant last season. He became
the “best coach of the Spanish league” in
the 2012/13 season for the second time in
his life after the most successful season of
Rioja in history. In 2007 former player took
over the team of Logroño after being coach
in Valladolid. And right when he arrived, the
club made their first steps on the European stage.
Philip Stenmalm
left back
He was part of the Swedish U21 national team
who were triumphant at the WCh in 2013.
Not only was the two metre tall and 96 kg
heavy backcourt player an important figure
by the blue and yellow side. He was even
considered so important to his team that he
was awarded MVP of the tournament after
the final. The talented left back with the hard
and versatile shot was the second best scorer of DROTT Halmstad last
season before he decided to carry on in the CL with Rioja.
Juanin Garcia
left wing
The all-time record scorer of the Spanish
ASOBAL league is still one of the most
talented wing players in Europe. He joined
Barcelona at the start of the 2005/06 season
and was part of the Spanish powerhouse
squad that won the EHF Champions
League in 2011. He also won gold with the
Spanish national team at the 2005 World
Championship. His speed on the counterattack, his athletic game and
his ability to shoot in so many different ways are both fundamental
aspects of Juanin Garcia’s style.
EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 1999, 2005
OG: B 2008, WCh: G 2005, B 2011, EURO: S 2006
Rubén Garabaya Arenas
line player
Naturhouse will enjoy this very experienced
pivot (7th EHF CL participation) for the 4th
consecutive year. With 168 matches played
for the Spanish national team the 36-yearold defender is keen to help his club to get
through a very tough qualification group. One
of his fondest memories goes to EHF CL 06/07
with the goal he scored in the last seconds
with Bm. Valladolid against Montpellier to clinch the first position in
their group, which helped them reach semifinals that year.
Víctor Vigo Gerpe
centre back
Although Víctor Vigo, born in 1984, will
play for the first time in Champions League
this season, he’s already had 3 previous
experiences at EHF Cup level, defending the
Naturhouse (1) and Bm. Aragón (2) shirts.
Víctor started playing handball at the age of
12, because “many friends did so too”. His
abilities on the court were soon noticed by
the Spanish scouts, who started calling him for the U18 and Junior
team.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 1999
Albert Rocas
right wing
Double world champion with the Spanish
national team (2005 and 2013), Rocas is only
missing an EHF EURO crown in his collection.
He was 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 Denmark last season, his first to
a foreign league. After one year with Kolding he is back in Spain.
Luis Felipe Jiménez Reina
right back
This will be the second consecutive
participation of this young Andalusian player
with Naturhouse in the EHF CL. And he seems
to understand this competition very well as
this 25-year-old player already scored 40
goals last season. He started playing handball
at the early age of six in his hometown club
(Puente Genil) and the minute coach Juan
de Dios Román met him by chance at a local training, Luisfe (as he
prefers to be called by his friends) was immediately brought to the
U18 Spanish squad.
EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2004
OG: B 2008, WCh: G 2005, 2013, B 2011, EURO: S 2006, B 2014
36
GROUP A
PSG Handball (FRA)
The star-studded Paris team made a massive impact in last season’s VELUX EHF Champions
League, the club’s first appearance since 2005/06, before bowing out in the quarter-finals against
Veszprem. Two former World Handball Players of the Year, Mikkel Hansen and Daniel Narcisse,
were part of the PSG team already in the previous season and now a third one has arrived from
Montpellier: goalkeeper and four-time EHF Champions League winner Thierry Omeyer.
The two-time Olympic and three-time world and EHF EURO champion replaces Jose Miguel
Sierra, who, like Antonio Garcia, left for EHF Cup winner Pick Szeged. Additionally two more
French national team players, Xavier Barachet and William Accambray, have arrived to
strengthen the back court. With these arrivals, the team of coach Philippe Gardent is ready to go
all the way in every competition and atone for raising only the one trophy, the French Cup, last
season.
PSG sensationally missed out on the French league title last season, finishing second behind
Dunkerque. However, after an intense preparation, including one week in the Qatari capital
Doha, PSG are aiming high again in the league and with the goal to make it to Cologne in May
2015. The road to Cologne is already looking like a long and troublesome one in the group phase,
as PSG were drawn together with THW Kiel (former club of Narcisse and Omeyer), Metalurg,
Zagreb, La Rioja and Meshkov Brest.
Playing hall
Halle Georges Carpentier
81 boulevard Massena
75013 Paris
France
Capacity: 4,800
Club Address:
PSG Handball
82 avenue Georges Lafont
75016 Paris
France
“Once again we will face very prestigious opponents in the VELUX EHF Champions League. THW
Kiel appears to be the declared favourite of our group, so we know that we have ten hard battles
ahead. Our team will try to improve and go as far as possible in the competition. We do have a lot
of potential but, as a newcomer, we also appreciate the difficulty to reach the top of this amazing
competition,” admits manager Bruno Martini.
Team captain Daniel Narcisse says: “The VELUX EHF FINAL4 remains our dream destination
after being stopped right in front of the door last year. The road to Cologne is very difficult
because we have additionally high goals in the French championship. Managing all of those
games makes it hard, but obviously we want to go as far as possible.
“The quarter-finals might already be something like a Champions League final, as it had
occurred to us last season when we faced Veszprem. This is why the road to the FINAL4 is
obviously very difficult. Despite this, we still hope to do better than last year.”
Media contact:
Louise Cosnard
+33 (0)675 591 939
lcosnard@psg.fr
Online information:
Website: www.psghand.fr
Facebook: PSGHand
Twitter: @psghand
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Champions League season: French runnersup
Newcomers:
William Accambray (Montpellier)
Thierry Omeyer (Montpellier)
Xavier Barachet (St. Raphael)
Left the club:
Antonio Garcia (Szeged)
Jose Manuel Sierra (Szeged)
Ibrahima Diaw (Bucharest)
Asgeir Orn Hallgrimsson (Nimes)
37
Past achievements
season): 3
Quarter-final (1): 2013/14
Last 16 (1): 2005/06
Other
EHF Cup: quarter-final 2006/07, Last 16
2003/04
French league: 1 title (2012/13)
French cup: 2 titles
PSG Handball (FRA)
Biggest win:
38:24 (22:11) v Wacker Thun SUI (h), 23.11.2013
Biggest defeat:
44:28 (22:12) v THW Kiel GER (a), 10.12.2005
4 matches (17.11.2013 – 08.02.2014)
4 matches (17.11.2013 – 08.02.2014)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997)
Most goals:
38 v Wacker Thun SUI 38:24W (h), 23.11.2013
44 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005
Most goals both teams: 72 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005
Fewest goals:
20 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:26L (h), 11.01.1997
20 v Caja Cantabria Santander ESP 26:20L (a), 18.01.1997
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005
Fewest goals both teams:39 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1996/97 PSG Asnières FRA
6
1
0
5
131:161
–30
2
4th Gr. D
2005/06 Paris Handball FRA
8
4
1
3
212:229
-17
9
Last 16
2013/14 PSG Handball FRA
14
7
1
6
429:402
+27
15
1/4-finals
Total
28
12
2
14
772:792
–20
26
38
Stage
PSG Handball (FRA)
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Height
19
6
1
20
14
91
48
7
95
32
17
15
18
24
34
94
39
35
11
90
5
4
13
25
16
3
33
92
21
9
Luc
William
Patrice
Ludwig
Xavier
Mladen
Clement
Gabor
Kevin
Ulysse
Dylan
Jakov
Robert
Mikkel
Samuel
Bryan
Jordy
Marko
Benoit
Jeffrey
Steve
Fahrudin
Zacharia
Daniel
Thierry
Axel
Julio
Boubou
Jonathan
Igor
Abalo
Accambray
Annonay
Appolinaire
Barachet
Bojinovic
Branco
Csaszar
Durosier
Fodor
Garain
Gojun
Gunnarsson
Hansen
Honrubia
Jabea Njo
Jacoby
Kopljar
Kounkoud
M’tima
Marie Joseph
Melic
N’diaye
Narcisse
Omeyer
Rosier
Rupaire
Toure
Troudart
Vori
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
SRB
FRA
HUN
FRA
FRA
FRA
CRO
ISL
DEN
FRA
FRA
FRA
CRO
FRA
FRA
FRA
MNE
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
CRO
Right Wing
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Back
Right Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Line Player
Line Player
Right Wing
Left Back
Line Player
Line Player
Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Right Wing
Left Wing
Left Wing
Right Wing
Back
Back
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Line Player
Left Wing
Line Player
Line Player
6.9.1984
8.4.1988
17.5.1979
27.5.1994
19.11.1988
17.1.1977
25.8.1996
16.6.1984
14.5.1994
3.4.1995
22.8.1996
18.4.1986
22.5.1980
22.10.1987
5.7.1986
28.6.1992
8.2.1995
12.2.1986
19.2.1997
16.7.1991
3.1.1994
22.7.1984
2.6.1984
16.12.1979
2.11.1976
20.2.1994
1.3.1995
29.1.1994
15.1.1996
20.9.1980
80
104
96
97
95
101
85
98
90
80
86
110
100
93
75
103
91
108
78
80
90
90
90
93
93
90
102
76
82
114
39
182
194
192
190
195
202
190
188
187
180
192
204
191
192
180
193
191
210
188
188
185
183
194
189
192
192
195
186
194
203
Philippe Gardent
coach
After coaching Chambéry for 16 years (head
coach and before assistant coach) he joined
PSG in 2012 with a mission to build-up a team
capable of reaching the top of Europe. And
right in his first season, the former pivot of
the French national team took the French title
with PSG. He played for several clubs in Paris
winning two champion and two cup titles. He
had 298 caps in 13 years with France and became world champion in
1995. As Chambéry coach he won the league in 2001 and cup in 2002.
OG: B 1992, WCh: G 1995, B 1993 (all as player)
Samuel Honrubia
left wing
After having played in Montpellier for
more than a decade, he joined PSG at the
start of the 2012/13 season. Once he had
arrived at the French capital he immediately
showed what he is capable of and why is he
is regarded as one of the best left wings in
Europe. He is very efficient when it comes
to scoring from fast breaks and he also has
the capacity to make a difference, due to his fast-pace changing of
directions, when it comes to one-on-one situations on limited space.
OG: G 2012, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2011
Thierry Omeyer
goalkeeper
Recently crowned best goalkeeper of history
by the IHF, he is throwing himself in a last
adventure to win again the CL. At 38, he
played in one of the most prestigious clubs in
the world, Kiel, and has achieved more than
any other goalkeeper. In his seven seasons in
Germany, he gained a lot of experience and
became the goalkeeper feared by every player
on the planet. He then returned to Montpellier last season, reached
the EHF Cup Final and decided to move on to PSG this summer.
EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012
OG: G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2011, B 2003, B 2005
Mikkel Hansen
left back
He was awarded World Handball Player in
2011, the year he reached the VELUX EHF
FINAL4 with AG Kobenhavn. He is the son
of former Danish international Flemming
Hansen. Having grown into a top class player
at Danish side GOG, he played for Barcelona
for two seasons before joining AG in 2011.
He then joined PSG at the start of the
2012/13 season. No doubt his astonishing arm and shooting skills will
be a great weapon in PSG’s arsenal this season.
EURO: G 2012, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013
Daniele Narcisse
centre back
He might well go down in history as one of
the most decorated French players. Being
voted 2012 World Handball Player of the Year,
this award seemed to crown what looks like
an amazing career full of titles. But now, in
order to make the circle complete, the french
centre back would like to bring PSG on top
of Europe. Nicknamed “Air France” because
it looks like he’s flying when he’s jumping, Narcisse has now reunited
with former Kiel teammate Thierry Omeyer to fulfill his goal.
Igor Vori
line player
At 203 cm, the tall Croatian is a pillar in any
team’s defence. He may look a little bit sleepy
and awkward, but that’s just an impression.
He has won nearly every title the sport has
on offer and PSG recruited him to bring some
CL experience to his position. Vori has played
handball in five countries so far, including
Spain (Barcelona), Germany (Hamburg) and,
more strangely, Italy. He has had some troubles adapting to his new
team last season but should be ready to take everything on this season.
OG: G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, B 2003, 2005
OG: G 2004, B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009, B 2013
Xavier Barachet
right back
After playing only one season in Spain, Xavier
Barachet returned to France last season
to play with Saint Raphaël, before signing
for PSG this season. Formed in Chambéry,
the left-hander has already an impressive
CL experience despite only being aged 25.
Sadly, he has been injured a lot over the past
seasons and due to a shoulder injury, has
only focused on defending over the last two seasons. But thanks to
surgery, he has now recovered and should be able to bring danger on
the other side of the court as well.
OG: G 2012, EURO: G 2010, WCh: G 2009, 2011
Luc Abalo
right wing
The spectacular right wing returned to France
two seasons ago from Spanish side Atletico
Madrid and immediately showed how
much progress he has made. During his four
seasons in Spain, he learned to channel his
energy and reached the final of the CL in 2011
and 2012. He has become a regular fixture in
the national team as well. With his high jumps
and all the tricks a winger must have in his bag, he is one of the best
at his position.
OG: 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: 2009, 2011
40
GROUP A
Six years Meshkov Brest were left in Dinamo Minsk’s shadows, six years missing out on the
Belarusian league title, six years absent from the Europe’s elite club competition.
However, all that has changed after Dinamo’s demise and Brest gladly struck back to take
the title again in 2014. Some Dinamo players such as Dzianis Rutenka (brother of Siarhei) and
Maxim Babichev joined Meshkov – and after a long absence they are now in the VELUX EHF
Champions League Group Phase, where they had been constant participant from 2004 until
2008. In recent times, Brest were unlucky in the EHF Cup, twice coming up against eventual
semi-finalists in the final qualification round in 2012 and 2013 and twice failing to beat German
sides Frisch Auf Göppingen and Füchse Berlin. Brest have also been competing in the regional
SEHA Liga and even made it to the final tournament in April 2014 in Novi Sad.
For the new season, Meshkov signed experienced players Nikola Manojlovic from RheinNeckar Löwen and Austrian international Janko Bozovic. And hosting the qualification
tournament for the group phase, those newcomers (and stars like Serbian line player Rastko
Stojkovic and Slovenian playmaker David Spiler) helped the side through in the final against
Slovak champions Tatran Presov.
Playing hall
Sportshall Victoria
Leningradskaya 4
224028 Brest
Belarus
Capacity: 3,500
In the next stage the powerhouses of THW Kiel, Paris Saint-Germain and Metalurg Skopje will
be visiting Brest, but despite those big names the hopes are high at the Belarusian champions
to make it to the Last 16, as well as defend their domestic title and again reach the SEHA final
event. Sports director Pavel Bashkin is confident: “Our goal is to enter the knock-out stage
of the VELUX EHF Champions League. The participants of our group are very strong. They
constantly participate in this competition, but the famous names of our opponents are also a
guarantee that the hall will be full at our home matches.”
After the long absence, team captain Ljubo Vukic says he is “very glad to play in the strongest
league in Europe. Of course, our group is difficult, but we will fight to be among the top four
teams in the end, which would grant us with a ticket to the Last 16.”
Club Address:
HC Meshkov Brest
Leningradskaya 4
224028 Brest
Belarus
Media Contact:
Alexandr Kulbaka
+375 293 50 74 79
Online information:
Website: www.bgk-meshkova.com
Facebook: bgkmeshkova
Twitter: bgk_meshkova
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Dark
Player shirt: red
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: green/black
Champions League season: Belarusian
champions, winner of qualification
tournament 1
Newcomers:
Janko Bozovic (Emsdetten)
Nikola Manojlovic (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Simon Razgor (Maribor Branik)
Left the club:
Alexey Ushal (Kronon)
Alexey Haisa (Kronon)
Denis Volyntsev (Gomel)
Milan Dzukic (Borac Banja Luka)
Robert Markotic (Aix-En Provence)
David Milicevic (Samberiju)
Jury Tatarin (Sungul)
Nerius Ataevas (destination unknown)
41
Past achievements
season): 6
Group Matches (4): 2004/05, 2005/06,
2006/07, 2007/08
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final
2011/12
Belarusian league: 6 titles (2004-08,
2014)
Belarusian cup: 7 titles
Biggest win:
28:22 (11:12) v Wisla Plock SSA POL (h), 13.11.2005
Biggest defeat:
36:17 (16:08) v GOG Gudme DEN (a), 09.10.2004
1 match (16.10.2004)
1 match (13.11.2005)
1 match (17.11.2007)
1 match (16.10.2004)
1 match (13.11.2005)
1 match (17.11.2007)
Longest losing run:
10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005)
10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007)
10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007)
Most goals:
31 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 31:29W (h), 16.10.2004
31 v THW Kiel GER 31:37L (h), 06.11.2005
39 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006
Most goals both teams: 68 v THW Kiel GER 31:37L (h), 06.11.2005
68 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006
Fewest goals:
17 v GOG Gudme DEN 36:17L (a), 09.10.2004
17 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004
Fewest goals opponent: 22 v Wisla Plock SSA POL 28:22W (h), 13.11.2005
Fewest goals both teams:44 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2004/05 Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR
6
1
0
5
143:184
-41
2
4th Gr. C
2005/06 Brest HC Meshkov BLR
6
1
0
5
165:183
-18
2
4th Gr. E
2006/07 Brest HC Meshkov BLR
6
0
0
6
146:189
–43
0
4th Gr. B
2007/08 HC Meshkov Brest BLR
6
1
0
5
154:182
-28
2
4th Gr. H
Total
24
3
0
21
608:738
-130
6
42
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Weight
90
6
24
7
21
11
29
9
17
16
1
31
30
22
88
13
18
23
Aleh
Maxim
Maksim
Janko
Vitali
Dzmitry
Ivan
Nikola
Dzmitry
Dzmitry
Ivan
Simon
Dzianis
Viachaslau
Siarhei
David
Rastko
Ljubo
Astrashapkin
Babichev
Baranau
Bozovic
Charapenka
Kamyshyk
Karacic
Manojlovic
Nikulenkau
Patotski
Pesic
Razgor
Rutenka
Shumak
Shylovich
Spiler
Stojkovic
Vukic
BLR
BLR
BLR
AUT
BLR
BLR
BIH
SRB
BLR
BLR
CRO
SLO
BLR
BLR
BLR
SLO
SRB
CRO
Right Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Right Back Goalkeeper Left Back Centre Back Left Back Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Right Wing
Line Player
Right Back
Centre Back
Line Player
Left Wing
20.1.1992
7.3.1986
11.4.1988
14.7.1985
27.1.1984
1.5.1990
26.5.1985
1.12.1981
12.7.1984
3.10.1992
17.3.1989
18.9.1985
14.2.1986
22.12.1988
16.5.1986
2.1.1983
12.7.1981
3.8.1982
81
97
82
101
86
95
93
100
87
107
112
84
85
116
95
95
104
96
43
187
196
188
203
194
200
190
196
187
195
193
183
187
204
198
190
191
192
Željko Babić
coach
The 42-year-old Croatian begins his second
year at the helm of HC Meshkov Brest. In
the past, he worked in his native Croatia as a
coach of Zagreb and the national team, where
he was an assistant of the famous Slavko
Goluza. His first steps in Brest were perhaps
not very impressive, but in the end Babić
convinced everyone of his high professional
qualities, having led the team to the first title of Belarusian champion
since 2008. The emotional and impulsive Balkan coach is always eager
to learn something new, and he is a good motivator for his players.
Vitali Charapenka
goalkeeper
The 30-year-old is a veteran of HC Meshkov
Brest where he has been playing since 2005.
During this time, he won a number of local
trophies with his club, including the title of
Belarusian champion in 2014. Last year, there
were rumors that Charapenka would move to
France’s Creteille, but in the end he stayed at
home. Vitali is currently also the first-choice
goalkeeper of the Belarus national team. And in Brest, he showed
his skills once again in the qualifying round of the VELUX Champions
League, where a few weeks ago his saves were crucial in the decisive
match against Tatran Presov.
Ljubo Vukić
Nikola Manojlović
left wing
left back
The Croatian from Split is the captain of
The 32-year old native of Belgrade is a new
HC Meshkov Brest — he was given this
player in Brest, but he can boast quite a rich
role by the club owner Alexander Meshkov
international experience. With the Serbia
personally. Vukić starts his third year in
national team, he participated in a number
Brest, and he already speaks Russian quite
of major tournaments including the London
fluently, which makes him a connecting link
Olympics. He has played in his native Serbia
between the local players and the large
as well as Switzerland, Slovenia, Romania
Balkan diaspora in the team. He acquired a lot
and Germany, so Belarus is the sixth country
of international experience in the national team — he was a part of it in his profile. In the Bundesliga, he spent four years at Frisch Auf
during some major tournaments including the 2008 Olympics. Before Goppingen and had two spells at Rhein-Neckar Lowen.
Brest he mostly played for HC Osiguranje Zagreb.
EURO: S 2008
Dzmitry Nikulenkau
centre back
The 30-year-old native of Minsk is a national
player of Belarus and a well-respected player
in the country. During a number of years, he
played a key role at Dinamo Minsk, where he
was the captain. Nikulenkau was at Dinamo
since the club foundation in 2008 and until
Dinamo ceased to exist in February 2014.
Nikulenkau had some offers from abroad, but
he opted to move to Brest together with two other ex-Dinamo players,
Maxim Babichev and Dzianis Rutenka.
EURO: S 2012
Rastko Stojković
line player
The native of Belgrade started his career at RK
Crvena Zvezda, but moved abroad at the age
of 24. He gained some experience in Germany,
where he played for Pfullingen and NordhornLingen, and with the latter team won the EHF
Cup in 2008. Then the Serb moved to Kielce
where he won three titles of Polish champion
and four Polish cups. During the last season,
he managed to play for three clubs — first for Crvena Zvezda, then a
couple of months in the exotic Qatar, and in December he joined Brest.
EURO: S 2012
Janko Božović
right back
Although the 29-year-old is an Austrian
international, he was born in Bar,
Montenegro. His mother, Stanka Božović,
also used to play for Austria in the past. And
Janko, whose height is 203 cm, moved abroad
already at the age of 21. He travelled across
Europe, having played in Norway, Spain,
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia. His last
station was Germany’s TV Emsdetten where he spent three seasons.
And now Božović is looking forward to a new challenge with the
Belarusian champions.
Dzianis Rutenka
right wing
His name is very famous in handball —
Dzianis is a younger brother of the famous
Barcelona left back Siarhei Rutenka. The two
brothers play together for the national team
of Belarus, but unlike Siarhei, the 28-year-old
Dzianis has spent most of his career at home.
With Dinamo Minsk, he became a five-time
Belarusian champion, and when this club
went bankrupt last February, the right wing was immediately picked
up by Brest. With his new club, Rutenka won the national title once
again, adding the sixth championship to his collection.
44
Group B preview
FLENSBURG ARE THE CHAMPIONS, BUT BARCELONA ARE ALWAYS FAVOURITES
When SG Flensburg-Handewitt won the VELUX EHF FINAL4 back in May, it came as a surprise to most
people in the handball world. The North Germans will start their title defence while having to replace
players such as substitute goalkeeper Søren Rasmussen who played a great part in the their triumph in the
Lanxess Arena in Cologne in May, as well as the experiences line player Michael V. Knudsen and right back
Steffen Weinhold.
On the positive side is the fact that Flensburg can welcome the hard-shooting left back Lars Kaufmann back
from his one year injury break. One of the toughest rivals already in the group phase will be FC Barcelona
who are almost always mentioned among the hottest favourites for the title. The Catalonians who have
won the EHF Champions League seven times already, proved that they mean business once again, as the
won the Super Globe in Qatar earlier this month.
Barcelona will have to play their first group matches without right wing Victor Tomas who has fractured
his hand, but even this handicap does not remove the status as group favourites from the shoulders of the
Barcelona players. At first sight, 35-year-old Icelandic left wing Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson seems like their
most exciting new signing.
KIF Kolding København have said goodbye to right wing Albert Rocas and defence specialist Joachim
Boldsen, but even though no replacements have been signed for those key players, the Danish champions
look stronger than last year, simply because they are not bothered by that multitude of injuries which
handicapped them last season. Lately, Kim Andersson, who has been nursing shoulder problems since April
2013, has even started shooting again, and in goal, veteran Kasper Hvidt has got himself a highly competent
colleague in the shape of another former Danish international, Marcus Cleverly.
Orlen Wisla Plock will have amibtions of doing better than last season, where a fourth place in the group
phase lead to an early exit in the Last 16. However, coach Manuel Cadenas´ men may have another tough
season, having said goodbye to players such as Marcin Lijewski, Nikola Eklemovic and Petar Nenadic.
Alingsas HK are in the VELUX EHF Champions League for the second time and after a five year break. It will
be interesting to see what the Swedish champions can do in this tough group, and it will be particularly
interesting to follow their promising young playmaker Jesper Konradsson.
For the first time in 11 years is Turkish handball represented in the Champions League, and for Besiktas
MOGAZ HT it is even the debut in the tournament. The Turkish champions have promised to fight “until
even their socks are torn apart”, and they are probably going to need that. However, it will be interesting to
follow their most prominent signing, Croations left wing Ivan Nincevis who has joined from Dinamo Minsk.
Peter Bruun
45
Group B head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group B opponents in the EC
FC Barcelona vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn
20.12.1997
FC Barcelona vs Kolding IF, ECh for Club Teams – 1/2-finals
17.10.2009
FC Barcelona Borges vs KIF Kolding, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
06.03.2010 KIF Kolding vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
18.12.1999 FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, ECh for Club Teams – 1/2-finals
23.02.2007 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs FC Barcelona-Cifec, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
03.03.2007 FC Barcelona-Cifec vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
31.05.2014
FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF FINAL4 – 1/2-finals
SO (36:36, 32:32, 17:18)
37:26 (20:14)
46:36 (23:19)
25:25 (10:12)
32:29 (16:14)
31:21 (13:10)
34:29 (14:12)
39:41 AET and
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Orlen Wisla Plock
02.10.2005 KIF Kolding vs Wisla Plock SSA, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group E
06.11.2005 Wisla Plock SSA vs KIF Kolding, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group E
07.10.2006
KIF Kolding Elite A/S vs Wisla Plock SA, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
19.10.2006 Wisla Plock SA vs KIF Kolding Elite A/S, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
20.10.2013
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
13.02.2014
Orlen Wisla Plock vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
38:29 (16:14)
19:25 (10:12)
35:18 (19:4)
25:31 (13:13)
23:22 (13:11)
25:26 (08:10)
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
12.11.1995
Kolding IF vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Cup – Last 16 19:26 (8:8)
18.11.1995
SG Flensburg Handewitt vs Kolding IF, EHF Cup – Last 16
13.12.2003 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Kolding KIF, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
21.12.2003 Kolding KIF vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
25:23 (13:10)
34:29 (16:13)
20:33 (11:17)
Orlen Wisla Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
08.12.2001 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Orlen SSA Plock, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
15.12.2001 Orlen SSA Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
33:27 (19:12)
25:23 (10:9)
FC Barcelona vs Alingsas HK
FC Barcelona vs Orlen Wisla Plock
FC Barcelona vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Alingsas HK
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
Alingsas HK vs Orlen Wisla Plock
Alingsas HK vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Alingsas HK vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
Orlen Wisla Plock vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
46
GROUP B
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Despite reaching the final destination of Cologne four times, FC Barcelona have only once lifted the
coveted trophy in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 era. With that in mind and another near miss fresh in the
memory, one of the team’s clear goals is to make it back to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 again, and maybe
avoid a German team this time around.
The Catalans’ only win against a German team came in 2011 against Rhein Neckar Löwen compared
to two final defeats against Kiel (2010) and Hamburg (2013) as well as last season’s thrilling semifinal loss to eventual winners SG Flensburg-Handewitt. Opportunities to make up for that heartbreaking loss present themselves to Barcelona in the two guaranteed encounters in the VELUX
EHF Champions League Group Phase. Additionally, the seven-time EHF Champions League winner
will compete with Kolding, Alingsas, Plock and the winner of qualification tournament 3 in the first
stage of the competition.
