Media Guide - Fleury Loiret Handball

Transcription

Media Guide
Women’s EHF Champions League
Season 2015/16
Group Matches
Table of contents
Foreword5
Map of participating clubs
6
Women’s EHF Champions League Information
7
Media contacts - EHF/M, clubs contacts
8
2014/15 Seeding list
9
2014/15 Playing system diagram - stages and dates
10
Playing format
11
Women’s EHF FINAL4 stays in Budapest until 2016
12
Facts & Figures
13
Important regulations - ranking of teams
15
Extended women’s coverage on ehfTV
17
GROUP A
Preview19
Head-to-head stats
20
Larvik21
RK Krim Mercator
25
Rostov-Don29
HCM Baia Mare
33
GROUP B
Preview37
Head-to-head stats
38
FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria
39
Thüringer HC
43
HC Podravka Vegeta
47
Fleury Loiret Handball
55
2
Table of contents
GROUP C
Preview55
Head-to-head stats
56
FC Midtjylland
60
HC Vardar
64
Hypo Niederösterreich
68
Györi Audi ETO KC
72
GROUP D
Preview73
Head-to-head stats
74
Buducnost75
CSM Bucuresti
79
Sävehof IK
83
MKS Selgros Lublin
87
2014/15 Top scorers & All-star team
91
Past winners
92
History of the Women’s EHF Champions League
93
All-time club standings
95
3
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Foreword
Dear media representative,
September 2015 saw the conclusion of qualification phase, which completed the line-up
for the Group Matches of the 2015/16 Women’s EHF Champions League. HCM Baia Mare of
Romania and Györi Audi ETO KC of Hungary were the last two teams to complete Groups A and
C respectively.
From 16 October to 22 November 2015, the six rounds of the group matches will play out in
venues across Europe. I take this opportunity to welcome sixteen teams from 14 countries to
the second phase of the competition and to congratulate them for having successfully earned
their place in the 23rd season of this elite women’s handball club competition.
We should say special welcome to the three newcomers; all of them from European
strongholds of women’s handball. After three qualification failures in the past Russian
champions Rostov-Don finally made it to the EHF Champions League. Also French title holders
Fleury Loiret Handball, who stumbled in the qualification final on Vardar two years ago, will
join the party as well as Romanian champions CSM Bucuresti, who never played even in the
qualification before.
Six former champions are lined-up on the starting grid - RK Krim Mercator, Hypo
Niederösterreich, HC Podravka Vegeta, Larvik, Györi Audi ETO KC and defending champions
Buducnost. The Podgorica-based team starts their title defence in Group D together with
Bucuresti, IK Sävehof and MKS Selgros Lublin and they are expected to cruise easily to the main
round. The next stage vision could be mistier for the EHF Champions League record holders
as an outsider position awaits the four-time winners Hypo in Group C with FC Midtjylland, HC
Vardar and Györ. The Hungarian powerhouse should be in full-strength again this season as
they not only signed big names like Nycke Groot or Zsuzsanna Tomori, but also can count with
their star playmaker Anita Görbicz again after a maternity leave.
Group B is bound to see a tug-of-war for the first place between FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria and
Thüringer HC while Podravka and Fleury will battle out the remaining main round ticket. In
Group A Rostov is a force to reckon with after the Russian champions recruited the legendary
Norwegian goalkeeper Katrine Lunde and teamed her up with another excellent keeper Anna
Sedoykina. Their ambitions will be put under stern test by Lunde’s compatriots from Larvik but
also Romanian qualifiers and last season’s quarter-finalists HCM Baia Mare, while presence of
Krim’s young guns in the main round would be a massive surprise.
As we move into the next exciting phase of the competition, the teams have a lot to play for.
The sixteen teams now embark on their campaign to progress to the main round. A ticket to
the main round will bring twelve teams closer to their dream of participating in the WOMEN’S
EHF FINAL4; however, for the four teams that are ranked fourth on 22 November 2015, their
campaign in the European top flight will end and they will continue in the Cup Winners’ Cup.
With the wealth of experience across the four groups, we know that there is enough skill to
take each team to the next round, but much will still depend on determination and a touch of
luck; and as the teams take to the court, only they can decide how the matches will end.
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. Should you require any 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 upcoming season!
Jean Brihault
EHF President
5
FC Midtjylland,
DEN
RK Krim
Mercator, SLO
Hypo
Niederösterreich, AUT
Fleury Loiret
Handball, FRA
Thüringer HC,
GER
SERCODAK
Dalfsen, NED
Group Matches teams
Teams eliminated in qualification
Season 2015/16
WOMEN‘S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
6
HC Podravka
Vegeta, CRO
Team Esbjerg,
DEN
Larvik HK,
NOR
Glassverket,
NOR
Buducnost,
MNE
IK Sävehof,
SWE
HC Vardar,
MKD
WHC Radnicki
Kragujevac, SRB
Györi Audi
ETO KC, HUN
FTC-Rail Cargo
Hungaria, HUN
Ankara
Yenimahalle BSK, TUR
CSM Bucharest,
ROU
Host City Budapest, HUN
WOMEN‘S EHF FINAL4
HCM Baia Mare,
ROU
Rostov-Don,
RUS
MKS Selgros
Lublin, POL
BNTU BelAZ
Minsk Reg., BLR
EHF Champions League information
New ways to follow the Women’s EHF Champions League
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 to be available on the EHF website.
The live stream on ehfTV.com will not be the only way fans can follow
the action.
The EHF Live Ticker will track the scores of all four matches this
weekend and for the rest of the season. Every goal, missed shot
and yellow card will be documented and live statistics made
available online for the first time at this stage of Europe’s elite club
competition.
Accreditation for Group Matches
EHF Live launched
The written media and photographer’s accreditation procedure in
the Group Matches is entirely in the responsibility of the participating
clubs.
The EHF’s social media channels will provide a very different view of
both men’s and women’s premier continental competition.
TV and Radio accreditations are subjects to approval by EHF
Marketing GmbH – please contact Miguel Mateo Marcellán.
As well as the coverage on the EHF Champions League Facebook page
and Instagram reserved typically for the final weekends of major
competitions, on two new channels.
Online information
ehfCL.com
ehfTV.com
Regulations of the Women’s EHF Champions League
Twitter: @ehfmedia, @ehfcl
Facebook: ehf.champions.league
This season fans can follow the @EHF_Live Twitter account to keep up
to date with all aspects of the event and add EHF_Live on Snapchat
for a behind the scenes look.
Online match reports
Official name
From the opening matches of the season, the complete team line-up
is 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 line-ups are
available for commentators and reporters hours before each match
throws-off.
The official name of the competition is: Women’s EHF Champions
League. The full name of the competition should always be used.
Please note: If the season is required, it has to be positioned after
“Champions League” e.g. Women’s 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’.
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.
7
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
Miguel Mateo Marcellan
Media Manager
EHF Marketing GmbH
+43 1 80 151 224
mateo@ehfmarketing.com
Group Matches Clubs – Media contacts
GROUP A
GROUP B
GROUP C
GROUP D
Larvik HK
Harald Gaupen
+47 33 138 230
harald.gaupen@gmail.com
Andrea Pordán
+36 20 365 8263
pordan.andrea@ftckezilabda.hu
FC Midtjylland
Troels Banggaard
Buducnost
Milos Pavicevic
+382 682 226 66
zrkbuducnost@t-com.me
milos_ps@yahoo.com
RK Krim Ljubljana
Gašper Lončarič
+386 51 630 877
gasper@rkkrim.com
Thüringer HC
Bernd Hohnstein
+49 179 4649 389
hohnstein@thueringer-hc.de
HC Vardar
Ivana Stojanovska
+389 71 247 218
contact@zrkvardar.com
CSM Bucuresti
Constantin Caliman
+40 721 800304
caliman.constantin@csmbucuresti.ro
Rostov-Don
Maksim Shchennikov
+7 918 5207625
pzrostov@mail.ru
HC Podravka Vegeta
Ljerka Vresk
+385 98 325 075
ljerka.vresk@rk-podravka.hr
Kati Kovacs
+43 664 6016 4583
info@hypo-noe.at
IK Sävehof
Rüdiger Osterloh
+46 736 84 57 55
rudiger@savehof.se
HCM Baia Mare
Ramona Ioana Pop
+40744839987
meramonaioana@gmail.com
Antony Tahar
+33 02 38866267
antony.tahar@fleuryloirethandball.com
Györi Audi ETO KC
Andrea Szilagyi
+36 70 394 95 96
szilagyi.andrea@gyorietokc.hu
MKS Selgros Lublin
Adam Rozwalka
+48 609 543 931
media@spr.lublin.pl
tsb@fcm.dk
8
WOMEN'S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015/16
Qualification
Tournaments
Main Round
Quarterfinals
FINAL4
4 groups with 4 teams
12 teams
8 teams
4 teams
in one venue
16.-18.10.2015 (1)
23.-25.10.2015 (2)
30.10.-01.11.2015 (3)
06.-08.11.2015 (4)
13.-15.11.2015 (5)
20.-22.11.2015 (6)
08.-10.01.2016 (1)
15.-17.01.2016 (2)
05.-07.02.2016 (3)
12.-14.02.2016 (4)
19.-21.02.2016 (5)
26.-28.02.2016 (6)
26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT
26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT
1 HUN 1
2 MNE 1
3 NOR 1
4 DEN 1
5 MKD 1
6 SLO 1
7 ROU 1
8 GER 1
9 RUS 1
10 SWE 1
11 AUT 1
12 CRO 1
13 FRA 1
14 POL 1
15 HUN 2
16 DEN 2
17 NOR 2
18 ROU 2
19 BLR 1
20 NED 1
21 SRB 1
22 TUR 1
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria
Buducnost
Larvik HK
FC Midtjylland
HC Vardar
RK Krim Mercator
CSM Bucuresti
Thüringer HC
Rostov-Don
IK Sävehof
HC Podravka Vegeta
MKS Selgros Lublin
Györi Audi ETO KC
Team Esbjerg
Glassverket
HCM Baia Mare
HC BNTU-BelAZ Minsk
Sercodak Dalfsen
WHC Radnicki Kragujevac
Ankara Yenimahalle BSK
08.-10.04.2016
second leg
in Budapest
no draw
no draw
12.04.2016
4 Winners of WOMEN'S EHF Champions League Quarterfinals
DRAWS:
Winners of the 2
Qualification
tournaments
NATION
played in semi finals
and finals
01.-03.04.2016 07./08.05.2016
first leg
tournament
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed team of the
WOMEN'S EHF Champions League Main Round
12./13.09.2015
tournaments
1st, 2nd and 3rd placed team from each group
Tournaments
Group Matches
2 groups with 4 teams
4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go
to Cup Winners' Cup Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of
CL Qualification Tornaments go to Cup Winners' Cup
Rd 3
status: 23.06.2015
10
3
6
Main Round
08. - 10.01.2016
15. - 17.01.2016
05. - 07.02.2016
12. - 14.02.2016
19. - 21.02.2016
26. - 28.02.2016
16. - 18.10.2015
23. - 25.10.2015
30.10. - 01.11.2015
06. - 08.11.2015
13 - 15.11.2015
20. - 22.11.2015
12/13.09.2015
Season 2015/16 playing dates
3
6
Main Round
Group Matches
Home matches
Total matches
Group Matches
Qualification
Qualification
second leg
08. - 10.04.2016
first leg
01. - 03.04.2016
Quarter-finals
vs.
1
2
vs. 2
3
vs.
vs. 1
4
Quarter-finals
Women’s EHF Champions League 2015/16 playing system
vs.
07. / 08.05.2016
FINAL4
Final
vs.
3rd Place Match
vs.
vs.
Semi-finals
FINAL4
Playing format
In case of 2 teams of the same country play in the same group in the
main round, the order of the matches in this group can be changed by
the EHF.
The playing system has already seen the reduction of the number of
qualification rounds from two to one and the creation of a new main
round following the group matches, which will remain in the same
format of four groups with four teams each.
The teams ranked 1 to 4 in each group after the completion of the
main round qualify for the quarter-finals.
From the group matches, three teams from each group will qualify for
the main round and the fourth ranked team will play in the Last 16 of
the Cup Winners’ Cup. Following the main round quarter-finals will
be played on a knock-out home and away basis with the four winners
qualifying for the Women’s EHF FINAL4.
Quarter-finals
The matches of the quarterfinals shall be played as first and second
leg matches.
Main Round
The matches of the quarter-finals are not drawn by lots, they result
from the final standings of the main round.
4th placed team Group 2 vs. 1st placed team Group 1
4th placed team Group 1 vs. 1st placed team Group 2
3rd placed team Group 2 vs. 2nd placed team Group 1
3rd placed team Group 1 vs. 2nd placed team Group 2
The main round will be played in two groups of six teams each. The
1st, 2nd and 3rd ranked teams of group A and B of the group matches
go into the same group in the main round (Group 1 of the main round)
and 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranked team of group C and D of the Group
Matches go into the same group in the main round (Group 2).
The three teams coming from the same group take along their results
(points and goals) from the matches against each other. Each team
plays a home and an away match against those 3 teams qualifying
from the parallel group.
There is no protection from teams of the same country. The winning
teams of the quarter-finals qualify for the WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4.
The Main Round of the WOMEN’S EHF Champions League shall be
played in accordance with the schedule set out below.
Round 1: 1. A/C – 1.B/D and 2. A/C – 2. B/D and 3. A/C – 3. B/D
Round 2: 3. B/D – 1. A/C and 1. B/D – 2. A/C and 2. B/D – 3. A/C
Round 3: 1. A/C – 2. B/D and 2. A/C – 3. B/D and 3. A/C – 1. B/D
Round 4: 1. B/D – 1 A/C and 2. B/D – 2. A/C and 3. B/D – 3. A/C
Round 5: 1. A/C – 3. B/D and 2. A/C – 1. B/D and 3. A/C – 2. B/D
Round 6: 2. B/D – 1. A/C and 3. B/D – 2. A/C and 1. B/D – 3. A/C
11
Women’s EHF FINAL4 stays in Budapest until 2016
Following its successful first two editions in Budapest in 2014 and 2015, the Women’s EHF FINAL4
will stay for another year in the Hungarian capital.
Hungarian side Györi Audi ETO KC won the maiden edition in May 2014 in front of 10,000 frenetic
fans, while Buducnost dominated one year later.
The agreement which was reached with the Hungarian Handball Federation as organisers sees the
event being played in Budapest’s Papp Laszlo Sportarena 2016.
More information at: www.ehfFINAL4.com
Media Accrediation for the Women’s EHF FINAL4
The accreditation procedure of media representatives for the Women’s EHF FINAL4 will start in
March 2016.
Tickets for 2016 Women’s EHF FINAL4 go on sale on 18 October
Coinciding with the event’s 200 days to go-mark, tickets for the 2016 edition of Women’s EHF
FINAL4 in Budapest go on sale on 18 October 2015. And fans are advised to be quick as an early
bird-offer of 15 per cent off on all tickets released applies until 31 October.
Up to 12,000 spectators will be able to follow the showpiece event on 7/8 May 2016 in the
Hungarian capital’s Papp László Budapest Sportaréna.
Tickets can be purchased via the official website, www.ehfFINAL4.com . All tickets are valid for both
playing days.
Ticket prices:
Category 1: 39,990 HUF (approx. 130 €) / Early bird-offer: 33,900 HUF (approx. 110 €)
Category 4 tickets at 9,900 HUF (approx. 35€) will go on sale at a later stage. Hungarian fans will
also have the possibility to buy tickets on-site at the first home matches of the two Hungarian
participants in the Women’s EHF Champions League: on 18 October at the match FTC-Rail Cargo
Hungaria vs HC Podravka Vegeta in Dabas and on 25 October at the match Győri Audi ETO KC vs FC
Midtjylland in Győr.
At the EHF FINAL4’s successful premiere in 2014, Győri Audi ETO KC lifted the trophy in front of a
sold-out arena, while Montenegrin champions Buducnost topped the podium in 2015.
“Budapest has proven to be an excellent host of the Women’s EHF Champions League FINAL4.
Everything is really at the highest level. The atmosphere in the hall has always been excellent. Last
season we were very happy because many fans supported us in Budapest. We eagerly await the
start of the Champions League, and every game is a battle for something that we really want this
season, to be again at FINAL4,” says Buducnost’s Katarina Bulatovic.
“Győri Audi ETO won the EHF Champions League in 2013 and 2014, and the 2014 triumph came at
the FINAL4 in Budapest. This was unforgettable for us, and that’s why we would like to repeat it,”
says Győr captain Anita Görbicz.
12
Facts and figures of the group matches
14 champions, two debutants and 104 matches
14 national champions from all over Europe were seeded
directly for the 2015/16 group matches of the Women’s EHF
Champions League, and the last two open spots were taken
by two-time Champions League winners Györ (Hungary)
and Romanian runners-up Baia Mare, both winners of the
qualification tournaments. Right before the start of the group
matches, here are the most important facts and figures.
1 draw only is needed until the Women’s EHF FINAL4 in
Budapest, the draw for the final event. The 12 teams which
make it to the main round will play in two groups of six. Later-on
the quarter-finals are composed by the final ranking of the main
round and the four quarter-final winners will be in the pot for
the draw of the two semi-finals in Budapest.
1 person can become the first female to win the EHF Champions
League as a player and a coach: Indira Kastratovic, who won the
trophy as a player of Kometal Skopje and now is coach of Vardar.
2 nations are represented by two teams each, Hungary (FTC and
Györ) and Romania (Bucharest and Baia Mare).
2 of the 16 group matches participants have been part of
both FINAL4 tournaments in 2014 and 2015 so far: defending
champions Buducnost (MNE) and Vardar (MKD). Györ,
Midtjylland and Larvik were part of the final event once.
2 group phase debutants are among those 16 teams: Bucharest
(Romania) and Rostov-Don (Russia), both domestic champions
for the first time.
3 teams per group will proceed to the main round. Groups A
and B will compose Group 1 of the main round, while Groups C
and D will compose Group 2. Teams will take the results of those
matches against the opponents which also qualify for the main
round with them.
3 - for the third time in a row, the Papp Laszlo Arena in Budapest
will be the hosting venue for the Women’s EHF FINAL4 in May
2016.
4 former Women’s Champions League top scorers are on court
in the 2015/16 group matches: Anita Görbicz (2014: 87 goals,
2012: 133), Heidi Löke (2011: 99), Zsuzsanna Tomori (2013:
95), all playing for Györ and Cristina Neagu (2015: 102) for
Buducnost.
6 former Women’s EHF Champions League winners,
representing 12 titles are part of the 2015/16 group stage: Hypo
(1994, 1995, 1998, 2000), Podravka (1996), Krim (2001, 2003),
Larvik (2011), Buducnost (2012, 2015) and Györ (2013, 2014)
8 former of current female World Handball Player of the Year
are part of the 2015/16 season: Eduarda Amorim (Györ/2014),
Andrea Lekic (Vardar/2013), Alexandra do Nascimento
(Baia Mare/2012), Heidi Löke (Györ/2011), Cristina Neagu
(Buducnost/2010), Allison Pineau (Baia Mare/2009), Gro
Hammerseng-Edin (Larvik/2007), Anita Görbicz (Györ(2005)
8 consecutive times from the 2006/07 to the 2014/15 season,
Györ had at least qualified for the semi-finals of the Women’s
EHF Champions League until the previous season, when
eliminated in the newly created quarter-final by Vardar.
10 nations represent the previous winners of the Women’s EHF
Champions League: Denmark (6 titles), Austria (4), Hungary (3),
Slovenia (2), Montenegro (2), Norway, FYR Macedonia, Spain,
Croatia and Russia (one title each).
11 clubs, which were part of the 2014/15 group matches, are
back again: Györ, Buducnost, Vardar, Hypo, Podravka, Thüringer
HC, Larvik, Lublin, Baia Mare, Lublin and Sävehof. Compared
to last season, those teams failed to qualify: Dinamo, Viborg,
Leipzig, Metz and Zagreb.
14 different nations are part of the group matches, the same
number and even exactly the same nations as in the previous
season.
15 multiple EHF Champions League winners are in the 16 squad
lists, including each four times winners Katrine Lunde (Rostov)
and Katarina Bulatovic (Buducnost).
23 times (so in every year since the Women’s EHF Champions
League was inaugurated in 1993) Hypo Niederösterreich were
part of the competition. Buducnost play their 20th consecutive
Champions League season.
48 matches of the group matches will decide those in total 12
teams (three per group) which proceed to the main round.
104 matches (including qualification) will be played until the
2015/16 winner of the Women’s EHF Champions League will
be confirmed. Eight qualification matches already took place,
followed by 48 matches in the group matches, 36 main round,
eight quarter-final matches and four at the Women’s EHF FINAL4
in Budapest in May 2016.
13
Countries represented
Teams by age average
Teams by height average
Hungary
35
Romania
31
France
26
Croatia
25
Norway
24
Russia
24
Denmark 23
Sweden
22
Montenegro20
Poland
17
Austria
15
Slovenia
13
Germany
11
Spain 8
Serbia
8
Brazil
7
Netherlands6
FYR Macedonia 4
Czech Republic
3
Slovakia
3
Belarus
3
Bulgaria
2
Ukraine
2
Chile
1
Iceland
1
Lithuania
1
CSM Bucuresti
Rostov-Don
MKS Selgros Lublin
HC Vardar
HCM Baia Mare
Larvik
Thüringer HC
RK Krim Mercator
Györi Audi ETO KC
FC Midtjylland
Buducnost
HC Podravka Vegeta
IK Sävehof
CL average
Buducnost
CSM Bucuresti
FC Midtjylland
Györi Audi ETO KC
HC Podravka Vegeta
HC Vardar
HCM Baia Mare
IK Sävehof
Larvik
MKS Selgros Lublin
RK Krim Mercator
Rostov-Don
Thüringer HC
CL average
28.3
27.8
27.1
26.3
26.1
26.0
25.5
25.1
24.4
24.3
23.4
23.0
22.5
21.8
21.8
20.8
24.5
178
177
177
175
176
177
176
179
177
177
176
177
171
178
179
174
176
shortest vs tallest
Clémence Grangy
Marina Sudakova
Louise Sand
Natalia Reshetnikova
Oxana Kiseleva
Hanna Örtorp
Kitti Kiss
Stine Lund Andreassen
Klaudia Kovacs
Trine Ostergaard Jensen
Simone Cathrine Petersen
Marta Lopez Herrero
Maakan Tounkara
Viktoria Lukacs
Elena Magdalena Nicula
FRA
RUS
SWE
RUS
RUS
SWE
HUN
NOR
AUT
DEN
DEN
ESP
FRA
HUN
ROU
Rostov-Don
IK Sävehof
Thüringer HC
Rostov-Don
IK Sävehof
Hypo
IK Sävehof
Hypo
FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland
CSM Bucuresti
155
156
160
162
162
162
163
163
165
165
165
165
165
165
165
Szimonetta Planeta
HUN
Ibolya Wieszne Mehlmann HUN
ElisabethChavez Hernandez ESP
Alena Abramovich
BLR
Kristine Breistøl
NOR
Alina Wojtas
POL
Marina Skladchikova
RUS
Linnea Torstensson
SWE
Gabriela Rotis-Nagy
AUT
Eva Kiss
HUN
Rikke Slumstrup Jensen
DEN
Susan Torp Thorsgaard
DEN
Anouk Van de Wiel
NED
Györi Audi ETO KC
Larvik
Larvik
Rostov-Don
CSM Bucuresti
Györi Audi ETO KC
IK Sävehof
FC Midtjylland
Thüringer HC
youngest vs oldest
Korina Karlovcan
Ivona
Mrden
Iva
Papac
Anais
Atila
Cécilia Errin
Petra
Hlogyik
Greta Marton
Rita
Lakatos
Magdalena Horvat
LeonardaSenvald
Alizée Gérard
Clémence Grangy
Jade
Honsai
Noemi Hafra
Podravka10/18/1998
Podravka 12/29/1998
Podravka11/21/1998
Fleury 3/24/1999
Fleury 12/13/1998
FTC
2/28/1999
FTC
10/3/1999
Györ
7/6/1999
Podravka8/14/1998
Podravka10/3/1998
Fleury 10/14/1998
Fleury 9/4/1998
Fleury 10/18/1997
FTC
10/5/1998
Sergeja Stefanisin
Krim
Olga
Sanko
Hypo
Alzbeta Tothova
Hypo
Ana
Vojcic
FCM
Inna
Suslina
Vardar
Iwona Niedzwiedz
Lublin
Aurelia Bradeanu
CSM
Ionica Munteanu
B. Mare
Sonata Vijunaite
Hypo
Karoline Dyhre Breivang
Larvik
Gro
Hammerseng-Edin Larvk
Cristina Georgiana Varzaru CSM
Paula
Ungureanu
B. Mare
Katrine Lunde
Rostov
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
17
17
17
17
17
17
14
9/19/1974
2/28/1978
2/18/1978
6/3/1979
1/5/1979
7/22/1979
5/5/1979
1/7/1979
2/23/1980
5/10/1980
4/10/1980
12/5/1979
3/30/1980
3/30/1980
41
37
37
36
36
36
36
36
35
35
35
35
35
35
198
192
192
192
191
191
191
190
189
189
189
188
188
Important regulations
Scoring of the matches and ranking
After completion of the group 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;
General
All matches of the WOMEN’S 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.
The matches shall be scored as follows: a) win = 2 points b) draw = 1
point c) loss = 0 points
After completion of the group 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;
f) higher ranking in Group Matches (Main Round only)
g) greater number of points in Group Matches (Main Round only)
Teams’ rankings are obtained by adding up the number of points won.
Group Matches and Main Round
If two or more teams have scored the same number of points, the
ranking will be determined as follows:
During the matches of the group:
a) higher goal difference in all matches;
b) greater number of plus goals in all matches;
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 team managers.
15
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All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions
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League live and on-demand
>>
Additional matches from EHF competitions
incl. EHF EURO events
16
ehfTV.com
Extended women’s coverage on ehfTV.com
The complete coverage of all matches means that only during the
group stage of both competitions handball fans will be spoilt by over
300 matches.
ehfTV.com extends the coverage of the Women’s CL
Since the 2014/15 season, handball’s leading live streaming platform
ehfTV.com has been preparing a special package for all fans of women’s
handball.
From the opening round of the group matches ehfTV produces a new
magazine compiling the most interesting scenes of the round.
Every Monday after a playing round “REWIND - The Women’s Handball
Show” will not only show the highlights of the games, but also
interviews with players and selections of the top five goals and saves.
All matches of new season live
During the 26 minute long programme fans will also be introduced to a
rookie of the round followed by best scenes of the three biggest stars
of the round.
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 and free of charge on ehfTV.com and the videos of all matches
will be also on demand (subject to geo-blocking restrictions).
TV stations to broadcast matches all over the world
The matches of the upcoming season will be shown live or delayed almost all over the world. Not less than 40 TV stations will broadcast matches
live or delayed.
Only in Europe fans will be able to watch matches in 19 countries, but also the handball TV audience in America (USA and Brazil), Asia and Africa
(countries of Middle East and North Africa, Malaysia and Singapore) can look forward to a television coverage.
See the list of TV stations and countries below:
Europe
•
MNE Arena Sport
Asia & Africa
•
AUTORFsportplus
•
NOR Viasat Sport
•
MENA
beIN Sports MENA
•
BEL Eleven Sports
•
POL NC+
•
MYS
Eleven Sports
•
BIH Arena Sport
•
ROU Digisport Romania
•
SGP
Eleven Sports
•
CROHRT
•
ROU Dolce Sport
•
CRO Hrvatski Telekom/ Arena Sport
•
RUS NTV+
News
•
DEN DR 1/2
•
SLO Sport TV Slovenia
•
DEN Viasat Denmark
•
SRB Arena Sport
•
FRA beIN Sports
•
SVK/CZE
•
GERMDR
•
SWE Viasat 10
•
HUNsport1/2
•
MKD MKRTV
•
MKD Arena Sport
•
MNE PRVA TV
Sport 1 Slovakia
America
•
BRA Esporte Interactivo
•
USA beIN Sports USA
17
•
HUN
MTVA
•
SLO
RTVSLO
•
SWE
SVT
ENERGY
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WWW.ADIDASHANDBALL.COM
Group A preview
Former champions and optimistic new teams
RK Krim Mercator have even done it twice although it was quite a while ago. In the 2000/01 season and
again two years later, the Slovenian club won the tournament while Larvik won it in the 2010/11 season.
The two remaining teams in the group, HCM Baia Mare and Rostov-Don have never made it that far.
Rostov-Don are even debutants in the tournament, but both teams are hungry for success. Once again,
Larvik have qualified for the Champions League group matches as clear Norwegian champions.
Actually, the team from the south-west of Scandinavian has won all three titles – league, play-off and cup.
However, it is a team, which has undergone several changes in their 16th Champions League campaign. Tor
Odvar Moen, who has had several different functions in the club since 1997, had taken over as head coach
from Ole Gustav Gjekstad who took the team to the EHF FINAL4 last season, and five players have also left,
the most prominent being right back and right wing Linn Jorum Sulland who is now with Györ Audi ETO.
