Media Guide VELUX EHF Champions League Season 2014/15 Qualification Table of contents
Foreword 3
Media Contacts 4
Playing system diagram - stages and dates 5
Season Overview 6
Draw results overview - who qualifies to which group 7
Qualification Tournament 1 8
HC Brest Meshkov 9
HC Vojvodina 12
Tatran Presov 14
Targos HC Bevo 17
Qualification Tournament 2 19
HC Motor Zaporozhye 20
FC Porto 23
Alpla HC Hard 26
Junior Fasano 29
Qualification Tournament 3 31
HCM Constanta 32
Haslum HK 35
Besiktas MOGAZ HT 37
Hubo Initia Hasselt 39
Important regulations - extra-time and penalty throws 42
Past winners 43
2 Foreword
Welcome to the qualification of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2013/14
On the first weekend of September 2014, the 12 matches that will determine the final fixtures of the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League will be played in venues across Europe. These qualification tournaments are the last challenge standing between twelve teams and the remaining three places in the group phase.
With no wildcard tournament, there is much excitement surrounding the three events organised in a semi-final format. For the teams, there is only one objective and that is to be in first place at the end of the Qualification Tournament; it is all or nothing.
Playing for the final spot in Group A, HC Meshkov Brest of Belarus is back in the EHF Champions League for the first time in six years. The players from HC Vojvodina of Serbia are hoping that it will be third time lucky as they return to the qualification. The Slovakian titans, TATRAN Presov, are the veterans of this group with this season marking their 11th participation in the competition. Finally, to this group, we welcome VELUX EHF Champions League newcomers, Targos Bevo HV from the Netherlands.
Group D awaits the winner of the second qualification tournament. HC Motor Zaporozhye from Ukraine was drawn into Group 2 on the top spot; this is the second Champions League appearance for the team having reached the Last 16 in the previous season. Having made it to the Group Phase of the competition last season, the players of Futebol Clube de Porto from Portugal hope to extend their stay in the competition once again. It has been many years since the Austrians from Alpla HC Hard felt the demands of the group phase, but they are back and ready for the challenge. The second, and final, debutant of the EHF Champions League is the team of Junior Fasano of Italy.
The third and final qualification tournament has a place reserved for the winner in Group B in the next stage of the VELUX EHF Champions League. All the teams in qualification group three have varying levels of Champions League experience. There is the veteran, HCM Constanta of Romania who made it to the Last 16 of the competition in the previous season. Haslum Handballklubb of Norway enters the qualification stage for the third time. Besiktas from Turkey are, once again, hoping to make it past the qualification stage, and team Hubo Initia Hasselt (BEL) are back in the EHF Champions League after a fifteen year hiatus.
There are exciting matches ahead for all. To the fans, I welcome you all to the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League Qualification Tournaments; to the teams, I wish you all the very best of luck!
Jean Brihault EHF President
3 EHF/M Media contacts
Media matters TV and Radio
Vlado Brindzak Miguel Mateo Marcellán 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]
Clubs – Media contacts
GROUP 1 GROUP 2 GROUP 3
HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) HCM Constanta (ROU) Alexandr Kulbaka Dmitriy Karpushchenko Ali Nurhan +375 293 50 74 79 +380 50 5581181 +40 724 341014 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
RK Vojvodina (SRB) FC Porto (POR) Haslum HK (NOR) Nemanja Protic Joana Moreira Knut Guldbrandsen +381 63 10 66 013 +351 22 508 32 68 +47 99 169014 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Tatran Presov (SVK) Alpla HC Hard (AUT) Besiktas JK (TUR) Branko Benko Dominik Faigle Berk Karahan +421 911 620435 +43 664 311 20 26 +90-535-358-8747 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Targos Bevo HC (NED) Junior Fasano (ITA) Initia Hasselt (BEL) Inne Linssen Francesco Ancona Frank Van Roost +31 6 53890836 +39 335 453388 +32 478 888 050 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
4 vs. vs. vs. vs. Place Match Place rd Final Semi-nals 3 FINAL4 4 teams FINAL4 30/31.05.2015 1 2 1 vs. vs. vs. vs. 2 rst leg rst 08.04. - 12.04.2015 second leg - 19.04.2015 15.04. 8 teams Quarter-nals Quarter-nals 1 2 2 vs. vs. vs. vs. 3 1 vs. vs. vs. vs. 4 16 teams 16 Last 16 Last rst leg rst - 15.03.2015 11.03. second leg - 22.03.2015 18.03. Last 16 Last Season 2014/15 playing dates playing Season 2014/15 19. - 23.11.2014 19. - 30.11.2014 26. - 06.12.2014 03. - 15.02.2015 11. - 22.02.2015 18. VELUX EHF Champions League 2014/15 playing system playing VELUX EHF League Champions 2014/15 Home Matches Home Matches Matches Total 5 10 Group Phase Group 4 groups with 6 teams each 24. - 28.09.2014 24. - 05.10.2014 01. 08. - 12.10.2014 - 19.10.2014 15. - 16.11.2014 12. Group Phase Group Qualication Tournaments Qualication Qualication Tournaments Qualication 06. - 07.09.2014 12 teams 12 3 tournaments with semi-nals and nals
5 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2014/15 Qualification Tournaments Group Phase Last 16 Quarterfinals FINAL4 4 groups with 6 teams 16 teams 8 teams 4 teams 24.‐28.09.2014 (1) 06./07.09.2014 01.‐05.10.2014 (2) 11.‐15.03.2015 08.‐12.04.2015 30./31.05.2015 tournaments 08.‐12.10.2014 (3) first leg first leg tournament 15.‐19.10.2014 (4) NATION 12.‐16.11.2014 (5) played in semi finals and 19.‐23.11.2014 (6) finals 26.‐30.12.2014 (7) 03.‐06.12.2014 (8) 18.‐22.03.2015 15.‐19.04.2015 11.‐15.02.2015 (9) second leg second leg 18.‐22.02.2015 (10) DRAWS: 26 June 2014 in Vienna 27 June 2014 in Vienna 24 February 2015 24 March 2015 21 April 2015 1 GER 1 THW Kiel 2 ESP 1 FC Barcelona 3 HUN 1 MKB‐MVM Veszprem 4 POL 1 KS VIVE Targi Kielce 5 DEN 1 KIF Kolding 6 MKD 1 HC Metalurg 7 SLO 1 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 8 FRA 1 Dunkerque Grand Littoral 9 CRO 1 RK Zagreb 16 10 RUS 1 Chekhovskie Medvedi
group
Last
11 SUI 1 Kadetten Schaffhausen Quarterfinals
12 SWE 1 Alingsas HK each 13 GER 2 Rhein‐Neckar Löwen League
14 ESP 2 Naturhouse La Rioja from
League 15 HUN 2 Pick Szeged team
16 POL 2 Orlen Wisla Plock S.A. 17 GER 3 SG Flensburg‐Handewitt Champions
18 DEN 2 Aalborg Handbold Champions placed
EHF 19 MKD 2 HC Vardar 4th EHF
20 FRA 2 PSG HB VELUX 21 FRA 3 Montpellier AH and
of VELUX 22 UKR 1 HC Motor Zaporozhye
3rd
of
23 BLR 1 HC Meshkov Brest 2nd,
24 ROU 1 HCM Constanta Winners 25 SRB 1 RK Vojvodina 1st, 8 Winners 26 POR 1 FC Porto 4 27 NOR 1 Haslum HK Qualification 3 28 SVK 1 Tatran Presov the 29 AUT 1 Alpla HC Hard of tournaments 30 TUR 1 Besiktas JK 31 NED 1 Targos Bevo HC 32 BEL 1 Initia Hasselt Winners 33 ITA 1 Junior Fasano
3 groups with 4 teams
4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go to the EHF Cup Qualification Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of CL Qualification Tornaments go to the EHF Cup Qualification Rd 3
status: 23.06.2014 Draw results overview - who qualifies to which group
QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENTS GROUP PHASE
Group 1 Group A Brest Meshkov (BLR) THW Kiel (GER) vs HC Metalurg (MKD) Targos Bevo HC (NED) HC First Gas Company Zagreb (CRO) HC Vojvodina Novi Sad (SRB) Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) vs PSG HB (FRA) Tatran Presov (SVK) Winner Qualification Group 1