The Barca squad did not change all that much in the squad, with all of their top back court players
such as Nikola Karabatic, Kiril Lazarov and Siarhei Rutenka remained in the blaugrana jersey.
Departures included all-time top scorer of the Asobal league, Juanin Garcia (La Rioja), and Spanish
world champion Arpad Sterbik (Vardar Skopje), who both found new jobs at Champions League
clubs, while Slovak left wing Martin Stranovsky transferred to German side Erlangen.
Playing hall
Palau Blaugrana
Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Capacity: 7,250
Club Address:
FC Barcelona Intersport
Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Media contact:
Gustau Galvache
+34 618522789
gustau.galvache@fcbarcelona.cat
Online information:
Website: www.fcbarcelona.cat
Facebook: FCBHandbol
Twitter: @FCBHandbol
Sterbik’s replacement, Gonzalo Pérez De Vargas, is very well known to Barca, as he comes from the
youth programme of the Catalans and was on loan at French side Felix Toulouse until now and the
goalkeeper promises that he is ready for the challenge. Coming into the squad are two players from
one of Barcelona’s top rivals, Tunisian left back Wael Jallouz and Icelandic left wing Gudjon Valur
Sigurdsson arrived from THW Kiel. With those newcomers, the goals for the upcoming season are
the same as last year’s: to win all available competitions. The domestic competition has become a
one-horse race, with Barcelona winning the Spanish Asobal league at a canter last season.
At least in the first three rounds Barca will miss their captain Victor Tomas, who fractured his right
hand at the Asobal game one week before the start of the new season.
EHF Champions League season: Spanish
champions
Newcomers:
Gonzalo Pérez De Vargas (Fenix Toulouse)
Wael Jallouz (THW Kiel)
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (THW Kiel)
Left the club:
Juanin García (Naturhouse La Rioja)
Arpad Sterbik (Vardar Skopje)
Martin Stranovsky (HC Erlangen)
Past achievements
season): 18
Winner (7): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98,
1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11
Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13
Semi-final (2): 2007/08, 2013/14
Quarter-final (3): 2005/06, 2006/07,
2011/12
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 Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red and yellow
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: green/grey
Spanish league: 21 titles (1969, 1973,
1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990,
1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,
2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013,
2014)
Spanish cup: 18 titles
Asobal cup: 9 titles
Dark
Player shirt: blue and red
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: black/dark red
47
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Biggest win
17:43 (9:21) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (a), 19.11.2011
Biggest defeat
41:31 (20:15) v THW Kiel GER (a), 06.04.2008
Longest winning run
12 matches (24.04.2011 – 12.02.2012)
Longest unbeaten run
16 matches (24.01.1996 – 16.03.1997)
Longest losing run
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)
Longest run without win 3 matches (30.05.2010 – 03.10.2010)
Most goals
46 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009
Most goals opponent
41 v THW Kiel GER 41:31L (a), 06.04.2008
Most goals both teams
82 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009
Fewest goals
21 v ABC Braga POR 21:21D (a), 09.11.1997
21 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:21L (a), 23.10.2004
Fewest goals opponent
12 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004
Fewest goals both teams 38 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 23:15W (a), 20.04.1996
38 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1995/96 FC Barcelona ESP
8 5 2 1996/97 FC Barcelona ESP
12 10 1 1 213: 173 + 40 12 Winner
1 358: 264 + 94 21
Winner
12 9 1 2 358: 284 + 74 19 Winner
12 8 3 1 357: 289 + 68 19 Winner
12 10 0 2 345: 271 + 74 20 Winner
12 8 2 2 316: 281 + 35 18 Runner-up
8 5 1 2 262: 212 + 50 11 Last 16
2004/05 FC Barcelona Cifec ESP
14 8 0 6 400: 360 + 40 16 Winner
2005/06 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP
10 9 0 1 293: 244 + 49 18
1/4-finals
2006/07 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP
10 8 0 2 314: 263 + 51 16 1/4-finals
14 11 0 3 475: 407 + 68 22 1/2-finals
2008/09 FC Barcelona Borges ESP
10 6 0 4 307: 275 + 32 12 3rd MR Gr. 4
16 13 1 2 545: 461 + 84 27 Runner-up
16 10 3 3 501: 451 + 50 23 Winner
2011/12 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP
14 11 0 3 459: 357 +102 22
1/4-finals
2012/13 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP
16 13 0 3 488: 404 + 84 26
Runner-up
16
12
1
3
535:426
+109
25
Third Place
212
156
15
41
6526:5422
+1104
327
Total
48
FC Barcelona (ESP)
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
13
9
18
22
33
77
27
3
1
22
12
11
37
9
10
8
Aitor
Raul
Eduardo
Wael
Nikola
Kiril
Viran
Jesper Brian
Gonzalo
Siarhei
Danijel
Daniel
Joan
Gudjon Valur
Cedric
Victor
Arino Bengoechea
Entrerrios Rodriguez
Gurbindo Martinez
Jallouz
Karabatic
Lazarov
Morros de Argila
Nöddesbo
Perez de Vargas
Rutenka
Saric
Sarmiento Melian
Saubich Mir
Sigurdsson
Sorhaindo
Tomas Gonzalez
ESP
ESP
ESP
TUN
FRA
MKD
ESP
DEN
ESP
BLR
BIH
ESP
ESP
ISL
FRA
ESP
Left Wing
Centre Back
Right Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Right Back
Left Back
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Right Wing
Left Wing
Line Player
Right Wing
5.10.1992
12.2.1981
8.11.1987
3.5.1991
11.4.1984
10.5.1980
15.12.1983
23.10.1980
10.1.1991
29.8.1981
27.6.1977
25.8.1983
7.11.1989
8.8.1979
7.6.1984
15.2.1985
49
185
193
194
197
196
195
199
199
189
199
194
186
186
187
192
178
Weight
75
92
92
92
102
99
99
100
93
109
93
85
88
82
100
85
Danijel Šarić
goalkeeper
One of the best Barcelona players, known for
his incredible quality in goal and for the joy he
brings to the team. The Bosnian goalkeeper
won the CL in 2011 with Barcelona, was
awarded the best goalkeeper of the ASOBAL
league in 2011 and 2012, and the best player
overall in 2011. He joined Barça in 2009, after
spells with Spanish clubs San Antonio, León,
Alcobendas and Cantabria, but began his career in Serbia with RK
Crvena Zvezda and RK Sintelon.
Xavi Pascual
coach
The name is a “double feature” at FC
Barcelona, as the coaches of both the
handball and the basketball section hold the
same name. Handball’s Xavi Pascual played
for a lengthy period for Barcelona and some
other Spanish clubs, before becoming the
goalkeeper coach at the EHF Champions
League record winners in 2005, where he
started working with the legendary David Barrufet and others. In
2009 he succeeded Manolo Cadenas at Barcelona’s helm.
Siarhei Rutenka
left back
In 2011 the Belarusian became the second
player to win five CL titles with three clubs
after Jose Javier Hombrados (with Santander,
San Antonio, Ciudad Real) completed this
feat as the first one. After lifting the trophy
in 2004 with Celje, Rutenka won three titles
with Ciudad Real, followed by the victory
with Barcelona. No matter what competition,
Rutenka is among the top scorers, e.g. at the 2006 EHF EURO and in
2003/04 and the 2004/05 Champions League season.
Gudjón Valur Sigurdsson
left wing
Before his arrival to Barcelona the Icelandic
spent just one season away from the
Bundesliga - in 2011/12 he played for AG
Kobenhavn. The former Tusem Essen, VfL
Gummersbach and Rhein-Neckar Löwen
player had some outstanding performances
in Europe and really appeared to have got
the joy of playing handball back. With his
enormous experience from top handball and his equally large talent,
2008 Olympic silver medallist Sigurdsson is a real key player.
OG: S 2008
EC trophies: CL 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011
Jesper Nøddesbo
line player
Noddesbo started his career at Team Tvis
Holstebro – long before the Danish club
made it as far as the EHF Cup semi-final in the
2012/13 season. His career started spiralling
upwards when he joined KIF Kolding in 2004.
Since then, he has been among Europe’s elite
year after year – with Kolding from 2004
to 2007, and ever since with FC Barcelona,
whom he joined in the summer of 2007. He is an imposing presence
on the court and is not afraid of anything when it comes to stopping
opposing attackers.
Nikola Karabatić
centre back / left back
The former World Handball Player of the
Year was one of Barcelona transfer coups last
summer, with Kiril Lazarov being another one.
Karabatic has already won everything there
is to win, as he has triumphed at Olympic
Games, World Championships and EHF
European Championships with the French
national team. The left back is one of the
most complete handball players with strengths in attack and defence.
He has also won the EHF Champions League twice – in 2003 with
Montpellier and 2007 with THW Kiel.
OG: G 2008, 2012, WCh: G 2009, 2011, B 2003, 2005, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008
EURO: G 2008, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013
Victor Tomas
right wing
Following the victories in 2005 and 2011, the
Barcelona-born Tomas will be hoping to lift
his third EHF Champions League trophy at
the FINAL4 in Cologne. He joined Barcelona’s
youth team in 1998 and has not played for
any other club. In fact he is that loyal to
Barça, he has always stated that if he were
to leave the Catalan club he would only
play outside of Spain. He biggest assets are his great pace and his
impressive flexibility that make him a strong player in attack but also
in defence.
Kiril Lazarov
right back
The powerful back court shooter from FYR
Macedonia is the most successful scorer at a
single EHF EURO event (2012 Serbia, 61 goals)
and also at World Championship level (2009
Croatia, 92 goals). He was also top scorer of
the EHF Champions League twice (2005/06
and 2007/08) – but still this title is missing in
his trophy cabinet. In the 2012/13 ASOBAL
season he converted 62 per cent of his shots, being particularly
effective from the penalty line (76 per cent) and with counter attack
(86 per cent).
OG: B 2008, EURO: B 2014, WCh: G 2013
50
GROUP B
A big name in Danish and international handball has said farewell to the court. Joachim
Boldsen brought an end to his long and successful career, but not before he and his club
KIF Kolding København finished on top again in his last season, snatching back the Danish
championship in May from the defending champions Aalborg thanks to two final victories. The
Danes hope that winning their 13th national title will not prove to be an unlucky number when
they go for the title again and look to step up a level on the international stage.
After a season of many long-term injuries to key players such as Kim Andersson, Lasse Boesen
and Kasper Irming, KIF are back on track with everyone healthy once again. They have
even strengthened their squad with the signing of former EHF Champions League winning
goalkeeper Marcus Cleverly, arriving from HSV Hamburg. Another big name to join the team is
Landin Jacobsen – but not the famous Niklas, rather his younger brother Magnus, who made
the switch from Nordsjælland.
The new season is the first full one for coach Aron Kristjansson (also in charge of the Icelandic
national team) after starting his job at KIF in February. With this barrage of good news at the
club, hopes are high in Kolding and København to defend their Danish title and at least qualify
for the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League like they had done in the 2013/14 season.
Playing hall
TRE-FOR Arena
Ambolten 2-6
6000 Kolding
Denmark
Capacity: 2,800
Club Address:
KIF Kolding København
Ambolten 2-6
6000 Kolding
Denmark
Media contact:
Thomas Christensen
+45 22 629062
tc@kif.dk
Online information:
Website: www.kif.dk
Facebook: KIFKBH
Twitter: @KifKoldingKBH
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: orange/blue
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: orange/blue
However, the opponents KIF face already in the group phase are high hurdles to clear:
defending champions Flensburg, competition favourites Barcelona, Polish powerhouse Plock,
Alingsas and Turkish newcomers Besiktas. Despite their twelfth appearance in the Champions
League, for KIF club director Jens Boesen it is still something special to be part of the top
24 teams: “The VELUX EHF Champions League is the top product of our sport and it is very
important for our club and our team to be a part of this and to perform well. Of course my
biggest dream is to be among the last four teams in Cologne. But to make it there do not only
need to perform well but also need some luck in the draws on the way.”
For team captain Torsten Laen, Champions League winner with Ciudad Real and VELUX EHF
FINAL 4 participant with Füchse Berlin, the return of key players shall be crucial to success:
“We have big ambitions for the upcoming season. We had a lot of success last season even
though we had a lot of injury problems. With the return of Kim Andersson, Lasse Boesen and
Kasper Irming and new players at least at the same level as those who left the team, we expect
at least the same success as last year.”
EHF Champions League season: Danish
champions
Newcomers:
Marcus Cleverly (HSV Hamburg)
Martin Dolk (Hammarby)
Magnus Landin Jacobsen (Nordsjælland)
Left the club:
Stefan Hundstrup (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg)
Søren Westphal (Aalborg Håndbold)
Joachim Boldsen (end of career)
Albert Rocas Comas (Naturhouse La Rioja)
Alternative playing hall
Broendby Hallen
Broendby Stadion 20
2605 Brondby
Denmark
Capacity: 5,000
51
Past achievements
season): 12
Semi-final (1): 2001/02
Last 16 (7): 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06,
2006/07, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2013/14
Last 32 (1): 1993/94
Group Phase (1): 1994/95
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-final
1999/2000, Quarter-final 2007/08
EHF Cup: Quarter-final 2012/13
Danish league: 13 titles (1987, 1988,
1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2014)
Danish cup: 8 titles
Biggest win:
35:18 (19:04) v Wisla Plock SA POL (h), 07.10.2006
Biggest defeat:
38:23 (20:10) v THW Kiel GER (a), 27.02.2010
40:25 (19:10) v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA (a), 28.11.2010
4 matches (16.11.2002 – 08.12.2002)
4 matches (30.09.2006 – 19.10.2006)
4 matches (13.10.2013 – 24.11.2013)
6 matches (30.09.2006 – 12.11.2006)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (26.02.2011 – 02.04.2011)
4 matches (27.02.2010 – 03.04.2010)
4 matches (26.02.2011 – 02.04.2011)
Most goals:
42 v RK Partizan Belgrad SCG 42:26W (h), 12.10.2003
42 v Prule 67 Ljubljana SLO 42:31W (h), 30.11.2003
Fewest goals:
16 v TEKA Santander ESP 28:16L (a), 25.01.1995
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v Lovcen Osiguranje YUG 20:18W (h), 11.11.2001
18 v Wisla Plock SA POL 35:18W (h), 07.10.2006
18 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 18:20W (a), 13.10.2013
Fewest goals both teams:38 v Lovcen Osiguranje YUG 20:18W (h), 11.11.2001
38 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 18:20W (a), 13.10.2013
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1994/95 Kolding IF DEN
6
1
0
5
140:163
–23
2
4th Gr. A
10
5
1
4
263:256
+7
11
1/2-finals
8
5
0
3
235:215
+20
10
1/4-finals
2003/04 Kolding KIF DEN
8
4
1
3
253:239
+14
9
Last 16
2004/05 Kolding KIF DEN
8
4
0
4
279:267
+12
8
Last 16
2005/06 KIF Kolding DEN
8
4
0
4
251:240
+11
8
Last 16
2006/07 KIF Kolding Elite A/S DEN
8
6
1
1
252:213
+39
13
Last 16
12
4
4
4
336:342
-6
12
Last 16
12
5
0
7
349:388
-39
10
Last 16
2013/14 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN
12
7
0
5
292:293
-1
14
Last 16
Total
92
45
7
40
2650:2616
+34
97
52
Stage
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
7
5
3
20
1
18
21
6
2
4
16
9
14
10
8
13
19
Lasse Bredekjaer
Kim
Morten
Lasse
Mikel Dalby
Marcus David
Martin Per
Kasper
Kasper Ryan
Simon Edelberg
Daniel
Lars Troels
Lukas
Torsten
Magnus
Kristian Stoklund
Mikkel Drud
Jacob Vinholt
Rolf Schwartz
Boris
Bo Dybdal
Thomas Björn
Cyril
Anderson
Andersson
Ankersen
Boesen
Christensen
Cleverly
Dolk
Hvidt
Irming Andersen
Jensen
Jörgensen
Jorgensen
Karlsson
Laen
Landin Jacobsen
Larsen
Nielsen
Pedersen
Ravn
Schnuchel
Spellerberg
Theilgaard
Viudes
DEN Left Back
SWE Right Back
DEN
DEN Left Back
DEN
DEN Goalkeeper
SWE Left Wing
DEN Goalkeeper
DEN Right Back
DEN Right Wing
DEN Centre Back
DEN Left Back
SWE Centre Back
DEN Line Player
DEN Left Wing
DEN Centre Back
DEN Goalkeeper
DEN Left Wing
DEN Right Back
DEN Left Wing
DEN Left Back
DEN Right Wing
FRA
Line Player
53
Position
11.3.1994
21.8.1982
200
25.11.1994
18.9.1979
192
19.6.1995
15.6.1981
188
25.3.1990
6.2.1976
192
12.3.1986
188
2.6.1984
185
22.4.1993
3.2.1978
192
21.5.1982
180
26.11.1979
198
20.8.1995
12.4.1994
14.3.1991
191
18.7.1993
180
10.10.1992
190
15.3.1975
190
24.7.1979
192
13.1.1993
188
6.2.1982
198
Weight
104
100
90
96
80
85
102
83
96
85
80
93
90
84
78
110
Kasper Hvidt
goalkeeper
The 38-year-old is still considered to be
among the five best goalkeepers in the world.
After being awarded MVP as Denmark won
the EHF EURO 2008 in Norway, he retired
from international handball in 2010. After
a career in Germany and Spain, including
a successful spell in FC Barcelona, Hvidt
returned home to Denmark in 2009 to play
for first FCK Håndbold, then AG København, with whom he reached
the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2012. Since August last year he has been
with KIF.
Aron Kristjansson
coach
Danish handball is no stranger to Aron
Kristiansson, as he played for Skjern
Håndbold from 1998 to 2001, where he was
part of the team who won the club’s only
Danish championship so far, in 1999. He has
also got round to another Danish league club,
Team Tvis Holstebro in his active career which
also contained 85 internationals for Iceland.
As a coach he was back in Skjern from 2004 to 2006, and since 10
February 2014 has he been head coach in KIF along with national
coach in Iceland, a job he has had since August 2012.
WCh: S 2011 / EHF EURO: G 2008
Bo Spellerberg
left back
He has been a KIF Kolding player for 11 years,
since he joined the club from FIF Copenhagen
in 2003, and he recently reached 500 games
for the team. He has won the Danish title five
times with the club. He has been in the CL
with the club six times, and during his entire
time in the club, he has been a key player to
the team. Being an elegant and hard-shooting
playmaker as well as left back, the experienced Danish international
has constantly been a leader in the team’s attacking play.
Martin Dolk
left wing
When Stefan Hundstrup left for league rivals
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and veteran Boris
Schnuchel ended his career at top level,
KIF needed new left wings. Together with
Magnus Landin, younger brother of Niklas
Landin, Martin Dolk was the answer. Dolk,
who was top scoring player in the Swedish
league last season with Hammarby, whom
he also represented in the EHF Champions League in the 2008/09
season, has become an asset from the start. He is good from the left
wing position, his speed comes in useful in the counter attacks, and
he has proved to a reliable seven metre shooter as well.
EHF EURO: G 2008, 2012
Torsten Laen
line player
After celebrating several triumphs with
top Danish side GOG, the former Danish
international went abroad in 2007. First stop
was to Ciudad Real, with whom he won the
EHF Champions League in 2008 and then on
to the Bundesliga and Füchse Berlin, with a
place in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2012 the
major achievement. The experienced pivot
and defence specialist joined KIF Kolding København in the summer
of 2013 and has proved to be just as important a player in all aspects
of the club’s play as expected.
Lukas Karlsson
centre back
The Swedish international joined KIF Kolding
from Viborg HK in 2009. The elegant and
inventive playmaker was bothered by shoulder
problems for a long time, but thanks to a lot
of physical therapy he seems to be back to his
best. Apart from orchestrating KIF´s attacking
play, he has also turned into one of the team´s
most dangerous shooters, proving that fact
with 35 goals in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season, where
KIF reached the Last 16.. He is married to Norwegian international Ida
Bjørndalen.
EC trophies: EHFCL 2007/08
Kim Andersson
right back
He was nominated for the World Handball
Player of the Year 2012, finishing joint-third
place behind winner Daniel Narcisse. The
nomination capped a brilliant year for the
right back which included Olympic Silver
with Sweden and winning the VELUX EHF
Champions League with THW Kiel for a
third time. His first two seasons with KIF
were disrupted with a shoulder injury, but after having surgery in
November last year, he is now on his back to the court, although not
yet with his former shooting power.
Simon Edelberg Jensen
right wing
185 cm is not much for a back court player
these days, but still Jensen started his career
as a right back. However, he had changed for
the wing position when he joined KIF from
their eternal rivals GOG in 2007. His career
nearly came to an end in the winter of 2011,
when an emboli was found in one of his lungs.
Now he is back at full strength, though, and
his speed in the counter attacks as well as his reliability from the right
wing position have come in particularly useful after Albert Rocas has
left the club.
EC trophies: EHFCL 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12
OG: S 2012
54
GROUP B
Alingsas HK (SWE)
Five years ago they had their first appearance and were taught a lesson, now Alingsås HK are
back in the VELUX EHF Champions League and the whole city of 23,000 inhabitants is eagerly
awaiting the next challenge.
By beating Lugi in the Swedish final, Alingsas took their second domestic championship
title and are rewarded with encounters against European powerhouses such as defending
champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt, record winners FC Barcelona and their Danish neighbours
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn in the group phase.
Coach Mikael Franzén and his team, including seven newcomers, hope for a special
atmosphere in their one-year-old, state-of-the-art arena with a capacity of 3,000 fans. “It will
be a big challenge for us as players to face some of the best teams in the world. We will have
the possibility to play international handball both in Europe and in our own arena in Alingsås,
that will be great. We are looking forward to this,” says team captain Max Darj. Franzén, who
also acts as the club manager, adds: “For us it is a big challenge both for the club and for our
organisation.”
Five seasons ago, Alingsas finished their debut Champions League season with two wins and
eight defeats and this year they hope to do much better. Despite the top opponents they will
compete with, Franzén and his team will be keen to make the most of any opportunity.
Playing hall
Estrad Arena
Lillagatan 1
44130 Alingsas
Sweden
Capacity: 2,000
Club Address:
Alingsas HK
Nolhaga alle 12 A
44155 Alingsas
Sweden
Media contact:
Christer Martensson
+46 705 919625
christer.martensson@ahk.nu
Online information:
Website: www.ahk.nu
Facebook: AlingsasHK
Twitter: @AlingsasHK
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: light green
Player short: light green
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
“You must always look for the chances and of course the possibility to reach the knock-out
stage is there. It will be extremely tough, we are well aware of that, but as a coach and a
player you always have to look for the opportunities. That is part of the reason why you play
handball.”
In contrast to most of his players, Franzén already knows what it’s like to be part of the VELUX
* to becoaching
confirmedformer Swedish champions Sävehof in the competition,
EHF Champions League after
as does Fredrik Larsson, the biggest name among the newcomers, arriving from German side
VfL Gummersbach after a spell under Franzén at Sävehof.
EHF Champions League season: Swedish
champions
Newcomers:
Rickard Frisk (Caperiotuma)
Emil Frend Öfors (Caperiotumba)
Oscar Bergendahl (HK Aranäs)
Andreas Flodman (Västerås Irsta HF)
Fredrik Larsson (VfL Gummersbach)
Olivier Löwenius (HP Alingsås)
Rasmus Torbjörnsson (Redbergslids IK)
Left the club:
Alexander Johnsson (LIF Lindesberg)
Alexander Axelsson (Sörhaga HK)
Alexander Borgstedt (Ystad IF)
Erik Nilsson (HP Warta)
Glenn Andersson (Rya HF)
Markus Stegefelt (IFK Skövde)
55
Past achievements
season): 2
Other
EHF Cup: Last 32 1999/00
Swedish league: 2 titles (2009, 2014)
Alingsas HK (SWE)
Biggest win:
32:24 (16:09) v Fyllingen Handball NOR (h), 27.02.2010
Biggest defeat:
21:33 (09:15) v FCK Handbold A/S DEN (h), 17.10.2009
1 match (07.11.2009)
1 match (27.02.2010)
1 match (07.11.2009)
1 match (27.02.2010)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (14.11.2009 – 20.02.2010)
Most goals:
32 v Fyllingen Handball NOR 32:24W (h), 27.02.2010
37 v HSV Hamburg GER 27:37L (h), 20.02.2010
Most goals both teams: 64 v HSV Hamburg GER 27:37L (h), 20.02.2010
Fewest goals:
21 v HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 30:21L (a), 07.10.2009
21 v FCK Handbold A/S DEN 21:33L (h), 17.10.2009
Fewest goals opponent: 24 v Fyllingen Handball NOR 32:24W (h), 27.02.2010
Fewest goals both teams:50 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 24:26L (h), 14.11.2009
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2009/10 Alingsas HK SWE
10
2
0
8
251:302
-51
4
Total
10
2
0
8
251:302
-51
4
56
Stage
5th Gr. C
Alingsas HK (SWE)
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
16
23
7
5
2
14
9
20
1
17
10
24
15
21
18
12
11
3
25
4
Mikael
Oscar
Felix
Max
Marcus
Johan
Andreas
Emil
Rickard
Pontus
Jesper
Fredrik
Oliver
Johan
Erik
Erik
Fredrik
Daniel
Rasmus
Pål
Aggefors
Bergendahl
Claar
Darj
Enström
Fagerlund
Flodman
Frend Öfors
Frisk
Johansson
Konradsson
Larsson
Löfwenius
Nilsson
Östling
Pettersson
Teern
Tellander
Torbjörnsson
Wetterbrandt
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Centre Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Right Back
Right Wing
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Centre Back
Left Back
Left Wing
Right Back
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Left Wing
Right Wing
Right Back
20.1.1985
8.3.1995
5.1.1997
27.9.1991
29.8.1987
9.12.1988
14.3.1993
13.9.1994
3.12.1992
11.1.1990
4.6.1994
14.4.1984
20.1.1996
9.7.1992
7.8.1994
27.5.1997
28.9.1988
6.7.1983
29.11.1996
3.3.1986
57
191
192
191
192
182
180
184
193
191
184
184
195
195
193
190
190
200
191
188
190
91
109
90
99
87
82
84
87
90
87
84
95
103
90
101
85
106
92
80
96
Mikael Franzén
coach
While Alingsas HK only became Swedish
champions for the second time when
defeating Lugi HF in the final last season, it
was actually the tenth Swedish championship
for Franzén who has been as least as
successful as coach as he was as a player.
Having reached the quarter-final of the
2001/02 CL with Redbergslids IK and the final
of Cup Winners’ Cup with the same club the following year as a player,
Franzén´s greatest coaching achievements have been taking Aranäs
from the third league to the top flight in Sweden and lately bringing
back the Swedish championship and a EHFCL berth to Alingsas.
Mikael Aggefors
goalkeeper
Not only is Mikael Aggefors one of only three
players in the current Alingsas squad who was
also part of the team in their only previous
EHF Champions League campaign – in the
2009/10 season. He can also take a great
part of the credit for the fact that the club
is back in the tournament after four years of
absence. As Alingsas qualified for the VELUX
EHF Champions League by winning the Swedish championship final
24:22 against Lugi HK, Aggefors simply closed his goal for almost ten
minutes towards the end, and this meant that his teammates could
change a 19:22 deficit into the 24:22 win.
Daniel Tellander
left wing
With 14 internationals for Sweden and four
year long career in the Bundesliga by MT
Melsungen, from 2007 to 2010, he is another
one of those experienced players who are so
crucial to Alingsas coach Franzén’s otherwise
young team. Tellander may be behind players
like Fredrik Petersen and Jonas Källman
when it comes to the left wing position in the
national team, but at Alingsas, his experience and his varied shots
from the left wing position are extremely important qualities.
