Media Information VELUX EHF Champions League Season 2015/16
Qualification and Group Phase Draw
Vienna, 26 June 2015 Table of contents
Map of participating clubs 4
Media contacts 5
Preview 6
Playing system diagram - stages and dates 7
Seeding list 8
Qualification teams
Elverum Handball Herrer 9
Alpla HC Hard 10
OCI-Lions 11
RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka 12
Groups A + B
POT 1
THW Kiel 13
FC Barcelona Lassa 14
POT 2
MKB-MVM Veszprem KC 15
Vive Tauron Kielce 16
POT 3
Paris Saint-Germain Handball 17
HC Vardar 18
POT 4
KIF Kolding Kobehavn 19
RK Celje Pivavorna Lasko 20
POT 5
MOL-Pick Szeged 21
Orlen Wisla Plock 22
2 POT 6
HC PPD Zagreb 23
Rhein-Neckar Löwen 24
POT 7
IFK Kristianstad 25
Besiktas JK 26
POT 8
Montpellier HB 27
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 28
Groups C + D
POT 1
Naturhouse La Rioja 29
HC Metalurg 30
POT 2
HC Meshkov Brest 31
Skjern Handbold 32
POT 3
Chekhovskie Medvedi 33
HC Motor Zaporozhye 34
POT 4
Futebol Clube do Porto 35
Kadetten Schaffhausen 36
POT 5
HCM Baia Mare 37
RK Vojvodina 38
POT 6
Tatran Presov 39
Past winners 40
2014/15 Top scorers 41
3 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
SG Flensburg- IFK Kristianstad, THW Kiel, Orlen Wisla Season 2015/16 Handewitt, GER SWE GER Plock, POL Elverum HH, NOR Groups A&B teams HC Brest Meshkov, BLR Groups C&D teams Skjern KS Vive Tauron Handbold, DEN Kielce, POL Qualification teams
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, DEN Chekhovskie Medvedi, RUS
OCI-Lions, NED Tatran Presov, SVK
VELUX EHF FINAL4 Host City Cologne, GER
HC Motor Zaporozhye, UKR
HCM Baia Mare, ROU Rhein-Neckar Löwen, GER
PSG Handball, MKB-MVM Veszprem, HUN FRA
Montpellier MOL-Pick AHB, FRA Szeged, HUN
Futebol Clube HC Vojvodina do Porto, POR Novi Sad, SRB
Naturhouse Besiktas RUKOMETNI KLUB La Rioja, ESP PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB JK, TUR
HC PPD Alpla Zagreb,CRO FC Barcelona HC Hard, AUT HC Vardar Lassa, ESP MKD Kadetten HC Metalurg, Schaffhausen, SUI RK Celje Pivovarna RK Borac m:tel MKD Lasko, SLO Banja Luka, BIH EHF/M Media contacts Media matters TV and Radio
Vlado Brindzak Miguel Mateo Marcellan Media and Communications Media Manager European Handball Federation EHF Marketing GmbH +43 1 80 151 161 +43 1 80 151 224 [email protected] [email protected] Qualification Clubs – Media contacts Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) Alpla HC Hard (AUT) OCI-Lions (NED) RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka (BIH) Erik Henriksen Hansjörg Füssinger Hans Gierman Vladimir Brankovic +47 400 21299 +43 664 342 82 12 +31 6 22417606 +387 65 585-550 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Group A + B Group C + D POT 1 POT 2 POT 1 POT 2 THW Kiel (GER) MKB-MVM Veszprém KC (HUN) Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) Christian Robohm Zsolt Sevinger Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez Pavel Bashkin +49 1635306300 +36 305024547 +34 63 77 66 107 +375 162 479399 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) HC Metalurg (MKD) Skjern Handbold (DEN) Gustau Galvache Sebastian Kozubek Zoran Cvetanovski Henning Kjaergaard +34 618522789 +48 505031244 +389 78223505 +45 20 669374 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
POT 3 POT 4 POT 3 POT 4 PSG Handball (FRA) KIF Kolding København (DEN) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) FC Porto (POR) Louise Cosnard Thomas Christensen Beniamin Kuznetsov Joana Moreira +33 (0)675 591 939 +45 22 629062 +7 9166186054 +351 22 508 32 68 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] RK Vardar PRO – Skopje (MKD) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) Marko Savovski Nejc Ajdnik Dmitriy Karpushchenko Barbara Imobersteg +389 75 200 008 +386 40687766 +380 50 5581181 +41 787203247 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
POT 5 POT 6 POT 5 POT 6 Pick Szeged (HUN) RK Zagreb (CRO) HCM Baia Mare (ROU) Tatran Presov (SVK) Nandor Szögi Goran Roknić Ioachim Nicolae Fat Branko Benko +36 70 3878234 +385 95 9999 334 +40 744 426004 +421 911 620435 [email protected] glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr [email protected] [email protected]
Orlen Wisła Płock (POL) Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER) HC Vojvodina (SRB) Piotr Raczkowski Christopher Monz Nemanja Protic Tel: +48-691-99881 +491744288849 +381 63 10 66 013 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
POT 7 POT 8 IFK Kristianstad (SWE) SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER) Nikolas Larsson Sandra von Wallis +46 705 454332 +49 4611609625 [email protected] [email protected]
Besiktas JK (TUR) Montpellier (FRA) Berk Karahan Suzy Demonte +90-535-358-8747 +33 499 610 358 [email protected] [email protected]
5 Semi-finals for the qualification tournament set
Following the confirmation of all participants of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 by the EHF Executive Committee last The semi-final winners will battle out the remaining place in the group weekend in Krakow, the semi-final pairings of the qualification phase on Sunday 6 September in the qualification final preceded by tournament have also been set. the third place match between the two Saturday’s losers.
As there is just one qualification tournament with four teams The tournament’s winner will join either Group C or D in the European this season, there is no draw needed and the pairings have been top flight, while the second and third ranked team qualify directly for determined based on the seeding list. the Men’s EHF Cup third elimination round. The fourth ranked side start already in the second elimination round of the EHF Cup. In the first semi-final Norwegian champions Elverum Handball Herrer, who are the top seed of the qualification, will therefore meet The right to organise the qualification tournament will be drawn on the Dutch championship trophy holders OCI-Lions on Saturday 5 Friday 26 June at 18:30 hrs in Vienna. As Hard hosted the qualification September, while Austria’s Alpla HC Hard will face RK Borac m:tel group last season, the Austrian champions will stage the tournament Banja Luka from Bosnia Herzegovina in the other semi-final. this time around only if all other participants decline to do so.
