Title sponsor
Premium sponsor
Regional premium sponsors
Partners
Charity partner
2
TEAMWORK, FAIRNESS & RESPECT
powered by
Nord Stream 2 is a European project that contributes to a secure energy supply for all European countries. Our excellence is the result of efďŹ cient cooperation among a large team of experts from more than 20 countries. Respect for the environment and team spirit are at the core of our values, fuelling our delivery of a sustainable solution to help the EU meet future energy needs and achieve climate goals.
Proud supporter of the VELUX EHF Champions League
www.nord-stream2.com
ŠEHF/Walch
3
Table of contents
Table of contents Foreword Media contacts Map of participating clubs Playing system diagram Official informations List of TV stations MOTW - increasing engagement VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown/anniversary VELUX EHF FINAL4 facts & figures Important regulations Facts & Figures
6 7 8-9 10-11 13 15 16 18-19 20 23 24-27
Preview Head-to-heads in the EC HC Vadar PGE Vive Kielce Barça Lassa HC Meshkov Brest Telekom Veszprém HC Montpellier HB IFK Kristianstad Rhein-Neckar Löwen
30-31 32-35 36-41 42-47 48-53 54-59 60-65 66-71 72-77 78-83
GROUP A
GROUP B
Preview Head-to-heads in the EC Paris Saint-Germain Handball MOL-Pick Szeged SG Flensburg-Handewitt Skjern Handbold
84-85 86-89 90-95 96-101 102-107 108-113 4
Table of contents
HC PPD Zagreb HC Motor Zaporozhye RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HBC Nantes
114-119 120-125 126-131 132-137
Preview Head-to-heads in the EC HC Metalurg Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Sporting CP Besiktas Mogaz HT Chekhovskie Medvedi Tatran Presov
138-139 140-141 142-147 148-153 154-159 160-165 166-171 172-177
Preview Head-to-heads in the EC Orlen Wisla Plock Abanca Ademar Leon Elverum Handball Wacker Thun Dinamo Bucuresti Riihimäen Cocks
178-179 180 182-187 188-193 194-199 200-205 206-211 212-217
20017/18 Top scorers All-stars team 2017/18 Past winners Timeline Summary All-time stats All-time club standings
218 219 221 222-223 224-227 228 229
GROUP C
GROUP D
HISTORY
5
Foreword
Foreword Dear handball friends, Welcome to a new season of the VELUX EHF Champions League and to the latest edition of the competition’s media guide. With extensive background information, key contacts and historical statistics in addition to team and player profiles, this is your essential guide to the 2018/19 group phase. Further updates and additional media information packs for each ‘Match of the Week’ will also be published throughout the season and will be available for download via the EHF Media Portal. Last season we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Europe’s premier club handball competition and 2018/19 marks another milestone in the competition’s history with the 10th edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 to be played in the LANXESS arena. There is a long road ahead of us, but the event promises to be something very special and we are already looking forward to welcoming media colleagues from around the world to Cologne on 1/2 June 2019. We finished the 2017/18 season on a real high, with Montpellier HB returning to the throne in stunning fashion after 15 long years of waiting. Their success underlines the strengths of the competition’s playing format, with just about any team capable of picking up that coveted trophy regardless of which group they start the competition in. Standing in Montpellier’s way this season in Group A is a formidable line-up of teams including the eight-time champions from Barça Lassa, the 2017 winners HC Vardar and the 2016 trophy holders PGE Vive Kielce. In Group B, the challenge is no less daunting with two previous winners of the EHF Champions League SG Flensburg-Handewitt and Celje Pivovarna Lasko competing alongside last season’s runners-up HBC Nantes and semi-finalists Paris Saint-Germain Handball as well as the brand new Hungarian champions MOL-PICK Szeged. Everything is wide open in Groups C/D as all of the 12 teams including eight national champions have a good chance of reaching the knock-out stages and following Montpellier’s example from the previous season. While Tatran Presov from Slovakia and Wacker Thun from Switzerland return to the VELUX EHF Champions League after some years, there is also a first for the competition with the addition of the Finnish champions Riihimäen Cocks to Europe’s elite. We pride ourselves at the EHF and EHF Marketing on our positive and cooperative relationship with our colleagues from the press and media and we are sure that this will continue to develop in the future. Should you require any information, help or assistance during the course of the season, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us at the EHF Office in Vienna, and we will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you might have. We look forward to working with you during the 2018/19 season!
EHF Media & Communications Team
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 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
HC Vardar (MKD) Biljana Crvenkoska +38971247214 biljana@rkvardar.com
PGE Vive Kielce (POL) Magda Pluszewska +48 604 692 276 m.pluszewska@ kielcehandball.pl
Handball (FRA) Matthieu Brelle-Andrade +33 6 52 53 74 13 mbrelleandrade@psg.fr
MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) Levente Juhasz +36 70 543 0979 levente.juhasz@pickhandball. hu
Barça Lassa (ESP) Pau Campana +34 683 567251
pau.campana@fcbarcelona.cat
HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) Aleksandr Kulbaka +375 162 55 01 40 media@bgk-meshkova.com
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Isabel Hofmann +49 4611609625 i.hofmann sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
Skjern Handbold (DEN) Henning Kjaergaard Christensen +45 20 669374 henning@skjernhaandbold.dk
Telekom Veszprém HC (HUN) Zsolt Sevinger +36 305024547 office@handballveszprem.hu
Montpellier HB (FRA) Suzy De Monte +33 499 610 358 s.demonte@ montpellierhandball.com
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Goran Roknić +385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@ rk‐zagreb.hr
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Yuriy Chorny +380 50 5946878 2207024sport@gmail.com
IFK Kristianstad (SWE) Sebastian Rosenberg +46 768 506651 sebastian.rosenberg@ ifkkristianstad.se
Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Christopher Monz +491744288849 monz@ rhein-neckar-loewen.de
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) Miha Pantelic +386 51 427 590 miha.pantelic@rk-celje.si
HBC Nantes (FRA) Kevin Morin +33 664865046 kevin.morin@hbcnantes.com
Group C
Group D
HC Metalurg (MKD) Zorica B. Molkoska +389 78 576785 zorica.blazevska@gmail.com
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN) Anne Kildegaard +45 8668 0560 ak@bjerringbro-silkeborg.dk
Orlen Wisła Płock (POL) Tomasz Bauman +48 882 975 087 t.bauman@sprwislaplock.pl
Abanca Ademar Leon (ESP) Pablo Castro Alvarez +34 699 948 179 administracion@ademar.com
Sporting CP (POR) Andre Leitao +351 914665 572 arleitao@sporting.pt
Besiktas Mogaz (TUR) Berk Karahan +90 551 7075858 berk.karahan@bjk.com.tr
Elverum Handball (NOR) Kalle Bjørkman +47 904 77605 kalle@ehh.no
Wacker Thun (SUI) Marc Santschi +41 79 310 25 12 marc.santschi@wackerthun.ch
Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Olga Belysheva +7 909 6391 839 victi@bk.ru
Tatran Presov (SVK)
Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) Alexandru Enciu +40 754 929 106 sanenciu@yahoo.com
Riihimäen Cocks (FIN)
Richard Fech +421 903 662 215 everydayrf@yahoo.com
7
Jari Viita +358 500 480744 jari@viita.fi
SEASON 2018/19
SG FlensburgHandewitt, GER Elverum NOR
Groups A+B teams Groups C+D teams
BjerringbroSilkeborg, DEN
Skjern Handbold, DEN
VELUX EHF FINAL4 Cologne, GER
Rhein-Neckar Lรถwen, GER
Paris Saint-Germain Handball, FRA
HBC Nantes FRA
Abanca Ademar Leon, ESP
Sporting Lisbon, POR
Montpellier Handball, FRA
Barca Lassa, ESP
Wacker Thun, SUI
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, SLO
IFK Kristianstad SWE Orlen Wisla Plock, POL
Riihimäen Cocks, FIN
powered by
HC Meshkov Brest, BLR
PGE Vive Kielce, POL
Chekhovskie Medvedi, RUS
Tatran Presov, SVK
HC Motor Zaporozhye, UKR
Telekom Veszprém HC, HUN
MOL-Pick Szeged, HUN
Dinamo Bucuresti, ROU
Besiktas Mogaz, TUR
HC PPD Zagreb, CRO
HC Metalurg MKD
HC Vardar MKD
hase
Last
P roup
G
Place 1 directly to Quarter-ďŹ nals
A1
B1
A2
B2
A3
B3
A4
B4
A5
B5
A6
B6
M1 K1
A2
A7
B7
M2 K2
B2
A8
B8
M3 B6
A3
M4 A6
B3
Place 2 - 6 to Last 16
2 winners
Group A&B (draw)
C1
D1
C2
D2
C3
D3
C4
D4
C5
D5
C6
D6
K1 C2
D1
M5 B5
A4
K2 D2
C1
M6 A5
B4
KO Matches (no draw)
(no draw)
Group C & D (draw)
Season 2018/19 Group phase R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
12.-16.09.2018 19.-23.09.2018 26.-30.09.2018 03.-07.10.2018 10.-14.10.2018 03.-04.11.2018 07.-11.11.2018 14.-18.11.2018
Last 16 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13
16
21.-25.11.2018 28.11.-02.12.2018 06.-10.02.2019 13.-17.02.2019 20.-24.02.2019
R14 27.02.-02.03.2019
Group A&B only Group A&B only Group A&B and KO Group C&D Group A&B and KO Group C&D
1st leg 20.-24.03.2019 2nd leg 27.-31.03.2019
6 winners
nals
er-fi uart
Q
L4
FINA
powered by
M6
A1
M5
B1
M4
M1
M3
M2
4 winners
FINAL WINNER
Semi-finals (draw)
(no draw)
Quarter-finals
FINAL4
1st leg 24.-28.04.2019
01.-02.06.2019
2nd leg 01.-05.05.2019
3rd place match
Last 16
Quarter-finals
FINAL4
20.-24.03.2019 first leg
24.-28.04.2019 first leg
01./02.06.2019 tournament
06.-10.02.19 (11-A/B); 13.-17.02.19 (12-A/B)
27.-31.03.2019 second leg
01.-05.05.2019 second leg
played in semi-finals and
29 June 2018 in Vienna/AUT
no draw
no draw
07 May 2019
Group A and B (16 teams) 2 groups with 8 teams
12 teams
8 teams
4 teams
6 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16
4 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-finals
Qualification Tournament
1st placed team of Group A and B qualify directly for the quarter-finals; 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
VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2018/19 Group Phase 12.-16.09.2018 (1); 19.-23.09.2018 (2); 26.-30.09.18 (3); 03.-07.10.18 (4) 10.-14.10.2018 (5); 03.-04.11.2018 (6) 07.-11.11.2018 (7); 14.-18.11.2018 (8) 21.-25.11.2018 (9); 28.11.-2.12.2018 (10) 20.-24.02.2019 (13); 27.2.-03.03.19 (14) DRAWS:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
FRA 1 MKD 1 POL 1 HUN 1 GER 1 ESP 1 DEN 1 BLR 1 CRO 1 HUN 2 UKR 1 FRA 2 SWE 1 SLO 1 GER 2 FRA 3
Paris Saint-Germain HB HC Vardar PGE Vive Kielce MOL-Pick Szeged SG Flensburg-Handewitt Barça Lassa Skjern Handbold HC Meshkov Brest HC PPD Zagreb Telekom Veszprem HC HC Motor Zaporozhye Montpellier Handball IFK Kristianstad RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Rhein Neckar Löwen HBC Nantes Group C and D (12 teams)
MKD 2 POL 2 ESP 2 DEN 2 POR 1 NOR 1 TUR 1 SUI 1 RUS 1 ROU 1 SVK 1 FIN 1
no matches
2 groups with 6 teams
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
HC Metalurg Orlen Wisla Plock Abanca Ademar Leon Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Sporting CP Elverum Handball Besiktas Mogaz Wacker Thun Chekhovskie medvedi Dinamo Bucuresti Tatran Presov Riihimäen Cocks
1st and 2nd placed teams of CL Group Phase Group C and D play Group KO matches. Winners of these matches qualify for L16
12
Media information
MEDIA INFORMATION Accreditation for Group Phase 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 (mateo@ehfmarketing.com).
Media portal All media representatives are invited to register for the EHF media portal on http://members.ehf.eu. The European Handball Federation’s media portal is a one-stop-shop for media representatives offering all the EHF’s media news such as press releases, event flash quotes directly after matches, press conference highlights, draw reactions and downloads of all relevant information including, but not limited to, media guides and event logos. Furthermore photographs that are free for editorial use will be available for download.
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, Twitter and YouTube account.
For further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the EHF Media and Communications Department and we will be happy to help you with any information you may require. 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.
13
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 introduced 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.
Online information www.ehfCL.com www.ehfTV.com www.ehfFINAL4.com Regulations of the VELUX EHF Champions League
@ehfcl @ehf ehf.champions.league @ehfcl /ehfTV
14
Broadcasting
Broadcasting TV partners 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), Asia and Africa (countries of Middle East and North Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Macau) can look forward to a television coverage. See the list of TV stations and countries below.
TV Partners broadcasting the VELUX EHF Champions League 2018/19 (as of 6 September 2018) •
ARG - DeporTV
•
MKD – Arenasport
•
AUT – Sky Sport
•
MNE – Arenasport
•
BIH – Arenasport
•
NOR – NENT Group
•
BLR – Belarus 5
•
POL – NC+ and Eleven Sports
•
CAN – beIN Sports
•
•
CRO – HRT and Arenasport
POR – Sport TV, Sporting TV (Including Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde)
•
CZE – SportTV
•
ROU – Digi Sport, Telekom Sports
•
DEN – DR and TV3 Denmark
•
RUS – Match TV
•
ESP – RTVE, TV3 Catalunya
•
SLO – Sport TV
•
FIN – YLE, TV2
•
SRB – Arenasport
•
FRA –beIN Sports (including Monaco, Andorra, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Madagascar and French overseas territories)
•
SUI – MySports
•
SVK – Sport TV
•
GER – Sky Sport
•
SWE - NENT Group
•
GEO – Silknet
•
TUR – Dsmart
•
GRE – OTE Sports
•
UKR – Xsport
•
HUN – Sport TV
•
USA – beIN Sports (Including US territories and possessions)
•
ISL – Sport TV
•
•
ISR – Sport1
Worldwide - ehfTV.com (geo-restrictions could apply)
•
KOS (Kosovo) - RTV21
•
MAC (Macau) - TDM
•
MENA Region – beIN Sports (23 terrritories in total) 15
MOTW goes far and wide in opening three rounds
MOTW goes far and wide in opening three rounds 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. This season, the EHF Marketing GmbH will bring a greater focus and also a new approach to the MATCH OF THE WEEK (MOTW). The MOTW will not only receive more attention in terms of TV commentary, branding, half-time games and the sale of merchandise in the hall. To bring Europe’s premier handball competition to a whole new level, ties and engagement with fans through our various social media channels will increase as special content will be produced for every MOTW. Everyone can therefore look forward to extraordinary social media coverage with entertaining and most interesting behind-the-scenes content starring our very popular Faces of Champions League Markus Floth and Hannah Jackson. Together with our mobile reporters, Markus and Hannah will make sure that handball fans get remarkable insights to their favourite players and all the happenings around the MOTW. The aim of this is to make games during the whole season more accessible for handball fans and to create an arc of suspense towards the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. EHF Marketing will pick one match per round as the MOTW, as it has been custom in past seasons. The most interesting game in terms of fan’s expectations, the value of the tie and the entertainment will be selected. Whether well-known clubs compete against each other or less experienced clubs fight to get into the next round - we are sure that all the games will be captivating and thrilling. Match of the Week set for opening three rounds Three arenas known for their fantastic atmosphere will play host to Match of the Week in the first three rounds of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Tom O’Brannagain and Chris O’Reilly will be back to guide you through the highlight matches on ehfTV.com with English language commentary. Here are the first three destinations of the 2018/19 season:
Round 1 Telekom Veszprém vs PGE Vive Kielce Saturday 15 September at 18:00 hrs local time It is impossible to look beyond this clash on the opening weekend, a clash of two heavyweights in a period of transition and hoping to perform better than their quarter-final presence last season. Two of this summer’s biggest transfer coups will be on show (Arpad Sterbik for Veszprém and Luca Cindric for Kielce) and the Veszprém Arena is certain to be bouncing as both of these sides want to have a bright start to the new campaign.
Round 2 HC Meshkov Brest vs Montpellier HB Saturday 22 September at 19:30 hrs local time Belarus welcomes the defending champions in Round 2. After progressing from Group D all the way to gold last season, Montpellier are certain to be Match of the Week regulars this season, but their first appearance is a very tricky trip to Meshkov Brest. Brest has proven to be a stumbling block for many big sides over the years and the home side has lofty ambitions of their own this season after solidifying their status as a top flight club.
Round 3 IFK Kristianstad vs Barça Lassa Saturday 29 September at 19:30 hrs local time The sea of orange in Kristianstad is always a welcome sight at Match of the Week and the visit of Barça Lassa in Round 3 is the perfect opportunity to see what the Swedish champions are made of this season. Two sides with attractive styles of handball will provide us with 60 minutes of entertainment, during which we will see how Barcelona’s newcomers have settled in and which young Kristianstad players will make a name for themselves with the handball world’s eyes watching?
16
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 17
VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown
VELUX EHF FINAL4 counts down to its 10th edition 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. In the 2018/19 season, this tournament is going to celebrate its 10th anniversary. 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 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 EHF FINAL4 up to date showed that this format has been the right strategy. It has set new standards in organisation and entertainment; it is not just four games played over two days but a true entertainment event.
To little surprise the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 was the season’s highlight in European handball as nearly 20,000 spectators in the LANXESS arena and millions of fans at home watched four unforgettable handball games, unique entertainment shows and Montpellier’s Cinderella story come true. Tickets for the 2019 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 went on sale on the opening day of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018. In the time of this guide’s publication, eight months before the participating teams are known, only a very limited number of tickets remain. 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. Full information at: www.ehfFINAL4.com
Media Accreditation The accreditation procedure of media representatives for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will start in March 2019.
Numbers from nine years of magic in Cologne Fascinating facts and figures from the previous nine editions 13 goals by Juanin Garcia in a single match, 65 in total by Kiril Lazarov, six participations of Kiel and Barcelona each and seven different winners in the past seven years – ahead of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne heads for its tenth anniversary at the end of the 2018/19 season, there are many records and numbers to reflect on and celebrate.
0
clubs managed to defend the title in nine editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 0 players or clubs have been part of all nine editions from 2010 to 2018
1 player defended the title in the nine editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4: Ivan Cupic in 2017 with Vardar after winning the trophy with Kielce in 2016 1 coach only was part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournaments with two different teams: Talant Dujshebaev - 2010-2012 with Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid and 2016 with Kielce 1 club, Montpellier in 2018, made it all the way from Groups C/D to the top of the podium 1 time - in 2018 - three clubs from the same country qualified for a VELUX EHF FINAL4: Montpellier, Nantes and Paris from France
18
VELUX EHF FINAL4 facts and figures
1 non-European player was awarded MVP of a VELUX EHF FINAL4 so far: Montpellier’s Diego Simonet from Argentina in 2018
3 times clubs from the same country duelled in the final: Barcelona vs Ciudad Real in 2011, Flensburg vs Kiel in 2014 and Montpellier vs Nantes in 2018
1 goalkeeper was awarded MVP at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 so far: Arpad Serbik (Vardar) in 2017
3 Spanish coaches have won the VELUX EHF FINAL4 so far: besides Pascual, it was Talant Dujshebaev (2016 with Kielce) and Raul Gonzalez (2017 with Vardar)
VELUX EHF FINAL4 final needed to be decided by a penalty shootout: The 2016 edition of Kielce vs Veszprem (39:38)
4 matches so far needed to go beyond 60 minutes to find a winner, two of them even went to a penalty shootout: First Hamburg beat Barcelona in the 2013 final 30:29 after extra-time, followed by the 2014 semi shoot-out of Flensburg vs Barcelona (40:39). In 2016, first Veszprem beat Kiel after extra-time 31:28, before losing to Kielce 39:38 after penalties in the final
2
2 players have won the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with two different clubs: besides Ivan Cupic, it is German Tobias Reichmann (THW Kiel 2010, 2012 and Kielce 2016)
4 times a German side won the VELUX EHF FINAL4
4
2 coaches have won twice: Alfred Gislason (Kiel 2010, 2012) and Xavi Pascual (Barcelona 2011, 2015)
4 years a German team failed to reach the final, 2015 to 2018. In the past two years no German side has even reached Cologne
2 VELUX EHF FINAL debutants were the 2018 finalists: Montpellier and Nantes 2 times the defending champions returned to Cologne: Kiel in 2013 and Vardar in 2018 2 sons of CL winning fathers rose the trophy in Cologne: Alex Dujshebaev with Vardar in 2017 and Melvyn Richardson with Montpellier in 2018. Jackson Richardson was a champion with Portland San Antonio in 2001
4 straight times, from 2014 until 2017 - Veszprem were part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, as the only team with such a series so far. But the Hungarian record champions never won the trophy
Most goals in one game
13 goals Player’s name
Goals Date
Juan Garcia (FC Barcelona Borges) Filip Jicha (THW Kiel) Filip Jicha (THW Kiel) Kiril Lazarov (BM Atletico Madrid) Domagoj Duvnjak (HSV Hamburg) Siarhei Rutenka (FC Barcelona)
Juanin Garcia FC Barcelona, Borges
19
13 11 11 11 11 11
(30.05.2010 vs THW Kiel, 34:36) (30.05.2010 vs FC Barcelona Borges, 36:34) (26.05.2012 vs Füchse Berlin, 25:24) (26.05.2012 vs AG Kobenhavn, 25:23) (01.06.2013 vs THW Kiel, 39:33) (01.06.2014 vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, 26:25)
VELUX EHF FINAL4 facts and figures
Most matches played
14
14
14
14
Joan Canellas
Momir Ilic
Aron Palmarsson
Chema Rodriguez
(Ciudad Real, Atletico, Kiel, Vardar)
(Kiel, Veszprém)
(Kiel, Veszprém)
(Ciudad Real, Atletico, Veszprém)
4 Montpellier players were the first EHF Champions League winners from their countries in 2018: Nikola Portner (Switzerland), Diego Simonet (Argentina), Jonas Truchanovicius (Lithuania) and Ashem Mamdouh (Egypt). 5 goals is the biggest winning margin in a final: In 2012, Kiel beat Madrid 26:21, in 2015 Barcelona defeated Veszprem 28:23 and in 2018 Montpellier were 32:27 winners against Nantes
7 different clubs won the trophy in Cologne: THW Kiel (2010 and 2012) and FC Barcelona (2011, 2015) each twice, Hamburg, Flensburg, Kielce, Vardar and Montpellier each once +8 - the biggest win at the FINAL4 history was recorded in the premier edition in 2010 as Ciudad Real beat Chekhovskie Medvedi 36:28 in the third place game
10
5 different nations are represented by the nine winners so far (Germany, Spain, Poland, FYR Macedonia and France) 5 different German clubs had qualified for VELUX EHF FINAL4 events: Kiel (six times), Hamburg (two), RheinNeckar Löwen, Flensburg and Berlin (one each)
6
times each, THW Kiel and FC Barcelona were part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 - but only clashed once in the final, in 2010, won by Kiel
for the tenth straight time the four best clubs of the continent will descend upon the LANXESS Arena in Cologne on 1/2 June 2019 15 years after their first triumph in 2003, coach Patrice Canayer and left wing Michael Guigou lifted the trophy again with Montpellier HB in 2018 21 goals at one tournament is the high score - again it was Juanin Garcia in 2010, who had netted in eight times in the semi-final against Chekhovskie Medvedi. Mikkel Hansen follows with 20 in 2016
36
7 times Dominik Klein was part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, six times with Kiel, once with Nantes. The 2018 final against Montpellier was his seventh Champions League final since 2007, including three victories (2007, 2010, 2012, all with Kiel)
matches had been played at the nine VELUX EHF FINAL4 editions so far
20
VELUX EHF FINAL4 facts and figures
Most goals scored by one team
41 goals Date
Match
Final score
31.05.2014 Semi-final: FC Barcelona-SG vs Flensburg-Handewitt 39:41 a7m 01.06.2013 Semi-final: THW Kiel vs HSV Hamburg 33:39 29.05.2016 Final: KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprém 39:38 a7m
47 goals was the lowest score of any VELUX EHF FINAL4 match - and the spectators of the final day in 2012 even saw this low number twice in a row: First in the placement match Berlin vs Kobenhavn (21:26), then in the final Kiel vs Atletico Madrid (26:21). The 2017 final between Vardar and Paris (24:23) was the third match with the same number of goals.
251 goals were scored at the 2010 edition to top this ranking ahead of 245 goals in 2016. The lowest overall score was 191 goals in 2012
2,068
goals in total were scored in the 36 VELUX EHF FINAL4 matches so far
80 goals were scored in the record-breaking 2014 semi-final between Flensburg and Barcelona (41:39 after extra-time and penalties)
693,000 spectators in total attended the 36 matches of all editions of the FINAL4, which were all officially sold out at 19,250 fans per match
229.77 goals were scored on average at each of the nine tournaments, which means an average of 57.44
All-time topscorers Player’s name
MP
G
Kiril Lazarov (Ciudad Real, Atletico, FC Barcelona, Nantes) Filip Jicha (Kiel, Barcelona) Momir Ilic (Kiel, Veszprém) Laszlo Nagy (Barcelona, Veszprém) Mikkel Hansen (Barcelona, Kobenhavn, Paris) Aron Palmarsson (Kiel, Veszprém) Siarhei Rutenka (Barcelona) Juanin Garcia (Barcelona) Ivan Cupic (Rhein-Neckar, Kielce, Vardar) Victor Tomas Gonzalez (Barcelona) Nikola Karabatic (Barcelona, Paris)
12 12 14 12 10 14 10 8 12 12 10
65 56 56 51 48 48 47 44 41 40 38
21
65 goals
Kiril Lazarov Ciudad Real Atletico Madrid FC Barcelona Nantes
Available at salminghandball.com
20 nations, six former champions and one debutant
20 nations, six former champions and one debutant FACTS AND FIGURES: Important numbers prior to the new season
2
While Finnish side Cocks have their maiden voyage in the VELUX EHF Champions League, Zagreb have their 25th anniversary in this competition. 20 nations are represented by the 28 group phase participants in the 2018/19 season.
coaches led two different teams to CL titles: Alfred Gislason (SC Magdeburg in 2002, THW Kiel in 2010 and 2012) and Talant Dujshebaev (Ciudad Real in 2006, 2008, 2009, and Kielce in 2016).
Here are the most important Facts and Figures of the upcoming group phase and beyond:
0
for the first time under the current playing system, no qualification tournaments are carried out. 0 not a single team has successfully defended the trophy since the implementation of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010. 1 club is debutant in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase: Finnish champions Cocks. 1 coach - Patrice Canayer - has won the CL twice with the same club (Montpellier) but with a 15-year gap between the two titles. Also, he was the first ever French coach to win the CL.
4 former or current IHF World Handball Players of the Year are part of the CL this season: Arpad Sterbik (2005/Veszprém), Nikola Karabatic (2007, 2014, 2016/ PSG), Thierry Omeyer (2008/PSG) and Mikkel Hansen (2011, 2015/PSG). Compared to last season, three are missing: Daniel Narcisse (PSG) and Slawomir Szmal have retired, Domagoj Duvnjak (Kiel) is not part of the competition. 4 times has Thierry Omeyer won the CL (Montpellier 2003, Kiel 2007, 2010, 2012), the most for any active player. Andrej Xepkin is the all-time record holder with titles (six with Barcelona, one with Kiel).
1 player only won the title two years in a row since 2010: Ivan Cupic (2016 with Kielce and 2017 with Vardar).
5 former or current top scorers of the CL are still on court in the 2018/19 season: Uwe Gensheimer (2010/11 - 118 goals, Rhein Neckar Löwen, 2016/17 - 115 goals for PSG, 2017/18 - 92 goals for PSG), Momir Ilic (2014/15 - 114 goals, 2013/14 - 103 goals for Veszprém), Mikkel Hansen (2011/12 - 98 goals for AG København, 2015/16 - 141 goals for PSG), Nikola Karabatic (2006/07 - 89 goals for Kiel, now PSG).
1 player is the record three-time CL top scorer: Uwe Gensheimer (PSG: 2010/11, 2016/17, 2017/18). Eight players were top scorer twice: Perunicic, Resende, Sarazevic, Rutenka, Lazarov, Jicha, Hansen and Ilic.
6 countries are represented by the 25 EHF Champions League winners so far: Spain (14 titles), Germany (6), France (2), FYR Macedonia, Poland and Slovenia (each 1).
1 person won the CL as a player and a coach, Talant Dujshebaev: as player with Santander (ESP) in 1994, and as coach with Ciudad Real (ESP) in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and with Kielce (POL) in 2016.
6 former or current CL winners, with a total of 13 trophies, are part of the 2018/19 group phase: Vardar, Kielce, Barcelona, Flensburg, Montpellier and Celje.
2 German teams (Rhein-Neckar Löwen and SG Flensburg-Handewitt) are part of the CL this season; in the past decade usually three or even four Bundesliga sides were competing.
8 different Spanish coaches steered their teams to an overall of 16 CL trophies: Valero Rivera (5), Talant Dujshebaev (4), Xavi Pascual (2), Javier Cuesta, Julian Ruiz, Francisco Equisoain, Francesc Espar, Raul Gonzalez (each 1). 24
20 nations, 6 former champions and one debutant
14 times Spanish teams have won the CL - Barcelona (8), Ciudad Real (3), Santander, Irun and Portland (each 1).
25 CL participations in 26 years make RK Zagreb the record holders, ahead of Veszprém and Celje (24 participations each).
15 years ago, THW Kiel missed qualification for the CL for the last time. Since then, the three-time CL winners reached at least the quarter-final each year. This season, they compete in the EHF Cup.
56.40 goals were scored in average in the 204 CL matches last season, compared to 55.58 in 2016/17 and 57.03 in 2015/16.
18 is the maximum and 16 the minimum number of matches teams have to play to get to the VELUX EHF FINAL4, depending on whether they skip the Last 16 or have to go through the play-offs. 20 different nations (two more than in the previous season) are represented by the 28 group phase participants: France have three teams, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Hungary, FYR Macedonia and Poland two each. Finland make their debut in the group phase. Teams by age average
92 goals were scored by Uwe Gensheimer (PSG) to become top scorer of the 2017/18 season 200 matches will be carried out in the 2018/19 season 11,506 goals were scored in the previous season. In the 2016/17 season the total was 11,560 19,250 fans, the capacity crowd, are expected again for VELUX EHF FINAL4, staged for the 10th time in LANXESS arena in Cologne.
Teams by height average
Teams by weight average
Riihimäen Cocks Dinamo Bucuresti Telekom Veszprém HC HC Motor Zaporozhye PGE Vive Kielce Besiktas Mogaz TATRAN Presov Sporting CP HC Meshkov Brest Bjerringbro-Silkeborg HC Vardar 26.70 Skjern Handbold SG Flensburg-Handewitt Orlen Wisla Plock HBC Nantes Montpellier HB MOL-Pick Szeged Abanca Ademar Leon Paris Saint-Germain HB Wacker Thun Rhein-Neckar Löwen HC PPD Zagreb Barça Lassa Chekhovskie Medvedi IFK Kristianstad Elverum Handball RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HC Metalurg
30,11 28,56 28,30 27,88 27,54 27,30 27,03 27,02 26,81 26,71 26,70 26,51 26,37 26,33 25,98 25,87 25,32 25,18 24,98 24,81 24,79 24,49 24,17 23,17 22,92 22,77 21,94 20,53
MOL-Pick Szeged Telekom Veszprém HC Bjerringbro-Silkeborg SG Flensburg-Handewitt HC PPD Zagreb HC Meshkov Brest Orlen Wisla Plock TATRAN Presov Barça Lassa Montpellier HB HC Vardar HC Motor Zaporozhye Rhein-Neckar Löwen Dinamo Bucuresti Elverum Handball Chekhovskie Medvedi Paris Saint-Germain HB HBC Nantes PGE Vive Kielce Besiktas Mogaz IFK Kristianstad Riihimäen Cocks RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Sporting CP Skjern Handbold HC Metalurg Wacker Thun Abanca Ademar Leon
195,15 193,80 193,27 193,15 192,90 192,44 192,18 192,00 191,91 191,90 191,90 191,90 191,83 191,75 191,75 191,60 191,56 191,30 191,11 191,11 191,04 190,89 190,79 190,04 189,38 188,85 188,26 187,55
Telekom Veszprém HC MOL-Pick Szeged Orlen Wisla Plock Elverum Handball Riihimäen Cocks HC Vardar SG Flensburg-Handewitt IFK Kristianstad Dinamo Bucuresti Bjerringbro-Silkeborg PGE Vive Kielce Barça Lassa Rhein-Neckar Löwen Skjern Handbold Montpellier HB HC Motor Zaporozhye TATRAN Presov Besiktas Mogaz HC PPD Zagreb Paris Saint-Germain HB HBC Nantes HC Meshkov Brest Sporting CP RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Chekhovskie Medvedi Wacker Thun Abanca Ademar Leon HC Metalurg
99,00 97,38 96,64 95,95 94,50 93,65 93,40 93,32 93,06 93,00 93,00 92,59 92,59 92,42 91,95 91,95 91,86 91,79 91,71 91,56 91,22 91,04 88,75 88,42 88,05 87,96 87,00 85,65
CL average
25,52
CL average
191,51
CL average
92,16
25
Facts and figures - max and min
Facts and figures - max and min Youngest
Age: 15 ½ Stefan Dodic HC Metalurg
Stefan Dodic Nik Cirovic Gökay Bilim Milosz Walach Filip Rakita Marcell Lörincz Salvador Salvador Jernej Mlakar Tim Cokan Andrej Petkovski Bruno Bajusz Barnabas Marczika Tadej Kljun Rune Bergmann Lovschall Anze Blagotinsek
SRB SLO TUR POL SLO HUN POR SLO SLO MKD HUN HUN SLO DEN SLO
15,5 16,5 16,7 16,8 16,8 16,9 17,1 17,2 17,3 17,3 17,3 17,3 17,4 17,4 17,4
HC Metalurg HC Metalurg HC PPD Zagreb Abanca Ademar Leon Skjern Handbold Abanca Ademar Leon Riihimäen Cocks Sporting CP HC Vardar Riihimäen Cocks Abanca Ademar Leon Rhein-Neckar Löwen Abanca Ademar Leon Wacker Thun HC Vardar
SLO MKD CRO ESP DEN ESP UKR POR MKD RUS ESP GER ESP SUI CRO
173,0 175,0 175,0 175,0 176,0 176,0 177,0 177,0 177,0 177,0 177,0 178,0 178,0 178,0 178,0
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HC Motor Zaporozhye HC Meshkov Brest PGE Vive Kielce Abanca Ademar Leon Abanca Ademar Leon Elverum Handball Abanca Ademar Leon HC Vardar Montpellier HB Sporting CP HC Motor Zaporozhye HC Vardar Sporting CP HC PPD Zagreb
SLO UKR BLR BLR ESP ESP NOR ESP SRB FRA POR RUS RUS POR CRO
67,0 68,0 70,0 70,0 70,0 72,0 72,0 72,0 72,0 73,0 73,0 73,0 74,0 74,0 74,0
HC Metalurg RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Besiktas Mogaz PGE Vive Kielce RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko MOL-Pick Szeged Sporting CP RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HC Vardar MOL-Pick Szeged MOL-Pick Szeged RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Bjerringbro-Silkeborg RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Shortest
173 cm Tadej Matijasic HC Metalurg
Tadej Matijasic Mice Shilegov David Mandic Gonzalo Perez Arce Rene Rasmussen Jaime Fernandez Oleksandr Kyrylenko Nuno Reis Martin Popovski Andrei Novoselov Juanin Garcia Mattes Meyer Rodrigo Perez Arce Luca Linder Ivan Cupic
Lightest
67 kg Filip Rakita
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Filip Rakita Artem Kozakevych Andrei Yurynok Artsem Karalek Gonzalo Perez Arce Mario Lopez Alvarez Stian Mogen Jaime Fernandez Janja Vojvodic Theophile Causse Nuno Reis Igor Soroka Timur Dibirov Goncalo Gracio David Mandic
26
Facts and figures - max and min
Oldest
Age: 47 ½ Maros Kolpak TATRAN Presov
Maros Kolpak Alexandr Radcenko Thierry Omeyer Juanin Garcia Michael V. Knudsen Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson Gonzalo Carou Marcel Renato Sulic Arpad Sterbik Uros Zorman Marcin Wichary Alexander Petersson Jesper Brian Nöddesbo Ivan Nikcevic Raul Entrerrios
TATRAN Presov TATRAN Presov Paris Saint-Germain HB Abanca Ademar Leon Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Rhein-Neckar Löwen Abanca Ademar Leon Orlen Wisla Plock Telekom Veszprém HC PGE Vive Kielce Orlen Wisla Plock Rhein-Neckar Löwen Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Sporting CP Barça Lassa
SVK CZE FRA ESP DEN ISL ESP CRO ESP SLO POL ISL DEN SRB ESP
47,5 45,2 41,9 41,0 40,0 39,1 39,1 38,9 38,8 38,7 38,6 38,2 37,9 37,6 37,6
HC Vardar Orlen Wisla Plock Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Orlen Wisla Plock Elverum Handball HC PPD Zagreb TATRAN Presov HC Meshkov Brest MOL-Pick Szeged Telekom Veszprém HC Chekhovskie Medvedi Sporting CP Paris Saint-Germain HB Barça Lassa MOL-Pick Szeged
LAT POL DEN POL DEN CRO CZE BLR HUN HUN RUS CRO FRA POL HUN
215,0 212,0 211,0 210,0 210,0 210,0 209,0 208,0 207,0 207,0 207,0 206,0 206,0 206,0 205,0
LAT HUN DEN SLO SWE POL POL CRO DEN ESP SLO FRA SWE BRA HUN
135,0 126,0 125,0 122,0 121,0 120,0 120,0 120,0 120,0 119,0 119,0 118,0 118,0 118,0 118,0
Tallest
215 cm Dainis Kristopans HC Vardar
Dainis Kristopans Tomasz Gebala Nikolaj Markussen Mateusz Piechowski Kristian Krag Örsted Josip Vekic Michal Kasal Pavel Darafeyeu Bence Banhidi Laszlo Nagy Evgeny Dzemin Matej Asanin Robin Dourte Kamil Syprzak Richard Bodo
Heaviest
135 kg Dainis Kristopans HC Vardar
Dainis Kristopans Bence Banhidi Kristian Krag Örsted Blaz Blagotinsek Andreas Nilsson Tomasz Gebala Kamil Syprzak Kristian Beciri Emil Nielsen Arpad Sterbik Matej Gaber Robin Dourte Ludvig Jurmala Aström Rogerio Ferreira Moraes Richard Bodo
27
HC Vardar MOL-Pick Szeged Elverum Handball Telekom Veszprém HC Telekom Veszprém HC Orlen Wisla Plock Barça Lassa RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko Skjern Handbold Telekom Veszprém HC MOL-Pick Szeged Paris Saint-Germain HB IFK Kristianstad HC Vardar MOL-Pick Szeged
Player s list by countries
PLAYERS LIST by countries
ROU:
FRA:
11
65
SVK:
ESP:
50
10
DEN:
BIH:
CRO:
CZE:
SLO:
FIN:
RUS:
BRA:
SWE:
MNE:
MKD:
TUN:
NOR:
LTU:
GER:
NED:
SUI:
EGY:
BLR:
IRI:
HUN:
CUB:
POL:
MDA:
SRB:
ARG:
POR:
GEO:
TUR:
ITA:
UKR:
LAT:
8
49
7
45
6
45
5
37
4
35
4
27
3
26
2
25
2
24
2
24
2
22
1
21
1
20
1
15
1
13
1
12 ISL:
11 28
Group A preview
Group A preview A TRUE GROUP OF DEATH It could sound like a cliché, but every top competition must provide its fans with the so-called “group of death.” It’s not like for the VELUX EHF Champions League to disappoint, therefore there are only few who will not count down the days for the start of a star-studded group which boasts the current title holders, Montpellier, a hugely ambitious Rhein-Neckar Löwen, last year’s semifinalists, HC Vardar, and Barca Lassa, the most decorated team in the competition’s history, who are gunning for their ninth title. A longshot to win the title before the throw off of the competition, Montpellier flew under the radar last season and their approach worked wonders. The French side won Group C, eliminated Ademar Leon in the subsequent play-off game, and ran riot against Barca Lassa and Flensburg-Handewitt, all the way to the VELUX EHF FINAL 4 in Cologne. This time, their antics will not be repeated, as the path to the business end of the competition is harder. The title holders are to play once again against their Spanish rivals, whom they eliminated by the smallest of margins (56:55 agg.) in the Last 16 phase, but will also face tough challenges against Vardar, Löwen or Telekom Veszprem. Their core has remained more or less the same, with only one high-profile player who left the club, Ludovic Fabregas, who will meet his team when Barcelona host Montpellier in the fourth matchday. One of their earliest exits in the VELUX EHF Champions League in the past two decades has shown that not even powerhouses like Barca Lassa are unbeatable in certain situations. The Spanish side did not have the best preseason one year ago and that is exactly what they are looking to strengthen this time around. Having Aron Palmarsson from day 1 of the season will surely help the Catalan side this time around, as their newfound motivation to come back to the top can boost their challenge. Another wounded beast is Telekom Veszprem, yet one more powerhouse who saw their ambitions cut short in the 2017/18 season. Likewise Barcelona, the Hungarian team had a season to forget, being eliminated in the Last 16 phase of the European premium competition by Skjern. Moreover, their 17-year title winning streak in Hungary has been snapped by archrivals MOL-Pick Szeged, leaving Veszprem’s fans and coach Ljubomir Vranjes dumbfounded. Veteran Arpad Sterbik will reinforce the goalkeeper area, while Kentin Mahe will bring much needed flair and creativity to a team that desperately needed it. Another disappointing season will surely not be tolerated in Veszprem. A schedule conflict saw Rhein-Neckar Löwen’s title hopes go up in smoke last season, but the Lions are eager to bounce back. Kim Ekdahl du Rietz came back after a sabbatical only to leave for PSG, while the German side will rely once again on the Swedish pair of goalkeepers of Mikael Appelgren and Andreas Palicka, but also on the veteran Andy Schmid.
