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2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 LANXESS arena, Cologne

Saturday 30 May 2015 Semi-final 1 15:15 FC Barcelona vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce :

Semi-final 2 18:00 THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprem :

Sunday 31 May 2015 3/4 Placement match 15:15 vs :

Final 18:00 vs : Title sponsor

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VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPONSORS Table of contents

Map of participating clubs 4

Media contacts - EHF/M, clubs contacts 5

Facts & figures after quarter-finals 6

Semi-final 1 preview: FC Barcelona vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce 8

FC Barcelona team pages 10

KS Vive Tauron Kielce team pages 15

Semi-final 2 preview: THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprem 20

THW Kiel team pages 21

MKB-MVM Veszprem team pages 27

Sunday’s schedule 32

Important regulations - what follows if a match ends in a draw 32

Potential head-to-head stats in the EC competitions 33

Top scorers after quarter-finals 34

Top scorers of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 35

Past winners - clubs 36

Past winners - individuals 37

EHF Champions League history 1993-2015 38

All-time EHF Champions League club standings 40

2014/15 Seeding list 41

2014/15 Playing system diagram - stages and dates 42

2015/16 Playing system diagram - stages and dates 43

VELUX EHF FINAL4 Trophy - A piece of art 45 ehfTV.com relaunches 46

List of TV stations covering the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 47

Fan vote for All-star team 48

Players’ awards of the previous seasons 48

3 ROU SVK MOL-Pick MOL-Pick MKB-MVM HC Motor Szeged, HUN Szeged, HC Brest Veszprem, HUN Veszprem, Chekhovski HCM Constanta, HCM Constanta, Besiktas Besiktas Medvedi, RUS Medvedi, Zaporozhye, UKR Zaporozhye, Meshkov, BLR Meshkov, Tatran Presov, Tatran HC Vojvodina HC Vojvodina Novi Sad, SRB Novi MOGAZ HT, TUR MOGAZ HT, Kielce, POL Kielce, MKD KS Vive Tauron Vive KS HC Vardar Plock, POL Plock, Orlen Wisla MKD HC Metalurg, HC Metalurg, GER THW Kiel, THW HC PPD ,CRO ZAGREB RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO I TA SG Flensburg- Handewitt, GER Handewitt, Junior Fasano Junior Fasano SWE Lasko, SLO Lasko, Alingsas HK, Alingsas RK Celje Pivo. RK Celje NOR Alpla Haslum HK, HC Hard, AUT HC Hard, Aalborg Aalborg Handbold, DEN KIF Kolding KIF Kadetten Kobenhavn, DEN Kobenhavn, Targos Targos Schaffhausen, SUI Schaffhausen, HC Bevo, NED HC Bevo, bevo hc ESP F.C. Barcelona, F.C. Hubo Initia Hubo Initia Hasselt, BEL Hasselt, VELUX EHF FINAL4 EHF FINAL4 VELUX Dunkerque HB Dunkerque G. Littoral, FRA G. Littoral, Naturhouse Host City Cologne, GER Cologne, City Host FRA La Rioja, ESP FRA Löwen, GER Löwen, Rhein-Neckar PSG , Clube Futebol Montpellier HB, do Porto, POR do Porto, Teams qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 EHF VELUX for the qualified Teams teams Eliminated 4 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE VELUX Season 2014/15 Season EHF/M Media contacts

Media matters TV and Radio

JJ Rowland Miguel Mateo Marcellan Media and Communications Media Manager European Handball Federation EHF Marketing GmbH +49 160 173 0849 +49 160 170 9920 [email protected] [email protected] Twitter:@ehfmedia

Clubs – Media contacts

FC Barcelona (ESP) Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Gustau Galvache Sebastian Kozubek +34 618522789 +48 505031244 [email protected] [email protected]

THW Kiel (GER) MKB-MVM Veszprém KC (HUN) Christian Robohm Zsolt Sevinger +49 1635306300 +36 305024547 [email protected] [email protected]

Media information

Media portal Online information

All media representatives are invited to register for the EHF media ehfCL.com portal on http://members.ehf.eu ehfTV.com Regulations of the VELUX EHF Champions League The European Handball Federation’s media portal is a one-stop-shop Twitter:@ehfmedia , @ehfcl for media representatives offering all the EHF’s media news such Facebook: ehf.champions.league as press releases, event flash quotes directly after matches, press conference highlights, draw reactions and downloads of all relevant information including, but not limited to, media guides and event Official name logos. Furthermore photographs that are free for editorial use will be available for download. The official name of the competition is: VELUX EHF Champions League. The full name of the competition should always be used. For major events such as the EHF EURO or the VELUX EHF FINAL4 match prep kits including historical information and head-to-head Please note: If the season is required, it has to be positioned after statistics will also be made available. “Champions League” e.g. Women’s EHF Champions League 2013/14. The wording “Champions League” should be written with a capital If you haven’t registered yet, please send an email to letter at the beginning of each word, i.e. Champions League. The [email protected] remaining letters should be in lower case. The word Champions does and we will provide you with the log-in details. not have an apostrophe after the ‘s’.

5 Facts & figures

Spaniards galore at the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4

156 matches since the start of the qualification have been played in 2 players have scored more than 100 goals so far: the VELUX EHF Champions League so far and the last four in Cologne (PSG/103) and Momir Ilc (Veszprem/101). But only Ilic can add more on 30/31 May will decide which team will succeed last season’s goals to his tally, as PSG and Hansen were eliminated by Veszprem in champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt. the quarter-finals.