Sulland is a Norwegian international, just like another key player who is missing - right wing Lin Kristin
Riegelhuth Koren (maternity leave). New players have been signed, though, and among those, right back
Amanda Kurtovic seems to be the most interesting newcomer, based on her performances in the preseason and the first part of the season. Jenny Osnes Graesholt also seems like an interesting new signing
on the right wing in a Larvik team who are not likely to have any trouble qualifying for the main round. The
only question is from which position.
Rostov-Don are debutants in the Women’s EHF Champions League, but rather immodest debutants, we
have to say. Among their goals for the season is “to win two matches at the FINAL4 in Budapest.” However,
there is a certain basis for optimism in the club, which won the Russian championship for the first time last
season. The team has been further reinforced after reaching the EHF Cup final last season, with Norwegian
goalkeeper Katrine Lunde joining from Györi Audi ETO KC is probably most prominent signing.
The charismatic Danish coach Jan Leslie seems to have a nearly perfect mix of experienced players
and talents with plenty of potential to work with. The first indication of Rostov-Don’s chances in the
competition may come already in their first group match away against Larvik.
HCM Baia Mare are not Champions League debutants, but the Romanian club is still relatively new in the
tournament. This season is only their third season in the Champions League, but the third in succession.
Baia Mare had to go through the qualification tournament to reach the group matches this year, but they
had no problems winning their qualification group on home court, and the fact that they come from the
qualifiers will probably not make any opponent underestimate them. Players like Lois Abbingh, Valentina
Ardean Elisei and Allison Pineau, just to mention a few, always guarantee a certain quality.
Slovenian champions RK Krim Mercator, are in the Champions League group matches for the ninth time
in a row, but they may have certain trouble living up to their performances of the past. Even though their
experienced coach Marta Bon has performed wonders before, she will have her work cut out for her with
Krim’s young and rather inexperienced squad this season.
Peter Bruun
19
Group A head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group A opponents in the EC
Larvik vs RK Krim Mercator 9-0-7 (397:387) 18:14
03.03.2001
Larvik HK vs RK Krim Neutro Roberts, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
24:20 (13:9)
10.03.2001
RK Krim Neutro Roberts vs Larvik HK, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
29:17 (17:7)
15.03.2003
Larvik HK vs Krim ETA N. Roberts, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
22:21 (9:11)
22.03.2003
Krim ETA N. Roberts vs Larvik HK, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
30:25 (14:10)
17.04.2004
Larvik HK vs Krim Ljubljana Slovenia, EHF Champions League – Semi-final
30:33 (17:18)
24.04.2004
Krim Ljubljana Slovenia vs Larvik HK, EHF Champions League – Semi-final
27:19 (14:9)
21.01.2006
Larvik HK vs Krim Ljubljana Slovenia, EHF Champions League – Group A
29:23 (16:9)
18.02.2006
Krim Ljubljana Slovenia vs Larvik HK, EHF Champions League – Group A
24:19 (11:11)
19.02.2010
RK Krim Mercator vs Larvik HK, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1
30:34 (15:21)
20.03.2010
Larvik HK vs RK Krim Mercator, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1
30:23 (14:8)
16.10.2011
Larvik vs RK Krim Mercator, EHF Champions League – Group B
31:19 (13:10)
13.11.2011
RK Krim Mercator vs Larvik, EHF Champions League – Group B
19:22 (11:11)
06.04.2013
Larvik vs RK Krim Mercator, EHF Champions League – Semi-final
22:24 (9:16)
13.04.2013
RK Krim Mercator vs Larvik, EHF Champions League – Semi-final
19:27 (9:13)
01.02.2014
RK Krim Mercator vs Larvik, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2
24:18 (12:10)
08.03.2014
Larvik vs RK Krim Mercator, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2
28:22 (14:12)
Larvik vs Rostov-Don
No previous encounters
Larvik vs HCM Baia Mare 2-0-0 (55:49) 4:0
31.10.2014
HCM Baia Mare vs Larvik, EHF Champions League – Group D
23:24 (13:12)
08.11.2014
Larvik vs HCM Baia Mare, EHF Champions League – Group D
31:26 (16:11)
RK Krim Mercator vs Rostov-Don
RK Krim Mercator vs HCM Baia Mare
Rostov-Don vs HCM Baia Mare
20
Larvik (NOR)
GROUP A
By cheating the gallows with their financial problems, keeping nearly the same successful
squad from the 2014/15 season and having a former coach back in the hot seat: Larvik HK
remain one of the main contenders to reach the Women’s EHF FINAL4 in Budapest.
In May 2015, they had their first appearance at the pinnacle event of women’s club handball,
making it to the final against Buducnost. There, the Norwegian record champions failed to lift
their second Champions League trophy after their 2011 success.
In June, Tor Odvar Moen became the successor of Ole Gustav Gjekstad, starting the mission to
rejuvenate the team. Defence boss Tonje Larsen ended her career and is now Moen’s assistant
on the bench, Linn Sulland has transferred to 2013 and 2014 champions Györ and also line
player Isabel Blanco has also left Larvik. Some talented players have joined the squad mainly
from the club’s youth programme, and the biggest name among the new arrivals is a wellknown face in Larvik: Amanda Kurtovic, who is back, where it all started.
Playing hall
Arena Larvik
Hoffsgate 6
3262 Larvik
Norway
Capacity: 4,000
Club Address:
Larvik
Sverresgate 7
N-3256 Larvik
Norway
Media contact:
Harald Gaupen
+47 33 138 230
harald.gaupen@gmail.com
Online information:
Website: www.larvikhk.no
Facebook: larvikhk
Twitter: @LarvikHK
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: orange
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: green
With a highly competitive team, Larvik aim to lift all domestic trophies in Norway and to qualify
for the Women’s EHF FINAL4 again. Moen is confident of being able to compete with the best
of the best: “Despite working through a very tough financial situation, we still feel that we
have a very strong team with a small number, but exciting newcomers. In addition, if players
like Tine Stange and Alina Wojtas recover from their injuries in time, we will be even stronger.
We would very much like to see ourselves back in Budapest in May 2016, but we know that
the road to the FINAL4 will be a little bit harder this time. Many teams have strengthened their
squads, so this season will probably be the best tournament ever.”
Experienced team captain and former world handball player of the year, Gro Hammerseng-Edin
expects Larvik to be strong too: “Some say, that we have a slightly smaller group of players
this season, but when I look around I see quality and experience in all directions. Thus, we
would love another shot at Budapest this season! Many teams have brought in some strong
reinforcements during the summer, and this will probably give us the role of the hunters, not
the hunted.”
Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions
League 2015/16 season: Norwegian champions
Coach: Tor Odvar Moen (since 2015, successor
Ole Gustav Gjekstad)
Team captain: Gro Hammerseng-Edin
Newcomers:
Amanda Kurtovic (Oppsal)
Jenny Osnes Graesholt (Nordstrand)
Hanne Svela (junior team)
Lena Lowe (junior team)
Helene Glemming (junior team)
Left the club:
Linn Jorum Sulland (Györ)
Tonje Larsen (end of career, assistant coach)
Isabel Blanco
Tine Rustad Albertsen
Sofie Heide Lund (Skrim Kongsberg)
21
Past achievements
Participations (including 2015/16
season): 17
Winners (1): 2010/11
Runners-up (2): 2012/13, 2014/15
Semi-final (4): 2001/02, 2003/04,
2009/10, 2011/12
Quarter-final (3): 2000/01, 2002/03,
2006/07
Main Round (1): 2013/14
Group Matches (5): 1994/95, 1997/98,
2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09
Other
Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2004/05,
2007/08, Semi-final 1996/97, 2005/06
EHF Cup: Runners-up 2005/06
Norwegian league: 17 titles (1994, 1997,
2000-03, 2005-2015)
Norwegian cup: 15 titles
Larvik (NOR)
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win:
41:20 (24:9) v Dinamo RUS (h), 12.02.2011
Biggest defeat:
29:17 (17:7) v RK Krim Neutro Roberts SLO (a), 10.03.2001
Longest winning run:
15 matches (18.10.2014 – 09.05.2015)
Longest unbeaten run:
15 matches (18.10.2014 – 09.05.2015)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (03.11.2007 – 05.01.2008)
Longest run without win:
5 matches (16.11.2013 – 01.03.2014)
Most goals:
41 v Dinamo RUS 41:20W (h), 12.02.2011
Most goals opponent:
35 v HC ‘Lada Togliatti’ RUS 35:25L (a), 10.11.2007
Most goals both teams:
70 v IK Sävehof SWE 39:31W (h), 13.10.2012
Fewest goals:
13 v Buducnost MNE 23:13L (a), 08.04.2012
Fewest goals opponent:
16 v Oltchim Valcea ROU 22:16W (h), 10.02.2001
16 v Buducnost MNE 28:16W (h), 16.03.2013
Fewest goals both teams:
35 v HC Dinamo RUS 18:17W (h), 08.11.2009
EHF Champions League record
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1994/95 Larvik HK NOR
6
2
1
3
141:144
-3
5:7
3rd Gr. A
6
3
0
3
165:150
+15
6:6
3rd Gr. C
8
5
0
3
193:181
+12
10:6
1/4-finals
10
7
1
2
262:253
+9
15:5
1/2-finals
8
4
1
3
216:193
+23
9:7
1/4-finals
10
5
1
4
287:262
+25
11:9
1/2-finals
6
3
0
3
153:154
-1
6:6
3rd Gr. A
8
5
0
3
236:211
+25
10:6
1/4-finals
6
2
0
4
166:179
–13
4:8
3rd Gr. C
6
3
0
3
179:169
+10
6:6
3rd Gr. C
14
10
0
4
365:339
+26
20:8
1/2-finals
2010/11 Larvik NOR
16
13
0
3
469:376
+93
26:6
Winner
2011/12 Larvik NOR
14
6
2
6
336:330
+6
14:14
1/2-finals
2012/13 Larvik NOR
16
10
0
6
435:379
+56
20:12
Runner-up
2013/14 Larvik NOR
12
5
2
5
304:280
+24
12:12
3rd MR Gr. 2
2014/15 Larvik NOR
16
15
0
1
444:355
+89
30:2
Runner-up
16298 8
Total
22
56 4351:3955 +396 204:120
Larvik (NOR)
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
20
14
8
4
21
3
10
12
13
11
22
23
9
19
5
7
22
17
18
1
28
Frida Helene
Kristine
Karoline Dyhre
Marit Malm
Helene
Anja
Gro
Alma
Vilde Ingeborg
Linn-Kristin
Amanda
Lena
Nora
Thea
Jenny
Mari Kristine
Sanna Charlotte
Tine
Hanne
Sandra
Alina
Bjaaland
Breistøl
Breivang
Frafjord
Glemming
Hammerseng-Edin
Hammerseng-Edin
Hasanic
Johansen
Koren Riegelhuth
Kurtovic
Lowe
Mørk
Mørk
Osnes Graesholt
Søbstad Molid
Solberg
Stange
Svela
Toft
Wojtas
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
MNE
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
NOR
DEN
POL
Left Back 05/07/1995
Centre Back 10/05/1980
Line Player
25/11/1985
Right Wing 03/01/1997
Back 05/02/1983
Goalkeeper 13/05/1989
Line Player 25/07/1994
Right Back 25/07/1991
Right Back 05/04/1991
Left Wing 05/04/1991
Back 08/08/1990
Left Wing 16/06/1990
Goalkeeper 18/10/1989
Place of birth
Porsgrunn, NOR
Oslo, NOR
Oslo, NOR
Tromso, NOR
Oslo, NOR
Porsgrunn, NOR
Gjovik, NOR
Sije
Tønsberg
Lorenskog, NOR
Karlskrona
Tønsberg, NOR
Oslo
Oslo
Oslo, NOR
Trondheim
Bærum
Tonsberg, NOR
Stavanger, NOR
Gribskov
Nowy Sacz, POL
Tor Odvar Moen
coach
• has made a comeback to the job as head coach ahead of the 2015/16 season,
succeeding Ole Gustav Gjekstad, to whom he was assistant coach for the previous
three and a half years
• has been with Larvik since 1997, taking care of several different jobs in the club
• head coach in the club for the second time, as he took over at New Year 2011, as
now late Karl Erik Bohn left with immediate effect
• led Larvik to the club’s only CL triumph so far – in 2011
• has his strongest qualities in the tactical area and in communication with the
players
23
Height
179
191
172
182
171
179
180
176
175
176
167
168
167
178
178
179
173
176
191
Sanna Solberg
left wing
Sandra Toft
goalkeeper
• joined Larvik from Norwegian league colleagues
Stabaek in the summer of 2014.
• her 25th birthday on 18 October 2014 marked her
debut in the CL (against Metz Handball)
• 2014/15 is her first season outside her native
country Denmark after she came from Holstebro
• 2014/15 is her first CL season, she has European
experience from the Cup Winners` Cup with
Stabaek, though.
• became number one for Denmark when Karin
Mortensen and Christina Nymand Pedersen quit the
national team after the London Olympics 2012
• her twin sister Silje plays for Danish league club
Team Tvis Holstebro as a goalkeeper
• Silje had played 36 internationals already, when
Sanna had her debut in the autumn of 2013.
• broke a neck vertebra in a car accident in 2009
and was close to being paralysed from the neck
down – she was back on the court in five months
EHF EURO: G 2014
Gro Hammerseng-Edin
left back
Anja Hammerseng-Edin
centre back
• World Handball Player of the year (2007)
• awarded the MVP at the EHF EURO 2012 after she
led Norway to the silver medal
• excluding the 2011 WCh title and the 2012 Olympic
gold - she has the same medals as Riegelhuth-Koren
• also for her club team she has proven to be
extremely valuable – at orchestrating Larvik’s
attacking play
• several times the 32-year-old Norwegian was
nominated for All-Star Teams at major tournaments
• played in Gerpen and Storhamar before she
joined Larvik in 2012
• in 2011 she was a key part of Larvik’s CL winning
team
• in the 2013 summer she got married to her
teammate Gro Hammerseng.
• in 2013 she retired from the national team
EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2004
OG: G 2008, WCh: S 2001, 2007, EHF EURO: G 2004, 2006, 2010, S 2002
EHF EURO: S 2012, WCh: B 2009
Marit Malm Frafjord
line player
Nora Mørk
right back
• used to play for Larvik’s rivals Byasen, but
joined Larvik in 2014 after a three year long foreign
adventure at Viborg HK
• best scorer of the Norwegian team at the EHF
EURO 2014 (41 goals)
• voted the best right back of the EHF EURO 2014
• crucial in the centre of defence as well in the
attack, to Larvik and the Norwegian national team
• can also play on the right wing, her twin sister
and teammate Thea plays on the left wing
• an Achilles tendon injury kept her out of the
last part of last season, and the first half of this
one, but since new year, she has been back at full
strength
• joined Larvik in the 2009/10 season and debuted
in the national team in 2010 as 19-year-old
• in 2013/14 she had her record-breaking CL
season so far with 71 goals
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2014
OG: G 2008, 2012, EHF EURO: G 2006, 2008, 2010, S 2012, WCh: G 2011, S 2007, B 2009
EC trophies: CL 2011
EHF EURO: G 2010, 2014
Amanda Kurtovic
right back
Jenny Osnes Graesholt
right wing
• made a comeback to Larvik in summer 2015 after
three years joining from league colleagues Oppsal
• joined Larvik ahead of the 2015/16 season from
Nordstrand replacing Norwegian international Linn
Kristin Riegelhuth Koren who is on maternity leave
• for a long time, she seemed to be heading for
Danish Nykobing Falster, but ended in Larvik
• one of her greatest assets is her speed which
makes her particularly valuable in the counter
attacks which are so crucial to Larvik
• mainly seen as back up to Nora Mork in the right
back after Linn Jorum Sulland has left for Györ
• has two internationals for Norway – both
friendlies – on her CV so far
• has been bothered quite a lot by injuries through
her career and an injury also meant that she missed
the triumph of winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in
2014 with Danish Viborg HK
• was nominated for the All Star Team of the Year in
the Norwegian league after the 2013-14 season
OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011
24
GROUP A
RK Krim Mercator (SLO)
It was 2005/06 the last time Krim made their fifth and most recent appearance in the final of
the EHF Champions League. Ten seasons later and things are very different for the Slovenian
record champions.
The big names have gone and developing young talent is key to the future direction of the
side. Coach Marta Bon is left with the task of trying to integrate internationally inexperienced
players into the setup. The former Slovenian national team boss will have to draw on all her
years of experience with the Ljubljana based team drawn in one of the toughest groups.
Larvik, who finished as runners-up last season, represent dangerous opponents as do 2015
quarter-finalists Baia Mare and Russian champions Rostov-Don.
Krim team captain Tamara Mavsar knows a difficult challenge lies ahead.
“All three opponents have a high quality in their squads. Larvik will perform in a quite similar
way to the previous years, but know each other even better now. Rostov are a newcomer,
but the level of performance they showed last season and the current pre-season proves that
they are a good team. Baia Mare are strong too as they demonstrated in the qualification
tournament with two clear wins,” Mavsar said.
Playing hall
Arena Stožice
Vojkova Cesta 100
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Capacity: 6,000
Club Address:
RK Krim Mercator
Center Stožice
Vojkova Cesta 100
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Media contact:
Gašper Lončarič
+386 51 630 877
gasper@rkkrim.com
Online information:
Website: www.rkkrim.com
Facebook: rkkrim
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: blue, red
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: purple, green
Vesna Milanovic-Litre, who joins from Györ, is the big addition to the club but the side are
determined to develop younger players. Secretary general Tina Kravanja explained: “We
started the project of getting back where we were in the past, in the previous season.
“We had to face a lot of obstacles in our way and still have a long way ahead to achieve our set
goals but the players, coaches, staff, everybody in the club believe in this path.”
League 2015/16 season: Slovenian champions
Coach: Marta Bon (since May 2014)
Team captain: Tamara Mavsar
Newcomers:
Vesna Milanovic-Litre (Györ)
Marija Obradovic (Zagorje)
Amra Pandzic (Zalec)
Neza Avbelj (Krka)
Left the club:
Marina Lambevska
Amelie Goudjo
Gloria Pavlova
Melanie Bak (Bordeaux)
Alja Jankovic (Celje)
Liliya Artsiukhovich (Minsk)
Alexandra Petrukhina
Sanja Gregorc (Vac)
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: black
25
Past achievements
season): 21
Winners (2): 2000/01, 2002/03
Runners-up (3): 1998/99, 2003/04,
2005/06
Semi-final (1): 2012/13
Quarter-final (4): 1996/97, 1997/98,
2004/05, 2006/07
Last 16 (1): 1995/96
Main Round (6): 2008/09, 2009/10,
2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15
Group Matches (3): 1999/00, 2001/02,
2007/08
Other
Slovenian league: 21 titles (1995 – 2015)
Slovenian cup: 22 titles
Biggest win:
36:12 (18:3) v Anagennisi Artas GRE (h), 25.01.1997
Biggest defeat:
39:20 (19:8) v Buducnost MNE (a), 15.03.2015
6 matches (04.01.2003 – 22.02.2003)
6 matches (08.01.2005 – 19.02.2005)
7 matches (20.02.2000 – 10.02.2001)
Longest losing run:
9 matches (09.11.2014 – 15.03.2015)
9 matches (09.11.2014 – 15.03.2015)
Most goals:
41 v H/K Dinamo Volgograd RUS 41:33W (h), 13.01.2007
47 v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD 29:47L (h), 06.03.2015
76 v ‘Buducnost’ MNE 36:40L (h), 04.03.2011
76 v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD 29:47L (h), 06.03.2015
Fewest goals:
12 v Anagennisi Artas GRE 36:12W (h), 25.01.1997
34 v ESBF Besancon FRA 19:15W (h), 02.01.1999
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1996/97 Krim Electa Ljubljana SLO
8
4
0
4
197:178
+19
8:8
1/4-finals
8
4
0
4
210:218
-8
8:8
1/4-finals
12
6
1
5
298:287
+11
13:11
Runner-up
1999/00 Krim Electa NR Ljubljana SLO
6
2
1
3
153:146
+7
5:7
3rd Gr. B
2000/01 RK Krim Neutro Roberts SLO
12
6
3
3
302:270
+32
15:9
Winner
2001/02 RK Krim Neutro Roberts SLO
6
3
0
3
148:151
-3
6:6
3rd Gr. D
2002/03 Krim ETA N. Roberts Ljubljana SLO
12
10
0
2
357:302
+55
20:4
Winner
2003/04 Krim Ljubljana Slovenia SLO
12
7
0
5
344:309
+35
14:10
Runner-up
2004/05 Krim Ljubljana SLO
8
7
0
1
222:185
+37
14:2
1/4-finals
2005/06 Krim Ljubljana Slovenia SLO
12
8
0
4
312:285
+27
16:8
Runner-up
2006/07 RK Krim Mercator Ljubljana SLO
8
5
0
3
245:231
+14
10:6
1/4-finals
2007/08 RK Krim Mercator Ljubljana SLO
6
2
1
3
175:180
-5
5:7
3rd Gr. B
2008/09 RK Krim Mercator SLO
12
6
0
6
383:386
-3
12:12
4th MR Gr. 2
12
7
1
4
364:334
+30
15:9
3rd MR Gr. 1
12
6
0
6
364:356
+8
12:12
3rd MR Gr. 1
12
4
2
6
290:312
-22
10:14
3rd MR Gr. 2
14
8
0
6
355:355
0
16:12
1/2-finals
12
5
1
6
300:295
+5
11:13
4th MR Gr. 2
12
2
0
10
305:374
–69
4:20
6th MR Gr. 1
19610210 84 5324:5154 +170 214:178
Total
26
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
Height
11
13
23
14
10
3
20
5
16
8
7
51
17
21
12
71
18
Neza
Mirjeta
Polona
Aneja
Lara
Manca
Alja
Maja
Misa
Tamara
Vesna
Marija
Elizabeth
Amra
Sergeja
Ana
Nina
Avbelj
Bajramoska
Baric
Beganovic
Hrncic
Juric
Koren
Lukovic
Marincek
Mavsar
Milanovic Litre
Obradovic
Omoregie
Pandzic
Stefanisin
Zrimsek
Zulic
SLO
MKD
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SRB
SLO
SLO
CRO
SRB
BUL
SLO
SLO
SLO
SLO
Left Back Left Back Centre Back Line Player Right Back Line Player Right Wing Right Wing Goalkeeper Left Wing Line Player Left Back Centre Back Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Right Back Centre Back 11/04/1992
22/11/1984
15/05/1992
09/11/1997
18/04/1993
18/01/1995
11/12/1990
08/02/1989
18/02/1985
01/04/1991
30/05/1986
06/08/1992
29/12/1996
20/09/1989
19/09/1974
17/08/1995
04/12/1995
Ljubljana, SLO
Bitola, MKD
Izola
Ljubljana, SLO
Slovenj gradec
Ljubljana, SLO
Celje
krusevac
Celje
Ljubljana
Sinj
Beograd
ATHENE
Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana, SLO
LJUBLJANA
179
179
Marta Bon
coach
• former excellent left wing with Olimpija in the then Yugoslavian
league and later with Krim in Slovenia
• her third stint as Krim coach, has taken them to the main round
in the CL several times
• head coach of the Slovenia national team
• has a PhD in kinesiology, a professor at the Faculty of Sport in
Ljubljana and a member of Ljubljana city council
27
172
171
185
171
187
178
181
176
177
184
180
Misa Marincek
goalkeeper
Tamara Mavsar
left wing
• this will be her 4th season in two spells with Krim.
• born and bred in Ljubljana.
• has also played with Ptuj, Zalec, Olimpija and
Kärnten (AUT)
• made her CL debut at age 17
• returned to Krim for the 2013/14 season.
• in 2012/13 season she was nominated as one of
the best up-and-coming players in the CL
• looking to edge out Sergeja Stefanisin as number
one goalkeeper
• most experienced player for Krim by far and
penalty taker for the team
Marija Obradovic
left back
Mirjeta Bajramoska
left back
• went through the ranks of ZRK Crvena Zvezda and
BMS Milenium
• Has some CL experience from her stints with
Macedonian clubs
• captained Serbian youth under 19 national team
to semi-finals in the Women’s 19 EURO 2011 and
Women’s U19 World Championship 2012
• this is only her third venture abroad – she played
with Elpides (GRE) and Alicante (ESP)
• will have to fill the void in the backcourt left by
Andrea Penezic and Linnea Torstenson
• playing her debut season in the CL, after joining
from RK Zagorje in 2015
• known for having a fiery and inspiring personality
on court
• daughter to Montenegro men’s coach Ljubo
Obradovic, sister to former Buducnost and Slagelse
playmaker Anja Obradovic
Elizabeth Omoregie
centre back
Vesna Milanovic-Litre
line player
• widely considered among the most talented players
of her generation
• playing her sixth CL season, with 72 goals scored
so far in the competition
• very versatile, playing across the back-court as well
on the wing, with inherent ability to find space and
create her own chances to score
• played in the 2014/15 quarter-final with Györ
• important Croatian national team member, with
almost 100 matches played
• made her CL debut in 2014/15 aged 17, scoring 34
goals for Krim
• student of Economics was selected CL Rookie of the
Round 4 in 2014/15
• versatile end-to-end line player, who relishes
defensive duties
• started playing handball as a 12-year old, at her
hometown club RK Sinj
Alja Koren
right back
Maja Lukovic
right wing
• had her first experience in the CL with Celje in
2005/06.
• returning after an injury, but has potential to
develop into a top level performer.
• moved to Krim in 2009 for three seasons.
• the 2014/15 is her maiden season in the Women’s
EHF Champions League.
• later spent two seasons (2012/13 and 2013/14)
with Erd (HUN) as a right wing
• played the Challenge Cup 2011/12 with Crvena
Zvezda (SRB)
• made a successful transformation from wing to
right back before the 2014/15 season, so she can
play on both positions
28
GROUP A
Rostov-Don (RUS)
Maybe it is a good omen for Rostov-Don that the last debutants, which won the EHF
Champions League in their first appearance, came from Russia: Zvezda Zvenigorod in the
2007/08 season. After failing three straight times in the qualification tournaments, Rostov
will now start their maiden voyage in the Champions League - and a large number of experts
predict that the Russian champions are contenders for going all the way to the EHF FINAL4 in
Budapest in May.
Those predictions are mainly due to Rostov’s signings - and are centralised around one name:
Katrine Lunde - for many the best goalkeeper in the world, two-time Olympic champion, threetime EHF EURO champion, world champion and four-time Champions League winner.
The Norwegian began her new chapter in Russia last year, after giving birth to her baby and
leaving Györ. She has replaced Montenegrin goalkeeper Sonja Barjaktarovic. In addition, six
Russian internationals have transferred to Rostov - Anna Sen (Györ), Ksenia Makeeva (Baia
Mare), Ekaterina Davydenko (Baia Mare), Oxana Kiseleva (Kuban), Anna Sedoykina (DinamoSinara) and Maria Basarab (Zvezda) – making them a dominant force.
Playing hall
Palace of Sport “ Rostov Don”
St. Khalturinsky str. 103
344011 Rostov-Don
Russia
Capacity: 3,500
Club Address:
Rostov-Don
1 Konnoy Army street, 4-a
344029 Rostov-on-Don
Russia
Media contact:
Maksim Shchennikov
+7 918 5207625
pzrostov@mail.ru
Online information:
Website: www.rostovhandball.ru
Facebook: RostovHandball
Twitter: @HCRostovDon
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: yellow-black
Player short: yellow
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: black-yellow
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: dark red
The previous Rostov squad, led by Danish-born coach Jan Leslie, nearly won the treble last
season. After becoming Russian champions, cup winners, and, subsequently, participated twice
in the semi-final at the EHF Cup Winners’ Cup in 2013 and 2014, Rostov made it to the final of
the EHF Cup in May. But all hopes of winning their first international trophy were shattered by
the Danish side Team Tvis Holstebro in a 20:33 defeat.
As Rostov proved they were capable of reaching an international final, their goal for the season
sounds quite interesting and confident: “Defending both trophies in Russia and winning two
matches at the EHF FINAL4 in Budapest.”
A coup like this would be the icing on the cake for the 50th anniversary of the club, which will
include a big celebration, as well as a match against the Russian national team. But before
dreaming of participating in the FINAL4, Rostov will duel with two other current powerhouses
of women’s handball in Group A: 2015 finalist Larvik and 2015 quarter-finalist Baia Mare
(where line player Ksenia Makeeva and right back player Ekaterina Davydenko will face their
former teammates), along with their third rejuvenated opponent, Krim.
