Guia EHF Champions League 2017-2018 by Gerardo Rey

VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18 Group Phase

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Table of contents

Table of contents Foreword

Media contacts

Map of participating clubs

Playing system diagrams - stages and dates

How to follow and cover the matches

List of TV stations

MOTW - increasing engagement

VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown

VELUX EHF FINAL4 facts and figures

VELUX EHF FINAL4 travel and ticket partners announced

Qualification Tournament 1

Important regulations

Facts and figures of the group phase

GROUP A Preview

Head-to-heads in the EC

FC Barcelona Lassa

HC Vardar

Rhein-Neckar Lรถwen

HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb

Orlen Wisla Plock

MOL-Pick Szeged

IFK Kristianstad

HBC Nantes

GROUP B Preview

Head-to-heads in the EC

Telekom Veszprem

PGE Vive Kielce

Paris Saint-Germain Handball

102

Aalborg Handbold

108

Table of contents

HC Meshkov Brest

114

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

120

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

126

THW Kiel

132

GROUP C Preview

138

Head-to-heads in the EC

140

Abanca Ademar Leon

142

Skjern Handbold

148

Rk Gorenje Velenje

154

Kadetten Schaffhausen

160

Dinamo Bucuresti

166

Elverum Handball

172

GROUP D Preview

178

Head-to-heads in the EC

180

HC Metalurg

182

HC Motor Zaporozhye

188

Montpellier HB

194

Besiktas Mogaz HT

200

Chekhovskie Medvedi

206

Sporting CP

212

HISTORY 2016/17 Top scorers

220

2016/17 All-Star team

221

All-time stats and records

223

Past winners

224

All-time club standings

225

25 years of the EHF Champions League

226

Foreword

In Groups C/D, Montpellier HB will be looking for a repeat of last season’s successful campaign when they progressed to the quarter-finals. We also see the welcome return of four clubs to the competition including Abanca Ademar Leon, Skjern Handbold, Rk Gorenje Velenje and Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese champions reached the top flight for the first time in 16 years, sneaking through a difficult qualification tournament with an extra-time win against Alpla HC Hard. The start of the season brings a new development with a fresh look and feel for the competition’s official website, ehfCL.com. Now mobile responsive, the new website offers all the latest news and results from both the men’s and women’s competitions as well as features including comprehensive live statistics thanks to a new agreement with Sportradar.

Dear media representatives, Welcome to the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase and to a very special season in the history of Europe’s premier club handball competition. The Men’s and Women’s EHF Champions League competitions were first played back in 1993/94 and now, as we enter the 25th season, we are once again looking forward to a new year of top-class handball as Europe’s best battle for the prestigious trophies.

Handball and the VELUX EHF Champions League have come a long way in the past 25 years and although our product has reached tremendous heights there are always new challenges lying ahead of us as we strive to push the boundaries in our sport even further.

Last season finished on a real high, with a new champion crowned, HC Vardar taking the title in the last seconds of the final in their very first appearance at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 150,000 people took to the streets of Skopje to celebrate that win and the defending champions will be eager to retain the title.

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!

Standing in their way in Group A are seven teams including the eight-time champions from FC Barcelona Lassa, the German league winners, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, and one of the surprise packages of last season, HBC Nantes. In Group B, the challenge is no less daunting with four previous winners of the EHF Champions League competing alongside last season’s semi-finalists, Telekom Veszprém HC, and finalists, Paris Saint-Germain Handball.

Sporting wishes, Michael Wiederer EHF President 6

Media contacts

EHF/M media contacts Media matters

TV and Radio

Vlado Brindzak Media and Communications European Handball Federation +43 1 80 151 161/+421 908 721 328 brindzak@eurohandball.com

Miguel Mateo Marcellan Media Manager EHF Marketing GmbH +43 1 80 151 224 mateo@ehfmarketing.com

Clubs media contacts GROUP A

GROUP B

FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) Pau Campana +34 683 567251 pau.campana@fcbarcelona.cat

MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) Levente Juhasz +36 70 543 0979 levente.juhasz @pickhandball.hu

Telekom Veszprém (HUN) Péter Domján +36 307 219 252 peter.domjan@ handballveszprem.hu

HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) Alexandr Kulbaka +375 293 5075479 media@bgk-meshkova.com

HC Vardar (MKD) Biljana Crvenkoska +389 712 47214 biljana@rkvardar.com

Orlen Wisła Płock (POL) Tomasz Bauman +48 723 100 787 t.bauman@sprwislaplock.pl

PGE Vive Kielce (POL) Sebastian Kozubek +48 505031244 s.kozubek@vtkielce.pl

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) Miha Pantelic ‎+386 51 427 590 miha.pantelic@rk-celje.si

Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Christopher Monz +491744288849 monz@rhein-neckar-loewen.de

IFK Kristianstad (SWE) Nikolas Larsson ‎+46705454332 nikolas.larsson@ ifkkristianstad.se

PSG Handball (FRA) Matthieu Brelle-Andrade +33 6 52 53 74 13 mbrelleandrade@psg.fr

SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Sandra von Wallis +49 4611609625 s.vonwallis@ sg-flensburg-handewitt.de

HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Goran Roknić +385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr

HBC Nantes (FRA) Kevin Morin +33 664865046 kevin.morin@hbcnantes.com

Aalborg Handbold (DEN) Thomas Gjelstrup Christensen +45 22 698 500 thc@aalborghaandbold.dk

THW Kiel (GER) Christian Robohm +49 1635306300 christian.robohm@ thw-handball.de

GROUP D

GROUP C Abanca Ademar Leon (ESP) Fernando Luque Borga +34 609 822 038 administracion@ademar.com

Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) Barbara Imobersteg +41 787203247 imo.schule@gmx.ch

HC Metalurg (MKD) Branko Kazakovski +389 971 209 862 branko.kazakovski@gmail.com

Besiktas Mogaz HT (TUR) Jankat Ömür +90 537 17 477 92 omurjankat@gmail.com

Skjern Handbold (DEN) Carsten Thygesen +45 401 130 94 ct@thygesenholding.dk

Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) Alexandru Enciu +40 754 929 106 sanenciu@yahoo.com

HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Youriy Chornyi +380 505 946 878 2207024@list.ru

Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Olga Belysheva +7 909 6391 839 victi@bk.ru

Rk Gorenje Velenje (SLO) Aljaz Mocnik +386 31 726 700 pr@rk-gorenje.com

Elverum Handball (NOR) Knut Johansen +47 902 671 97 knut@rum11.com

Montpellier HB (FRA) Suzy Demonte +33 499 610 358 suzy.demonte@montpellier-handball.com

Sporting CP (POR) Andre Leitao +351 914665 572 arleitao@sportingcp.pt

RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUÅ TVO Z A G R E B

Group Phase Groups A & B (draw)

Season 2017/18 playing system

Qualification Tournaments (draw)

Group Phase Groups C & D (draw)

Group Phase KO Matches (no draw)

K1 C2

K2 D2

Season 2017/18 Qualification Tournaments

Group Phase

01.-03.09.2017

13.-17.09.2017 20.-24.09.2017 27.09.-01.10.17 04.-08.10.17 11.-15.10.2017 01.-05.11.2017 08.-12.11.2017 10 15.-19.11.2017

22.-26.11.2017 29.11.-3.12.2017 07.-11.02.18 14.-18.02.18 21.-25.02.2018 28.2.-04.03.18

Group A & B only Group A & B only Group A & B and KO Group C & D Group A & B and KO Group C & D

Last 16 (no draw)

Quarter-finals (no draw)

VELUX EHF FINAL4 Semi-finals

M1 K1

M2 K2

M3 B6

M4 A6

M5 B5

M6 A5

(draw)

3rd place match

vs Final

playing schedule Last 16

Quarter-finals

VELUX EHF FINAL4

ﬁrst leg 21.-25.03.2018

ﬁrst leg 18.-22.04.2018

26./27.05.2018

second leg 28.03.-01.04.2018

second leg 25.-29.04.2018 11

VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2017/18

26./27.05.2018 tournament

25.-29.04.2018 second leg

played in semi finals and finals

29 June 2017 in Vienna/AUT

30 June 2017 in Ljubljana/SLO

no draw

01.05.2018

4 teams

Group A and B (16 teams) 2 groups with 8 teams

12 teams

8 teams

4 teams

4 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Quarterfinals

18.-22.04.2018 first leg

28.03.-01.04.2018 second leg

21.-25.02.2018 (13); 28.2.-04.03.18 (14)

Telekom Veszprem HC FC Barcelona Lassa KS Vive Tauron Kielce HC Vardar Paris Saint-Germain Handball Rhein-Neckar Lรถwen HC PPD Zagreb Aalborg Handball HC Meshkov Brest Orlen Wisla Plock RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko MOL-Pick Szeged IFK Kristianstad SG Flensburg-Handewitt HBC Nantes THW Kiel 2 groups with 6 teams

Abanca Ademar Leon HC Metalurg Skjern Handball HC Motor Zaporozhye RK Gorenje Velenje Montpellier Handball Kadetten Schaffhausen Besiktas Mogaz HT Chekhovskie medvedi Dinamo Bucuresti Elverum Handball Sporting CP Tatran Presov ALPLA HC Hard Cocks

Winner of the Qualification tournament

31 FIN 1

21.-25.03.2018 first leg

07.-11.02.18 (11-A/B); 14.-18.02.18 (12-A/B)

HUN 1 ESP 1 POL 1 MKD 1 FRA 1 GER 1 CRO 1 DEN 1 BLR 1 POL 2 SLO 1 HUN 2 SWE 1 GER 2 FRA 2 GER 3

ESP 2 MKD 2 DEN 2 UKR 1 SLO 2 FRA 3 SUI 1 TUR 1 RUS 1 ROU 1 NOR 1 POR 1 SVK 1 AUT 1

FINAL4

in one venue

Group C and D (12 teams)

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Quarterfinals

6 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Last 16

played in semi finals and finals

01.-03.09.2017 tournament

DRAWS:

Group Phase 13.-17.09.2017 (1); 20.-24.09.2017 (2); 27.09.-01.10.17 (3); 04.-08.10.17 (4) 11.-15.10.2017 (5); 01.-05.11.2017 (6) 08.-12.11.2017 (7); 15.-19.11.2017 (8) 22.-26.11.2017 (9); 29.11.-3.12.2017 (10)

1st placed team of Group A and B qualify directly for the Quarterfinals; 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th placed team of Group A and B as well as winners of KO matches from Group C and D qualify for the Last 16

Qualification Tournament

1 groups with 4 teams 4th placed team of CL Qualification Tournament goes to the 1st and 2nd placed teams of CL Group Phase Group C and D play Group KO matches. Winners of these EHF Cup Qualification Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed team of CL matches qualify for L16 Qualification Tornament goes to EHF Cup Qualification Rd 3

12 status: 26.06.2017

Official website relaunches

Official website relaunches Already at the beginning of its anniversary 25th season the VELUX EHF Champions League is given a present in a form of a relaunched official website. Just before the first match of the group phase ehfCL. com gets a fresh and more appealing look. All fans can find interesting news and facts on each of their favourite clubs and players and thanks to the new partnership with Sportradar, the website will also provide all handball freaks with a comprehensive database of match, teams’ and players’ statistics. The new website also lays foundation of the upcoming joint website platform for all EHF’s competitions and activities and will become a true “Home of Handball”.

Online match reports 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 online solution introudced already in the 2015/16 season 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. 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.

Accreditation for Group Phase

All matches of the season live on ehfTV Handball fans across Europe will not miss a single match in the new season of both elite European club competitions. All matches starting from the VELUX EHF Champions League Qualification and the Women's EHF Champions League Qualification are to be broadcast live on ehfTV.com and the videos of all matches will be also on demand. Furthermore, like in the past season fully produced highlights magazine - “Rewind - the handball show” will feature stories and highlights from all Men´s top matches will be played out on Monday 7:00 / 8:00 GMT after each playing round. Apart from selected matches of other European Cup competitions in the new season there will also be a renewed focus on coverage of top league competitions, with all matches from both the SEHA League and Spain’s Asobal.

Live ticker The EHF Live Ticker will track the scores of all matches. Every goal, missed shot and yellow card will be documented and live statistics made available online. In addition an extended version will be used adding also the goalkeepers' stats.

EHF Live on social media The EHF’s social media channels will provide a very different view of the chase for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. The social media feed with the behind the scenes look will be provided on four channels - EHF Champions League Facebook page, Instagram, @EHF_ Live Twitter account and the EHF_Live on Snapchat.

The written media and photographer’s accreditation procedure in the Group Phase is entirely in the responsibility of the participating clubs. TV and Radio accreditations are subject to approval by EHF Marketing GmbH – please contact Miguel Mateo Marcellán.

Online information www.ehfCL.com www.ehfTV.com www.ehfFINAL4.com Regulations of the VELUX EHF Champions League Twitter: @ehf, @ehfcl Facebook: ehf.champions.league

Official name The official name of the competition is: VELUX EHF Champions League. The full name of the competition should always be used. VELUX and the three letter abbreviation for the European Handball Federation should always be displayed in capital letters before the name of the competition. Please note: If the season is required, it has to be positioned after “Champions League” e.g. VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17. 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’.

Bei Sky geht jetzt der Punk ab Alle deutschen Spiele der VELUX EHF Champions League live nur auf Sky Freu Dich zusätzlich auf alle Spiele der Handball-Bundesliga. Und natürlich auf alle Spiele der UEFA Champions League, der UEFA Europa League und des DFB-Pokals in der Saison 2017/2018 oder auf 572 Spiele der Bundesliga und der 2. Bundesliga. Sei jetzt live dabei – schon ab € 19,99 mtl.* (im 12-Monats-Abo, danach ab € 37,49 mtl.*)

sky.de | 01806 405 405

Dt. Festnetz € 0,20 inkl. MwSt.; Mobilfunknetz max. € 0,60 inkl. MwSt. *Angebot gilt bei Buchung von Sky Starter und einem Premiumpaket (Sport oder Fußball-Bundesliga) für mtl. € 19,99 oder Sky Starter und zwei Premiumpaketen (Sport und Fußball-Bundesliga) für mtl. € 24,99; mit einer Mindestvertragslaufzeit von 12 Monaten (Monat der Freischaltung (anteilig) zzgl. 12 Monaten), zzgl. einer Logistikpauschale i. H. v. € 12,90 und einer einmaligen Aktivierungsgebühr in Höhe von € 29 für Neukunden bzw. in Höhe von € 129 für Abonnenten, in deren Haushalt und/oder unter deren Kontonummer ein Sky Abonnement für sich oder Dritte besteht oder bestand, welches bereits gekündigt oder innerhalb von 3 Monaten vor Neuabschluss beendet worden ist. Verlängerung: Wird das Abo nicht fristgerecht 2 Monate vor Ablauf der Vertragslaufzeit gekündigt, verlängert es sich jeweils um weitere 12 Monate zu mtl. € 37,49 (Starter + 1 Premiumpaket) bzw. mtl. € 50,99 (Starter + 2 Premi14 vorbehalten. Sky Deutschland Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG, Medienallee 26, umpakete). Alle Preise inkl. gesetzlicher MwSt. Stand: August 2017. Änderungen 85774 Unterföhring. Foto: © Sky/Thorsten Eichhorst

TV stations to broadcast matches all over the world

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. Over 40 TV stations will broadcast matches live or delayed. Only in Europe fans will be able to watch matches in 30 countries, but also the handball TV audience in America (USA, Canada, Argentina and Uruguay), Asia and Africa (countries of Middle East and North Africa, Kyrgyzstan) can look forward to a television coverage. See the list of TV stations and countries below: EUROPE

•

SLO Sport TV

•

AUT Sky Sports

•

SRB Arenasport

•

BEL Eleven Sports

•

SUI UPC

•

BIH Arenasport

•

SVK Sport TV

•

BLR Belarus TV

•

SWE Viasat

•

CRO HRT, HT

•

TUR Dsmart

•

CZE Sport TV

•

UKR U1, Xsport

•

DEN DR, TV3 Sports

•

ESP TV3 Catalunya

•

FRA beIN Sports

•

GER Sky Sports

•

GRE OTE Sports

•

HUN Sport TV

•

ISL

•

ISR Sport1

•

ITA Sportube

•

KOS RTV21

•

MKD MRT, Arenasport

•

MNE Arenasport

•

NOR Viasat

•

POL NC+, Eleven Sports

•

POR SportTV

•

ROU Digi Sport, Telekom Romania

•

RUS Match TV

AMERICA

SportTV

•

ARG DeporTV

•

CAN beIN Sports

•

URU Vera TV

•

USA beIN Sports

ASIA/AFRICA • MENA countries (Middle East and North Africa) beIN Sports •

KGZ NTS Sport

MOTW - A fresh new look

MOTW - increasing engagement The VELUX EHF Champions League is one of the most attractive sporting competitions in Europe, and during a season over 200 matches of top handball are broadcast live to handball fans from around the world on ehfTV.com. Starting already last season EHF Marketing would like to bring Europe’s premier handball competition to a whole new level. To achieve this, a greater focus has been put on the MATCH OF THE WEEK (MOTW) ties and the engagement with fans through our various social media channels has increased. The aim of this is to make games during the whole season more accessible for handball fans and to create an arc of suspense towards the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.

Match of the Week set for opening five rounds The big opener takes place in Mannheim, Germany where reigning Bundesliga champions, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, take on the ASOBAL winners and VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants, FC Barcelona Lassa. Further matches in Kielce, Poland for Round 2, Flensburg, Germany in Round 3, and Veszprem, Hungary in Round 4 all set up mouth-watering clashes. The first round of matches will culminate in Denmark when the last season’s FINAL4 finalists, Paris Saint-Germain Handball, make their way to Aalborg.

Round 1: Sunday, 17 September at 19:30 in the SAP Arena EHF Marketing takes one match per round as the (Mannheim, GER) MOTW, as it has been custom in past seasons. Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona Lassa The most interesting game in terms of fan’s expectations and the entertainment value of the Round 2: Sunday, 24 September at 18:30 in the MOSIR tie will be selected. Whether well-known clubs compete against each other or less experienced Hala Legionow (Kielce, POL) PGE Vive Kielce vs THW Kiel clubs fight to get into the next round – we are sure that all the games will be captivating and Round 3: thrilling. Saturday, 30 September at 17:30 in the FLENSArena (Flensburg, GER) The MOTW receives more attention in terms SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saintof TV commentary, branding, social media Germain Handball activities, half-time games, mobile reporting and the sale of merchandise in the hall itself. The idea is to continuously develop the concept throughout the season and also to bring fresh content to fans in the arena, in front of their TV or on their laptops at home. Live commentary with insights and captivating explanations, and an enhanced look and feel of TV graphics will give the audience the feeling of being right in the action. MOTW also offers also the perfect platform to develop and implement new exciting technical equipment that brings the best handball directly into households around world.

Round 4: Sunday 08 October at 17:00 in the Veszprém Aréna, (Veszprem, HUN) Telekom Veszprém vs THW Kiel Round 5: Sunday 15 October at 16:50 in the Jutlander Bank Arena (Aalborg, DEN) Aalborg Handbold vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball All times are local.

The best of European

HANDBALL

LIVE

and on demand!

All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League and WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EHF Champions League, selected games of European Cups, and other competitions live and on demand. 17 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the best highlights, compilations, interviews, features, behind the scenes and more.

VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown

VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the culmination of the European club handball season. The two-day event sees the best four men’s teams in Europe playing to decide the ultimate winner of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

20,000 spectators in the LANXESS arena and millions of fans at home watched four unforgettable handball games and a unique entertainment show. Tickets for the 2018 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 went on sale on the opening day of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017. Now, eight months before the participating teams are known, only a very limited number of tickets remain.

Introduced in the 2009/10 season and to be played until at least 2020 in the LANXESS arena, Cologne, the decision to create a new format for the final phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League was seen as crucial for the growth of handball across Europe.

The success of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is also thanks to the commitment of a great number of volunteers who have been active on the weekend of the event. The application procedure for next edition has already started and applications are invited also in the area of media.

The aim was to create a flagship event, one that could compete on the international sports market and make the Europe’s leading club competition even more attractive to fans, partners and sponsors.

The success of all seven editions of the VELUX Full information at: www.ehfFINAL4.com EHF FINAL4 up to date showed that this format has been the right strategy. It has set new standards in organisation and entertainment; it VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media is not just four games played over two days but a Accreditation true entertainment event. The accreditation procedure of media representatives for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will Yet again the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017 was the season’s highlight in European handball – nearly start in March 2018.

FACTS AND FIGURES: All you need to know about the history of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Since the premiere in 2010, LANXESS arena in Cologne is the place to be – the theatre of dreams for club handball in Europe. The VELUX EHF FINAL4 has been the pinnacle event eight times so far, with a sold-out arena entertaining 20,000 fans every year. Prior to the start of the new VELUX EHF Champions League season, here are the most important Facts and Figures about the 28 FINAL4 matches played so far.

0 players have been part of all eight editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, from 2010 to 2017. 0 times has a club defended its trophy at the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

VELUX EHF FINAL4 debutants took the trophy on their maiden voyage: Flensburg (2014) and Vardar (2017).

1 coach has steered two different clubs to the VELUX EHF FINAL4: Talant Dujshebaev – first with Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid (2010, 2011, 2012), then with Kielce (2015, 2016).

2 players have won the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with two different clubs: German Tobias Reichmann and Croatian Ivan Cupic. After raising the trophy with THW Kiel in 2010 and 2012, Reichmann repeated the success in 2016 with Kielce. Cupic was part of Kielce’s squad in 2016 and became the first player ever

1 VELUX EHF FINAL4 has been played without a German team: 2017.

VELUX EHF FINAL4 facts and figures

to defend the title at Cologne when he reclaimed the trophy with Vardar in 2017.

nations are Hungary (four participations by one club), Poland (three/one), France (two/one) and Denmark, FYR Macedonia and Russia (one/one).

2 VELUX EHF FINAL4 finals have been played without a German or Spanish club: the 2016 edition, Kielce vs Veszprém, and 2017, Vardar vs Paris.

2 Champions League debutants made it all the way to Cologne in their first season: Füchse Berlin and AG Kobenhavn, both in 2012.

– which means all – times, LANXESS arena was soldout with approximately 20,000 fans at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 events.

2 different Danish referee pairs have whistled the finals: Olesen/Pedersen in 2010, Gjeding/Hansen in 2014. Six other countries have been represented by one pair officiating the finals: France, Serbia, Norway, Romania, Spain and Germany.

9 times has one player scored 10 or more goals in a single VELUX EHF FINAL4 match – though no one did so at the 2017 edition.

13 different clubs have been part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 since its premiere in 2010: Barcelona, Kiel (each six times) Veszprém (four), Ciudad Real/Madrid, Kielce (each three), Hamburg and Paris (each two), Vardar, Berlin, Löwen, Flensburg, Kobenhavn, Chekhovskie (each one).

different countries represent the seven VELUX EHF FINAL4 winners: Germany (4 – Kiel/2, Hamburg and Flensburg), Spain (2 – both Barcelona), Poland (Kielce) and FYR Macedonia (Vardar).

13 goals in one match, scored by Juanin Garcia (Barcelona) in the 2010 final against Kiel, remains the all-time FINAL4 high. Filip Jicha scored 11 goals twice for Kiel (2010 final against Barcelona and 2011 semi-final versus Berlin), as did Filip Lazarov (Atletico) in the 2012 semi against Kobenhavn, Domagoj Duvnjak (Hamburg) in the 2013 semi versus Kiel and Siarhei Rutenka (Barcelona) in the 2015 3/4 placement match against Veszprém. Only one player has scored double figures in both matches of one tournament: Mikkel Hansen. The top scorer of the Champions League that year netted 10 times each in the 2016 semi against Kielce and the placement match versus Kiel.

4 VELUX EHF FINAL4 matches have been decided in extra time – two of them in a penalty shoot-out: First Hamburg beat Barcelona 30:29 in the 2013 final after extra time, followed by the 2014 semi shoot-out between Flensburg and Barcelona (40:39 to Flensburg). In 2016, first Veszprém beat Kiel 31:28 in extra time, but then lost the final to Kielce 38:39 after penalties. 4 direct red cards were given in the history of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 – three of them for Croatian players (Denis Buntic/ Kielce in 2013, Renato Sulic/Veszprém 2014 and Igor Vori/PSG 2016). The fourth was received by Kielce’s Polish player Piotr Chrapkowski. In addition, five players had to finish the matches in the stands after three two-minute suspensions; among them again three Croatians (Sulic/ Veszprém 2015, Domagoj Duvnjak/Kiel 2015 and Ilja Brozovic/Kiel 2015).

17 different nations were represented in the squads of the four VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017 participants: Spain, France, FYR Macedonia, Hungary, Denmark, Tunisia, Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Montenegro, Russia, Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden, Iceland and Bosnia-Herzegovina. 47 was the lowest cumulative score of a VELUX EHF FINAL4 match since 2010 – and the spectators of the final day in 2012 saw low-scoring games twice in a row: First in the placement match Berlin vs Kobenhavn (21:26), then in the final Kiel vs Atletico Madrid (26:21). Five years later, Vardar vs PSG final (24:23) ended with the same number of goals.

5 different German clubs have qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 so far: Kiel (six times), Hamburg (two), Rhein-Neckar Löwen, Flensburg and Berlin (each one). 5 straight times with four different clubs has Icelandic record international Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson been part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4. After missing the trophy with Löwen (2011), Kobenhavn (2012, and Kiel (2013 and 2014), he finally took the title in 2015 in the FC Barcelona jersey.

56 goals each make Filip Jicha (THW Kiel and FC Barcelona) and Momir Ilic (for Kiel and Veszprém) the top scorers in VELUX EHF FINAL4 history. Both top the ranking ahead of Kiril Lazarov (51), Siarhei Rutenka, Aron Palmarsson (47 each) and Jesper Nöddesbo (40).

6 times THW Kiel and FC Barcelona have qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4, to be record holders in this ranking. Veszprém were in Cologne four times (in a row) ahead of Ciudad Real/Atletico and Kielce (each three).

80 goals were scored in the record breaking 2014 semi-final, Flensburg vs Barcelona (41:39 after extra time and penalties) to top this ranking ahead of the 77 goals in the 2016 final, Kielce vs Veszprém (39:38). The third-highest score of a FINAL4 match was decided after 60 minutes: the 2013 semi, Hamburg vs Kiel (39:33/72 goals).

6 times, Alfred Gislason (Kiel) and Xavi Pascual (Barcelona) have coached at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Talant Dujshebaev (three times with Ciudad Real/Atletico and twice with Kielce) is third-ranked with five participations.

245 goals were scored at the 2016 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 to top this ranking, ahead of 2014 (244 goals) and 2013 (243). The lowest overall score were 191 goals in 2012. In 2010 and 2017, 215 goals were scored, and in 2011 and 2015, there were 224 goals.

8 countries are represented by the clubs that have participated in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 since 2010. Aside from Germany and Spain (eight participations altogether), the remaining

VELUX EHF FINAL4 travel and ticket partners announced

VELUX EHF FINAL4 travel and ticket partners announced With over 8,000 tickets already sold for the next edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, those unlucky enough not yet to have secured their place in the LANXESS arena, Cologne on 3/4 June 2017 have been waiting for a chance to buy their ticket. The eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organiser, EHF Marketing GmbH, has released details of the first of its official travel and ticket partners, through which fans will be able to purchase not just tickets but also hotel and travel packages. The first nine official partners covering Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and Switzerland have been announced, and will be offering complete packages for fans wanting to travel to Cologne in June 2017. Additional official ticket partners will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans wanting to make a booking with one of the official travel partners should contact one of the following companies direct:

Vietentours

Travel Sense A/S

Hemispheres Voyages

Svenskahandbollfans

Kaganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Turist Aps

TF travels

OlliP AB

Sportimadok.hu

The well-known German sports travel specialist, Vietentours, has been a partner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 since 2010 and offers travel packages to all major handball and sports events worldwide. Contact: +49 211 17 7000 handball@vietentours.com www.vietentours.com. Official partner for the Swedish market. Contact: +46 73-250 20 17 info@svenskahandbollfans.se www.svenskahandbollfans.se

Treff AG

Official travel partner for the Swiss market for a number of years Contact: +41 32 387 00 87 travel@treff.ch

Travel partner for the Danish market and official partner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the second time is Travel Sense A/S. The company has tickets available in all categories. Contact: + 45 70 23 06 44 info@travelsense.dk www.travelsense.dk

Travel partner for the Danish market Contact: +45 24 41 93 50 info@kagan.dk www.busudlejning.dk www.koncertbussen.dk Partner for both Swedish and Danish markets (Travel packages available from October) Contact: opprod61@gmail.com www.opproductions.se

The exclusive travel partner for the French market. Specialising in sports travel, the company has been organising travel arrangements to major rugby, football, tennis and handball events for the past 18 years. Contact: + 33 4 38 37 22 21 sport@hemispheres-voyages.fr www.hemispheres-voyages.fr

A long-standing partner covering the Swedish market. tf@lysekil.nu

A partner covering the Hungarian market. Contact: +36 70 / 630 1040 utazas@sportimadok.hu www.sportimadok.hu

Official Partner of the EHF and the EHF Champions League

KOBRA MID Black / Safety Yellow

salminghandball.com

Qualification Tournament 1

Qualification Tournament 1 2-3 September 2017, Presov, Slovakia Group D HC Metalurg (MKD) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Montpellier Handball (FRA) Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Sporting CP

Qualification Tournament 1 Sporting CP (POR) Cocks (FIN) Tatran Presov (SVK) Alpla HC Hard (AUT)

2nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4th ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Winner of Round 1: Achilles Bocholt (BEL)

Review: Sporting return after 16 years What a match! Handball fans witnessed a fantastic final of qualification Group 1 in Presov on Sunday evening, when Sporting CP qualified for the VELUX EHF Champions League after beating Alpla HC Hard 35:34 in extra time. Following a disappointing result against Alpla HC Hard in Saturday’s semi-final, TATRAN Presov beat Cocks in a confident way to seal third place. • Sporting CP qualify for the group phase for the second time in the club’s history • The Portuguese side will join HC Metalurg, Montpellier, Chekhovskie Medvedi, Motor Zaporozhye and Besiktas in Group D • Injured Croatian goalkeeper Matej Asanin is the hero for Sporting CP thanks to a save in the last seconds FINAL: Sporting CP (POR) v Alpla HC Hard (AUT) 35:34 AET (17:17) Sporting CP qualified for the VELUX EHF Champions League after an extra-time win over Alpla HC Hard. Frankis Carol scored the winning goal in the last minute, before a crucial save from Matej Asanin sealed the victory. Tactical masterplan Sporting CP did not start the match well and, after four technical faults, allowed the Austrian side to develop a three-goal lead.

Quality performances from Alpla’s back court line left Sporting unable to respond – it was only Asanin’s saves that kept the Portuguese flag waving at half-time. The Croatian star goalkeeper picked up a minor knee injury in the course of the game, but finished the match in style. Extra time Sporting had the edge in extra time as Alpla were running out of energy in the final minutes. Coach Petr Hrachovec provided his team with a tactical master plan – changing defence from zonal to one-on-one, playing without a keeper in certain moments and having Golub Doknic between the posts despite the second half avalanche of goals from Sporting. Alpla’s Lukas Herburger levelled the score with little over one minute remaining after Sporting missed an opportunity to increase the lead, but Frankis Carol finished his quality performance by scoring the winning goal in the very last minute. Alpla could not respond with a late equaliser despite a huge effort, as Asanin stopped the final attempt. THIRD PLACE MATCH: Cocks (FIN) vs TATRAN Presov (SVK) 27:30 (10:15) SEMI-FINALS: Sporting CP (POR) v Cocks (FIN) 31:27 (18:14) TATRAN Presov (SVK) v Alpla HC Hard (AUT) 25:26 (12:13)

Important regulations

Important regulations What decides when two or more teams have the same number of points General All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes with a halftime break of 10 minutes. The EHF reserves the right to extend the half-time break in special circumstances to 15 minutes. The matches shall be scored as follows: a) win = 2 points b) draw = 1 point c) loss = 0 points Teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rankings are obtained by adding up the number of points won.

After completion of the Group Phase if three or more teams have scored the same number of points: a) number of points in matches of all teams directly involved; b) goal difference in matches of all teams directly involved; c) higher number of plus goals in matches of all teams directly involved; d) goal difference in all matches of the group; e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group;

If the ranking of one of these teams is determined, the criteria are consecutively If two or more teams have scored the same followed until the ranking of all teams is number of points, the ranking will be determined determined. as follows: If no ranking can be determined, a decision During the Group Phase: shall be obtained by drawing lots. Lots shall be a) higher goal difference in all matches; drawn by the EHF, if possible in the presence of b) higher number of plus goals in all matches; a representative of each club. After completion of the Group Phase if two teams have scored the same number of points: Group Phase KO matches a) number of points in matches of the two If, after the completion of the two matches, teams directly involved; both clubs have won the same number of b) goal difference in matches of the two teams points (no extra time will be played), the teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; directly involved; standings shall be determined by the following c) higher number of goals scored in the away criteria: match of the two a) goal difference teams directly involved; b) higher number of plus goals scored in away d) goal difference in all matches of the group; match e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of c) penalty throws the group; Group Phase

Facts and figueres of the group phase

From 0 to 20,000: Facts and Figures of the group phase After Sporting CP from Portugal claimed the last spot as winners of the qualification tournament on September 3, boarding for the group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18 season is complete. To celebrate the 25th anniversary season of Europe’s premier competition, here are the most important Facts and Figures of the upcoming group phase and beyond: 0 times since the inauguration of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010 have the champions defended their title. The last team to claim consecutive trophies was BM Ciudad Real in 2009.

6 countries are represented by the previous 24 EHF Champions League champions: Spain (14 titles), Germany (six), FYR Macedonia, Poland, Slovenia and France (each one).

0 teams are debutants of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase in the 2017/18 season. 1 player has defended the title since the FINAL4 format was introduced in 2010: Ivan Cupic. The Croatian won the trophy in 2016 with Vive Tauron Kielce and one year later with Vardar Skopje.

pairings will compose the Last 16, like in the previous season. The teams in the 3-6 positions of Groups A and B and those that win the Groups C+D play-offs will meet in the first knock-out stage.

1 draw will be held during the season – for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Semi-finals in Cologne. All pairings of the Last 16 and quarter-finals are set by the rankings of the group phase.

7 former or current EHF Champions League champions representing a total of 15 trophies are part of the 2017/18 group phase: Vardar, Kielce, Barcelona, Kiel, Flensburg, Montpellier and Celje.

1 person won the EHF Champions League as a player and a coach: Talant Dujshebaev. The current coach of Kielce won the competition in 1994 as a player for Santander (ESP) and in 2006, 2008 and 2009 as coach of Ciudad Real, before steering Kielce to their first trophy in 2016.

7 former or current IHF World Handball Players of the Year are part of the 28 squads contesting this Champions League season: Arpad Sterbik (2005/Vardar), Nikola Karabatic (2007, 2014, 2016/PSG), Thierry Omeyer (2008/PSG), Slawomir Szmal (2009/Kielce), Mikkel Hansen (2011, 2015/PSG), Daniel Narcisse (2012/PSG) and Domagoj Duvnjak (2013/Kiel). Kielce coach Talant Dujshebaev also received the award – on two occasions (1994, 1996).

coaches have led two different teams to the EHF Champions League trophy: Icelandic-born Alfred Gislason (2002 SC Magdeburg, 2010 and 2012 THW Kiel) and Dujshebaev (2006, 2008, 2009 Ciudad Real, 2016 Vive Tauron Kielce).

8 from eight times the LANXESS Arena has been sold out for the VELUX EHF FINAL4. The contract with the arena to host the event was extended until 2020.

2 top-ranked teams in Groups A and B will skip the Last 16 and qualify directly for the quarter-finals

8 times (1995-2000, 2011, 2015) FC Barcelona have won the EHF Champions League to be the record winner. In addition, they won the Champions Cup (forerunner of the Champions League) once.

3 Spanish coaches were part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017: Raul Gonzalez (Vardar), Javier Sabaté (Veszprém) and Xavi Pascual (Barcelona).

times Spanish teams have won the EHF Champions League – Barcelona (eight), Ciudad Real (three), Santander, Irun and Portland (each one).

4 (which means all) participants of the VELUX EHF FINAL 2017 have qualified for the group phase again: Vardar, PSG, Veszprém and Barcelona. 4 cross matches of the two top-ranked teams in Groups C and D will decide the two Last 16 spots from those groups in March.

14 rounds will be played in Groups A and B until the completion of the group phase. Groups C and D will take the court for 10 rounds, followed by the play-offs (home and away matches) to decide their two Last 16 participants.

5 times each, Thierry Omeyer (Montpellier 2003, Kiel 2007, 2010, 2012) and Uros Zorman (Celje 2004, Ciudad Real 2008 and 2009, Kielce 2016) have won the EHF Champions League, making them the most successful players still on court this season. Andrei Xepkin remains the individual record winner with seven trophies (six with Barcelona, one with Kiel).

18 different nations (one less than one year ago) are represented by the 28 group phase participants. Germany and France have three clubs each. Spain, Denmark, Hungary, FYR Macedonia, Poland and Slovenia each have two. All nations were part of the 2016/17 group phase.

Facts and figueres of the group phase

204 matches will be carried out in the 2016/17 season of the VELUX EHF Champions League. After the four qualification games already staged, there will be 172 group matches, four Group C+D cross matches, 12 Last 16 games, eight quarter-finals and four matches at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Last season there were 208 games in total, as two qualification tournaments were played.

20 matches is the maximum number participants of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 will play in the new season. They will be on the Champions League court a minimum of 18 times. 23 teams that were among the 28 group phase participants of the 2016/17 season have qualified for this stage again. Both Danish sides have changed, with Aalborg and Skjern taking the place of Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and TTH Holstebro, as well as the Portuguese (Sporting instead of UMinho) team. Leon replace La Rioja from Spain and Slovenia’s Velenje make their return.

11,560

goals were scored in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season – 11,083 since the start of the group phase. In the 2015/16 season, a total of 11,522 were scored.

24 Champions League participations in the 25 years since the start of the competition in 1993/94 make RK Zagreb the record holders ahead of Veszprém and Celje (23 participations each). 28 teams are part of the group phase, split into eight teams each in Groups A and B and six teams each in Groups C and D.

12,250 spectators in the match Zagreb vs Veszprém was the highest attendance in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season prior to the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

55,58 goals were scored on average in all 208 matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season. In 2015/16, the average was 57.03 goals.

20,000 fans are expected for the 2018 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, which will be staged on May 26 and 27 in LANXESS arena, Cologne.

115 goals were scored by PSG’s Uwe Gensheimer for him to finish as top scorer of the 2016/17 season.

Teams by age average

Teams by height average

Teams by weight average

PGE Vive Kielce Sporting CP Dinamo Bucuresti HC Motor Zaporozhye SG Flensburg-Handewitt HC Vardar FC Barcelona Lassa HC Meshkov Brest Kadetten Schaffhausen Telekom Veszprém HC THW Kiel Rhein-Neckar Löwen HBC Nantes Orlen Wisla Plock HC PPD Zagreb Rk Gorenje Velenje Besiktas Mogaz HT Abanca Ademar Leon Skjern Handbold Aalborg Handbold Paris Saint-Germain Handball IFK Kristianstad Elverum Handball MOL-Pick Szeged Montpellier HB HC Metalurg Chekhovskie Medvedi RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

29,2 28,7 28,1 28,0 27,7 27,6 27,5 27,3 27,0 26,5 26,5 25,7 25,4 25,2 25,0 24,9 24,9 24,7 24,6 24,6 24,4 23,9 23,6 23,3 23,2 22,1 22,0 21,5

Orlen Wisla Plock MOL-Pick Szeged THW Kiel RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HC PPD Zagreb HC Motor Zaporozhye Aalborg Handbold Dinamo Bucuresti Paris Saint-Germain Handball Rhein-Neckar Löwen SG Flensburg-Handewitt HC Vardar Telekom Veszprém HC PGE Vive Kielce Kadetten Schaffhausen Chekhovskie Medvedi Elverum Handball HC Meshkov Brest FC Barcelona Lassa Rk Gorenje Velenje HBC Nantes HC Metalurg Montpellier HB Besiktas Mogaz HT Skjern Handbold IFK Kristianstad Sporting CP Abanca Ademar Leon

195,2 193,8 193,5 193,1 192,9 192,8 192,7 192,6 192,6 192,6 192,4 192,4 192,4 192,3 192,1 191,8 191,8 191,5 191,2 191,1 191 191 191 190,6 190,2 189,9 189,4 188,5

HC Vardar Dinamo Bucuresti Telekom Veszprém HC Elverum Handball Skjern Handbold SG Flensburg-Handewitt THW Kiel Aalborg Handbold PGE Vive Kielce Rhein-Neckar Löwen Kadetten Schaffhausen RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko MOL-Pick Szeged FC Barcelona Lassa Orlen Wisla Plock HC PPD Zagreb IFK Kristianstad HC Motor Zaporozhye Paris Saint-Germain Handball Rk Gorenje Velenje HC Meshkov Brest Sporting CP Montpellier HB Besiktas Mogaz HT HBC Nantes HC Metalurg Chekhovskie Medvedi Abanca Ademar Leon

97,2 95,9 95,9 95,9 95,5 94,7 94,3 94,2 93,8 93,8 92,8 92,8 92,7 92,6 92,3 92,2 92 91,6 91,5 91,4 91,2 90,8 90,5 90,2 90,1 90 88 85,9

CL average

25,5

CL average

191,9

CL average

92,5

Facts and figueres of the group phase

Facts and figures of the group phase Youngest

15,5 years old Nik Cirovic RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko / SLO

Nik Cirovic Tadej Kljun Anze Blagotinsek Sevket Yagmuroglu Bence Batky Evon Mohlin Ferdi Basboga Marcell Horvath Teo Jezernik Miljan Vujovic Martin Jozsef Tökes Theo Muller Domen Makuc Hugo Svensson Stiven Thorsteinsson

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Besiktas Mogaz HT MOL-Pick Szeged IFK Kristianstad Besiktas Mogaz HT MOL-Pick Szeged RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Rk Gorenje Velenje MOL-Pick Szeged Montpellier HB RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko IFK Kristianstad Elverum Handball

SLO SLO SLO TUR HUN SWE TUR HUN SLO MNE HUN FRA SLO SWE NOR

15,5 16,4 16,4 16,7 16,7 16,8 16,8 17,0 17,0 17,0 17,0 17,1 17,2 17,2 17,3

THW Kiel Telekom Veszprém HC Abanca Ademar Leon Sporting CP Sporting CP Abanca Ademar Leon MOL-Pick Szeged Abanca Ademar Leon HC Vardar Skjern Handbold Telekom Veszprém HC Paris Saint-Germain Handball HC Vardar Aalborg Handbold Abanca Ademar Leon

SLO HUN ESP POR POR ESP SLO ESP MKD DEN HUN FRA CRO DEN ESP

174 175 175 176 176 176 176 177 177 178 178 178 178 178 178

Telekom Veszprém HC Motor Zaporozhye HC Meshkov Brest Telekom Veszprém HC Abanca Ademar Leon Orlen Wisla Plock HC Vardar MOL-Pick Szeged Chekhovskie Medvedi Paris Saint-Germain Handball FC Barcelona Lassa THW Kiel HC Vardar THW Kiel Sporting CP

HUN UKR BLR HUN ESP POL MKD HUN RUS FRA ESP SLO SRB AUT POR

Shortest

174 cm Miha Zarabec THW Kiel / SLO

Miha Zarabec Balazs Molnar Gonzalo Perez Arce Bruno Gaspar Francisco Tavares Jaime Fernandez Fernandez Stas Skube Juan Antonio Lorenzana Martin Popovski Anders Eggert Magnussen Benedek Szakaly Edouard Kempf Ivan Cupic Patrick Wiesmach Larsen Rodrigo Perez Arce

Lightest

65 kg Benedek Szakaly Telekom Veszprém / HUN

Benedek Szakaly Artem Kozakevych Andrei Yurynok Balazs Molnar Gonzalo Perez Arce Michal Daszek Martin Popovski Roland Selmeczi Albert Gumarov Sadou Ntanzi Aleix Gomez Abello Miha Zarabec Janja Vojvodic Raul Santos Bruno Gaspar

65 68 70 70 70 70 70 70 71 71 71 72 72 72 72

Facts and figueres of the group phase

Oldest

44,1 years old Jesper Larsson IFK Kristianstad / SWE

Jesper Larsson Nikola Marinovic Thierry Omeyer Juan Antonio Garcia Lorenzana Thomas Klitgaard Mattias Andersson Jose Manuel Sierra Mendez Tonci Valcic Slawomir Szmal Arnaud Siffert Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson Gonzalo Matias Carou Marcel Renato Sulic Arpad Sterbik Capar Daniel Narcisse

IFK Kristianstad Kadetten Schaffhausen Paris Saint-Germain Handball Abanca Ademar Leon Skjern Handbold SG Flensburg-Handewitt MOL-Pick Szeged HC PPD Zagreb PGE Vive Kielce HBC Nantes Rhein-Neckar Löwen Abanca Ademar Leon Telekom Veszprém HC HC Vardar Paris Saint-Germain Handball

SWE AUT FRA ESP DEN SWE ESP CRO POL FRA ISL ESP CRO ESP FRA

44,1 41,0 40,8 40,0 39,7 39,4 39,3 39,2 38,9 38,7 38,1 38,1 37,9 37,8 37,7

HC Vardar Orlen Wisla Plock Elverum Handball Elverum Handball HC PPD Zagreb HC Motor Zaporozhye HC Meshkov Brest Orlen Wisla Plock Telekom Veszprém HC Chekhovskie Medvedi Paris Saint-Germain Handball Sporting CP FC Barcelona Lassa Elverum Handball HC Motor Zaporozhye

MKD POL ISL DEN CRO BLR BLR POL HUN RUS FRA CRO POL NOR RUS

215 212 210 210 210 210 208 208 207 207 206 206 206 206 205

HC Vardar HC Vardar Rhein-Neckar Löwen RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Elverum Handball Skjern Handbold RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Besiktas Mogaz HT FC Barcelona Lassa HC Vardar Paris Saint-Germain Handball HC Vardar Sporting CP Telekom Veszprém HC Telekom Veszprém HC

MKD SRB ESP SLO DEN DEN CRO TUR POL ESP SWE BRA CRO HUN SLO

135 132 128 121 121 120 120 120 120 119 118 118 118 116 116

Tallest

215 cm Dainis Kristopans HC Vardar / MKD

Dainis Kristopans Tomasz Gebala Thrainn Orri Jonsson Kristian Krag Orsted Josip Vekic Aliaksei Shynkel Pavel Darafeyeu Mateusz Piechowski Laszlo Nagy Evgeny Dzemin Robin Dourte Matej Asanin Kamil Syprzak Aleksander Borresen Lev Tcelishchev

Heaviest

135 kg Dainis Kristopans HC Vardar / MKD

Dainis Kristopans Strahinja Milic Rafael Baena Gonzalez Matic Suholeznik Kristian Krag Orsted Emil Nielsen Kristian Beciri Mehmet Demirezen Kamil Syprzak Arpad Sterbik Capar Jesper Nielsen Rogerio Ferreira Moraes Matej Asanin Laszlo Nagy Blaz Blagotinsek

Players by countries

Players by countries ROU:

FRA:

UKR:

SLO:

DEN:

BIH:

CRO:

MNE:

HUN:

BRA:

ESP:

IRI:

SWE:

AUT:

RUS:

ITA:

GER:

TUN:

SRB:

CUB:

MKD:

LTU:

NOR:

NED:

BLR:

CZE:

POL:

EGY:

SUI:

FAR:

TUR:

LAT:

POR:

SVK:

39 35

ISL:

ULTIMATE Completely controlled bounce. Extreme durability. Optimal roundness. Perfect grip and soft feel. Official match ball of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

select-sport.com 29

Group A preview

Group A preview VARDAR AND BARCELONA LOCK HORNS AGAIN VELUX EHF Champions league holders Vardar and the premier club competition’s most trophy-laden team Barcelona, who clashed in last season’s memorable semi-final, will meet again in the group stage. Rhein-Neckar Löwen and MOL-Pick Szeged are the other teams to watch out for in a star-studded Group A, also featuring HC PPD Zagreb, Orlen Wisla Plock, IFK Kristianstad and HBC Nantes. The odds are that handball fans around Europe cannot wait for Europe’s premier club competition to start, especially a compelling Group A which should offer a real treat with reigning champions HC Vardar and Spanish giants FC Barcelona Lassa leading a super-strong field. Memories of their high-octane semi-final clash in Cologne, with the Macedonian side winning 26:25 en route to clinching their maiden Champions League trophy after a stunning 24:23 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain Handball in the final, are still fresh in the minds of all those who had the privilege to watch last season’s VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. There is little doubt that Vardar and Barcelona will be the strong favourites for a top-two finish and their doubleheader should in all likelihood decide who wins the group and gains an automatic quarter-final berth.

RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO Z A G R E B

Vardar have held on almost to all their key players who carried the club to a historic success as Alex Dujshebaev departed to Kielce to join his father and new coach Talant. The Croatian trio of Luka Cindric, Igor Karacic and Ivan Cupic remain the team’s backbone alongside Spaniards Joan Canellas, Jorge Maqueda and the seemingly evergreen goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik. Towering Latvian sharpshooter Dainis Kristopans, who arrived from Belarus powerhouse Meshkov Brest, will reinforce a formidable backcourt, with Russians Timur Dibirov and Daniil Shishkarev providing pace on the wings. Barcelona, on the other hand, have released prolific scorer Kiril Lazarov and line player Jesper Noddesbo, with Lazarov bound to return to the Blaugrana Arena with his new club Nantes while Noddesbo joined Denmark’s Silkeborg. The Catalan side, who have a record eight VELUX EHF Champions League titles to their name, will vest big expectations in newcommer Jure Dolenec, a versatile Slovenian back who should give them more options in attack while also tightening the defence. Rhein-Neckar Löwen, who won their second successive Bundesliga title but again failed to spark in Europe as they crashed out of the Champions League Round of 16 against perennial German rivals THW Kiel, will be under pressure to produce a better campaign this term.

Group A preview

A long list of household names should guarantee passage into the knockout stages again, but while reaching the Last 16 is a minimum requirement the club’s fans will expect more, perhaps even a FINAL4 berth. The task should not be beyond an outfit boasting the likes of Mads Mensah Larsen, Andreas Palicka, Alexander Petersson as well as new arrivals Jerry Tollbring and Momir Rnic, with the dynamic Swede and the crafty Serbian back expected to boost the Mannheim Lions’ scoring firepower. With Vardar, Barcelona and Rhein-Neckar Löwen designated to battle it out for the top three spots, the remaining three berths securing knockout stage handball will be up for grabs between the other five contenders. Szeged, Wisla and Zagreb should have the edge over Kristianstad and Nantes, but the five-way race for three berths in the business end of the competition may well go down to the wire as it did in past seasons. Zagreb have held on to their key backcourt performers Stipe Mandalinic, David Miklavcic (injured), Domagoj Pavlovic, as well as the Valcic brothers, with influential Serbian winger Dobrivoje Markovic also expected to make an impact in the Croatian side’s bid to reach the knockout rounds for a fourth successive season. Nantes will have high hopes of emulating last season’s success and reaching the Last 16 with Lazarov in their ranks, though it may be a more difficult task this time as they have been promoted to the upper tier consisting of two eight-team groups. It means they will have to slug it out with Europe’s best as opposed to last season, when they enjoyed a smooth ride in one of two six-team pools consisting of second-echelon opposition. Szeged, consistent knockout stage participants, will aim to at least match last season’s impressive accomplishment of reaching the quarter-finals, while they will also be ready to pounce on any opportunity of making the FINAL4 for the first time in the club’s history. Wisla, who crashed out in the group phase last term after three consecutive Last 16 berths, are hopeful of putting last season’s fiasco behind them but in a group as fiercely competitive as this, getting through to the knockout stage will require performances at the top of the team’s limits. Since their first VELUX EHF Champions League adventure two years ago, Kristianstad have already secured a firm place among the continent’s elite. And the Swedish champions are here again to live up to their reputation as a Scandinavian handball-talent hatchery. Even though they will have to cope with the loss of their top scorer from last season, Jerry Tollbring, new home-made rising stars will be eager to grab the chance to prove themselves against European heavyweights. Zoran Milosavljevic

Group A preview

Group A head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group A opponents in the EC FC Barcelona Lassa vs HC Vardar 9-1-1 (345:269) 19:3 18.10.2003 16.11.2003 09.10.2004 06.11.2004 11.11.2009 21.11.2009 21.09.2013 30.11.2013 14.11.2015 22.11.2015 03.06.2017

FC Barcelona vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group B Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Group B FC Barcelona vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group A Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Group A HC Vardar PRO – Skopje vs FC Barcelona Borges, EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona Borges vs HC Vardar PRO – Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group D HC Vardar – Skopje vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C FC Barcelona vs HC Vardar – Skopje, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C FC Barcelona Lassa vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final

41:19 (19:8) 27:35 (16:14) 31:22 (16:12) 12:26 (8:15) 28:35 (17:16) 35:28 (15:13) 29:29 (15:19) 30:23 (14:11) 31:30 (16:13) 25:27 (15:12) 26:25 (13:12)

FC Barcelona Lassa vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 3-1-3 (207:201) 7:7 25.09.2010 20.02.2011 28.05.2011 20.04.2014 26.04.2014 20.09.2015 05.03.2016

FC Barcelona Borges vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B FC Barcelona Lassa vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

30:31 (13:14) 38:38 (22:17) 28:30 (12:12) 38:31 (22:14) 31:24 (15:11) 22:21 (10:9) 26:20 (11:10)

FC Barcelona Lassa vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 17-1-1 (564:433) 35:3 08.02.1996 26.03.1996 12.04.1997 19.04.1997 18.04.1998 25.04.1998 01.11.1998 10.04.1999 17.04.1999 24.02.2001 03.03.2001 27.03.2010 03.04.2010 22.10.2011 18.02.2012 20.10.2012 16.02.2013 09.04.2015 18.04.2015

FC Barcelona vs Croatia Banka Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 26:16 (14:6) Croatia Banka Zagreb vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 21:23 (7:11) FC Barcelona vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 31:22 (17:6) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 23:30 (9:14) FC Barcelona vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 28:18 (10:10) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 22:28 (9:10) FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb, European Championship for Club Teams – Final 28:22 (11:9) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 22:22 (14:13) FC Barcelona vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 29:18 (14:7) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 17:29 (9:12) FC Barcelona vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 26:23 12:10) HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 26:33 (12:17) FC Barcelona Borges vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 36:33 (17:18) Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 30:31 (14:13) FC Barcelona Intersport vs Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 29:30 (14:15) HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 21:32 (12:13) FC Barcelona Intersport vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 35:25 (19:10) HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 23:25 (10:14) FC Barcelona vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 43:21 (23:10)

FC Barcelona Lassa vs Orlen Wisla Plock 3-0-1 (125:110) 6:2 05.10.2014 06.12.2014 25.09.2016 11.03.2017

FC Barcelona vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Orlen Wisla Plock vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Orlen Wisla Plock vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona Lassa vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

30:25 (13:12) 34:31 (17:15) 23:28 (12:11) 36:28 (17:15)

Group A preview

FC Barcelona Lassa vs MOL-Pick Szeged 13-0-3 (444:377) 26:6 1977/1978 1977/1978 23.03.1994 06.04.1994 08.02.1997 15.02.1997 23.10.2004 13.11.2004 08.10.2005 22.10.2005 23.02.2008 15.03.2008 18.11.2012 24.11.2012 04.10.2015 21.02.2016

Szegedi SC vs FC Barcelona, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 FC Barcelona vs Szegedi SC, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 Pick Szeged vs FC Barcelona, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final FC Barcelona vs Pick Szeged, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final SC Pick Szeged vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona vs SC Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final SC Pick Szeged vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona vs SC Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona-Cifec vs SC Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D SC Pick Szeged vs FC Barcelona-Cifec, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Pick Szeged vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 4 FC Barcelona vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 4 Pick Szeged vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona Intersport vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D MOL-Pick Szeged vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B FC Barcelona Lassa vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

27:22 (0:0) 15:13 (0:0) 22:24 (8:13) 19:14 (10:8) 25:26 (12:12) 40:17 (19:5) 22:21 (11:13) 35:26 (19:11) 27:20 (13:13) 26:28 (12:17) 28:33 (15:14) 28:32 (13:16) 28:33 (15:18) 33:24 (16:13) 28:30 (12:13) 30:25 (19:14)

FC Barcelona Lassa vs IFK Kristianstad 2-0-0 (65:56) 4:0 26.09.2015 25.02.2016

FC Barcelona Lassa vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

34:32 (17:16) 24:31 (12:19)

FC Barcelona Lassa vs HBC Nantes No previous encounters in European competitions

HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 4-0-2 (174:156) 8:4 12.10.2014 21.02.2015 10.10.2015 11.02.2016 17.11.2016 26.11.2016

HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

28:25 (13:13) 28:35 (13:20) 25:19 (11:10) 28:27 (14:15) 27:33 (16:17) 26:29 (15:15)

HC Vardar vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 2-1-5 (205:223) 5:11 10.11.2002 08.12.2002 03.04.2005 10.04.2005 07.10.2007 10.11.2007 22.10.2016 11.02.2017

Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs RK Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group D RK Zagreb vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group D Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs RK Zagreb, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final RK Zagreb vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs HC Vardar PRO – Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group C HC Vardar PRO – Skopje vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group C HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

25:28 (13:11) 30:25 (17:9) 23:21 (10:11) 34:26 (16:11) 28:28 (10:16) 26:34 (12:16) 28:27 (12:17) 25:20 (14:8)

HC Vardar vs Orlen Wisla Plock 2-1-1 (112:106) 5:3 14.03.2015 21.03.2015 16.03.2016 26.03.2016

Orlen Wisla Plock vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 HC Vardar vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Orlen Wisla Plock vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 HC Vardar vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16

32:26 (14:12) 31:20 (14:10) 30:30 (16:14) 25:24 (13:15)

Group A preview

HC Vardar vs MOL-Pick Szeged 4-1-1 (153:149) 9:3 16.10.2004 30.10.2004 27.09.2015 28.02.2016 16.10.2016 18.02.2017

Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group A SC Pick Szeged vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group A HC Vardar vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

24:24 (9:10) 25:18 (13:8) 27:23 (11:11) 29:31 (14:13) 30:27 (16:15) 21:23 (11:12)

HC Vardar vs IFK Kristianstad 4-0-0 (128:113) 8:0 04.10.2015 20.02.2016 25.09.2016 12.03.2017

IFK Kristianstad vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

25:30 (13:15) 38:36 (21:19) 23:28 (12:15) 32:29 (17:13)

HC Vardar vs HBC Nantes No previous encounters in European competitions

Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 5-3-2 (279:268) 13:7 04.10.2008 13.11.2008 27.03.2011 31.03.2011 14.11.2013 23.11.2013 19.03.2016 27.03.2016 10.11.2016 01.12.2016

HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group H Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group H HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

33:33 (16:14) 27:27 (11:15) 28:31 (12:15) 27:27 (11:9) 34:26 (21:11) 24:28 (12:13) 23:24 (12:10) 29:31 (15:13) 25:24 (14:10) 25:21 (10:15)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Orlen Wisla Plock 2-0-0 (75:48) 4:0 16.10.2008 20.11.2008

Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Wisla Plock SA, EHF Champions League – Group H Wisla Plock SA vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group H

38:25 (20:14) 23:37 (9:20)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MOL-Pick Szeged 3-1-4 (228:230) 7:9 12.10.2008 09.11.2008 13.03.2015 22.03.2015 17.10.2015 05.12.2015 25.09.2016 08.03.2017

Pick Szeged vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group H Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group H Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 MOL-Pick Szeged vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

24:28 (17:13) 35:28 (15:13) 30:34 (17:16) 31:29 16:13) 30:25 (13:13) 30:24 (14:12) 28:28 (13:12) 24:30 (12:14)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs IFK Kristianstad 3-0-1 (119:110) 6:2 22.10.2015 26.11.2015 12.10.2016 19.02.2017

IFK Kristianstad vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

32:29 (20:12) 29:20 (15:10) 30:29 (17:13) 29:31 (16:15)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HBC Nantes 1-0-0 (26:24) 2:0 19.05.2013

HBC Nantes vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Cup Final Tournament – Final

24:26 (12:16)

Group A preview

HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs Orlen Wisla Plock 3-1-0 (113:89) 7:1 12.10.2008 08.11.2008 17.10.2015 05.12.2015

HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Wisla Plock SA, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group H Wisla Plock SA vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group H HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Orlen Wisla Plock vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

34:17 (15:7) 24:27 (12:16) 29:25 (13:13) 23:23 (11:12)

HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs MOL-Pick Szeged 4-2-4 (267:263) 10:10 23.11.1996 18.01.1997 08.11.2003 30.11.2003 18.10.2008 22.11.2008 29.09.2012 01.12.2012 01.10.2016 04.03.2017

SC Pick Szeged vs Badel Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group B Badel Zagreb vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group B SC Pick Szeged vs RK Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group E RK Zagreb vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group E Pick Szeged vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group H HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group H HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Pick Szeged vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

22:22 (12:13) 29:29 (17:13) 27:26 (15:12) 26:25 (15:13) 30:36 (14:15) 29:25 (14:14) 30:27 (15:8) 26:24 (16:10) 24:26 (12:12) 26:21 (14:12)

HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs IFK Kristianstad 1-0-1 (48:52) 2:2) 08.10.2016 25.02.2017

IFK Kristianstad vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

29:22 (13:10) 26:23 (13:11)

HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs HBC Nantes No previous encounters in European competitions

Orlen Wisla Plock vs MOL-Pick Szeged 0-0-2 (33:52) 0:4 05.10.2008 15.11.2008

Wisla Plock SA vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Group H Pick Szeged vs Wisla Plock SA, EHF Champions League – Group H

16:26 (8:14) 26:17 (15:8)

Orlen Wisla Plock vs IFK Kristianstad No previous encounters in European competitions

Orlen Wisla Plock vs HBC Nantes No previous encounters in European competitions

MOL-Pick Szeged vs IFK Kristianstad 6-0-0 (186:150) 12:0 12.02.2014 29.03.2014 14.11.2015 18.11.2015 19.11.2016 26.11.2016

IFK Kristianstad vs Pick Szeged, EHF Cup – Group C Pick Szeged vs IFK Kristianstad, EHF Cup – Group C MOL-Pick Szeged vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

23:26 (12:13) 29:18 (16:9) 35:28 (19:14) 32:34 (19:16) 21:29 (12:15) 33:28 (20:17)

MOL-Pick Szeged vs HBC Nantes 1-0-1 (51:58) 2:2 09.02.2014 23.03.2014

Pick Szeged vs HBC Nantes, EHF Cup – Group C HBC Nantes vs Pick Szeged, EHF Cup – Group C

28:27 (18:13) 31:23 (15:10)

IFK Kristianstad vs HBC Nantes 0-0-2 (46:52) 0:4 23.02.2014 15.03.2014

IFK Kristianstad vs HBC Nantes, EHF Cup – Group C HBC Nantes vs IFK Kristianstad, EHF Cup – Group C

23:27 (12:15) 25:23 (15:11)

FC Barcelona Lassa

GROUP A

FC Barcelona Lassa Unbeaten for years and enjoying a 158-match winning streak on home court, FC Barcelona Lassa have the same goals as ever this season: winning the VELUX EHF Champions League, or at least making it to Cologne. The squad of Xavi Pascual did not change much. Jure Dolenec has replaced Kiril Lazarov on the right back, while experienced Jesper Noddesbö (replaced by Alexis Borges) and Filip Jicha have left.

Club Address

FC Barcelona Lassa Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n 08028 Barcelona Spain Media contact

Pau Campana +34 683 567251 pau.campana@fcbarcelona.cat www.fcbarcelona.cat FCBHandbol @FCBHandbol

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: light blue Player short: light blue GK shirt: red or yellow

Knowing that no team will beat them in the domestic competitions, Barcelona can fully focus on the Champions League. Some say that it is an advantage – compared to Germany, France or Denmark – as players can save their energy. Others say it is an disadvantage as they have no challenges and cannot prepare against opponents of similar strength or, as team captain Victor Tomas puts it: “If we win the Champions League, it was an advantage. If we fail, it was a disadvantage.” Barcelona tried everything to sign Aron Palmarsson already for the 2017/18 season but it looks like the transfer will take place next year. Though Filip Jicha played mostly in defence last season, the now retired Czech would have been an option for the playmaker position. With Dane Lasse Andersson still recovering from injury, Raul Entrerrios remains the only Barca playmaker for now. Does the departure of goal machine Kiril Lazarov have an influence on the tactics? Definitely, though Slovenian Jure Dolenec is a famous shooter, too. Maybe the overall number of Barcelona goals will decrease. But as Dolenec can also play in defence, there will be no need for a constant player change from attack to defence. It will make the defence more movable. And Barca’s goals tally will be spread out more. Past achievements

Dark Player shirt: blue and red Player short: blue GK shirt: green or black

VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 21 Winner (8): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11, 2014/15 Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13 Semi-final (3): 2007/08, 2013/14, 2016/17 Quarter-final (4): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2015/16 Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Main Round (1): 2008/09 Other EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up 2001/02 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, 1994/95 Spanish league: 24 titles (1969, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988-92, 1996-2000, 2003, 2006, 2011-17) Spanish Cup winner: 21 titles Asobal Cup winner: 12 titles

Playing hall Palau Blaugrana Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n 08028 Barcelona Spain Capacity: 7,250

FC Barcelona Lassa

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat

12 46 82

Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals

Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

17:43 (9:21) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (a), 19.11.2011 31:21 (13:10) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 23.02.2007 41:31 (20:15) v THW Kiel GER (a), 06.04.2008 12 matches (24.04.2011 – 12.02.2012) 16 matches (24.01.1996 – 16.03.1997) 2 matches (25.03.2000 – 22.04.2000) 2 matches (16.10.2004 – 23.10.2004) 2 matches (11.12.2004 – 05.03.2005) 2 matches (15.03.2008 – 06.04.2008) 2 matches (23.11.2008 – 14.02.2009) 2 matches (30.05.2010 – 25.09.2010) 2 matches (03.06.2017 – 04.06.2017) 3 matches (30.05.2010 – 03.10.2010) 46 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 41 v THW Kiel GER 41:31L (a), 06.04.2008 41 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 39:41L (a), 31.05.2014 82 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 21 v ABC Braga POR 21:21D (a), 09.11.1997 21 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:21L (a), 23.10.2004 21 v Portland San Antonio ESP 25:21L (a), 25.02.2006 21 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 31:21L (a), 23.02.2007 21 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 22:21L (a), 20.09.2015 11 v Aalborg Handball DEN 11:31W (a), 15.03.2015 38 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 23:15W (h), 20.04.1996 38 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1995/96 FC Barcelona ESP 1996/97 FC Barcelona ESP 1997/98 FC Barcelona ESP 1998/99 FC Barcelona ESP 1999/00 FC Barcelona ESP 2000/01 FC Barcelona ESP 2003/04 FC Barcelona ESP 2004/05 FC Barcelona Cifec ESP 2005/06 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 2006/07 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 2007/08 FC Barcelona ESP 2008/09 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 2009/10 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 2010/11 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 2011/12 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 2012/13 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 2013/14 FC Barcelona ESP 2014/15 FC Barcelona ESP 2015/16 FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 2016/17 FC Barcelona Lassa ESP Total

8 12 12 12 12 12 8 14 10 10 14 10 16 16 14 16 16 16 16 18 262

5 2 10 1 9 1 8 3 10 0 8 2 5 1 8 0 9 0 8 0 11 0 6 0 13 1 10 3 11 0 13 0 12 1 14 1 12 1 13 1 195 18

GF GA

1 1 2 1 2 2 2 6 1 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 3 1 3 4 49

213:173 +40 358:264 +94 358:284 +74 357:289 +68 345:271 +74 316:281 +35 262:212 +50 400:360 +40 293:244 +49 314:263 +51 475:407 +68 307:275 +32 545:461 +84 501:451 +50 459:357 +102 488:404 +84 535:426 +109 527:408 +119 480:431 +49 517:460 +57 8050:6721 +1329

PTS

Stage1994/95

12:4 21:3 19:5 19:5 20:4 18:6 11:5 16:12 18:2 16:4 22:6 12:8 27:5 23:9 22:6 26:6 25:7 29:3 25:7 27:9 408:116

Winner Winner Winner Winner Winner Runner-up 1/8-finals Winner 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/2-finals 3rd MR Gr. 4 Runner-up Winner 1/4-finals Runner-up Third Place Winner 1/4-finals Fourth Place

FC Barcelona Lassa

Xavi Pascual coach •

played for a lengthy period for Barcelona and some other Spanish clubs, before becoming the goalkeeper coach at the CL record winners in 2005

•

in 2009 he succeded Manolo Cadenas at Barcelona’s helm

•

in June 2016 he signed a four-year contract with the Romanian national team

•

in a historic season 2014/15 season won all the titles with Barca emulating Valero Rivera’s (7 out of 7) success in 1999/00

EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015

Newcomers: Jure Dolenec (Montpellier/FRA) Yanis Lenne (Sélestat/FRA) Alexis Borges (FC Porto/POR)

Left the club: Jesper Noddesbo (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg/DEN) Kiril Lazarov (Nantes/FRA) Joan Saubich (retired) Antonio García (CSM Bucharest/ROU)

FC Barcelona Lassa

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

Height Weight

11 Lasse

Andersson

DEN

Left Back

11.03.1994

København, DEN

195

13 Aitor

Arino Bengoechea ESP

Left Wing

05.10.1992

Penarth, AUS

184

23 Jure

Dolenec

SLO

Right Back

06.12.1988

Kranj, SLO

190

Entrerrios

ESP

Centre Back

12.02.1981

Gijon, ESP

195

36 Gerard

Forns Galve

ESP

Goalkeeper

26.12.1994

Sant Boi de Llobregat, ESP 185

41 Aleix

Gomez Abello

ESP

Right Wing

07.05.1997

Sabadell, ESP

182

22 Alexis

Hernandez Borges POR

Line Player

06.10.1991

Habana, CUB

195

115

42 Wael

Jallouz

TUN

Left Back

03.05.1991

Grombalia, TUN

197

32 Yanis

Lenne

FRA

Right Wing

29.06.1996

Colmar, FRA

183

24 Dika

Mem

FRA

Right Back

31.08.1997

Paris, FRA

194

27 Viran

Morros de Argila

ESP

Line Player

15.12.1983

Barcelona, ESP

197

19 Timothey

N’guessan

FRA

Left Back

18.09.1992

Massy, FRA

192

Perez de Vargas

ESP

Goalkeeper

10.01.1991

Toledo, ESP

189

12 Borko

Ristovski

MKD Goalkeeper

02.11.1982

Skopje, MKD

190

17 Valero

Rivera Folch

ESP

Left Wing

22.02.1985

Barcelona, ESP

189

Sorhaindo

FRA

Line Player

07.06.1984

La Trinite, FRA

192

100

Syprzak

POL

Line Player

23.07.1991

Plock, POL

206

120

Tomas

ESP

Right Wing

15.02.1985

Barcelona, ESP

178

Raul

Gonzalo

10 Cedric 21 Kamil C 8 Victor

FC Barcelona Lassa

Gonzalo Perez de Vargas goalkeeper • returned to the Catalan club in 2014 after having played for BM Granollers and Tolouse to gain more experience • in 2016/17 voted the best goalkeeper of the CL season and in ASOBAL League • has represented Spain in all age categories; in the senior national team shares the position of goalkeeper with PSG goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales EC Trophies: CL 2011, 2015 EURO: B 2014, S 2016

Valero Rivera left wing • returned to Barcelona, where he played until 2005, in summer 2016 after six years with Nantes • top scorer of the EHF EURO 2016 (48 goals), voted WCh 2015 best left wing and MVP in French League in 2012; also best left-wing in the French League 2012 & 2013 • his father, also named Valero Rivera, currently coaches Qatar EC trophies: CL 2005 EURO: B 2014, S 2016, WCh: G 2013

Wael Jallouz left back • key player in the Tunisian national team • became the first African player in the FINAL4 in 2014 in his first season with Kiel • joined Barcelona in 2014 from Kiel, this summer he extends his contract with the Catalan club until 2021 • became a key player for FC Barcelona on his second season at the Catalan club thanks to his progress EC trophies: CL 2015

Virran Morros line player/defence •

named best defender in the Spanish league for the last five seasons

•

has won the CL three times: in 2008 and 2009 with Ciudad Real and 2015 with Barcelona

•

started out as a young player at Barcelona and left in 2003. Returned in 2011 after stints at Teucro, Ademar Leon and Ciudad Real

•

he has a contract until end of the 2017/18 season

EC Trophies: CL 2008, 2009, 2015 EURO: B 2014, S 2016, WCh: G 2013, S 2011

FC Barcelona Lassa

Raul Entrerrios centre back • one of the household names in Spanish handball • EHF EURO 2016 MVP and best centre back of the ASOBAL League 2016/17 • has played for three Spanish clubs (Leon, Valladolid and FC Barcelona); joined the Catalan team in 2010 and has won the CL twice (2011 and 2015) • his contract expires at the end of the 2017/18 season EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015, Cup Winner’s Cup 2005, 2009 OG: B 2008, EURO: S 2006, 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2015, B 2011

Cedric Sorhaindo line player • key player in defence for Barcelona and the French national team • arrived in Barcelona in 2010 as an unknown player and now is one of the best in the world in his position with a lot of experience • considers coach Xavi Pascual as a father and Barcelona as a club for life

EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015 EURO: G 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2015, 2017, OG: G 2012, S 2016

Jure Dolenec right back • joined FC Barcelona this summer from Montpellier and has a five-year contract • best right back in the French league in the 2016/17 season • eplacing Kiril Lazarov, the top scorer of the Catalan club in the last season • uses his original styles much to his advantage, he’s very efficient in small spaces and likes to shoot through the defence WCh: B 2017

Victor Tomas right wing • team captain, one of the most beloved players for his courage and passion • best right wing of the EHF CL 2016/17 and also in ASOBAL League • joined Barcelona’s youth team in 1998 and has not played for any other club • reaches 50th trophies with FC Barcelona, with 3 CL (2005, 2011 and 2015)

EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, 2015, EHF Cup: 2003 OG: B 2008, EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2013

HC Vardar

GROUP A

HC Vardar They sensationally took the trophy last season, beating Barcelona and PSG within 24 hours, each with a buzzer-beating winner, during their maiden voyage at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. Now HC Vardar are the hunted, not the hunters, for the first time. The Macedonian and Champions League champions hope to show that they are no one-hit wonder.

Club Address

HC Vardar Marko Savovski blv. ASNOM num.1, 1000 Skopje, MKD FYR Macedonia Media contact

Biljana Crvenkoska +38971247214 biljana@rkvardar.com www.rkvardar.com.mk rkvardar @HCVardar

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red

Everyone wants to beat them. In any sport, teams are extra motivated when facing the champions. All eyes in Europe are on Vardar after their triumph. Many teams like Hamburg, Flensburg or Kielce failed on their way to Cologne after winning the trophy. Vardar can prove that they have the strength to stand the heat and the pressure. “It will be more difficult than last season, as we are the champions and the pressure is on us to perform like champions every game,” team captain Stojanche Stoilov says. “But I think the team can match those expectations. The objective now is different, as we have to defend the crown but to do that first we have to secure a spot at the FINAL4.” One thing is different in Skopje: the fans. They propel you to heaven when you win, but they wish you to hell after three defeats. There is only black and white, no grey. Vardar are three-time SEHA Liga champions and have now taken the biggest trophy in international club competitions. Is this team ready to rumble again, do the players still have the hunger? It is the job of coach Raul Gonzalez to keep this fire burning at the highest level. Still only 24, Alex Dujshebaev had grown to one of the big Vardar stars. In his three years at Skopje he turned from boy to man, became a leading figure. It wasn’t just the goals he scored, he was a kind of extended arm of coach Raul Gonzalez on court. Now he has joined his father in Kielce. More shoulders will have to carry the responsibility now, including his successor Dainis Kristopans. Past achievements

Dark Player shirt: black/red Player short: black GK shirt: green, black

VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 12 Winners (1): 2016/17 Quarter-final (3): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Last 32 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1998/99, 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-finals 2006/07

Playing hall Jane Sandanski Skopje FYR Macedonia Capacity: 5,000

SEHA league: 3 titles (2012, 2014, 2017) Macedonian league: 11 titles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) Macedonian cup: 12 titles

HC Vardar

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run

5 40 74

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS

Longest losing run Longest run without win

Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

24:37 (11:19) v Wacker Thun SUI (a), 19.10.2013 41:19 (19:8) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.10.2003 5 matches (12.03.2017 – 04.06.2017) 5 matches (26.04.2014 – 19.10.2014) 5 matches (20.02.2016 – 26.03.2016) 5 matches (12.03.2017 – 04.06.2017) 7 matches (12.10.2003 – 09.10.2004) 8 matches (12.10.2003 – 16.10.2004) 8 matches (03.10.2009 – 20.02.2010) 40 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 40:34W (h), 12.11.2016 41 v FC Barcelona ESP 41:19L (a), 18.10.2003 74 v IFK Kristianstad SWE 38:36W (h), 20.02.2016 74 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 40:34W (h), 12.11.2016 12 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004 19 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 25:19W (h), 10.10.2015 38 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004

VELUX EHF Champions League record

2001/02 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2002/03 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2003/04 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2004/05 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 2007/08 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 2009/10 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 2013/14 HC Vardar – Skopje MKD 2014/15 HC Vardar MKD 2015/16 HC Vardar MKD 2016/17 HC Vardar MKD Total

6 1 1 4 6 2 0 4 6 0 0 6 6 1 2 3 6 2 1 3 10 1 1 8 14 6 3 5 14 8 1 5 18 10 2 6 18 14 0 4 104 45 11 48

GF GA

152:175 –23 152:181 –29 157:210 -53 124:153 -29 161:180 -19 253:316 -63 376:369 +7 421:396 +25 527:486 +41 523:477 +46 2846:2943 –97

PTS

Stage1994/95

3:9 4:8 0:12 4:8 5:7 3:17 15:13 17:11 22:14 28:8 101:107

4th Gr. D 4th Gr. D 4th Gr. B 3rd Gr. A 4th Gr. C 5th Gr. D 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Winner

HC Vardar

Raul Gonzalez Gutierrez coach • • • • • •

former stalwart of BM Valladolid and a member of the Spanish national team started his coaching carrier in Atletico Madrid and Ciudad Real working in team with Talant Dujshebaev replaced Zoran Kastratovic early in the 2013/14 season at Vardar successor of Lino Cevar at the helm of the Macedonian national team voted as best coach for the 2016/17 CL All-star team won the CL in his first participation in the VELUX EHF FINAL4

EC trophies: CL 2017

Newcomers: Dainis Kristopans (Brest Meshkov/BLR)

Left the club: Alex Dujshebaev (PGE Vive Kielce/POL) Petar Angelov (Antalya/TUR) Alexandr Dereven (Spartak Moscow/RUS)

HC Vardar

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight 202

20 Ilija

Abutovic

SRB

Left Back

02.08.1988

Vrbas, SRB

34 Vuko

Borozan

MNE Left Back

09.04.1994

Cetinje, MNE

203

105

21 Joan

CaÃ±ellas Reixach

ESP

Left Back

30.09.1986

St. Maria de Palau, ESP 198

100

25 Luka

Cindric

CRO

Centre Back

05.07.1993

Ogulin, CRO

185

27 Ivan

Cupic

CRO

Right Wing

27.03.1986

Metkovic, CRO

178

31 Timur

Dibirov

RUS

Left Wing

30.07.1983

Petrozavodsk, RUS

180

13 Rogerio

Ferreira Moraes

BRA

Line Player

11.01.1994

Abaetetuba, BRA

204

118

16 Daniel

Gjorgjeski

MKD Goalkeeper

08.12.1993

Gostivar, MKD

189

18 Igor

Karacic

CRO

Centre Back

02.11.1988

Mostar, CRO

10 Dainis

Kristopans

LAT

Right Back

27.09.1990

Ludza, LAT

215

135

15 Jorge

Maqueda Pena

ESP

Right Back

06.02.1988

Toledo, ESP

195

102

93 Mijajlo

Marsenic

SRB

Line Player

09.03.1993

Berane, SRB

202

107

12 Strahinja

Milic

SRB

Goalkeeper

22.12.1990

Pristina, SRB

200

132

Nedanovski

MKD Left Wing

23.06.1985

Resen, MKD

187

Onchev

MKD Left Wing

27.12.1996

Veles, MKD

183

Popovski

MKD Right Wing

26.08.1994

Stip, MKD

177

Kustanay, RUS

190

Vlado

77 Toshe 9

Martin

Shishkarev

RUS

Right Wing

06.07.1988

Arpad

Sterbik Capar

ESP

Goalkeeper

20.11.1979

Senta, SRB

200

119

Stojanche

Stoilov

MKD Line Player

30.04.1987

Skopje, MKD

191

110

Vojvodic

SRB

31.05.1995

Vrbas, SRB

180

33 Daniil 1 C 5

37 Janja

Centre Back

HC Vardar

Arpad Sterbik goalkeeper • one of the world’s best goalkeepers who holds Hungarian, Serbian and Spanish citizenship • after 10 seasons spent in Spain moved from Barcelona in 2014 and signed a four- year contract with Macedonian powerhouse • dozens of international awards incl. 2005 IHF World Handball Player of the Year, MVP of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017, best goalkeeper of the Spanish league five times EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, 2017 WCh: B 1999, B 2001, B 2011, G 2013, EURO: S 2016

Timur Dibirov left wing • in 2013 he joined Vardar as just the second club in his career • first was Chekhovskie Medvedi, with whom he reached the FINAL4 in 2010 • key player of the Russian national team; voted best left wing of at the 2013 WCh • fast breaks specialist and also key in defence; married to one of the greatest Russian players - Irina Poltoratskaya, who steered Vardar’s women’s team to the CL final in 2017 as coach EC trophies: CL 2017, Cup Winners' Cup 2006

Vuko Borozan left back • went through the youth ranks of RK Lovcen, which bred some of Montenegro’s finest • made senior debut in 2012 for Croatian side HRK Karlovac, before rising to acclaim at (then) Bundesliga outfit TuS N-Lübbecke • towering sharpshooter widely regarded among the finest Montenegrin talents ever; made his EURO debut in 2014, aged only 20 (the youngest Montenegro player) • as one of the first names on Lino Červar’s list, he spent the 2014/15 season at Vardar’s bitter rivals Metalurg; won the CL in his first season at Vardar EC trophies: CL 2017

Joan Canellas centre back • top scorer of the EHF EURO 2014 (50 goals in eight matches) • with Barcelona and Ciudad Real Spanish champion and cup winner • twice (2011, 2012) CL finalist with Ciudad Real and Atletico Madrid – the club with which he also won the IHF Super Globe twice (2010, 2012) • came in 2016 from Kiel and signed a three-year contract EC trophies: CL 2017 WCh G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014, S 2016

HC Vardar

Luka Cindric centre back • played football until he was 15, had an invitation to play for the top Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb, but rejected the offer and started playing handball as left wing • his father is a handball coach • played for Ogulin (hometown), Senj, Karlovac and Metalurg • member of youth and junior national teams • best scorer in Croatian league in 2012/13 with 243 goals in 33 matches for Karlovac EC trophies: CL 2017 EURO: B 2016

Stojance Stoilov line player • first choice on the line player position in the Macedonian national team • joined Vardar in 2010 from city rivals Metalurg (after a brief spell in with Odorheiu Secuiesc) - a step that saw his career spiralling upwards • played a brilliant tournament at the EURO 2012 when his team finished 5th • shares his playing time with Mijajlo Marsenic and Rogeiro Ferreira Moraes EC trophies: CL 2017

Dainis Kristopans right back • born in small Latvian town, Ludza, and started his career at the local club Latgols • at the age of 18, moved to Tatran Presov and stayed almost six years in Slovakia, having won the national league five times • left Tatran in February 2015 and spent a few months in Qatar before joining Brest • the tallest player not only in Vardar but together with Angel Montoro in the whole CL • in October 2016, signed three-year contract with Vardar

Ivan Cupic right wing • second top goal scorer at the London 2012 Olympics • named on the All-Star team at the 2009 WCh • despite losing one finger in an accident in 2008 remained an important player of each team he has played for including the national team • signed a four-year contract with Vardar in 2016 • first player to win the FINAL4 two years in a row with Kielce (2016) and Vardar (2017) EC trophies: CL 2016, 2017 OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, 2016

Rhein-Neckar Löwen

GROUP A

Rhein-Neckar Löwen Six years have gone since Rhein-Neckar Löwen’s last (and only) participation in the VELUX EHF FINAL4. After winning the Bundesliga trophy twice in a row and after three early Last 16 eliminations on international turf, Nikolaj Jacobsen’s team will have another chance to progress. This season, their “old lions cage” of Hares in St. Leon Rot will be their second-choice venue besides SAP Arena.

Club Address

Rhein-Neckar Löwen Mollstraße 49a 68165 Mannheim Germany Media contact

Christopher Monz +491744288849 monz@rhein-neckar-loewen.de rhein-neckar-loewen.de rnloewen @RNLoewen

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue GK shirt: red/blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red/white

It was a major surprise when 27-year-old Swede Kim Ekdahl du Rietz announced the end of his handball career. In the last season, the left back was a core figure in Löwen’s defence of the German Bundesliga title. He has now moved back to Sweden to start some new projects far away from handball. Newly-recruited left back, the Serbian Momir Rnic, will have large boots to fill, but in general, Löwen are used to situations like this. Two years ago, Niklas Landin left for Kiel and in 2016 Uwe Gensheimer said goodbye, joining PSG. In both cases, Löwen went on to become German champions. In the previous two seasons, Löwen surprised fans, experts and opponents in some Champions League matches, resting their top stars in the group phase. Coach Nikolaj Jacobsen believes that all competitions are treated equally and that with a squad like Löwen have you cannot put the pedal to the metal in all matches. But with manager Jennifer Kettemann announcing that one major goal of the Lions is to go at least one step further - to the quarter-finals - it could mean a bigger focus on the Champions League this year. For the first time, Nikolaj Jacobsen will have a full season with the double function of coaching Löwen and the Danish men’s national team, including the EHF EURO 2018 in Croatia. This will take a lot of time and effort for the Dane, but all at Löwen are confident that the balancing act will be a plus for both sides. In 2019, Jacobsen will end his mission at Löwen to take over the Danish side on a full base. Löwen are used to this situation: Gudmundur Gudmundsson previously coached both the club and the Danish team. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 9 Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14 Last 16 (3): 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Qualification (1): 2011/12 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08 EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07

Playing hall SAP Arena An der Arena 1 68163 Mannheim Germany Capacity: 13,200

German league: 2 titles (2016, 2017)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win

5 40 76

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

40:25 (19:10) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 08.03.2009 24:39 (10:20) v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH (a), 18.10.2009 37:22 (19:11) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 10.10.2010 37:23 (20:8) v THW Kiel GER (a), 26.04.2009 5 matches (12.10.2013 – 28.11.2013) 8 matches (30.04.2009 – 13.02.2010) 8 matches (12.10.2013 – 20.02.2014) 3 matches (21.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) 4 matches (28.05.2011 - 29.09.2013) 40 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 40:25W (h), 08.03.2009 38 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 76 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 19 v HC Vardar MKD 25:19L (a), 10.10.2015 17 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:17W (h), 17.10.2013 43 v FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 22:21W (h), 20.09.2015

VELUX EHF Champions League record

2008/09 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2009/10 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2010/11 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2013/14 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2014/15 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2015/16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2016/17 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER Total

14 9 2 3 14 9 2 3 16 7 4 5 14 9 2 3 12 6 0 6 16 9 1 6 16 9 1 6 102 58 12 32

GF GA

447:392 +55 450:408 +42 486:465 +21 422:369 +53 361:347 +14 422:407 +15 441:446 -5 3029:2834 +195

PTS

Stage1994/95

20:8 20:8 18:14 20:8 12:12 19:13 19:13 128:76

1/2-finals 1/4-finals Fourth Place 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals

Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Nikolaj Jacobsen coach • • • • • •

arrived on the Löwen bench in 2014 as his predecessor Gudmundur Gudmundsson became Danish national team coach coached Viborg, Bjerringbro (both as an assistant) and Aalborg in the past, steering Aalborg to a surprising title and the CL in 2013 six league titles and seven cup titles in Denmark and Germany in his playing career made history by steering Löwen to their first ever bundesliga trophy and successfully defended the title in 2016/17 TV analyst since 2007 also coach of the Danish national team since March 2017, and will focus only on the Danish team from 2019 on

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004 (as player)

Newcomers: Kristian Bliznac (Elverum Handball/NOR) Bogdan Radivojevic (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER) Jerry Tollbring (IFK Kristianstad/SWE) Momir Rnic (MT Melsungen/GER)

Left the club: Marius Steinhauser (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER) Dejan Manaskov (Telekom Veszprem/HUN) Kim Ekdahl du Rietz (end of career) Michel Abt (coach second team)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Team roster No. First Name Surname 1

Mikael

Appelgren

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

SWE Goalkeeper

Height Weight

06.09.1989

Uddevalla, SWE

191

100

191

128

16 Rafael

Baena Gonzalez

ESP

Line Player

07.11.1982

Estepa, ESP

61 Lukas

Bauer

GER

Goalkeeper

22.08.1995

Germersheim, GER

192

Bliznac

SWE Left Back

27.05.1983

Göteborg, SWE

204

104

92 Pascal

Boudgoust

GER

Goalkeeper

07.12.1992

Bruchsal, GER

186

10 Luca

Braun

GER

Right Back

22.06.1999

Dieburg, GER

198

77 Tim

Ganz

GER

Right Wing

03.06.1997

Kehl, GER

185

24 Patrick

Groetzki

GER

Right Wing

04.07.1989

Pforzheim, GER

189

30 Gedeon

Guardiola Villaplana ESP

Line Player

01.10.1984

Petrer, ESP

199

103

Heidelberg, GER

192

Kristian

97 Rico

Keller

GER

Centre Back

30.07.1997

GER

Left Wing

23.04.1998

34 Pascal

Kirchenbauer

GER

Centre Back

29.02.1996

Heidelberg, GER

187

26 Kevin

Kleinlagel

GER

Right Wing

26.08.1998

Heidelberg, GER

185

22 Mads Mensah Larsen

DEN

Centre Back

12.08.1991

Holbæk, DEN

188

109

33 Mattes

Meyer

GER

Right Wing

04.11.1999

Karlsruhe, GER

178

12 Andreas

Palicka

SWE Goalkeeper

10.07.1986

N Nöbbelöv, SWE

189

23 Hendrik

Pekeler

GER

Line Player

02.07.1991

Itzehohe, GER

203

186

98 Maximilian Kessler

32 Alexander

Petersson

ISL

Right Back

02.07.1980

Riga, EST

14 Bogdan

Radivojevic

SRB

Right Wing

02.03.1993

Belgrade, SRB

192

27 Harald

Reinkind

NOR Right Back

17.08.1992

Trondheim, NOR

195

20 Momir

Rnic

SRB

Left Back

01.11.1987

Zrenjanin, SRB

196

102

13 Lars

Röller

GER

Line Player

24.01.1999

Ludwigshafen, GER

203

110

Schmid

SUI

Centre Back

30.08.1983

Horgen, SUI

190

ISL

Left Wing

08.08.1979

Reykjavik, ISL

187

MKD Left Back

28.03.1996

Krusevo, MKD

200

SWE Left Wing

13.09.1995

Norrtälje, SWE

182

C 2 9

Andre

Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson

28 Filip 17 Jerry

Taleski Tollbring

25 Maximilian Trost

GER

Left Back

23.08.1995

Schwetzingen, GER

202

100

Trost

GER

Centre Back

02.01.1998

Schwetzingen, GER

192

Zweigner

GER

Right Back

16.10.1989

Heidelberg, GER

187

21 Sebastian 5

Patrick

Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Mikael Appelgren goalkeeper • awarded best goalkeeper of the Swedish league 2011/12, when he played for Skövde • then transferred to German club Melsungen, where he made it twice to the German cup final tournament and played in the group phase of the EHF Cup • was signed by Löwen in 2015 to become the successor of Niklas Landin • worked together with three goalkeeping colleagues in 2015/16: Darko Stanic, Borko Ristovski and Richard Stochl – all have gone by the end of the season • since 2016/17 shares his time with Andreas Palicka (former Kiel and Aalborg keeper)

Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson left wing • after two seasons at FC Barcelona the Icelander returned to Bundesliga and Löwen, where he was until 2012 • started career in Akureyri, also played for AG Kobenhavn, Essen, Gummersbach and Kiel • all-time top scorer of the Icelandic national team, reached 500 CL goals in 2015/16 • his fifth trip to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 brought him the CL title 2015 with Barcelona EC trophies: CL 2015, EHF Cup 2005 OG: S 2008

Mads Mensah Larsen centre back • started his international career at AG Kobenhavn & made it to the 2012 FINAL4 • became Danish champion for the second time at Aalborg, where he firstly was coached by Nikolaj Jacobsen, when Jacobsen became Löwen coach in 2014, he followed him to Mannheim • was U20 EHF EURO champion with Denmark • his father is from Ghana, his mother Danish OG: S 2016, WCh: S 2013, EURO: S 2014

Andre Schmid centre back • eight-time Swiss Player of the Year, and four straight times (2014-2017) Best Bundesliga Player • played for both Zürich clubs Grasshoppers and ZMC Amicitia until 2009, joined Löwen after one season with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg • key in attack – both as playmaker and as shooter • new team captain after Uwe Gensheimer's departure to PSG in 2016 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013

Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Hendrik Pekeler line player • started career at THW Kiel but left after winning the Men’s 21 World Championship; later played for Bergischer HC and TBV Lemgo before joining Löwen in 2015 • was picked line player in the All-star Team at Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2010 • under the helm of Dagur Sigurdsson, he was part of the German team at Krakow and Rio but resigned in the spring of 2017 • will return to Kiel in the summer of 2018 EC trophies: CL 2010 OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016, U18 EURO G2008, U21 WCh: G 2011

Gedeon Guardiola Villaplana line player • defence boss of Löwen as the successor of Oliver “The Rogg” Roggisch • arrived in Mannheim in 2012 with his twin brother Isaias, who then left to Aalborg in 2014; played at Logrono and San Antonio before he joined Löwen • had been a karateka in his younger days • when scores for Löwen, the whole arena shouts “Ole!” EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014, S 2016

Harald Reinkind right back • had his debut in the Norwegian league at 16 already, playing for Fyllingen Bergen • played EHF Champions League already at the age of 18 • was awarded best right back at the U21 World Championship in 2013 • had his debut in the Norwegian men’s team at the age of 19, part of the successful team, which made it to the semi-final of the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • transferred to Löwen in 2014, later took the number 1 role on his position from Icelandic Alexander Petersson

Patrick Groetzki right wing • born in Pforzheim only a few kilometres away from Mannheim • right after ending his youth career he switched to Löwen and became part of the German younger age category national teams; MVP and silver medallist of the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in 2008 and junior world champion in 2009 • key player right after he was nominated for the men’s national team for the first time, missed the EHF EURO 2016 due to a broken leg OG: S 2012 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016

HC PPD Zagreb

GROUP A

Club Address

HC PPD Zagreb Veprinecka 16 10000 Zagreb Croatia Media contact

Goran Roknić +385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr www.rk-zagreb.hr RKZagreb @RKZagreb

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red

HC PPD Zagreb A new coach, a change between the goal posts and high hopes: this is HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb. After three straight qualifications for the knock-out stage, the Last 16 is the minimum goal for the Croatian champions and coach Kasim Kamenica. In the 2016/17 season, Zagreb took all eight points – which were just enough to leave Celje behind and clinch the Last 16 berth – on home ground. Thus, manager Bozidar Jovic is sure that “Zagreb can outplay all the other teams in the group. It will not be easy, but we can beat anyone in Arena Zagreb. “The key to a good campaign is to play well at home and try to make at least two upsets playing away.” With the signing of Damir Bicanic, the load of experience remains the same despite the departure of Ivan Stevanovic. Players such as new team captain Igor Vori, his predecessor Zlatko Horvat and the Valcic brothers combine for hundreds of international matches – while the ‘middle age generation’ with the likes of Stipe Mandalinic or Domagoj Pavlovic is growing. Aside from Urh Kastelic, another young gun is among Zagreb’s signings this season: right wing Josip Bozic Pavletic, the youngest Croatian player at the World Championship 2017. Arriving from Nexe, the 23-year-old left-hander will share the position with experienced Zlatko Horvat – and potentially become a star like his colleague. The Croatian team found a potential successor in Slovenia: 21-year-old Urh Kastelic – Youth Olympic Champion in 2014, silver medallist at the Youth World Championship 2015 and bronze medallist at the Men’s World Championship 2017. Kastelic was contracted by Celje, but on loan to Maribor, and now Zagreb grabbed the chance to sign this top talent. Thus, the new goalkeeping duo is all-Slovenian, as Kastelic will fight for number one status with his country-fellow Matevz Skok. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 24 Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99 Semi-final (1): 1999/00 Quarter-final (7): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16 Last 16 (4): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2016/17 Main Round (1): 2007/08 Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13

Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow

Playing hall Arena Zagreb Laniste b.b., 10000 Zagreb Croatia Capacity: 15,200

Other EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2006/07 SEHA League: 1 title (2013) Croatian league: 27 titles (1991-2017) Croatian Cup winner: 24 times

HC PPD Zagreb

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run

6 38 69

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

34:15 (16:8) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 04.12.2010 43:21 (23:10) v FC Barcelona ESP (h), 18.04.2015 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) 6 matches (09.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) 6 matches (30.10.1999 – 05.12.1999) 6 matches (04.10.2008 – 22.11.2008) 7 matches (11.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) 8 matches (04.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) 38 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 38:30W (h), 23.02.2013 43 v FC Barcelona ESP 43:21L (a), 18.04.2015 69 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010 15 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:15L (a), 22.10.2005 13 v THW Kiel GER 22:13W (h), 25.03.2000 13 v Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13W (h), 16.10.2005 36 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 18:18D (a), 20.11.1999 36 v HC Metalurg MKD 19:17W (h), 11.10.2014

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1993/94 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 6 1994/95 Badel Zagreb CRO 8 1995/96 Croatia Banka Zagreb CRO 6 1996/97 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1997/98 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1998/99 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1999/00 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 10 2000/01 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 8 2002/03 RK Zagreb CRO 8 2003/04 RK Zagreb CRO 10 2004/05 RK Zagreb CRO 6 2005/06 RK Zagreb CRO 8 2006/07 RK Zagreb CRO 6 2007/08 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2008/09 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2009/10 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2010/11 HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB CRO 12 2011/12 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 14 2012/13 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 2013/14 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 2014/15 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 14 2015/16 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 18 2016/17 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 16 Total 242

0 2 5 1 2 1 6 3 7 0 8 1 7 1 4 1 3 2 4 0 3 0 5 1 3 0 5 1 7 3 6 0 6 3 9 1 2 1 4 0 7 0 6 2 4 1 113 25 55

GF GA

4 2 3 3 5 3 2 3 3 6 3 2 3 6 2 6 3 4 7 6 7 10 11 104

135:147 –12 203:203 0 138:144 -6 310:294 +16 300:287 +13 288:269 +19 260:230 +30 195:192 +3 209:216 -7 273:258 +15 165:170 -5 212:194 +18 153:148 +5 339:344 -5 357:313 +44 351:335 +16 358:319 +39 391:359 +32 266:284 –18 267:282 -15 328:356 -28 464:480 –16 373:408 –35 6335:6232 +103

PTS

Stage1994/95

2:10 11:5 5:7 15:9 14:10 17:7 15:5 9:7 8:8 8:12 6:6 11:5 6:6 11:13 17:7 12:12 15:9 19:9 5:15 8:12 14:14 14:22 9:23 251:233

4th Gr. A Runner-up 3rd Gr. B Runner-up Runner-up Runner-up 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 3rd Gr. B 1/8-finals 3rd Gr. D 3rd MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 5th Gr. D 5th Gr. A 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals

HC PPD Zagreb

Kasim Kamenica coach •

started his coaching career at the age of 28 in Borac Urosevac (YUG)

• took over Zagreb from Slavko Goluza at the end of 2016/17 as the fourth coach for the club that season •

previously announced his retirement but could not say no to Zagreb

• coached Zagreb in the late 1980s, winning the Yugoslav and Croatian championships and Cups • his career has included coaching Zagreb, Partizan, Pelister, Vardar, Kometal, Prule, Bosna, Celje, Nexe Nasice, Lovcen and the national teams of Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Yugoslavia (Juniors) •

won gold at the JWCh in Rijeka in 1987 with the Yugoslavia national team

Newcomers: Damir Bicanic (Chambery Savoie Handball/FRA) Urh Kastelic (Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO) Matej Hrstic (Izvidac Ljubuški/SLO) Valentino Ravnic (RK Umag/CRO) Josip Bozic Pavletic (Nexe Našice/CRO) Tin Lucin (RK Kozala/CRO)

Left the club: Ivan Stevanovic (Kadetten Schaffhausen/SUI) Stefan Vujic (C.S.A. Steaua Bucuresti/ROU) Lovro Sprem (RK Sesvete/CRO) Darko Cingesar (Pays d’Aix Université Club Handball/FRA) Velko Markoski (HC Dobrogea Sud/ROU) Luka Sebetic (Tremblay-en-France/FRA)

HC PPD Zagreb

Team roster No. First Name Surname 2

Vito

Bahtijarevic

Height Weight

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

CRO

Centre Back

23.04.1998

Zagreb, CRO

180

25.06.1985

Vukovar, CRO

194

77 Damir

Bicanic

CRO

Left Back

18 Josip

Bozic Pavletic

CRO

Right Wing

06.08.1994

Split, CRO

187

Eres

BIH

Right Wing

19.03.1995

Ljubuski, BIH

185

18 Zlatko

Horvat

CRO

Right Wing

25.09.1984

Zagreb, CRO

179

17 Matej

Hrstic

CRO

Left Back

11.08.1996

Zagreb, CRO

195

51 Arijan

Jovic

CRO

Goalkeeper

18.06.1996

Zagreb, CRO

184

99 Urh

Kastelic

SLO

Goalkeeper

27.02.1996

Brezice, SLO

200

Tin

Kontrec

CRO

Line Player

09.09.1989

Nasice, CRO

191

Lucin

CRO

Line Player

16.08.1999

Rijeka, CRO

196

27 Stipe

Mandalinic

CRO

Centre Back

09.09.1992

Split, CRO

195

15 Dobrivoje

Markovic

SRB

Left Wing

22.04.1986

Teslic, SRB

188

Zarko

Markovic

QAT

Right Back

01.06.1986

Cetinje, MNE

203

103

Miklavcic

SLO

Right Back

29.01.1983

Ljubljana, SLO

195

Mrakovcic

CRO

Centre Back

22.09.1994

Rijeka, CRO

191

21 Ivan

Panjan

CRO

Goalkeeper

22.12.1998

Sisak, CRO

191

94 Domagoj

Pavlovic

CRO

Centre Back

21.03.1993

Zagreb, CRO

189

Racic

CRO

Line Player

04.03.1998

Vienna, AUT

209

125 88

9 8

Josip

Tin

28 David 5

Luka

48 Marko 33 Valentino

Ravnic

CRO

Left Wing

20.07.1995

Zadar, CRO

190

16 Matevz

Skok

SLO

Goalkeeper

02.09.1986

Celje, SLO

189

17 Leon

Strbad

CRO

Right Wing

23.09.1998

Zagreb, CRO

182

19 Leon

Susnja

CRO

Line Player

05.08.1993

Siroki Brijeg, BIH

204

113

Filip

Turcic

CRO

Right Wing

06.09.1998

Zagreb, CRO

199

22 Josip

Valcic

CRO

Centre Back

21.04.1984

Zadar, CRO

190

24 Tonci

Valcic

CRO

Left Back

09.06.1978

Zadar, CRO

194

100

Vekic

CRO

Right Back

16.03.1998

Metkovic, CRO

210

100 114

97 Josip C 10 Igor 74 Mario 6

Danijel

Vori

CRO

Line Player

20.09.1980

Zagreb, CRO

203

Vuglac

CRO

Right Back

30.01.1992

Zagreb, CRO

191

Vusic

CRO

Left Back

29.04.1998

Budapest, HUN

191

HC PPD Zagreb

Matevz Skok goalkeeper • arrived in Zagreb for the 2016/17 season • born in Celje, where he played for 10 years before Gorenje Velenje and Lübbecke • won Slovenia’s first ever World Championship medal – bronze – in France in January 2017 • will be first choice between Zagreb’s posts, working with compatriot Urh Kastelic as the goalkeeping duo WCh: B 2017

Dobrivoje Markovic left wing • played for Cuenca, Jugovic, Vardar and Sintelon before coming to Zagreb in 2015 • scored the decisive goal against Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the 2015/16 Last 16 match, which sent Zagreb to the quarter-final • initially came to Zagreb on a two-month contract, but is there already third season • won the silver medal with Serbia at the EURO 2012 and gold at the Mediterranean Games in Pescara 2009 EURO: S 2012

Damir Bicanic left back • returns to Zagreb for 2017/18 after 10 years playing abroad • born in Vukovar, Croatia, but started his career in Umag during the Yugoslav War • played for Umag, Osijek, Medvescak, Zagreb, Ademar Leon and Chambery Savoie • will be one of the oldest and most experienced players in Kamenica’s team for 2017/18 OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2010, B 2012, WCh: B 2013

Stipe Mandalinic centre back • voted MVP of Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2012, where also won a silver medal with Croatia • scored 71 goals in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 • nicknamed ‘Little Lackovic’ (or ‘Little Lac’) because of similar style of shooting and playing • known for his powerful shot from left back, which he will share with experienced Damir Bicanic and Croatia Junior national team player Matej Hrstic WCh: B 2013

HC PPD Zagreb

Domagoj Pavlovic centre back • born in Ivanic, where he began playing handball before joining RK Dubrava – the club where he rose to prominence. Moved to HC PPD Zagreb in 2014 • came through all the Croatian youth selections, before establishing himself as the key member of the Junior national team • playing his fourth season for HC PPD Zagreb in 2017/18, alongside Croatian youth selection teammate Mandalinic • has struggled with a shoulder injury, because of which he missed half of the 2016/17 season

Igor Vori line player • has played in five countries so far: Croatia, France (PSG), Spain (Barcelona), Germany (Hamburg) and Italy • returned to Zagreb, where he started his career, in 2016/17 after seven years away and became captain • great defensive player who reinforces Zagreb’s line and is a mentor to many young players EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: G 2004, B 2012; EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009, B 2013

Zarko Markovic right back •

Montenegrin playing for Qatar national team

•

best right back at WCh 2015 in Qatar and second best scorer

•

came to Zagreb to replace injured Slovenian David Miklavcic

•

in his career he played for Veszprem, Buducnost, Metalurg, Frisch Auf Göppingen, Hamburg and most recently Al Jaish

WCh: S 2015

Zlatko Horvat right wing • speedy wing is a counter attack specialist, but also an important part of the defence •

had his debut in the national team in 2006 and has won five medals since then

• played in Zagreb from the beginning of his career and already has 14 campaigns in the Champions League under his belt •

finished the 2010/11 season as third top scorer with 94 goals

OG B 2012, EURO S 2008, B 2012, B 2016, WCh S 2009, B 2013

Orlen Wisla Plock

GROUP A

Orlen Wisla Plock For three years straight, from 2013/14 to 2015/16, the “Oilers” made it to Last 16 in the VELUX EHF Champions League. However, last season, they narrowly missed making the knock-out stage. This year, the Polish runners-up from Plock will be looking to once again take their place among the best 16 teams of the competition

Club Address

Orlen Wisła Płock Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland Media contact

Tomasz Bauman Tel: +48 723 100 787 t.bauman@sprwislaplock.pl www.sprwislaplock.pl sprwisla @SPRWisla

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white, blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red

Looking at the squads of their main opponents, Zagreb and Kristianstad, Plock seem to have much better chance to progress than last year, when they were part of very tough group, and ultimately lost their place in the Last 16 on aggregate to Bjerringbro-Silkeborg. Important considerations include their new goalkeeper (see below), and their performance in away matches. Last season, Plock won only one point in an away match (at Kiel), while the remaining seven points were earned at home in the Orlen Arena. For their first four group matches, Plock will face HC Vardar and FC Barcelona Lassa at home, and Rhein-Neckar Löwen and HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb away.Could these matches leave Plock on zero points after four rounds? Maybe Plock can cause an upset, like they did against Kiel last season. Indeed, facing a team like Vardar so early could even be considered an advantage. In previous years, although predominantly from 2013 to 2016 when Manuel Cadenas was coach, Plock’s squad was composed of a lot of Spanish players. Now the last Spanish player, goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales, has left to join Paris Saint-Germain Handball. As coach Piotr Przybecki is also the Polish national team coach, the face of the team became more domestic. When Rodrigo Corrales left Plock for Paris, it was a huge step his career, and a major loss for Plock. However, because the transfer was confirmed as early as last summer, this gave Plock the time to find a successor. They found him in young 22-year-old Hungarian Adam Borbely, from Telekom Veszprém HC. After two years of learning at Tatabánya and Balatonfüredi KSE, Borbely now grabs the chance to improve on international level. He will fight with new team captain Marcin Wichary for the number one position between the posts. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 12 Last 16 (5): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Group Phase (6): 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2016/17 Qualification (1): 2012/13 Other EHF Cup: quarter-finals 1993/94, Group Phase: 2012/13

Playing hall Orlen Arena Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland Capacity: 5,467

Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011) Polish Cup: 10 titles

Orlen Wisla Plock

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat

5 42 72

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent

Fewest goals both teams

42:26 (19:11) v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG (h), 13.11.2004 35:18 (19:4) v KIF Kolding Elite A/S DEN (a), 07.10.2006 34:17 (15:7) v HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO (a), 12.10.2008 5 matches (29.11.2014 – 14.03.2015) 6 matches (23.11.2014 – 14.03.2015) 6 matches (05.10.2008 – 20.11.2008) 13 matches (25.11.2015 – 19.10.2016) 42 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG 42:26W (h), 13.11.2004 40 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 72 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 13 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006 19 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SRB 31:19W (h), 28.09.2006 19 v HCM Constanta ROU 19:34W (a), 09.02.2012 19 v Besiktas MOGAZ HT 28:19W (h), 27.09.2014 34 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

2002/03 Wisla Plock SSA POL 2004/05 Wisla Plock SSA POL 2005/06 Wisla Plock SSA POL 2006/07 Wisla Plock SA POL 2008/09 Wisla Plock SA POL 2011/12 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 2013/14 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 2014/15 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 2015/16 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 2016/17 Orlen Wisla Plock POL Total

6 6 6 6 6 12 12 12 16 14 96

1 1 2 2 0 4 5 7 3 3 28

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 2 7

5 5 4 4 6 7 7 4 10 9 61

167:195 –28 159:177 -18 155:182 -27 141:170 –29 122:188 -66 321:332 -11 335:341 -6 340:337 +3 426:452 –26 367:401 –34 2533:2775 –242

PTS

Stage1994/95

2:10 2:10 4:8 4:8 0:12 9:15 10:14 15:9 9:23 8:20 63:129

3rd Gr. A 4th Gr. D 3rd Gr. E 3rd Gr. C 4th Gr. H 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 7th Gr. A

Orlen Wisla Plock

Piotr Przybecki coach • replaced Manuel Cadenas at the helm of Plock in the summer of 2016 • former centre and left back; member of Poland national team with 372 goals • moved to Germany after several years in the Polish league, where he played for TV Hüttenberg, TUSEM Essen, THW Kiel, HSG Nordhorn and TSV Hannover-Burgdorf • won the German Championship and two EHF Cups with Kiel, and remains the most successful Polish player in the Bundesliga • coach of Poland national team since May 2017, after the resignation of Talant Dujshebaev

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004, 2008 (as player)

Newcomers: Adam Borbely (Telekom Veszprém HC/HUN) Nemanja Obradovic (HC Metalurg/MKD) Przemislaw Krajewski (Azoty Pulawy/POL) Igor Zabic (Sporting Lisboa/POR, Celje/SLO)

Left the club: Rodrigo Corrales (PSG/FRA) Dmitri Zhitnikov (MOL Pick Szeged/HUN) Miljan Pusica (GWD Minden/GER) Adam Wisniewski (retired) Tiago Rocha (Sporting Lisboa/POR) Zbigniew Kwiatkowski (MKS Kalisz/POL)

Orlen Wisla Plock

Team roster No. First Name Surname 12 Adam 3

Michal

37 Jose

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight

Borbely

HUN Goalkeeper

22.06.1995

Debrecen, HUN

197

114

Daszek

POL

Right Wing

27.06.1992

Tczew, POL

180

Guilherme De Toledo BRA

Right Back

11.01.1994

Sao Paulo, BRA

193

Duarte

POR

Left Back

06.07.1990

Portimao, POR

197

28 Maciej

Gebala

POL

Line Player

10.01.1994

Gdynia, POL

200

102

20 Tomasz

Gebala

POL

Left Back

23.11.1995

Gdynia, POL

212

15 Valentin

Ghionea

ROU Right Wing

29.04.1984

Baia Mare, ROU

197

21 Sime

Ivic

CRO

Right Back

21.01.1993

Split, CRO

195

POL

Left Wing

20.01.1987

Ciechanรณw, POL

184

Gilberto

26 Przemyslaw Krajewski 34 Lovro

Mihic

CRO

Left Wing

25.08.1994

Zagreb, CRO

180

16 Adam

Morawski

POL

Goalkeeper

17.10.1994

Ciechanรณw, POL

192

POL

Centre Back

27.04.1998

Plock, POL

187

27 Aleksander Olkowski 14 Nemanja

Obradovic

SRB

Centre Back

08.01.1991

Krusevac, SRB

198

111

18 Mateusz

Piechowski

POL

Line Player

01.03.1995

Plock, POL

208

Racotea

ROU Left Back

21.07.1995

Brasov, ROU

202

Tarabochia

BIH

Centre Back

28.11.1988

Zagreb, CRO

192

Wichary

POL

Goalkeeper

17.02.1980

Zabrze, POL

193

100

Wolowiec

POL

Centre Back

04.01.1998

Plock, POL

194

Zabic

SLO

Line Player

15.08.1992

Celje, SLO

201

Dan Emil

26 Marko C 12 Marcin 41 Krystian 3

Igor

Orlen Wisla Plock

Marcin Wichary goalkeeper • steps up to the role of captain after Adam Wisniewski quit after 2016/17 • came to Plock in 2004 and has become a true ‘Oiler’, beloved by the local fans • impressed with a 50 per cent save rate in the group phase of the World Championship 2013, on his debut with the national team • best achievement to date remains fifth place at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the bronze medal from the WCh 2015 in Qatar WCh: B 2015

Adam Morawski goalkeeper • 22-year-old who started to play at a senior level in 2013/14 and debuted in the CL two years later • shone in Plock in 2016/17, resulting in nomination for best goalkeeper of the season in the Polish league • his nickname ‘Loczek’ means ‘a curl’

Przemyslaw Krajewski left wing • joined Kielce for the 2017/18 season from Polish league bronze team Azoty Pulawy • one of the most effective players with Pulawy, placing second in the rank of top scorers for the Superliga in 2012/13, first in 2014/15 and fourth in 2015/16 • debuted in the Poland national team in 2012, becoming a regular part of the squad at major championships since 2013 • passed 1,000 goals scored in the Polish league in 2017 – a feat that took him eight seasons; in eight years playing on the highest level in Poland, missed only four matches WCh: B 2015

Dan-Emil Racotea left back • reinforced the ranks of Wisla in 2014/15 with what was his first move abroad from his native Romania • playing for Wisla Plock enabled him to gain experience in the CL, where he has been visibly improving since 2014 • a calf injury had him off the court for half the 2016/17 season, resulting in him only playing five matches with no goals scored

Orlen Wisla Plock

Marko Tarabochia centre back • in Plock since 2015 when Manolo Cadenas was coach, and has signed a contract until 2019 • came to Plock from Pulawy, where he was one of the most effective players in the team and league • as a member of the Croatia Youth national team he was a silver medallist at the U19 World Championship in Bahrain • born in Zagreb, but citizen of Bosnia-Herzegovina since 2015

Igor Zabic line player • joined Plock from Sporting CP at the end of July 2017 when Tiago Rocha suddenly left the club for Sporting • already knows coach Przybecki from Polish Slask Wroclaw, where he scored 70 goals in 10 matches in the 2015/16 season • in 2016/17, he won the Challenge Cup with Sporting CP and debuted in the Slovenia national team EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017

Jose Guilherme de Toledo right back • was a surprise addition to Plock in November 2015 after Nemanja Zelenovic’s transfer to Magdeburg • quickly became an important part of the club in both domestic and European context during his first months in Poland • finished as top scorer of the Men’s U19 World Championship in 2013 • before handball, used to play football and hockey

Valentin Ghionea right wing • Romanian Handballer of the Year in 2008 and two-time top scorer in Romania (2005, 2007) • joined Wisla Plock in 2012 and showed his great goal-scoring ability immediately, quickly becoming an important Wisla player and his team’s top scorer • top scorer for Plock in the Polish Superliga 2016/17 with 136 goals in 32 matches • likes to play football, billiards and fish in his free time

MOL-Pick Szeged

GROUP A

MOL-Pick Szeged With no major changes in the squad, MOL-Pick Szeged aim for their first ever VELUX EHF FINAL4 participation after three eliminations in the quarter-finals. The Hungarian runners-up count on a well-rehearsed side with a lot of experience. In the 2016/17 season, Szeged managed to leave their favoured opponent, Löwen, behind in the ranking, finishing third. A similar position is possible in the new season too.

Club Address

MOL-Pick Szeged Deák Ferenc u. 28-30. 6720 Szeged Hungary Media contact

Levente Juhasz +36 70 543 0979 levente.juhasz@pickhandball.hu www.pickhandball.hu pickszeged @pickhandball

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black GK shirt: white or red

In the 2016/17 Groups A and B, none of the 27 other teams conceded fewer goals than Szeged, who had an exact average of 25. Not even the defence-orientated sides of Zagreb and Barcelona were better in this ranking. Thus, if Szeged want to make their dream come true, the wall of concrete – including highly experienced goalkeepers Manuel Sierra and Marin Sego – will be crucial again. For years, one of Szeged’s main goals has been to win a domestic title (league or Cup) in Hungary, but since 2008 this dream has not come true. Now Szeged make another attempt – but Veszprém are still Veszprém, so will be a hard nut to crack. In the 2016/17 season, Zsolt Balogh was (together with Jure Dolenec/Montpellier) the top VELUX EHF Champions League scorer that did not make it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. The powerful right back netted at least once in every Champions League match to finish with a tally of 88. This season, the eyes of the opponent’s defenders will be on the 28-year-old left-handed star, though Szeged also have the choice of former world champion Denis Buntic in the same position. Though Szeged’s philosophy is to focus only from match to match, their expectations are huge: “Though there are teams with a higher budget compared to us, we want to grab the chance to at least make it to the quarter-finals again,” is the motto. Past achievements

Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black

Playing hall Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged Temesvari Krt.33 6726 Szeged Hungary Capacity: 3,200

VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 16 Quarter-final (4): 1996/1997, 2003/2004, 2014/15, 2016/17 Last 16 (6): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13, 2015/16 Main Round (1): 2007/2008 Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012 Qualification (1): 2013/14 Other EHF Cup: Winners 2014/15, Quarter-final: 2000/01 Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000 Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-final: 1993/94 Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09 Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007) Hungarian cup: 6 titles

MOL-Pick Szeged

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run

6 39 73

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

39:24 (15:10) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 07.10.2007 40:17 (19:5) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 15.02.1997 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) 6 matches (24.10.2015 – 14.02.2016) 6 matches (17.10.2009 – 20.02.2010) 6 matches (06.03.2011 – 15.10.2011) 7 matches (17.10.2009 – 27.02.2010) 39 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 39:24W (h), 07.10.2007 40 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997 73 v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 38:35W (h), 19.11.2011 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997 16 v Wisla Plock SA POL 16:26W (a), 05.10.2008 39 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:19W (h), 08.03.2008

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1996/97 Pick Szeged HUN 2003/04 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2004/05 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2005/06 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2006/07 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2007/08 Pick Szeged HUN 2008/09 Pick Szeged HUN 2009/10 Pick Szeged HUN 2010/11 Pick Szeged HUN 2011/12 Pick Szeged HUN 2012/13 Pick Szeged HUN 2014/15 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 2015/16 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 2016/17 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN Total

8 3 2 3 10 4 0 6 8 4 2 2 8 3 0 5 8 3 2 3 12 9 0 3 6 2 0 4 10 2 2 6 12 5 0 7 10 3 0 7 12 4 0 8 14 9 1 4 16 8 1 7 18 10 2 6 152 69 12 71

GF GA

205:216 –11 269:262 +7 190:187 +3 219:218 +1 202:203 -1 361:310 +51 159:161 -2 287:307 -20 336:351 -15 285:316 -31 313:350 –37 395:383 +12 466:455 +11 492:458 +34 4179:4177 +2

PTS

Stage1994/95

8:8 8:12 10:6 6:10 8:8 18:6 4:8 6:14 10:14 6:14 8:16 19:9 17:15 22:14 150:154

1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 3rd MR Gr. 4 3rd Gr. H 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals 5th Gr. D 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/4-finals

MOL-Pick Szeged

Juan Carlos Pastor coach • • • •

one of the masterminds of contemporary handball with an incredible amount of silverware in his career Szeged found him fit for the job of rebuilding their team in order to be able to challenge for the Hungarian title against Veszprém won the EHF Cup in his first year at the helm became also the sporting director after Szeged legend Richárd Mezei resigned

EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2009, EHF Cup 2014 WCh: G 2005, EURO: S 2006, OG: B 2008 Newcomers: Stefan Rafn Sigurmannsson (Aalborg Handbold/DEN) Dmitry Zhitnikov (Orlen Wisla Plock/POL)

Left the club: Bendeguz Boka (Balatonfüredi KSE/HUN) Sandro Obranovic (return from loan to Zagreb/CRO) Urh Kastelic (return from loan to Celje, then to Zagreb/CRO)

MOL-Pick Szeged

Team roster No. First Name Surname Balazs Oliver Balogh 19 Zsolt Banhidi 27 Bence Batky Bence Batky Patrik Benak 99 Denes Blazevic 21 Alen Bodo 9 Richard Buntic 34 Denis Csanyi Richard Csernai Robert Dimovics 93 Adam Fekete 15 Balint Gaber 22 Matej Götz 88 Bence Goncalves 14 Thiagus Gorbok 13 Sergei Horvath Marcell Ilicsin Szrgyan Källman 8 Jonas Imre Mate Kerl Adam Zsolt Leszkovan Maroti Viktor Martonosi Mark Morval Levente Nagy 52 Martin Rodriguez Alvarez 26 Pedro Sego 16 Marin Selmeczi 82 Roland 1 Jose Manuel Sierra Mendez 11 Stefan Rafn Sigurmannsson Skube 20 Stas Sostaric 24 Mario Sunajko 18 Stefan Szabo Benedek Szabo 83 Mate Szilagyi Zoltan Tökes Martin Toth Jozsef Vetesi Bence Zhitnikov 89 Dmitry C 17 Szabolcs Zubai

Nat. HUN HUN HUN HUN HUN HUN CRO HUN CRO HUN HUN HUN HUN SLO HUN BRA RUS HUN HUN SWE HUN HUN HUN HUN HUN HUN ESP CRO HUN ESP ISL SLO SLO SRB HUN HUN HUN HUN HUN HUN RUS HUN

Date of birth Place of birth

Position Right Back Line Player

Line Player Left Back Left Back Right Back

Left Back Right Back Line Player Left Back Left Back Left Back

Left Wing

Goalkeeper Right Wing Goalkeeper Right Wing Goalkeeper Left Wing Centre Back Right Wing Left Wing Right Wing Right Wing

Centre Back Line Player

15.07.1998 29.03.1989 09.02.1995 12.12.2000 21.04.1999 20.10.1998 29.03.1986 13.03.1993 13.11.1982 09.04.1999 18.04.1998 23.01.1999 27.06.1995 22.07.1991 25.11.1998 25.01.1989 04.12.1982 30.08.2000 07.03.1999 17.07.1981 26.01.1998 05.10.1997 13.02.1998 11.10.1998 11.10.1999 09.01.1999 22.08.1990 02.08.1985 14.03.1997 21.05.1978 19.05.1990 15.11.1989 25.11.1992 10.04.1998 12.11.1999 27.01.1997 24.02.1998 24.08.2000 23.06.1999 06.04.2000 20.11.1989 31.03.1984

Height Weight

Orosháza, HUN Györ, HUN

189 195

96 96

Szeged, HUN Nasice, CRO Mateszalka, HUN Ljubuski, BIH

188 201 203 199

95 115 110 110

Szeged, HUN Gyula, HUN Kranj, SLO Sárospatak, HUN Juiz de Fora, BRA Minsk, BLR

187 190 198 192 199 196

83 80 110 85 100 98

Växjö, SWE

200

100

Szeged, HUN Vigo, ESP Mostar, BIH Szeged, HUN Moguer, ESP Hafnarfjördur, ISL Novo Mesto, SLO Slovenj Gradec, SLO Zombor, SRB

202 192 194 189 194 197 176 193 194

88 84 99 70 91 101 79 87 82

Szeged, HUN

190

Zvolen, RUS Mezokövesd, HUN

193 193

90 93

MOL-Pick Szeged

Jose Manuel Sierra goalkeeper •

together with Marin Sego supposed to share the time between the posts

•

one of the most influential goalkeepers in the world, the Valladolid legend has won an enormous amount of trophies through his almost two decades long career

•

signed from PSG, has done a grand slam of great Spanish teams (Barcelona, Ciudad Real and Valladolid) in the past

EC trophies: CL 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2009 WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014

Jonas Källman left wing • signed in the winter of 2013/14 and showed his ability to defend in three positions • vital part of both coach Juan Carlos Pastor’s defensive variatons and Szeged’s attacking edge • spent more than a decade in Spain with Ciudad Real and Atlético Madrid before returning home (IFK Skövde) and finally signing a three-and-a-half year contract with Pick • the Swede is one of the survivors of the great changes in the Szeged locker-room EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012

Sergei Gorbok left back • started his career in Minsk, also played in Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia, Germany • took Russian citizenship, started playing for Russia after three seasons in Chekhov • in the 2013/14 season with Rhein-Neckar Löwen he was close to the FINAL4 • joined the Russian “colony” of Vardar in 2014 and left for Szeged in 2016, where a lot is expected from him EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012

Dmitry Zhitnikov centre back • comes from Krasnodar, and his first coach at the local school was his father • at the age of 16, the talented boy was invited to Chekhov where he played five seasons in the reserve team • as he matured and experienced players left, Zhitnikov began to play a more prominent role at Medvedi • member of the Russian national team joined Szeged in the summer of 2017 after two seasons with Plock

MOL-Pick Szeged

Stas Skube centre back •

made his first team debut in 2006, for his boyhood club RK Rrimo Trebnje aged 17, playing alongside his older brother, Sebastian

•

despite his height (176 cm) one of the Slovenia’s best playmakers often compared to Ljubomir Vranjes

•

won the bronze medal with the Slovenian national team at the U21 WCh in 2009

•

played in the 2013/14 CL Last 16 with Velenje, topping the club scorers’ list with 72 goals, in his first season with Szeged (2016/17) scored 52 times

Matej Gaber line player • signed by Szeged at the beginning of the 2016/17 season and has done everything since to justify his “hard-defending” reputation; should become a very important piece of coach Juan Carlos Pastor's puzzle in the forthcoming years • Slovenian rock is a regular at the national team having represented his country for more than 100 times • has played for Montpellier, where he already gained considerable CL experience WCh: B 2017

Zsolt Balogh right back • joined Pick Szeged from Braun Gyöngyös in 2012, by 2014 overtook Gábor Ancsin in the Pick roster in his poition • not as tall as one would expect from a backcourt player but has outstanding dribbling skills and a sharp eye for passing • coach Pastor gave him more playing time and he grabbed his chance with a personal best of scoring 88 goals in 2016/17; one of the few who remained from the 2015/16 team EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014

Mario Sostaric right wing • spent his latest years away from CL but had more than 50 goals in the competition from 2014 with Velenje before he scored 23 in his first season with Szeged • the 1,92 m tall winger is unlucky to have such competition as Gajic and Marguc in the Slovenian national team • voted to the All Star team in the junior ECh and WCh (2011, 12) • Juan Carlos Pastor asked for Sostaric personally, he signed a three-year contract with the club; sharing the time on court with Pedro Rodriguez Alvarez

IFK Kristianstad

GROUP A

IFK Kristianstad Swedish champions IFK Kristianstad are fielding an all-Scandinavian squad for the VELUX EHF Champions League this season. Last season Ola Lindgren’s side narrowly missed progressing past the group stage, but despite losing two key players for German clubs they are hoping for a better year. Legendary Bengan Boy Lindgren is joined by former IFK player Lars Olsson as the club’s assistant coach this year, as Kristianstad look to capitalise on the youth of their team.

Club Address

IFK Kristianstad Västra Storgatan 69 29154 Kristanstad Sweden Media contact

Nikolas Larsson ‎+46705454332 nikolas.larsson@ ifkkristianstad.se www.ifkkristianstad.se IFKKristianstad @IFKKristianstad

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: orange Player short: white GK shirt: red/yellow/ black/white

The new number 1 goalkeeper is internationally-experienced Richard Kappelin, who has played in Denmark, France and Spain. He joins Kristianstad from La Rioja to fill the shoes of Nebojsa Simic, who left for German side MT Melsungen. This gap could be easier to fill than the left wing position, after Jerry Tollbring left for German side Rhein-Neckar Löwen. By 72 goals, he was the best IFK scorer in the last Champions League season. Kristianstad have not signed a new left wing, instead counting on their remaining players. “We have been close to progressing from the group phase two years in a row now and hopefully we can take the next step this year,” says Icelandic-born team captain Olafur Gudmundsson. The young team will face four teams from last season - Szeged, Vardar, Löwen and Zagreb – but this time they have more knowledge of their opponents. Zagreb and Nantes will be the ones to beat, if they want to proceed. “Of course, to reach the next round is our dream; besides continuing our work to develop young players and at the same time play attractive handball,” adds manager Jesper Larson. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 3 Group Phase (2): 2015/16, 2016/17

Dark Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red/yellow/ black/white

Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2013/14 Swedish league: 7 titles (1941, 1948, 1952, 1953, 2015, 2016, 2017)

Playing hall Kristianstad Arena Västra Storgatan 1 29154 Kristianstad Sweden Capacity: 4,800

IFK Kristianstad

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

1 36 74

MATCH Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

21:30 (13:11) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (a), 06.03.2016 38:28 (18:13) v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL (a), 01.10.2016 1 match (16.09.2015) 1 match (22.10.2015) 1 match (06.03.2016) 1 match (08.10.2016) 1 match (11.02.2017) 1 match (04.03.2017) 2 matches (30.11.2016 – 11.02.2017) 4 matches (26.09.2015 – 17.10.2015) 4 matches (14.11.2015 – 05.12.2015) 7 matches (14.11.2015 – 25.02.2016) 36 v HC Vardar MKD 38:36L (a), 20.02.2016 38 v HC Vardar MKD 38:36L (a), 20.02.2016 38 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 38:28L (a), 01.10.2016 74 v HC Vardar MKD 38:36L (a), 20.02.2016 20 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 29:20L (a), 26.11.2015 21 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 21:30W (a), 06.03.2016 49 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 29:20L (a), 26.11.2015

VELUX EHF Champions League record

2015/16 IFK Kristianstad SWE 2016/17 IFK Kristianstad SWE Total

14 3 1 10 409:437 –28 7:21 14 3 2 9 381:411 –30 8:20 28 6 3 19 790:848 –58 15:41

GF GA

PTS

Stage1994/95 7th Gr. B 8th Gr. B

IFK Kristianstad

Ola Lindgren coach • head coach in Kristianstad since 2012, celebrated his greatest triumph as a coach by leading them to their first Swedish championship title in 62 years in 2014/15 • before returning home was coach at HSG Nordhorn and Rhein-Neckar Löwen • apart from being head coach in Kristianstad, in 2008-16 was in charge of the Swedish national team together with his former national teammate Staffan Olsson • was a great line player in his active days, the golden age of Swedish handball • with 376 matches for Sweden, he is the Swedish player with second most caps OG: S 1992, 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1990, 1999, S 1997, 2001, B 1993, 1995, EURO: G 1994, 1998, 2000 Newcomers: Richard Kappelin (Naturhouse La Rioja/ESP) Helge Freiman (GWD Minden/GER) Anton Persson (IFK youth team)

Left the club: Nebojsa Simic (MT Melsungen/GER) Jerry Tollbring (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER)

IFK Kristianstad

Team roster No. First Name Surname 5

Arnar Freyr Arnarsson

Nat. ISL

Height Weight

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

Line Player

14.03.1996

Reykjavik, ISL

200

113

12 Gustaf

Banke

SWE Goalkeeper

07.01.1999

Kristianstad, SWE

194

26 Valter

Chrintz

SWE Right Wing

26.04.2000

Kristianstad, SWE

184

33 Inge Aas

Eriksen

NOR Left Back

25.04.1994

Stord, NOR

193

101

17 Helge

Freiman

SWE Centre Back

26.02.1992

Lidingö, SWE

188

Left Back

13.05.1990

Hafnarfjarðar, ISL

194

Hallen

SWE Left Wing

01.02.1994

Kungsholmen, SWE

188

Henningsson

SWE Left Back

14.06.1995

Hörby, SWE

197

100

Akureyri, ISL

191

C 13 Olafur Andres Gudmundsson 14 Viktor 6

Philip

ISL

27 Gunnar SteinnJonsson

ISL

Centre Back

04.05.1987

16 Richard Carl Kappelin

SWE Goalkeeper

30.09.1983

Irsta, SWE

191

10 Albin

Lagergren

SWE Right Back

11.09.1992

Varberg, SWE

187

36 Jesper

Larsson

SWE Goalkeeper

27.07.1973

Kristianstad, SWE

190

11 Johannes

Larsson

SWE Right Wing

09.08.1991

Kristianstad, SWE

184

Leo

Larsson

SWE Goalkeeper

16.10.1990

Ystad, SWE

187

Mario

Lipovac

SWE Line Player

02.11.1991

Karlstad, SWE

198

112

12.08.1997

Kungälv, SWE

189

Alta, NOR

192

31 Filip

Moberg Andersson SWE Centre Back Moen Nilsen

NOR Right Back

09.08.1994

37 Evon

Mohlin

SWE Right Back

30.11.2000

Kristianstad, SWE

199

38 Marten

Nilsson

SWE Line Player

04.05.1998

Kristianstad, SWE

186

34 Alfred

Olsson

SWE Right Back

24.12.1997

Kristianstad, SWE

187

20 Anton

Persson

SWE Left Wing

05.06.1998

Kristianstad, SWE

180

32 Emil

Schuster

SWE Centre Back

21.05.1997

Kristianstad, SWE

188

10.02.1992

Skive, DEN

178

12.06.2000

Kristianstad, SWE

193

Stig Tore

Right Wing

Tim D.

Sörensen

DEN

Hugo

Svensson

SWE Left Back

IFK Kristianstad

Richard Kappelin goalkeeper • returned to Sweden in 2017 from Spanish Logronos, where he arrived ahead of the 2015/16 season from French Selestat Alsace Handball • also has previous CL experience from another Spanish club, Aragon as well as from Danish Aalborg • has been a bit around in his career, which also took him to Al Gharafa in Qatar for six months before he joined Aalborg in 2013 • represented the Swedish league clubs IK Sävehof and Alingsas HK before • has not played any senior internationals, won the Junior WCh with Sweden in 2003

Viktor Hallen left wing • joined IFK in the summer of 2016 from league rivals Drott Halmstad • this summer, extended his contract until 2019 this summer • after being in the shadow of Jerry Tollbring last season, he is now the first choice on the left wing as Tollbring has departed for Rhein-Neckar Löwen • his speed and creativity are his main skills in attack • also particularly good in an advanced position in a 5-1 defence

Philip Henningson left back • playing his third season in Kristianstad after joining from second tier club IFK Ystad in 2015 • had his breakthrough in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase in the 2016/17 season • only 21 years old, and expected to have a great future in Swedish and international handball • recently extended his contract until 2019 • mainly characterised by his shot and his physical strength

Helge Freiman centre back • joined in 2017 from German Bundesliga club GWD Minden on a two-year contract • has played 12 internationals for Sweden, scoring 18 goals • mainly known for his drive and his ability to read the game, and is also good in defence • versatile back court player who can also play in the left back position • awarded Rising Star of the Year in Swedish handball in 2014 - the last time he played in the Swedish league - when representing Eskilstuna Guif

IFK Kristianstad

Arnar Freyr Arnarsson line player • joined in the summer of 2016 from Icelandic league club Fram Reykjavik • has signed a three-year contract with Kristianstad, his first foreign adventure • with his two meters and 110 kilos, he has the size and physical strength to make an impact on the line, where he is always easy to find for his back court players • part of the Icelandic team for the M 20 EURO 2016 in Denmark and was also in the 28 players squad for the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland back in January

Stig Tore Moen Nilsen right back • joined IFK from Norwegian league club Bodø HK on a two-year contract in the summer of 2016 • chose IFK over several clubs in the German Bundesliga and Danish league • made his debut in the Norwegian national team at the age of 20 in January 2015 • has already proved to be a great supplement to Albin Lagergren in the right back position • his hard and precise shot goes hand-in-hand with his physical strength as his biggest assets

Albin Lagergren right back • one of the few IFK players, who were also in the club in the 2015/16 season mostly substituting for Andreas Cederholm, who has left for French Toulouse • had several great performances last season already, not least in the VELUX EHF Champions League • extended his contract with IFK as far as until the summer of 2018 • had played two internationals for Sweden up until the summer 2016, but was nominated for the Swedish squad for the Rio Olympics 2016

Tim Sörensen right wing • joined this summer on a two-year contract from Danish league club Skanderborg • was actually under contract with Skanderborg this season too, but had an option to get out of that contract, if he got an offer from a foreign club – which he did • will be trying to fill out the gap after Norwegian international Kristian Bjørnsen who has left for German Bundesliga club HSG Wetzlar • top scoring player in Skanderborg and number two on the top scorers' list in the Danish league for large parts of the 2015/16 season

HBC Nantes

GROUP A

Club Address

HBC Nantes 91 rue de la Trocardiere 44400 Reze France Media contact

Kevin Morin +33 664865046 kevin.morin@ hbcnantes.com www.hbcnantes.com HBCNantesOfficiel HBCNantes Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white/purple/ gold Player short: white/purple/ gold GK shirt: green or blue

HBC Nantes After their first appearance last season, HBC Nantes will now face top opponents in Group A in the Group Phase, and thanks to new arrival Kiril Lazarov, the French league runners-up want to upset the established order. Over the previous five years HBC Nantes have formed a highly-competitive team including top signings such as Alberto Entrerrios (now assistant coach), Dominik Klein and now Kiril Lazarov. After making it to the final of the EHF Cup twice on home ground, their first Champions League season ended in a domestic Last 16 clash with eventual finalists PSG. On home court, it was their most successful season ever, finishing second in the league and winning the French cup. The club now has the chance to rise further, facing top opponents such as Rhein-Neckar Löwen, FC Barcelona Lassa or defending champions HC Vardar. The knock-out stage is a realistic goal. The French league nowadays is among the top three national competitions in European club handball and the duels even with teams from the lower half of the ranking are more close and equal. There is no chance to rest in those matches and to fully focus on the VELUX EHF Champions League so one of the most important things is rotation - and Nantes’ squad seems to be wide enough to stand the double heat. The preparation was more than perfect: Nantes beat Veszprem, Berlin and several French and international teams in their pre-season. “We are something like world champions of test matches, but I am sure we can show the same level in the upcoming competitions,” said goalkeeper Cyril Dumoulin. Club president Gael Pelletier hopes for the support from the stands. “All our opponents have more Champions League and FINAL4 experience than us. Every game will be a challenge for us, and our fantastic fans will hopefully appreciate those matches.” Past achievements

Dark Player shirt: black/purple/ gold Player short: black/purple/ gold GK shirt: yellow

VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 2 Last 16 (1): 2016/17 Other EHF Cup: runners-up 2012/13, 2015/16, quarter-finals 2013/14 Playing hall Salle Sportive de la Trocardiere 91 Rue de la Trocardiere 44400 Reze France Capacity: 4,500

French Cup: 1 title (2017) French League Cup: 1 title (2015) Trophée des Champions: 1 title (2017)

HBC Nantes

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

5 37 68

Longest unbeaten run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals

Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

33:19 (16:9) v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR (h), 01.10.2016 35:27 (15:13) v Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA (a), 1.4.2017 5 matches (01.10.2016 – 13.11.2016) 5 matches (27.11.2016 – 11.03.2017) 6 matches (22.09.2016 – 13.11.2016) 6 matches (27.11.2016 – 25.03.2017) 1 match (19.11.2016) 1 match (01.04.2017) 2 matches (25.03.2017 – 01.04.2017) 37 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 37:31W (h), 11.03.2017 35 v Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 35:27L (a), 01.04.2017 68 v ABC/UMinho POR 35:33W (h), 09.10.2016 68 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 37:31W (h), 11.03.2017 26 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 26:26D (a), 22.09.2016 26 v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 26:24W (h), 13.11.2016 26 v Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 26:26D (h), 25.3.2017 19 v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR 33:19W (h), 01.10.2016 50 v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 26:24W (h), 13.11.2016

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

PTS

Stage1994/95

2016/17 HBC Nantes FRA

433:387

+46

22:6

1/8-finals

Total

14 10 2 2

433:387 +46

22:6

HBC Nantes

Thierry Anti coach • • • • •

Newcomers: Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona Lassa/ESP) Julian Emonet (Dunkerque HB/FRA) Rudolf Faluvégi (Csurgoi KK/HUN)

arrived in 2009 as they just promoted to the French first league steered them to one trophy, the League cup in 2014/15 previously coached Créteil and Paris and reached the IHF Cup Winners’ Cup final with Créteil in 1989 reached EHF Cup Final twice but Nantes lost in both cases trusts a lot his young players and helps them develop

Left the club: Théo Derot (Aix en Provence/FRA) O’Brian Nyateu (Nimes/FRA) Mahmoud Gharbi (retired) Florian Delecroix (on loan to Cesson-Rennes/FRA)

HBC Nantes

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Height Weight

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

La Roche sur Yon, FRA 182

20 Lucien

Auffret

FRA

Right Wing

25.01.1997

30 Valentin

Bachele

FRA

Goalkeeper

25.06.1998

Montreuil, FRA

190

19 David

Balaguer Romeu

ESP

Right Wing

17.08.1991

Barcelona, ESP

184

198

100

Senjamin

Buric

BIH

Line Player

20.11.1990

Maglaj, BIH

Nicolas

Claire

FRA

Centre Back

10.07.1987

Saint Denis, Réunion, FRA 186

Cyril

Dumoulin

FRA

Goalkeeper

02.02.1984

Rillieux la Pape, FRA

199

103

Emonet

FRA

Left Wing

04.01.1992

Sartrouville, FRA

182

Faluvegi

HUN Left Back

09.01.1994

Budapest, HUN

192

Cannes, FRA

191

100

14 Julian 4

Rudolf

22 Leo C 13 Rock

Fauvet

FRA

Line Player

04.10.1999

Feliho

FRA

Back

13.08.1982

Cotonou, BEN

192

100

Right Back

08.11.1987

Pamplona, ESP

195

18 Eduardo

Gurbindo Martinez ESP

23 Edson

Imare

FRA

Centre Back

09.09.1998

Saint Denis, Réunion, FRA 189

Dominik

Klein

GER

Left Wing

16.12.1983

Miltenberg, GER

190

Romain

Lagarde

FRA

Centre Back

05.03.1997

Lorient, FRA

194

27 Arthur

Laugier

FRA

Right Wing

06.02.1998

Reims, FRA

185

17 Kiril

Lazarov

MKD Right Back

10.05.1980

Veles, MKD

195

FRA

Left Wing

27.05.1997

Argenteuil, FRA

188

21 Michel Junior Matiaba-Tuzolana 15 Jerko

Matulic

CRO

Right Wing

20.04.1990

Supetar, CRO

187

12 Alexandre

Moali

FRA

Goalkeeper

21.01.1999

Paris, FRA

193

FRA

Left Back

28.06.1986

Montfermeil, FRA

187

Guy Olivier Nyokas

10 Dragan

Pechmalbec

FRA

Line Player

05.01.1996

Cahors, FRA

194

25 Lucas

Petraud

FRA

Right Back

10.01.1999

Cagnes sur Mer, FRA

194

FRA

Left Back

27.05.1996

Lens, FRA

200

FRA

Goalkeeper

06.12.1978

Longjumeau, FRA

190

05.04.1994

Niort, FRA

200

116

04.03.1997

Colmar, FRA

189

24 James Junior Scott 16 Arnaud

Siffert

11 Nicolas

Tournat

FRA

Line Player

26 Lucas

Weiss

FRA

Back

HBC Nantes

Cyril Dumoulin goalkeeper • after playing in Chambéry and Toulouse, he arrived in Nantes • arrived at the end of the 2015/16 season, to make up for the injury of Gorazd Skof • with 1.99 m height, one of the tallest goalkeeper on the circuit • beside his handball career, he's also published two books he wrote - a diary of his seasons and they gained much critical success EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015

Dominik Klein left wing • in 2016, after ten seasons in THW Kiel, the left winger decided to give himself a new challenge by moving to France • his wife Isabell has moved with him and plays for the women's club in Nantes • scored 1,071 goals in his 15 seasons in bundesliga, won 8 bundesliga titles and 6 German cup trophies • in his homeland played also for Obernburg, Wallau-Massenheim and Grosswallstadt EC trophies : CL 2007, 2010, 2012 WCh: G 2007

Olivier Nyokas left back • returned to France in 2016 after two seasons with German club Balingen • a late bloomer with astonishing national team appearances, including an eight-goal performance at the EURO 2016 in his first game at a major tournament • in Nantes, he reunited with his best friend, Nicolas Claire, as well as with the coach who trained him in his younger years, Thierry Anti • his twin brother, Kevynn, retired from handball in the summer of 2016 WCh: G 2017

Nicolas Claire centre back • former player for PSG Handball, who joined Nantes in 2014 to work with Thierry Anti – his coach and mentor in his first professional years • played his first international games with France in 2015 but has yet to take part in any major tournament • handball is a family affair for him, since his two younger brothers are professionals playing in the second French league • born on Réunion Island, where Jackson Richardson and Daniel Narcisse are from

HBC Nantes

Nicolas Tournat line player • considered by France national team coach Didier Dinart as “one of the brightest hopes in French handball” • made his first national team appearance in 2015, but has not been called upon for recent competitions • arrived in Nantes when he was 18 and has not played for any other team since • undeniably one of the best players in the squad over the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons

Kiril Lazarov right back • has scored over 1,000 goals in the CL, and was top scorer in 2006 and 2008 • chose to move to Nantes after playing in Spain for seven years, with Ciudad Real and FC Barcelona • Thierry Anti hopes his experience will help the team take another step forward • most successful scorer at a single EURO (61 goals in 2012) and at a WCh (92 goals in 2009), both with FYR Macedonia EC trophies: CL 2015

Eduardo Gurbindo right back • after trying his luck for two seasons, Thierry Anti finally managed to convince the Spaniard to come to Nantes in 2016 • Lazarov and Gurbindo will share the right back position in 2017/18, just as they did for three years in Barcelona • can play on the wing, at right back and at centre back • won the CL with Barcelona in 2015, alongside Lazarov EC trophies : CL 2015 EURO: S 2016, B 2014

David Balaguer right wing • at 25 years, he’s following the footsteps of Valero Rivera, formed in Barcelona like him, joined Nantes in 2015 • shares many similarities with Rivera, like coming to the spotlight with Nantes’ jersey on his shoulders • Barcelona tried to sign him back in the summer of 2016, but he chose to extend his contract in France instead • made his debut with the Spanish national team at the World Championship in 2017

Group Bpreview

Group B preview EUROPEAN KINGS KIELCE LEAD STRONG FIELD IN GROUP B Four former EHF Champions League winners plus two finalists of the last three VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournaments: Group B of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18 is a world-class selection. “There is nothing bigger to come than this group,” says Domagoj Duvnjak, the currently injured team captain of THW Kiel. His side – Champions League winners in 2007, 2010 and 2012 – is one of four former winners in Group B, alongside RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (2004), SG Flensburg-Handewitt (2014) and KS Vive Tauron Kielce (2016). Telekom Veszprém HC (2015, 2016) and Paris Saint-Germain Handball (2017) have both contested the final, only just missing the trophy. And both PSG and Veszprém have bolstered their squads further this season, with Paris stating: “The trophy is our major goal.” PSG have signed Norwegian playmaker Sander Sagosen and Spanish goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales to extend their list of stars. The new back court axis, with Nikola Karabatic, Mikkel Hansen, Sagosen, Daniel Narcisse and Nedim Remili, is a class of its own, as is the newly formed goalkeeper duo Thierry Omeyer/Corrales. Sagosen will face his former side Aalborg in the group phase this season. But Sagosen’s is not the most significant return to a former home arena in this hammer group: After 11 years in different positions with Flensburg, coach Ljubomir Vranjes joined Veszprém – and will return to the side he led to the biggest success in club history, winning the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2014. Vranjes is expected to steer the Hungarian record champions to Cologne again, though right at the beginning had to manage the ‘Palmarsson case’ – the Icelandic playmaker is currently suspended after missing the first training session of the season. Despite those atmospheric problems, Veszprém will focus even more on the Champions League in 2017/18, as they will not be part of the SEHA League anymore. In Kielce, coach Talant Dujshebaev gave his son Alex a warm welcome when he joined the 2016 Champions League winners as the 2017 title holder with Vardar this summer. Kielce is in a major transitional phase, and managed to sign another coveted super talent, Slovenian Blaz Janc. The 21-year-old will replace 2016 EURO champion Tobias Reichmann.