Here are the most important facts and figures of the 2014/15 season 2 former EHF Champions League winners, amounting to ten titles, of the competition, prior to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. have made it to Cologne: FC Barcelona (1996-2000, 2005, 2011) and THW Kiel (2007, 2010, 2012). 0 teams have defended their title since the implementation of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne in the 2009/10 season. Flensburg were 2 straight times the defending VELUX EHF Champions league the latest champions to fall after facing Kiel in the Last 16. champions have been eliminated in the Last 16: Hamburg (2014 by Vardar) and Flensburg (2015 by Kiel). 0 times THW Kiel has lost a match against a Spanish team at any VELUX EHF FINAL4 event or against a team coached by a Spaniard. All 2 teams won both legs of the quarter-finals – Barcelona and Kielce. three opposing team coaches in Cologne are Spanish 3 Spanish coaches are involved in the 2015 VELUX EHF Champions 1 – for the first time since the implementation of the VELUX EHF League FINAL4: Xavi Pascual (Barcelona), (Kielce) FINAL4, all four winners of the group phase have gone all the way to and Carlos Ortega (Veszprem). The only non-Spaniard is Alfred Cologne. Gislason (Iceland, Kiel). In the quarter-finals five Spanish coaches were involved (including Juan Carlos Pastor/Szeged and Raul Gonzalez/ 1 coach arrives in Cologne with his second club, for the first time. Vardar) in the Last 16 it was even seven (including Manuel Cadenas/ Before Talant Dujshebaev led Kielce to the LANXESS arena, he was in Plock and Jesus Javier Gonzales Fernandez/La Rioja). Cologne as the coach of Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid in 2010, 2011 and 2012. 3 of the four 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants had been part of the 2014 event: Barcelona, Kiel and Veszprem. 1 coach has won the EHF Champions League with two different clubs so far: Alfred Gislason (2002 with SC Magdeburg, 2010 and 2012 with 3 players part of the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 hold non-European Kiel). If Kielce take the trophy in 2015, Talant Dujshebaev would be passports: Wael Jallouz (Barcelona/Tunisia), Danijel Saric (Barcelona/ the second. Qatar) and Imam Jamali (Veszprem/Iran).

1 man has won the EHF Champions League as a player (1994 with 4 nations are only represented by the 21 previous winners of the Santander) and as a coach (2006, 2008, 2009 with Ciudad Real): again competition: (13 titles, including all from 1994 to 2001), Talant Dujshebaev. Carlos Ortega (six times Champions League winner Germany (6 titles, including four from five in Cologne), France with FC Barcelona) can join the elite club if he leads Veszprem to the (Montpellier) and Slovenia (Celje). title. 4 former or current IHF World Handball Players of the Year will be 1 player can win the VELUX EHF Champions League title for the on court in Cologne: Nikola Karabatic (Barcelona, 2007 and 2014), second time in a row, . He took the trophy last year Slawomir Szmal (Kielce, 2009), Filip Jicha (Kiel, 2010), Domagoj with SG Flensburg-Handewitt before moving to THW Kiel. Not a single Duvnjak (Kiel, 2013). In addition, Kielce coach Talant Dujshebaev was player since 2009 won the VELUX EHF Champions league twice in a awarded twice in 1994 and 1996. row. 4 different nations are (for the first time since the premiere in 2010) 1 Spanish player minimum will become VELUX EHF Champions League represented by the four VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants: Spain, winner 2015 – as every team counts on at least one Spanish player: Germany, Poland and Hungary. Seven nations had been represented Barcelona (13), Veszprem (3), Kielce (1) and Kiel (1). In three of four by the eight quarter-finalists, including two Hungarian teams. teams at least one German and Croat are involved. 5 former top scorers of the EHF Champions League are on court in 1 Icelandic coach has been involved in all six VELUX EHF FINAL4 so far: Cologne: Filip Jicha (2008/09 – 99 goals for Kiel, 2009/10 – 119 goals Besides Alfred Gislason (now five times with Kiel), Dagur Sigurdsson for Kiel), Siarhei Rutenka (2003/04 – 103 goals for Celje, 2004/05 – was there with Füchse Berlin in 2012 and Gudmundur Gudmundsson 85 goals for Celje), Kiril Lazarov (2005/06 – 85 goals for Veszprem, with Rhein Neckar Löwen in 2011. 2007/08 – 96 goals for Veszprem), Nikola Karabatic (2006/07 – 89 goals for Kiel) and Momir Ilic (2013/14 – 103 goals for Veszprem) 1 team turned a defeat in the first quarter-final leg into a ticket to Cologne – Kiel against Szeged.

1 team won all knockout matches (Last 16 and quarter-finals) this season: FC Barcelona.