League 2015/16 season: Russian champions
Coach: Jan Leslie
Team captain: Regina Shymkute
Newcomer:
Katrine Lunde (Györ)
Anna Sen (Györ)
Ksenia Makeeva (Baia Mare)
Ekaterina Davydenko (Baia Mare)
Oxana Kiseleva (Kuban)
Anna Sedoykina (Dinamo-Sinara)
Maria Basarab (Zvezda)
Left the club:
Ekaterina Artamonova (Kuban, Russia)
Andjela Bulatovic (ERD, Hungary)
Olga Perederiy (IUVENTA Michalovce, Slovakia)
Sonja Barjaktarovic
Oxana Svitanko
29
Past achievements
season): 4
Qualification (3): 2011/12, 2012/13,
2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: runners-up 2014/15, quarterfinal 2009/10
Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2012/13,
2013/14, quarter-final 2010/11
Russian league: 4 titles (1990, 1991,
1994, 2015)
Russian cup: 7 titles
Rostov-Don (RUS)
Biggest win:N/A
Biggest defeat:N/A
Longest winning run:N/A
Longest unbeaten run:N/A
Longest losing run:N/A
Longest run without win:N/A
Most goals:N/A
Most goals opponent:N/A
Most goals both teams:N/A
Fewest goals:N/A
Fewest goals opponent:N/A
Fewest goals both teams:N/A
Reached
MP
W
N/A
30
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
Rostov-Don (RUS)
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
77
12
17
99
18
33
22
3
19
6
1
7
10
21
8
23
16
4
71
15
Elena
Mariya
Vladlena
Viktoriya
Ekaterina
Ekaterina
Oxana
Katrine
Kseniya
Iuliia
Galina
Mayya
Anna
Anna
Anna
Regina
Marina
Elena
Alexandra
Marina
Avdekova
Basarab
Bobrovnikova
Borshchenko
Davydenko
Ilina
Kiseleva
Lunde
Makeeva
Managarova
Mekhdieva
Petrova
Punko
Sedoykina
Sen
Shymkute
Skladchikova
Slivinskaya
Stepanova
Sudakova
RUS
RUS
RUS
UKR
RUS
RUS
RUS
NOR
RUS
UKR
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
RUS
Left Wing Goalkeeper Left Back Left Wing Right Back Left Back Left Wing Goalkeeper Line Player Right Wing Goalkeeper Line Player Right Back Goalkeeper Left Back Left Back Goalkeeper Left Back Line Player Right Wing 07/01/1989
19/01/1990
24/10/1987
05/01/1986
07/03/1989
07/03/1991
12/07/1988
30/03/1980
19/09/1990
27/09/1988
17/06/1985
26/05/1982
27/03/1989
01/08/1984
03/12/1990
21/12/1985
22/11/1990
09/05/1980
21/06/1989
17/02/1989
Novokuznetsk, RUS
Uray, RUS
Krasnodar, RUS
Herson, UKR
Togliatti, RUS
Togliatti, RUS
Krasnodar, RUS
Kristiansand, NOR
Ufa, RUS
Dnieprpetrovsk, UKR
Rostov-On-Don, RUS
Volgograd, RUS
Krasnodar, RUS
Volgograd, RUS
Krasnodar, RUS
Herson, UKR
Krasnodar, RUS
Rostov-On-Don, RUS
Lievsk, RUS
Volgograd, RUS
Jan Leslie
coach
•
signed with Rostov-Don in 2014
•
his first experience away from his home country Denmark
• won the Russian league in his debut season, having led RostovDon to the champion’s title for the first time since 1994
• previously worked in Denamrk at Skjern, Aalborg, Esbjerg and
Randers and won the EHF Cup in 2010 and the Danish league in 2012
with Randers
•
considered one of the top Danish coaches of the new generation
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2010 (as coach)
31
Height
180
186
180
170
184
175
162
181
182
170
180
184
185
181
185
179
191
186
180
156
Katrine Lunde
goalkeeper
Viktoria Borshchenko
left wing
• one of the best goalkeepers in the world who has
a big collection of major trophies won both with
clubs and the Norwegian national team
• won Russian league four times during her five
seasons in Russia: with Dinamo Volgograd in 2011,
2012, 2013 and with Rostov-Don in 2015
• her move to Rostov-Don after five years at
Hungary’s Györ was one of the biggest transfer
events in Europe in summer 2015
• in her native Ukraine, she played for Dnepryanka
Kherson, Smart Krivy Rog and Galychanka Lviv
• took part in a number of World and European
Championships with the Ukraine national team
• missed the last season at Györ because of
pregnancy and got a baby in March
• can play not only as a left wing but, if necessary,
also as a playmaker
• already worked with Jan Leslie at Aalborg, and
this was one of the factors of her moving to Rostov
EC Trophies: CL 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014
OG: G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, S 2002, 2012
WCh: G 2011, S 2007, B 2009
Regina Shymkute
left back
Anna Sen
left back
• born in Kherson, Ukraine in the family of a
Lithuanian father and a Russian mother, and
therefore has a Lithuanian last name
• came back to Rostov-Don after a season in
Hungary where she played for Gyor
• moved to Rostov-Don in 2010 after years of
playing in Ukraine and Romania
• her first spell at Rostov was in 2011-14, and during
that time she was the Russian Cup twice, in 2012 and
2013
• played for Ukraine national team for many
years but in December 2014 decided to change her
citizenship and got a Russian passport
• has also played for Kuban Krasnodar and Zvezda
Zvenigorod, but has never been a Russian champion
yet
• played football at a young age and at some point
even took the 4th place in the Ukrainian league with
her team
• in 2008 won the Junior World Championship with
Russia and became the top scorer of that tournament
Ekaterina Ilina
centre back
Maya Petrova
line player
• started her 13th season at Rostov-Don in 2015,
but had never become the Russian champion with
this club before the previous season
• one of the best Russian playmakers and the big
revelation of the last season
• moved to Rostov-Don in 2014 from Lada Toliatti
just after winning the EHF Cup with that team
• has been playing for Russian national team in
beach handball as well
• in 2008 became the Junior World Champion with
the Russian team in Bratislava
• married to a football player Alexander Petrov
and has two sons Artem and Dima
• won her first domestic trophies later than
international ones, having become the Russian
champion and Supercup winner with Rostov in 2015
• has two diplomas of higher education after
graduating from the Kuban State University as well
as the Architecture and Construction Institute
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014
EURO: B 2008, WCh: G 2009
Ekaterina Davydenko
right back
Iuliia Managarova
back
• came back to Russia in summer after a year spent
at HCM Baia Mare in Romania
• moved to Rostov in 2013 and quickly became one
of the favorite players of local fans
• already won her first trophy at Rostov-Don,
namely the Russian Supercup
• quiet and humble off the court but a natural
leader in the game with a powerful shot and great
scoring abilities
• bBefore 2014, spent her entire career at Lada in
her home town Toliatti
• was a key player in the Ukraine national team but
opted to change citizenship hoping to play for Russia
• started to play for the Russian national team at
an early age and won the bronze medal of the EHF
EURO at 19
• champion of three countries: Ukraine with Smart
Krivy Rog, Romania with Oltchim and Russia with
Rostov-Don
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2012, 2014
EHF EURO: B 2008
32
GROUP A
HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
16 players departed, 14 newcomers arrived and to complete the full transition of HCM Baia
Mare, the coach and the president also have changed. During their second appearance in
the Women’s EHF Champions League, the Romanian side just missed a place in the MVM EHF
FINAL4 2015 with a quarter-final defeat against Dinamo.
After the club lost their league finals against CSM Bucuresti, it was time for the winds of change
to blow. Coach Tone Tiselj was replaced by Aurelian Rosca, the former Oltchim assistant
coach and the man who led Romania’s national team to the gold medal in the 2014 U18 World
Championship.
Their new president is Mircea Mecea and the face of the team has changed completely.
Norwegian Olympic, world and EHF EURO champion Camilla Herrem, Brazilian world champion
Barbara Arenhart (both to Denmark) and Romanian talent Eliza Buceschi (to German
champions Thüringer HC) have left however other big names such as former IHF Player of the
Year, Allison Pineau and Croatian Katarina Jezic have arrived.
Playing hall
Sala Polivalenta Lascar Pana
Bd. Unirii Nr.14 A
430272 Baia Mare - Maramures
Romania
Capacity: 2,080
Club Address:
HCM Baia Mare
BD.Bucuresti Nr. 47 A
430012 Baia Mare
Romania
Media contact:
Ramona Ioana Pop
+40744839987
meramonaioana@gmail.com
Online information:
Website: www.hcmbaiamare.ro
Facebook: hcm.baiamare.official
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red
Player short: red
Dark
Player shirt: white
Player short: black
The new squad worked well during their pre-season despite the injuries of Paula Ungureanu
and Elena Gjeorgjievska. Under the fresh leadership of Rosca, Baia Mare remain unbeaten
in preparation. With a glorious 31:25 win in the Super Cup in Bucharest, they are on top of
the league and clinched a place in the Champions League Group Matches by winning their
respective qualification tournament on home ground, gaining clear and efficient victories
against BNTU-BelAZ Minsk Reg and Esbjerg. Now, higher hurdles are waiting for HCM Baia
Mare.
Arriving from the qualification and pot 4, the Romanian side faces 2015 finalist Larvik, Russian
champions Rostov (including former Baia Mare players Davydenko and Makeeva) and two
times Champions League winners Krim in Group A. Baia Mara have set their standards high
after a brilliant start with the new squad. “We are aiming for at least for the same performance
as last year if not, more,” says club manager Liviu Bala.
Qualification for the Women’s Champions
League 2015/16 season: Romanian runners-up,
winner of qualification tournament 2
Past achievements
Coach: Aurelian Rosca (since 2015, successor of
Tone Tiselj)
Team captain: Valentina Ardean-Elisei
season): 3
Quarter-final (1): 2014/15
Group matches (1): 2013/14
Newcomers:
Alison Pineau (HBC Nimes)
Katarina Jezic (HC Lokomotiva Zagreb)
Patricia Vizitiu (CSM Bucuresti)
Gabriela Preda (HCM Roman)
Ionica Munteanu (SCM Craiova)
Gabriela Perianu (HC Dunarea Braila)
Yuliya Dumanska (CS Marta Baia Mare)
Andrada Maior Pasca (end of loan HC Zalau)
Bianca Tiron (end of loan SCM Craiova)
Ana Maria Tanasie (end of loan SCM Craiova)
Madalina Zamfirescu (end of loan SCM Craiova)
Cynthia Tomescu (end of loan SCM Craiova)
Left the club:
Eliza Buceschi (Thüringer HC)
Ksenia Makeeva (Rostov-Don)
Ekaterina Davydenko (Rostov Don)
Barbara Arenhart (Nykobing Falster HK)
Camilla Herrem (Team Tvis Holstebro)
Anastasia Lobach (Minsk)
33
Other
Challenge Cup: runners-up 2002/03
Romanian league: 1 title (2014)
Romanian cup: 3 titles
Aneta Pirvut (loan HC Dunarea Braila)
Geta Dinis Vartic (CSM Bistrita)
Claudia Cetateanu (CSM Bistrita)
Adina Tamas (loan CSM Bistrita)
Alexandra Ciunt (loan CSM Bistrita)
Madalina Puscas (Kisvarda)
HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
Biggest win: 34:24 (18:12) v IK Sävehof SWE(h), 01.03.2015
32:22 (17:11) v Viborg HK A/S DEN (h), 15.03.2015
Biggest defeat:
21:33 (10:16) v Györi Audi ETO KC HUN (h), 12.10.2013
2 matches (15.02.2015-01.03.2015)
2 matches (15.03.2015-04.04.2015)
2 matches (15.02.2015-01.03.2015)
2 matches (15.03.2015-04.04.2015)
Longest losing run:
3 matches (25.10.2014-5.11.2014)
Longest run without win: 3 matches (25.10.2014-5.11.2014)
Most goals:
34 v IK Sävehof SWE 34:24W (h), 01.03.2015
36 v Thüringer HC GER 36:29L (a), 06.10.2013
Most goals both teams: 65 v Thüringer HC GER 36:29L (a), 06.10.2013
Fewest goals:
18 v Györi Audi ETO KC 18:26L (h), 08.02.2015
Fewest goals opponent: 19 v Thüringer HC GER 20:19W (h), 10.11.2013
Fewest goals both teams:39 v Thüringer HC GER 20:19W (h), 10.11.2013
Women’s EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2013/14 HCM Baia Mare ROU
2014/15 HCM Baia Mare ROU
6
14
2
7
0
0
4
7
140:162
370:370
-22
0
4:8
14:14
Total
209 0 11 510:532 -22 18:22
34
Stage
4th Gr. A
1/4-finals
HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
Team roster
No.
10
15
14
3
5
18
17
8
22
77
4
11
7
2
44
9
6
23
95
25
88
73
16
12
30
First Name
Surname
Lois
Abbingh
Valentina Neli
Ardean Elisei
Alexandra L.
Ciunt
Alexandra PriscillaDo Nascimento
Melinda
Geiger
Elena
Gjeorgjievska
Katarina
Jezic
Andrada
Maior Pasca
Luciana Andreea Marin
Adriana Nicoleta Nechita
Ioana Laura
Oltean
Gabriela
Perianu
Allison Marie
Pineau
Aneta
Pirvut
Gabriela
Preda
Ibolya Gabriella Szucs
Ana-Maria
Tanasie
Timea Judita
Tatar
Bianca Elena
Tiron
Andrada Cynthia Tomescu
Patricia Maria
Vizitiu
Madalina Maria Zamfirescu
Yuliya
Dumanska
Ionica
Munteanu
Paula Claudia
Ungureanu
Nat.
NED
ROU
ROU
BRA
ROU
MKD
CRO
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
FRA
ROU
ROU
HUN
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
Position
Centre Back
Left Wing
Left Back
Right Wing
Right Back
Right Back
Line Player
Left Wing
Centre Back
Right Wing
Centre Back
Left Back
Centre Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Back
Left Wing
Line Player
Left Back
Line Player
Right Back
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Date of Birth
13.8.1992
5.6.1982
14.6.1992
16.9.1981
28.3.1987
27.3.1990
19.12.1992
21.2.1993
13.10.1988
14.11.1983
20.7.1989
20.6.1994
2.5.1989
22.6.1989
22.7.1987
31.8.1984
6.4.1995
28.7.1989
31.5.1995
30.7.1991
15.10.1988
31.10.1994
15.8.1996
7.1.1979
30.3.1980
Aurelian Rosca
coach
•
first started handball as a player, but retired at only 21
years old to focus on coaching
•
before an important game, he stays up all night to
thoroughly explore the opponent’s weaknesses
•
considered one of the best youth coaches in the history of
Romanian handball, with gold medals with the Under18 team in
EURO 1999 and WCh 2014
•
has been an assistant coach at Oltchim Ramnicu Valcea
from 2009 to 2013
35
Place of Birth
Groningen, NED
Focsani, ROU
Simisna, ROU
Sao Paulo, BRA
Baia Mare, ROU
Struga, MKD
Rijeka, CRO
Baia Mare, ROU
Slatina, ROU
Bailesti, ROU
Bistrita, ROU
Braila, ROU
Chartres, FRA
Dr. Severin, ROU
Tirgu Neamt, ROU
Oradea, ROU
Hunedoara, ROU
Baia Mare, ROU
Iasi, ROU
Baia Mare, ROU
Petrosani, ROU
Rm. Valcea, ROU
Gorodenka, UKR
Bucharest, ROU
Brasov, ROU
Height
177
171
184
179
174
179
173
168
176
172
174
186
180
166
184
184
170
175
180
180
177
178
177
175
181
Paula Ungureanu
goalkeeper
Valentina Elisei
left wing
• twice named the “best handball player in
Romania”, in 2012 and 2014
• one of the most experienced players in Baia
Mare’s roster
• after Luminita Hutupan’s retirement in 2009, she
became Romania’s first choice in the goal
• after a ligament tear, made a one-year break from
handball and had a baby, Robert, in January 2013
• after a ligament tear in 2010 she has taken a twoyear hiatus and had a baby, Paul, in January 2012
• signed only two weeks after the birth
• will split her duties with Norwegian ace Camilla
Herrem, who came to Baia Mare in the 2014
summer, from Byasen Trondheim
• her husband is a football player, also a
goalkeeper, and has followed Paula almost
everywhere she played
WCh: S 2005, EHF EURO: B 2010
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007, Champions Trophy 2007, Challenge Cup 2002
WCh: S 2005, EHF EURO: B 2010
Lois Abbingh
left back
Allison Pineau
centre back
• played four years at German side VfL Oldenburg
(2010-2014) before she transferred to Baia Mare last
summer
• French star has been named the “World Player of
the Year” in 2012
• suffered two knee injuries, but came back more
powerful than before
• made her comeback on the court after an eightmonth injury break in January 2015
• a social-media addict, she has a page on which
she posts on a daily basis and has over 43,000 fans
• top scorer and member of the All-star team at the
2010 U18 World Championship and top scorer of the
2011 U19 EHF EURO with the Netherlands
• After leaving Oltchim in 2013, she changed three
clubs – Vardar Skopje, Krim Ljubljana and HBC Nimes
• top scorer of the Dutch league in the 2009/10
season at the age of only 18
WCh: S 2009, 2011, EHF EURO: B 2010
Katarina Jezic
line player
Melinda Geiger
right back
• joined Baia Mare in the summer of 2015 after
stints with Lokomotiva Zagreb and Buducnost
• most expensive Romanian player ever, after
Oltchim paid 50.000 euros to Baia Mare in 2010
• the Croatian player has represented her country
at all age categories
• her favourite movie is “The Notebook”, while she
doesn’t miss any movie that features Bruce Willis
• first taken up swimming, but she decided that
handball was her big passion
• her models in handball are Bojana Radulovics and
Gro Hammerseng
• first started wearing the “mohawk” when she was
14, spends 20 minutes a day for her hairstyle and
uses a lot of gel
• after only three years of handball, she was
featuring in Baia Mare’s roster at 16 years of age
EHF EURO: B 2010
Adriana Nechita
right back
Alexandra do Nascimento
right wing
• one of the most experienced players in the team
• after 11 seasons played for Hypo she took a new
challenge and accepted Baia Mare’s offer in 2014
• her passion is photography and modeling, acted
as a reporter for different Romanian TV stations
• 2012 World Handball Player of the Year
• followed by nearly 7,000 people on her official
Facebook account
• with over 500 goals scored over 13 seasons one
of the top scorers of the CL history
• shares the position with Brazilian stalwart
Alexandra do Nascimento
• her husband, the Chilean right wing Patricio
Martinez, followed her to Baia Mare and plays for
the men’s team
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007, Champions Trophy 2007
EHF EURO: B 2010
WCh: G 2013, Panamerican Games: G 2003, 2007, 2011
36
Group B preview
Returnees, regulars, jubilants and newcomers
Away performances will be a major factor of qualification to the Main Round of the Women’s EHF
Champions League in Group B. Perhaps the squarest group of all sports four national champions including
Ferencváros, who won the highest ranked league in Europe according to EHF league ranking.
But quite strangely it is far from obvious that the Budapest greens, who beat Győr in the championship
finals, are to be considered as heavy favorites. Zsuzsa Tomori left for Győr and coach Gábor Elek was left
without the focal point of both Ferencváros’s attacks and defense. However, the former was boosted by the
arrival of Hungarian international Klára Szekeres, the latter by re-signing young sensation Luca Szekercés
and Dóra Hornyák and having given birth to her child Szandra Zácsik has returned.
Last year’s quarter-finalist Thüringer freshened up their squad, the German champion waved goodbye to
a huge amount of goals by letting Nadja Nadgornaja and Franziska Mietzner leave, which they hope to be
delivered by Romanian up-and-coming Eliza Buseschi, and Dutch duo Anouk van de Wiel and Lott Prak. The
German outfit, who are preparing for their fourth consecutive participation in Europe’s top competition,
are edging closer and closer to the Final4 having taken a step further every year since 2012.
The question for Fleury Loiret is simple: can the undoubtedly talented, well-balanced squad of the French
champion make up for the lack of Women’s EHF Champions League routine? Coach Frederic Bougeant
hopes they can and rightly so. The excellent mix of Spanish and French national team members brings
international experience to last year’s EHF Cup Winners’ Cup runners-up. Fleury Loiret let Spanish superstar
Marta Mangue leave but brough in her compatriot Elisabeth Chavez, one of the best line players of the
game.
This season will provide supporters of HC Podravka Vegeta with a lot to celebrate, however, not necessarily
on the court. The 60th birthday of the Croatian champion and the 20th anniversary of their Champions
League trophy speak volumes about Podravka’s historic legacy but the Koprovnica outfit has not seen Main
Round action since 2008. The almost all-Croatian roster (with the exception of Montenegrin goalkeeper
Mirjana Milenkovic) are regulars at WCL and will be eager to prove their strength this season by turning out
to be „respectable and strong opponents to all the other teams”, as coach Mrden put it.
History does not help much to predict this group as three teams (Thüringer HC, Ferencváros and Fleury
Loiret) have never met each other before. All four teams have lost clutch players and it remains to be seen
if the newcomers can rise to the occasion. Ferencváros are extremely hard to beat at home while Thüringer
made it to the quarter-final last year to prove they are an elite team. Fleury Loiret went even further in the
EHF Cup Winners’ Cup last year as the French outfit narrowly lost the final of the competition to Midtjylland
and Podravka Vegeta are starting their 10th consecutive Women’s EHF Champions League season.
The first two rounds will clear the picture in this extremely competitive group but it seems likely that the
fight for Main Round berths will continue to the last round.
Bence Martha
37
Group B head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group B opponents in the EC
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria vs Thüringer HC
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria vs HC Podravka Vegeta 3-1-0 (117:113) 7:1
22.01.1995
Podravka Koprivnica vs Ferencvaros Budapest, EHF Champions League – Group B
21:21 (10:14)
19.03.1995
Ferencvaros Budapest vs Podravka Koprivnica, EHF Champions League – Group B
26:24 (13:12)
13.05.2006
FTC Budapest vs Podravka Vegeta, Koprivnica, EHF Cup – Final
37:36 (16:19)
20.05.2006
Podravka Vegeta, Koprivnica vs FTC Budapest, EHF Cup – Final
32:33 (14:20)
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria vs Fleury Loiret Handball
Thüringer HC vs HC Podravka Vegeta 2-0-0 (65:48) 4:0
19.10.2014
Thüringer HC vs HC Podravka Vegeta, EHF Champions League – Group B
33:20 (14:11)
15.11.2014
HC Podravka Vegeta vs Thüringer HC, EHF Champions League – Group B
28:32 (8:15)
Thüringer HC vs Fleury Loiret Handball
HC Podravka Vegeta vs Fleury Loiret Handball
38
GROUP B
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN)
None of the 16 participants of the Women’s EHF Champions League season have a shorter
journey to Papp Laszlo Arena - the hosting venue of the Women’s EHF FINAL4 in May 2016 than Dabas based FTC Rail-Cargo Hungaria.
Regardless of this closeness the route to the pinnacle event looks quite far, despite FTC having
a successful series against Györ in the Hungarian league in the previous season - beating them
in the final series. Under their former name Herz Budapest the Ferencvaros club made it to the
semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001.
In the previous season, FTC came up short in the Champions League qualification against
Leipzig one season after they nearly made it to the semi-finals again.
But now, the team of head coach Gabor Elek has lost its “strongest weapon in attack,” as
former Champions League top scorer Zsuzsanna Tomori has transferred to their main rivals
Györ. In addition, Orsolya Verten ended her career.
Former Györ player Dora Hornyak chose the opposite direction, after she was playing for Vac
for a season, now bolsters the FTC squad. In the 2015/16 season the Hungarian champions will
face Thüringer HC, Podravka and Fleury in Group B - and it’s their goal to proceed to the main
round: “We compete with very good teams, for which we have respect,” says FTC manager
Laszlo Bognar.
Playing hall
City Hall Dabas
Iscola utca 5
2370 Dabas
Hungary
Capacity: 2,498
Being part of the EHF Champions League again means: “a step forward as now we are among
the best European teams.”
The squad is nearly all Hungarian except Serbian goalkeeper Katarina Tomasevic and Spanish
playmaker Nerea Pena. In their roster they have a large number of current Hungarian
internationals such as team captain Zita Szucsanszki, Monika Kovacsicz, Sandra Zacsik or
Piroska Szamoransky.
Szucsanszki hopes for even more than “only” proceeding to the main round: “We hope to be
among the best eight teams in Europe, which means proceeding to the quarter-finals. But we
expect some fights in the group matches en route to these latter stages.”
Club address:
Kobanyai ut 47/a.
1101 Budapest
Hungary
Media contact:
Andrea Pordán
+36 20 365 8263
pordan.andrea@ftckezilabda.hu
Online information:
Website: kezilabda.fradi.hu
Facebook: ftckezilabda
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: red
League 2015/16 season: Hungarian champions
Coach: Gabor Elek, since 2008
Team captain: Zita Szucsanszki
Newcomers:
Klara Szekeres (Erd)
Nadine Schatzl (Erd)
Dora Hornyak (Impress Center - Vác)
Left the club:
Zsuzsanna Tomori (Győri Audi ETO KC)
Melinda Toth (MTK Budapest)
Viktoria Soos (Impress Center - Vác)
Agnes Kocsis (Vasas)
Orsolya Verten (end of career)
Past achievements
season): 16
Runners-up: 2001/02
Semi-finals: 1996/97, 2000/01
Quarter-finals: 1999/2000, 2002/03,
2003/04
Main Round: 2012/13
Group Matches/Champions League:
1994/95, 1995/96, 1997/98, 2006/07,
2007/08, 2013/14
Qualification: 2009/10, 2014/15
Other
EHF Cup: winners: 2005/06, semi-finals:
2004/05
Cup Winners’ Cup: winners 2010/11,
2011/12, semi-finals: 2006/07, 2014/15
Dark
Player shirt: green
Player short: green
Goalkeeper shirt: blue/black
Hungarian league: 12 titles (1966, 1968,
1969, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997,
2000, 2002, 2007, 2015)
Hungarian cup: 12 titles
39
Biggest win:
42:16 (19:7) v Anagennisi Artas GRE (h), 18.01.1997
Biggest defeat:
22:32 (11:13) v CS ‘Oltchim’ Rm. Valcea ROU (h), 04.11.2007
5 matches (14.10.2012 – 11.11.2012)
6 matches (17.02.1996 – 05.01.1997)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (12.01.2007 – 17.02.2007)
4 matches (27.10.2007 – 16.11.2007)
4 matches (02.03.2013 – 06.10.2013)
5 matches (04.01.1998 – 31.10.1999)
Most goals:
39 v Viborg HK A/S DEN 39:30L (a), 13.01.2008
70 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 34:36L (h), 10.02.2007
Fewest goals:
17 v Volgograd AKVA RUS 22:17L (a), 03.03.2001
16 v TUS Walle Bremen GER 27:16W (h), 25.01.1997
36 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 18:18D (h), 31.03.1996
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1994/95 Ferencvaros Budapest HUN
6
3
1
2
135:129
+6
7:5
3rd Gr. B
6
3
2
1
145:137
+8
8:4
2nd Gr. B
10
6
1
3
264:208
+56
13:7
1/2-finals
1997/98 HERZ – FTC Budapest HUN
6
1
1
4
147:159
–12
3:9
3rd Gr. B
8
4
0
4
204:201
+3
8:8
1/4-finals
10
5
0
5
264:232
+32
10:10
1/2-finals
12
6
2
4
348:341
+7
14:10
Runner-up
8
6
0
2
252:228
+24
12:4
1/4-finals
2003/04 FTC Budapest HUN
8
5
0
3
220:221
-1
10:6
1/4-finals
2006/07 FTC Budapest HUN
6
2
0
4
177:188
-11
4:8
3rd Gr. D
2007/08 Budapest Bank-FTC HUN
6
1
0
5
165:192
–27
2:10
4th Gr. D
2012/13 FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria HUN
12
8
0
4
346:336
+10
16:8
3rd MR Gr. 2
2013/14 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria HUN
6
3
0
3
162:161
+1
6:6
3rd Gr. B
10453 7
Total
40
44 2829:2733 +96
113:95
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
16
3
45
72
92
19
22
21
14
29
98
25
6
4
94
10
12
2
8
27
Alena
Anita
Noemi
Petra
Dora
Monika
Viktoria
Greta
Rea Reka
Noemi
Piroska
Nerea
Nadine
Adrienn
Luca
Klára
Melinda
Szandra
Zita
Katarina
Abramovich
Cifra
Hafra
Hlogyik
Hornyak
Kovacsicz
Lukacs
Marton
Meszaros
Mod
Pappne Szamoransky
Pena Abaurrea
Schatzl
Szarka
Szekerczes
Szekeres
Szikora
Szollosi-Zacsik
Szucsanszki
Tomasevic
BLR
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
ESP
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
SRB
Goalkeeper
Line Player
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Right Wing
Right Wing
Left Wing
Line Player
Centre Back
Line Player
Centre Back
Left Wing
Left Wing
Right Back
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
18.07.1981
6.8.1989
5.10.1998
28.2.1999
24.1.1992
20.11.1983
31.10.1995
3.10.1999
14.4.1994
20.4.1997
9.7.1986
13.12.1989
19.11.1993
28.6.1991
18.6.1994
1.12.1987
19.11.1988
22.4.1990
22.5.1987
6.2.1984
Minsk, BLR
Bekes, HUN
Cegléd, HUN
Tatabánya, HUN
Debrecen, HUN
Komarno, SVK
Budapest, HUN
Mohacs, HUN
Vac, HUN
Mohacs, HUN
Györ, HUN
Pamplona, ESP
Munich, GER
Kiskunhalas, HUN
Bonyhád, HUN
Békéscsaba, HUN
Kiskunhalas, HUN
Komarno, SVK
Budapest, HUN
Belgrad, SRB
Gabor Elek
coach
• son of legendary Ferencváros coach, who led the team for almost three
decades, now plays in the arena that is named after his father, Gyula Elek
• has been at the helm in Ferencváros since 2008 but he won his first
domestic gold medal in 2015 having already won an enermous amount of
silvers behind Györ
• won back-to-back Cup Winners’ Cups with his team in 2011 and 2012
• respected member of the Ferencváros family, apart from his father his
mother also played for the club
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup: 2011, 2012
41
Height
192
180
180
180
176
171
165
175
172
175
173
175
173
176
175
186
175
183
172
179
Adrienn Szarka
left wing
Katarina Tomasevic
goalkeeper
• has been with the club since 2010 and despite her
young age made her 100th appearance in the green
jersey in the Cup Winners’ Cup final against Viborg
• the Serbian goalkeeper is a real globetrotter,
played in Austria, Denmark, Spain, Serbia, Germany
and France before Ferencváros
• signed a two-year contract in 2014
• niece of Ferencváros legend, Éva Szarka, whose
number 4 jersey had been retired by the club but
upon request from the now youth coach the young
winger wears the famous number
• veteran goalie has already participated in all
international EHF tournaments and reached the
semi-finals of both WCh and EURO
• rising from a small provincial club Kiskunhalas
Szarka made her debut in the Hungarian national
team at the age of 19
• has four national championship titles (Austrian,
Serbian, German and Hungarian) under her belt
WCh: S 2013
Nerea Pena
left back
Szandra Szöllősi-Zácsik
left back
• Spanish international signed from Itxako in 2012
and has been a clutch player for Elek ever since
• back in business for 2015/16 after two serious
shoulder injuries, which saw her out of action for
almost two years after a maternity leave
• injury-prone sharp shooter has been through
difficult times injuring the same knee twice but
when fit she is the focal point of FTC’s attacks
• Ferencváros and national team teammate Mónika
Kovacsicz is Zácsik’s niece, her husband, Szabolcs
Szöllősi is also a member of the Hungarian men’s
national team as line player
• finished as runner-up both at the EURO 2014 with
Spain and in the CL with Itxako in 2011
• won both Hungarian and Slovenian titles; scored a
last second penalty against then CL holders Viborg,
which saw her team triumph on away goals in 2011
• versatile player and is the perfect partner for Zita
Szucsánszki in the Ferencváros artillery unit
• voted to the All-stars of the EURO 2010
EURO: S 2014, WCh: B 2011
Zita Szucsánszki
centre back
Piroska Szamoransky
line player
• versatile player, who can also play in middle and
left back positions.