Group 3 Group B HCM Constanta (ROU) FC Barcelona (ESP) vs KIF Kolding (DEN) Hubo Initia Hasselt (BEL) Alingsas HK (SWE) Haslum HK (NOR) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Besiktas JK (TUR) Winner Qualification Group 3
Group C MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) HC Vardar (MKD) Montpellier AH (FRA)
Group 2 Group D HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) KS Vive Targi Kielce (POL) vs Dunkerque Grand Littoral (FRA) Junior Fasano (ITA) Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) FC Porto (POR) Pick Szeged (HUN) vs Aalborg Handbold (DEN) Alpla HC Hard (AUT) Winner Qualification Group 2
7 Qualification Tournament 1
Brest, Belarus
Group A Qualification Tournament 1 THW Kiel (GER) HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) HC Metalurg (MKD) Targos Bevo HC (NED) HC First Gas Company Zagreb (CRO) HC Vojvodina (SRB Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) Tatran Presov (SVK) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 1./1 QT
2nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4th ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Winner HV KRAS Volendam (NED)/HK Topolcany (SVK)
Match schedule (all times local)
Saturday, 6 September 2014: Semi-finals 1 16:00 HC Vojvodina vs TATRAN Presov 2 18:30 HC Meshkov Brest vs Targos Bevo HC Sunday, 7 September 2014: Third place match 16:00 Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2 Playing hall Final Sportshall Victoria 18:30 Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2 Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus Capacity: 3,500
Preview: Having failed to qualify for the Champions League three years in a row will have sharpened the appetite The national champions of Belarus, Serbia, Slovakia and for something better by the Slovakian title holders. the Netherlands meet in the Sportshall Victoria of Brest, Belarus this weekend in Qualification Group 1 for one Last season Belarus was represented in the ticket to the VELUX EHF Champions League group phase. Champions League by Dinamo Minsk who did not make it any further than the group phase, though. They are all national champions of their respective nations. Hosts HC Breskov Minsk from Belarus, HC Vojvodina from This year it is Meshkov Brest’s turn to defend the honour Serbia, TATRAN Presov from Slovakia and Dutch Targos of Belarusian club handball on European top level. Bevo HC. However, only of the four teams will make While Brest have not been in the Champions League since it into the Group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions the 2007-08 season – when the ended a series of four League, while the rest of them continue in the EHF Cup. successive years in the group phase – their adversaries Targos Bevo have never been in the Champions League before. The champions of Serbia and Slovakia will be the first teams to take the court of the Sportshall Victoria in So far, the Dutch champions have been any further possession Saturday. Both were also in the Champions in Europe than Round 2 of the EHF Cup and the Cup League qualifiers last year, but both failed to qualify. Winners Cup, and head coach Martin Vlijm is of course well aware of the challenge that awaits his team. Having been in the EHF Cup group phase for the last two seasons, TATRAN will be eager to change that “We will have to be at our peak all the time. Every game into a comeback to the Champions League group is a final, and what we are going to do the entire season phase, where their latest appearance was in the will be decided within this one weekend,” he said. 2010-11 season, when they finished last in Group B.
8 GROUP 1 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
With the withdrawal of Dinamo Minsk, the team that dominated Belarusian handball in the last five seasons, from the league due to financial problems, left the title race wide open.
Before Dinamo Minsk’s domination, Meshkov Brest held first position for a number of years and after six years the national championship trophy is back in Brest.
Meshkov Brest were in fine form throughout the season and justified their role as favourite going into the finals by beating SKA Minsk 28:26 and 27:22 to take the title, their sixth overall.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 6 Group Matches (4): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 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: 6 titles (2004-08, 2014) Belarusian cup: 7 titles Club Address: HC Meshkov Brest Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus [email protected]
Media Contact: Alexandr Kulbaka +375 293 50 74 79 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.bgk-meshkova.com Facebook: bgkmeshkova Twitter: bgk_meshkova
Kit colours Light Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: green/black
9 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
Biggest win: 28:22 (11:12) v Wisla Plock SSA POL (h), 13.11.2005 30:24 (15:12) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 17.11.2007 Biggest defeat: 36:17 (16:08) v GOG Gudme DEN (a), 09.10.2004 Longest winning run: 1 match (16.10.2004) 1 match (13.11.2005) 1 match (17.11.2007) Longest unbeaten run: 1 match (16.10.2004) 1 match (13.11.2005) 1 match (17.11.2007) Longest losing run: 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) Longest run without win: 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) Most goals: 31 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 31:29W (h), 16.10.2004 31 v THW Kiel GER 31:37L (h), 06.11.2005 Most goals opponent: 39 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006 Most goals both teams: 68 v THW Kiel GER 31:37L (h), 06.11.2005 68 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006 Fewest goals: 17 v GOG Gudme DEN 36:17L (a), 09.10.2004 17 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004 Fewest goals opponent: 22 v Wisla Plock SSA POL 28:22W (h), 13.11.2005 Fewest goals both teams: 44 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2004/05 Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR 6 1 0 5 143:184 -41 2 4th Gr. C 2005/06 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 6 1 0 5 165:183 -18 2 4th Gr. E 2006/07 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 6 0 0 6 146:189 –43 0 4th Gr. B 2007/08 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 6 1 0 5 154:182 -28 2 4th Gr. H Total 24 3 0 21 608:738 -130 6
10 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
90 Aleh Astrashapkin BLR Right Back 20.1.1992 187 81 6 Maxim Babichev BLR Line Player 7.3.1986 196 97 24 Maksim Baranau BLR Right Wing 11.4.1988 188 82 7 Janko Bozovic AUT Right Back 14.7.1985 203 101 21 Vitali Charapenka BLR Goalkeeper 27.1.1984 194 86 11 Dzmitry Kamyshyk BLR Left Back 1.5.1990 200 95 29 Ivan Karacic BIH Centre Back 26.5.1985 190 93 9 Nikola Manojlovic SRB Left Back 1.12.1981 196 100 17 Dzmitry Nikulenkau BLR Centre Back 12.7.1984 187 87 16 Dzmitry Patotski BLR Goalkeeper 3.10.1992 195 107 1 Ivan Pesic CRO Goalkeeper 17.3.1989 193 112 31 Simon Razgor SLO Left Wing 18.9.1985 183 84 30 Dzianis Rutenka BLR Right Wing 14.2.1986 187 85 22 Viachaslau Shumak BLR Line Player 22.12.1988 204 116 88 Siarhei Shylovich BLR Right Back 16.5.1986 198 95 13 David Spiler SLO Centre Back 2.1.1983 190 95 18 Rastko Stojkovic SRB Line Player 12.7.1981 191 104 23 Ljubo Vukic CRO Left Wing 3.8.1982 192 96
11 GROUP 1 RK Vojvodina (SRB)
The defending champions were given a run for their money in the Serbian Super Handball League play-offs from the likes of Radnički Kragujevac and the Challenge Cup finalists RK Metaloplastika Šabac.