6 Facts & figures

5 consecutive times Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson will be part of the VELUX 44 goals Barcelona conceded in both quarter-final matches against EHF FINAL4 – with his fourth different club: 2011 with Rhein Neckar Zagreb, while Kielce had the second best defensive record with 51 Löwen, 2012 with AG Kobenhavn, 2013 and 2014 with THW Kiel and conceded goals against Vardar. 2015 with FC Barcelona. Despite this record the Icelandic left wing has 51 matches since the start of the group phase ended with a win of yet to win the title. the away team, 42 in the group phase, 7 in the Last 16 and two in the 5 Champions League titles with three clubs are on the tally of Siarhei quarter-finals. Rutenka (Barcelona), who won trophy with Celje (2004), Ciudad Real 73 goals were scored in the match Medvedi vs Vardar (34:39) to be (2006, 2008, 2009) and Barcelona (2011). the highest score in this season so far. 6 nations so far had been represented in VELUX EHF FINAL4 events 82 matches since the start of the group phase ended with a win of the since 2010: Germany (ten participants in total including 2015), Spain home team, 69 in the group phase, nine in the main round and four in (8), Poland and Hungary (each 2), Russia, Denmark (each 1). the quarter-finals. 10 matches since the start of the group phase ended in a draw, nine 103 goals have been scored by Mikkel Hansen (PSG) to be current top in the group phase and one in the quarter-finals. scorer. 11 different clubs have qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4: Kiel, 156 matches have been played in the VELUX EHF Champions League Barcelona (each five times), Ciudad Real/Madrid (three times), season so far, including qualification tournaments. Hamburg, Veszprem, Kielce (each twice), Berlin, Löwen, Flensburg, +109 goals is the impressive goal difference of Barcelona after 14 Kobenhavn, Medvedi (each once). matches. 11 consecutive matches Kiel and Kielce remained unbeaten. For Kielce 357 goals were conceded by Barcelona in their 14 matches to have it was ten in the group phase and the opener of the Last 16 against the best defensive record of the four VELUX EHF FINAL 4 participants, Montpellier. For Kiel it was nine in the group phase (after losing the ahead of Kiel (362) opener to Zagreb) and both Last 16 matches against Flensburg. 442 goals were scored in the eight quarter-final matches, which mean 12 times (including 2015) Barcelona are part of an EHF Champions an average of 55.25 after an average of 53.1 per match in the Last 16, League semi-final ahead of Kiel (11), Veszprem (5) and Kielce (2, all 56.80 in the group phase and 54.75 in the qualification tournaments. including 2015). So the average of all matches is 54.97 goals. 13 matches since the start of the group phase ended with a winning 466 goals were scored by Barcelona to have the best attack of the margin of ten or more goals, 10 in the group phase, two in the Last 16 four VELUX EHF FINAL 4 participants, ahead of Kiel (445). and one in the quarter-finals. 8765 goals were scored so far in this VELUX EHF Champions League 13 wins from 14 matches bring Kielce on top of the “points ranking” season, 657 in the three qualification tournaments, 6816 in the group with 26, ahead of Veszprem and Barcelona (25) and Kiel (24). phase, 850 in the Last 16 matches and 442 in the quarter-finals. 14 players, who are part of the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4, have won the 15,200 fans attended the quarter-final match of Zagreb vs Barcelona Champions League at least two times. Rutenka (5) tops this ranking to be the highest number of spectators in this season so far. The four ahead of Henrik Lundström (Kiel) and Christian Zeitz (Veszprem), matches with the highest attendance took place in Zagreb Arena who won the title three times with Kiel and Uros Zorman (Celje 2004, against Kolding (14,500), Paris (13,000) and Kiel (11,000). Ciudad Real 2008 and 2009). Ten more players (Morros, Nagy, Tomas, Palicka, Palmarsson, Sprenger, Jicha, Ilic, Reichmann and Karabatic) have two titles each. Top teams – points overall: 19 different nations are represented in the squads of the four FINAL4 26 (13 wins, 0 draws, 1 defeat): Vive Tauron Kielce participants: GER, ESP, HUN, POL, CRO, NOR, SWE, CZE, DEN, ISL, SRB, TUN, FRA, MKD, BLR, QAT, IRI, SLO, BIH - 9 different at Kiel and Best defensive record of the four FINAL4 participants: Veszprem, 8 at Barcelona and 5 at Kielce. 357 goals conceded: FC Barcelona 22 goals in the 43:21 clash of Barcelona against Zagreb was the biggest margin of all matches this season so far. The 31:11 win for Barcelona in the Last 16 match against Aalborg was the biggest Best attacking record of the four FINAL4 participants: margin in all VELUX EHF Champions League 2014/15 matches. 466 goals scored: FC Barcelona 27 goals was the aggregate win of Barcelona after the two Last 16 duels against Aalborg (31:11 and 29:22). It is the biggest gap since Best goal difference of the four FINAL4 participants: the implementation of the Last 16, before it was 22 goals in the duels between Chekhovskie Medvedi and Sarajevo (31:22, 30:17) in 2010. +109: FC Barcelona 33 teams representing 24 countries have been part of the VELUX EHF Champions League season 2014/15, including the qualification tournaments. 36 goals were the lowest score in all matches since the start of the group phase, when Zagreb beat Metalurg 19:17 in the group phase.

7 Semi-final 1 FC Barcelona vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce

LANXESS arena, Cologne (GER) Saturday 30 May, 15:15 hrs. local time

Referees: Zigmars Stolarovs, Renars Licis (LAT) Delegates: Viktor Konopliastyi (UKR), Henrik La Cour (DEN)

Head-to-head stats: FC Barcelona vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce 2-1-0 (89:77) 5:1

20.11.2010 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 26:33 (11:18) 27.11.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:28 (15:12) 01.06.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs FC Barcelona Intersport, VELUX EHF FINAL4 – Semi-final 23:28 (10:13)

At least one Spanish coach and one Spanish player will make it to finished the Spanish season unbeaten in all competitions, winning the final of the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 – Xavi Pascual and Talant the league and all cups. Kielce had to fight hard in their last play-off Dujshebaev face off on the side line, while takes to match against Plock, but won the trophy again. the court against many compatriots playing for Barca. A recent history of German and Spanish dominance Both coaches have their Champions League merits: Pascual has one trophy from 2011, while Dujshebaev has led Ciudad Real to three If Kielce or Veszprém make it to the final, a long series will come to titles, in 2006, 2008 and 2009. The two met four years ago in the last an end: Since 2005 only German and Spanish clubs had played in the all-Spanish final of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne (Barcelona vs EHF Champions League Final. And if Kielce win this semi, the chances Ciudad Real) – and it was Pascual who found his way to the winners’ for a perfect weekend are great – the teams that beat Barca in the podium. Then two years ago, Barcelona overcame Kielce in the semi- previous semi-finals in Cologne always went on to win the title. final with a 28:23 win. Barcelona have bad memories from their last appearance in Cologne, “But things have changed. Kielce have improved by gaining in 2014, when they let a six-goal advantage eight minutes before the international experience. They belong among the top of Europe and end of the semi-final slip to lose against Flensburg after a penalty they now play an even more physical style of handball,” says Pascual. shoot-out. Prior to 2014, when Barcelona made it to Cologne (2010, 2011, and 2013) they always reached the final, losing twice against Dujshebaev is optimistic and intends to make use of his knowledge of German opponents. Barcelona in the semi-final. Injuries and personal ambitions “I expect an equal event. All four teams have nearly the same chance to win in the end – maybe Barcelona and Kiel are a little bit better. Kielce have been hit with some problems: Aguinagalde, Uros Zorman Barcelona have almost the same squad as the last time I faced them, (the only three-time EHF Champions League champion in their squad) as Atletico Madrid coach, with one exception: Nikola Karabatic, the and Tomasz Rosinski are injured. current best handball player in the world,” he says. “I hope that all three of them will be ready to play in Cologne,” says The road to Cologne Dujshebaev.