• one of the longest serving members of
Ferencváros joined the club in 2005
• despite her young age part of the old guard at
Ferencváros, she was only 17 when debuted in the
green jersey ten years ago
• Cup Winners’ Cup specialist, who won three
consecutive trophies between 2010 and 2012 (one
with Buducnost, two with Ferencváros)
• voted player of the year in Hungary in 2011
• experienced Hungarian international and a clutch
player both in defence and attack for Ferencváros
and the Hungarian national team
• the 1,75 tall brunette was voted the Hottest
Player in the EHF EURO 2014, which was held in
Hungary and Croatia
• her twin sister, Aniko is a fellow handball player
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2006, Cup Winners’ Cup 2011, 2012
EURO: B 2012
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2006, Cup Winners’ Cup 2011, 2012
EURO: B 2012
Luca Szekerczés
right back
Monika Kovacsicz
right wing
• widely considered to be the best right back of her
generation in Hungary
• veteran wing was born in the Slovakian half of
border town Komarno, but has over 130 games with
the Hungarian national team under her belt
• voted to the All-star teams of both the EURO in
2013 (where Hungary finished as runners-up) and
WCh in 2014
• won national titles (both championship and
national cup) in Hungary and Denmark
• youngster will have to fill in for the team’s most
prolific scorer, Zsuzsa Tomori, who signed to Györ
• won back-to-back international titles twice – the
CL with Viborg and the Cup Winners’ Cup with FTC
• was offloaded a couple of times but was called
back in the summer
• top scorer of Ferencváros when the team won the
CWC in 2011
EC trophies: CL 2009, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup 2011, 2012
EURO: B 2012, WCh: B 2005
• voted Youth Player of the Year in Hungary in 2012
42
GROUP B
Thüringer HC (GER)
Herbert Müller starts his sixth season as the coach of Thüringer HC, but with some certain
difficulties. After leading the East German team to five straight national championship titles
since 2011, the faces in his team have changed significantly. Right in THC’s tenth Bundesliga
season, some key players have left, mainly from the back court positions like the two German
internationals Nadja Nadgornaja (THC’s top scorer in last season’s EHF Champions League) to
Dortmund or tall shooter Franziska Mietzner to Leipzig. Petra Popluharova ended her career
and Yuliya Snopova transferred to Ankara.
In addition, Thüringer HC have been hit extremely hard by long-term injuries like newcomer
Beate Scheffknecht, left wing Sonja Frey, German national team goalkeeper Jana Krause and
Czech playmaker Iveta Luzumova.
“There is a slight chance of them returning when the Champions League season starts,” said
Müller.
To try and fill the gap between the goal posts during Krause’s absence, THC intermediately
signed Czech international Lucie Satrapova on loan from Prague to be at the side of talented
Dinah Eckerle.
Playing hall
Wiedigsburghalle Nordhausen
August-Bebel-Platz 6
99734 Nordhausen
Germany
Capacity: 2,218
Club Address:
Thüringer HC
Mittelhäuser Str. 21
99089 Erfurt
Germany
Media contact:
Bernd Hohnstein
+49 179 4649 389
hohnstein@thueringer-hc.de
Online information:
Website: www.thueringer-hc.de
Facebook: ThueringerHC
Twitter: @ThueringerHC
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: black
Dark
Player shirt: red
Player short: black
The biggest hopes among the new arrivals is the youngest newcomer the Romanian
international Eliza Buceschi, who was awarded best young player of the 2014/15 Champions
League season and arrives from Romanian runners-ups Baia Mare. In contrast to all previous
seasons, this year THC were not drawn into the group of death, but have a manageable task
ahead of them in Group B - facing FTC, Podravka and Fleury (including former THC top star
Alexandrina Barbosa).
“Our group seems to be fairly well-balanced, so our target is to make it to the main round and
try to take as many points as possible. In addition, we want to excite our fans by playing an
attractive style of handball,” team manager Maik Schenk says.
League 2015/16 season: German champions
Coach: Herbert Müller (since 2010)
Team captain: Danick Snelder
Newcomers:
Natalia Reshetnikova (Universitet Izhevsk)
Anouk van de Wiel (Göppingen)
Lotte Prak (Koblenz)
Lucie Satrapova (on loan from Slavia Prag)
Eliza Buceschi (Baia Mare)
Beate Scheffknecht (Göppingen)
Lucia Hruscakova (IUVENTA Michalovce)
Left the club:
Nadja Nadgornaja (Dortmund)
Yulia Snopova (Muratpasa Antalya)
Franziska Mietzner (Leipzig)
Martine Smeets (Bietigheim)
Petra Popluharova (end of career)
43
Past achievements
season): 5
Main Round (1): 2013/14
Group Matches (2): 2011/12, 2012/13
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2012/13
Challenge Cup: runners-up 2008/09
German league: 5 titles (2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015)
German cup: 2 titles
Thüringer HC (GER)
Biggest win:
33:20 (14:11) v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO (h), 19.10.2014
Biggest defeat:
36:18 (17:9) v Larvik NOR (a), 11.04.2015
3 matches (08.02.2014 – 02.03.2014)
3 matches (15.11.2014 – 31.01.2015)
4 matches (08.02.2014 – 08.03.2014)
4 matches (13.02.2015 – 15.03.2015)
Longest losing run:
5 matches (02.10.2011 – 06.11.2011)
6 matches (02.10.2011 – 13.11.2011)
Most goals:
36 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), 06.10.2013
36 v Larvik NOR 36:18L (a), 11.04.2015
65 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), 06.10.2013
Fewest goals:
20 v Buducnost MNE 24:20W (h), 28.10.2012
20 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 33:20W (h), 19.10.2014
20 v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD 21:20W (h), 22.11.2014
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
2011/12 Thüringer HC GER
6
0
1
5
139:163
-24
1:11
4th Gr. A
6
3
0
3
146:153
-7
6:6
3rd Gr. D
12
5
1
6
316:321
-5
11:13
3rd MR Gr. 1
14
7
1
6
367:364
+3
15:13
1/4-finals
38 153 20 968:1001 -33 33:43
Total
44
Thüringer HC (GER)
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
8
23
7
12
19
5
10
9
30
28
6
1
18
7
2
12
4
13
14
24
31
Linda
Marieke
Eliza Iulia
Dinah
Katrin
Sonja
Franziska
Lucia
Svenja
Lydia
Josephine
Jana
Iveta
Lotte
Natalia
Lucie
Beate
Meike
Danick
Anouk
Kerstin
Bach
Blase
Buceschi
Eckerle
Engel
Frey
Fuhrmann
Hruscakova
Huber
Jakubisova
Kessler
Krause
Luzumova
Prak
Reshetnikova
Satrapová
Scheffknecht
Schmelzer
Snelder
Van de Wiel
Wohlbold
GER
GER
ROU
GER
AUT
AUT
GER
SVK
GER
SVK
GER
GER
CZE
NED
RUS
CZE
AUT
GER
NED
NED
GER
Left Wing Left Back Left Back Goalkeeper Right Back Left Wing Line Player Left Back Right Wing Right Wing Wing
Goalkeeper Centre Back Back
Left Wing Goalkeeper Left Back Line Player Line Player Right Back Centre Back 12/11/1996
06/01/1994
01/08/1993
16/10/1995
02/05/1984
22/04/1993
23/01/1989
02/08/1982
23/10/1985
14/10/1981
14/10/1996
10/06/1987
03/04/1989
28/11/1992
16/04/1991
03/07/1989
27/02/1990
19/07/1993
22/05/1990
10/07/1992
11/01/1984
Erfurt, GER
Oldenburg, GER
Baia Mare, ROU
Leonberg, GER
Mistelbach, AUT
Wien, AUT
Erfurt, GER
Kosice, SVK
Mannheim, GER
Bojnice, SVK
Erfurt, GER
München, GER
Pisek, CZE
Niedorp, NED
Ischewsk, RUS
Havlickuv Brod, CZE
Innsbruck, AUT
Wiesbaden, GER
Pijnacker, NED
Venlo, NED
Friedrichshafen, GER
Herbert Müller
coach
• born in Romania, his previous coaching
experience includes Romanian side Brasov
• also the head coach of the Austria national team
• since he started coaching, his assistant has always
been his brother, Helfried
• led Nürnberg to their first-ever CL qualification,
then won four straight German titles with Thüringer.
• former mathematics lecturer
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2004
45
Height
170
178
178
174
173
169
177
177
168
168
170
186
175
170
162
183
175
173
178
188
169
Jana Krause
goalkeeper
Dinah Eckerle
goalkeeper
• number one goalkeeper following the retirement
of Maike März
• stepped in for the CL quarter-finals after German
international Jana Krause suffered a knee injury
• started her career in Munich, in Nürnberg she
was coached by Müller
• transferred to the THC youth college from her
home club Ditzingen at the age of 14
• played for four years in Buxtehude before she
joined THC in 2013
• had her bundesliga debut at the age of 16 as the
youngest THC Bundesliga player ever
• studies international management
• played her first CL match at the age of 17
• on loan for Bad Wildungen in 2013/14, returned
to THC, when Maike März ended her career
• best goalkeeper of the 2014 U20 WCh in Croatia
Sonja Frey
left wing
Kerstin Wohlbold
centre back
• also coached by Müller in the Austria national
team
• back after a nine-month injury break (rupture of
the cruciate ligament)
• signed for THC when she was only 19
• in her business life a teacher at a primary school
• MVP at the U19 EHF EURO in 2011
• won the German championship six times in
Nürnberg and THC – always with Müller as her coach
• started her career at WAT Fünfhaus and Fivers in
Vienna
• one of her hobbies is snowboarding
• also works as a physiotherapist
• the ‘extended arm’ of Herbert Müller on the
court
Danick Snelder
line player
Katrin Engel
right back
• part of the Dutch national team
• started her career at Hypo and had her first
appearance in the women’s team at the age of 16
W 19 EURO: B 2011
• new number one line player at THC after Anja
Althaus transferred to Vardar
• has won already ten national championships –
five with Hypo in Austria, one with Nürnberg and
four consecutive (2011-2014) with THC in Germany
• All Star Team at the U19 EHF EURO 2009 in
Hungary.
• top scorer of the 2009 WCh in China
• four German championship titles with THC
• scored 785 goals in 195 matches for the Austrian
national team so far
• best Dutch line player in the 2009/10 season,
when playing for Hellas in Den Haag
Lydia Jakubisova
right back/right wing
Svenja Huber
right wing
• one of the most experienced players at THC
• arrived at Thüringer HC in December 2013 after
the German champions had a long list of injured left
handed players
• hit hard by two severe knee injuries in the last
three years
• played her first major tournament - the EHF EURO
2014 in Croatia and Hungary - at the age of 29
• awarded Slovak handball player of the year in
2012
• expert for fast breaks and penalty shots.
• will play her first ever EHF EURO in December
with Slovakia
• born in the same city as German male national
team captain Uwe Gensheimer – Mannheim.
• can also play on the right back position
• in business life worked as a sports journalist
46
GROUP B
HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO)
Regardless the outcome of the season, Podravka Vegeta will have a big party - the Croatian
record champions will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the club, which history is highlighted
by winning the EHF Champions League in the 1995/96 season. 19 years later, the targets and
ambitions have changed: the squad of coach Goran Mrden has lost some experienced players
such a Miranda Tatari (pregnant), Kristina Elez or Jelena Trifunovic, in addition, Andrea Covic
transferred to Balkan powerhouse Vardar.
All the newcomers are young talents in this nearly all-Croatian squad. The only non-Croatian
player in the team is experienced Montenegrin goalkeeper Mirjana Milenkovic. As Podravka
seems to be invincible in Croatian competitions, they hope for an end to their bad run on
international courts.
Despite the total of 22 participations in the flagship competition of women’s club handball,
the team from Koprivnica failed to qualify for the Champions League Main Round six times in a
row, the last time Podravka proceeded to the next stage was in 2008.
So again Mrden’s hopes are quite humble with Thüringer HC, FTC and Fleury being Podravka’s
opponents in Group B: “We intend to be a respectable and strong opponent to all the other
teams and hope to advance as far as possible.”
Mrden expects high hurdles for his young team: “All the opponents are national champions in
strong leagues; they are all reputable teams with high-quality players. I strongly believe that all
the matches in this group will be engaging, unpredictable and interesting.”
Playing hall
Sport Hall Fran Galović
Zeljka Selingera bb
48000 Koprivnica
Croatia
Capacity: 2,500
Club address:
HC Podravka Vegeta
Zeljka Selingera 3A
48000 Koprivnica
Croatia
Media contact:
Ljerka Vresk
+385 98 325 075
ljerka.vresk@rk-podravka.hr
Online information:
Website: www.rk-podravka.hr
Facebook: RkPodravka
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red/white
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: orange/white
Team captain Dragica Dzono hopes for on a strong defence: “We are a young team with a lack
of experience in the Champions League, but we will try to play aggressively and we will give our
best to win some points thanks to our good defence.”
In Dzono’s opinion, Podravka’s opponents are “no(t) clubs with big names, but they have
lot more experience compared to us. In general, in the Champions League they are no easy
teams.”
League 2015/16 season: Croatian champions
Coach: Goran Mrden (since 2013)
Team captain: Dragica Dzono
Newcomers:
Selena Milosevic (Zamet)
Dora Krsnik (Lokomotiva Zagreb)
Lana Frankovic (Mosonmagyarovari KCSE)
Ivana Dezic (Koka)
Left the club:
Miranda Tatari (pregnancy)
Kristina Elez (destination unknown)
Jelena Zivkovic (SCM Craiova)
Jelena Trifunovic (Trabzon Zagnos HK)
Andrea Covic (Vardar Skopje)
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue/black
Past achievements
season): 22
Winners (1): 1995/96
Runners-up (1): 1994/95
Semi-finals (1): 1997/98
Quarter-finals (1): 1996/97
Main Round (3): 2000/01, 2001/02,
2008/09
Group Matches/Champions League (12):
1993/94, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2002/03,
2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11,
2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15
Qualification (2): 2003/04, 2005/06
Other
Cup Winners Cup: Runners-up: 2004/05,
Semi-finals: 2007/08
EHF Cup: Finals 2000/01, 2005/06
Croatian league: 21 titles
Croatian cup: 20 titles
47
HC Podravka Vegeta
Biggest win:
35:20 (21:9) v GAS Anagennisi Artas GRE (h), 19.02.2000
Biggest defeat:
17:35 (10:16) v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD (h), 03.11.2013
6 matches (09.11.1997 – 01.02.1998)
6 matches (09.11.1997 – 01.02.1998)
Longest losing run:
10 matches (19.10.2013 – 23.11.2014)
10 matches (19.10.2013 – 23.11.2014)
Most goals:
41 v Zvezda RUS 41:28W (h), 21.11.2010
40 v Györi Audi ETO HUN 33:40W (h), 13.01.2008
73 v Györi Audi ETO HUN 33:40W (h), 13.01.2008
Fewest goals:
13 v HYPO Niederösterreich AUT 17:13L (a), 04.05.1996
14 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 17:14W (h), 29.04.1995
30 v HYPO Niederösterreich AUT 17:13L (a), 04.05.1996
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1993/94 Podravka Koprivnica CRO
6
2
0
4
123:138
–15
4:8
4th Gr. A
8
4
2
2
183:167
+16
10:6
Runner-up
8
6
0
2
191:163
+28
12:4
Winner
8
5
1
2
208:187
+21
11:5
1/4-finals
10
7
0
3
254:220
+34
14:6
1/2-finals
6
3
0
3
148:152
-4
6:6
3rd Gr. A
1999/00 Podravka Dolcela CRO
6
3
0
3
144:144
0
6:6
3rd Gr. D
2002/03 Podravka Vegeta Koprivnica CRO
6
2
1
3
163:168
-5
5:7
3rd Gr. A
2006/07 Podravka Vegeta Koprivnica CRO
6
2
0
4
171:197
-26
4:8
3rd Gr. C
2007/08 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO
6
2
0
4
173:182
-9
4:8
12
6
0
6
347:349
-2
12:12
6
2
0
4
172:192
-20
4:8
4th Gr. A
6
1
0
5
168:180
-12
2:10
4th Gr. D
3rd Gr. A
3rd MR Gr. 1
6
1
2
3
146:161
-15
4:8
4th Gr. B
6
3
0
3
136:143
-7
6:6
3rd Gr. B
6
1
0
5
128:178
-50
2:10
3rd Gr. D
6
0
0
6
152:191
–39
0:12
4th Gr. B
11850 6
Total
48
62 3007:3112 -105 106:130
HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO)
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
4
14
9
19
17
1
12
5
7
16
8
11
10
3
13
18
6
15
Ivana
Ivana
Dragica
Lana
Magdalena
Antonia
Ivana
Korina
Dora
Mirjana
Selena
Ivona
Ekatarina
Ana
Iva
Leonarda
Sara
Marijeta
Dezic
Dragisic
Dzono
Frankovic
Horvat
Jukic
Kapitanovic
Karlovcan
Krsnik
Milenkovic
Milosevic
Mrden
Nemaskalo
Niksic
Papac
Senvald
Senvald
Vidak
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
MNE
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
Right Back Right Wing Line Player Left Back Left Wing Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Left Wing Centre Back Goalkeeper Centre Back Centre Back Left Wing Right Wing Right Back Line Player Line Player Left Back 27/07/1994
29/03/1994
24/05/1987
27/09/1991
14/08/1998
09/05/1992
17/09/1994
18/10/1998
19/01/1992
14/03/1985
09/06/1989
29/12/1998
31/07/1989
29/06/1989
21/11/1998
03/10/1998
14/03/1996
14/08/1992
Varazdin, CRO
Bjelovar, CRO
Mostar, BIH
Koprivnica, CRO
Koprivnica, CRO
Split, CRO
Split, CRO
Zagreb, CRO
Zagreb, CRO
Krusevac, SRB
Pula, CRO
Zagreb, CRO
Brovary, UKR
Jakarta, INA
Zagreb, CRO
Koprivnica, CRO
Koprivnica, CRO
Virovitica, CRO
Goran Mrden
coach
• returned to Podravka in the summer 2013 after an absence of 10
years when he coached Virovitica and Sv. Ivan Zelina
• in his premier season as coach for Podravka the club achieved
second place in the domestic league and reached the group
matches of the CL
• currently the Croatian women’s junior national team coach
49
Height
177
184
183
166
172
186
168
170
183
176
170
169
176
175
185
179
Mirjana Milenkovic
goalkeeper
Ekatarina Nemaskalo
left wing
• stepped up after Croatia national team keepers
Ivana Jelcic and Marta Zderic left
• her mother Elena was a star left wing playing for
the USSR
• part of the Serbia and Montenegro national team
that won silver at the 2005 Mediterranean Games
• coached by her mother when she played for
Sesvete
• her impressive form in Buducnost (2007-2009)
earned her a place in the Montenegro national team
• suffered two tough knee injuries, which have
slowed her development a little
• in one CL match against FTC in 2007 she saved six
penalty shots for Buducnost
• member of Croatia national team
Lana Frankovic
left back
Selena Milosevic
centre back
• started playing in Durdevac, spent most of her
career in Sesvete Agroproteinka
• spent most of her career as Zamet player, no
international clubs
• top scorer of Croatian Championship in
2013/2014 with Sesvete Agroproteinka, 153 goals
from 19 matches
• won 2nd place with Zamet in Croatian
Championship and 3rd place in Croatian cup in
2014/2015
• won bronze medal with national team at
Mediterranean games in Mersin 2013
• occasional member of Croatian national team
• this is her 1st season in any of European cups
• this is her 1st season in any of European cups
• only international club she played for was
Mosonmagyarovari KCSE in 2014/2015
Dora Krsnik
back
Dragica Dzono
line player
• only newcomer that has experience of playing
in European cups and CL qualifications with
Lokomotiva Zagreb 2013/2014
• has to replace one of their best players last
season, Vesna Milanovic Litre, who joined Hungarian
Györ
• versatile player who can cover all back positions
but also can turn into a line player when needed
• Podravka decided to bring her to Koprivnica after
she had a few solid seasons in Zelina’s jersey
• played for RK Gorica, RK Tešnjevka, RK
Lokomotiva Zagreb, RK Zelina
• won several caps for the Croatia national team
• her fellow line player for the season will be young
Croatia national team member Andrea Covic
• won Croatian Championship and Cup with
Lokomotiva Zagreb 2013/2014
• member of all junior and youth national team
selections
Ivana Dezic
right back
Ana Niksic
right wing
• top scorer of Croatian Championship in
2014/2015 with Koka, 150 goals from 24 matches
• born in Jakarta, Indonesia
• replaced Golubic and Gace, who left the club in
the last few years
• member of all junior and youth national team
selections
• at the beginning of her career, she played for
Podravka’s biggest rivals, Lokomotiva Zagreb
• 1st time in senior national team for WCh
Denmark 2015 qualification against Sweden
• also gained experience in Hungary, playing in
Szekesfehervar and Vac
• her first ever senior transfer was from Koka
(Varazdin) to Podravka Vegeta (Koprivnica)
• the 2014/15 season is her first in the CL
50
GROUP B
Fleury Loiret Handball (FRA)
When you win all potential domestic trophies within 12 months and reach the EHF Cup
Winners’ cup final within the same period, you deserve to be among the 16 best teams in
Europe: Fleury Loiret Handball will start their maiden voyage in the Champions League, after
the newly crowned French champions failed to qualify for the flagship competition two years
ago losing against WHC Vardar SCBT in qualification.
Coach Frederic Bougeant led his team to the French cup in May 2014, the French league cup in
February 2015 and finally the victorious final series in the French championship in May 2015.
Maybe the good working relationship with Vardar was one key to their first ever league title, as
the Macedonians hosted a ten-day camp with the French to prepare for the MVM EHF FINAL4
in Budapest.
Now Vardar were in France, again for ten days, and Fleury proved their strength and ambitions
by beating the FINAL4 participant twice in test matches. In the new season, the Panthers have
stuck to their old recipe of having a mix of French and Spanish players in their squad. One of
the club legends left Fleury, Marta Mangue, legendary Spanish playmaker, who joined Brest,
but among the new arrivals, there’s another Spanish top star, line player Elisabeth Chavez.
She continues the pattern of extremely tall players at Fleury, as before Russian Elena Polenova
had been playing for the club, now the double world champion (2005, 2007), Olympic silver
medallist (2008) and Champions League winner (2008) is assistant coach of the second team.
Playing hall
Palais des Sports Aubrais;Orleans
14 rue Eugete Vignat
45000 Orleans
France
Capacity: 2,800
Club Address:
109 Avenue Louis Gallouedec
45400 Fleury les Aubrais
France
Media contact:
Antony Tahar
+33 02 38866267
antony.tahar@fleuryloirethandball.com
Online information:
Website: www.fleuryloirethandball.com
Facebook: Fleury.Loiret.Handball
Twitter: @FleuryLoiretHB
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: black-pink
Player short: pink
Goalkeeper shirt: blue
Despite the new challenge of playing Champions League, Bougeant’s goal for the new season
remains the same: winning one trophy each year, regardless the competition, but with a
priority on the league. As it is there first season in the Champions League, the club remains
humble: “What is most important is to continue to make our players and our club grow up
because we are new on this level of European competition,” says Bougeant.
His team will face FTC, Thüringer HC and Podravka in Group B, and the coach is confident that
his team will be successful: “Our three opponents are much more experienced than us, and
experience in the international context is an important advantage.
“But we have excellent ambitious players, who want to learn from Champions League and
develop their character.”