Seeding for Group Phase draw confirmed
All clubs of the continent’s premium competition are to discover Seeding for the group phase draw: their European travel schedule up to March 2016 as the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 Group Phase draw takes place on Friday Group A + B in the Vienna city centre. Pot 1 FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) THW Kiel (GER) Pot 2 MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) The 27 teams directly seeded for the group phase and one qualifier will learn their fate in the new season as the draw both for the Pot 3 Paris SG Handball (FRA) HC Vardar (MKD) Groups A&B and Groups C&D is to be carried out at 20:00 hrs. Pot 4 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) Pot 5 MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) There are eight pots of two teams in the Groups A&B and six in the Pot 6 HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Groups C&D. The defending champions FC Barcelona Lassa will be Pot 7 IFK Kristianstad (SWE) Besiktas Jimnastik Kul. (TUR) drawn from the Pot 1 together with THW Kiel. Pot 8 Montpellier HB (FRA) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
The teams will not be able to face opponents from the same country in the group what applies to sides from France, Germany, Poland and Hungary. Group C + D Pot 1 Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) HC Metalurg (MKD) The only exception will be the 2014 winners SG Flensburg- Pot 2 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) Skjern Handbold (DEN) Handewitt, who will play against one of the two bundesliga rivals in Pot 3 Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) the group – either Kiel or Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Pot 4 Futebol Clube do Porto Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) Pot 5 HCM Baia Mare (ROU) Vojvodina (SRB) The group phase will commence with the first round matches on Pot 6 Tatran Presov (SVK) Qualifer 16-20 September 2015, the last round in A and B is scheduled for 2-6 March 2016.
6
vs vs vs vs place match rd 3 Final Semi-nals (draw) 28.-29.05.2016 FINAL4 B1 A1 M1 M2 vs vs vs vs M4 M3 M5 M6 Quarter-nals (no draw) first leg 20.-24.04.2016 leg second 27.04-01.05.2016 Quarter-nals B2 B3 B4 A4 A2 A3 vs vs vs vs vs vs bye bye B1 B5 K1 B6 A1 K2 A6 A5 Last 16 Last 16 (no draw) first leg 16.03.-20.03.2016 leg second 23.03.-27.03.2016 M1 M2 M3 M5 M4 M6 C1 D1 Season 2015/16 playing schedule playing Season 2015/16 vs vs Group A & B only KO Group C & D KO Group C & D Group A & B only Group A & B and Group A & B and C2 D2 K1 K2 Group Phase MatchesKO (no draw) 25.-29.11.2015 25.-29.11.2015 02.-06.12.2015 10.-14.02.2016 17.-21.-02.2016 24.-28.02.2016 02.-06.03.2016 B1 B7 B2 B5 B3 B6 B4 B8 D1 D2 D3 D5 D4 D6 A1 C1 A7 A6 C6 C2 A4 C4 A8 C5 A2 C3 A5 A3 Group Phase Groups A & B (draw) Group Phase Groups C & D (draw) Group Phase 16.-20.09.2015 23.-27.09.2015 30.09.-04.10.2015 07.-11.10.2015 14.-18.10.2015 21.-25.10.2015 11.-15.11.2015 18.-22.11.2015
(no draw) Qualication Qualication Tournament playing systemplaying Season 2015/16 QualicationTournament 05.-06.09.2015
7 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015/16 Qualification Tournament Group Phase Last 16 Quarterfinals FINAL4 16.-20.09.15 (1); 23.-27.09.2015 (2); 05./06.09.2015 30.09.-04.10.2015 (3); 07.-11.10.2015 (4) 16.-20.03.2016 20.-24.04.2016 28./29.05.2016 tournament 14.-18.10.2015 (5); 21.-25.10.2015 (6) first leg first leg tournament 11.-15.11.2015 (7); 18.-22.11.2015 (8) played in semi finals and finals 25.-29.11.2015 (9); 02.-06.12.2015 (10) 23.-27.03.2016 27.04.-01.05.2016 played in in one venue 10.-14.02.2016 (11 - A/B); 17.-21.02.2016 (12 -A/B) second leg second leg semi finals and finals 24.-28.02.2016 (13); 02.-06.03.2016 (14) in Cologne
DRAWS: 26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT 26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT no draw no draw 03.05.2016 Group A and B (16 teams) 12 teams 8 teams 4 teams 2 groups with 8 teams
1 GER 1 THW Kiel 2 ESP 1 FC Barcelona Lassa 3 HUN 1 MKB-MVM Veszprem 4 POL 1 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 5 MKD 1 HC Vardar 6 FRA 1 Paris Saint Germain HB 7 DEN 1 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 8 SLO 1 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 9 HUN 2 MOL-Pick Szeged 10 POL 2 Orlen Wisla Plock 11 CRO 1 HC PPD Zagreb 12 GER 2 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 13 SWE 1 IFK Kristianstad 14 TUR 1 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 15 FRA 2 Montpellier HB 16 GER 3 SG Flensburg-Handewitt Group C and D (12 teams) 2 groups with 6 teams 1 ESP 2 Naturhouse La Rioja 2 MKD 2 HC Metalurg 3 DEN 2 Skjern Handball 4 BLR 1 HC Meskov Brest 5 RUS 1 Chekhovskie medvedi 6 UKR 1 HC Motor
7 SUI 1 Kadetten Schaffhausen KO matches from Group C D and qualify for the Last 16
8 POR 1 Futebol Clube do Porto Quarterfinals League Champions EHF VELUX of Winners 4 9 ROU 1 HCM Baia Mare 1st placed team of qualify B Groupand A directly for the Quarterfinals; 10 SRB 1 Vojvodina 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 6th and placed team of as well B Groupand A as winners of 11 SVK 1 Tatran Presov 12 NOR 1 Elverum Handball Herrer B + A Group of Winners 2 + 16 Last League Champions EHF VELUX of Winners 6 13 AUT 1 ALPLA HC Hard 14 BIH 1 RK Borac m:tel the Winner of Winner of tournament 15 NED 1 OCI/Lions Qualification
1 group with 4 teams 4th placed team of CL Qualification Tournament goes to EHF 1st and 2nd placed team of CL Group Phase Group C Cup Qualification Rd 2, and D play Group KO matches. Winners of these 2nd and 3rd placed team of CL Qualification Tornament go to matches qualify for L16 EHF Cup Qualification Rd 3
status: 24.06.2015 Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR)
While a newcomer won the regular season this year, it was once again one of the teams that already used to fight for the title in the previous years, to take the national championship.
Norwegian cup winners Arendal secured the first place after the regular season when they met Runar Sandefjord. In the quarter-finals though, Runar held the upper hand and ended Arendal’s run for the Norwegian title.
Experienced Elverum took the title after beating Bodo in two matches in the final, 30:23 and 29:26.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 2 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Other Playing hall Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final Terningen Arena 2010/11 Hamarvegen 112 EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 2418 Elverum Norway Norwegian league: 3 titles (2009, 2013, Capacity: 2,400 2015) * to be confirmed
Club Address: Elverum Handball Herrer Postboks 295 2403 Elverum Norway
Media contact: Erik Henriksen +47 400 21299 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.ehh.no Facebook: elverumhandball Twitter: @ElverumHandball
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: green
9 Alpla HC Hard (AUT)
For the fourth straight time ALPLA HC Hard have been crowned champions in Austria. The concluding event of the Handball Liga Austria season saw two teams from the lake Constance region battle it out for the title. Markus Burger saw his team come out on top twice (30:26 and 24:20) in the set of finals against Bregenz Handball.