RK Vojvodina secured the all-important win in the dying minutes of their last play-off match, defeating Crvena Zvezda 33:30 in Novi Sad to lift the coveted trophy.
Despite finishing top of the league on two occasions, in 2005 and 2013, the now three-time champions RK Vojvodina are yet to make their VELUX EHF Champions League debut, after failing short of securing a place in the group phase of the competition in all their previous attempts.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participation (including 2014/15 season): 3 Qualification (2): 2005/06, 2013/14
Other Playing hall Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16 2011/12 Sportska Hala Slana Bara Sentandrejski put 106, Serbian league: 3 titles (2005, 2013, Novi Sad, 2014) Serbia Serbian cup: 3 titles Capacity: 1,400
Club Address: RK Vojvodina Sentandrejski put 106B 21000 Novi Sad Serbia
Media contact: Nemanja Protic Tel: +381-63-10-66-013 Email: [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rkv.rs Facebook: RK Vojvodina
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: blue
12 RK Vojvodina (SRB)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
1 Luka Arsenic SRB Goalkeeper 27.11.1993 185 80 22 Nikola Arsenic SRB Centre Back 3.1.1996 192 87 99 Danimir Curkovic SRB Back 4.1.1984 195 103 8 Uros Elezovic SRB Left Back 28.1.1982 192 90 66 Mladen Ivanovic SRB Right Wing 27.2.1982 180 93 20 Milan Jovanovic SRB Left Back 24.1.1998 195 86 35 Radoslav Loncarski SRB Back 3.3.1996 186 83 23 Zoran Nikolic SRB Line Player 23.2.1991 188 94 12 Bojan Perovic SRB Goalkeeper 23.1.1982 185 85 19 Stefan Ranisavljevic SRB Right Back 3.2.1997 196 92 31 Strahinja Stankovic SRB Right Wing 12.6.1991 183 82 11 Neven Stjepanovic BIH Right Back 14.2.1993 198 85 7 Bojan Todorovic SRB Centre Back 23.7.1990 186 87 10 Vladislav Veselinov BIH Line Player 21.1.1982 190 103
13 GROUP 1 Tatran Presov (SVK)
It was another busy season for Tatran Presov as the perennial champions of Slovakia fought on multiple fronts, playing the domestic Extraliga, the Slovakian Cup and the regional SEHA league, where they won the regular season only to finish fourth at the final tournament.
After missing the VELUX EHF Champions League for the second straight year they also did not qualify for the EHF Cup Quarter-finals so the only remedy for the ambitious club from eastern Slovakia were the eleventh cup trophy and the tenth national championship title with an untarnished record of 36 league victories.
Even without their coach Peter Hatalcik, who missed the final part of the season due to a serious injury in a biking accident, they prevailed over the surprising finalist HK Topolcany 3:0 in the best-of-five series. Right after the season´s end Hatalcik, whose injury requires a lengthy recovery period, was replaced by the former national team coach Peter David.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 11 Last 16 (1): 2004/05 Last 32 (1): 1993/94 Group Matches (4): 2005/06, 2007/08, Playing hall 2008/09, 2010/11 Qualification (4): 2009/10, 2011/12, City Hall Presov 2012/13, 2013/14 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: 10 titles (2004, 2005, Media contact: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, Branko Benko 2013, 2014) +421 911 620435 Slovak cup: 11 titles [email protected]
Online information: www.tatranpresov.sk Facebook: TatranPresovHandballTeamSlovakia
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: green Player short: green Goalkeeper shirt: black
14 Tatran Presov (SVK)
Biggest win 37:24 (17:11) v RK Metkovic CRO (h), 30.10.2004 Biggest defeat: 42:25 (22:12) v MKB Veszprém KC HUN (a), 05.11.2005 Longest winning run: 2 matches (12.11.2005 – 29.09.2007) Longest unbeaten run: 2 matches (09.10.2004 – 17.10.2004) 2 matches (12.11.2005 – 29.09.2007) Longest losing run: 7 matches (05.12.2004 – 05.11.2005) 7 matches (16.11.2008 – 20.11.2010) Longest run without win: 12 matches (16.11.2008 – 06.03.2011) Most goals: 37 v RK Metkovic CRO 37:24W (h), 30.10.2004 Most goals opponent: 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 Most goals both teams: 74 v GOG Svendborg TGI Gudme DEN 42:32L (a), 07.10.2007 Fewest goals: 20 v HSV Hamburg GER 32:20L (a), 02.10.2008 Fewest goals opponent: 18 v RK Metkovic CRO 18:29W (a), 17.10.2004 Fewest goals both teams: 47 v RK Metkovic CRO 18:29W (a), 17.10.2004 47 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 22:25L (h), 23.10.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2004/05 Tatran Presov SVK 8 3 1 4 231:237 -6 7 1/8-finals 2005/06 Tatran Presov SVK 6 1 0 5 154:201 -47 2 3rd Gr. F 2007/08 Tatran Presov SVK 6 1 1 4 182:211 -29 3 3rd Gr. D 2008/09 Tatran Presov SVK 6 2 0 4 165:183 -18 4 3rd Gr. D 2010/11 TATRAN Presov SVK 10 0 2 8 273:325 -52 2 6th Gr. B Total 36 7 4 25 1005:1157 -152 18
15 Tatran Presov (SVK)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
28 Radoslav Antl SVK Left Wing 2.3.1978 181 82 21 Tomas Cip CZE Right Wing 5.10.1989 189 94 18 Vasja Furlan SLO Centre Back 28.7.1986 185 88 6 Jakub Hrstka CZE Left Wing 17.3.1990 188 91 5 Michal Kopco SVK Line Player 27.1.1988 198 115 10 Dainis Kristopans LAT Right Back 27.9.1990 215 135 9 Dominik Krok SVK Left Back 22.1.1991 189 79 1 Jakub Krupa CZE Goalkeeper 19.6.1985 194 110 19 Radovan Pekar SVK Left Back 27.12.1980 199 103 85 Andrej Petro SVK Line Player 28.1.1986 197 127 2 Oliver Rabek SVK Left Back 30.9.1987 204 102 15 Alexandr Radcenko CZE Centre Back 5.7.1973 187 92 11 Viacheslav Sadovyi UKR Left Back 11.7.1990 191 100 13 Lubos Sarpataky SVK Right Wing 15.1.1996 185 82 3 Milos Sarpataky SVK Centre Back 15.1.1996 184 82 69 Juraj Urban SVK Left Back 3.2.1994 199 103 17 Lukas Urban SVK Centre Back 22.6.1995 200 96 20 Tomas Urban SVK Right Wing 17.9.1989 188 85 12 Svetislav Verkic SRB Goalkeeper 11.6.1981 190 98 16 Matej Vernarsky SVK Goalkeeper 1.3.1994 185 75 8 Richard Wilga SVK Left Wing 12.2.1996 186 75
16 GROUP 1 Targos Bevo HC (NED)
After three thrilling games in the final against OCI/LIONS, Eurotech/Bevo HC celebrated their first Dutch championship. bevo hc In the Netherlands, the championship finals are played best of three, and this year all three matches were decided by a margin of only one goal and in all three matches the away team was triumphant.