League 2015/16 season: French champions
Coach: Frederic Bougeant since 2012
Team captain: Gnonsiane Niombla
Newcomers:
Elisabeth Chavez Hernandez (Nice)
Claire Scheid (Landi Lampaul)
Aminata Doucoure (Stella Saint-Maur)
Estelle Nze Minko (Nantes)
Hadja Cisse (Cannes)
Julie Foggea (Mios Biganos Begles)
Left the club:
Audrey Bruneau (Mios Biganos Begles)
Christelle Manga (Celles-sur-Belle)
Camille De Sousa (Rennes)
Marion Callave (Nantes)
Marta Mangue Gonzalez (Brest)
51
Past achievements
season): 2
Qualification (1): 2013/14
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: runners-up 2014/15,
quarter-final 2013/14
Challenge Cup: semi-final 2011/12
French league: 1 title (2015)
French cup: 1 title (2014)
French League Cup: 1 title (2015)
Biggest win:N/A
Biggest defeat:N/A
Most goals:N/A
Fewest goals:N/A
Reached
MP
W
N/A
52
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
8
3
2
86
14
39
88
25
72
7
97
9
4
78
34
1
13
9
17
4
94
77
10
29
27
26
18
11
5
12
Mélissa
Anais
Pauline
Alexandrina
Elisabeth
Hadja
Laura
Aminata
Cécilia
Béatriz
Julie
Alizée
Clémence
Manon
Juliette
Jade
Manon
Laura
Marta
Daniela Alejandra
Audrey
Roseline
Diankenba
Gnonsiane
Estelle
Axelle
Claire
Maakan
Aida
Darly
Agathe
Atila
Cabassu
Cabral Barbosa
Chavez Hernandez
Cisse
Dorp
Doucoure
Errin
Fernandez Ibanez
Foggea
Gérard
Grangy
Grimaud
Guerrier
Honsai
Houette
Kamdop
Lopez Herrero
Miño Larenas
Nganmogne
Ngo Leyi
Nianh
Niombla
Nze Minko
Ruel
Scheid
Tounkara
Viloria Ponsarnau
Zoqbi De Paula
FRA
FRA
FRA
ESP
ESP
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
ESP
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
ESP
CHI
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
FRA
ESP
ESP
Right Back Centre Back Left Wing Back Line Player Left Back Line Player Left Wing Goalkeeper Back Goalkeeper Centre Back Right Wing Left Wing Back
Goalkeeper Left Wing Line Player Right Wing Right Wing Goalkeeper Line Player Left Back
Back Back Line Player Back Right Wing Left Back Goalkeeper 06/06/1994
24/03/1999
21/08/1996
05/05/1986
17/11/1990
07/03/1991
26/07/1996
12/01/1994
13/12/1998
19/03/1985
28/08/1990
14/10/1998
04/09/1998
12/04/1996
04/02/1996
18/10/1997
02/07/1992
14/09/1990
04/02/1990
10/10/1996
14/11/1994
27/04/1993
14/02/1996
09/07/1990
11/08/1991
14/11/1996
08/07/1997
12/03/1983
05/02/1997
25/08/1982
Saint-Pierre de la Réunion, FRA175
Amilly, FRA
168
Aix-en-Provence, FRA
166
Lisbon, POR
175
Tenerife, ESP
192
Epernay, FRA
183
Saint-Doulchard, FRA
173
Noisy-le-Grand, FRA
175
Pointe-à-Pitre, FRA
185
Santander, ESP
180
Les Abymes, FRA
182
Orléans, FRA
176
Chateauroux, FRA
155
Marseille, FRA
172
Rouen, FRA
170
St Jean de Braye, FRA
175
Le Mans, FRA
171
Chartres, FRA
182
Malaga, ESP
165
Las Condes, Santiago, CHI
174
Yaoundé, CMR
178
Paris, FRA
173
Vierzon, FRA
181
Villeurbanne, FRA
172
Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, FRA 176
Le Mans, FRA
176
Brest, FRA
185
Epernay, FRA
165
Martorell, ESP
181
Ponte Nova, BRA
178
Frederic Bougeant
coach
• arrived in 2012 from French rivals Le Havre and immediately began to build a squad
in order to reach the CL
• in three seasons, he has already won three trophies and lead his girls to the Cup
Winners’ Cup finals
• not a stranger to European competitions, since he won the Challenge Cup with Le
Havre in 2012
• speaks perfect Spanish, a key factor to draft good players from abroad
EC trophies : Challenge Cup 2012
53
Height
Darly Zoqbi de Paula
goalkeeper
Manon Houette
left wing
• acquired the Spanish nationality in 2014, in order
to play with the national team
• another player who has spent her entire
professional career in Fleury Loiret
• arrived in Europe in 2002, played with various
Spanish and French clubs before signing to Fleury
in 2013
• fun fact, she played every minute of every game
in Fleury’s Cup Winners’ Cup campaign last season
• quick and very efficient, she was elected best
left winger of the French league for two seasons
(2013/14 and 2014/15)
• knew Fred Bougeant from her four years in Le
Havre, where they reached the EHF Cup semi-finals
in 2008, won two French national cups and took
part in the Cup Winners’ Cup final 2014/15
• made her national team debut last season, and
has been a regular fixture since
• firm fan favourite in Fleury, where her Panther
outfit has become one of the symbols of the club
Alexandrina Barbosa
left back
Gnonsiane Niombla
centre back
• signed from Thüringer in the summer of 2014
• arrived in 2010 in Fleury and has gradually moved
up the steps
• very quick, very powerful, one of the best left
back on the continent and definitely Fleury’s
sharpest offensive weapon
• Bougeant sees her as “the boss on the court” in his
team, in charge of the centre back position for two
seasons
• former Portugese citizen, she now has a Spanish
passport and has reached the final of the last EURO
with her now national team
• part of the new “France team”, first drafted in
2013, she now is a real competition for Allison Pineau
on her position
• at 29 already played in five different countries:
Portugal, Spain, Romania, Germany and France and
took part in one CL final, in 2011 with Itxaco
EURO: S 2014
Laura Kamdop
line player
Elisabeth Chavez Hernandez
line player
• has a very impressive mobility for a strongly built
body
• the last Spanish recruit of the squad, and arrived
this summer after playing for three seasons in Nice
• Bougeant presents her as one of his prides, since
he has helped her develop into a national player
• already records 130 games with Spain national
team
• has worn only one jersey in her entire career, the
Fleury Loiret Handball one
• even though she can attack very well, she is best
at defending and hence doesn’t score a lot of goals
• one of her best mates is Gnonsiane Niombla,
both live in the same building and Gnons appreciate
Laura for her down-to-earth, very realistic state of
mind
• has already claimed that with so many Spanish
players around, Fleury felt like “home away from
home”
EURO: S 2008, 2014, WCh: B 2011; OG: B 2012
Beatriz Fernandez Ibanez
right back
Marta Lopez Herrero
right wing
• Fleury has been playing with a right handed
player on the right back position for years, a rarity
in top level handball
• another Spanish recruit who signed back in 2012
• currently the number one right winger in the
Spanish squad, she was a finalist at the last EURO
• among the first Spanish players to sign with
Fleury, back in 2012
• one of the most powerful right winger in the
circuit, her 1-vs-1 skills are especially impressive
• most experience in the squad, having played lots
of European games with former club Bera Bera
• elected best right winger in the French league in
2014, but suffered a severe knee injury which made
her miss half of the 2014/15 season
• played 170 games with the Spanish national
jersey on, and even took part in the 2012 Olympics
EURO: S 2014; OG: B 2012
ECh: S 2008, 2014; OG: B 2012
54
Group C preview
Vardar and Gyor renew rivalry with Midtjylland lurking
At first glance, the draw for the Women’s Champions League could not have produced a more intriguing
group featuring two double former winners, a fast-emerging empire and one of Europe’s most illustrious
contenders.
In reality, however, Group C may turn out to be a one-horse race as Macedonia’s Vardar, who have
benefited from heavy investment in the past few years, are boasting a star-studded roster aiming to reach
a third successive Women’s EHF FINAL4. Györi Audo ETO, the competition’s 2013 and 2014 winners, will in
all likelihood constitute the strongest opposition although the pride of Hungarian women’s handball has
endured sweeping squad changes and will now feature as dark horses rather than favourites.
Hypo Niederostereich, perhaps the group’s most illustrious outfit with a record four titles to their name
in the continent’s premier club competition, have lost all their Brazilian stars over the last two years while
several other stalwarts have also departed for various reasons, with Gorica Acimovic ending her career
while Vivien Lerant took maternity leave.
Finally, there is Denmark’s FC Midtjylland, who have won three second-tier competitions (Cup Winners’
Cup, EHF Cup, City Cup) while also reaching the Champions League semis in 2003 and 2014.
Midtjylland have lost three key players in Nycke Groot, Line Jorgensen and Ida Alstad, with Louise Burgaard
who arrived from Danish first division rivals Viborg standing out as the solitary world-class new signing.
Vardar twice finished third in 2014 and 2015 and this time round the club’s wealthy owners will expect a
step forward after Serbian left back Sanja Damnjanovic joined an already impressive squad, including the
likes of her compatriot Andrea Lekic, Croatia’s Andrea Penezic and Montenegrin winger Jovanka Radicevic.
The team has had two years to mould and they will now be expected to fire on all cylinders, with the first
test of their credentials coming in the opening match against old rivals Györ.
Having blown away the Hungarian side in last season’s quarter-finals with a 51:45 aggregate win, Vardar will
hope for more of the same against a side devoid of some of the biggest names who had carried their flag in
the past few years.
Having also lost surrendered domestic supremacy to FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria, the winners of 11 Hungarian
league titles had to qualify for the Women’s Champions League group phase and did so emphatically.
Previously relying on a legion of international superstars, Gyoö now comprise a pack of talented homegrown players supported by only a handful of imports, including new arrivals Linn Jorum Sulland and Dutch
pivot Yvette Broch. Right back Sulland will be expected to form a team-leading bond with her compatriot
Heidi Loke, one of the few stalwarts along with Brazilian Eduarda Amorim Taleska who opted not to follow
in the footsteps of their team mates who left for greener pastures. Apart from Sulland, Györ should also
profit from the signing of Hungarian pillar Zsuzsanna Tomori, returning to the club from perennial rivals FTC
five years after changing camps.
As if losing their best players was not enough, the unfortunate Hypo will also miss Altina Berisha and
Christina Belik after they have been ruled out of the entire season with long term injuries, while defence
pillar Gabriela Rotis-Nagy is also on maternity leave.
Zoran Milosavljevic
55
Group C head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC
FC Midtjyland vs HC Vardar 1-0-2 (79:82) 2:4
15.02.2014
WHC Vardar SCBT vs FC Midtjylland, EHF Champions League – Main Round
24:23 (10:12)
02.03.2014
FC Midtjylland vs WHC Vardar SCBT, EHF Champions League – Main Round
25:24 (15:09)
04.05.2014
WHC Vardar SCBT vs FC Midtjylland, EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4
34:31 (14:12)
FC Midtjyland vs Hypo Niederösterreich 3-0-6 (247:264) 6:12
19.09.1998
Hypo NÖ vs Ikast FS, European Championship for Club Teams – Semi-final
26:27 (11:13)
04.01.2003
Ikast Bording EH vs Hypo Niederösterreich, EHF Champions League – Group C
26:29 (12:16)
14.02.2003
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Ikast Bording EH, EHF Champions League – group C
24:22 (9:12)
15.05.2004
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Ikast Bording EH, Cup Winners’ Cup – Final
35:30 (20:16)
21.05.2004
Ikast Bording EH vs Hypo Niederösterreich, Cup Winners’ Cup – Final
36:22 (18:11)
11.03.2005
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Ikast Bording EH, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
32:27 (16:16)
19.03.2005
Ikast Bording EH vs Hypo Niederösterreichm, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
32:31 (19:14)
13.02.2009
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Ikast-Brande EH, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1
32:24 (20:10)
28.02.2009
Ikast-Brande EH vs Hypo Niederösterreich, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1
23:33 (11:19)
FC Midtjyland vs Györi Audi ETO KC 2-0-5 (191:198) 4:10
12.05.2002
Györi Graboplast ETO vs Ikast Bording EH, EHF Cup – Final
30:25 (15:13)
20.05.2002
Ikast Bording EH vs Györi Graboplast ETO, EHF Cup – Final
36:23 (21:13)
09.11.2008
Györi AUDI ETO KC vs Ikast-Brande EH, EHF Champions League – Group A
25:27 (15:11)
03.01.2009
Ikast-Brande EH vs Györi AUDI ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Group A
26:27 (13:16)
12.02.2012
Györi AUDI ETO KC vs FC Midtjylland, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1
35:27 (17:13)
24.02.2012
FC Midtjylland vs Györi AUDI ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1
24:29 (14:17)
03.05.2014
Györi Audi ETO KC vs FC Midtjylland, EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final
29:26 (16:11)
HC Vardar vs Hypo Niederöosterreich
HC Vardar vs Györi Audi ETO KC 1-1-0 (51:45) 3:1
04.04.2015
WHC Vardar SCBT vs Györi Audi ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
24:18 (14:10)
11.04.2015
Györi Audi ETO KC vs WHC Vardar SCBT, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
27:27 (13:12)
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Györi Audi ETO KC 2-0-4 (154:187) 4:8
12.04.2009
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Györi AUDI ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Semi-final
26:25 (15:13)
19.04.2009
Györi AUDI ETO KC vs Hypo Niederösterreich, EHF Champions League – Semi-final
29:21 (12:9)
09.11.2011
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Györi AUDI ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Group C
29:27 (15:13)
13.11.2011
Györi AUDI ETO KC vs Hypo Niederösterreich, EHF Champions League – Group C
37:29 (17:12)
05.10.2013
Györi Audi ETO KC vs Hypo Niederösterreich, EHF Champions League – Group A
41:22 (21:11)
10.11.2013
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Györi Audi ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Group A
27:28 (11:14)
56
GROUP C
FC Midtjylland (DEN)
Helle Thomsen has a single focus: The coach of FC Midtjylland - one of the rare number of
female coaches in the EHF Champions League - is only looking after for the Danish champions
now. Before the start of the season, she ended her successful second job for the Swedish
national team, crowned with the bronze medal at the EHF EURO 2014 in Budapest.
And Budapest was the place where Thomsen and her team were in May 2014 too, as FCM
made it to the first ever MVM EHF FINAL4 in the Hungarian capital, finally ending up in the
fourth position. Only some months later the dream of another successful Champions League
season came to a rapid end, as Midtjylland surprisingly failed in qualification against Serbian
champions Kragujevac. But what started disappointing, ended with a trophy, as Thomsen’s
team won the the EHF Cup Winners’ Cup. As FCM also became Danish champions after the
league finals against Esbjerg, they qualified directly for the group matches this season.
After this success, two key players from the back court axis went south eastward: Dutch
striker Nycke Groot to Györ and Line Jorgensen to Bucuresti. The biggest names among the
new arrivals are Danish international Louise Burgaard who arrives from Viborg and Swedish
playmaker Johanna Ahlm who transferred from Esbjerg. In addition, Midtjylland signed Serbian
goalkeeper Ana Vojcic to join experienced Sabine Englert between the goal posts.
Playing hall
IBF Arena
Stadion Allé 2b
7430 Ikast
Denmark
Capacity: 2,250
Club address:
FC Midtjylland
Stadion Alle 2B
7430 Ikast
Denmark
Media contact:
Troels Banggaard
tsb@fcm.dk
And all of them have high hurdles to cross in the group matches, as FCM will have to face twotime Champions Györ, two-time FINAL4 participant Vardar and record winners Hypo in Group
C. So the first goal of the four times Danish champions is quite humble: to qualify for the main
round.
“To be part of the Champions League is what all clubs and players dream about. The
Champions League is where the biggest clubs will battle, and we are humble to be able
to participate, so all our players, fans and sponsors are excited to be part of it,” says FCM
manager Hans Peter Riis, adding: “We will fight to stay in this competition as long as possible.”
For team captain Sabina Jacobsen “it was a hard draw, but we are looking forward to facing
some of the best teams in Europe. To play against the best players and teams are what we as
players are driven by. It will be a hard challenge, but we aim for the main round.”
League 2015/16 season: Danish champions
Coach: Helle Thomsen (since 2012)
Team captain: Sabina Jacobsen
Online information:
Website: www.fcm-haandbold.dk
Facebook: FCMHaandbold
Newcomers:
Louise Burgaard (Viborg)
Veronica Kristiansen (Glassverket)
Ana Vojcic (Randers)
Johanna Ahlm (Esbjerg)
Kit colours
Left the club:
Nycke Groot (Györ)
Line Jorgensen (Bucuresti)
Ida Alstad (Byasen)
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: purple
Goalkeeper shirt: blue/red/yellow
Dark
Player shirt: purple
Player short: purple
Goalkeeper shirt: blue/red/yellow
Past achievements
season): 8
Semi-final: 2002/03, 2013/14
Quarter-final: 1998/99, 2004/05
Main Round: 2003/04, 2008/09,
2011/12
Group Matches: 2003/04
Qualification: 2014/15
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: winners 2003/04,
2014/15, semi-finals 1999/2000
EHF Cup: winners 2001/02, 2010/11,
runners-up 2006/07, semi-finals
2007/08, 2012/13
City Cup: winners 1997/98, runners-up
1996/97, semi-finals 1994/95
Danish league: 4 titles (1998, 2011,
2013, 2015)
Danish cup: 6 titles
57
FC Midtjylland
Biggest win:
34:18 (16:10) v Motor Zaporoshje UKR (h), 14.11.1998
Biggest defeat:
24:38 (14:19) v Viborg HK DEN (h), 07.02.2009
5 matches (22.02.2004 – 30.01.2005)
6 matches (22.02.2004 – 12.02.2005)
Longest losing run:
7 matches (18.01.2009 – 21.03.2009)
9 matches (03.01.2009 – 21.03.2009)
Most goals:
37 v MKS Selgros Lublin POL 37:26W (h), 17.11.2013
38 v Viborg HK DEN 24:38L (h), 07.02.2009
67 v CBM Astroc Sagunto ESP 37:30L (a), 19.02.2005
Fewest goals:
17 v Byasen NOR 17:19W (a), 01.10.2011
36 v Byasen NOR 17:19W (a), 01.10.2011
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1998/99 Ikast FS DEN
8
4
2
2
198:173
+25
10:6
1/4-finals
2002/03 Ikast Bording EH DEN
10
5
0
5
266:266
0
10:10
1/2-finals
6
3
0
3
162:159
+3
6:6
3rd Gr. B
8
5
1
2
233:226
+7
11:5
1/4-finals
2008/09 Ikast-Brande EH DEN
12
3
1
8
325:367
-42
7:17
4th MR Gr. 1
2011/12 FC Midtjylland DEN
12
6
0
6
290:283
+7
12:12
4th MR Gr. 1
2013/14 FC Midtjylland DEN
14
8
1
5
365:349
+16
17:11
Fourth Place
70 345 31 1839:1823 +16 73:67
Total
58
FC Midtjylland
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
18
22
40
1
24
45
2
27
16
9
7
25
6
10
15
4
20
8
12
49
14
17
79
21
Ditte Hoegenhaug Aaen
Johanna M. H.
Ahlm
Karina
Andersen
Stephanie
Andersen
Mie
Augustesen
Emilie Bastrup
Bertelsen
Pauline
Boegelund
Louise Katharina
Burgaard
Sabine
Englert
Sabina Rosengren Jacobsen
Annika
Jakobsen
Trine Ostergaard
Jensen
Stine
Jörgensen
Veronica
Kristiansen
Jane Sönderbaek
Mejlvang
Line Skak LindegaardNielsen
Sabine
Pedersen
Simone Cathrine
Petersen
Stephanie Kjaer
Rasmussen
Frederikke Fevre
Siggard
Kristina
Sommer
Susan Torp
Thorsgaard
Ana
Vojcic
Fie
Woller
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
DEN
SWE
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
GER
SWE
DEN
DEN
DEN
NOR
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
SRB
DEN
Left Back Centre Back Left Back Goalkeeper Left Wing Left Wing
Right Back Right Back Goalkeeper Left Back Right Wing Right Wing Left Back Left Back
Centre Back Line Player Line Player Centre Back Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Right Wing Line Player Goalkeeper Left Wing 14/02/1996
03/10/1987
05/03/1996
19/06/1992
19/07/1988
19/02/1997
17/02/1996
17/10/1992
27/11/1981
24/03/1989
25/02/1997
17/10/1991
03/09/1990
10/07/1990
02/08/1995
06/04/1997
05/05/1986
28/08/1997
21/10/1996
23/01/1997
26/01/1994
13/10/1988
03/06/1979
17/09/1992
Strandby, DEN
Härlanda, SWE
Nordfyn, DEN
Randers, DEN
Hedensted, DEN
Holstebro, DEN
Egedal, DEN
Esbjerg
Aschaffenburg, GER
Lund, SWE
Horsens, DEN
Galten
Brønderslev
Stavanger
Ringkøbing-Skjern, DEN
Ikast-Brande, DEN
Aalborg, DEN
Ringsted, DEN
Ikast-Brand, DEN
Ikast-Brande, DEN
Aarhus, DEN
Arhus, DEN
Arandelovac, SRB
Herning
Helle Thomsen
coach
•
coming from a handball mad family, she started playing at
the age of five in Frederikshavn
•
key part of the Frederikshavn team of the late nineties,
reaching the Danish championship final in 1998 as well as the
Danish Cup final and the quarter-finals of the City Cup in 1999
•
in March 2012 became head coach of FCM
•
in the 2012/13 season led FCM to the Danish league and
cup, as well as the semi-finals of the EHF Cup
•
in her second season steered the team to the maiden EHF
FINAL4 in Budapest
EC trophies: EHF Cup: 2011 (as assistant coach)
59
Height
175
175
182
187
177
171
174
178
185
182
170
165
180
172
181
175
180
165
178
176
174
188
179
Sabine Englert
goalkeeper
Ana Vojcic
goalkeeper
•
former German national team player is in
fact a former teammate of Kiel winger Dominik
Klein - when she started playing at the age of 5 in
Aschaffenburg, they were in the same mixed team
•
joined Midtjylland from league rivals Randers
HK ahead of the 2015/16 season, also represented
Aalborg DH from 2007 to 2013
•
seen as a great supplement to German star
keeper Sabine Englert who has been missing a
qualified colleague for a long time
•
only a few days after signing the contract
with FCM in the early spring 2008, she played in her
future home, the Ikast Brande Arena, with Hypo NÖ.
•
for the second time with the club, where she
played from 2003 to 2005, when the club name was
Ikast-Bording EH
•
on the same occasion she sustained a
knee injury, but since then, she has had happier
memories of the hall
•
has played 60 internationals for Serbia
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2015 EHF Cup 2011, Challenge Cup: 2005
WCh: Bronze 2007
Fie Woller
left wing
Veronica Kristiansen
left back
•
at the age of 5, when she started to play
handball, she knew that her future was on the left
wing, just like her idol Lars Christiansen
•
joined FCM from Norwegian runners-up
Glassverket ahead of the 2015/16 season
•
succeeding her teammate in the Norwegian
national team Ida Alstad in the left back position
which she will be sharing with Stine Jorgensen
•
in FCM she used to play in the same team as
her twin sister Cecilie
•
however, lack of time on the court made
Cecilie move to then league newcomer Nykøbing
•
won the W19 EHF EURO 2011 with Denmark
•
Best Young Player of the 2013/14 CL season
•
out of a handball family, as her sisters Jeanett
and Charlotte also play handball. Jeanett is playing in
Glassverket which Veronica has just left
•
has played 46 internationals for Norway
EURO: G 2014
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2015
Johanna Ahlm
centre back
Susan Thorsgaard
line player
•
joined FC Midtjylland ahead of the 2015/16
season from league rivals Team Esbjerg
•
with her 188 cm taller than most female
handball players
•
has to fill out the large footsteps of Dutch
international Nycke Groot in the playmaker spot
•
she as well as her teammates in FCM and in
the Danish national team have benefited from her
height
•
playing in Denmark is no stranger to her, as
she has played in the Danish league since 2009,
representing Aalborg, Viborg and Esbjerg
•
another great asset is her experience
•
has played in FCM’s first team since 2009, and
she can also add around hundred internationals for
Denmark to her CV
•
played 127 internationals for Sweden and
scored 419 goals
EURO: S 2010, B 2014
Louise Katharina Burgaard
right back
Trine Østergaard Jensen
right wing
• made her first appearances in the Danish league
at 17 with KIF Vejen.
•
ever since she started playing handball at the
age of nine, has been ambitious
• joined FCM from Viborg in the summer of 2015,
played also for Team Tvis Holstebro (summer 2013)
•
key player for FCM, particularly after former
Danish international Maibritt Kviesgaard left in the
summer of 2013
• debuted in the Denmark national team at 19 and
later became a regular in the squad
•
in 2012 she also made her debut for Denmark
•
third best scorer of FCM in their successful
2013/14 campaign to the FINAL4 in Budapest and
fourth best team’s scorer in the 2014/15 season
crowned with the Cup Winners’ Cup trophy
• won her first senior Danish titles with Viborg –
Danish cup and Danish championship 2013/14
WCh: B 2013
60
GROUP C
HC Vardar (MKD)
Two years ago, they made an instant splash by making it to the MVM EHF FINAL4 as debutants,
in May 2014 they were part of the pinnacle event again - and in both cases Vardar Skopje lost
their semi-final against Buducnost. To book the trip to Budapest for a third time is the goal of
the Macedonian champions this season. In contrast to the previous years, the squad did not
change that much: The only newcomers are Serbian left back Sanja Damnjanovic (from Viborg)
and Croatian Andrea Covic from Podravka.
“It is good for the team that they come from Balkan countries, because they will acclimatise
much quicker than other players who came to Macedonia for the first time,” says club manager
Ana Mihajlovska. Three key players have left Vardar - including Allison Pineau, who had already
transferred during last season. “I expect to have a good performance in the Champions League,
as now we have two years of experience in this competition. The team is almost the same, so
they will quickly find their rhythm,” Mihajlovska explains her high hopes.
In the previous season, Vardar were the first team to stop Györ after eight semi-final
participations in the Champions League in a row by defeating the 2013 and 2014 champions
in the quarter-finals. Now both main contenders for the FINAL4 face already in the group
matches, together with Midtjylland and Hypo in Group C.
Playing hall
Jane Sandanski
Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Capacity: 5,500
Club Address:
WHC Vardar
Preseka 55/10
1000 Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Media contact:
Ivana Stojanovska
+389 71 247 218
contact@zrkvardar.com
Online information:
Website: www.zrkvardar.mk
Facebook: ZRK-Vardar-SCBT
Twitter: @zrkvardar
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: black
Dark
Player shirt: red
Player short: red
Vardar defeated Midtjylland in the bronze medal match of the 2014 FINAL4, but the Danish
champions are expected to be a tough challenge. “They have an excellent goalkeeper, they
give their best and fight until end of the game, especially when they play at home,” says
Mihajlovska, for whom Hypo is the most unknown team in their group.
Newcomer Sanja Damnjanovic had faced Midtjylland with Viborg often in the Danish league,
so the Serb knows a lot about them: “FC Midtjylland are always a good team, they play a fast
Danish style. The encounters will be exciting but I hope we will win.” Damnjanovic expects
the games against Györ to be the crucial ones for the top position of Group C, and admits:
“They have a better team than last season, firstly because many players are back and secondly
because they signed more good players. So they are one of the favourites for the title.”
Despite a lot of respect for Hypo Damnjanovic hopes “that we do not have that much trouble
against them”.
League 2015/16 season: Macedonian champions
Coaches: Indira Kastratovic (since 2012), Jan
Pytlick (since 2014)
Team captain: Inna Suslina
Newcomers:
Sanja Damnjanovic (Viborg HK)
Andrea Covic (HC Podravka Vegeta)
Left the club:
Begona Fernandez (retired)
Julija Nikolic (retired)
Allison Pineau (Baia Mare)
Simona Stojanovska
Sara Mitova (HC Vardar Junior)
Ivana Gakidova (Banik Most)
61
Past achievements
season): 3
Semi-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 (third
rank at MVM EHF FINAL4)
Other
EHF Cup: Last 16: 2012/13
Macedonian league: 2 titles (2013,
2014, 2015)
Macedonian cup: 3 titles
HC Vardar
Biggest win:
17:35 (10:16) v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO (a), 03.11.2013
29:47 (12:24) v RK Krim Mercator SLO (a), 06.03.2015
Biggest defeat:
27:17 (14:9) v Buducnost MNE (a), 09.05.2015
5 matches (19.10.2013 – 02.02.2014)
9 matches (06.10.2013 – 15.02.2014)
Longest losing run:
2 matches (22.11.2014 – 30.01.2015)
3 matches (16.11.2014 – 30.01.2015)
Most goals:
47 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 29:47W (a), 06.03.2015
33 v Dinamo-Sinara RUS 33:25L (a), 15.02.2015
Fewest goals:
17 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 17:35W (a), 03.11.2013
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
2013/14 WHC Vardar SCBT MKD
14
9
3
2
393:333
+60
21:7
Third Place
2014/15 WHC Vardar SCBT MKD
16
9
2
5
435:403
+32
20:12
Third Place
30 185 7
Total
62
828:736 +92 41:19
HC Vardar
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
20
25
27
11
17
96
30
71
5
15
77
12
23
1
4
91
19
31
Anja
Olga
Andrea
Sanja
Siraba
Itana
Alena
Tatiana
Andrea
Barbara
Andrea
Amandine Andrea
Dragana
Jovanka
Sara
Maja
Inna
Althaus
Chernoivanenko
Covic
Damnjanovic
Dembele
Grbic
Ikhneva
Khmyrova
Klikovac
Lazovic
Lekic
Leynaud
Penezic
Petkovska
Radicevic
Ristovska
Sokac
Suslina
GER
RUS
CRO
SRB
FRA
MNE
RUS
RUS
MNE
SLO
SRB
FRA
CRO
MKD
MNE
MKD
CRO
RUS
Line Player Right Wing Line Player Centre Back Left Wing Left Wing Left Back Right Back Right Back Right Back Centre Back Goalkeeper Left Back Goalkeeper Right Wing Right Wing Left Wing Goalkeeper 03/09/1982
17/04/1989
09/10/1993
25/05/1987
28/06/1986
01/09/1996
30/07/1995
06/02/1990
05/05/1991
04/01/1988
06/09/1987
02/05/1986
13/11/1985
12/06/1996
23/10/1986
09/09/1996
31/05/1982
05/01/1979
Magdeburg, GER
Samarsk, RUS
Sinj, CRO
Beograd, SRB
Dreux, FRA
Podgorica, MNE
Orenburg, RUS
Volgograd, RUS
Podgorica, MNE
Brezice, SLO
Beograd, SRB
Aubenas, FRA
Zagreb, CRO
Skopje, MKD
Podgorica, MNE
Skopje, MKD
Split, CRO
Tashkent, USSR
Indira Kastratovic
coach
• in her second coaching season led Vardar to their historical
third place at the first women’s FINAL4 and repeated that also
in 2015 with help of her coaching partner Jan Pytlick
• her greatest success as a player achieved with Kometal, for
whom she played twice in the CL final, winning the title in 2002
• in 1997 she was the top scorer of the WCh with 71 goals as
part of the Macedonian team
• in 2006 she retired as a player and concentrated her
attention on coaching youth players
EC trophies: CL 2002 (as player)
63
Height
177
176
180
181
172
183
180
174
183
178
178
186
169
178
184
Inna Suslina
goalkeeper
Siraba Dembele
left wing
• former Russia national team player graduated
from the University RGPU Rostov Don as a teacher
• French left wing signed with Vardar ahead of last
season and played an important role in the team in
2013/14, scoring 35 goals
• Vardar is her second stint outside of Russia – she
previously spent four seasons with GOG in Denmark
• Vardar is the seventh team in her career – she
previously played for five different French teams
and spent one season with Danish club Randers
• has twice been voted in All-Star teams – at the
EHF EURO 2006 and the WCh 2009
• captain of the France national team
• as team captain led the team to the bronze medal
at the first edition of the FINAL4 in 2014
• extended her contract with Vardar until 2016
OG: S 2004, WCh: G 2001, 2007, 2009, EHF EURO: S 2006, B 2008
WCh: S 2009, 2011, EHF EURO B 2006
Andrea Penezic
left back
Sanja Damnjanovic
left back/centre back
• in the summer of 2014 signed a 1+1 year contract
• played for a number of clubs in Serbia, also for
Krim and Podravka
• raised the Slovenian title and cup four times with
Krim Mercator
• haunted by several injuries while with Viborg
(2013-2015)
• best left back in the All-Star Team at the WCh
2011
• named in the All-star team at the EHF EURO 2012
and WCh 2013 – both played in Serbia
• played also for Lokomotiva and Podravka
• awarded Handball Player of the Year in Serbia for
the 2013/14 season
• Croatian player of the year six consecutive times
• together with Cristina Neagu the top scorer of the
2014/15 season with 102 goals
WCh: S 2013
Andrea Lekic
centre back
Anja Althaus
line player
• competed in karate and reached blue belt
before moving on to ball sports including volleyball,
basketball, football and tennis
• first German player to play in FYR Macedonia.