“It is an incredible feeling to be on top again. Despite the clear results, Bregenz were really a tough opponent, but make no mistake we fully deserved to win this title,” commented Burger.
After a great performance on home court, Hard did not leave people guessing who would lift the trophy. This was made clear as they silenced the 2,000 spectators in Bregenz with an 11:4 run in the second leg of the final. More than 1,000 fans gathered to celebrate the win outside their arena in Hard.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participation (including 2015/16 season): 5 Group Matches (1): 2003/04 Qualification (3): 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 Playing hall Sporthalle am See Other See Straße 60 Challenge Cup: Runners-up 2007/08, 6971 Hard Semi-final 2004/05, Quarter-finals Austria 2000/01, 2006/07 Capacity: 2,300 Austrian champions: 5 titles (2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Club Address: Austrian Cup winners: 3 titles Alpla HC Hard Seestraße 60 6971 Hard Austria
Media contact: Hansjörg Füssinger Tel: +43 664 342 82 12 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.hchard.at Facebook: AlplaHard
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: royal blue Goalkeeper shirt: white, grey, green
Dark Player shirt: red Player short: dark blue Goalkeeper shirt: white, grey, green
10 OCI-Lions (NED)
After finishing second four times in a row, Limburg Lions finally managed to make the last step towards the title. And all they needed was a woman to show them the right way. Under the guidance of head coach Monique Tijsterman the team from Sittard added the domestic championship title to the Dutch Cup and the multi-national Bene-League title this season.
In the Dutch finals against Volendam the Lions crowned themselves champions in the second match after winning 29:28 on home ground and 34:29 away. “I never thought we would lose these matches,” commented Tijsterman after the finals. “We have great quality in our ranks and we are able to stay relaxed in tough situations, and this was the key to our great season.”
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 1
Other EHF Cup: Round 3 2011/12 Playing hall Dutch league: 1 title (2015) Topsporthal Fitland XL Dutch cup: 1 title Sittard Netherlands Capacity: 2,200 * to be confirmed
Club Address: OCI-LIONS PO Box 579 6160 AN Geleen Netherlands
Media contact: Hans Gierman +31 6 22417606 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.limburglions.nl Facebook: limburglions Twitter: @oci_lions
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: red Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
11 RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka (BIH) Borac M:tel Banja Luka defended the double for the third time in a row, and they did it in style, defeating RK Izvidjac in straight matches (3:0 in series). Borac started the first match of the series with a home win (33:26), but the encounter had all the elements of a classic. Despite the high-scoring match, Borac goalkeeper and the star of the season Stanko Abadzic, recorded the show-stopping 21 saves to the frustration of their opponents from Ljubuski.
The experienced winger Marko Mikic and the legendary veteran line player Ratko Nikolic finished on a high note as well - netting 11 and eight respectively to win the last match of the play-off series 34:30 in front of their own fans in Banja Luka and help the indomitable Borac to their 48th title. However it was not the last the fans have seen of the forceful Bosnian champions, as the cup final played in their home town provided yet another reason for celebration.
The “Borik” hall saw the team coached by Igor Radjenovic outplay RK Celik in the final 29:24 and secure another Cup glory, to defend the double.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 2 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Other Playing hall Challenge Cup: Quarter-final 2004/05 Sportska Dvorana “Borik” EHF Cup: Round 3 2000/01, 2010/11, Aleja Svetog Save 48 2012/13 78000 Banja Luka Cup Winners’ Cup: Round 3 2011/12 Bosnia Herzegovina Capacity: 3,500 Bosnian league: 3 titles (2013, 2014, 2015) Bosnian cup: 5 times Club Address: RK Borac m:tel Veselina Maslese 15-17 78000 Banja Luka Bosnia Herzegovina
Media contact: Vladimir Brankovic +387 65 585-550 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rkborac.rs.ba Facebook: rkborac Twitter: @rkborac
Kit colours Light Player shirt: red Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: grey Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: green
12 POT 1 THW Kiel (GER)
Like in 2014, the the German championship was decided in the final round. But in contrast to one year before, it was not goal difference needed to separate THW Kiel and Rhein-Neckar Löwen. In the end, Kiel were two points and more than 20 goals ahead of the Löwen squad, handing them their 20th title.
Both sides were more than ten points clear of third ranked SG Flensburg-Handewitt, 2014 VELUX EHF Champions League winner.
The squad for the next season will change with both goalkeepers Johan Sjöstand and Andreas Palicka leaving, replaced by Löwen keeper Niklas Landin, again awarded best goalkeeper of the season. In addition, Rasmus Lauge and Aron Palmarsson will leave a gap in the back court.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 19 Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2013/14 Playing hall Semi-final (4): 1996/1997, 2000/01, Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel 2012/13, 2014/15 Europaplatz 1, Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, 24103 Kiel 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11 Germany Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96 Capacity: 10,000 Other EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04 Club Address: German league: 20 titles (1957, 1962, THW Kiel 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, Ziegelteich 30 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 24103 Kiel 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Germany German Cup winners: 9 times Media contact: Christian Robohm +49 1635306300 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.thw-provinzial.de Facebook:thwhandball Twitter: @thw_handball
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: red
13 POT 1 FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)
For the fifth time in a row FC Barcelona win the Spanish league – their 22nd in club history. The Catalans dominated the Spanish League winning all 30 matches and leaving the runners-up Naturhouse La Rioja 12 points behind.
Succeeding in every competition they played – the Catalan Supercup, the Spanish Supercup, the Asobal Cup, the Superglobe, the Asobal League, Copa del Rey and the VELUX EHF Champions League - this season has been perfect for FC Barcelona.
Moreover, Xavi Pascual’s team overcome its scorer record with 1,187 goals in 30 games this season, with Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson leading the topscorer ranking with 126 goals. The next record that the Catalans could beat is the 67 consecutive wins by Ciudad Real.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 19 Winner (8): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11, 2014/15 Playing hall Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13 Palau Blaugrana Semi-final (2): 2007/08, 2013/14 Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n Quarter-final (3): 2005/06, 2006/07, 08028 Barcelona 2011/12 Spain Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Capacity: 7,250 Main Round (1): 2008/09
Other EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up Club Address: 2001/02 FC Barcelona Lassa Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n 1994/95 08028 Barcelona Spain Spanish league: 22 titles (1969, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, Media contact: 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, Gustau Galvache 2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, +34 618522789 2014, 2015) [email protected] Spanish Cup winner: 19 times Asobal Cup winner: 10 times Online information: Website: www.fcbarcelona.cat Facebook: FCBHandbol Twitter: @FCBHandbol
Kit colours Light Player shirt: red and yellow Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: dark red/blue Dark Player shirt: blue and red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: grey/green
14 POT 2 MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)
VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants MKB-MVM Veszprém won the league for the 23rd time, the eighth time in a row, after it was the same old story in the Hungarian championship. After reaching the quarter-finals in Europe’s premier club competition MOL-Pick Szeged took one step forward while their domestic arch-rivals took two and swept them aside, winning all six games between the sides in the 2014/15 season.