Fredrik Larsson
left back
It was a quite good signing, Alingsas made
when former Swedish international Fredrik
Larsson joined them from VfL Gummersbach
this summer. Hard-shooting Larsson, who was
part of the Swedish team at the EURO 2010 in
Austria as well as at the WCh 2011 on home
court, brought a lot a of experience with
him. Not only from his time with the national
team and from his years in Spanish and German handball, but just as
well from his CL campaigns with the Swedish clubs Hammarby and IK
Sävehof.
Jesper Konradsen
centre back
Just like goalkeeper Mikael Aggefors, Jesper
Konradsen is a great part of the reason for
Alingsas being in the CL. Scoring the last
two goals in the Swedish championship final
on the 24 May, he contributed decisively
to Alingsas’ 24:22 win against Lugi, and this
young lad proved that nerves seem to be
something he does not know about. Young
Konradsson also displayed his huge qualities at the Men’s 20 EHF
EURO this summer, where he played a large part in Sweden winning
the silver medal.
Max Darj
line player
Despite his relatively young age of 23, Darj
has already made to become team captain
by Alingsas. However, he also possesses the
experience to take that responsibility upon
him, as he has been a regular in the team
since 2009. This also means that the 192
cm tall and 99 kilo heavy pivot is the third
player from Alingsas’ Champions League
team from the 2009/10 season. Actually, he got his debut against no
other opponent than Ciudad Real, at the age of only 19 year. In the
meantime has he developed his physical strength even further, and
today he is very valuable to the team at both ends of the court.
Pål Wetterbrandt
right back
The 190 cm tall and 95 kilo heavy player is
particularly important in Alingsas’ attacking
play when it comes to putting pressure on
the opponents’ defence. Through his physical
strength he is a hard opponent to almost
any defence. Furthermore, apart from his
excellent left handed shot, his teammates
can always count on total commitment
from Wetterbrandt who is playing his second season with Alingsas
after joining from league colleagues Aranäs in the summer of 2013,
rejoining his former coach Aranäs, Franzén.
Marcus Enström
right wing
Being another player from the 2009/10
Champions League team from Alingsas,
Enström is also one of the experienced
players whom the team will have to rely on
a lot, if they are going to have success in
the VELUX EHF Champions League. Having
been with Alingsas since 2006, he knows the
club and the team inside out, and with his
variation of shots from the right wing positions as well as his skills in
the counter-attacks, “The Comet of the Year” in the Swedish league in
the 2010/11 will be a valuable figure in their game once again.
58
GROUP B
Eleven players left, while just six arrived at Plock over the summer, giving Manuel Cadenas,
Orlen Wisla Plock and Spanish national team coach, plenty to think about at the beginning of
his second season at the club. After eliminating Montpellier in the wildcard qualification last
season, the Polish runners-up this year were awarded with direct entry into the group phase.
Among those who left, some big names occur like right back Marcin Lijewski, goalkeeper Marin
Sego (replaced by Spaniard Rodrigo Corales) and experienced playmaker Nikola Eklemovic.
Right before the start of the season, another key player, Serbian international Petar Nenadic,
left for German side Füchse Berlin to replace the injured Polish playmaker Bartlomiej Jaska.
Plock needed to react and found a solution in Spain, signing the Kazakh Alexandre Tioumentsev
from Naturhouse La Rioja.
Mariusz Jurkiewicz will leave Plock after this season to join arch rivals Kielce, who had again
snatched away the Polish championship from the “Oilers” thanks to a 3:1 series win in the
league final. After the EHF EURO 2014 break Plock had already signed tall Spanish right back
Angel Montoro, whose talent had already been discovered by Cadenas, when he was coach in
Leon. Besides Jurkiewicz and Montoro, left wing Ivan Nikcevic, goalkeeper Marcin Wichary and
right wing Valentin Ghionea remain Plock’s key players.
To fight with Kielce for the domestic title and to qualify for the VELUX EHF Champions League
quarter-finals are the main goals of Cadenas & Co. However, they were drawn into a tough
group, competing with defending champions Flensburg, competition favourite Barcelona,
Kolding Kobenhavn, Alingsas and Besiktas.
Playing hall
Orlen Arena
Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1
09-400 Płock
Poland
Capacity: 5,467
Club Address:
Orlen Wisła Płock
Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1
09-400 Płock
Poland
Media contact:
Piotr Raczkowski
Tel: +48-691-99881
sekretariat@sprwislaplock.pl
Online information:
Website: www.sprwislaplock.pl
Facebook: sprWisla
Twitter: @SPRWisla
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: lemon green
Dark
Player shirt: white
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: orange
Champions League season: Polish runners-up
Newcomers:
Nemanja Zelenovic (Celje)
Miljan Pusica (HC Vojvodina)
Rodrigo Corrales (FC Barcelona/loan Huesca)
Tiago Rocha (FC Porto)
Michal Daszek (Kwidzyn)
Alexandre Tioumentsev (Rioja)
Left the club:
Marcin Lijewski (Wybrzeze Gdansk)
Mateusz Goralski (Piotrkow)
Ivan Milas (HCM Minaur Baia Mare)
Nikola Eklemovic (HCM Minaur Baia Mare)
Petar Nenadic (Füchse Berlin)
Bostjan Kavas (Stord Handball)
Vedran Zrnic (Celje)
Janko Kevic (HCM Minaur Baia Mare)
Muhamed Toromanovic (US Creteil)
Pawel Paczkowski (Dunkerque HB)
Marin Sego (Vive Tauron Kielce)
59
Past achievements
season): 10
Last 16 (3): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14
Group Phase (5): 2002/03, 2004/05,
2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09
Other
EHF Cup: quarter-finals 1993/94, Group
Phase: 2012/13
Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2008, 2011)
Polish cup: 10 titles
Biggest win:
42:26 (19:11) v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG (h), 13.11.2004
Biggest defeat:
35:18 (19:04) v KIF Kolding Elite A/S DEN (a), 07.10.2006
34:17 (15:07) v HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO (a), 12.10.2008
2 matches (08.10.2005 – 15.10.2005)
2 matches (16.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
2 matches (08.10.2005 – 15.10.2005)
2 matches (03.12.2011 – 09.02.2012)
2 matches (16.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
Longest losing run:
6 matches (05.10.2008 – 20.11.2008)
Most goals:
42 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG 42:26W (h), 13.11.2004
40 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002
Most goals both teams: 72 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002
Fewest goals:
13 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006
Fewest goals opponent: 19 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SRB 31:19W (h), 28.09.2006
19 v HCM Constanta ROU 19:34W (a), 09.02.2012
Fewest goals both teams:34 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2002/03 Wisla Plock SSA POL
6
1
0
5
167:195
–28
2
3rd Gr. A
6
1
0
5
159:177
-18
2
4th Gr. D
6
2
0
4
155:182
-27
4
3rd Gr. E
2006/07 Wisla Plock SA POL
6
2
0
4
141:170
–29
4
3rd Gr. C
2008/09 Wisla Plock SA POL
6
0
0
6
122:188
-66
0
4th Gr. H
2011/12 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
12
4
1
7
321:332
-11
9
Last 16
2013/14 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
12
5
0
7
335:341
-6
10
Last 16
Total
54
15
1
38
1400:1585
–185
31
60
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
5
36
3
15
19
2
25
16
77
18
13
7
17
21
9
12
10
24
Lukasz
Rodrigo
Michal
Valentin Marian
Mariusz
Zbigniew
Angel
Adam
Ivan
Mateusz
Miljan
Dan Emil
Tiago
Kamil
Alexander
Marcin
Adam
Nemanja
Calujek
POL
Corrales Rodal
ESP
Daszek
POL
Ghionea
ROU
Jurkiewicz
POL
Kwiatkowski
POL
Montoro Cabello
ESP
Morawski
POL
Nikcevic
SRB
Piechowski
POL
Pusica
SRB
Racotea
ROU
Rocha
POR
Syprzak
POL
Tioumentsev Barabash ESP
Wichary
POL
Wisniewski
POL
Zelenovic
SRB
61
Position
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Right Wing
Left Back
Line Player
Right Back
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Line Player
Left Back
Left Back
Line Player
Line Player
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Right Back
25.7.1994
24.2.1991
27.6.1992
29.4.1984
3.2.1982
2.4.1985
10.4.1989
17.10.1994
11.2.1981
1.3.1995
30.6.1991
21.7.1995
17.10.1985
23.7.1991
4.10.1983
17.2.1980
24.10.1980
27.2.1990
202
202
180
197
199
202
213
193
182
210
199
202
196
206
185
193
192
194
104
99
70
94
103
120
105
94
80
110
101
97
104
120
85
100
100
93
Marcin Wichary
goalkeeper
Depite his inconspicuous look, while standing
between the posts he turns into a beast. The
34-year-old player came to Płock in 2004
and since that moment he has become a true
Oiler, beloved by the local fans and certain
point in the goal. For many years he has been
a part of the national team with 105 matches
played so far. In his WCh debut in 2013 he
impressed with a 50% save efficiency in the group phase. His best
achievement to date remains the 5th place in the Olympic Games
2008 in Beijing.
Manolo Cadenas
coach
Before he signed to Orlen last season he had
made a short return to León, where he was
the coach from 1995 to 2007, in the “golden
era” of the club. He led Ademar to their only
national championship title in 2001, two cup
titles and victories in the European arena.
He joined Płock in a difficult period facing a
challenge of building the team nearly from
the scratch. This season he is going to continue forming a group ready
to make a step further both in domestic league and the CL. Besides
the Polish runners-up he also coaches the Spanish national team.
EC Trophies: Cup Winner’s Cup 1989, 1999, 2005
EURO: B 2014
Miljan Pušica
left back
Th 23-year-old player is among six new faces
that reinforced the ranks of Wisła this season.
He replaced on the left side his countryman,
Petar Nenadić, who walked out to Füchse
Berlin in the summer. With his current club
he will have a chance to finally appear in
the regular contest of the CL as with his
previous team, RK Vojvodina, he fell in the
Qualification Tournament last year. The young back has scored 8 goals
in 7 matches of his national team so far.
Ivan Nikcević
left wing
Wisła’s experienced left winger has many
titles to his name. Raised in Crvena Zvezda
Belgrade, he moved to Spain in 2005 where
he played for the likes of Portland San
Antonio, Reyno de Navarra San Antonio and
Cuatro Rayas Valladolid, achieving his best
European performance with Navarra in the
EHF Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final in 2010.
Nikcević is also an important Serbian national team player scoring 453
goals in 123 international appearances (as of September 2014).
EURO: S 2012
Kamil Syprzak
line player
With his height of 206 cm the Polish Tower,
as the domestic media call the young player,
is intended for his position, but even though
he plays on the line, sometimes he surprises
his opponents with a jump throw from the
distance. From the beginning connected
with Płock, he debuted in the Polish first
league in the age of 17. Since 2011 he has also
performed in the national team, playing 47 matches with the balance of
64 goals. Besides handball he has got a talent for drawing.
Mariusz Jurkiewicz
left back/centre back
Wisła Płock’s 2013 signing seems to be in the
prime of his career. Over past few years he
transformed from the typical defender into
comprehensive player able to threaten his
rivals with the distance throw. After long time
spent in Spain, he returned to his homeland
and soon became the Oilers’ key player and
one of the pillars of Polish representation.
His best European achievement was the CL Final in 2012 with Cuidad
Real. Next season the back is going to join Kielce.
WCh: B 2009
Valentin Ghionea
right wing
Romanian Handballer of the Year in 2008, and
two-time top scorer in Romania (2005, 2007),
joined Wisła Płock in 2012 and during his
first season, he showed his great goalscoring
ability. Ghionea quickly became a very
important Wisła Player and his team’s top
scorer. In the 2013/14 season he scored 226
goals in 43 appearances including 48 goals
in the Champions League. With his speed he is an important part of
Manolo Cadenas’s philosophy of the game.
Nemanja Zelenović
right back
He is another representative of the young
guns of Płock. He arrived this summer from
Celje Pivovarna Laško. With Serbian Red Star,
his first club, he experienced the CL debut
in the 2007/08 season and still as a teenager
he scored 18 goals next season. At the age
of 24 he is currently the first choice at right
back position and a member of Serbian
national team, where he also played at the EHF EURO in Denmark.
He is expected to share his time at the right back position with Angel
Montoro.
62
GROUP B
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
The trophy earned in Cologne just a few months ago will be present at the Flensarena for every
VELUX EHF Champions League match this season, providing SG Flensburg-Handewitt with a
permanent reminder of their club’s biggest success to date, beating Barcelona and Kiel in the
2014 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4.
However, the defending champions will start the new season with a different, younger look.
Three key players Michael Knudsen and Sören Rasmussen (both to Bjerringbro-Silkeborg) and
Steffen Weinhold (THW Kiel) left, while youngsters from Scandinavia and the club’s own youth
programme were brought in. Nevertheless, coach Ljubomir Vranjes is sure that this team is
ready for big challenges: “It is highly important for the development of those young players to
perform on the international stage for as long as possible.”
The German club, a three-time EHF Champions League finalist, has a tough group ahead for
their quest to return to Cologne. The biggest focus is on a repeat of the most thrilling semifinal since the implementation of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, when Flensburg came from six goals
behind in the final stages to beat FC Barcelona after a penalty shoot-out in Cologne on 31 May.
“Barcelona is the clear favourite to win the group,” admits Flensburg manager Dierk
Schmäschke, adding: “The group is tough but interesting for our fans, not only because of the
duel with our Danish neighbours from Kolding. It is our dream to make it to Cologne again,
which will be a much harder task than last season.”
Playing hall
Flens Arena
Campusallee 2
24943 Flensburg
Germany
Capacity: 6,000
Club Address:
Schiffbrücke 66
24939 Flensburg
Germany
Media contact:
Sandra von Wallis
+49 4611609625
s.vonwallis@sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
Online information:
Website:
www.sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
Facebook: SGFleHa
Twitter: @SGFleHa
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red
Player short: blue
Dark
Player shirt: white
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: black
Swedish champions Alingsas and Polish runners-up Plock are the other confirmed opponents
for Flensburg, with the winner of qualification tournament 3 to join this group as well. Team
captain Tobias Karlsson shares the opinions and hopes of his manager: “We are truly looking
forward the new challenges but we know that we face tough opponents in the group phase.
“It’s our goal to build a good foundation for the knock-out stage, as our dream destination is
Cologne once again. Our debut there in June was extraordinary and it would be perfect to be
part of this event again. To play in the Champions League is something very special. But this
season is very hard for us with the Bundesliga, IHF Super Globe and Champions League. From
end of August until Christmas we have to play 34 matches, so my biggest hope is that all our
players stay fit and healthy,” says the Swedish defensive specialist.
Champions League season: Third ranked in
Germany
Past achievements
Newcomers:
Johan Jakobsson (Aalborg Handbold)
Anders Zachariassen (Sönderjysk Elitesport)
Kevin Møller (GOG Håndbold)
Kasper Kisum (TMS Ringsted)
Lukas Blohme (SG youth)
Michael Nicolaisen (SG youth)
season): 10
Winners (1): 2013/14
Final (2): 2003/04, 2006/07
Semi-final (1): 2005/06
Quarter-final (4): 2004/05, 2008/09,
2010/11, 2012/13
Main Round (1): 2007/08
Left the club:
Michael Knudsen (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg)
Sören Rasmussen (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg)
Steffen Weinhold (THW Kiel)
Olafur Gustafsson (Aalborg Handball)
Goran Bogunovic (HCM Constanta)
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/01,
2011/12
EHF Cup: Winners 1996/97
City Cup: Winners 1998/99
German league: 1 title (2004)
German cup: 3 titles
63
Biggest win:
43:24 (23:12) v RK Metalurg Skopje MKD (h), 19.10.2006
Biggest defeat:
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
6 matches (13.03.2005 – 05.11.2005)
6 matches (02.12.2010 – 03.04.2011)
7 matches (24.04.2004 – 14.11.2004)
7 matches (25.11.2012 – 23.03.2013)
Longest losing run:
3 matches (04.03.2006 - 01.04.2006)
Most goals:
44 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003
41 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 41:31L (a), 02.12.2006
Most goals both teams: 80 v FC Barcelona ESP 39:41W (a), 31.05.2014
Fewest goals:
19 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 27:19L (a), 22.09.2010
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011
Fewest goals both teams: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
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
2003/04 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
14
10
1
3
450:401
+49
21
Runner-up
10
7
1
2
319:270
+49
15
1/4-finals
2005/06 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER
12
7
0
5
372:326
+46
14
1/2-finals
14
8
1
5
437:398
+39
17
Runner-up
12
4
2
6
355:356
-1
10
4th MR Gr. 3
12
8
0
4
360:329
+31
16
1/4-finals
14
11
0
3
394:354
+40
22
1/4-finals
14
9
3
2
416:384
+32
21
1/4-finals
16
12
1
3
489:441
+48
25
Winner
Total
118
76
9
33
3592:3259
+333
161
64
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Height
1
2
7
9
24
21
19
32
3
18
23
4
16
10
5
17
41
11
40
14
20
22
Mattias
Lukas
Anders
Holger
Jim
Jacob
Johan Mikael
Thore
Tobias
Lars
Kasper
Maik
Kevin
Thomas
Drasko
Michael
Bogdan
Lasse
Ljubomir
Hampus
Stefan
Anders
Andersson
Blohme
Eggert
Glandorf
Gottfridsson
Heinl
Jakobsson
Jöhnck
Karlsson
Kaufmann
Kisum
Machulla
Möller
Mogensen
Nenadic
Nicolaisen
Radivojevic
Svan
Vranjes
Wanne
Wilhelm
Zachariassen
SWE
GER
DEN
GER
SWE
GER
SWE
GER
SWE
GER
DEN
GER
DEN
DEN
SRB
GER
SRB
DEN
SWE
SWE
GER
DEN
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Left Wing
Right Back
Centre Back
Line Player
Right Back
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Left Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Left Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Right Wing
Centre Back
Left Wing
Centre Back
Line Player
29.3.1978
7.11.1994
14.5.1982
30.3.1983
2.9.1992
9.10.1986
12.2.1987
28.7.1995
4.6.1981
25.2.1982
20.8.1992
9.1.1977
20.6.1990
30.1.1983
15.2.1990
6.5.1995
2.3.1993
31.8.1983
3.10.1973
10.12.1993
22.1.1996
4.9.1991
93
72
77
90
95
101
89
84
102
103
92
95
103
100
91
100
80
84
80
84
93
96
65
185
188
179
195
190
195
195
184
196
199
190
189
200
187
202
195
192
184
168
184
190
192
Mattias Andersson
goalkeeper
The Swedish was the most outstanding
Flensburg player in the last years, including
his award “best player of the Bundesliga
season 2011/12”. Already in the younger age
categories he was part of all All-Star teams
and became member of the senior national
team. After a highly successful time at Kiel
(2001-08), he left for three years to join TV
Großwallstadt. In 2011 he returned northwards, signing in Flensburg.
His saves in Cologne were the major keys to finally stand on the
FINAL4 winners’ podium in June – to win his last missing EC trophy.
Ljubomir Vranjes
coach
Player, manager, coach – this the running order
of the career of former Swedish international
player. After retiring as a player he became
club manager in 2009 and coach in November
2010. And after winning the CL last season
the number of top offers like from PSG and
the German national team were huge – but
Vranjes stayed in Flensburg. Intermediately he
led Serbia to the 2014 EHF EURO in Denmark in a caretaker role, but did
not continue on the Serbian bench. In his spare time, Vranjes is a highly
creative photographer and just started to write his memoirs.
EC trophies: CL 2014 (as coach), Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 (as coach)
OG: S 2000, WCh: G 1999, EURO: G 1998, 2000 and 2002
EC trophies: CL 2007, 2014, EHF Cup: 2002, 2004, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2000
Anders Eggert
left wing
Fast, faster, Eggert: The Dane had to fill
seriously big shoes in Flensburg as successor
of legendary Lars Christiansen. But he coped
perfectly with this situation and was the top
scorer of the German Bundesliga in 2011
(248 goals) and top scorer of the 2013 World
Championship in Spain (55 goals). Eggert just
started his ninth season in Flensburg after
intermediately being on loan at Skjern handball. Eggert, who started
his career at Gudme, is also famous being as cold as ice from the
penalty line with one of the highest percentages in the CL.
Lars Kaufmann
left back
A man like Adonis with cannon shots and
high jumps: It is no surprise that he became
a model for men’s underwear and that his
favourite movie is “Gladiator”. After some
injuries in the last years (including another
surgery at the start of last season) he always
returned to the court, willing to prove why
he was an important player of the 2007 WC
winning team of Germany. By winning the CL and the Cup Winners’ Cup
Kaufmann (like Glandorf and Andersson) has won all three major ECs.
EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup: winner 2012
WCh: G 2007
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2008, 2012, silver medallist 2014
Tobias Karlsson
line player
He is the typical powerful Scandinavian
defence specialist, who – together with former
Barcelona rock Magnus Jernemyr - build the
Swedish middle block in the last years. He is the
team captain, a great honour after legendary
Lars Christiansen left SG. He became Swedish
champion three times with Hammarby IF.
On national team level he was awarded best
defence player at the 2014 EHF EURO. He is the clear boss in the SG
defence, while he seldom enters the opponent’s half.
Thomas Mogensen
centre back
With more than 1,000 goals for his club and
long list of silverware, the Danish playmaker
is highly experienced. Since 2007 he has
played for Flensburg – his first stop outside
his home country Denmark. Before he had
played for Viborg and Svendborg, becoming
Danish champion and cup winner twice.
SG will have at least three more years of
inspiration, as his contract expires in 2017. To focus only on SG he quit
his career in the Danish national team after the last EHF EURO.
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
OG: S 2012
Holger Glandorf
right back
Years ago it was impossible to find any
German stars in the Flensburg squad, which
mostly had been imprinted by Scandinavian
players - but times have changed. One of
two German 2007 world champions in the
Flensburg roster is left handed shooter
Glandorf. Despite some injury breaks, the
right back always returned to a high level of
performance. He is one of only a few players, who have the full set
of three major European Cup competitions titles on his tally, with
Nordhorn and Flensburg. Last August he announced to quit from the
German national team and will only focus on his club now.
Lasse Svan Hansen
right wing
One who names „roasted hot dog“ as his
favourite dish cannot be a professional
sportsmen, right? But despite his love for
the typical Danish snack, he is one of the
fastest wing players in the CL. He has the
same qualities as Eggert on the other side:
fast counter-attacks and a high scoring
efficiency. And he has another task in his
team: motivation and relaxing – as his business is mental coaching.
After four seasons at GOG Svendborg he moved to Flensburg in 2008.
In addition to all his merits and trophies in handball, Svan was billiards
champion in his home region Seeland.
EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2008, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
WCh: G 2007
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
66
GROUP B
Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR)
The VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase has not even started yet, but Besiktas MOGAZ
HT have already made history. By winning the qualification tournament in Hasselt with a clear
34:25 final victory against Romanian side HCM Constanta they became the first Turkish team to
make it past the qualification – after they themselves had unsuccessfully tried six times before.
“To be part of the Champions League is a big chance for us, albeit a tough one and a new
challenge,” says club manager Berk Karahan and adds: “It’s also an opportunity to represent
Turkish handball and the Turkish style of play. And there is an old saying in Turkish: ‘The Eagles
love to fly high’, so our confidence is high as the sky.”
Besiktas first put their name on the map of European top handball, when they qualified for
EHF Cup Group Phase two seasons ago. Before the current season – and thanks to the support
of their new sponsor MOGAZ – Besiktas signed some big names like Croatian wing player Ivan
Nincevic and Chilean international Erwin Feuchtmann.
These two helped to make the dream of the group phase come true, and over the coming
weeks Besiktas will be welcoming handball powerhouses such as FC Barcelona and defending
champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt to their arena. Plock, Alingsas and Kolding are Istanbul’s
opponents other three opponent on their maiden voyage in the VELUX EHF Champions League.
“We want to go as far as we can. We know that our rivals are very strong and experienced in
the Champions League but we are very encouraged to face them. On the court, the conditions
are the same for all teams, each team plays with seven players,” says Karahan.
Playing hall
Sinan Erdem Arena
Zuhuratbaba Mh, Bakritköy
34147 Istanbul
Turkey
Capacity: 15,000
Team captain Ibrahim Demir is sure that “qualifying for and competing in the Champions
League will bring us a new vision of handball.”
“We are very happy to be in the same group with the best teams in Europe. Our main target
is to fight until even our socks are torn apart. All my teammates have the same mind-set. After
eleven years, Turkish handball is finally getting what it deserves.”
Club Address:
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48
34357 Besiktas - Istanbul
Turkey
Media contact:
Berk Karahan
Tel: +90-535-358-8747
berk.karahan@bjk.com.tr
Online information:
www.bjk.com.tr
Twitter: @BJKHentbol
Facebook: Besiktas
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Dark
Player shirt: green
Player short: green
EHF Champions League season: Turkish
champions, winner of qualification
tournament 3
Newcomers:
Ivan Nincevic (Dİnamo Minsk)
Erwin Jan Feuchtmann Perez (Oderheu)
Predrag Dacevic (Ademar Leon)
Yunus Özmusul (İl Özel İdare)
Volkan Caliskan (İl Özel İdare)
Left the club:
Sevket Altug Tasdemir
Vladimir Zelic
Valeri Parshkov (end of career)
Armi Part
67
Past achievements
season): 8
Qualification (6): 2005/06, 2007/08,
2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13
Other
EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06,
2010/11
Challenge Cup: Semi-final
2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03
Turkish champions: 10 titles (1981,
1982, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011,
2012, 2013, 2014)
Turkish Cup winners: 10 titles
Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR)
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
7
15
13
10
19
11
6
22
34
25
26
53
3
4
36
37
1
8
2
27
20
12
99
18
Ömer Ozan
Arifoglu
Ercan
Asikoglu
Muhammed Taha Ayar
Senol
Boyar
Oguzhan
Büyük
Josip
Buljubasic
Volkan
Caliskan
Mesut
Cebi
Ugur
Coban
Predrag
Dacevic
Ibrahim
Demir
Ramazan
Döne
Bülent
Erkol
Erwin Jan
Feuchtmann Perez
Berkay
Gulyurt
Yigit
Ilgin
Tolga
Kirli
Viktor
Ladyko
Ömer
Mercan
Ivan
Nincevic
Tolga
Özbahar
Yunus
Özmusul
David
Rasic
Kubilay
Yilmaz
Nat.
Position
Weight
TUR
TUR
TUR
TUR
TUR
CRO
TUR
TUR
TUR
SRB
TUR
TUR
TUR
GER
TUR
TUR
TUR
UKR
TUR
CRO
TUR
TUR
SRB
TUR
Right Back
Right Wing
Line Player
Centre Back
Left Wing
Back
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Centre Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Right Back
Left Wing
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Right Wing
20.8.1989
4.1.1983
12.6.1996
8.5.1984
18.3.1977
11.7.1988
3.11.1990
6.9.1991
10.11.1988
21.7.1986
4.10.1975
10.7.1981
1.12.1977
2.5.1990
3.3.1997
1.2.1997
28.3.1993
30.4.1979
10.4.1997
27.10.1981
24.4.1984
4.2.1989
4.12.1986
22.3.1997
102
95
90
85
84
118
98
105
80
95
105
106
96
96
91
90
102
95
92
88
115
100
93
79
68
196
190
192
185
179
202
192
195
177
198
194
192
194
195
196
190
192
194
192
184
195
199
196
188
Mufit Arin
coach
Arin has had plenty of success as a coach with
Beşiktaş JK, dominating theTurkish domestic
scene over the past ten years. He is an eight
time Turkish league champion, six time
Turkish cup winner, six time Turkish Super
Cup winner, and reached the EHF Challenge
Cup semifinal in the 2008/09 season. Arin’s
notable playing achievement is winning the
Turkish league with Arcelik HK in 1983, but nothing can be compared
to the successful qualification for the CL group phase this season.