30
Group A preview
It looks like the battle for the top spot will feature at least three of the aforementioned four teams, but the quality is so outrageous, that anyone could surprise. While Vardar may have been a constant threat for the top teams, qualifying between the top eight teams for the past five seasons in a row, including winning the competition in the 2016/17 season, it looks like the Macedonian side is currently in a rebuild mode. Star playmaker Luka Cindric bolted for PGE Vive Kielce, one of Vardar’s opponents in the group. Roberto Garcia Parrondo has been promoted from the defunct Vardar women’s team to replace another Spanish coach, Raul Gonzalez, as his departure prompted a mass Spanish exodus, with Arpad Sterbik, Joan Canellas and Jorge Maqueda opting to leave Skopje. There is still talent in Vardar’s squad, but their depth and overall quality looks subpar of their standards right now. A turbulent summer saw PGE Vive Kielce nearly conclude their dream of winning the VELUX EHF Champions League, yet players and staff accepted pay cuts in order to fight for achieving the objective. The Polish side added serious power in bringing Uladislau Kulesh from SKA Minsk, but it will be delightful to see Luka Cindric adapt to his new role. As Manuel Strlek departs for Veszprem, Kielce lose a steady and critical left wing, as they will experience, as Karol Bielecki, Slawomir Szmal and Uros Zorman retire from handball. There seems to be an obvious gap in talent and experience between these six sides and the other two in the group, Meshkov Brest and IFK Kristianstad. However, trips to Belarus can be excruciating, with teams of the likes of Vardar, Löwen, last year finalists HBC Nantes or PSG failing to win against Meshkov on their home court. On the other side, Kristianstad only managed to progress to the next phase last season, finishing 6th in a group that also featured Vardar, Barcelona, Nantes or Löwen, but they only managed nine wins in 42 games in the European premium competition in the last three seasons. The Swedish side will also have to cope with five high-profile players leaving, a tough ask in what their manager says it will be their toughes challenge up to date. Adrian Costeiu
31
Group A preaview
Group A head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group A opponents in the EC HC Vardar vs PGE Vive Kielce 2-0-4 (169:163) 4:8 11.04.2015 19.04.2015 24.10.2015 28.11.2015 12.11.2016 04.12.2016
HC Vardar vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final HC Vardar vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
20:22 (11:11) 33:31 (16:14) 34:24 (18:14) 23:20 (10:6) 40:34 (18:18) 27:24 (15:12)
HC Vardar vs Barça Lassa 2-1-10 (324:398) 5:21 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 14.10.2017 10.02.2018
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 HC Vardar vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona Lassa vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
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) 27:24 (16:12) 29:28 (15:14)
HC Vardar vs HC Meshkov Brest 1-0-1 (57:57) 2:2 01.10.2016 04.03.2017
HC Vardar vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Meshkov Brest vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
31:27 (13:13) 30:26 (15:13)
HC Vardar vs Telekom Veszprém HC 0-1-5 (149:169) 1:11 10.11.2001 08.12.2001 15.11.2014 22.11.2014 23.04.2016 30.04.2016
Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Group D Fotex KC Veszprém vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, EHF Champions League – Group D HC Vardar vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C MKB-MVM Veszprém vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Vardar vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MVM Veszprém vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
24:27 (11:10) 27:22 (14:10) 23:24 (11:13) 32:24 (16:10) 26:29 (9:12) 30:30 (12:14)
HC Vardar vs Montpellier HB 3-1-1 (155:139) 7:3 19.10.2014 14.02.2015 20.09.2015 05.03.2016 26.05.2018
Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Vardar vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Montpellier HB vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B HC Vardar vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final
34:34 (19:17) 30:26 (18:13) 25:30 (12:9) 34:26 (17:17) 27:28 (11:14)
HC Vardar vs IFK Kristianstad 6-0-0 (185:151) 12:0 04.10.2015 20.02.2016 25.09.2016 12.03.2017 04.11.2017 02.12.2017
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 IFK Kristianstad vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC Vardar vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
32
25:30 (13:15) 38:36 (21:19) 23:28 (12:15) 32:29 (17:13) 23:26 (10:15) 31:15 (14:8)
Group A preview
HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 5-1-2 (225:203) 11:5 12.10.2014 21.02.2015 10.10.2015 11.02.2016 17.11.2016 26.11.2016 18.11.2017 26.11.2017
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 HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
28:25 (13:13) 28:35 (13:20) 25:19 (11:10) 28:27 (14:15) 27:33 (16:17) 26:29 (15:15) 30:26 (17:13 21:21 11:11)
PGE Vive Kielce vs Barça Lassa 1-2-3 (168:183) 4:8 20.11.2010 27.11.2010 01.06.2013 30.05.2015 17.10.2015 05.12.2015
KS Vive Targi Kielce vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 26:33 (11:18) FC Barcelona Borges vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:28 (15:12) KS Vive Targi Kielce vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final 23:28 (10:13) FC Barcelona vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final 33:28 (16:14) KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 30:30 (14:17) FC Barcelona Lassa vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 31:33 (19:16)
PGE Vive Kielce vs HC Meshkov Brest 5-0-1 (187:165) 10:2 19.03.2016 26.03.2016 24.09.2016 11.03.2017 16.09.2017 03.03.2018
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 HC Meshkov Brest vs PGE Vive Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B PGE Vive 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) 28:25 (15:11) 33:28 (20:17)
PGE Vive Kielce vs Telekom Veszprém HC 2-1-6 (255:288) 5:13 18.10.2003 15.11.2003 17.10.2009 06.03.2010 02.10.2011 11.02.2012 29.05.2016 15.10.2017 02.12.2017
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 FINAL4 – Final 39:38 (13:17, 29:29, 35:35) PGE Vive Kielce vs Telekom Veszprém HC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 32:32 (16:15) Telekom Veszprém HC vs PGE Vive Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 31:26 (15:15)
PGE Vive Kielce vs Montpellier HB 3-0-3 (176:169) 6:6 15.03.2015 21.03.2015 26.09.2015 28.02.2016 26.03.2017 02.04.2017
Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champi-ons League – Last 16 25:29 (13:16) KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champi-ons League – Last 16 31:33 (14:15) KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 30:23 (12:11) Montpellier HB vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 27:32 (16:17) Montpellier HB vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 33:28 (14:16) KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 26:28 (15:11)
PGE Vive Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 5-3-5 (386:369) 13:13 08.10.2009 13.02.2010 17.10.2010 27.02.2011 04.09.2011 22.03.2014 31.03.2014 30.09.2015 20.02.2016 23.10.2016 09.02.2017 24.03.2018 01.04.2018
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Gr. W KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B PGE Vive Kielce vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs PGE Vive Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
33
29:29 (17:15) 32:35 (19:15) 23:23 (12:12) 29:27 (11:13) 32:30 (13:11) 32:28 (17:13) 27:23 (16:14) 32:32 (19:15) 28:27 (12:10) 26:34 (15:16) 28:25 (16:13) 41:17 (21:8) 30:36 (18:16)
Group A preview
PGE Vive Kielce vs IFK Kristianstad 2-1-1 (133:119) 5:3 10.10.2015 11.02.2016 01.10.2016 04.03.2017
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
35:27 (20:12) 35:35 (17:19) 38:28 (18:13) 29:25 (15:13)
Barça Lassa vs HC Meshkov Brest No previous encounters in European competitions
Barça Lassa vs Telekom Veszprém HC 13-1-5 (543:501) 27:11 13.04.1986 19.04.1986 21.02.1998 01.03.1998 31.01.1999 07.02.1999 14.11.1999 04.12.1999 13.12.2003 20.12.2003 25.04.2010 01.05.2010 27.03.2011 02.04.2011 01.06.2014 31.05.2015 22.10.2016 11.02.2017 04.06.2017
VAEV Epitök SC vs FC Barcelona, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final FC Barcelona vs VAEV Epitök SC, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Group D FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Last 16 Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Last 16 FC Barcelona Borges vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs FC Barcelona Borges, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final FC Barcelona Borges vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 MKB Veszprém KC vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Final FC Barcelona Lassa vs Telekom Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Telekom Veszprém vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Telekom Veszprém vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4
27:25 (13:12) 29:19 (13:10) 33:28 (19:13) 32:27 (13:15) 29:29 (14:15) 29:24 (16:11) 23:31 (13:16) 25:21 (13:13) 33:29 (18:15) 31:26 (16:14) 33:27 (17:15) 33:34 (19:15) 28:21 (14:13) 30:26 (15:8) 26:25 (9:10) 28:23 (14:10) 26:23 (16:11) 22:25 (14:13) 34:30 (18:17)
Barça Lassa vs Montpellier HB 6-1-3 (290:249) 13:7 11.11.2000 10.12.2000 03.12.2006 09.12.2006 18.03.2012 25.03.2012 10.10.2015 14.02.2016 25.03.2018 31.03.2018
Montpellier HB vs FC Barcelona, EHF Champions League – Group B 25:25 (11:13) FC Barcelona vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group B 24:17 (13:8) Montpellier HB vs FC Barcelona-Cifec, EHF Champions League – Last 16 28:25 (13:10) FC Barcelona-Cifec vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Last 16 29:23 (15:9) Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 30:28 (17:11) FC Barcelona Intersport vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Cham-pions League – Last 16 36:20 (17:8) FC Barcelona Lassa vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 37:27 (19:12) Montpellier HB vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 23:31 (11:15) Montpellier HB vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 28:25 (13:13) FC Barcelona Lassa vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 30:28 (15:14)
Barça Lassa vs IFK Kristianstad 4-0-0 (122:106) 8:0 26.09.2015 25.02.2016 23.09.2017 24.02.2018
FC Barcelona Lassa vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B FC Barcelona Lassa vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A IFK Kristianstad vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
34:32 (17:16) 24:31 (12:19) 31:29 (15:12) 21:26 (8:11)
Barça Lassa vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 3-3-3 (264:258) 9:9 25.09.2010 20.02.2011 28.05.2011 20.04.2014 26.04.2014 20.09.2015 05.03.2016 17.09.2017 12.11.2017
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 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona Lassa, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A FC Barcelona Lassa vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
34
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) 31:31 (12:18) 26:26 (13:13)
Group A preview
HC Meshkov Brest vs Telekom Veszprém HC 0-0-2 (48:63) 0:4 30.09.2017 17.02.2018
HC Meshkov Brest vs Telekom Veszprém HC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Telekom Veszprém HC vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
26:29 (12:14) 34:22 (20:11)
HC Meshkov Brest vs Montpellier HB No previous encounters in European competitions
HC Meshkov Brest vs IFK Kristianstad 1-1-0 (61:56) 3:1 12.11.2016 30.11.2016
HC Meshkov Brest vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
32:27 (17:13) 29:29 (15:17)
HC Meshkov Brest vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 1-0-1 (54:53) 2:2 08.10.2016 22.02.2017
HC Meshkov Brest vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Meshkov Brest, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
30:28 (17:12) 25:24 (11:12)
Telekom Veszprém HC vs Montpellier HB 8-0-4 (314:283) 16:8 08.11.1998 03.01.1999 26.02.2006 04.03.2006 22.02.2009 07.03.2009 09.10.2010 06.03.2011 12.10.2014 22.02.2015 22.04.2017 30.04.2017
Montpellier HB vs Fotex KC Veszprém, EHF Champions League – Group A Fotex KC Veszprém vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Group A Montpellier HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Montpellier HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3 MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3 MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Telekom Veszprém vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Montpellier HB vs Telekom Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
21:17 (12:10) 26:17 (9:8) 23:21 (11:10) 27:22 (14:11) 24:30 (11:14) 22:23 (11:10) 27:26 (13:15) 30:24 (13:11) 30:29 (14:11) 20:34 (9:14) 26:23 (13:10) 25:30 (15:11)
Telekom Veszprém HC vs IFK Kristianstad No previous encounters in European competitions
Telekom Veszprém HC vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 4-2-2 (235:232) 10:6 03.05.2008 10.05.2008 04.10.2009 21.02.2010 29.09.2013 09.02.2014 04.10.2014 06.12.2014
MKB Veszprém KC vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, Cup Winners’ Cup – Final Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MKB Veszprém KC, Cup Winners’ Cup – Final Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MKB Veszprém KC, EHF Champions League – Group B MKB Veszprém KC vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group B MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
37:32 (20:20) 28:28 (14:14) 32:29 (17:14) 34:30 (17:12) 30:29 (17:14) 25:25 (12:13) 27:24 (10:11) 32:25 (18:10)
Montpellier HB vs IFK Kristianstad 2-0-0 (60:55) 4:0 17.10.2015 05.12.2015
Montpellier HB vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B IFK Kristianstad vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
30:26 (13:14) 29:30 (15:15)
Montpellier HB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 1-0-5 (157:185) 2:10 24.04.2011 30.04.2011 27.09.2014 29.11.2014 15.11.2015 18.11.2015
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 27:29 (12:09) Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 26:35 (17:15) Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 35:24 (18:11) Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 29:33 (14:18) Montpellier HB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 28:30 (15:16) Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 25:21 (16:10)
IFK Kristianstad vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 1-0-5 (161:186) 2:10
22.10.2015 26.11.2015 12.10.2016 19.02.2017 07.10.2017 18.02.2018
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 IFK Kristianstad vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs IFK Kristianstad, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
35
32:29 (20:12) 29:20 (15:10) 30:29 (17:13) 29:31 (16:15) 22:35 (12:18) 32:29 (16:14)
HC Vardar
GROUP A
Club Address
HC Vardar blvd. ASNOM num.1 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia Media contact
Biljana Crvenkoska +38971247214 biljana@rkvardar.com www.rkvardar.com
rkvardar @HCVardar @rkvardar
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red
HC Vardar In 2017, HC Vardar claimed their historic first title in the VELUX EHF Champions League. Last season, even though they did not repeat the result, they travelled to Cologne to play their second consecutive FINAL4. Now, with plenty of changes in the playing roster and a new head coach, the team from Skopje hope to maintain their position among the top handball clubs. Roberto Garcia Parrondo has succeeded Raul Gonzalez at the helm of the Macedonian champion. Before taking over as coach of Vardar, Parrondo was Gonzalez assistant in the Macedonian national squad and assistant coach for Vardar’s women’s team. This season, Vardar faced many challenges after some significant changes to the roster and Parrondo will face some difficulty coping with the loses of Arpad Sterbik, Spanish back-court players Joan Canellas and Jorge Maqueda, Luka Cindric, Mijajlo Marsenic and defence specialist Ilija Abutovic. Arpad Sterbik and Strahinja Milic both left the Macedonian champions ahead of this season, which means Vardar have two options between the posts: Dejan Milosavljev and Daniel Gjorgjevski. With two quarter-finals and two consecutive participations at the FINAL4 behind them, Vardar are again aiming high. On the way to the FINAL4, they will first face strong opponents in Group A. “We are familiar with the qualities of our rivals in the group stage. Vardar’s best chance is to fight to be at the top of the group. We don’t underestimate any of the opponents and we are go-ing fight for first place,” says the team captain Stojanche Stoilov, who will miss the first part of the season due to an injury. Often compared to Ljubomir Vranjes, Stas Skube is considered one of Slovenia’s best playmakers. With a height of 176 cm, Skube joins Vardar as Luka Cindric’s replacement and will have big responsibility on his shoulders, as he will be orchestrating his new team’s attacking play. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 13 Winners (1): 2016/17 Semi-final (1): 2017/18 (4th at the FINAL4) Quarter-final (3): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Last 32 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10
Dark Player shirt: black/red Player short: black GK shirt: green, black
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1998/99, 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-finals 2006/07
Playing hall Jane Sandanski blvd. ASNOM num.1 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia Capacity: 5,000
SEHA league: 4 titles (2012, 2014, 2017, 2018) Macedonian league: 12 titles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015-18) Macedonian cup: 13 titles
36
HC Vardar
EHF Champions League club records
8 40 74
MATCHES
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
Longest winning run
GOALS 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
31:15 (14:8) v IFK Kristianstad SWE (h), 02.12.2017 41:19 (19:8) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.10.2003 8 matches (12.03.2017 – 01.10.2017) 15 matches (12.03.2017 – 02.12.2017) 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 15 v IFK Kristianstad SWE 15:31W (h), 02.12.2017 38 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
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 2017/18 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 18 10 3 5 122 55 14 53
W
T
37
L
GF GA
GD
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 +46 501:454 +47 3347:3397 –50
PTS
Stage1994/95
3:9 4:8 0:12 4:8 5:7 3:17 15:13 17:11 22:14 28:8 23:13 124:120
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 Fourth Place
HC Vardar
Roberto Garcia Parrondo coach • • • • •
former player of Ciudad Real, Valladolid, Ademar Leon, Atletico Madrid and two Hungarian teams, Pick Szeged and Budakalasz as a player won the CL twice, in 2008 and 2009 arrived in Skopje as the assistant coach of the Macedonian men’s national team joined Vardar women’s team as Irina Dibirova’s assistant and reach the final of the CL last season succeed Raul Gonzales at the helm of Vardar in the summer of 2018
EC trophies: CL 2008, 2009, Cup Winners’ Cup 2005, EHF Cup 2014(as player) EC trophies: CL 2017 @robertogparrondo
Newcomers: Stas Skube (MOL-Pick Szeged/HUN) Sergei Gorbok (MOL-Pick Szeged/HUN) Dmitrii Kiselev (St. Petersburg/RUS) Dejan Milosavljev (HC Partizan/SRB) Gleb Kalarash (Magdeburg/GER)
Left the club: Joan Canellas (MOL-Pick Szeged/HUN) Jorge Maqueda (MOL-Pick Szeged/HUN) Luka Cindric (Kielce/POL) Mijajlo Marsenic (Füchse Berlin/GER) Arpad Sterbik (Veszprém/HUN) Ilija Abutovic (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER)
38
HC Vardar
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
34 Vuko
Borozan
MNE
Left Back
09.04.1994
Cetinje, MNE
203
105
27 Ivan
Cupic
CRO
Right Wing
27.03.1986
Metkovic, CRO
178
78
31 Timur
Dibirov
RUS
Left Wing
30.07.1983
Petrozavodsk, RUS
180
74
13 Rogerio
Ferreira Moraes
BRA
Line Player
11.01.1994
Abaetetuba, BRA
204
118
16 Daniel
Gjorgjeski
MKD
Goalkeeper
03.12.1993
Gostivar, MKD
189
84
32 Sergei
Gorbok
RUS
Left Back
04.12.1982
Minsk, BLR
196
98 95
No. First Name Surname
21 Gleb
Kalarash
RUS
Line Player
29.11.1990
Moscow, RUS
205
18 Igor
Karacic
CRO
Centre Back
02.11.1988
Mostar, BIH
198
87
50 Dmitrii
Kiselev
RUS
Right Back
15.11.1994
Voronezhskaya obl., RUS
193
98
98 Marko
Kizic
MKD
Goalkeeper
22.01.2001
Skopje, MKD
190
89
10 Dainis
Kristopans
LAT
Right Back
27.09.1990
Ludza, LAT
215
135
96 Dejan
Milosavljev
SRB
Goalkeeper
16.03.1996
Panchevo, SRB
196
110
97 Marko
Mishevski
MKD
Left Back
23.08.1999
Skopje, MKD
199
92
Nedanovski
MKD
Left Wing
23.06.1985
Resen, MKD
187
93 90
7
Vlado
99 Andrej
Petkovski
MKD
Goalkeeper
30.05.2001
Skopje, MKD
188
Martin
Popovski
MKD
Right Wing
26.08.1994
Stip, MKD
177
75
33 Daniil
Shishkarev
RUS
Right Wing
06.07.1988
Kustanay, KAZ
190
85
20 Stas
Skube
SLO
Centre Back
15.11.1989
Novo Mesto, SLO
179
85
Stoilov
MKD
Line Player
30.04.1987
Skopje, MKD
191
110
Vojvodic
SRB
Centre Back
31.05.1995
Vrbas, SRB
180
72
9
C 5
Stojanche
37 Janja
39
HC Vardar
Dejan Milosavljev goalkeeper • started career ar RK Jugovic, just like Arpad Sterbik, whom is now replacing at Vardar • member of Serbian national team who signed with Vardar for three years • spent two seasons with Partizan and joined Lekhwiya in Qatar on loan
Timur Dibirov left wing
@timurdibirov31
• 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
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), he is one of Slovenia’s best playmakers • won bronze with Slovenia at the under-21 WCh in 2009 • played in the CL 2013/14 Last 16 with Velenje, topping the club scorers’ list with 72 goals, and in his first season with Szeged (2016/17) he scored 52 times
40
HC Vardar
Igor Karacic centre back
@igorkaracicc
• voted in the SEHA League All-star team in 2012/13 • a speedy and tough player, excelling in one-on-one situations • won the CL with Vardar in 2017 • born in Mostar, he plays for the Croatian national team, while his brother Ivan plays for Bosnia-Herzegovina EC trophies: CL 2017 EURO: B 2016
Stojanche Stoilov line player
@stoilov_89
• 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 Rogeiro Ferreira Moraes EC trophies: CL 2017
@dainiskristopans
Dainis Kristopans right back
• born in small Latvian town, Ludza, and started his career at local club Latgols • moved to Tatran Presov at age 18 and stayed almost six years in Slovakia, winning the national league five times • left Tatran in February 2015 and spent a few months in Qatar before joining Brest • at 2.15 metres, he is the tallest player not only for Vardar but in the entire CL
Danil Shishkarev right wing • with his first club Zarja Kaspija Astrakhan he played in three different club competitions: EHF Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and CL • the Russian national team player arrived in Skopje in 2014. • played for Chekovskie Medvedi between 2009 and 2014, winning numerous titles in Russia • has played more than 80 matches for the Russian national team EC trophies: CL 2017
41
PGE Vive Kielce
GROUP A
Club Address
PGE Vive Kielce ul. Robotnicza 5 25-662 Kielce Poland Media contact
Magda Pluszewska +48 604 692 276
m.pluszewska@kielcehandball.pl
www.kielcehandball.pl kielcehandball @kielcehandball @kielcehandball
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue GK shirt: blue
PGE Vive Kielce This season Kielce write a real multi-layered story. A lot of questions were posed in the summer, and even more will be asked when the VELUX EHF Champions League finally begins. How serious are the reported financial problems? How to make up for the loss of Uros Zorman and Dean Bombac? How much time will the team need to get in sync with six new players? How will hot-headed handball icons Talant Dujshebaev and Uros Zorman get along? What can team captain Michal Jurecki do in his final season before leaving to Flensburg? “The club has some financial problems, controlled enough not to endanger participation in all the contests in the 2018/19 season and noticeable enough to start worrying about the development in upcoming years,” the club’s board of directors said in an official statement. The club received a lot of support from their fans and partners, and even acquired new sponsors. Players’ salaries got reduced by 25 percent, and only Dean Bombac left the club for Szeged. The others claim that the situation is not going to influence their engagement. “I’m very happy that our team showed that we still want to play for Kielce, for the region and for the people who live here,” right back Krzysztof Lijewski says. Losing two such great players could mean a disaster for the club, especially as one departure was unexpected. However, Kielce are able to fill the gap with an extremely talented and still young playmaker, Luka Cindrić, who has won the Champions League in 2017 already. “He has got a motor engine in his legs,” says Lijewski with a laugh. “He is fast and able to end the most complicated court situations on his own.” How will the coaching duo of Talant Dujshebaev and Uros Zorman cooperate? It is a huge change for Zorman, who gets another place in the team’s hierarchy. “Now he is our coach, not a teammate,” says team captain Michal Jurecki, “When we drink a coffee somewhere in town, we are friends, but on the court our relation isn’t the same.” Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 16 Winners (1): 2015/16 Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third ranked in VELUX F4) Quarter-final (1): 2017/18 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
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: green
Playing hall Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów ul. Boczna 15A 25-093 Kielce Poland Capacity: 4,000
Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 1997/98, 2005/06 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 1995/96 Polish league: 15 titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012-18) Polish cup: 15 titles
42
PGE Vive Kielce
EHF Champions League club records
18 41 41
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest unbeaten run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals opponent
Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
41:17 (21:8) v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER (h), 24.03.2018 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) 41 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 41:17 (h), 24.03.2018 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 17 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 41:17 (h), 24.03.2018 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 2017/18 PGE Vive Kielce POL Total
MP W T L 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 18 8 3 7 144 83 13 48
43
GF GA GD 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 +18 555:524 +31 4250:4065 +185
PTS 6:6 5:7 11:13 4:16 13:11 28:4 15:9 28:4 32:8 18:14 19:17 179:109
Stage1994/95 3rd Gr. B 3rd Gr. G Last 16 6th Gr. A Last 16 Third Place Last 16 Third Place Winner Last 16 1/4-finals
PGE Vive Kielce
Talant Dujshebaev coach • • • • •
most awarded person in the club; won many trophies during his playing career with three different national teams: CIS, Russia, Spain voted twice as the IHF World Player of the Year, in 1994 and in 1996 has a successful coaching career spanning well over a decade, which saw him win the CL four times joined Kielce halfway through 2013/14, 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: Luka Cindric (HC Vardar/MKD) Vladimir Cupara (Abanca Ademar Leon/ESP) Angel Fernandez Perez (Naturhause La Rioja/ESP) Arciom Karalok (Saint-Raphael Var Handball/FRA) Uladzislau Kulesh (SKA Minsk/BLR) Arkadiusz Moryto (Zaglebie Lubin/POL)
Left the club: Tomasz Strzabala (MMTS Kwidzyn, coach/POL) Mateusz Kus (Motor Zaporozhye/UKR) Slawomir Szmal (retired) Karol Bielecki (retired) Manuel Strlek (Telekom Veszprém) Darko Djukic (HC Meshkov Brest)
44
PGE Vive Kielce
Team roster No. First Name Surname 13 Julen 9
Aguinagalde
Bartlomiej Bis
Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
ESP
Line Player
08.12.1982
Irun, ESP
195
110
POL
Line Player
25.03.1997
Kielce, POL
190
95
25 Luka
Cindric
CRO
Centre Back
05.07.1993
Ogulin, CRO
182
90
16 Vladimir
Cupara
SRB
Goalkeeper
19.02.1994
Belgrade, SRB
198
105
10 Alex
Dujshebaev
ESP
Right Back
17.12.1992
Santander, ESP
187
88
32 Angel
Fernandez
ESP
Left Wing
16.09.1988
Santander, ESP
193
88
30.08.1992
Zagreb, CRO
195
95
16 Filip
Ivic
CRO
Goalkeeper
15 Mateusz
Jachlewski
POL
Left Wing
27.12.1984
Gdynia, POL
185
88
18 Blaz
Janc
SLO
Right Wing
20.11.1996
Brezice, SLO
185
85
Jurecki
POL
Left Back
27.10.1984
Koscian, POL
198
110
20 Mariusz
Jurkiewicz
POL
Centre Back
03.02.1982
Lubin, POL
199
103
50 Artsem
Karalek
BLR
Line Player
20.02.1996
Grodno, BLR
187
70
22 Uladzislau Kulesh
BLR
Left Back
28.05.1996
Gomel, BLR
189
84
POL
Right Back
07.07.1983
Ostrรณw Wielkopolski, POL 198
94
Mamic
CRO
Back
06.03.1994
Zagreb, CRO
201
96
C 5
Michal
19 Krzysztof 24 Marko
Lijewski Moryto
POL
Right Wing
31.08.1997
Krakow, POL
181
87
12 Milosz
Walach
POL
Goalkeeper
23.11.2001
Kielce, POL
188
90
23 Uros
Zorman
SLO
Centre Back
09.01.1980
Kranj, SLO
189
96
Arkadiusz
45
PGE Vive Kielce
Filip Ivic goalkeeper
@filipivic16
• spent entire career in native Zagreb before coming to Kielce in 2016 • was part of the Croatian national junior team which won the European title • was second best goalkeeper at WCh 2015 in Qatar with save percentage of 37 • got injured twice in the 2017/18 season (knee and elbow) and missed many Kielce matches as well as the EHF EURO in his home country WCh: B 2013
Mateusz Jachlewski left wing • longest-serving player in the current squad after joining Kielce in 2006 • runs summer handball camps for kids together with Michal Jurecki • nicknamed ‘Siwy’ (grey-haired) since his younger years, referring to his dyed blond hair
EC trophies: CL 2016 WCh: S 2007
Michal Jurecki left back
@michal_jurecki
• 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 • after his 10th year in Kielce, leave for SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2019 • since 2015/16 captain of the team EC Trophies: CL: 2016 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
Luka Cindric centre back
@luka_cindric25
• son of a handball coach, he played football until he was 15 as he turned down an offer from top club Dinamo Zagreb and started playing handball • earlier played for Ogulin (his hometown), Senj, Karlovac, Metalurg and Vardar • with Vardar he won the first CL trophy in the history of the club in 2017 • joined Kielce in 2018/2019 after the departures of Uros Zorman and Dean Bombac EC trophies: CL: 2017 EURO: B 2016
46
PGE Vive Kielce
@julenaginagalde
Julen Aguinagalde line player
• All-star Team line player of WCh 2013 in Spain, EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark and EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • joined Kielce from Atlético Madrid in 2013 for his first foreign league experience
• participated in FINAL4 five times between 2010 and 2016, and scored decisive penalty in shootout against Veszprém in 2016 • set up international camps for kids in the summer of 2018 with his brother, Gurutz EC trophies: CL: 2016
WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: G 2018, S 2016, B 2014
Alex Dujshebaev right back
@alexdujshebaev
• son of coach Talant Dujshebaev, joined Kielce at the beginning of the 2017/18 season • had a four-year stay in Vardar, winning first CL trophy in club’s history in 2017 • best right back at the M20 EURO 2012 and Junior WCh 2013; best young player of t he 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 he is on a loan with Celje for two years EC trophies: CL: 2016, Cup Winners’ Cup 2007 EURO: G 2018, S 2016, WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
Krzysztof Lijewski right back • wanted to be a basketball player, but chose handball under the influence of his father and older brother, Marcin • joined Kielce in 2012 after seven years in Germany with Hamburg and RN Löwen • best right back of EHF EURO 2014 • extremely versatile player, clever in attack and vigilant in defence, famous for his no-look passes and surprising steals EC trophies: CL 2016, Cup Winners’ Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
Blaz Janc right wing
@janc8
• 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 seventh 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 M20 EHF EURO 2014 (alongside players two years older than him) WCh: B 2016
47
Barça Lassa
GROUP A
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 @FCBHandbol
Barça Lassa Last season has not been a fantastic one by Barça’s own standards, irrespective of the Catalan club completing a domestic treble for the fifth year in a row. Barça have seen their 146-game unbeaten streak in the Liga ASOBAL snapped by Granollers, but the most painful moment was the loss against Montpellier in the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16. Montpellier went on to win the European premium competition, but Barça felt like they could have been in the French team’s shoes. A new challenge is looming, however, and there is no time for resentment. “Of course, as every year, we want to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL 4 and win the competition,” Barça captain Victor Tomas says. “We need to fight hard to secure the best possible position before the Last 16 draw.” While Xavi Pascual has been in charge for the past nine seasons in Palau Blaugrana, the side from Barcelona have never exited the Champions League earlier than last season. There have been plenty of reasons for Barca’s demise last season, but the Spanish champions should have learnt what went wrong and fine-tuned the issues. It will help having Aron Palmarsson from the start of the training camp, while future superstar Dika Mem extended his contract with the Spanish outfit until 2024. With the addition of Ludovic Fabregas and Casper Mortensen, Barça look stronger than last season, at least on paper. Barça’s undoing last season was not the attack, which thrived even without Kiril Lazarov and Filip Jicha, but an underwhelming defence. The Spanish champions dozed off at times, which also happened in the games against Montpellier, which saw Barça out of contention in the Last 16 phase. The transfer of Gilberto Duarte is clearly a statement of intent in this direction, as Xavier Pascual pointed out the defensive versatility of the Portuguese player.
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: light green Player short: light green GK shirt: blue or yellow
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 22 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 (2): 2003/04, 2017/18 Main Round (1): 2008/09 Other EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up 2001/02 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, 1994/95 (IHF) European Champions Cup: 1990/91 IHF Super Globe: 2013, 2014, 2017 Spanish league: 25 titles (1969, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988-92, 1996-2000, 2003, 2006, 2011-18) Spanish Cup winner: 22 titles Asobal Cup winner: 13 titles
Dark Player shirt: blue and red Player short: blue GK shirt: green or black Playing hall Palau Blaugrana Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n 08028 Barcelona Spain Capacity: 7,250
48
Barça Lassa
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
12 46 11
MATCHES
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run
Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Fewest goals opponent
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) 3 matches (03.06.2017 – 17.09.2017) 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 2017/18 FC Barcelona Lassa ESP Total
MP 8 12 12 12 12 12 8 14 10 10 14 10 16 16 14 16 16 16 16 18 16 278
W T 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 10 2 205 20 49
L 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 6 1 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 3 1 3 4 4 53
GF GA GD 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 +57 463:433 +30 8513:7154 +1359
PTS 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 22:10 430:126
Stage1994/95 Winner Winner Winner Winner Winner Runner-up Last 16 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 Last 16
Xavi Pascual coach • • • •
played for Barça and other Spanish clubs, before becoming goalkeeper coach at the record CL winners in 2005 in 2009 he succeded Manolo Cadenas at Barça’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 Barça emulating Valero Rivera’s (7 out of 7) success in 1999/00
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015
Newcomers: Ludovic Fabregas (Montpellier/FRA) Thiagus Petrus (SC Pick Szeged/HUN) Casper Mortensen (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf/GER) Kevin Möller (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER) Gilberto Duarte (Orlen Wisla Plock/POL)
Left the club: Viran Morros (PSG) Valero Rivera (HBC Nantes) Borko Ristovski (Benfica) Alexis Borges (tbc) Wael Jallouz (Füchse Berlin)
50
Barça Lassa
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
DEN
Left Back
11.03.1994
København, DEN
195
96
Arino
ESP
Left Wing
05.10.1992
Penarth, GBR
187
80
Oriol
Blanco
ESP
Right Wing
09.03.1999
Mark Daniel
Bodor
ROU
23.02.2000
Buzle
ROU
03.05.1999 03.05.2000
No. First Name
Surname
11 Lasse Bredekjaer Andersson 13 Aitor
43 Iosif Andrei Eduardo
Calle Redondo
ESP
Mamadou
Diocou
ESP
Dolenec
SLO
Right Back
Timisoara, ROU
10.03.2000 06.12.1988
Kranj, SLO
190
90
5
Gilberto
Duarte
POR
Left Back
06.07.1990
Portimao, POR
197
96
9
Raul
Entrerrios
ESP
Centre Back
12.02.1981
Gijon, ESP
195
92
David
Estepa Ruiz
ESP
27 Ludovic
Fabregas
FRA
Line Player
01.07.1996
Perpignan, FRA
198
100
36 Gerard
Forns Galve
ESP
Goalkeeper
26.12.1994
Sant Boi de Llobregat, ESP 185
82
41 Aleix
Gomez
ESP
Right Wing
07.05.1997
Sabadell, ESP
183
79
14 Thiagus Petrus
Goncalves
BRA
Left Back
25.01.1989
Juiz de Fora, BRA
199
100
28 Jannek
Klein
GER
25.03.1999
Rendsburg, GER
197
92
Juri
Knorr
GER
09.05.2000
Lenne
FRA
Colmar, FRA
187
81
Leon
ESP
24 Dika
Mem
FRA
Right Back
31.08.1997
Paris, FRA
194
90
16 Kevin
Møller
DEN
Goalkeeper
20.06.1989
Tondern, DEN
200
103
20 Casper
Mortensen
DEN
Left Wing
14.12.1989
København, DEN
190
88
19 Timothey
N’guessan
FRA
Left Back
18.09.1992
Massy, FRA
196
105
Oliveras
ESP
Palmarsson
ISL
Reykjavik, ISL
193
100
Pascual
ESP
17.09.2000
Barcelona, ESP
182
78
10.01.1991
Toledo, ESP
190
93
188
77
La Trinite, ESP
192
110
23 Jure
32 Yanis Adria
Pau 34 Aron Alex
Perez
ESP
Gonzalo
Perez de Vargas
ESP
David
Roca
ESP
Sorhaindo
FRA
46 Jorge 1
10 Cedric Ramon
Right Wing
29.06.1996 30.12.1993
11.12.1998 Centre Back
19.07.1990 13.02.2000
Goalkeeper
09.01.2000 Line Player
07.06.1984 20.12.1990
Suarez-Pumariega ESP Syprzak
POL
Line Player
23.07.1991
Plock, POL
206
120
Victor
Tomas
ESP
Right Wing
15.02.1985
Barcelona, ESP
178
85
Joaquim
Vaillo
ESP
21 Kamil C 8
23.04.1999
15.10.1996
51
Barça Lassa
Gonzalo Perez de Vargas goalkeeper
@perezdvargas
• returned to Barça in 2014 after stints with Granollers and Tolouse to gain experience • voted best goalkeeper in CL and ASOBAL league in 2016/17 • has represented Spain in all age categories; in national team he shares the goalkeeper position with PSG’s Rodrigo Corrales
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015 EURO: G 2018, B 2014, S 2016
Casper Mortensen left wing • previously played for German and Danish teams in his career • going into his second CL season, after scoring 61 goals for BSV in 2012/13 • was top scorer in German Bundesliga, with 230 goals, in 2017/18 • his older brother, Andreas, was a football player
EURO: S 2014; WCh: S 2013; OS: G 2016
Raul Entrerrios centre back
@raulenterrios @Raul_Entrerrios
• one of the household names in Spanish handball • EHF EURO 2016 MVP and best centre back of the ASOBAL League in 2016/17 • has played for three Spanish clubs (also for Leon and Valladolid); joined Barça in 2010 and has won the CL twice (2011 and 2015)
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015, Cup Winner’s Cup 2005, 2009 OG: B 2008, EURO: G 2018, S 2006, 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2015, B 2011
Aron Palmarsson centre back •
before joining Veszprém in 2015, the versatile and tactically as well as technically skilled playmaker from Iceland was with Kiel for six years
•
left Veszprém early in the 2017/18 season after a complicated transfer saga
•
his partner is a famous Icelandic singer, Agusta Eva Erlendsdottir, and the pair has a daughter
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: B 2010
52
Barça Lassa
@chiki_lf27
Ludovic Fabregas line player • still only 22, he is one of the key players of the golden French generation including Timothey N’guessan, Dika Mem and Yanis Lenne • out injured for three months in 2017/18 as he missed EHF EURO 2018 in Croatia, but back to his best to help Montpellier win the CL, scoring six goals in the final • CL All-star Team line player in 2016/17 • youth world champion in mountain biking before turning to handball at age 15 EC trophies: CL 2018 WCh: G 2017,; OS: S 2016 @cesorhaindo
Cedric Sorhaindo line player • key player in defence for Barça 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 Barça as a club for life
EC trophies: CL 2011, 2015 EURO: G 2010, 2014, B 2018, WCh: G 2009, 2015, 2017, OG: G 2012, S 2016
Jure Dolenec right back
@JDolenec11
• Slovenian international, joining Barça in the summer of 2017 from Montpellier • was named best right back of the French league in the 2016/17 season • replaced top scorer Kiril Lazarov, who went in the opposite way to France (Nantes) • very efficient player 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 Barça’s youth team in 1998 and has not played for any other club • has won 50 trophies with Barça, including 3 CL titles (2005, 2011 and 2015)
EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, 2015, EHF Cup: 2003 OG: B 2008, EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2013
53
HC Meshkov Brest
GROUP A
Club Address
HC Meshkov Brest Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus Media contact
Aleksandr Kulbaka +375 162 55 01 40 media@bgk-meshkova.com bgk-meshkova.com bgkmeshkova bgk_meshkova @meshkovbrest
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: yellow
HC Meshkov Brest Consistency is the key word characterizing HC Meshkov Brest’s performances in the VELUX EHF Champions League in recent years as the Belarusian team reached the Last 16 for three straight seasons. However, the club’s ambitions go further, and Brest hope that new head coach Manolo Cadenas will use his vast experience to pave the way to new heights. Brest’s bosses dream of winning the VELUX EHF Champions League some day, and after playing in the Last 16 for three consecutive seasons, they see reaching the quarter-final as the next logical step towards the ultimate goal. It will be hard, given the level of opponents, but the Belarusian champions are certainly competitive on that level and making it beyond the Last 16 might be quite realistic. “Our group is strong, and maybe some other teams have better chances as their squads are stronger. But there is no limit to opportunities. Why can’t we reach the quarter-final? We will try,” head coach Manolo Cadenas says. While the previous Brest head coach, Sergey Bebeshko, preferred a classic style of handball, his successor has a modern approach, which implies fast and dynamic play. The team’s style is changing, which has already been visible during preseason matches. However, a learning process is never smooth and it will take time for the players to adjust to the Spaniard’s requirements. Ever since his arrival at Brest in late 2013, the powerful Serbian line player Rastko Stojkovic has played a key role in the team and scored a lot of goals. But this summer, the 37-year-old veteran opted to continue his career at Israel’s Maccabi Rishon LeZion. Without him, the position of a line player will probably be less productive – Vid Poteko and Viachaslau Shumak are good defenders, but it will be hard for them to contribute as much in attack as Stojkovic did. The 29-year-old Croatian Ivan Pesic has become almost a veteran at Brest, going into his sixth season with the club. During that period, the goalkeeper has improved a lot and become a key figure of the team. Despite the interest from Pick Szeged and Vardar, Pesic extended his contract with the Belarusian team until 2022, and his dream is to win a big trophy with Meshkov.