Veszprém opted to compete in the regional SEHA League instead of the regular season of the Hungarian championship and only joined the domestic playoff which they won with a flawless performance winning the Hungarian Cup on the run as well. The finals between Veszprém and Szeged brought about no surprises as the to-be Champions League finalist took the first match comfortably 29:23 at home before wrapping the title up in Szeged.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 21 Final (2): 2001/02, 2014/15 Semi-final (3): 2002/03, 2005/06, 2013/14 Playing hall Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, Veszprém Arena 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Külso Kadartai ut Last 16 (3): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 8200 Veszprém Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, Hungary 2007/08 Capacity: 5,020 Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Club Address: Runners-up 1996/97 MKB-MVM Veszprém Marcius 15. ut 5 SEHA-league: 1 title (2015) 8200 Veszprém Hungary Hungarian league: 23 titles (1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, Media contact: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, Zsolt Sevinger 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, +36 305024547 2013, 2014, 2015) [email protected] Hungarian Cup winner: 24 times Online information: Website: www.mkbveszprem.eu Facebook: mkbveszprem Twitter: @mkbveszpremkc
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: grey Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: black
15 POT 2 KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
After difficulties caused by Orlen Wisla Plock in the Polish champions last year, the rivalry between the teams was expected to be more interesting this season. Nevertheless, everyone who deluded themselves that the domestic competition would be as tight as a medieval battle, quite quickly realised that the clashes would resemble more of a contest between squire and knight – no matter how much the armour-bearer strives for a victory, experience always wins.
Vive Tauron Kielce left a lot to be desired regarding their style on domestic court, but enraptured with their explosive power as they won all 22 matches in the regular season with the average advantage of 12 goals. In the play-off phase they easily defeated MMTS Kwidzyn in the quarter finals (2:0 in a best-of-three series) and Pogon Szczecin in semi-finals (3:0 in a best-of-five series).
The decisive games against Plock brought huge emotions both for fans and players. All in all, a 3:0 victory for Kielce gave them their 12th title. The Polish Cup was much the same, despite the close battle, and Talant Dujshebaev’s charges defeated the Oilers 26:23 in Warsaw.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 13 Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third ranked in VELUX F4) Last 16 (5): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, Playing hall 2011/12, 2013/14 Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99 ul. Boczna 15A Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, 25-093 Kielce 2003/04, 2010/11 Poland Capacity: 4,000 Other 11 participations in other ECs
Club Address: Polish league: 12 titles (1993, 1994, KS Vive Tauron Kielce 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, ul. Robotnicza 5 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) 25-662 Kielce Polish cup: 12 titles Poland
Media contact: Sebastian Kozubek +48 505031244 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.vtkielce.pl Facebook: kielcehandball Twitter: @ksvive
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: green
16 POT 3 PSG Handball (FRA)
Just like last season, it was a close call - but this time the French champions come from Paris. Despite trailing behind Montpellier for most of the season, the team led by Danish back court star Mikkel Hansen took the lead - thanks to an away victory over their rivals in the final stretch.
Montpellier’s defeat against Chambéry then opened the floor for PSG to gain their second league title in three years. The Parisians proved to be the superior side in direct confrontations having recorded a huge victory in the first encounter against Montpellier, winning 36:20.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 4 Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 16 (1): 2005/06
Playing hall Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2006/07, Last Halle Georges Carpentier 16 2003/04 81 boulevard Massena 75013 Paris French league: 2 titles (2013, 2015) France French cup: 2 titles Capacity: 4,800
Club Address: PSG Handball 82 avenue Georges Lafont 75016 Paris France
Media contact: Louise Cosnard +33 (0)675 591 939 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.psghand.fr Facebook: PSGHand Twitter: @PSG_HANDBALL
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
17 POT 3 HC Vardar (MKD) Although at the beginning of the season many expected to enjoy the famous Skopje derby between Vardar and Metalurg, the financial problems which hit Metalurg early in the season left Vardar without competition on their way to the title. Both Vardar and Metalurg joined the rest of the teams in the season’s play-off and Vardar won all ten matches in this series. The last season match against Radovis was a formality and with the high scoring victory 35:23 Vardar ended up the season with a trophy.
This match was the last in the “red-black” uniforms for Dobrivoje Markovic, Aleksey Rastvortsev, Nemanja Pribak, Mikhail Chipurin, Vladimir Petric and Stefan Terzic.
For the first time after eight years Vardar earned both titles of the domestic season having clinched also the national cup.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 10 Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 32 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10 Playing hall Jane Sandanski Other Skopje Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1998/99, FYR Macedonia 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-finals Capacity: 5,000 2006/07
SEHA league: 1 title (2012) Club Address: HC Vardar - Skopje Macedonian league: 9 titles (1999, Marko Savovski 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, BUL 8 mi Septemvri 20 2013, 2015) FYR Macedonia Macedonian cup: 10 titles
Media contact: Marko Savovski +389 75 200 008 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rkvardar.com.mk Facebook: rkvardar Twitter: @HCVardar
Kit colours Light Player shirt: red/white Player short: red/white Goalkeeper shirt: red/black/yellow Dark Player shirt: black/Red Player short: red/white Goalkeeper shirt: black/grey
18 POT 4 KIF Kolding København (DEN)
For the third time in history, KIF Kolding Kobenhavn and Skjern Handbold met in the final of the Danish championship. In the first leg in Messecenter Herning the defending champions KIF laid the foundation for defending the title, winning 30:24. The six-goal lead let them lift the trophy in front of 5,000 fans in Brondbyhallen despite the 21:20 defeat against the EHF Cup bronze winners from Skjern.
39-year-old Kasper Hvidt showed an outstanding performace in both final matches and proved once again a recipe for triumph. Thanks to him, KIF won the championship for the 14th time making them the most successfull men’s team ever in Denmark. Kim Andersson, who will move back to his youth club Ystad IF after three years in Denmark was impressed by the atmosphere during the final. “How can I leave this? It’s so hard right now,” he said.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 13 Semi-final (1): 2001/02 Quarter-final (1): 2002/03 Last 16 (8): 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, Playing hall 2006/07, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2013/14, TRE-FOR Arena 2014/15 Ambolten 2-6 Last 32 (1): 1993/94 6000 Kolding Group Phase (1): 1994/95 Denmark Capacity: 2,800 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1999/2000, Quarter-finals 2007/08 EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2012/13 Club Address: KIF Kolding København Danish champions: 14 times (1987, Ambolten 2-6 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2001, 6000 Kolding 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2014, Denmark 2015)
Media contact: Danish cup: 8 titles Thomas Christensen +45 22 629062 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.kif.dk Facebook: KIFKBH Twitter: @KifKoldingKBH
Kit colours Light Player shirt: grey Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: orange Dark Player shirt: red/white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: orange
19 POT 4 Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
In the final showdown of the Slovenian championship RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko celebrated the double, after winning all three matches (3:0) against RK Gorenje Velenje – the side they had defeated in the battle for the Slovenian Cup trophy beforehand.
In Slovenian handball, it does not get much better than the duel between the two well-known rivals in the play-off finals. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko shocked their Velenje counterparts to lead the series 2:0, with the decider played in Celje “Zlatorog” hall. The third match promised a lot of excitements, as the EHF Cup Finals participants RK Gorenje Velenje were expected to throw everything they had at Celje to stop the 18-time champions from taking another crown.