• switched from being a designer in advertising
to a hairdresser, and is known as stylist to her
teammates in both her club and national team
• voted the 2013 World Handball Player of the Year
• All-Star Team at the EHF EURO 2012.
• two EHF Champions League titles with Viborg
(2009, 2010)
• organises her own handball camp every other
year
• one of the most famous German players with
over 200 caps for Germany and more than 500 goals
WCh: S 2013
EC trophies: CL 2009, 2010
WCh: B 2007, Junior WCh: B 2001
Barbara Lazovic
right back
Jovanka Radicevic
right wing
• arrived from Krim together with Andrea Penezic
in the summer of 2014
• as the daughter of a handball player, started
playing handball at the age of 12
• before she joined Vardar she played only for Krim
besides a year-long stint in Zaječar, Serbia
• best right wing at the EHF EURO 2012 when she
won the championship with Montenegro
• married to Vuk Lazovic, a handball player from
Serbia
• in 2013 she won the CL title with Györ.
• with Buducnost, she won seven championships
and cup titles in Montenegro (2005-2011), two
regional league titles (2010, 2011) and two titles in
the Cup Winners’ Cup (2006, 2010)
• contemplated a switch to Serbia, but remained
loyal to the Slovenian national team
• expected to share more time with Tatiana
Khmyrova who is back after a long injury
EC trophies: CL 2013, Cup Winners’ Cup 2006, 2010
OG: S 2012, EURO: G 2012
64
GROUP C
Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT)
The last two remaining Brazilians Rocha and Araos have left, the most experienced player
Gorica Acimovic ended her career, defence boss Gabriela Rotis-Nagy is pregnant and two
players, Altina Berisha and Christina Belik, will miss the whole season due to injuries. Their
23rd straight participation in the Women’s EHF Champions League seems to be ill-fated for
record winners Hypo Niederösterreich.
In addition, the 39 times Austrian champions were drawn in Group C only with teams who have
been part of the two ‘FINAL4’ events in 2014 and 2015, including two-time champions Györi
Audi ETO KC, FC Midtjylland and HC Vardar.
The preconditions for coach Ferenc Kovacs are anything but easy. In the past five seasons,
Hypo have missed qualification for the main round.
“As we are in a transition phase to a younger and more local team, the challenges in this
Champions League season are bigger than in the years before,” says Hypo’s managing director
Gerhard Haidvogel, adding: “We will try to keep up with our group phase opponents as long as
possible, though we know that we face three strong and experienced teams.”
Playing hall
BSFZ Südstadt
Liese Prokop Platz 1
2344 Maria Enzersdorf
Austria
Capacity: 1,020
Club Address:
BSFZ Südstadt
Liese-Prokop-Platz 1
2344 Maria Enzersdorf
Austria
Media contact:
Kati Kovacs
+43 664 6016 4583
info@hypo-noe.at
Online information:
Website: www.hypo-noe.at
Facebook: hyponoe
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: yellow
Player short: blue
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
But despite all problems, Haidvogel is still looking forward to the next international season:
“To play in an international League is a key for Hypo. To play even in the Champions League
is the greatest challenge and target you could imagine in women club handball.” The only
experienced player among the six newcomers from four countries is former Hungarian
international Ibolya Mehlmann however the rest are a talented group.
The only remaining experienced player in Hypo’s squad is team captain Marina Budecevic.
She expects a challenging season: “We have big respect for all opponents and will fight for the
best possible results though we know that we face three potential participants of the FINAL4
already in the group matches.”
League 2015/16 season: Austrian champions
Coach: Ferenc Kovacs, (since 2014)
Team captain: Marina Budecevic
Newcomers:
Verena Flöck (DJK/MJC Trier)
Kitti Kiss (Mosonmagyarovar)
Ibolya Weiszne Mehlmann (Vaci KCSK)
Altina Berisha (WAT Atzgersdorf)
Sonata Vijunaite (HC BW Feldkirch)
Alzbeta Tothova (HC Zlin)
Left the club:
Gorica Acimovic (end of career)
Francielle Gomes da Rocha (N/A)
Vivien Lerant (maternity leave)
Mariana Costa (Nykobing FHK)
Sabrina Stumvoll (UHC Stockerau)
Maria Eugenia Musalem Araos (N/A)
Katharina Doppler (UHC Stockerau)
65
Past achievements
season): 23
Winners (4): 1993/94, 1994/95,
1997/98, 1999/2000
Runners-up (2): 1995/96, 2007/08
Semi-final (5): 1996/97, 1998/99,
2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09
Group Matches (9): 2000/01, 2001/02,
2002/03, 2003/04, 2009/10, 2010/11,
2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15
Other
Cup Winners Cup: Winners 2012/13,
Runners-up 2003/04
Austrian league: 39 titles (1977-2015)
Austrian cup: 28 titles
Biggest win:
17:32 (7:17) v Bel. Olimpija Ljubljana SLO (a), 19.02.1995
Biggest defeat:
42:22 (20:11) v HC Leipzig GER (a), 31.10.2014
14 matches (22.01.1994 – 26.03.1995)
14 matches (22.01.1994 – 26.03.1995)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (20.11.2010 – 30.10.2011)
6 matches (10.11.2013 – 09.11.2014)
Most goals:
38 v HC Kometal Gjorce Petrov MKD 38:27W (h), 19.01.2007
38 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 38:28W (h), 14.03.2009
41 v Györi Audi ETO KC HUN 41:22L (a), 05.10.2013
71 v Randers HK DEN 39:32L (a), 30.11.2011
Fewest goals:
14 v Podravka Koprivnica CRO 17:14L (a), 29.04.1995
14 v Kometal Dj. P. Skopje MKD 21:14L (a), 01.03.1998
12 v Kometal Dj. P. Skopje MKD 26:12W (h), 21.02.1998
30 v Podravka Koprivnica CRO 17:13W (h), 04.05.1996
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1993/94 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT
8
8
0
0
186:149
+37
16:0
Winner
8
7
0
1
202:147
+55
14:2
Winner
8
6
1
1
184:150
+34
13:3
Runner-up
10
9
0
1
249:194
+55
18:2
1/2-finals
12
9
0
3
275:241
+34
18:6
Winner
10
8
0
2
277:234
+43
16:4
1/2-finals
12
8
2
2
338:291
+47
18:6
Winner
6
3
0
3
158:162
-4
6:6
3rd Gr. A
6
3
0
3
171:159
+12
6:6
3rd Gr. C
6
3
0
3
149:165
–16
6:6
3rd Gr. C
6
3
0
3
159:166
-7
6:6
3rd Gr. C
10
6
0
4
287:268
+19
12:8
1/2-finals
8
5
0
3
225:211
+14
10:6
1/4-finals
10
7
0
3
295:275
+20
14:6
1/2-finals
16
13
0
3
498:435
+63
26:6
Runner-up
14
11
0
3
421:366
+55
22:6
1/2-finals
12
5
1
6
331:350
-19
10*:14
6
2
0
4
137:147
-10
4:8
3rd MR Gr. 2
3rd Gr. B
6
2
0
4
167:187
-20
4:8
4th Gr. C
2012/13 Hypo NÖ AUT
6
3
0
3
156:153
+3
6:6
3rd Gr. A
6
2
0
4
149:170
-21
4:8
3rd Gr. A
6
1
1
4
136:175
–39
3:9
4th Gr. A
192 1245
Total
66
63 5150:4795 +355 252*:132
* Point for Hypo Niederösterreich deducted by official decision
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
24
10
6
1
8
27
22
7
92
9
20
33
16
11
19
23
15
4
Altina
Marina
Mirela
Verena
Martina
Anna
Stefanie
Kitti
Klaudia
Patricia
Viktoria
Gabriela
Olga
Jennifer
Alzbeta
Sonata
Claudia
Ibolya
Berisha
Budecevic
Dedic
Flöck
Goricanec
Hajgato
Kaiser
Kiss
Kovacs
Kovacs
Mauler
Rotis-Nagy
Sanko
Thurner
Tothova
Vijunaite
Wess
Wieszne Mehlmann
AUT
AUT
AUT
AUT
AUT
HUN
AUT
HUN
AUT
AUT
AUT
AUT
RUS
AUT
SVK
LTU
AUT
HUN
Left Back Left Back Left Wing Goalkeeper Centre Back Goalkeeper Line Player Right Wing Left Wing Centre Back Wing Left Back Goalkeeper Centre Back Right Back Line Player Right Back Right Back 24/11/1994
25/11/1982
15/12/1991
29/06/1992
19/09/1993
27/04/1992
31/10/1992
13/03/1994
23/01/1992
26/05/1996
23/08/1993
12/11/1980
28/02/1978
19/05/1993
18/02/1978
23/02/1980
15/06/1995
04/11/1981
Vienna, AUT
Sremska Mitrovica, SRB
Bruck an der Mur, AUT
Vienna, AUT
Feldkirch, AUT
Budapest, HUN
Wiener Neustadt, AUT
Györ, HUN
Feldkirch, AUT
Lustenau, AUT
Wien, AUT
Sfantu-Gherorghe , ROU
Rostov/Don, RUS
Mödling, AUT
Komarno, SVK
Lietuva, LTU
Wien, AUT
Pecs, HUN
Ferenc Kovacs
coach
• has been working for Hypo since 1998 as coach
of Hypo II and from 2014/15 season the official head
coach for the long-term Hypo development project
• born in Hungary and played for Ferencvaros,
where he was coached by another former Hypo
coach, Andras Nemeth
• interim coach of the Austria national team, which
won the bronze medal at the WCh 1999
• assistant coach of Austria at the 2000 Olympic
Games
WCh: B 1999 (as coach)
67
Height
181
177
169
176
180
170
181
163
165
178
167
189
180
178
178
175
180
192
Olga Sanko
goalkeeper
Viktoria Mauler
left wing
• played and won her so-far only CL final against
Hypo when playing for Zvezda in 2007/08
• joined Hypo at the age of ten
• has been in the first team at Hypo since 2013
• came to Hypo as a young player in 2005, then
returned to her home country of Russia before
joining the Austrians again in 2009
• shares the left wing position with Mirela Dedic
• both are in the squad of the Austria women’s
national team
• mother of twins
• new number one goalkeeper after Barbara
Arenhart transferred to Baia Mare
Marina Budecevic
left back
Martina Goricanec
centre back
• most experienced in the rejuvenated squad
• part of the Hypo youth programme after starting
her youth career at Feldkirch, returned to Feldkirch
for the 2013/14 season before she came back to
where everything got started at Hypo
• playmaker of the Austrian national team, but also
can play on the right back position.
• most of her handball career player for Hypo (1998
until 2006 and again since 2014), but has also played
for German side TV Mainzlar, Danish side Arhus or
Norwegian club Oslo
• had her first appearance in the Hypo women’s
team already at the age of 16
• netted in 29 goals in the 2014/15 international
season – 16 in the CL, 13 in the Cup Winners’ Cup
• had already been playing coach for Austrian club
Wiener Neustadt, before she returned to Hypo
• part in the biggest success of a Austrian YAC
team, winning the U19 bronze medal at the U19 EHF
EURO
Alzbeta Tothova
right back
Stefanie Kaiser
line player
• five-time Player of the Year in Slovakia (2003,
2004, 2005, 2010, 2011)
•successor of Brazilian World Champion Fabiana
Carvalho Carneiro Diniz at the line player position
• her first CL Group Matches experience in 2015/16
•joined the Hypo youth team at the age of 15
• spent most of her career, almost 12 years, with
Slovakian Champions Iuventa Michalovce, had a
short spell with Debrecen and played abroad also in
Sokol Poruba and Zlin
•played with Hypo’s first team for three years
•part of the Austria team that won the bronze
medal at the U19 EHF EURO 2011
• 2003/2004 was her best European season, when
she scored 28 goals for Iuventa Michalovce
U19 EURO: B 2012
• universal back court player, able to cover all
positions at back court, scoring lot of goals
Ibolya Mehlmann
right back
Kitty Kiss
right wing
• has taken her talents to four different countries
and played for five clubs in Hungary
• born in the Hungarian capital of handball, Győr
but she never made an appearance for the first
team there
• at 20 made quite an impression at the Junior
WCh, where her prolific contribution helped the
Hungarian team to reach the final
• played for Győr’s youth academy,
Mosonmagyaróvár and signed a contract with Hypo
in the summer of 2015
• signed with Aalborg in 2006 and was picked to
the All-star of the EHF EURO 2006
• coach Ferenc Kovács, who will have three
Hungarian players at Hypo, personally asked for her
• Mehlmann won the Hungarian second league
with her team VKCSK before she moved to Vienna
EURO: B 2004, WCh: S 2003, B 2005
68
GROUP C
Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN)
Eight years in a row, Györi Audi ETO have made it to at least the semi-finals of the Women’s
EHF Champions League, and even lifted the trophy in 2013 and 2014. This achievement has not
been matched by any other female team in the European club handball’s flagship competition
up to this point.
But then the defending champions’ trend came to an end in April 2015 - losing their quarterfinals against Vardar on aggregate. Thus, the Hungarian powerhouses failed to qualify for the
MVM EHF FINAL4 at home in Budapest.
Some possible causes for this unsuccessful season could be the absence of Katrine Lunde and
Anita Görbicz due to pregnancy. Eduarda Amorim was out for month after tearing her cruciate
ligament.
Even on a domestic level, Györ were suffering. They lost the league finals to their rivals FTC,
but managed to book their place in the Champions League group matches by winning their
qualification tournament.
Györ ended up in a tough group coming up against such sides as Midtjylland, Vardar and record
champions, Hypo Niederösterreich. But with Görbicz and Amorim returning hopes are high for
the club. Before the new season, Györ have undergone one of the biggest transitions in the
club’s history.
Playing hall
AUDI Arena
Kiskút liget
9027 Györ
Hungary
Capacity: 5,000
Club Address:
Győri Audi ETO KC
Kiskutliget
92027 Győr
Hungary
Media contact:
Andrea Szilagyi
+36 70 394 95 96
szilagyi.andrea@gyorietokc.hu
Online information:
Website: www.gyorietokc.hu
Facebook: Győri-Audi-ETO-KC
Twitter: @GyoriaudiETO
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: green
Goalkeeper shirt: white/red
Dark
Player shirt: green/black
Player short: green/black
Goalkeeper shirt: blue, black
In total ten players including Katrine Lunde, Susann Müller, Jelena Grubisic, Macarena Aguilar
and Orsolya Herr have departed. On the other hand, some Hungarians young guns, Dutch stars
Cornelia Nycke Groot and Yvette Broich and Norwegian right back Linn Sulland will now wear
the famous green and white.
Thus, coach Ambros Martin now has the challenge to get this new squad working together, but
the early signs are positive as Martin & Co. are on the back of a successful pre-season. Györ
came out on top in all seven of their preparation matches, the Hungarian Super Cup - against
FTC - and both Champions League qualification matches - all of which underlines that they are
well and truly back on track.
Qualification for the 2015/16 Women’s
EHF Champions League season: Hungarian
runners-ups, winners of qualification
tournament 1
Coach: Ambros Martín (since 2012)
Team captain: Anita Görbicz
Newcomers:
Zsuzsanna Tomori (FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria),
Eva Kiss (Fehervar KC)
Gabriella Toth (Mosonmagyarovar KC)
Cornelia Groot (FC Midtjylland)
Yvette Broch (Metz Handball)
Linn Sulland (Larvik HK)
Left the club:
Vesna Milanovic Litre (Krim Ljubljana)
Macarena Aguilar (Rostov/Siofok)
Jelena Grubisic (CSM Bucharest)
Katrine Lunde (Rostov)
Orsolya Herr (Fehervar KC)
Agnes Hornyak (Nice Handball)
Anna Sen (Rostov)
Ivett Szepesi (Mosonmagyarovar KC)
Csapo Kyra (Mosonmagyarovar KC)
Susann Müller (Bietigheim)
69
Past achievements
season): 13
Winners (2): 2012/13, 2013/14
Runners-up (2): 2008/09, 2011/12
Semi-final (4): 2006/07, 2007/08,
2009/10, 2010/11
Group Matches (2): 2000/01, 2005/06
Qualification (1): 2004/05
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2005/06,
Semi-final 2002/03
EHF Cup: Runners-up 1998/99, 2001/02,
2003/04, 2004/05
Hungarian league: 11 titles (1957, 1959,
2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,
2012, 2013, 2014)
Hungarian cup: 12 titles
Biggest win: 41:22 (21:11) v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT (h), 05.10.2013
Biggest defeat:
28:39 (12:20) v Spartak Kiev UKR (a), 17.02.2001
13 matches (13.10.2012 – 06.04.2013)
22 matches (05.05.2013 – 23.11.2014)
Longest losing run:
3 matches (11.02.2001 – 07.01.2006)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (28.01.2001 – 07.01.2006)
4 matches (20.03.2011 – 02.10.2011)
Most goals:
41 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 41:22W (h), 05.10.2013
39 v Spartak Kiev UKR 39:28L (a), 17.02.2001
Most goals both teams: 73 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 33:40W (a), 13.01.2008
Fewest goals:
18 v Larvik NOR 18:24L (h), 20.03.2011
18 v WHC Vardar SCBT 24:18L (a), 04.04.2015
Fewest goals opponent: 14 v SD Itxako ESP 14:20W (a), 14.11.2009
Fewest goals both teams:34 v SD Itxako ESP 14:20W (a), 14.11.2009
Women’s EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
2000/01 Györi Graboplast ETO HUN
6
1
2
3
156:168
–12
4
4th Gr. D
2005/06 Györi ETO Kezilabda Club HUN
6
3
0
3
154:169
-15
6
3rd Gr. D
2006/07 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN
10
6
0
4
291:267
+24
12
1/2-finals
2007/08 Györi Audi ETO HUN
14
11
0
3
415:366
+49
22
1/2-finals
16
11
1
4
454:415
+39
23
Runner-up
2009/10 Györi AUDI ETO KC HUN
14
8
2
4
355:337
+18
18
1/2-finals
14
10
1
3
387:334
+53
21
1/2-finals
16
10
1
5
472:422
+50
21
Runner-up
16
15
0
1
435:346
+89
30
Winner
14
12
2
0
408:337
+71
26
Winner
14
10
1
3
385:313
+72
21:7
Total
14097 10 33 3912:3474 +438 204:76
70
Stage
1/4-finals
Team roster
No.
18
33
14
28
13
27
8
3
11
14
17
88
5
21
15
23
96
22
9
16
21
85
First Name
Eduarda Idalina
Bernadett
Yvette
Beatrix
Anita
Cornelia Nycke
Anette Emma
Jana
Dorina
Aniko
Rita
Luca
Heidi
Szimonetta
Linn Jorum
Zsuzsanna
Gabriella
Adrienn
Julia
Alexa
Eva
Kari Aalvik
Surname
Amorim Taleska
Bognar-Bodi
Broch
Elö
Görbicz
Groot
Hudak
Knedlikova
Korsos
Kovacsics
Lakatos
Linder
Loke
Planeta
Sulland
Tomori
Toth
Orban
Harsfalvi
Weninger
Kiss
Grimsbø
Nat.
BRA
HUN
NED
HUN
HUN
NED
HUN
CZE
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
NOR
HUN
NOR
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
NOR
Position
Left Back
Right Wing
Line Player
Right Back
Centre Back
Centre Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Left Wing
Centre Back
Centre Back
Line Player
Line Player
Right Back
Right Back
Left Back
Back
Right Wing
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Ambros Martín
coach
•born in Lanzarote, Canary Islands
•joined Győr in 2012
•previously coached top Spanish side Estrella Itxako for seven years, winning the EHF Cup in 2009
•also eliminating Györ in the semi-final on the way
to the CL final in 2010/11 during that spell
•in his first season with Győr he won their first
European trophy
EC trophies: CL 2013, 2014, EHF Cup 2009
71
Date of Birth
23.9.1986
9.3.1986
21.12.1990
28.1.1997
13.5.1983
4.5.1988
25.3.1998
22.6.1989
3.9.1995
29.8.1991
6.7.1999
8.6.1996
12.12.1982
12.12.1993
15.7.1984
18.6.1987
23.9.1996
1.10.1986
12.11.1996
25.6.1997
10.7.1987
4.1.1985
Place of Birth
Blumenau/BRA
Szeged
Monster/NED
Györ
Veszprem
Alkmaar/NED
Bratislava/SVK
Praha/CZE
Kecskemét
Nagyatad
Dunajska Streda/SVK
Mohacs
Tonsberg/NOR
Kazincbarcika
Oslo/NOR
Budapest
Berettyóújfalu
Györ
Zalaegerszeg
Györ
Debrecen
Bergen/NOR
Height
186
175
184
182
173
170
178
167
168
170
174
171
177
198
178
187
175
168
168
177
189
180
Kari Aalvik Grimsbø
goalkeeper
Dorina Korsos
left wing
• joined Györ from Danish Team Esbjerg during
the 2014/15 season, as Croatian Jelena Grubisic, a
replacement for pregnant Katrine Lunde, got injured
• was only seventeen years old when she made her
debut in the CL
• despite her young age a key player for Ambros
Martin playing on the top of the 5+1 defence and
her stellar performances have won her an All-star
defender title in the 2014/15 season
• before joining Esbjerg, had a long career in
Norwegian Byasen, including a lot of appearances in
the CL, the EHF Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup
• with the absence of Anita Görbicz, Kovacsics plays
more in the middle and gives Korsos more time to
prove herself on the wing
• an injury in the first match at the EHF EURO 2014
meant that she missed the Norwegian triumph
• started her career at the age of 5, had her debut
for Byasen in the Norwegian league at the age of 17
EURO: B 2012
EURO: B 2012
Aniko Kovacsics
left wing/centre back
Zsuzsanna Tomori
left back
• the playmaker was propelled into the starting
seven due to the pregnancy of Anita Görbicz in the
2014/15 season
• joined Györ for the second time in her career in
the summer of 2015 from arch rivals Ferencvaros
• the 23-year-old made her CL debut at 16 and is
already in her eighth season.
• previous Hungarian clubs included Dunaferr,
Vasas and Győr, but her biggest successes came
with FTC, where she won the Cup Winners’ Cup
• also able to play left wing and was deployed in
that position by Hungary during EHF EURO 2014
• 2012/13 CL top scorer with 95 goals
• set to have a bigger role to play at least until
Eduarda Amorim fully recovers after an injury
• awarded best young player of the 2012/13 CL
season
EURO: B 2012
EHF EURO: B 2012
Nycke Groot
centre back
Heidi Loke
line player
• due to injury of Gabi Toth and recovery of Anita
Görbicz is expected to have a major share on the
playing time at the playmaker’s position
• World Handball Player of the Year (2011)
• famous daughter in a big handball family as both
of her siblings are professional players and all of
them are line players
• has had her entire career at top level in Denmark
until she joined Györ in the summer of 2015
(started in Team Tvis Holstebro and since 2011 in FC
Midtjylland)
• in 2011 she took the title with Larvik as the CL top
scorer, and in 2012 she only narrowly missed it with
Győr only to achieve it one year later
• experienced and inventive playmaker played a
particularly big part in FCM reaching the MVM EHF
FINAL4, where she became the best scorer (20 goals)
• member of the All-Star teams at the London
Olympics, 2011 WCh and EHF EURO 2010, 2012 &
2014
• player of the year in the Danish league in 2014
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2013, 2014
OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011, EHF EURO: G 2008, 2010, 2014, S 2012
Linn-Jørum Sulland
right back
Bernadett Bognar-Bodi
right wing
• recent new reinforcement from Larvik, whom she
joined in 2009 from league rivals Stabæk
• debuted for Györ in the 2002/03 season
• returned in 2013 after spending time with
Randers in Denmark and various Hungarian teams
• in 2005/06 the best player of the domestic league
and also was the top scorer
• filled up the gap left by Jovanka Radicevic at right
wing
• reached the 500-goal plateau in the national team
• top scorer of the European Beach Handball
Championship in 2007
• her personal best in the CL is 30 goals she
recorded in the 2014/15 season
OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011, S 2007, EURO: G 2008, 2010, S 2012
72
Group D preview
Two powerhouses set to clash in Group D
Group D is set for an epic showdown between title holders Buducnost and fresh face CSM Bucuresti.
Cristina Neagu will face her hometown team and the third place looks up for grabs between MKS Selgros
Lublin and Sävehof IK, which boasts one of the youngest teams ever in the competition. It’s hard to win
the Women’s EHF Champions League, but even harder to defend your title. Only four teams managed to
retain their status in the European top flight‘s competition history. But Buducnost’s plans are clear: the
Montenegrin side are trying to emulate what Hypo Niederösterreich, Slagelse DH, Viborg HK and Györi
Audi ETO KC have already achieved. The question is simple: how to follow up on a perfect season, in which
Buducnost were undefeated, with 15 wins and a draw from their 16 matches?
The Montenegrin team think they have found the answer by preserving most of last year’s winning side.
Only Clara Woltering and Marina Rajcic, the two goalkeepers, are key losses as Buducnost prepares for their
20th season in the Women’s EHF Champions League.
A fresh face, with aspirations of a powerhouse
Buducnost will have no time to spare as the challenge is bound to get tougher. The first reality check
will come in the group stage in the spirit of CSM Bucuresti, Romania’s new champions. A fresh face with
aspirations of a powerhouse, CSM is the first team from the Romanian capital to ever play in the European
premium competition. Such ambitions will never go unnoticed but CSM have already stated they are here
to stay and try to win their first European trophy.
With transfers such as right back Line Jorgensen and EHF EURO 2014 all-stars Isabelle Gullden and Maria
Fisker, the Romanian side have splashed the cash and made a statement. World champions Mayssa Pessoa,
Ana Paula Rodrigues, Deonise Cavaleiro and Fernanda Franca da Silva bolster CSM’s squad, a team that is
engineered to impress. However, the run-up to the start of the competition was far from ideal. In August,
a 25:31 loss in the Super Cup against archrivals Baia Mare shook the core of the team. It was far from a
surprise that coach Mette Klit was sacked but CSM’s management acted quickly and appointed another
Danish coach. Kim Rasmussen took over and had three weeks to prepare for the debut.
Lublin tries to qualify after two consecutive misses
CSM’s debut will be on their home turf against Polish champions, MKS Selgros Lublin. At their 12
participations in the European flagship competition, the Polish champions hope to achieve their third
qualification from the group matches. It is likely that Marta Daniewska’s side will battle for the third place
with Savehof but their official objective is to maintain a perfect record in their home matches. After two
unlucky seasons, in which the qualification to the next phase eluded Lublin, the Polish side are ready to go
one step further in the Women’s EHF Champions League and experience is the key factor in their endeavor.
Experienced Iwona Niedzwiecz has come to help, while goalkeeper Weronika Gawlik is making her
comeback after a injury-riddled season.
Sävehof won their seventh consecutive national title but they will find life in the Women’s EHF Champions
League more difficult. Boasting one of the youngest squads ever in the history of the competition, the
Swedish side will try to employ their usual play; a defense-first minded, counter-attacking handball.
However, without proven players at this level and after the team’s top scorers last season, Jenny Alm and
Ida Oden, left the club, Savehof will have a mountain to climb.