Yunuz Özmusul
goalkeeper
Despite transferring to Beşiktaş only recently,
the talented goalkeeper feels himself like
an established ‘Black Eagle’. He started his
career in 2008/09. After five years in Turkish
capital representative Maliye Milli Piyango,
he went to Ankara İl Özel İdare for another
challenge and where his potential was
discovered by Beşiktaş. He was the star of the
Qualification Tournament in Hasselt, Belgium, especially in the final
against HCM Constanta.
Ivan Ninčević
left wing
Croatian national team’s left winger is a big
reinforcement for Turkish champions, right
before their first CL season. Ninčević has
managed to build his name in Germany. From
the second division and Stralsunder, as a top
scorer he has earned a transfer to Füchse
Berlin with which he was always among
Bundesliga’s best clubs. After that he has
played in Dinamo Minsk and later accepted Beskitas’ call. Outstanding
scorer and a good defensive player able to motivate the whole team.
Erwin Feuchtmann Perez
left back
Chile, Germany, Romania – and now
Turkey: Feuchtmann is a real globetrotter in
handball. His grandfather made it in 1928
from Mannheim to Chile and his sons and
grandchildren had handball in their veins.
Erwin, his brothers Emil and Harald and his
sister Inga were or are part of the Chilean
national team and participated in several
world championships. Erwin played for several German clubs, then
he transferred to Ordohei in Romania, before he joined the Besiktas
squad this summer – to enjoy his first ever CL experience in his life.
OG: B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
Tolga Özbahar
line player
The 30-year-old line player came to Beşiktaş
in 2010 and is recognised as one of Turkey’s
best players in his position, with over 60
international matches for Turkey and being
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)
and shined with his 10-goal haul in the Qualification Round 2 match
against Odorheiu Secuiesc.
Ramazan Döne
right back
The 33-year-old joined Beşiktaş in 2006
from Çankaya Belediyesi. He became the top
scorer of the Challenge Cup in 2005/06 with
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. He
was awarded the best right back in the Turkish league several times
and has played over 150 international matches for Turkey so far.
Ozan Arifoğlu
right back
As a one of the earliest members of Beşiktaş
Mogaz, Turkish star Ozan Arifoğlu always
plays with his heart. Besides he has been a
vital part of senior team for five years. He
won three league titles, three cup titles and
several other domestic trophies. He also has
a bright future in Turkish national Team, Ozan
wore the red-white jersey more than 120
times. Playing the CL for the first time in his career will give him a new
objective to represent the Turkish style of handball.
Ercan Aşıkoğlu
right wing
‘The Speed of Black Eagle’ Ercan Aşıkoğlu
is one of the most experienced player at
Beşiktaş Mogaz. Aşıkoğlu’s handball life
began in Bursa Nilüfer after he moved on to
Turkey from Bulgaria. Being a high profile
handball player, on the other hand he is a
sport scholar who graduated from Uludağ
Universty Sport Academy. Especially with his
professionalism and family life, he is a proper role-model for young
eagles of Beşiktaş Mogaz. Although he won 12 domestic trophies, he
is ready for a new challenge in the CL.
69
Group C preview
EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHTS CONGREGATE
We do not like to use the truism “Group of death” but Group C is definitely full of Champions League heavy
weights: last year four of the six teams featured in the last 16, three played in the quarter-final and MKB-MVM
Veszprém went all the way to Cologne. Considering how miserably close Löwen and Vardar were to reach the
VELUX EHF FINAL4 the sextet of MKB-MVM Veszprém, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, HC Vardar, Chekhovskie Medvedi,
RK Celje and Montpellier promises thrilling handball action with an almost unpredictable outcome.
Three of the six teams shared the same group last year, Veszprém advanced as group winners, Löwen finished
second while Celje was third but this year HC Vardar will definitely have a say in the matter of knockout stage.
So will EHF Cup-finalist Montpellier and Russian champion Chekhovskie. The Hungarian champion finished on
top of their group in three years running, and had the best of familiar opponent Rhein-Neckar Löwen, whom
they beat last year as well as in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in 2008. MKB-MVM Veszprém even strengthened
their impressive squad with reinforcements to all compartments while Löwen have a rather long list of
departures including coach Gudmundur Gudmundson.
Vardar used their abundant resources to further upgrade their enviable squad by landing the likes of Árpád
Sterbik, Sergei Gorbok and Blazenko Lackovic, which rightfully made coach Raul Gutierrez Gonzalez optimistic.
Without the above mentioned superstars the Macedonian team only went down against to-be-champions
Flensburg on an away goal rule after they remained unbeaten at home versus PSG and Barcelona.
It looks likely that Celje, Montpellier and Medvedi will battle it out for the fourth spot, for which it is
impossible to tell who might have a small edge over the others. Celje lost quite a few important players, some
of whom where distributed among group rivals (Marguc and Lékai to Veszprém, Mackovsek to Montpellier)
and the same goes for Montpellier as well, who waved goodbye to William Accambray, Thierry Omeyer and
Wissem Hmam.
Russian champions (13 times in a row!) are coming back from a year long absence from the main stage of
European handball but are eager to prove they can do well with only Russian players in their squad.
Bence Mártha
70
Group C head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
09.10.1994
Fotex Veszprem vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2
15.10.1994
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Fotex Veszprem, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2
29.09.2007 MKB Veszprém KC vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F
18.11.2007 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F
29.09.2012 MKB Veszprém KC vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
01.12.2012
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
17.11.2013
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
23.11.2013
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
22:18 (8:9)
21:24 (12:10)
24:24 (14:11)
28:23 (15:14)
32:22 (16:11)
19:24 (9:11)
26:31 (14:15)
27:26 (13:10)
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Chekhovskie Medvedi
1982/83
CSKA Moskau vs SC Epitök Veszprem, Champions Cup – Last 16
1982/83
SC Epitök Veszprem vs CSKA Moskau, Champions Cup – Last 16
1987/88
CSKA Moskau vs VAEV Bramac Veszprem, Champions Cup – Last 16
1987/88
VAEV Bramac Veszprem vs CSKA Moskau, Champions Cup – Last 16
22.10.2011
MKB Veszprém KC vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
16.02.2012 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
31:19 (16:11)
25:30 (13:14)
24:14 (15:6)
22:22 (11:13)
24:22 (10:10)
30:26 (13:13)
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen
03.05.2008 MKB Veszprém KC HUN-Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER, Cup Winners’ Cup – finals
10.05.2008 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER-MKB Veszprém KC HUN, Cup Winners’ Cup – finals
04.10.2009 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER-MKB Veszprém KC HUN, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
21.02.2010
MKB Veszprém KC HUN-Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
29.09.2013 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN-Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
09.02.2014
Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER-MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
37:32 (20:20)
28:28 (14:14)
32:29 (17:14)
34:30 (17:12)
30:29 (17:14)
25:25 (12:13)
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs HC Vardar
10.11.2001 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
08.12.2001 Fotex KC Veszprém vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
24:27 (11:10)
27:22 (14:10)
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
08.11.1998 Montpellier HB vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
03.01.1999 Fotex KC Veszprém vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
26.02.2006 Montpellier HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
04.03.2006 MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
22.02.2009 Montpellier HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3
07.03.2009
MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3
09.10.2010
MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
06.03.2011 Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
21:17 (12:10)
26:17 (9:8)
23:21 (11:10)
27:22 (14:11)
24:30 (11:14)
22:23 (11:10)
27:26 (13:15)
30:24 (13:11)
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Chekhovskie Medvedi
10.11.2001 CSKA Moskau vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
08.12.2001 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs CSKA Moskau, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
25:27 (12:14)
28:26 (16:12)
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen
14.02.2009 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 2
26.02.2009 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 2
02.10.2010
HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
04.12.2010 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
12.10.2013
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
20.02.2014
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
28:34 (14:16)
31:26 (15:16)
28:32 (12:14)
33:32 (14:16)
25:28 (07:13)
35:25 (19:12)
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
24.04.2011 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
30.04.2011 Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
27:29 (12:09)
26:35 (17:15)
71
Group C head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
25.02.2001 Montpellier HB vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
03.03.2001 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
24:23 (10:9)
29:23 (13:12)
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen
28.03.2009 Chehovskie Medvedi vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
05.04.2009 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Chehovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
33:31 (21:15)
36:28 (16:13)
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
09.11.1996
Montpellier HB vs CSKA Moscow, EHF Cup – Last 16
16.11.1996
CSKA Moscow vs Montpellier HB, EHF Cup – Last 16
10.11.2002 Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
08.12.2002 Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
12.10.2003 Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi Moscow, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
22.11.2003 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
16.10.2005 Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
12.11.2005 Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
08.11.2009 Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
25.02.2010 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
28.04.2010 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
01.05.2010 Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
(32:27, 12:14)
18.10.2012 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
17.02.2013
Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs HC Vardar
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Vardar
HC Vardar vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
72
24:18 (10:9)
17:17 (10:9)
30:31 (15:11)
25:24 (13:12)
27:19 (14:9)
25:30 (14:13)
36:29 (19:14)
35:28 (20:12)
33:28 (19:14)
27:28 (11:16)
32:27 (18:13)
36:32 AET
35:29 (19:15)
30:30 (17:17)
GROUP C
MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)
They have tasted the success of being part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne this year,
and now they want to go all the way again. Several times they were highly close to the final
destination of the VELUX EHF Champions League and failed on the last step, in the 2013/14
their time had come.
Despite finishing on the fourth position, the Hungarian record champions had given THW Kiel
and FC Barcelona a great fight, honoured and cheered by hundreds of Veszprém fans in the
LANXESS arena. In order to reach this goal, Veszprém have bolstered their strong squad by
two former Champions League winners. Left handed hammer shooter Christian Zeitz (three
times winner) arrives from Kiel, Swedish powerful line player Andreas Nilsson from Hamburg
(2013 winner). Additionally Veszprém changed their goalkeeper from Nandor Fazekas to Roland
Mikler – so like in the national team the former Szeged stopper and EHF Cup winner with Pick
now is the successor of Fazekas also on club level. Their shopping spree led the Hungarians
also to their upcoming group opponent Celje, signing Hungarian playmaker Mate Lekai and
Slovenian goal machine Gasper Marguc.
Playing hall
Veszprém Arena
Külso Kadartai ut
8200 Veszprém
Hungary
Capacity: 5,020
Club Address:
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Marcius 15. ut 5
8200 Veszprém
Hungary
Media contact:
Zsolt Sevinger
+36 305024547
mkbveszprem@chello.hu
Online information:
Website: www.mkbveszprem.eu
Facebook: mkbveszpremkc
Twitter: @mkbveszpremkc
Kit colours
Due to those big names, who have arrived at Veszprém, the aim is to go all the way in all
competitions: Defending the Hungarian championship title for 23rd time, the Hungarian Cup
for the 24th time – and to make it again to Cologne in the VELUX EHF Champions League. But
on the way to Cologne, Veszprém – traditionally – got a handful of stumble stones already in
the group phase like the last season’s quarter-finalists Rhein Neckar Löwen and Vardar, 2003
Champions League winner Montpellier, 2004 Champions League winner Celje or 2010 VELUX
EHF FINAL4 participants Medvedi. “We were for sure drawn in the strongest group of this
season’s Champions League,” says club director Csaba Hajnal, adding: “In our opinion there is
not even one weak opponent among our competitors.” But team captain Laszlo Nagy hopes for
“this special atmosphere” to come for all Champions League matches in their every time soldout arena, but also agrees that “we are in a very strong group”.
The preparation of the Balaton based team was anything but free of problems: Iman Jamali,
Mirko Alilovic and newcomer Mate Lekai needed to undergo surgeries – and will miss some
more weeks.
Champions League season: Hungarian
Champion
Newcomers:
Mate Lekai (Celje Pivovarna Lasko)
Gasper Marcuc (Celje Pivovarna lasko)
Roland Mikler (Pick Szeged)
Andreas Nilsson (HSV Hamburg)
Christian Zeitz (THW Kiel)
Left the club:
Nandor Fazekas (El Jaish Doha)
Tamas Ivancsik (Balatonfüredi KSE)
Uros Vilovski (Balatonfüredi KSE)
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Past achievements
season): 20
Final (1): 2001/02
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 (2): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12
Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96,
2007/08
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2007/08,
Runners-up 1996/97
Hungarian league: 22 titles (1985, 1986,
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014)
Dark
Player shirt: red
Player short: red
Hungarian cup: 23 titles
73
Biggest win:
38:17 (18:09) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004
Biggest defeat:
30:18 (16:08) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995
11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010)
11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010)
Longest losing run:
3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996)
Most goals:
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
Most goals both teams: 76 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006
Fewest goals:
15 v TEKA Santander ESP 25:15L (a), 15.03.1995
Fewest goals opponent: 13 v SO Chambery FRA 29:13W (h), 18.11.2001
13 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002
Fewest goals both teams:32 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1994/95 Fotex Veszprem HUN
6
2
2
2
131:147
–16
6
3rd Gr. A
1995/96 Fotex Veszprem HUN
6
3
0
3
147:144
+3
6
3rd Gr. A
1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
8
5
1
2
228:204
+24
11
1/4-finals
8
3
1
4
200:188
+12
7
1/4-finals
8
4
0
4
203:202
+1
8
1/4-finals
12
9
0
3
310:267
+43
18
Runner-up
10
8
0
2
276:238
+38
16
1/2-finals
10
7
0
3
306:276
+30
14
1/4-finals
10
7
0
3
317:259
+58
14
1/4-finals
2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
12
9
0
3
373:318
+55
18
1/2-finals
10
7
0
3
338:288
+50
14
1/4-finals
6
2
2
2
184:171
+13
6
3rd Gr. F
12
8
0
4
351:320
+31
16
1/4-finals
14
11
0
3
419:368
+51
22
1/4-finals
12
9
0
3
373:338
+35
18
Last 16
12
7
0
5
321:322
-1
14
Last 16
14
11
0
3
410:348
+62
22
1/4-finals
2013/14 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN
16
11
1
4
477:410
+67
23
4th Place
Total
186
123
7
56
5364:4808
+556
253
74
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
32
12
34
35
3
13
4
21
34
66
24
16
19
18
25
36
11
37
5
33
30
23
38
20
Mirko
Adam
David
Daniel
Peter
Momir
Gergö
Iman
Otto
Mate
Gasper
Roland
Laszlo
Andreas
Jose Maria
Gergely
Carlos
Peter
Istvan Timuzsin
Renato
Mirsad
Cristian
Martin
Christian
Alilovic
Borbely
Fekete
Füzi
Gulyas
Ilic
Ivancsik
Jamali
Kancel
Lekai
Marguc
Mikler
Nagy
Nilsson
Rodriguez Vaquero
Rozsavölgyi
Ruesga Pasarin
Schmid
Schuch
Sulic
Terzic
Ugalde Garcia
Varju
Zeitz
CRO
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
SRB
HUN
IRI
SVK
HUN
SLO
HUN
HUN
SWE
ESP
HUN
ESP
HUN
HUN
CRO
BIH
ESP
HUN
GER
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Line Player
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Wing
Left Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Line Player
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Centre Back
Line Player
Line Player
Left Back
Left Wing
Right Wing
Right Back
15.9.1985
22.6.1995
12.10.1996
9.8.1996
4.3.1984
22.12.1981
30.11.1981
11.10.1991
1.2.1995
16.6.1988
20.8.1990
20.9.1984
3.3.1981
12.4.1990
5.1.1980
8.5.1996
10.3.1985
6.8.1996
5.6.1985
12.10.1979
12.7.1983
19.10.1987
3.1.1996
18.11.1980
75
201
197
180
180
200
200
190
200
205
190
182
190
207
196
187
187
184
180
197
192
196
187
185
186
113
122
85
78
106
109
89
102
95
89
82
102
117
117
98
93
98
75
110
109
104
82
82
103
Antonio Carlos Ortega
coach
Six-time winner of the CL, five European Cup
triumphs, six time Spanish champion, 14
different cup titles in Spain, a silver medallist
at the EHF EURO 1998 and Olympic bronze
medallist in 2000 – Ortega’s cabinet of medals
and trophies is absolutely huge. As a player for
Barcelona he won every possible title at least
three times. In 2005 he started his coaching
career in Antequera, in 2012 he left Spain for the first time to take on
the challenge in Veszprém and in his second year he steered them to
the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the first time.
Mirko Alilović
goalkeeper
Like his predecessor Dejan Perić, he belongs
to the elite class of goalkeepers who can send
the audience to their feet and inspire his
teammates. He is a member of the Croatian
national team and his medal tally consists of
three silver medals (WCh in 2009 and the EHF
EURO 2008 and 2010) and two bronze (2012
Olympics and 2013 WCh). In Spain he played
an important role as an attack-starter and recorded 11 goal assists
during the WCh. As he played for five years in the Asobal league he is
very familiar with the Spanish contingent in Veszprém.
EC trophy: CL 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, Cup Winers’ Cup 1995, EHF Cup 2003
OG: B 2000, EURO: S 1998, B 2000
OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
Momir Ilić
left back
The top scorer of the last CL season joined
THW Kiel in 2009 from VfL Gummersbach
and won seven titles during his four years
with the club, including two CL titles. The
Serbian left back led his country to their first
handball medal as an independent nation at
EHF EURO 2012 on home court, where he was
selected as the MVP of the tournament. He
was the only player last season who passed 100 goals (103) in the CL
and was voted by fans in the All-Star team as the best left back of the
competition.
Cristian Ugalde
left wing
Veszprém caught a really big fish in Ugalde.
He is a player who was brought up by
Barcelona and who played regularly in the
first team since he was 18. He excelled at
international level in the 2007/08 season with
his 34 goals and participation in the national
team. His biggest success with Barcelona was
the CL title in 2011 but he won every possible
title with Barca – some of them multiple times. He has found a new
challenge in Veszprém altering with Gergő Iváncsik, who is one of the
best players in this position according to Ugalde.
EURO: S 2012
EURO: B 2014, WCh: B 2011
Renato Sulić
line player
This is the second stint of the robust Croatian
in Veszprém, but in the 2004/05 season he
did not have a chance to wear their jersey
as he was injured in a car incident before his
first match. He came back to Veszprém after
several years in Zagreb and Celje. During
Slavko Goluža’s time at the Croatian national
team helm, he was left out of the squad
for the WCh in Spain. He will share his time on the court with the
defensive specialist Timuzsin Schuh and Andreas Nilsson.
Chema Rodríguez Vaquero
centre back
Until 2012 he played only in Spain (Valladolid,
Ciudad Real, Atlético Madrid). In 2007 he
transferred to Ciudad Real in what was
one of the most expensive transfers in
handball history. At club level he is a twotime CL winner and he won the Spanish
Championship and the Spanish Cup three
times. His accolades with Spain started with a
silver medal at the EHF EURO in 2006, followed with the third place at
the WCh 2011 and a world title in January 2013.
EURO: S 2006, WCh: G 2005, B 2011
EURO: S 2008, WCh: G 2003
Gašper Marguč
right wing
He took part in the WCh in Spain 2013, where
Slovenia placed fourth. Marguč came to
Veszprem from Celje where was playing since
2009. In the 2012/13 season he played his best
season so far and became Slovenia’s top scorer
in the CL, netting 72 times (10th overall). He
played two amazing matches against THW Kiel,
scoring 18 times from 18 shots against the
legendary Thierry Omeyer. His goals were regularly voted by fans as
one of the best shots of the week.
László Nagy
right back
He started his career as a basketball player
and he was close to a move to the USA at the
age of 13. In the end he decided for handball
and became one of the best right backs of
the world. He transferred from Szeged to
Barcelona in 2006 and became the captain
of the team despite being a foreign player.
He was the captain of the national team until
2009 and then took a break until 2012. He reached 4th place at the
Olympics twice, he was selected in the All Star team of the last WCh
and the best right back of the 2012/13 CL season.
76
GROUP C
Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
It took them four tough years, but after the 2013/14 season the record champions from
Celje were on top of the Slovenian league again. So exactly ten years after winning the EHF
Champions League for the first and only time, the team of coach Branko Tamše qualified
straight for their in 20th participation in the Champions League, a record held alongside Zagreb
and Veszprem.
Branko Tamše has spent the summer seeing his team undergo many changes, with established
players leaving, such as Gasper Marguc and Mate Lekai (both to Veszprem), Sebastian
Skube (to Silkeborg) or Borut Mačkovšek (to join the large Slovenian contingent at MAHB
Montpellier). This means that we will see the youngest Celje squad ever competing in Europe,
with an average age of only 23 years. Hopes lie on the shoulders of many young talents,
including two Olympic gold medalists - goalkeeper Urh Kastelic and right wing Gal Marguc, who
led Slovenia to the title at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing two weeks ago.
The group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League has set high hurdles for the youngsters,
with Veszprem, Rhein Neckar Löwen, Medvedi, Vardar and Montpellier (with five Slovenian
players) lying in wait. But after the 19th title on home ground and also winning the Slovenian
Super Cup for the third time, international ambitions are high, particularly with victories last
season over Kiel, Flensburg and Hamburg over the last two seasons.
Playing hall
Dvorana Zlatorog
Opekarinska cesta 15
3000 Celje
Slovenia
Capacity: 5,830
Club Address:
Celje Pivovarna Laško
Opekarniska Cesta 15
3000 Celje
Slovenia
Media contact:
Nejc Ajdnik
+386 40687766
nejc.ajdnik@rk-celje.si
Online information:
Website: www.rk-celje.si
Facebook: rkceljepivovarnalasko
Twitter: @RKCPL
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: yellow
Player short: blue
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
“We are out for more surprises,” is the goal for this international season, in which reaching
the Last 16 is the main goal, despite changing half of the squad and mascot – the new one
is called Poki. New manager Gregor Planteu hopes for a full Zlatorog arena against either
top teams or traditional rivals: “From a marketing point of view we have same goals as last
season. Opponents such as Veszprem, Vardar, Montpellier and Rhein Neckar Lowen should
attract many fans. So from this point of view we are very happy with draw. We will see also a
lot of former RK Celje Pivovarna Laško players such as Marguč, Lekai, Harbok, Toskić, Brumen,
Mačkovšek and Gajič at Montpellier.”
EHF Champions League season: Slovenian
champions
Newcomers:
Miha Zarabec (RK Maribor Branik)
Šime Ivić (RK Nexe Našice)
Živan Pešić (Veszprem)
Michal Kasal (FC Barcelona)
Tilen Kodrin (youth team Celje)
Gal Marguč (youth team Celje)
Jaka Malus (youth team Celje)
Urh Kastelic (youth team Celje)
Left the club:
Gašper Marguč (Veszprem)
Mate Lekai (Veszprem)
Sebastjan Skube (Silkeborg)
Nemanja Zelenović (Wisla Plock)
Borut Mačkovšek (MAHB Montpellier)
Uroš Bundalo (Tremblay)
Žiga Mlakar (RK Maribor Branik)
Igor Žabič (loan to RK Maribor Branik)
Gregor Potočnik (loan to RK Trimo Trebnje)
Nikola Ranevski (Gorišnica)
77
Past achievements
season): 20
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 (4): 1995/96, 2006/07, 2012/13,
2013/14
Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09
Group Phase (3): 1993/94, 1994/95,
2010/11
Other
Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-final 2002/02,
2011/12
Slovenian league: 19 titles (1991, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014)
Slovenian cup: 18 titles
Biggest win:
37:17 (16:09) v Redbergslids IK SWE (h), 18.11.2000
Biggest defeat:
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)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (16.02.2008 – 08.03.2008)
4 matches (14.02.2009 – 07.03.2009)
4 matches (02.10.2010 – 21.11.2010)
4 matches (27.02.2011 – 06.10.2012)
Longest run without win: 6 matches (16.02.2008 - 05.10.2008)
Most goals:
44 v HC ‘Granitas-Karys’ LTU 44:27W (h), 22.11.2008
Fewest goals:
17 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994
Fewest goals opponent: 16 v SG Wallau-Massenheim GER 23:16L (h), 13.02.1994
16 v Redbergslids Göteborg SWE 31:16W (h), 14.11.1998
Fewest goals both teams: 35 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1993/94 Celje ‘Pivovarna Lasko’ SLO
6
2
0
4
120:116
+4
4
4th Gr. A
1996/97 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
10
7
1
2
254:213
+41
15
1/2-finals
10
8
0
2
268:234
+34
16
1/2-finals
10
7
1
2
290:245
+45
15
1/2-finals
10
7
0
3
294:250
+44
14
1/2-finals
10
6
1
3
292:254
+38
13
1/2-finals
8
6
0
2
232:217
+15
12
1/4-finals
14
10
2
2
447:398
+49
22
Winner
12
8
1
3
360:327
+33
17
1/2-finals
10
7
0
3
311:273
+38
14
1/4-finals
8
6
0
2
272:237
+35
12
Last 16
12
4
2
6
342:344
-2
10
4th MR Gr. 4
10
4
0
6
296:287
+9
8
4th MR Gr. 2
2010/11 HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
10
3
0
7
300:332
-32
6
5th Gr. A
12
5
0
7
305:324
–19
10
Last 16
12
5
1
6
322:327
-5
11
Last 16
Total
164
95
9
60
4705:4378
+327
199
78
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
3
98
2
6
5
8
41
99
4
10
25
14
1
13
11
18
35
15
9
16
19
23
7
77
Blaz
Stefan
Rok
Blaz
Sime
Blaz
Michal
Urh
Vid
Luka
Tilen
Bostjan
Urban
Jaka
Gal
David
Zivan
Vid
David
Matevz
Ivan
Miha
Rok
Luka
Blagotinsek
Cavor
Cvetko
Husar
Ivic
Janc
Kasal
Kastelic
Kaucic
Kikanovic
Kodrin
Kostomaj
Lesjak
Malus
Marguc
Miklavcic
Pesic
Poteko
Razgor
Skok
Sliskovic
Zarbec
Zuran
Zvizej
SLO
MNE
SLO
SLO
CRO
SLO
CZE
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SRB
SLO
SLO
SLO
CRO
SLO
SLO
SLO
Line Player
Right Back
Centre Back
Left Wing
Right Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Wing
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Right Wing
Right Back
Line Player
Line Player
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Centre Back
Left Back
Left Wing
17.1.1994
3.11.1994
10.9.1996
8.2.1996
21.1.1993
20.11.1996
3.4.1994
27.2.1996
18.4.1995
24.10.1996
14.5.1994
6.2.1990
24.8.1990
15.6.1996
16.11.1996
29.1.1983
7.7.1993
5.4.1991
13.7.1989
2.9.1986
23.10.1991
12.10.1991
7.8.1987
9.12.1980
79
202
195
184
181
194
185
208
200
182
196
190
180
187
187
177
195
195
193
181
188
194
174
189
185
108
92
82
93
90
84
99
91
77
84
85
70
94
84
72
100
106
104
80
94
98
72
94
89
Branko Tamše
coach
Former player and coach of Celje’s arch
rivals from Velenje took over the club last
December, just 48 hours after Vladan Matic
and Celje announced the termination of their
contract. The major task of the former youth
and junior national team player is to rebuild a
young team with hungry talents and create a
competitive force to keep the pace with the
more renowned rivals in the group.
Matevž Skok
goalkeeper
The more experienced in the Celje’s
goalkeeper tandem is Matevž Skok, a
Slovenian international player at the age of 28.
He moved to Celje two years ago from their
biggest rival Velenje. In Celje he has become
the first choice and also cemented his position
in the national team. Before this season he had
several tempting offers, but decided to stay in
Celje. His efforts have been featured among the top saves of the round
last season on many occasions.
Luka Žvižej
left wing
Žvižej competed at the 2004 Olympics in
Athens and he was listed among the top ten
goal scorers at the 2012 EHF EURO. He was
also part of the national team at the WCh
2013, where Slovenia finished just below the
medal positions. In 2003 he moved from his
home team to Spain – first to CB Cantabria
and then to FC Barcelona, where he stayed
for 2 years and won the CL in 2005 and the Spanish league in 2006.
Before moving back to Celje he had a second stint at Cantabria and
spent three years with Pick Szeged.