The high-scoring decider saw the “Wasps” close in on the Celje lead, to bring the match within two goals at 11:9. The incisive Celje run saw them forge 18:13 lead by half time. Celje topped the effort displayed by brave Gorenje, and increased the gap (25:19) approaching the last 15 minutes thanks to Miha Zarabec (eight goals) and Ivan Sliskovic’s seven-goal farewell to claim their 19th trophy, following a 33:30 home victory.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 20 Winner (1): 2003/04 Semi-final (6): 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2004/05 Playing hall Quarter-final (2): 2001/02, 2005/06 Dvorana Zlatorog Last 16 (3): 1995/96, 2006/07, 2012/13, Opekarinska cesta 15 2013/14 3000 Celje Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Slovenia Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 1994/95, Capacity: 5,830 2010/11, 2014/15 Qualification (1): 2009/10
Club Address: Other Celje Pivovarna Laško Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2002/02, Opekarniska Cesta 15 2011/12 3000 Celje Slovenia Slovenian league: 19 titles (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, Media contact: 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, Nejc Ajdnik 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015) +386 40687766 Slovenian cup: 18 times [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rk-celje.si Facebook: rkceljepivovarnaLasko Twitter: @RKCPL
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black
20 POT 5 MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)
Szeged dominated the main round of the Hungarian league with just one defeat from 20 matches. Veszprem joined the competition in the winners stage and finished first thanks to two wins over Szeged.
The finals brought about no surprises as VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants Veszprem took the first match comfortably 29:23 at home before wrapping the title up in Szeged.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 14 Quarter-final (3): 1996/1997, 2003/2004, 2014/15 Last 16 (5): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, Playing hall 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13 Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged Main Round (1): 2007/2008 Temesvari Krt.33 Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, 6726 Szeged 2009/2010, 2011/2012 Hungary Qualification (1): 2013/14 Capacity: 3,200
Other EHF Cup: Winners 2014/15, Quarter- Club Address: final: 2000/01 MOL-Pick Szeged Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000 Deák Ferenc u. 28-30. Cup Winners’ Cup 6720 Szeged Semi-final: 1993/94 Hungary Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09 Media contact: Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007) Nandor Szögi Hungarian cup: 6 titles +36 70 3878234 [email protected]
Online information: www.pickhandball.hu Facebook: pickszeged Twitter: @pickhandball
Kit colours Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black / green Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black or green
21 POT 5 Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Yet another season completed in a runner-up position. Plock were clearly second best throughout the Polish league season behind Kielce, but were never under pressure en route to the final.
The decisive games between the sides brought huge emotions both for fans and players. All in all, a 3:0 victory for Kielce gave them their 12th title and meant that Plock had to rely on an additional place to the VELUX EHF Champions League.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 11 Last 16 (4): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15 Group Phase (5): 2002/03, 2004/05, Playing hall 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09 Orlen Arena Qualification (1): 2012/13 Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Other Poland EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 1993/94, Group Capacity: 5,467 Phase: 2012/13
Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011) Club Address: Polish Cup: 10 titles Orlen Wisła Płock Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland
Media contact: Piotr Raczkowski Tel: +48-691-99881 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.sprwislaplock.pl Facebook: sprWisla Twitter: @SPRWisla
Kit colours Light Player shirt: whiteblue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: orange
22 POT 6 HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
The late-season injury crisis could not prevent HC PPD Zagreb from taking their 25th Croatian league title following a win against GRK Varazdin, one week after defending the Croatian Cup trophy. Coach Veselin Vujovic rejuvenated his seriously depleted squad introducing a young gun Petar Medic to the team, while the Leon Susnja and Lovro Mihic had a chance to shine in a nine-goal (35:26) win, netting two goals each to put the title defence beyond doubt.
It was no coincidence Vujovic had confidence in Zagreb youngsters stepping up for the injured stars, as Zagreb confirmed the nation-wide dominance being crowned champions in all youth categories this season. The influence of Vujovic was apparent, as the Montenegrin brought to a close his debut season on the bench of the Croatian titan.
Last season’s quarter-finalist of the VELUX EHF Champions League completed the seventh undefeated season in a row, routinely defeating RK Dubrava (30:22) to celebrate the title in front of the home fans in Zagreb, granting their prospects Ilija Brozovic and Ivan Stevanovic a perfect farewell and ending a season of good cheer in the legendary Zagreb hall popularly known as the “match box”.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 22 Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99 Semi-final (1): 1999/00 Quarter-final (6): 2000/01, 2002/03, Playing hall 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15) Arena Zagreb Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 Laniste b.b., Main Round (1): 2007/08 10000 Zagreb Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 2004/05, Croatia 2006/07, 2012/13 Capacity: 15,200 Other Club Address: EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05 HC PPD Zagreb Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2006/07 Veprinecka 16 10000 Zagreb SEHA League: 1 title (2013) Croatia Croatian league: 25 titles (1991, 1992, Media contact: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, Goran Roknić 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, +385 95 9999 334 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Croatian Cup winner: 22 times Online information: Website: www.rk-zagreb.hr Facebook: RK-Zagreb Twitter: @RKZagreb
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red
23 POT 6 Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
For the second season in a row, Rhein-Neckar Löwen went toe-to-toe with THW Kiel throughout the season and the title was not decided until the very end.
The club from Mannheim finished their campaign a mere two points behind the champions and nine ahead of third-placed Flensburg. All three teams will compete in Groups A&B of the VELUX EHF Champions League.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 7 Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14 Last 16 (1): 2014/15 Playing hall Qualification (1): 2011/12 Fraport Arena Silostrasse 46 Other 65 929 Frankfurt Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08 Germany EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals Capacity: 5,000 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07
German league: none German Cup winner: none
Club Address: Rhein-Neckar Löwen Mollstraße 49a 68165 Mannheim Germany
Media contact: Christopher Monz +491744288849 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rhein-neckar-loewen.de Facebook: rnloewen Twitter: @RNLoewen
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow Goalkeeper shirt: white/red Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue/green
24 POT 7 IFK Kristianstad (SWE)
12,000 spectators in Gothenburg’s Scandinavium witnessed a thrilling final for the Swedish championship. Last year’s champion Alingsas HK faced IFK Kristianstad in an intense match seeing both teams leading alternately.
But Kristianstad turned out to be the better team. After catching up 24:24 they managed to win 28:25 in the most important match of the season.