Bevo won the first match 22:21, then it was the LIONS´ turn to win by one, 27:26, and finally, Bevo took the last and deciding win away in Sittard. Having been up by five goals during the match, Bevo won 29:28 and became Dutch champions for the first time.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 1
Other EHF Cup: round 2 2005/06 Playing hall* Cup Winners’ Cup: round 2 2007/08 Topsporthal Fitland XL Dutch league: 1 title (2014) Sittard Netherlands Capacity: 2,200 *to be confirmed
Club Address: Targos Bevo HC Alexanderstraat 9 5981 AB Panningen Netherlands
Media contact: Inne Linssen +31 6 53890836 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.bevohc.nl Facebook: bevohandball Twitter: @bevohandball
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: orange Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black
17 Targos Bevo HC (NED)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
8 Pim Augustinus NED Right Back 10.4.1989 191 87 14 Sonni de Jonge NED Right Back 17.12.1992 189 89 9 Nick de Kuyper NED Back 11.2.1992 196 99 2 Max de Lange NED Left Back 17.8.1992 192 85 15 Merijn Haenen NED Right Wing 2.6.1989 185 78 10 Robin Jansen NED Left Back 23.6.1995 194 84 3 Ephrahim Jerry NED Left Back 17.5.1996 195 88 23 Niek Jordens NED Line Player 5.2.1994 196 105 13 Ron Klemann NED Back 26.8.1980 199 93 5 Bram Knippenbergh NED Back 31.1.1990 194 95 79 Dario Polman NED Centre Back 5.8.1992 188 78 1 Bart Ravensbergen NED Goalkeeper 14.3.1993 191 91 4 Robin Smits NED Left Back 16.11.1993 192 88 69 Karim Tamim SUI Line Player 6.1.1992 186 103 24 Thijs van de Mortel NED Goalkeeper 11.3.1984 196 90 18 Jeroen van den Beucken NED Left Wing 7.9.1992 188 93 16 Mark van den Beucken NED Goalkeeper 4.9.1996 194 88 6 Nick van den Beucken NED Left Back 15.11.1994 192 92 12 Bram van Grunsven NED Goalkeeper 15.7.1995 199 100 11 Daan Versleeuwen NED Right Back 19.5.1994 192 90 73 Dennis Vlijm NED Left Wing 17.4.1995 184 74 7 Eelco Weevers NED Right Wing 9.7.1980 182 92
18 Qualification Tournament 2 Hard, Austria Group D Qualification Tournament 2 KS Vive Targi Kielce (POL) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA) Junior Fasano (ITA) Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) Futebol Clube do Porto (POR) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) Alpla HC Hard (AUT) Aalborg Handball (DEN) 1./2 QT
2nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4th ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Winner Maccabi CASTRO Tel Aviv (ISR)/HC Potaissa Tudra (ROU)
Match schedule (all times local)
Friday, 5 September 2014: Semi-finals 2 05.09.2014 17:00 HC Motor Zaporozhye vs Junior Fasano 1 05.09.2014 19:30 Futebol Clube do Porto vs Alpla HC Hard Saturday, 6 September 2014: Third place match Playing hall 17:00 Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2 Final Sporthalle am See 19:30 Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2 See Straße 60, 6971 Hard, Austria Capacity: 2,300
Head-to-heads in the EC: 24.11.2012 Zaporozhye vs Hard EHF Cup – Last 32 27:26 (12:14) 01.12.2012 Hard vs Zaporozhye EHF Cup - Last 32 22:33 (09:17) 11.10.2008 Hard vs Junior Fasano Cup Winners’ Cup – Round 2 34:26 (18:08) 18.10.2008 Junior Fasano vs Hard Cup Winners’ Cup – Round 2 22:34 (10:16)
Preview: For Motor Zaporozhye, this match will be the start of the The 2014/15 seasons of the VELUX EHF Champions League Ukrainian champions’ attempt to emulate the success of throws off on Friday with Qualification Group 2 semi-finals in last season’s Champions League campaign. Back then, “the Hard, Austria.At 17:00 hrs. on Friday evening, the first ball will Zappers” reached the Last 16 from a fourth place finish in be thrown in the new VELUX EHF Champions League season. Group A. Having made it that far, though, the Ukrainian team could not do much against THW Kiel in the knock-out phase, as It marks the time Qualification Group 2 throws off at Sporthalle the Germans took both matches comfortably. am See in Hard with Austrian champions Alpla HC as hosts to the finest clubs from Portugal, Ukraine and Italy. These Having more European experience and a number of clubs are HC Motor Zaporozhye, Last 16 participants in the internationals in their team, Motor should be favourites against competition last season, Futebol Clube do Porto from Portugal, Junior Fasano who are making their first attempt to qualify for group phase participants last year, and finally Italian Junior the Champions League with a team consisting entirely of Italian Fasano, whose finest European result thus far is reaching Round players, with one exception in the form of Montenegrin left 2 of the Cup Winners Cup in the 2008/09 season. back Zelijko Beharevic.
Only the winner among the four teams will reach the group Last year Porto were also in the qualification tournament for phase and can look forward to playing in Group D. the group phase and were highly successful, as the Portuguese Here, the opponents will be Polish champions KS Vive Targi champions managed to win the tournament and qualify for the Kielce, French champions Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral, as well group phase, where they finished fifth in Group B. With a taste Swiss title holders Kadetten Schaffhausen, plus two runners-up of the big time, Porto are keen on repeating that achievement from their national leagues last season: Hungarian side Pick this weekend. First up will be the hosts Alpla HC Hard, who are Szeged and Denmark’s Aalborg Handball. expecting a tough weekend.
19 GROUP 2 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
While in the previous season the champion of Ukraine was decided with two play-off final matches, in which Motor won 2:0 against ZTR Zaporozhye, this season the championship had a straight home and away playing format, without play-offs.
In the best Ukrainian league six teams competed for the title and this season turned out to be the most successful for Motor as the team showed their domination by winning all twenty matches in the championship and successfully defended their title which is the second in the club’s history.