Ivan Slišković
left back
He joined Celje in summer 2013 from RK
Nexe Našice. Allready in his first season at
the club he showed great handball skills, he
fit in perfectly with their training and working
system. He is playing in both ways – he is
very good attacking player, while being a
very important defensive player as well. His
great perfomances in Celje’s shirt did not go
unnoticed by Croatian national coach Slavko Goluža who placed him
on list for the EHF EUROI in Denmark.
Miha Zarabec
centre back
He joined RK Celje Pivovarna Laško in summer
from another Slovenian club RK Maribor
Branik, where he experienced the EHF Cup
Group Phase in 2012/13. After Sebastian
Skube and Mate Lekai left the club, Miha
Zarabec will take over attacking duties. His
main strenghts are speed, explosivity and his
vision of play. This season will be his first in
the VELUX EHF Champions League.
Vid Poteko
line player
He is a member of Celje since 2010. Since
then, he is a key part of Celje’s defence. He is
known as a true fighter, who never gives up.
He was part of the Slovenian Mediterranean
team playing in Mersin 2013 together with
Gašper Marguč, Urban Lesjak and Borut
Mačkovšek. After Alem Toskić left Celje for
Vardar Skopje over the summer, he will
get more minutes in the offensive part of play. Besides him, Blaž
Blagotinšek, one of the shiniest Slovenian talents, is expected to get
some minutes on the line as well.
Šime Ivić
right back
He is a new member of RK Celje Pivovarna
Laško since summer 2014, as he joined them
from RK Nexe Našice (Croatia). In Nexe he
played a very important role, as he was the
second best scorer of the team and overall
7th scorer in SEHA league. This was very clear
sign that he is ready for a bigger stage and
he decided to try the CL for the first time. His
main positive characteristic are his agility and ability to play well in
both attack and defence.
Blaž Janc
right wing
Blaž Janc in one of the biggest talents in
history of Slovenian handball. He is only 17, but
he is playing already his third season in the first
team of Celje. He made his debut in the CL at
age of just 15 years, but this season he will be
their main attacking power on right wing since
Gašper Marguč left to Veszprém. Blaž was also
chosen as best right back in the previous Men’s
20 EHF EURO, where he was playing with players two years older than
him. He was the main force for Slovenia U-18 national team which won
the Youth Olympic Games.
80
GROUP C
Despite the problems suffered during the last year, Chekhovskie Medvedi remains a major
force in the Russian handball. Last spring, the team led by Vladimir Maximov won the national
league for the 13th time in a row. And now, they return to the VELUX Champions League after a
year of absence.
Last season, the club from Chekhov had to withdraw from the main European competition
due to financial problems. Those troubles were so strong that about two thirds of the squad
opted to leave the sinking ship. However, some experienced players stayed, and Maximov gave
a chance to a number of talented youngsters from the reserve squad. As a result, no team in
Russia could prevent Medvedi from getting another national title.
The club got through the turbulent times with dignity and now the situation seems to be more
stable. The majority of Medvedi’s best players have remained, with only Daniil Shisharev
leaving for Vardar Skopje. At the same time, Medvedi managed to strengthen their side with
a few newcomers. Left wings Maxim Kuretkov (SKIF Krasnodar) and Anton Otrezov (Dinamo
Viktor Stavropol) joined, while Sergey Shelmenko returned after a year’s absence.
In 2013, the right back of the Russian national team moved to Dinamo Minsk, but after their
exit from the VELUX EHF Champions League, he spent the rest of the season at St.Petersburg
HС. With this team, he won silver in the Russian league, before returning to the champions.
Playing hall
Sport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” Chekhov
Poligrafistov Str. 30
142300 Chekhov
Russia
Capacity: 3,000
Club Address:
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Poligrafistov str. 30
142300 Chekhov, Mosk. oblast
Russia
In Group C of the VELUX Champions League, Maximov’s team will meet MKB-MVM Vesprem,
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, HC Vardar and Montpellier AHB. There is plenty
of history with the French team, as Chekhovskie Medvedi will face them for the seventh time
in the last 13 years. Matches with Vardar are also going to be special, as this team’s roster
contains a number of ex-Chekhov players such as Timur Dibirov, Alexei Rastvortsev, Siarhei
Harbok, Mikhail Chipurin and Daniil Shishkarev.
Medvedi got their season off to the perfect start, beating Permskie Medvedi 27:26 in the
Russian Super Cup. “We seem to start the season in good shape. Of course we made some
mistakes but the team looked well and physically we were quite fit,” Sergei Shelmenko told
the club’s official website. Quite soon, the players from Chekhov will set their sights on the
VELUX Champions League and Vladimir Maximov and his players want to make a remarkable
comeback.
Media contact:
Benjamin Kuznetsov
+7 9166186054
benkuz@gmail.com
EHF Champions League season: Russian
champions
Online information:
Website: www.ch-medvedi.ru
Newcomers:
Anton Otrezov (Dinamo Victor Stavropol)
Maxim Kuretkov (SKIF Krasnodar)
Sergey Shelmenko (St. Petersburg HC)
Kit colours
Left the club:
Daniil Shishkarev (Vardar Skopje)
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Past achievements
season): 14
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 (6): 2000/01, 2001/02,
2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06,
2011/12
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06
Russian league: 13 titles (2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Russian cup: 12 titles
Dark
Player shirt: purple
Player short: purple
81
Biggest win:
22:46 (12:24) v AC PAOK GRE (a), 03.03.2010
Biggest defeat:
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)
Longest losing run:
5 games (10.11.2001 – 08.12.2001)
Longest run without win: 6 games (23.04.2011 – 22.10.2011)
Most goals:
46 v AC PAOK GRE 22:46W (a), 03.03.2010
45 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004
Most goals both teams: 77 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004
Fewest goals:
19 v Montpellier HB FRA 27:19L (a), 12.10.2003
19 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006
Fewest goals opponent: 17 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 30:17W (h), 31.03.2011
Fewest goals both teams:45 v TBV Lemgo GER 23:22W (h), 11.12.2004
45 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2001/02 CSKA Moscow RUS
6
1
0
5
155:181
–26
2
4th Gr. C
2002/03 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS
6
2
0
4
182:170
+12
4
3rd Gr. C
2003/04 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS
6
3
0
3
166:165
+1
6
3rd Gr. D
2004/05 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS
8
6
0
2
252:246
+6
12
Last 16
2005/06 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS
6
3
0
3
192:184
+8
6
3rd Gr. A
2006/07 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS
8
4
0
4
242:233
+9
8
Last 16
12
7
1
4
369:331
+38
15
2nd MR Gr. 1
12
7
0
5
387:370
+17
14
1/4-finals
2009/10 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
16
9
2
5
529:476
+53
20
Fourth Place
14
8
3
3
437:396
+41
19
1/4-finals
10
3
4
3
291:276
+15
10
5th Gr. B
12
6
4
2
373:347
+26
16
Last 16
Total
116
59
14
43
3575:3375
+200
132
82
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
11
10
17
4
1
16
23
6
9
7
14
15
19
26
16
3
83
22
89
Pavel
Alexander
Alexander
Victor
Oleg
Artem
Alexander
Dmitriy
Kirill
Dmitry
Maxim
Maksim
Roman
Anton
Dmitry
Dmitrii
Sergey
Roman
Dmitry
Andreev
Chernoivanov
Dereven
Furtsev
Grams
Grushko
Izmailov
Kornev
Kotov
Kovalev
Kuretkov
Makarov
Ostashchenko
Otrezov
Pavlenko
Santalov
Shelmenko
Tsarapkin
Zhitnikov
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
Line Player
Line Player
Left Wing
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Right Back
Centre Back
Right Wing
Right Wing
Left Wing
Left Back
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Right Back
Left Back
Back
19.7.1992
13.2.1979
26.3.1992
17.6.1996
20.2.1984
20.6.1993
30.10.1995
16.6.1992
23.5.1992
15.5.1982
16.11.1994
10.9.1992
26.9.1992
24.8.1988
1.1.1991
7.4.1996
5.4.1983
9.5.1995
20.11.1989
83
195
202
193
200
200
193
185
186
185
180
191
181
190
188
192
196
195
197
193
Weight
85
105
91
89
103
91
80
75
75
80
87
78
86
80
89
86
98
92
90
Vladimir Maximov
coach
The handball legend is still the only person
who has become an Olympic champion both
as a coach and as a player. He led the Russian
national team to a number of big titles. In
2012, Maximov resigned from the national
team to fully concentrate on Medvedi, where
he has been working since 2001. During his
work at the Chekhov team, they have become
a Russian champion every year. Last season was no exception, even
though Medvedi had lost about two thirds of their squad.
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
Oleg Grams
goalkeeper
Born and raised in Krasnodar, the 30-yearold moved to Chekhov at a very young age.
He has been a member of the team since its
foundation in 2001. During this time, Grams
has become a 13-time Russian champion. The
talented player gained a lot of experience on
the international stage, competing both for
Medvedi and for the Russian national team at
the EURO, WCh and the Olympics. Currently Oleg is one of the most
experienced players in Chekhov.
EC trophy: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
Roman Ostashchenko
left wing
This player is still young but he certainly
has talent. He is especially good in defence.
Ostashchenko was born in Moscow and
started to play at Kuntsevo, but then moved
to Medvedi. However, he played for the
reserve team until 2013. And when Maximov
invited him to the main team, he faced a
tough challenge — he had to replace Timur
Dibirov, who had moved to Vardar. He is still not very experienced,
but is improving and can become quite an important player.
Alexander Dereven
left back
This is another young player who is only
22-years old. He was born in Toliatti but, like
many talented Russian players, was spotted
by Chekhov scouts at a young age. First he
played for the junior team of Medvedi where
he stood out with his scoring ability. When
many experienced players left the team in
2013, Dereven was one of the young talents
that Maximov had to rely on. Dereven is progressing fast and has a
good future at Medvedi.
Dmitry Zhitnikov
centre back
He comes from Krasnodar, and his first coach
at the local handball school was his father. At
the age of 16, the talented boy was invited to
Chekhov where he played five seasons in the
reserve team. But in 2010, he finally broke
through to the main squad. As he matured
and experienced players left, Zhitnikov began
to play a more prominent role at Medvedi.
It is no wonder that he has also become a member of the Russian
national team.
Alexander Chernoivanov
line player
The 35-year-old line is currently the oldest
players in the squad. He was born in
Krasnodar and started his career at the
local team SKIF. In 2004, he was invited to
Chekhov, but spent first two years in the
reserve team. Only at the age of 27, he
started to play for the first team of Medvedi,
and did so well that soon was invited to the
Russian national team. He is an eight-time Russian champion, and
now he shares his rich experience with younger players.
Sergey Shelmenko
right back
He was born in Ukraine and played for the
national team, but then acquired Russian
citizenship and opted to play for Russia. After
a number of seasons at Medvedi, Shelmenko
left the team last summer following the
financial problems at the club. Sergey moved
to Dinamo Minsk, but was unlucky again as
this club ceased to exist. The right back came
back to Russia where he spent the rest of the season at St.Petersburg.
But in summer, he was offered a return to Chekhov and accepted.
Dmitry Kovalev
right wing
The 32-year-old is a captain of Medvedi and
one of the key figures both on and off the
court. Born in Omsk, he played for seasons at
Sungul Snezhinsk before moving to Chekhov
in 2003. Currently he is an 11-time Russian
champion, and his role at Medvedi only
increased in the summer of 2013. Having
competed at a number of major tournaments
including the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he is a natural leader
who serves as a good example for his young teammates.
84
GROUP C
Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
It was a heartbreaking end to last season for Rhein-Neckar Löwen. So close to glory both at
home and in Europe, but twice left empty handed. First an eight-goal lead against FC Barcelona
in the first leg of the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-final was not enough to make it to
Cologne, as the Catalans went through on away goals. Then the Lions missed out on their first
German league title with an inferior goal difference compared to THW Kiel.
But the German runners-up have refused to look back in anger and disappointment, instead
looking ahead to a season full of changes in all departments. Key personnel left the 2013
EHF Cup winners on and off the court, with coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson taking charge
of the Danish men’s national team and replaced by a Dane, Nikolaj Jacobsen. Assistant and
goalkeeper coach Tomas Svensson (six-time Champions League winner) is in the same position
at Magdeburg now. Manager Thorsten Storm quit his job after seven highly successful years to
return to where it all started for him, at THW Kiel. His successor is Lars Lamadé.
Playing hall
SAP Arena
Xaver-Fuhr-Str. 150
68219 Mannheim
Germany
Capacity: 12,900
Club Address:
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Mollstraße 49a
68165 Mannheim
Germany
Media contact:
Christopher Monz
monz@rhein-neckar-loewen.de
+491744288849
Online information:
Website: www.rhein-neckar-loewen.de
Facebook: rnloewen
Twitter: @RNLoewen
Kit colours
Light
Player short: yellow
Goalkeeper shirt: white/red
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: blue/green
Eight players left Löwen over the summer, including Gorbok, Roggisch, Sesum, Stojanovic,
Manojlovic, Prodanovic and Isaias Guardiola, and next summer will see top star also saying
“farvel, Mannheim”, as goalkeeper Niklas Landin will join THW Kiel. Jacobsen starts his mission
at Löwen with a handful of highly ambitious youngsters from all over Europe, such as Danish
jewel Mads Mensah Larsen, Norwegian Harald Reinkind and a player regarded by many as the
best German talent in years, Tim Suton. Despite these many changes, all involved at Löwen
are confident they will play a starring role in all competitions, with a top three finish in the
German League alongside final tournament appearances in the German cup and Europe the
goals. In the VELUX EHF Champions League, Löwen were drawn in arguably the toughest of all
groups, facing FINAL4 contenders Veszprem, Vardar and Montpellier as well as internationally
experienced teams Medvedi and Celje.
“From a sporting aspect, this group is highly attractive,” says team captain Uwe Gensheimer,
adding: “Since last season we know how hard it is to play at Veszprem and thanks to their new
arrivals they are a new powerhouse in European handball. In terms of travelling, the group
could have been better.” New manager Lars Lamadé shares this opinion: “We will face teams
which belong to the top of the Champions League. After making it to the FINAL4 in June,
Veszprem is the favourite in our group.” Before starting their European campaign, Löwen were
part of a new handball world record, when 44,189 spectators attended the Bundesliga match
against HSV Hamburg in Frankfurt’s Commerzbank-Arena, the highlight of the German day of
handball on 6 September.
Champions League season: runners-up in Germany
Newcomers:
coach Nikolaj Jacobsen (Aalborg Handbold)
Bastian Rutschmann (Frisch Auf Göppingen)
Harald Reinkind (Fyllingen Handball)
Mads Mensah Larsen (Aalborg Handbold)
Stefan Kneer (SC Magdeburg)
Tim Suton (HG Saarlouis)
Left the club:
coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson (Danish national
team)
assistant coach Tomas Svensson (SC Magdeburg)
Goran Stojanovic (El Jaish SC)
Isaias Guardiola (Aalborg Handbold)
Nikola Manojlovic (Meshkov Brest)
Rajko Prodanovic (Pick Szeged)
Sergei Gorbok (Vardar Skopje)
Zarko Sesum (Frisch Auf Göppingen)
Oliver Roggisch (end of career, now assistant coach
and club management)
85
Past achievements
season): 6
Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11
Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08
EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, semi-final
2011/12, quarter-final 2006/07
Biggest win:
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
Biggest defeat:
37:23 (20:08) 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)
Longest losing run:
2 matches (25.04.2010 – 02.05.2010)
2 matches (28.05.2011 – 29.05.2011)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (28.05.2011 - 29.09.2013)
Most goals:
40 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 40:25W (h), 08.03.2009
38 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011
Most goals both teams: 76 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011
Fewest goals:
23 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 25:23L (a), 18.02.2009
23 v THW Kiel GER 37:23L (a), 26.04.2009
23 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 23:23 (a), 17.10.2010
Fewest goals opponent: 17 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:17W (h), 17.10.2013
Fewest goals both teams:46 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 23:23 (a), 17.10.2010
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
2008/09 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
14
9
2
3
447:392
+55
20
1/2-finals
14
9
2
3
450:408
+42
20
1/4-finals
16
7
4
5
486:465
+21
18
4th Place
14
9
2
3
422:369
+53
20
1/4-finals
Total
58
34
10
14
1805:1634
+171
78
86
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
26
60
72
3
42
24
30
6
4
20
22
18
12
32
27
23
9
2
77
11
19
10
Michal
Marco
Kim
David
Uwe
Marvin
Patrick
Gedeon
Roy
Stefan
Niklas
Mads Mensah
Bjarte Hakon
Roko
Alexander
Harald
Bastian
Lukas
Andre
David
Stefan Rafn
Marius
Tim
Abt
Bitz
Ekdahl du Rietz
Ganshorn
Gensheimer
Gerdon
Groetzki
Guardiola Villaplana
James
Kneer
Landin Jacobsen
Larsen
Myrhol
Peribonio
Petersson
Reinkind
Rutschmann
Sauer
Schmid
Schmidt
Sigurmannsson
Steinhauser
Suton
GER
Line Player
GER
SWE Left Back
GER
Line Player
GER
Left Wing
GER
Right Wing
GER
Right Wing
ESP
Line Player
GER
Left Wing
GER
Left Back
DEN Goalkeeper
DEN Centre Back
NOR Line Player
CRO Goalkeeper
ISL
Right Back
NOR Right Back
GER
Goalkeeper
GER
Left Wing
SUI
Centre Back
GER
Right Back
ISL
Left Wing
GER
Right Wing
GER
Centre Back
87
Position
Date of Birth Heigh
25.7.1990
193
9.11.1995
23.7.1989
194
27.5.1989
191
26.10.1986
188
24.7.1996
179
4.7.1989
189
1.10.1984
200
12.12.1995
190
19.12.1985
194
19.12.1988
200
12.8.1991
188
29.5.1982
192
16.10.1991
194
2.7.1980
186
17.8.1992
195
30.12.1982
195
25.10.1995
183
30.8.1983
190
19.10.1993
181
19.5.1990
197
6.2.1993
187
8.5.1996
191
Weight
97
100
99
90
75
84
103
96
98
95
109
96
99
87
95
94
83
90
86
101
83
91
Niklas Landin
goalkeeper
The 25-year-old Dane is in the Löwen squad
since 2012 and is one of the main reasons
for their success – but will leave Löwen after
this season to join THW Kiel. The successor of
legendary Kasper Hvidt in the Danish national
team broke through during the 2011 WCh.
Before arriving in Mannheim he played for
Gudme in Denmark, where he was number 1
already at the age of 20. Landin was twice awarded best goalkeeper at
the 2013 World Championship and the 2014 EHF EURO – and is seen to
be among the three best keepers in the world currently.
Nikolaj Jacobsen
coach
A new face on the Löwen bench: As
Gudmundur Gudmundsson became Danish
national team coach, a Dane took over.
Jacobsen was coach at Aalborg before. After
he had finished his playing career (decorated
also with six league titles and seven cup titles
in Denmark and Germany) in 2007 he first
became a TV expert and assistant coach in
Viborg and Bjerringbro. In 2012 he took over Aalborg steering them to
a surprising title in 2013 and leading them to the CL 2014 again before
he left to Mannheim.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004 (as player)
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Kim Ekdahl Du Rietz
left back
Despite the huge competition at left back in the
previous seasons, the Swede became number
1 on this position, leaving players like Sergey
Gorbok behind. Ekdahl du Rietz arrived in
Mannheim in 2012 from Nantes after beginning
his career at Lugi Lund, where he became
Swedish international very early thanks to
making his first league debut at the age of 16.
Ekdahl du Rietz, with the particularly large shoe size of 51, is famous for
his long-range shots and is an important part of the Löwen defence as
well.
Uwe Gensheimer
left wing
Born in Mannheim, he is the 100% local hero.
Since 2003 he has been playing for “his” club.
His talent was discovered early as he became
Junior European champion in 2006, one year
later he was awarded MVP at the Junior WCh.
In 2011 and 2012 he was awarded German
player of the year and was the top scorer
of 2010/11 CL season. In 2012 he tore his
Achilles tendon, but right for the EHF Cup Finals in Nantes he was
back helping Löwen to take their first title in history. Despite offers
from Kiel and Barcelona, he extended his contract last season.
OG: S 2012
Bjarte Myrhol
line player
In August 2011 his biggest fight started – not
on, but off the court. After he was diagnosed
with cancer, an immediate surgery and chemo
therapy changed his life. But the Norwegian
international was always willing to fight and
only two and a half months after the surgery
he returned to the court. After he left his
first club in Sandefjord, he joined Veszprém,
before arriving in Nordhorn and later Mannheim. After this season he
will leave the club.
Andre Schmid
centre back
The five-time Swiss handball player of
the year played for both Zürich clubs
Grasshoppers and ZMC Amicitia until 2009,
before he left his mother country for one
season with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg. The
playmaker, who was twice a Swiss champion,
transferred to Rhein-Neckar Löwen in 2010.
And in recent years, Schmid became the key
in attack – both as playmaker and as shooter and was awarded best
Bundesliga player in the 2013/14 season.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008, 2013
Alexander Petersson
right back
Born in Latvia, he took over Icelandic
citizenship and became an Olympic silver
medallist in 2008 and EHF EURO bronze
medallist in 2010. He moved to Germany in
2003, playing for Düsseldorf, Großwallstadt,
Flensburg-Handewitt, and Füchse Berlin,
before he transferred to Löwen in 2012. He is
more a playmaker on the right back position
but is also strong in man-to-man-actions. In the rejuvenated squad
the Icelandic, who was member of the 2011 WCh All Star Team, is the
most experienced player.
Patrick Groetzki
right wing
He was born in Pforzheim only a few
kilometres away from Mannheim. Right after
ending his youth career he switched to Löwen
and became part of the German younger age
category national teams. He was an MVP and
silver medallist of the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in
2008 and crowned himself as junior world
champion one year later. He established
himself as a key player right after he was nominated for the men’s
national team for the first time. Like Gensheimer, he is a counter-attack
specialist and one of the main fan favourites.
OG: S 2008, EURO: B 2010
88
GROUP C
Vardar has its own arena and it is certainly something to be proud of. The 5,500 capacity
Sportski Centar Jane Sandanski (named after a 18th century revolutionist) is the new home
of both – men’s and women’s – EHF Champions League teams of Vardar Skopje. Vardar hope
that Jane Sandanski shall become a fortress and the starting point to make a dream come
true: to be the first ever handball club with men and women participating in the EHF FINAL4
tournaments.
After the women already made it to the final destination Budapest in May 2014, after their
debut season in the EHF Champions League, the men’s team have the same aim now. In the
previous season, Vardar were one goal short of reaching the VELUX EHF FINAL 4 in Cologne, as
they were eliminated by eventual champions Flensburg in the quarter-finals.
But it is not only Jane Sandanski which makes coach Raul Gutierrez Gonzalez and club owner
Sergej Samsonenko feel optimistic, more so the big names Vardar has signed. Headed by 2013
world champion, former World Handball Player of the Year and four-time EHF Champions
League winner Arpad Sterbik (arriving from FC Barcelona) the prestigious squad had been
strengthened enormously with players such as 2013 EHF Cup winner Sergej Gorbok (Löwen)
and 2013 VELUX EHF Champions League winner Blazenko Lackovic (HSV Hamburg).
Playing hall
Jane Sandanski
Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Capacity: 5,000
Club Address:
HC Vardar - Skopje
Marko Savovski
BUL 8 mi Septemvri 20
FYR Macedonia
Media contact:
Marko Savovski
+389 75 200 008
markosavovski@live.com
Online information:
Website: www.rkvardar.com.mk
Facebook: rkvardar
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red/white
Player short: red/white
Goalkeeper shirt: red/black/yellow
Dark
Player shirt: black/Red
Player short: red/white
Goalkeeper shirt: black/grey
Besides the goal of making it to Cologne, the bolstered squad is supposed to leave their
local rivals Metalurg behind in the Macedonian league. In the 2013/14 season, Vardar were
surprisingly defeated by Metalurg. The team’s preparation, including a ten days camp in the
Slovenian Alps (Kranjska Gora), was intense, but in general Raul Gutierrez Gonzalez was highly
satisfied with the integration of the newcomers.
Vardar need to play on a top level already in the group phase, as they were drawn in what is
arguably the toughest group alongside with Veszprem, Rhein Neckar Löwen, Montpellier, Celje
and Medvedi. But despite those tough opponents the whole club is looking forward to the next
successful steps, as manager Marko Savovski mentions: “This season we have four new players
who can help us to achieve the goal that we haven’t made last year - to enter the VELUX EHF
FINAL4 with the best four teams in Europe.
Champions League season: Macedonian
runners-up
Newcomers:
Arpad Sterbik (Barcelona)
Blazenko Lackovic (HSV Hamburg)
Sergei Gorbok (Rhein-Neckar Lowen)
Daniil Shishkarev (Chekhovskie Medvedi).
Left the club:
Miladin Kozlina (GWD Minden)
Luka Rakovic (HC Zagreb)
Zlatko Daskaloski (CS Universitatea Timisoara)
Mitko Stojlov (CS Odorheiu Secuiesc)
Vlado Nedanovski (HC Vardar II)
Gradimir Chanevski (HC Vardar II)
Vlatko Jovchevski (HC Vardar II)
89
Past achievements
season): 9
Last 32 (1): 1999/2000
Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03,
2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 1998/99,
2004/05, 2010/11, quarter-final
2006/07
SEHA league: 2 titles (2012, 2014)
Macedonian league: 8 titles (1999,
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009,
2013)
Macedonian cup: 8 titles
Biggest win:
24:37 (11:19) v Wacker Thun SUI (a), 19.10.2013
Biggest defeat:
41:19 (19:08) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.10.2003
2 matches (19.10.2013 – 14.11.2013)
2 matches (09.02.2014 – 16.02.2014)
3 matches (13.11.2004 – 07.10.2007)
3 matches (13.10.2013 – 14.11.2013)
Longest losing run:
7 matches (12.10.2003 – 09.10.2004)
8 matches (03.10.2009 – 20.02.2010)
Most goals:
37 v Wacker Thun SUI 24:37W (a), 19.10.2013
Most goals both teams: 67 v Haukar Hafnarfjördur ISL 34:33L (a), 09.11.2003
Fewest goals:
12 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004
Fewest goals opponent: 22 v HCM Constanta ROU 22:22D (h), 13.11.2004
22 v GC Amicitia Zürich SUI 22:22D (h), 07.11.2009
22 v HC Metalurg MKD 22:27W (a), 14.11.2013
22 v HC Dinamo Minsk BLR 30:22W (h), 09.02.2014
Fewest goals both teams:38 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2001/02 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD
6
1
1
4
152:175
–23
3
4th Gr. D
6
2
0
4
152:181
–29
4
4th Gr. D
6
0
0
6
157:210
-53
0
4th Gr. B
6
1
2
3
124:153
-29
4
3rd Gr. A
2007/08 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD
6
2
1
3
161:180
-19
5
4th Gr. C
2009/10 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD
10
1
1
8
253:316
-63
3
5th Gr. D
2013/14 HC Vardar – Skopje MKD
14
6
3
5
376:369
+7
15
1/4-finals
Total
54
13
8
33
1375:1584
–209
34
90
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
20
26
7
80
31
19
32
18
6
23
15
12
13
8
25
33
1
5
9
10
Ilija
Petar
Matjaz
Mikhail
Timur
Alex
Sergei
Igor
Blazenko
Filip
Dobrivoje
Strahinja
Vladimir
Nemanja
Alexei
Daniil
Arpad
Stojanche
Stefan
Alem
Abutovic
Angelov
Brumen
Chipurin
Dibirov
Dujshebaev
Gorbok
Karacic
Lackovic
Lazarov
Markovic
Milic
Petric
Pribak
Rastvortsev
Shishkarev
Sterbik Capar
Stoilov
Terzic
Toskic
SRB
MKD
SLO
RUS
RUS
ESP
RUS
CRO
CRO
MKD
SRB
SRB
SRB
MKD
RUS
RUS
ESP
MKD
SRB
SRB
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Line Player
Left Wing
Right Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Left Back
Left Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Centre Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Right Back
Line Player
2.8.1988
8.3.1977
23.12.1982
17.11.1980
30.7.1983
17.12.1992
4.12.1982
2.11.1988
25.12.1980
21.4.1985
22.4.1986
20.12.1990
5.8.1975
26.3.1984
8.8.1978
6.7.1988
20.11.1979
30.4.1987
17.5.1994
12.2.1982
91
202
192
190
190
180
187
196
189
197
199
188
198
189
190
200
190
200
191
195
190
Weight
99
103
90
110
74
88
98
87
99
100
81
135
98
103
128
85
119
110
93
108
Arpad Sterbik
goalkeeper
One of the best goalkeepers who holds there
different citizenship Hungarian, Serbian and
Spanish after ten seasons spent in Spain
moved from Barcelona and signed four year
contract with Macedonian runners-up Vardar.