Led by - with eleven goals - topscorer of the final Marcus Olsson, who will leave Kristianstad for the Danish runners-up Skjern Handbold in the upcoming season, Kristianstad take the trophy for the first time after 62 years.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 1
Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2013/14 Playing hall Kristianstad Arena Swedish league: 5 titles (1941, 1948, Västra Storgatan 1 1952, 1953, 2015) 29154 Kristianstad Sweden Capacity:
Club Address: IFK Kristianstad Västra Storgatan 69 29154 Kristanstad Sweden
Media contact: Nikolas Larsson +46 705 454332 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.ifkkristianstad.se Facebook: IFKKristianstad Twitter: @IFKKristianstad
Kit colours Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: red Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
25 POT 7 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR)
Besiktas Mogaz HT not only won the Turkish championship this season but also the Turkish Cup. In the play-off final for the national championship the team led by captain Ibrahim Demir had to face Büyüksehir Belediyesi Ankara. Beating their opponents in three matches, 30:24, 32:24 and 33:25 the team from Istanbul crowned themselves champions again.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 9 Group Phase (1): 2014/15 Qualification (7): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13, Playing hall 2013/14 Sinam Erdem Spor Salonu Zuhuratbaba Mh, Bakritköy Other 34147 Istanbul EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06, Turkey 2010/11 Capacity: 15,000 Challenge Cup: Semi-final 2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03
Club Address: Turkish league: 11 titles (1981, 1982, Besiktas JK 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48 2013, 2014, 2015) 34357 Besiktas - Istanbul Turkish cup: 11 titles Turkey
Media contact: Berk Karahan Tel: +90-535-358-8747 [email protected]
Online information: www.bjk.com.tr Twitter: @BJKHentbol Facebook: Besiktas
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: green Player short: green Goalkeeper shirt: black
26 POT 8 Montpellier HB (FRA)
Record French champions Montpellier led the way for most of the season ahead of star- studded Paris Saint-Germain Handball and looked on course to earn their first title since 2012, but the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 participants endured a disastrous final month. A home loss to PSG and another away to Chambery two weeks later saw them miss out on the trophy by a single point and force them to apply for an additional place in Europe’s elite competition.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 18 Winners (1): 2002/03 Semi-final (1): 2004/05 Quarter-final (4): 2000/01, 2005/06, Playing hall 2009/10, 2010/11 Park & Suites Arena Montpellier Last 16 (5): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, Rue de la Foire 2011/12, 2014/15 34470 Pérols/Montpellier Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 France Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, Capacity: 8,000 2012/13 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Club Address: Other Montpellier HB EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter- Centre Jean-Paul Lacombe final: 1996/97 Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000 Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95 34090 Montpellier Last 32: 1997/98 France Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2001/02 Media contact: Suzy Demonte French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998, +33 499 610 358 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, [email protected] 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) French cup: 12 titles Online information: www.montpellierhandball.com Facebook: montpellierhandball Twitter: @MAHB
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: orange/light blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: blue
27 POT 8 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
The 2013/14 VELUX EHF Champions League winners were out of the running for the domestic title from an early stage as THW Kiel and Rhein-Neckar Löwen broke away from the crowd.
Ljubomir Vranjes’ team were left to contend with Magdeburg for third place and they secured that position towards the end of the season. A successful additional place application means that Flensburg are the only third ranked team in Europe to earn a place in Groups A&B.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 11 Winners (1): 2013/14 Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 Playing hall Quarter-final (4): 2004/2005, Flens Arena 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013 Campusallee 2 Last 16 (1): 2014/15 24943 Flensburg Main Round (1): 2007/2008 Germany Capacity: 6,000 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 2011/2012 EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 Club Address: City Cup: Winners 1998/1999 SG Flensburg-Handewitt Schiffbrücke 66 German league: 1 title (2004) 24939 Flensburg German cup: 4 titles Germany
Media contact: Sandra von Wallis +49 4611609625 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.sg-flensburg-handewitt.de Facebook: SGFleHa Twitter: @SGFleHa
Kit colours Light Player shirt: blue-orange Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: white Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black
28 POT 1 Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP)
FC Barcelona Lassa enjoyed another perfect season in the Spanish ASOBAL league with 30 wins from 30, leaving the other 15 teams to battle it out for second place.
Once again it was Naturhouse La Rioja who proved to be the best of the rest as they fended off the challenge of Granollers to secure a place in Groups C&D of the VELUX EHF Champions League and the chance to emulate last season’s achievement of reaching the Last 16.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 3 Group Phase (2): 2013/14, 2014/15
Other Playing hall EHF Cup: Semi-finalists 2009/10, 2010/11, Group Phase 2012/13 Palacio de los deportes de la Rioja Avenida Moncalvillo 2 Spanish league: no titles Logrono Spanish Cup winners: - (runners-up in Spain 2013, 2014, 2015) Capacity: 3,500
Club Address: Naturhouse La Rioja Avenida de Moncalvillo 2 26008 Logrono Spain
Media contact: Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez +34 63 77 66 107 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.cbclogrono.com Facebook: Club-Balonmano-Naturhouse-La-Rioja Twitter: @NaturhouseRioja
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue
29 POT 1 HC Metalurg (MKD)
Although at the beginning of the season many expected to enjoy the famous Skopje derby between Vardar and Metalurg, the financial problems which hit Metalurg early in the season left Vardar without competition on their way to the title.
Both Vardar and Metalurg joined the rest of the teams in the season’s play-off and Vardar won all ten matches in this series while the former champions Metalurg ended level on points with Zomimak.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 8 Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14 Last 16 (1): 2011/12 Group Phase (3): 2006/07, 2008/09, Playing hall 2014/15) Boris Trajkovski Qualification (1): 2010/11 bul. 8 Septemvri bb Skopje Other FYR Macedonia 9 participations in other EC Capacity: 7,000 Macedonian league: 6 titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) Macedonian cup: 5 titles
Club Address: HC Metalurg ul. Jane Lukroski 6 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia
Media contact: Zoran Cvetanovski +389 78223505 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rkmetalurg.mk Facebook: rkmetalurgofficial Twitter: @RKMetalurg
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/orange/white Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue
30 POT 2 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
After the bankrupcy of Dinamo Minsk in February 2014, HC Meshkov Brest seemed to be the only major force in Belarusian handball. In the end, the team led by Zeljko Babic lived up to expectations and clinched the seventh title overall and second in a row. But their way to the gold medals was not always smooth. As Brest was busy playing in the VELUX Champions League and SEHA League, the team’s participation in the national championship started from the second stage. HC Meshkov lost there just once, to SKA Minsk, and predictably took the first place.
In the play-off semi-finals, Babic’s team easily beat Kronon Grodno in two games. But the final best-of-three series against SKA was much more breathtaking. In the first match in Minsk, HC Meshkov Brest lost by nine goals (24:33). Just after that, the club owner Alexander Meshkov lodged an appeal, claiming that SKA leader Barys Pukhousky, who had returned home from Hungary’s Csurgo just a few weeks before, was not eligible to play.
The protest was declined, but the resulting scandal did not prevent Brest from coming back on home court. Having won the second game 29:26, they went on the win the decisive third match in the penalty shootout after a 26:26 draw at full-time.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 7 Group Phase (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2014/15 Qualification (1): 2008/09 Playing hall Sportshall Victoria Other Leningradskaya 4 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final 224028 Brest 2011/12 Belarus Capacity: 3,500 Belarusian league: 7 titles (2004-08, 2014, 2015) Club Address: Belarusian cup: 9 titles HC Meshkov Brest Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus
Media contact: Pavel Bashkin +375 162 479399 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.bgk-meshkova.com Facebook: bgkmeshkova Twitter: bgk_meshkova
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/green Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: grey
31 POT 2 Skjern Handball (DEN)
While Skjern were impressing in the EHF Cup all season, their domestic form suffered somewhat as they finished fifth in the main round of the Danish league. However, they found their form in the winners stage to reach the semi-finals level on points with KIF Kolding Kobenhavn and set up an encounter with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg.