On their way to Cologne, both teams lost only one match each: Dujshebaev’s focus is on the Catalans’ incredible back court line- Barcelona were defeated by Polish runners-ups Plock in the group up, which includes former EHF Champions League top scorers Kiril phase (and tied against Kolding in the same stage). Kielce were close Lazarov, Nikola Karabatic and Siarhei Rutenka. While Rutenka could to elimination in the Last 16, losing against Montpellier on home win his sixth EHF Champions League trophy in Cologne, Lazarov has ground. never raised the trophy – despite playing for top European sides. Karabatic is aiming for his third triumph with his third club from a But in the quarter-finals, the two semi-finalists left no doubts behind, third country, after winning with Montpellier in 2003 and Kiel in 2007. each winning both legs. For the Polish side, it was a repeat of 2013, With two wins in Cologne, Dujshebaev would join Alfred Gislason in when they won their group with ten wins from ten matches and faced being the only coaches to win the trophy with two different clubs a Skopje-based side in the quarter-finals (Metalurg in 2013 and Vardar (Magdeburg and Kiel). in 2015). “I don’t think about this statistic. We only prepare for Barcelona and Both sides have just defended their domestic titles – Barcelona see what will happen,” Dujshebaev says.

8 FC Barcelona (ESP) Being favourites was no new experience to Barcelona, as they started out in Group B in September. Being Barcelona will always make the pride of Catalonia favourites, and like so many times before, they lived up to that status. An injury or two along the way as no big deal for a team who have two world class players in virtually all positions, and a few hiccups on away ground in the form of a 27:27 draw against KIF Kolding Kobenhavn and a 34:31 defeat against Orlen Wisla Plock did not really spoil the impression of a Barca team in full control.

When they were forced into a direct showdown for the group win against Kolding on the second to last matchday, they did not stumble in the Palau Blaugrana, of course, but decided the matter already in the first half, and finally winning 33:27, leaving no doubt who was the better team in the group. They continued in an impressive fashion in the Last 16 as they easily sailed past Aalborg. Barca practically clinched the quarter-final berth in the first half-time of the first leg. The task seemed to be much tougher as they visited the previously indomitable arena of HC PPD Zagreb in the quarter-finals, but still managed to become the first team in the season who beat Croatian champions at home and the return leg quickly turned out to be a routine game. Quarter-finals: @ HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) W25:23 (14:10) vs HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) W43:21 (23:10) Aggregate: 68:44

Last 16 @ Aalborg Handball (DEN) W31:11 (16:5) vs Aalborg Handball (DEN) W29:22 (14:9) Playing hall Aggregate: 60:33 Palau Blaugrana GROUP B Final Table: Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n 08028 Barcelona 1. FC Barcelona 10 8 1 1 338:280 (58) 17 Spain 2. KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 10 6 2 2 292:273 (19) 14 Capacity: 7,250 3. Orlen Wisla Plock 10 6 1 3 288:280 (8) 13 4. SG Flensburg-Handewitt 10 6 0 4 288:277 (11) 12 5. Alingsas HK 10 1 0 9 252:298 (-46) 2 Club Address: 6. Besiktas MOGAZ HT 10 1 0 9 253:303 (-50) 2 FC Barcelona Group Phase results: Past achievements Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) 08028 Barcelona VELUX EHF Champions League Spain @ Alingsas HK W38:28 (21:16) Participations (including 2014/15 vs Orlen Wisla Plock W30:25 (13:12) season): 18 Media contact: vs Besiktas MOGAZ HT W35:25 (19:12) Winner (7): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, Gustau Galvache @ KIF Kolding Kobenhavn D27:27 (16:14) 1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11 +34 618522789 @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt W37:33 (16:16) Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13 [email protected] vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt W36:27 (14:16) Semi-final (2): 2007/08, 2013/14 vs Alingsas HK W42:29 (18:17) Quarter-final (3): 2005/06, 2006/07, Online information: @ Orlen Wisla Plock L31:34 (15:17) 2011/12 Website: www.fcbarcelona.cat vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W33:27 (19:11) Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Facebook: FCBHandbol @ Besiktas MOGAZ HT W29:25 (14:12) Main Round (1): 2008/09 Twitter:@FCBHandbol Top scorers: Other 1. Kiril Lazarov (MKD) 99 EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up Kit colours 2. Nikola Karabatic (FRA) 61 2001/02 Light 3. Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (ISL) 60 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, Player shirt: red and yellow 4. Siarhei Rutenka (BLR) 45 1994/95 Player short: red 5. Victor Tomas (ESP) 43 Goalkeeper shirt: green/grey Spanish league (ASOBAL): 22 titles (1969, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, Dark 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, Player shirt: blue and red 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, Player short: blue 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Goalkeeper shirt: black/dark red Spanish cup: 18 titles Asobal cup: 9 titles

9 FC Barcelona (ESP)

Biggest win 43:17 (21:9) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (a), 19.11.2011 Biggest defeat 21:31 (10:13) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 23.02.2007 31:41 (15:20) v THW Kiel GER (a), 06.04.2008 Longest winning run 12 matches (24.04.2011 – 12.02.2012) Longest unbeaten run 16 matches (24.01.1996 – 16.03.1997) Longest losing run 2 matches (25.03.2000 – 22.04.2000) 2 matches (16.10.2004 – 23.10.2004) 2 matches (11.12.2004 – 05.03.2005) 2 matches (15.03.2008 – 06.04.2008) 2 matches (23.11.2008 – 14.02.2009) 2 matches (30.05.2010 – 25.09.2010) Longest run without win 3 matches (30.05.2010 – 03.10.2010) Most goals 46 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 Most goals opponent 41 v THW Kiel GER 41:31L (a), 06.04.2008 Most goals both teams 82 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 Fewest goals 21 v ABC Braga POR 21:21D (a), 09.11.1997 21 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:21L (a), 23.10.2004 21 v Portland San Antonio ESP 25:21L (a), 25.02.2006 21 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 31:21L (a), 23.02.2007 Fewest goals opponent 11 v Aalborg Handbold DEN 31:11W (a), 15.03.2015 Fewest goals both teams 38 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 23:15W (a), 20.04.1996 38 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1995/96 FC Barcelona ESP 8 5 2 1 213: 173 + 40 12 Winner 1996/97 FC Barcelona ESP 12 10 1 1 358: 264 + 94 21 Winner 1997/98 FC Barcelona ESP 12 9 1 2 358: 284 + 74 19 Winner 1998/99 FC Barcelona ESP 12 8 3 1 357: 289 + 68 19 Winner 1999/00 FC Barcelona ESP 12 10 0 2 345: 271 + 74 20 Winner 2000/01 FC Barcelona ESP 12 8 2 2 316: 281 + 35 18 Runner-up 2003/04 FC Barcelona ESP 8 5 1 2 262: 212 + 50 11 Last 16 2004/05 FC Barcelona Cifec ESP 14 8 0 6 400: 360 + 40 16 Winner 2005/06 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 10 9 0 1 293: 244 + 49 18 1/4-finals 2006/07 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 10 8 0 2 314: 263 + 51 16 1/4-finals 2007/08 FC Barcelona ESP 14 11 0 3 475: 407 + 68 22 1/2-finals 2008/09 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 10 6 0 4 307: 275 + 32 12 3rd MR Gr. 4 2009/10 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 16 13 1 2 545: 461 + 84 27 Runner-up 2010/11 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 16 10 3 3 501: 451 + 50 23 Winner 2011/12 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 14 11 0 3 459: 357 +102 22 1/4-finals 2012/13 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 16 13 0 3 488: 404 + 84 26 Runner-up 2013/14 FC Barcelona ESP 16 12 1 3 535:426 +109 25 Third Place Total 212 156 15 41 6526:5422 +1104 327