Dozens of international awards are in the
collection of the 35-year-old keeper and
world best player from 2005 as he has already
won the Champions League title three times with Ciudad Real and has
been voted as the best goalkeeper of the Spanish league five times.
Raul Gonzalez Gutierrez
coach
After ending his playing career, the stalwart of
BM Valladolid and bronze medallist from the
Olympic Games in Atlanta with the national
team of Spain started his coaching carrier in
Atletico Madrid and Ciudad Real working in
team with Talant Dujshebaev. At Vardar he
replaced Zoran Kastratovic early last season
and achieved a great result, steering the team
to a historical success. His squad reached the quarter-finals of the CL
for the first time and was just one goal shy of the FINAL4.
OG: B 1996 (as player)
EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009
WCh: B 1999, B 2001, B 2011, G 2013
Timur Dibirov
left wing
Vardar Skopje is just the second club in the
career of Dibirov. The first was Chekhovskie
Medvedi, with whom he reached the VELUX
EHF FINAL4 in 2010. At the 2013 World
Championship the Russian international was
voted best left wing of the tournament and it
can be expected that the Vardar fast breaks
will be more threatening and the team’s
defence will more aggressive with Dibirov on the court. In 2006
Dibirov won the EHF Cup with Chekhov, beating CMB Valladolid in the
final.
Sergey Gorbok
left back
The Belarusian left back started his carrier
in Minsk and played in several different
countries inducing Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia
and Germany. After playing three seasons
in Chekovskie Medvedi he took Russian
citizenship and started playing for the
national team of Russia. In the previous
season with Reich Neckar Löwen he was step
close to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. In Vardar he joins the “colony” of
Russian players and he will spend the next three seasons in Skopje.
Igor Karačić
centre back
The 25-year-old Croatian was voted into the
SEHA League All-star team at the end of the
2012/13 season. He is regarded as a fast and
tough player who is brilliant when it comes
to ‘one-on-one’ situations. With his former
club, HC Bosna BH Gas from Sarajevo, he
reached the Last 16 in the 2010/11 VELUX EHF
Champions League season, scoring 62 goals
on the way. Born in Mostar in 1988, he plays for the Croatian national
team, while his brother Ivan Karacic plays for Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Stojance Stoilov
line player
Stojance Stoilov is not only Vardar’s first
choice line player, but occupies the same
position in the Macedonian national team.
He joined Vardar four seasons ago from city
rivals Metalurg – a step that saw his career
spiralling upwards. The spotlight was on him
at the EHF EURO 2012 when FYR Macedonia
finished 5th and Stoilov played a brilliant
tournament. In May 2013 he was selected for the All-star team of
SEHA League Final-Four tournament at which Vardar finished second.
Alex Dujshebaev
right back
The son of Talant Dujshebaev joined Vardar
at the beginning of the season. Playing for
Spain at the Junior World Championship this
summer, Dujshebaev was one of the best
players, helped his team to win silver and was
selected for the All-star team as best right
back. He had achieved the same honours at
the 2012 Men’s 20 EHF EURO at which Spain
topped the podium. In the two previous seasons during which he
played for BM Aragon Dujshebaev became the Spanish ASOBAL’s top
scorer on both occasions.
Matjaz Brumen
right wing
The 31-year-old Slovenian is the only Vardar
player with a European Cup title under his
belt. He won the EHF Champions League
with Celje in 2004 and the Challenge Cup
with Koper in 2011. He has been playing for
Slovenian clubs Prule 67, Celje and Koper,
but this is the first time he plays outside of
his home country. He played for Slovenia
at several major tournaments and was part of the team which only
narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth at the 2013 World
Championship in Spain.
92
GROUP C
Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA)
The previous season was a pure rollercoaster ride for Montpellier Agglomeration Handball.
First they signed Thierry Omeyer to set high goals, then the French record champions failed
in the qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League. After two points were deducted
from them in the French league, Montpellier started an incredible run to chase the leaders,
but defeat in the last round against Chambery saw them miss out on the two top places in the
league, finishing below Dunkerque and PSG.
However, an additional place bid for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League was successful
and a return to the top flight secured. Montpellier also qualified for the EHF Cup Finals in
Berlin, made it to the final, but then defeated by Szeged. The final major headline of the season
was losing two of their key players to one of their biggest domestic rivals, as Omeyer and
William Accambray signed for PSG, while experienced former Tunisian international Wissem
Hmam also departed the club.
As for newcomers, former Olympic and world champion goalkeeper Venio Losert arrived from
Kielce and the number of Slovenian players in the team increased to five with Borut Mackovsek
joining from Celje. Patrice Canayer has been in charge of Montpellier for more than 20 years
and this season he and his charges hope to cause some surprises in all competitions, including
the dream of their first ever participation at the VELUX EHF FINAL4.
Playing hall
Arena Montpellier
Rue de la Foire
34470 Pérols/Montpellier
France
Capacity: 8,000
Club Address:
Centre Jean-Paul Lacombe
Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000
34090 Montpellier
France
Media contact:
Suzy Demonte
+33 499 610 358
suzy.demonte@montpellier-handball.com
Online information:
www.montpellierhandball.com
Facebook: montpellierhandball
Twitter: @MAHB
The tasks awaiting the 2003 EHF Champions League winners are far from straightforward, as
Veszprem, Rhein Neckar Löwen, Vardar, Medvedi and Celje await in Group C. Nevertheless,
team captain Michael Guigou is optimistic about clearing these hurdles. “Our objective is
to proceed to the knock-out stage and to develop as a team as quickly as possible, in order
to avoid a difficult opponent in the Last 16. However, we know that the group phase will be
extremely hard, competing with three contenders for the title, Veszprem, Löwen and Vardar,
who all will be supported by extraordinary audiences at their home matches. We will have to
fight for the fourth position with Celje and Medvedi and we count on our fans at home to have
a good base for the away matches. Prestigious games are ahead for us and we are going to take
the challenge,” he said.
Champions League season: Third ranked in
France
Newcomers:
Venio Losert (Kielce)
Borut Mackovsek (Celje)
Baptiste Bonnefond (MAHB training centre)
Left the club:
William Accambray (Paris)
Thierry Omeyer (Paris)
Wissem Hmam (Saint Raphael)
Maxime Arvin Berod (Chartres)
Mickaël Robin (Cesson)
Past achievements
season):
Winners: 2002/03
Semi-final: 2004/05
Quarter-final: 2000/01, 2005/06,
2009/10, 2010/11
Last 16: 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07,
2011/12
Main Round: 2007/08, 2008/09
Group Phase: 1998/99, 1999/00,
2012/13
Qualification: 2013/14
Kit colours
Other:
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: orange/light blue
EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, quarterfinal 1996/97, Last 16 1993/94, 1994/95
Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final
2001/02
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
French league: 14 titles (1995, 19982000, 2002-2006, 2008-2012)
French cup: 10 titles
93
Biggest win:
46:20 (26:09) v AC PAOK GRE (h), 04.10.2009
Biggest defeat:
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)
Longest losing run:
3 matches (23.10.2011 – 04.12.2011)
3 matches (07.10.2012 – 18.10.2012)
Most goals:
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
Most goals both teams: 78 v VfL Gummersbach GER 41:37W (h), 09.02.2008
Fewest goals:
17 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 26:17L (a), 03.01.1999
Fewest goals opponent: 16 v HC Portovik Yuzhny UKR 26:16W (h), 07.10.2006
Fewest goals both teams:38 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 21:17W (h), 08.11.1998
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1998/99 Montpellier HB FRA
6
3
0
3
134:134
0
6
3rd Gr. A
6
3
0
3
139:148
-9
6
3rd Gr. A
8
4
1
3
193:193
0
9
1/4-finals
12
8
1
3
334:311
+23
17
Winner
8
6
0
2
216:199
+17
12
Last 16
12
9
0
3
375:328
+47
18
1/2-finals
10
6
0
4
282:272
+10
12
1/4-finals
8
5
1
2
224:198
+26
11
Last 16
12
7
0
5
358:348
+10
14
3rd MR Gr. 2
10
6
1
3
295:275
+20
13
4th MR Gr. 3
14
10
2
2
447:372
+75
22
1/4-finals
2010/11 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA
14
10
0
4
442:379
+63
20
1/4-finals
12
6
0
6
357:357
0
12
Last 16
10
2
2
6
301:311
–10
6
5th Gr. A
Total
142
85
8
49
4097:3825
+272
178
94
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
3
95
24
18
9
11
27
25
22
30
10
14
19
23
17
2
1
51
12
21
16
4
6
20
26
5
Arthur
Samir
Baptiste
Felipe
Maxime
Jure
Ludovic
Jean Loup
Matej
Dragan
Mathieu
Michael
Antoine
Vid
Balazs
Clement
Venio
Borut
Kevin
Alexandre
Arnaud
Diego
Issam
Vincent
Allan
Iswaran
Anquetil
Bellahcene
Bonnefond
Borges Dutra Ribeiro
Bouschet
Dolenec
Fabregas
Faustin
Gaber
Gajic
Grebille
Guigou
Gutfreund
Kavticnik
Laluska
Liard
Losert
Mackovsek
Mesnard
Saidani
Siffert
Simonet
Tej
Thouvenot
Villeminot
Zahm
FRA
FRA
FRA
BRA
FRA
SLO
FRA
FRA
SLO
SLO
FRA
FRA
FRA
SLO
HUN
FRA
CRO
SLO
FRA
FRA
FRA
ESP
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Left Wing
Right Back
Right Back
Line Player
Left Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Wing
Right Wing
Right Back
Right Back
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Line Player
Line Player
Centre Back
Left Back
23.7.1995
20.2.1995
22.1.1993
4.5.1985
2.4.1996
6.12.1988
1.7.1996
23.3.1995
22.7.1991
21.7.1984
6.10.1991
28.1.1982
5.10.1992
24.5.1984
20.6.1981
3.5.1996
25.7.1976
11.9.1992
11.1.1993
30.7.1994
6.12.1978
26.12.1989
29.7.1979
30.5.1994
24.5.1995
23.5.1996
95
181
189
193
186
184
190
198
185
196
188
198
179
195
191
202
191
190
203
191
188
188
187
187
200
185
200
Weight
74
114
98
88
82
94
98
83
116
83
93
79
89
90
100
91
89
99
84
84
94
87
115
105
81
86
Patrice Canayer
coach
He is now starting his 21st 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
Karabatić, Thierry Omeyer, Jérôme Fernandez
and Didier Dinart. Now, with not as many
stars but with as many young talented
players as before, he meets again with the CL
after reaching the EHF Cup final last season. In his active career the
52-year-old coach played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris.
Michaël Guigou
left wing
At 32, he is the player with the longest history
in Montpellier since he has played there for
15 seasons in a row. Able to play on the left
wing or on the center back position, he is very
quick on fast breaks and able to play in tiny
spaces inside the defences. Over the years, he
has become less of a scorer and turned into
the brain of the team, constantly helping his
teammates and thinking of ways to improve the game. He is the only
player of the winning CL campaign in 2003 who still plays for MAHB.
OG : G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2011, B 2005
Venio Losert
goalkeeper
At 38, he has added another stop to his neverending European tour. After Croatia, Spain,
Denmark and Poland, he has now arrived in
Montpellier, his twelth professionnal club
since the beginning of his career. Very easyliving but with a huge amount of experience
in his backpack, he should help his younger
teammates in learning what international level
really is. He went to the FINAL4 two seasons ago, and would really like
to live a successful CL campaign again before the end of its career.
OG : G 1996, 2004, B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: G 2003, S 1995, 2005, 2009
Mathieu Grébille
left back
At 22, he has already been branded as being
the “next big thing” in French handball.
Formed at Montpellier, he has evolved step by
step, and this season should see him explode
into life, as well as taking more responsibilities.
He has already become a regular fixture in the
national team, where some compare him to
Daniel Narcisse for his jumping abilities. During
his younger years, he helped the team on the left wing position and has
kept the ability to switch sides whenever needed.
EURO: G 2014
Diego Simonet
centre back
The Argentinian wave is about to crash on
the CL. After scoring 41 goals in the EHF Cup
campaign last season, as well as being elected
best centre back of the French league,
Diego Simonet is ready to take on the best
in Europe. Quick and with a sharp eye, the
international player is able to shoot through
defences, to give balls to lineplayers and to
run around like a mad man for 60 minutes. He is much calmer than
he used to be, he is making better choices and has become a key
element in Canayer’s roster.
Matej Gaber
line player
Even if Tej gets more playing time in attack,
Matej Gaber is now the rock of Montpellier’s
defence. He has got the responsibility to
replace Wissem Hmam, who left the club this
summer. He arrived at the beginning of last
season alongside his friend Jure Dolenec and
has done everything since to justify his “harddefending” reputation. He has gained some
playing time on offense as well, but he has still got a lot of progress to
make there. Only aged 23, he should become a very important piece
of Montpellier’s puzzle in the forthcoming years.
Jure Dolenec
right back
For his first season with his new club, Jure
Dolenec has had some ups and downs, but
it had to be expected. He had to adapt to
French defences and he has made a lot of
progress and has now a much more complete
way of playing. After causing havoc when he
played the EHF Champions League with his
former team of Gorenje Velenje, he is ready
to do it all over again and wants to top his scoring mark, which he set
at 64 two seasons ago. At 26, he could take another step this season
facing the best teams in Europe.
Dragan Gajić
right wing
Arrived in 2011, Dragan Gajic is very useful to
Montpellier, both on and off the court. He has
had his best season so far last year, finishing
as the best scorer of the EHF Cup and of the
French league. But he also helps his Slovenian
teammates to settle in Montpellier, and that
gives him quite a lot of work, since there
are now six of them in the club. A fastbreak
expert, he is fast as light and very self-assured in front of the
goalkeeper, being able to score from near-impossible angles.
96
Group D preview
ALL TO PLAY FOR IN UNPREDICTABLE AND OPEN GROUP D
Having reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013, leaving the tournament after the Last 16 last year was a step
down the ladder for KS Vive Tauron Kielce, and the team under legendary head coach Talant Duishebaev
will obviously want more this season. The chance should be there in Group B, where the Polish champions
appear as favourites in competition with five teams who seem more or less equal at first sight.
Changes have been few in Kielce compared to last season, and this carries the advantage with it that it
would not be necessary to integrate a lot of new players in the team. Dunkerque HB Gran Littoral had a
disappointing debut in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season, where the men from the north west
of France failed to even go on from the group phase.
Having won the French championship in the meantime and having their first Champions League adventure
behind them, Dunkerque should definitely be able to do better this time. Looking at the Dunkerque squad,
the French champions may not look stronger than last year, but you do not win the French league ahead of
teams such as Paris Saint-German and Montpellier without having some extraordinary qualities, and the
experiences they harvested in the Champions League last year should do them good now.
Kadetten Schaffhausen have often had an ability to just squeeze themselves in among the four teams who
proceeded to the knock-out stages, and the Swiss champions may very well do so again this time in a group
where Kielce seems to be only really frightening opponent. The transfer account balances, as the club
has signed just as many players as it has lost, but the return of left winger Manuel Liniger to his homeland
should be a boost to Schaffhausen.
MOL-Pick Szeged surprised a good deal of the European handball community last season by winning the
EHF Cup. This year the Hungarian runners-up can celebrate their comeback to the VELUX EHF Champions
League. And what may we expect from them here? Well, according to their Spanish coach Juan Carlos
Pastor, they want to compete at the top of Europe, but having said goodbye to more players than they
have brought in, they may face some difficulties here. Their most interesting signing is probably Spanish
goalkeeper José Manuel Sierra who has joined from PSG and who has replaced Roland Mikler, now with
local rivals Veszprém. Last season, Aalborg Handball made it to the knock-out stage for the first time, and
the Danish runners-up have a very good chance to copy that achievement again this season.
When talking about Aalborg, we simply have to mention one of the most interesting and promising young
newcomers in the international handball hemisphere. 19-year-old Norwegian centre back Sander Sagosen,
who joined from Norwegian champions Haslum HK ahead of this season has already shown his enormous
potential in attack as well as in defence.
HC Motor Zaporozhye made to the Last 16 last season, but still the Ukrainian champions had to go through
the qualification tournament to reach the group phase this year. The Zappers are aiming to repeat last
season’s achievement, but they are handicapped in those efforts by the fact that the security situation in
Ukraine forces them to play their home matches in Kiev instead of in their home town.
Peter Bruun
97
Group D head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group D opponents in the EC
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral
22.09.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
30.11.2013
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
33:23 (15:11)
30:25 (12:15)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Pick Szeged
17.03.2013
Pick Szeged vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
24.03.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
26:25 (15:14)
32:27 (14:11)
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Pick Szeged
14.10.2006 SC Pick Szeged vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
11.11.2006 Kadetten Schaffhausen vs SC Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
25.09.2010 Pick Szeged vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
19.02.2011
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
06.10.2012 Pick Szeged vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
07.02.2013
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
27:27 (12:14)
22:23 (10:13)
29:26 (12:10)
31:27 (12:15)
30:29 (12:14)
36:29 (21:14)
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Aalborg Handball
03.10.2010
AaB Handball vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
05.12.2010
Kadetten Schafhausen vs AaB Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
30:30 (15:14)
34:31 (17:19)
Pick Szeged vs Aalborg Handball
10.10.2010
Pick Szeged vs AaB Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
06.03.2011 AaB Handball vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
37:28 (18:13)
34:30 (17:19)
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Kadetten Schaffhausen
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Aalborg Handball
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs Kadetten Schaffhausen
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs Pick Szeged
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs Aalborg Handball
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Pick Szeged vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Aalborg Handball vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
98
GROUP D
KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
A new sponsor in the name, the same hopes and dreams as the year before and the first “full”
season for coach Talant Dujshebaev. Vive Tauron Kielce aim for the top once again this season,
which means reaching Cologne, a place where Dujshebaev has been several times before and
the Polish champions have arrived once, in 2013, when they narrowly lost their semi-final against
Barcelona, then beat Kiel to finish third.
In the previous season, right after the arrival of Dujshebaev as the successor to Bogdan Wenta,
Kielce were unlucky to be eliminated in the Last 16 by German side Rhein Neckar Löwen. Their
group is not as tough as last season’s but still challenging, as Kielce are regarded as favourites
among Dunkerque, Szeged, Aalborg, Schaffhausen and Zaporozhye. Besides a new name in the
team, energy company Tauron, Kielce’s squad has not changed all that much, only two positions
have to be more precise: Marin Sego from their domestic rivals Wisla Plock replaced goalkeeper
Venio Losert, who moved to Montpellier, and German international Tobias Reichmann is new on
the wing position, replacing Thorir Olafsson, who returned to his home country Iceland.
The only minor problem in the preparation was the injury of Krzysztof Lijewski, but the right back
managed to return in time for the first league match last Saturday. Sports director Radosław
Wasiak is humble prior to the new international season: “Of course all participants of the VELUX
EHF Champions League fight for the top spot in their groups. We really have strong opponents
like French champions Dunkerque, Szeged and Aalborg. We must show respect to all of them, as
every game in this group will be tough.”
Playing hall
Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów
ul. Boczna 15A
25-093 Kielce
Poland
Capacity: 4,000
Team captain Grzegorz Tkaczyk is looking forward to “an interesting group”. “We know all
the teams, because of their previous results in Europe. For example last season we lost at
Dunkerque, so now we want to have some revenge. Of course, I’m happy that we will face
Kadetten Schauffhausen, because of my friend Leszek Starczan. I was playing with him in Poland,
in Warszawianka, and now we will meet again after some years apart. Every team in our group is
really strong. Szeged, for example, are the defending EHF Cup champions and a team which made
some good signings this summer,” Tkaczyk says.
Club Address:
ul. Robotnicza 5
25-662 Kielce
Poland
Media contact:
Sebastian Kozubek
+48 505031244
s.kozubek@vivetargi.pl
Online information:
Website: www.vivetargi.pl
Facebook: vivetargikielce
Twitter: @vivetargikielce
Champions League season: Polish champions
Newcomers:
Tobias Reichmann (HSG Wetzlar)
Marin Sego (Orlen Wisła Płock)
Left the club:
Venio Losert (Montpellier HB Agglomeration)
Thorir Olafsson (UMF Stjarnan)
Kit colours
Past achievements
season): 12
Semi-final (1): 2012/13
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
Light
Player short: blue
Other
Other EC records: 11 participations in
other ECs
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Polish league: 11 titles (1993, 1994,
1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010,
2012, 2013, 2014)
Polish cup: 11 titles
99
Biggest win:
35:23 (16:13) v FC Porto Vitalis POR (h), 29.09.2013
Biggest defeat:
30:41 (19:19) v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN (h), 15.11.2003
10 matches (30.09.2012 – 23.02.2013)
10 matches (30.09.2012 – 23.02.2013)
Longest losing run:
5 matches (13.02.2010 – 27.03.2010)
5 matches (19.02.2011 – 09.10.2011)
Most goals:
38 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 38:30W (h), 23.02.2014
41 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:41L (h), 15.11.2003
Most goals both teams: 72 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 40:32L (a), 27.11.1999
Fewest goals:
21 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 25:21L (a), 27.02.2010
21 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012
Fewest goals opponent: 20 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012
Fewest goals both teams:41 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1999/00 KS Iskra-Lider Market POL
6
3
0
3
173:186
–13
6
3rd Gr. B
2003/04 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce POL
6
2
1
3
159:177
-18
5
3rd Gr. G
2009/10 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
12
5
1
6
345:344
+1
11
Last 16
10
1
2
7
276:300
-24
4
6th Gr. A
12
6
1
5
345:336
+9
13
Last 16
16
14
0
2
469:400
+69
28
Third Place
12
7
1
4
362:331
+31
15
Last 16
Total
74
38
6
30
2129:2074
+55
82
100
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
13
14
21
10
27
2
15
5
19
22
19
24
16
17
1
6
23
Julen
Karol
Denis
Piotr
Ivan
Piotr
Mateusz
Michal
Krzysztof
Zeljko
Tobias
Tomasz
Marin
Manuel
Wojciech
Slawomir
Grzegorz
Uros
Aguinagalde Akizu
Bielecki
Buntic
Chrapkowski
Cupic
Grabarczyk
Jachlewski
Jurecki
Lijewski
Musa
Reichmann
Rosinski
Sego
Strlek
Swiader
Szmal
Tkaczyk
Zorman
ESP
POL
CRO
POL
CRO
POL
POL
POL
POL
CRO
GER
POL
CRO
CRO
POL
POL
POL
SLO
Line Player
Left Back
Right Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Line Player
Left Wing
Left Back
Right Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Centre Back
8.12.1982
195
23.1.1982
202
13.11.1982
199
24.3.1988
202
22.3.1986
178
31.10.1982
200
27.12.1984
185
27.10.1984
198
7.7.1983
198
8.1.1986
200
27.5.1988
188
24.2.1984
192
2.8.1985
194
1.12.1988
181
18.8.1996
2.10.1978
190
22.12.1980
194
9.1.1980
189
101
110
101
110
100
78
99
88
110
94
114
85
85
100
79
90
94
96
Sławomir Szmal
goalkeeper
The former World Handball Player of the
Year is one of the key players in the Polish
national champions’ defence. The goalkeeper
spent several years in German Bundesliga
playing for TuS N-Lübbecke and Rhein Neckar
Löwen. Szmal has competed in two VELUX
EHF FINAL4 events with Rhein-Neckar Löwen
in 2010/11 and Kielce two years ago. On the
court a hardworking Titan, beyond it a great man always keen on
handball initiatives for kids.
Talant Dujshebaev
coach
The most awarded figure in the club. During
his longstanding player career he won plenty
of international trophies with three different
teams, including CIS, Russia and Spain and
a lot of individual distinctions. Since almost
ten years he has successfully continued as a
coach. Known for his impulsiveness, he joined
Kielce in the half of last season, replacing
Bogdan Wenta. He changed the playing style of the team placing
greater emphasis on the aggressive defence and letting the players
for relative equal time in.
WCh: S 2007, B 2009
EC Trophies: CL 1994, 2006 (as coach), 2008 (as coach), 2009 (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
Michał Jurecki
left back
Kielce’s powerful left back Michał Jurecki
returned to Poland in 2010 after a three
season stint in Germany, which included
spells as HSV Hamburg and TuS N-Lübbecke,
and has been one of the club’s most
consistent scorers since. 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.
Manuel Štrlek
left wing
With his arrival in Kielce two years ago Manu
made his first step abroad, after leaving
his boyhood club Zagreb, where he started
gathering EHF Champions League experience
in 2006. Together with his fellow countryman
on the other side, they soon created extremely
effective duet of wingers doing with fast break
a true masterpiece. His excellent performance
at the EHF EURO 2010 earned him a place on the All-star team. With
the 3rd place game at the EHF EURO 2014 he added 74th match to his
international account with the score of 233 goals.
WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014
WCh: S 2007, B 2009
Julen Aguinagalde
line player
He is one of the world’s top line players and
his presence on the line turns out to be a key
for Kielce. He proved that with taking a place
among the All-Star teams of two previous
champion tournaments in Denmark and
Spain and receiving nomination for World
Handball Player of the Year 2012 as well. He
joined Kielce from Atlético Mardid in 2013
for his first foreign league experience. After two VELUX EHF FINAL4
experiences, he is still striving for a trophy.
Uroš Zorman
centre back
One of the best playmakers in the game is
on the hunt for his fourth EHF Champions
League success. He is not known for scoring
lots of goals, 23 in last season’s CL, but his
movement and passes provide ample space
for his teammates in attack, which he proved
throughout last season. Longstanding captain
of Slovenian national team is famous for his
charisma, weakness for coffee and great approach to children, for whom
he has been organising handball summer camps over past seven years.
EC Trophies: CL: 2004, 2008, 2009
EURO: S 2004
WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014
Ivan Čupić
right wing
The Croatian right wing was the second best
goal scorer at the London 2012 Olympics. His
reputation has been growing ever since he
was named on the All-Star team at the 2009
WCh at home. Despite losing one finger in an
accident in 2008 he continued his excellent
form and has remained an important player
of each team he has played including the
national team. This season he will be sharing the floor with the new
face in the club, German Tobias Reichmann.
Krzysztof Lijewski
right back
Although he wanted to be a basketball player,
luckily under the influence of his father and
older brother, he chose handball. The best
right back of recent EHF EURO 2014 is the
most versatile player in the team, clever in
attack and vigilant in defence. He can not only
threaten his opponents with a powerful shot
but also mislead them with a precise pass to
his teammate while looking in the other direction. He joined Kielce in
2012 after seven successful years spent in Germany.
EC Trophies: Cup Winner’s Cup: 2007
WCh: S 2007, B 2009
OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012
102
GROUP D
It was one of the biggest sensations of the European club handball season, when it was not
the world selection of PSG but Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral who took the French league
title. For the first time, the club were top of the league – and now the team of coach Patrick
Cazal is aiming high in the VELUX EHF Champions League after an unsatisfying debut in the
previous season, clearly missing out on the knock-out stage.