Skjern’s first leg 31:25 victory at home proved to be enough to send them into the final against KIF, but a heavy defeat in the first match meant they had to settle for silver and apply for an additional place in the VELUX EHF Champions League
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 3 Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Group Phase (1): 1999/2000,
Playing hall Other Skjern Bank Arena Challenge Cup: Winners 2001/02, Ranunkelvej 1 2002/03 6900 Skjern EHF Cup: Semi-final 2006/07, 2014/15 Denmark Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final Capacity: 2,400 2005/06
Danish league: 2010, 2013 Danish cup: 2012 Super-Cup winner Club Address: Skjern Handbold Ostergade 40 6900 Skjern Denmark
Media contact: Henning Kjaergaard +45 20 669374 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.skjernhaandbold.dk Facebook: skjernhaandbold Twitter: @SkjernHaandbold
Kit colours Light Player shirt: green Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: red Dark Player shirt: red Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: grey
32 POT 3 Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Medvedi continue to dominate the Russian handball, having won the 14th champion title in a row. For the last two years, they have lost a number of players due to financial problems, but the experienced head coach Vladimir Maximov knows how to bring trophies to Chekhov.
It certainly helps that he can still rely on a few experienced players. The captain Dmitry Kovalev won the national title for the 12th time, the goalkeeper Oleg Grams 11th or Alexander Chernoivanov 9th.
There is no play-off in the Russian Superleague, and the champion is determined after a regular season. It is held in two stages: first all 12 teams play against each other, and later they are divided into two groups competing for places 1-6 and 7-12.
Maximov’s team were leading after the first stage, and they had no big worries thereafter, having lost only once. In the end, they were crowned champions two games before the finish, leaving the main rival Permskie Medvedi ten points behind.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 15 Semi-final (1): 2009/10 Quarter-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Last 16 (3): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13 Playing hall Main Round (1): 2007/08 Sport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” Chekhov Group Phase (7): 2000/01, 2001/02, Poligrafistov Str. 30 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 142300 Chekhov 2011/12, 2014/15 Russia Capacity: 3,000 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06
Russian league: 14 titles (2002, 2003, Club Address: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, Chekhovskie Medvedi 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Poligrafistov str. 30 Russian cup: 13 titles 142300 Chekhov, Mosk. oblast Russia
Media contact: Beniamin Kuznetsov +7 9166186054 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.ch-medvedi.ru
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: purple Player short: purple Goalkeeper shirt: red
33 POT 3 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
In the recent years, Motor have become a dominant force in the Ukrainian handball. This season, the team retained their national title, having won it for the third time in a row — and third overall.
Motor faced some tough competition from ZTR, another team from Zaporozhye, which have previously won the championship as many as 14 times. The decisive derby between the two rivals took place on 28 May. After losing the first half, Motor managed to finally win 31:27.
There was some turbulence at Motor in the middle of the season as the team changed their coach. Sergey Bebeshko decided to step down following some poor results in the VELUX Champions League, and he was replaced by Mykola Stepanets who managed to complete the work started by his predecessor.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 3 Last 16 (1): 2013/14 Group Phase (1): 2014/15
Playing hall Other TEC Terminal EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Kievskaya 316 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 07400 Brovary 2011/12 Ukraine Capacity: 3,500 Ukrainian league: 3 titles (2013, 2014, 2015) Ukrainian cup: 2 titles Club Address: HC Motor Zaporozhye Ivanova Str. 24 69068 Zaporozhye Ukraine
Media contact: Dmitriy Karpushchenko +380 50 5581181 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.handball.motorsich.com Facebook: HC-Motor
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white/red Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/black Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red/black
34 POT 4 Futebol Clube do Porto (POR) Porto won the Portuguese Andebol League in a thrilling final match against Sporting. After two extra-time periods, Porto won the championship and became the first Portuguese team to win a seventh title in a row.
Porto finished the regular season on the first place, four points beyond Sporting. In the Playoffs, the team in white and blue qualified without problems for the final, eliminating Passos M. in the quarter-final (2:0) and Benfica in the semi-final (3:0). The final seemed to be easy for Porto as they won the first two games in Dragao Caixa, 36:33 and 29:20. But their opponents took advantage of playing at home and pushed the decision to the final fifth play-off match.
The spectators in the sold-out Dragao Caixa, got to see an exciting match. The Dragons couldn’t maintain a five-goal lead, giving Sporting the chance to comeback and tie with an amazing nine meters throw, when time had already ran out. The second extra-time decided the match and the championship. With a 34:32 win Porto claimed their 19th national league title.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 9 Last 16 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (1): 2013/14 Qualification (6): 2004/2005, Playing hall 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2014/15) Dragao Caixa Via Futebol Clube do Porto, Other 4350419 Porto, Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals Portugal 2000/2001, 2001/2002 Capacity: 2,225 Portuguese league: 19 titles (1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1965, Club Address: 1968, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, Futebol Clube do Porto 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Estadio do Dragao vi FC Porto Portuguese cup: 7 titles Entrada Poente, Piso 3 4350-451 Porto Portugal
Media contact: Joana Moreira Tel: +351 22 508 32 68 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.fcporto.pt Facebook: FCPorto Twitter: @FCPorto
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white/blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: grey/blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: dark blue Goalkeeper shirt: grey/blue
35 POT 4 Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) After missing out on the cup final due to a semi-final-defeat against eventual winners Pfadi Winterthur, Kadetten Schaffhausen struck back with the league win. The team of head coach Markus Baur that finished second in the regular season, was fully focussed on the final series as they wanted to make good for some weak performances in the play-offs winning only three out of ten matches.
In both best-of-five-series in the semi-finals against Otmar St. Gallen (31:13, 26:25, 37:22) and the finals against Wacker Thun (29:24, 27:19, 30:28), Kadetten only needed three matches to win their eighth title in Switzerland.
The signing of Hungarian playmaker Gabor Csaszar from Paris St. Germain proved to be the key for Schaffhausen to take the wins. In the upcoming season Austrian national team goalkeeper Nikola Marinovic and Swiss top talent Luka Marros will strenghthen the Swiss champions, replacing goalkeeper Jonas Maier and line player Anton Mansson, who will leave the club.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 9 Last 16 (2): 2010/11, 2011/12 Group Phase (5): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2012/13, 2014/15) Playing hall Qualification (1): 2009/10 BBC Arena Schweizersbildstr. 10 Other 8207 Schaffhausen EHF Cup: final 2009/10 Switzerland Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final: 2007/08 Capacity: 3,000 Swiss league: 8 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015) Swiss Cup: 7 titles Club Address: Kadetten Schaffhausen Schweizersbildstrasse 10 8207 Schaffhausen Switzerland
Media contact: Barbara Imobersteg +41 787203247 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.kadettensh.ch Twitter: @kadettensh Facebook: kadettensh
Kit colours Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: orange Goalkeeper shirt: green
36 POT 5 HCM Baia Mare (ROU) If Bucharest had to wait 12 years to repeat a win in the women’s Liga Nationala, Minaur Baia Mare ended a dire 16-year old period without a title. One of the most popular teams in Romania, Minaur was on the brink of bankruptcy three years ago, but the redemption story has been one of this season’s headlines. However, Minaur’s ascension to the first place has hit several bumps on the road. The most contested season in the last 20 years saw HC Odorhei win the regular season. But the Men’s Challenge Cup winners failed to impress in the play-offs and were sent home packing. Minaur, who finished second in the regular season, tied with Dinamo Bucuresti and HCM Constanta, reached their peak at the right team.