Group B preview

As Group B is the place for homecomings in the 2017/18 season, Janc will face his former club Celje in the group phase, which in turn is the new home and school for the younger Dujshebaev son Daniel – who will join Kielce in 2019. “We hope for a spot in the Last 16, but we know that this is a goal that is super hard to fulfil,” is the prediction from Celje. Aside from the Slovenian club, Meshkov Brest are another Group B team participating in the SEHA League. The Belarusian side also had some changes in their squad: tall shooter Dainis Kristopans replaced Alex Dujshebaev in Vardar and Pavel Atman left for Germany, but some stars, such as Petar Djordjic (who will face his previous club Flensburg), arrived. Meshkov aim for a Last 16 spot at minimum, while Aalborg hope to use their home matches to upset big teams with their young all-Scandinavian squad – but without mastermind Sagosen. And the two former German Champions League winners, Kiel and Flensburg? As usual, they were drawn in the same group and, also as usual, belong to the top candidates to reach the knock-out stage. The crucial question for Flensburg is how Maik Machulla can fill the Vranjes’ shoes, and the main factor for Kiel is when Duvnjak will be back on stage. In the favourite ranking for this group, both Kiel and Flensburg are below PSG, Kielce and Veszprém – but ahead of the rest. Thus, all experts expect a close and long-lasting fight between Brest, Celje and Aalborg for sixth position and the ticket to the Last 16.

Björn Pazen

Group B preview

Group B head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group B opponents in the EC Telekom Veszprém HC vs PGE Vive Kielce 5-0-2 (225:197) 10:4 18.10.2003 15.11.2003 17.10.2009 06.03.2010 02.10.2011 11.02.2012 29.05.2016

Fotex KC Veszprém vs KS ‘Vive’ Kielce, EHF Champions League – Group G 31:24 (21:12) KS ‘Vive’ Kielce vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Group G 30:41 (19:19) MKB Veszprém KC vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, EHF Champions League – Group B 33:26 (16:11) KS Vive Targi Kielce vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Group B 29:32 (14:14) KS Vive Targi Kielce vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 25:29 (10:17) MKB Veszprém KC vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 21:24 (13:12) KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Final 39:38 (13:17, 29:29, 35:35)

Telekom Veszprém HC vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 4-1-4 (250:237) 9:9 19.04.2014 26.04.2014 12.04.2015 19.04.2015 25.10.2015 28.11.2015 20.11.2016 27.11.2016 03.06.2017

PSG Handball vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 26:28 (14:12) MKB-MVM Veszprém vs PSG Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 31:26 (12:12) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 24:24 (10:12) MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 34:28 (16:12) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs MVM Vészprem, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 29:27 (16:12) MVM Veszprém vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:20 (16:14) Telekom Veszprém vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:29 (14:15) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs Telekom Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:24 (14:12) Telekom Veszprém vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final 26:27 (11:11)

Telekom Veszprém HC vs Aalborg Handbold No previous encounters in European competitions

Telekom Veszprém HC vs HC Meshkov Brest No previous encounters in European competitions

Telekom Veszprém HC vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 10-1-1 (324:286) 21:3 09.10.1994 15.10.1994 29.09.2007 18.11.2007 29.09.2012 01.12.2012 17.11.2013 23.11.2013 18.10.2014 15.02.2015 15.11.2015 21.11.2015

Fotex Veszprem vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Fotex Veszprem, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2 MKB Veszprém KC vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F MKB Veszprém KC vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C MKB-MVM Veszprém vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A MVM Veszprém vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

22:18 (8:9) 21:24 (12:10) 24:24 (14:11) 28:23 (15:14) 32:22 (16:11) 19:24 (9:11) 26:31 (14:15) 27:26 (13:10) 21:24 (9:14) 29:26 (15:10) 27:30 (11:17) 34:28 (17:15)

Telekom Veszprém HC vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 4-1-3 (215:217) 9:7 24.02.2001 03.03.2001 05.10.2008 16.11.2008 26.09.2015 27.02.2016 24.09.2016 11.03.2017

SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Fotex KC Veszprém, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Group F SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Group F MVM Veszprém vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Telekom Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Telekom Veszprém vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

31:22 (13:12) 20:22 (9:10) 29:28 (14:14) 32:29 (15:15) 28:24 (15:14) 28:29 (12:10) 24:24 (10:13) 34:28 (17:18)

Group B preview

Telekom Veszprém HC vs THW Kiel 9-0-7 (450:450) 18:14 24.01.1996 13.02.1996 25.10.2002 24.02.2007 01.03.2007 18.10.2012 17.02.2013 21.04.2013 27.04.2013 31.05.2014 30.05.2015 17.10.2015 06.12.2015 28.05.2016 15.10.2016 15.02.2017

THW Kiel vs Fotex Veszprém SE, EHF Champions League – Group A Fotex Veszprém SE vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Fotex KC Veszprém, European Championship for Club Teams – Semi-final MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB-MVM Veszprém vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final MVM Veszprém vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final Telekom Veszprém vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Telekom Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

28:25 (17:15) 23:21 (11:9) 23:31 (11:15) 39:36 (19:20) 39:32 (22:15) 31:30 (14:15) 32:21 (17:13) 32:31 (15:16) 28:29 (14:12) 26:29 (13:13) 27:31 (13:13) 29:27 (17:15) 25:24 (11:12) 28:31 (15:12, 25:25) 21:19 (13:10) 25:27 (15:15)

PGE Vive Kielce vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 1-0-0 (28:26) 2:0 28.05.2016

KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final

28:26 (16:16)

PGE Vive Kielce vs Aalborg Handbold 2-0-0 (60:51) 4:0 16.11.2014 23.11.2014

Aalborg Handball vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Aalborg Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D

25:27 (12:13) 33:26 (18:15)

PGE Vive Kielce vs HC Meshkov Brest 4-0-0 (129:109) 8:0 19.03.2016 26.03.2016 24.09.2016 11.03.2017

HC Meshkov Brest vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 HC Meshkov Brest vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

28:32 (14:12) 33:30 (14:14) 24:29 (14:11) 35:27 (15:16)

PGE Vive Kielce vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 1-0-5 (180:193) 2:10 30.10.1999 27.11.1999 26.09.2010 19.02.2011 15.10.2016 19.02.2017

KS Iskra-Lider Market vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group B Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs KS Iskra-Lider Market, EHF Champions League – group B KS Vive Targi Kielce vs HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

25:30 (13:14) 40:32 (20:13) 30:36 (11:18) 30:29 (12:14) 31:23 (16:15) 34:33 (16:19)

PGE Vive Kielce vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 1-1-0 (57:56) 3:1 23.04.2016 27.04.2016

SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 28:28 (13:14) KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 29:28 (14:13)

PGE Vive Kielce vs THW Kiel 4-1-3 (231:240) 9:7 21.02.1998 01.03.1998 10.10.2010 06.03.2011 02.06.2013 19.10.2013 16.02.2014 31.05.2015

Jskra Ceresit Kielce vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Quarter-final THW Kiel vs Jskra Ceresit Kielce, EHF Cup – Quarter-final THW Kiel vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4

28:27 (16:12) 31:26 (16:11) 33:29 (16:13) 27:36 (11:18) 31:30 (19:12) 34:29 (17:11) 28:28 (13:16) 28:26 (12:12)

Group B preview

Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs Aalborg Handbold No previous encounters in European competitions

Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Meshkov Brest 2-0-0 (65:53) 4:0 19.10.2014 15.02.2015

HC Meshkov Brest vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

28:29 (12:15) 36:25 (18:14)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 2-0-2 (106:114) 4:4 09.11.1996 11.01.1997 18.10.2015 06.12.2015

Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs PSG Asnières Hand-Ball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D PSG Asnières Hand-Ball vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

31:22 (11:10) 20:26 (11:13) 30:32 (15:16) 32:27 (17:12)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 4-0-2 (185:194) 8:4 15.10.2005 13.11.2005 19.09.2015 06.03.2016 16.10.2016 18.02.2017

SG Flensburg Handewitt vs Paris Handball, EHF Champions League – Group H Paris Handball vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Group H SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

37:24 (17:13) 33:31 (16:16) 39:32 (21:16) 35:32 (16:16) 27:22 (13:11) 33:34 (18:15)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel 4-0-7 (325:333) 8:14 14.12.2003 21.12.2003 04.12.2005 10.12.2005 16.11.2014 22.11.2014 12.11.2015 21.11.2015 29.05.2016 25.09.2016 12.03.2017

THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, EHF Cup – Last 16 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Last 16 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Last 16 THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, EHF Champions League – Last 16 Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4 THW Kiel vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

34:27 (19:12) 30:32 (14:19) 21:28 (11:13) 44:28 (22:12) 25:27 (13:12) 33:29 (14:15) 26:30 (10:16) 37:30 (18:12) 29:27 (15:11) 28:27 (15:15) 42:24 (22:10)

Aalborg Handbold vs HC Meshkov Brest 1-1-0 (61:57) 3:1 13.12.2003 20.12.2003

Brestskiy HC Meshkovo vs AaB Handbold Aalborg, EHF Cup – Last 16 AaB Handbold Aalborg vs Brestskiy HC Meshkovo, EHF Cup – Last 16

30:30 (12:17) 31:27 (13:12)

Aalborg Handbold vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko No previous encounters in European competitions

Aalborg Handbold vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 0-0-2 (53:58) 0:4 22.09.2013 01.12.2013

SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Aalborg Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Aalborg Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D

31:27 (15:12) 26:27 (13:14)

Aalborg Handbold vs THW Kiel 0-1-1 (55:62) 1:3 14.02.2004 22.02.2004

THW Kiel vs AaB Handbold Aalborg, EHF Cup – Quarter-final AaB Handbold Aalborg vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Quarter-final

30:23 (12:8) 32:32 (15:16)

Group B preview

HC Meshkov Brest vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 0-2-0 (65:65) 2:2 19.11.2016 27.11.2016

HC Meshkov Brest vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B

29:29 (14:15) 36:36 (18:17)

HC Meshkov Brest vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 0-0-2 (51:54) 0:4 26.03.2017 02.04.2017

HC Meshkov Brest vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16

25:26 (13:15) 28:26 (13:13)

HC Meshkov Brest vs THW Kiel 0-0-2 (59:72) 0:4 01.10.2005 06.11.2005

THW Kiel vs Brest HC Meshkov, EHF Champions League – Group E Brest HC Meshkov vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Group E

35:28 (19:11) 31:37 (15:21)

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 4-1-7 (347:365) 9:15 08.11.2003 30.11.2003 18.04.2004 24.04.2004 02.12.2006 08.12.2006 27.03.2010 03.04.2010 23.03.2014 29.03.2014 11.10.2015 20.02.2016

SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Cup – Quarter-final Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Cup – Quarter-final Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

29:29 (14:14) 29:28 (12:17) 34:28 (17:13) 30:28 (15:15) 41:31 (21:14) 36:26 (20:12) 33:29 (15:12) 32:35 (16:15) 26:25 (13:12) 30:27 (15:14) 30:20 (13:10) 26:30 (15:12)

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs THW Kiel 2-1-5 (231:260) 5:11 28.11.2004 21.10.2007 17.10.2010 27.02.2011 17.11.2012 21.11.2012 21.10.2015 28.11.2015

THW Kiel vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, European Championship for Club Teams – Final RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs THW Kiel, Champions Trophy – Final HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A THW Kiel vs HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B THW Kiel vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

29:30 (17:15) 34:38 (17:23) 28:34 (10:18) 43:27 (23:16) 31:28 (12:12) 30:26 (13:12) 35:32 (16:14) 23:23 (14:14)

SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel 5-1-8 (390:394) 11:17 18.04.1998 22.04.1998 28.10.2001 28.02.2006 04.03.2006 22.04.2007 29.04.2007 01.06.2014 15.03.2015 22.03.2015 03.10.2015 14.02.2016 20.11.2016 23.11.2016

SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Final 25:23 (12:9) THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Cup – Final 26:21 (16:9) THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, European Championship for Club Teams – Place 3/4 33:31 (17:14) THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 28:32 (13:12) SG Flensburg Handewitt vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 32:34 (16:17) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Final 28:28 (10:12) THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Final 29:27 (15:10) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Final 30:28 (14:16) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 21:30 (9:16) THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 33:28 (16:10) THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 27:23 (14:13) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 37:27 (17:14) THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 22:30 (12:14) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 25:26 (13:17)

Telekom Veszprém HC

GROUP B

Club Address

Telekom Veszprém HC 5 Külső Kádártai út 8200 Veszprém Hungary Media contact

Péter Domján +36 307 219 252 peter.domjan@handballveszprem.hu handballveszprem.hu veszpremhandballteam @mkbveszpremkc

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: green Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: black

Telekom Veszprém HC The 40th anniversary season of Telekom Veszprém HC, which started with the successful Veszprém Handball City Festival, shall be a milestone and a benchmark – with a new coach: Ljubomir Vranjes, and an old goal: winning the VELUX EHF Champions League. But the preparation was overshadowed by negative headlines about Aron Palmarsson, who will not be part of the squad anymore. Although Peter Gulyas and Gergö Ivancsik ended their active careers, they remain part of Veszprém’s youth programme. It will a process of mutual learning and understanding. In the preparation, Vranjes said that he knows Veszprém perfectly – but from the perspective of an opponent. Now he is assuming internal views. The process of transition is made easier by the fact that Veszprém can focus on the Hungarian league and VELUX EHF Champions League only, and will not play in the SEHA League. The squad has been reduced, the focus has been set on Champions League – but the new construct definitely needs some time. What was the reason for Palmarsson’s departure – and how will Veszprém cope with the situation? Aron Palmarsson has signed a contract with FC Barcelona, starting in 2018, but wanted to join the Catalan team this summer. When the first of Veszprém’s training sessions for the 2017/18 season was about to start, Palmarsson informed his new coach Vranjes that he was in Iceland, after which the club decided to suspend him from the squad. Now Vranjes counts on Mate Lekai and Matyas Györi as playmakers. Next season (and not earlier) French world champion Kentin Mahe will join Veszprém. Flensburg, Kiel and PSG were also Veszprém’s group phase opponents in 2016/17, while this season, Kielce replace Barcelona. Veszprém are therefore expected to finish among the top three or four in Group B. The chances of making it to Cologne are the same as in the last seasons – it depends on luck, injuries, and how fast the coach and team will fit. The past has shown that if you make it to Cologne, anything can happen. Veszprém definitely belong to the top favourites again in 2017/18. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 23 Final (3): 2001/02, 2014/15, 2015/16 Semi-final (4): 2002/03, 2005/06, 2013/14, 2016/17 Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Last 16 (3): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, 2007/08

Playing hall Veszprém Arena Külso Kadartai ut 8200 Veszprém Hungary Capacity: 5,020

Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Runners-up 1996/97 SEHA-league: 2 titles (2015, 2016) Hungarian league: 25 titles (1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008-17) Hungarian Cup winner: 26 times

Telekom Veszprém

EHF Champions League club records

11 46 77

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

38:17 (18:9) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004 30:18 (16:8) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) 3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996) 4 matches (09.01.1999 – 31.10.1999) 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 46:26W (h), 07.10.2006 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:32L (a), 01.03.2007 39 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 39:38La7m (a), 29.05.2016 77 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 39:38La7m (a), 29.05.2016 15 v TEKA Santander ESP 25:15L (a), 15.03.1995 13 v SO Chambery FRA 29:13W (h), 18.11.2001 13 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002 32 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1994/95 Fotex Veszprem HUN 1995/96 Fotex Veszprem HUN 1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 1998/99 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 1999/00 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2001/02 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2002/03 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2003/04 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2004/05 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2006/07 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2007/08 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2008/09 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2009/10 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2010/11 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2011/12 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2012/13 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 2013/14 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 2014/15 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 2015/16 MVM Veszprém HUN 2016/17 Telekom Veszprém HUN Total:

6 6 8 8 8 12 10 10 10 12 10 6 12 14 12 12 14 16 16 20 20 242

2 2 3 0 5 1 3 1 4 0 9 0 8 0 7 0 7 0 9 0 7 0 2 2 8 0 11 0 9 0 7 0 11 0 11 1 13 1 15 2 13 2 164 12

GF GA

2 3 2 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 5 3 4 2 3 5 66

131:147 –16 147:144 +3 228:204 +24 200:188 +12 203:202 +1 310:267 +43 276:238 +38 306:276 +30 317:259 +58 373:318 +55 338:288 +50 184:171 +13 351:320 +31 419:368 +51 373:338 +35 321:322 -1 410:348 +62 477:410 +67 480:423 +57 600:539 +61 549:511 +38 6993:6281 +712

PTS

Stage1994/95

6:6 6:6 11:5 7:9 8:8 18:6 16:4 14:6 14:6 18:6 14:6 6:6 16:8 22:6 18:6 14:10 22:6 23:9 27:5 32:8 28:12 340:144

3rd Gr. A 3rd Gr. A 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Runner-up 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 3rd Gr. F 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/4-finals Fourth Place Runner-up Runner-up Third Place

Telekom Veszprém

Ljubomir Vranjes coach • former Swedish national team player, was still on the players’ list of Flensburg before he joined Veszprem in 2017 • became club manager in 2009 and coach in November 2010; awarded IHF coach of the Year in 2014 • after winning the CL in the 2014/15 season he declined the number of top offers from PSG and the German national team • led Serbia to the EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark as a caretaker, but did not continue • highly creative photographer in his spare time and published his book of memoirs EC trophies: CL 2014 (as coach), Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 (as coach) OG: S 2000, WCh: G 1999, EURO: G 1998, 2000 and 2002 Newcomers: Dejan Manaskov (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER) Kent Robin Tönnesen (Füchse Berlin/GER) William Accambray (PSG Handball/FRA) Matyas Györi (Balatonfüredi KSE/HUN) Iman Jamali (Meshkov Brest/BLR – from loan)

Left the club: Peter Gulyas (retired, new director of Veszprém’s youth programme) Gergö Ivancsik (retired, Veszprém youth coach) Adam Borbely (Orlen Wisla Plock/POL) Norbert Gyene (Orosháza/HUN) Marko Kopljar (Füchse Berlin/GER) Jose Maria ‘Chema’ Rodriguez Vaquero (USM Saran Handball/FRA) Mirko Milasevic (Göztepe SK/TUR) Erik Szeitl (Csurgói KK/HUN) Zoltan Szita (on loan to Balatonfüredi KSE/HUN) Ivan Sliskovic (N/A) Attila Toth (Csurgói KK/HUN) 92

Telekom Veszprém

Team roster No. First Name Surname 20 William

Accambray

Height Weight

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

FRA

Left Back

08.04.1988

Cannes, FRA

194

104

15.09.1985

Ljubuski, BIH

200

110

Goalkeeper

32 Mirko

Alilovic

CRO

27 Gabor

Ancsin

HUN Right Back

27.11.1990

Bekescsaba, HUN

202

109

31 Blaz

Blagotinsek

SLO

Line Player

17.01.1994

Celje, SLO

202

116

45 Uros

Borzas

HUN Left Back

28.07.1999

Zenta, SRB

198

20.07.1997

Pec, SRB

192

29.09.1998

Veszprem, HUN

185

21.07.1984

Celje, SLO

188

02.02.1997

Debrecen, HUN

192

02.11.1997

Zenta, SRB

189

42 Aleksandar Djordjevic

SRB

Goalkeeper

47 Bence

Ernei

HUN Left Back

17 Dragan

Gajic

SLO

22 Matyas

Györi

HUN Centre Back

Right Wing

41 Andras

Hanak

HUN Line Player

13 Momir

Ilic

SRB

Left Back

22.12.1981

Arandjelovac, SRB

198

107

44 Iman

Jamali

HUN Left Back

11.10.1991

Esfahan, IRI

200

102

43 Matyas

Kristof

HUN Centre Back

22.04.1998

Veszprem, HUN

187

66 Mate

Lekai

HUN Centre Back

16.06.1988

Budapest, HUN

190

96 Patrik

Ligetvari

HUN Left Back

13.02.1996

Várpalota, HUN

200

Manaskov

MKD Goalkeeper

26.08.1992

Veles, MKD

180

Marguc

SLO

Right Wing

20.08.1990

Celje, SLO

180

190

101

Dejan

24 Gasper 16 Roland

Mikler

HUN Goalkeeper

20.09.1984

Dunaujvaros, HUN

44 Balazs

Molnar

HUN Left Wing

25.06.1997

Veszprém, HUN

175

48 Barnabas

Nagy

HUN Goalkeeper

08.06.1998

Veszprém, HUN

190

Nagy

HUN Right Back

03.03.1981

Szeged, HUN

207

116

Nilsson

SWE Line Player

12.04.1990

Trelleborg, SWE

196

116

Istvan TimuzsinSchuch

HUN Line Player

05.06.1985

Nagyatad, HUN

197

109

C 19 Laszlo 18 Andreas 5

33 Renato

Sulic

CRO

Line Player

12.10.1979

Rijeka, CRO

192

107

46 Benedek

Szakaly

HUN Right Wing

07.09.1997

Budapest, HUN

178

12.07.1983

Priboj, BIH

196

105

30 Mirsad

Terzic

BIH

Left Back

NOR Right Back

05.06.1991

Partille, SWE

195

100

49 David

Ubornyak

HUN Centre Back

08.09.1998

Szabadszállás, HUN

188

23 Cristian

Ugalde Garcia

ESP

19.10.1987

Barcelona, ESP

187

15 Kent Robin Tönnesen

Left Wing

Telekom Veszprém

Roland Mikler goalkeeper • 2005 All-Star goalkeeper of the junior WCh, at which he led Hungary to bronze • Hungarian national team member is quick, compact, excellent at directing defence • as a teenager Mikler reached the semi-final of the EHF Cup over a decade ago, with Dunaferr in 2003, and won it with Szeged in 2014 • joined Veszprem in 2014 after the EHF Cup success with Szeged EC trophy: EHF Cup 2014

Mirko Alilovic goalkeeper • like his predecessor (Dejan Peric) belongs to the elite class of goalkeepers who can send the audience to their feet and inspire his teammates • Croatian national team member, has been fighting for the first choice position with Roland Mikler in Veszprém • very familiar with the Spanish contingent in Veszprém as he played for five years in the ASOBAL OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, 2016, WCh: S 2009, B 2013

Cristian Ugalde left wing • brought up by Barcelona and played regularly in the first team since he was 18 • excelled at international level in the 2007/08 season with his 34 goals and participation in the national team • won every possible title with Barca – some of them multiple times EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: B 2011

William Accambray left back •

his father was a hammer thrower while his mother threw the discus and his brother played volleyball at a high level

•

powerful shooter has reached his first FINAL4 in 2016 in his eighth CL season

•

after playing his whole career in Montpellier, joined Paris in 2014 and moved on to Veszprem in 2016

•

has been injured a lot since his arrival to Paris, including a heavy knee injury from which he came back only two months before the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2016

OG: G 2012, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2011, 2015, 2017

Telekom Veszprém

Mate Lekai centre back •

member of Hungarian national team made big impression in his former clubs PLER and Pick Szeged

•

returned to Hungary from Celje where he spent two seasons

•

had a lot of troubles with injuries during his first season with Celje and missed all important matches, but in the league final he scored five and played whole second half with broken finger

•

should get more time on court with Aron Palmarsson questionable at the start of the 2017/18 season

Andreas Nilsson line player • the 26 year-old pivot has already featured in three Champions League finals having been crowned as champion in 2013 with Hamburg • won two SEHA League titles, two national championships and cups in Hungary with Veszprém • the Swede is sharing line-playing duties with Croatian Renato Sulic and Blaz Blagotinsek EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: S 2012

Laszlo Nagy right back • started his career as a basketball player and was close to a move to the USA at 13 • decided for handball and became one of the best right backs in the world • transferred from Szeged to Barcelona in 2006 and became the captain despite being a foreigner; captain of Veszprém since 2014 • All-Star right back of the 2013 WCh and the 2012/13 CL season EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003

Gasper Marguc right wing •

took part in the WCh in Spain 2013, where Slovenia placed fourth

•

came to Veszprém from Celje where he was playing since 2009

•

in the 2012/13 season played his best season so far and became Slovenia’s top scorer in the CL, netting 72 times (10th overall)

•

played two amazing matches against THW Kiel in 2012/13, scoring 18 times from 18 shots against the legendary Thierry Omeyer

WCh: B 2017

PGE Vive Kielce

GROUP B

PGE Vive Kielce Last season, KS Vive Tauron Kielce shared the fate of previous reigning VELUX EHF Champions League champions Hamburg and Flensburg, when they failed to make it beyond the Last 16. Now the team of head coach Talant Dujshebaev has added new blood, including Talant’s son Alex and Slovenian prodigy Blaz Janc.

Club Address

PGE Vive Kielce ul. Robotnicza 5 25-662 Kielce Poland

Two of the three Dujshebaevs are united, and the missing piece – U21 world champion Dani – will arrive in two years once he has served his apprenticeship at Celje. The expectations are huge, as Alex was a top star in Vardar’s Champions League-winning side last year. His father is under a certain amount of pressure, after failing in the Champions League last year and resigning as Poland national team coach. However, the mixture of a mastermind on the bench and his son on the court will boost the team.

Media contact

Sebastian Kozubek +48 505031244 s.kozubek@vtkielce.pl www.vtkielce.pl kielcehandball @ksvive

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow GK shirt: grey Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: orange

The Kielce team have quite a high average age, with players such as Bielecki, Lijewski, Szmal and Jurecki far beyond the 30 years of age mark, so now the Polish side start the next part of their transition with younger players like Dujshebaev and Janc. Other top talents have also been contracted by Kielce but will play at other sides on loan this season, in order to learn and to gain experience. The team will need a lot of fresh blood in the coming seasons. Kielce have qualified three times for the VELUX EHF FINAL4, including winning the trophy in 2016, but this year have been drawn in a challenging group. They have the ambition, and they have a squad capable of going all the way. As usual, the home matches will be crucial for the Polish champions, as in previous years they have been shaky in away matches against top teams. The 2014 Youth Olympic Games winner, Blaz Janc, was THE rising star of the previous season. He was Europe’s most wanted and it was Kielce who grabbed the chance earlier than expected, as Janc was believed to be arriving in Poland later in his career. His signing means he will replace 2016 EHF EURO champion Tobias Reichmann, who returned to Germany. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 15 Winners (1): 2015/16 Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third ranked in VELUX F4) Last 16 (6): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2016/17 Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99 Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, 2003/04, 2010/11

Playing hall Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów ul. Boczna 15A 25-093 Kielce Poland Capacity: 4,000

Other 11 participations in other ECs Polish league: 13 titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Polish cup: 13 titles

PGE Vive Kielce

EHF Champions League club records

18 39 77

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS

Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals

Most goals both teams

Fewest goals opponent

Fewest goals both teams

35:23 (16:13) v FC Porto Vitalis POR (h), 29.09.2013 30:41 (19:19) v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN (h), 15.11.2003 11 matches (25.09.2014 – 15.03.2015) 18 matches (15.11.2015 – 15.10.2016) 5 matches (13.02.2010 – 27.03.2010) 5 matches (19.02.2011 – 09.10.2011) 6 matches (26.09.2010 – 27.11.2010) 39 v MVM Veszprém HUN 39:38Wa7m (a), 29.05.2016 41 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:41L (h), 15.11.2003 77 v MVM Veszprém HUN 39:38Wa7m (a), 29.05.2016 21 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 25:21L (a), 27.02.2010 21 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 20 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 20 v HC Vardar MKD 20:22W (a), 11.04.2015 20 v HC Vardar MKD 23:20W (h), 28.11.2015 41 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1999/00 KS Iskra-Lider Market POL 2003/04 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce POL 2009/10 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2010/11 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2011/12 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2012/13 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2013/14 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 2014/15 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 2015/16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 2016/17 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL Total

6 3 0 3 6 2 1 3 12 5 1 6 10 1 2 7 12 6 1 5 16 14 0 2 12 7 1 4 16 14 0 2 20 14 4 2 16 9 0 7 126 75 10 41

GF GA

173:186 –13 159:177 -18 345:344 +1 276:300 -24 345:336 +9 469:400 +69 362:331 +31 483:439 +44 614:577 +37 469:451 +18 3695:3541 +154

PTS

Stage1994/95

6:6 5:7 11:13 4:16 13:11 28:4 15:9 28:4 32:8 18:14 160:92

3rd Gr. B 3rd Gr. G 1/8-finals 6th Gr. A 1/8-finals Third Place 1/8-finals Third Place Winner 1/8-finals

PGE Vive Kielce

Talant Dujshebaev coach • • • • •

most awarded figure in the club; during his longstanding playing career won plenty of trophies with three different national teams (CIS, Russia, Spain) voted twice as the IHF World Player of the Year, in 1994 and in 1996 has successfully continued as a coach for the last 10 years joined Kielce in the half of the 2013/14 season, replacing Bogdan Wenta changed the playing style of Kielce placing emphasis on the aggressive defence

EC Trophies: CL 1994 (as player), 2006, 2008, 2009, 2016 (as coach), EHF Cup 1993, Cup Winners’ Cup 2002, 2003 OG: G 1992, B 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1993, EURO: S 1996, 1998, B 2000

Newcomers: Blaz Janc (Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO) Marko Mamić (Dunkerque HB/FRA) Alex Dujshebaev (Vardar/MKD) Szymon Sićko (SPR Chrobry Głogów/POL) Daniel Dujshebaev (Valladolid/ESP) Milosz Walach (youth team)

Left the club: Tobias Reichmann (MT Melsungen/GER) Piotr Chrapkowski (SC Magdeburg/GER) Paweł Paczkowski (Motor Zaporozhye/GER, on Ioan) Paweł Walczak (Massy Esson Handball/FRA, on Ioan) Daniel Dujshebaev (Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO, on Ioan) Branko Vujović (Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO, on Ioan) Szymon Sićko (TV Hüttenberg/GER, on Ioan)

KS Vive Tauron Kielce

Team roster Height Weight

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

13 Julen

Aguinagalde Akizu ESP

Line Player

08.12.1982

Irun, ESP

195

116

14 Karol

Bielecki

POL

Right Back

23.01.1982

Sandomierz, POL

202

101

POL

Line Player

25.03.1997

Kielce, POL

198

No. First Name Surname

18 Bartlomiej Bis

Nat.

44 Dean

Bombac

SLO

Centre Back

04.04.1989

Koper, SLO

188

45 Darko

Djukic

SRB

Right Wing

11.12.1994

Nis, SRB

191

19 Alex

Dujshebaev

ESP

Right Back

17.12.1992

Santander, ESP

187

16 Filip

Ivic

CRO

Goalkeeper

30.08.1992

Zagreb, CRO

195

15 Mateusz

Jachlewski

POL

Left Back

27.12.1984

Gdynia, POL

185

Blaz

Janc

SLO

Right Wing

20.11.1996

Brezice, SLO

185

Michal

8 C 5

Jurecki

POL

Left Back

27.10.1984

Koscian, POL

198

110

20 Mariusz

Jurkiewicz

POL

Centre Back

03.02.1982

Lubin, POL

199

103

11 Mateusz

Kus

POL

Right Back

14.07.1987

Piekary Sl., POL

200

110

19 Krzysztof

Lijewski

POL

Right Back

07.07.1983

Ostrรณw Wielkopolski, POL 198

10 Marko

Mamic

CRO

Left Back

06.03.1994

Zagreb, CRO

201

27 Szymon

Skowron

POL

Left Wing

13.11.1998

Kielce, POL

192

17 Manuel

Strlek

CRO

Left Wing

01.12.1988

Zagreb, CRO

181

Szmal

POL

Goalkeeper

02.10.1978

Strzelce Opolskie, POL 190

12 Milosz

Walach

POL

Goalkeeper

23.11.2001

Kielce, POL

188

23 Uros

Zorman

SLO

Centre Back

09.01.1980

Kranj, SLO

189

Slawomir

PGE Vive Kielce

Filip Ivic goalkeeper • before coming to Kielce in 2016, spent his entire career in Zagreb, where he was born; joined Zagreb’s first team in 2013/14 • won European gold and was fourth in the world as captain of the Croatia Junior national team • settled in very fast, establishing himself as first goalkeeper in the 2016/17 season • second best goalkeeper at the WCh 2015 in Qatar with a 37 per cent save rate WCh: B 2013

Manuel Strlek left wing • his arrival in Kielce in 2012 represented his first steps abroad after leaving his boyhood club Zagreb • very fast player lethal on counter attacks began in the CL in 2006 • All-Star Team left wing at the EHF EURO 2010 & 2016 and in CL 2015/16 • after the 2017/18 season, will leave Kielce for Hungarian Veszprém EC trophies: CL 2016 EURO: B 2012, 2016; OG: B 2012, WCh: B 2013

Michal Jurecki left back • Kielce’s powerful left back returned to Poland in 2010 after a three-season stint in Germany and spells at HSV Hamburg and TuS N-Lübbecke • All-Star Team Left back of the EHF EURO 2016 • under his steel covering the Polish tank hides a cheerful nature and a volcano of energy exploding in the most thrilling moments of the game • since 2015/16 a new captain of the team EC Trophies: CL: 2016 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Karol Bielecki left back • Poland’s biggest handball icon • spent eight seasons in the Bundesliga playing for Magdeburg and Rhein-Neckar • after losing sight in his left eye in an accident in 2010, the 33-year-old has made a remarkable comeback to his current steady form • known for his ability to score from long-range EC trophies: CL: 2016, EHF Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

100

PGE Vive Kielce

Uros Zorman centre back • not known for scoring high numbers of goals, but his movement and passes provide ample space for his teammates in attack • longstanding captain of Slovenia team, who finished his national career before the 2016/17 season • famous for his charisma, weakness for coffee and work with children, for whom he has been organising summer camps over recent years EC Trophies: CL: 2004, 2008, 2009, 2016 EURO: S 2004

Julen Aguinagalde line player • All-Star team line player of the 2013 WCh in Spain, EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark and EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • nominated for World Handball Player of the Year 2012 • joined Kielce from Atlético Mardid in 2013 for his first foreign league experience • five times participated in VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010-16, scored the deciding penalty throw in the 2015/16 shootout against Veszprem EC Trophies: CL: 2016 WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014, S 2016

Alex Dujshebaev right back • son of coach Talant Dujshebaev, joined Kielce at the beginning of the 2017/18 season • just finished a four-year stay in Vardar, winning the first CL trophy in the history of the club at the end of 2016/17 • best right back at the M20 EURO 2012 and the 2013 Junior WCh; best young player of the CL in 2014/15 and the best right back of the CL in 2016/17 • his younger brother, Daniel, also signed a contract with Kielce in 2017, but is on a loan to Celje for two years EC trophies: CL: 2016, Cup Winners’ Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Blaz Janc right wing • one of the biggest talents of Slovenian handball; top scorer for Slovenia at the Rio 2016 Olympics, with 28 goals in six matches • joined Kielce for 2017/18, replacing Tobias Reichmann, who returned to the Bundesliga after three successful years in Vive • playing his sixth season in the CL, after debuting at just 15 and scoring over 100 goals in the competition when he was still a teenager • best right back at the M20 EURO 2014 (alongside players two years older than him) WCh: B 2016

101

Paris Saint-Germain Handball

GROUP B

Paris SaintGermain Handball On the handball transfer market, it was Sander Sagosen and Rodrigo Corrales who made the move to Paris Saint-Germain, not Neymar and Mbappé. Despite being considerably cheaper transfers than their football counterparts, both players are world-class handball talents.

Club Address

Paris Saint-Germain Handball 82 avenue Georges Lafont 75016 Paris France Media contact

Matthieu Brelle-Andrade +33 6 52 53 74 13 mbrelleandrade@psg.fr www.psg.fr PSGHand @psghand @psghandofficiel

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow GK shirt: red

Experts expect that PSG will at least make it to Cologne, and after having been finalists in 2017, the pressure on them to take home the trophy is huge. Coach Noka Serdarusic has become accustomed to dealing with world class players through coaching Kiel from 1993 until 2008. He is calm and patient, but he can erupt when necessary. PSG signed him, along with all their top players, so that they could finally conquer the Champions League throne. Indeed, after his predecessor Philippe Gardent had difficulty forming a cohesive team from individual stars, Serdarusic nearly made it to the podium last season. All parties will have to work harder than ever before in the new season to win the trophy. Besides Serdarusic, centre back Nikola Karabatic also acts as leader for this group of stars, and he is the perfect personality for this job. PSG have a world class goalkeeper, superb left and right wings, while their back court and defence are exceptional. However, if there is one position where rival sides may be stronger than PSG, it is the line player position. Although he was on the opponents’ side, French fans gave a standing ovation for Sander Sagosen after the Men’s IHF World Championship Final 2017 in Paris. These fans recognised that the Norwegian will join the star-studded squad of PSG for the coming season. This playmaker was hunted by all the top clubs after the Men’s EHF EURO 2016, where he was Norway’s leading figure, even though he played the semi-final and bronze medal match with a broken hand. The only question is: Where will the 21-year-old find his place in the PSG back court, when Karabatic, Mikkel Hansen and Daniel Narcisse also have the ambition to play in the centre and left back? Maybe in the end there will be considerable rotation, with four stars vying for two positions.

Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red

Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 6 Runners-up (1): 2016/17 Semi-final (1): 2015/16 (3rd) Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 16 (1): 2005/06 Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2006/07, Last 16 2003/04

Playing hall Stade Pierre de Coubertin 82 avenue Georges Lafont 75016 Paris France France Capacity: 3,083

102

French league: 4 titles (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) French cup: 2 titles French League Cup: 1 title (2017) Trophée des Champions: 3 titles (2014, 2015, 2016)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

7 42 72

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS

Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals

Most goals both teams

Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

42:24 (22:10) v THW Kiel GER (h), 12.03.2017 44:28 (22:12) v THW Kiel GER (a), 10.12.2005 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) 7 matches (02.10.2016 – 27.11.2016) 10 matches (11.02.2017 – 03.06.2017) 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 42 v THW Kiel GER 42:24W (h), 12.03.2017 44 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 72 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 20 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:26L (h), 11.01.1997 20 v Caja Cantabria Santander ESP 26:20L (a), 18.01.1997 20 v MVM Veszprém HUN 28:20L (a), 28.11.2015 18 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005 39 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1996/97 PSG Asnières FRA 6 2005/06 Paris Handball FRA 8 2013/14 PSG Handball FRA 14 2014/15 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 14 2015/16 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 18 2016/17 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 20 Total: 80

GF GA

1 4 7 8 14 15 49

0 1 1 1 1 2 6

5 3 6 5 3 3 25

131:161 –30 212:229 -17 429:402 +27 395:367 +28 557:496 +61 622:543 +79 2346:2198 +148

103

PTS

Stage1994/95

2:10 9:7 15:13 17:11 29:7 32:8 104:56

4th Gr. D 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Third Place Runner-up

Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Noka Serdarusic coach •

born in Yugoslavia, became a German citizen in 2008

•

came out of retirement in 2012 to coach Aix, then moved to PSG in 2015

•

does not speak French, only German, but since many players in PSG have played in Germany before it seems to be no problem

•

his previous coaching experience includes eleven seasons with THW Kiel and three with SG Flensburg-Handewitt

•

almost a honourary member of the Karabatic family

EC trophies: CL 2007, EHF Cup 1998, 2002, 2004

Newcomers: Sander Sagosen (Aalborg Handball/DEN) Rodrigo Corrales (Orlen Wisla Plock/POL) Jovo Damjanovic (El Jaish/QAT)

Left the club: William Accambray (Veszprem/HUN) Xavier Barachet (Saint-Raphaël/FRA) Dylan Garain (Dunkerque/FRA) Jeffrey M’tima (Dunkerque/FRA) Gorazd Skof (Erlangen/GER)

104

Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Team roster No. First Name Surname 19 Luc

Abalo

Height Weight

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

FRA

Right Wing

06.09.1984

Creteil, FRA

182

193

88 Titouan

Afanou Gatine

FRA

Right Back

27.01.1995

Lyon, FRA

34 Clement

Branco

FRA

Right Wing

25.08.1996

Perpignan, FRA

190

17 Adrien

Charlette

FRA

Centre Back

10.03.1999

Saint-Pierre, FRA

183

10 Adrien

Chaudanson

FRA

Line Player

01.12.1998

Lyon, FRA

192

100

36 Rodrigo

Corrales Rodal

ESP

Goalkeeper

24.01.1991

Cangas, ESP

201

13 Jovo

Damjanovic

MNE Line Player

24.12.1996

Niksic, MNE

199

109

33 Louis

Despreaux

FRA

Right Back

22.02.1999

Mont Saint Aignan, FRA 194

Dourte

FRA

Line Player

30.06.1998

Thionville, FRA

206

105

197

Robin

70 Clement

Gaudin

FRA

Goalkeeper

13.03.1997

Martigues, FRA

Gensheimer

GER

Left Wing

26.10.1986

Mannheim, GER

188

97 Andry

Goujon Bellevue

FRA

Centre Back

02.09.1999

Courtry, FRA

193

24 Mikkel

Hansen

DEN

Left Back

22.10.1987

Helsingor, DEN

192

23 Gauthier

Ivah

FRA

Goalkeeper

06.01.1999

Saint-Denis, FRA

191

22 Luka

Karabatic

FRA

Line Player

19.04.1988

Strasbourg, FRA

202

44 Nikola

Karabatic

FRA

Centre Back

11.04.1984

Nis, SRB

196

102

Keita

FRA

Left Wing

05.06.1997

Paris, FRA

183

178

Uwe

Adama

20 Edouard

Kempf

FRA

Right Wing

20.03.1998

Mulhouse, FRA

11 Benoit

Kounkoud

FRA

Right Wing

19.02.1997

Versailles, FRA

188

Henrik

Møllgaard

DEN

Line Player

02.01.1985

Bramming, DEN

195

Nahi

FRA

Left Wing

30.11.1999

Paris, FRA

190

Narcisse

FRA

Left Back

16.12.1979

St Dennis-Reunion, FRA 189

36 Jesper

Nielsen

SWE Line Player

30.09.1989

Norrköping, SWE

200

118

27 Sadou

Ntanzi

FRA

Centre Back

07.01.2000

Longjumeau, FRA

183

16 Thierry

Omeyer

FRA

Goalkeeper

02.11.1976

Mulhouse, FRA

191

Right Back

18.07.1995

Creteil, FRA

195

99 Dylan C 25 Daniel

18 Nedim

Remili

FRA

10 Sander

Sagosen

NOR Left Back

14.09.1995

Stavanger, NOR

192

Luka

Stepancic

CRO

Right Back

20.11.1990

Pula, CRO

203

105

21 Jonathan

Troudart

FRA

Line Player

15.01.1996

Fort de France, FRA

194

105

Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Thierry Omeyer goalkeeper • crowned best goalkeeper in history by the IHF • returned to Montpellier from Kiel for the 2013/14 season, in the summer of 2014 decided to move on to PSG, where he wants to retire after the 2017/18 season • awarded the best goalkeeper and the MVP at the WCh 2015 in Qatar • IHF Player of the Year 2008, All-star goalkeeper of OG 2008 and 2012, EURO 2006 EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2003, 2005

Uwe Gensheimer left wing • joined Paris in the summer of 2016 after playing for German side Rhein-Neckar Löwen for 13 seasons • finished the 2016/17 season as top goal scorer in both the French league and the CL • has been top scorer of the CL twice, and on both occasions his team booked a place at the FINAL4 in Cologne. Aside from 2016/17, the other season was 2010/11 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016

Mikkel Hansen left back • IHF World Handball Player 2011 & 2015, member of the All-star Team at the 2016 Olympic Games, the WCh 2011, the EURO 2012 & 2014, and the CL in 2014, 2015 and 2017 • counts four visits to the FINAL4 after playing with Barcelona, Kobenhavn and Paris (2x) • son of former Danish international Flemming, having grown into a top player at GOG • his trademark headbands have become a collector item among PSG fans • finished as top scorer of the CL in 2012 & 2016, as well as at the WCh 2011 OG: G 2016, EURO: G 2012, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013

Nikola Karabatic left back / centre back • 2007, 2014 & 2016 World Handball Player of the Year – one of just two players in history to win the award three times • one of the most complete players with strengths in both attack and defence • won the CL with all of his previous teams but has yet to do so with Paris, despite two trips to Cologne with PSG EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2015 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2003, 2005, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008

106

Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Sander Sagosen centre back / left back • at 21, Sagosen has already won two major awards at international tournaments: best centre back at the EHF EURO 2016 and All-star left back at the World Championship 2017 • flag waver for the new Norwegian generation; scouted by many top clubs before signing for Aalborg in 2014; moved to Paris ahead of the 2017/18 season • the move to Paris was obviously motivated by the club opportunity, but the chance to live with his girlfriend, Norwegian player Hannah Oftedal, was another important factor WCh: S 2017

Luka Karabatic line player • was a national-level tennis player until the age of 19, before choosing handball • began in Montpellier, moved to Aix then joined PSG in 2015 • PSG is the third club where he plays alongside his brother, Nikola • suffered some scepticism at the beginning of his career with suggestions he was only there because of his brother, but has well proved his value since OG: S 2016, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015, 2017

Nedim Remili right back • signed with PSG in the summer of 2016 after spending all his career in Créteil • his father, Kamel, was a professional handball player in Créteil, while his older brother is a professional football player • scored 81 goals in 18 games in his debut CL season as one of the top 10 scorers • made his first appearance with the France national team in January 2016 and won his maiden title one year later WCh: G 2017

Luc Abalo right wing • began his career in Ivry, then moved to Spain and Atletico Madrid before being one of the first stars to join Paris in 2012 • visited the FINAL4 five times but has yet to come back with the gold medal • won the CL title in 2009 (before the FINAL4 format), playing with Ciudad Real • remains one of the best in his position at 33, thanks to his high jumps and shooting tricks EC trophies: CL 2009 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2017

107

Aalborg Handbold

GROUP B

Club Address

Aalborg Handball Willy Brandts Vej 31 9220 Aalborg Ost Denmark Media contact

Thomas Gjelstrup Christensen +45 22 698 500 thc@aalborghaandbold.dk aalborghaandbold.dk aalborghaandbold

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: green

Aalborg Handbold In 2017 Aalborg Håndbold became Danish champions for the third time, having won the domestic title also in 2010 and 2013. In the new season, they face the top of European handball in Group B with four former EHF Champions League winners (Kielce, Kiel, Flensburg, Celje) plus PSG, including their former Norwegian top star Sander Sagosen, who has moved from Aalborg to the French capital. But with the help of their frenetic fans in the Jutlander Bank Arena, Aalborg hope to make it into the Last 16. For the new signings and the remaining players it seems a nearly impossible task to replace the star playmaker. The extraordinary Sagosen was being chased by whole Europe – for good reason. Aalborg did not only lose Sagosen but Iceland international Stefan Sigurmannsson (Szeged), too. On the other hand, Croatian Lovro Jotic is a new arrival with Champions League experience. Still, the young Danish side have Icelandic team captain Arnor Atlason, a classic playmaker, Patrick Wissmach and new goalkeeper Søren Pedersen. The previous years proved that it was hard for the Danish teams in Groups A and B to have the power for success in the knockout stage of the league. But the young Aalborg team seems to be full of strength to cope with both competitions. For the third time in his career, the goalkeeper will wear the Aalborg jersey. After five years at Mors-Thy and Skjern, the 31-year-old has returned to the North. “I come back, richer in experience and hungry for trophies in all competitions,” Pedersen says. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League

Dark Player shirt: red Player short: white GK shirt: black

Participations (including 2017/18 season): 4 Last 16 (1): 2013/14 Group Phase (2): 2010/11, 2014/15 Other Playing hall Jutlander Bank Arena Aalborg Willy Brandts Vej 31 9220 Aalborg Ost Denmark Capacity: 4,666

108

EHF Cup : quarter-final 2003/04, group phase 2015/16 Challenge Cup: Round 4 2002/03 Danish league: 3 titles (2010, 2013, 2017) Danish cup: - (2012 Supercup winner)

Aalborg Handbold

EHF Champions League club records

3 37 68

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams

GOALS Most goals both teams

Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

37:23 (17:7) v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE (h), 24.11.2013 11:31 (5:16) v FC Barcelona ESP (h), 15.03.2015 3 matches (16.10.2013 – 24.11.2013) 3 matches (16.10.2013 – 24.11.2013) 6 matches (01.12.2013 – 29.03.2014) 8 matches (16.11.2014 – 22.03.2015) 37 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 37:23 (h), 24.11.2013 39 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:29L (a), 23.09.2010 68 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:29L (a), 23.09.2010 68 v Cuatro Rayas BM Valladolid ESP (h) 32:36L (h), 21.11.2010 68 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 30:38L (h), 20.02.2011 11 v FC Barcelona ESP 11:31L (h), 15.03.2015 21 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 21:26W (a), 28.9.2014 42 v FC Barcelona ESP 11:31L (h), 15.03.2015

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

PTS

Stage1994/95

2010/11 AaB Handball DEN

311:339

-28

6:14

6th Gr. C

2013/14 Aalborg Handball DEN

317:325

-8

8:16

1/8-finals

2014/15 Aalborg Handball DEN Total:

12 2 3 7 289:329 –40 7:17 34 8 5 21 917:993 -76 21:47

1/8-finals

109

Aalborg Handbold

Aron Kristjansson coach • Danish handball is no stranger to him, as he played for Skjern Håndbold from 1998 to 2001 and also for Team Tvis Holstebro •

with Skjern won the club’s first Danish championship in 1999

• as a coach he was back in Skjern from 2004 to 2006, and in 2014/15 was head coach in KIF along with national coach in Iceland • joined in 2016 from KIF Kolding Kobenhavn and steered Aalborg to the Danish title and thus back to the CL

Newcomers: Andreas Holst Jensen (GOG Gudme, DEN) Søren Pedersen (Skjern Håndbold, DEN) Jacob Hessellund (Frederikshavn, DEN) Jesper Meinby (Massy Essonne Handball, FRA) Sebastian Barthold (Haslum, NOR) Lovro Jotic (RK Zagreb, CRO)

Left the club: Chris Jørgensen (SønderjyskE, DEN) Christian Jensen (SønderjyskE, DEN) Sander Sagosen (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA) Stefan Sigurmannsson (MOL-Pick Szeged, HUN)

110

Aalborg Handbold

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight 191

16 Mikael

Aggefors

SWE Goalkeeper

20.01.1985

Stockholm, SWE

22 Rene

Antonsen

DEN

Line Player

04.03.1992

Vesthimmerland, DEN 196

13 Darri

Aronsson

ISL

Left Back

04.10.1999

Hafnarfjörður, DEN

197

Arnor

Atlason

ISL

Centre Back

23.07.1984

Reykjavik, ISL

190

Sebastian

Barthold

NOR Left Wing

27.08.1991

Oslo, NOR

184

C 5 6

24 Frederik SandChristensen

100

DEN

Goalkeeper

27.06.1999

Brønderslev, DEN

197

105

17 Tobias

Ellebaek

DEN

Left Back

15.05.1992

Morsø, DEN

195

11 Simon

Hald Jensen

DEN

Line Player

28.09.1994

Aalborg, DEN

203

109

DEN

Right Wing

23.09.1992

Brønderslev, DEN

181

Jacob Björn Hessellund

15 Andreas

Holst Jensen

DEN

Left Back

01.12.1994

Lemvig, DEN

202

102

14 Magnus

Saugstrup Jensen

DEN

Line Player

12.07.1996

Aalborg, DEN

195

18 Lovro

Jotic

CRO

Centre Back

12.11.1994

Zagreb, CRO

191

23 Buster

Juul-Lassen

DEN

Left Wing

31.03.1993

Slagelse, DEN

197

Martin

Larsen

DEN

Right Back

19.09.1992

Aalborg, DEN

196

Patrick

Wiesmach Larsen DEN

Right Wing

23.03.1990

Aalborg, DEN

178

DEN

Right Wing

15.11.1999

Vesthimmerland, DEN 192

21 Mikkel Hogh Nielsen

DEN

Line Player

12.01.1999

Vesthimmerland, DEN 197

100

44 Aleksander Selmar Pedersen

DEN

Left Back

21.01.1999

Brønderslev-Dr.lund, DEN 198

Meinby Pedersen

DEN

Right Back

24.04.1987

Morsø, DEN

186

Pedersen

DEN

Goalkeeper

20.08.1986

Thisted, DEN

191

107

ISL

Centre Back

01.01.1995

Reykjavik, ISL

183

DEN

Goalkeeper

08.07.1986

Odense, DEN

200

101

26 Sören

20 Jesper

Mortensen

Søren

Janus Dadi Smarason

Soren

Westphal

111

Aalborg Handbold

Mikael Aggefors goalkeeper • joined in 2016 from Swedish Alingsas HK, with whom he played in the CL in the 2009/10 and 2014/15 season • replaced another Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Palicka • signed a three-year contract • in his first season helped Aalborg to win the Danish championship

Sebastian Barthold left wing • joined this summer from Norwegian club Haslum • replacing Icelandic international Stefan Sigurmansson, who left for Rhein-Neckar Löwen • has played 20 internationals for Norway • at the age of 25, he is starting his first handball adventure outside Norway this season • started playing handball at the age of six and ended his time at Haslum by being nominated to the All-Star Team of the Norwegian league last season

Andreas Holst Jensen left back • joined Aalborg in the summer of 2016 from league rivals GOG • considered one of the greatest back court talents in Danish handball at the moment • the 2016/17 season was ruined by a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but was back at full strength for the next season • after winning gold at the U19 World Championship and the Youth Olympics, as well as silver at the U21 World Championship, he was recently included in the squad for the senior national team

Lovro Jotic centre back • joined from Zagreb in the summer of 2017 on a two-year contract • can play centre back as well as left back • has played 10 internationals for Croatia • has recent CL experience, representing Zagreb • fast playmaker with a fine shot

112

Aalborg Handbold

Janus Smarason centre back • joined Aalborg in January 2017 from Icelandic Challenge Cup semi-finalists Haukar • his stellar performances for Iceland at the 2017 WCh in France caught the eye of Aalborg who hurried to sign him • Aalborg is not his first meeting with Danish handball, as he won the Danish U 16 championship with Aarhus Håndbold in 2011 • despite only being 22-year-old, he adds a great eye for the game and for his teammates to his obvious technical skills and varied shot

Simon Hald line player • started his handball career at Nøvling IF in a suburb of Aalborg, he has played his entire top level career at Aalborg Handball • being 203 cm tall and weighing 114 kg, has a strong physical presence and is a top line player as well as a solid defender • equally good at both ends of the court • at the age of 23, he is seen as a possible first-choice line player in the national team; has already played 12 internationals for Denmark

Martin Larsen right back • has played in Aalborg for all his handball career • the son of the managing director of the club, Jan Larsen • his hard left-hand shot is his strongest asset • injuries have hampered a great part of his career, but now he seems to be back on track • his future is known, as he will be leaving for the French league after this season

Patrick Wiesmach right wing • joined from league rivals Holstebro in 2016 returning to the club he left in 2010 after starting his career at the top level there • his eye for the game and his fast reactions make him particularly good at stealing the ball in the defence • his speed in counter attacks and his reliability from the wing position on the established attacks are further assets • despite being up against stars like Lasse Svan and Hans Lindberg in the battle for the right position in the national team, he has had nine senior internationals in addition to 38 youth internationals 113

HC Meshkov Brest

GROUP B

Club Address

HC Meshkov Brest Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus Media contact

Alexandr Kulbaka +375 293 5075479 media@bgk-meshkova.com bgk-meshkova.com bgkmeshkova bgk_meshkova

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: red GK shirt: orange Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: dark red

HC Meshkov Brest With a huge and international squad, Meshkov Brest aim for their third appearance in the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League. There have been many changes on the central positions but coach Sergey Bebeshko has experience with transitions. Six key players, like top scorers Pavel Atman, Iman Jamali and Dainis Kristopans have left Brest. Several big name, including Konstantin Igropulo, Petar Djordjic and Vid Poteko have arrived. The whole structure of the defence stronghold will be changed. Bebeshko has often been in similar situations at Minsk and Zaporozhye, so he knows what it is to be like ‘Bob the Builder’ once again. In previous decades the national teams of Russia, Belarus or Ukraine mostly consisted of players from one leading club. Now the uprising Belarusian national team of Youri Chevtsov counts only a limited number of Brest players. Since Bebeshko’s predecessor Zeljko Babic took over, the team have become more and more international. Their prominent signings now prove Brest are a well-known address in European handball. Last season Brest beat eventual champions Vardar, Rhein-Neckar Löwen and Szeged on home court and provided Flensburg with a brilliant challenge in the Last 16. Bebeshko and his team know that they have to gain the necessary points at home, but after last season’s results no team will underestimate them. The matches against Aalborg and Celje seem crucial but Brest might have the power to upset some of the big names again. How many top goalkeepers do you need to be successful? Only one can play at the same time. After signing Ivan Matskevich from Steaua Bucuresti, Brest now have four top keepers to choose from. Last season Ivan Pesic shared the position with Vitali Charapenka while Rade Mijatovic rarely appeared between the posts. Matskevich further extends the quality on this position but at the same time reduces playing time for the rest.

Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 9 Last 16 (2): 2015/16, 2016/17 Group Phase (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2014/15 Qualification (1): 2008/09 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final 2011/12

Playing hall

Belarusian league: 9 titles (2004-08, 2014-17) Belarusian cup: 10 titles

Sportshall Victoria Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus Capacity: 3,500

114

HC Meshkov Brest

EHF Champions League club records

5 36 72

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent

GOALS Most goals both teams

Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

34:22 (15:14) v Vojvodina SRB (h), 19.09.2015 36:17 (16:8) v GOG Gudme DEN (a), 09.10.2004 5 matches (24.10.2015 – 05.12.2015) 7 matches (24.10.2015 - 05.03.2016) 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) 36 v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 36:36D (a), 27.11.2016 39 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006 39 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:31L (a), 28.09.2014 72 v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 36:36D (a), 27.11.2016 17 v GOG Gudme DEN 36:17L (a), 09.10.2004 17 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004 20 v TATRAN Presov SVK 20:30W (a), 26.09.2015 42 v HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 21:21D (h), 18.02.2017

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

2004/05 Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR 2005/06 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 2006/07 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 2007/08 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 2014/15 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 2015/16 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 2016/17 HC Meshkov Brest BLR Total

6 6 6 6 10 14 16 64

1 1 0 1 2 9 5 19

0 0 0 0 2 1 4 7

5 5 6 5 6 4 7 38

143:184 -41 165:183 -18 146:189 –43 154:182 -28 267:293 –26 437:383 +54 434:439 -5 1746:1853 -107

115

PTS

Stage1994/95

2:10 2:10 0:12 2:10 6:14 19:9 14:18 45:83

4th Gr. C 4th Gr. E 4th Gr. B 4th Gr. H 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals 1/8-finals

HC Meshkov Brest

Sergey Bebeshko coach • was appointed the new head coach of Brest in June 2015 replacing the Croat Zeljko Babic • as head coach of Dinamo Minsk led them to four consecutive league titles and, for the first time in Belarusian handball, to the Champions League Last 16 in 2013 • then worked in his home country Ukraine as a head coach of Motor Zaporozhye between 2013 and 2015 before coming back to Belarus • led Brest to two straight Belarusian titles, as well to the Champions League Last 16 in two consecutive seasons OG: G 1992 (as player)

Newcomers: Petar Djordjic (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER) Konstantin Igropulo (KIF Kolding/DEN) Pavel Horak (HC Erlangen/GER) Alexander Shkurinskiy (SKIF Krasnodar) Vid Poteko (RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO) Ivan Matskevich (CSA Steaua Bucuresti/ROU) Artiom Selviasiuk (Mezőkövesdi KC/HUN) Aleh Astrashapkin (Csurgói KK/HUN)

Left the club: Alexander Tiumentsev (CSM Bucuresti/ROU) Pavel Atman (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf/GER) Maxim Babichev (HC Motor Zaporozhye/UKR) Iman Jamali (Telekom Veszprém/HUN) Dainis Kristopans (HC Vardar/MKD) Vladislav Ostroushko (Kadetten Schaffhausen/SUI)

116

HC Meshkov Brest

Team roster No. First Name Surname 90 Aleh

Astrashapkin

Height Weight

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

BLR

Right Back

20.01.1992

Mogilev, BLR

190

192

Budzeika

BLR

Right Back

01.05.2000

Baranovichi, BLR

21 Vitali

Charapenka

BLR

Goalkeeper

27.01.1984

Brest, BLR

194

38 Pavel

Darafeyeu

BLR

Left Back

28.01.1997

Brest, BLR

208

55 Petar

Djordjic

SRB

Left Back

17.09.1990

Sabac, SRB

197

102

28 Pavel

Horak

CZE

Left Back

28.11.1982

Prerov, CZE

198

112

RUS

Right Back

14.04.1985

Stawropol, RUS

189

Korsak

BLR

Goalkeeper

16.10.1996

Brest, BLR

195

Kulak

BLR

Centre Back

23.02.1996

Brest, BLR

186

180

Yahor

35 Konstantin Igropulo 41 Uladzimir 7

Artsiom

77 Valiantsin

Kuran

BLR

Centre Back

12.02.1998

Brest, BLR

50 Mikita

Lashchakou

BLR

Left Back

28.05.1996

Brest, BLR

196

12 Ivan

Matskevich

BLR

Goalkeeper

08.05.1991

Lepel, BLR

190

30 Rade

Mijatovic

MNE Goalkeeper

30.06.1981

Sombor, SRB

192

BLR

Centre Back

20.06.1997

Brest, BLR

187

Nikulenkau

BLR

Centre Back

12.07.1984

Minsk, BLR

187

Pesic

CRO

Goalkeeper

17.03.1989

Rijeka, CRO

194

112

Poteko

SLO

Line Player

05.04.1991

Celje, SLO

193

186

20 Uladzislau Navumuk C 17 Dzmitry 1

Ivan

15 Vid 27 Rajko

Prodanovic

SRB

Right Wing

24.04.1986

Beograd, SRB

31 Simon

Razgor

SLO

Left Wing

18.09.1985

Celje, SLO

183

Rutenka

BLR

Right Wing

14.02.1986

Minsk, BLR

187

Selvasiuk

BLR

Line Player

08.12.1992

Brest, BLR

190

RUS

Left Back

11.04.1995

Krasnodar region, RUS 190

BLR

Line Player

22.12.1988

Brest, BLR

204

116

Dzianis

42 Artsiom 9

Alexsander Shkurinskiy

22 Viachaslau Shumak 88 Siarhei

Shylovich

BLR

Right Back

16.05.1986

Bobrujsk, BLR

198

18 Rastko

Stojkovic

SRB

Line Player

12.07.1981

Belgrad, SRB

191

104

Split, CRO

192

23 Ljubo 5

Andrei

14 Andrei

Vukic

CRO

Left Wing

03.08.1982

Yashchanka

BLR

Left Back

07.01.1992

Gomel, BLR

194

Yurynok

BLR

Left Wing

21.09.1996

Brest, BLR

179

117

HC Meshkov Brest

Ivan Pesic goalkeeper • was invited to Brest in 2013 by his fellow Croatian Zeljko Babic, who was then the head coach • also played in RK Maribor Branik, HC Zagreb and Veszprem, but his spell in Hungary was marred by a tragic incident in a night club when he was stabbed and his teammate Marian Cozma was killed • after that he had a kidney removed, but that did not prevent him from continuing his career • also practiced taekwondo in his childhood and won some medals at a junior level, but eventually focused on handball

Simon Razgor left wing • Slovenian will play his fourth season at Brest • before joining the Belarusian side in 2014, he spent his entire career in his homeland playing for Celje and RK Maribor • top all-time scorer for RK Maribor with 1,052 goals • his father was a handball player for Celje as well as for the Yugoslavia junior team, and later became a coach

Pavel Horak left back • 34-year-old Czech player joined Brest from HC Erlangen this summer • started his career at Banik Karvina where he won the Czech league five times • since 2006, spent 11 seasons in Germany playing for Ahlener SG, Frisch Auf Göppingen, Füchse Berlin and HC Erlangen • won the EHF Cup three times - with Goppingen 2011, 2012, with Füchse in 2015 • a player in the Czech national team since 2004 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2011, 2012, 2015

Petar Djordjic left back • the Serbian player is beginning his debut season at Brest arriving from SG Flensburg- Handewitt • moved abroad as a kid with his family as his father Zoran, a handball goalkeeper, played in France and later in Germany • early in his career, played together with his father for HSG Wetzlar, which was the first such case in Bundesliga history • had two spells at Flensburg (2000-13, 2015-17) and played two years at HSV Hamburg in between 118

HC Meshkov Brest

Dzmitry Nikulenkau centre back • joined Brest in December 2013 after spending a few months in Qatar • the native of Belgrade started his career at RK Crvena Zvezda and moved abroad at the age of 24, spent four seasons at Pfullingen and Nordhorn • played for Kielce in 2009-13 and won three titles of Polish champion as well as four Polish Cups, also reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013 • became the top scorer of Brest in 2015/16 CL with 89 goals and All-star line player

Rastko Stojkovic line player • joined Brest in December 2013 after spending a few months in Qatar • the native of Belgrade started his career at RK Crvena Zvezda and moved abroad at the age of 24, spending four seasons in Germany with Pfullingen and Nordhorn • played for Kielce between 2009 and 2013 and won three Polish titles as well as four Polish Cups, also reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013 • was joint ninth best scorer of the 2016/17 Champions League with 81 goals EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008 EURO: S 2012

Konstantin Igropulo right back • Russian international moved to Brest in the summer of 2017 from Kobenhaven, where he spent two seasons • has Greek ancestry and played for Greece’s Panellinios between 2001 and 2004, winning the national title in 2004 • also became a national champion in his native Russia (four times with Chehovskie Medvedi) and Spain (twice with Barcelona), and won the German Cup with Füchse • with Barcelona, reached the CL final twice, winning it in 2011 • in 2004, he was a member of the Russian team that won the beach handball ECh EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2006

Dzianis Rutenka right wing • younger brother of Siarhei Rutenka, a famous Belarusian left back who retired from handball this year • unlike his brother, Dzianis spent most of his career in his home country • a nine-time Belarusian champion who won five gold medals with Dinamo Minsk and added four more at Brest • regular member of the Belarus national team

119

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

GROUP B

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko are set for their 23rd EHF Champions League campaign. The 2004 winners are confident that their talented group of youngsters can compete with the top sides in Group B, and maybe even grab a Last16 spot.

Club Address

Celje Pivovarna Lasko Opekarniska Cesta 15 3000 Celje Slovenia Media contact

Miha Pantelic ‎+386 51 427 590 miha.pantelic@rk-celje.si www.rk-celje.si rkceljepivovarnalasko @RKCPL

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow-blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black

Celje have the youngest squad in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18, with an average age of just 23.3 years. Their role is to develop talent, provide them with Champions League experience, and prepare them to play for some of Europe’s top clubs. A perfect example is Blaz Janc - the 20-year-old was the best young player in Europe last season and joined 2016 Champions League winners Kielce in the summer. The Slovenian side are under no pretensions about their role. So they do not panic when a talent leaves, as they know that another player will come through. The nature of the club means they will be facing many former players during the group phase. “In Group B alone we will face 12 former Celje players,” says new team captain David Razgor. Celje’s class of 2017/18 will face some very tough tests, having been drawn in a highly competitive Group B. “Last season we were in the race for the Last16 until the final game, but unfortunately we lost. So this season our objective is to fight in every match to try and upset the favourites,” says the new manager Saša Lešek, although she adds a word of warning. “The group could not have been harder, with former Champions League winners as well as Veszprem and PSG. Aalborg and Brest Meshkov are also top clubs and deserve our respect.” Celje will look to exploit their home games in the Zlatorog Arena, where they are cheered on by their famous Florijani fans, because despite the signing of line player Igor Anic, their lack of experience could hamper them in away matches. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 22 Winner (1): 2003/04 Semi-final (6): 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2004/05 Quarter-final (2): 2001/02, 2005/06 Last 16 (4): 1995/96, 2006/07, 2012/13, 2013/14 Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Group Phase (6): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2010/11, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Qualification (1): 2009/10 Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: semi-finals 2002/02, 2011/12

Dark Player shirt: pink Player short: pink GK shirt: blue

Playing hall Dvorana Zlatorog Opekarinska cesta 15 3000 Celje Slovenia Capacity: 5,830

Slovenian league: 21 titles (1992-2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014-17) Slovenian cup: 20 times

120

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

6 44 77

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

37:17 (16:9) v Redbergslids IK SWE (h), 18.11.2000 43:27 (23:16) v THW Kiel GER (a), 27.02.2011 6 matches (23.03.1997 – 24.01.1998) 6 matches (25.03.2000 – 09.12.2000) 8 matches (31.10.2004 – 02.04.2005) 7 matches (26.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) 9 matches (26.09.2015 – 06.12.2015) 9 matches (28.09.2016 – 11.02.2017) 44 v HC ‘Granitas-Karys’ LTU 44:27W (h), 22.11.2008 44 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 44:33L (a), 09.10.2010 77 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 44:33L (a), 09.10.2010 17 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994 16 v SG Wallau-Massenheim GER 23:16W (h), 13.02.1994 16 v Redbergslids Göteborg SWE 31:16W (h), 14.11.1998 35 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1993/94 Celje ‘Pivovarna Lasko’ SLO 1996/97 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 1997/98 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 1998/99 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 1999/00 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2000/01 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2001/02 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2003/04 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2004/05 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2005/06 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2006/07 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2007/08 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2008/09 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2010/11 HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2012/13 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2013/14 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2014/15 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2015/16 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 2016/17 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO Total

6 10 10 10 10 10 8 14 12 10 8 12 10 10 12 12 10 10 14 202

2 0 7 1 8 0 7 1 7 0 6 1 6 0 10 2 8 1 7 0 6 0 4 2 4 0 3 0 5 0 5 1 3 0 3 1 3 3 104 13

121

GF GA

4 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 6 6 7 7 6 7 10 8 85

120:116 +4 254:213 +41 268:234 +34 290:245 +45 294:250 +44 292:254 +38 232:217 +15 447:398 +49 360:327 +33 311:273 +38 272:237 +35 342:344 -2 296:287 +9 300:332 -32 305:324 –19 322:327 -5 284:293 -9 385:398 –13 399:424 –25 5773:5493 +280

PTS

Stage1994/95

4:8 15:5 16:4 15:5 14:6 13:7 12:4 22:6 17:7 14:6 12:4 10:14 8:12 6:14 10:14 11:13 6:14 7:21 9:19 221:183

4th Gr. A 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/2-finals 1/4-finals Winner 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 4th MR Gr. 4 4th MR Gr. 2 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 5th Gr. C 7th Gr. A 7th Gr. B

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

Branko Tamse coach • former player and coach of Celje’s arch rivals from Velenje • took over the club in December 2013, just 48 hours after Vladan Matic and Celje went separated ways • got Celje back on track and signed a new three-year contract in 2015 which keeps him in the job at least until the end of the 2017/18 season

Newcomers: Igor Anić (Saran/FRA) Branko Vujović (Kielce/POL) Dani Dujshebaev (Kielce/POL) Jan Jurečič (MRK Krka/SLO) Aljaž Panjtar (RD Urbanscape Loka/SLO) Luka Mitrović (RK Gorenje Velenje/SLO) Domen Makuc (youth) Gregor Ocvirk (youth)

Left the club: Blaž Janc (Kielce/POL) Miha Zarabec (THW Kiel/GER) Vid Poteko (Brest Meshkov/BLR) Luka Žvižej (RK Maribor Branik/SLO) Ivan Gajić (end of career) Povilas Babarskas (Bregenz/AUT) Arthur Malburg Patrianova (Benfica/POR)

122

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

Team roster No. First Name Surname 19 Igor

Anic

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

FRA

Line Player

12.06.1987

Line Player

14.06.1994

Height Weight

Mostar, BIH

196

106

Heppenheim, GER

202

120

Beciri

CRO

Anze

Blagotinsek

SLO

Nik

Cirovic

SLO

66 Gasper

Dobaj

SLO

Goalkeeper

13.11.1998

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

184

44 Daniel

Dujshebaev

ESP

Left Back

04.07.1997

Santander, ESP

193

14 Matic

Groselj

SLO

Right Back

22.09.1997

Trbovlje, SLO

192

13 Teo

Jezernik

SLO

29.08.2000

Celje, SLO

183

Jurecic

SLO

26.10.1994

186

18.04.2001

193

190

193

80 Kristian

Jan Tadej

SLO

23.03.2002

14.05.1994

Left Wing

Celje, SLO

Kodrin

SLO

Matic

Kosec

SLO

Urban

Lesjak

SLO

Goalkeeper

24.08.1990

Celje, SLO

187

Mackovsek

SLO

Left Back

11.09.1992

Koper, SLO

203

25 Tilen 1

Kljun

07.04.2001

51 Borut

22.02.2000

Domen

Makuc

SLO

Centre Back

01.07.2000

Postojna, SLO

188

Jaka

Malus

SLO

Centre Back

15.06.1996

Celje, SLO

190

Marguc

SLO

Right Wing

16.11.1996

Celje, SLO

177

72 85

11 Gal 20 Luka

Mitrovic

SRB

Centre Back

17.05.1987

Vrsac, SRB

192

55 Ziga

Mlakar

SLO

Right Back

16.05.1990

Celje, SLO

192

10 Grega

Ocvirk

SLO

Centre Back

05.12.1998

Celje, SLO

188

16 Aljaz

Panjtar

SLO

Goalkeeper

20.08.1991

Kranj, SLO

185

Razgor

SLO

Left Wing

13.07.1989

Celje, SLO

180

12 Luka

Simonic

SLO

Goalkeeper

27.08.1999

Leoben, AUT

197

10 Matic

Suholeznik

SLO

Line Player

02.05.1995

Celje, SLO

202

121

Vujovic

MNE Right Back

20.04.1998

Niksic, MNE

194

17.02.1999

Celje, SLO

202

100

C 9

David

Branko

17 Stefan Zan

Zabic

SLO

Zakosek

SLO

Line Player

20.09.1998

123

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

Urban Lesjak goalkeeper • born in Celje, went through all the youth ranks at the club • made debut in 2010 but patiently waited to become first-choice keeper for the 2017/18 season, replacing Ivan Gajić • four-time national champion, six-time cup and three-time Super Cup winner with Celje in Slovenia • made national team debut in 2012 WCh: B 2017

Tilen Kodrin left wing • joined Celje from Maribor Branik in 2014 as one of the most talented youngsters on his position • tipped to have his breakthrough season in 2017/18 as a replacement for Luka Zvizej • won the treble of domestic trophies three times in three seasons with Celje

WCh: B 2017

Borut Mackovsek left back • returned to Celje in 2016 after two years with Montpellier • played for three different clubs in the 2013/14 season: TSV Hannover-Burgdorf, Dinamo Minsk, and RK Celje • best remembered for his 10 goals in a Last 16 CL match against Hamburg in 2013/14, year after reaching his personal best tally of 62 CL goals

Luka Mitrovic centre back • born in Vrsac but rose to prominence at fabled Serbian side Metaloplastika • after three seasons in Denmark, he helped Norwegian side Elverum to their maiden CL berth in 2015/16 • joined Celje in 2017 from their rivals Gorenje • national team player for Serbia since 2011

124

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko

David Razgor centre back/left wing • product of Celje’s youth system, having represented the club since his childhood days • younger brother of Meshkov Brest left wing Simon Razgor • highly versatile, able to play on the left wing and centre back positions

Igor Anic line player • born in Mostar (now Bosnia Herzegovina) but made his senior debut at Montpellier in France • won three Bundesliga titles with Kiel (and the CL in 2010), and also three French league title with Montpellier • help the France national team to win the EHF EURO 2014 and the WCh 2015 • known for being a very talented caricature artist and vlogger EC Trophy: CL 2010 EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015

Branko Vujovic right back • signed on a two-year loan from Kielce • Montenegrin-born but representing Poland, Vujovic is regarded as one the biggest talents of today’s handball • received Best Young Player award in Poland last season • made first-team debut at age 14 – for his boyhood club Sutjeska

Gal Marguc right wing • Celje kid aims for a big step this season after his breakthrough at Celje • younger brother of Veszprém star Gasper Marguc • highly talented youngster is next in line of world-class Celje right wings, following the footsteps of Dragan Gajic, Gasper Marguc and Blaz Janc • has already scored 356 goals in all competitions for Celje

125

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

GROUP B

SG FlensburgHandewitt

New SG Flensburg-Handewitt coach Maik Machulla will be tasked with integrating the team’s Scandinavian young guns into the team this season. Machulla will be backed-up by co-coach Mark Bult and the pair replace Ljubomir Vranjes, who left to join Veszprem after 11 years at the German club in different functions - first a player, then sport director and later as coach.

Club Address

SG Flensburg-Handewitt Schiffbrücke 66 24939 Flensburg Germany Media contact

Sandra von Wallis +49 162 967 1134 s.vonwallis@sg-flensburghandewitt.de sg-flensburg-handewitt.de SGFleHa @SGFleHa

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: blue GK shirt: bright blue/blue

Previously Maik Machulla was a player and assistant coach under Ljubormir Vranjes. He knows the club well, and is integrated at all levels - both on-court and off-court - at Flensburg. When the management chose the former Magdeburg player to replace Vranjes, they gave him extensive power at the club. Now they hope that the new coach can continue the success of his predecessor. Some voids will be huge, on and off the court. Anders Eggert particularly was a key figure for the club in all departments. However, SG have proved in previous decades that their close relationship with Scandinavian clubs, and their in-depth knowledge of Danish, Swedish and Norwegian leagues, are a major advantage. Magnus Rød for example was hunted by half of Europe, but he knew that Flensburg had always been a great place for Norwegians. Flensburg already know that Mattias Andersson (end of career), Thomas Mogensen (Skjern) and Kentin Mahe (Veszprem) will leave the club next summer. However, plans on how to re-build the team are already being formed, as the signing of Norwegian goalkeeper Torbjørn Bergerud shows. Flensburg, like Kiel, have always planned long-term, so Machulla and Bult will start the transition to the new guns already this season.

Past achievements

Dark Player shirt: black grape Player short: black GK shirt: green/black

VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 13 Winners (1): 2013/14 Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 Quarter-final (6): 2004/2005, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2015/16, 2016/17 Last 16 (1): 2014/15 Main Round (1): 2007/2008

Playing hall

Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 2011/2012 EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 City Cup: Winners 1998/1999

Flens Arena Campusallee 2 24943 Flensburg Germany Capacity: 6,300

German league: 1 title (2004) German cup: 4 titles

126

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat

9 44 80

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

43:24 (23:12) v RK Metalurg Skopje MKD (h), 19.10.2006 36:22 (16:10) v Montpellier HB FRA (a), 06.03.2005 24:38 (08:19) v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP (h), 21.04.2011 35:21 (19:13) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (a), 28.09.2014 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 20.02.2016) 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 20.02.2016) 3 matches (04.03.2006 - 01.04.2006) 3 matches (22.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) 5 matches (10.02.2008 – 08.03.2008) 44 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003 41 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 41:31L (a), 02.12.2006 80 v FC Barcelona ESP 39:41W (a), 31.05.2014 19 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 27:19L (a), 22.09.2010 18 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 42 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 22:20W (h), 19.10.2016

VELUX EHF Champions League record

2003/04 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2004/05 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2005/06 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER 2006/07 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2007/08 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2008/09 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2010/11 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2012/13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2013/14 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2014/15 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2015/16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 2016/17 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER Total

14 10 12 14 12 12 14 14 16 12 18 18 166

10 1 7 1 7 0 8 1 4 2 8 0 11 0 9 3 12 1 6 0 12 1 9 1 103 11

127

GF GA

3 2 5 5 6 4 3 2 3 6 5 8 52

450:401 +49 319:270 +49 372:326 +46 437:398 +39 355:356 -1 360:329 +31 394:354 +40 416:384 +32 489:441 +48 337:340 -3 544:494 +50 487:478 +9 4960:4571 +389

PTS

Stage1994/95

21:7 15:5 14:10 17:11 10:14 16:8 22:6 21:7 25:7 12:12 25:11 19:17 217:115

Runner-up 1/4-finals 1/2-finals Runner-up 4th MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Winner 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Maik Machulla coach • took over from Ljubomir Vranjes, who left Flensburg after 11 years to join Veszprém • has been Vranjes’ assistent since 2013 after finishing his playing career at Flensburg • started his professional career for SC Magdeburg (1997-2002), where he won three European Cup trophies • later played for Nordhorn (already with Vranjes), Hameln and Ahlen-Hamm before arriving at Flensburg in 2012 • stepped in as a player again several times when Flensburg had to deal with too many injuries EC trophies: CL 2002, EHF Cup 1999, 2001, 2008

Newcomers: Rasmus Lind (TTH Holstebro/DEN) Simon Jeppsson (Lugi Lund/SWE) Marius Steinhauser (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER) Magnus Rød (Bækkelaget Håndball Elite/NOR)

Left the club: Ljubomir Vranjes (Telekom Veszprém/HUN) Anders Eggert (Skjern Håndbold/DEN) Bogdan Radivojevic (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER) Petar Djordjic (Brest HC Meshkov/BLR) Johan Jakobsson (IK Sävehof/SWE)

128

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Team roster No. First Name Surname 77 Magnus 1

Mattias

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight

Abelvik Rød

NOR Right Back

07.07.1997

Oslo, NOR

204

108

Andersson

SWE Goalkeeper

29.03.1978

Malmö, SWE

185

93 90

Baijens

NED

Centre Back

05.05.1998

Rotterdam, NED

182

Bult

NED

Right Back

07.09.1982

Emmen, NED

200

101

Glandorf

GER

Right Back

30.03.1983

Osnabrück, GER

195

24 Jim

Gottfridsson

SWE Centre Back

02.09.1992

Ystad, SWE

190

21 Jacob

Heinl

GER

09.10.1986

Hamburg, GER

195

101

17 Simon

Jeppsson

SWE Left Back

15.07.1995

Lund, GER

203

105

Karlsson

SWE Line Player

04.06.1981

Karlskrona, SWE

196

102

Klein

GER

Right Back

25.03.1999

Rendsburg, GER

197

179

Dani

34 Mark 9

C 3

Holger

Tobias

28 Jannek

Line Player

20 Johannes

Krüger

GER

Left Wing

28.06.1997

Flensburg, GER

31 Rasmus

Lind

DEN

Goalkeeper

08.04.1983

Struer, DEN

192

103

35 Kentin

Mahe

FRA

Left Wing

22.05.1991

Paris, FRA

186

32 Andreas

Meyer Ejlersen

DEN

Goalkeeper

28.06.1997

Horsens, DEN

188

10 Thomas

Mogensen

DEN

Centre Back

30.01.1983

Odder, DEN

187

100

16 Kevin

Møller

DEN

Goalkeeper

20.06.1989

Tondern, DEN

200

103

25 Rasmus

Lauge

DEN

Left Back

20.06.1991

Randers, DEN

196

19 Marius

Steinhauser

GER

Right Wing

06.02.1993

Karlsruhe, GER

187

185

11 Lasse

Svan

DEN

Right Wing

31.08.1983

Stevns, DEN

23 Henrik

Toft Hansen

DEN

Line Player

18.12.1986

Skive, DEN

200

108

14 Hampus

Wanne

SWE Left Wing

10.12.1993

Lundby, SWE

184

22 Anders

Zachariassen

DEN

04.09.1991

Sonderborg, DEN

192

Line Player

129

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Mattias Andersson goalkeeper • already in the younger age categories part of all All-Star teams and became member of the senior national team • played at Kiel (2001-08), TV Großwallstadt before signing in Flensburg; awarded “best player of the Bundesliga season 2011/12” • his saves at the 2014 FINAL4 were key for Flensburg winning his last missing EC trophy • preparation perfectionist, no other keeper has a bigger video archive of top players EC trophies: CL 2007, 2014, EHF Cup: 2002, 2004, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2000

Hampus Wanne left wing • scored the last penalty in the CL semi-final against Barcelona in 2014 • girlfriend Daniela Gustin is a professional handball player for Danish side Randers and the Swedish national team • arrived at the start of the 2013/14 season and skipped the M21 WCh 2013 – where Sweden took gold, but won the M18 EURO in 2010 • replaced legend Anders Eggert (Skjern) on the left wing before the 2017/18 season EC trophies: CL 2014

Kentin Mahe centre back • joined Flensburg in 2015 after spells with Hamburg, Gummersbach and Dormagen, where was coached by his father Pascal; will leave for Veszprém after the 2017/18 season • Men's 20 EURO 2010 MVP and top scorer (49 goals); 2015 EHF Cup Finals MVP • in 2010 a debut in the French national team, now one of the key players • reached the Cup Winners’ Cup final with Gummersbach in 2011/12 and EHF Cup final with HSV in 2014/15 OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2015, 2017

Thomas Mogensen centre back • experienced Danish playmaker with more than 1,000 goals for his club and long list of silverware • since 2007 playing for Flensburg – his first stop outside his home country • before played for Viborg and GOG, Danish champion and cup winner twice • to focus only on SG he quit his career in the national team after the EURO 2014 EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

130

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Henrik Toft Hansen line player • whole family involved in handball: brothers Rene (also a line player of Kiel) and Allan (Mors-Thy) and sisters Majbritt (Skive) and Jeanette players in the Danish league • his girlfriend Ulrike Agren plays in the women's CL for Esbjerg in 2016/17 • part of AG Kobenhavn, later transferred to Aalborg, before he joined Hamburg in 2013 and then Flensburg in 2015 after being part of the EHF Cup final OG: G 2016, EURO: G 2012, WCh: S 2013

Tobias Karlsson line player • typical powerful Scandinavian defence specialist; best defence player at the EHF EURO 2014; awarded best Bundesliga defender in the 2015/16 season • team captain, a great honour after legendary Lars Christiansen left SG • Swedish champion three times with Hammarby IF, retired from the national team just before the 2016/17 season • founded an insurance company with some other former players in Sweden EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012

Holger Glandorf right back • left-handed shooter and the last remaining German 2007 world champion in the Flensburg roster • despite some injury breaks, always returned to a high level of performance • has the full set of three major European Cup competitions titles on his tally, with Nordhorn and Flensburg • in August 2014 retired from the German national team to only focus on his club EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2008, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: G 2007

Lasse Svan right wing • one of the fastest wing players in the CL; same qualities as Eggert on the other side: fast counter-attacks and a high scoring efficiency • 2nd best Danish scorer at Rio Olympics 2016 another task in his team: motivation and relaxing – as his business is mental coaching • after four seasons at GOG Svendborg he moved to Flensburg in 2008 • was also a billiard’s champion in his home region Seeland EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

131

THW Kiel

GROUP B

THW Kiel They are German record champions and three times EHF Champions League winners – but since 2012 (Champions League) and 2015 (Bundesliga), THW Kiel have not won their favourite competitions . The chances to add some silverware to their trophy cabinet should be higher than last year, after a season of transition; but the fitness of captain Domagoj Duvnjak is in question.

Club Address

THW Kiel Ziegelteich 30 24103 Kiel Germany

The Croat is THE hub of the THW match-play: he steers the match, he is the extended arm of coach Alfred Gislason. After several years of injury problems, Duvnjak was operated on in April and will be out at least until November. In January, he is supposed to be a key part of Croatia’s bid for gold at the EHF EURO on home ground. Without Duvnjak, Kiel will have problems coping with the top sides in their group. With him, everything is possible.