Adrian Costeiu
73
Group D head-to-heads
Historic encounters of the Group D opponents in the EC
Buducnost vs CSM Bucuresti
Buducnost vs IK Sävehof 2-0-0 (66:50) 4:0
24.10.2010
IK Sävehof vs ‘Buducnost’, EHF Champions League – Group A
24:33 (13:16)
21.11.2010
‘Buducnost’ vs IK Sävehof, EHF Champions League – Group A
33:26 (16:14)
Buducnost vs MKS Selgros Lublin 3-0-1 (103:82) 6:2
15.10.2006
SPR SAFO-ICom Lublin vs ZRK Buducnost MONET, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2 24:21 (10:10)
22.10.2006
ZRK Buducnost MONET vs SPR SAFO-ICom Lublin, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2 21:17 (10:8)
06.10.2013
Buducnost vs MKS Selgros Lublin, EHF Champions League – Group B
31:19 (16:8)
09.11.2013
MKS Selgros Lublin vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League – Group B
22:30 (12:13)
CSM Bucuresti vs IK Sävehof
CSM Bucuresti vs MKS Selgros Lublin 1-0-1 (60:57) 2:2
06.11.2011
SPR Lublin vs CSM Bucuresti, EHF Cup – Last 32
32:30 (14:18)
12.11.2011
CSM Bucuresti vs SPR Lublin, EHF Cup – Last 32
30:25 (17:9)
IK Sävehof vs MKS Selgros Lublin
74
GROUP D
Buducnost (MNE)
For the second time Buducnost are the hunted, not the hunters. The defending champions
have a clear motto based on continuity: “Never change a winning team, neither on court, nor
on the bench, in staff or administration”.
Coach Dragan Adzic extended his contract until 2020, all key field players stayed in the
Montenegrin capital, the only change occurred between the goal posts: team captain and
2015 MVM EHF FINAL4 MVP Clara Woltering (to Dortmund) as well as Marina Rajcic (to Metz)
left Buducnost. So the big responsibility on this key position lies on the shoulders of Croatian
international Marta Zderic. At her side, the young goalkeeper talents Ana Rajkovic and Ljubica
Nenezic shall grow and learn.
In addition, Buducnost remained on their traditional way of including talents into the wellrehearsed and well-balanced squad in their 20th season in the European top flight. There’s no
big name among their new arrivals, just young players eager to prove themselves like Djurdjina
Malovic, Djurdjina Jaukovic (Women’s 19 EHF EURO 2015 Top Scorer & MVP), Ema Ramusovic,
Dijana Ujkic (all from their own youth programme), as well as Serbian Jovana Kovacevic or the
17-year-old Croatian super-talent Matea Pletikosic, best centre back of the Women’s 17 EHF
EURO last summer.
Playing hall
S.C. Morača
Str. Ivana Milutinovića b.b.
81000 Podgorica
Montenegro
Capacity: 5,000
Club Address:
Budućnost
Ivana Milutinovica B.B.
81000 Podgorica
Montenegro
Media contact:
Milos Pavicevic
+382 682 226 66
zrkbuducnost@t-com.me / milos_ps@
yahoo.com
Online information:
Website: www.zrkbuducnost.com
Facebook: ZrkBuducnost
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: blue
“Our success from last season will give our team new energy and convince them that they can
do it all again. The players will know each other even better than last season and this is a big
advantage in the next Champions League season, which, perhaps, will be the strongest in the
last five or six seasons,” says Adzic. “As we do not have a strong league, the Champions League
has always the biggest focus in our club,” adds sports director Bojana Popovic, six-time winner
of the EHF Champions League. “Our goals are always high and we work on this principle and
prepare the team to think always that way,” says Popovic, adding: “New challenges are ahead
of us this year, as in my opinion the level of competition will increase. Almost all top teams
were reinforced by top players, but this motivates us to work even harder.”
Team captain Radmila Petrovic expects “a heavier season compared to last year”, as it will be
much harder to repeat the success of winning the trophy, but: “I believe in my team and I hope
we will make it to the FINAL4. If we are in Budapest, everything is possible. In any case it will be
very interesting season.”
League 2015/16 season: Montenegrin champions
Coach: Dragan Adzic (since 2010)
Team captain: Radmila Petrovic
Newcomer:
Matea Pletikosic (RK Sinj)
Jovana Kovacevic (Junior Belgrade)
Left the club:
Clara Woltering (Borussia Dortmund)
Marina Rajcic (Metz)
Zeljka Nikolic (Ringkobing)
Camilla Dalby (Randers)
Past achievements
season): 20
Winners (2): 2011/12, 2014/15
Runners-up (1): 2013/14
Semi-final (6): 1997/98, 1998/99,
1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2010/11
Main Round (1): 2012/13
Quarter-final (2): 2002/03, 2003/04
Last 16 (1): 1995/96
Group Matches (6): 1996/97, 2004/05,
2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10
Other
Cup Winners Cup: Winners 2005/06,
2009/10
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Montenegrin league: 27 titles
(1985,1989,1990,1992-2015)
Montenegrin cup: 20 titles
75
Buducnost
Biggest win:
39:20 (19:8) v RK Krim Mercator SLO (h), 15.03.2015
Biggest defeat:
36:21 (18:11) v Viborg HK DEN (a), 19.01.1997
11 matches (23.11.2014 – 10.05.2015)
16 matches (19.10.2014 – 10.05.2015)
Longest losing run:
7 matches (21.02.2004 – 30.01.2005)
7 matches (21.02.2004 – 30.01.2005)
Most goals:
40 v Mar El Osito L’Eliana ESP 26:40L (h), 05.04.1998
Fewest goals:
16 v Dunaferr SE HUN 16:18L (h), 06.02.2005
16 v Larvik NOR 28:16L (a), 16.03.2013
14 v Thüringer HC GER 23:14W (h), 09.11.2014
34 v Dunaferr SE HUN 16:18L (h), 06.02.2005
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
1996/97 Buducnost Podgorica YUG
6
2
2
2
130:143
–13
6:6
3rd Gr. A
10
5
1
4
292:305
–13
11:9
1/2-finals
10
8
1
1
297:238
+59
17:3
1/2-finals
10
5
2
3
287:274
+13
12:8
1/2-finals
2000/01 Bud. Brillant Podgorica YUG
10
5
3
2
265:246
+19
13:7
1/2-finals
2001/02 Bud. Brillant Podgorica YUG
10
5
2
3
297:277
+20
12:8
1/2-finals
2002/03 RK Buducnost MONET YUG
8
4
0
4
215:216
-1
8:8
1/4-finals
2003/04 RK Buducnost MONET SCG
8
4
0
4
209:219
–10
8:8
1/4-finals
2004/05 ZRK Buducnost MONET SCG
6
1
0
5
141:165
–24
2:10
4th Gr. A
2005/06 ZRK Buducnost MONET SCG
6
3
0
3
150:154
-4
6:6
3rd Gr. C
2006/07 ZRK Buducnost T-Mobile MNE
6
0
0
6
141:174
-33
0:12
4th Gr. B
2007/08 Buducnost T-Mobile MNE
6
1
1
4
153:189
–36
3:9
12
6
2
4
317:326
-9
14:10
6
2
1
3
138:155
-17
5:7
2010/11 ‘Buducnost’ MNE
14
10
0
4
417:360
+57
20:8
1/2-finals
2011/12 Buducnost MNE
16
14
0
2
453:385
+68
28:4
Winner
12
5
1
6
265:273
-8
11:13
3rd MR Gr. 1
14
8
3
3
349:298
+51
19:9
Runner-up
16
15
1
0
444:326
+118
31:1
Winner
18610320 63 4960:4723 +237 226:146
Total
76
3rd Gr. D
3rd MR Gr. 2
3rd Gr. D
Buducnost
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
89
14
32
10
72
9
92
25
77
8
12
88
6
2
90
1
66
4
43
Kinga
Vanesa
Katarina
Itana
Dragana
Djurdjina
Jovana Suzana
Djurdjina
Majda
Cristina Georgiana
Ljubica
Biljana
Ivona
Radmila
Matea Milena
Ana
Ema
Dijana
Marta
Achruk (Byzdra)
Agovic
Bulatovic
Cavlovic
Cvijic
Jaukovic
Kovacevic
Lazovic
Malovic
Mehmedovic
Neagu
Nenezic
Pavicevic
Pavicevic
Petrovic
Pletikosic
Raicevic (Knezevic)
Rajkovic
Ramusovic
Ujkic
Zderic
POL
Centre Back MNE Centre Back MNE Right Back MNE Line Player SRB
Line Player MNE Left Back SRB
MNE Line Player MNE Right Back MNE Left Wing ROU
Left Back MNE Goalkeeper MNE Left Wing MNE Left Wing MNE Right Wing CRO
MNE Back MNE Goalkeeper MNE Line Player MNE Right Wing CRO
Goalkeeper Dragan Adzic
coach
• retired due to injury in 1998
• almost a decade was an assistant to many
coaches in Buducnost
• became head coach in 2010
• in 2012 won the CL in May with Buducnost and
EHF EURO in December with Montenegro
• met his wife Timea after she came to the club as
an interpreter to former coach, Hungarian Gyula
Zsiga
EC trophies: CL 2012, 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010
OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
77
Date of birth
Place of birth
Height
09/01/1989
30/03/1996
15/11/1984
27/08/1997
15/03/1990
24/02/1997
09/04/1996
28/01/1992
05/05/1996
25/05/1990
26/08/1988
15/01/1997
12/05/1988
21/04/1996
19/04/1988
24/04/1998
12/03/1990
04/09/1996
28/11/1996
05/07/1996
20/04/1990
Pulawy
Berane, MNE
Kragujevac
Podgorica
Beograd, SRB
Niksic
181
184
186
Podgorica
Niksic
Bar
Bucharest
Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica
Niksic
176
182
169
180
179
170
167
174
Podgorica
Podgorica
Berane
Podgorica, MNE
Metkovic
178
177
182
172
184
184
185
Marta Zderic
goalkeeper
Majda Mehmedovic
left wing
• playing her ninth consecutive CL season, and
her second with Buducnost, after she moved from
Podravka in 2013
• her mother played handball as a goalkeeper
• started handball in Bar at the age of 12 with her
brother Musa and immediately loved it
• started as a back, but soon she moved into goal
• it took her two years to get into the first team
after being signed by Buducnost
• in Buducnost she chose number 43, the decision
to use that unusual number for a goalkeeper was
made by her niece Lara
• voted for the 2013/14 CL All-Star Team as the best
left wing
• despite an early exit at the EHF EURO 2014 on
home court in Varazdin she has had an impressive
season in the Buducnost goal so far
OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
Biljana Pavicevic
left wing
Milena Rajcevic (Knezevic)
left back
• at 2008 Women’s Junior World Championship
suffered a severe knee injury followed by two
operations, two years of rehabilitation, and two
seasons playing in Biseri and Macedonian Zito Prilep
• started playing handball with her sister Dragana,
her brother Ivan is a professional soccer player
• at 2012 EHF EURO first in assists (29) and shared
second place in scoring with Anita Görbicz (41 goals)
• at the EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia stepped in for the
game against Hungary and played very well the rest
of the tournament, won by Montenegro at the end
• two-time Montenegrin player of the year
• voted second best young player of the CL in 2012
• graduated with a degree in Economics
EHF EURO: G 2012
EC trophies: CL 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010
OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
Cristina Neagu
centre back
Dragana Cvijic
line player
• named the World Handball Player of the Year
after leading Romania to bronze medals at the EHF
EURO 2010
• started handball at the age of 10, first as
goalkeeper, but being very tall for her age, Dragana’s
first coach put her at left back
• top scorer (53 goals) and All-Star member of the
EHF EURO 2010 and the 2014/15 CL season (102
goals)
• in 2007 at Crvena Zvezda she switched to a line
player
• joined Buducnost in 2011 just in time to help
them on the way to the CL title
• missed nearly two of the last four years, after a
shoulder injury and a torn ligament in her knee
• Serbian national team player voted the best line
player of the WCh 2013
• lost two CL finals, one with Oltchim (2013) and
one with Buducnost (2014)
EHF EURO: B 2010
WCh: S 2013
Katarina Bulatovic
right back
Radmila Petrovic
right wing
• Serbia-born shooter arrived to Buducnost in 2014
after one-year stints with Oltchim and Györ
• started training handball at 12, in her home town
of Nikšić, where she played for five years as a right
back
• made it to the CL final for the first time in 2007
with Slagelse
• when transferred to Buducnost in 2005, she was
moved to the wing
• won the CL title with three different clubs Slagelse, Buducnost and Györ
• strong alternative to Jovanka Radicevic in
Montenegro national team
• key player in Montenegro’s biggest achievements,
when she was the top scorer at both the London
Olympics and EHF EURO in 2012
• in 2014 she won her 100th cap with Montenegro
EC trophies: CL 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010
OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
78
GROUP D
CSM Bucuresti (ROU)
It was a big challenge to combine seven sports under one roof, but supported by the city
council, a municipal sports club was founded in Bucharest in 2007. In terms of women’s
handball true success story began. In the 2011/12 season, the team had its first appearance in
the EHF European Cup competitions, four years later, they are now part of the Women’s EHF
Champions League.
After becoming Romanian champions for the first time in the club’s history, their goal is not to
simply make up the numbers in the Europe’s top flight competition but to fight for the trophy
at their first attempt. CSM Bucuresti, however, are not as inexperienced as they might seem.
Their squad includes four Brazilian world champions, two Swedish EHF EURO bronze medallists,
two Danish World Championship bronze medallists, a Spanish EHF EURO silver medallist and
the most experienced player in the Romanian national team.
The squad takes root with the extraordinary goalkeeping duo of Mayssa Pessoa (Brazil) and
newcomer Jelena Grubisic. CSM then boast two Swedish EHF EURO MVPs, Isabelle Gullden
(2014) and Linnea Torstenson (2010), and newcomers Maria Fisker (Denmark) and Line
Jorgensen. Four weeks prior to the start of the Women’s EHF Champions League season, it was
announced that the club’s coach, Mette Klit, had left the club by mutual consent. Her successor
was found quite quickly in fellow Dane, Kim Rasmussen, who will also remain as the Polish
women’s national team coach. In Rasmussen’s first match as an elite European club coach, CSM
will play Polish champions Lublin.
Playing hall
Sala Polivalenta Ioan Kunst Ghermanescu
B-Dul Tineretului, sec. 4
Bucharest
Romania
Capacity: 5,000
Club Address:
Calea Victoriei Street no 126
District 1
010094 Bucharest
Romania
Media contact:
Constantin Caliman
+40 721 800304
caliman.constantin@csmbucuresti.ro
Online information:
Website: www.csmbucuresti.ro
Facebook: CSM-Bucuresti-Oficial
Kit colours
Light
Player short: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
The Romanian champions will then face defending champions Buducnost and Swedish
domestic champions, Sävehof in Group D. From top to bottom everyone involved with the club
are eagerly awaiting the start of the flagship competition. Club director, Constantin Caliman,
said: “Playing in the Champions League is the pinnacle for any handball club, and having the
opportunity of representing Romania in the competition is an additional pride for us all.
“Even if it’s our first season in the competition, we believe we have a very strong team that will
fight hard towards achieving qualification for the FINAL4. “We will be facing current champions
Buducnost, so I think it’s safe to say that nothing less than our absolute best will suffice to go
through.”
League 2015/16 season: Romanian champions
Past achievements
Coach: Kim Rasmussen (since September 2015,
Mette Klit’s successor)
Team captain: Oana Manea
season): 1
Newcomers:
Line Jörgensen (FC Midtjylland)
Isabelle Gullden (Viborg HK)
Maria Fisker (Viborg HK)
Jelena Grubisic (Györi Audi ETO KC)
Aurelia Bradeanu (ASS Corona Brasov)
Other
EHF Cup: Last 16 2011/12
Left the club:
Talida Tolnai (retired)
Iulia Zaremba (Rapid Bucharest)
Iryna Glibko (HCM Roman)
Patricia Vizitiu (HCM Baia Mare)
Mihaela Tivadar (CSM Ploiesti)
79
Romanian league: 1 title (2015)
Romanian cup: - runners-up 2015
CSM Bucuresti
Biggest win:N/A
Biggest defeat:N/A
Most goals:N/A
Fewest goals:N/A
Reached
MP
W
N/A
80
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
CSM Bucuresti
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
14
15
81
5
84
25
8
87
4
1
12
10
22
20
18
77
9
17
13
19
Bianca
Aurelia
Deonise
Iulia Vasilica
Mayssa Raquel
Maria
Fernanda
Jelena
Isabelle
Madalina
Alina
Line Anna Ryborg
Oana Andreea
Carmen Dolores
Maria Cristina
Elena Magdalena
Ana Paula
Linnea
Cristina Georgiana
Ekaterina
Bazaliu
Bradeanu
Cavaleiro Fachinello
Curea
De Pessoa
Fisker
Franca da Silva
Grubisic
Gulldén
Ion
Iordache
Jörgensen
Manea
Martin Berenguer
Nan
Nicula
Rodrigues Belo
Torstensson
Varzaru
Vetkova
ROU
ROU
BRA
ROU
BRA
DEN
BRA
CRO
SWE
ROU
ROU
DEN
ROU
ESP
ROU
ROU
BRA
SWE
ROU
RUS
Left Back Back Right Back Left Wing Goalkeeper Left Wing Left Wing Goalkeeper Centre Back Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Right Back Line Player Right Wing Line Player Centre Back Centre Back Left Back Right Wing Line Player 30/07/1997
05/05/1979
20/06/1983
08/04/1982
11/09/1984
03/10/1990
25/09/1989
20/01/1987
29/06/1989
23/02/1996
22/03/1982
31/12/1989
18/04/1985
29/05/1988
19/05/1990
02/08/1986
18/10/1987
30/03/1983
05/12/1979
01/08/1986
SLATINA, ROU
Slatina, ROU
Santa Rosa, RS, BRA
Bacau, ROU
Joao Pessoa, BRA
Favrskov, DEN
Sao Bernardo, BRA
Zagreb, CRO
Sävedalen, SWE
Bucharest, ROU
Bucuresti, ROU
Hvidovre, DEN
Bucharest, ROU
ALMERIA, ESP
Bucuresti, ROU
bucharest, ROU
Sao Luis, BRA
STOCKHOLM, SWE
Bucharest, ROU
Syzran, RUS
Kim Rasmussen
coach
• started his coaching career in 1990 with the youth teams in his
home country Denmark
• since 2010 coach of the Poland’s national team steering them to
the WCh 2013 semi-finals and to the EHF EURO 2014 (11th place)
• had aslo stints with Danish Lyngby and Roskilde or Swedish
Stavsten and in the 2014/15 season with HC Vardar for a very short
time
• hired by CSM just before the start of the 2015/16 season on his
43rd birthday (22 Sep) as a replacement for his fellow Dane Mette Klit
81
Height
179
180
180
172
180
170
177
184
178
180
177
186
176
169
178
165
172
190
169
182
Mayssa Pessoa
goalkeeper
Jelena Grubisic
goalkeeper
• played in Brazil until she was 27, when she
transferred to Issy Paris
• played with Lokomotiva for eight seasons and five
seasons for Krim
• after one year in France, she moved to Dinamo
Volgograd and in 2014 signed with Bucharest
• had her European Cup debut (Cup Winner’s Cup
2002/03) when she was 15 with Lokomotiva.
• her nickname is “Taffarel”, after her idol, one of
Brazil’s greatest football goalkeepers
• joined Györ shortly before the 2014/15 season
to replace pregnant Katrine Lunde, but got injured
shortly after
• loves tattoos, having 32 on her body. Her
favourite ones are the names of her relatives in
Chinese and the Olympic rings made in London
• her national team debut was at the World
Championship 2007
WCh: G 2013
Maria Fisker
left wing
Linnea Torstensson
left back
• fast and has a scoring percentage well above 80%
• Bucharest’s leader, a force to be reckoned with
both in defence and in attack
• started playing handball when she was five
• most experienced player and also the most
decorated player from Bucharest’s roster
• joined Viborg in 2006 from third league club
Vissing Hadsten, transferred to Randers HK in 2009,
returned to Viborg in 2011
• named the “best Swedish handball player” three
times in a row between 2010 and 2012
• in Bucharest shares the position with Brazilian
world champion Fernanda Franca da Silva
• MVP of the EHF EURO 2010, being the second top
scorer, with 48 goals, five less than Cristina Neagu
• her first experience outside Denmark, where she
was studying to be a nurse
WCh: B 2013
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2014, EHF Cup 2011
EURO: S 2010, B 2014
Isabelle Gullden
centre back
Oana Manea
line player
• played for three clubs in her whole career:
Savehof, Viborg and CSM Bucuresti
• in 2008 diagnosed with ventricular extrasystole
and stopped playing for six months
• her uncle, Christer, was an Olympic wrestler,
who came close to the bronze medal in 1988, her
boyfriend, Swedish goalkeeper Linus Persson plays
in CSM’s men’s team
• can gather the team behind her, one of the
reasons she has been also named captain both at
Oltchim and the national team
• her father, Dumitru, was a former football coach
at Sportul Studentesc, a first league team
• creative playmaker, also deadly efficient from the
7m line, scoring all 27 goals from as many shots at
the EHF EURO 2014
• make-up is her hobby, consideris to become a
full-time make-up artist after finishing her career
• MVP and top scorer (58 goals) of EHF EURO 2014
EURO: S 2010, B 2014
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007, Champions Trophy 2007
EURO: B 2010
Line Jörgensen
right back
Carmen Martin
right wing
• started to play handball aged 3, but chose to
leave her home country for the first time in 20 years
when she signed with CSM in the summer of 2015
• Spanish player started handball when she was
only 7 years old, in Roquetas del Mar, her hometown
• named the best right wing of the EHF EURO 2014,
after ranking third in the top scorers
• has a diploma in sport and health from the
Odense University
• reached the CL final in 2011 with Itxako and the
semi-final in 2013 with Krim Ljubljana
• in 2011, when she was only 21, Jörgensen was
named the best right back of the WCh
• loves drama movies, her favourite being “The
Notebook”, also listens to a lot of Spanish movies,
her favourite song being “Ojitos rojos” by the
Spanish band Estopa
• big fan of Brondby and the Danish national
football team
EC Trophies: EHF Cup 2011, WCh: B 2013
EHF EURO: S 2008, S 2014, WCh: B 2011, OG: B 2012
82
GROUP D
IK Sävehof (SWE)
Henrik Signell and IK Sävehof must feel like an academy for Europe’s best clubs: The Swedish club
educates young players, gives them the chance to improve on the international stage, moulds
them into becoming national team players, and then they transfer. Like in previous years, two
of the best Sävehof players have left the club now: Jenny Alm and Filippa Idehn, the famous
goalkeeper who plays only in shorts and both EURO 2014 bronze medallists with Sweden, have
signed for Danish side Team Esbbjerg.
In addition, club legend Ida Oden has brought her career too an end along with Jenny Wikensten.
“We are a club that is good at developing players, but this year we have lost five national team
players. We will now start to create a new team and the Champions League is a great way to gain
this experience. We will fight as a team and our goal is to go to the next round,” says manager
Anders Eliasson.
So again, Signell has to start with a new squad with a younger generation of Swedish talent. In
domestic competitions, Sävehof are simply unbeatable, becoming national champions seven
times in a row and nine times in the past ten years.
Playing hall
Partillebohallen
Gamla Kronvägen 56
43300 Partille
Sweden
Capacity: 2,000
Club Address:
IK Sävehof
Box 201
43324 Partille
Sweden
Media contact:
Rüdiger Osterloh
+46 736 84 57 55
rudiger@savehof.se
Online information:
Website: www.savehof.se
Facebook: Savehof
Twitter: IK_Savehof
Kit colours
Light
Player short: yellow/black
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
The club is well-known and well-settled in the EHF Champions League, and in the previous years
they always made it to the main round. Funnily enough they made history in the 2014/15 season
by becoming the first ever main round participant to not win a single group match - thanks to
three draws the edged out HC Lokomotiva Zagreb.
But in the main round they only took one win. Five players from Sävehof’s youth teams were
added to the all-Scandinavian squad with one player from Norway, Denmark and Iceland making
up rest of the side from Sweden. Among the new arrivals the biggest hopes are carried on the
shoulders of 20-year-old Dane Rikke Jensen, arriving from Danish champions Midtjylland and
experienced Norwegian Stine Lund Andreassen, arriving from French Challenge Cup winners
Mios Bigamos.
Coach Signell remains realistic when it comes to their goals for the season: “In domestic
competitions we want to stay on top, but we know it will be tougher this year because of the
losses. “In the Champions League our objective is to go to the next round and then we will see.”
League 2015/16 season: Swedish champions
Coach: Henrik Signell (since 2012)
Team captain: Elin Enhorning
Newcomers:
Stine Lund Andreassen (Mios Beganos)
Rikke Jensen (Midtjylland)
Emma Ekenman Fernis (Spårvägen)
Olivia Mellegard (Önnered)
Hanna Eriksson (youth team)
Thess Krönell (youth team)
Tilda Olsson (youth team)
Mimmi Eliasson (youth team)
Isabella Mouratidou (youth team)
Left the club:
Jenny Alm (Team Esbjerg)
Filippa Idehn (Team Esbjerg)
Edijana Dafe (Kobenhavn)
Ida Oden (end of career)
Jenny Wikensten (end of career)
83
Past achievements
season): 8
Main Round (2): 2013/14, 2014/15
Group Matches (3): 2007/08, 2010/11,
2012/13
Qualification (2): 2006/07, 2011/12
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16: 2011/12
Swedish league: 11 titles (1993, 2000,
2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015)
IK Sävehof
Biggest win:
30:23 (14:13) v HC Leipzig GER (h), 03.11.2013
Biggest defeat:
21:38 (8:20) v Györi Audi ETO KC (h), 26.10.2014
3 matches (12.10.2013 – 03.11.2013)
4 matches (12.10.2013 – 10.11.2013)
Longest losing run:
12 matches (12.01.2008 – 11.11.2012)
15 matches (10.11.2013 – 06.02.2015)
Most goals:
36 v 1. FC Nürnberg GER 36:34W (h), 11.11.2007
39 v Larvik NOR 39:31L (a), 13.10.2012
70 v 1. FC Nürnberg GER 36:34W (h), 11.11.2007
70 v Viborg HK DEN 37:33L (a), 14.11.2010
70 v Larvik NOR 39:31L (a), 13.10.2012
Fewest goals:
17 v Larvik NOR 25:17L (a), 14.03.2015
22 v Metz Handball FRA 22:25W (a), 06.02.2015
42 v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD 24:18L (a), 16.03.2014
42 v Larvik NOR 25:17L (a), 14.03.2015
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
2007/08 IK Sävehof SWE
6
1
1
4
172:191
–19
3:9
4th Gr. B
6
0
0
6
163:212
-49
0:12
4th Gr. A
6
1
0
5
174:192
–18
2:10
4th Gr. C
12
3
3
6
318:339
-21
9:15
4th MR Gr. 1
12
1
3
8
279:345
–66
5:19
5th MR Gr. 2
426 7 29 1106:1279-173 19:65
Total
84
IK Sävehof
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
10
1
3
20
8
16
9
18
15
21
11
13
7
5
19
12
17
2
14
4
6
Stine Lund
Johanna
Emma
Mimmi
Elin
Hanna
Julia
Linn
Birna Berg
Ida
Rikke Slumstrup
Elin
Thess
Joanna
Olivia
Isabella
Hanna
Tilda
Linnea
Louise
Sofia
Andreassen
Bundsen
Ekenman-Fernis
Eliasson
Enhörning
Eriksson
Eriksson
Hansson
Haraldsdottir
Holm
Jensen
Karlsson
Krönell
Lindvall-Haggren
Mellegard
Mouratidou
Örtorp
Olsson
Petterson
Sand
Tegstedt
NOR
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
ISL
SWE
DEN
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
SWE
Centre Back Goalkeeper Right Wing Centre Back Line Player Goalkeeper Left Back Left Back Right Back Centre Back Left Back Centre Back Line Player Right Wing Left Wing Goalkeeper Left Wing Right Back Left Back Left Wing Left Wing 11/11/1986
03/06/1991
24/07/1996
03/01/1997
13/03/1990
23/02/1996
07/07/1994
18/09/1997
21/06/1993
13/02/1997
30/09/1995
04/01/1989
30/05/1996
28/06/1994
17/06/1996
05/08/1997
20/12/1997
15/03/1996
28/07/1995
27/12/1992
03/01/1991
Bergen, NOR
Uddevalla, SWE
Stockholm, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Uddevalla, SWE
Ludvika, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Reykjavik, ISL
Karlstad, SWE
Herning, DEN
Göteborg, SWE
Umeå, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Stockholm, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Mölndal, SWE
Kiruna, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Göteborg, SWE
Henrik Signell
coach
• became the head coach in 2012
• played eight years for the club during his active
days which also included one match for Sweden’s
national team
• after his active career was in charge of the male
junior team in Sävehof and later assistant coach for
the men’s league team
• in between he has also been assistant coach for
Finland’s female national team
85
Height
163
183
172
178
176
176
181
169
185
176
189
180
177
175
177
178
162
176
178
160
177
Johanna Bundsen
goalkeeper
Louise Sand
left wing
• has been with Sävehof since 2007 when joining
from league colleagues Kroppskultur
• Loui has been crazy about playing ball all her life
and for her confirmation she only wanted a ball as
present
• had her real break-through by Sävehof last
season after being a bit in the shadow of Filippa
Idehn until then
• with her 160 cm she is not among the tallest on
a court, but she more than compensates for that
through her outstanding technique
• carrying an increased responsibility after Idehn
left for Danish Team Esbjerg in summer 2015
• joined Sävehof in 2009 after spells with Kärra and
Önnereds
• has played 18 internationals for Sweden, mostly
sharing the job with Idehn
• Sweden national team member since 2012
EURO: B 2014
EURO: B 2014
Rikke Jensen
left back
Stine Lunde Andreassen
centre back
• joined Sävehof before this season from Danish
champions FC Midtjylland
• joined Sävehof this summer from Challenge Cup
winners Union Mios Biganos-Begles in France
• her 189 cm makes her one of the tallest players in
the Swedish league at all
• finish second in the French championship with
her Bordeaux based club
• joined from the Danish champions, but she was
rarely a part of FC Midtjylland’s league team after
her debut in February 2014 in a cup match
• had a career by Norwegian Tertnes Bergen before
her French adventure
• has European experiences from the CL qualifiers,
the Cup Winners’ Cup and the EHF Cup with Tertnes
• replacing Swedish international Jenny Alm who
has left for Danish Team Esbjerg
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2015
Elin Karlsson
centre back
Elin Enhörning
line player
• had a foreign adventure at a very young age, even
before she was 18, she went to Frederikshavn in
Denmark to play for their U18 team
• joined Sävehof from Swedish league colleagues
Team Eslöv in the autumn of 2013 as replacement to
injured Swedish international Linn Blom.