Dunkerque manager Régis Giunta hopes for an improvement on the international stage: “We
confirmed our progress by becoming French champions ahead of Paris Saint Germain, the big
favourite, and record champions Montpellier. But we have not been able to deploy the same
energy in the Champions League. We were rookies and the fact that 95 percent of the team
never played this competition before added difficulty to the fact that the draw put us in the
hardest group. With last season’s experience and quite a good draw, we expect to qualify for
the Last 16,” Giunta says.
“Regarding our opponents, Kielce seem to be out of reach, as it will be very difficult to beat
them again after last year. Szeged seem to have the team to finish on the second position, so
we will be in competition with Aalborg, Schaffhausen and Zaporozhye to gain one of the last
two tickets to the Last 16. That’s at least the logic on paper,” he added.
Playing hall
Stades de Flandres
Avenue de Rosendael
59240 Dunkerque
France
Capacity: 2,500
Club Address:
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral
Avenue de Rosendael - B.P. 4197
59378 Dunkerque cedex 1
France
Media contact:
Melanie Lefevbre
+ 33 3 28 66 91 52
melanie.lefebvre@usdk.fr
Online information:
Website: www.usdk.fr
Facebook: DunkerqueHandball
Twitter: @USDKDunkerque
Kit colours
Light
Player short: yellow
Goalkeeper shirt: black/red
Cazal’s successful team has not changed that much, two newcomers arrived, three players left.
However, two of them, who made it to Germany, are hard to replace - French international
Guillaume Joli, now playing with Ivano Balic at Wetzlar, and Norwegian shooter Espen Lie
Hansen, who transferred to Magdeburg. Additionally the French champions were hit hard by
injuries during the preparation, with team captain Mohamed Mokrani, Pierre Soudry, Romain
Guillard, newcomer Pawel Paczkowski and Nicolas Nieto missing most of the test stage.
Despite the difficulties, team captain Mokrani is confident for the upcoming Champions League
season. “Last year was our first participation in the Champions League and it was a journey
of discovery for the club. At the level we are, we can be ambitious. The minimum goal is to
achieve the Last 16. When we look back to the results of last season, we can only do better as
we finished last in our group. We know Kielce because we played them last year but their game
has certainly evolved as well as Szeged, winner of the EHF Cup. Both sides are big teams. If we
want to proceed to the Last 16, we need to be very efficient in all home matches, but also try
to win away once or twice,” admits Mokrani.
EHF Champions League season: French
champions
Newcomers:
Zarko Pejovic (Tatran Presov)
Pawel Paczkowski (Wisla Plock)
Left the club:
Guillaume Joli (Wetzlar)
Espen Lie Hansen (Magdeburg)
Erwan Siakam (Créteil)
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: blue/red
Past achievements
season): 3
Other
EHF Cup: Finals 2011/12, Quarter-final
2006/07, 2007/07, 2009/10
Challenge Cup: Runners-up 2003/04
City-Cup: Quarter-final 1998/99,
1999/2000
French league: 1 title (2014)
French Champions Trophy: 1 title (2012)
French cup: 1 title
French League cup: 1 title
103
Biggest win:
30:25 (12:15) v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL (h), 30.11.2013
Biggest defeat:
33:23 (15:11) v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL (a), 22.09.2013
1 match (30.11.2013)
1 match (30.11.2013)
1 match (15.02.2014)
Longest losing run:
6 matches (22.09.2013 – 20.11.2013)
Most goals:
30 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 30:25W (h), 30.11.2013
33 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 33:23L (a), 22.09.2013
Most goals both teams: 57 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 32:25L (a), 06.02.2014
Fewest goals:
18 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 18:20L (h), 13.10.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 20 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 18:20L (h), 13.10.2013
Fewest goals both teams:38 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 18:20L (h), 13.10.2013
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2013/14 Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA
10
1
1
8
237:268
-31
3
Total
10
1
1
8
237:268
-31
3
104
Stage
6th Gr. B
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Height
3
16
57
9
8
17
12
1
21
19
11
5
4
46
6
20
23
23
25
15
7
Benjamin
William
Vincent
Florian
Baptiste
Theophile
Sebastien
Julian
Julien
Vincent
Mickael
Romain
Jerome
Sebastien
Bastien
Mohamed
Kornel
Nicolas
Pawel
Zarko
Tom
Roman
Pierre
Jalleledine
Afgour
Annotel
Bello
Billant
Butto
Causse
De Cocker
Emonet
Gardenat
Gerard
Grocaut
Guillard
Hoarau
Joumel
Lamon
Mokrani
Nagy
Nieto
Paczkowski
Pejovic
Pelayo
Scattolari
Soudry
Touati
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
HUN
FRA
POL
MNE
FRA
FRA
FRA
TUN
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Right Wing
Left Wing
Right Wing
Line Player
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Centre Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Centre Back
Line Player
Left Back
Line Player
Right Back
Left Back
Right Back
Centre Back
Right Back
Right Wing
1.4.1991
195
29.3.1983
195
8.7.1996
7.7.1996
13.2.1987
187
12.10.1992
179
15.4.1995
190
4.1.1992
182
4.11.1995
190
16.12.1986
188
26.4.1980
194
14.1.1986
190
4.8.1995
6.1.1995
18.7.1981
186
31.1.1981
186
21.11.1986
195
6.4.1994
14.6.1993
195
25.1.1986
191
23.2.1997
11.2.1994
27.3.1988
183
12.7.1982
179
106
93
105
86
72
97
91
97
97
105
100
80
97
98
93
96
82
78
Vincent Gérard
goalkeeper
Gérard finally got his first title with his club,
three seasons after arriving in Dunkirk. The
French championship crown came along
with his second “best goalkeeper of the
league” award in a row, and he’s now one
regular fixture in the national team. Expert at
stopping penalty throws and wing shots, he
gives confidence to his teammates with his
exuberant gestures after every one of his saves.Definitely a strong fan
favourite, he showed last season that he had the capacity to become
one of Dunkerque’s key elements in the competition.
Patrick Cazal
coach
Since 2011 he has been the head coach of
USDK and it took him only two seasons to be
voted as the best coach in the first French
league and three to give his club its first
french championhip. As a player he became
double world champion under coach Daniel
Costantini in 1995 and 2001 and won two WCh
bronze medals in 1997 and 2003. He played
for Paris, Montpellier, Irun and Essen before ending his career in 2008
with Dunkerque, where he became the assistant coach. For his second
season in the EHF CL, he now aims for the Last 16 stage.
EURO: G 2014
Baptiste Butto
left wing
After learning his trade in Selestat, he arrived
in Dunkerque in 2009 and has been in the top
10 scorers of the French league ever since.
Butto is known for his great speed on fast
breaks and is very effective with penalties,
but has never been drafted in the national
team, due to the huge amount of good left
wings in France. He scored 30 goals in last
season’s Champions League. A good performance, but which is far from
his personnal record of 57 goals, set in the EHF Cup campaign back in
2012.
Kornél Nagy
left back
With no connection to László Nagy, the right
back from Veszprem, Kornél Nagy still has
a very good talent for handball. He arrived
in Dunkerque from Hungary in 2011 and
immediately received praise both from
coaches and teammates. Hard-working,
very good defender, he is able to shoot from
outside the 9m line as well as scoring from
inside the defence. Nagy is a very complete player and is now a key
element in the squad, especially since he’s also able to play on the
center back position.
Bastien Lamon
centre back
He first signed to Dunkerque at 18 and never
left the club since. He is the symbol of what
this team is about: not over-talented, but very
hard-working and ready to give everything on
the court for his partners. He’s been part of
the club’s rise, and last season’s Champions
League participation, as well as the French
championship, came as consecrations to him.
Not really the player to score goals, he is a lot better at putting his
teammates in the best position, and scored the most assists of the
squad last season in the CL.
Mohammed Mokrani
line player
An international player with Algeria, the
line player is always battling on the court.
Mokrani is a key element in the French side’s
defence and although he is relatively small,
he has got the capacity to sneak behind
defenders on offence to create space and
score goals. The 32-year-old met again with
the EHF Champions League last season,
after playing with another French club, US Ivry Handball, back in the
2007/08 season.
Pierre Soudry
right back
He has been last season’s revelation in
Dunkerque. Since Rambo left the club in
January, he has had to play 60 minutes per
game for six months, and still pulled out some
amazing performances, which owed him a
national team calling at the end of the season.
Relatively small but incredibly quick on his
feet, he took many defenders by surprise, and
at 26, he’s still got a lot of room for improvement. For his first season
in the EHF Champions League, he scored 34 goals.
Jaleleddine Touati
right wing
Another player who arrived in Dunkerque a
long time ago and remained faithful to the
club ever since. He first signed in the north
of France in 2006 and climbed every step
since, playing the EHF Cup Finals two seasons
amongst all things. Shy in everyday’s life, he
becomes someone else on the court, often
encouraging his own fans to increase their
support to his team. The right winger didn’t play much in the EHF
Champions League last season, but with Joli’s departure last summer,
he should see his playtime increase.
106
GROUP D
After a one-year-absence from the VELUX EHF Champions League, Kadetten Schaffhausen is
back on track and waving the Swiss flag in Europe’s top flight.
In 2013, Wacker Thun had the better of them in the Swiss league, now Schaffhausen turned the
tide to win the finals of the domestic league in style against Winterthur and even celebrated
the double after winning the Swiss cup as well.
Now the team of coach and 2007 world champion Markus Baur, who just led the Germany to
gold at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in Austria and who has also been in charge at Kadetten since
2013, is aiming to return to the Last 16 after reaching the knock-out stage in the 2010/11 and
2011/12 seasons.
To reach their goals – including making it to the finals of Swiss cup and Swiss league – they even
signed a former VELUX EHF FINAL4 participant Markus Richwien, arriving from Füchse Berlin.
Two further newcomers from Bundesliga have come in to improve Baur’s team: Manuel Liniger
and Anton Mansson, as has Switzerland’s top goalkeeper Nikola Portner, son of the former
Yugoslav international Zlatko Portner.
Playing hall
BBC Arena
Schweizersbildstr. 10
8207 Schaffhausen
Switzerland
Capacity: 3,000
Schaffhausen will face Kielce, Dunkerque, Szeged, Aalborg and Zaporozhye in the group phase.
“It could have been worse,” says team captain David Graubner. “It is the main goal of our team
to make it to the Last 16. I think Kielce is the strongest team and will dominate this group. All
other teams are more or less on the same level. Therefore I expect a tough and interesting
competition for us.”
Club Address:
Schweizersbildstrasse 10
8207 Schaffhausen
Switzerland
Media contact:
Barbara Imobersteg
+41 787203247
imo.schule@gmx.ch
Online information:
Website: www.kadettensh.ch
Twitter: @kadettensh
Facebook: kadettensh
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: orange
Player short: black
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: orange
EHF Champions League season: Swiss
champions
Newcomers:
Nikola Portner (BSV Bern Muri)
Markus Richwien (Füchse Berlin)
Anton Mansson (MT Melsungen)
Manuel Liniger (HBW Balingen)
Left the club:
Nik Tominec (HC Kriens-Luzern)
Florian Goepfert (RTV Basel)
Julius Emrich (SG BBM Bietigheim)
Arunas Vaskevicius (Pfadi Winterthur)
107
Past achievements
season): 8
Last 16 (2): 2010/11, 2011/12
Group Phase (4): 2005/06, 2006/07,
2007/08, 2012/13
Other
EHF Cup: final 2009/10
Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final: 2007/08
Swiss league: 7 titles (2005, 2006, 2007,
2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)
Swiss cup: 7 titles
Biggest win:
43:18 (23:08) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (h), 09.02.2012
Biggest defeat:
36:25 (19:13) v FC Barcelona Intersport ESP (a), 01.12.2012
2 matches (28.11.2010 – 05.12.2010)
2 matches (19.02.2011 – 23.02.2011)
2 matches (09.02.2012 – 16.02.2012)
2 matches (06.10.2007 – 13.10.2007)
2 matches (28.11.2010 – 05.12.2010)
2 matches (19.02.2011 – 23.02.2011)
2 matches (09.02.2012 – 16.02.2012)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (06.10.2011 – 17.11.2011)
4 matches (17.10.2012 – 01.12.2012)
Most goals:
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
Most goals both teams: 75 v Füchse Berlin GER 35:40L (h), 14.02.2013
Fewest goals:
22 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:23L (h), 11.11.2006
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18W (h), 09.02.2012
Fewest goals both teams:45 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:23L (h), 11.11.2006
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2005/06 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
6
1
1
4
160:181
-21
3
3rd Gr. G
6
2
1
3
168:169
-1
5
3rd Gr. B
2007/08 Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ SUI
6
2
1
3
179:174
+5
5
3rd Gr. C
12
5
1
6
362:376
-14
11
Last 16
12
5
0
7
366:345
+21
10
Last 16
10
2
0
8
284:330
–46
4
6th Gr. D
Total
52
17
4
31
1519:1575
-56
38
108
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
23
3
13
8
20
6
4
24
16
10
15
24
23
22
9
1
12
7
19
25
11
14
26
Albin
Nikola
Benjamin
David
Rares Lucian
Dimitrij
Peter
Manuel
Jonas
Marko
Anton
Zoran
Lucas
Sergio
Andrija
Nikola
Nenad
Markus
Ruben
Fabian
Leszek
Aleksandar
Kaj
Alili
Cvijetic
Geisser
Graubner
Jurca
Küttel
Kukucka
Liniger
Maier
Mamic
Mansson
Markovic
Meister
Muggli
Pendic
Portner
Puljezevic
Richwien
Schelbert
Schneider
Starczan
Stojanovic
Stokholm
SUI
SUI
SUI
SUI
ROU
SUI
SVK
SUI
GER
CRO
SWE
SUI
SUI
SUI
SUI
SUI
HUN
GER
SUI
SUI
POL
SRB
SUI
Left Back
Right Wing
Line Player
Left Back
Right Back
Right Back
Centre Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Line Player
Left Back
Line Player
Centre Back
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Wing
Left Wing
Right Back
Goalkeeper
1.6.1996
1.12.1989
13.7.1990
29.5.1984
29.4.1983
18.2.1994
20.7.1982
10.9.1981
12.1.1994
6.3.1994
9.1.1989
6.5.1995
16.8.1996
6.7.1993
12.3.1987
19.11.1993
13.3.1973
5.7.1985
11.12.1988
12.8.1995
28.11.1977
22.6.1983
15.4.1995
109
196
183
193
194
194
190
190
180
187
201
196
197
197
178
190
194
195
186
195
182
183
197
195
Weight
94
83
93
93
96
88
90
76
84
96
100
92
100
78
90
96
115
84
91
66
90
103
100
Markus Baur
coach
He was one of the most prolific playmakers
ever in Germany and was part of the “golden
generation“. Already as a player he was “the
extended arm” of coach Heiner Brand, so
it was obvious that sometimes he would
become a coach. Baur started his coaching
career at his former club Lemgo and in 2012
he became part of the coaching staff of the
German federation. 2014 was his most successful year as a coach,
leading Kadetten to the Swiss championship and cup title and the
German juniors to gold at the Men’s20 EHF EURO in Austria.
Nikola Portner
goalkeeper
Born in France with Yugoslav roots and now
number 1 of the Swiss national team: Nikola
Portner is quite international. His father
Zlatko was a famous handball player in ExYugoslavia, and Nikola followed his footprints
very early, having his first match in the Swiss
league already at the age of 17. Then he
transferred to Muri Bern, where he had his
first international appearance in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2011 – the
same year as he became Swiss international. In summer 2014 he
joined Kadetten to lift his career in the Champions League.
EC trophies: EHF Cup: 2006
OG: S 2004, WCh: G 2007, S 2003, EURO: G 2004, S 2002, B 1998
Manuel Liniger
left wing
The 33-year-old experienced wing player had
been part of the successful Kadetten team
from 2007 until 2010, was twice semi-finalist
of the Cup Winners’ Cup (becoming top
scorer of the competition in 2008/09) and
finalist in the EHF Cup season 2009/10. He
started his career in Winterthur and also had
spell at German sides Wilhelmshaven, Lemgo
and Balingen. Since summer 2014 the Swiss international is back at
Schaffhausen. Scoring 833 goals he is the third most successful Swiss
national team scorer of all time.
David Graubner
left back
30-year-old Swiss international Graubner is
one of the most experienced players in the
Kadetten squad. He already played seven
years for Schaffhausen until 2012, before
he joined German side Großwallstadt, but
returned to the Rhine river only one year
later. Like Liniger he was part of the Kadetten
team, which made it to three EHF EC semifinals, including the final of the EHF Cup in 2010, when they lost
against Lemgo, former club of their coach Markus Baur. Graubner is
five times Swiss champion and four times Swiss cup winner.
Damir Doborac
centre back
Switzerland is already the seventh country
in which Doborac plays handball at a
professional level. The Bosnian international
(34) started in Gradacac, then made it to Italy
(Prato), was twice Slovenian cup winner with
Koper, played the CL with Bosna Sarajevo,
Constanta (Romania) and at last Dinamo
Minsk (Belarus) and had also been part of
the SC Magdeburg squad. This summer he joined Kadetten – the sixth
team which he is part of an international club competition with.
Anton Mansson
line player
This newcomer is the only Scandinavian in
the quite international Kadetten squad. The
Swedish line player was the predecessor of
former Barcelona star Magnus Jernemyr at
Lugi Lund, before he transferred to German
side Melsungen in 2010. The 25-year-old left
Melsungen after their first qualification for
the EHF Cup to sign a two-year contract at
Kadetten this summer. Even his private life is imprinted by handball,
as his girlfriend is German international Nadja Nadgornaja, playing at
CL team and German champions Thüringer HC.
Rares Jurca
right back
Romania, Germany, Croatia, Germany,
Switzerland – this is the way the Romanian
international went, before he arrived for the
second time in his career at Kadetten in 2010.
Jurca – a powerful shooter – was born in the
“handball city” Cluj-Napoca and started his
international career at SC Magdeburg under
current THW Kiel coach Alfred Gislason. After
only one season he returned to Romania (Bucarest), then made it to
RK Zagreb, had his first stopover at Kadetten in 2007/08, then won
the EHF Cup with German side Göppingen, until he finally settled in
Schaffhausen to become triple Swiss champion.
Markus Richwien
right wing
German Richwien is the only current Kadetten
player, who was part of a VELUX EHF FINAL4
tournament, playing at Cologne with Füchse
Berlin in 2012. Born in Magdeburg, he went
through all youth teams of former Champions
League winner SCM. In 2007 he joined
Füchse Berlin, where he became German
international – debuting against Switzerland
in 2008. After winning the German cup and making it to the EHF Cup
Finals on home ground in the German capital in 2014, Richwien joined
his first club abroad, signing for Kadetten Schaffhausen.
110
GROUP D
At the start of last season MOL-Pick Szeged were in despair after failing to qualify for the VELUX
EHF Champions League with a defeat to Metalurg. However, this defeat opened the gates for
the biggest international success for the Hungarian runners-up. Szeged went on to win the
EHF Cup finals in style by accounting for host Füchse Berlin in the semi-final and favourites
Montpellier in the final.
In domestic competition, their domestic rivals Veszprem were too strong once again but
finishing second was enough to be granted a direct spot in the group phase this season. In
his second season as coach, Juan Carlos Pastor, who led Spain to its first world championship
title in 2005, bolstered his squad with more Spaniards, as goalkeeper Jose Manuel Sierra and
playmaker Antonio Garcia arrived from PSG.
Sierra has been given some huge shoes to fill, after influential goalkeeper Roland Mikler left for
Veszprem. Slovenian international Dean Bombac and Serbian international Rajko Prodanovic
also joined to leave the squad looking fit for action in Europe’s top flight. Thanks to his team’s
growth in international experience, manager Nándor Szögi is confident of success on at least
one front this season.
Playing hall
Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged
Temesvari Krt.33
6726 Szeged
Hungary
Capacity: 3,200
Club Address:
Pick Szeged
Deák Ferenc u. 28-30.
6720 Szeged
Hungary
Media contact:
Nandor Szögi
+36 70 3878234
nandor.szogi@pickhandball.hu
Online information:
www.pickhandball.hu
Facebook: pickszeged
Twitter: @pickhandball
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: orange
Player short: silver
Goalkeeper shirt: black / red / green
Dark
Player shirt: blue or red
Player short: blue or red
Goalkeeper shirt: black / red / green
“We would really like to win one of the Hungarian trophies, but this seems a very difficult task,
because playing against Veszprém is always hard. In order to win, we must surprise them.
Our objective in Europe is always the same: to win the next game. Of course, our first task is
to reach the Last 16, preferably after a good group result, which would give us a favourable
Last 16 game,” Szögi says, adding: “Our group seems to be very balanced. This team, with
Juan Carlos Pastor as the coach, can be a surprise this season. In my opinion, Kielce are the
favourites of the group, they can even reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4.”
Besides the Polish champions, Szeged will face Dunkerque, Schaffhausen, Aalborg and
Zaporozhye in the group phase and team captain Attila Vadkerti believes that his side have a
fantastic opportunity to progress from the group. “Last season we set the bar high both for
ourselves and for our fans by winning the EHF Cup. This year, in the Champions League, our
first goal is to pass the group phase in a good position, and after that, anything is possible.”
Champions League season: Hungarian
runners-up
Newcomers:
Piotr Wyszomirski (Csurgói KK)
José Manuel Sierra (PSG Handball)
Antonio García Robledo (PSG Handball)
Rajko Prodanovic (MKB-MVM Veszprém/
Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Dean Bombac (PAUC Handball)
Left the club:
Roland Mikler (MKB-MVM Veszprém)
Péter Tatai (Baia Mare)
Jonas Larholm (Team Tvis Holstebro)
Nikola Prce (Azoty Pulawy)
Marko Lasica (destination unknown)
Marinko Kekezovic (Targu-Jiu)
József Czina (destination unknown)
Past achievements
season): 13
Quarter-final (2): 1996/97, 2003/04
Last 16 (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07,
2010/11, 2012/13
Main Round (1): 2007/08
Group Phase (3): 2008/09, 2009/10,
2011/12
Other
EHF Cup: 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
111
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007)
6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007)
Longest losing run:
6 matches (17.10.2009 – 20.02.2010)
6 matches (06.03.2011 – 15.10.2011)
Most goals:
39 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 39:24W (h), 07.10.2007
Most goals both teams: 73 v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 38:35W (h), 19.11.2011
Fewest goals:
Fewest goals opponent: 16 v Wisla Plock SA POL 16:26W (a), 05.10.2008
Fewest goals both teams:39 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:19W (h), 08.03.2008
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
1996/97 Pick Szeged HUN
8
3
2
3
205:216
–11
8
1/4-finals
2003/04 SC Pick Szeged HUN
10
4
0
6
269:262
+7
8
1/4-finals
8
4
2
2
190:187
+3
10
Last 16
8
3
0
5
219:218
+1
6
Last 16
8
3
2
3
202:203
-1
8
Last 16
12
9
0
3
361:310
+51
18
3rd MR Gr. 4
6
2
0
4
159:161
-2
4
3rd Gr. H
10
2
2
6
287:307
-20
6
5th Gr. A
12
5
0
7
336:351
-15
10
Last 16
10
3
0
7
285:316
-31
6
5th Gr. D
12
4
0
8
313:350
–37
8
Last 16
Total
104
42
8
54
2826:2881
-55
92
112
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
90
20
19
21
44
15
51
9
11
98
18
8
97
94
5
88
89
87
12
22
1
31
91
96
7
10
77
16
17
Gabor
Patrik
Zsolt
Alen
Dean
Balint
Roberto
Antonio Jesus
Mate
Gergö
Ferenc
Jonas
Peter György
Richard
Niko
Bence
Lenard
Gabriel
Imre
Rajko
Jose Manuel
Nikola
Bence
Egon
Attila
Peter
Vladimir
Piotr
Szabolcs
Ancsin
Arpasi
Balogh
Blazevic
Bombac
Fekete
Garcia Parrondo
Garcia Robledo
Gidai
Haszillo
Ilyés
Källman
Matrai
Mezei
Mindegia Elizaga
Molnar
Nagy
Papp
Pasztor
Prodanovic
Sierra Mendez
Stojanov
Szabo
Urban
Vadkerti
Velky
Vranjes
Wyszomirski
Zubai
HUN
HUN
HUN
CRO
SLO
HUN
ESP
ESP
HUN
HUN
HUN
SWE
HUN
HUN
ESP
HUN
HUN
SVK
HUN
SRB
ESP
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
BIH
POL
HUN
Right Back
Line Player
Right Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Right Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Centre Back
Centre Back
Centre Back
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Left Back
Right Wing
Left Wing
Left Wing
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Line Player
27.11.1990
17.9.1996
29.3.1989
29.3.1986
4.4.1989
27.6.1995
12.1.1980
6.3.1984
18.1.1994
30.9.1996
20.12.1981
17.7.1981
17.4.1996
28.11.1996
19.7.1988
7.3.1994
8.5.1997
18.12.1995
23.7.1996
24.4.1986
21.5.1978
28.10.1993
11.8.1994
12.12.1996
22.2.1982
25.4.1992
14.12.1988
6.1.1988
31.3.1984
113
202
190
189
200
188
190
187
191
180
192
198
200
190
189
184
186
182
197
190
188
194
192
200
180
182
186
200
194
193
Weight
97
100
96
110
92
80
86
93
75
92
103
100
80
96
87
85
72
92
120
87
92
85
111
75
88
82
107
95
93
Juan Carlos Pastor
coach
One of the masterminds of contemporary
handball has won an incredible amount of
silverware in his career. Pastor is a household
name in the world of handball, no wonder
Szeged found him fit for the job of rebuilding
their team in order to be able to challenge
both for the Hungarian title against domestic
rivals Veszprém and the EHF Cup, which the
Spaniard won in his first year at the helm. After Szeged legend Richárd
Mezei had resigned Pastor became also the sporting director.
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2009, EHF Cup 2014
WCh: G 2005, EURO: S 2006, OG: B 2008
Jonas Källman
left wing
Signed in the winter of 2014 Jonas Kälman
showed his unique ability to defend in three
positions, thus the 32-year-old ought to be a
vital part of both coach Juan Carlos Pastor’s
defensive variatons and Szeged’s attacking
edge if unfortunate injuries do not keep
him out of action. Having spent more than a
decade in Spain with Ciudad Real and Atlético
Madrid the versatile Swede had returned home and played for IFK
Skövde before he signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Pick.
EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014
OG: S 2012
Antonio García Robledo
left back
The 30-year-old Spaniard was without a
doubt the biggest name the EHF Cup winner
signed this summer. He has won a great deal
of both individual, club and national team
silverware and a lot is expected from the
Granollers-raised shooter in Szeged, too.
Former Spanish player of the year will be
trusted with the heavy burden of providing
the team with a much needed attacking edge. Szeged will be his third
team in the CL having tried his luck with Leon and PSG before.
WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014
Gábor Ancsin
right back
The 2,02-meter tall right back already has
Bundesliga experience under his belt, he was
only 19 when Rhein-Neckar Löwen signed
him from Dunaferr. The 23-year-old heavy
shooter has been the first choice right back
of the Hungarian runner-up but it was only
at EURO 2014 that he established himself as
an important player for the national team,
too. Voted junior player of the year back in 2011 he has just started to
prove his worth at senior level.
José Manuel Sierra
goalkeeper
The 36-year-old practicaly won all trophies
a handballer can lift, still Sierra faces a big
challenge in Szeged where he is supposed
to fill in for Hungarian international Roland
Mikler, who joined Veszprém. Sierra has been
one of the most influential goalkeepers in
the world, the Valladolid legend has won an
enormous amount of trophies through his
almost two decades long career. He signed from PSG had done a grand
slam of great Spanish teams (Barcelona, Ciudad Real and Valladolid.