The league win granted them a place in the qualification round of the VELUX EHF Champions League, where they hope to emulate last season’s Last 16 appearance. HC Portovik finished in the second position while the most successful Ukrainian team ZTR Zaporozye took bronze.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 2 Last 16: 2013/14
Other Playing hall EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Palace of Sports Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals Sportivna Plasha 1 2011/12 Kiev Ukraine Ukrainian league: 2 titles (2013, 2014) Capacity: 6,897 Ukrainian cup: 1 title
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
20 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Biggest win 18:24 (10:14) v St. Petersburg HC RUS (a), 21.11.2013 Biggest defeat: 44:27 (20:13) v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN (a), 10.10.2013 Longest winning run: 2 matches (17.11.2013 – 21.11.2013) Longest unbeaten run: 2 matches (19.09.2013 – 26.09.2013) 2 matches (17.11.2013 – 21.11.2013) Longest losing run: 3 matches (28.11.2013 – 15.02.2014) Longest run without win: 3 matches (28.11.2013 – 15.02.2014) Most goals: 31 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 31:31D (a), 19.09.2013 31 v HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 31:30W (h), 26.09.2013 Most goals opponent: 44 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013 Most goals both teams: 71 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013 Fewest goals: 24 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013 Fewest goals opponent: 18 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013 Fewest goals both teams: 42 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2013/14 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 12 4 1 7 333:367 -34 9 1/8-finals Total 12 4 1 7 333:367 -34 9
21 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
13 Inal Aflitulin RUS Centre Back 22.3.1988 182 82 69 Sergii Burka UKR Left Back 9.6.1987 208 110 32 Vladyslav Dontsov UKR Right Back 22.9.1995 197 94 14 Dmytro Doroshchuk UKR Line Player 29.9.1986 198 115 8 Egor Evdokimov RUS Line Player 9.3.1982 204 114 1 Valentyn Koshovy UKR Goalkeeper 5.2.1981 200 90 20 Artem Kozakevych UKR Right Wing 2.10.1992 182 68 5 Iurii Kubatko UKR Right Wing 28.8.1988 184 78 18 Kostyantyn Kurylenko UKR Left Back 10.7.1980 193 98 33 Sergiy Onufryienko UKR Right Back 31.1.1985 190 95 31 Angel Perez de Inestrosa ESP Centre Back 31.3.1986 185 85 23 Yevgen Sapun UKR Goalkeeper 11.6.1985 185 85 10 Olexandr Shevelev UKR Line Player 2.12.1987 200 115 9 Oleg Skopintsev RUS Left Wing 15.4.1984 184 80 22 Mykola Stetsyura UKR Right Back 20.7.1986 195 96 12 Richard Stochl SVK Goalkeeper 17.12.1975 200 108 55 Aliaksandr Tsitou BLR Line Player 28.10.1986 190 105 24 Ievgen Zhuk UKR Left Wing 4.8.1990 184 75 2 Stanislav Zhukov UKR Left Back 26.3.1992 198 94
22 GROUP 2 FC Porto Vitalis (POR)
FC Porto kept the national title in their grasp, but with only a one-point advantage over Lisbon it was a close call. In fact, you could almost say that Lisbon shot themselves in the foot when, two days from the end of the league, they managed to let a two-goal lead slip in the dying seconds against Porto and drew the game 28:28.
Porto saw an open road to the title in front of him and thanks to a 25:19 win at home against Benfica took title number 19 in the club’s history, which is a national record.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 8 Last 16 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (1): 2013/14 Qualification (5): 2004/2005, Playing hall 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013 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: 18 titles (1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1965, Club Address: 1968, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, FC Porto Vitalis 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) 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: FC-Porto Twitter: @FC_Porto
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
23 FC Porto Vitalis (POR)
Biggest win 27:24 (15:11) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (h), 30.11.2013 Biggest defeat: 35:23 (16:13) v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL (a), 29.09.2013 Longest winning run: 1 match (20.10.2013) 1 match (30.11.2013) Longest unbeaten run: 1 match (20.10.2013) 1 match (30.11.2013) 1 match (15.02.2014) Longest losing run: 3 matches (22.09.2013 – 12.10.2013) Longest run without win: 3 matches (22.09.2013 – 12.10.2013) 3 matches (07.02.2014 – 19.02.2014) Most goals: 30 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 30:35L (h), 07.02.2014 Most goals opponent: 35 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 30:35L (h), 07.02.2014 Most goals both teams: 65 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 30:35L (h), 07.02.2014 Fewest goals: 20 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 25:20L (a), 22.09.2013 Fewest goals opponent: 21 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 22:21W (h), 20.10.2013 Fewest goals both teams: 43 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 22:21W (h), 20.10.2013
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2013/14 FC Porto Vitalis POR 10 2 1 7 241:278 -37 5 5th Gr. B Total 10 2 1 7 241:278 -37 5
24 FC Porto Vitalis (POR)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
29 Miguel Alves POR Right Wing 22.7.1996 15 Daymaro Amador Salina CUB Line Player 1.9.1987 200 105 1 Alfredo Bravo CUB Goalkeeper 20.3.1988 201 97 8 Yoel Cuni Morales CUB Right Back 15.2.1987 5 Gilberto Duarte POR Left Back 6.7.1990 197 96 9 Joao Ferraz POR Right Back 8.1.1990 199 90 22 Alexis Hernandez Borges CUB Line Player 6.10.1991 195 115 16 Hugo Laurentino POR Goalkeeper 22.7.1984 188 88 10 Miguel Martins POR Centre Back 4.11.1997 7 Edgar Mendes Ribeiro Landim POR Left Back 15.6.1987 19 Ricardo Moreira POR Right Wing 28.4.1982 185 82 17 Nuno Miguel Pereira Goncalves POR Left Back 24.3.1993 196 94 26 Nuno Roque POR Centre Back 13.3.1987 183 89 24 Hugo Santos POR Left Wing 2.3.1992 178 70 88 Mick Schubert DEN Left Wing 17.3.1988 193 82 6 Leandro Semedo CPV Left Back 24.12.1995 12 David Sousa POR Goalkeeper 5.2.1997
25 GROUP 2 Alpla HC Hard (AUT)
Alpla Hard retained their Austrian title, but by no means had it easy after battling through a difficult campaign where they lost six games throughout the season.
After narrowly finishing top of both the regular season and championship round, the team from western Austria had little difficulty in the play-offs, until they faced Raffreisen Fivers ina repeat of the previous season’s final.
The best-of-three series went all the way after both sides won their respective home games. In the decider, Hard made full use of their home advantage to win 31:28 and book their place in VELUX EHF Champions League qualification for the second season on the trot.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participation (including 2014/15 season): 4 Group Matches (1): 2003/04 Qualification (1): 2012/13
Playing hall Other Sporthalle am See Challenge Cup: Runners-up 2007/08, See Straße 60 Semi-final 2004/05, Quarter-finals 6971 Hard 2000/01, 2006/07 Austria Capacity: 2,300 Austrian champions: 4 titles (2003, 2012, 2013, 2014) Austrian Cup winners: 3 titles Club Address: 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 Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: black, white, grey
26 Alpla HC Hard (AUT)
Biggest win N/A Biggest defeat: 33:22 (15:09) v Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS (a), 29.11.2003 Longest winning run: N/A Longest unbeaten run: N/A Longest losing run: 6 matches (17.10.2003 – 29.11.2003) Longest run without win: 6 matches (17.10.2003 – 29.11.2003) Most goals: 26 v Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS 26:30L (h), 07.11.2003 Most goals opponent: 33 v Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS 33:22L (a), 29.11.2003 Most goals both teams: 56 v Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS 26:30L (h), 07.11.2003 56 v C.BM. Ademar Leon ESP 24:32L (h), 21.11.2003 Fewest goals: 18 v Montpellier HB FRA 18:27L (h), 17.10.2003 Fewest goals opponent: 27 v Montpellier HB FRA 18:27L (h), 17.10.2003 Fewest goals both teams: 45 v Montpellier HB FRA 18:27L (h), 17.10.2003
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2003/04 Alpla HC Hard AUT 6 0 0 6 138:180 -42 0 4th Gr. D Total 6 0 0 6 138:180 -42 0
27 Alpla HC Hard (AUT)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
24 Daniel Dicker AUT Left Back 5.6.1995 197 96 32 Golub Doknic MNE Goalkeeper 16.4.1982 195 100 26 Lukas Herburger AUT Line Player 19.12.1994 195 93 11 Michael Jochum AUT Left Wing 8.11.1985 181 70 99 Philipp Jochum AUT Goalkeeper 4.11.1990 186 90 21 Michael Knauth AUT Right Wing 7.1.1983 178 80 4 Kresimir Kozina CRO Line Player 25.6.1990 196 99 23 Marko Krsmancic SRB Centre Back 2.12.1989 184 90 13 Mitar Markez SRB Right Wing 25.10.1990 190 80 7 Luca Raschle AUT Left Wing 6.11.1990 174 60 19 Rene Pascal Rigas AUT Right Wing 19.3.1990 180 80 10 Roland Schlinger AUT Left Back 17.9.1982 192 103 5 Manuel Schmid AUT Centre Back 5.11.1993 181 88 16 Franz-Stefan Stockbauer AUT Goalkeeper 2.11.1987 183 89 13 Marko Tanaskovic SRB Right Back 6.6.1985 200 95 17 Lukas Vogelauer AUT Back 23.8.1993 27 Thomas Weber AUT Right Wing 7.6.1987 180 75 10 Frederik Wüstner AUT Back 7.9.1992 191 87 28 Gerald Zeiner AUT Centre Back 28.6.1988 190 87 9 Boris Zivkovic AUT Right Back 2.5.1992 195 90
28 GROUP 2 Junior Fasano (ITA)
After losing in the semi-final last season against Bozen, Junior Fasano took their revenge and beat the same opponent in the final this season, gaining the first title of its history. The club from the south-east of the country only won thanks to scoring more away goals after a draw on aggregate.