10 FC Barcelona (ESP)

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight Goals

77 Kiril Lazarov MKD Right Back 10.5.1980 195 99 99 33 Nikola Karabatic FRA Centre Back 11.4.1984 196 102 61 9 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson ISL Left Wing 8.8.1979 187 82 60 22 Siarhei Rutenka BLR Left Back 29.8.1981 199 109 45 8 Victor Tomas Gonzalez ESP Right Wing 15.2.1985 178 85 43 3 Jesper Brian Nöddesbo DEN Line Player 23.10.1980 199 100 31 11 Daniel Sarmiento Melian ESP Centre Back 25.8.1983 186 85 30 9 Raul Entrerrios Rodriguez ESP Centre Back 12.2.1981 193 92 28 10 Cedric Sorhaindo FRA Line Player 7.6.1984 192 100 19 37 Joan Saubich Mir ESP Right Wing 7.11.1989 186 88 14 18 Martinez ESP Right Back 8.11.1987 194 92 12 42 Wael Jallouz TUN Left Back 3.5.1991 197 92 10 13 Aitor Arino Bengoechea ESP Left Wing 5.10.1992 185 75 7 27 de Argila ESP Left Back 15.12.1983 199 99 6 20 Alberto Miralles Anguera ESP Right Wing 20.3.1990 186 84 21 Alejandro Marquez Coloma ESP Right Back 5.1.1995 194 90 24 Oriol Rey Morales ESP Back 31.3.1994 190 95 38 Francisco Revuelta Mora ESP Goalkeeper 13.4.1995 191 84 1 Gonzalo Perez de Vargas ESP Goalkeeper 10.1.1991 189 93 1 12 Danijel Saric BIH Goalkeeper 27.6.1977 194 93

Xavi Pascual Situation in domestic competitions coach • “double feature” at FC Barcelona, as the With the quality the FC Barcelona squad possesses coaches of both the handball and the basketball the Catalan giants could almost take their 22nd section hold the same name ASOBAL league title for granted as early as in • played for a lengthy period for Barcelona and November. As widely expected they cruised through some other Spanish clubs, before becoming the the domestic competition easily winning all 30 goalkeeper coach at the CL record winners in 2005 matches and finishing with a +404 goal difference. An abyssal 12-point difference between them and • started working with the legendary David the second ranked team Naturhouse La Rioja speaks Barrufet and others for itself. • in 2009 he succeeded at Barcelona’s helm. Barca is also on the way to sweep their Spanish EC trophies: CL 2011 opponents in all other competitions. After having claimed the Supercup against Granollers in August and Copa ASOBAL just before the Christmas (again with Granollers in the final), they have to wait until 6 and 7 June for the final tournament of Copa del Rey in Gijon. In the semi-final they face Puente Genil.

11 Danijel Saric Gonzalo Perez de Vargas goalkeeper goalkeeper • known for his incredible quality in goal and for • began to play handball in his childhood with the joy he brings to the team Amíbal Toledo, a team from his birthplace • Bosnian-born goalkeeper won the CL in 2011 • since his 16 Barcelona eyed him and as only with Barca and led Qatar to silver at the WCh 2015 18-year-old made a debuted in an official match • best goalkeeper of the ASOBAL league in 2011 • spent two seasons on loan at Granollers and and 2012, and the best player overall in 2011 later at FENIX Toulouse in the French league. • joined in 2009, after spells with Spanish clubs • returned in the summer of 2014 after Arpad San Antonio, Leon, Alcobendas and Cantabria; began Sterbik had left for Vardar his career in Serbia with Crvena Zvezda and Sintelon • had a splendid tournament at the WCh 2015 EC trophies: CL 2011 EC trophies: CL 2011 WCh: S 2015 EURO: B 2014

Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson Siarhei Rutenka left wing left back • before his arrival to Barcelona spent just one • in 2011 the Belarusian became the second season away from the Bundesliga - in 2011/12 he player to win five CL titles with three clubs after Jose played for AG Kobenhavn Javier Hombrados (with Santander, San Antonio, Ciudad Real) • former Tusem Essen, VfL Gummersbach and Rhein-Neckar Löwen player • lifted the trophy with Celje, with Ciudad Real (three times) and with Barcelona • real key player with his enormous experience from top handball and his equally large talent • top scorer of the 2006 EHF EURO, the 2003/04 and the 2004/05 CL season

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2005 EC trophies: CL 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 OG: S 2008

Nikola Karabatic Jesper Nöddesbo centre back / left back line player • 2007 and 2014 World Handball Player of the • started his career at Team Tvis Holstebro Year • started spiralling upwards when he joined KIF • one of Barcelona transfer coups with Kiril Kolding in 2004 Lazarov before the 2013/14 season • since then, he has been among Europe’s elite • won everything there is to win, as he has year after year – with Kolding from 2004 to 2007, triumphed at , WChs and EHF EUROs and ever since with FC Barcelona with the French national team and twice the CL • imposing presence on the court, not afraid (with Montpellier and Kiel) of anything when it comes to stopping opposing • one of the most complete handball players attackers with strengths in attack and defence

EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007 EURO: G 2008, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013 OG: G 2008, 2012, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, B 2003, 2005 EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008