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 10 Last 16 (3): 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 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 EHF Cup: Last 16 2003/04
Playing hall Sportshall Victoria Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus Capacity: 3,500
Belarusian league: 10 titles (2004-08, 2014-18) Belarusian cup: 11 titles
54
HC Meshkov Brest
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run
10 36 72
Longest run without win MATCHES
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)
Longest losing run
GOALS
Most goals Most goals opponent
Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
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 20 v Aalborg Handbold DEN 20:23W (a), 08.10.2017 42 v HC PPD Zagreb CRO 21:21D (h), 18.02.2017
VELUX EHF Champions League record 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 2017/18 HC Meshkov Brest BLR Total
MP 6 6 6 6 10 14 16 16 80
W T L 1 0 5 1 0 5 0 0 6 1 0 5 2 2 6 9 1 4 5 4 7 4 3 9 23 10 47
55
GF GA GD 143:184 -41 165:183 -18 146:189 –43 154:182 -28 267:293 –26 437:383 +54 434:439 -5 426:466 –40 2172:2319 -147
PTS 2:10 2:10 0:12 2:10 6:14 19:9 14:18 11:21 56:104
Stage1994/95 4th Gr. C 4th Gr. E 4th Gr. B 4th Gr. H 5th Gr. A Last 16 Last 16 Last 16
HC Meshkov Brest
Manolo Cadenas coach • replaced Sergey Bebeshko as Brest’s head coach in June 2018, also works as national coach of Argentina since 2017 • between 2013 and 2016, he also combined jobs at a club (Wisla Plock) and a national team (Spain) • previously coached a number of Spanish clubs, including Valladolid, Ademar Leon, Barça and Granollers
EC trophies: Cup Winner’s Cup 1989, 1999, 2005 EHF EURO: B 2014, S 2016
Newcomers: Aliaksandr Bachko (Cocks) Darko Djukic (PGE Vive Kielce) Sandro Obranovic (Chambery Savoie) Sime Ivic (Orlen Wisla Plock)
Left the club: Aleh Astrashapkin (Csurgói KK) Dzmitry Nikulenkau (SKA Minsk) Rastko Stojkovich (Maccabi Srugo Rishon Lezion) Rade Mijatovic (Ferencvarosi) Konstantn Igropulo (tbc) Rajko Prodanovic (tbc) Ljubo Vukic (tbc)
56
HC Meshkov Brest
Team roster No. First Name Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
10 Aliaksandr Bachko
HeightWeight
BLR
Centre Back
15.08.1989
Grandichi, BLR
189
90
Baranau
BLR
Right Wing
11.04.1988
Bobruysk, BLR
188
82
Budzeika
BLR
Right Back
01.05.2000
Baranovichi, BLR
195
88
21 Vitali
Charapenka
BLR
Goalkeeper
27.01.1984
Brest, BLR
193
90
38 Pavel
Darafeyeu
BLR
Left Back
28.01.1997
Brest, BLR
208
90
55 Petar
Djordjic
SRB
Left Back
17.09.1990
Sabac, SRB
197
102
45 Darko
Djukic
SRB
Right Wing
11.12.1994
Nis, SRB
191
78
28 Pavel
Horak
CZE
Left Back
28.11.1982
Prerov, CZE
198
112
19 Sime
Ivic
CRO
Right Back
21.01.1993
Split, CRO
195
93
41 Uladzimir
Korsak
BLR
Goalkeeper
16.10.1996
Brest, BLR
195
92
Kulak
BLR
Centre Back
23.02.1996
Brest, BLR
190
88
77 Valiantsin
Kuran
BLR
Centre Back
12.02.1998
Brest, BLR
180
80
50 Mikita
Lashchakou
BLR
Left Back
28.05.1996
Brest, BLR
196
90
12 Ivan
Matskevich
BLR
Goalkeeper
08.05.1991
Lepel, BLR
190
91
Obranovic
CRO
Centre Back
18.10.1992
Karlovac, CRO
195
98 112
24 Maksim 4
7
Yahor
Artsiom
34 Sandro
Pesic
CRO
Goalkeeper
17.03.1989
Rijeka, CRO
193
15 Vid
Poteko
SLO
Line Player
05.04.1991
Celje, SLO
193
94
31 Simon
Razgor
SLO
Left Wing
18.09.1985
Celje, SLO
183
84
Rutenka
BLR
Right Wing
14.02.1986
Minsk, BLR
187
85
Selvasiuk
BLR
Line Player
08.12.1992
Brest, BLR
190
93
RUS
Left Back
11.04.1995
Krasnodar region, RUS 190
78
BLR
Line Player
22.12.1988
Brest, BLR
204
116
BLR
Right Back
16.05.1986
Bobrujsk, BLR
198
95 85 70
1
3
Ivan
Dzianis
42 Artsiom 9
Alexsander Shkurinskiy
22 Viachaslau Shumak C 88 Siarhei 5
Andrei
14 Andrei
Shylovich Yashchanka
BLR
Left Back
07.01.1992
Gomel, BLR
194
Yurynok
BLR
Left Wing
21.09.1996
Brest, BLR
179
57
HC Meshkov Brest
Ivan Pesic goalkeeper • was invited to Brest in 2013 by then coach, and fellow Croatian, Zeljko Babic • also played for RK Maribor Branik, HC Zagreb and Veszprém • had kidney removed after being stabbed in 2009 in tragic night club incident, in which teammate Marian Cozma was killed • practiced taekwondo successfully in his childhood, won several medals at junior level before focusing on handball
Andrey Yurynok left wing • born in Brest, but started career in Minsk (Vityaz, SKA) and joined Meshkov in 2016 • was a line player in his youth, but then coaches successfully put him on the left wing • best scorer of Belarus at EHF EURO 2018 with 24 goals • named the best young left wing of the world in 2017/18
Pavel Horak left back
@plonka82
• 35-year-old Czech player, joined Brest from HC Erlangen in 2017 • started 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 EHF Cup three times - with Göppingen 2011 and 2012, with Füchse in 2015 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2011, 2012, 2015
Aleksander Shkurinskiy left back • the Russian player joined Brest in 2017 from SKIF Krasnodar • turned down offers from French teams as well as Chekhovskie Medvedi • despite a number of injuries, had an impressive debut season at Brest and became one of the team’s key players • member of Russia’s national team since 2015
58
HC Meshkov Brest
Artsiom Kulak centre back • moved to Brest in 2015 from Vityaz Minsk • talented playmaker who is also a good scorer • has extended his contract with Brest until 2021 • as son of a musician, he learned playing the guitar at a specialized school
Vid Poteko line player
@vpoteko
• Slovenian joined Brest in the summer of 2017 • before that, spent all his career at Celje • won Slovenian league four times, and Belarusian league once • praised for his professional attitude and care about health and nutrition
WCh: B 2017
Siarhei Shylovich right back • moved to Brest from Poland’s Pogon Szczecin in February 2014 • previously played for three Minsk-based teams: Dinamo, SKA and Arkatron • won Challenge Cup 2013 with SKA Minsk • became Brest’s captain in the summer of 2018 following Dzmitry Nikulenkau’s departure to SKA Minsk
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2013
Dzianis Rutenka right wing • younger brother of retired Siarhei Rutenka, the famous Belarusian left back • unlike his brother, Dzianis spent most of his career in his home country • a 10-time Belarusian champion, winning five titles with each Dinamo Minsk and Meshkov Brest • regular member of the Belarus national team
59
Telekom Veszprém HC
GROUP A
Club Address
Telekom Veszprém HC 5 Külső Kádártai út 8200 Veszprém Hungary Media contact
Zsolt Sevinger +36 305024547 office@handballveszprem.hu handballveszprem.hu veszpremhandballteam @mkbveszpremkc @handballveszprem
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: green
Telekom Veszprém HC Telekom Veszprém HC have to find their way back to success. The Hungarian side crashed out of the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 against Skjern Håndbold, and later lost the final for the national league title to MOL-Pick Szeged. Coach Ljubomir Vranjes and his team are motivated to regain the domestic title and get to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 again. Despite the struggles of last year, Veszprém are still Veszprém, and they belong to the top teams of Europe. Maybe the pressure will be bigger but the team is eager to fight themselves back to the top. “You always want to win the Champions League. It is the main target for every club,” Vranjes says. “We played a good group phase but we played badly in the knockout stage. We are developing the team and to do so, you need the Champions League to have the best players.” Veszprém’s misery last season was a temporary period, which is over, Vranjes says. “Veszprém’s attack and defence tactics are already in my mind,” the coach says. “We combine three types of defensive formations, a closed and an opened sixwall defence, and a five-one open defence. It will depend on our opponent what formation we will play. I am optimistic and looking forward to the new season.” Mate Lekai took on the playmaker’s role after Aron Palmarsson left the club early in the pre-season last year. Lekai was the key to several wins in the Champions League, which gave Veszprém the second place in the group. For the Hungarian international, the reasons for his improvement are obvious: “I have more chances to be on the court and get more playing time. I feel more confident as Ljubomir Vranjes trusts me.” After failing to reach, at least, the quarter-final for the first time since 2012, Veszprém know the only way is up in the new season. “We would like to qualify for the FINAL4 and, of course, the dream is still to win the Champions League,” team captain László Nagy says Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 24 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 (4): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2017/18 Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, 2007/08
Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: black
Playing hall Veszprém Arena Külso Kadartai ut 8200 Veszprém Hungary Capacity: 5,096
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: 27 times
60
Telekom Veszprém HC
EHF Champions League club records
11 46 77
MATCHES
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run
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
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) 3 matches (12.11.2017 – 26.11.2017) 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 2017/18 Telekom Veszprém HC HUN Total
MP 6 6 8 8 8 12 10 10 10 12 10 6 12 14 12 12 14 16 16 20 20 16 258
W T 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 9 2 173 14 61
L 2 3 2 4 4 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 5 3 4 2 3 5 5 71
GF GA GD 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 +38 466:439 +27 7459:6720 +739
PTS 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 20:12 360:156
Stage1994/95 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 Last 16 Last 16 1/4-finals Fourth Place Runner-up Runner-up Third Place Last 16
Telekom Veszprém HC
Ljubomir Vranjes coach • former Swedish national team player, was still on the players’ list of Flensburg before he joined Veszprém in 2017 • awarded IHF coach of the Year in 2014 • after winning the CL in the 2014/15 season he declined offers from PSG and the German national team • led Serbia to the EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark as a caretaker, but did not continue • 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 @LVranjes
Newcomers: Árpád Sterbik (HC Vardar/MKD) Borut Mackovsek (RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko/SLO) Kentin Mahé (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER) Manuel Strlek (PGE Vive Kielce/POL) René Toft Hansen (THW Kiel/GER)
Left the club: Cristian Ugalde (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf/GER) Gábor Ancsin (FTC, on loan/HUN) Mátyás Győri (Grundfos Tatabánya, on loan/HUN) Mirko Alilovic (MOL-Pick Szeged/HUN) Renato Sulic (Wisla Plock/POL) Timuzsin Schuch (FTC/HUN)
62
Telekom Veszprém HC
Team roster Height Weight
No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
20 William
Accambray FRA
Left Back
08.04.1988
Cannes, FRA
194
110
31 Blaz
Blagotinsek SLO
Line Player
17.01.1994
Celje, SLO
203
122
45 Uros
Borzas
28.07.1999
Zenta, SRB
196
92
42 Aleksandar
Djurdjevic SRB
Goalkeeper
20.07.1997
Pec, SRB
193
87
48 Borisz
Dörnyei
HUN Right Wing
23.07.1999
Veszprém, HUN
183
75
49 Bence
Ernei
HUN Left Wing
29.09.1998
Veszprém, HUN
185
81
17 Dragan
Gajic
SLO
Right Wing
21.07.1984
Celje, SLO
188
84
13 Momir
Ilic
SRB
Left Back
22.12.1981
Arandjelovac, SRB
198
108
HUN Left Back
HUN Left Back
11.10.1991
Esfahan, IRI
202
108
66 Mate
Lekai
HUN Centre Back
16.06.1988
Budapest, HUN
190
87
96 Patrik
Ligetvari
HUN Left Back
13.02.1996
Várpalota, HUN
203
115
51 Borut
Mackovsek SLO
Left Back
11.09.1992
Koper, SLO
203
101
35 Kentin
Mahe
Centre Back
22.05.1991
Paris, FRA
186
93
26.08.1992
Veles, FRA
181
84
Right Wing
20.08.1990
Celje, SLO
180
84
44 Moorchegani Iman Jamali
2
Dejan
FRA
Manaskov MKD Left Wing
24 Gasper
Marguc
SLO
16 Roland
Mikler
HUN Goalkeeper
20.09.1984
Dunaujvaros, HUN
190
101
03.03.1981
Szeged, HUN
207
116
28.06.1986
Belgrade, SRB
198
93
C 19 Laszlo
Nagy
HUN Right Back
34 Petar
Nenadic
SRB
18 Andreas
Nilsson
SWE Line Player
12.04.1990
Trelleborg, SWE
197
121
Sterbik
ESP
Goalkeeper
20.11.1979
Zenta, SRB
199
119
26 Manuel
Strlek
CRO
Left Wing
01.12.1988
Zagreb, CRO
182
84
47 Lev
Szuharev
HUN Right Back
17.08.2000
Nyíregyháza, HUN
197
97
Terzic
BIH
12.07.1983
Priboj, BIH
196
105 104 104
1
Arpad
30 Mirsad 9
Rene
15 Kent Robin
Left Back Line Player
01.11.1984
Rybjerg, DEN
200
NOR Right Back
05.06.1991
Partille, SWE
194
Toft Hansen DEN Tönnesen
Centre Back
63
Telekom Veszprém HC
@miklerroland
Roland Mikler goalkeeper
• All-star goalkeeper at Junior WCh 2005, where he led Hungary to bronze • Hungarian national team member is quick, compact and 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 Veszprém in 2014 after the EHF Cup success with Szeged EC trophy: EHF Cup 2014
Arpad Sterbik goalkeeper • among world’s best goalkeepers, holds Hungarian, Serbian and Spanish citizenship • signed with Veszprém after 10 seasons spent in Barcelona, then moving from Spain in 2014 to Vardar where he spent three years • received dozens of international awards, including 2005 IHF World Handball Player of the Year, MVP of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017 and best goalkeeper of the Spanish league five times EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, 2017 WCh: G 2013, B 1999, B 2001, B 2011; EURO: G 2018, S 2016
Momir Ilic left back • CL top scorer in 2013/14 and 2014/15, and became first player to score more than 100 goals in three consecutive CL seasons • won seven titles during his four years with Kiel before joining Veszprém in 2013 • MVP of the EURO 2012, having led Serbia to their first medal as an independent country • CL All-star team left back in 2013/14 and 2015/16 EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: S 2012 @kentinmahe35
Kentin Mahé centre back •
joined Veszprém in 2018 after spells with Flensburg, Hamburg, Gummersbach and Dormagen, where was coached by his father Pascal
•
Men’s 20 EURO 2010 MVP and top scorer (49 goals); 2015 EHF Cup Finals MVP
•
made debut for the French national team in 2010 and now one of their 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, EURO: B 2018
64
Telekom Veszprém HC
@lekaimate
Mate Lekai centre back •
member of Hungarian national team, impressed at former clubs PLER and Szeged
•
returned to Hungary from Celje where he spent two seasons
•
had a lot of troubles with injuries during his first season with Celje, played whole secons half of league final with broken finger
•
CL top scorer for the club in 2017/18 with a career-best 75 goals
René Toft Hansen line player • EHF EURO 2012 All-Star team member • in the CL since 2007 with clubs KIF Kolding, AG Kobenhavn and Kiel • one brother (Henrik) plays for PSG, his other brother (Allan) for Mors-Thy, and his sister (Majbritt) for Aarhaus – all four are line players
OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Laszlo Nagy right back
@laszlonagy19
• 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 France in 2017, where Slovenia won bronze
•
came to Veszprém from Celje where he was playing since 2009
•
played his best season so far in 2012/13 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 a perfect 18 from 18 attempts against the legendary goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer
WCh: B 2017
65
Montpellier HB
GROUP A
Club Address
Montpellier HB Centre Jean Paul Lacombe 1000 Av Val de Montferrand 34090 Montpellier Cedex France Media contact
Suzy De Monte +33 (0)6 87 73 58 42 s.demonte@ montpellierhandball.com montpellierhandball.com MHB - Montpellier Handball
@mhbofficiel @mhbofficiel
Kit colours
Montpellier HB For the first time a team from Groups C/D made it all the way to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne last season. Montpellier HB went even one step further and lifted the trophy, for the second time after their 2003 title. Now starting in Group A, can Montpellier surprise everyone again? Since the introduction of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in the 2009/10 season, no team have won the title two years in a row. Montpellier are obviously proud of their achievement but experienced coach Patrice Canayer knows that repeating the feat will be hard. “Winning the trophy is so hard for a team that has been ranked among the favourites. But we are ready to take on the task with all humility required,” the two-time Champions League winner says. “But, for a club like Montpellier, to qualify for the quarter-finals would already be a good performance.” Group A includes the last four winners of the Champions League (Barcelona, Kielce, Vardar and Montpellier) as well as the 2015 and 2016 finalists Veszprém alongside always dangerous German side Rhein-Neckar Löwen. After two seasons competing in Groups C and D, Montpellier might now have to learn how to play the Europe’s powerhouses every weekend. “All eight teams in the group are potential Champions League winners,” captain Michaël Guigou says. “It will be tough for everybody. Vardar lost some players but are still very competitive, Barcelona will be eager to come back after losing against us in the Last 16 last season. It will be very hard for us but we can also enjoy the fact that some exciting games are ahead of us.” Ludovic Fabregas was a key player on both sides of the court last season. To replace him, coach Canayer picked Swedish line player Fredric Pettersson, who played the Men’s EHF EURO 2018 Final with his national team in January. Even though the loss of the French national team player is huge, Montpellier have proven in the past that they were able to effectively replace key players, like they did with Jure Dolenec.
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: light blue/yellow
Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: purple Playing hall Sud de France Arena Montpellier Rue de la Foire 34470 Pérols/Montpellier France Capacity: 8,000
66
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 21 Winners (2): 2002/03, 2017/18 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 Ligue’s cup: 10 titles
Montpellier HB
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
8 46 78
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
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) 8 matches (16.09.2017 – 19.11.2017) 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
EHF Champions League record
MP
W
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 2017/18 Montpellier HB FRA Total
6 6 8 12 8 12 10 8 12 10 14 14 12 10 12 16 16 18 204
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 14 1 117 13
T
67
L
GF GA
3 3 3 3 2 3 4 2 5 3 2 4 6 6 6 12 4 3 74
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 +51 530:464 +66 5883:5563 +320
GD
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 29:7 247:161
3rd Gr. A 3rd Gr. A 1/4-finals Winner Last 16 1/2-finals 1/4-finals Last 16 3rd MR Gr. 2 4th MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Last 16 5th Gr. A Last 16 Last 16 1/4-finals Winner
Montpellier HB
Patrice Canayer coach •
has started in his 25th season as Montpellier head coach
•
winning the CL 2017/18 was the 41th trophy he won with the club starting coaching career in 1994 with players like Nikola Karabatic, Thierry Omeyer, Jerome Fernandez and Didier Dinart on the team played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris in his active career named CL coach of the season in 2017/18
• • •
EC trophies: CL 2003, 2018
Newcomers: Fredric Pettersson (Toulouse/FRA)
Left the club: Ludovic Fabregas (Barça Lassa)
68
Montpellier HB
Team roster No. First Name Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Height Weight
33 Benjamin
Afgour
FRA
Line Player
01.04.1991
Rethel, FRA
195
110
29 Arnaud
Bingo
FRA
Wing
12.10.1987
Lyon, FRA
190
80
24 Baptiste
Bonnefond
FRA
Left Back
22.01.1993
Lyon, FRA
193
97
13 Julien
Bos
FRA
Right Back
18.08.1998
Pessac, FRA
188
82
Theophile
Causse
FRA
Right Wing
12.10.1992
Port au Prince, FRA
180
73
25 Jean Loup
Faustin
FRA
Centre Back
23.03.1995
Montpellier, FRA
185
85
Gerard
FRA
Goalkeeper
16.12.1986
Woippy, FRA
189
104
Paris, FRA
198
98
180
78
6 1
Vincent
10 Mathieu
Grebille
FRA
Left Wing
06.10.1991
C 14 Michael
Guigou
FRA
Centre Back
28.01.1982
Apt, FRA
15 Antoine
Jonnier
FRA
Line Player
18.08.1998
Libourne, FRA
23 Vid
Kavticnik
SLO
Right Wing
24.05.1984
Gradec, SLO
190
85
EGY
Line Player
01.04.1989
Cairo, EGY
193
100
89 Mohamed Mamdouh 18 Fredric
Pettersson
SWE Line Player
11.02.1989
Jรถnkรถping, SWE
201
115
98 Rubens
Pierre
FRA
Goalkeeper
14.05.1999
St.Hon., FRA
203
107
28 Valentin
Porte
FRA
Right Wing
07.09.1990
Versailles, FRA
190
92
Lyon, FRA
194
90
16 Nikola
Portner
SUI
Goalkeeper
19.11.1993
22 Melvyn
Richardson
FRA
Right Back
31.01.1997
Marseille, FRA
190
85
97 Maxime
Savonne
FRA
Goalkeeper
11.01.1997
Nimes , FRA
195
85
Simonet
ARG
Centre Back
26.12.1989
Buenos Aires, ARG
189
89
TUN
Left Back
17.01.1993
Nabeul, TUN
195
98
Jonas
Truchanovicius LTU
Left Back
24.06.1993
Siauliai, LTU
203
96
Giorgi
Tskhovrebadze GEO
Right Back
19.02.2001
GEO
Kyllian
Villeminot
Centre Back
20.05.1998
Lyon , FRA
189
82
4
Diego
39 Mohamed Soussi 7 5
FRA
69
Montpellier HB
Vincent Gerard goalkeeper • formed in Montpellier, he moved to Istres, Dunkerque, but returned in 2015 • will leave the club after the 2018/19 season to join Paris Saint-Germain • his exuberant celebrations have made of him a fan favourite • best goalkeeper of the WCh 2017 • France No. 1 goalkeeper after Thierry Omeyer’s international retirement EC trophies: CL 2018 OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2017, EURO B 2018
Michael Guigou left wing / centre back • player with the longest Montpellier history, currently in his 19th season with the club • has developed from a goal scorer to a playmaker in recent years as he is able to play as centre back as well • only player from CL-winning squad in 2003 who is still with the team • has suffered from various injuries in recent seasons EC trophies: CL 2003, 2018, OG : G 2008-12, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2018 WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2005
Jonas Truchanovicius left back • one of very few Lithuanian players to have appeared in the CL, and the first win it • arrived in 2016 and quickly adapted to Montpellier’s demanding style of play • at his best on left back position but can also play centre back • proved his potential in 2017/18 with outstanding performances against Barça and Flensburg-Handewitt EC trophies: CL 2018
Diego Simonet centre back
@chinosimonet
• played an instrumental role in Montpellier’s race to the CL 2017/18 title, becoming MVP of the FINAL4 • his two brothers, Sebastian and Pablo, are also professional handball players. Sebastian will also play in the CL this season, with Leon • suffered a knee injury which left him on the side line for eight months in 2016/17 • has been elected Argentinian Handball Player of the Year four times EC trophies: CL 2018
70
Montpellier HB
Fredric Pettersson line player • arrived in Montpellier in 2018, after playing for two seasons in Toulouse • impressive offensive player, who was the second best scorer at Toulouse • played CL before, with Swedish side IFK Kristianstad in 2015 and 2016 • part of upcoming strong Swedish generation, alongside Hampus Wanne, Mattias Zachrisson and Jesper Nielsen EURO: S 2018
Valentin Porte right back
@valhand28
• arrived in Montpellier in 2016, reached the CL Quarter-finals in his debut season and won the CL in his second year • played on the right wing until 2014 when then national team coach Claude Onesta placed him on the back court, with great success • rose to prominence during EHF EURO 2014, scoring 16 goals in semi-final and final • golf aficionado, having learned a lot from his teammates, like Barça goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas EC trophies: CL 2018 OG: S 2016; WCh: G 2015, 2017; EURO: G 2014, B 2018
Vid Kavticnik right back
@vidko
• one of few Montpellier players who also won CL with another club - Kiel in 2007 • former right wing, evolved into a right back who can also play in the middle of the attack if needed • only player remaining from the Slovenian era at Montpellier, when he played with the likes of Dragan Gajic and Jure Dolenec EC trophies: CL 2007, 2018 WCh: B 2017, EURO: S 2004
Melvyn Richardson right back
@melvyn_richardson
• son of Jackson Richardson, who won CL in 2001 with Portland San Antonio, 17 years before Melvyn would repeat the feat with Montpellier • at his best on the back court but also able to play on the wing, from where he once scored nine times in a French league game in 2017/18 • played for the first time with the French team in June 2017 EC trophies: CL 2018
71
IFK Kristianstad
GROUP A
Club Address
IFK Kristianstad Västra Storgatan 69 29154 Kristanstad Sweden Media contact
Sebastian Rosenberg +46 768 506651 sebastian.rosenberg@ifkkristianstad.se www.ifkkristianstad.se IFKKristianstad @IFKKristianstad @ifk1899
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: orange Player short: white GK shirt: red/yellow/ black/white
IFK Kristianstad A strong finish to the group phase last season earned IFK Kristianstad a berth for the Last 16 for the first time. Having won the Swedish championship for the fourth time in a row, and entering the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase for the fourth time, Kristianstad are trying to pull another surprise this year. But the team from former ‘Bengan Boy’ Ola Lindgren will have to compensate for several key players who have left. “It will be the toughest group phase so far. Vardar, Veszprém, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, Montpellier, Barcelona and Brest are all on the highest level,” team manager and former player Jesper Larsson says. “We will certainly try to surprise, but it is going to be hard. Our chance is to do something different, that the other teams not do… We have to get our seven new players into how we play and think, and that can take some time.” At home, in their Kristianstad Arena, they have always been a strong force. Larsson hopes the team will now also earn points regularly in away matches. “We are aiming to take some points away as well,” he says. “We have been close for a number of times, but this year it is about time for a couple of (big) points.” Each year, Kristianstad have to close gaps in their team from important players who have left for bigger clubs in bigger leagues. This season is no exception as they have to try to replace players like right back Albin Lagergren, right wing Tim Sørensen and playmaker Gunnar Steinn Jonsson, all internationals in their respective countries. “Once again we try to build a new team with hungry players who like to run,” team manager Larsson says. “We are optimistic about the season and it is going to be great to welcome clubs of that dignity again. The fans will surely come and again make it into an extraordinary happening.” The 23-year-old Spaniard Marc Canellas has joined IFK this summer from Granollers. He is the younger brother of Joan Canellas, and he will have to step out of his sibling’s shadow to help Kristianstad being successful in the Champions League again. Like Joan at Szeged, Marc Canellas is a playmaker, and his main tasks will be to organise Kristianstad’s attacking play and tie their new backcourt line together.
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: red/yellow/ black/white
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 4 Last 16 (1): 2017/18 Group Phase (3): 2015/16, 2016/17 Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2013/14 Swedish league: 8 titles (1941, 1948, 1952, 1953, 2015-18)
Playing hall Kristianstad Arena Västra Storgatan 69 S-29154 Kristianstad Sweden Capacity: 4,800
72
IFK Kristianstad
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
1 36 74
MATCH 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
21:30 (13:11) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (a), 06.03.2016 31:15 (14:8) v HC Vardar MKD MKD (a), 07.12.2017 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) 1 match (11.11.2017) 1 match (26.11.2017) 1 match (04.03.2018) 3 matches (11.11.2017 – 26.11.2017) 5 matches (23.09.2017 – 04.11.2017) 7 matches (14.11.2015 – 25.02.2016) 7 matches (12.03.2017 – 04.11.2017) 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 15 v HC Vardar MKD 31:15L (a), 07.12.2017 21 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 21:30W (a), 06.03.2016 46 v HC Vardar MKD 31:15L (a), 07.12.2017
VELUX EHF Champions League record 2015/16 IFK Kristianstad SWE 2016/17 IFK Kristianstad SWE 2017/18 IFK Kristianstad SWE Total
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS 14 3 1 10 409:437 –28 7:21 14 3 2 9 381:411 –30 8:20 16 3 2 11 401:468 –67 8:24 44 9 5 30 1191:1316 –125 23:65
73
Stage1994/95 7th Gr. B 8th Gr. B Last 16
IFK Kristianstad
Ola Lindgren coach • head coach in Kristianstad since 2012, celebrated his greatest triumph by leading them to their first Swedish 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, was in charge of the Sweden national team, together with Staffan Olsson, from 2008 to 2016 • was a great line player in his days on court, winning two World Championships and four European titles, among other medals, during the golden age of Swedish handball • with 376 matches for Sweden, he has the second most caps in the national team OG: S 1992, 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1990, 1999, S 1997, 2001, B 1993, 1995, EURO: G 1994, 1998, 2000
Newcomers: Alfred Ehn (IFK Skövde/SWE) Marc Canellas Reixach (Granollers/ESP) Teitur Einarsson (Selfoss/ICE) Anton Halén (Göppingen/GER) Adam Nyfjäll (Sönderjyske/DEN) Emil Hansson (Ystad/SWE) Ludvig Jurmala (Tyresö/SWE)
Left the club: Albin Lagergren (SC Magdeburg/GER) Tim Sörensen (Göppingen/GER) Gunnar Steinn Jonsson (Ribe/Esbjerg/DEN) Mario Lipovac (Ystad/SWE) Inge Aas Eriksen (Fyllingen/NOR)
74
IFK Kristianstad
Team roster Height Weight
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Arnarsson
ISL
Line Player
14.03.1996
Reykjavik, ISL
200
114
12 Gustaf
Banke
SWE
Goalkeeper
07.01.1999
Kristianstad, SWE
191
100
39 William
Bengtsson
SWE
Left Back
20.06.2000
Kristianstad, SWE
195
96
37 Zoran
Bozic
SWE
Centre Back
03.04.2001
Kristianstad, SWE
188
78
14 Marc
Cañellas
ESP
Centre Back
21.07.1995
St. Maria de Palaut., ESP 191
88
Chrintz
SWE
Right Wing
26.04.2000
Kristianstad, SWE
185
84 83
No. First Name 5
Arnar Freyr
26 Valter 40 Christian
Cosmo
SWE
Centre Back
25.05.1998
Kristianstad, SWE
182
21 Alfred
Ehn
SWE
Left Wing
22.10.1994
Lidköping, SWE
188
88
24 Teitur Örn
Einarsson
ISL
Right Back
23.09.1998
Selfoss, ISL
190
90
17 Helge
Freiman
SWE
Centre Back
26.02.1992
Lidingö, SWE
188
94
13 Olafur Andres
Gudmundsson ISL
Left Back
13.05.1990
Hafnarfjarðar, ISL
193
94
C 30 Anton
Halen
SWE
Right Wing
28.11.1990
Helgum, SWE
192
90
14 Viktor
Hallen
SWE
Left Wing
01.02.1994
Kungsholmen, SWE
189
86
Hansson
SWE
Centre Back
07.05.1995
Ystad, SWE
198
98
196
104
2 6
Emil Philip
Henningsson
SWE
Left Back
14.06.1995
Hörby, SWE
Jurmala
SWE
Line Player
29.12.1999
Tyreso, SWE
196
118
16 Richard Carl Johan Kappelin
SWE
Goalkeeper
30.09.1983
Irsta, SWE
191
98
11 Johannes
Larsson
SWE
Right Wing
09.08.1991
Kristianstad, SWE
183
76
Leo
Larsson
SWE
Goalkeeper
16.10.1990
Ystad, SWE
188
92
Mohlin
SWE
Left Back
30.11.2000
Kristianstad, SWE
199
89
Nilsen
NOR
Right Back
09.08.1994
Alta, NOR
193
91
Nilsson
SWE
Line Player
04.05.1998
Kristianstad, SWE
188
102
196
101
25 Ludvig
1
35 Evon 9
Stig Tore Moen
38 Marten 4
Adam
20 Anton 3
Hugo
Nyfjäll
SWE
Line Player
29.07.1992
Lysekil, SWE
Persson
SWE
Left Wing
05.06.1998
Kristianstad, SWE
183
85
Svensson
SWE
Left Back
12.06.2000
Kristianstad, SWE
193
94
75
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
Alfred Ehn left wing • joined IFK from another traditional Swedish club, IFK Skövde • was signed as a back-up for long-term injured Viktor Hallen • made his debut in Sweden’s national league team last season • a fast and flexible wing, who is good on fast breaks and capable of covering both the wing and left back in defence
Philip Henningson left back
@philiphenningsson6
• playing his fourth season in Kristianstad after joining from second tier club IFK Ystad in 2015 • had his breakthrough in CL Group Phase in the 2016/17 season • only 21 years old, and expected to have a great future in handball • mainly characterised by his shot and his physical strength EURO: S 2018
Marc Canellas centre back • joined IFK in the summer of 2018 from Spanish Fraikin BM. Granollers • signed as replacement for Icelandic international Gunnar Stein Jonsson, who has left for Danish Ribe Esbjerg • a tall and versatile playmaker with plenty of international experience
76
IFK Kristianstad
Arnar Freyr Arnarsson line player • joined in the summer of 2016 from Icelandic league club Fram Reykjavik • on a three-year contract with Kristianstad, his first foreign adventure • at two metres and 110 kg, 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 EHF EURO 2018 in Croatia
Adam Nyfjäll line player • arrived at IFK from Danish league club Sønderjyske in the summer of 2018 • moved abroad at the age of 18 for a career in Norwegian handball and later in Denmark • seen as a supplement for Arnar Freyr Arnarsson on the line and in the centre of the defence • physically strong with an outspoken winner mentality
Teitur Örn Einarsson right back • arrived from Icelandic club UMF Selfoss in the summer of 2018 as replacement for Swedish international Albin Lagergren • started his sports career in javelin • an explosive back with a strong shot, and has a lot of potential at just 19 years of age
Anton Halen right wing • joined IFK on a three-year contract from Göppingen in the summer of 2018 • was signed as replacement for Danish international Tim Sörensen • missed a lot of last season due to injury, but arrived completely fit at IFK • is good on fast breaks and has a rich variety of shots from his position at right wing
77
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
GROUP A
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 @rnloewen
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue GK shirt: red/blue
Rhein-Neckar Löwen The previous national and international season was like a roller coaster ride for Rhein-Neckar Löwen: First, they were eliminated in the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 for the fourth time in a row, then took the German Cup for the first time ever and finally let the Bundesliga trophy slip from their hands in the last four rounds of competition. In the new season – the last with Dane Nikolaj Jacobsen as coach – Löwen want more stability and hope to “survive” at least one more stage of the Champions League. In the previous four seasons, Rhein-Neckar Löwen always failed in the Last 16 – against Szeged, Zagreb, Kiel and, in the last season, Kielce. “ However, this season, it is even harder to make it to the Last 16, as Löwen will face the Champions League winners from 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, as well as three-time finalists Veszprém in the group phase. The squad seems to be strong enough to take on these opponents, but you never know the injury situation and the burden from the Bundesliga. “We are definitely not the favourites in our group, as teams such as Veszprém and Barcelona do not play in such strong domestic competitions – they are supposed to have more power when it counts,” says team captain Andy Schmid. As Hendrik Pekeler left for Kiel, Kristian Bliznac ended his career and Kim Ekdahl du Rietz joined Paris, Löwen’s Spanish defence boss Gedeon Guardiola will have some new neighbours in the new middle block. Physically, Serbian Ilija Abutovic (Champions League winner with Vardar in 2017) is the new Pekeler, but new Swede Jesper Nielsen is also expected to play a core role in defence. Both new arrivals are experienced enough to understand Löwen’s defensive system quickly. Therefore, the middle block might even be stronger than last season. Welcome back to where it all started – this is the situation for Steffen Fäth. The EHF EURO 2016 champion and Olympic bronze medallist’s first professional contract was with Rhein-Neckar Löwen at the age of 18. After only one year, he left for Gummersbach, then played for Wetzlar and Berlin, and now arrives in Mannheim as EHF Cup winner to play the first Champions League season in his career.
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red/white
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 10 Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 (4th at the FINAL4) Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14 Last 16 (4): 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Qualification (1): 2011/12 Other EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07 Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08
Playing hall SAP Arena An der Arena 1 68163 Mannheim Germany Capacity: 13,200
German league: 2 titles (2016, 2017) German cup: 1 title
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Rhein-Neckar Löwen
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
5 40 76
MATCHES
Longest losing run Longest run without win
40:25 (19:10) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 08.03.2009 24:39 (10:20) v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH (a), 18.10.2009 37:22 (19:11) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 10.10.2010 41:17 (21:8) v PGE Vive Kielce POL (a), 24.03.2018 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) 5 matches (12.11.2017 – 11.02.2018)
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
40 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 40:25W (h), 08.03.2009 41 v PGE Vive Kielce POL 41:17L (a), 24.03.2018 76 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 17 v PGE Vive Kielce POL 41:17L (a), 24.03.2018 17 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:17W (h), 17.10.2013 42 v HC Vardar MKD 21:21D (h), 26.11.2017
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2008/09 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
14
9
2
3
447:392
+55
20:8
1/2-finals
2009/10 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
14
9
2
3
450:408
+42
20:8
1/4-finals
2010/11 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
16
7
4
5
486:465
+21
18:14
Fourth Place
2013/14 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
14
9
2
3
422:369
+53
20:8
1/4-finals
2014/15 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
12
6
0
6
361:347
+14
12:12
Last 16
2015/16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
16
9
1
6
422:407
+15
19:13
Last 16
2016/17 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
16
9
1
6
441:446
-5
19:13
Last 16
2017/18 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER Total
16 6 5 5 463:468 -5 17:15 118 64 17 37 3492:3302 +190 145:91
Last 16
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Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Nikolaj Jacobsen coach • • • • •
joined Löwen in 2014 to replace Gudmundur Gudmundsson coached Viborg, Bjerringbro (both as an assistant) and Aalborg in the past, leading Aalborg to a surprising title and the CL in 2013 won six league titles and seven cup titles in Denmark and Germany during his playing career made history by steering Löwen to their first ever Bundesliga championship and successfully defended the title in 2016/17 will leave the club after the 2018/19 season to focus only on his job as Danish national team coach
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004 (as player) @zaubermaus55555
Newcomers: Jannik Kohlbacher (HSG Wetzlar/GER) Steffen Fäth (Füchse Berlin/GER) Ilija Abutovic (HC Vardar/MKD) Vladan Lipovina (TV Hüttenberg/GER) Jesper Nielsen (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Left the club: Kristian Bliznac (retired) Momir Rnic (tbd) Harald Reinkind (THW Kiel/GER) Hendrik Pekeler (THW Kiel/GER) Kim Ekdahl Du Rietz (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA) Rafael Baena (Bergischer HC/GER) Klaus Gärtner (coach Alpla Hard/AUT)
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Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Team roster Height Weight
No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
20 Ilija
Abutovic
SRB
Left Back
02.08.1988
Vrbas, SRB
202
100
16 Can
Adanir
GER
Goalkeeper
20.05.1999
Aschaffenburg, GER
192
95
Appelgren
SWE Goalkeeper
06.09.1989
Uddevalla, SWE
191
100
15 Leon
Bolius
GER
Left Wing
13.06.1995
10 Luca
Braun
GER
Right Back
22.06.1999
Dieburg, GER
198
94
23 Steffen
Fäth
GER
Left Back
04.04.1990
Frankfurt a.M., GER
194
90
77 Tim
Ganz
GER
Right Wing
03.06.1997
Kehl, GER
185
85
99 Niklas
Gierse
GER
Goalkeeper
15.01.2000
24 Patrick
Groetzki
GER
Right Wing
04.07.1989
Pforzheim, GER
189
84
30 Gedeon
Guardiola
ESP
Line Player
01.10.1984
Petrer, ESP
200
103
97 Rico
Keller
GER
Centre Back
30.07.1997
Heidelberg, GER
192
87
98 Maximilian
Kessler
GER
Left Wing
23.04.1998
Heidelberg, GER
194
85
34 Pascal
Kirchenbauer
GER
Centre Back
29.02.1996
Heidelberg, GER
187
90
80 Jannik
Kohlbacher
GER
Line Player
19.07.1995
Bensheim, GER
193
105
Lipovina
MNE Right Back
07.03.1993
Cetinje, MNE
198
94
185
95
1
5
Mikael
Vladan
Right Back
30.05.2000
Centre Back
12.08.1991
Holbæk, DEN
188
109
Right Wing
04.11.1999
Karlsruhe, GER
178
82
Nielsen
SWE Line Player
30.09.1989
Norrköping, SWE
200
118
12 Andreas
Palicka
SWE Goalkeeper
10.07.1986
N Nöbbelöv, SWE
189
88
32 Alexander
Petersson
ISL
Right Back
02.07.1980
Riga, LAT
188
89
14 Bogdan
Radivojevic
SRB
Right Wing
02.03.1993
Belgrade, SRB
192
80
Röller
GER
Line Player
24.01.1999
Ludwigshafen, GER
203
110
190
86
GER
35 Yessine
Meddeb
22 Mads
Mensah Larsen DEN
33 Mattes
Meyer
GER
36 Jesper
13 Lars C 2 Andre
Schmid
SUI
Centre Back
30.08.1983
Horgen, SUI
29 Martin
Schmiedt
SVK
Left Wing
26.10.2000
Kosice, SVK
186
79
6
Jannis
Schneibel
GER
Centre Back
06.07.2000
Ludwigshafen, GER
188
77
9
Gudjon Valur
Sigurdsson
ISL
Left Wing
08.08.1979
Reykjavik, ISL
187
82
28 Filip
Taleski
MKD Left Back
28.03.1996
Krusevo, MKD
200
86
17 Jerry
Tollbring
SWE Left Wing
13.09.1995
Norrtälje, SWE
182
82
21 Sebastian
Trost
GER
Centre Back
02.01.1998
Schwetzingen, GER
192
95
11 Lukas
Wichmann
GER
Line Player
20.03.2000
GER
200
115
81
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 • named best Bundesliga goalkeeper in the 2017/18 season EURO: S 2018
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson left wing
@gudjonvalur9
• returned to the club in 2016 after two seasons with Barça • also played for Tusem Essen, VfL Gummersbach, AG København and THW Kiel • all-time top scorer of the Icelandic national team, reached 500 CL goals in 2015/16 • his fifth trip to VELUX EHF FINAL4 brought him the CL title, with Barcelona in 2015
EC trophies: CL 2015, EHF Cup 2005 OG: S 2008, EURO B 2010
Steffen Fäth left back • was M18 EHF EURO champion and under-21 world champion • after playing for Wallau, Löwen and Gummersbach, he settled at Wetzlar in 2010 • after six years and becoming national team player, he joined Füchse Berlin in 2016 • returned to Löwen to replace Kim Ekdahl du Rietz • can either play on left back or centre back EC trophies: EHF Cup 2010, 2018 EHF EURO: G2016, OG B 2016
Andre Schmid centre back
@andyschmid2
• eight-time Swiss Player of the Year, and five straight seasons (2014-2018) named best player in the German Bundesliga • 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 • team captain since Uwe Gensheimer's departure to PSG in 2016 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
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Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Mads Mensah Larsen centre back • started international career at AG København, made it to FINAL4 in 2012 • became Danish champion with Aalborg when Nikolaj Jacobsen was their coach • followed Jacobsen to Löwen when the coach joined the club in 2014 • was M20 EHF EURO champion with Denmark • his father is from Ghana, his mother from Denmark OG: S 2016, WCh: S 2013, EURO: S 2014
Gedeon Guardiola Villaplana line player
@gedeonguardiola
• defence boss of Löwen as the successor of Oliver ‘The Rogg’ Roggisch • arrived in Mannheim in 2012 with twin brother Isaias, who moved to Aalborg in 2014 • played at Logrono and San Antonio before he joined Löwen • was a karateka in his younger days • when he scores for Löwen, fans in the whole arena shout ‘Ole!’ EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014, S 2016, G 2018
Alexander Petersson right back • born in Riga, Latvia, later became Icelandic citizen • made it to Germany in 2003, played for Düsseldorf, Großwallstadt, Flensburg and Berlin, before joining Löwen in 2012; has scored more than 1,500 Bundesliga goals • is supposed to share right back position with new arrival Vladan Lipovina • was an All-star Team member at the WCh 2011 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OS: S 2008, EURO B 2010
Patrick Groetzki right wing
@patrickgroetzki24 @patrickgroetzki
• born in Pforzheim, only a few kilometres away from Mannheim • came to Löwen straight after his youth career and became part of Germany’s younger age category national teams • MVP and silver medallist of M20 EHF EURO 2008, won Junior WCh 2009 • key player for national team, missed EHF EURO 2016 due to a broken leg OG: S 2012 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016
83
Group B preview
Group B preview FINALISTS NANTES GO FROM HUNTERS TO HUNTED There is no surprise effect anymore for the French side after their stunning last season, as they will face the likes of Paris SG and Flensburg-Handewitt in the 2018/19 campaign Just a few months after their semi-final in Cologne, HBC Nantes and Paris SaintGermain, two of the three French clubs at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018, will meet again in Europe’s top flight. Both teams have been drawn into VELUX EHF Champions League Group B. For the first time seeded in Groups A/B, Nantes did a lot better than expected as they became one of the surprise packages of the season. They remained undefeated at home while beating former champions Barça Lassa and HC Vardar, and they grabbed useful points away as well. Their third-place finish in the group and subsequent run to the final has warned future opponents. They will keep a close eye on Nantes from the start, so the surprise effect from last season might not be working anymore. PSG START NEW TITLE QUEST WITH NEW COACH For Paris, a similar surprise effect has never been really present. They made it to Cologne for the third season in a row, but they left the German city emptyhanded just as many times. The semi-final defeat against Nantes was a huge disappointment, but they will start another attempt with a former Champions League winner on the bench, coach Raul Gonzales. Nantes are not the only known opponents for Paris, as they will meet SG Flensburg-Handewitt for the fourth straight season. The German side have done well against PSG over the last couple of seasons, so their encounter will definitely be one of the highlights of the group. Flensburg-Handewitt are in a period of transition following the departure of key players like Mattias Andersson and Thomas Mogensen, though some notable names are replacing them. After they finished first of their group last season, Paris are arguably the biggest favourites to gain the direct ticket to the quarter-finals again, while Nantes and Flensburg could be the main contenders for second and third place. BATTLE FOR LAST 16 TICKETS COULD BECOME VERY TIGHT Otherwise, Group B looks pretty open, and the battle for the other three Last 16 tickers could become very tight. Among the eight teams in the group, five have reached the quarter-finals in the last two seasons: Flensburg, Paris and Nantes, but
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Group B preview
also Hungarian side Pick Szeged and surprise Danish newcomers Skjern HĂĽndbold last season, after defeating Telekom VeszprĂŠm in the Last 16. Pick Szeged underwent some major changes this summer. The arrival of Joan Canellas, Jorge Maqueda, Mirko Alilovic and Dean Bombac makes it one of the teams to look out for. If coach Juan Carlos Pastor can make all these players work flawlessly together on the court, Szeged will be a serious threat to many opponents this season. Skjern are dealing with fewer changes, but the Danish side must overcome the loss of their top goal scorer Markus Olsson, who moved to France. Joining fellow former Bundesliga legends Anders Eggert and Bjarte Myrhol, centre back Thomas Mogensen will now also wear the Skjern jersey after coming home from a decade at Flensburg-Handewitt. Eggert and Mogensen won the Champions League with Flensburg in 2014, and they will be looking forward to playing their former team in the group phase. If PSG, Nantes, Flensburg, Szeged and Skjern live up to their billing and advance from this group, there is just one more ticket to the Last 16 available. Motor Zaporozhye might be a good bet, despite their first appearance in the Groups A/B section. But they qualified for the Last 16 in 2015/16, and were knocked out in the play-offs by Montpellier the following year and by another strong opponent, Skjern, last season. The only Ukrainian side in the competition is a tough nut to crack. They were the only team in the past two seasons to hand Nantes a home defeat. Motor will face fierce competition for a knockout phase ticket, with Zagreb and Celje also in the mix. The Croatian team suffered a blow last season when they lost their final group match to IFK Kristianstad and missed out on the Last 16 for the first time since 2015. Celje are in the middle of a rebuilding process but remain a force to be reckoned with, especially in their home arena. The Slovenian side finished seventh last season and failed to make it past the group phase for the fourth straight season. Still, they impressed with a win in Kiel, another one at home against Kielce, and with breath-taking encounters against VeszprĂŠm and PSG. The 2004 champions might have a very young squad, but they can never be ruled out. Kevin Domas
85
Group B preview
Group B head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group B opponents in the EC Paris Saint-Germain HB vs MOL-Pick Szeged 1-1-0 (60:57) 3:1 23.04.2017 29.04.2017
MOL-Pick Szeged vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 27:30 (14:16) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 30:30 (16:17)
Paris Saint-Germain HB vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 5-0-3 (243:248) 10:6 15.10.2005 13.11.2005 19.09.2015 06.03.2016 16.10.2016 18.02.2017 30.09.2017 17.02.2018
SG Flensburg Handewitt vs Paris Handball, EHF Champions League – Group H 37:24 (17:13) Paris Handball vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Group H 33:31 (16:16) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 39:32 (21:16) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 35:32 (16:16) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 27:22 (13:11) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 33:34 (18:15) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 33:29 (13:14) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 29:21 (19:10)
Paris Saint-Germain HB vs Skjern Handbold No previous encounters in European competitions
Paris Saint-Germain HB vs HC PPD Zagreb 4-1-1 (170:145) 9:3 05.10.2014 09.12.2014 11.10.2015 10.02.2016 23.04.2016 01.05.2016
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC PPD Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC PPD Zagreb vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC PPD Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC PPD Zagreb vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC PPD Zagreb vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC PPD Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
27:22 (11:9) 25:24 (14:13) 34:23 ((18:8) 23:25 (10:15) 20:28 (13:16) 32:32 (16:13)
Paris Saint-Germain HB vs HC Motor Zaporozhye No previous encounters in European competitions
Paris Saint-Germain HB vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 4-0-2 (169:167) 8:4 09.11.1996 11.01.1997 18.10.2015 06.12.2015 08.10.2017 11.02.2018
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs PSG Asnières Hand-Ball, EHF Champions League – Group D 31:22 (11:10) PSG Asnières Hand-Ball vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group D 20:26 (11:13) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Cham-pions League – Group A 30:32 (15:16) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Cham-pions League – Group A 32:27 (17:12) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 32:27 (18:14) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 26:31 (13:17)
Paris Saint-Germain HB vs HBC Nantes 1-1-1 (89:85) 3:3 25.03.2017 01.04.2017 26.05.2018
HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 26:26 (15:14) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HBC Nantes, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 35:27 (15:13) HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final 32:28 (17:14)
MOL-Pick Szeged vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 0-0-2 (46:60) 0:4 26.03.2011 03.04.2011
Pick Szeged vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
MOL-Pick Szeged vs Skjern Handbold No previous encounters in European competitions
86
26:27 (12:9) 33:20 (18:8)
Group B preview
MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC PPD Zagreb 4-2-6 (321:318) 10:14 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 23.09.2017 24.02.2018
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 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
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) 23:28 (12:17) 30:28 (11:15)
MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC Motor Zaporozhye 2-0-0 (56:51) 4:0 28.09.2014 26.11.2014
MOL-Pick Szeged vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D HC Motor Zaporozhye vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
27:26 (13:11) 25:29 (12:16)
MOL-Pick Szeged vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 3-1-2 (151:145) 7:5 04.12.2004 12.12.2004 10.02.2008 08.03.2008 12.11.2016 03.12.2016
Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SC Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Last 16 SC Pick Szeged vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Last 16 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Pick Szeged, EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 4 Pick Szeged vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 4 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B MOL-Pick Szeged vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
23:23 (11:10) 20:21 (12:9) 35:30 (18:13) 20:19 (8:7) 25:31 (15:16) 27:22 (15:10)
MOL-Pick Szeged vs HBC Nantes 1-0-3 (107:121) 2:6 09.02.2014 23.03.2014 17.09.2017 11.11.2017
Pick Szeged vs HBC Nantes, EHF Cup – Group C HBC Nantes vs Pick Szeged, EHF Cup – Group C HBC Nantes vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A MOL-Pick Szeged vs HBC Nantes, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
28:27 (18:13) 31:23 (15:10) 30:26 (18:15) 30:33 (15:17)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Skjern Handbold No previous encounters in European competitions
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC PPD Zagreb 9-0-3 (344:319) 18:6 15.02.2004 22.02.2004 04.12.2005 10.12.2005 28.09.2006 05.11.2006 24.02.2008 16.03.2008 21.11.2010 28.11.2010 11.11.2015 21.11.2015
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs RK Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 30:27 (17:15) RK Zagreb vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 26:28 (13:12) RK Zagreb vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Last 16 25:23 (11:8) SG Flensburg Handewitt vs RK Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Last 16 28:24 (14:12) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs RK Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group D 35:28 (14:12) RK Zagreb vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Group D 21:23 (11:13) HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Main Round Gr 3 29:25 (12:15) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Main Round Gr 3 36:29 (16:15) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 32:29 (19:15) HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 31:26 (14:12) SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC PPD Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:27 (12:13) HC PPD Zagreb vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 23:30 (10:15)
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Group B preview
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC Motor Zaporozhye 1-0-1 (62:66) 2:2 17.03.2012 24.03.2012
HC ‘Motor-ZNTU-ZAS’ vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC ‘Motor-ZNTU-ZAS’, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final
30:39 (16:20) 27:32 (15:16)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 9-1-4 (428:402) 19:9 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 01.11.2017 26.11.2017
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group F Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Group F Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Final SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Final Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Last 16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, 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 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
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) 33:28 (16:15) 27:30 (14:16)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HBC Nantes No previous encounters in European competitions
Skjern Handbold vs HC PPD Zagreb 0-0-2 (43:55) 0:4 30.10.1999 28.11.1999
Skjern Handball vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group C Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Skjern Handball, EHF Champions League – Group C
24:33 (14:14) 22:19 (11:13)
Skjern Handbold vs HC Motor Zaporozhye 1-1-2 (125:125) 3:5 04.10.2015 06.12.2015 24.02.2018 04.03.2018
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Skjern Handbold, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 31:26 (15:13) Skjern Handbold vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 36:36 (17:19) HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Skjern Handbold, VELUX EHF Champions League – Elimination Round C+D 32:30 (19:14) Skjern Handbold vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Elimination Round C+D 33:26 (20:15)
Skjern Handbold vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko No previous encounters in European competitions
Skjern Handbold vs HBC Nantes 0-1-1 (54:60) 1:3 22.04.2018 29.04.2018
HBC Nantes vs Skjern Handbold, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final Skjern Handbold vs HBC Nantes, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final
88
33:27 (18:12) 27:27 (12:15)
Group B preview
HC PPD Zagreb vs HC Motor Zaporozhye 1-0-1 (63:58) 2:2 26.09.2013 08.02.2014
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 31:30 (18:15) HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 33:27 (16:16)
HC PPD Zagreb vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 10-1-7 (431:405) 21:15 27.09.1992 03.10.1992 11.11.1995 18.11.1995 04.01.1998 31.01.1998 22.03.1998 28.03.1998 26.11.2000 16.12.2000 21.02.2009 07.03.2009 21.09.2013 30.11.2013 26.09.2015 27.02.2016 24.09.2016 09.03.2017
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs RK Zagreb, Champions Cup – Qualification Round 2 18:17 (6:9) RK Zagreb vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, Champions Cup – Qualification Round 2 26:17 (13:7) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Croatia Banka Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 3 25:21 (11:9) Croatia Banka Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 3 25:20 (14:11) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group A 26:21 (13:8) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group A 26:22 (14:10) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Semi-final 27:20 (14:10) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Semi-final 25:24 (10:10) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group A 29:26 (12:12) Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Group A 22:22 (12:11) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Main Round Gr 2 22:25 (11:16) HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, EHF Champions League – Main Round Gr 2 31:18 (14:6) HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champi-ons League – Group A 24:21 (13:10) Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champi-ons League – Group A 26:20 (14:11) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC PPD Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 20:21 (10:9) HC PPD Zagreb vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 24:23 (8:9) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC PPD Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 30:28 (14:13) HC PPD Zagreb vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 23:21 (14:10)
HC PPD Zagreb vs HBC Nantes 1-0-1 (50:50) 2:2 19.11.2017 17.02.2018
HBC Nantes vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs HBC Nantes, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
28:27 (13:12) 23:22 (12:8)
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 0-0-2 (56:62) 0:4 17.10.2013 15.02.2014
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
29:32 (14:11) 30:27 (19:15)
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs HBC Nantes 1-1-0 (60:58) 3:1 22.09.2016 19.11.2016
HC Motor Zaporozhye vs HBC Nantes, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D HBC Nantes vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HBC Nantes No previous encounters in European competitions
89
26:26 (15:16) 32:34 (19:16)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
GROUP B
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: white Player short: white GK shirt: green
Paris SaintGermain Handball They made the trip to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in each of the past three seasons, but star-studded Paris Saint-Germain have yet to lift the trophy. After losing the final to Vardar in 2017, they stumbled over Nantes in the semi-final in 2018. Former THW Kiel coach Noka Serdarusic led Paris for three seasons. After reaching the summit with Vardar in 2017, Raul Gonzalez has now taken over. With so many stars on the team, will this change make any difference on the court? Gonzalez is a young coach, who was successful at Vardar with a team that contained a lot of well-known players, too. The first competitive matches might give an idea of any changes to PSG’s game. According to Martini, “our goal is to try to repeat our great performances of the 2017/18 season in the group phase and the quarter-final, where we were the best team with 13 wins in total. And we will compete to participate in our fourth consecutive FINAL4, a huge performance only Veszprém and Kiel were able to achieve.” PSG avoid other European powerhouses, such as Kielce, Veszprém or Barça Lassa, in the group phase. But Group B will not be a walk in the park for PSG, as they will have to travel to Flensburg, a place they’ve only succeeded once. And Nantes are their opponents again. “A team like Szeged is even stronger this year and I remember the outstanding atmosphere in their arena. With Skjern, who beat Veszprem in the Last 16, Zagreb and Zaporozhye, it is very far from easy in this group,” Martini says. After an eight-month break between June 2017 and March 2018, the Swedish left back Kim Ekdahl-Du Rietz rejoined German side Rhein-Neckar Löwen, and he proved he hadn’t lost one bit of his handball skills. Paris picked him as the player who should be able to make a difference on both sides of the court. Powerful and experienced, he will be the X factor for Paris this season.
Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: green
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 8 Runners-up (1): 2016/17 Semi-final (2): 2015/16, 2017/18 (3rd) Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 16 (1): 2005/06 Club Phase (1): 1996/97 Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2006/07, Last 16 2003/04
Playing hall Stade Pierre de Coubertin 82, Avenue Georges Lafond 75016 Paris France Capacity: 3,500
French league: 5 titles (2013, 2015-18) French cup: 4 titles League Cup: 2 titles Trophee des Champions: 3 titles
90
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
EHF Champions League club records
9 42 72
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
42:24 (22:10) v THW Kiel GER (h), 12.03.2017 44:28 (22:12) v THW Kiel GER (a), 10.12.2005 9 matches (08.10.2017 – 17.02.2018) 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
MP
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 2017/18 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 18 Total: 98
W
T
L
GF GA
1 4 7 8 14 15 14 63
0 1 1 1 1 2 1 7
5 3 6 5 3 3 3 28
131:161 –30 212:229 -17 429:402 +27 395:367 +28 557:496 +61 622:543 +79 550:498 +52 2896:2696 +200
91
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2:10 9:7 15:13 17:11 29:7 32:8 29:7 133:63
4th Gr. D Last 16 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Third Place Runner-up Third Place
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Raul Gonzalez Gutierrez coach • • • • • •
replacing Noka Serdarusic, who led PSG since 2015 former stalwart of BM Valladolid and a member of the Spanish national team started his coaching carrier at Atletico Madrid and Ciudad Real, working in a team with Talant Dujshebaev moved to Vardar in 2013/14, won the CL in 2017, and joined PSG in the summer of 2018 successor of Lino Cervar at the helm of the Macedonian national team voted as best coach in the CL 2016/17 All-star Team
EC trophies: CL 2017
Newcomers: Henrik Toft Hansen (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER) Viran Morros (FC Barcelona/ESP) Kim Ekdahl du Rietz (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER) Adama Keita (first contract) Dylan Nahi (first contract)
Left the club: Henrik Mollgaard (Aalborg/DEN) Jesper Nielsen (Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER) Jovo Damjanovic (Nis/SRB) Daniel Narcisse (retired) Zvonimir Serdarusic (retired)
92
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Team roster No. First Name Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Height Weight
19 Luc
Abalo
FRA
Right Wing
06.09.1984
Ivry, FRA
182
86
17 Adrien
Charlette
FRA
Back
10.03.1999
Saint-Pierre, FRA
183
84
42 Adrien
Chaudanson
FRA
Line Player
01.12.1998
Lyon, FRA
192
100
12 Rodrigo
Corrales Rodal
ESP
Goalkeeper
24.01.1991
Cangas, ESP
202
99
13 Louis
Despreaux
FRA
Right Back
22.02.1999
Mont Saint Aignan, FRA 194
76
21 Robin
Dourte
FRA
Line Player
30.06.1998
Thionville, FRA
206
118
Ekdahl du Rietz
SWE Left Back
23.07.1989
Lund, SWE
194
100
Gensheimer
GER
Left Wing
26.10.1986
Mannheim, GER
188
89
97 Andry
Goujon Bellevue
FRA
Left Back
02.09.1999
Courtry, FRA
193
80
24 Mikkel
Hansen
DEN
Left Back
22.10.1987
Helsingor, DEN
192
93
26 Gauthier
Ivah
FRA
Goalkeeper
06.01.1999
Saint-Denis, FRA
191
101
22 Luka
Karabatic
FRA
Line Player
19.04.1988
Strasbourg, FRA
202
108
44 Nikola
Karabatic
FRA
Centre Back
11.04.1984
Nis, SRB
196
104
Keita
FRA
Left Wing
05.06.1997
Paris, FRA
183
77
Kempf
FRA
Right Wing
20.03.1998
Mulhouse, FRA
179
80 78
60 Kim 3
9
Uwe
Adama
20 Edouard 11 Benoit
Kounkoud
FRA
Right Wing
19.02.1997
Versailles, FRA
188
23 Viran
Morros de Argila
ESP
Back
15.12.1983
Barcelona, ESP
199
99
99 Dylan
Nahi
FRA
Left Wing
30.11.1999
Paris, FRA
192
94
77 Sadou
Ntanzi
FRA
Centre Back
07.01.2000
Longjumeau, FRA
183
80
Omeyer
FRA
Goalkeeper
02.11.1976
Mulhouse, FRA
192
93
18 Nedim
Remili
FRA
Right Back
18.07.1995
Creteil, FRA
195
94
10 Sander
Sagosen
NOR Centre Back
14.09.1995
Stavanger, NOR
192
88
Schaff
FRA
01.05.1999
Sarrebourg, FRA
180
80 77
C 16 Thierry
6
Adrien
88 Loick
Right Wing
Spady
FRA
Goalkeeper
24.03.2000
Pointe à Pitre, FRA
187
Stepancic
CRO
Right Back
20.11.1990
Pula, CRO
203
105
15 Henrik
Toft Hansen
DEN
Line Player
18.12.1986
Skive, DEN
200
106
95 Kenny
Vermont
FRA
Left Wing
22.02.2001
Saint-Gratien, FRA
184
83
7
Luka
93
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
@thierryomeyer
Thierry Omeyer goalkeeper
@thierry_omeyer
• returned to Montpellier from Kiel for the 2013/14 season, then moved on to PSG the next season, and has announced his retirement for 2019 • MVP and best goalkeeper of the WCh 2015 in Qatar • IHF Player of the Year 2008, and All-star goalkeeper of 2008 and 2012 Olympics, EHF EURO 2006, and WCh 2011 and 2015 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
@uwegensheimer
• joined Paris in the summer of 2016 after playing for German side Rhein-Neckar Löwen for 13 seasons • finished the 2017/18 season as top goal scorer in both the French league and the CL • has been CL top scorer three times (2017/18, 2016/17 and 2010/11), and on all occasions his team booked a place at the FINAL4 in Cologne EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016
Mikkel Hansen left back
@mikkelhansen24
• IHF World Handball Player of the Year in 2011 and 2015; MVP at the 2016 Olympic Games and WCh 2013 • member of the All-star Team at the 2016 Olympic Games, the WCh 2011, the EURO 2012, 2014 and 2018, and the CL in 2014, 2015 and 2017 • top scorer of the CL in 2012 and 2016, as well as at the WCh 2011 • reached FINAL4 five times in his career: the past three seasons with PSG, and earlier with København (2012) and Barcelona (2010) OG: G 2016, EURO: G 2012, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013 @nkarabatic
Nikola Karabatic left back / centre back
@nikolakarabatic44
• 2007, 2014 and 2016 World Handball Player of the Year – one of just two players to win the award three times • one of the most complete players, with strengths in both attack and defence • won the CL with all his previous teams but has yet to do so with PSG, despite three trips to Cologne in the past three seasons with the French side 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, 2018
94
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Sander Sagosen centre back / left back • at 22, Sagosen has already won two major awards: best centre back at EHF EURO 2016 and All-star left back at WCh 2017 • flag waver for new Norwegian generation; key player in winning the nation’s historic first medal at a men’s handball event, at WCh 2017 • scouted by many top clubs before signing for Aalborg in 2014, then moved to Paris ahead of the 2017/18 season WCh: S 2017
@lukakarabatic
Luka Karabatic line player
@lkarabatic_off
• 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
OG: S 2016, EURO: G 2014, B 2018, WCh: G 2015, 2017
Nedim Remili right back • All-star right back at WCh 2017 • 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 WCh: G 2017, EURO: B 2018 @lucabalo19
Luc Abalo right wing
@lucabalo
• began his career in Ivry, then moved to Spain and Atletico Madrid, before becoming one of the first stars to join Paris in 2012 • played at the FINAL4 five times but has yet to lift the trophy in Cologne, though he won the CL under the previous format with Ciudad Real in 2009 • remains one of the best and spectacular players on his position at age 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, 2018, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2017
95
MOL-Pick Szeged
GROUP B
Club Address
MOL-Pick Szeged Deák Ferenc u. 28-30. 6720 Szeged Hungary Media contact
Levente Juhasz +36 70 543 0979
levente.juhasz@pickhandball.hu
www.pickhandball.hu pickszeged @pickhandball @pickhandball
Kit colours
MOL-Pick Szeged Last season MOL-Pick Szeged ended the winning streak of domestic rivals Telekom Veszprém HC, who had won the Hungarian championship for 10 straight years. The triumph in their national league has make Szeged hungry for success in Europe as well. They hope the time has come for their first ever trip to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. Continuity is a main asset of Szeged. They have a loyal fan base, which always supports the team like an eight player. The sale of season tickets is on the rise year after year. And the coaches, Juan Carlos Pastor and Marko Krivokapic, have extended their contracts until 2021, continuing the cooperation from the past five years. “In the new season we have to play better because not just Szeged will be stronger,” Pastor says. “The level we played on last year will not be enough for neither the Hungarian title nor the FINAL4.” After finishing fifth in a group that included Vardar, Barça and Nantes last season, Szeged are confident they will advance from their group again this time - but it will not be easy. “In the Champions League, there is no easy opponent,” coach Pastor says. “It is usual that the groups are compared to each other: which is stronger, which is weaker. But I believe that the top competition is not only about the group phase.” According to team captain Jonas Källmann, a strong start will be important: “Some teams we have already met in the past years, some teams will be new for us. But no matter the opponents, we have to make a good start, which will give us a base for the long season ahead.” The Croatian goalkeeper Mirko Alilovic joined the team this summer from main rivals Veszprém, so he is already familiar with the Hungarian league and he knows what it takes to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4. But first he will have to work on good communication and cooperation with the defensive line.
Light Player shirt: light blues/ white stripes Player short: dark blue GK shirt: white or yellow Dark Player shirt: dark blue with stripes or gold blue Player short: blue or gold blue GK shirt: black
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 17 Quarter-final (4): 1996/1997, 2003/2004, 2014/15, 2016/17 Last 16 (7): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13, 2015/16, 2017/18 Main Round (1): 2007/2008 Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Playing hall Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged Temesvari Krt.33 6726 Szeged Hungary Capacity: 3,200
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: 3 titles (1996, 2007, 2018) Hungarian cup: 6 titles
96
MOL-Pick Szeged
EHF Champions League club records
6 39 73
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest winning run
Longest losing run
GOALS
Longest run without win
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)
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
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 AHB 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
MATCHES
Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
VELUX EHF Champions League record 1994/95 1996/97 Pick Szeged HUN 2003/04 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2004/05 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2005/06 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2006/07 SC Pick Szeged HUN 2007/08 Pick Szeged HUN 2008/09 Pick Szeged HUN 2009/10 Pick Szeged HUN 2010/11 Pick Szeged HUN 2011/12 Pick Szeged HUN 2012/13 Pick Szeged HUN 2014/15 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 2015/16 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 2016/17 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 2017/18 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN Total
MP W T L 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 16 7 1 8 168 76 13 79
97
GF GA GD 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 +34 471:467 +4 4650:4644 +6
PTS 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 15:17 165:171
Stage 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Last 16 Last 16 Last 16 3rd MR Gr. 4 3rd Gr. H 5th Gr. A Last 16 5th Gr. D Last 16 1/4-finals Last 16 1/4-finals Last 16
MOL-Pick Szeged
Juan Carlos Pastor coach • • • •
one of the masterminds of contemporary handball, winning a lot of silverware during his career Szeged wanted him to rebuild their team in order to be able to challenge Veszprém for the Hungarian title, which they finally won again in 2018 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: Mirko Alilovic (Telekom Veszprém/HUN) Stanislav Kasparek (Balatonfüredi KSE/HUN) Nik Henigman (RD Riko Ribnica/SLO) Joan Canellas (HC Vardar/MKD) Jorge Maqueda (HC Vardar/MKD) Dean Bombac (PGE Vive Kielce/POL)
Left the club: Sergei Gorbok (HC Vardar/MKD) Stas Skube (HC Vardar/MKD) Szabolcs Zubai (Orosházi FKSE/HUN) Thiagus Petrus Goncalves Dos Santos (Barça Lassa/ESP) Ivan Srsen (HC PPD Zagreb/CRO) José Manuel Sierra Mendez (Saran/FRA) Márk Hegedüs (Eger SBS Eszterházy/HUN) Bálint Fekete (Naturhouse La Rioja, on loan/ESP)
98
MOL-Pick Szeged
Team roster No. 32 39 19 27 21 9 44 14 87 22 15 C 8 37 3 5 1 52 26 16 10 24 18 97 77 98 89
First Name Mirko Bruno Zsolt Bence Alen Richard Dean Joan Richard Matej Nik Jonas Stanislav Marcell Jorge Barnabas Martin Pedro Marin Stefan Rafn Mario Stefan Zoltan Martin Jozsef Jozsef Dmitry
Surname Alilovic Bajusz Balogh Banhidi Blazevic Bodo Bombac Cañellas Csanyi Gaber Henigman Källman Kasparek Lörincz Maqueda Marczika Nagy Rodriguez Sego Sigurmannsson Sostaric Sunajko Szilagyi Tökes Toth Zhitnikov
Nat. CRO HUN HUN HUN CRO HUN SLO ESP HUN SLO SLO SWE CZE HUN ESP HUN HUN ESP CRO ISL SLO SRB HUN HUN HUN RUS
Position Goalkeeper Left Wing Right Back Line Player Line Player Left Back Centre Back Centre Back Centre Back Line Player Left Back Left Wing Right Back Line Player Right Back Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Right Wing Goalkeeper Left Wing Right Wing Left Wing Right Wing Line Player Line Player Left Back
99
Date of birth 15.09.1985 25.05.2001 29.03.1989 09.02.1995 29.03.1986 13.03.1993 04.04.1989 30.09.1986 09.04.1999 22.07.1991 04.12.1995 17.07.1981 11.06.1996 18.10.2001 06.02.1988 09.05.2001 09.01.1999 22.08.1990 02.08.1985 19.05.1990 25.11.1992 10.04.1998 24.02.1998 24.08.2000 23.06.1999 20.11.1989
Place of birth Ljubuski, BIH Szeged, HUN Orosháza, HUN Györ, HUN Nasice, CRO Mateszalka, HUN Koper, SLO St. Maria de Palau, ESP Szeged, HUN Kranj, SLO Ljubljana, SLO Växjö, SWE Prerov, CZE Gyöngyös, HUN Toledo, ESP Szeged, HUN Szeged, HUN Vigo, ESP Mostar, BIH Hafnarfjördur, ISL Slovenj Gradec, SLO Zombor, SRB Makó, HUN Békéscsaba, HUN Szeged, HUN Zvolen, SVK
Height 200 193 190 207 201 205 189 198 186 198 200 200 202 188 197 186 204 193 194 198 193 193 180 189 195 195
Weight 110 78 97 126 115 118 91 105 85 119 103 95 101 86 105 84 92 90 97 98 93 83 76 77 110 98
MOL-Pick Szeged
Mirko Alilovic goalkeeper •
arrived in the summer of 2018 from the biggest national rival, Veszprém
•
like his predecessor, Dejan Peric, he is one of the outstanding goalkeepers who can inspire teammates and fans alike
•
Croatian national team member, who will be fighting to become first-choice keeper at Szeged with Marin Sego
OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, 2016, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
Jonas Källman left wing
@jonas_kallman
• 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 variations and Szeged’s attacking edge • spent more than a decade in Spain with Ciudad Real and Atlético Madrid before returning home (IFK Skövde) and ultimately signing with Pick • the Swede is one of the survivors of the many changes in the Szeged locker-room EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012
Dmitry Zhitnikov centre back • comes from Krasnodar, where his first coach at the local school was his father • a talented player at age 16, he was invited to Chekhov where he played five seasons in the reserve team before enjoying his breakthrough • member of the Russian national team, who joined Szeged in the summer of 2017 after two seasons with Plock EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012
Matej Gaber line player • signed by Szeged at the start of 2016/17, and has since justified his ‘hard- defending’ reputation • is a regular in the Slovenian national team, having represented his country for more than 100 times • previously played for Montpellier, where he gained considerable CL experience WCh: B 2017
100
MOL-Pick Szeged
Bence Banhidi line player •
only started playing handball at age 14, as a backcourt player at his local club Györ
•
named junior handball player of the year in Hungary in 2015, a year after his debut in the national team at age 18
•
enjoying a good spell of form since 2016/17, sharing playing time at the line player position with Slovenian defensive specialist Matej Gaber
Jorge Maqueda right back • arrived in Szeged at the beginning of the 2018/19 season • previously played for Barça, Alcobendas, Aragon, Nantes, and Vardar, the team he won the CL with in 2017 • world-class defender, who was part of the inaugural EHF Cup Finals 2013 in Nantes, finishing runners-up to the hosting team EC trophies: CL 2017 EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2013, B 2011
Zsolt Balogh right back • joined Szeged from Braun Gyöngyös in 2012, and won the EHF Cup two years later • not the tallest backcourt player in the CL but he has outstanding dribbling skills and a sharp eye for passing • one of few Szeged players from the 2015/16 squad who are still with the team
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014
Mario Sostaric right wing • joined Szeged from Velenje in 2017 on personal request by coach Pastor, and scored 23 goals in his first season in Hungary • sharing the time on court with Pedro Rodriguez Alvarez • facing stiff competition from Gajic and Marguc on his position in the national Slovenian team • voted to the All-star Teams of EURO 2011 and WCh 2012 on junior level
101
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
GROUP B
Club Address
SG Flensburg-Handewitt Schiffbrücke 66 24939 Flensburg Germany Media contact
Isabel Hofmann +49 4611609625 i.hofmann@ sg-flensburg-handewitt.de sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
SGFleHa @SGFleHa @sgflensburghandewitt
Kit colours
SG FlensburgHandewitt
For the 14th time, VELUX EHF Champions League 2013/14 winners SG FlensburgHandewitt are part of the group phase. For the second time, after 2004, they start as German champions – but the upcoming season will be extremely tough, as the team is under construction. Both goalkeepers have gone, both playmakers have left, the defence star said farewell: SG Flensburg-Handewitt have the biggest transition of recent years ahead. The prolific goalkeeping duo Mattias Andersson (end of career) and Kevin Möller (transferred to Barcelona) were replaced by Torbjørn Bergerud and Benjamin Buric. Kentin Mahe followed his former coach Ljubomir Vranjes to Veszprém, while Henrik Toft Hansen joined PSG and Thomas Mogensen returned to Denmark. In addition, club legend Jacob Heinl, who had played for SG for more than 20 years, ended his stint. Most of the new arrivals are young and lack international experience. The middle block will have a new composition and the structure in the back court will also change. It will be huge task for young coach Maik Machulla. “Our young newcomers have great potential for the future, but we have to be patient,” says manager Dierk Schmäschke. And it is already clear that the transition will continue, as team captain Tobias Karlsson will play his last season and Rasmus Lauge will join Veszprém in 2019. One of the new faces in the team is Torbjørn Bergerud. He came to prominence during the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland, and at the World Championship 2017 in France he became a top star of the Norway team, steering his side to the final and the silver medal. Many clubs tried to sign Bergerud, but Flensburg’s Scandinavian contacts were ultimately the reason for his arrival. At Flensburg, Bergerud is supposed to fill the huge shoes of Mattias Andersson. After playing for Holstebro, he is now in one of Europe’s top clubs – and is eager to prove that his signing was the right solution for both sides.
Light Player shirt: white Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow
Past achievements EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 14 Winners (1): 2013/14 Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 Quarter-final (7): 2004/2005, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 Last 16 (1): 2014/15 Main Round (1): 2007/2008
Dark Player shirt: grey Player short: grey GK shirt: red
Playing hall Flens Arena Campusallee 2 24943 Flensburg Germany Capacity: 6,300
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 2011/2012 EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 City Cup: Winners 1998/1999 German league: 2 titles (2004, 2018) German cup: 4 titles
102
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 run without win
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)
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
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 17 v Montpellier HB FRA 29:17L (a), 29.04.2018 18 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 40 v THW Kiel GER 20:20D (a), 15.10.2017
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run
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 2017/18 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER Total
MP 14 10 12 14 12 12 14 14 16 12 18 18 18 184
W T 10 1 7 1 7 0 8 1 4 2 8 0 11 0 9 3 12 1 6 0 12 1 9 1 9 5 112 16
103
L 3 2 5 5 6 4 3 2 3 6 5 8 4 56
GF GA GD 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 +9 508:494 +14 5468:5065 +403
PTS 21:7 15:5 14:10 17:11 10:14 16:8 22:6 21:7 25:7 12:12 25:11 19:17 23:13 240:128
Stage1994/95 Runner-up 1/4-finals 1/2-finals Runner-up 4th MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Winner Last 16 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Maik Machulla coach • took over from Ljubomir Vranjes in 2017, who left Flensburg after 11 years, and won German cup in his first season • was 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: Benjamin Burić (SG Wetzlar/GER) Torbjørn Bergerud (TTH Holstebro/DEN) Johannes Golla (MT Melsungen/GER) Simon Hald (Aalborg Håndbold/DEN) Magnus Jøndal (GOG Håndbold/DEN) Gøran Søgard Johanessen (GOG Håndbold/DEN)
Left the club: Thomas Mogensen (Skjern Handbold/DEN) Jacob Heinl (Ribe-Esbjerg/DEN) Mattias Andersson (retired) Kentin Mahé (Telekom Veszprém/HUN) Kevin Møller (FC Barcelona/ESP) Henrik Toft Hansen (Paris Saint-Germain HB/FRA)
104
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Team roster Height Weight
No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
27 Dani
Baijens
NED
Centre Back
05.05.1998
Rotterdam, NED
182
90
NOR
Goalkeeper
16.07.1994
Drammen, NOR
197
90
Bult
NED
Right Back
07.09.1982
Emmen, NED
200
101
BIH
Goalkeeper
20.11.1990
Maglaj, BIH
197
97
30 Torbjoern Sittrup Bergerud 31 Mark 1
Benjamin
Buric
9
Holger
Glandorf
GER
Right Back
30.03.1983
Osnabrück, GER
195
92
4
Johannes
Golla
GER
Line Player
05.11.1997
Wiesbaden, GER
195
98
Gottfridsson
SWE
Centre Back
02.09.1992
Ystad, SWE
190
95
Hald Jensen
DEN
Line Player
28.09.1994
Aalborg, DEN
203
114
17 Simon
Jeppsson
SWE
Left Back
15.07.1995
Lund, SWE
203
104
16 Johannes
Jepsen
GER
Goalkeeper
21.01.2000
Flensburg, GER
200
90
18 Magnus
Joendal
NOR
Left Wing
07.02.1988
Ski, NOR
187
83
NOR
Centre Back
26.04.1994
Stavanger, NOR
192
92
SWE
Line Player
04.06.1981
Karlskrona, SWE
196
102
24 Jim 5
Simon
23 Goeran Soegaard Johannessen C 3
Tobias
Karlsson
25 Rasmus
Lauge Schmidt DEN
Left Back
20.06.1991
Randers, DEN
193
96
34 Jörn
Persson
GER
Centre Back
31.10.2000
Flensburg, GER
183
83
77 Magnus Abelvik
Röd
NOR
Right Back
07.07.1997
Oslo, NOR
202
92
19 Marius
Steinhauser
GER
Right Wing
06.02.1993
Karlsruhe, GER
187
85
11 Lasse
Svan
DEN
Right Wing
31.08.1983
Stevns, DEN
184
84
14 Hampus
Wanne
SWE
Centre Back
10.12.1993
Lundby, SWE
185
84
22 Anders
Zachariassen
DEN
Line Player
04.09.1991
Sonderborg, DEN
192
96
105
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Torbjörn Bergerud goalkeeper • is the successor of legendary Mattias Andersson, who ended his career • had breakthrough at EHF EURO 2016 in Poland, where Norway reached semi-finals • with Sander Sagosen best Norwegian at WCh 2017 • played in Drammen (NOR), Lund (SWE) and Holstebro (DEN) before joining Flensburg • forms new duo with Bosnia’s Benjamin Buric, who has arrived from Wetzlar WCh: S 2017
Hampus Wanne left wing • scored the last penalty in the CL semi-final against Barcelona in 2014 • girlfriend Daniela Gustin is a Swedish national team player, who moved from Randers to Germany (Bietigheim) for the 2018/19 season • 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 EURO: S 2018
Rasmus Lauge Schmidt left back
@rasmuslauge25
• played for Bjerringbro, moved to Germany in 2013 and joined Kiel for two seasons • lost the CL Final 2014 with Kiel against his future club, Flensburg-Handewitt • was named best Flensburg player in 2015/16 after coming back from torn ACLs twice • missed 2016 Rio Olympics, where Denmark won gold, due to another knee injury • will join Veszprém after in 2019, will be reunited with former SG coach Vranjes WCh S 2013, EURO G 2012
Jim Gottfridsson centre back • comes from Ystad, like many other Swedish handball stars • played for Ystad from the age of 8 until his 2013 transfer to Flensburg at age 21 • was key player for SG in CL semi-final and final when they won the trophy in 2014 • was top scorer of under-19 WCh 2012 and MVP of EHF EURO 2018 in Croatia
EC trophies: CL 2014 EURO: S 2018
106
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Johannes Golla line player • one of the biggest German talents, who shall replace Henrik Toft Hansen (PSG) • will form the team’s middle block with Tobias Karlsson • arrived from MT Melsungen, where he became junior national team player • his sister, Pauline, was European under-17 champion with Germany in 2017
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, who will retire from handball after the 2018/19 season • Swedish champion three times with Hammarby IF, retired from the national team just before the 2016/17 season • founded an insurance company with some former players in Sweden EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012
Holger Glandorf right back • left-handed shooter, the last remaining world champion from 2007 in SG squad • despite some injury breaks, always returned to a high level of performance • has won the full set of three major European Cup competitions titles, with Nordhorn and Flensburg • in August 2014, he retired from the German national team to fully focus on his club EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2008, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: G 2007
Lasse Svan right wing
@lassesvan
• one of the fastest wing players in CL with a high scoring efficiency • second best Danish scorer during golden campaign at Rio Olympics 2016 • specialist for motivation and relaxing – as his business is mental coaching • after four seasons at GOG Svendborg he moved to Flensburg in 2008 • was also a billiards 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
107
Skjern Handbold
GROUP B
Club Address
Skjern Handbold Ranunkelvej 9 6900 Skjern Denmark Media contact
Henning Kjaergaard Christensen
+45 20 669374 henning@skjernhaandbold.dk
skjernhaandbold.dk skjernhaandbold @skjernHaandbold @skjernhaandboldofficiel
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: green GK shirt: light blue
Skjern Handbold Becoming the first Danish team in six years to reach the quarter-final of the VELUX EHF Champions League was just one of the highlights of Skjern Håndbold’s extremely successful 2017/18 season. They also won the Danish championship for the first time since their maiden top flight title in 1998/99. The taste of success has left the club from the far west of Denmark hungry for more. But they will never lose their modesty, which is so typical for people from the Jutland peninsula. Having been moved from Groups C/D to A/B may not necessarily be an advantage to Skjern, which will likely have to finish fifth or better in Group B to have a fair chance in the Last 16. Another upset like last season, when they sent mighty Veszprém out, is probably too much to expect from this village team. “Our goal is to proceed from the group phase,” says head coach Ole Nørgaard. “We see a group with clubs from different countries and different handball philosophies, physically strong players, and we will be challenged on this point.” The coach is well aware of the importance of his team having qualified for the Champions League once again. “For Skjern Handball as a club it is important to join the European Cups, and being a part of the Champions League family is a privilege. It attracts players, sponsors, and makes our municipality proud,” Nørgaard says. Despite the departure of top scorer Markus Olsson, the team appear a bit stronger with a deeper squad. In goal, experienced Bjørgvin Pal Gustavsson of Iceland is supplementing one of Denmark´s greatest goalkeeping talents, Emil Nielsen. Also, Thomas Mogensen, joining from German champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt, adds further experience to an already experienced team. Finally, talented Sebastian Augustinussen from Kolding looks like the perfect replacement to René Rasmussen on the right wing. The main replacements for Olsson will be Slovenian international Jan Grebenc, who has joined from Gorenje Velenje, and Swedish player Jonathan Stenbäcken. Also, Thomas Mogensen, who is mainly seen in the role as playmaker, is also an option on the left back position in attack. With a recently added German Bundesliga title on his CV, Mogensen has so far shown no signs of being in the autumn of his career. Even just Mogensen’s enormous amount of experience should be of huge value to his new team. Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: green Player short: black GK shirt: red
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 4 Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Group Phase (2): 1999/2000, 2015/16 Other Challenge Cup: Winners 2001/02, 2002/03
Playing hall Skjern Bank Arena,Skjern Ranunkelvej 1 6900 Skjern Denmark Capacity: 2,400
EHF Cup: Semi-final 2006/07, 2014/15 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2005/06 Danish league: 1 title (1999) Danish cup: 2001 Super-Cup winner
108
Skjern Handball
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
5 39 72
MATCHES Longest winning run
Longest losing run Longest run without win
GOALS Most goals
35:20 (18:19) v Rk Gorenje Velenje SLO (h), 03.12.2017 34:24 (18:11) v SC Magdeburg GER (a), 20.12.2003 5 matches (05.11.2017 – 03.12.2017) 5 matches (15.11.2015 – 28.02.2016) 5 matches (05.11.2017 – 03.12.2017) 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) 3 matches (31.03.2018 – 29.04.2018)
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
39 v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 39:28W (h), 17.09.2017 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
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
1999/00 Skjern Handball DEN
6
1
0
5
134:150
–16
2:10
4th Gr. C
2003/04 Skjern Handball DEN
8
3
1
4
205:212
-7
7:9
Last 16
2015/16 Skjern Handbold DEN
12
6
3
3
347:329
+18
15:9
Elimination C+D
2017/18 Skjern Handbold DEN Total
16 42
10 1 20 5
5 17
504:429 +75 1190:1120 +70
21:11 45:39
1/4-finals
109
Skjern Handbold
Ole Norgaard coach •
joined Skjern in the summer of 2012, debuting as the coach of a senior team
•
was previously head of development of talents for the Danish Handball Federation
•
led Skjern to third place in the Danish league and a ticket for the EHF Cup in his first season in charge
•
a calm and analytical coach who is good at making his players understand his plans and ideas
Newcomers: Sebastian Augustinussen (KIF Kolding København/DEN) Benjamin Jakobsen (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg/DEN) Bjørgvin Pal Gustavsson (Haukar/ICE) Jan Grebenc (Rk Gorenje Velenje/SLO) Thomas Mogensen (SG Flensburg-Handewitt/GER)
Left the club: Markus Olsson (Fenix Toulouse/FRA) Mads Houmøller (IFK Ystad/SWE) Cornelius Krag (Skanderborg Håndbold/DEN) Tibor Ivanisevic (HSG Wetzlar/GER)
110
Skjern Handball
Team roster Date of birth Place of birth
No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
35 Mathias Tang
Andersen
DEN
Centre Back 13.11.1996
41 Jeppe Haahr
Anneberg
DEN
Left Back
22 Sebastian
Augustinussen DEN
19 Bjarke Fredsted
Christensen
DEN
Left Wing
Eggert
DEN
Grebenc
12 Björgvin Pall 34 Kristian
7
Anders
13 Jan
Height Weight
Ringkøbing-Skjern, DEN 185
85
Varde, DEN
194
105
Kolding, DEN
192
93
26.01.1992
Ringkøbing-Skjern, DEN 190
88
Left Wing
14.05.1982
Aarhus, DEN
179
77
SLO
Left Back
18.08.1992
Ljubljana, SLO
194
94
Gustavsson
ISL
Goalkeeper 24.05.1985
Hvammstangi, ISL
190
90
Hindo
DEN
Right Wing 04.05.1998
Ringkøbing-Skjern, DEN 186
82
03.02.1998
Right Wing 06.05.1996
Jakobsen
DEN
Line Player 09.09.1991
Skanderborg, DEN
191
95
20 Mathias Gliese
Jensen
DEN
Right Wing 05.03.1997
Lemvig, DEN
190
84
10 Jesper
Konradsson
SWE
Centre Back 04.06.1994
Göteborg, SWE
184
84
Konradsson
ISL
Back
08.06.1990
Reykjavik, ISL
194
98
Lemvig, DEN
190
107
Odder, DEN
187
100
Oslo, NOR
192
96
3
Benjamin
6
Tandri Már
9
Christoffer Cichosz Mikkelsen
DEN
Line Player 17.01.1988
2
Thomas
Mogensen
DEN
Back
Myrhol
NOR
Line Player 29.05.1982
32 Nicolai Hedegaard Nielsen
DEN
Back
10.05.1999
billund, DEN
188
88
C 18 Bjarte Hakon
30.01.1983
Nielsen
DEN
Goalkeeper 10.03.1997
Aarhus, DEN
195
120
31 Tobias
Rasmussen
DEN
Right Wing 28.03.1999
Fredensborg, DEN
197
86
30 Kasper Thorsted
Rasmussen
DEN
Goalkeeper 21.01.1997
Silkeborg, DEN
187
86
21 Rene Toft Brølling Rasmussen
DEN
Right Wing 29.08.1989
Ringkobing-Skjern, DEN 176
83
22 Kasper
Søndergaard
DEN
Right Back
09.06.1981
Skive, DEN
192
95
11 Jonathan
Stenbäcken
SWE
Left Back
07.01.1988
Vårgårda, SWE
195
105
25 Eivind
Tangen
NOR
Right Back
04.05.1993
Bergen, NOR
195
99
40 Sebastian Skov
Uhrenholt
DEN
Goalkeeper 04.10.1997
Esbjerg, DEN
182
78
1
Emil
111
Skjern Handbold
Emil Nielsen goalkeeper • joined in the summer of 2017 from fellow Danish side Aarhus Håndbold • was sidelined for around a year due to meningitis, but returned to full strength and had a significant impact during the 2017/18 season • despite only being 21 years old, has been seen as one of Denmark’s greatest goalkeeping talents for several years • was a highly qualified supplement to Tibor Ivanisevic - who departed for the Bundesliga - and is expected to play an important role this season
Anders Eggert left wing
@aeggert7
• joined in the summer of 2017 from SG Flensburg-Handewitt • top scorer of German Bundesliga in 2011 (248 goals) and WCh in 2013 (55 goals) • started his career at Braband and played 10 seasons with Flensburg • famous for having one of the highest success rates in the CL on penalty throws EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2008, 2012, S 2014
Jan Grebenc left back • transferred to Skjern from Slovenian side Rk Gorenje Velenje in the summer of 2018 • played CL with Velenje and is an international for Slovenia, was part of the team that earned bronze at the WCh 2017 in France • his shot and speed are his main assets on the court WCh: B 2017
Thomas Mogensen centre back • joined Skjern in 2018 after 11 years with German side SG-Flensburg Handewitt • experienced Danish playmaker with more than 1,000 goals for Flensburg and a big collection of silverware • previously played for Viborg and GOG, and won Danish league and cup twice • to focus only on club handball, he quit the national team after EHF EURO 2014 EC trophies: CL 2014; Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013; EURO: G 2012, S 2014
112
Skjern Handball
Christoffer Cichosz Mikkelsen line player •
joined Skjern from Danish league rivals Mors Thy Håndbold in 2017
•
hampered by injury in the first part of his first season with Skjern but reached full strength before the end of that year
•
a strong and versatile line player and defender, serving as an excellent supplement to first-choice line player Bjarte Myrhol
@bjartemyrhol
Bjarte Myrhol line player • joined Skjern in the summer of 2015 from Rhein-Neckar Löwen
• diagnosed with cancer in August 2011, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy • always willing to fight, he returned to the court only 10 weeks after his surgery • as captain and All-star Team line player, led Norway to their first ever international medal: silver at the World Championship 2017
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008, 2013 WCh: S 2017
Kasper Sondergaard right back • joined Skjern from KIF Kolding in 2011 • at 36, most experts still consider him the best attacking right back in Danish handball • his precise and varied left-hand shot, as well as his ability to break through the opponents’ defence, are his main weapons • made a comeback to the national team after a one-year hiatus, in time to win the historic gold medal with Denmark at the Olympic Games EURO: G 2008, 2012; OG G 2016; WCh: S 2011, 2013
Sebastian Augustinussen right wing • joined Skjern from KIF Kolding in the summer of 2018 as replacement for long-term injured Rene Rasmussen • was part of the Denmark team at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2016 as well as the silver- medal winning Under-21 side at the World Championship one year later • has CL experience from his time with KIF Kolding Kobenhavn • a fast and technically skilled wing, who can also play right back, and who is equally strong at both ends of the court
113
HC PPD Zagreb
GROUP B
Club Address
HC PPD Zagreb Veprinacka 16 10000 Zagreb Croatia Media contact
Goran Roknić +385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr www.rk-zagreb.hr RKZagreb @RKZagreb @rkzagreb_official
Kit colours
HC PPD Zagreb Last season they were in the similar position and, for the first time in four years, failed to qualify for the Last 16. This year, the goal is again the same: reach the Last 16 under the guidance of experienced Lino Cervar, who will lead this young team into Zagreb’s 25th EHF Champions League season. The club had the same wish last year, but the team could not achieve the goal and reach the Last 16. They won six points and finished at the bottom of Group A. Arena Zagreb was not the strong fortress it had been in previous seasons. However, new sports director and former player Josip Valcic hopes that his team can restore the power of the home arena. “Our goal is to try to win every much in Arena Zagreb and hopefully to put on some good performances playing away. I think that should be enough to achieve our goal.” Experienced players like Igor Vori, Josip and Tonci Valcic have retired. Now all the experience lies in captain Zlatko Horvat and Damir Bicanic. It is up to Lino Cervar to combine a few experienced players with the youngsters, who have never played such big roles in the club. Captain Zlatko Horvat thinks his team are ready for the challenge: “We have a young but well-balanced team and I believe that this season is going to be good for us.” The biggest name Zagreb signed for the new season is former Nantes line player Senjamin Buric. He will have a tough task in replacing Igor Vori, but what he was showing in Nantes before an ACL injury last season says that Zagreb will have an excellent line player. Buric is an experienced Bosnian international who has played for Izvidac, Gorenje and Nantes. He was not in the squad at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 due to the injury but was there to support his team and share in the amazing result. One of the reasons Buric returned to Zagreb is his wife Sonja Basic, former Croatian international, who recently gave birth.