Media contact

Christian Robohm +49 1635306300 christian.robohm@thwhandball.de www.thw-provinzial.de thwhandball @thw_handball @thwhandball Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: black

Already in the previous season, top talents like Nikola Bilyk or Lukas Nilsson took responsibility in the Kiel squad. With no big changes to the team, these young guns could play a major role in filling the gap left by Duvnjak’s absence. Last year – without Duvnjak – Kiel failed in the quarter-final against Barcelona after their worst group phase ever, including an incredible 18-goal defeat in Paris. Kiel are always a candidate for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 regardless of their final position after the group phase. But the road to Cologne gets harder every year for them – although they just beat Barcelona at the LANXESS Arena in a test match. “Last season we did not manage to make it to the final destination, this year it is again one of our major targets to play at Cologne,” says Duvnjak. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 21 Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2013/14 Semi-final (5): 1996/97, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16 Quarter-final (6): 1998/99, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11, 2016/17 Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96

Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: red

Playing hall Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel Europaplatz 1, 24103 Kiel Germany Capacity: 10,000

Other EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04 German league: 20 titles (1957, 1962, 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) German Cup winners: 10 times

132

THW Kiel

EHF Champions League club records

11 50 81

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

26:50 (13:24) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006 42:24 (22:10) v Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA (a), 12.3.2017 11 matches (02.10.2014 – 22.03.2015) 17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012) 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) 3 matches (30.05.2015 – 17.09.2015) 3 matches (30.04.2016 – 29.05.2016) 5 matches (15.02.2017 – 22.03.2017) 50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006 44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 81 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 13 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 15:27W (a), 10.11.1996 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 21:15W (h), 12.01.1997 35 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1994/95 THW Kiel GER 1995/96 THW Kiel GER 1996/97 THW Kiel GER 1998/99 TKW Kiel GER 1999/00 THW Kiel GER 2000/01 THW Kiel GER 2002/03 THW Kiel GER 2004/05 THW Kiel GER 2005/06 THW Kiel GER 2006/07 THW Kiel GER 2007/08 THW Kiel GER 2008/09 THW Kiel GER 2009/10 THW Kiel GER 2010/11 THW Kiel GER 2011/12 THW Kiel GER 2012/13 THW Kiel GER 2013/14 THW Kiel GER 2014/15 THW Kiel GER 2015/16 THW Kiel GER 2016/17 THW Kiel GER Total

6 6 10 8 12 10 8 10 10 14 16 16 16 14 16 16 16 16 20 18 258

3 0 3 0 6 1 7 0 7 1 5 1 4 1 8 0 8 0 11 1 13 0 12 1 14 1 9 2 12 3 11 0 13 1 12 0 10 1 7 2 175 16 133

GF GA

3 3 3 1 4 4 3 2 2 2 3 3 1 3 1 5 2 4 9 9 67

137:136 +1 151:148 +3 247:211 +36 229:199 +30 319:283 +36 279:255 +24 234:211 +23 336:274 +62 346:293 +53 517:420 +97 533:462 +71 548:461 +87 534:444 +90 456:393 +63 496:414 +82 518:457 +61 491:427 +64 498:421 +77 579:567 +12 449:474 –25 7897:6950 +947

PTS

Stage1994/95

6:6 6:6 13:7 14:2 15:9 11:9 9:7 16:4 16:4 23:5 26:6 25:7 29:3 20:8 27:5 22:10 27:5 24:8 21:19 16:20 366:150

2nd Gr. B 2nd Gr. A 1/2-finals 1/4-finals Runner-up 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Winner Runner-up Runner-up Winner 1/4-finals Winner Fourth Place Runner-up Fourth Place Fourth Place 1/4-finals

THW Kiel

Alfred Gislason coach • won nine German championships (with Essen, Magdeburg and Kiel), five German cup titles, six European club titles; five times “coach of the year” in Germany •

his first job on the bench was in his home town Akureyri, before taking over Hameln, Magdeburg and Gummersbach in Germany and the Icelandic national team

•

joined Kiel in 2008 as the successor of Noka Serdarusic – to lead THW to 19 trophies to date

EC trophies: CL 2002, 2010, 2012 (as coach), EHF Cup 2001 (as coach)

Newcomers: Miha Zarabec (RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO) Emil Frend Öfors (Alingsas HK/SWE) Ole Rahmel (HC Erlangen/GER)

Left the club: Ilija Brozovic (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf/GER) Blazenko Lackovic (Handball Sport Verein Hamburg/GER) Christian Sprenger (end of career, now assistant coach and youth coordinator at THW Kiel)

134

THW Kiel

Team roster Height Weight

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

27 Thies

Bergemann

GER

Right Wing

19.01.1996

Kiel, GER

188

53 Nikola

Bilyk

AUT

Left Back

28.11.1996

Tunis, TUN

198

23 Rune

Dahmke

GER

Left Wing

10.04.1993

Kiel, GER

189

15 Christian

Dissinger

GER

Left Back

15.11.1991

Ludwigshafen, GER

202

102

Duvnjak

CRO

Centre Back

01.06.1988

Dakovo, CRO

198

100

18 Niclas

Ekberg

SWE Right Wing

23.12.1988

Ystad, SWE

191

26 Lucas

Firnhaber

GER

Right Back

23.04.1997

Buxtehude, GER

200

Firnhaber

GER

Line Player

18.04.1994

Buxtehude, GER

198

20 Emil

Frend Ã&#x2013;fors

SWE Left Wing

13.09.1994

Stockholm, SWE

193

16 Tom

Landgraf

GER

Goalkeeper

11.03.1996

Aschersleben, GER

198

106

Goalkeeper

19.12.1988

Soborg, DEN

200

16.11.1996

Ystad, SWE

192

No. First Name Surname

C 4

Domagoj

Sebastian

Landin Jacobsen

DEN

65 Lukas

Nilsson

SWE Left Back

31 Ole

Rahmel

GER

Right Wing

19.11.1989

Achim, GER

190

92 Raul

Santos

AUT

Left Wing

01.06.1992

Santo Domingo, DOM

180

Toft Hansen

DEN

Line Player

01.11.1984

Rybjerg, DEN

200

112

41 Marko

Vujin

SRB

Right Back

07.12.1984

Backa Palanka, SRB

200

100

13 Steffen

Weinhold

GER

Right Back

19.07.1986

Fuerth, GER

188

17 Patrick

Wiencek

GER

Line Player

22.03.1989

Duisburg, GER

200

110

77 Andreas

Wolff

GER

Goalkeeper

03.03.1991

Euskirchen, GER

198

105

23 Miha

Zarabec

SLO

Centre Back

12.10.1991

Novo Mesto, SLO

174

20 Christian

Zeitz

GER

Right Back

18.11.1980

Heidelberg, GER

186

103

Niklas

Rene

135

THW Kiel

Niklas Landin goalkeeper • joined Kiel in the summer of 2015 after three seasons with Rhein-Neckar Löwen • successor of legendary Kasper Hvidt in the Danish national team broke through during the 2011 WCh • played also for Gudme in Denmark, where he was number 1 at the age of 20 • best goalkeeper at the 2013 WCh, EHF EURO 2014, 2013/14 CL and 2016 Olympics EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

Rune Dahmke left wing • only Kiel-born player in the team; when younger cheered for his idols in the stands • got his first professional contract in 2012 after being part of the THW youth teams • his father Frank Dahmke was THW player and now is member of the club board • following Dominik Klein's departure to Nantes the number 1 on the left wing • youngest of the EURO gold medallists in 2016 in Krakow EURO: G 2016

Nikola Bilyk left back • born in Tunis, when his father Serhij was goalkeeper of the Esperance club. Later on, both played together in the Fivers club in Vienna • youngest of all players at the 2015 WCh at Qatar at the age of 18 • awarded MVP, top scorer and best centre back at the 2014 U20 EHF EURO in Austria • could choose between the offers of FC Barcelona and THW Kiel after the 2015 WCh • top scorer of the Austrian league in the 2015/16 season at the age of 19, netting in 210 times for Fivers, already scored 125 goals for the Austrian men’s national team

Domagoj Duvnjak centre back • THW’s top signing before the 2014/15 season, arrived from Hamburg, where he played since 2009; started his career in Dakovo, Croatia • 2013 IHF World Handball Player of the Year, best Bundesliga player in 2013 • not just a typical playmaker he is also a scorer and is an essential part of defence • expected to miss the first rounds in the 2017/18 due to post-surgery recovery EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2010, B 2012 B 2016

136

THW Kiel

Rene Toft Hansen line player • even better in defence than on the line in attack, but after Marcus Ahlm’s departure in 2013, the learning period in attack was over for him • EHF EURO 2012 All-Star Team member • in the CL since 2007 with former clubs KIF Kolding and AG Kobenhavn • his brother Henrik is playing for Flensburg, his brother Allan for Mors-Thy and his sister Majbritt for Skive – all four line players OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

Steffen Weinhold right back • one of the most prominent players in current German handball • after the 2008 junior WCh, the Bavarian changed from Erlangen to HSG Nordhorn winning the EHF Cup in his first season • after signing for TV Großwallstadt was in the focus of the national team coach Heiner Brand, made the next step in his career, signing for SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2012 and joined THW just weeks after Flensburg beat them in the 2014 CL final EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup 2008 OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016

Marko Vujin right back • in 2012 the Serbian shooter arrived to fill the gap after the departure of Kim Andersson to KIF • top scorer of the 2013/14 Bundesliga (248 goals) • won eight consecutive national championships with Veszprém and Kiel until 2015 • started his international career in Dunaferr, then played five years in Veszprem EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008 EURO: S 2012

Niclas Ekberg right wing • tall winger from Ystad has large variety of shots, also effective on counterattacks • these qualities have also earned him more than 90 internationals for Sweden • joined Kiel in 2012 after after his first VELUX EHF FINAL4 with AG Kobenhavn, who spotted and signed him in 2010 • top scorer of the London Olympics 2012 (50 goals), but missed the 2016 Games due to injury OG: S 2012

137

Group C preview

Group C preview FAMILIAR FACES AND RETURNING SIDES IN GROUP C Different schools of handball, diverse styles, but only one goal - the knockout phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18. Group C features teams from Scandinavia, Slovenia, Romania and last season’s runner-up in the Spanish league. Abanca Ademar Leon, Skjern and Velenje will make their comeback to the competition after a hiatus, while Dinamo Bucuresti, Elverum and Kadetten Schaffhausen hope to make amends for last season’s disappointments by grabbing a play-off berth. Last season Leon achieved their best ASOBAL finishing position in 16 years, placing second after edging out Naturhouse La Rioja, the team who failed to progress from the group phase knockout two seasons in a row. The Spanish side, who will return to VELUX Champions League action after an absence of four years, are hoping to emulate their 2011/12 season, in which they missed the VELUX EHF FINAL4 against Füchse Berlin on aggregate goals. Leon have elected to keep their main core intact, while dipping into the Balkan transfer market for Serbian line player Zivan Pesic and right back Predrag Vejin. Skjern may have lost the Danish league final against Aalborg last season, but their ambitions were not put out by just one defeat. The Danish runners-up were one of the most aggressive teams in the transfer market, and landed several coups that cemented their status as one of the sides with everything to play for in this group. Signing 2014 VELUX EHF Champions League winner Anders Eggert from Flensburg will bring experience to their roster, while Swedish internationals Jesper Konradsson and Jonathan Stenbäcken should play an integral part in Skjern’s season. Kadetten Schaffhausen have appeared in seven of the last eight VELUX EHF Champions Leagues, and the Swiss side will be trying to reach their first knockout phase since the 2011/12 season. Their chances have been improved after signing experienced goalkeeper Ivan Stevanovic from Zagreb and Ukrainian left back Vladislav Ostroushko, who impressed last season for Meshkov Brest. The two players add depth and experience to an already-talented team. There has been, however, a coaching change for Kadetten. Former star player Peter Kukučka returns to replace Lars Walther, who left after winning the Swiss title last season.

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Group C preview

After a superb season in which they had no trouble dismissing their opponents for the national title, Dinamo Bucuresti were crowned Romanian champions for the second time in a row. However, the Red Dogs may have their work cut out for them this season, with the Liga Nationala becoming tricky to negotiate as they also look to fulfill their European ambitions. Retaining sharpshooter Sajad Esteki was a coup for Dinamo, but the Romanian side will need to integrate their seven transfers, who come from Serbia, Qatar, Belarus, France, Iran and Romania. Losing right back Jakov Vrankovic will come as a blow, but the Romanian outfit is reported to be happy with the draw and positive to achieve a better result than last year. That means that results in their away games have to be improved, with the amazing Dinamo fans sure to flock again to the Bucharest Arena. Elverum are representing Norway in Europe’s top competition for the third season in a row. With a near-total Scandinavian roster – Slovenian left back Tine Koplar being the only non-Scandinavian player at Elverum – the Norwegian side is hoping to earn their first play-off berth in the VELUX EHF Champions League. Boasting a young team, Elverum will hope to improve on their eight-point tally in Group C last season. Home games are still a decisive factor for Elverum, as the allwhite shirts donned by their fans will still dominate their arena in Norway. Gorenje Velenje are back in the VELUX EHF Champions League after a three-year hiatus, as the Slovenian side finished as runner-up in their domestic league behind Celje Pivovarna Lasko. The Slovenian side are lacking experience at this level, but will surely try to emulate the 2014/15 season when they reached the EHF Cup Finals, only to lose both games against Skjern and Füchse Berlin. There has been no star transfers for Velenje, but the continuity of the team will surely test their opponents. Adrian Costeiu

139

Group C preview

Group C head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC Abanca Ademar Leon vs Skjern Handbold No previous encounters in European competitions

Abanca Ademar Leon vs Rk Gorenje Velenje 1-0-0 (27:21) 2:0 04.09.2010

RK Gorenje Velenje vs Reale Ademar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Tournament - Group W

21:27 (12:15)

Abanca Ademar Leon vs Kadetten Schaffhausen 1-2-0 (87:86) 4:2 06.10.2007 07.11.2007 05.09.2009

Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ vs C.BM. Ademar Leon, EHF Champions League – Group C C.BM. Ademar Leon vs Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ, EHF Champions League – Group C Kadetten SH Handball vs Reale Ademar, EHF Champions League – Qualification Tournament Group Q

29:29 (18:15) 31:30 (18:11) 27:27 (15:14)

Abanca Ademar Leon vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions

Abanca Ademar Leon vs Elverum Handball No previous encounters in European competitions

Skjern Handbold vs Rk Gorenje Velenje 1-0-0 (27:22) 2:0 17.05.2015

Rk Gorenje Velenje vs Skjern Handbold, EHF Cup Final Tournament – Place 3/4

22:27 (13:12)

Skjern Handbold vs Kadetten Schaffhausen 1-0-1 (55:53) 2:2 15.10.2015 25.10.2015

Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Skjern Handbold, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Skjern Handbold vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D

24:30 (13:12) 25:29 (13:12)

Skjern Handbold vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions

Skjern Handbold vs Elverum Handball 2-0-0 (71:52) 4:0 27.09.2015 22.11.2015

Elverum Handball Herrer vs Skjern Handbold, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Skjern Handbold vs Elverum Handball Herrer, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D

Rk Gorenje Velenje vs Kadetten Schaffhausen No previous encounters in European competitions

Rk Gorenje Velenje vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions

Rk Gorenje Velenje vs Elverum Handball No previous encounters in European competitions

140

23:37 (12:18) 34:29 (17:10)

Group C preview

Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions

Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Elverum Handball 1-0-1 (58:58) 2:2 17.09.2015 15.11.2015

Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Elverum Handball Herrer, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Elverum Handball Herrer vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D

Dinamo Bucuresti vs Elverum Handball No previous encounters in European competitions

141

30:31 (15:16) 27:28 (11:15)

Abanca Ademar Leon

GROUP C

Abanca Ademar Leon After a four-year absence, Abanca Ademar Leon are back on the VELUX EHF Champions League stage. The team, coached by five-times Champions League winner Rafael Guijosa, were runners-up in the Spanish Asobal league season 2016/17. Now, Leon want to break the Spanish play-off curse to make it to the Last 16.

Club Address

Abanca Ademar Leon P. Saenz de Miera s/n Estadio A. Amilivia 24009 Leon Spain Media contact

Fernando Luque Borga +34 609 822 038 administracion@ademar.com www.ademar.com Ademar Leon @ADEMARLEON

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: yellow

Ademar Leon made their name on the European handball stage in the 1990s and 2000s when they reached the EHF Champions League quarter-finals four times, were four-time finalists in the EHF Cup Winners’ Cup and two-times Cup Winners’ Cup champion. But with the financial crisis in Spain, all clubs except Barcelona had to reduce their budgets radically. Top international stars left – but young Spanish players got the chance to improve. This remains the way Leon works, but it will be hard to return to their previous levels of success with their current mixture of Spaniards and Argentines. The Group C/D play-offs to determine the Last 16 participants have happened twice. Both times featured Spanish club La Rioja and both times the team failed to progress. It is Leon’s hope to end this curse and to proceed to the Last 16. “It is one of our major goals top qualify for this round,” says coach Guijosa. Together with the bolstered squads of Schaffhausen and Skjern, Leon are expecting to fight for one of the two top spots in their group. But their potential play-off opponents such as Montpellier or Zaporozhye will not make the challenge easier. There is always a huge fight below Barcelona to finish for the second spot in the Asobal - which in the 2018/19 season will guarantee another Champions League spot. Teams with the larger squad have an advantage. For Guijosa, the participation in the Champions League is an additional boost for domestic competitions.

Dark Player shirt: black or blue Player short: black or blue GK shirt: red or green

Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 12 Quarter-finals (4): 1997/98, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2011/12 Last 16 (4): 2003/04, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2012/13 Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Qualification (1): 2010/11 Playing hall Palacio de los Deportes de Leon Paseo saenz de miera s/n 24009 Leon Spain Capacity: 5,900

Other Cup Winners’ Cup: winners 1998/99, 2004/05, runners-up 2000/01, 2006/07 EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2010/11, group phase 2013/14 Spanish league: 1 title (2001) Copa del Rey: 1 title (2002) Copa ASOBAL: 2 titles (1999, 2009)

142

Abanca Ademar Leon

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

4 41 73

Longest unbeaten run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS

Longest losing run Longest run without win

Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

41:20 (23:10) v HC Red Star YUG (h), 15.11.1997 39:24 (20:13) v THW Kiel GER (a), 14.11.1999 4 matches (08.10.2005 – 05.11.2005) 4 matches (05.10.2008 – 09.11.2008) 5 matches (26.09.2007 – 18.11.2007) 5 matches (05.10.2008 – 16.11.2008) 4 matches (23.11.2008 – 28.02.2009) 5 matches (16.11.2008 – 28.02.2009) 5 matches (13.10.2012 – 29.11.2012) 41 v HC Red Star YUG 41:20W (h), 15.11.1997 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:24L (a), 14.11.1999 73 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 36:37L (h), 28.03.2010 18 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:18L (a), 03.03.2002 18 v Füchse Berlin GER 29:18L (a), 29.04.2012 20 v HC Red Star YUG 41:20W (h), 15.11.1997 20 v Montpellier HB FRA 37:20W (h), 06.11.1999 43 v Sandefjord TIF NOR 22:21L (a), 31.10.1999 43 v KIF Kolding DEN 21:22W (a), 22.11.2009

VELUX EHF Champions League record 1997/98 Prosesa Ademar Leon ESP 1999/00 Prosesa Ademar Leon ESP 2001/02 CBM Ademar Leon ESP 2003/04 CBM Ademar Leon ESP 2005/06 C.BM. Ademar Leon ESP 2007/08 C.BM. Ademar Leon ESP 2008/09 Reale Ademar ESP 2009/10 Reale Ademar ESP 2011/12 Reale Ademar Leon ESP 2012/13 Reale Ademar Leon ESP Total

MP 8 8 8 8 8 12 10 12 14 12 100

W 4 4 4 5 5 7 5 5 8 3 50

T 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 6

143

L 3 4 4 3 3 4 4 6 5 8 44

GF GA GD 241:218 +23 215:210 +5 217:216 +1 238:220 +18 232:213 +19 344:330 +14 316:300 +16 352:359 -7 410:403 +7 310:348 –38 2875:2817 +58

PTS 9:7 8:8 8:8 10:6 10:6 15:9 11:9 11:13 17:11 7:17 106:94

Stage1994/95 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 3rd MR Gr. 1 3rd MR Gr. 3 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals

Abanca Ademar Leon

Rafael Guijosa coach • IHF World Handball Player of the Year in 1999 • part of the ‘Barcelona Dream Team’ (1994-2002) as a player, winning CL titles (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000) • started his coaching career at Alcobendas, where he stayed for seven years before moving to Ademar in 2015 • leads the team in their return to the CL after a four-season break; they last played in Europe’s premier competition in 2012/13 under the guidance of Manolo Cadenas

Newcomers: Zivan Pesic (RK Vojvodina/SRB) Predrag Vejin (Metalurg Skopje/MKD)

Left the club: Javier García López (BM San Jose Obrero Lanzarote/ESP) Ignacio Huerta Pire (BM Base Oviedo/ESP) Leonardo Sampaio Santos (CSM Bucuresti/ROU)

144

Abanca Ademar Leon

Team roster No. First Name Surname Sergio

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight

06.01.1997

Alvarez Dominguez ESP

Ignacio

Biosca Garcia

ESP

Goalkeeper

Gonzalo

Carou Marcel

ESP

Line Player

Adrian

Casqueiro Lopez

ESP

17.07.1995

Barcelona, ESP

195

15.08.1979

Buenos Aires, ARG

198

190

18.05.2000 Left Back

06.05.1993

Avilés, ESP

SRB

Goalkeeper

19.02.1994

Belgrade, SRB

ESP

Right Back

14.04.1996

Valladolid, ESP

196

Fernandez FernandezESP

Left Wing

27.01.1997

León, ESP

176

Fernandez Sanchez ESP

Left Back

18.02.1993

Ciudad Real, ESP

193

103

Garcia Lorenzana

ESP

Left Wing

28.08.1977

León, ESP

177

Gonzalez Teijon

ESP

Goalkeeper

07.01.1996

León, ESP

196

Lopez Alvarez

ESP

Right Wing

19.09.1994

León, ESP

180

18 Acacio

Marques Moreira

BRA

Centre Back

26.01.1994

Joao Pessoa, BRA

189

19 Gonzalo

Perez Arce

ESP

Right Wing

20.07.1998

León, ESP

175

Rodrigo

Perez Arce

ESP

Centre Back

04.10.1995

León, ESP

178

Pesic

SRB

Line Player

07.07.1993

Novi Sad, SRB

196

112

Pineiro Martin

ESP

Line Player

12.09.1994

Vigo, ESP

192

Centre Back

12.05.1986

Buenos Aires, ARG

190

37 Alejandro

Costoya Rodriguez ESP

16 Vladimir

Cupara

14 David

Fernandez Alonso

17 Jaime 15 Juan Jose 6

Juan

12 Javier 3

Mario

25 Zivan C 10 Diego 4

Sebastian

Simonet Moldes

ESP

Predrag

Vejin

SRB

Right Back

17.12.1992

Apatin, SRB

190

Vieyra

ITA

Right Back

21.07.1988

Buenos Aires, ARG

193

11 Federico

145

Abanca Ademar Leon

Vladimir Cupara goalkeeper • best goalkeeper of the Spanish League in 2016 • joined Leon in 2015 and has already signed for Kielce for the 2018/19 season • together with Nacho Biosca, forms one of the youngest, most promising goalkeeping duos in Europe

Juan Garcia left wing • top scorer in the history of the ASOBAL, with 2,510 goals at the end of the 2016/17 season • returned to his former club in 2015 after playing nine seasons with Barcelona (2005- 2014) and Logrono (2014/15) • at the age of 40 (born in August 1977), Garcia accumulates 22 seasons in the top division and is one of the most important players in Spanish handball EC trophies: CL 2011 EURO: S 2006; WCh: G 2005, B 2011; OG: B 2008

Alejandro Costoya left back • joined Ademar Leon in 2016 after playing for Anaitasuna and Gijón • best left back of ASOBAL 2016/17 and Best Young Player of the 2013/14 season • after representing Spain in the young age category teams, Costoya made his major international tournament debut with the senior national side at the WCh 2017

Sebastian Simonet centre back • Argentinian international, and older brother of Diego Simonet (Montpellier) and Pablo Simonet (Benidorm) • arrived in Leon in 2016 from French side Ivry after already playing in Spain for five years (2007-2011 in Torrevieja) following departure from his home country • though not the highest goal scorer, Simonet is the most important in attack, providing expert leadership as playmaker

146

Abanca Ademar Leon

Diego Pineiro line player • one of the most talented line players in Spain, though he is just 22 • played for Spain in the young age categories and was called on for two friendly games with the senior side in June 2017 • plays an important role in attack as an extremely efficient, physical presence on the line

Zivan Pesic line player • playing his first season in Leon in 2017/18. Has signed for two seasons plus an optional one • previously wore the jerseys of Celje and Veszprém • expected to be an important player in the centre of the defence

Federico Vieyra right back • key skill is outside shots from nine metres • arrived in Leon in 2015 and has a contract until June 2018 • key player and consistently one of the top scorers for the Argentina national team

WCh: G 2013

Mario Lopez right wing • Lopez’s main weapons are fast breaks and penalty throws • third top scorer of the team last season in ASOBAL, with 110 goals, after Juan Garcea (159) and Alejandro Costoya (138) • in the best moment of his career after two severe knee injuries in 2014 and 2015 when he was playing for the U18 and U19 Spain teams

147

Skjern Handbold

GROUP C

Skjern Handball For the fourth time ever, Skjern Handball will be taking part in the EHF Champions League. Indeed, for the first time since 2004, the Danish runners-up hope to make it to the Last 16. One reason for the confidence this season, which is the 25th anniversary season of the club (the club was founded in 1992), is the addition of a 2014 VELUX EHF Champions League winner to their squad: Anders Eggert.

Club Address

Skjern Handbold Ranunkelvej 9 6900 Skjern Denmark Media contact

Carsten Thygesen +45 401 130 94 ct@thygesenholding.dk skjernhaandbold.dk skjernhaandbold @skjernHaandbold Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: green GK shirt: light blue

After a 12 years absence from the competition, Skjern were back in the 2015/16 season , just a short while after playing in the EHF Cup 2014/15 in Berlin, where they finished third. Two years ago, the Danes made it to the group phase knockout, but were eliminated by Meshkov Brest. As they are already familiar with two of their opponents for this season from that season, namely, Elverum and Schaffhausen, Skjern hope to go further this year. Besides the Serbian international Tibor Ivanisevic, all the Skjern players come from Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and even the Faroe Islands. In terms of the benefits this may have for communication, team identity, and playing cohesively in a typical Scandinavian style, coach Ole Nørgaard may be on to something. The squad is well-balanced, with some young guns, and some experienced stars such as new team captain Bjarte Myrhol or the new arrival Anders Eggert. A crucial factor will be how the new arrivals fit in, and replace players such as Sören Pedersen or Lasse Mikkelsen. While Skjern are among one of the three or four favourites to win their group, they would face a major hurdle in the group phase knockout, where they could meet a tough team such as Montpellier or Zaporozhye. Making it to the Last 16 is possible, but difficult.

Dark Player shirt: green Player short: black GK shirt: red

Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 4 Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Group Phase (2): 1999/2000, 2015/16 Other Playing hall Skjern Bank Arena,Skjern Ranunkelvej 1 6900 Skjern Denmark Capacity: 3,264

148

Challenge Cup: Winners 2001/02, 2002/03 EHF Cup: Semi-final 2006/07, 2014/15 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2005/06 Danish league: 1 title (1999) Danish cup: 3 titles (1999, 2014, 2016)

Skjern Handbold

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

5 37 72

MATCHES Longest unbeaten run

GOALS

Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win

Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

23:37 (12:18) v Elverum Handball Herrer NOR (a), 27.09.2015 34:24 (18:11) v SC Magdeburg GER (a), 20.12.2003 2 matches (20.09.2015 – 27.09.2015) 2 matches (11.10.2015 – 15.10.2015) 2 matches (22.11.2015 – 29.11.2015) 5 matches (15.11.2015 – 28.02.2016) 3 matches (30.10.1999 – 13.11.1999) 3 matches (30.10.1999 – 13.11.1999) 3 matches (28.11.1999 – 11.10.2003) 3 matches (06.12.2015 – 05.03.2016) 37 v Elverum Handball Herrer NOR 23:37W (a), 27.09.2015 36 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 36:36D (h), 06.12.2015 72 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 36:36D (h), 06.12.2015 16 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 16:20L (h), 13.11.1999 19 v HC Metalurg MKD 20:19W (h), 11.10.2015 36 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 16:20L (h), 13.11.1999

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

PTS

Stage1994/95

1999/00 Skjern Handball DEN

134:150

–16

2:10

4th Gr. C

2003/04 Skjern Handball DEN

205:212

-7

7:9

1/8-finals

2015/16 Skjern Handbold DEN Total

12 6 3 3 347:329 +18 26 10 4 12 686:691 –5

15:9 24:28

Elimination C+D

149

Skjern Handbold

Ole Norgaard coach •

joined Skjern in the summer of 2012 debuting as the coach of a senior team

•

previously head of development of talents under the Danish Handball Federation

•

in his first season he led Skjern to the bronze medals in the Danish league and a ticket in the EHF Cup

•

calm and analysing coach who is good at making his players understand his plans and ideas

Newcomers: Anders Eggert (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER) Emil Nielsen (Århus Håndbold/DEN) Jonathan Stenbäcken (TBV Lemgo/GER) Jesper Konradsson (Alingsås HK/SWE) Christoffer Cichosz (Mors-Thy Håndbold/DEN) Mathias Gliese (Skjern youth team/DEN) Mads Houmøller (Skjern youth team/DEN)

Left the club: Søren Pedersen (Aalborg Håndbold/DEN) Emil Bergholt (TM Tønder Håndbold/DEN) Morten Balling (Skanderborg Håndbold/DEN) Jesper Dahl (Nordsjælland Håndbold/DEN) Lasse Mikkelsen (MT Melsungen/GER) Thomas Klitgaard (retired) Magnus Dahl (retired) Daniel Svensson (retired)

150

Skjern Handbold

Team roster Height Weight

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

23 Cornelius

Aastrup Kragh

DEN

Centre Back

05.05.1995

Gentofte, DEN

194

100

42 Jeppe

Haahr Anneberg

DEN

Left Back

03.02.1998

Varde, DEN

193

104

19 Bjarke

Christensen

DEN

Left Wing

26.01.1992

Ringkobing-Skjern, DEN 190

Eggert Magnussen DEN

Left Wing

14.05.1982

Aarhus, DEN

178

No. First Name Surname

Anders

17 Lasse

Hamann-Boeriths

DEN

Centre Back

15.05.1997

Lundtoft, DEN

191

34 Kristian

Hindo

DEN

Left Wing

04.05.1998

Ringkøbing-Skjern, DEN 186

24 Mads

Houmoller

DEN

Line Player

08.10.1998

Thisted, DEN

191

102

24 Tibor

Ivanisevic

SRB

Goalkeeper

16.08.1990

Mostar, BIH

197

16 Frederik

Malund Jalk

DEN

Centre Back

30.09.1998

Lemvig, DEN

194

106 90

20 Mathias

Gliese Jensen

DEN

Right Wing

05.03.1997

Lemvig, DEN

190

14 Thomas

Klitgaard

DEN

Line Player

10.12.1977

Aalborg, DEN

195

10 Jesper

Konradsson

SWE Centre Back

04.06.1994

Göteborg, SWE

183

Tandri Már Konradsson

ISL

Left Back

08.06.1990

Reykjavik, ISL

194

101

Christoffer Mikkelsen

DEN

Line Player

17.01.1988

Lemvig, DEN

190

107

Hakon Myrhol

NOR Line Player

29.05.1982

Oslo, NOR

192

Nielsen

DEN

Goalkeeper

10.03.1997

Aarhus, DEN

195

120

Olsson

SWE Left Back

31.03.1990

Karlshamn, SWE

188

92 82

172

186

C 18 Bjarte 12 Emil 4

Markus

21 Rene Toft

Rasmussen

DEN

Right Wing

29.08.1989

Ringkobing-Skjern, DEN 179

36 Mikkel

Lundgaard Riis

DEN

Centre Back

13.02.1997

Tønder, DEN

30 Niklas

Simonsen

FAR

Goalkeeper

04.07.1996

22 Kasper

Søndergaard Sarup DEN

Right Wing

09.06.1981

Skive, DEN

192

11 Jonathan

Stenbäcken

SWE Right Back

07.01.1988

Vårgårda, SWE

195

105

40 Sebastian

Skov Uhrenholt

DEN

04.10.1997

Esbjerg, DEN

182

Goalkeeper

151

Skjern Handbold

Tibor Ivanisevic goalkeeper • joined from Hungarian league club Gyöngyösi KK in January 2017 • was originally signed only for the remaining part of the 2016/17 season, but his performances for his new club made Skjern extend his contract until 2019 • played a crucial part in Skjern winning the Danish Cup and reaching the final of the Danish championship last season • before joining Skjern, he had made two appearances for Serbia many years ago, but his performances in Denmark earned him a comeback for his country

Emil Nielsen goalkeeper • joined this summer from league colleagues Aarhus Håndbold • was sidelined for around a year due to meningitis, but is finally back at full strength • despite only being 20 years old, he has already been seen as one of Denmark’s greatest goalkeeper talents for several years • expected to be a highly qualified supplement to Tibor Ivanisevic in Skjern’s future goalkeeping duo

Anders Eggert left wing • joined in the summer of 2017 from SG Flensburg-Handewitt • top scorer of the German Bundesliga in 2011 (248 goals) and top scorer of the 2013 WCh in Spain (55 goals) • started his career at Braband, in his tenth season in Flensburg after intermediately being on loan at Skjern Handball, where he moves again in 2017 • also famous for one of the highest percentages in the CL from the penalty throws EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2008, 2012, S 2014

Markus Olsson left back • just like Norwegian goalkeeper Magnus Dahl, joined from Swedish club IFK Kristianstad ahead of the 2015/16 season • said goodbye to Kristianstad in style by scoring 11 goals in the Swedish championship final against Alingsas HK • Skjern is his first club outside Sweden, while having EHF Cup experience with Kristianstad from three previous seasons, the CL will be new to him • in Skjern, replacing 211 cm tall Danish international Nikolaj Markussen who has left for league rivals Bjerringbro Silkeborg 152

Skjern Handbold

Jesper Konradsson centre back • joined from Swedish runners-up Alingsas HK in the summer of 2017 • spent five seasons with Alingsas and helped them to win the Swedish championship in 2014 • displayed his huge qualities at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2014, where he played a large part in Sweden winning the silver medal • played his first match for the senior national team in 2014

Bjarte Myrhol line player • joined Skjern in the summer of 2015 from Rhein-Neckar Löwen • in August 2011 diagnosed with cancer, a surgery and chemo therapy changed his life • always willing to fight and only two and a half months after the surgery he returned to the court • after leaving first club in Sandefjord, he joined Veszprem, before arriving in Nordhorn and later Mannheim EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008, 2013

Kasper Sondergaard right back • joined Skjern from KIF Kolding in 2011; at 36, he is still considered the best attacking right back in Danish handball by most experts • his precise and varied left-hand shot, as well as his ability to break through the opponents’ defence, are his main characteristics • last season he made a comeback to the national team after a one year hiatus EURO: G 2008, 2012; OG 2016; WCh: S 2011, 2013

Rene Rasmussen right wing • playing his 9th season in succession for Skjern after joining from third league club Raekker Moelle • highly reliable wing with a great take-off from the right wing position, fast in counter attacks • total of 33 junior internationals for Denmark. • his twin brother Joergen is also a handball player, but on the opposite wing, playing for league rivals and neighbours FC Midtjylland

153

RK Gorenje Velenje

GROUP C

Rk Gorenje Velenje After a three-year absence, Rk Gorenje Velenje are back on the VELUX EHF Champions League stage. In their two previous participations (2012/13 and 2013/14) the Slovenian runners-up made it to the Last 16 – and now aim for a similar achievement.

Club Address

Rk Gorenje Velenje Saleska Cesta 3 3320 Velenje Slovenia Media contact

Aljaz Mocnik +386 31 726 700 pr@rk-gorenje.com www.rk-gorenje.com

Like in the previous season, Velenje start in the Slovenian League and Cup, and the SEHA League. In 2016/17, they failed in the qualification stage for the EHF Cup (against later-on finalists Berlin), which means that this season will be the first with the burden of playing a European cup group phase parallel with the SEHA League – a tough challenge mainly from October to December. The likes of line player Alem Toskic, goalkeeper Klemen Ferlin or right wing Matjaz Brumen have extensive experience in international matches on both a club and national team level, and will be the ones to take the responsibility. Among all the club’s young players, left wing Tilen Grobelnik is a notable talent. He was part of the Slovenian European Youth Olympic Festival silver medallist-winning team in the summer of 2017 and has his first Champions League season ahead – at the age of 17.

rkgorenjevelenje @GorenjeVelenje Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: black GK shirt: red

The coach can be the star at Velenje, as he has more Champions League and international experience than most of the players. Previously, Babic led Meshkov Brest into the spotlight, and was later coach of the Croatia national team, which he steered into the semi-finals of the EHF EURO 2016 (bronze medal) and the World Championship 2017 (4th rank). Now Babic is the man to prepare the young Velenje side for international competitions. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 9 Last 16 (4): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2012/13, 2013/14 Main Round (1): 2007/08 Group Phase (1): 2004/05 Qualification (2): 2010/11, 2016/17

Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: black / blue

Other EHF Cup: runners-up 2008/09, semi-final 1994/95, quarter-final 1996/97, 2010/11, 2011/12 Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2003/04, quarter-final 2004/05

Playing hall Rdeca Dvorana Saleska cesta 3 3320 Velenje Slovenia Capacity: 2,700

Slovenian league: 3 titles (2009, 2012, 2013) Slovenian cup: 1 title (2003)

154

RK Gorenje Velenje

EHF Champions League club records

5 40 73

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

Longest run without win Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

40:17 (17:08) v Torggler Group Meran ITA (h), 06.11.2005 17:29 (04:14) v Pick Szeged HUN (h), 03.10.2007 5 matches (17.10.2012 – 09.02.2013) 5 matches (17.10.2012 – 09.02.2013) 4 matches (02.03.2008 - 03.10.2009) 4 matches (18.10.2009 – 22.11.2009) 4 matches (17.02.2013 – 23.03.2013) 4 matches (26.09.2013 – 16.11.2013) 5 matches (18.10.2009 – 13.02.2010) 40 v Torggler group Meran ITA 40:17W (a), 06.11.2005 40 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 32:40W (a), 27.11.2013 41 v HSV Hamburg GER 41:32L (a), 26.09.2013 73 v HSV Hamburg GER 41:32L (a), 26.09.2013 17 v Pick Szeged HUN 17:29L (h), 03.10.2007 17 v Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR 27:17W (h), 30.10.2004 17 v Torggler group Meran ITA 40:17W (a), 06.11.2005 44 v Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR 27:17W (h), 30.10.2004 44 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 23:21L (a), 03.10.2009

VELUX EHF Champions League record 2004/05 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 2005/06 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 2007/08 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 2009/10 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 2012/13 Gorenje Velenje SLO 2013/14 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO Total

MP 6 8 12 12 12 12 62

W 2 5 5 3 6 5 26

T 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

155

L 4 3 7 8 6 7 35

GF GA GD 166:170 -4 256:204 +52 329:349 -20 335:365 -30 331:305 +26 362:382 -20 1779:1775 +4

PTS 4:8 10:6 10:14 7:17 12:12 10:14 53:71

Stage1994/95 3rd Gr. C 1/8-finals 4th MR Gr. 2 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/8-finals

RK Gorenje Velenje

Zeljko Babic coach •

playing as a right wing until 2006, he started his coaching career at the Balic-Metlicic academy the following year

•

successfully coached Meshkov Brest for two seasons, leading them to two SEHA Liga Finals

•

returned to Croatia in 2015 to take over the national team, and won bronze with them at the EHF EURO 2016

• always dressed in a suit on match day, he prays before every game EURO: B 2016 Newcomers: Zarko Pejovic (Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral/FRA) Robert Markotic (Maccabi Rishon Lezion/ISR) Matic Verdinek (Maribor Branik/SLO) Jan Grebenc (Riko Ribnica/SLO) Jernej Drobez (junior Gorenje Velenje team) Tilen Grobelnik (junior Gorenje Velenje team)

Left the club: Andris Celmins (Maribor Branik/SLO) Kenan Pajt (loan to Slovenj Gradec 2011/SLO) Janez Gams (SC Ferlach/AUT) Joze Baznik (Pays d’Aix Université Club Handball/FRA) Anze Ratajec (Trimo Trebnje/SLO) Luka Mitrovic (Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO) Mitja Nosan (Riko Ribnica/SLO)

156

Rk Gorenje Velenje

Team roster Height Weight

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

Brumen

SLO

Right Wing

23.12.1982

Ljublana, SLO

190

Cehte

SLO

Right Back

04.09.1992

Brezice, SLO

196

20 Jernej

Drobez

SLO

Left Back

06.01.2000

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

194

12 Klemen

Ferlin

SLO

Goalkeeper

26.06.1989

Ljubljana, SLO

192

23 Rok

Golcar

SLO

Right Wing

23.12.1985

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

189

13 Jan

Grebenc

SLO

Left Back

18.08.1992

Ljubljana, SLO

194

17 Tilen

Grobelnik

SLO

Left Back

17.04.2000

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

186

Haseljic

BIH

Right Wing

14.01.1998

Tuzla, BIH

193

27 Blaz

Klec

SLO

Line Player

26.03.1986

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

183

14 Vid

Levc

SLO

Left Back

23.11.1994

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

197

24 Robert

No. First Name Surname 77 Matjaz 3

Nejc

Ibrahim

Markotic

CRO

Right Back

07.03.1990

Dakovo, CRO

193

Tadej

Mazej

SLO

Left Wing

31.07.1998

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

190

Niko

Medved

SLO

Left Wing

26.03.1990

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

184

10 Rok

Ovnicek

SLO

Centre Back

25.01.1995

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

184

99 Zarko

Pejovic

MNE Centre Back

25.01.1986

Mojkovac, MNE

191

21 Gregor

Potocnik

SLO

Left Back

22.08.1992

Celje, SLO

195

103

15 Darko

Stojnic

SLO

Line Player

03.04.1997

Ljubljana, SLO

200

104

33 Jan

Tajnik

SLO

Line Player

20.01.1997

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

191

19 Alem

Toskic

SRB

Line Player

12.02.1982

Priboj, SRB

190

104

25 Matic

Verdinek

SLO

Left Wing

13.04.1994

Celje, SLO

189

16 Miljan

Vujovic

MNE Goalkeeper

27.08.2000

Cetinje, MNE

192

32 Rok

Zaponsek

SLO

Goalkeeper

30.10.1992

Slovenj Gradec, SLO

192

6 C 5

157

RK Gorenje Velenje

Klemen Ferlin goalkeeper • occasional Slovenia national team member • missed much of the 2015/16 season recovering from a knee injury which halted his progress • played EHF Cup with Gorenje for two seasons, reaching the finals tournament in 2015 and will finally be making his CL debut in 2017/18 • looking to establish himself as first choice in goal this season following Benjamin Buric’s departure

Niko Medved left wing • current team captain and longest-serving player, having made his debut at 17 • playing his 12th season for Gorenje, having scored over 700 goals • going into his third CL season after 2012/13 and 2013/14 • if he was not a handball player, he would have been a lawyer • his sports idol is Michael Jordan

Gregor Potocnik left back • member of the talented 1992 generation of Slovenian players, including the likes of Borut Mackovsek, Mario Sostaric and Nejc Cehte • struggled with knee problems after injuring ligaments in 2012 but has fully recovered • coming from boyhood club Celje, he joined rivals Gorenje in 2016

Zarko Pejovic centre back • Montenegro national team player, who has played in six different countries (Austria, Serbia, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia, Slovakia and France) before joining Gorenje – in Slovenia • spent six seasons with Slovakian giants Tatran Presov before joining Dunkerque and helping the French side reaching the Last 16 in CL season 2014/15 • returning to CL action after two years

158

RK Gorenje Velenje

Rok Ovnicek centre back • now playing in his sixth season, the talented youngster made his senior debut for Gorenje at age 17 • impressed during a two-year loan at Slovenj Gradec • looking to become first-choice playmaker after Luka Mitrovic joined Celje • calls Ivano Balic his idol

Alem Toskic line player • Priboj-born made his name as one of benchmark line players in the game, having represented Zagreb, Celje and Vardar in his 11 CL seasons • won the EHF EURO 2012 silver medal with Serbia • recorded over 100 caps for the Serbian national team • played his most efficient season in the CL in 2015/16 with Vardar, scoring 55 goals EURO: S 2012

Nejc Cehte right back • has CL experience as he played for Gorenje in the Last 16 in 2013/14 • his older brother and former Gorenje teammate is Slovenian left back Klemen Cehte • initially a goalkeeper but, being a left-hander, became a right back

Matjaz Brumen right wing • household name in Slovenian handball, having played for Celje, Prule and Koper • now 34, he was part of the Celje team that won the CL 13 years ago and of the Slovenian national team that took gold at the EHF EURO 2004 • returned to Slovenia in 2016 after three seasons at Vardar EC trophies: CL 2004, Challenge Cup 2011 EURO: G 2004

159

Kadetten Schaffhausen

GROUP C

Kadetten Schaffhausen With their former player David Graubner as the new manager, and several big names among the new arrivals, Kadetten Schaffhausen will be aiming to make it at least as far as the group phase knockout of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Like last year, the Swiss champions will be counting on goals from their Hungarian star Gabor Czaszar.

Club Address

Kadetten Schaffhausen Schweizersbildstrasse 10 8207 Schaffhausen Switzerland

With only two points after 14 matches, Schaffhausen were the weakest team in the group phase last year. One consequence of these results was the change of coaches from Lars Walther to Peter Kukucka in the middle of the season. However, they were part of a very tough group, featuring teams such as FC Barcelona Lassa, THW Kiel, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Paris Saint-Germain Handball and Telekom Veszprém HC.

Media contact

Barbara Imobersteg +41 787203247 imo.schule@gmx.ch www.kadettensh.ch kadettensh @kadettensh

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black GK shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: green

Compared to Abanca Ademar Leon, RK Gorenje Velenje and Skjern Handbold, Schaffhausen have the biggest international experience in their group. These four teams are to fight for the top two positions in Group C. But this will only be the first step, as clubs such as last season’s Last 16 participants Montpellier HB or HC Motor Zaporozhye could be waiting for them in the play-offs, coming from group D. “We want to secure our chance to go further than the group stage. If we reach our goal, we want to go as far as possible,” says Dimitrij Küttel, who replaced Graubner as team captain. It seems as Schaffhausen have a stronger squad compared to last season. Incoming goalkeeper Ivan Stevanovic had a brilliant 2016/17 season in Zagreb and for the Croatian national team, while former HC Meshkov Brest shooter Vladislav Ostroushko will add even more fire power to the team. At the age of 35, the Croatian goalkeeper has joined his first club abroad. Born in Rijeka, he first played for Porec and for Zagreb for five years. In Zagreb he was number one between the posts, after Filip Ivic left for Kielce. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 11 Last 16 (2): 2010/11, 2011/12 Group Phase (6): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Qualification (1): 2009/10 Other EHF Cup: final 2009/10 Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final: 2007/08

Playing hall BBC Arena Schweizersbildstr. 10 8207 Schaffhausen Switzerland Capacity: 3,000

Swiss league: 10 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014-17) Swiss Cup: 7 titles

160

Kadetten Schaffhausen

EHF Champions League club records

3 43 75

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

43:18 (23:8) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (h), 09.02.2012 38:25 (21:12) v FC Barcelona Lassa ESP (a), 12.10.2016 3 matches (25.10.2015 – 19.11.2015) 3 matches (25.10.2015 – 19.11.2015) 7 matches (22.09.2016 – 17.11.2016) 7 matches (22.09.2016 – 17.11.2016) 43 v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18W (h), 09.02.2012 40 v Füchse Berlin GER 35:40L (h), 14.02.2013 75 v Füchse Berlin GER 35:40L (h), 14.02.2013 22 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:22L (a), 15.10.2005 22 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:23L (h), 11.11.2006 17 v HC Metalurg MKD 27:17W (h), 19.11.2015 44 v HC Metalurg MKD 27:17W (h), 19.11.2015

VELUX EHF Champions League record

2005/06 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 6 2006/07 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 6 2007/08 Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ SUI 6 2010/11 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 12 2011/12 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 12 2012/13 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 10 2014/15 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 10 2015/16 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 10 2016/17 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 14 Total 86

GF GA

1 2 2 5 5 2 2 5 1 25

1 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 7

4 3 3 6 7 8 6 4 13 54

160:181 -21 168:169 -1 179:174 +5 362:376 -14 366:345 +21 284:330 –46 264:297 –33 270:270 0 370:440 –70 2423:2582 -159

161

PTS

Stage1994/95

3:9 5:7 5:7 11:13 10:14 4:16 6:14 11:9 2:26 57:115

3rd Gr. G 3rd Gr. B 3rd Gr. C 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 6th Gr. D 6th Gr. D 3rd Gr. D 8th Gr. A

Kadetten Schaffhausen

Peter Kukucka coach •

Kadetten player for five years until he quit in 2014 after five Swiss championship titles with Schaffhausen

•

before was a key player at Tatran Presov and Dunaferr on the centre back position

•

part of the Slovak EHF EURO 2006 squad

•

took over Kadetten in February 2017 as successor of Dane Lars Walther

•

steered Schaffhausen to the Swiss championship title in his first time as a coach

Newcomers: Ivan Stevanovic (HC PPD Zagreb/CRO) Nikola Cvijetic (RTV 1879 Basel/SUI) Pouya Norouzi (Bergischer HC/GER) Vladislav Ostroushko (HC Meshkov Brest/BLR) Benjamin Zehnder (Kadetten Espoirs/SUI) Jonas Schelker (Kadetten Espoirs/SUI) Max Gerbl (Kadetten Espoirs, RTV 1879 Basel/SUI)

Left the club: Markus Richwien Aurel Bringolf (Fortitudo Gossau/SUI) Sergio Muggli (GC Amicitia Zürich/SUI) David Graubner (now club manager)

162

Kadetten Schaffhausen

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

10 Christoffer Brännberger

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight

SWE Line Player

29.12.1990

Farsta, SWE

200

105

17 Gabor

Csaszar

HUN Centre Back

16.06.1984

Celldömölk, HUN

188

Nikola

Cvijetic

SUI

Right Wing

01.12.1989

Schaffhausen, SUI

183

Ron

Delhees

SUI

Right Back

28.08.1995

Zug, SUI

197

13 Maximilian Gerbl

SUI

Right Wing

25.06.1995

Basel, SUI

179

25 Simon

Kindle

SUI

Goalkeeper

13.12.1992

Winterthur, SUI

201

21 Johan

Koch

DEN

Centre Back

29.11.1990

Svendborg, DEN

185

Right Back

18.02.1994

Gersau, SUI

190

C 6

Dimitrij

Küttel

SUI

Manuel

Liniger

SUI

Left Wing

10.09.1981

Winterthur, SUI

180

12 Nikola

Marinovic

AUT

Goalkeeper

29.08.1976

Belgrade, SRB

198

100

19 Zoran

Markovic

SUI

Left Back

06.05.1995

Schaffhausen, SUI

197

20 Luka

Maros

SUI

Left Back

20.03.1994

Zürich, SUI

196

Meister

SUI

Line Player

16.08.1996

Basel, SUI

197

100

17 Pouya

Norouzinezhad

IRI

Centre Back

23.06.1994

Ardubil, IRI

189

32 Vladislav

Ostroushko

UKR

Left Back

05.03.1986

Cherkasy, UKR

202

101

Pendic

SUI

Left Wing

12.03.1987

Arbon, SUI

190

15 Jonas

Schelker

SUI

Centre Back

09.04.1999

Ramlinsburg, SUI

184

12 Ivan

Stevanovic

CRO

Goalkeeper

18.05.1982

Rijeka, CRO

193

101

14 Michal

Szyba

POL

Right Back

18.03.1988

Lublin, POL

195

24 Nik

Tominec

SLO

Right Wing

26.03.1991

Luzern, SUI

190

14 Benjamin

Zehnder

SUI

Left Wing

02.02.1997

Einsiedeln, SUI

179

Lucas

Andrija

163

Kadetten Schaffhausen

Nikola Marinovic goalkeeper • for more than ten years the number 1 of the Austrian national team • born in Belgrade, but changed his citizenship to Austrian in 2004 • his first CL start with Austrian side Bregenz, later transferred to various German clubs (Wetzlar, Balingen and Göppingen) • joined Kadetten before the 2015/16 season to replace Jonas Maier • Austrian handball player of the year in 2007

Ivan Stevanovic goalkeeper • joined his first club abroad at the age of 34, arriving from Zagreb • wanted to quit playing handball at the age of 29 • then became Croatian national player, even passing Filip Ivic - and was even no. 1 at the World Championship in France • his first sport was swimming, started playing handball at the primary school EURO: B 2016

Manuel Liniger left wing • experienced wing player had been part of the successful Kadetten team from 2007 until 2010 • twice semi-finalist of the Cup Winners’ Cup (becoming top scorer of the competition in 2008/09) and finalist in the EHF Cup 2009/10 • started his career in Winterthur and also had spell at German sides Wilhelmshaven, Lemgo and Balingen • one of the all-time top scorers of Swiss national team with over 800 goals

Vladislav Ostroushko left back • plays his ninth Champions League season with his seventh different club • arrived from Meshkov Brest, before played at Baia Mare, Minsk, St. Petersburg and both Zaporozhye based clubs Motor and ZTR • with 202 cm is the tallest player in the Kadetten squad • national champion in Ukraine (five times), Belarus and Romania before

164

Kadetten Schaffhausen

Gabor Csaszar centre back • had played professional handball in five different countries: Hungary, Denmark, Spain, France and now Switzerland; won titles in Hungary and Switzerland • joined Kadetten in the middle of the 2014/15 season, arriving from French powerhouse PSG • the playmaker of the Hungarian national team • part of two Olympic Games (2004, 2012) with Hungary, each time finishing fourth • best scorer of the CL 2016/17 group phase with 84 goals

Johan Koch line player • had been playing for German side Emsdetten before he joined Kadetten at the start of the 2015/16 season • replaces Swedish line player Anton Mansson, who left for Lemgo (Germany) • had been teammate of Mikkel Hansen in his first club GOG Svendborg • played three years for current Swedish champions Kristianstad until 2013, before he moved to Germany

Dimitrij Küttel right back • new Kadetten team captain, following on David Graubner, who is the new manager • shares the position with another Swiss talent, Luka Maros • at the age of 23, has already four Swiss championship trophies in his cabinet • had played for Suhr/Aaarau before he joined Kadetten • was part of all Swiss youth and junior national teams

Nikola Cvijetic right wing • after one season at Basle, he returned to his former club • replaced German Markus Richwien, who’s contract had not been extended • will parallel to professional handball start his apprenticeship as technical merchant • had played 20 times for the Swiss men’s team

165

Dinamo Bucuresti

GROUP C

Dinamo Bucuresti After edging AHC Potaissa Turda in the Romanian league finals, Dinamo Bucuresti are heading into their second straight VELUX EHF Champions League season. The team of head coach Eliodor Voica have gained experience thanks to several newcomers and they are now targeting the Group C/D play-offs.