Kiril Lazarov Victor Tomas right back right wing • powerful back court shooter from FYR • following the victories in 2005 and 2011, the Macedonia Barcelona-born captain hopes to lift his third CL trophy at the FINAL4 in Cologne • most successful scorer at a single EHF EURO event (2012 Serbia, 61 goals) and also at WCh level • joined Barcelona’s youth team in 1998 and has (2009 Croatia, 92 goals) not played for any other club • top scorer of the CL twice (2005/06 and • his biggest assets are his great pace and his 2007/08) impressive flexibility that make him a strong player in attack but also in defence • in the 2012/13 ASOBAL season he converted 62 per cent of his shots, being particularly effective from the penalty line (76 per cent) and with counter EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003 attack (86 per cent) OG: B 2008, EURO: B 2014, WCh: G 2013

12 Alex Marquez Aitor Arino Bengoechea right back left wing • his first season in Barcelona, last year he • born in Penarth (United Kingdom) while his played in BM Alcobendas, in the second league father, a former FC Barcelona player, was working there at the time as an engineer • mostly playing with the Barcelona’s second team, that plays in the Spanish second division • joined FC Barcelona when 12-year-old • scored 100 goals in the second team this • made his debut in the first team in February season, an average of 3,85 goals per match 2010 against Cangas at his 17 • Pascual called him this season for some games • youngest player in the WCh 2013 winning and he made a debut in the CL and Asobal league team of Spain • in 2014 won the bronze medal at the Men’s 20 WCh: G 2013 EHF EURO in Austria

Viran Morros Wael Jallouz left back left back • born in Barcelona, started his career with his • key player in the Tunisian national team current club before playing for three different teams • became the first African player at the VELUX • won the CL title twice with Ciudad Real EHF FINAL4 in 2014 in his first season with THW Kiel following his spells with Pontevedra and Leon • discovered by THW coach Alfred Gislason • defensive specialist did not score more than 6 during the 2012 edition of the IHF Super Globe in goals in three straight seasons Doha, when “Willy” played for Saudi club Mudhar • nominated as best defender at the EHF EURO • transferred from his home town Hammamet in 2012 he also made it to the short list of the CL to Kiel in 2013 best defenders for two straight seasons

EC trophies: CL 2008, 2009, Cup Winners’ Cup 2005 African championship: S 2014 EHF EURO: B 2014,WCh: G 2013, B 2011

Daniel Sarmiento Raul Entrerrios centre back centre back • talented playmaker started playing in the • has matured into one of the household names ASOBAL league at the early age of 17 in Gáldar in Spanish handball and one of the leading players of (Canary Islands) the national team • following four years in Almeria and two in • although his natural position sees him playing Ademar Leon he transferred to Barcelona, just in the centre, his many skills in the first line allow after he had been chosen as the best player of the him to change permanently with effectiveness and ASOBAL League in 2009 perform with ease in all positions • earned five ASOBAL League titles and two IHF • with 3 Spanish clubs (Leon, Valladolid, FC Super Globe trophies with Barcelona Barcelona) has won all the most important European Cup competitions including the CL

EC trophies: CL 2011 EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2005, 2009 EURO: B 2014, WCh: G 2013 OG: B 2008, EHF EURO: S 2006, B 2014, WCh: G 2005, B 2011

Cedric Sorhaindo Eduardo Gurbindo line player right back • latecomer to handball; at 17 had to have • has played for four different ASOBAL clubs surgery to both his legs in order to put them straight (San Antonio, Torrevieja, Valladolid and Barcelona) and allow him to walk properly • set his scoring record in ASOBAL in 2007/08 • after learning his trade in Paris, where he with 145 goals played for six years, he then moved to Barcelona • lost a significant amount of his playing time • immediately gained the confidence of his after Kiril Lazarov’s arrival in the summer of 2013 teammates with his tough defence, forcing many to • still stands out for his speed and good game compare him to French defender Didier Dinart vision on the court • regular fixture in the French selection since 2008, gradually gaining more and more court time

EC trophies: CL 2011 OG: EURO: B 2014, WCh: B 2011 OG: G 2012, EHF EURO: G 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015

13 Control the Game at home

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V11944-045-06_VELUX_INTEGRA_ad_A4.indd 1 13-05-2015 15:54:23 KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)

The game that all Kielce supporters will remember from this season’s group phase is the Round 10 encounter against Motor Zaporozhye. Kielce were trailing 10:19 at half-time, but staged an astonishing comeback in the second half to take home a 28:27 win.

This victory saw them extending their winning streak to 10 out of 10, making Kielce the only team to reach the Last 16 with a flawless record. In the 2012/13 season they had achieved the same and eventually reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4. However, Kielce’s streak was far from being a walk in the park. Injuries to key players such as line player Julen Aguinagalde forced coach Talant Dujshebaev to put left back Michal Jurecki on the line, while right wing Ivan Cupic became centre back in the 27:25 away win against Aalborg in Round 5 and at the comeback win in Ukraine.

The perfect run came to an unexpected end on the home court in the return Last 16 leg against Montpellier, however a 31:33 defeat could not stop the Polish champions marching to the top eight of the competition. Exactly as in 2013 their road to Cologne led through Skopje, but this time they eliminated Metalurg’s city rivals HC Vardar as coach Talant Dujshebaev saw off from the competition the team of his son Alex. Quarter-final @ HC Vardar (MKD) W22:20 (11:11) vs HC Vardar (MKD) W33:31 (16:14) Aggregate: 55:51