Fasano lost 24:25 at home in the first leg of the final, putting themselves in a very bad position, but, in their trademark fashion, they turned the situation around and won 27:26 in Bozen, securing the title to make it a double after their earlier cup triumph.
Fasano did not make things easy for themselves on their run to the title. For example, they lost by eight goals in the first leg of the semi-final against Carpi, before winning by ten at home in the return leg.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 1
Other Challenge Cup: round 3 2007/08, Playing hall 2010/11 Palaflorio Italian league: 1 title (2014) Via Archimede Italian cup: 1 title Bari Italy Capacity: 4,540
Club Address: Junior Fasano Via Brandi 12 72015 Fasano Italy
Media contact: Francesco Ancona +39 335 453388 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.juniorfasano.it Facebook: Junior.Fasano Twitter: @Junior_Fasano
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: grey Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red
29 Junior Fasano (ITA)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
23 Zeljko Beharevic MNE Left Back 16.1.1982 192 90 15 Bruno Brzic ITA Centre Back 10.2.1987 180 75 32 Martino Cedro ITA Goalkeeper 21.1.1987 177 80 17 Leonardo De Santis ITA Centre Back 16.6.1986 182 77 6 Paolo De Santis ITA Left Back 16.6.1988 184 80 16 Vito Fovio ITA Goalkeeper 12.9.1979 182 78 8 Umberto Giannoccaro ITA Line Player 13.2.1988 185 89 4 Vito Claudio Marino ITA Line Player 26.1.1996 187 85 14 Flavio Messina ITA Wing 24.5.1985 178 75 10 Martin Luis Molineri ITA Right Wing 13.8.1985 191 85 99 Francesco Rubino ITA Right Back 16.12.1983 197 85 13 Felice Sabatelli ITA Left Wing 13.4.1988 170 68
30 Qualification Tournament 3 Hasselt, Belgium Group B Qualification Tournament 3 FC Barcelona (ESP) HCM Constanta (ROU) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) Hubo Initia Hasselt (BEL) Alingsas HK (SWE) Haslum Handballklubb (NOR) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 1./3 QT
2nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4th ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Winner HC Olimpus-85-USEFS (MDA)/Oroshazi FKSE-Linamar (HUN)
Match schedule (all times local)
Saturday, 6 September 2014: Semi-finals 1 17:30 Haslum Handballklubb vs Besiktas MOGAZ HT 2 20:00 HCM Constanta vs Hubo Initia Hasselt Sunday, 7 September 2014: Third place match 14:45 Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2 Playing hall* Final Sporthal Alverberg 17:00 Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2 Herckenrodesingel 33 3500 Hasselt, Belgium Capacity: 2,400
Head-to-heads in the EC: Haslum Handballklubb vs Besiktas JK 24.11.2012 Haslum HK vs Besiktas JK EHF Cup – Last 32 31:20 (19:10) 02.12.2012 Besiktas JK vs Haslum HK EHF Cup – Last 32 37:25 (18:09)
Preview: Neither team has been in Champions League group For the first time in history a qualification group for phase before. Besiktas were in the qualification the VELUX EHF Champions League is taking place tournament last year too, but the Turkish champions in Belgium, as Hasselt is the venue of Group 3. failed to qualify. This year they will hope to do better. So will Haslum, where head coach Tom-Eirik Skarpsno “The winner takes it all” was the title of an international hit is facing the challenge of replacing one of the greatest by the Swedish pop group ABBA back in 1980. And those talents in Norwegian handball for many years, Sander are exactly the key words for the qualification groups Sagosen who has left for Danish Aalborg Handball. for the VELUX EHF Champions League. Only the group winner reaches the group phase, and this is of course After four years in succession in the Champions League also the case, when Group 3 is carried out in the Sporthal – and even reaching the last 16 in the 2009-10 season – Alverberg in Hasselt, Belgium this weekend. Belgian Constanta missed the group phase last year. Many people champions Hubo Initia Hasselt are hosting the group which expect that to be changed this season, as they tend to consists of the hosts and three other national champions see the Romanian champions as favourites in this group. – HCM Constanta from Romania, Besiktas MOGAZ HT from Turkey and Haslum Handballklub from Norway. However, Constanta´s head coach Zvonko Sundovski sees the group as equal. His opponent in the first match, Initia On Saturday the four teams meet in two “semi-finals”, coach Luc Boiten is a bit uncertain as to what to expect. from which the winners decide the only group phase “As far as I know, the Constanta team has changed because ticket between them Sunday. The winner qualifies for of some problems they have had. However, Constanta, Group B of the group phase, where the opponents will Haslum and Besiktas are all very good teams, and no matter be none other than ruling Champions League winners SG which one of them we meet, we will have to play our very Flensburg-Handewitt or Spanish champions FC Barcelona. best in order to stand a chance,” Boiten tells ehfCL.com.
31 GROUP 3 HCM Constanta (ROU)
Ironically the Romanian powerhouse of the recent years failed to finish the season on a high note as they lost the final game to Stiinta Dedeman Bacau.
However, their sole loss of the season (19:24) caused no harm to Constanta as the defending champions won the first encounter in the final round of the best three Romanian teams by nine goals. In the main round the Black Sea sailors, who also waged a successful campaign in Europe progressing all the way to the EHF Cup Finals in Berlin, lost only two points after a pair of away draws and topped the standings five points ahead of Turda.