Club Address

Dinamo Bucuresti Sos.Stefan cel Mare n° 7-9 ,sec2 Bucuresti Romania Media contact

Alexandru Enciu +40 754 929 106 sanenciu@yahoo.com www.csdinamo.eu csdinamo

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: orange Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: black

Their opponents in the group phase seem not quite as tough as last season, even though Kadetten Schaffhausen have bolstered their squad. After their first group phase experience in 2016/17, the Romanian champions mainly have to focus on improving in away matches. At home, they will always be a force to reckon with. With the arrival of Saeid Heidarirad the number of Iranian players at Dinamo have risen to four, with Allahkaram and Sajad Esteki as well as Alireza Mousavi already playing in the Romanian capital. It is a win-win situation: Players from Iran will lift the level of the national team thanks to their international experience, and Dinamo will be able to better integrate the Iranians. Even more now national heroine and three-time IHF World Player Cristina Neagu has returned to Bucharest, the main focus of fans and media are on women’s club CSM Bucuresti, last year’s Champions League winners. In previous decades, the men’s game with the likes of Vasile Stinga or Stefan Birtalan was the no. 1. Nowadays even the national team struggles to get into the focus. Still, Dinomo can step into the limelight by posting some remarkable results in the Champions League. Scoring 68 goals in only 10 matches, the 27-year-old back court ace was one of the most successful and efficient scorers in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season. With 213 goals in total in all competitions, he was by far the most productive player for Bucuresti. But now opponents will be even more aware of the skills of the Iranian, who was top scorer of the under-19 and under-21 World Championships in 2009 and 2011 respectively. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 5 Group phase (2): 2005/06, 2016/17 Qualification (2): 1995/96, 1997/98

Playing hall Dinamo Bucuresti Arena Soseaue Stefan Cel Mare 7-9 Sector 2, 020121 Bucuresti Romania Capacity: 2,538

166

Other EHF Cup: semi-finals 2003/04, Last 16 2001/02, 2004/05 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2002/03 Challenge Cup: runners-up 2000/01, semi-finals 2007/08 City Cup: Semi-finals 1999/2000 European Champions’ Cup: 1 title (1965) IHF Cup Winners’ Cup: runners-up 1983 Romanian league: 14 titles (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1986, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2016, 2017) Romanian cup: 4 titles (1979, 1982, 1988, 2017)

Dinamo Bucuresti

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

1 35 66

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS

Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run

Most goals

Longest run without win GOALS Most goals both teams

Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

35:29 (20:15) v ABC/UMinho POR (h), 01.12.2016 40:17 (19:9) v BM Ciudad Real ESP (a), 06.11.2005 1 match (15.10.2005) 1 match (29.09.2016) 1 match (17.11.2016) 1 match (01.12.2016) 3 matches (25.09.2016 – 09.10.2016) 3 matches (22.10.2005 – 12.11.2005) 3 matches (15.10.2016 – 13.11.2016) 4 matches (22.10.2005 – 25.09.2016) 4 matches (09.10.2016 – 13.11.2016) 35 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 35:31W (h), 29.09.2016 35 v ABC/UMinho POR 35:29W (h), 01.12.2016 40 v BM Ciudad Real 40:17L (a), 06.11.2005 66 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 35:31W (h), 29.09.2016 66 v ABC/UMinho POR 34:32L (a), 15.10.2016 17 v BM Ciudad Real 40:17L (a), 06.11.2005 24 v Tatran Presov SVK 28:24W (h), 15.10.2005 50 v HBC Nantes FRA 26:24L (a), 13.11.2016

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

PTS

Stage1994/95

2005/06 Dinamo Baumit Bucuresti ROU 6

148:198

-50

2:10

4th Gr. F

2016/17 Dinamo Bucuresti ROU

294:294

8:12

4th Gr. D

Total

16 4 2 10 442:492 -50 10:22

167

Dinamo Bucuresti

Eliodor Voica coach • • • •

Newcomers: Milan Sajin (Metalurg Skopje/MKD) Novak Boskovic (Maccabi Tel Aviv/ISR) Vitaly Komogorov (HC Odorhei/ROU) Vadim Gayduchenko (SKA Minsk/BLR) Hugo Descat (US Creteil/FRA) Saeid Heidarirad (Mess Kerman/IRI) Razvan Gavriloaia (Dunarea Calarasi/ROU)

considered to be one of Dinamo’s heroes, after bringing back the title after a 11-year drought was also coaching Dinamo between 2008 and 2011, when the club was close to folding, due to lack of funds former coach of the Romanian national team failed to qualify for an important tournament, being forced to quit after a shameful defeat against Finland in 2014 as a player scored 867 goals in 205 games for the Romanian national team

Left the club: Flavius Cimpan (SCM Poli Timisoara/ROU) Pierre Ragot (CS Minaur Baia Mare/ROU) Jakov Vrankovic (Tatabanya/HUN) Razvan Pop (CS Minaur Baia Mare/ROU)

168

Dinamo Bucuresti

Team roster No. First Name Surname 73 Daniel

Bera

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

26.05.1990

ROU Left Wing

Height Weight

Fagaras, ROU

182

82 91

Novak

Boskovic

SRB

Right Back

23.05.1989

Sombor, SRB

196

Hugo

Descat

FRA

Left Wing

16.08.1992

Paris, FRA

182

33 Allahkaram Esteki

IRI

Back

20.03.1988

Esfahan, IRI

195

106

Esteki

IRI

Left Back

28.04.1990

Esfahan, IRI

189

99 Razvan

Gavriloaia

ROU Right Wing

25.07.1983

Iasi, ROU

186

24 Vadim

Gayduchenko

BLR

Centre back

24.04.1995

Bobruisk, BLR

193

12 Stefan

Grigoras

ROU Goalkeeper

18.12.1990

Bacau, ROU

194

23 Saeid

Heidarirad

IRI

Goalkeeper

22.09.1990

Khorramabad, IRI

194

22.08.1987

Baia Mare, ROU

200

112

Sajad

C 16 Ionut

Irimus

ROU Goalkeeper

34 Vitaly C 15 Liviu

Komogorov

RUS

28.08.1991

Volgograd, RUS

196

Mironescu

ROU Right Wing

15.02.1985

Vaslui, ROU

184

ROU Line Player

09.12.1986

Calarasi, ROU

195

104

Line Player

27.04.1990

Esfahan, IRI

197

100

Left Back

16.05.1993

Vrbas, SRB

197

102

66 Marius Iulian Mocanu

88 Seyed Alireza Mousavi Ghalehmirz IRI

Left Back

93 Milan

Sajin

SRB

27 Ciprian

Sandru

ROU Centre Back

27.02.1991

Sighisoara, ROU

192

ROU Line Player

12.10.1985

Galati, ROU

198

105

17 Dan Andrei Savenco

169

Dinamo Bucuresti

Ionut Irimus goalkeeper • having a whooping height of 2.00m, he is the tallest goalkeeper ever to have played in the Romanian National League • nicknamed “Ață” (thread), Irimuș is also a very mobile goalkeeper, who was a vital piece in Dinamo’s title winning campaign last season • having already played in Europe for UCM Reșița and Minaur Baia Mare in the Cup Winners’ Cup and the EHF Cup but never the CL before 2016/17

Hugo Descat left wing • French player was named best left wing in the All-Star Team at the 2011 Junior WCh • this is first season Descat has played outside of France after spending the last six seasons at US Creteil • has played twice for the French national team in the past, but has not been called up in the last four years • one of the best scorers in the French League over the past six seasons with last season especially productive as he finished second in the top goalscorer rankings, nine goals behind German ace Uwe Gensheimer

Ciprian Sandru left back • in 2015/16 won the title and the Romanian Supercup with Dinamo and also the gold medal at the World University Games with the Romanian national team • with a powerful shot and the tactical nous on top, Sandru has been Dinamo’s top scorer last season, just four goals shy of the 200-goal mark • one of the products of the National Excellence Center • can be used on the playmaking position, where he is expected to alternate with Sajad Esteki and Vitaly Komogorov

Vitaly Komogorov left back • the Russian back player was an EHF Cup finalist with HBC Nantes in 2016, but left the French side to play in Romania for HC Odorhei • had trouble adapting in France, as he spoke only Russian, but settled well in Odorhei and started learning Romanian • standing 1,96m tall, Komogorov alongside Novak Boskovic, is Dinamo’s tallest player this season • the 26-year old back played for Kaustik Volgograd in the old Cup Winners’ Cup and for HBC Nantes in the EHF Cup, but has never started a CL game

170

Dinamo Bucuresti

Sajad Esteki left back / centre back • scored 68 goals in 10 games for Dinamo in the 2016/17 season and won the league’s ‘Best Rookie of 2016’ award • his scoring prowess has been there since early in his career as he topped all scorers at both the Youth WCh in 2009 and the Junior WCh in 2011 • the Iranian player had several important offers in 2016/17, but chose to extend his contract with Dinamo, who are his second European team after TVB Stuttgart • his brother, Allahkaram, also plays in Dinamo, as a back and they played together in several games, with Sajad as the team’s playmaker

Dan Savenco line player • defensive specialist, Savenco rarely plays in attack, but is well-known in Romania for his power and harshness • one of few players that knows the taste of the VELUX EHF Champions League, having already played there for Steaua MFA Bucuresti in 2008 • experienced line player plied his trade in Spain, at Antequera, before coming back to Romania in 2014 to play for Dinamo

Novak Boskovic right back • the Serbian player is a globetrotter having already played for Tatabanya, Cimos Koper and Maccabi Tel Aviv outside his home country • a tattoo enthusiast, Boskovic has several on his arms, including one depicting ‘The Joker’ the villain who appeared in the ‘Batman’ films and comic books • Boskovic will be one of Dinamo’s rookies this season in the VELUX EHF Champions League

Liviu Mironescu right wing • has been one of Dinamo’s most loyal servants, 2017/18 being his sixth season with the Romanian side • alongside Dinamo’s other right wing, Razvan Gavriloaia, Mironescu is one of the oldest players of the team • father of a toddler, who is present at every Dinamo game

171

Elverum Handball

GROUP C

Elverum Handball After the huge success of the men’s national team, the champions of Norway are looking for an improvement in what will be their third consecutive participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League. It also provides yet another opportunity to promote their little town all over Europe.

Club Address

Elverum Handball Herrer Postboks 295 2403 Elverum Norway

Last season, the Norwegian champions took three victories. Now they are aiming for more, but the question is how fast the newly-built team will develop? “We have a lot of new players, who are among the strongest talents in Norway. The question will be how fast they can adapt to this level,” says manager Bjørnar Myhren. In Group C, Elverum will face teams vastly more experienced at international level than them, including Leon, Velenje or Schaffhausen, so mainly the question will be answered by their results in their away matches.

Media contact

Knut Johansen +47 902 671 97 erik@ehh.no www.ehh.no elverumhandball

The Norway men’s national side has made it among the elite, with their fourthplaced finish at the 2016 EHF EURO and their silver medal at the 2017 World Championship. Interest in the men’s game has grown rapidly, whereas previously interest in the country had many fallen on the women’s national team and the 2011 Women’s Champions League champions Larvik. Elverum now know that if they can top the domestic competitions - as they are currently doing - then the chance to attract more sponsors, players and fans is huge.

@ElverumHandball Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: yellow

It has been obvious in previous decades that the best Norwegian talents left their country quite early, originally joining clubs in Denmark or Sweden but more recently making the journey further south to teams in Germany or France. So all Norwegian clubs are used to this migration, but with a stronger national league and more chances on the international stage, it now could be even easier to keep their homegrown talents.

Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: green

Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 4 Group Phase (2): 2015/16, 2016/2017 Qualification (1): 2013/14 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2010/11 EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Playing hall Terningen Arena Hamarvegen 112 2418 Elverum Norway Capacity: 2,400

Norwegian league: 5 titles (2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017)

172

Elverum Handball

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

2 31 35

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams

GOALS Fewest goals both teams

Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

29:23 (15:7) v HC Metalurg MKD (h), 06.12.2015 23:37 (12:18) v Skjern Handbold DEN (h), 27.09.2015 2 matches (29.11.2015 – 06.12.2015) 2 matches (09.10.2016 – 15.10.2016) 3 matches (02.10.2016 – 15.10.2016) 4 matches (18.10.2015 – 22.11.2015) 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 22.11.2015) 32 v Montpellier HB FRA 32:31W (h), 09.10.2016 37 v Skjern Handbold DEN 23:37L (h), 27.09.2015 63 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 33:30L (a), 24.10.2015 63 v Skjern handbold DEN 34:29L (a), 22.11.2015 63 v Montpellier HB FRA 32:31W (h), 09.10.2016 17 v HC Metalurg MKD 18:17L (a), 24.09.2016 18 v HC Metalurg MKD 18:17L (a), 24.09.2016 35 v HC Metalurg MKD 18:17L (a), 24.09.2016

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

PTS

2015/16 Elverum Handball Herrer NOR 10 3 1 6 274:289 –15 7:13 2016/17 Elverum Handball NOR 10 3 2 5 257:274 –17 8:12 Total 20 6 3 11 531:563 –32 15:25

173

Stage1994/95 5th Gr. D 5th Gr. C

Elverum Handball

Michael Apelgren coach • joined Elverum as playing head coach ahead of the 2014/15 season • succeeded former Norwegian international Christian Berge, as Berge became national team coach of Norway • former successful playmaker for Puerto Sagunto in the Spanish ASOBAL • as a player, he has also represented BM Granollers as well as several Swedish clubs; has five Swedish championships as a player • played five internationals for Sweden in his playing days

Newcomers: Richard Hanisch (Kristianstad/SWE) Kristian Krogh Ørstedt (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg/DEN) Kevin Gulliksenn (Bækkelaget/NOR) Magnus Fredriksen (Falk Horten/NOR) Tráinn Orri Jónsson (Grótta/ISL) Alexander Mitrovich (St Halvard/NOR) Sander Wennberg Linderud Sander Ree Lindstad Audun Breen Rørhagen Stiven Thorsteinsson (all from other Elverum teams)

Left the club: Kristian Bliznac (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER) Tamas Ivanscik Josef Pujol (Gummersbach/GER) Petter Øverby (KIF Kolding København/DEN)

174

Elverum Handball

Team roster No. First Name Surname 7

Aleksander Borresen

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight

NOR Line Player

30.08.1985

Baerum, NOR

206

115

18 Jonas

Burud

NOR Right Back

20.10.1993

Oslo, NOR

195

19 Hakon

Bratvold Ekren

NOR Centre Back

10.07.1994

Elverum, NOR

187

23 Magnus

Frederiksen

NOR Centre Back

24.05.1997

Horten, NOR

183

34 Kevin

Maageroe Gulliksen NOR Right Wing

09.11.1996

Oslo, NOR

179

29 Richard

Hanisch

SWE Left Back

02.06.1990

Eskilstuna, SWE

190

12 Emil Kheri

Imsgaard

NOR Goalkeeper

06.03.1998

Hamar, NOR

196

Line Player

12.07.1993

Reykjavik, ISL

210

110

55 Thrainn Orri Jonsson 15 Andre

ISL

Lindboe

NOR Left Wing

24.06.1988

Tonsberg, NOR

186

Didrik W.

Linderud

NOR Right Wing

07.12.1995

Oslo, NOR

182

Sander W. Linderud

NOR Right Back

11 Nikolaj 6

Alexander

C 87 Morten 24 Vegard

01.07.1999

Oslo, NOR

185

Vestergaard Mehl

DEN

Right Back

03.08.1984

Struer, DEN

190

Mitrovic

NOR Right Back

12.03.1998

Tynset, NOR

202

Nergaard

NOR Goalkeeper

26.02.1987

Elverum, NOR

189

Bakken Oeien

NOR Goalkeeper

08.07.1994

Elverum, NOR

192

115

17 Kristian Krag Orsted

DEN

Line Player

22.05.1995

Ã&#x2026;rhus, DEN

210

121

Poklar

SLO

Right Back

05.10.1990

Koper, SLO

190

21 Tine

25 Sander M. Ree-Lindstad

NOR Left Back

18.02.1998

Elverum, NOR

190

14 Audun BreenRoragen

NOR Left Back

27.07.1998

Elverum, NOR

190

NOR Left Wing

04.06.2000

Elverum, NOR

183

Stiven

Thorsteinsson

175

Elverum Handball

Morten Nergaard goalkeeper • has spent far most of his career in Elverum, had a short foreign adventure by Danish Aalborg in 2012 • played eight internationals for Norway • one of the Elverum players who has European experience from the 2012/13 CL qualification and the EHF Cup Group Phase

Andre Lindboe left wing • born in the women’s handball stronghold Larvik played for four other Norwegian clubs before he joined Elverum in 2011 (Halsen, Larvik, Fram, Sandefjord) • made a debut in the national team of Norway in April 2011 against Germany • took part at the EHF EURO 2014 scoring seven goals in three matches

Tine Poklar left back • joined Elverum from RK Maribor Branik in his homeland in 2016 • had a previous career in Cimos Koper, also in Slovenia, from where he brings CL experience with him • Elverum is his first foreign adventure • gets more responsibility this season after the departure of Norwegian talent Jørgen Jansrud from the left back position

Magnus Fredriksen centre back • joined in the summer of 2017 from Falk Horten on a three-year contract • replacing Swedish playmaker Josef Pujol, who left for the German Bundesliga • still only 20 years old and seen as one the best talents in Norwegian handball • has a considerable variation of shots, as well as having an impressive ability to both read the game and improve his teammates’ play • was a key player in Norway’s national team at the 2017 Junior WCh in Algeria

176

Elverum Handball

Thrainn Orri Jonsson line player • joined in 2017 from Icelandic league club Grótta • is replacing Norwegian international Petter Øverby, who left for Danish KIF Kolding Kobenhavn • has his main strength in defence, but is also capable of doing a fine job at the circle in the attack • his physical strength, his height (204cm) and his weight (108kg) are his main assets • was in the squad for the Icelandic national team this spring, and has appeared in various youth national teams

Kristian Ørsted line player • arrived in 2017 from Danish side Bjerringbro-Silkeborg on a two-year contract • planned to form a line player duo with Icelandic Thráinn Orri Jónsson, but Ørsted will mainly be doing his work in attack • being 210cm tall and weighing 121kg, he fulfills the criteria to be a successful pivot • important part of the Danish team who took the silver at the 2015 Junior WCh • bringing CL experience with him from his career at Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

Alexander Mitrovic right back • joined in the 2017 summer from another Norwegian club, Tynset, on a three-year contract • expected to form a strong right back duo with Danish player Nikolaj Mehl • still only 19 years old, but has already shown an impressive level of performance • his hard and varied left-hand shot is his finest asset, but he also benefits from being 203 cm tall • has appeared in several youth national teams for Norway

Kevin Gulliksen right wing • joined Elverum in 2017 from Bækkelaget on a two-year contract • replacing Hungarian Tamas Ivancsik, who left the club last season • still only 20 years old, he is seen to have a bright future ahead of him • one of Norway’s key players at the 2017 Junior WCh in Algeria • made his debut in the national senior team • renowned for his commitment, his will to win, and his coolness in tight situations

177

Group D preview

Group D preview REUNION OF WELL-KNOWN FACES TO TAKE PLACE IN GROUP D Will Montpellier HB be challenged by Motor Zaporozhye or can any of the other clubs shock the French giants? Group D of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase sees an interesting early game in Kharkiv between HC Motor Zaporozhye and Chekhovskie Medvedi. Three of the six teams in Group D met each other last season with French side Montpellier HB beating both of last season’s co-competitors from Group C twice - HC Metalurg and Chekhovskie Medvedi. Metalurg and Chekhovskie Medvedi shared a win each in their home clashes. Besiktas won a tight encounter against Motor Zaporozhye in Group D but lost by six in the re-match in Ukraine. In the Elimination Round C+D Montpellier ousted Motor Zaporozhye after two close games with only two goals separating the sides in Ukraine over two games (65:63). Montpellier are led by club coaching legend Patrice Canayer and are the top favourites in the group. Last season, they were the first side from Groups C or D, since the new VELUX EHF Champions League format was introduced, to make it into the quarter-finals, but they were knocked out by Telekom Veszprem. Their ambitions are not any lower this season, despite the departure of one of the main stars of the team with Jure Dolenec joining FC Barcelona Lassa, a club which will also welcome another Montpellier player at the end of this season when Ludovic Fabregas makes the journey to Spain. Patrice Canayer’s men are the only club in Group D who have the Men’s EHF Champions League when they took the title on May 4, 2003, the most historic date in the club’s history. Together with Montpellier, high expectations are on Motor Zaporozhye and new coach Patryk Rombel, the second youngest in the VELUX EHF Champions League at just 34-years-old. Motor aim to qualify for the Last 16 and have an ideal opportunity to gain revenge against the French side after that elimination last year. With new singings of Maxim Babichev and Pawel Paczkowski, they have undergone changes during the summer and quality is still on their side, but they will face a difficult challenge especially against Montpellier and Besiktas. Besiktas can easily be considered as the dark horse of the group with the Turkish champions in their fourth-straight season in the group phase and their 10th overall. Coach Müfit Arin has to spread responsibility across a number of players following the legendary player Ibrahim Demir leaving the club after winning 26 trophies over 11 years. Besiktas need to challenge Montpellier or Zaporozhye for

178

Group D preview

one of the top two spots in the group, as it is expected they should have the edge over the rest of the teams. Another coach under the spotlight will be Lino Cervar at HC Metalurg. The 66-year-old Croatian will participate in three competitions with Metalurg plus he will lead the Croatian national team at the Men’s EHF EURO 2018 on home soil – a huge pressure under which he will find himself. As usual, Metalurg consist of young talented players, who can show their ups and downs but who will be the next Filip Taleski to shine? Maybe Zarko Peshevski, the powerful line player, who despite numerous offers to move, decided to stay with the club and not follow the examples of Taleski and Obradovic. Skopje is the only city in the VELUX EHF Champions League to have two clubs in the group phase and it will be interesting to see if they can repeat the 2012/13 season when both Vardar and Metalurg reached the quarter-finals. Chekhovskie Medvedi enter this season rather modestly, with their biggest name at the club remaining coaching legend, Vladimir Maximov. The 71-year-old Maximov has to do without a number of players who left to join the newly-formed Spartak Mosco handball club, who are aiming to take over the dominant role of Chekhov. From the departures, the most important are Dmitri Kovalev, Alexander Chernoivanov and Dmitriy Shelestyukov and this young Russia team will have no pressure on them, but Maximov insists the ambitions are high. The final club to join the elite prospects in Group D are Sporting CP. The Portuguese team will take part in the group phase for the second time in the club’s history after making an appearance in 2001/02. Hugo Canela’s men showed their strength in the Qualification Tournament in Presov over the first week of September and their star goalkeeper Matej Asanin was the hero along with new singing, line player Tiago Rocha. Experts rate Montpellier as the heavy favourites to advance from the group into the Elimination Round C+D in top position with Motor Zaporozhye fighting for second and Metalurg and Besiktas threatening them further down. As there are no high expectations on Medvedi’s shoulders they are not expected by experts to make it through, however, knowing Vladimir Maximov and his experience and skills, count on the ‘Bears’ to shuffle the standing. It will also be interesting to see how Sporting CP will fit into the group and what can they offer at the highest level of men’s European club handball. Tomas Cuncik

179

Group D preview

Group D head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group D opponents in the EC HC Metalurg vs HC Motor Zaporozhye 0-0-2 (45:53) 0:4 19.09.2015 12.11.2015

HC Motor Zaporozhye vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D HC Metalurg vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D

30:24 (13:9) 21:23 (12:9)

HC Metalurg vs Montpellier HB 0-0-2 (42:58) 0:4 23.10.2016 10.11.2016

Montpellier HB vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Metalurg vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C

28:18 (13:12) 24:30 (10:14)

HC Metalurg vs Besiktas Mogaz HT No previous encounters in European competitions

HC Metalurg vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 1-0-3 (105:121) 2:6 30.09.2006 04.11.2006 06.10.2016 12.02.2017

Chehovskie Medvedi vs RK Metalurg Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group D RK Metalurg Skopje vs Chehovskie Medvedi, EHF Champions League – Group D Chekhovskie Medvedi vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Metalurg vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C

40:25 (22:9) 28:32 (12:16) 25:21 (14:8) 31:24 (15:10)

HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Montpellier HB 0-1-1 (63:65) 1:3 04.03.2017 11.03.2017

HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Elimination Round C+D 34:36 (15:18) Montpellier HB vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Elimination Round C+D 29:29 (14:13)

HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Besiktas Mogaz HT 1-0-1 (56:51) 2:2 15.10.2016 04.12.2016

Besiktas Mogaz HT vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Besiktas Mogaz HT, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D

23:22 (11:7) 34:28 (20:13)

HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Chekhovskie Medvedi No previous encounters in European competitions

Montpellier HB vs Besiktas Mogaz HT No previous encounters in European competitions

Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 12-3-3 (526:495) 27:9 09.11.1996 16.11.1996 10.11.2002 08.12.2002 12.10.2003 22.11.2003 16.10.2005 12.11.2005 08.11.2009 25.02.2010 28.04.2010 01.05.2010 18.10.2012 17.02.2013

Montpellier HB vs CSKA Moscow, EHF Cup – Last 16 CSKA Moscow vs Montpellier HB, EHF Cup – Last 16 Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group C Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau, EHF Champions League – Group C Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi Moscow, EHF Champions League – Group D Chehovski Medvedi Moscow vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group D Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov, EHF Champions League – Group A Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group A Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, EHF Champions League – Group A Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group A Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A

180

24:18 (10:09) 17:17 (10:09) 30:31 (15:11) 25:24 (13:12) 27:19 (14:09) 25:30 (14:13) 36:29 (19:14) 35:28 (20:12) 33:28 (19:14) 27:28 (11:16) 32:27 (18:13) 36:32 (12:14, 32:27) 35:29 (19:15) 30:30 (17:17)

Group D preview

16.11.2014 22.11.2014 15.10.2016 03.12.2016

Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C

32:32 (15:14) 33:34 (17:16) 26:22 (12:9) 27:33 (13:14)

Besiktas Mogaz HT vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 0-0-2 (35:50) 0:4 12.10.1996 19.10.1996

CSKA Moscow vs Besiktas Istanbul, EHF Cup – Round 2 Besiktas Istanbul vs CSKA Moscow, EHF Cup – Round 2

30:16 (16:8) 19:20 (8:10)

HC Metalurg vs Sporting CP No previous encounters in European competitions

HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Sporting CP No previous encounters in European competitions

Montpellier HB vs Sporting CP 3-0-1 (108:97) 6:2 13.10.1996 20.10.1996 15.02.2014 29.03.2014

Sporting Lisboa vs Montpellier HB, EHF Cup – Last 32 Montpellier HB vs Sporting Lisboa, EHF Cup – Last 32 Sporting CP vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, EHF Cup – Group B Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Sporting CP, EHF Cup – Group B

Besiktas Mogaz HT vs Sporting CP No previous encounters in European competitions

Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Sporting CP No previous encounters in European competitions

181

22:16 (13:8) 26:17 (11:6, 22:16) 27:30 (14:14) 36:31 (19:13)

HC Metalurg

GROUP D

HC Metalurg Again, Metalurg coach Lino Cervar has composed a team full of talents, and, again, Metalurg are in three competitions. With a successful pre-season preparation featuring tournaments at Struga and Ohrid, a new team captain in Filip Kuzmanovski and a new Managing Director in Zoran Cvetanovski, could the 2017-18 see the team based in the Macedonian capital Skopje, emulate their city rivals HC Vardar and go all the way?

Club Address

HC Metalurg ul. Jane Lukroski 6 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia Media contact

Branko Kazakovski +389 971 209 862 branko.kazakovski@gmail.com

As new coach of Men’s EHF EURO 2018 hosts Croatia, Lino Cervar has put himself under enormous pressure this season. Expectations are huge to win the men’s first-ever gold medal at a European championship and along with all the preparation with the national team, he also has to focus on the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase and the SEHA-Gazprom League - a huge balancing act for the Croat with a Macedonian passport. Previously he had been the Macedonian national team coach alongside his club role, but this autumn and winter could present the biggest challenge in Cervar’s long and glittering career on and off court.

www.rkmetalurg.mk rkmetalurgofficial

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: yellow/ black/red

The fan base is different, the expectations are different, but the rivalry between the two Skopje sides is like between Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spanish football. Metalurg know that their financial abilities are far lower than Vardar’s, but they have different ambitions. Thus, both exist side-by-side on the River Vardar. In previous years, players including Dejan Manskov (now Veszprem) or Filip Taleski (Rhein-Neckar Löwen) made it from Metalurg to bigger clubs. “Our young players can collect more international experience in the Champions League and we will give them more time to show that huge talent”, said Cervar, underlining the one goal of Metalurg. “We have one of the, on average, youngest squads at the top European level.”

Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow/black/ red

Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 10 Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14 Last 16 (1): 2011/12 Group Phase (5): 2006/07, 2008/09, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Qualification (1): 2010/11 Other 9 participations in other EC Macedonian league: 6 titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) Macedonian cup: 5 titles

Playing hall Boris Trajkovski bul. 8 Septemvri bb Skopje FYR Macedonia Capacity: 7,000

182

HC Metalurg

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run

4 37 69

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest unbeaten run

Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

32:18 (18:14) v Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN (h), 24.02.2013 43:24 (23:12) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 19.10.2006 35:16 (17:3) v THW Kiel (a), 15.02.2015 4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012) 4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013) 4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012) 4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013) 4 matches (16.02.2014 – 30.03.2014) 8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008) 8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008) 37 v Drammen HK NOR 37:30W (h), 18.10.2008 43 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 43:24L (a), 19.10.2006 69 v THW Kiel 27:42L (h), 18.10.2014 15 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 26:15L (a), 28.04.2013 14 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 14:32W (a), 16.02.2013 35 v Elverum Handball NOR 18:17W (h), 24.09.2016

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

2006/07 RK Metalurg Skopje MKD 2008/09 HC Metalurg MKD 2011/12 HC Metalurg MKD 2012/13 HC Metalurg MKD 2013/14 HC Metalurg MKD 2014/15 HC Metalurg MKD 2015/16 HC Metalurg MKD 2016/17 HC Metalurg MKD Total

6 6 12 14 14 10 10 10 82

0 2 6 9 7 1 2 5 32

0 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 5

6 4 4 5 5 8 8 5 45

148:206 –58 157:172 -15 294:275 +19 361:313 +48 356:373 -17 233:294 –61 219:241 –22 240:251 –11 2008:2125 -117

183

PTS

Stage1994/95

0:12 4:8 14:10 18:6 16:12 3:17 4:16 10:10 69:95

4th Gr. D 3rd Gr. C 1/8-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 6th Gr. A 6th Gr. D 3rd Gr. C

HC Metalurg

Lino Cervar coach • • • • •

most successful coach of the Croatian men’s national team, becoming Olympic gold medallist in 2004 and world champion in 2003 collected several more medals like two WCh silver medals in 2005 and 2009 and EURO silver 2008 and 2010 parallel to his work for the Croatian federation, was coach of Zagreb for a long time in 2009 he started coaching Metalurg – a job he focuses on completely since resigning from the helm of Croatia, steered them to quarter-finals in 2013 and 2014 in 2016 became head coach of the Macedonian national team only to return back to the Croatian national team one year later

OG: G 2004, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009 Newcomers: Ante Tokic (Varazdin/CRO) Luka Stojanovic (Talent Plzen/CZE) Bozo Andjelic (Cegledi Kezilabda/HUN) Darko Dimitrievski (Borec Veles/MKD) Janus Lapajne (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA) Nikola Dnilovski (Pelister Bitola/MKD)

Left the club: Nemanja Mladenovic (Constanta/ROM) Predrag Vejin (Gorenje/SLO) Amin Yousefinejad (Pogoń Szczecin/POL) Nikola Kosteski (Selka Eskisehir/TUR) Martin Marcec (SG Bietigheim/GER)

184

HC Metalurg

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight

Cetinje, MNE

186

23 Bozo

Andjelic

MNE Left Back

16.03.1992

99 Filip

Arsenovski

MKD Line Player

30.07.1998

Skopje, MKD

193

16 Darko

Arsic

SRB

Goalkeeper

20.01.1989

Vranje, SRB

195

20 Nikola

Danilovski

MKD Goalkeeper

01.02.1997

Skopje, MKD

184

88 Darko

Dimitrievski

MKD Left Back

16.05.1993

Veles, MKD

194

Dimitar

Dimitrioski

MKD Left Wing

16.02.1998

Prilep, MKD

183

Stefan

Drogrishki

MKD Centre Back

09.09.1994

Bitola, MKD

192

Right Wing

17.07.1991

Knin, CRO

193

Belgrade, SRB

180

77 Aleksandar Gugleta

SRB

Ilic

SRB

Left Wing

25.02.1993

Jaganjac

CRO

Left Back

22.06.1998

Rijeka, CRO

200

Kuzmanovski

MKD Left Back

03.07.1996

Bitola, MKD

77 Janus

Lapajne

SLO

Left Back

03.03.1995

Sampeter pri Gorici, SLO 192

97 Milan

Lazarevski

MKD Line Player

09.02.1997

Skopje

194

71 Davor

Palevski

MKD Left Wing

26.02.1997

Skopje, MKD

182

44 Zharko

Peshevski

MKD Line Player

11.04.1991

Skopje, MKD

195

110

Petrov

MKD Line Player

30.03.1992

Veles, MKD

190

105

Skopje, MKD

190

19 Vanja 66 Halil C 18 Filip

Kostadin

17 Martin

Serafimov

MKD Right Back

03.03.2000

11 Mice

Shilegov

MKD Right Wing

19.06.1998

Skopje, MKD

175

14 Mario

Tankoski

MKD Left Back

28.08.1998

Struga, MKD

192

Tokic

CRO

Right Wing

15.11.1993

Zagreb, CRO

189

12 Martin

Tomovski

MKD Goalkeeper

10.07.1997

Skopje, MKD

192

30 Martin

Velkovski

MKD Right Back

10.03.1997

Skopje, MKD

190

Ante

185

HC Metalurg

Darko Arsic goalkeeper • signed a two-year contract with Metalurg • part of Metaloplastika Sabac for many years • in the last three seasons he played with Metaloplastika in the Challenge Cup • one of Metalurg’s key players in 2016/17 season

Vanja Ilic left wing • started his career in Partizan and won the Serbian championship in 2012 • Metalurg is his second Macedonian club; he previously played for RK Rabotnicki • scored 25 goals in the CL 2016/2017 season • debuted for the Serbian national team in 2017

Filip Kuzmanovski left back • started his career at Pelister Bitola and moved in Metalurg in 2015 where he signed a three-year contract • debuted for the senior Macedonian national team at the EHF EURO 2016 • with his first club Pelister Bitola played in the Challenge Cup • scored 11 goals in his debut CL season in 2015/16

Bozo Andjelic left back • signed a one-year contract with Metalurg • former player for Ceglédi KKSE, Cepelin, RK Crvena Zvezda and HK Malmö • member of Montenegrin National team • the 2017/18 season is his first in the CL

186

HC Metalurg

Janus Lapajne centre back/right back • joined PSG Handball’s development squad in 2015 • signed two-year contract with Metalurg • member of the youth categories of the Slovenian national team • fifth ever Slovenian player for Metalrug

Zharko Peshevski line player • current Macedonian national team member, having played in all the youth selection for his country • Metalurg team captain • brother Antonio a teammate, goalkeeper at Metalurg • made his first team debut in 2009, becoming a first-choice line player after Mijajlo Marsenic left to join Vardar

Martin Velkovski right back • before moving to the first team, he played for the youth categories of Metalurg • one of the key players of the Macedonian national team at the 2017 Men’s Junior World Championship • made his debut for the Macedonian senior national team in 2017

Alexander Gugleta right wing • debuted in the Champions League with Vojvodina in 2015/16 season • Metalurg is the fourth club in his career, before he played for Vojvodina, RK Crvenka and Radnicki • scored 10 goals for Metalurg in 2016/17 CL

187

HC Motor Zaporozhye

GROUP D

HC Motor Zaporozhye With new Polish coach Patryk Rombel and the arrival of top Belarusian star Maxim Babichev, HC Motor Zaporozhye hope for another ticket to the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16. The Ukrainian team have the chance to take revenge against Montpellier for last season’s play-off elimination as early as the group phase.

Club Address

HC Motor Zaporozhye Ivanova Str. 24 69068 Zaporozhye Ukraine Media contact

Youriy Chornyi +380505946878 2207024@list.ru handball.motorsich.com Handball Club Motor Zaporozhye

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white/red Player short: white GK shirt: yellow/black Dark Player shirt: blue/red Player short: blue GK shirt: red or green/ black

In 2015/16, they qualified for the Group C+D play-offs as group winners. One year later, they finished second below Nantes, then lost in the play-off against Montpellier (who went on to eliminate Kielce in the Last 16). This season, Motor will face the French record champions in their group – in which these two teams are the clear favourites. But the play-offs can include several stumbling stones, so it will be a steep path to make it among the top 16 teams in the competition again. Kharkiv (like in the upcoming and previous season) and Brovary have acted as host cities for Zaporozhye’s home matches since the conflict in Ukraine began. So far, Motor handled this situation in a brilliant way: In 2015/16, only Veszprém managed to take the points from Brovary, and last season, just Montpellier and Nantes claimed points in away matches at Kharkiv. The physical, strong line player Maxim Babichev has shared his position for three years with Serbian star Rastko Stojkovic at Meshkov Brest. Now the Belarusian international signed his first contract outside of his home country. The 31-year-old will fit perfectly in the Motor team with his national teammate Barys Pukhouski, who joined Motor in 2015. Thus, Babichev can play a key role at Zaporozhye. At the age of 33, Rombel is one of the youngest coaches in the VELUX EHF Champions League. The two-year contract at Zaporozhye is his first job outside of Poland, where he was a player and coach at MMTS Kwidzyn. Rombel is joined by two Polish compatriots: player Pawel Paczkowski (from Kielce) and Michal Ganys, the physical preparation coach. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 5 Last 16 (2): 2013/14, 2015/16 Group Phase (2): 2014/15, 2016/17 Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 2011/12 Playing hall Lokomotiv Sport Complex Kotlova 90/1 Kharkiv Ukraine Capacity: 4,500

188

Ukrainian league: 4 titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Ukrainian cup: 3 titles

HC Motor Zaporozhye

EHF Champions League club records

6 39 76

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

22:35 (9:18) v ABC/UMinho POR (a), 12.11.2016 44:27 (20:13) v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN (a), 10.10.2013 6 matches (22.10.2016 – 12.02.2017) 8 matches (18.10.2015 – 05.03.2016) 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014) 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014) 39 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:37W (h), 05.03.2016 44 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013 76 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:37W (h), 05.03.2016 21 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 21:23L (h), 04.10.2014 18 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013 42 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

2013/14 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 2014/15 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 2015/16 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 2016/17 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR Total

12 10 14 12 48

4 3 9 7 23

1 0 1 2 4

7 7 4 3 21

333:367 -34 283:284 -1 418:414 +4 371:337 +34 1405:1402 +3

189

PTS

Stage1994/95

9:15 6:14 19:9 16:8 50:46

1/8-finals 5th Gr. D 1/8-finals Elimination C+D

HC Motor Zaporozhye

Patryk Rombel

coach • starting his debut season at Zaporozhye where he succeeded Nikolay Stepanets • the 34-year-old is considered to be one of the most promising Polish coaches • coached MMTS Kwidzyn, the club where he had spent his entire playing career, during the two previous seasons and led them to the fourth place in the national league both times • also at the helm of the Poland national B-team

Newcomers: Maksim Babichev (Meshkov Brest/BLR) Gleb Garbuz (Sparkasse Schwaz Tirol/AUT) Aleksey Shinkel (SKA Minsk/BLR) Pawel Paczkowski (Vive Kielce/POL)

Left the club: Gleb Kalarash (Magdeburg) Stanislav Jykov (Gummersbach) Sergii Burka

190

HC Motor Zaporozhye

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Maxim

Babichev

BLR

Line Player

07.03.1986

Minsk, BLR

Evgeniy

Height Weight 196

Buinenko

UKR

Left Back

20.09.1992

Zaporozhye, UKR

201

11 Zakhar

Denysov

UKR

Left Wing

01.03.1990

Ilychevsk, UKR

188

14 Dmytro

Doroshchuk

UKR

Back

29.09.1986

Volyn reg., UKR

198

115

Harbuz

BLR

Centre Back

17.03.1994

Minsk, BLR

191

12 Victor

Kireev

RUS

Goalkeeper

05.05.1987

Penzenskaya obl., RUS 190

55 Gennadiy

Komok

UKR

Goalkeeper

05.07.1987

Zaporozhye, UKR

196

20 Artem

Kozakevych

UKR

Right Wing

02.10.1992

Novovolynsk, UKR

182

184

Hleb

Iurii

Kubatko

UKR

Right Wing

28.08.1988

Zaporozhye, UKR

Aidenas

Malasinskas

LTU

Centre Back

29.04.1986

Lietuva, LTU

189

22 Pawel

Paczkowski

POL

Right Back

14.06.1993

Swiecie, POL

192

87 Barys

Pukhouski

BLR

Centre Back

03.01.1987

St.Mazorita, BLR

186

100

Shelmenko

RUS

Right Back

05.04.1983

Kiev, UKR

195

Shevelev

UKR

Line Player

02.12.1987

Zaporozhye, UKR

200

115

Shynkel

BLR

Left Back

06.07.1994

Grodno, BLR

210

105

Soroka

RUS

Left Wing

27.05.1991

Cherkessk, RUS

180

Kishtim, RUS

205

103

C 83 Sergey 10 Olexandr 2

Aliaksei

44 Igor 74 Lev

Tcelishchev

RUS

Back

16.04.1990

12 Anton

Terekhov

UKR

Goalkeeper

28.07.1992

Slavyanoserbsk, UKR

196

24 Ievgen

Zhuk

UKR

Left Wing

04.08.1990

Zaporozhye, UKR

184

191

HC Motor Zaporozhye

Victor Kireev goalkeeper • the Russian arrived at Zaporozhye in the summer of 2016 • started his career at the local club Kaustik • in 2014 moved to St.Petersburg and was elected the best goalkeeper of the Russian Superleague in the 2015/16 season • put in a very solid performance at EHF EURO 2016, which was his first major tournament with the Russia national team

Zakhar Denisov left wing • universal player who has an experience of playing in many different positions in his youth • raised in Yuzhny and played for the local team Portovik before moving to Zaporozhye in 2014 • plays for the Ukraine national team • had to choose between football and handball as a teenager, but focused on handball

Aliaksei Shynkel left back • a new face in the Zaporozhye squad, arriving from SKA Minsk • born in Grodno and started his career at Kronon • regularly plays for the Belarus national team • tallest player at Zaporozhye, standing at 210 cm tall

Barys Pukhouski centre back • one of Zaporozhye’s leaders is starting his third season in the club • started his career at SKA Minsk • also had spells at Dinamo Minsk in his native Belarus and at Hungary’s Csurgoi • the top all-time scorer of the Belarus national team EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006

192

HC Motor Zaporozhye

Maxim Babichau line player • experienced and consistent Belarusian is one of Motor’s biggest signings of 2017 • previously only played in his home country for Arkatron Minsk, Dinamo Minsk and HC Meshkov Brest • nine-time Belarusian champion • regular member of the Belarus national team for more than a decade

Sergey Shelmenko right back • team captain arrived at Motor in 2015 from Chekhovskie Medvedi • before that also played for ZTR Zaporozhye, Rhein-Neckar Lowen, Dinamo Minsk and St. Petersburg • born in Ukraine, acquired Russian citizenship during his spell at Medvedi and started to play for the Russia national team • his wife Tatiana is a former volleyball player of the Ukraine national team

Pawel Paczkowski right back • loaned to Zaporozhye for two seasons by KS Vive Tauron Kielce • only the fourth player from outside the ex-Soviet Union region to play in Ukrainian men’s handball • at Vive he won the Polish league in 2016 and 2017, as well as the VELUX EHF Champions League in 2016 • played for the Polish national team at the 2017 World Championship in France EC trophies: CL 2016

Iurii Kubatko right wing • the 29-year-old is Zaporozhye’s veteran, and has been playing for the club since 2009 • last season had one of the best seasons in his career • has experience of playing as a right back early in his career • his childhood idol was the former Ukraine international Vitaliy Nat, who is now coach of Motor Zaporozhye’s domestic rivals ZTR Zaporozhye