• joined Sävehof in 2012 from BK Heid
• decided to end her handball career to give
priority to studying, but the offer from Sävehof gave
her new motivation.
• in 2011 participated at the Vasaloppett (90 km
cross-country skiing race) two days before a league
match (three goals)
• As Linn Blom got fit, but changed to Danish Team
Tvis Holstebro, extended her contract with Sävehof
for another year
• dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro
• played 28 junior internationals for Sweden, she
has never made it to the senior national team yet.
Sofia Tegstedt
line player
Birna Berg Haraldsdottir
right back
• came back to her childhood club Sävehof in the
summer of 2014 from league colleagues BK Heid,
extended her contract for another year in the
summer of 2015
• joined Sävehof from Fram Reykjavik in the
summer of 2013
• one of only three non-Swedish players in the
team took part at the WCh 2011 with Iceland
• replaced her older sister Frida who left for
German Bundesliga newcomers Füchse Berlin at the
same time
• the 2015/16 season is her third in the CL, in the
previous two scored six goals in total
• bound to get more playing time after Ida Oden
retired after the 2014/15 season
• gathered the CL experience in th 2014/15 season
86
GROUP D
MKS Selgros Lublin (POL)
Times are changing at Lublin, but the goal remains the same: After the Polish champions
belonged to the rare group of Women’s Champions League participants with a female coach
- Sabina Wlodek - now they have a new female manager, Marta Daniewska. And also the club
leadership has changed as the appointed a new president in Marcin Lipiec. With Dorota Matek
ending her active career a new team captain was needed. Goalkeeper Weronika Gawlik is now
the person taking on that role. Gawlik is back between the goal posts after an injury break in
the previous season.
Lublin narrowly failed to qualify for the main round, crucially drawing with Metz. But the Polish
champions continued quite successfully in the Cup Winners’ Cup, making it to the quarterfinals. But FC Midtjylland, the eventual champions, ended their dreams. Lublin’s squad since
then did not change that much. Most famous arrival from Gdynia is Polish international Iwona
Niedzwiedz, who will add more experience to the nearly all-Polish squad, in which Brazilian
Jessica da Silva Quintino, Alesia Mihdaliova (Belarus) and Ekaterina Dzhukeva (Bulgaria) are the
only players from abroad.
In Group D, Lublin will face two powerhouses in the group matches, defending champions
Buducnost and uprising Romanian champions Bucuresti. So the Polish champions are seen to
be fighting for the third spot and thus the qualification for the main round against rejuvenated
Swedish champions Sävehof. From the composition of the group, it is nearly the same as in the
2014/15 season, when Lublin were drawn with Larvik, Baia Mare and Metz.
Playing hall
Globus Hall
ul.Kazimerza Wielkiego 8
20 611 Lublin
Poland
Capacity: 4,300
Club Address:
MKS Lublin
ul. Melgiewska 2
20-209 Lublin
Poland
Media contact:
Adam Rozwalka
+48 609 543 931
media@spr.lublin.pl
Online information:
Website: www.mks.lublin.pl
Facebook: mkslublin
Twitter: @sprlublin
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: black
“We hope for perfect performances in our home matches,” says new manager Marta
Daniewska. But she is aware of the class their opponents in the group matches represent:
“It will be an honour for us to host the defending champions from Buducnost; after a few
transfers Bucuresti will be a tough opponent, as well as Sävehof. Those matches are a great
opportunity not only for the players, but also for the club. We are proud to be part of this
prestigious competition again and to face some of the best teams in the world. We hope to
proceed from the main round in our third straight appearance in these group matches.”
“Those two previous seasons hopefully provided us with the experience to achieve this goal,”
says new team captain Weronika Gawlik, adding: “We will fight until the end, mainly in our
home matches, but we all know that in a competition like the Champions League there are no
weak teams.”
League 2015/16 season: Polish champions
Coach: Sabina Wlodek
Team captain: Weronika Gawlik
Newcomers:
Iwona Niedzwiecz (Vistal Gdynia)
Edyta Charzynska (MKS AZS Lublin)
Left the club:
Dorota Matek (end of career)
Valentina Nestsianuk (Energa AZS Koszalin)
Alexandra Baranowska (Sachsen Zwickau)
Dagmara Vacuk (on loan to Olimpia Novi Sacz)
Dark
Player shirt: green
Player short: black
Past achievements
season): 18
Quarter-final (2): 1999/2000, 2001/02
Last 16 (1): 1995/96
Group Matches (8): 1996/97, 1997/98,
1998/99, 2000/2001, 2002/03, 2003/04,
2013/14, 2014/15
Qualification (6): 2005/06, 2006/07,
2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11
Other
EHF Cup: Winners 2000/01, quarterfinal 2007/08, 2009/10
Polish league: 18 titles (1995-2003,
2005-2010, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Polish cup: 10 times
87
MKS Selgros Lublin
Biggest win:
29:16 (15:6) v Podravka Dolcela CRO (h), 06.02.2000
Biggest defeat:
21:38 (10:18) v Kometal DP Skopje MKD (h), 17.02.2002
4 matches (30.10.1999 – 06.02.2000)
6 matches (30.01.1999 - 06.02.2000)
Longest losing run:
10 matches (15.02.2004 – 24.10.2014)
10 matches (15.02.2004 – 24.10.2014)
Most goals:
38 v GAS Anagennisi Artas GRE 38:28W (h), 30.01.2000
40 v FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria HUN 40:25L (a), 20.10.2013
66 v GAS Anagennisi Artas GRE 38:28W (h), 30.01.2000
66 v Metz Handball FRA 35:31W (h), 02.11.2014
Fewest goals:
19 v Motor Zaporoshje UKR 20:19L (a), 25.01.1998
19 v Larvik HK NOR 27:19L (a), 15.02.2003
16 v Henzo Sw. Roermond NED 27:16W (h), 04.01.1997
16 v Podravka Dolcela CRO 29:16W (h), 06.02.2000
39 v Motor Zaporoshje UKR 20:19L (a), 25.01.1998
Reached
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage
3rd Gr. B
1996/97 Montex Lublin POL
6
2
0
4
155:155
0
4:8
6
2
0
4
156:163
-7
4:8
3rd Gr. A
6
2
2
2
142:143
-1
6:6
3rd Gr. D
8
5
1
2
221:204
+17
11:5
1/4-finals
2001/02 MKS Montex Lublin POL
8
4
0
4
215:221
-6
8:8
1/4-finals
2002/03 MKS POL-SKONE Lublin POL
6
1
1
4
133:155
–22
3:9
4th Gr. C
2003/04 KS BYSTRZYCA Lublin POL
6
1
0
5
155:186
–31
2:10
4th Gr. D
2013/14 MKS Selgros Lublin POL
6
0
0
6
140:189
-49
0:12
4th Gr. B
2014/15 MKS Selgros Lublin POL
6
1
1
4
159:182
–23
3:9
4th Gr. D
58 185 35 1476:1598–122 41:75
Total
88
MKS Selgros Lublin
Team roster
No.
First name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth
Place of birth
2
26
3
20
1
12
10
6
18
23
5
16
17
8
25
33
66
4
Karolina
Edyta
Jessica
Joanna
Ekaterina
Weronika
Marta
Agnieszka
Katarzyna
Alesia
Iwona Malgorzata
Monika
Krystsina
Malgorzata
Kamila
Honorata
Joanna
Weronika
Bijan
Charzynska
Da Silva Quintino
Drabik
Dzhukeva
Gawlik
Gega
Kocela
Kozimur
Mihdaliova
Niedzwiedz
Nozka
Repelewska
Rola
Skrzyniarz
Syncerz
Szarawaga
Zarzycka
POL
POL
BRA
POL
BUL
POL
POL
POL
POL
BLR
POL
POL
POL
POL
POL
POL
POL
POL
Right Wing Centre Back Right Wing Line Player Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Left Back Left Wing Right Back Right Back Left Back Goalkeeper Right Back Wing Centre Back Centre Back Line Player Right Back 01/01/1989
12/01/1994
17/04/1991
28/10/1993
08/05/1988
20/10/1986
16/04/1986
17/01/1988
09/06/1994
22/01/1985
22/07/1979
15/02/1982
07/01/1981
07/01/1983
20/11/1984
27/01/1993
02/04/1994
05/05/1989
Lwówek Slaski, POL
Plock, POL
San Paulo, BRA
Wloszczowa, POL
Dupnistsa, BUL
Gliwice, POL
Bielawa, POL
Jelenia Gora, POL
Przemysl, POL
Orsza, BLR
Nowy Sacz, POL
Lublin, POL
Minsk, BLR
Lukow, POL
Kielce, POL
Kielce, POL
Debno, POL
Lublin, POL
Sabina Wlodek
coach
• best left wing in the history of Polish Handball as
voted by Polish Handball Federation experts
• voted best left wing at the EHF EURO 1998 in the
Netherlands, where Poland placed 5th
• played for Lublin almost her entire professional
career (1995-2011)
• became Lublin’s head coach in November 2013
• her assistant is Monika Marzec, the best Polish
line player in the last 20 years
89
Height
168
175
172
180
185
180
184
171
175
177
177
175
176
170
175
177
185
176
Ekaterina Dzhukeva
goalkeeper
Malgorzata Rola
left wing
• voted best keeper in the Polish league 2013/2014
by sports daily newspaper Przeglad Sportowy.
• has the longest experience in the team of Lublin
as she arrived in the city as a teenager and played
her first league match with MKS in 2003
• one of two Bulgarian handball players in the
Polish women’s league
• in February 2004 had an extraordinary
performance in Norway against Larvik in CL match
scoring 10 goals against Lene Rantala - that day Rola
was substituting injured Sabina Wlodek
• voted best team player of the regular season
2013/2014 by MKS Selgros Lublin fans.
• played in Spain and Norway in the past
• her idol and former team mate is also left wing
Sabina Wlodek, now the head coach of MKS Selgros
• set her personal save percentage record of 73%
against Vipers Kristiansand
Agnieszka Kocela
left wing
Marta Gega
left back
• 2015/16 is her fifth season in the team
• top scorer of the Polish league in 2009
• considered the successor of Lublin’s legendary
left wing: Sabina Wlodek
• played in Le Havre alongside Karolina Siodmiak,
another well-known Polish handball player
• did not participate in the CL 2013/14 or WCh 2013
in Serbia due to injury
• at the first training in Le Havre, Gaga accidentally
broke two of Siodmiak’s teeth with a shot, a terrible
start to an eventually successful season with the
club, reaching the EHF Cup semi-finals
• her biggest sport-related dream is to participate
in the Olympic Games
• moved to Lublin in 2013 after an injury hampered
spell at Cergy-Pontoise
Iwona Niedzwiedz
centre back
Joanna Drabik
line player
• the most experienced player in the team
• youngest key player in the team
• her transfer from runners-up Vistal Gdynia team
considered the hottest one in Poland in last 5 years
• debuted in the CL 2013/14 when the first line
player was injured right before the start of the
competition
• was playing for many years in Denmark for Aarhus
and Team Tvis Holstebro but has never played any
CL game before
• played her first match for the Poland national
team in March 2014 against Portugal
• very interested in journalism, media and after the
end of career might become a sport journalist
• has a good chance of being called for the EHF
EURO 2014 in Hungary and Croatia.
Alesia Mihdaliova
right back
Jessica Da Silva Quintino
right wing
• Belarusian but came to Poland in 2013 at the age
of only 18 joining Start Elblag
• first Brazilian player in the history of the Polish
league
• -was considering getting a Polish citizeship and to
play for national Polish team but after many years
she started back to perform for Belarus
• Lublin is her second Polish team – she spent one
season with Vistal Gdynia
• did not participate in the WCh 2013 in Serbia,
where Brazil were champions, due to injury
• her biggest weapon are massive left hand shots
• in past she used to ride motorbikes and still
enjoys the sound of their engines
• In May 2014, the previous team captain and right
wing Malgorzata Majerek chose Quintino as her
successor
90
2014/15 Top Scorers
Rank
1
Player
Club
Goals
Cristina Neagu (ROU)
Buducnost (MNE)
102
Andrea Penezic (CRO)
WHC Vardar SCBT (MKD)
102
3
Nora Mørk (NOR)
Larvik (NOR)
98
4
Anna Kochetova (RUS)
Dinamo-Sinara (RUS)
94
5
Karolina Kudlacz (POL)
HC Leipzig (GER)
84
6
Olga Akopian (RUS)
Dinamo-Sinara (RUS)
82
7
Linn-Kristin Koren Riegelhuth (NOR)
Larvik (NOR)
77
8
Daria Dmitrieva (RUS)
Dinamo-Sinara (RUS)
76
9
Ida Oden (SWE)
IK Sävehof (SWE)
74
10
Ana Gros (SLO)
Metz Handball (FRA)
73
Tamara Mavsar (SLO)
73
12
Nadja Nadgornaja (GER)
Thüringer HC (GER)
72
13
Heidi Loke (NOR)
Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN)
68
Rikke Skov Erhardsen (DEN)
Viborg HK A/S (DEN)
68
15
Katrin Engel (AUT)
Thüringer HC (GER)
66
16
Aniko Kovacsics (HUN)
Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN)
65
17
Katarina Bulatovic (MNE)
Buducnost (MNE)
61
18
Mirjeta Bajramoska (MKD)
59
19
Andrea Lekic (SRB)
WHC Vardar SCBT (MKD)
58
Radmila Petrovic (MNE)
Buducnost (MNE)
58
91
Past Winners
1994
Hypo Niederösterreich AUT
1995
1996
Podravka Koprivnica
CRO
1997
Mar El Osito L´Eliana Valencia ESP
Dunaferr SE
HUN
1998 1999
2000 Hypo Niederösterreich 2001
RK Krim Neutro Roberts
2002
Kometal D.P. Skopje 2003 AUT
SLO
MKD
Krim ETA Kotex Ljubljana
SLO
2004
Slagelse FH
DEN
2005
Slagelse FH
DEN
2006
Viborg A/S
DEN
Slagelse FH
DEN
2007 2008
Zvezda Zvenigorod
2009
Viborg A/S
DEN
2010
Viborg A/S
DEN
2011
Larvik HK
2012 RUS
NOR
Buducnost Podgorica MNE
2013
Gyõri Audi ETO KC HUN
2014
Gyõri Audi ETO KC HUN
Buducnost Podgorica
MNE
2015
2015/16 Women’s EHF Champions League Group Matches
Media Information
by
EHF Media & Communications, 16/10/2015
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Adrian Costeiu, Amina Idrizi, Nemanja Savic, Michal Pomorski, Fulya Oktem, Bence Martha, Kevin Domas,
Sergey Nikolaev, Jelena Bagaric, Roy Knoppert
92
EHF Champions League history
1993 – 2004
1999/00
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Kometal Skopje 32:23 / 20:22 (52:45)
The final of the 1999/00 is less likely to be remembered for Hypo’s
fourth title in just four years but more for the violent disruptions
caused during the final by Macedonian fans. In the second leg objects
had been thrown onto the court for almost the entire match, and
the problems reached a climax when everyone fled into the changing
rooms and Hypo manager Gunnar Prokop was attacked.
1993/94
Hypo NIederösterreich vs Vasas Budapest 20:18 / 25:21 (45:39)
New name, new playing system, but well-known finalists – just
as in the men’s competition the Champions League replaced the
Champions Cup from the 1993/94 season. 32 teams played two K.O.
rounds for the eight places in the Champions League. The two finalists
were the winners of the two groups of four. Hypo Niederösterreich
became the first title holder showing a spotless performance with 12
victories from 12 matches.
2000/01
Viborg HK A/S vs RK Krim N. Roberts Ljubljana 22:22 / 19:25 (41:47)
After suffering defeat in the 1999 finals against Dunaferr, the time
was finally ripe in 2001 for Krim, Slovenia’s most dominating club
whose focus had always been to win the Champions League. In the
final Krim prevailed over Viborg thanks to win and a draw.
1994/95
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Podravka Koprivnica 14:17 / 26:19 (40:36)
After 20 victories in 20 Champions League matches, Hypo
Niederösterreich was beaten for the first time in the first leg of the
final in Koprivnica. But the 14:17 in Croatia was followed by a clear
26:19 victory in the second leg and the cup remained in Austria.
2001/02
FTC HERZ Budapest vs Kometal D. P. Skopje 27:25 / 22:26 (49:51)
On 19 May 2002, 45,000 fans people celebrated their heroines
enthusiastically in the main square of the Macedonian capital
– a great achievement had been made: Kometal Skopje wore the
crown of Europe’s top club competition for the first time. Two years
before, the Macedonians had played in the finals against Hypo
Niederösterreich but after rioting fans during the second leg in Skopje
all Macedonian clubs were banned for one year from the European
Cup, and no one had expected Macedonian handball to recover that
fast from the shock.
1995/96
Podravka Koprivnica vs Hypo Niederösterreich 13:17 / 25:20 (38:37)
In the 1995/96 season Austrian side Hypo Niederösterreich „only”
finished second and that created tremendous joy for the Eastern
Croatians. Under the leadership of the old and new top scorer,
Snežana Petika, Podravka Koprivnica for the first time took the crown
of the greatest club competition.
1996/97
Mar Valencia vs Viborg HK 35:26 / 23:24 (58:50)
In 1997 there was a whole new constellation in the final. Mar
Valencia, who had narrowly lost three times in the Champions League
Group Phase, celebrated a Spanish fiesta. The team, which was based
around the excellent Natalia Morskova, was the first Spanish team in
the history of the competition to reach the final. The opponent was
Viborg – the first Danish finalist since Copenhagen in 1966 (ed. IHF
competition).
2002/03
El Osito Valencia vs Krim N. Roberts Ljubljana 30:27 / 28:36 (58:63)
For the third time in a row, the Champions League winner came from
former Yugoslavia and for the second time after 2001 Krim Ljubljana
was sitting on the European throne. Skopje had won the title in 2002.
There was also another record: goalkeeper Luminita Dinu won the
European title for the third time in a row.
1997/98
Hypo Niederösterreich vs Mar El Osito L’Eliana 28:21 / 28:26 (56:47)
Mar El Osito L’Eliana had reached the final by scoring at least 31 goals
per match. They failed to repeat this feat when they needed it most.
Hypo Niederösterreich triumphed with two victories, earning their
third Champions League title.
2003/04
Slagelse DT vs Krim Ljubljana 25:24 / 36:32 (61:56)
In less than four years world class player and world class coach
Anja Andersen had led Danish side Slagelse DT out of the second
division and straight into their first Champions League season. And
just one year after they had already celebrated the win of the EHF
Cup, the team was victorious once more – this time in Europe’s most
prestigious club handball competition. It was a fairy tale come true.
1998/99
Dunaferr SE vs Krim Electa Ljubljana 25:23 / 26:26 (51:49)
Two new faces appeared in the Champions League final in the
1998/99 season. In the semi-finals Dunaferr had beaten defending
champion Hypo NIederösterreich while Ljubljana narrowly held the
upper hand over Podgorica. In the final it was the Hungarian side that
prevailed, winning their first Champions League title.
2004/05
Slagelse DT vs Kometal D.P. Skopje 27:23 / 27:20 (54:43)
For the second time in the history of the Champions League and after
the double victory of Hypo Niederösterreich in 1994 and 1995, a team
was able to defend its title. In all twelve Champions League matches,
from the Group Phase to the final, coach Anja Andersen’s team
suffered only one defeat.
93
EHF Champions League history
2004 – 2015
2010/11
Larvik vs Itxako Reyno De Navarra 23:21 / 24:25 (47:46)
In a real nail-biting thriller right until the dying seconds, Itxako
defeated Larvik by a single goal in the second leg of the final, but with
the aggregate score, the Norwegians were the lucky winners of this
clash and brought home the EHF Champions League trophy for the
first time in the club’s history.
2005/06
Krim Ljubljana vs Viborg HK A/S 22:24 / 21:20 (43:44)
In the history of the Women’s EHF Champions League that had not
happened before. In both final matches of the 2005/06 season the
away teams won. It seemed a mere formality for Viborg to lift the
trophy following their 24:22 win in Slovenia, but Ljubljana fought back
and had one hand on the cup when they led 20:17 in the 52nd minute
before running out of steam.
2011/12
Győri AUDI ETO KC vs Budoćnost 29:27 / 25:27 (54:54)
Budućnost won the tightest edition of the EHF Women’s Champions
League by account of scoring the greater number of away goals (27 in
Hungary) than Győri AUDI ETO KC (25 in Montenegro). It was only a small
consolation for Győri AUDI ETO KC’s Anita Görbicz who picked up the top
scorer for the 2011/12 Women’s EHF Champions League season.
2006/07
Slagelse DT vs Lada Togliatti 29:29 / 32:24 (61:53)
It was Slagelse’s third go at gold and they did it convincingly. With
elite performances both in the Champions League and the Danish
league, where they did not lose one single point, Anja Andersen’s
women were the favourites for the title – so another success of the
“dream team” was not a surprise.
2012/13
Larvik HK vs Győri AUDI ETO KC 21:24 / 22:23 (43:47)
After losing the finals in 2009 and 2012 Győr finally ended their curse
of seven European Cup finals without a trophy. The coronation of the
new queens of European handball took place in jam-packed Veszprém
Aréna after the second leg victory and carried on in the streets of
the city of Győr. The Hungarian team were dominant throughout the
whole season as they suffered only one defeat (in the semi-final at
home vs Oltchim) in 16 matches.
2007/08
Zvezda Zvenigorod vs Hypo Niederösterreich 25:24 / 31:29 (56:53)
After having beaten Hypo Niederösterreich at home 25:24, the
Russian champions were also triumphant in Wiener Neustadt in a very
tough second leg. For Hypo it was a big disappointment as everything
had been prepared for party at the Arena Nova to celebrated then
ninth title since 1989.
2013/14
Buducnost vs Győri AUDI ETO KC 21:27 (10:15)
For the first time in history just one final game decided about the new
title holders as Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena hosted the excellent
premiere edition of the MVM EHF FINAL4. Györ successfully defended
the title after avenging their 2012 defeat by Buducnost in front of
a sold-out crowd (10,000). Hungarian champions were the only
undefeated team of the season as they won 12 matches and drew
twice with Buducnost in the main round. Györ’s captain Anita Görbicz
became the season’s top scorer for the second time scoring 87 goals.
2008/09
Viborg HK vs Győri AUDI ETO KC 24:26 / 26:23 (50:49)
Viborg HK won the Champions League for the second time after
having lost the first leg of the final 24:26 but winning the second leg
26:23 against Györ. Viborg’s Grit Jurack contributed four goals in the
second match and became the Champions League’s top scorer with
113 goals in the 2008/09 season.
2009/10
Viborg HK vs Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea 28:21 / 32:31 (60:52)
Viborg HK defeated Oltchim Vâlcea to win the Women’s EHF
Champions League for the second consecutive time and the third
time in the last five years. Also the Danish dominance continued.
Since 2003/2004 all Champions League titles had gone to Danish
teams, except for the 2007/2008 season when Russian team Zvezda
Zvenigorod celebrated the victory.
2014/15
Larvik vs Buducnost
After defending champions Györi Audi ETO KC had been hit by a series
of injuries and maternity leaves it became as no major surprise as
they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Vardar. The Macedonian
champions had to settle with the third place finish for the second
straight time though, after stumbling upon Buducnost once again in
the semi-final. In the final showdown of the two previously unbeaten
teams in Budapest the Montengrin side cruised past Larvik to their
second European crown. Andrea Penezic and Cristina Neagu shared
the top scorer‘s title with each scoring 102 goals.
94
All-time club standings 1993-2015
#
TR
Name of the club
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
MP
W
D
L
GF:FA
GD
P
NP
%
G
192
124
5
63
5150:4795
+355
252*:132
(23)
65,63
C
Buducnost MNE
186
103
20
63
4960:4723
+237
226:146
(20)
60,75
D
RK Krim Mercator SLO
196
102
10
84
5324:5154
+170
214:178
(20)
54,59
A
4
Györi Audi ETO KC HUN
140
97
10
33
3912:3474
+438
204:76
(12)
72,86
C
5
5
Larvik NOR
162
98
8
56
4351:3955
+396
204:120
(17)
62,96
A
6
6
Viborg HK DEN
164
87
12
65
4565:4323
+242
186:142
(17)
56,71
B
7
7
Oltchim Rm. Valcea ROU
118
62
8
48
3148:3005
+143
132:104
(12)
55,93
D
8
8
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria HUN
104
53
7
44
2829:2733
+96
113:95
(14)
54,33
B
9
9
CBM Astroc Sagunto ESP
100
52
3
45
2658:2582
+76
107:93
(12)
53,50
B
10
10
HC Podravka Vegeta CRO
118
50
6
62
3007:3112
-105
106:130
(18)
44,92
B
11
11
Kometal Gjorce Petrov MKD
98
47
6
45
2460:2410
+50
100:96
(12)
51,02
C
12
12
Dinamo-Sinara RUS
94
38
9
47
2473:2520
-47
85:103
(11)
45,21
A
13
13
Slagelse DT DEN
56
38
2
16
1514:1400
+114
78:34
(5)
69,64
C
14
14
FC Midtjylland DEN
70
34
5
31
1839:1823
+16
73:67
(8)
52,14
C
15
15
HC Lada RUS
62
33
2
27
1729:1737
-8
68:56
(7)
54,84
D
16
16
Dunaferr NK HUN
52
29
4
19
1395:1285
+110
62:42
(6)
59,62
A
17
17
Zvezda Zvenigorod RUS
46
21
3
22
1294:1297
-3
45:47
(5)
48,91
–
18
18
Metz Handball FRA
66
18
6
42
1603:1746
–143
42:90
(9)
31,82
19
19
HC Vardar MKD
30
18
5
7
828:736
+92
41:19
(3)
68,33
C
20
20
MKS Selgros Lublin POL
58
18
5
35
1476:1598
–122
41:75
(10)`
35,35
D
21
23
Thüringer HC GER
38
15
3
20
968:1001
-33
33:43
(5)
43,42
B
22
29
IK Sävehof SWE
42
6
7
29
1106:1279
-173
19:65
(6)
22,62
D
23
30
HCM Baia Mare ROU
20
9
0
11
510:532
-22
18:22
(3)
45,00
A
–
59
Fleury Loiret Handball FRA
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(1)
0,00
B
–
59
CSM Bucuresti ROU
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(1)
0,00
D
–
59
Rostov-Don RUS
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(1)
0,00
A
–
NR
BNTU-BelAZ Minsk Reg. BLR
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)
0,00
Q
–
NR
Team Esbjerg DEN
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)
0,00
Q
–
NR
SERCODAK Dalfsen NED
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)
0,00
Q
–
–
NR
Glassverket NOR
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)
0,00
Q
–
NR
WHC Radnicki Kragujevac SRB
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)
0,00
Q
–
NR
Ankara Yenimahalle BSK TUR
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)
0,00
Q
* Point for Hypo NÖ deducted by official decision
L – losses
GF:GA – goals for:goals against
P – points
NP – number of participations
% = winning percentage
G - group
^ = Excluding Qualifying matches
The club name is the last used name in VELUX Women’s EHF
Champions League competition
TR – total ranking
MP – matches played
W – wins
D – draws
All stats in this guide are provided by Roy Knoppert.
95
For further information please contact:
Vladislav Brindzak
EHF Media & Communications
+43 1 80151 161
brindzak@eurohandball.com
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 224

Media Guide - Fleury Loiret Handball

Transcription

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