EC trophies: CL 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2009
WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014
Ferenc Ilyés
left back
Transylvania-born Ilyés has been one of the
most influential Hungarian players at both
club and international level. One of the many
who played both for Szeged and Veszprém
the defensive specialist can also be an impact
player at left back as shown by his marvellous
performance in the 2014 EHF Cup Finals. Ilyés
had been a great talisman for his team as won
three international trophies with three different clubs
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008, EHF Cup: 2010, 2014
Szabolcs Zubai
line player
The 1,93 m tall line player is one of the most
technically gifted in his position in Hungary,
had Zubai been a little more robust he would
be a top drawer player. Coming from the
famous Dunaferr school the 30-year-old U2
fan signed a contract with Pick Szeged in
2008 and has been the focal point of both
the team’s attacks and defence. Well over
his 100th cap and a decade in the grinder of opponents’ walls Zubai
finally managed to get a grip on a trophy, which came in 2014.
Roberto García Parrondo
right wing
It came as no surprise coach Pastor brought
the 34 year old wing with him when he
took the Szeged hotseat as the two won
an incredible amount of trophies together.
Madrid-born Parrondo had played for seven
Spanish teams before he decided to bring
his talents to international courts. The left
handed wingman has great technical skills
and the speed of lightning even at 34 and is one of the few players to
have literally won all international trophies EHF had to offer – the last
being the EHF Cup with his present team, Pick Szeged.
EC trophies: CL 2008, 2009, Cup Winners’ Cup 2005, EHF Cup 2013
WCh: G 2005, EURO: B 2011
114
GROUP D
The wind of change is blowing at the North Sea coast in Aalborg: After becoming Danish champions
in 2013 and making it to the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League season 2013/14, coach
Nikolaj Jacobsen said “farvel” to join Rhein Neckar Löwen and succeed Gudmundur Gudmundsson,
the new Danish national team coach.
Due to their strong performances in Europe last season, high profile clubs were on the hunt for
Aalborg talent, leading to the departures of Danish international Mads Mensah Larsen, who joined
Jacobsen at Rhein Neckar Löwen, Swedish international Johan Jakobsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
and Johan Bagersted (SC Magdeburg). So it is the main job for the new coach Jesper Jensen
(Jacobsen’s former international teammate) to integrate the newcomers and himself at the current
Danish runners-up, who lost the league final against KIF Kolding Kobenhavn.
“Obviously, we have a new team more or less, as some of the greatest stars have left, so we have to
build a new basis. I think we have got pretty far already,” said an optimistic Jensen.
Playing hall
Gigantium Arena
Olimpiaparken 2
9220 Aalborg Ost
Denmark
Capacity: 4,666
Club Address:
Aalborg Håndbold A/S
Willy Brandts Vej 31
DK-9220 Aalborg Øst
Denmark
And the coach has every reason to be optimistic, as the names of those new arrivals are well-known
in the world of handball: Spanish international Isaias Guardiola arrives from Rhein Neckar Löwen
and Icelandic shooter Olafur Guststafsson from Flensburg, while Aalborg continued their tradition
of signing Norwegian talents with 20-year-old Sander Sagosen, who already debuted in the men’s
team at the EHF EURO 2014 – in Aalborg. 36-year-old Jensen is not only the new coach of the club
but also its manager. He insists he’s ready to fulfil both tasks, despite having just two years on the
bench at women’s first league team Vejen.
“Of course it is a big task for me to be in charge of one of the best teams in Denmark. I will not
hesitate to admit that, but I feel well prepared and well equipped for the job. When it comes to
the game of handball, I feel completely at home. When it comes to management, though, I will
inevitably meet some challenges in some areas, but I feel quite calm and confident about that, and
hopefully I can learn the things I do not know yet in a hurry,” he said.
The goals of Aalborg Håndbold are set high for this season - making it at least to the semi-finals of
the domestic league and progressing to the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League again. In
Group D, the Danes will face Kielce, Dunkerque, Schaffhausen, Szeged and Zaporozhye. A tricky
group made tougher by pre-season injuries to Marcus Mørk, who will not be able to play until 2015,
and Martin Larsen, who should return in October or November.
Media contact:
Poul Madsbjerg
+4520804976
pm@aalborghaandbold.dk
Online information:
Website: www.aalborghaandbold.dk
Facebook: aalborghaandbold
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: Lime
Player short: White
Goalkeeper shirt: Blue
Dark
Player shirt: Red
Player short: White
Goalkeeper shirt: Black
Champions League season: Danish runners-up
Past achievements
Newcomers:
Søren Westphal (KIF Kolding København)
Isaías Guardiola (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Olafur Gustafsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Sander Sagosen (Haslum HK)
season): 3
Last 16 (1): 2013/14
Left the club:
Mads Mensah Larsen (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Johan Jakobsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Richard Kappelin (Selestat)
Jacob Bagersted (Magdeburg)
Other
Danish league: 2010, 2013
Danish cup: - (2012 Supercup winner)
115
Biggest win:
37:23 (17:07) v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE (h), 24.11.2013
Biggest defeat:
3 matches (16.10.2013 – 24.11.2013)
3 matches (16.10.2013 – 24.11.2013)
Longest losing run:
6 matches (01.12.2013 – 29.03.2014)
Most goals:
37 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 37:23 (h), 24.11.2013
39 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:29L (a), 23.09.2010
Most goals both teams: 68 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:29L (a), 23.09.2010
68 v Cuatro Rayas BM Valladolid ESP (h) 32:36L (h), 21.11.2010
68 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 30:38L (h), 20.02.2011
Fewest goals:
20 v HSV Hamburg GER 28:20L (a), 23.02.2014
Fewest goals opponent: 23 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 37:23 (h), 24.11.2013
Fewest goals both teams:48 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 25:23L (a), 05.02.2014
48 v HSV Hamburg GER 28:20L (a), 23.02.2014
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2010/11 AaB Handball DEN
10
2
2
6
311:339
-28
6
6th Gr. C
2013/14 Aalborg Handball DEN
12
4
0
8
317:325
-8
8
Last 16
Total
22
6
2
14
628:664
-36
14
116
Stage
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
26
29
23
16
28
6
22
25
27
11
21
12
7
18
30
2
5
6
10
12
Niclas Andreas
Emil
Juul-Lassen
Ole
Joshua Krohn
Isaias
Olafur
Christian
Magnus
Simon Hald
Stig Bugge
Marcus Molbjerg
Martin
Marcus
Mathias Mark
Nicolai Nygaard
Sander
Morten Andreas
Havard
Soren
Barud
Berggren
Engelbrecht
Erevik
Grace
Guardiola Villaplana
Gustafsson
Jensen
Jensen
Jensen
Jensen
Jorgensen
Larsen
Mork Kristiansen
Pedersen
Pedersen
Sagosen
Slundt
Tvedten
Westphal
SWE
SWE
DEN
NOR
DEN
ESP
ISL
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
NOR
DEN
NOR
DEN
Line Player
Left Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Right Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Line Player
Line Player
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Centre Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
22.3.1988
3.8.1986
31.3.1993
9.1.1981
31.1.1996
1.10.1984
27.3.1989
15.11.1995
12.7.1996
28.9.1994
9.9.1992
20.5.1996
19.9.1992
20.10.1987
30.7.1997
15.2.1994
14.9.1995
26.5.1984
29.6.1978
8.7.1986
117
196
195
197
196
190
200
196
186
195
203
186
190
196
190
187
194
195
187
183
200
105
103
93
92
92
103
95
83
95
109
89
83
99
93
95
97
93
89
82
90
Ole Erevik
goalkeeper
Erevik started his career in his home town of
Stavanger, and has played in Spain for Reale
Ademar Leon and Bidasoa Irun, in Germany
for SC Magdeburg before joining KIF Kolding
in 2008. He moved in 2011 to Aalborg, where
he won his second Danish league title. The
temperamental Norwegian goalkeeper has
very fast reactions and great flexibility. He
has been the first choice goalkeeper for the Norwegian national
eam since Steinar Ege ended his career in 2012. He has played 156
internationals for his country.
Jesper Jensen
coach
His coaching experience may be modest, as
he had only year as a coach behind him – and
that was a women’s coach – before taking
over in Aalborg this summer. However, his
handball experience is enormous. From 1999
to 2012 was he an elegant and inventive
playmaker in Skjern. The Danish national
teams also benefitted from his qualities
many times, and now the players in Aalborg benefit from his huge
experience as well as from his many ideas and his uncompromising
will to win.
EHF EURO: G 2008 / WCh: B 2007
Håvard Tvedten
left wing
Norwegian international Tvedten is in Aalborg
for the second time in his career. After playing
in Spain with the clubs Logroño, Naturhouse
La Rioja and BM Valladolid – he returned to
Aalborg in 2011 after five years of absence.
Despite having reach the age of 36, Tvedten
has not lost much of his speed, and his
scoring percentage from the wing as well
from the penalty line and on fast breaks is as high as ever.
His experience from 208 internationals for Norway also helps a lot, of
course.
Ólafur Gústaffson
left back
With his 198 cm and 100 kilo, Gústafsson
possesses the physical qualities for being a
good back court player in modern handball. If
you add a hard and varied right handed shot,
you have a player who would be on the wish
list of many a coach. Furthermore, Gústafsson
carries experience from the German
Bundesliga as well as from the VELUX EHF
Champions League with him from his stay in SG Flensburg-Handewitt
last year. Qualities which has been welcomed in Aalborg, where he
has replaced Danish international Mads Mensah Larsen.
Sander Sagosen
centre back
Already a year ago, Norway’s national coach
at the time, Robert Hedin predicted that
Sagosen (19) could become the world’s
best handball player. Ever since has the
remarkable playmaker and defence talent
done his best to prove Hedin right. Apart
from being a great organiser of his team’s
attacking and being a fine reader of the game
despite his young age, Sagosen also has an extremely dangerous shot.
Furthermore, he is just as good in the defence as he is in the attack
which is extra rare for so young a player.
Niclas Barud
line player
196 cm tall and 105 kilo heavy Barud has his
greatest skills in the defence, but lately he has
also proved his values in the attack, after Jacob
Bagersted left for SC Magdeburg and while
Barud´s only remaining line player colleague,
Simon Hald has been ill during the pre-season.
Barud, who has played 30 internationals
for Sweden this far, had Champions League
experience from two years in succession with Swedish IK Sävehof, when
he joined Aalborg in 2012 and made his comeback to the Champions
League the following year.
Isaias Guardiola
right back
When Isaias Guardiola left Rhein-Neckar
Löwen where his twin brother Gideon still
plays, and moved north to Aalborg, it was
to replace Swedish international Johan
Jakobsson who has left for SG FlensburgHandewitt. At the start of this season,
shoulder problems have prevented Guardiola
from being just a big threat from the distance
as his predecessor, but once the two meter tall left handed back court
player who has played six internationals for Spain is fit, Aalborg will
have a great asset at both ends of the court.
Stig Bugge Jensen
right wing
Bugge joined Aalborg before the start
of last season from fellow Danish league
competitors, TMS Ringsted, and is a huge
talent – which he proved at the U21 World
championship in Bosnia last summer and
in the Aalborg team for great parts of
last season. He stepped into the shoes
of the former Swedish international Jan
Lennartsson, who returned home in the summer of 2013. Foot
injuries have troubled him from time to time, but at present he seems
to be fully fit and in shape, and in that condition he is a great asset to
his team.
118
GROUP D
With home games over 500 km away from home in Kiev’s Palace of Sport, the situation is far
from ideal for Zaporozhye this season. Nevertheless, coach Sergey Bebeshko is pleased to be
part of this competition after winning the qualification tournament in Hard (Austria), beating
Portuguese champions Porto in the final.
“This win was very important for our further development. This season we have no fixtures in
the Ukrainian championship. I’m proud of our players. they fought like gladiators,” Bebeshko
said after the final. This gives last season’s debutants another chance to leave their mark on the
European handball map.
In their first VELUX EHF Champions League season the Ukrainian champions made it to the
Last 16 after a sensational home win against Veszprem in the final group match. Facing THW
Kiel in the Last 16 meant the end of their journey, but Motor gained enormous experience
and confidence in going so far, supported by the fact that Motor won all 20 matches of the
Ukrainian league to finish on top again.
After signing two players from Dinamo Minsk and Motor ZNTU, Bebeshko strengthened his
squad and account for departures such as Alexey Kamanin (end of career) and back court
shooter Vladislav Ostroushko, who transferred to Hungarian side Csurgoi. Bebeshko can still
count on his tall and powerful back court shooters like Onufryienko or Burka, who was the
decisive factor at the qualification tournament in Hard.
Playing hall
Palace of Sports
Sportivna Plasha 1
Kiev
Ukraine
Capacity: 6,897
In the group phase Motor will face Polish champions KS Vive Tauron Kielce, French champions
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral, as well Swiss title holders Kadetten Schaffhausen, plus two
runners-up from their national leagues last season: Hungarian side Pick Szeged (current EHF
Cup winners) and Denmark’s Aalborg Handball – and just like in their maiden voyage last
season, the Ukrainians hope to reach the Last 16 again.
Club Address:
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Ivanova Str. 24
69068 Zaporozhye
Ukraine
Media contact:
Dmitriy Karpushchenko
+380 50 5581181
hkmotor@yandex.ru
Online information:
Website: www.handball.motorsich.com
Facebook: HC-Motor
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white/red
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/black
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: red/black
Champions League season: Ukrainian
champions, winner of qualification tournament 2
Newcomers:
Vladyslav Dontsov
Stanislav Zhukov (both HC Motor ZNTU ZAS)
Dmytro Doroshchuk
Mykola Stetsyura (both HC Dinamo Minsk)
Artem Kozakevych (HC Portovik)
Left the club:
Vitaliy Gorbachov (HC Motor ZNTU ZAS)
Yevgeny Gurkovsky (Handball Club Dunarea
Calarasi)
Alexey Kamanin (no club)
Vladislav Ostroushko (HC Csurgoi)
Alexander Semikov (no new club)
Yuriy Shamrylo (HC Zaglebie Lubin)
Mykhaylo Tsap (Handball Club Dunarea)
119
Past achievements
season): 2
Last 16: 2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13
Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals
2011/12
Ukrainian league: 2 titles (2013, 2014)
Ukrainian cup: 1 title
Biggest win:
18:24 (10:14) v St. Petersburg HC RUS (a), 21.11.2013
Biggest defeat:
44:27 (20:13) v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN (a), 10.10.2013
2 matches (17.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
2 matches (19.09.2013 – 26.09.2013)
2 matches (17.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
Longest losing run:
3 matches (28.11.2013 – 15.02.2014)
Most goals:
31 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 31:31D (a), 19.09.2013
31 v HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 31:30W (h), 26.09.2013
44 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013
Most goals both teams: 71 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013
Fewest goals:
24 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
Fewest goals both teams:42 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
2013/14 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
12
4
1
7
333:367
-34
9
Last 16
Total
12
4
1
7
333:367
-34
9
120
Team roster
No.
First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Weight
13
69
32
14
8
1
20
5
18
33
31
23
10
9
22
12
55
24
2
Inal
Sergii
Vladyslav
Dmytro
Egor
Valentyn
Artem
Iurii
Kostyantyn
Sergiy
Angel
Yevgen
Olexandr
Oleg
Mykola
Richard
Aliaksandr
Ievgen
Stanislav
Aflitulin
Burka
Dontsov
Doroshchuk
Evdokimov
Koshovy
Kozakevych
Kubatko
Kurylenko
Onufryienko
Perez de Inestrosa
Sapun
Shevelev
Skopintsev
Stetsyura
Stochl
Tsitou
Zhuk
Zhukov
RUS
UKR
UKR
UKR
RUS
UKR
UKR
UKR
UKR
UKR
ESP
UKR
UKR
RUS
UKR
SVK
BLR
UKR
UKR
Centre Back Left Back Right Back Line Player Line Player
Goalkeeper Right Wing Right Wing Left Back Right Back Centre Back Goalkeeper Line Player Left Wing Right Back
Goalkeeper
Line Player Left Wing
Left Back 22.3.1988
9.6.1987
22.9.1995
29.9.1986
9.3.1982
5.2.1981
2.10.1992
28.8.1988
10.7.1980
31.1.1985
31.3.1986
11.6.1985
2.12.1987
15.4.1984
20.7.1986
17.12.1975
28.10.1986
4.8.1990
26.3.1992
82
110
94
115
114
90
68
78
98
95
85
85
115
80
96
108
105
75
94
121
182
208
197
198
204
200
182
184
193
190
185
185
200
184
195
200
190
184
198
Serhiy Bebeshko
coach
In December 2009 the former Ukrainian
international, who was living in Ciudad Real at
that time, was asked on the phone to become
new coach of Dinamo Minsk. Bebeshko
agreed and led Minsk for the first time in
Belarusian handball to the CL Last 16 in 2013.
After more than 20 years the 1992 Olympic
champion returned to native country and
accomploshed the same feat with Motor Zaporozhye. The national
title was his premiere since he was first champion of independent
Ukraine as a player with SKA Kiev in 1992.
Richard Štochl
goalkeeper
Motor’s last moment reinforcement from
last season is one of the most experienced
goalkeepers in Europe. The eight-time player
of the year in Slovakia is only the second
foreigner in Ukraine from outside of the
former Soviet Union area. Within his over
200 international matches for Slovakia he
participated in two World Championships
2009 and 2011 and also three EHF EURO tournaments (2006, 2008,
2012). At club level he won seven championships in five different
countries – Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, France and Russia.
Oleg Skopintsev
left wing
One of the Russian internationals in Motor’s
squad arrived from Dinamo Minsk in 2013
and without doubt he has become a key
player in Zaporozhye. The fast winger is
technically skillful and frequently used in
the 5:1 defence. Already after a few months
in the new team Skopintsev was considered
as the main specialist from the seven-metre
line. His first playing season for Chekhovskie Medvedi in the CL was
unforgettable as he reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4. He has been a
regular part of the Russian national team.
Sergey Burka
left back
After a four-year absence, the tallest (208
cm) player of the Ukrainian championship
is finally back in the CL. He joined Motor
just in 2012 from the city rivals of ZTR. He
collected four national titles with his former
club ZTR and added one with Motor last year.
Burka, together with his current teammates
Onufryienko, Shevelev and Ostroushko, has
been among players of the national team of Ukraine at their last
major tournament - EHF EURO 2010. Since then he has been a regular
fixture in the Ukrainian selection.
Inal Aflitulin
centre back
This talented Russian playmaker is bound to
be considered as one of the strongest players
in Ukraine soon. Quick on his feet and with
a strong shot, he is always fighting to the
very last second of the match. Astrakhanborn started playing in the youth team
of Chekhovskie Medvedi and in 2011 he
joined the Motor team. The twice Ukrainian
champion made successful debut in the CL previous season and
deserved himself the invitation to national team for the EHF EURO
2014.
Alexandr Shevelev
line player
There are not too many Ukrainians who
played in the European leagues recently. But
Motor’s pivot, who arrived from Dinamo
Minsk (BLR), has already played in the Danish
club Aalborg and for the former Spanish club
Ciudad Real scored his first goals in the CL in
2011. But his premiere appearance in the CL
was in the 2006/07 season with Ukrainian
club Portovik. Besides he played in Russia for Astrakhan side Zarya
Kaspia. With great experience and physical strength Shevelev became
a crucial figure in the center of defence and attack.
Artem Kozakevich
right wing
Motor’s long hunt for one of the most
talented players in Ukraine was successfully
completed this summer after the best
winger of the last season of the Ukrainian
championship from Portovik Yuzhniy
signed. His dream to score first goals in the
CL is closer also courtesy of his excellent
performance in the qualification tournament.
With his partner Yuriy Kubatko he shares his time on court at right
wing and despite being just a few months in the new team he is
considered as one of the main specialists for penalties.
Sergey Onufryienko
right back
Previous CL experience of the Ukrainian
national team right back dates back to his
stints with ZTR Zaporozhye and HC Dinamo
Minsk. The left-hander remains one of the
top-scorers in the CL among Ukrainians. He
won five national championships with ZTR
and another four plus two domestic cups with
Belarusian Dinamo alongside current Motor’s
coach Sergey Bebeshko, with whom he transferred to the new club
over the 2013 summer. On the national team level he was part of the
EHF EURO 2010.
122
EHF Champions League
Past Winners
2014 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER
2013 HSV Hamburg (GER)
2012 THW Kiel (GER)
2011 FC Barcelona Borges (ESP)
2010 THW Kiel (GER)
2009 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2007 THW Kiel (GER)
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)
1995 Elgorriaga Bidasoa (ESP)
1994
TEKA Santander (ESP)
123
History: 21 years of EHF Champions League
1993 – 2004
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.”
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 round-robin 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.
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.
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 the lifted the EHF
Champions League but also the national championship trophy with
Irun.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
124
History: 21 years of EHF Champions League
2004 – 2014
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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 Flensburg-Handewitt 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.
2009/10
Final: FC Barcelona Borges vs HW Kiel 34:36
In the 2009/10 season the number of participating teams in the first
125
EHF Champions League
Season’s Top Scorers
Season
Player
Club
1993/94
Uroš Šerbec
Celje Pivovarna Laško/SLO
Goals
76
1994/95
Nenad Peruničić
Bidasoa Irun/ESP
82
1995/96
Carlos Resende
ABC Braga/POR
80
1996/97
Carlos Resende
ABC Braga/POR
82
1997/98
József Éles
MKB Veszprém KC/HUN
84
1998/99
Zlatko Saračević
RK Zagreb/CRO
90
1999/00
Zlatko Saračević
RK Zagreb/CRO
92
2000/01
Yuriy Kostetskiy
ABC Braga/POR
81
2001/02
Nenad Peruničić
SC Magdeburg
122
2002/03
Mirza Džomba
FOTEX KC Veszprém/HUN
67
2003/04
Siarhei Rutenka
103
2004/05
Siarhei Rutenka
85
2005/06
Kiril Lazarov
MKB Veszprém/HUN
85
2006/07
Nikola Karabatic
THW Kiel/GER
89
2007/08
Kiril Lazarov
MKB Veszprém/HUN
96
Ólafur Stefánsson
BM Ciudad Real/ESP
96
2008/09
Filip Jícha
THW Kiel/GER
99
2009/10
Filip Jícha
THW Kiel/GER
119
2010/11
Uwe Gensheimer
Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER
118
2011/12
Mikkel Hansen
AG København/DEN
98
2012/13
Hans Lindberg
HSV Hamburg/GER
101
2013/14
Momir Ilic
MKB-MVM Veszprem/HUN
103
126
Top Scorers 2013/14
1 Ilic Momir (SRB)
2 Vugrinec Renato (MKD)
HC Metalurg (MKD)
95
3 Vujin Marko (SRB)
THW Kiel (GER)
85
4 Lazarov Kiril (MKD)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
80
5 Marguc Gasper (SLO)
Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO)
79
6 Eggert Magnussen Anders (DEN)
78
7 Gensheimer Uwe (GER)
77
8 Rutenka Siarhei (BLR)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
73
9 Dibirov Timur (RUS)
HC Vardar - Skopje (MKD)
72
Karabatic Nikola (FRA)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
72
Skube Stas (SLO)
RK Gorenje Velenje (SLO)
72
71
THW Kiel (GER)
71
12 Glandorf Holger (GER)
Jicha Filip (CZE)
14 Karacic Igor (CRO)
103
HC Vardar - Skopje (MKD)
69
Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
69
16 Sulic Renato (CRO)
68
17 Persson Magnus (SWE)
HK DROTT Halmstad (SWE)
67
Nenadic Petar (SRB)
18 Rocas Comas Albert (ESP)
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN)
64
19 Tomas Gonzalez Victor (ESP)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
61
20 Onufryienko Sergiy (UKR)
60
127
Men’s EHF Champions League 1993-2014
All-time club standings
#
TR
Name of the club
MP
W
D
L
GF:FA
1
1
FC Barcelona ESP
212
156
15
41
2
2
THW Kiel GER
204
146
13
3
3
MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN
186
123
7
4
4
BM Atletico Madrid ESP
144
111
5
5
HC Zagreb CRO
194
6
6
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
164
7
7
Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA
8
8
9
9
10
GD
P
NP
%
G
6526:5422 1104
327:97
(17)
77,12
B
45
6371:5488 883
305:103
(17)
74,75
A
56
5364:4808 556
253:119
(18)
68,01
C
5
28
4502:3803 699
227:61
(10)
78,82
96
22
76
5170:4988 182
214:174
(20)
55,15
A
95
9
60
4705:4378 327
199:129
(16)
60,67
C
142
85
8
49
4097:3825 272
178:106
(14)
62,68
C
SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
118
76
9
33
3592:3259 333
161:75
(9)
68,22
B
HSV Hamburg GER
98
68
9
21
3088:2670 418
145:51
(7)
73,98
10
Portland San Antonio ESP
100
64
6
30
2929:2594 335
134:66
(9)
67,00
11
11
Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
116
59
14
43
3575:3375 200
132:100
(12)
56,90
12
12
Reale Ademar Leon ESP
100
50
6
44
2875:2817 58
106:94
(10)
53,00
13
13
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN
92
45
7
40
2650:2616 34
97:87
(10)
52,72
B
14
14
Pick Szeged HUN
104
42
8
54
2826:2881 -55
92:116
(11)
44,23
D
15
15
KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
74
38
6
30
2129:2074 55
82:66
(7)
55,41
D
16
16
Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
58
34
10
14
1805:1634 171
78:38
(4)
67,24
C
17
17
Chambery Savoie Handball FRA
74
29
3
42
2028:2133 -105
61:87
(8)
41,22
18
18
RK Gorenje Velenje SLO
62
26
1
35
1779:1775 4
53:71
(6)
42,74
19
19
HC Metalurg MKD
52
24
4
24
1316:1339 -23
52:52
(5)
50,00
20
20
SC Magdeburg GER
40
24
3
13
1166:1077 89
51:29
(4)
63,75
21
26
Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
52
17
4
31
1519:1575 -56
38:66
(6)
36,54
D
22
29
HC Vardar MKD
54
13
8
33
1375:1584 –209
34:74
(7)
31,48
C
23
32
Orlen Wisla Plock POL
54
15
1
38
1400:1585 –185
31:77
(7)
28,70
B
24
36
PSG Handball FRA
28
12
2
14
772:792
–20
26:30
(3)
46,43
A
25
48
Aalborg Handball DEN
22
6
2
14
628:664
-36
14:30
(2)
31,82
D
26
58
HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
12
4
1
7
333:367
-34
9:15
(1)
37,50
D
27
61
Naturhouse La Rioja ESP
10
3
2
5
292:320
-28
8:12
(1)
40,00
A
28
77
HC Meshkov Brest BLR
24
3
0
21
608:738
-130
6:42
(4)
12,50
A
29
91
Alingsas HK SWE
10
2
0
8
251:302
-51
4:16
(1)
20,00
B
30
94
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA
10
1
1
8
237:268
-31
3:17
(1)
15,00
D
Besiktas JK TUR
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)
0,00
B
^ = Excluding Qualifying matches
The club name is the last used name in VELUX EHF Champions League competition
TR – total ranking
MP – matches played
W – wins
D – draws
L – losses
GF:GA – goals for:goals against
P – points
NP – number of participations
% = winning percentage
All stats in this guide are provided by Roy Knoppert
G - group
128
C
A
2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase
Media Guide
by
EHF Media & Communications, 24/09/2014
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Bence Martha, Zoran Milosavljevic, Kevin Domas, Magda Pluszewska, Bruno Pinevic, Sergey Nikolaev,
Francisco Miranda, Igor Grachev, Amina Idrizi, Nejc Adnik, Eren Cetin, Roy Knoppert
129
For further information please contact:
Vladislav Brindzak
EHF Media & Communications
+43 1 80151 161
brindzak@eurohandball.com
Twitter: @ehfmedia
European Handball Federation
Hoffingergasse 18
1120 Vienna
Austria
EHF Marketing GmbH
Hoffingergasse 18
1120 Vienna
Austria
Tel +43 1 80151 0
Tel +43 1 80151 200

Media Guide - Montpellier Handball

Transcription

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