Last 16 @ Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) W29:25 (16:13) Playing hall vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) L31:33 (14:15) Aggregate: 60:58 Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów ul. Boczna 15A 25-093 Kielce GROUP D Final Table: Poland Capacity: 4,000 1. KS Vive Tauron Kielce 10 10 0 0 312:271 (41) 20 2. MOL-Pick Szeged 10 6 1 3 276:264 (12) 13 Club Address: 3. Dunkerque HB G. Littoral 10 4 0 6 257:263 (-6) 8 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 4. Aalborg Handball 10 2 3 5 256:269 (-13) 7 ul. Robotnicza 5 5. HC Motor Zaporozhye 10 3 0 7 283:284 (-1) 6 25-662 Kielce 6. Kadetten Schaffhausen 10 2 2 6 264:297 (-33) 6 Poland Group Phase results: Media contact: Past achievements (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Sebastian Kozubek +48 505031244 VELUX EHF Champions League @ Kadetten Schaffhausen W33:28 (15:14) [email protected] Participations (including 2014/15 vs MOL-Pick Szeged W37:32 (18:17) season): 12 vs HC Motor Zaporozhye W30:26 (17:14) Online information: Semi-final (1): 2012/13 @ Dunkerque HB G. Littoral W28:25 (14:12) Website: www.vivetargi.pl Last 16 (5): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, @ Aalborg Handball W27:25 (13:12) Facebook: vivetargikielce 2011/12, 2013/14 vs Aalborg Handball W33:26 (18:15) Twitter:@ksvive Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99 vs Kadetten Schaffhausen W33:24 (14:12) Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, @ MOL-Pick Szeged W27:26 (14:11) 2003/04, 2010/11 Kit colours vs Dunkerque HB G. Littoral W36:32 (19:15) Light @ HC Motor Zaporozhye W28:27 (10:19) Other Player shirt: yellow Other EC records: 11 participations in Player short: blue Top scorers: other ECs Goalkeeper shirt: blue 1. (POL) 76 Dark Polish league: 12 titles (1993, 1994, 2. Ivan Cupic (CRO) 51 Player shirt: blue 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 3. Denis Buntic (CRO) 49 Player short: blue 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) 4. Michal Jurecki (POL) 44 Goalkeeper shirt: green Polish cup: 12 titles 5. (POL) 31 Julen Aguinagalde (ESP) 31

15 KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)

Biggest win: 35:23 (16:13) v FC Porto Vitalis POR (h), 29.09.2013 Biggest defeat: 30:41 (19:19) v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN (h), 15.11.2003 Longest winning run: 11 matches (25.09.2014 - 15.03.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 11 matches (25.09.2014 - 15.03.2015) Longest losing run: 5 matches (13.02.2010 – 27.03.2010) 5 matches (19.02.2011 – 09.10.2011) Longest run without win: 6 matches (26.09.2010 – 27.11.2010) Most goals: 38 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 38:30W (h), 23.02.2014 Most goals opponent: 41 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:41L (h), 15.11.2003 Most goals both teams: 72 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 40:32L (a), 27.11.1999 Fewest goals: 21 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 25:21L (a), 27.02.2010 21 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 Fewest goals opponent: 20 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 Fewest goals both teams: 41 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage

1999/00 KS Iskra-Lider Market POL 6 3 0 3 173:186 –13 6 3rd Gr. B 2003/04 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce POL 6 2 1 3 159:177 -18 5 3rd Gr. G 2009/10 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 5 1 6 345:344 +1 11 Last 16 2010/11 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 10 1 2 7 276:300 -24 4 6th Gr. A 2011/12 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 6 1 5 345:336 +9 13 Last 16 2012/13 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 16 14 0 2 469:400 +69 28 Third Place 2013/14 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 7 1 4 362:331 +31 15 Last 16 Total 74 38 6 30 2129:2074 +55 82

16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight Goals

14 Karol Bielecki POL Left Back 23.1.1982 202 101 76 27 Ivan Cupic CRO Right Wing 22.3.1986 178 78 51 21 Denis Buntic CRO Right Back 13.11.1982 199 110 49 5 Michal Jurecki POL Left Back 27.10.1984 198 110 44 19 Krzysztof Lijewski POL Right Back 7.7.1983 198 94 31 13 Julen Aguinagalde Akizu ESP Line Player 8.12.1982 195 110 31 6 POL Centre Back 22.12.1980 194 94 30 23 Uros Zorman SLO Centre Back 9.1.1980 189 96 29 17 Manuel Strlek CRO Left Wing 1.12.1988 181 79 29 19 GER Right Wing 27.5.1988 188 85 21 15 Mateusz Jachlewski POL Left Wing 27.12.1984 185 88 14 10 POL Left Back 24.3.1988 202 100 10 22 Zeljko Musa CRO Line Player 8.1.1986 200 114 8 24 Tomasz Rosinski POL Centre Back 24.2.1984 192 85 2 2 POL Line Player 31.10.1982 200 99 12 Wojciech Swiader POL Goalkeeper 18.8.1996 188 95 16 Marin Sego CRO Goalkeeper 2.8.1985 194 100 2 1 Slawomir Szmal POL Goalkeeper 2.10.1978 190 90

Talant Dujshebaev coach Situation in domestic competitions • most awarded figure in the club Kielce successfully avoided a lengthy final series • during his longstanding playing career won with Plock as they beat their fierce Polish rivals 3:0 plenty of trophies with three different national in the best-of-five final series. After their narrow teams (CIS, Russia, Spain) 29:28 win in the third match they clinched the • has successfully continued as a coach for the twelth league title matching the number of the last 10 years, known for his impulsiveness Polish Cup’s trophies.

• joined Kielce in the half of the 2013/14 season, Their road to the Polish Cup led through Elblag in replacing the Last 16, Borodino Legionowo in the quarter- • changed the playing style of Kielce placing finals, Gornik Zabrze in the semi-final and finally greater emphasis on the aggressive defence through no one else than Orlen Wisla Plock in the final (26:23). EC Trophies: CL 1994, 2006 (as coach), 2008 (as coach), 2009 (as coach), EHF Cup 1993, Cup Winners’ Cup 2002, 2003 As they won all 27 matches in Poland this season OG: G 1992, B 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1993, EURO: S 1996, 1998, B 2000 (league+cup) their only competitive 2014/15 defeat comes from a stunning Last 16 setback at home against Montpellier.