193

Montpellier HB

GROUP D

Montpellier HB

Since the new playing system was introduced, Montpellier HB were the first side to make it from Group Phase C or D and the play-offs, to the quarter-finals of the VELUX EHF Champions League, where they lost to Veszprem as the team of coach Patrice Canayer came close to their first participation at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. For the 2017/18 season the round of the last eight teams is again the objective. Last season Montpellier HB eliminated defending champions KS Vive Tauron Kielce in the Last 16 after coming a long way from Group C in the Group Phase and then through the play-offs. Club Address Despite losing another top star - Jure Dolenec to FC Barcelona Lassa - Montpellier Montpellier HB could have the ability to cause another upset. The young team is well-balanced, Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000 the preparation for the season worked well and in the French league they are 34090 Montpellier tested nearly every weekend. Their goal - to make it among the top eight again - is France realistic, but, they know that if they win the play-offs, a second-ranked team from Media contact Group A or B will be their Last 16 opponents. After Dolenec left for Barcelona Suzy Demonte before this season, the next move between the two clubs is already confirmed +33 499 610 358 as Ludovic Fabregas (21-years-old) will join the record winners of the Men’s EHF suzy.demonte@ Champions League in 2018. Barcelona had wanted to sign the best line player montpellier-handball.com talent for this season after Jesper Noddesbo returned to Denmark, but Montpellier did not allow it. Now Fabregas (All-Star Team line player of the 2016/17 CL season) montpellierhandball.com will have the chance to lift his side one more time in his final season with them MHB - Montpellier Handball while Barcelona looked to their Portuguese signing Felipe Borges. Sons of well-known fathers always stand in focus - Melvyn Richardson (son of @mhbofficiel Jackson) will make his debuts in the Champions League after having arrived from Chambery. The 21-year-old has already been awarded the MVP of the Men’s 18 EHF EURO and U19 World Championship, each time leading France to the title and Kit colours after an extremely strong development at Chambery, he is ready for the next step. Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: green, orange, light blue

Past achievements

Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: green, orange

Playing hall Palais des Sports René Bougnol 1000 Av. du Val de Montferrand 34090 Montpellier France Capacity: 3,000

194

VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 20 Winners (1): 2002/03 Semi-final (1): 2004/05 Quarter-final (5): 2000/01, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2016/17 Last 16 (6): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2016/17 Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, 2012/13 Qualification (1): 2013/14 Other EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter-final: 1996/97 Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95 Last 32: 1997/98 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2001/02 French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) French cup: 13 titles

Montpellier HB

EHF Champions League club records

8 46 78

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent

Most goals

GOALS

Most goals both teams Fewest goals

Most goals both teams

Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

46:20 (26:9) v AC PAOK GRE (h), 04.10.2009 37:20 (16:10) v Prosesa Ademar Leon ESP (a), 06.11.1999 8 matches (15.10.2016 – 04.03.2017) 11 matches (15.10.2016 – 02.04.2017) 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) 46 v AC PAOK GRE 46:20W (h), 04.10.2009 38 v Kolding KIF DEN 38:29L (a), 05.12.2004 38 v Pick Szeged HUN 38:35L (a), 19.11.2011 78 v VfL Gummersbach GER 41:37W (h), 09.02.2008 17 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 26:17L (a), 03.01.1999 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 24:17L (a), 10.12.2000 16 v HC Portovik Yuzhny UKR 26:16W (h), 07.10.2006 38 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 21:17W (h), 08.11.1998

VELUX EHF Champions League record

1998/99 Montpellier HB FRA 1999/00 Montpellier HB FRA 2000/01 Montpellier HB FRA 2002/03 Montpellier HB FRA 2003/04 Montpellier HB FRA 2004/05 Montpellier HB FRA 2005/06 Montpellier HB FRA 2006/07 Montpellier HB FRA 2007/08 Montpellier HB FRA 2008/09 Montpellier HB FRA 2009/10 Montpellier HB FRA 2010/11 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2011/12 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2012/13 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2014/15 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 2015/16 Montpellier HB FRA 2016/17 Montpellier HB FRA Total

6 6 8 12 8 12 10 8 12 10 14 14 12 10 12 16 16 186

3 0 3 0 4 1 8 1 6 0 9 0 6 0 5 1 7 0 6 1 10 2 10 0 6 0 2 2 4 2 3 1 11 1 103 12

195

GF GA

3 3 3 3 2 3 4 2 5 3 2 4 6 6 6 12 4 71

134:134 0 139:148 -9 193:193 0 334:311 +23 216:199 +17 375:328 +47 282:272 +10 224:198 +26 358:348 +10 295:275 +20 447:372 +75 442:379 +63 357:357 0 301:311 –10 351:377 –26 429:472 –43 476:425 +51 5353:5099 +254

PTS

Stage1994/95

6:6 6:6 9:7 17:7 12:4 18:6 12:8 11:5 14:10 13:7 22:6 20:8 12:12 6:14 10:14 7:25 23:9 218:154

3rd Gr. A 3rd Gr. A 1/4-finals Winner 1/8-finals 1/2-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 3rd MR Gr. 2 4th MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/8-finals 5th Gr. A 1/8-finals 1/8-finals 1/4-finals

Montpellier HB

Patrice Canayer coach • • •

currently in his 23rd season at the head of Montpellier, in which he has won over 40 trophies in 1994 he started his coaching career and coached players like Nikola Karabatic, Thierry Omeyer, Jerome Fernandez and Didier Dinart in his active career played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris

EC trophies: CL 2003

Newcomers: Benjamin Afgour (Dunkerque/FRA) Melvyn Richardson (Chambéry/FRA) Mohamed Soussi (Club Africain/TUN)

Left the club: Arthur Anquetil (Sélestat/FRA) Samir Bellahcene (Massy Essonne HB/FRA) Jure Dolenec (FC Barcelona Lassa/ESP) Miha Zvizej (Ribe-Esbjerg/DEN)

196

Montpellier HB

Team roster Height Weight

No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

Anquetil

FRA

Left Wing

23.7.1995

Montpellier, FRA

182

9.1.1998

Montpellier, FRA

190

Arthur

21 Nassim

Bellahcene

FRA

Right Back

12 Samir

Bellahcene

FRA

Goalkeeper

20.2.1995

Montpellier, FRA

190

116

29 Arnaud

Bingo

FRA

Left Wing

12.10.1987

Lyon, FRA

190

24 Baptiste

Bonnefond

FRA

Left Back

22.1.1993

Lyon, FRA

194

26 Julien

Bos

FRA

Left Wing

18.8.1998

Pessac, FRA

188

20 Maxime

Bouschet

FRA

Right Back

2.4.1996

Montpellier, FRA

185

Causse

FRA

Right Wing

12.10.1992

Port au Prince, FRA

179

Dolenec

SLO

Right Back

6.12.1988

Kranj, SLO

190

1.7.1996

Perpignan, FRA

198

102

Theophile

11 Jure 27 Ludovic

Fabregas

FRA

Line Player

25 Jean Loup

Faustin

FRA

Centre Back

23.3.1995

Montpellier, FRA

185

Gerard

FRA

Goalkeeper

16.12.1986

Woippy, FRA

189

10 Mathieu

Grebille

FRA

Left Back

6.10.1991

Paris, FRA

198

C 14 Michael

Guigou

FRA

Left Wing

28.1.1982

Apt, FRA

179

30 Ilies

Hakiki

FRA

Line Player

9.10.1998

Montpellier, FRA

193

15 Antoine

Jonnier

FRA

Line Player

18.8.1998

Libourne, FRA

197

23 Vid

Kavticnik

SLO

Right Back

24.5.1984

Gradec, SLO

191

Paulin

FRA

Left Back

20.5.1998

Montpellier, FRA

202

28 Valentin

Porte

FRA

Right Back

7.9.1990

Versailles, FRA

190

16 Nikola

Portner

SUI

Goalkeeper

19.11.1993

Lyon, FRA

194

97 Maxime

Savonne

FRA

Goalkeeper

11.1.1997

Nimes , FRA

195

100

Vincent

Samuel

Diego

Simonet

ESP

Centre Back

26.12.1989

Buenos Aires, ARG

188

Aymen

Toumi

TUN

Right Wing

11.7.1990

Sousse, TUN

184

Jonas

Truchanovicius

LTU

Left Back

24.6.1993

Siauliai, LTU

203

105

Villeminot

FRA

Centre Back

20.5.1998

Lyon , FRA

189

Zahm

FRA

Left Back

23.5.1996

Saint Denis, FRA

200

100

Celje, SLO

193

100

19 Kyllian 2

Iswaran

22 Miha

Zvizej

SLO

Line Player

197

6.11.1987

Montpellier HB

Vincent Gerard goalkeeper • formed in Montpellier, he then moved to Istres and Dunkerque before returning to the south of France in 2015; his signing with PSG for 2019 is already announced • All-star goalkeeper at the WCh 2017 • became number one goalkeeper for France after Thierry Omeyer’s retirement • his exuberant celebrations instantly made him a fan favourite OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2017

Michael Guigou left wing / centre back • player with the longest history in Montpellier since he has played there for 18 seasons in a row • has become less a scorer and more a playmaker over recent years, since he is able to play at centre back • only player of the CL-winning Montpellier campaign (2003) to still play for the club • has been plagued by injury over the last few years EC trophies: CL 2003 OG : G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2005

Baptiste Bonnefond left back • joined Montpellier in 2010 after beginning his career in Villeurbanne; has not played for any other team since • has suffered many serious injuries, including one to the knee, which stopped him playing for one year • Montpellier offered him his first professional contract in 2014 • made his first national team appearances at the end of 2015 but has only played one international game so far

Jonas Truchanovicius centre back / left back • one of the few Lithuanian players to ever play the Champions League • arrived in Montpellier in the summer of 2016, and adapted very quickly to the demanding style of play • best at left back but can also help at centre back • will play a crucial role at the beginning of the season with Vid Kavticnik and Mathieu Grebille out due to injuries

198

Montpellier HB

Diego Simonet centre back • his two brothers, Sebastian and Pablo, are also professional handball players Sebastian will also play the CL this season, with Ademar Leon • suffered a knee injury which left him on the side line for eight months in 2016/17, but came back just in time and played a key role in the Last 16 win against Kielce • prone to injury due to his style of attack that puts him right in the defensive line • has been elected Argentinian Handball Player of the Year four times and is an important member of the national team

Ludovic Fabregas line player • at just 21, one of the most important players in the France national team; part of the new golden generation, alongside Timothey N’guessan, Dika Mem and Yanis Lenne • All-star team line player in the 2016/17 CL season • has already signed a contract with FC Barcelona to begin in the summer of 2018 • youth European and world champion in mountain biking before turning to handball at the age of 15 OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2017

Valentin Porte right back • arrived in Montpellier in 2016 and played his first CL matches, reaching the quarter- finals in his debut season in the competition • played on the right wing until 2014, when former national team coach Claude Onesta decided to place him on the back court, with great success • rose to prominence during the EHF EURO 2014, where he scored 16 goals in the semi-final and the final • golf aficionado, having taught a lot of his teammates, like FC Barcelona goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2015, 2017, EURO: G 2014

Aymen Toumi right wing • arrived last summer and was only meant to stay for a season, but his stellar performances in the CL and Dragan Gajic's departure convinced the club to keep him • welcomes another Tunisian compatriot this season, as left back Mohamed Soussi has signed a one-year contract • his personal best in the CL are 27 goals scored in the 2015/16 season

199

Besiktas Mogaz HT

GROUP D

Besiktas Mogaz HT Dominating the domestic league since 2009, the serial Turkish champions are hungry for success on European level, too. Appearing in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase for a fourth straight season, Besiktas believe they are ready to reach at least the Group C/D play-offs.

Club Address

Besiktas MOGAZ HT Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48 34357 Besiktas - Istanbul Turkey Media contact

Jankat Ömür +90 537 17 477 92 omurjankat@gmail.com www.bjk.com.tr Besiktas @BJKHentbol Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: red Dark Player shirt: black, white Player short: black GK shirt: blue

After 11 years and 26 trophies with Besiktas, former team captain Ibrahim Demir has left the club to join the domestic rivals from Bursa. There are no big names among the new arrivals so Besiktas will have to spread the responsibilty over more players, like new captain Ramazan Döne, line player Tolga Ozbahar and playmaker Nemanja Pribak. With football and basketball being the top team sports in Turkey, handball has always struggled to get public interest. Even becoming the most successful Turkish sports team – if they win their 10th straight league title this season – Besikas need to fight hard for every spectator. But combined with the success of the national team, they have a chance. “We are in a tough group,” coach Müfit Arin said after the draw, and he is right. Last year’s quarter-finalist Montpellier and the experienced and physical strong Ukrainian side of Motor Zaporozhye are high hurdles in the group phase. The remaining opponents seem to be within reach but Besiktas will have to leave either Montpellier or Zaporozhye behind them. As previous first-choice goalkeeper Yunus Özmusul has departed to Göztepe, Egyptian international Karim Mostafa Hassan Hendawy shall fill the void. Carrying experience from the national team and several Super Globe participations with his former club Al-Zamalek (Cairo), he is supposed to be the new No. 1, but he will share the position with another new arrival, Taner Günay. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 11 Group Phase (2): 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Qualification (7): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14

Playing hall Kocaeli Sehit Polis Recep Topaloglu Spor Salonu Yahya Kaptan Mah.Kizilay Sok No: 41050 Arasta Izmit, Turkey Capacity: 5,000

200

Other EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06, 2010/11 Challenge Cup: Semi-final 2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03 Turkish league: 13 titles (1981, 1982, 2005, 2007, 2009-2017) Turkish cup: 12 titles

Besiktas Mogaz HT

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat

2 36 72

MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams

GOALS Most goals both teams

Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

36:27 (15:16) v TTH Holstebro DEN (h), 22.10.2016 43:29 (21:14) v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO (a), 05.03.2016 33:19 (16:9) v HBC Nantes FRA (a), 01.10.2016 2 matches (15.10.2016 – 22.10.2016) 3 matches (09.10.2016 – 22.10.2016) 10 matches (20.11.2014 – 14.10.2015) 10 matches (20.11.2014 – 14.10.2015) 36 v TTH Holstebro DEN 36:27W (h), 22.10.2016 43 v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 43:29L (a), 05.03.2016 72 v MVM Veszprém HUN 34:38L (h), 13.02.2016 72 v RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 43:29L (a), 05.03.2016 19 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 28:19L (a), 27.09.2014 19 v HBC Nantes FRA 33:19L (a), 01.10.2016 22 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 23:22W (h), 15.10.2016 45 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 23:22W (h), 15.10.2016

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

PTS

2014/15 Besiktas MOGAZ HT TUR 10 1 0 9 253:303 –50 2:18 2015/16 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu TUR 14 1 0 13 382:487 -105 2:2 2016/17 Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR 10 5 1 4 275:289 –14 11:9 Total 34 7 1 26 910:1079 –169 15:53

201

Stage1994/95 6th Gr. B 8th Gr. A 3rd Gr. D

Besiktas Mogaz HT

Mufit Arin coach • had plenty of success as a coach with Besiktas JK, dominating the Turkish domestic league over the past 10 years • eight-time Turkish league champion, six-time Turkish cup winner, six-time Turkish Super Cup winner •

reached the Challenge Cup semi-final in the 2008/09 season

• notable playing achievement is winning the Turkish league with Arcelik HK in 1983, but nothing can be compared to the premiere of Turkish handball in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase in the 2014/15 season

Newcomers: Taner Günay (B.B. Ankaraspor/TUR) Karim Mostafa Hassan Hendawy (Zamalek Club/EGY) Mijo Tomic (Merzifon Belediyesi/TUR) Tomislav Nuic (NEXE/CRO) Stevan Sretenovic (USAM Nimes Gard/FRA)

Left the club: İbrahim Demir (Bursa Nilüfer Bld./TUR) Predrag Dacevic (Maccabi Tel Aviv/ISR) Jozef Holpert (destination unknown) Ivan Nincevic (retired) Yunus Özmusul (Göztepe SK/TUR)

202

Besiktas Mogaz HT

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

Height Weight

99 Ferdi

Basboga

TUR

Right Back

06.11.2000

Adana, TUR

190

11 Josip

Buljubasic

TUR

Back

11.07.1988

Metkovic, CRO

205

103

98 Mecit Can Cetinkaya

TUR

Left Back

13.01.2000

Diyarbakır, TUR

196

97 Oguz

Cevik

TUR

Left Back

01.01.2000

Gaziantep, TUR

190

14 Mehmet

Demirezen

TUR

Line Player

03.08.1988

Ankara, TUR

196

120

Döne

TUR

Right Back

10.07.1981

Rize, TUR

192

106

Ersin

TUR

Centre Back

20.03.1992

Samsun, TUR

186

16 Dogukan

Gok

TUR

Goalkeeper

16.02.2000

Ardahan, TUR

185

22 Taner

Günay

TUR

Goalkeeper

01.11.1986

Samsun, TUR

187

88 Karim

Mostafa Hendawy EGY

Goalkeeper

01.05.1988

Cairo, EGY

187

Karatay

TUR

Goalkeeper

07.02.1998

Sırnak, TUR

195

23 Dogukan

Keser

TUR

Right Wing

24.01.2000

Kars, TUR

180

10 Marko

Krsmancic

SRB

Centre Back

02.12.1989

MUP R Srbije, SRB

187

27 Tomislav

Nuic

BIH

Left Wing

12.11.1988

Capljina, BIH

186

20 Tolga

Özbahar

TUR

Line Player

24.04.1984

Aydın, TUR

195

Pribak

MKD Centre Back

26.03.1984

Nis, SRB

190

Radojkovic

SRB

Right Back

05.12.1994

Smederevo, SRB

196

Sretenovic

SRB

Left Back

25.09.1995

Arandjelovac, SRB

198

Tomic

CRO

Left Wing

06.04.1993

Split, CRO

196

Vrazalic

BIH

Right Wing

22.06.1990

Sarajevo, BIH

186

Yagmuroglu

TUR

Right Wing

10.01.2001

Akhisar, TUR

179

C 53 Ramazan 21 Onur

Mehmet

Nemanja

17 Mihajlo 5

Stevan

37 Mijo 7

Faruk

35 Sevket

203

Besiktas Mogaz HT

Taner Günay goalkeeper • started handball in Samsun, one of the few sports cities in Turkey • played for Besiktas rivals Büyükşehir Belediye Ankaraspor from 2005-2017, winning a Turkish Cup and Super Cup title; will share the job with the Egyptian national team player Karim Mustafa Hendawy • has played for the Turkish national team over 100 times winning bronze at the 2016 Mediterranean Games • graduated from University of Ankara and works as a teacher at a vocational high school

Stevan Sretenovic left back • the 22-year-old is 2,01m tall and previously played for Samot Arandjelovac, RK Rukobel and Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, winning the Serbian Cup in 2013 with Partizan • effective in both attack and defence, he played in French League last season for L’USAM Nimes • signed by Besiktas who hope he can replicate the success of their former Serbian star Darko Djukic, now playing for Kielce

Nemanja Pribak centre back • known for his excellent court vision, assists and playmaking ability • started playing handball in his hometown of Nis in Serbia, for RK Zeleznicar before joining HC Vardar, following a stint at RK Trimo Trebnje • made debut for Serbia at the IHF Men’s World Championship in 2011, but opted to play for FYR Macedonia in 2013 • joined Besiktas in 2015 after five seasons for HC Vardar, where he is considered a club legend

Tolga Özbahar line player • came to Besiktas in 2010 and is recognised as one of Turkey’s best line players • over 60 international matches for Turkey • awarded the best line player in the Turkish league several times • in the 2012/13 season, when Besiktas reached the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase, he was the second top scorer (27) • first Turkish player nominated for the VELUX EHF Champions League All-Star Team in 2014/15 (received almost 5,000 votes) • scored 44 times in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season 204

Besiktas Mogaz HT

Ramazan Döne right back • joined Besiktas in 2006 from Cankaya Belediyesi • became the top scorer of the Men’s EHF Challenge Cup in 2005/06 (66 goals in 7 games) as well as the top scorer of the Turkish league in 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2009/10 • in the 2012/13 season he helped Besiktas reach the Men’s EHF Cup Group Phase and was their top scorer with 30 goals • awarded the best right back in the Turkish league several times and has played over 150 international matches for Turkey so far • scored 53 goals for Besiktas in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17

Mihajlo Radojkovic right back • played for HC Smederevo and HC Partizan in Serbia before his departure to Besiktas for the 2016/17 season • in the 2016/17 CL season with Besiktas his hard defensive work and ambition attracted attention as well as his versatility on court • shares his position with Turkish stalwart and Besiktas captain Ramazan Döne • played for Serbian National Team at the M20 EURO in 2014 and 2015 IHF Junior WCh • also plays beach handball and studied Economics at university

Dogukan Keser right wing • started playing handball at eight-years-old in Istanbul, now 17 and a high school student • joined Besiktas in 2014, a club he says to him are “my family”, and has won three championships with the junior team • last season was a major turning point in his career. After signing for the senior club, he played in the VELUX EHF Champions League aged 16 and won the Turkish Super League, Turkish Cup and Super Cup

Faruk Vrazalic right wing • 2016/17 saw his debut season with Besiktas in the CL (48 goals), after experiencing Europe’s top league since 2009/10, first with Bosna Sarajevo and then Ademar Leon in 2012/13 • spent three years in the German Bundesliga at Eisenach, Balingen and German powerhouse Füchse Berlin before joining Besiktas in 2016 • started to play for the Bosnian national team at the age of 19 • was studying economics in Sarajevo and learns the language of the countries in which he plays his club handball 205

Chekhovskie Medvedi

GROUP D

Chekhovskie Medvedi Their golden days seem to be over for Chekhovskie Medvedi who will have to fight hard to enter the group C/D playoffs but 71-year-old coach Vladimir Maximov is trying everything as he enters another decade, still at the helm of ‘the Bears’. In the 2015/16 season the Bears took four victories and eight points in the group phase but last season it melted down to just two wins and six points. “We must achieve more points,” understated Maximov ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Club Address

Chekhovskie Medvedi Poligrafistov str. 30 142300 Chekhov, Mosk. oblast Russia Media contact

Olga Belysheva +7 909 6391 839 victi@bk.ru www.ch-medvedi.ru

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: yellow

But, with some experienced players leaving and the pool of talents yet to gain international experience, it is too early to say whether they can make it. Will the newly-formed Spartak Moscow handball team take over Chekhov’s leading role in Russia? It is possible that a changing of the guard will occur in the upcoming season. The Spartak roster consists of 12 former Chekhov players including club legend Dmitry Kovalev and is coached by Vasily Filipov, a long-term player of the Bears. Spartak could be the first-ever club which overtakes Chekhov in the Russian Super League, which could have an impact on future international appearances and the duels between the two will be league highlights. Knowing that only the duels with Spartak will be on equal level in the Russian Super League, Medvedi can only improve and gain experience on international turf. Therefore, being part of the VELUX EHF Champions League is still the major focus of the club from the Moscow region.

Dark Player shirt: purple Player short: purple GK shirt: red

Past achievements

Playing hall Sport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” Chekhov Poligrafistov Str. 30 142300 Chekhov Russia Capacity: 3,000

206

VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 17 Semi-final (1): 2009/10 Quarter-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Last 16 (3): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13 Main Round (1): 2007/08 Group Phase (9): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06 Russian league: 15 titles (2002-2016) Russian cup: 14 titles

Chekhovskie Medvedi

EHF Champions League club records

5 46 77

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

22:46 (12:24) v AC PAOK GRE (a), 03.03.2010 38:24 (20:15) v HSV Hamburg GER (a), 23.04.2011 5 games (29.11.2003 – 06.11.2004) 8 games (18.10.2012 – 14.03.2013) 5 games (10.11.2001 – 08.12.2001) 5 games (24.03.2013 – 19.10.2014) 5 games (22.11.2014 – 21.02.2015) 11 games (24.03.2013 – 21.02.2015) 46 v AC PAOK GRE 22:46W (a), 03.03.2010 45 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004 77 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004 19 v Montpellier HB FRA 27:19L (a), 12.10.2003 19 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006 17 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 30:17W (h), 31.03.2011 45 v TBV Lemgo GER 23:22W (h), 11.12.2004 45 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006

VELUX EHF Champions League record

2001/02 CSKA Moskau RUS 2002/03 Chehovski Medvedi. Moskau RUS 2003/04 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS 2004/05 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS 2005/06 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS 2006/07 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 2007/08 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 2008/09 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 2009/10 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2010/11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2011/12 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2012/13 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2014/15 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2015/16 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2016/17 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS Total

6 1 0 5 6 2 0 4 6 3 0 3 8 6 0 2 6 3 0 3 8 4 0 4 12 7 1 4 12 7 0 5 16 9 2 5 14 8 3 3 10 3 4 3 12 6 4 2 10 0 1 9 10 4 0 6 10 2 2 6 146 65 17 64

207

GF GA

155:181 –26 182:170 +12 166:165 +1 252:246 +6 192:184 +8 242:233 +9 369:331 +38 387:370 +17 529:476 +53 437:396 +41 291:276 +15 373:347 +26 300:349 –49 271:292 –21 273:291 –18 4419:4307 +112

PTS

Stage1994/95

2:10 4:8 6:6 12:4 6:6 8:8 15:9 14:10 20:12 19:9 10:10 16:8 1:19 8:12 6:14 147:145

4th Gr. C 3rd Gr. C 3rd Gr. D 1/8-finals 3rd Gr. A 1/8-finals 2nd MR Gr. 1 1/4-finals Fourth Place 1/4-finals 5th Gr. B 1/8-finals 6th Gr. C 4th Gr. C 6th Gr. C

Chekhovskie Medvedi

Vladimir Maximov coach • handball legend is still the only person who has become an Olympic champion both as a coach and as a player • led the Russian national team to a number of big titles but resigned from that job in 2012 to fully concentrate on his club duties at Medvedi • joined the club in 2001 and has led the club to the title of the Russian champion every year since that time

EC trophy: Cup Winner’s Cup 2006 OG: G 1976 (as player), 2000, B 2004, WCh: G 1993, 1997, S 1978 (as player), 1999, EURO: G 1996, S 1994, 2000

Newcomers: Igor Karlov (SKIF Krasnodar/RUS) Denis Vasiliev (Dinamo Astrakhan/RUS)

Left the club: Dmitry Kovalev Alexander Chernoivanov Dmitry Shelestyukov Oleg Skopintsev (all Spartak Moscow/RUS) Alexander Izmailov (HC Saint Petersburg/RUS) Alexei Karibov (SGAU-Saratov/RUS)

208

Chekhovskie Medvedi

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Date of birth Place of birth

Position

Height Weight 195

11 Pavel

Andreev

RUS

Line Player

19.07.1992

Saint Petersburg, RUS

36 Nikita

Avtonomov

RUS

Goalkeeper

08.04.1998

Samarkand, UZB

196

15 Andrei

Beliaev

RUS

Right Back

15.02.1998

Tolyatti, RUS

197

Sergei

Bolotin

RUS

Centre Back

09.04.1996

Krasnoyarsk, RUS

183

Evgeny

Dzemin

RUS

Left Back

30.08.1997

Ussuriysk, RUS

207

101

31 Victor

Furtsev

RUS

Line Player

17.06.1996

Belgorod, RUS

198

16 Artem

Grushko

RUS

Goalkeeper

20.06.1993

Odessa, UKR

193

Gumarov

RUS

Left Wing

04.02.1998

Astrahan, RUS

185

198

Albert

98 Nikita

Kamenev

RUS

Right Back

14.04.1998

Belgorod, RUS

22 Igor

Karlov

RUS

Centre Back

16.12.1994

Lubek, GER

193

Kornev

RUS

Right Wing

16.06.1992

Vologda, RUS

186

Kotov

RUS

Right Back

11.07.1994

Volgograd, RUS

198

Kotov

RUS

Centre Back

23.05.1992

Moscow, RUS

185

14 Maxim

Kuretkov

RUS

Right Back

16.11.1994

Maykop, RUS

192

38 Timofei

Maslennikov

RUS

Right Wing

10.03.1997

Chekhov, RUS

185

18 Ivan

Nefedov

RUS

Back

30.05.1998

Moscow, RUS

186

184

Dmitriy

17 Alexander C 9

Kirill

19 Roman

Ostashchenko

RUS

Left Wing

26.09.1992

Moscow, RUS

12 Dmitry

Pavlenko

RUS

Goalkeeper

01.01.1991

Zaporoje, UKR

190

63 Evgeny

Prokopyev

RUS

Left Back

23.02.1996

Tolyatti, RUS

198

Dmitrii

Santalov

RUS

Left Back

07.04.1996

Blagoveshensk, RUS

196

13 Mikhail

Sharkov

RUS

Left Wing

10.10.1996

Saratov, RUS

182

33 Aleksei

Stelmakh

RUS

Goalkeeper

25.04.1998

Volgograd, RUS

192

105

27 Denis

Vasilev

RUS

Line Player

31.12.1993

Astrakhan, RUS

196

Vasilev

RUS

Left Back

26.02.1998

Astrakhan, RUS

189

Maksim

209

Chekhovskie Medvedi

Dmitryi Pavlenko goalkeeper • the first-choice goalkeeper after the veteran Oleg Grams left for Dunkerque HB • the Ukrainian-born goalkeeper started his career at ZTR Zaporozhye • moved to Medvedi at a young age and became a Russian citizen • player of the Russian national team

Roman Ostashchenko left wing • born in Moscow and started to play handball at Kuntsevo • joined the reserve team of Medvedi in 2007 and was promoted to the main team in 2013 • elected the best left wing of the Russian Superleague in both the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons • member of the Russian national team

Dmitriy Santalov left back • born and raised in Blagoveshensk, a town in the far east of Russia • at the age of 16 he moved to Chekhov, which is about 7,700 km from his home town, and joined the handball academy of Medvedi • promoted to the main team of Medvedi in 2014 and at the time was the youngest player in the squad • studies at university in Moscow and is expected to get a diploma in ecology

Kirill Kotov centre back • started to play handball in Dolgoprudny, a small town near Moscow • joined Medvedi in 2007 at the age of 15 and became a first-team player in 2013 • four-time Russian champion is a member of the national team • not a relative of his teammate, right back Alexander Kotov

210

Chekhovskie Medvedi

Igor Karlov centre back • moved this summer from his hometown club, SKIF Krasnodar, where he a leader of the side • last season, helped SKIF to beat his Medvedi in final to win the Russian Cup • named the best playmaker of the Russian league in the 2016/17 season • son of former Russian international Dmitriy Karlov

Denis Vasilyev line player • the 23-year-old is starting his first season at Medvedi • moved from Dinamo Astrakhan where he grew into a key player for the side • elected the best line player of the Russian Superleague in the 2016/17 season • plays for the Russia national team

Maxim Kuretkov right back • talented left-hander started his career at his local club, SKIF • moved to Medvedi in 2014 at the age of just 19 • three-time Russian champion with the Chekhov team • missed a large part of the 2016/17 season due to an injury

Dmitriy Kornev right wing • started to play handball in Moscow • three-time national champion with Medvedi • used to play for the Russia U21 national team in the 2013 World Championships in Bosnia • member of the Russia senior national team since April 2016

211

Sporting CP

GROUP D

Sporting CP Sporting CP qualified for the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase after a 35:34 thrilling final against Alpla HC Hard, which went to extra time. This is only the second time Sporting have made it to the group phase after their debut in 2001/02. If we look at five reasons why Hugo Canela’s men came out on top in Eastern Slovakia - we will see the following factors.

Club Address

Pavilhao do Ginasio Clube do Sul Rua de Angola No 23 2805-086 Almada Portugal Media contact

Andre Leitao +351 914665 572 arletaio@sporting.pt www.sporting.pt SportingClubePortugal @Sporting_CP

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: grenn/white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black/ white/green

Matej Asanin, The two-metre tall Croatian goalkeeper was the unbreakable hero of the game. When Manuel Gaspar stood in goal at the end of the first half, Matej Asanin limped onto the bench in pain with knee injury. Few would have thought, that he would go back in goal for the second half. Not only did he go back in goal, but his remarkable saves won the match for Sporting. With five seconds remaining in extra time, his save of Dominik Schmid’s effort earned Sporting CP a Champions League group phase berth. A wide roster: Whilst there was very little to separate Sporting CP and Alpla HC Hard, one thing was notable towards the end of regular time, and even more so at the end of the extra time. Sporting CP had a wider roster, and therefore could effectively rotate the players during the tournament, allowing the key players to rest without dropping the quality of play on the court. Key players, like Tiago Rocha on the line (alternating with Michal Kopco), or Frankis Carol with nine goals in the final, were physically more fit than their counterparts from Alpla HC Hard. Hugo Canela: A coach can influence the players’ offensive and defensive formations, how he divides the playing time of the key players, and the tactics that work the best to beat the opponent. He played for Sporting for 10 years and his connection with the club can be seen in his coaching during the game. He showed great passion, a deep knowledge of the team, and the required calmness at crucial moments.

Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black/ green/white

Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 2 Group Matches (1): 2001/02 Other EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2000/01, 2013/14 Cup Winners’ Cup: 2003/04 quarter-finals Playing hall Pavilhao Joao Rocha Rua Prof. Fernando da Fonseca Apartado 4120 1501-806 Lisboa Portugal Capacity: 3,000

Challenge Cup: winners 2009/10, 2016/17, semi-finals 2011/12 Portuguese league: 20 titles (1952, 1956, 1961, 1966-67, 1969-73, 1978-81, 1984, 1986, 2001, 2017) Portuguese cup: 15 titles

212

Sporting CP

EHF Champions League club records

2 28 62

Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run

GOALS Most goals

GOALS Most goals both teams

Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams

24:23 (11:12) v Kolding IF DEN (h), 24.11.2001 33:22 (13:9) v Kolding IF DEN (a), 16.12.2001 2 matches (24.11.2001 – 01.12.2001) 2 matches (24.11.2001 – 01.12.2001) 2 matches (11.11.2001 – 17.11.2001) 2 matches (08.12.2001 – 16.12.2001) 2 matches (11.11.2001 – 17.11.2001) 2 matches (08.12.2001 – 16.12.2001) 28 v Portland San Antonio ESP 28:31L (h), 08.12.2001 36 v Portland San Antonio ESP 36:26L (a), 11.11.2001 62 v Portland San Antonio ESP 36:26L (a), 11.11.2001 22 v Lovcen Osiguranje Cetinje YUG 26:22L (a), 24.11.2001 22 v Kolding IF DEN 33:22L (a), 16.12.2001 23 v Kolding IF DEN 24:23W (h), 24.11.2001 47 v Kolding IF DEN 24:23W (h), 24.11.2001

VELUX EHF Champions League record

GF GA

PTS

Stage1994/95

2001/02 Sporting CP Lisboa POR

132:149

–17

4:8

3rd Gr. A

6 2 0 4 132:149 –17 4:8

213

Sporting CP

Hugo Canela coach

Newcomers: Tiago Rocha (Orlen Wisla Pock/POL) Felipe Borges (Montpellier/FRA) Pedro Valdés (Artística de Avanca/POR))

•

has been Sporting head coach since February 2017

•

in his first season as head coach won the Portuguese league and Challenge Cup

•

was a centre back and played for Sporting for 10 years

•

as a player, also played for Pedro Nunes and Belenenses

Left the club: João Pinto (Madeira SAD/POR) Marco Oneto (Albatro Siracusa/ITA) Igor Zabic (Orlen Wisla Plock/POL)

214

Sporting CP

Team roster No. First Name Surname

Nat.

Position

Date of birth Place of birth

Height Weight

23 Edmilson

Araujo

POR

Left Back

06.01.1994

Lisboa, POR

189

Matej

Asanin

CRO

Goalkeeper

04.09.1993

Zagreb, CRO

206

118

Bosko

Bjelanovic

POR

Left Back

21.10.1985

Knin, CRO

195

100

18 Felipe

Borges

BRA

Left Wing

04.05.1985

Sao Bernardo, BRA

186

77 Janko

Bozovic

AUT

Right Back

14.07.1985

Bar, MNE

203

101

Carneiro

POR

Centre Back

03.03.1982

Guimaraes, POR

183

13 Frankis

Carol Marzo

CUB

Left Back

07.09.1987

Guantanamo, CUB

192

16 Aljosa

Cudic

SLO

Goalkeeper

09.03.1988

Celje, SLO

190

176

C 18 Carlos

26 Bruno

Gaspar

POR

Left Wing

17.07.1998

Lisboa, POR

24 Manuel

Gaspar

POR

Goalkeeper

09.12.1998

Setubal, POR

189

Kopco

SVK

Line Player

27.01.1988

Kosice, SVK

195

115

37 Ivan

Nikcevic

SRB

Left Wing

11.02.1981

MNE, SRB

181

10 Claudio

Pedroso

POR

Right Back

14.03.1986

Lisboa, POR

198

Portela

POR

Right Wing

06.01.1990

Leiria, POR

186

17 Tiago

Rocha

POR

Line Player

17.10.1985

S. Paio Oleiros, POR

196

104

11 Carlos

Ruesga Pasarin

ESP

Centre Back

10.03.1985

Gijon, ESP

185

184

Michal

Pedro

15 Pedro

Solha

POR

Left Wing

22.11.1981

Porto, POR

22 Francisco

Tavares

POR

Right Wing

14.11.1996

Almada, POR

176

Veitia Valdez

CUB

Left Back

17.08.1994

Habana, CUB

188

Pedro

215

Sporting CP

Matej Asanin goalkeeper • started playing handball at RK Zagreb and played in Croatia until 2012 • played for Ademár Leon (Spain) and HBW Balingen-Weilstetten (Germany) • won the European Junior Championship (2010) and the Croatian league • in his first season with Sporting won the Portuguese league and the Challenge Cup and was a decisive player in both finals EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017

Bosko Bjelanovic left back • born in Croatia, started playing handball as a goalkeeper • played for several Portuguese teams like FC Porto, Madeira SAD and Águas Santas • one of the most important players in Sporting’s defence • won two Challenge Cups with Sporting EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2010, 2017

Carlos Ruesga centre back • has played for Portland San Antonio, MKB Veszprém KC and FC Barcelona • won the World Championship in 2013 and has an impressive European resume • won several titles and awards in his passage by Spain and Hungary • known for his vision of the game and offensive power, was a key player in the team wins last season EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017 EURO: B 2014, WCh: G 2013

Janko Bozovic right back • played for several European teams in Spain, Italy, Germany and Slovenia • won the Italian league and Italian Cup and the Belarus league and Belarus Cup • Sporting is the 13th team on his resume • great offensive player known as the “Austrian bomber” because of his offensive power EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017

216

Sporting CP

Ivan Nikcevic left wing • played for several teams of Servia, Spain and Poland • won a Yugoslavian league and cup • in 2012, won the silver medal at the European Championship • one of the team’s biggest offensive threats, best scorer of the Challenge Cup final 2017 EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017 EURO: S 2012

Frankis Carol left back • Cuban player who arrived at Sporting in 2011 • key to the team’s defensive play • won several titles with Sporting including the Portuguese Cup, Portuguese league • versatile player with great technique and impulsion EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017

Tiago Rocha line player • after 12 years at FC Porto, joined Wisla Plock where he stayed until last season • won several Portuguese titles, most of them at FC Porto • first Portuguese player in the Polish league • one of the top Portuguese handball players in Europe today

Pedro Portela right wing • started playing handball 10 years ago and arrived at Sporting aged 17 • won two Challenge Cups with Sporting • has won several titles in the last 10 years with Sporting • known for his offensive power and efficiency, he is one of the team’s stars and most loved players by the fans EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2010, 2017

217

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2016/17 Top Scorers

2016/17 Top Scorers Rank 1

Player

Club

Goals

Uwe Gensheimer (GER)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)

115

Mikkel Hansen (DEN)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)

Momir Ilic (SRB)

Telekom Veszprém (HUN)

Zsolt Balogh (HUN)

MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)

Jure Dolenec (SLO)

Montpellier HB (FRA)

Kiril Lazarov (MKD)

FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)

Gabor Csaszar (HUN)

Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)

Alex Dujshebaev (ESP)

HC Vardar (MKD)

Nedim Remili (FRA)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)

Rastko Stojkovic (SRB)

HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)

Nikola Karabatic (FRA)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)

Julen Aguinagalde (ESP)

KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)

Banc Janc (SLO)

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO)

Dainis Kristopans (LAT)

HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)

Valero Rivera (ESP)

FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)

Laszlo Nagy (HUN)

Telekom Veszprém (HUN)

Magnus Bramming (DEN)

TTH Holstebro (DEN)

Jerry Tollbring (SWE)

IFK Kristianstad (SWE)

Marko Vujin (SRB)

THW Kiel (GER)

Karol Bielecki (POL)

KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)

Timur Dibirov (RUS)

HC Vardar (MKD)

Stipe Mandalinic (CRO)

HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)

Mathieu Grebille (FRA)

Montpellier HB (FRA)

Jonas Källman (SWE)

MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)

Andre Schmid (SUI)

Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)

Sergei Gorbok (RUS)

MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)

Nicolas Claire (FRA)

HBC Nantes (FRA)

Niclas Ekberg (SWE)

THW Kiel (GER)

Sajad Esteki (IRI)

Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU)

Nikolaj Markussen (DEN)

Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN)

220

All-star team votes

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

2015/2016

2016/2017

Goalkeeper

Darko Stanic (HC Metalurg)

Niklas Landin (Rhein-Neckar Lรถwen)

Roland Mikler (MKB-MVM Veszprem)

Niklas Landin (THW Kiel)

Gonzalo Perez de Vargas (FC Barcelona Lassa)

Left wing

Anders Eggert (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)

Timur Dibirov (HC Vardar)

Uwe Gensheimer (Rhein-Neckar Lรถwen)

Manuel Strlek (Vive Tauron Kielce)

Uwe Gensheimer (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)

Left back

Filip Jicha (THW Kiel)

Momir Ilic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)

Nikola Karabatic (FC Barcelona)

Momir Ilic (MVM Veszprem)

Mikkel Hansen (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)

Centre back

Daniel Narcisse (THW Kiel)

Mikkel Hansen (PSG Handball)

Dean Bombac (MOL-Pick Szeged)

Nikola Karabatic (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)

Line player

Julen Aguinagalde (Atletico Madrid)

Renato Sulic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)

Rastko Stojkovic (HC Meshkov Brest)

Ludovic Fabregas (Montpellier)

Right back

Laszlo Nagy (MKB Veszprem)

Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona)

Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona Lassa)

Alex Dujshebaev (HC Vardar)

Right wing

Ivan Cupic (Vive Targi Kielce)

Luc Abalo (PSG Handball)

Victor Tomas (FC Barcelona)

Gasper Marguc (MVM Veszprem)

Victor Tomas (FC Barcelona Lassa)

Young player

N/A

Alex Dujshebaev (HC Vardar)

Darko Djukic (Besiktas JK)

Nedim Remili (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)

Defender

Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MKB Veszprem)

Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MKB-MVM Veszprem)

Rene Toft Hansen (THW Kiel)

Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MVM Veszprem)

Luka Karabatic (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)

Coach

N/A

Talant Dujshebaev (Vive Tauron Kielce)

Xavier Sabate (MVM Veszprem)

Raul Gonzalez (HC Vardar)

Season

221

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All-time stats VELUX EHF Champions League

All-time stats VELUX EHF Champions League 31 Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009

26 Montellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009

31 Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009

18 RK Zagreb CRO vs Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13 (23:5), 16.10.2005

50 THW Kiel GER @ HC Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50 (13:24), 22.10.2006

82 Barcelona Borges ESP vs KIF Kolding DEN 46:36 (23:19), 17.10.2009

11 Aalborg Handball DEN vs FC Barcelona ESP 11:31 (5:16), 15.03.2015

32 Wallau-Massenheim GER vs UHK West Wien AUT 17:15 (7:6), 20.03.1994

-9 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL @ HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 27:28 (19:10), 18.02.2015

-6 FC Barcelona ESP @ GOG Gudme DEN 22:22 (16:10), 14.02.1996

Biggest wins 29 26 26

ZTR Zaporozhye UKR @ AS Conversano 2003 ITA 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 Montpellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP @ HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 17:43 (9:21), 19.11.2011

Biggest home wins 25 25

FC Barcelona ESP vs Hapoel Rishon Le Zion ISR 42:17 (18:10), 15.11.1997 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI vs HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18 (23:8), 09.02.2012

Biggest away wins 29 26

ZTR Zaporozhye UKR @ AS Conversano 2003 ITA 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP @ HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 17:43 (9:21), 19.11.2011

Biggest lead at half-time 17

Montpellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009

Most goals 48 47

HSV Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009 THW Kiel GER vs CS HCM Constanta ROU 47:31 (24:18), 12.11.2006

Most goals both teams 81 80*

FC Barcelona ESP vs THW Kiel GER 44:37 (19:20), 13.04.2008 FC Barcelona ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 39:41 (17:18, 32:32, 36:36), 31.05.2014

Fewest goals: 12 12

AS Conversano 2003 ITA vs ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD vs FC Barcelona ESP 12:26 (8:15), 06.11.2004

Fewest goals both teams: 32 33

Fotex KC Veszprém HUN vs Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13 (9:7), 17.11.2002 Panellinios AC Athens GRE vs Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 16:17 (8:9), 30.11.2002

Biggest deficit overcome after losing first half to win a game

Biggest deficit overcome after losing first half to draw a game -6 -6 -6

HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO vs HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 28:28 (10:16), 07.10.2007 Pevafersa Valladolid ESP vs Pick Szeged HUN 35:35 (13:19), 27.02.2010 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 32:32 (13:19), 19.10.2013

223

Past winners

Past winners 2017

HC Vardar

(MKD)

2016

Vive Tauron Kielce

(POL)

2015

FC Barcelona

(ESP)

2014

SG Flensburg-Handewitt

(GER)

2013

HSV Hamburg

(GER)

2012

THW Kiel

(GER)

2011

FC Barcelona Borges

(ESP)

2010

THW Kiel

(GER)

2009

BM Ciudad Real

(ESP)

2008

BM Ciudad Real

(ESP)

2007

THW Kiel

(GER)

2006

BM Ciudad Real

(ESP)

2005

FC Barcelona-Cifec

(ESP)

2004

RK Celje Pivovarna LaÅ¡ko

(SLO)

2003

Montpellier HB

(FRA)

2002

SC Magdeburg

(GER)

2001

Portland San Antonio

(ESP)

2000

FC Barcelona

(ESP)

1999

FC Barcelona

(ESP)

1998

FC Barcelona

(ESP)

1997

FC Barcelona

(ESP)

1996

FC Barcelona

(ESP)

1995

Elgorriaga Bidasoa

(ESP)

1994

TEKA Santander

(ESP)

224

All-time club standings 1993 - 2017

All-time club standings 1993 - 2017 TR

Name of the club

GF:FA

FC Barcelona Lassa ESP

262

195

8050:6721

+1329

408:116

(20)*

77,86%

THW Kiel GER

258

175

7897:6950

+947

366:150

(20)*

70,93%

Telekom Veszprém HUN

242

164

6993:6281

+712

340:144

(21)*

70,25%

HC PPD Zagreb CRO

242

113

104

6335:6232

+103

251:233

(23)*

51,86%

BM Atletico Madrid ESP

144

111

4502:3803

+699

227:61

(10)

78,82% 54,70%

RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO

202

104

5773:5493

+280

221:183

(19)*

Montpellier HB FRA

186

103

5353:5099

+254

218:154

(17)*

58,60%

SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER

166

103

4960:4571

+389

217:115

(12)*

65,36%

KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL

126

3695:3541

+154

160:92

(10)*

63,49%

MOL-Pick Szeged HUN

152

4179:4177

150:154

(14)*

49,34%

Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS

146

4419:4307

+112

147:145

(15)*

50,34%

HSV Hamburg GER

3088:2670

+418

145:51

(7)

73,98%

Portland San Antonio ESP

100

2929:2594

+335

134:66

(9)

67,00%

Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER

102

3029:2834

+195

128:76

(7)*

62,75%

KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN

118

3330:3361

-31

117:119

(12)

49,58%

Reale Ademar Leon ESP

100

2875:2817

+58

106:94

(10)*

53,00%

Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA

2346:2198

+148

104:56

(6)*

65,00%

HC Vardar MKD

104

2846:2943

–97

101:107

(10)*

48,56%

HC Metalurg MKD

2008:2125

-117

69:95

(8)*

42,07%

Orlen Wisla Plock POL

2533:2775

–242

63:129

(10)*

32,81%

Chambery Savoie Handball FRA

2028:2133

-105

61:87

(8)

41,22%

Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI

2423:2582

-159

57:115

(9)*

33,14%

RK Gorenje Velenje SLO

1779:1775