In the play-off round HCM eliminated another European cups regulars from Odorhei 2:0 in a best-of-three series, seeing them into the final round. While the third team of the finals Turda left empty-handed, both Constanta and Bacau finished with nine points, but Constanta took the title with their superior goal difference.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 9 Last 16 (1): 2009/10 Group Phase (6): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13 Playing hall Qualification (1): 2013/14 Romeo Iamandi - Buzau Other Str. Mesteacanului Nr. 1 Cup Winners’ Cup Buzau Semi-final: 2005/06 Romania Quarter-final: 2006/07, 2008/09 Capacity: 2,230 Round 4: 2002/03 Challenge Cup Club Address: Semi-final: 2003/2004 HCM Constanta Round 4: 2000/01 str. Mircea cel Batran no 99B, e 900726 Constanta Romanian league: 9 titles (2004, 2006, Romania 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) Media contact: Romanian cup: 6 titles Ali Nurhan +40 724 341014 [email protected]
Online information: www.hcmct.ro Facebook: HCM-Constanta-Officiel
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: blue/red/green Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: blue
32 HCM Constanta (ROU)
Biggest win 34:23 (14:09) v AC PAOK GRE (h), 27.02.2010 Biggest defeat: 35:14 (16:07) v THW Kiel GER (a), 11.10.2012 Longest winning run: 3 matches (08.10.2009 – 04.11.2009) Longest unbeaten run: 3 matches (13.11.2004 – 07.10.2006) 3 matches (08.10.2009 – 04.11.2009) Longest losing run: 10 matches (24.11.2010 – 19.11.2011) Longest run without win: 10 matches (24.11.2010 – 19.11.2011) Most goals: 37 v Montpellier HB FRA 37:33W (h), 08.10.2009 Most goals opponent: 47 v THW Kiel GER 47:31L (a), 12.11.2006 Most goals both teams: 78 v THW Kiel GER 47:31L (a), 12.11.2006 Fewest goals: 14 v THW Kiel GER 35:14L (a), 11.10.2012 Fewest goals opponent: 17 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 22:17W (h), 18.10.2012 Fewest goals both teams: 39 v HC Metalurg MKD 20:19W (h), 24.11.2011 39 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 22:17W (h), 18.10.2012
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2004/05 HCM Constanta ROU 6 1 1 4 146:157 -11 3 4th Gr. A 2006/07 CS HCM Constanta ROU 6 2 1 3 172:205 –33 5 3rd Gr. E 2007/08 HCM Constanta ROU 6 1 0 5 152:192 -40 2 4th Gr. B 2009/10 HCM Constanta ROU 12 4 1 7 334:355 -21 9 1/8-finals 2010/11 HCM Constanta ROU 10 2 0 8 261:302 -41 4 6th Gr. D 2011/12 HCM Constanta ROU 10 1 0 9 235:286 -51 2 6th Gr. C 2012/13 HCM Constanta ROU 10 2 0 8 234:283 –49 4 5th Gr. B Total 60 13 3 44 1534:1780 -246 29
33 HCM Constanta (ROU)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
22 Aleksandar Adzic MNE Left Back 18.9.1975 192 103 18 Branislav Angelovski MKD Centre Back 21.2.1977 192 85 92 Florin Bogdan Baican ROU Line Player 20.4.1992 194 95 30 Goran Bogunovic CRO 28.6.1989 198 98 12 Alexandru Florin Bucataru ROU Goalkeeper 4.11.1995 200 102 77 George Ionut Buricea ROU Left Wing 1.8.1979 179 80 55 Albert Georgian Cristescu ROU Line Player 30.5.1992 194 97 17 Dalibor Cutura SRB Centre Back 14.6.1975 190 91 16 Mihai Catalin Popescu ROU Goalkeeper 15.3.1985 190 100 2 Mladen Rakcevic MNE 10.2.1982 179 105 15 Marius Sadoveac ROU Right Wing 7.5.1985 193 88 7 Alexandru Viorel Simicu ROU Left Back 8.10.1988 202 96 24 Ramon Alin Somlea ROU Left Back 20.2.1994 193 90 1 Ionut Rudi Stanescu ROU Goalkeeper 14.8.1979 196 103 11 Marius Stavrositu ROU Centre Back 3.9.1980 182 80 14 Laurentiu Mihai Toma ROU Right Wing 28.6.1981 194 90 13 Predrag Vujadinovic SRB Left Wing 12.7.1983 186 86
34 GROUP 3 Haslum HK (NOR)
Even though the Norwegian season ends with a play-off, the winner of the league is the official national champion. This year Haslum HK took the title for the third time within the last four years, and also for the third time in history.
In the deciding match in the last round, Haslum defeated last year´s champions Elverum HH as clearly as 36:27. After that triumph, it was really no big deal for them to see Elverum go on to win the play-offs.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 3 Qualification (2): 2011/12, 2012/13
Other Playing hall* Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16 2006/07 Rykkinhallen Leirdueveien 7 Norwegian league: 3 titles (2011, 2012, Rykkin 2014) Norway Norwegian cup: 3 titles Capacity: 2,000 *to be confirmed
Club Address: Haslum HK Gjonnesjordet 36 1357 Bekkestua Norway
Media contact: Knut Guldbrandsen +47 99 169014 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.haslumhk.no Facebook: haslum-hk Twitter: @HaslumHK
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: multicolour Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: multicolour
35 Haslum HK (NOR)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
1 Havard Aasheim NOR Goalkeeper 10.1.1994 193 100 7 Sander Andreassen NOR Back 8.4.1996 191 75 6 Sebastian Barthold NOR Left Wing 27.8.1991 185 88 20 Jonathan Berens NOR Centre Back 24.3.1994 192 75 10 Christoffer Brännberger SWE Line Player 29.12.1990 200 105 Jakob Gjoen NOR 22.7.1993 19 Havard Bjornskau Johannesen NOR Right Back 27.4.1994 195 94 11 Erlend Mamelund NOR Left Back 1.5.1984 198 99 24 Knut Nikolai Mehl NOR Line Player 25.5.1995 185 91 81 Joakim Patriksson SWE Centre Back 7.5.1986 188 90 21 August Baskar Pedersen NOR Left Wing 24.6.1994 180 83 5 Anders Roe NOR Back 4.7.1988 193 95 18 Edvard Sandvik NOR Left Back 13.4.1994 193 100 8 Simen Nicolay Schoenningsen NOR Right Back 21.2.1996 192 91 23 Petter Skarpenes NOR Right Wing 25.8.1993 186 80 2 Magnus Soendena NOR Wing 9.10.1991 183 80 9 Vegard Soerlie Tennfjord NOR Line Player 5.7.1994 188 89 16 Trond Tjemsland NOR Goalkeeper 16.7.1987 188 100
36 GROUP 3 Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR)
Once again Besiktas JK were a dominant force in the Turkish league last season. Apart from the two inexplicable stumbles against bottom end teams (a draw at Antalyiaspor and a defeat at Yeditepe) the Black Eagles were class of their own in the regular season leaving a tandem of two Ankara-based clubs ten points behind in the final standings. On the way to the final Besiktas easily overcame both Genclerbirligi in the quarter-finals and Bursa Nilufer in the semi-finals and completed their faultless ride by sweeping Ankara Ozel Idare in the best-of-five series, although they won no game by a larger margin than two goals and secured the title only after a 26:25 extra time win in the third game. Right after they raised their sixth straight, and tenth overall, championship trophy not only did they extend a contract with their shooting stalwart Ramazan Döne, but also signed two international reinforcements as Croatian winger Ivan Nincevic and Chilean centre back Erwin Feuchtmann arrived in Istanbul.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 8 Qualification (6): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13
Playing hall Other EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06, Haldun Alagas Sport Complex 2010/11 Alemdag Caddesi No. 167 Challenge Cup: Semi-final 34768 Ümraniye, Istanbul 2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03 Turkey Capacity: 2,468 Turkish champions: 10 titles (1981, 1982, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, Club Address: 2012, 2013, 2014) Besiktas MOGAZ HT Turkish Cup winners: 10 titles Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48 34357 Besiktas - Istanbul 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
37 Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
7 Ömer Ozan Arifoglu TUR Right Back 20.8.1989 196 102 15 Ercan Asikoglu TUR Right Wing 4.1.1983 190 95 13 Muhammed Taha Ayar TUR Line Player 12.6.1996 192 90 10 Senol Boyar TUR Centre Back 8.5.1984 185 85 19 Oguzhan Büyük TUR Left Wing 18.3.1977 179 84 11 Josip Buljubasic CRO Back 11.7.1988 202 118 6 Volkan Caliskan TUR Centre Back 3.11.1990 192 98 22 Mesut Cebi TUR Goalkeeper 6.9.1991 195 105 34 Ugur Coban TUR Left Wing 10.11.1988 177 80 25 Predrag Dacevic SRB Left Back 21.7.1986 198 95 26 Ibrahim Demir TUR Goalkeeper 4.10.1975 194 105 53 Ramazan Döne TUR Right Back 10.7.1981 192 106 3 Bülent Erkol TUR Right Wing 1.12.1977 194 96 4 Erwin Jan Feuchtmann Perez GER Left Back 2.5.1990 195 96 36 Berkay Gulyurt TUR Centre Back 3.3.1997 196 91 37 Yigit Ilgin TUR Left Wing 1.2.1997 190 90 1 Tolga Kirli TUR Goalkeeper 28.3.1993 192 102 8 Viktor Ladyko UKR Centre Back 30.4.1979 194 95 2 Ömer Mercan TUR Right Back 10.4.1997 192 92 27 Ivan Nincevic CRO Left Wing 27.10.1981 184 88 20 Tolga Özbahar TUR Line Player 24.4.1984 195 115 12 Yunus Özmusul TUR Goalkeeper 4.2.1989 199 100 99 David Rasic SRB Left Back 4.12.1986 196 93 18 Kubilay Yilmaz TUR Right Wing 22.3.1997 188 79
38 GROUP 3 Hubo Initia Hasselt (BEL)
For the second year in a row, the two-legged final for the Belgian championship was a meeting between Achilles Bocholt and Initia Hasselt. And once again, Hasselt took the title.