Powered by excellent displays from goalkeeper Peter Tatai and centre back Nikola Eklemovic, Minaur sailed past Stiinta Dedeman Bacau (2:1) and Dinamo Bucuresti (2:1) on their way to the final. It was another Baia Mare – CSM Bucuresti display, as in the women’s final, but this time Minaur prevailed and won the third title in the team’s history. Baia Mare are preparing, therefore, for the VELUX EHF Champions League handball and have already made important signings, like former Veszprem players Tamas Ivancsik or Uros Vilovski.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 1
Other Challenge Cup: Quarter-final 2003/04, Playing hall* 2004/05 Sala Polivalenta Lascar Pana EHF Cup: Round 3 2005/06 Bd. Unirii Nr.14 A 430272 Baia Mare - Maramures Romanian league: 3 titles (1998, 1999, Romania 2015) Capacity: 2,080 Romanian Cup: 5 titles * to be confirmed
Club Address: HCM Baia Mare Str. Valea Rosie 26 4800 Baia Mare - Maramures Romania
Media contact: Ioachim Nicolae Fat +40 744 426004 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.minaur.ro Facebook: hcminaur
Kit colours Light Player shirt: blue-white Player short: blue-white Goalkeeper shirt: multicolour Dark Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow Goalkeeper shirt: multicolour
37 POT 5 RK Vojvodina (SRB)
The thriller in Sabac saw the six-goal performance from the prolific left back Uros Elezovic push Vojvodina to title defence with two games to go, following a hard-fought away win against Metaloplastika. Upon overtaking the narrow lead mid-way through the first half, Vojvodina approached the final four minutes with a solid three-goal advantage (23:20).
However, the heated atmosphere in Sabac spurred a 3:0 run by the hosts in the dying minutes of the match to keep the deficit within one goal. With the quintessential Serbian national team goalkeeper Miroslav Kocic on song, Vojvodina survived the late Metaloplastika comeback to lift the trophy for the third consecutive time, following a 24:23 triumph.
Throughout the undefeated title-defence run, the four-time champions saw little resistance from the other contenders. Vojvodina finished comfortable 10 points ahead of the second- placed Spartak Vojput, while defeating last season’s bitter rival Radnicki Kragujevac in both encounters. Their perfect season was the first in the history of Serbian league play-off. The icing on the cake was repeating the double - lifting the Serbian Cup trophy in Novi Sad.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participation (including 2015/16 season): 4 Qualification (3): 2005/06, 2013/14, 2014/15
Playing hall Other Spens,Novi Sad EHF Cup: Group Phase 2014/15 Sutjeska 2 Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16 2011/12 21000 Novi Sad Serbia Serbian league: 4 titles (2005, 2013, Capacity: 7,000 2014, 2015) Serbian cup: 4 titles Club Address: RK Vojvodina Sentandrejski put 106B 21000 Novi Sad Serbia
Media contact: Nemanja Protic Tel: +381-63-10-66-013 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rkv.rs Facebook: RK Vojvodina Twitter:@rkvojvodina
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: blue
38 POT 6 Tatran Presov (SVK)
Presov were once again successful in the domestic competitions, winning the Slovakian Extraliga for the 11th time and their ninth in a row together with another Slovakian cup triumph.
With former national team coach in charge, Peter Dávid, Presov lost a domestic game for the first time in two years, losing the second semi-final tie against MSK Povazska Bystrica, ending their 79-game unbeaten streak.
Nevertheless, Presov grabbed the ninth title in a row after ruling out Bystrica 3:1 in the best of five series and beating Sporta Hlohovec comfortably in the finals 3:0.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 12 Last 16 (1): 2004/05 Last 32 (1): 1993/94 Group Matches (4): 2005/06, 2007/08, Playing hall 2008/09, 2010/11 Qualification (5): 2009/10, 2011/12, City Hall Presov 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 Jana Pavla II 2 0801 Presov Other Slovakia EHF Cup Capacity: 3,500 Quarter-final 2011/12, Last 16 1994/95, 1995/96, Group Phase 2012/13, Round Club Address: 4 2009/10, Round 3 2006/07 TATRAN Presov Cup Winners’ Cup Holleho 3 Quarter-final 205/06, Last 16 2007/08, 080 01 Presov 2008/09, Round 4 2002/03 Slovakia Slovak league: 11 titles (2004, 2005, Media contact: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Branko Benko Slovak cup: 12 titles +421 911 620435 [email protected]
Online information: www.tatranpresov.sk Facebook: TatranPresovHandballTeamSlovakia Twitter: @ht_tatranpresov
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: green Player short: green Goalkeeper shirt: black
39 Past Winners
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)
40 2014/15 Top Scorers
Rank Player Club Goals 1 Momir Ilic (SRB) MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) 114 2 Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona (ESP) 106 3 Mikkel Hansen (DEN) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 103 4 Karol Bielecki (POL) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 92 5 Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar (MKD) 78 6 Zsolt Balogh (HUN) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 76 Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) 76 8 Nikola Karabatic (FRA) FC Barcelona (ESP) 75 9 Igor Karacic (CRO) HC Vardar (MKD) 74 10 Alex Dujshebaev (ESP) HC Vardar (MKD) 73 11 Dragan Gajic (SLO) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 71 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (ISL) FC Barcelona (ESP) 71 13 Dean Bombac (SLO) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 69 14 Bo Dybdal Spellerberg (DEN) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) 66 15 Uwe Gensheimer (GER) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 65 Zlatko Horvat (CRO) HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) 65 17 Alexander Dereven (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) 62 Thomas Mogensen (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 62 19 Renato Sulic (CRO) MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) 60 20 Dmitry Zhitnikov (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) 59
VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 Group Phase Draw
Media Information by
EHF Media & Communications, 26/06/2015
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Bence Martha, Kevin Domas, Michal Pomorski, Sergey Nikolaev, Adrian Costeiu, Amina Idrizi, Nemanja
Savic, Roy Knoppert
41 For further information please contact: Vladislav Brindzak EHF Media & Communications +43 1 80151 161 [email protected]
European Handball Federation EHF Marketing GmbH Hoffingergasse 18 Hoffingergasse 18 1120 Vienna 1120 Vienna Austria Austria
Tel +43 1 80151 0 Tel +43 1 80151 200