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 25 Runners-up (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 (7): 1993/94, 1995/96, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2017/18
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow
Playing hall Arena Zagreb Laniste b.b., 10000 Zagreb Croatia Capacity: 15,200
Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: Runners-up 2004/05, Semi-finals 2006/07 (IHF) European Champions Cup: 2 titles (1991/92, 1992/93) SEHA League: 1 title (2013) Croatian league: 27 titles (1992-2018) Croatian Cup winner: 25 times
114
HC PPD Zagreb
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
11 38 69
MATCHES Longest run without win
GOALS
Longest losing run Longest run without win
34:15 (16:8) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 04.12.2010 43:21 (23:10) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 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) 11 matches (25.03.2017 – 23.11.2017)
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
38 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 38:30W (h), 23.02.2013 43 v FC Barcelona ESP 43:21L (a), 18.04.2015 69 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010 15 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:15L (a), 22.10.2005 13 v THW Kiel GER 22:13W (h), 25.03.2000 13 v Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13W (h), 16.10.2005 36 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 18:18D (a), 20.11.1999 36 v HC Metalurg MKD 19:17W (h), 11.10.2014
VELUX EHF Champions League record MP 1993/94 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 6 1994/95 Badel Zagreb CRO 8 1995/96 Croatia Banka Zagreb CRO 6 1996/97 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1997/98 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1998/99 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 1999/00 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 10 2000/01 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 8 2002/03 RK Zagreb CRO 8 2003/04 RK Zagreb CRO 10 2004/05 RK Zagreb CRO 6 2005/06 RK Zagreb CRO 8 2006/07 RK Zagreb CRO 6 2007/08 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2008/09 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2009/10 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2010/11 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 2011/12 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 14 2012/13 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 10 2013/14 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 10 2014/15 HC PPD Zagreb CRO 14 2015/16 HC PPD Zagreb CRO 18 2016/17 HC PPD Zagreb CRO 16 2017/18 HC PPD Zagreb CRO 14 Total 256
W T 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 2 2 115 27
115
L 4 2 3 3 5 3 2 3 3 6 3 2 3 6 2 6 3 4 7 6 7 10 11 10 114
GF GA GD 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 –35 349:396 –47 6684:6628 +56
PTS 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 6:22 257:255
Stage1994/95 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 Last 16 3rd Gr. D 3rd MR Gr. 3 1/4-finals Last 16 Last 16 1/4-finals 5th Gr. D 5th Gr. A 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Last 16 8th Gr. A
HC PPD Zagreb
Lino Cervar coach •
most successful coach of the Croatian men’s national team, winning Olympic gold in 2004 and the World Championship in 2003
•
in 2016 became head coach of the Macedonian national team only to return to the Croatian national team one year later
•
led Croatia at EHF EURO 2018 and finished fifth on home court
•
this is his third time on the Zagreb bench, returning to Croatian champions after nine years
OG: G 2004, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009
Left the club: Igor Vori (retired) Josip Valcic (retired) Tonci Valcic (retired) Mario Vuglac (retired) David Miklavcic (Gorenje Velenje/SLO) Dobrivoje Markovic (-) Domagoj Pavlovic (MT Melsungen/GER) Stipe Mandalinic (Füchse Berlin/GER)
Newcomers: Filip Vistorop (Zrinski Mostar/SRB) Senjamin Buric (HBC Nantes/FRA) David Mandic (Izvidac Ljubuski/BIH) Gregor Potocnik (Gorenje Velenje/SLO) Lovro Jotic (Aalborg/DEN) Nikola Potic (Cangas de Morazzo/ESP) Ivan Srsen (Nexe/CRO) Vito Bahtijarevic (PPD Zagreb Youth Academy/CRO) 116
HC PPD Zagreb
Team roster Height Weight
Nat. Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Bicanic
CRO Left Back
25.06.1985
Vukovar, CRO
195
98
Bozic Pavletic
CRO Right Wing
06.08.1994
Split, CRO
188
84
10 Senjamin
Buric
BIH
Line Player
20.11.1990
Maglaj, BIH
198
100
Josip
Eres
CRO Right Wing
19.03.1995
Ljubuski, BIH
185
78
Horvat
CRO Right Wing
25.09.1984
Zagreb, CRO
179
87
44 Matej
Hrstic
CRO Left Back
11.08.1996
Ljubuski, BIH
195
80
23 Lovro
Jotic
CRO Centre Back
12.11.1994
Zagreb, CRO
191
86
12 Arian
Jovic
CRO Goalkeeper
18.06.1996
Zagreb, CRO
184
90
99 Urh
Kastelic
SLO
Goalkeeper
27.02.1996
Brezice, SLO
200
92
9
Tin
Kontrec
CRO Line Player
09.09.1989
Nasice, CRO
196
95
7
Tin
Lucin
CRO Centre Back
16.08.1999
Rijeka, CRO
196
94
Mandic
CRO Left Wing
14.09.1997
Ljubuški, BIH
175
74
Mrakovcic
CRO Centre Back
22.09.1994
Rijeka, CRO
191
88
21 Gregor
Potocnik
SLO
Left Back
22.08.1992
Celje, SLO
195
103
33 Valentino
Ravnic
CRO Left Wing
20.07.1995
Zadar, CRO
190
82
13 Ivan
Srsen
CRO Right Back
19.09.1992
Metkovic, CRO
196
97
19 Leon
Susnja
CRO Line Player
05.08.1993
Siroki Brijeg, CRO
204
113
16 Ivan
Vekic
CRO Goalkeeper
19.07.1998
Metkovic, CRO
198
103
97 Josip
Vekic
CRO Right Back
16.03.1998
Metkovic, CRO
210
100
Vistorop
CRO Centre Back
29.04.1998
Mostar, BIH
194
90
Vuglac
CRO Right Back
30.01.1992
Zagreb, CRO
191
92
No. First Name Surname 77 Damir 8 3
Josip
C 18 Zlatko
37 David 5
4
Luka
Filip
74 Mario
117
HC PPD Zagreb
Urh Kastelic goalkeeper • joined Zagreb in 2017, and became first choice after Matevz Skok left the club • played for Krsko (SLO), Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO), Maribor Branik (SLO) and MOL- Pick Szeged (HUN) • won gold with Slovenia at Youth Olympics in China and silver at Youth WCh in Russia where he saved an incredible 114 shots; won bronze with senior team at the WCh 2017 WCh: B 2017
David Mandić left wing • came from Izvidac CO (BIH) where he was one of their best players • season 2018/2019 will be his first in CL • was a member of Croatian youth and junior national team • won gold with Croatia at the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona • besides being efficient in attack he is also possesses great defensive skills
Damir Bicanic left back • returned to Zagreb for 2017/2018 season after 10 years of playing abroad • born in Vukovar, Croatia, but started his career in Umag • played for Umag, Osijek, Medveščak, Zagreb, Ademar Leon and Chambery Savoie • one of the oldest and most experienced players at the club OG: B2012, EURO: S 2010, B 2012, WCh B 2013
Lovro Jotic centre back • returns to Zagreb after playing one season in Aalborg (DEN) • Aalborg was his first international transfer, in his career he played for Umag, Zamet, Dubrava and Zagreb • season 2018/19 will be his fourth in the CL • won silver at Youth WCh 2013 and gold at the 2018 Mediterranean Games
118
HC PPD Zagreb
Senjamin Burić line player • recently recovered from ACL injury • will replace Igor Vori who retired from handball and will play alongside Tin Kontrec and Leon Šušnja • played for Maglaj (BIH), Izvidac CO (BIH), Borac (BIH), Gorenje Velenje (SLO) and HBC Nantes (FRA) • married to former Croatian international Sonja Bašić, daughter of famous Croatian goalkeeper Mirko Bašić • has a twin brother Benjamin who is a goalkeeper for Flensburg-Handewitt
Leon Susnja line player • the 2017/18 season will be his sixth with Zagreb • recently won gold at the 2018 Mediterranean Games in Tarragona • excellent defensive skills and plays an important role in Zagreb’s defense • was a football goalkeeper, before taking up handball in 2009 • won silver at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2012
Ivan Srsen right back •
born and raised in Opuzen where he started handball career
•
spent half of the 2017/18 season on loan at MOL-Pick Szeged, where he stood out in his first match, scoring seven goals against Rhein-Neckar Löwen
•
coming to Zagreb on one-year loan from Nexe after new signing Serbian Nikola Potić torn his Achilles tendon
Zlatko Horvat right wing •
captain of the team and most experienced player in Červar’s squad
•
is a counter-attack specialist, but also an important part of the defence
•
made his debut in the national team in 2006 and since then has won five major championship medals
•
played in Zagreb from the beginning of his career and already has 15 campaigns in the CL under his belt
OG B 2012, EURO S 2008, B 2012, B 2016, WCh S 2009, B 2013
119
HC Motor Zaporozhye
GROUP B
Club Address
HC Motor Zaporozhye Ivanova Str. 24 69068 Zaporozhye Ukraine Media contact
Yuriy Chorny +380 50 5946878 2207024sport@gmail.com handball.motorsich.com Handball Club Motor Zaporozhye #HCMotorZaporozhye
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white/red Player short: white GK shirt: yellow/black Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red/black
HC Motor Zaporozhye For the first time ever, Ukrainian champions HC Motor Zaporozhye have been included among the stronger Group A/B pool of teams, thanks to their positive results in recent Champions League seasons. Playing in Group B is certainly an honour and a step forward for the team, but at the same time it is a serious test as the Ukrainian champions will face the likes of FINAL4 2018 participants Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain, and German champions Flensburg. But they have reached the Last 16 from Groups C/D twice in the past and accumulated enough experience in Europe, so Patryk Rombel’s men certainly have a chance to finish among the top six teams in their group. Belarusian Maxim Babichev was Zaporozhye’s first-choice line player last year, but now he will compete with two newcomers, Mateusz Kus and Darko Pesevski. 31-year-old Kus, who joined the Ukrainian champions from Vive Kielce, has considerable international experience, as he won the VELUX EHF Champions League with Kielce in 2016 and took part in the Olympic Games with Poland in the same year. “I’m sure he will help us in defence, and I also hope that he will show his best qualities in attack. At Kielce, he had to compete with Julen Aguinagalde, one of the best line players in the world. But Mateusz will get this chance at Motor,” says coach Rombel. 27-year-old Pesevski only played for his home team, Metalurg, before signing with Zaporozhye, and Rombel also believes in the Macedonians ability to have an impact: “He’s been working hard. I think everyone will see his best qualities already in the first game.” Motor are taking part in the continental top flight for the sixth straight season, but they have never played in Zaporozhye before. The team previously had to host their opponents in other Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Brovary and Kharkiv. But the situation will change for the better this season. Yunost Arena in Zaporozhye has been fully renovated and is ready to welcome some of the best European clubs. While Motor already did a good job at home in previous years, the support of the truly local fans should boost their morale and possibly contribute to even better results. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 6 Last 16 (2): 2013/14, 2015/16 Group Phase (3): 2014/15, 2016/17, 2017/18 Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 2011/12 Playing hall Palace of Sports Yunost Pobeda St. 66 69000 Zaporozhye Ukraine Capacity: 3,500
Ukrainian league: 6 titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) Ukrainian cup: 5 titles
120
HC Motor Zaporozhye
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win
6 39 76
MATCHES
Longest losing run Longest run without win
22:35 (9:18) v ABC/UMinho POR (a), 12.11.2016 36:23 (21:16) v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS (h), 14.09.2017 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) 8 matches (08.10.2017 – 24.02.2018) 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014) 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014)
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
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 20 v Montpellier HB FRA 28:20L (a), 01.10.2017 18 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013 42 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2013/14 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
12
4
1
7
333:367
-34
9:15
1/8-finals
2014/15 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
10
3
0
7
283:284
-1
6:14
5th Gr. D
2015/16 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
14
9
1
4
418:414
+4
19:9
1/8-finals
2016/17 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
12
7
2
3
371:337
+34
16:8
Elimination C+D
2017/18 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
12
7
3
2
352:326
+26
17:7
Elimination C+D
Total
60
30 7
23
1757:1728 +29
121
67:53
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Patryk Rombel
coach • joined Zaporozhye for the 2017/18 season and led the team to the national championship right away • the 35-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: Mateusz Kus (Kielce/POL) Zarko Pesevski (Metalurg/MKD) Dmitry Goriga (ZNTU-ZAS/UKR) Alexander Kasay (ZNTU-ZAS/UKR)
Left the club: Lev Tselishchev (Spartak Moscow/RUS) Olexandr Shevelev (tbd) Ievgen Zhuk (tbd)
122
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
6
Maxim
Babichev
BLR
Line Player
07.03.1986
Minsk, BLR
196
97
4
Evgeniy
Buinenko
UKR
Left Back
20.09.1992
Zaporozhye, UKR
201
93
11 Zakhar
Denysov
UKR
Left Wing
01.03.1990
Ilychevsk, UKR
188
82
44 Vladyslav
Dontsov
UKR
Right Back
22.09.1995
Zaporozhye, UKR
200
106
25 Dmytro
Horiha
UKR
Left Back
08.10.1997
Brovary, UKR
197
91
UKR
Left Wing
14.01.1997
Zaporozhye, UKR
180
80 94
No. First Name Surname
4
Oleksandr Kasai
12 Victor
Kireev
RUS
Goalkeeper
05.05.1987
Penzenskaya obl., RUS 190
55 Gennadiy
Komok
UKR
Goalkeeper
05.07.1987
Zaporozhye, UKR
196
96
20 Artem
Kozakevych
UKR
Right Wing
02.10.1992
Novovolynsk, UKR
182
68
Kubatko
UKR
Right Wing
28.08.1988
Zaporozhye, UKR
184
83
Kus
POL
Line Player
14.07.1987
Piekary SL, POL
193
111
Malasinskas
LTU
Centre Back
29.04.1986
Vilnius, LTU
189
84
22 Pawel
Paczkowski
POL
Right Back
14.06.1993
Swiecie, POL
192
90
44 Zharko
Peshevski
MKD Line Player
11.04.1991
Skopje, MKD
195
110 100
5
Iurii
11 Mateusz 7
Aidenas
87 Barys
Pukhouski
BLR
Centre Back
03.01.1987
St.Mazorita, BLR
186
Shelmenko
RUS
Right Back
05.04.1983
Kiev, UKR
195
98
28 Aliaksei
Shynkel
BLR
Left Back
06.07.1994
Grodno, BLR
200
89
44 Igor
Soroka
RUS
Left Wing
27.05.1991
Cherkessk, RUS
180
73
16 Anton
Terekhov
UKR
Goalkeeper
28.07.1992
Slavyanoserbsk, UKR
196
92
15 Dmytro
Tiutiunnyk
UKR
Line Player
07.03.1993
Uman, UKR
198
102
C 83 Sergey
123
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Victor Kireev goalkeeper • the Russian goalkeeper arrived at Zaporozhye in the summer of 2016 • born in Volgograd and started his career at the local club Kaustik • in 2014 moved to St. Petersburg and was awarded the best goalkeeper of the Russian Superleague in the 2015/16 season • member of the Russian national team
Zakhar Denisov left wing • all-rounder with experience of playing in many different positions in his youth • raised in Yuzhny and played for the local team Portovik before moving to Motor in 2014 • plays for the Ukrainian national team • was also a talented football player as a teenager, but focused on handball
Barys Pukhouski left back/centre back • one of Zaporozhye’s leaders heading into his fourth season at the club • originally a playmaker, last season he mostly played as a left back • moved in 2015 from SKA Minsk, the club where he started his career • also had spells at Dinamo Minsk in his native Belarus and at Hungary’s Csurgoi • all-time top scorer of the Belarusian national team EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
Aidenas Malasinskas centre back • joined Motor in the summer of 2015 and quickly became a key element in the team • Lithuanian international, who played for Kaunas clubs (Lusis and Granitas-Karys) before stints with Bidasoa Irun, Fraikin BM Granollers and Naturhouse La Rioja • arrived from BM Puerto Sagunto
124
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Maxim Babichau line player • experienced and consistent Belarusian joined Zaporozhye in 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 Russian national team • his wife Tatiana is a former Ukrainian international volleyball player
Pawel Paczkowski right back • last year, loaned to Zaporozhye for two seasons by PGE Vive Kielce • only the fourth player from outside the former Soviet Union in the history of Ukrainian men’s handball • at Kielce he won the Polish league in 2016 and 2017, as well as the CL in 2016 • played for the Polish national team at the 2017 WCh in France EC trophies: CL 2016
Artem Kozakevych right wing • moved to Zaporozhye from Portovik Yuzhny in 2014 • fast left-handed winger has already become a four-time national champion with Motor • considered as one of the main penalty takers at the club • in 2012, he won a silver medal with Ukraine at the WCh beach handball
125
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
GROUP B
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 @rkcpl
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow-blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko It is difficult to imagine a VELUX EHF Champions League season without RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko. The Slovenian side have been a regular fixture in the competition. But for four consecutive seasons, they have not reached their basic goal: the elimination matches. The team often lacks experience in crucial moments, but never the fighting spirit. Celje won all the available domestic titles since Branko Tamse was appointed as head coach, and every year they fed bigger clubs with top players such as Miha Zarabec, Gasper Marguc, Blaz Blagotinsek, Blaz Janc and, the latest but not the least, Borut Mackovsek. This season offers an opportunity for some new players to shine. Every year, Celje prove they can surprise the big teams. But in 2017/18, the points against Kiel and Kielce were not enough. Three years in the row, the Slovenian champions just missed sixth place on the group phase table and, with five newcomers, the main European goal again looks tough to accomplish. ‟There are seven national champions out of eight teams in the group, and the eighth is Nantes, who were FINAL4 participants and finalists last season, so that tells all how strong this group is. The last two seasons we were only inches away and this year we will do all to be on the other side,” says team captain and one of the rare experienced players David Razgor. Celje lost its most effective shooter Ziga Mlakar and defence pillar Borut Mackovsek. Setting up the defensive play seems more difficult. The attack will remain fast paced – maybe even faster, as Celje will have three options in the middle: Jaka Malus, Rok Ovnicek and rising star Domen Makuc. Like Igor Anic, Drasko Nenadic (former Flensburg and BSV) found a new start in a club with even richer history and space to improve in the field. Slovenian international goalkeeper Klemen Ferlin will replace Urban Lesjak. Just turned 18, Domen Makuc is already making huge steps on the scene. He may not be a starting centre back, as Malus and newcomer Ovnicek are more experienced, but fans are eager to see the teenager on the court. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 23 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, 2016/17, 2017/18 Qualification (1): 2009/10
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red Playing hall Dvorana Zlatorog Opekarinska cesta 15 3000 Celje Slovenia Capacity: 5,200
Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2009/10 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2002/03, 2011/12 Slovenian league: 22 titles (1992-2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014-18) Slovenian cup: 21 times
126
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
8 40 74
MATCHES Longest winning run
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) Longest unbeaten run 7 matches (26.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) Longest losing run Longest run without win 9 matches (26.09.2015 – 06.12.2015) 9 matches (28.09.2016 – 11.02.2017)
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent
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 Fewest goals both teams 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 2017/18 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO Total
MP 6 10 10 10 10 10 8 14 12 10 8 12 10 10 12 12 10 14 14 14 216
W T 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 3 1 107 14
127
L 4 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 2 6 6 7 7 6 7 10 8 10 95
GF GA GD 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 –25 398:434 –36 6171:5927 +244
PTS 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 7:21 228:204
Stage1994/95 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 Last 16 4th MR Gr. 4 4th MR Gr. 2 5th Gr. A Last 16 Last 16 5th Gr. C 7th Gr. A 7th Gr. B 7th Gr. B
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Branko Tamse coach • has started in his sixth season as head coach after winning all 15 possible domestic titles since joining the club in 2013 • has extended his contract until 2020 • former player and coach of Celje’s arch rivals from Velenje • known for his oustanding ability to develop talented players
Newcomers: Klemen Ferlin (Gorenje Velenje/SLO) Rok Ovnicek (Gorenje Velenje/SLO) Drasko Nenadic (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg/DEN) Kristjan Horzen (Trimo Trebnje/SLO) Josip Sarac (Izvidac Osiguranje/CRO)
Left the club: Borut Mackovsek (Veszprém/HUN) Urban Lesjak (Hannover/GER) Ziga Mlakar (Orlen Wisla Plock/POL) Matic Suholeznik (Dunkerque/FRA) Luka Mitrovic (Cesson Rennes/FRA)
128
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
39 Igor
Anic
FRA
Line Player
12.06.1987
Mostar, BIH
196
106
80 Kristian
Beciri
CRO
Line Player
14.06.1994
Heppenheim, GER
202
120
17 Anze
Blagotinsek
SLO
Line Player
07.04.2001
Celje, SLO
192
88
20 Nik
Cirovic
SLO
Centre Back
23.03.2002
Postojna, SLO
185
77
Tim
Cokan
SLO
Right Wing
07.06.2001
Celje, SLO
191
78
Dujshebaev
ESP
Left Back
04.07.1997
Santander, ESP
197
100
22 Klemen
Ferlin
SLO
Goalkeeper
26.06.1989
Ljubljana, SLO
192
95
14 Matic
Groselj
SLO
Right Back
22.09.1997
Trbovlje, SLO
192
91
27 Kristjan
Horzen
SLO
Line Player
08.12.1999
Novo mesto, SLO
192
98
3
Jan
Jurecic
SLO
Right Wing
26.10.1994
Novo mesto, SLO
186
80
6
Tadej
Kljun
SLO
Right Back
18.04.2001
Postojna, SLO
193
76
Kodrin
SLO
Left Wing
14.05.1994
Celje, SLO
192
89
Kosec
SLO
Right Back
22.02.2000
Celje, SLO
193
80
Makuc
SLO
Centre Back
01.07.2000
Postojna, SLO
188
82
Malus
SLO
Centre Back
15.06.1996
Celje, SLO
190
87
11 Gal
Marguc
SLO
Right Wing
16.11.1996
Celje, SLO
179
75
12 Jernej
Mlakar
SLO
Goalkeeper
25.06.2001
Celje, SLO
188
88
15 Drasko
Nenadic
SRB
Left Back
15.02.1990
Beograd, SRB
202
91
10 Rok
Ovnicek
SLO
Centre Back
25.01.1995
Slovenj Gradec, SLO
185
83
16 Aljaz
Panjtar
SLO
Goalkeeper
20.08.1991
Kranj, SLO
185
92
Filip
Rakita
SLO
Left Wing
09.11.2001
Celje, SLO
184
67
David
Razgor
SLO
Left Wing
13.07.1989
Celje, SLO
180
78
Sarac
CRO
Left Back
24.02.1998
Ljubuški, BIH
201
102
Vujovic
MNE Right Back
20.04.1998
Niksic, MNE
194
99
No. First Name Surname
8
44 Daniel
25 Tilen 7
Matic
34 Domen 5
4 C 9
Jaka
13 Josip 2
Branko
r
129
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Klemen Ferlin goalkeeper • joined Celje after four seasons with Slovenian rivals Velenje • several injury problems in the past prevented him from showing his true potential • in Velenje he was trained by Ales Anzic, who is now the goalkeeper coach in Celje
Tilen Kodrin left wing • joined Celje from Maribor Branik in 2014 as one of the most talented youngsters on his position • won treble of domestic trophies four times in four seasons with Celje • injuries kept him away from the courts for most of the season, and he missed EHF EURO 2018 WCh: B 2017
Drasko Nenadic left back • often in the shadow of brother Petar, but he has won the CL - with Flensburg in 2014 • Celje is the eighth club in his career • scored 60 CL goals for Crvena Zvezda and Flensburg; six goals in one match is his personal best in the CL • expected to be a solid replacement for Borut Mackovsek, who joined Veszprém
Rok Ovnicek centre back • earned international debut last season, played for Slovenia at Mediterranean Games • moved to Celje after six seasons with Velenje, where he had made his senior debut at age 17 • best scorer for Velenje in the national championship play-offs
130
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Domen Makuc centre back • first player born in this millennium to score a goal in the CL • impressed at finals weekend of SEHA league with 10 goals and four assists • helped Slovenia win the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in 2018 • one of Europe’s most promising talents, signed with Celje until 2022
@igor_anic
Igor Anic line player
@igoranic
• born in Mostar but made his senior debut at Montpellier in France • won three Bundesliga titles (and the CL in 2010) with THW Kiel, and also three French league titles with Montpellier • helped France win EHF EURO 2014 and WCh 2015 • known for being a very talented caricature artist and vlogger EC trophies: CL 2010 EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015
Branko Vujovic right back • arrived in Celje on loan from Kielce • born in Montenegro, but representing Poland in international matches • received Best Young Player award in Poland before moving to Celje • made first-team debut at age 14 for his boyhood club Sutjeska, after also practicing judo in his younger years
Gal Marguc right wing • key player for Celje since his breakthrough season in 2016/17 • younger brother of Veszprém star Gasper Marguc • highly talented youngster, next in line of world-class Celje right wings including Dragan Gajic, Gasper Marguc and Blaz Janc • prolific scorer for Celje in all competitions
131
HBC Nantes
GROUP B
Club Address
HBC Nantes 7-9 rue André Tardieu 44200 Nantes France Media contact
Kevin Morin +33 664865046 kevin.morin@ hbcnantes.com www.hbcnantes.com HBCNantesOfficiel HBCNantes @hbcnantes Kit colours
Light Player shirt: grey/black Player short: grey/black GK shirt: yellow, blue or green
HBC Nantes HBC Nantes have an excellent track record in the VELUX EHF Champions League. They reached the Last 16 as debutants two years ago, and they made it to the final last year, beating clubs like Barcelona, Vardar and PSG along the way. So, where do they go from here? The mantra goes, ‘once you’ve done it, you can do it again.’ In sports, though, things are a bit more complicated than that. Nantes surprised everyone last season so their opponents have now been warned. But the team have barely changed this summer as retired Dominik Klein has been replaced by Valero Rivera on the left wing. Still, everybody in the club wants to remain humble, at least before the competition has started. “The objective for us is to be successful during the group phase and reach the best possible spot,” team captain Rock Feliho says. “We know it will be a real challenge because the group is a tough one and this is a very hard competition. But after the season we had, we want to go as far as possible.” This summer Nantes have changed their home base, again. Three years after moving from the Palais des Sports de Beaulieu to La Trocardière, they are now returning. “It is all a bit dusty but we will find our feet again pretty quickly,” coach Thierry Anti said on the first day of preparation. As their ‘new’ arena has a bigger capacity, Nantes want to move up to another level. Nicolas Tournat was the revelation on the line player position last season, but the 24-year-old still has room to improve in the new season. He made his international debut for France at the EHF EURO 2018 in Croatia and four months later played his first VELUX EHF FINAL4 with Nantes. He impressed with eight goals in the semi-final against PSG but could quite match that performance in the final against Montpellier the following day. Three - that’s the number of Spanish players wearing the Nantes’ jersey this season. And add co-trainer Alberto Entrerrios as well. Nantes had one more Spaniard in their squad in 2012 but Spanish handball remains popular with Le ‘H’.
Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: purple/yellow Player short: purple GK shirt: yellow, blue or green
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 3 Runners-up (1): 2017/18 Last 16 (1): 2016/17 Other EHF Cup: runners-up 2012/13, 2015/16, quarter-finals 2013/14 Playing hall Palais des Sports de Beaulieu 7-9 rue André Tardieu 44200 Nantes France Capacity: 5,400
132
French Cup: 1 title (2017) French League Cup: 1 title (2015) Trophee des Champions: 1 title (2017)
HBC Nantes
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
1 37 68
MATCHES
Longest losing run
Longest losing 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
33:19 (16:9) v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR (h), 01.10.2016 35:27 (15:13) v PSG Handball FRA (a), 01.04.2017 7 matches (14.10.2017 – 10.02.2018) 7 matches (14.10.2017 – 10.02.2018) 7 matches (25.02.2018 – 26.05.2018) 1 match (19.11.2016) 1 match (01.04.2017) 1 match (23.09.2017) 1 match (07.10.2017) 1 match (17.02.2018) 1 match (27.05.2018) 3 matches (23.09.2017 – 07.10.2017) 37 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 37:31W (h), 11.03.2017 35 v PSG 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 22 v HC PPD Zagreb CRO 23:22L (a), 17.02.2018 19 v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR 33:19W (h), 01.10.2016 45 v HC PPD Zagreb CRO 23:22L (a), 17.02.2018
VELUX EHF Champions League record 2016/17 HBC Nantes FRA
MP 14
W 10
T 2
L 2
GF GA 433:387
GD +46
PTS 22:6
Stage1994/95 Last 16
2017/18 HBC Nantes FRA
20
12
4
4
581:548
+33
28:12
Runner-up
Total
34 22 6 6
133
1014:935 +79
50:18
HBC Nantes
Thierry Anti coach • • • • •
arrived in 2009 when Nantes were just promoted to the French first league steered them to one trophy, the league cup in 2014/15 the CL Final 2017/18 was the third European final he lost with Nantes, after being defeated in the EHF Cup Finals in 2012/13 and 2015/16 previously coached Créteil and Paris, and reached the Cup Winners’ Cup Final with Créteil in 1989 known for his quality of developing young players
Newcomers: Valero Rivera (Barça Lassa/ESP) Florian Delecroix (Cesson-Rennes, loan return/FRA) Lucien Auffret (first contract)
Left the club: Senjamin Buric (PPD Zagreb/CRO) Jerko Matulic (Azoty Pulawy/POL) Dominik Klein (retired) Guillaume Saurina (retired)
134
HBC Nantes
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
20 Lucien
Auffret
FRA
Right Wing
25.01.1997
La Roche sur Yon, FRA 182
73
30 Valentin
Bachele
FRA
Goalkeeper
25.06.1998
Montreuil, FRA
190
95
19 David
Balaguer
ESP
Right Wing
17.08.1991
Barcelona, ESP
185
83
Nicolas
Claire
FRA
Centre Back
10.07.1987
St. Denis de la R., FRA
190
91
Baptiste
Damatrin
FRA
Left Wing
29.04.2000
Saint-Maurice, FRA
176
77
Delecroix
FRA
Right Back
17.03.1994
Niort, FRA
197
93
200
100
No. First Name Surname
7
17 Florian
Dumoulin
FRA
Goalkeeper
02.02.1984
Rillieux la Pape, FRA
Emonet
FRA
Left Wing
04.01.1992
Sartrouville, FRA
182
91
Faluvegi
HUN Left Back
09.01.1994
Budapest, HUN
192
92
22 Leo
Fauvet
FRA
Line Player
04.10.1999
Cannes, FRA
191
100
13 Rock
Feliho
FRA
Left Back
13.08.1982
Cotonou, BEN
192
100
Guillo
FRA
Line Player
01.10.1991
Pontivy, FRA
207
110
18 Eduardo
Gurbindo
ESP
Right Wing
08.11.1987
Pamplona, ESP
195
92
29 Espen Lie
Hansen
NOR Right Back
01.03.1989
Drammen, NOR
196
100
St. Denis de la R., FRA
189
78
1
Cyril
14 Julian 4
C 5
Rudolf
Romaric
Imare
FRA
Centre Back
09.09.1998
Lagarde
FRA
Left Back
05.03.1997
Lorient, FRA
194
95
Lazarov
MKD Right Back
10.05.1980
Veles, MKD
195
99
Mauillon
FRA
Left Back
24.02.2001
Angers, FRA
194
88
12 Alexandre
Moali
FRA
Goalkeeper
21.01.1999
Paris, FRA
193
85
Alex
Moran
FRA
Right Wing
20.12.1999
Evreux, FRA
180
81
Guy Olivier Nyokas
FRA
Left Back
28.06.1986
Montfermeil, FRA
188
86
FRA
Line Player
05.01.1996
Cahors, FRA
194
94
Saint Malo, FRA
190
87
23 Edson 2
Romain
17 Kiril Alois
6
10 Dragan
Pechmalbec Pelechenko
FRA
Left Back
15.07.1999
25 Lucas
Petraud
FRA
Right Back
10.01.1999
Cagnes sur Mer, FRA
194
84
17 Valero
Rivera Folch
ESP
Left Wing
22.02.1985
Barcelona, ESP
189
80
16 Arnaud
Siffert
FRA
Goalkeeper
06.12.1978
Longjumeau, FRA
190
93
11 Nicolas
Tournat
FRA
Line Player
05.04.1994
Niort, FRA
200
116
Victor
135
HBC Nantes
Cyril Dumoulin goalkeeper
@CyrilDumoulin
• after playing in Chambéry and Toulouse, he arrived in Nantes at the end of the 2015/16 season - but could not take part in the EHF Cup Finals that season • at 1.99 m, one of the tallest goalkeepers on the circuit • published two books – a diary of his seasons and they gained much critical success
EURO: G 2014, B 2018, WCh: G 2015
Valero Rivera left wing • returned to Nantes from Barça in the summer of 2018 for his second stint with the French club after 2010-2016 • top scorer of EHF EURO 2016 (48 goals), voted WCh 2015 best left wing and MVP in French League in 2012; also best left wing in French league in 2012 and 2013 • his father, Valero Rivera sr., has been national team coach in Qatar since 2013 • married to Marion Anti, a former handball player and daughter of coach Thierry Anti EC trophies: CL 2005, EHF Cup 2003 EURO: G 2018, S 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2013
Olivier Nyokas left back • returned to France in the summer of 2016 after two seasons in Balingen (Germany) • was reunited in Nantes with best friend Nicolas Claire and with the coach from his younger years, Thierry Anti • twin brother Kevynn retired from handball in the summer of 2017 • scored eight goals from eight attempts for France in his first match at a major international tournament, EHF EURO 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 early professional years • played his first international games with France in 2015 and was part of the bronze- winning team at EHF EURO 2018 • two younger brothers are also professional handball players, in the second French league • born on Réunion Island, like Jackson Richardson and Daniel Narcisse EURO: B 2018
136
HBC Nantes
Nicolas Tournat line player • considered by France national team coach Didier Dinart as “one of the brightest hopes in French handball” • made debut for France in 2015, helped team win bronze at EHF EURO 2018 • arrived in Nantes at age 18 and has not played for any other team since • one of the leading players in the squad since 2015/16 but set to join Kielce in 2020 EURO: B 2018
Kiril Lazarov right back
@klazarov77
• scored over 1,000 goals in the CL, was competition’s top scorer in 2006 and 2008 • went to Nantes in 2017, after seven years in Spain with Ciudad Real and FC Barcelona • most successful scorer at a single EHF EURO (61 goals in 2012) and WCh (92 goals in 2009) with FYR Macedonia
EC trophies: CL 2015
Eduardo Gurbindo right back
@gurbinsson
• coach Thierry Anti convinced the Spaniard to come to Nantes in 2016 • Lazarov and Gurbindo are sharing the right back position since the 2017/18 season, just as they were doing 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: G 2018, S 2016, B 2014
David Balaguer right wing • at age 27, he is following the footsteps of Valero Rivera: formed in Barcelona like him, he joined Nantes in 2015 • shares many similarities with Rivera, like coming into the spotlight in the Nantes jersey • Barcelona unsuccessfully tried to sign him back in the summer of 2016 • made debut for Spain at WCh in 2017 before winning EHF EURO 2018 EURO: G 2018
137
Group C preview
Group C preview GROUP OF CHAMPIONS CONNECTING EUROPE Fans across Europe will witness fascinating handball week after week from Lisboa to Moscow in the cross-continental Group C. - a group which connects Europe with Asia, far west with the far east and north with south. Two play-off spots are up for grabs for the six teams. The favourites are set, but who will make most of the current form, summer singings and the support of the passionate fans? Four of the six teams met last season, in Group D. HC Metalurg, Sporting CP, Besiktas and Chekhovskie Medvedi all crossed paths last year, falling short against eventual champions Montpellier. All these teams know each other well, which can be both an advantage and disadvantage. Patrice Canayer and his Montpellier side showed that impossible is nothing and this should inspire teams from Groups C/D to live their dream. Can we find in Group C another potential title contender? This is how each of the six sides look ahead of the new season. Tatran Presov join the sextet after a year absence amongst the elite. Slavko Goluža had a year to build the green army strengthened by Martin Stranovsky, a former Champions League finalist with Barcelona. A busy schedule domestically and internationally, including the regional SEHA league fixtures, means Presov will be heavily tested in the first half of the season. Their squad is settled and balanced, but do not offer too many backup options to key players. Danish side Bjerringbro-Silkeborg are also returning to the top flight after sitting out for a season. Together with Presov they featured in the EHF Cup, in the same group, sharing one win each in their clashes. Silkeborg are considered as the big favourites of the group, whilst the other five teams should battle for second place in the group. However, they face challenges of their own ahead of the new season after the departure of several key players, particularly the loss of quality goalkeeping duo Søren Rasmussen and Sebastian Frandsen brings question marks. Captain Michael V. Knudsen, who won the Champions League with Flensburg in 2014 will take the leadership role and a lot is expected from Slovenian playmaker Sebastian Skube. Sporting CP remain ambitious, but how they will cope with the departure of club icon Pedro Portela?