Bocholt had the home advantage in the first match, but that did not stop Hasselt from dominating the match and going four goals up several times before winning 26:23 at the end.
The second match, with Hasselt on home court, was dominated by Bocholt for parts of the game, and the visitors were even leading 18:14, before Hasselt came back and secured the title through a narrow 26:25 win.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2014/15 season): 8 Last 32: 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00
Playing hall* Other Challenge Cup: quarter-final 2012/13 Sporthal Alverberg Herckenrodesingel 33 Belgian league: 13 titles (1984, 1985, 3500 Hasselt 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, Belgium 1998, 1999, 2011, 2013, 2014) Capacity: 2,400 *to be confirmed Belgian cup: 10 titles Benelux league: 1 title (2014)
Club Address: Hubo Initia Hasselt Meldertstraat 58/1 3500 Hasselt Belgium
Media contact: Frank Van Roost +32 478 888 050 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.initiahasselt.be Facebook: InitiaHCHasselt Twitter: @initiahasselt
Kit colours Light Player shirt: red Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black Dark Player shirt: green Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
39 Hubo Initia Hasselt (BEL)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
18 Cedric Barthels BEL Line Player 9.9.1994 187 74 Mark Boers NED 20.2.1972 19 Robbert Bogaerts BEL Left Wing 1.3.1990 179 72 6 Sander Brouwers BEL Right Wing 11.1.1991 178 71 12 Ignace Broux BEL Left Wing 21.6.1994 193 105 14 Jeroen Carpentier BEL Left Wing 6.2.1993 178 68 5 Joris Carpentier BEL Left Wing 6.2.1993 177 63 2 Adrien Cusumano BEL Left Wing 16.2.1988 186 76 Bram Dewit BEL 27.10.1982 31 Jente Haesevoets BEL Right Wing 1.8.1995 178 60 3 Tim Houbrechts BEL Line Player 19.7.1987 190 99 7 Xander Jackers BEL Back 5.2.1993 193 93 6 Glenn Janssens BEL Right Back 21.1.1995 183 74 15 Bart Köhlen NED Right Wing 16.12.1984 183 82 45 Ben Kranzen BEL Left Wing 21.11.1995 180 74 1 Jef Lettens BEL Goalkeeper 12.8.1990 192 91 4 Simon Ooms BEL Line Player 18.4.1994 196 91 77 Niels Poncelet BEL Back 10.1.1994 180 82 11 Tom Robyns BEL Centre Back 14.5.1991 180 78 5 Ruben Roelants BEL Centre Back 20.8.1990 186 77 13 Bram Van der Goten BEL Line Player 16.11.1991 196 98 8 Tomas Vanderstraeten BEL Right Back 5.11.1991 188 84 32 Jelle Vonckx BEL Goalkeeper 17.11.1987 182 80
40 30 / 31 May 2015 LANXESS arena Cologne 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4
TICKET SALE
Admission prices Category 1: € 265,- Category 2: € 195,- Category 3: € 135,- Category 4: € 65,-
Tickets are available by phone, online and at the LANXESS arena ticket shops www.ehfFINAL4.com Ticket hotline THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE. +49 221 280 288 THE ABSOLUTE THRILL. EUROPE’S BEST. Imagine your ehfFINAL4.com #EHFFINAL4 VIP experience!
VIP Arrangements VIP-Hotline: +43 1 80151 – 216 [email protected] Important regulations Extra-time and penalty throws
All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League Qualification shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes. If penalty throws are needed to decide the match, the procedure is as follows: KO Matches (Q1 and all three Wild Card matches) • Prior to the penalty throws, each team shall name five players If, after completion of the two matches (home and away), both clubs eligible to play at the end of the match by handing the referees have won the same number of points (no extra-time will be played), a list of numbers. These players shall then take one throw each, the teams standings shall be determined by the following criteria: alternating with their opponents. Each team is free to determine the sequence in which throwers will take their throws. a) goal difference • The goalkeepers may be freely selected from the match b) greater number of plus goals scored in away match report and exchanged in accordance with the Rules of the Game. Goalkeepers may take throws and throwers may perform c) penalty throws as goalkeepers.
Qualification tournaments (2, 3, 4) • The referees shall choose the goal at which throws are taken. The team taking the first penalty throw shall be determined by If a Semi-final match or the Final ends in a draw, there will be a five drawing lots. The team winning the draw may choose whether it minutes break followed by one extra-time of 2 x 5 minutes, there will be wishes to throw first or last. a one minute half-time break at half-time for the changeover of teams. • If the scores are equal after the first round of penalty throws, it If the placement match 3/4 ends in a draw, there shall be no extra- shall be continued until a decision is reached. In the second time, the match will be decided directly by penalty throws. round, the other team shall start. Again five players shall be named who are eligible to play (the players named before may be Rules for execution of penalty throws named once again).
• In the second round, a decision is reached when a goal difference arises after both teams have taken one throw each.
• Eligible players are players entered in the match report that have not been disqualified or suspended at the time of the final whistle.
• Serious infractions committed during penalty throws shall be sanctioned by disqualification. If a thrower is disqualified or suffers an injury, an eligible substitute player shall be additionally named.
• While the throws are being taken, only the player taking the throw, the current goalkeeper and the referees may enter the respective half of the playing court.
• If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be named to take a second throw in the same round.
42 EHF Champions League Past Winners
2014 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER
2013 HSV Hamburg (GER)
2012 THW Kiel (GER)
2011 FC Barcelona Borges (ESP)
2010 THW Kiel (GER)
2009 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
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)
43 For further information please contact: Vladislav Brindzak EHF Media & Communications +43 1 80151 161 [email protected]
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