138
Group C preview
41 goals in ten group phase matches is not easily replaceable, but the Portuguese side return for their second consecutive season at this level more ambitious than ever. Can Frankis Carol help Sporting be one of the dark horses of the group? They face a difficult challenge against five opponents of similar quality, but last year’s performances will have inspired some hope. Chekhovskie Medvedi’s stars still shine brightest in the Russian sky, but Vladimir Maximov’s men are failing to impress on the European stage. After four years of failing to progress past the group phase, the Bears are sure they will have their say this season. Dmitri Santalov stayed in the club despite the rumours of joining Vardar. And if they are to improve on their tally of five points last season, count on some new stars to be uncovered by Maximov, something he consistently manages. Metalurg`s story is similar to the Medvedi one. The Macedonian side fell at the group phase in the last four seasons and the club is looking for new inspiration. They are not considered favourites in the group, which means Danilo Brestovac’s side can play without any pressure. With one of the youngest squads in the competition, Metalurg aim to give young talents in the region a chance to taste big time handball. Their work with youth is well-known, but the lack of experience and consistency has been a serious issue for the young prospects over the last few seasons. Advancing from this group would be a big achievement. Heading eastwards we have Besiktas, a team around ambitious coach Müfit Arin, who continue to promote handball in a country where football and basketball take centre stage. With the chance of moving back to Istanbul to play in a new arena for 10,000 fans, Besiktas have the extra motivation and adequate support from the club’s enthusiastic fans should come their way should they begin the group positively. The stage is set for an interesting battle of six relatively equal teams, at least in terms of quality. Who will challenge Bjerringbro-Silkeborg for top spot in the group? Are we going to see the biggest surprise of the competition from this group? Anything can happen in this fascinating group. Tomas Cuncik
139
Group C preview
Group C head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC HC Metalurg vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg 2-0-0 (58:41) 4:0 14.10.2012 24.02.2013
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Metalurg vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
23:26 (14:11) 32:18 (18:14)
HC Metalurg vs Sporting CP 1-0-1 (55:58) 2:2 30.09.2017 02.12.2017
HC Metalurg vs Sporting CP, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Sporting CP vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
28:27 (17:13) 31:27 (12:15)
HC Metalurg vs Besiktas Mogaz 0-0-2 (56:63) 0:4 24.09.2017 18.11.2017
HC Metalurg vs Besiktas Mogaz HT, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Besiktas Mogaz HT vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
27:31 (14:14) 32:29 (13:15)
HC Metalurg vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 2-0-4 (163:176) 4:8 30.09.2006 04.11.2006 06.10.2016 12.02.2017 14.10.2017 05.11.2017
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 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D HC Metalurg vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
40:25 (22:9) 28:32 (12:16) 25:21 (14:8) 31:24 (15:10) 26:32 (15:15) 26:29 (12:17)
HC Metalurg vs TATRAN Presov 1-0-1 (48:47) 2:2 01.10.2016 27.11.2016
TATRAN Presov vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C HC Metalurg vs TATRAN Presov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
27:22 (11:12) 26:20 (11:10)
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs Sporting CP No previous encounters in European competitions
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs Besiktas Mogaz No previous encounters in European competitions
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 0-0-2 (48:65) 0:4 20.11.2011 24.11.2011
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
25:35 (11:22) 30:23 (15:13)
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs TATRAN Presov 1-0-1 (55:51) 2:2 10.02.2018 24.03.2018
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs TATRAN Presov, EHF Cup – Group A TATRAN Presov vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, EHF Cup – Group A
27:19 (15:10) 32:28 (13:16)
Sporting CP vs Besiktas Mogaz 2-0-0 (64:53) 4:0 17.09.2017 11.11.2017
Besiktas Mogaz HT vs Sporting CP, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Sporting CP vs Besiktas Mogaz HT, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
26:30 (16:17) 34:27 (17:12)
Sporting CP vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 1-0-1 (58:60) 2:2 04.10.2017 25.11.2017
Sporting CP vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Sporting CP, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
140
31:30 (20:17) 30:27 (16:13)
Group C preview
Sporting CP vs TATRAN Presov No previous encounters in European competitions
Besiktas Mogaz vs Chekhovskie Medvedi 2-0-2 (97:106) 4:4 12.10.1996 19.10.1996 30.09.2017 03.12.2017
CSKA Moscow vs Besiktas Istanbul, EHF Cup – Round 2 Besiktas Istanbul vs CSKA Moscow, EHF Cup – Round 2 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Besiktas Mogaz HT, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D Besiktas Mogaz HT vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
30:16 (16:8) 19:20 (8:10) 27:29 (17:13) 33:29 (16:12)
Besiktas Mogaz vs TATRAN Presov 0-0-2 (57:62) 0:4 04.09.2010 31.08.2013
Besiktas JK vs TATRAN Presov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Group 1 TATRAN Presov vs Besiktas JK, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Group 2
27:30 (12:14) 32:30 (17:12)
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs TATRAN Presov 3-0-3 (171:169) 6:6 25.02.2006 04.03.2006 18.10.2015 22.10.2015 22.10.2016 10.11.2016
Tatran Presov vs Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov vs Tatran Presov, Cup Winners’ Cup – Quarter-final TATRAN Presov vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Chekhovskie Medvedi vs TATRAN Presov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C TATRAN Presov vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Chekhovskie Medvedi vs TATRAN Presov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
141
27:30 (11:14) 35:28 (17:13) 27:21 (12:12) 29:28 (15:15) 30:28 (17:11) 28:29 (13:18)
HC Metalurg
GROUP C
Club Address
HC Metalurg ul. Jane Lukroski 6 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia Media contact
Zorica B. Molkoska +389 78 576785 zorica.blazevska@gmail.com www.rkmetalurg.mk rkmetalurgofficial #RKMetalurg
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: yellow/ black/red Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow/black/ red
HC Metalurg After eight years, the era of Lino Cervar at Metalurg has ended. Over the years with the club, the Croatian master coach has built a pool of talents for the Macedonian national team. However, last season, due to Cervar’s absence, Metalurg were mostly led by Aleksandar Jovic. For 2017/18, Cervar’s past assistant, Danilo Brestovac, has taken the helm for the Macedonian runners-up. In their best years, Metalurg made it to the quarter-finals of the VELUX EHF Champions League twice, in 2013 and 2014. But in the last four seasons, the team from ‘Avtokomanda’ did not manage to proceed from the group phase. This season, with a roster of youngsters, Metalurg are looking forward to gaining experience in their VELUX EHF Champions League voyage. The loss of the three key players: Vanja Ilic, Zharko Peshevski and Aleksandar Gugleta, made Metalurg active on the transfer market and resulted in the introduction of several international and domestic reinforcements. Coach Brestovac has already tested his new team, as they participated in the international handball tournament ‘Struga 2018’ as well as the Macedonian Super Cup. In the Super Cup, Metalurg’s young squad did not have the strength to stop Vardar and were defeated 24:33. “Our roster is still open and I would be happy if we can keep these players until the end of the season. The chances for the first team are open to everyone and I believe that we have the best available players in the Macedonian market at the moment,” says Brestovac. “I’m not David Copperfield, to come with a magic wand and make wonders happen. I can promise that in the next period Metalurg will remain a leader in the region when it comes to working with young categories. I know it will be difficult to go one level above, but my ambition will be to do it,” says Brestovac. The Macedonian runners-up have one of the youngest squads in the Champions League, as the club serves as a base for introducing new players into the national team and also gives players from their younger categories the chance to advance to the first team. This season, the ‘Avtokomanda’ team is in a tough Group C with more experienced opponents, which means earning a place in the Last 16 will be a difficult task. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 11 Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14 Last 16 (1): 2011/12 Group Phase (6): 2006/07, 2008/09, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 Qualification (1): 2010/11 Other EHF Cup: Quarter-final 2007/08 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2008/09 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
142
HC Metalurg
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
4 15 69
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Fewest goals
Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
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)
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
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
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2006/07 RK Metalurg Skopje MKD
6
0
0
6
148:206
–58
0:12
4th Gr. D
2008/09 HC Metalurg MKD
6
2
0
4
157:172
-15
4:8
3rd Gr. C
2011/12 HC Metalurg MKD
12
6
2
4
294:275
+19
14:10
Last 16
2012/13 HC Metalurg MKD
14
9
0
5
361:313
+48
18:6
1/4-finals
2013/14 HC Metalurg MKD
14
7
2
5
356:373
-17
16:12
1/4-finals
2014/15 HC Metalurg MKD
10
1
1
8
233:294
–61
3:17
6th Gr. A
2015/16 HC Metalurg MKD
10
2
0
8
219:241
–22
4:16
6th Gr. D
2016/17 HC Metalurg MKD
10
5
0
5
240:251
–11
10:10
3rd Gr. C
2017/18 HC Metalurg MKD Total
10 92
2 1 34 6
7 52
262:293 –31 2270:2418 -148
5:15 74:110
5th Gr. D
143
HC Metalurg
Danilo Brestovac coach • • • •
Newcomers: Adrian Milicevic (HC Porec/KRO) Luka Stojanovic (HC Plzen/CZE) Bojan Madzovski (HC Pelister/MKD) Predrag Mijatovic (HC Partizan/SRB)
former goalkeeper for Vardar and Metalurg assistant coach of Ivica Obrvan in the Macedonian national team was coach of Red Boys Differdange before taking over at Metalurg head coach of Macedonian Under 18 and 20 national teams
Left the club: Vanja Ilic (La Rioja Logrono/ESP) Aleksandar Gugleta (-) Davor Palevski (-) Zarko Peshevski (Motor Zaporozhye/UKR) Borjan Madjovski (HC Pelister/MKD)
144
HC Metalurg
Team roster No. First Name Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Height Weight
99 Filip
Arsenovski
MKD Line Player
30.07.1998
Skopje, MKD
193
84
20 Nikola
Danilovski
MKD Goalkeeper
01.02.1997
Skopje, MKD
184
78
Dimitrioski
MKD Left Wing
16.02.1998
Prilep, MKD
183
83
44 Stefan
Dodic
SRB
Centre Back
13.03.2003
Vranje, SRB
197
84
77 Gligor
Gajic
MKD Centre Back
07.02.2000
Struga, MKD
185
80
Jaganjac
CRO
22.06.1998
Rijeka, CRO
200
95 80
8
6 4
Dimitar
Halil Tomislav
Left Back
Jagurinoski
MKD Right Wing
19.08.1998
Skopje, MKD
186
Kuzmanovski
MKD Centre Back
03.07.1996
Bitola, MKD
198
105
Milan
Lazarevski
MKD Line Player
09.02.1997
Skopje, MKD
194
94
66 Bojan
Madzovski
MKD Left Wing
08.05.1994
Skopje, MKD
184
90
94 Tadej
Matijasic
SLO
Left Wing
22.01.1994
Ljubljana, SLO
173
76
21 Mihajlo
Mladenovic
SRB
Left Back
21.09.2000
Vranje, SRB
194
90
42 Matej
Petkovski
MKD Goalkeeper
15.09.1999
Skopje, MKD
186
86
17 Martin
Serafimov
MKD Right Back
03.03.2000
Skopje, MKD
190
80 75
C 18 Filip 7
11 Mice
Shilegov
MKD Right Wing
19.06.1998
Skopje, MKD
175
14 Mario
Tankoski
MKD Left Back
28.08.1998
Struga, MKD
192
90
Tokic
CRO
Right Wing
15.11.1993
Zagreb, CRO
189
86
12 Martin
Tomovski
MKD Goalkeeper
10.07.1997
Skopje, MKD
190
80
16 Viktor
Vasilevski
MKD Goalkeeper
23.10.2000
Skopje, MKD
194
93
30 Martin
Velkovski
MKD Right Back
10.03.1997
Skopje, MKD
190
84
9
Ante
145
HC Metalurg
Martin Tomovski goalkeeper
@martin.tomovski
• joined Metalurg at the age of 13, before that was part of Prolet • made CL debut in 2016/17 at the age of 18 in the match against Chekovskie Medvedi • student at the Faculty of Physical Education, Sport & Health
Bojan Madjovski left wing • first handball steps were in Metalurg’s youth team • made CL debut in 2014/15 scoring three goals • spent two years (2016-18) at RK Pelister before returning to Metalurg in 2018 • twin brother Borjan Madzovski is also a handball player, who plays for Pelister
Dimitar Dimitrioski centre back/left wing • promising young player who is able to play on two positions, centre back and left wing • his first handball steps were in his home town Prilep, after this he moved through Metalurg youth ranks • member of the Macedonian youth national team joined the first team of Metalurg in 2017 • due to roster changes in Metalurg before the 2018/19 season he was bound to be in charge of orchestrating the attacking game @haliljaganjac
Halil Jaganjac left back
• the 2.00-metre tall left back started his career in MRK Kozala and had a spell with Paris Saint-Germain’s second team • joined Metalurg in 2017 and scored 52 goals in his debut CL season • top scorer in the SEHA Leaguem2017/18 with 100 goals • member of the Croatian national team
146
HC Metalurg
Mario Tankovski left back • the 20-year-old back was part of Metalurg second team in the period 2013-2017 • in the 2017/18 season was transferred to the Metalurg’s first team and had a premiere in the CL where he scored five goals • member of the youth categories of the Macedonian national team • recognized as Best left back in the All-Star team at the M20 2018 EHF Championship
Filip Arsenovski line player • started his career in the youth categories of Vardar before transferring to city rivals Metalurg in 2016 • played for the Macedonian national team at the 2017 Men’s Junior World HandballMetalurg is his first club outside Croatia • in the 2017/18 season scored two goals in the CL
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
Ante Tokic right wing • started playing handball at the age of 9 • before joining Metalurg played for RK Medveščak and GRK Varaždin • silver medallist at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO 2012 • scored nine goals in his debut CL season in 2017/18
147
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
GROUP C
Club Address
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Vestre Ringvej 7 8850 Bjerringbro Denmark Media contact
Anne Kildegaard +45 8668 0560 ak@bjerringbro-silkeborg.dk bjerringbro-silkeborg.dk
bjerringbrosilkeborg @BSVofficiel #Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: blue GK shirt: red
BjerringbroSilkeborg Bjerringbro-Silkeborg will find themselves in a somewhat new situation when the VELUX EHF Champions League 2018/19 gets underway. It is their fourth group phase campaign, but the first in the Group C/D section. Upon their return form a one-year absence - they played in the EHF Cup last season - the Danish side from the central part of the Jutland peninsula will be eying a spot in the group phase knockout. In a group entirely consisting of national champions, BSV will definitely be facing some challenges. But taking one of the two top positions seems realistic, and head coach Peter Bredsdorff-Larsen makes no secret of the club’s goals. “Our objective is a top position and qualification for the play-off games,” says the coach, adding that Group C is “a very competitive and challenging group.” Bredsdorff-Larsen expects all teams to have a fair chance of reaching the play-off: “Our opponents are tough professional teams with a lot of experience in playing European Cup games, and we look forward to meeting many different handball cultures, traditions and concepts.” BSV waved farewell to considerably more players than they said hello to, and several of the players who left, were key players. This could be a disadvantage. The club unsuccessfully tried to sign former Norwegian international Andre Lindboe, who has left Norwegian champions Elverum. But Bredsdorff-Larsen is still looking forward to another season in the VELUX EHF Champions League. “This season will be the fourth in a row where we can invite our supporters and sponsors to group phase European games on home court,” the coach says. The position between the posts might become the most vulnerable spot for BSV this season. Aljosa Rezar of Slovenia, who has already been with the club last season, and Kasper Larsen, who is returning from league rivals Mors Thy Håndbold, face a huge challenge to make up for the departure of Rasmussen and Frandsen.
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 5 Last 16 (2): 2012/13, 2016/17 Group Phase (1): 2011/12 Qualification (1): 2010/11 Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2002/03, 2008/09, 2015/16, Last 16 2010/11 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2006/07
Playing hall JYSK Arena, Silkeborg Ansvej 114 8600 Silkeborg Denmark Capacity: 3,000
Danish league: 1 title (2016)
148
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
EHF Champions League club records
2 37 69
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
23:35 (11:18) v St. Petersburg HC RUS (a), 18.11.2012 34:19 (18:10) v FC Barcelona Lassa ESP (a), 27.11.2016 2 matches (18.11.2012 – 25.11.2012) 2 matches (18.11.2012 – 25.11.2012) 11 matches (02.10.2011 – 30.09.2012) 11 matches (02.10.2011 – 30.09.2012)
Most goals
Most goals
GOALS
Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
37 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 37:32W (h), 12.03.2017 37 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 37:29L (a), 23.10.2011 37 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 26:37L (h), 19.02.2012 69 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 37:32W (h), 12.03.2017 18 v HC Metalurg MKD 32:18L (a), 24.02.2013 21 v THW Kiel GER 21:24W (a), 25.02.2017 44 v MKB Veszprém HUN 19:25L (h), 04.12.2011 44 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 19:25L (h), 02.10.2016
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS
Most goals both teams
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2011/12 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN
10
0
0
10
253:315
-62
0:20
6th Gr. B
2012/13 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN
12
4
0
8
309:339
–30
8:16
Last 16
2016/17 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN Total
16 4 0 12 412:455 –43 8:24 38 8 0 30 974:1109 -135 16:60
Last 16
149
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Peter Bredsdorff-Larsen coach •
head coach of Bjerringbro-Silkeborg since 2014
• has previously been head coach at Danish league clubs Skanderborg, AaB, Aalborg, KIF Kolding and KIF Kolding Kobenhavn • was assistant national coach for the Denmark men’s team from 2005 to 2012 and again in 2015 • won the Danish championship 2009/10 as head coach of AaB Handball and in 2015/16 with Bjerringbro •
used to play right wing in the Aarhus-based club VRI
@peterbredsdorff
Newcomers: Kasper Larsen (Mors Thy Håndbold/DEN)
Left the club: Drasko Nenadic (Celje/SLO) Martin Risom (Ajax København/DEN) Søren Rasmussen (Ribe-Esbjerg HH/DEN) Sebastian Frandsen (TTH Holstebro/DEN) Frederik Skov (HC Midtjylland/DEN) Lars Skaarup (Skanderborg Håndbold/DEN)
150
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Team roster No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
DEN
Right Wing
01.05.1994
Torshavn, FAR
Height Weight 190
91
32 Christian
Holm
DEN
Centre Back
27.08.1999
Odense, DEN
194
91
23 Stefan
Hundstrup
DEN
Left Wing
30.06.1986
Svendborg, DEN
193
86
17 Kasper
Knudsen
DEN
Left Wing
03.10.1999
Silkeborg, DEN
202
92
C 77 Michael V.
Knudsen
DEN
Line Player
04.09.1978
Hobro, DEN
192
99
Larsen
DEN
Goalkeeper
03.01.2000
Viborg, DEN
187
86
18.03.1989
Brabrand, DEN
195
89 117
10 Johan a Plogv Hansen
20 Oliver 1
Kasper
Larsen
DEN
Goalkeeper
9
Jacob
Lassen
DEN
Right Back
11.09.1995
Randers, DEN
197
30 Rune
Lovschall
DEN
Goalkeeper
11.04.2001
Svendborg, DEN
200
22 Nikolaj
Markussen
DEN
Left Back
01.08.1988
Gribskov, DEN
211
95
33 Jeppe
Nielsen
DEN
Centre Back
09.08.2000
Viborg, DEN
194
81
7
Nikolaj Oris
Nielsen
DEN
Right Back
26.09.1986
Bjerringbro, DEN
197
100
8
Mads Oris
Nielsen
DEN
Centre Back
17.03.1981
Bjerringbro, DEN
198
102
Nรถddesbo
DEN
Line Player
23.10.1980
Herning, DEN
199
100
Overgaard
DEN
Right Wing
27.04.2000
Silkeborg, DEN
181
79
18 Jesper 34 Jacob
Pedersen
NOR Left Wing
24.06.1994
Notodden, DEN
180
90
19 Jens
Plougstrup
DEN
Centre Back
08.01.1999
Silkeborg, DEN
190
88
16 Aljosa
Rezar
SLO
Goalkeeper
24.02.1983
Celje, SLO
190
89
35 Sebastian
Skott
DEN
Left Wing
29.09.2000
Skanderborg, DEN
185
84
11 Sebastian
Skube
SLO
Centre Back
03.04.1987
Novo Mesto, SLO
189
90
29 Rasmus
Thiemer-Jensen DEN
Line Player
17.06.1989
Odense, DEN
190
102
Back
26.04.1986
Haderslev, DEN
198
102
2
4
August
Klaus
Thomsen
DEN
151
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Aljosa Rezar goalkeeper • joined Bjerringbro in November 2017 from French side USAM Nimes • has played 34 international games for Slovenia • will carry extra responsibility this season, after the departure of veteran Sören Rasmussen and talent Sebastian Frandsen • a consistent goalkeeper with plenty of experience at age 34
Stefan Hundstrup left wing • arrived in the summer of 2014 from KIF Kolding København • has won the Danish championship with AG København as well as with KIF Kolding København • also represented GOG and Viborg HK in the Danish league • excels as the forward player in a 5-1 defensive system
Nikolaj Markussen left back • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from nearby league rivals Skjern Handbold ahead of the 2016/17 season • the 2.13-m tall back previously represented another Danish league club, Nordsjælland – his childhood club – as well Atletico Madrid and Qatari club El Jaish • his career has been hampered by a couple of long injury breaks
Sebastian Skube centre back • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from RK Celje in the summer of 2014 • Bjerringbro-Silkeborg is his first club outside Slovenia • has played more than 100 international games for Slovenia and was part of the national team at the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • his younger brother, Stas, who plays for Szeged, is also a centre back
152
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
Michael V. Knudsen line player • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the summer of 2014 • previously represented Viborg HK as well as Skjern Handbold in the Danish league • strong and versatile on the line in attack, clever and uncompromising in defence • his motto is: “Winners never quit and quitters never win” • played 244 internationals for Denmark (796 goals) before retiring from the national team in 2014 EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012, Challenge Cup 2003 EURO: G 2008, S 2014, B 2002, 2004, 2006, WCh: B 2007
Jesper Nøddesbo line player
@jespernoeddesbo
• joined BSV from Barça in the summer of 2017 • started career at Holstebro, developed well after joining KIF Kolding in 2004 • was among Europe’s elite year after year – with Kolding from 2004 to 2007, then with Barcelona • an imposing presence on the court, not afraid of anything when it comes to stopping opposing attackers EC trophies: CL 2015 OG: G 2016 EURO: G 2008, S 2014; WCh: S 2011, 2013
Nikolaj Oris Nielsen right back • has played for Bjerringbro-Silkeborg through his entire career, apart from a one- season loan to Lemvig Thyborøn • made his breakthrough in the Denmark national team under coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson in 2015 and took part in the EHF EURO 2016 • his older brother Mads, a former national team member, plays for Danish league rivals Skive FH, while his younger brother Mikkel played for Aarhus Handball • the only left-handed back-court player in the squad
Johan Hansen right wing • born in Faroe Islands, where he started his career at Kyndil • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from another Danish club, Skanderborg, in 2015 • could have played for Faroe Islands, but has opted for the Denmark national team • his skills have made him first choice on Bjerringbro’s right wing
153
Sporting CP
GROUP C
Club Address
Pavilhao do Ginasio Clube do Sul Rua de Angola No 23 2805-086 Almada Portugal Media contact
Andre Leitao +351 914665 572 arleitao@sporting.pt www.sporting.pt SportingClubePortugal @Sporting_CP @sporting_cp_andebol
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: grenn/white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black/ white/green
Sporting CP Sporting CP have successfully defended their national title in Portugal last season. It was their second straight domestic championship. After winning the Challenge Cup in 2016/17 and making their group phase debut in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season, Sporting are confident that they can have a strong run in Europe’s premier club competition this year. A year ago, Sporting came through the qualification tournament and won four matches in Group D, which left them well short of one of the play-off spots. The club has invested in new players, making the squad a mixture of talent and experience which can surprise in this year’s competition. Team captain Carlos Carneiro raises the bar: “Our goal is always to try to do better. Last year we were unable to move forward from the group stage, even though we played good games. This time, we want more.” Scoring 41 times in 10 games, Pedro Portela was a key player for Sporting in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase last season. The right wing had played for the club since his youth and the fans loved him. After Portela’s departure to French side Trembly, Sporting have hired two players, Fábio Chiuffa and Valentin Ghionea, who will add quality to the squad. Whether they will fully make up for the loss of Portela remains to be seen. Since his arrival in 2011, Frankis Carol has become one of the leading players at Sporting, both in defence and in attack. He has been instrumental to Sporting’s rise to the domestic top. And the centre back from Cuba left his mark in the VELUX EHF Champions League as well, netting 63 times in 12 qualification and group phase matches. Sporting will need a similar dominant performance from Carol if their Last 16 dreams are to become true. While each Champions League team has its own way of preparing for the new season, Sporting CP made an unusual journey to Qatar. Invited by the national federation, Sporting played the national team of Qatar twice - and lost both times. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 3
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black/ green/white
Group phase (1): 2017/18 Group matches (1): 2001/02 Other EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2000/01, 2013/14 Playing hall Pavilhao Joao Rocha Rua Prof. Fernando da Fonseca Apartado 4120 1501-806 Lisboa Portugal Capacity: 3,000
Cup Winners’ Cup: 2003/04 quarter-finals Challenge Cup: winners 2009/10, 2016/17, semi-finals 2011/12 Portuguese league: 21 titles (1952, 1956, 1961, 1966-67, 1969-73, 1978-81, 1984, 1986, 2001, 2017, 2018) Portuguese cup: 15 titles
154
Sporting CP
EHF Champions League club records
2 34 65
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS 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
34:27 (17:12) v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR (h), 11.11.2017 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 (24.09.2017 – 30.09.2017) 2 matches (15.10.2017 – 04.11.2017) 2 matches (18.11.2017 – 25.11.2017) 2 matches (11.11.2001 – 17.11.2001) 2 matches (08.12.2001 – 16.12.2001) 2 matches (24.09.2017 – 30.09.2017) 2 matches (15.10.2017 – 04.11.2017) 2 matches (18.11.2017 – 25.11.2017) 34 v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR 34:27W (h), 11.11.2017 36 v Portland San Antonio ESP 36:26L (a), 11.11.2001 65 v Montpellier HB FRA 33:32L (a), 04.11.2017 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
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2001/02 Sporting CP Lisboa POR
6
2
0
4
132:149
–17
4:8
3rd Gr. A
2017/18 Sporting CP POR Total
10 4 0 6 293:297 -4 8:12 16 6 0 10 425:446 –21 12:20
155
4th Gr. D
Sporting CP
Hugo Canela coach •
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
Newcomers: Luís Frade (Águas Santas/POR) Fábio Chiuffa (Logronés/ESP) Valentin Ghionea (Orlen Wisla Plock/POL) Neven Stjepanovic (Al Duhail/QAT)
Left the club: Pedro Portela (Tremblay/FRA) Filipe Borges (Tremblay/FRA) Michal Kopco (Ivry/FRA) Janko Bozovic (TV Emsdetten/GER) Manuel Gaspar (Boa Hora/POR) Bruno Gaspar (Boa Hora/POR) Francisco Tavares (Boa Hora/POR)
156
Sporting CP
Team roster Height Weight
Surname
Nat.
Position
5
Edmilson
Araujo
POR
Left Back
Date of birth Place of birth Lisbon, POR 06.01.1994
187
82
1
Matej
Asanin
CRO
Goalkeeper
04.09.1993
Zagreb, CRO
206
110
7
Bosko
Bjelanovic
POR
Centre Back
21.10.1985
Knin, CRO
195
100
Carneiro
POR
Centre Back
03.03.1982
Guimaraes, POR
185
83
13 Frankis
Carol Marzo
CUB
Left Back
07.09.1987
Guantanamo, CUB
192
90
16 Aljosa
Cudic
SLO
Goalkeeper
09.03.1988
Celje, SLO
190
94 96
No. First Name
C 18 Carlos
82 Luis
Frade
POR
Line Player
11.09.1998
Rio Tinto, POR
193
21 Joao
Gamboa
POR
Line Player
04.04.2000
Lisbon, POR
186
84
ROU Right Wing
29.04.1984
Baia Mare, ROU
197
90
29 Valentin Marian Ghionea 49 Goncalo
Gracio
POR
Left Wing
11.05.2000
Samora Correia, POR
181
74
33 Joao
Guerreiro
POR
Centre Back
04.05.1999
Lisbon, POR
190
83
55 Joao
Marques
POR
Left Back
03.04.2000
Lisbon, POR
194
89
37 Ivan
Nikcevic
SRB
Left Wing
11.02.1981
Niksic, SRB
181
81
10 Claudio
Pedroso
POR
Right Back
14.03.1986
Lisbon, POR
198
87
177
73
23 Nuno
Reis
POR
Right Wing
03.03.1999
Almada, POR
72 Joel
Ribeiro
POR
Centre Back
24.12.2000
Almada, POR
189
83
17 Tiago
Rocha
POR
Line Player
17.10.1985
S. Paio Oleiros, POR
196
104
19 Fabio
Rocha Chiuffa BRA
Right Wing
10.03.1989
Promissao, BRA
185
85
11 Carlos
Ruesga
ESP
Centre Back
10.03.1985
Gijon, ESP
185
94
31 Salvador
Salvador
POR
Left Back
29.07.2001
Samora Correia, POR
196
93
86 Matevz
Skok
SLO
Goalkeeper
02.09.1986
Celje, SLO
188
92
15 Pedro
Solha
POR
Left Wing
22.11.1981
Porto, POR
184
80
198
91
188
92
22 Neven 2
Pedro
Stjepanovic
BIH
Right Back
14.02.1993
Ilijas, BIH
Veitia Valdez
CUB
Left Back
17.08.1994
Havana, CUB
157
Sporting CP
Aljosa Cudic goalkeeper • started playing handball in RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko and played in Slovenia until 2009 • then had spells in France, Norway, Qatar and Poland before settling with Sporting in 2015 • won two Slovenian titles with Celje and reached the quarter-final of the CL • became first choice keeper in the 2017/18 season as Sporting won the domestic double EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017
Ivan Nikcevic left wing • has enjoyed successful spells with clubs in Serbia, Spain and Poland • 2017/18 was his best CL season in terms of goals, scoring 45 for Sporting • won the silver medal at the Men’s EHF EURO 2012 • one of the team’s biggest offensive threats, top scorer of Challenge Cup Final in 2017 EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017
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 league and Challenge Cup • versatile player with great technique and instinct
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017
Pedro Valdes left back • born in Cuba, started playing handball at Villa Clara • a young player with great shooting power • one of the most complete players at Sporting, important at both ends of the court • won a Portuguese League with Sporting, where he proved to be a scoring machine EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017
158
Sporting CP
Carlos Ruesga centre back
@CRuesga11
• has played for Portland San Antonio, Veszprém and 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 •
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017
Tiago Rocha line player • after 12 years at FC Porto, joined Wisla Plock until 2016/17 • 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
Cláudio Pedroso right back • played for Passos Manuel, SL Benfica, Madeira SAD and Sporting CP • won three Portuguese Leagues, two Super Cups and one Challenge Cup • began to have a bigger influence on the team last season • a natural shooter and major offensive weapon
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2017
Fabio Chiuffa right wing • started playing handball in Metodista, a Brazilian club from São Bernardo do Campo • enjoyed a remarkable campaign in 2017/18 with Spanish side Ciudad de Logroño • he is an experienced Brazillian international with Pan-American games and championship golds to his name • The left-hander is a technically gifted wing player
159
Besiktas Mogaz
GROUP C
Club Address
Besiktas MOGAZ Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48 34357 Besiktas - Istanbul Turkey Media contact
Berk Karahan +90 551 7075858 berk.karahan@bjk.com.tr www.bjk.com.tr Besiktas @BJKHentbol @besiktasjkhentbol
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: red Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: green
Besiktas Mogaz HT They beat eventual VELUX EHF Champions League winners Montpellier, but Besiktas Mogaz HT still failed to advance from their group last season - once again. With quite an experienced squad, the team of coach Müfit Arin hope to reach the play-offs in 2018/19 and give Turkish handball another boost. In the previous two seasons, Besiktas proved their development and finished their Groups C/D campaign in third place, each time after winning five of their 10 matches. This season, they won’t face opponents like Montpellier or Zaporozhye, which certainly boosts their chances. Bjerringbro-Silkeborg are widely regarded as favourites but Besiktas should be in the race for one of the two top spots. “It is all about fighting in each and every game. We have to fight until the end. No pain, no gain,” says manager Berk Karahan. Compared to five years ago, when they first qualified for the group phase, their playing style has developed and their international experience has certainly increased. Still, their learning curve is not yet complete, and opponents such as Medvedi or Metalurg have a longer Champions League history.“It will take time to establish ourselves, but we are sparing no effort. We must still be considered as new ones in European handball,” says manager Karahan, adding: “But when you see the general development of our sport in Turkey, we have thousands of kids, who love and follow handball. This is part of our experience.” Football and basketball are clearly the two most popular team sports in Turkey. The number of spectators, the budgets, and the media presence of basketball are huge compared to handball. But Besiktas have the chance to move into a new arena for 10,000 fans, and making it to the knockout stage of the VELUX EHF Champions League would mean a true boost for the club and the sport. “This year we would like to play in Istanbul again, what could be a great thing for Turkish handball,” manager Karahan says.
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 12 Group Phase (4): 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 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
160
Other EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06, 2010/11 Challenge Cup: Semi-final 2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03 Turkish league: 14 titles (1981, 1982, 2005, 2007, 2009-2018) Turkish cup: 13 titles
Besiktas Mogaz HT
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
10 36 72
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run MATCHES Longest losing run
Longest losing run Longest run without win
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 3 matches (18.11.2017 – 03.12.2017) 3 matches (09.10.2016 – 22.10.2016) 3 matches (18.11.2017 – 03.12.2017) 10 matches (20.11.2014 – 14.10.2015) 10 matches (20.11.2014 – 14.10.2015)
GOALS 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
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
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2014/15 Besiktas MOGAZ HT TUR
10
1
0
9
253:303
–50
2:18
6th Gr. B
2015/16 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu TUR 14
1
0
13
382:487
-105
2:26
8th Gr. A
2016/17 Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR
10
5
1
4
275:289
–14
11:9
3rd Gr. D
2017/18 Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR Total
10 44
5 1 12 2
4 30
293:296 -3 1203:1375 –172
11:9 26:62
3rd Gr. D
161
Besiktas Mogaz
Mufit Arin coach •
successful coach who has been dominating the Turkish domestic league with Besiktas for more than a decade
•
reached Challenge Cup Semi-final in 2008/09
•
notable playing achievement is winning the Turkish league with Arcelik HK in 1983
•
led Besiktas to become the first Turkish club in the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase, in 2014/15
Newcomers: Baran Nalbantoglu (Göztepe SK/TUR) Özgür Sarak (Ankara BŞB SK/TUR) Yiğit Yaşar Kocaarslan (Aziziye Bel SK/TUR) Marko Lasica (Timisoara/ROU)
Left the club: Faruk Vrazalic (CSM Bucharest/ROU) Filip Lazarov (Ratingen/GER) Mihajlo Radojkovic (Calarasi/ROU)
162
Besiktas Mogaz HT
Team roster Height Weight
No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
77 Gökay
Bilim
TUR
Centre Back
01.01.2002
Istanbul, TUR
186
88
11 Josip
Buljubasic
TUR
Back
11.07.1988
Metkovic, CRO
205
103
14 Mehmet
Demirezen
TUR
Line Player
03.08.1988
Ankara, TUR
193
100
Döne
TUR
Right Back
10.07.1981
Rize, TUR
192
106
Ersin
TUR
Centre Back
20.03.1992
Samsun, TUR
190
86
TUR
Goalkeeper
01.11.1986
Samsun, TUR
190
91
C 53 Ramazan 21 Onur 22 Taner
Günay
EGY
Goalkeeper
01.05.1988
Cairo, EGY
187
92
Karatay
TUR
Goalkeeper
07.02.1998
Sirnak, TUR
198
90
23 Dogukan
Keser
TUR
Right Wing
24.01.2000
Kars, TUR
182
86
42 Yigit Yasar
Kocaarslan
TUR
Left Back
09.07.1994
Konya, TUR
198
95
10 Marko
Krsmancic
SRB
Centre Back
02.12.1989
Negotin, SRB
187
91
25 Marko
Lasica
MNE Right Wing
30.04.1988
Niksic, MNE
188
80
19 Baran
Nalbantoglu
TUR
Left Back
27.10.1992
Izmir, TUR
195
88
Capljina, CRO
184
86
88 Karim Mostafa Hendawy 1
Mehmet
27 Tomislav
Nuic
BIH
Left Wing
12.11.1988
20 Tolga
Line Player
24.04.1984
Aydin, TUR
195
98
26.03.1984
Nis, SRB
190
103
Özbahar
TUR
8
Nemanja
Pribak
MKD Centre Back
7
Özgür
Sarak
TUR
Right Back
07.02.1993
Samsun, TUR
193
93
37 Mijo
Tomic
CRO
Left Wing
06.04.1993
Split, CRO
196
84
35 Sevket
Yagmuroglu
TUR
Right Wing
10.01.2001
Akhisar, TUR
182
84
163
Besiktas Mogaz
Karim Mostafa Hassan Hendawy goalkeeper • joined Besiktas in 2016, excellent performances helped him secure No. 1 position • played for Egyptian junior and senior national teams, won African Games in 2011 and 2016, Arab Games in 2011, Mediterranean Games in 2013; played at 2016 Rio Olympics • won four national league titles and two cups in Egypt before joining Besiktas • awarded best goalkeeper at Junior World Championship 2009
Tomislav Nuic left wing • joined Besiktas in 2017 after departure of Croatian star Ivan Nincevic • played European Cup games with HRK Izvidac Ljubuski, RK Siscia and RK Nexe between 2006-2017 • praised for his commitment to the team, a man of duty
Marko Krsmancic centre back • right-handed Serbian who played for RK Jugovic (Serbia), DHC Rheinland (Germany), HC Alpla Hard (Austria) before joining Besiktas in 2016/17 • debut in Serbian first league at age 15, played for national team in all age categories • strong in one-to-one situations, can play several positions in defence
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 Men’s World Championship 2011, but opted to play for FYR Macedonia in 2013 • joined Besiktas in 2015 after five seasons with HC Vardar, where he is considered a club legend
164
Besiktas Mogaz HT
Tolga Özbahar line player • came to Besiktas in 2010, generally regarded one of Turkey’s best line players • awarded best line player in the Turkish league several times • in 2012/13, was second best top scorer (27 goals) when Besiktas reached the EHF Cup Group Phase • first Turkish player nominated for a VCL All-star Team, in 2014/15 • has retired from the national team
Özgür Sarak right back • joined Besiktas to replace Mihajlo Radojkovic, will share position with captain Ramazan Döne • played eight years in Turkish Super League with Göztepe SK, Maliye Milli Piyago SK, Ankara BŞB SK • undergraduate at physical education and sports teaching • at his best in defence
@ramazandone
Ramazan Döne right back • joined Besiktas in 2006 from Cankaya Belediyesi
• became top scorer of Challenge Cup 2005/06 (66 goals in seven games) as well as top scorer of Turkish league in 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2009/10 • helped Besiktas reach the EHF Cup Group Phase in 2012/13, and was their top scorer with 30 goals • named best right back in Turkish league several times • played more than 150 international matches for Turkey but has now retired to make way for young talents
Dogukan Keser right wing • started playing handball at age eight in Istanbul • joined Besiktas in 2014, a club he calls “my family”, and won three championships with the junior team • had breakthrough in 2016/17, joining the senior team and playing CL at age 16 while winning the Turkish league, cup and Super Cup titles
165
Chekhovskie Medvedi
GROUP C
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 chehmedvedi chehmedvedi @hc_chekhovskie_medvedi
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: yellow
Chekhovskie Medvedi The perennial Russian champions have not experienced much success in Europe recently, but coach Vladimir Maximov hopes the maturing of their young players will lead them out of the group phase Despite the departure of many experienced players in recent years and the emergence of strong rivals Spartak Moscow, Chekhovskie Medvedi continue their dominance in Russian handball. However, their results in Europe have declined, so the Chekhov-based team want to make a step in the right direction in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2018/19. In the last four seasons, starting from 2014/15, Medvedi could not progress from their VELUX EHF Champions League group and their results gradually deteriorated. Last season, the ‘Bears’ finished at the bottom of Group D with just five points. Since being founded in 2001, the Bears have won the domestic league every year. But the ambitious project Spartak Moscow may put an end to Chekhov’s dominance. Established in 2017, the team from the Russian capital seriously challenged Medvedi in their debut season, though they lost in the final series. The legendary coach Vladimir Maximov faced a big challenge in recent years as many key players left the team, but he kept leading Medvedi to one domestic title after another. One of the main reason was Maximov’s productive work with young talents. With his vast experience, the 72-year-old coach knows how to discover new players and contribute to their development, so we may see a breakthrough of some youngsters in the coming season. The 22-year-old left back Dmitriy Santalov joined the main team of Medvedi in 2014, and he was the youngest member of the squad at the time. Since then, Santalov has not just won the Russian league four times, but became a key player of the Bears, and he became their top scorer last season. There were rumours that the Russian international might join Vardar this summer, but ultimately he stayed at Chekhov. Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: purple Player short: purple GK shirt: black
Playing hall Sport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” Chekhov Poligrafistov Str. 30 142300 Chekhov Russia Capacity: 3,000
166
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 18 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 (10): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06 Russian league: 17 titles (2002-2018) Russian cup: 8 titles
Chekhovskie Medvedi
EHF Champions League club records
8 46 77
MATCHES
Longest unbeaten run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
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) 8 games (24.11.2016 – 14.10.2017) 11 games (24.03.2013 – 21.02.2015)
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals
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
Most goals both teams
Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
VELUX EHF Champions League record MP W T L 2001/02 CSKA Moscow RUS 6 1 0 5 2002/03 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS 6 2 0 4 2003/04 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS 6 3 0 3 2004/05 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS 8 6 0 2 2005/06 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS 6 3 0 3 2006/07 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 8 4 0 4 2007/08 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 12 7 1 4 2008/09 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS 12 7 0 5 2009/10 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 16 9 2 5 2010/11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 14 8 3 3 2011/12 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 10 3 4 3 2012/13 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 12 6 4 2 2014/15 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 10 0 1 9 2015/16 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 10 4 0 6 2016/17 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 10 2 2 6 2017/18 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 10 2 1 7 Total 156 67 18 71
167
GF GA GD 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 –18 271:306 –35 4690:4613 +77
PTS 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 5:15 152:160
Stage1994/95 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 6th Gr. D
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Vladimir Maximov coach • legend of the sport, who remains the only person to have won Olympic gold both as player and as coach • successfully led the Russian national team but resigned from that job in 2012 to focus on his club duties at Medvedi • joined Medvedi in 2001, and has led the club to the domestic title in Russia every year since
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: Maxim Strushinsky (Dinamo Astrakhan/RUS)
Left the club: Mikhail Sharkov (SGAU Saratov/RUS)
168
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
11 Pavel
Andreev
RUS
Line Player
19.07.1992
Saint Petersburg, RUS
195
85
15 Andrei
Beliaev
RUS
Right Back
15.02.1998
Togliatti, RUS
197
98
Danil
Bochkarev
RUS
Centre Back
11.02.1998
Volzhskiy, RUS
184
81
Evgeny
Dzemin
RUS
Left Back
30.08.1997
Ussuriysk, RUS
207
101
31 Victor
Furtsev
RUS
Line Player
17.06.1996
Belgorod, RUS
198
95
16 Artem
Grushko
RUS
Goalkeeper
20.06.1993
Odessa, UKR
193
91
Albert
Gumarov
RUS
Left Wing
04.02.1998
Astrahan, RUS
181
75
98 Nikita
Kamenev
RUS
Right Back
14.04.1998
Belgorod, RUS
198
98
22 Igor
Karlov
RUS
Centre Back
16.12.1994
Lübeck, GER
192
82
Kornev
RUS
Right Wing
16.06.1992
Vologda, RUS
186
86
RUS
Left Back
16.06.1999
No. First Name Surname
5
4
6
Dmitriy
99 Sergei Mark Kosorotov 17 Alexander
Kotov
RUS
Right Back
11.07.1994
Volgograd, RUS
198
97
Kirill
Kotov
RUS
Centre Back
23.05.1992
Moscow, RUS
185
75
Kuretkov
RUS
Right Back
16.11.1994
Maykop, RUS
192
88 88
C 9
14 Maxim 38 Timofei
Maslennikov
RUS
Right Wing
10.03.1997
Chekhov, RUS
185
18 Ivan
Nefedov
RUS
Right Wing
30.05.1998
Moscow, RUS
183
75
19 Roman
Ostashchenko
RUS
Left Wing
26.09.1992
Moscow, RUS
184
83
12 Dmitry
Pavlenko
RUS
Goalkeeper
01.01.1991
Zaporozhye, UKR
190
76
Dmitrii
Santalov
RUS
Left Back
07.04.1996
Blagoveshchensk, RUS 196
87
Stelmakh
RUS
Goalkeeper
25.04.1998
Volgograd, RUS
192
105
Strushinskiy
RUS
Vasilev
RUS
Astrakhan, RUS
196
95
3
33 Aleksei Maksim 27 Denis
24.04.1992 Line Player
169
31.12.1993
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Dmitryi Pavlenko goalkeeper • at just 27, he is already one of the veterans in the young Medvedi squad • became first-choice goalkeeper last season after Oleg Grams left for Dunkerque HB • the Ukrainian-born player started his career at ZTR Zaporozhye • moved to Medvedi at a young age and became a Russian citizen
Roman Ostashchenko left wing • born in Moscow and started to play handball at Kuntsevo • joined reserve team of Medvedi in 2007, promoted to main team in 2013 • rapidly progressing player, who is one of the key figures at Medvedi and a regular member of the Russian national team
Dmitriy Santalov left back • born and raised in Blagoveshchensk, a town in the far east of Russia • at age 16, he joined the handball academy in Chekhov, some 7,700 kms from his home town • joined main team of Medvedi in 2014 as the youngest player in the squad • studies ecology at university in Moscow
Kirill Kotov centre back • started playing handball in Dolgoprudny, a small town near Moscow • joined Medvedi in 2007 at age 15, and became first-team player in 2013 • five-time Russian champion, who is a member of the national team • became team captain in 2017 following the departure of several experienced players
170
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Igor Karlov centre back • joined Medvedi in 2017 from SKIF Krasnodar, a club from his home town, where he was a true leader • helped SKIF beat Medvedi in Russian cup final in 2017 • won his first Russian championship in the 2017/18 season • son of former Russian international Dmitriy Karlov
Pavel Andreev line player • born in St.-Petersburg, where he started playing handball • joined Medvedi early in his career, first needed to gain experience in reserve team • became regular in the main team in 2014/15, and has won the national league four times since then • member of the Russia national team
Alexander Kotov right back • born in Volgograd and started his career at Kaustik • played for Russian under-21 team at Junior WCh 2015 in Brazil • not a relative of teammate Kirill Kotov • nicknamed ‘Boroda’ (‘The Beard’) for an apparent reason
Dmitriy Kornev right wing • started playing handball in Moscow • four-time national champion with Medvedi • part of Russian under-21 team at Junior WCh 2013 in Bosnia, and member of senior national team since April 2016
171
Tatran Presov
GROUP C
Club Address
TATRAN Presov Handball Club Holleho 3 080 01 Presov Slovakia Media contact
Richard Fech +421 903 662 215 everydayrf@yahoo.com www.tatranpresov.sk TatranPresovHandball #TatranPresov
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: green
Tatran Presov (SVK) Last year, they failed to advance from the qualification tournament on home court. This season, Tatran Presov have directly entered the group phase. With former Olympic and world champion Slavko Goluza as their coach and an almost unchanged squad, the Slovakian record champions vie for a play-off spot. The defeat against Alpla Hard of Austria in the semi-final of last year’s qualification tournament left hosts Presov in shock. But Goluza stuck to his course and added some new players to his squad. Later, Presov played full-speed handball with a galore of goals. Goluza mixed the typical Balkan shooters with some efficient wing players. But he also missed the second major international goal: qualifying for the SEHA league finals tournament in Skopje. In 2005, Tatran qualified for the Last 16 of the EHF Champions League for the first, and so far only, time. Matching that achievement this season doesn’t seem unrealistic as the group phase draw could have been worse. In the preparation, Presov won a strong tournament in the Bosnian city of Doboj and easily earned the trophy of the Czech-Slovakian cup competition for the fourth straight time after beating Banik Karvina 41:27. But they lost their opening match in the SEHA league 26:25 against newcomers Steaua Bucharest. One of the most prolific national team players has returned to Slovakia after 13 years, and he will wear the Tatran jersey for the first time. Martin Stranovsky left Nove Zamky in 2005 and went to Spain. After seven years with Leon and two seasons with Barça, he moved to Germany to join HC Erlangen for four years. Now back in Slovakia, he carries high expectations on his shoulders. He is Tatran’s new team captain as successor of Radovan Pekar, who has retired from handball. With 2.09 metres, Michal Kasal is among the tallest players of the 2018/19 season. The 24-year-old Czech international is the next in line of very tall Presov players. The tallest player in the VELUX EHF Champions League is Vardar’s right back Dainis Kristopans, who is a former Tatran player.
Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: green Player short: green Goalkeeper shirt: black
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 15 Last 16 (1): 2004/05 Last 32 (1): 1993/94 Group Phase (3): 2010/11, 2015/16, 2016/17 Group Matches (3): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09 Qualification (6): 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2017/18
Playing hall Tatran Handball Arena Presov Jana Pavla II 2 080 01 Presov Slovakia Capacity: 3,870
172
Other EHF Cup: Quarter-final 2011/12 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2005/06 Slovak league: 14 titles (2004, 2005, 2007-18) Slovak cup: 15 titles
Tatran Presov
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
2 40 37
Longest unbeaten run MATCHES Longest unbeaten run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS
Longest losing run Longest run without win
37:24 (17:11) v RK Metkovic CRO (h), 30.10.2004 42:25 (22:12) v MKB Veszprém KC HUN (a), 05.11.2005 2 matches (12.11.2005 – 29.09.2007) 2 matches (22.10.2016 – 10.11.2016) 2 matches (09.10.2004 – 17.10.2004) 2 matches (12.11.2005 – 29.09.2007) 2 matches (22.10.2016 – 10.11.2016) 2 matches (04.12.2016 – 11.02.2017) 7 matches (05.12.2004 – 05.11.2005) 7 matches (16.11.2008 – 20.11.2010) 16 matches (16.11.2008 – 10.10.2015)
Most goals both teams
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
37 v RK Metkovic CRO 37:24W (h), 30.10.2004 42 v MKB Veszprém KC HUN 42:25L (a), 05.11.2005 42 v GOG Svendborg TGI Gudme DEN 42:32L (a), 07.10.2007 74 v GOG Svendborg TGI Gudme DEN 42:32L (a), 07.10.2007 19 v Vojvodina SRB 19:27L (h), 10.10.2015 19 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 19:21L (h), 05.12.2015 18 v RK Metkovic CRO 18:29W (a), 17.10.2004 40 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 19:21L (h), 05.12.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2004/05 Tatran Presov SVK
8
3
1
4
231:237
-6
7:9
Last 16
2005/06 Tatran Presov SVK
6
1
0
5
154:201
-47
2:10
3rd Gr. F
2007/08 Tatran Presov SVK
6
1
1
4
182:211
-29
3:9
3rd Gr. D
2008/09 Tatran Presov SVK
6
2
0
4
165:183
-18
4:8
3rd Gr. D
2010/11 TATRAN Presov SVK
10
0
2
8
273:325
-52
2:18
6th Gr. B
2015/16 TATRAN Presov SVK
10
2
0
8
240:279
–39
4:16
6th Gr. C
2016/17 TATRAN Presov SVK Total
10 56
4 1 13 5
5 38
259:271 –12 1504:1707 -203
9:11 31:81
4th Gr. C
173
Tatran Presov
Slavko Goluza coach • won Olympic gold with Croatia as a player in Atlanta and Athens, and bronze as a coach in London •
wants Presov to play a similar style as Croatia did during his five-year spell as national coach (2010-15)
•
led RK Zagreb to two CL titles, in 1992 and 1993
•
named best Croatian handball coach in 2012, 2013 and 2014
•
won three domestic titles in 2017/18 but lacked European success
EC trophies: CL 1992, 1993 OS: G 1996, 2004 (as player), B 2012 (as coach) @slavko.goluza_5
Newcomers: Martin Stranovsky (HC Erlangen/GER) Titouane Afanou Gatine (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
Left the club: Radovan Pekar (retired)
174
Tatran Presov
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
88 Titouan
Afanou Gatine
FRA
Right Back
27.01.1995
Lyon, FRA
193
97
11 Ante
Babic
CRO
Line Player
09.02.1997
Osijek, CRO
193
97
Butorac
CRO
Right Back
01.10.1994
Zagreb, CRO
188
82
73 Igor
Chupryna
UKR
Goalkeeper
25.04.1990
Illychevsk, CRO
200
96
21 Tomas
Cip
CZE
Right Wing
05.10.1989
Zubri, CZE
189
94
12 Mario
Cvitkovic
CRO
Goalkeeper
09.08.1994
Sinj, CRO
192
95
Hrstka
CZE
Left Wing
17.03.1990
Zubri, CZE
188
91
44 Michal
Kasal
CZE
Left Back
03.04.1994
Nové Mesto Na Morave, CZE 209
98
71 Maros
Kolpak
SVK
Goalkeeper
23.03.1971
Presov, SVK
190
99
14 Martin
Kriz
SVK
Right Wing
27.07.1997
Presov, SVK
186
77
No. First Name Surname
4
6
Bruno
Jakub
9
Dominik
Krok
SVK
Left Back
22.01.1991
Bardejov, SVK
189
79
7
Janus
Lapajne
SLO
Centre Back
03.03.1995
Sampeter pri Gorici, SLO
192
93
2
Oliver
Rabek
SVK
Left Back
30.09.1987
Nove Zamky, SVK
204
102
Radcenko
CZE
Centre Back
05.07.1973
Krasnodar, RUS
187
90
10 Tomas
Recicar
SVK
Left Back
30.11.1998
Presov, SVK
192
92
13 Lubos
Sarpataky
SVK
Right Wing
15.01.1996
Presov, SVK
183
87
Milos
Sarpataky
SVK
Centre Back
15.01.1996
Presov, SVK
183
87
Stranovsky
SVK
Left Wing
12.09.1985
Nové Zamky, SVK
187
78
77 Roman
Tsarapkin
RUS
Left Back
09.05.1995
Moscow, RUS
197
95
17 Lukas
Urban
SVK
Back
22.06.1995
Presov, SVK
198
85
23 Leon
Vucko
CRO
Line Player
09.01.1995
Zagreb, CRO
192
115
15 Alexandr
3
C 24 Martin
175
Tatran Presov
Igor Chupryna goalkeeper • Ukrainian national team goalkeeper, who moved to Presov in the summer of 2015 from Ukrainian club HC Portovik • formed strong Ukrainian goalkeeping duo with Vladimir Bozic, now teams up with young Croat Mario Cvitkovic • nicknamed ‘The Magician’ by teammates and local media
Jakub Hrstka left wing • born in Czech city Zubri, left for Presov in 2011, together with Tomas Cip • second-best Presov scorer in CL Group Phase 2016/17, with 42 goals • very fast on the wing with ability to score on crucial moments of the game • with 47 goals, best scorer for Tatran in EHF Cup in 2017/18
Martin Stranovsky left back
@martinstranovsky
• back in Slovakia after a 13-year adventure abroad, playing for Leon, Barcelona and Erlangen • versatile player, able to cover the left back or centre back positions • Slovakian Player of the Year in 2006, CL finalist, played at five EURO events for Croatia • Prešov will be his fifth club in his long and successful career
Dominik Krok left back • one of few Presov players who was part of all three previous CL Group Phase appearances, in 2010/2011, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 • born in Bardejov, Eastern Slovakia, he joined Presov in 2009 • famous for powerful shots from distance, and a fans’ favourite • his last name Krok means ‘step’ in Slovak • loves to play tennis, which helps him develop his skills and accuracy
176
Tatran Presov
Oliver Rabek centre back • leading attacking player for Presov, who scored 52 times in the CL in 2016/17 • often battling with injuries • known for very accurate and hard shots from distance • won domestic league and cup each year since joining Presov in 2012
Ante Babic line player • forms a Croatian line player duo with Leon Vucko • practiced swimming and karate in his younger years • good footwork, very dynamic player who does lot of dirty work in defence • set to make his CL debut with Presov; earlier played for Croatian clubs RK Osijek and RK Dubrava
Bruno Butorac right back/wing • highly rated Croatian left-handed player, who was with RK Dubrava Zagreb before joining Tatran Presov • won silver with Croatia at under-19 WCh in 2013 in Hungary • dynamic player with excellent moves, able to score a lot of goals • second best scorer in the SEHA league 2017/18 with 95 goals
Tomas Cíp right wing • joined Presov in 2011 from Zubri, together with Jakub Hrstka • won seven Slovakian titles with Presov, every year since he joined the club • strong defender but mainly praised for his game in attack • played for Czech Republic at EHF EURO 2018 and scored 21 goals
177
Group D preview
Group D preview PLOCK WITH PLENTY TO PROVE IN GROUP D GROUP D PREVIEW: Polish runners-up must emerge from a tricky group to prove they belong among Europe’s elite once again Last season was a turning point for Groups C/D in the VELUX EHF Champions League as Skjern and Montpellier emerged from the groups to make a monumental impact on the competition. Skjern reaching the quarter-final and Montpellier lifting the trophy in Cologne has breathed new life into these groups and given hope to all involved. Failure to progress from the group phase in the past two seasons has led to Orlen Wisla Plock losing their spot in Groups A/B and now they must take on an evenly matched Group D for a chance to reach the Last 16. The Polish runners-up are considered among the favourites in this group, alongside Abanca Ademar Leon. The Spanish side hold the slight advantage of knowing how to navigate these groups, having reached the Group C/D Play-offs last season, before being knocked out by eventual champions Montpellier. Four national champions make up the rest of Group D – Elverum, Wacker Thum, Dinamo Bucuresti and Riihimäen Cocks. All will be aiming to upset the likes of Plock and it would not be a huge surprise to see one of this quartet secure a top two spot. SABATE BACK IN THE HOT SEAT Two years after suffering a cruel defeat in the VELUX EHF Champions League Final against Kielce, it seems somewhat fitting that Xavier Sabate’s first job since leaving Veszprém is to take over Kielce’s arch rivals Plock. Sabate’s aim with this team will first and foremost be to remind them of how it feels to win in Europe, after Plock picked up just five victories in the past two seasons. Plock have picked up a few notable signings over the summer, including goalmachine Ziga Mlakar from Celje, vastly experienced Renato Sulic from Veszprém and EHF EURO 2018 top scorer Ondrej Zdrahala. This calibre of firepower should be too much for the rest of the group to deal with. Their fiercest rivals are expected to be Abanca Ademar Leon, another club with genuine Champions League pedigree, but few of their current squad were around the last time they reached the Last 16 in 2013.
178
Group D preview
Leon’s four new signings are not quite as impressive as Plock’s on paper, but coach Rafael Guijosa Castillo will have plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Three losses in their first four games left Leon in a sticky situation last year, before they mounted a superb comeback, earning five wins to reach the playoffs. With that in mind, Plock and the rest of Group D will do well never to underestimate the Spaniards. REGULARS READY TO STEP UP? With Norwegian side Elverum heading for their fourth consecutive season and Dinamo Bucuresti of Romania going for their third, both can be considered regulars at this level. However, since they both had a decent campaign in 2016/17, the sides’ fortunes took different turns last year. While Elverum were in contention to progress from Group C until the final rounds, Dinamo struggled in the same group, picking up a solitary victory from their 10 matches. Elverum’s seven new additions lack European experience, but that has never deterred them in the past and contending for a top two spot will certainly be their aim again this season. Dinamo may have lost influential Iranian brothers Sajad and Allahkaram Esteki to domestic rivals CSM Bucuresti, but have brought in eight new faces, including three from Tunisia and this freshening of the squad should ensure a better performance in Europe this time around. HUNT FOR A FIRST WIN Riihimäen Cocks’ journey to the VELUX EHF Champions League has been a truly remarkable one. The perennial Finnish champions considered reaching the Challenge Cup Quarterfinals a huge success just three years ago, now they stand on the verge of making their debut in Europe’s premier club competition. And their performance in last season’s EHF Cup Group Phase prove that these men can hold their own against teams at this level. Their squad has not changed much since last season and if the likes of Nico Rönnberg and Teemu Tamminen can play at their best, a debut victory will not be far away. Also on the hunt for their first victory is Wacker Thun, who could not pick one up in their debut season five years ago. In the 2012/14 season, the Swiss side managed a draw against Metalurg, but no victories in a star-studded group, but this campaign should provide more opportunities to pick up their first pair of points. Similar to Cocks, Thun reached the EHF Cup Group Phase last season, providing plenty of international experience to the semi-professional squad. Their meeting with the Finnish side at home on 20 September could turn out to be a historic occasion for one club, but whether either will make a bigger impact on the group remains to be the seen. Chris O`Reilly
179
Group D preview
Group D head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group D opponents in the EC Orlen Wisla Plock vs Abanca Ademar Leon No previous encounters in European competitions
Orlen Wisla Plock vs Elverum Handball 2-0-0 (57:50) 4:0 10.02.2013 16.03.2013
Elverum Handball Herrer vs Orlen Wisla Plock, EHF Cup – Group C Orlen Wisla Plock vs Elverum Handball Herrer, EHF Cup – Group C
25:27 (14:10) 30:25 (17:14)
Orlen Wisla Plock vs Wacker Thun No previous encounters in European competitions
Orlen Wisla Plock vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions
Orlen Wisla Plock vs Riihimäen Cocks No previous encounters in European competitions
Abanca Ademar Leon vs Elverum Handball 1-0-1 (56:55) 2:2 30.09.2017 03.12.2017
Abanca Ademar Leon vs Elverum Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Elverum Handball vs Abanca Ademar Leon, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
26:30 (10:12) 25:30 (13:13)
Abanca Ademar Leon vs Wacker Thun 2-0-0 (62:47) 4:0 10.11.2002 17.11.2002
C.BM. Ademar Leon vs BSV Wacker Thun, Cup Winners’ Cup – Round 3 BSV Wacker Thun vs C.BM. Ademar Leon, Cup Winners’ Cup – Round 3
35:21 (17:9) 26:27 (11:11)
Abanca Ademar Leon vs Dinamo Bucuresti 2-0-0 (60:53) 4:0 15.10.2017 04.11.2017
Dinamo Bucuresti vs Abanca Ademar Leon, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Abanca Ademar Leon vs Dinamo Bucuresti, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
24:28 (13:17) 32:29 (18:15)
Abanca Ademar Leon vs Riihimäen Cocks No previous encounters in European competitions
Elverum Handball vs Wacker Thun No previous encounters in European competitions
Elverum Handball vs Dinamo Bucuresti 2-0-0 (74:65) 4:0 08.10.2017 26.11.2017
Elverum Handball vs Dinamo Bucuresti, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C Dinamo Bucuresti vs Elverum Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
Elverum Handball vs Riihimäen Cocks No previous encounters in European competitions
Wacker Thun vs Dinamo Bucuresti No previous encounters in European competitions
Wacker Thun vs Riihimäen Cocks No previous encounters in European competitions
Dinamo Bucuresti vs Riihimäen Cocks No previous encounters in European competitions
180
40:32 (19:15) 33:34 (16:16)
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Orlen Wisla Plock
GROUP D
Club Address
Orlen Wisła Płock Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland Media contact
Tomasz Bauman +48 882 975 087 t.bauman@sprwislaplock.pl www.sprwislaplock.pl sprwisla @SPRWisla @sprwisla
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white, blue Player short: blue GK shirt: yellow
Orlen Wisla Plock Orlen Wisla Plock are starting the VELUX EHF Champions League 2018/19 season in Group D. The Polish runners-up have got a new coach, four new players and a lot to prove to themselves and their fans. Plock’s main countable goal is to get promoted to the Last 16 stage, but behind it there is a much more important objective: to believe in themselves and learn how to win on Eu-ropean level again. “I think we need to learn how to win in the Champions League again, as last year we played re-ally good matches against Barcelona or Nantes,” says the team captain, Marcin Wichary. “We could have won them, but we missed something. I hope this time we will show wisdom on the court.” The Polish runners-up want to reach the level they failed to reach last season. “Our objective for the season is to present ourselves on a high level and to be promoted to the Last 16. We hope that we can make it back into the Groups A or B in the future,” says president Adam Wiśniewski. The Oilers have been the second best team in the Polish league since six years. The last time they won the domestic title was in 2011, and the ongoing rivalry with Kielce is a fascinating story in the country. On European level, the goal is also very serious. “Playing in the VELUX EHF Champions League is the primary target for the future development of our club,” admits president Wiśniewski. “We are strongly convinced that it leads us to build our ‘sport brand’ and has further impact on increasing our business potential. It shows that we are one of the most prestigious teams in Eu-rope and boost sport and marketing development. It is crucial for our sponsors as well as our fans.” Apart from four new players - winger Mateusz Góralski, left back Ziga Mlakar, line player Re-nato Sulić, and EHF EUROI 2018 top scorer Ondrej Zdrahala - Plock also have a new coach. Xavier Sabate’s responsibility will be to create a solid team and teach his players a new philos-ophy after Piotr Przybecki. He will have to cope with injury worries right at the beginning of the season as Nemanja Obradovic is returning from a shoulder issue and left back Tomasz Gębala will only be back in 2019 due to a knee injury.
Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 14 Last 16 (4): 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Group Phase (7): 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2016/17, 2017/18 Last 32 (1): 1995/96 Qualification (1): 2012/13 Playing hall
Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 1993/94, Group Phase 2012/13 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 1996/97 Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011) Polish Cup: 10 titles
Orlen Arena Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland Capacity: 5,467
182
Orlen Wisla Plock
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat
5 42 72
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS
Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
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) 6 matches (25.02.2017 – 01.10.2017) 13 matches (25.11.2015 – 19.10.2016)
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
42 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG 42:26W (h), 13.11.2004 40 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 72 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 13 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006 19 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SRB 31:19W (h), 28.09.2006 19 v HCM Constanta ROU 19:34W (a), 09.02.2012 19 v Besiktas MOGAZ HT 28:19W (h), 27.09.2014 34 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2002/03 Wisla Plock SSA POL
6
1
0
5
167:195
–28
2:10
3rd Gr. A
2004/05 Wisla Plock SSA POL
6
1
0
5
159:177
-18
2:10
4th Gr. D
2005/06 Wisla Plock SSA POL
6
2
0
4
155:182
-27
4:8
3rd Gr. E
2006/07 Wisla Plock SA POL
6
2
0
4
141:170
–29
4:8
3rd Gr. C
2008/09 Wisla Plock SA POL
6
0
0
6
122:188
-66
0:12
4th Gr. H
2011/12 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
12
4
1
7
321:332
-11
9:15
Last 16
2013/14 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
12
5
0
7
335:341
-6
10:14
Last 16
2014/15 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
12
7
1
4
340:337
+3
15:9
Last 16
2015/16 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
16
3
3
10
426:452
–26
9:23
Last 16
2016/17 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
14
3
2
9
367:401
–34
8:20
7th Gr. A
2017/18 Orlen Wisla Plock POL Total
14 2 3 9 380:408 –28 7:21 110 30 10 70 2913:3183 –270 70:150
183
7th Gr. A
Orlen Wisla Plock
Javier Sabate coach • replaced Piotr Przybecki who left the club in March 2018 • though his is still quite young, he has gained a lot of experience as coach • was head coach of Veszprém from 2015-17 and led the club the CL Final in 2016 • very engaged in every aspect, including trainings and tactics analysis
@xavi_sabate
Newcomers: Ondrej Zdrahala (TSV St. Ottmar St. Gallen) Renato Sulić (Veszprém) Ziga Mlakar (Celje) Mateusz Góralski (Piotrkowianin Piotrków Trybunalski)
Left the club: Valentin Ghionea (Sporting CP) Maciej Gębala (SC Leipzig) Gilberto Duarte (Barça Lassa) Sime Ivić (Meshkov Brest)
184
Orlen Wisla Plock
Team roster No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Height
Weight
24 Adam
Borbely
HUN Goalkeeper
22.06.1995
Debrecen, HUN
197
117
Daszek
POL
Right Wing
27.06.1992
Tczew, POL
182
87
BRA
Right Back
11.01.1994
Sao Paulo, BRA
193
100
3
Michal
37 Jose Guilherme De Toledo
Date of birth Place of birth
Position
48 Tomasz
Gebala
POL
Left Back
23.11.1995
Gdynia, POL
212
120
17 Mateusz
Goralski
POL
Right Wing
17.01.1994
Plock, POL
178
82
38 Pawel
Kowalski
POL
Left Back
22.10.2000
Plock, POL
199
104
20.01.1987
Ciechanรณw, POL
184
86
6
Przemyslaw
Krajewski
POL
Left Wing
4
Dominik
Mierzwicki
POL
Right Back
08.07.1999
Plock, POL
182
76
34 Lovro
Mihic
CRO
Left Wing
25.08.1994
Zagreb, CRO
180
81
55 Ziga
Mlakar
SLO
Right Back
16.05.1990
Celje, SLO
192
99
16 Adam
Morawski
POL
Goalkeeper
17.10.1994
Ciechanรณw, POL
192
92
Left Back
03.11.1988
Malaga, ESP
188
93
8
Ignacio
Moya Florido ESP
14 Nemanja
Obradovic
SRB
Centre Back
08.01.1991
Krusevac, SRB
198
104
27 Aleksander
Olkowski
POL
Centre Back
27.04.1998
Plock, POL
187
85
Piechowski
POL
Line Player
01.03.1995
Plock, POL
210
112
18 Mateusz
Racotea
ROU Left Back
21.07.1995
Brasov, ROU
202
115
39 Renato
Sulic
CRO
Line Player
12.10.1979
Rijeka, CRO
192
106
26 Marko
Tarabochia
BIH
Centre Back
28.11.1988
Zagreb, BIH
193
93
C 12 Marcin
Wichary
POL
Goalkeeper
17.02.1980
Zabrze, POL
193
90
Damian
Wozniak
POL
Left Back
21.12.1998
Plock, POL
186
93
Zabic
SLO
Line Player
15.08.1992
Celje, SLO
201
108
Zdrahala
CZE
Centre Back
10.07.1983
Hranice, CZE
187
83
7
5
Dan Emil
33 Igor 9
Ondrej
185
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 WCh 2013, on his debut with the national team
WCh: B 2015
Adam Morawski goalkeeper • 23-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’ • made debut in Polish national team in 2013
Przemyslaw Krajewski left wing • joined Kielce for the 2017/18 season from Polish league rivals 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 • second best scorer for Plock in the Polish league 2017/18 with 120 goals • debuted in the Polish 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 WCh: B 2015
Tomasz Gebala left back • very talented young back with a powerful shot from distance • played three years with Magdeburg’s reserves before joining Plock in 2016 • brother Maciej also went to Plock in 2016 but he has moved on to German side SC DHfK Leipzig in the summer of 2018 • first played for the Polish national team in 2016 and took part in WCh 2017, where he played all seven matches and scored 24 goals as Poland won the President’s Cup
186
Orlen Wisla Plock
Ondrej Zdrahala centre back • joined Plock in the summer of 2018 on a two-year contract • scored 56 goals for Czech Republic to become top scorer of EHF EURO 2018 • playing in the Swiss first division, he received several offers after his EURO success and decided to join Plock • brings four seasons of CL experience (Czech side HC Banik Karvina, from 2003-07) with him but is yet to advance from the group phase • will have to play a leading role for his many young teammates at Plock
Renato Sulić line player • joined Plock from Veszprém for the 2018/19 season, the seventh club on his career path • had two stints and 10 seasons in total with Veszprém, in 2004/05 and from 2009-18 • didn’t play in his first season in Veszprém due to a car accident before the first match • was line player in the CL All-star Team twice, in 2013/14 and 2014/15 • is reunited in Plock with coach Sabate, whom we previously worked with in Veszprém
Ziga Mlakar right back • Slovenian back who started playing handball at age 12 • Plock is his first foreign club as he spent almost his entire career with Celje - apart from a brief stint with Branik Maribor in 2014/15 • one of the leading players of Slovenia’s successful 1990 generation • had his best CL season in 2015/16, scoring 60 • will face former Celje teammate Blaz Janc when playing Kielce in the Polish league
Michal Daszek right wing • in his fifth season with Plock after joining the club in 2014 • third best scorer for Plock in the Polish league 2017/18 with 112 goals, behind Przemyslaw Krajewski (120) and Valentin Ghionea (149) • since 2013 member of the Polish national team, won bronze at WCh 2015 in Qatar • is also a decent basketball player WCh: B 2015
187
Abanca Ademar Leon
GROUP D
Club Address
Abanca Ademar Leon P. Saenz de Miera s/n Estadio A. Amilivia 24009 Leon Spain Media contact
Pablo Castro Alvarez +34 699 948 179 administracion@ademar.com www.ademar.com Ademar Leon @ADEMARLEON @leonademar
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: multicolour
Abanca Ademar Leon After a five-year hiatus, Abanca Ademar Leon came back ambitious to the VELUX EHF Champions League last year. They only just made it to the play-offs, where they lost twice to Montpellier, the French side which would lift the trophy nearly three months later. With a more experienced side and a year of tough European competition under their belts, Leon are eyeing the first place in what appears to be an easier group as they relish the challenge for a new successful season. “We faced two opponents from this group last season, but we see that there are other hungry teams coming, so it will be a difficult season,” Leon team manager Jose Cabrero says. Losing a left back who was the team’s second-best top scorer with 38 goals in the competition last season (Costoya Rodriguez) and an important goalkeeper (Vladimir Cupara) will likely have an impact on Leon’s challenge for this season. But otherwise, the Spanish side remains mostly unchanged from last season. So coach Rafael Guijosa Castillo will trust the system he built and developed over the last three years in Leon. Guijosa will surely try to improve his team for the European premium competition. Leon’s main objectives will be finishing second once again in the domestic league and a lengthy outing in the domestic cup, but the path for another play-off berth in the Champions League should be easier this season. More attention in the key parts of the games, a lack of injuries and Rafael Guijosa could lead his team to another Last 16 berth. One of the cornerstones of Guijosa’s squad could be Mario Lopez Alvarez. The 23-year old right wing broke through the youth’s ranks six seasons ago and has quickly become an anchor for the Spanish side. His youth does not reflect in his style of play, as Lopez Alvarez became the top goal scorer of Leon in last season’s Champions League, with 44 goals in 10 matches. Born and bred in Leon, the young Spanish player has been named the team’s captain for the new season. Past achievements
Dark Player shirt: black or crimson Player short: black or crimson GK shirt: multicolour
Playing hall Palacio de los Deportes de Leon Paseo saenz de miera s/n 24009 Leon Spain Capacity: 5,900
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 13 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 Group Phase (1): 2017/18 Qualification (1): 2010/11 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)
188
Abanca Ademar Leon
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
8 40 74
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
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) 4 matches (15.10.2017 – 16.11.2017) 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)
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent
Fewest goals both teams
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 20 v Montpellier HB FRA 20:19L (a), 04.03.2018 39 v Montpellier HB FRA 20:19L (a), 04.03.2018
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 2017/18 Abanca Ademar Leon ESP Total
MP 8 8 8 8 8 12 10 12 14 12 12 112
W 4 4 4 5 5 7 5 5 8 3 6 56
T 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 6
189
L 3 4 4 3 3 4 4 6 5 8 6 50
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 –38 313:318 -5 3188:3135 +53
PTS 9:7 8:8 8:8 10:6 10:6 15:9 11:9 11:13 17:11 7:17 12:12 118:106
Stage1994/95 1/4-finals 1/4-finals 1/4-finals Last 16 Last 16 3rd MR Gr. 1 3rd MR Gr. 3 Last 16 1/4-finals Last 16 Elimination C+D
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 five 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 second straight CL season after they returned from a four-season break in 2017/18
EC trophies: CL 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 (as player) EURO: S 1996, 1998, OG: B 1996, 2000 (as player) @guijosar
Newcomers: Jose Mario Carrillo Gutiérrez (FC Porto/POR) Dino Slavic (RK Umag/CRO) Ivan Mosic (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai/UAE) Álvaro Rozas (own youth ranks) Álvaro Robles (own youth ranks)
Left the club: Diego Piñeiro Martín (Dunkerque HB/FRA) Alejandro Costoya Rodríguez (Chambery Savoie/FRA) Vladimir Cupara (PGE Vive Kielce/POL)
190
Abanca Ademar Leon
Team roster No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Height Weight
1
Ignacio
Biosca Garcia
ESP
Goalkeeper
17.07.1995
Barcelona, ESP
195
98
7
Gonzalo
Carou Marcel
ESP
Goalkeeper
15.08.1979
Buenos Aires, ARG
198
75
18 Jose Mario
Carrillo Gutierrez
ESP
Left Wing
18.12.1990
León, ESP
180
79
85 Adrian
Casqueiro Lopez
ESP
Left Wing
18.05.2000
León, ESP
190
85
Javier
Espinosa Gonzalez
ESP
Left Back
02.02.2000
Logroño , ESP
190
90
14 David
Fernandez Alonso
ESP
Right Back
14.04.1996
Valladolid, ESP
196
72
17 Jaime
Fernandez Fernandez ESP
Left Wing
27.01.1997
León, ESP
176
103
193
76
15 Juan Jose
Fernandez Sanchez
ESP
Left Back
18.02.1993
Ciudad Real, ESP
ESP
Left Wing
28.08.1977
Leon, ESP
177
80
Gonzalez Teijon
ESP
Goalkeeper
07.01.1996
León, ESP
196
72
Lopez Alvarez
ESP
Right Wing
19.09.1994
León , ESP
180
82
18 Acacio
Marques Moreira
BRA
Centre Back
26.01.1994
Joao Pessoa, BRA
189
70
19 Gonzalo
Perez Arce
ESP
Right Wing
20.07.1998
León, ESP
175
80
Rodrigo
Perez Arce
ESP
Centre Back
04.10.1995
León, ESP
178
110
Pesic
SRB
Line Player
07.07.1993
Novi Sad, SRB
195
80
León , ESP
180
100
6
Juan Antonio Garcia Lorenzana
12 Javier C 3
8
Mario
25 Zivan Alvaro
Robles Lopez
ESP
Centre Back
02.08.1998
Alvaro
Rozas Garcia
ESP
Line Player
07.07.2000
León , ESP
195
90
Sebastian
Simonet Moldes
ESP
Centre Back
12.05.1986
Buenos Aires, ARG
190
113
16 Dino
Slavic
CRO
Goalkeeper
04.12.1992
Rijeka, CRO
185
90
11 Federico
Vieyra
ITA
Right Back
21.07.1988
Buenos Aires, ARG
193
95
4
191
Abanca Ademar Leon
Ignacio Biosca goalkeeper • started playing handball in Barcelona, joined Leon in 2014 • 2018/19 is his first season as the No. 1 goalkeeper, after Vladimir Cupara left • had save percentage of 33,73 in the Spanish league season 2017/18
Juan Garcia left wing • all-time top scorer in ASOBAL, with more than 2,500 goals • returned to Leon in 2015 after playing nine seasons with Barcelona (2005-2014) and one with Logrono (2014/15) • at age 41, Garcia has played for more than two decades in Spain’s top division
EC trophies: CL 2011 EURO: S 2006; WCh: G 2005, B 2011; OG: B 2008
Jaime Fernandez left wing • the 21-year-old left wing has come through the youth ranks of Leon • was part of Spanish youth team, which won EURO 2016 and WCh 2017 • born and bred in Leon, he says his utmost pride is to play CL in the local arena
Ivan Mosic left back • Serbian left back started career at Red Star Belgrade, but played in the United Arab Emirates, for Al Shabab Dubai, in 2017/18 • a powerful shooter, as good in defence as in attack • apart from improving his handball skills, he is also eager to learn the Spanish language
192
Abanca Ademar Leon
Sebastian Simonet centre back
@seba_simon
• Argentine international, who is 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 four years (2007-2011 in Torrevieja) following departure from his home country • though not a prolific goal scorer, Simonet is an important part of Leon’s attack, providing leadership as a playmaker
Zivan Pesic line player • going into his second season with Leon after his debut in 2017/18 • previously wore the jerseys of Celje and Veszprém • developed into an important player in the centre of the defence
Federico Vieyra right back • famous for his outside shots from nine metres • key player for Leon who joined the club in 2015 • played at 2012 and 2016 Olympics with Argentine national team, and helped them win the Pan-American Championship 2018
WCh: G 2013
Mario Lopez right wing • main weapons include fast breaks and penalty throws • developed into one of the best goal scorers for Leon • recovered well from two severe knee injuries in 2014 and 2015 while playing for the national under-18 and under-19 teams of Spain
193
Elverum Handball
GROUP D
Club Address
Elverum Handball Postboks 295 2403 Elverum Norway Media contact
Erik Henriksen +47 400 21299 erik@ehh.no www.ehh.no elverumhandball @ElverumHandball @elverumhandball
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: yellow
Elverum Handball Elverum Handball are returning to the group phase for the fourth straight season. No wonder they are eager to get to the play-offs for the first time. The team from a small town 120 kilometres north of Oslo have won the Norwegian domestic league every season since 2011/12 so taking the next step in Europe is an obvious goal. Reaching one of the two top spots in Group D will be the target. And while they have improved each season, this year they have to deal with many changes to their squad. At first sight, the runners-up from Poland (Orlen Wisla Plock) and Spain (Abanca Ademar Leon) look like the toughest hurdles. However, the other three opponents are all national champions, from Switzerland (Wacker Thun), Romania (Dinamo Bucuresti) and neighbours Finland (Riihimäen Cocks). “Maybe nobody believes that it is possible but we have a dream of improving every year in the European competitions. Last year we took 10 points, that means that if we are going to take more this year, we are coming close to the next round,” head coach Mikael Appelgren says. Seven players have joined, while six have left. While the squad might have deepened, it has to be considered that experienced left wing Andre Lindboe and talented right wing Kevin Gulliksen were among the players who have left. Replacing them will not be easy as coach Appelgren will need some time anyway to put his new team together. “I do think we are stronger than last season, however, it may take some time to make the team click,” he says. In the past three Champions League seasons, Andre Lindboe scored 159 goals (64, 42 and 53, respectively) for Elverum. So replacing him, one of the club’s outstanding players in recent years, is a tough ask. But newcomer Alexander Oerjevik Westby is up for the challenge. The 25-year-old left wing has joined Elverum from league rivals Bodø HK in Northern Norway on a two-year contract. While Westby has some EHF Cup experience with Bodø, he is coming from a team with a rather fast attacking playing style, using their wings a lot. If he can adapt well, he might become a strong force for Elverum. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 5 Group Phase (3): 2015/16, 2016/2017, 2017/18 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: green
Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2010/11 EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Playing hall Terningen Arena Hamarvegen 112 2418 Elverum Norway Capacity: 2,400
Norwegian play off: 9 titles (1995, 2008, 2012-18) Norwegian league: 3 titles (2013, 2017, 2018) Norwegian Cup: 1 title
194
Elverum Handball
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run
3 40 72
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
GOALS Most goals both teams
Longest losing run Longest run without win
40:32 (19:15) v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU (h), 08.10.2017 23:37 (12:18) v Skjern Handbold DEN (h), 27.09.2015 3 matches (30.09.2017 – 15.10.2017) 3 matches (02.10.2016 – 15.10.2016) 3 matches (30.09.2017 – 15.10.2017) 4 matches (18.10.2015 – 22.11.2015) 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 22.11.2015)
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
40 v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 40:32W (h), 08.10.2017 37 v Skjern Handbold DEN 23:37L (h), 27.09.2015 72 v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 40:32W (h), 08.10.2017 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
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2015/16 Elverum Handball Herrer NOR 10
MP
3
1
6
274:289
–15
7:13
5th Gr. D
2016/17 Elverum Handball NOR
10
3
2
5
257:274
–17
8:12
5th Gr. C
2017/18 Elverum Handball NOR Total
10 5 0 5 287:304 –17 30 11 3 16 818:867 –49
10:10 25:35
4th Gr. C
195
Elverum Handball
Michael Apelgren coach • joined Elverum as playing head coach in the 2014/15 season • succeded former Norwegian international Christian Berge, who became Norway national team coach • former successful playmaker for Puerto Sagunto in the Spanish ASOBAL • also represented BM Granollers as well as several clubs in his native Sweden, winning five Swedish championships as a player • played five matches for the Swedish national team
@Apel84
Newcomers: Lukas Sandell (Ystad IF/SWE) Jesper Johan Gulliksen (Herkules/NOR) Simen Holand Pettersen (Sandefjord/NOR) Sigvaldi Gudjonsson (Århus/DEN) Jonas Myreng Elverhøy (Elverum youth team/NOR) Alexander Westby (Bodø/NOR) Endre Langaas (Bodø/NOR)
Left the club: Andre Lindboe (ØIF Arendal/NOR) Aleksander Børresen (retired) Kevin Gulliksen (GWD Minden/GER) Nikolaj Mehl (Fredericia HK/DEN) Richard Hanisch (IFK Skövde/SWE) Vegard Bakken Øien (Nærbø/NOR)
196
Elverum Handball
Team roster Position
Date of birth Place of birth
Height Weight
No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
18 Jonas
Burud
NOR Right Back
20.10.1993
Oslo, NOR
195
95
19 Hakon
Ekren
NOR Centre Back
10.07.1994
Elverum, NOR
186
103
26 Jonas
Elverhoy
NOR Left Back
31.12.2000
Elverum, NOR
204
97
23 Magnus
Frederiksen
NOR Centre Back
24.05.1997
Horten, NOR
188
98
29 Sigvaldi
Gudjonsson
ISL
Right Wing
04.07.1994
Reykjavik, ISL
193
88
Gulliksen
NOR Goalkeeper
07.09.1999
Skien, NOR
191
97
12 Emil Kheri
Imsgaard
NOR Goalkeeper
06.03.1998
Hamar, NOR
199
103
55 Thrainn Orri
Jonsson
ISL
Line Player
12.07.1993
Reykjavik, ISL
203
113
20 Endre
Langaas
NOR Line Player
05.10.1991
Trondheim, NOR
184
98
1
Jesper
2
Didrik W.
Linderud
NOR Right Wing
07.12.1995
Oslo, NOR
182
84
6
Alexander
Mitrovic
NOR Left Back
12.03.1998
Mainz, GER
202
94
Mogen
NOR Left Wing
22.02.1999
Elverum, NOR
180
72
Nergaard
NOR Goalkeeper
26.02.1987
Elverum, NOR
189
98
Örsted
DEN
Line Player
22.05.1995
Århus, DEN
210
125
Pettersen
NOR Left Back
08.04.1998
Tønsberg, NOR
189
93
21 Tine
Poklar
SLO
Left Back
05.10.1990
Koper, SLO
190
93
14 Audun Breen
Roragen
NOR Left Back
27.07.1998
Hamar, NOR
194
110
11 Lukas
Sandell
SWE Right Back
03.02.1997
Reslöv, SWE
193
92
27 Stian C 87 Morten 17 Kristian Krag 9
Simen Holand
3
Stiven
Thorsteinsson NOR Left Wing
04.06.2000
Elverum, NOR
183
84
7
Alexander
Westby
NOR Left Wing
26.03.1993
Lørenskog, NOR
180
82
197
Elverum Handball
Morten Nergaard goalkeeper • has spent most of his career with Elverum, but had a short foreign adventure with Danish side Aalborg in 2012 • played eight international games for Norway • has extensive European experience, was already part of the team that played CL Qualification in 2012/13, also played the EHF Cup Group Phase
Jesper Gulliksen goalkeeper • joined from second-division club Herkules in the summer of 2018 • has considerable experience from the Norway junior national team • is seen as back-up for experienced Morten Nergaard • at 18 years of age, is seen as one of Norway’s most promising goalkeeping talents
Alexander Westby left wing • transferred from league rivals Bodø in the summer of 2018 • replacing Norwegian international Andre Lindboe, who has left the club after many years • a very talented wing, effective on fast breaks and with a great variety of shots from his position
Simen Holand Pettersen left back • arrived from Sandefjord in the summer of 2018 • at only 19 years of age, is currently seen as one of the greatest left back talents in Norway • scored 16 goals in 16 attempts in one junior international • is one of the very few back-court players who shoots on an almost equal level with both hands
198
Elverum Handball
Magnus Fredriksen centre back • joined in the summer of 2017 from Falk Horten on a three-year contract • only 21 years old and seen as one the most promising talents in Norwegian handball • has a considerable variation of shots, as well as an impressive ability to read the game and improve his teammates’ play • was a key player in Norway’s national team at the 2017 Junior World Championship in Algeria
Endre Lagaas line player • arrived in the summer of 2018 from Bodø along with Alexander Westby • has been on the fringe of Norway coach Christian Berge’s national team roster for some time • usually scores more than 100 goals per season from the line in the Norwegian league • also very strong in defence, where his 100 kg compensate for his rather modest height of 184 cm
Lukas Sandell right back • joined from Swedish side Ystad in the summer of 2018 as replacement for Danish player Nikolaj Mehl • was sharpened by competition in his position in Ystad from none other than Kim Andersson • 21 years old with considerable potential, and already has a great shot and speed
Sigvaldi Gudjonsson right wing • joined Elverum from Danish club Aarhus Handball in the summer of 2018 • was signed as replacement for Norway’s Kevin Gulliksen, who left for the Bundesliga • at just 23 years of age, the Icelandic wing still possesses plenty of potential to develop further • his shot from the wing as well as his experience in the Danish league are his greatest assets
199
Wacker Thun
GROUP D
Club Address: Wacker Thun Geschäftsstelle 3600 Thun Switzerland Media contact: Marc Santschi +41 79 310 25 12 marc.santschi@wackerthun.ch www.wackerthun.ch wackerthun @wackerthun
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: green Player short: black GK shirt: blue
Wacker Thun They start their second ever VELUX EHF Champions League campaign after gaining international experience in the previous EHF Cup Group Phase: Wacker Thun have dethroned Kadetten Schaffhausen in the Swiss league, and though they lost their two stars Lenny Rubin and Lukas von Deschwanden to the German Bundesliga, optimism is high. When Thun played their so far only CL season in 2013/14, they faced opponents such as Barcelona, PSG, Vardar Skopje and Dinamo Minsk – and all the hurdles were too high. The final outcome was a single draw (24:24) against Metalurg and 11 defeats. Now, playing in the Group C/D system, the chances for Wacker to take their first ever Champions League victory are much higher. Cocks, Elverum and Bucuresti are definitely within reach for the Swiss side in their home matches. In the 2017/18 season for example, Thun beat Spanish club Granollers in the home leg of the EHF Cup Group Phase. “For us, being part of the VELUX EHF Champions League is a gift from the sporting point of view, but the biggest challenge in terms of organisation and money the club ever had,” says manager Remo Badertscher. “We – a club with only some professionals – will enjoy every minute of the group phase.” 26-year-old Dane Philip Holm is the only foreigner in Wacker Thun’s squad. Left back Holm will replace Swiss international Lukas von Deschwanden, who transferred to German side Stuttgart. Holm arrived from Ribe-Esbjerg, and it was by chance that coach Martin Rubin received some information on him. “After two training sessions we knew that he would fit in the team,” Rubin says. Alongside his handball life, the Dane will continue working as a physiotherapist. It is the year 2018, and if you pay 2,018 Swiss Franc you can be something like a team sponsor for Wacker Thun’s Champions League campaign, as you receive a special experience at one of the club’s VELUX EHF Champions League away matches. You will accompany the team to the match, fly with them, be in the same hotel, get a match ticket and be as close as possible with all players. As this campaign was a success in the EHF Cup 2017/18 Group Phase, the club repeated it for the Champions League.
Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: red
Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 2 Group Phase (1): 2013/14 Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2017/18, Last 16 2005/06 Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16 2006/07 Challenge Cup: Winners 2004/05, Runners-up 2011/12
Playing hall Mobiliar Arena Rohrmattstrasse 12 3073 Gümligen Switzerland Capacity: 2,500
Swiss league: 2 title (2013, 2018) Swiss Cup: 5 titles
200
Wacker Thun
EHF Champions League club records
10 28 71
MATCHES Longest run w/o win
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
N/A 45:26 (21:14) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 28.09.2013 N/A 1 match (01.12.2013) 6 matches (21.09.2013 – 23.11.2013) 10 matches (21.09.2013 – 23.02.2014)
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
28 v PSG Handball FRA 28:34L (h), 17.11.2013 45 v FC Barcelona ESP 45:26L (a), 28.09.2013 71 v FC Barcelona ESP 45:26L (a), 28.09.2013 20 v HC Dinamo Minsk BLR 27:20L (a), 10.10.2013 23 v HC Metalurg MKD 22:23L (h), 21.09.2013 45 v HC Metalurg MKD 22:23L (h), 21.09.2013
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
2013/14 Wacker Thun SUI Total
10 0 1 9 242:329 -87 1:19 10 0 1 9 242:329 -87 1:19
W
T
201
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95 6th Gr. C
Wacker Thun
Martin Rubin coach •
Is third best scorer of all time in the Swiss national league, with 2,172 goals in 446 matches; and played 239 international matches for Switzerland, also a third-highest mark
•
has been with Wacker since 1990, first as a player, then as a coach
•
led the team to its first ever CL Group Phase participation in 2013/14
•
awarded best Swiss handball coach three times
•
son Lenny was part of the Wacker squad but he moved to Wetzlar in the German Bundesliga in the summer of 2018
Newcomers: Philip Holm (Ribe-Esbjerg/DEN) Ron Delhees (Kadetten Schaffhausen/SUI) Simon Huwyler (TV Endingen/SUI) Gabriel Felder (TV Steffisburg/SUI) Ivan Wyttenbach (TV Steffisburg/SUI)
Left the club: Lenny Rubin (HSG Wetzlar/GER) Lukas von Deschwanden (TBV Stuttgart/GER) Viktor Glatthard (Haslum HK/NOR) Roman Caspar (retired)
202
Wacker Thun
Team roster Height Weight
No. First Name
Surname
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
22 Roman
Caspar
SUI
Centre Back
16.04.1986
Klosters-Serneus, SUI
187
90
18 Joël
Christinat
SUI
Left Back
08.06.1996
Vully-les-Lac, SUI
196
90
Dähler
SUI
Right Wing
22.06.1989
Seftigen, SUI
193
81
Delhees
SUI
Right Back
28.08.1995
Zug, SUI
195
100
Felder
SUI
Right Wing
27.09.1998
Entlebuch, SUI
182
85
Friedli
SUI
Line Player
20.10.1988
Trachselwald, SUI
187
100
6
Jonas
26 Ron 4
Gabriel
C 13 Reto
Giovanelli
SUI
Right Back
19.06.1998
Frutigen, SUI
188
88
18 Nino
Gruber
SUI
Left Wing
19.01.1997
Stans, SUI
185
80
17 Damien
Guignet
SUI
Left Back
10.01.1997
Essertes, SUI
180
90
Holm
DEN
Left Back
16.09.1991
Fredensborg, DEN
198
100
19 Stefan
Huwyler
SUI
Line Player
24.02.1993
Sins, SUI
196
96
15 Simon
Huwyler
SUI
Line Player
21.03.1991
Sins, SUI
191
90
20 Sven
Krainer
SUI
Right Wing
15.08.1991
Lotzwil, SUI
182
80
SUI
Left Wing
18.09.1994
Huttwil, SUI
184
78
Linder
SUI
Left Wing
23.11.1988
Brienz, SUI
178
78
Manse
SUI
Centre Back
16.08.1997
Buttisholz, SUI
181
82
Raemy
SUI
Right Back
25.02.1992
Plaffeien, SUI
185
81
Sorgen
SUI
Line Player
14.07.1996
Hermrigen, SUI
186
90
Suter
SUI
Centre Back
07.12.1994
Gränichen, SUI
190
90
23 Flavio
Wick
SUI
Goalkeeper
18.06.1995
Zuzwil, SUI
202
95
16 Marc
Winkler
SUI
Goalkeeper
02.01.1988
Blumenstein, SUI
188
85
12 Dominique
Wyss
SUI
Goalkeeper
26.04.2000
Landiswil, SUI
195
90
11 Ivan
Wyttenbach SUI
Centre Back
29.01.1995
Thun, SUI
181
84
8
2
Marco
Philip Tandrup
10 Thomas Matthias Lanz 3
Luca
21 Cedric 5
Nicolas
22 Janick 7
Nicolas Jann
203
Wacker Thun
Marc Winkler goalkeeper • has played his entire career for Thun, since 2007 in the first team • regarded the best Swiss-born goalkeeper in the Swiss league • first played in the national team in 2017, at age 29 • is the No. 2 goalkeeper in the national team, behind CL winner Nikola Portner from Montpellier HB
Luca Linder left wing
@luca_wt3
• plays his 13th straight season for Wacker • scored the decisive goal in the final against Schaffhausen in June 2018 to make Wacker the Swiss champions 2017/18 • works for an insurance company, one of Thun’s main sponsors • is a fan of mountains and skiing
Philipp Holm left back • was Thun’s only international transfer before the 2018/19 season, arriving from Danish side Esbjerg • started his career at another Danish side, Skjern Handball • has to replace Lenny Rubin and Lukas von Deschwanden, who both left the club • is a physiotherapist in daily life
Nicolas Raemy centre back • was MVP at the European Open 2011, where he helped Switzerland to bronze • best Swiss scorer at the Junior EURO and WCh 2011 and 2012 • had his debut in the national team at the age of 20 • joined Wacker in 2014, arriving from Kriens • is a lefthander, who can also play in the right back position
204
Wacker Thun
Nicolas Sutter centre back •
plays as a centre back for Thun since 2016, but is a left wing in the national team
•
studies banking and finance in Zurich, and loves literature and art expositions
•
shares a house with fellow centre back Nicolas Raemy
Reto Friedli line player • plays his 12th straight season for Wacker, and was chosen as the most popular player by Thun fans in 2016 • is the team’s defence specialist, but also plays in attack • studies social sciences • famous for wearing a long beard
Ron Delhees right back • arrived from dethroned Swiss champions Kadetten Schaffhausen in the summer of 2018 • one of the biggest Swiss talents, who previously played for Luzern and Zürich • went through all national younger age category teams, and has been part of the men’s senior team since 2016
Jonas Dähler right wing • became team captain after Roman Caspar ended his career • has been with Wacker since 2008, and has played more than 320 Swiss league matches for the club • is a physiotherapist for a living, and loves cooking in his spare time • shares his name with a famous Swiss squash player
205
Dinamo Bucuresti
GROUP D
Club Address
Dinamo Bucuresti Sos.Stefan cel Mare n° 7-9 ,sec2 Bucuresti Romania Media contact
Alexandru Enciu +40 754 929 106 sanenciu@yahoo.com www.csdinamo.eu csdinamo @fcdinamobucuresti
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: green Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red GK shirt: black
Dinamo Bucuresti Not even the most optimistic Dinamo fan hoped for the Red Dogs to win their third consecutive title in the Romanian league halfway through last season. The team was in turmoil and the players looked like they could not care less. Coach Eliodor Voica was ultimately replaced by Constantin Stefan, and everything got back on track. After a tumultuous final against archrivals Steaua, Dinamo snatched the title. Now, the Romanian champions are facing another challenge on European level: qualifying for the VELUX EHF Champions League Group C/D Playoffs for the first time. In Romanian football, Dinamo Bucharest is being dubbed the ‘New Dinamo’ as the team are constantly shapeshifting and rehashing their roster. This season, the handball team can also be called the New Dinamo, with seven newcomers ushered in, including three Tunisian players. It is a change of strategy for the Romanian champions, who lost two of their best players after Iranian brothers Sajad and Allahkaram Esteki signed for domestic rivals CSM Bucuresti. Communication might become an issue with no less than eight different nationalities from three continents in Dinamo’s roster. When Dinamo were in a desperate need of change a few months ago, coach Eliodor Voica was replaced by Constantin Stefan. It will be Stefan’s third stint as Dinamo coach. The 50-year-old coach was also in charge when the Red Dogs won the title in 2004/05. In the following Champions League season, Stefan and Dinamo won only one game in a group which also included Ciudad Real, Veszprém and Presov. A natural born scorer, Hugo Descat was a major transfer coup for Dinamo last season after they convinced him to leave France for the first time in his career. The 25-year old left wing is fast, has a huge handball IQ and his technique seems to be off the chart. Descat was the second-best top scorer in the French League three seasons ago, only nine goals behind Uwe Gensheimer. The French wing has carried that form to Dinamo, and scored 40 times in the Champions League last season. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 6 Group phase (3): 2005/06, 2016/17, 2017/18 Qualification (2): 1995/96, 1997/98
Playing hall Dinamo Bucuresti Arena Soseaua Stefan cel Mare 7-9 Sector 2, 020121 Bucuresti Romania Capacity: 2,538
206
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: 15 titles (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1986, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2018) Romanian cup: 4 titles (1979, 1982, 1988, 2017)
Dinamo Bucuresti
EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run
1 35 72
MATCHES Longest winning run
GOALS Most goals
Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
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) 1 match (27.09.2017) 3 matches (25.09.2016 – 09.10.2016) 7 matches (08.10.2017 – 30.11.2017) 7 matches (08.10.2017 – 30.11.2017)
GOALS Most goals both teams
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
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 40 v Elverum Handball NOR 40:32L (a), 08.10.2017 72 v Elverum Handball NOR 40:32L (a), 08.10.2017 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
MP
W
T
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
2005/06 Dinamo Baumit Bucuresti ROU 6
1
0
5
148:198
-50
2:10
4th Gr. F
2016/17 Dinamo Bucuresti ROU
10
3
2
5
294:294
0
8:12
4th Gr. D
2017/18 Dinamo Bucuresti ROU Total
10 1 0 9 278:324 –46 2:18 26 5 2 19 720:816 -96 12:40
6th Gr. C
207
Dinamo Bucuresti
Constantin Stefan coach • • • •
Newcomers: Makrem Missaoui (Club Africain Tunis/TUN) Amine Bannour (Chambery/FRA) Kamel Alouini (Al Ahli/SAU) Ante Kuduz (Pfadi Winterthur/SUI) Nicu Negru (CSM Bucuresti/ROU) Andras Szasz (CSM Bucuresti/ROU) Muhamed Zulfic (MYK Hentbol SK/TUR) Florin Acatrinei (CSM Fagaras/ROU)
returned to Dinamo for a third term to replace Eliodor Voica the 50-year-old coach has worked at many different clubs, varying from men’s teams like HC Odorhei and Poli Timisoara to women’s teams like HCM Ramnicu Valcea and CSM Roman also led Dinamo in the CL in 2005/06 was a Dinamo player in his active years, hence the loyal support from the fans
Left the club: Sajad Esteki (CSM Bucuresti/ROU) Allahkaram Esteki (CSM Bucuresti/ROU) Marius Mocanu (HC Dobrogea Sud Constanta/ROU) Liviu Mironescu (HC Buzau/ROU) Vadim Gayduchenko (St.-Raphael/FRA) Daniel Bera (CSM Bucuresti/ROU) Milan Sajin (tbd)
208
Dinamo Bucuresti
Team roster No. First Name Surname
Nat.
Date of birth Place of birth
Position
Height Weight
26.07.1989
Piatra Neamt, ROU
193
97
Centre Back
06.07.1988
La Marsa, TUN
187
86
TUN
Right Back
21.02.1990
Mahdia, TUN
196
95
Descat
FRA
Left Wing
16.08.1992
Paris, FRA
182
75
29 Razvan
Gavriloaia
ROU Right Wing
25.07.1983
Iasi, ROU
186
90
12 Stefan
Grigoras
ROU Goalkeeper
18.12.1990
Bacau, ROU
194
98
23 Saeid
Heidarirad
IRI
Goalkeeper
22.09.1990
Khorramabad, IRI
194
95
34 Vitaly
Komogorov
RUS
Left Back
28.08.1991
Volgograd, RUS
196
95
47 Ante
Kuduz
CRO
Left Back
11.04.1995
Osijek, CRO
202
103
1
Missaoui
TUN
Goalkeeper
14.02.1981
Tunis, TUN
188
94
88 Seyed
Mousavi
IRI
Line Player
27.04.1990
Esfahan, IRI
197
100
24 Andrei
Negru
ROU Left Wing
24.05.1994
Resita, ROU
180
77
27 Ciprian
Sandru
ROU Centre Back
27.02.1991
Sighisoara, ROU
192
92
ROU Line Player
12.10.1985
Galati, ROU
198
105
ROU Line Player
24.01.1994
Odorheiu Secuiesc, ROU 195
107
Right Wing
13.05.1992
Sarajevo, BIH
89 Florin
Acatrinei
ROU Right Back
10 Kamel
Alouini
TUN
9
Amine
Bannour
4
Hugo
Makrem
C 17 Dan Andrei Savenco Szasz 20 Andras 44 Muhamed Zulfic
BIH
209
188
80
Dinamo Bucuresti
Makrem Missaoui goalkeeper • member of Tunisian national team which had its best result ever by finishing 4th at WCh 2005 • three-time African champion with Tunisia, in 2006, 2012 and 2018 • best goalkeeper of African Championship 2018 • always played in Tunisian league, except for two seasons (2005-07) with Tremblay in France @hdescat
Hugo Descat left wing • French player, who was All-star left wing at Junior WCh 2011
• joined Dinamo in 2017/18, which was his first season outside France after spending the previous six years with US Creteil • played twice for the French national team in the past but did not become a regular • was a prolific scorer in the French league, ended his last season at Creteil in second place on the top scorers list, just behind PSG start Uwe Genheimer
Ciprian Sandru left back • won gold with Romania at the World University Games 2016 in Spain • with a powerful shot and tactical cleverness, he is Dinamo’s leading scorer with more than 200 goals for the club • can also play left back, to alternate with Vitaly Komogorov
Vitaly Komogorov left back • played EHF Cup Finals 2016 with Nantes before moving to HC Odorhei in Romania • had trouble adapting in France as he spoke only Russian, but learned Romanian during his spell at Odorhei • played in the Cup Winners’ Cup with Kaustik Volgograd and in the EHF Cup with Nantes, but first played in the CL with Dinamo in 2017/18, scoring 35 times in his debut season
210
Dinamo Bucuresti
Kamel Alouini centre back • has joined a European club for the second time in his career, after playing for Istres OPH in France from 2008-10 • won African champion twice with Tunisian national team, in 2012 and 2018 • fast and skilful player, who is not just a playmaker but can also move to the left back position
Dan Savenco line player • a defensive specialist, he is well-known in Romania for his power and robustness • gained CL experience well before joining Dinamo, with Steaua MFA Bucuresti in 2008 • the veteran line player played in Spain for Antequera before coming back to Romania in 2014 to join Dinamo
Amine Bannour right back • nicknamed the ‘Tunisian hammer’ for his powerful shots • played for Chambery Savoie in 2017/18, scoring 54 goals in the French league and four goals in the Men’s EHF Cup • two-time African champion with Tunisia, in 2012 and 2018 • was top scorer of Super Globe in 2012, scoring 42 goals for Saudi team Mudhar Club
Muhamed Zulfic right wing • returned to Dinamo in the summer of 2018 after an earlier stint in 2015/16 • the 26-year-old wing has played in the Bosnian, Romanian, Greek and Turkish leagues over the past seven years • scored 83 goals in the Romanian league in his previous season with Dinamo
211
Riihimäen Cocks
GROUP D
Club Address
Cocks Teollisuuskatu 16 11120 Riihimäki Finland Media contact
Jari Viita +358 500 480744 jari@viita.fi www.cocks.fi riihimakicocks @riihimakicocks @riihimaencocks
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: orange
Riihimäen Cocks (FIN) After failing to qualify twice, Riihimäen Cocks have gained direct access to the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase this season for the first time. Out of all 28 participants, Cocks are the only team to make their group phase debut when play gets underway in September. With their debut, the 10-time Finnish champions and three-time Baltic League winners are taking a further step up the European ladder. The team have been dominating handball in Finland for years and gathering international experience in various European Cup competitions. But entering Europe’s top flight is a new dimension. “It is very important to us. This raises our club’s handball activity and culture to another, much higher level. We are looking forward to the VELUX EHF Champions League season with great enthusiasm,” says team manager Jari Viita. “We aim to be competitive in every single game despite the fact that we are debutants in the Champions League,” Viita says. “Being in the underdog role among more experienced teams in the group, we should feel more freedom and less pressure than our opponents. Every single game for us will be like a final. Therefore we have to prepare us well, push ourselves to the limits and hunt for our points with a good, fighting attitude.” Cocks are upbeat, and they have every reason to be. They won the Finnish championship for the 10th time and the Baltic league for the third time, and they are going into their first group phase. The team captain, experienced left wing Teemu Tamminen, has no doubt about Cocks’ targets for the upcoming European season. “Our objective is to get some points and to show everyone who we are,” Tamminen says. “But, of course, all our opponents are great teams so I obviously expect many tough games.” Even after the arrival of two new playmakers, Oleksandr Kyrylenko and Sasja Puljizovic, who are likely to become strong reinforcements, Cocks will again rely heavily on Nico Rönnberg. The 26-year-old, experienced left back has been a crucial part of the team’s DNA for years. Rönnberg scored 62 goals for Cocks in the EHF Cup last season, and he will have to play and shoot well again if the Finnish champions are going to be successful in their group phase debut season. Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 3 Qualification (2): 2016/17, 2017/18 Other EHF Cup: group phase 2016/17 Challenge Cup: quarter-finals 2013/14, 2014/15 Playing hall
Baltic league: winners 2016-18, runners-up 2012/13
Vantaa Energia Areena Rajatorpantie 23 Vantaa, Finland Capacity: 3,500
Finnish league: 10 titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013-18) Finnish cup: 9 titles
212
Riihimäen Cocks
EHF Champions League club records
N/A
MATCHES
N/A
GOALS
N/A
GOALS
Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams
N/A N/A N/A
Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams
N/A N/A N/A
Longest winning run
Most goals
Most goals both teams
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP
W
T
N/A
213
L
GF GA
GD
PTS
Stage1994/95
Riihimäen Cocks
Gintaras Savukynas coach • joined Cocks in the summer of 2016 from a job as coordinator of the handball section of Norwegian club Bergsøj IL, where he was also head coach •
was national coach of Lithuania from 2009 to 2014, and was also in charge of Belarusian side Meshkov Brest from 2010 to 2012
•
during his time on court, he played in Iceland, Switzerland and Norway, apart from his native country, Lithuania
Newcomers: Oleksandr Kyrylenko (Spojnia Gdynia/POL) Sasa Puljizovic (OV Helsingborg/SWE)
Left the club: Aleksandr Bochko (Meshkov Brest/BLR) Robin Sjöman (BK-46/FIN) Aleksandr Potsykailik (tbd)
214
Riihimäen Cocks
Team roster Height Weight
Nat.
Position
Date of birth Place of birth
30 Kalle
Alander
FIN
Goalkeeper
13.06.1995
Riihimäki, FIN
197
94
44 Davor
Basaric
SRB
Line Player
03.11.1990
Nis, SRB
189
101
31 Victor
Kovalenko
RUS
Centre Back
13.01.1982
Leningrad, RUS
193
99
Oleksandr Kyrylenko
UKR
Centre Back
21.06.1986
Zaporozhye, UKR
177
87
No. First Name Surname
9
17 Yury
Lukyanchuk
BLR
Line Player
05.01.1990
Brest, BLR
195
103
32 Giedreius
Morkunas
LTU
Goalkeeper
07.11.1987
Utena, LTU
186
96
23 Vitalie
Nenita
MDA Right Back
04.06.1987
Chisinau, MDA
192
96
20 Andrei
Novoselov
RUS
Right Wing
25.08.1986
Yougorenok, RUS
177
77
29 Sasa
Puljizovic
BIH
Centre Back
22.12.1989
Derventa, BIH
192
94
22 Nico
Rönnberg
FIN
Left Back
14.04.1992
Karjaa, FIN
191
94
87 Vitalii
Shitsko
RUS
Goalkeeper
09.09.1987
St. Petersburg, RUS
198
93
19 Roni
Syrjälä
FIN
Right Wing
28.03.1995
Riihimäki, FIN
184
85
Tamminen
FIN
Left Wing
27.08.1987
Riihimäki, FIN
191
94
BLR
Line Player
28.10.1986
Mahilev, BLR
193
101
Udd
FIN
Left Back
05.06.1996
Karjaa, FIN
196
93
Westerlund
FIN
Right Back
30.07.1996
Tammisaari, FIN
193
96
Zaitsau
BLR
Left Back
27.08.1992
Bobruisk, BLR
204
114
Zupanjac
SRB
Left Wing
16.10.1983
Kraljevo, SRB
188
84
C 15 Teemu
55 Aliaksandr Tsitou 8
Andre
33 Theo 2
Viktar
18 Bojan
215
Riihimäen Cocks
Vitalii Shitsko goalkeeper • playing his fourth season for Cocks after joining from St.-Petersburg HC in 2015 • promoted into first-choice keeper for Cocks in 2016/17 • has CL experience from several years with St.-Petersburg HC • at 32 years of age, he possesses the perfect experience for a goalkeeper
Teemu Tamminen left wing
@temeartem87
• scored a total of 22 goals – 11 in each match – when Finland defeated Luxembourg in the play-offs for EHF EURO 2018 Qualification Phase 2 • born in Riihimäki, Cocks’ home town, and has always played for the club • scored no less than 14 goals when Cocks defeated HC West in the decisive match for the Finnish championship 2015/16
Nico Rönnberg left back • younger brother of well-known playmaker Andreas Rönnberg • originally a Cocks player, but had a short foreign adventure in Norway with ØIF Arendal in the 2013/14 season • with a total of 10 goals, he played his part when the Finnish national team made it through to Qualification Phase 2 for the EHF EURO 2018 • was top scorer, with 12 goals, when Cocks defeated SKA Minsk 36:32 in the final of the Baltic Handball League 2015/16
Sasa Puljizovic centre back • joined from Swedish club OV Helsingborg in the summer of 2018 • was signed on a one-year contract with the option of another year after a trial with Cocks early in the summer of 2018 • at 28 years of age, the Bosnian playmaker is already highly experienced • a versatile and fast centre back with a good eye for the game and a strong shot
216
Riihimäen Cocks
Oleksandr Kyrylenko centre back • joined from Polish club Spojnia in the summer of 2018 • is seen as a perfect supplement for Sasa Puljizovic in the playmaker position • has previous CL experience with Belarusian side HC Meshkov Brest • the experienced Ukrainian playmaker is capable of creating opportunities for his teammates and has an ability to be dangerous on his own
Davor Basaric line player • joined Cocks from Spanish club Bidasoa in the summer of 2017 • demonstrated his attacking qualities by scoring 40 goals in 29 ASOBAL matches for Bidasoa in the 2016/17 season • has European experience from playing in the EHF Cup for Serbian clubs RK Nis and Spartak Vojput, and he has had also several appearances in the Serbian national team
Theo Westerlund right back • joined Cocks in the summer of 2017 from Finnish club Sjundeå IF on a two-year contract with the option of an additional year • at age 22, has already made several appearances in Finland’s senior national team • Cocks is his first club as a full-time professional • flexibility, a good shot and the ability to break through the opposing defence are his main assets
Andrei Novoselov right wing • arrived in 2015 as one of an increasing number of Eastern Europeans playing for Cocks • has previous CL experience with St.-Petersburg • at 177 cm, he is not among the tallest in men’s international handball – not even as a wing – but he compensates with his speed and his variety of shots
217
2017/18 top scorers
2017/18 top scorers Rank
Player
Club
1
Uwe Gensheimer (GER)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)
Goals 92
2
Markuss Olsson (SWE)
Skjern Handbold (DEN)
88
3
Andre Schmid (SUI)
Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
83
4
Nedim Remili (FRA)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball
80
5
Alex Dujshebaev (ESP)
PGE Vive Kielce (POL)
79
Eduardo Gurbindo (ESP)
HBC Nantes (FRA)
79
7
Nicolas Tournat (FRA)
HBC Nantes (FRA)
76
8
Mate Lekai (HUN)
Telekom Veszprém HC (HUN)
75
9
Michal Jurecki (POL)
PGE Vive Kielce (POL)
74
Bjarte Myrhol (NOR)
Skjern Handbold (DEN)
74
Vuko Borozan (MNE)
HC Vardar (MKD)
74
Dika Mem (FRA)
FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)
73
David Balaguer (ESP)
HBC Nantes (FRA)
73
14
Nikola Karabatic (FRA)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)
72
15
Momir Ilic (SRB)
Telekom Veszprém HC (HUN)
71
16
Hampus Wanne (SWE)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
70
Kasper Sondergaard (DEN)
Skjern Handbold (DEN)
70
Timur Dibirov (RUS)
HC Vardar (MKD)
70
Albin Lagergren (SWE)
IFK Kristianstad (SWE)
69
Marko Vujin (SRB)
THW Kiel (GER)
69
Patrick Wiencek (GER)
THW Kiel (GER)
69
Sander Sagosen (NOR)
Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)
69
Holger Glandorf (GER)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
68
Karol Bielecki (POL)
PGE Vive Kielce (POL)
68
Valero Rivera (ESP)
FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)
66
Niclas Ekberg (SWE)
THW Kiel (GER)
66
Luka Cindric (CRO)
HC Vardar (MKD)
66
Tim Sörensen (DEN)
IFK Kristianstad (SWE)
65
Rasmus Lauge Schmidt (DEN)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
65
Anders Eggert (DEN)
Skjern Handbold (DEN)
65
12
19
23 25
28
218
All-star team vote
All-star Team 2017/18
All-star Teams overview Season Goalkeeper
2012/2013
2013/2014
2014/2015
2015/2016
2016/2017
2017/2018
Darko Stanic (HC Metalurg)
Niklas Landin (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Roland Mikler (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Niklas Landin (THW Kiel)
Gonzalo Perez de Vargas (FC Barcelona Lassa)
Arpad Sterbik (HC Vardar)
Timur Dibirov (HC Vardar)
Uwe Gensheimer (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Manuel Strlek (Vive Tauron Kielce)
Uwe Gensheimer (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)
Uwe Gensheimer (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)
(FC Barcelona)
Momir Ilic (MVM Veszprem)
Mikkel Hansen (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)
Sander Sagosen (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)
(Paris Saint-Germain Handball)
Nikola Karaba�c (Paris SaintGermain Handball)
Anders Eggert (SG Flensburg-Han-
Centre back Line player
Filip Jicha (THW Kiel)
Momir Ilic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Daniel Narcisse (THW Kiel)
Mikkel Hansen (PSG Handball)
Mikkel Hansen (PSG Handball)
Dean Bombac (MOL-Pick Szeged)
Renato Sulic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Renato Sulic (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
Rastko Stojkovic (HC Meshkov Brest)
Ludovic Fabregas (Montpellier)
Bjarte Myrhol (Skjern Håndbold)
Julen Aguinagalde
Right back
Laszlo Nagy (MKB Veszprem)
Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona)
Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona)
Kiril Lazarov (FC Barcelona Lassa)
Alex Dujshebaev (HC Vardar)
Dika Mem (FC Barcelona Lassa)
Right wing
Ivan Cupic (Vive Targi Kielce)
Luc Abalo (PSG Handball)
Victor Tomas (FC Barcelona)
Gasper Marguc (MVM Veszprem)
Victor Tomas (FC Barcelona Lassa)
David Balaguer (HBC Nantes)
Young player
N/A
N/A
Alex Dujshebaev (HC Vardar)
Darko Djukic (Besiktas JK)
Nedim Remili (Paris Saint-Germain Handball)
Romain Lagarde (HBC Nantes)
Defender
Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MKB Veszprem)
Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MKB-MVM Veszprem)
(THW Kiel)
Timuzsin Istvan Schuh (MVM Veszprem)
Coach
N/A
N/A
Talant Dujshebaev (Vive Tauron Kielce)
Xavier Sabate (MVM Veszprem)
219
(Paris Saint-Germain Handball) Raul Gonzalez (HC Vardar)
Luka Karaba�c (Paris SaintGermain Handball) Patrice Canayer (Montpellier Handball)
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Past time winners
Past winners 2018
Montpellier HB
(FRA)
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 Laško
(SLO)
2003
Montpellier HB
(FRA)
2002
SC Magdeburg
(GER)
2001
Portland San Antonio
(ESP)
2000
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1999
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1998
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1997
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1996
FC Barcelona
(ESP)
1995
Elgorriaga Bidasoa
(ESP)
1994
TEKA Santander
(ESP)
221
Timeline 1993 - 2018 Number of goals Number of matches
375,030
Number of spectators
221,539 157,975 60,365
104,000
3,614
3,822
80
1992
1993
225,450
4,871
5,181
4,942
4,973
7,799
7,699
136
136
387,550
8,014
209,700 199,700 198,055
4,805
4,907
5,103
3,827
80
1994
242,087
185,231
347,647
102
80
1995
17/11/1991 EHF founded
1996
100
1997
1998
98
96
1999
94
2000
94
2001
2002
94
2003
2004
2005
26/04/1996 29/08/1993 first EHF CL match (qualification): Pelister Bitola (MKD) vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO)
1993/1994 group phase with eight teams in two groups, followed by a final
Thomas Svensson defends the title as the first player after repeating his Elgorriaga Bidasoa 1995 success with FC Barcelona
2003/2004 group phase with 32 teams, Last 16 added 2005
1996/1997
April 2002
group phase with 16 teams, quarter- and semi-finals added
Olafur Stefansson scores 16 goals against Fotex VeszprĂŠm in two final legs to lead SC Magdeburg to the title as the first non-Spanish team in history
1997
EHF Marketing founded, the EHF’s daughter company dealing with the marketing rights of the CL
first official website launched 1993 EHF takes over all the club and national team competitions including the former IHF European Champions Cup renaming it to the EHF Champions League
marketing, TV, media, organisation competition and players
222
140
882,621 854,237 750,850 708,349 672,418
693,883
705,251
648,196
726,287
11,522 11,560 11,506
532,500 412,850
9,795
520,889
9,849
9,311
9,652
9,201
9,216
9,407
8,989
8,306
208
204 166
140
2006
2007
169
158
2008
2009
166
2010
29/04/2007
07/09/2010
Andrei Xepkin raises the trophy for the alltime record seventh time
contract signing with the VELUX Group, the title sponsor
2007/08 group matches(32 teams) followed by main round (16) and semi-finals
2011
2012
group matches (32 teams) followed by main round (16) and semi-finals
2013
31/05/2013
group phase (24 teams) followed by Last 16; first FINAL4 event
first opening party at the FINAL4 takes place at the LANXESS arena with over 5,000 fans celebrating
2011/12 new corporate identity and new competition’s logo
2014/15 Kiril Lazarov becomes the first player to reach 1,000 goals on the way to the FC Barcelona’s eighth title
2007 first match streamed live on ehfTV.com
2014
2015
2016
2012/13 20,000 fans take part in the first All-star team online vote
223
2017
2018
2017/18 Sportradar enters the CL matches
Media rights deal signed with MP Silva
2009/10
THW Kiel win the premiere VELUX EHF FINAL4
160
2013/14
30/05/2010
2006/07
168
166
164
204
2015/16 total TV audience of 383 millions spectators
2017/18 ehfCL.com relaunched
2016 first use of the goalline and goal-light technology and referees cameras
May 2017 300,000 likes on the official Facebook page
27/05/2018 EHF signs a 10-year deal from 2020 with Infront/Perform with the CL in the package 04/06/2018 Ivan Cupic becomes the first player in the FINAL4 history to win back-to-back titles
31/08/2018 Nordstream 2 joins the CL family
History: 25 years of EHF Champions League
History: 25 years of EHF Champions League 1993 - 2005 1993/94 Final: ABC Braga vs TEKA Santander 22:22/21:23 (43:45) The inaugural year of the Men’s EHF Champions League saw the classic home and away knockout matches being replaced with a totally new system. 32 teams went into two qualification rounds, eliminating 24 clubs. The remaining eight teams were placed into two groups of four teams each playing in a roundrobin system. TEKA Santander and ABC Braga topped their respective groups and faced each other in the final. Santander narrowly kept the upper hand and started what should become an eight-year Spanish club winning streak in the Men’s EHF Champions League.
1994/95 Final: Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun vs Badel Zagreb 30:20 / 26:27 (56:47) The final of the EHF Champions League’s second season became the match of a lifetime for Irun’s Nenad Perunicic, nicknamed “the canon” or “Il Conquistadore” by the fans. He was his team’s key player in the final and, in his first year in Spain, not only he lifted the EHF Champions League but also the national championship trophy with Irun.
1995/96 Final: FC Barcelona vs Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun 23:15 / 23:23 (46:38) In the season that was marked by the “Bosman decision”, which had substantial effects on transfer regulations and transfer fees in sport, FC Barcelona won their first EHF Champions League title. No other should be capable of dethroning the Catalan side for the next four years.
1996/97 Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 31:22 / 30:23 (61:45)
In their second consecutive EHF Champions League Final Barcelona dominated both matches against Badel Zagreb. And while the Spanish side celebrated their second EHF Champions League triumph, the Croatian side had lost their second final. Also in 1996/97 the so called “fast break” was born due to a rule change, making handball more attractive and athletic than ever before.
1997/98 Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 28:18 / 28:22 (56:40) Barcelona beat Zagreb once more to win their third consecutive EHF Champions League title. But at least as much news as the repeated triumph made the wedding of Barcelona player Inaki Urdangarin who married Christina, youngest daughter of Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, on 4th October 1997.
1998/99 Final: Badel Zagreb vs FC Barcelona 22:22 / 18:29 (40:51) Once again there were tears in Zagreb and joy in Barcelona. The Spanish team beat Zagreb in their third consecutive final and lifted the EHF Champions League trophy for the fourth time in a row. Zagreb’s coach Velimir Klajic had to admit that Barcelona “at this moment in time, were quite simply the best club team in the world.”
1999/00 Final: THW Kiel – FC Barcelona 28:25 / 24:29 (52:54) THW Kiel became the first German team to make it into the Final but even a 28:25-victory in the final’s first leg was not enough to end Barcelona’s EHF Champions League winning streak. Backed by half of the Spanish national team and international stars like Christian Schwarzer and Tomas Svensson, Barcelona won their fifth title.
224
History: 25 years of EHF Champions League
2000/01
2003/04
Final: Portland San Antonio – FC Barcelona 30:24 / 22:25 (52:49) For Barcelona it was a whole new feeling to watch another team celebrating at the end of the Champions League Final. Following five consecutive titles an era came to end when Spanish King Juan Carlos handed the huge tropy to Portland San Antonio at the end of all-Spanish Final.
Final: Celje vs Flensburg- Handewitt 34:28 / 28:30 (62:58) In March 2003 the EHF had decided on a new structure for the competition. Three teams from Spain and Germany now had a starting slot. Two representatives from Hungary, Slovenia, Denmark and Croatia would start in the Group Phase. Overall 32 teams (8 groups of 4 teams each) made up the Group Phase. Flensburg had profited from the new system but Slovenian side Celje was too strong in the final.
2001/02 Final: Fotex Veszprem vs SC Magdeburg 23:21 / 25:30 (48:51) One year after Barcelona’s dominance had ended in the EHF Champions League, the dominance of Spanish clubs also came to an end, when SC Magdeburg became the first German team to win the competition. And late at night, at the end of a glittering party, Stefan Kretzschmar and coach Alfred Gislason were still up for jokes: “Training is on the agenda. The entire team is going to run through the whole town until 08:00 tomorrow morning,” they both proclaimed.
2002/03 Final: Portland San Antonio – Montpellier HB 27:19 / 19:31 (46:50) A new star was born during the finals of the 2002/03 EHF Champions League season. Montpellier’s Nikola Karabatic scored 11 goals in the first leg in Spain and another six in front of his home fans, enabling his team to turn around the eight goal defeat from the first leg and to become the first French side to win the EHF Champions League.
225
2004/05 Final: BM Ciudad Real vs FC Barcelona Cifec 28:27 / 27:29 (55:56) Following four years without being present in the final, Barcelona won their sixth EHF Champions League title. And while the spectator record for one match was 10,000 fans, the whole city celebrated Barcelona’s victory. “We did a lap of honour in the Stadion Nou Camp in front of 100,000 spectators and were celebrated by the whole town,” remembers Barcelona’s Dane Lars Krogh Jeppesen.
2005/06 Final: Portland San Antonio vs BM Ciudad Real 19:25 / 28:37 (47:62) Spanish businessman and BM Ciudad Real president, Domingo Diaz de Mera, had put together a team that proved to be unbeatable in the 2005/06 Champions League season. Mera bought superstars from all over Europe and the team around Olafur Stefansson, Mirza Dzomba, Didier Dinart et al. paid justified Mera’s expenses when they beat Spanish rival San Antonio in the final.
History: 25 years of EHF Champions League
History: 25 years of EHF Champions League 2006 - 2018 2006/07 Final: SG Flensburg- Handewitt vs THW Kiel 28:28 / 27:29 (55:57) The EHF Champions League, through the efforts of the 2005 founded EHF Marketing GmbH, became a unified look. Since 2006, TV spectators across Europe know they are watching a men’s EHF Champions League match when they see the distinct blue lagoon and black supplied by flooring specialists Gerfloor in addition to the season’s individual yellow and blue handball supplied by adidas. On the sport side of things, Kiel won their first EHF Champions League title, beating arch rival Flensburg-Handewitt.
2007/08 Final: BM Ciudad Real vs THW Kiel 27:29 / 31:25 (58:54) In the 2007/08 season a second Group Phase with four groups of four teams each replaced the Last 16-matches and the quarter-finals. The first teams of each group qualified for the semi-finals and in the final 2006 champion Ciudad Real faced 2007 champion THW Kiel. The Spanish side prevailed and could win their second EHF Champions League trophy.
2008/09 Final: THW Kiel vs BM Ciudad Real 39:34 / 27:33 (66:67) THW Kiel and BM Ciudad Real faced each other in the final for the second year in a row and even though Kiel had won the first leg of the final by five goals, it was Ciudad Real that won the EHF Champions League for a second consecutive time. Kiel were still in the lead by 20:16 after 39 minutes but with a series of 10:3 goals within 11 minutes Ciudad Real turned the match in their favour.
2009/10 Final: FC Barcelona Borges vs HW Kiel 34:36 In the 2009/10 season the number of participating teams in the first Group Phase was reduced from 32 to 24. Four groups of six teams each were formed and the first four teams qualified for the knockout phase which replaced the second group phase. For the first time the VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournament, which combined the Semi-finals and the Final, was held in Cologne, Germany, to decide the champion. THW Kiel won their second title when they beat Barcelona.
2010/11 Final: FC Barcelona vs Renovalia Ciudad Real 27:24 Since 2010 the event is known as the VELUX EHF Champions League. 40,000 fans stormed to Cologne to attend the VELUX EHF FINAL4 weekend and TV viewing audience figures went to a new height. 310 million viewers from 76 countries worldwide watched 2,800 hours of TV transmissions 2010/11. Barcelona extended their lead as the most successful club in EHF Champions League history when won their seventh title, beating Ciudad Real in the Final.
2011/12 Final: THW Kiel vs BM Atletico Madrid 26:21 The German powerhouse sensationally lost in their first home match of the season against Montpellier, but no other team was able to overcome THW Kiel throughout the remaining of the season. Gíslason led his team to the third trophy in the club’s history becoming the first coach who won with two different teams. Defending champions from Barcelona were eliminated in the quarter-finals by AG København, but the Danish side was stopped in the semi-final by Atlético Madrid, who made it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the fourth time in a row.
226
History: 25 years of EHF Champions League
2012/13 Final: FC Barcelona vs HSV Hamburg 29:30 AET HSV Hamburg go into the new season as the defending champion. For the first time the extratime had to decide the winner. In 20 years of EHF Champions League history there have only been two champions, Montpellier in 2003 and Celje in 2004, who neither came from Spain nor from Germany. The All-Stars team of the 20 years were announced: Goalkeeper Tomas Svensson (SWE), Left Wing Stefan Kretzschmar (GER), Left Back Filip Jícha (CZE), Line Player Andrei Xepkin (ESP), Centre Back Jackson Richardson (FRA), Right Back (Oláfur Stefansson), Right Wing Mirza Džomba (CRO), Best defender Didier Dinart (FRA)
2013/14 Final: SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel 30:28 For the third year in a row a team from Northern Germany prevailed as SG Flensburg-Handewitt took both of their opponents at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 by surprise. In the semi-final the “Vranjes boys” eliminated giants of FC Barcelona after a penaltyshoot-out thriller and made the Cinderrella story perfect by beating their neighbours from Kiel 30:28 in the final.
2015/16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprem 39:38 after 7m shootout This final went down to history books of the Champions League as a breathtaking classic. Deep in the second half Veszprem were leading by nine goals, still Kielce put up a spritid fight to force the extratime. Even the additional ten minutes could not solve the thriller and in the 7m shootout Kielce were luckier with Julen Aguinagalde’s last effort clinched the maiden title for the Polish champions adding only fifth country to the list of winners.
2016/17 Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Vardar 23:24 For the first time in history no German team made it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. The sold-out LANXESS arena still saw yet another edition of some showcase handball and three out of four matches ended in only one goal differences. HC Vardar beat the buzzer for two days in a row as Luka Cindric sank FC Barcelona Lassa in the semi-final and Ivan Cupic clinched the maiden title for the Macedonian team in the final against PSG sending the whole country into a handball frenzy.
2017/18
2014/15 Final: FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprem 28:23 The defending champions from SG FlensburgHandewitt were eliminated already in the Last 16 as well as Rhein-Neckar Löwen. The end of the three-year-old reign of Bundesliga was sealed only in Cologne as THW Kiel were unable to repeat their 2014 semi-final win against Veszprem. However, the effort of Hungarian champions for their premiere trophy were denied by FC Barcelona who rose to the throne for the eighth time in the EHF history.
227
HBC Nantes vs Montpellier HB 27:32 In its 25th anniversary the European top flight once again underlined the rule that favourites cannot take anything for granted in this fierce competition. No fewer than three French teams made it to the final tournament in Cologne and after both finalists from the previous edition (Vardar and PSG) failed in the semi-finals it was a showdown between two preseason underdogs HBC Nantes and Montpellier HB in the final. Mainly courtesy of a brilliant performance of their playmaker Diego Simonet Montpellier returned to the European throne after 15 years and became the first team from Group C or D with this achievement.
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
228
All-time club standings 1993 - 2018
All-time club standings 1993 - 2018 TR
Name of the club
MP
W
D
L
GF:FA
GD
P
NP
%
1
Barça Lassa ESP
278
205
20
53
8513:7154
+1359
430:126
(21)*
77,34%
2
THW Kiel GER
276
184
18
74
8375:7417
+958
386:166
(21)
69,93%
3
Telekom Veszprém HC HUN
258
173
14
71
7459:6720
+739
360:156
(22)*
69,77%
AB
4
HC PPD Zagreb CRO
256
115
27
114
6684:6628
+56
257:255
(24)*
50,20%
AB
5
Montpellier HB FRA
204
117
13
74
5883:5563
+320
247:161
(18)*
60,54%
AB
6
SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
184
112
16
56
5468:5065
+403
240:128
(13)*
65,22%
AB
7
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
216
107
14
95
6171:5927
+244
228:204
(20)*
52,78%
AB
8
BM Atletico Madrid ESP
144
111
5
28
4502:3803
+699
227:61
(10)
78,82%
9
PGE Vive Kielce POL
144
83
13
48
4250:4065
+185
179:109
(11)*
62,15%
AB
10
MOL-Pick Szeged HUN
168
76
13
79
4650:4644
+6
165:171
(15)*
49,11%
AB
11
Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
156
67
18
71
4690:4613
+77
152:160
(16)*
48,72%
CD
12
HSV Hamburg GER
98
68
9
21
3088:2670
+418
145:51
(7)
73,98%
13
Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
118
64
17
37
3492:3302
+190
145:91
(8)*
61,44%
14
Portland San Antonio ESP
100
64
6
30
2929:2594
+335
134:66
(9)
67,00%
15
Paris Saint-Germain HB FRA
98
63
7
28
2896:2696
+200
133:63
(7)*
67,86%
AB
16
HC Vardar MKD
122
55
14
53
3347:3397
–50
124:120
(11)*
50,82%
AB
17
Abanca Ademar Leon ESP
112
56
6
50
3188:3135
+53
118:106
(11)*
52,68%
CD
18
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN
118
54
9
55
3330:3361
-31
117:119
(12)
49,58%
19
HC Metalurg MKD
92
34
6
52
2270:2418
-148
74:110
(9)*
40,22%
CD
20
Orlen Wisla Plock POL
110
30
10
70
2913:3183
–270
70:150
(11)*
31,82%
CD
21
HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
60
30
7
23
1757:1728
+29
67:53
(5)*
55,83%
AB
25
HC Meshkov Brest BLR
80
23
10
47
2172:2319
-147
56:104
(8)*
35,00%
AB
28
HBC Nantes FRA
34
22
6
6
1014:935
+79
50:18
(2)*
73,53%
AB
29
Skjern Handbold DEN
42
20
5
17
1190:1120
+70
45:39
(4)*
53,57%
AB
39
Tatran Presov SVK
56
13
5
38
1504:1707
-203
31:81
(8)*
27,68%
CD
44
Besiktas Mogaz TUR
44
12
2
30
1203:1375
–172
26:62
(4)*
29,55%
CD
47
Elverum NOR
30
11
3
16
818:867
-49
25:35
(3)*
41,67%
CD
50
IFK Kristianstad SWE
44
9
5
30
1191:1316
-125
23:65
(3)*
26,14%
AB
58
58 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN
38
8
0
30
974:1109
-135
16:60
(3)*
21,05%
CD
68
62 Sporting Lisbon POR
16
6
0
10
425:446
–21
12:20
(2)*
37,50%
CD
96
64 Dinamo Bucuresti ROU
26
5
2
19
720:816
-96
12:40
(3)*
23,08%
CD
117
114Wacker Thun SUI
10
0
1
9
242:329
-87
1:19
(1)*
5,00%
CD
NR
NR Riihimäen Cocks FIN
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0:0
(0)*
0,00%
CD
229
AB
AB
Notes
EHF Media & Communications 06/09/18 Vlado Brindzak +43 1 80 151 161 brindzak@eurohandball.com Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Tomas Cuncik, Adrian Costeiu, Nemanja Savic, Béla Müller, Kevin Domas, Sergey Nikolaev, Jelena Bagaric, Amina Idrizi, Magda Pluszewska, Tiago Nogueira, Fulya Oktem, Eric Willemsen, Courtney Gahan. All stats by Roy Knoppert.
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