17 Marin Sego Slawomir Szmal goalkeeper goalkeeper • his first stop in Poland was Wisla Plock where • 2009 World Handball Player of the Year he came from Zagreb in 2012 and stayed until 2014 • one of the key players in the Polish national • like in Plock with Marcin Wichary also in champions’ defence Kielce has a strong competition in a goal by a Polish • spent several years in German Bundesliga national team goalkeeper - this time Szmal playing for TuS N-Lübbecke and Rhein Neckar Löwen • before his move to Poland spent half of his • competed in two VELUX EHF FINAL4 events career in Bosnia Herzegovina, and half in Croatia with Löwen in 2010/11 and Kielce in 2012/13 • most successful with Zagreb, where he helped • on the court a hardworking Titan, beyond it his club to progress twice to the CL quarter-finals a great man always keen on handball initiatives for (2008/09 and 2011/12) kids EURO: S 2010 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Manuel Strlek Michal Jurecki left wing left back • his arrival in Kielce in 2012 were his first steps • Kielce’s powerful left back returned to Poland abroad, after leaving his boyhood club Zagreb in 2010 after a three-season stint in Germany • started gathering CL experience in 2006 • had spells at HSV Hamburg and TuS N-Lübbecke • together with his fellow countryman Cupic on the other side, they soon created extremely • one of the club’s most consistent scorers effective duet of wingers • under his steel covering the Polish tank hides • All-Star team left wing at EHF EURO 2010 a cheerful nature and a volcano of energy exploding in the most thrilling moments of the game

WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Uros Zorman Julen Aguinagalde centre back line player • one of the best playmakers in the game • one of the world’s top line players • on the hunt for his fourth CL success • All-Star team line player of the 2013 WCh in Spain and EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark • not known for scoring lots of goals, but his movement and passes provide ample space for his • nominated for World Handball Player of the teammates in attack Year 2012 • longstanding captain of Slovenian national • joined Kielce from Atlético Mardid in 2013 for team famous for his charisma, weakness for coffee his first foreign league experience and great approach to children, for whom he has • three VELUX EHF FINAL4 participations in been organising summer camps over past years 2010-2012

EC Trophies: CL: 2004, 2008, 2009 WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014 EURO: S 2004

Denis Buntic Ivan Cupic right back right wing • born in Ljubuski, traditional handball city of • second best goal scorer at the 2012 Bosnia and Herzegovina Olympics • played for Izvidac, Zagreb, Koper and Ademar • named on the All-Star team at the 2009 WCh Leon in the past • despite losing one finger in an accident in • joined Kielce in the summer of 2011 and one 2008 remained an important player of each team he year later reached his first FINAL4 with the club has played including the national team • set his scoring record in the EC in 2009/10 • sharing the position with the new face in the with Ademar (57 goals) club, German Tobias Reichmann.

OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2010, B 2012, WCh: S 2005, 2009 OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012

18 Mateusz Jachlewski Karol Bielecki left wing left back • joined Kielce already in 2006 from Gdansk • Poland’s biggest handball icon • 2012/13 CL season was the best so far for him • spent eight seasons in the Bundesliga playing in his European Cup career scoring 32 goals for Magdeburg and Rhein-Neckar Löwen • part of the Polish team that won silver at • after losing sight in his left eye in an accident the 2007 World Championship in Germany in the in 2010, the 33-year-old has made a remarkable LANXESS arena comeback to his current form • youngest Polish handball player to take part in • Kielce’s best scorer in the current season (76) the Olympic Games ( 2008) • known for his ability to score from long-range shots

WCh: S 2007 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Piotr Chrapkowski Grzegorz Tkaczyk left back centre back • nominally left back, but thanks to his talent • won the EHF Cup in 2007 with SC Magdeburg and cleverness quite often used by Dujshebaev on with Bogdan Wenta as coach other positions, even wing • scored over 1,000 goals in the German • ambitious and versatile player, effective in Bundesliga attack and solid in defence • Kielce captain also played at the 2011 VELUX • before joining Kielce in 2013, he used to play EHF FINAL4 with Rhein Neckar Löwen for Kielce’s biggest domestic rival, Orlen Wisła Płock • part of the silver medal winning team in the • in the summer of 2014 he climbed the highest LANXESS arena at the 2007 World Championship. peak of Africa, Kilimanjaro

WCh: B 2015 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2007 WCh:S 2007

Piotr Grabarczyk Zeljko Musa line player line player • with his 14 years at the club he knows Kielce • Croatian national team line player is mainly like the back of his hand used for defence where he is a towering presence • has won seven Polish Champions and nine • the 2014/15 season is already his sixth in Polish Cups to date Europe’s flagship competition • pillar of the defence, always doing the leg • played for clubs in Bosnia (Izvidac Ljubuski), work in the centre block Croatia (Medvescak Zagreb), Slovenia (Trimo Trebnje and Gorenje Velenje) • will move abroad next season for the first time, joining 2013 CL winners HSV Hamburg • leaves Kielce for Magdeburg in the summer of 2015 EURO: S 2010, B 2012

Krzysztof Lijewski Tobias Reichmann right back right wing • wanted to be a basketball player, but under • started his career at SC Magdeburg the influence of his father and older brother Marcin, • played three seasons in Kiel and two in he chose handball Wetzlar before he transferred to Kielce in 2014 • joined Kielce in 2012 after seven successful • part of the German national team, which years spent in Germany with Hamburg and Rhein- ranked fifth at the 2013 World Championship Neckar Löwen • winner of the IHF Super Globe in 2011 as part • best right back of EHF EURO 2014 of THW Kiel • most versatile player in the team, clever in • currently only German top player contracted attack and vigilant in defence by a Polish club EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007 EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

19 Semi-final 2 THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprem

LANXESS arena, Cologne (GER) Saturday 30 May, 18:00 hrs. local time

Referees: Gjorgji Nachevski and Slave Nikolov (MKD) Delegates: Viktor Poladenko (RUS) and Helmut Wille (AUT)

Head-to-head stats: THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 6-0-4 (299:287) 12:8

24.01.1996 THW Kiel vs Fotex Veszprém SE, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:25 (17:15) 13.02.1996 Fotex Veszprém SE vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 23:21 (11:09) 25.10.2002 THW Kiel vs Fotex KC Veszprém, European Championship for Club Teams – Semi-final 23:31 (11:15) 24.02.2007 MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 39:36 (19:20) 01.03.2007 THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 39:32 (22:15) 18.10.2012 MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 31:30 (14:15) 17.02.2013 THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 32:21 (17:13) 21.04.2013 THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 32:31 (15:16) 27.04.2013 MKB Veszprém KC vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 28:29 (14:12) 31.05.2014 MKB-MVM Veszprém vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Semi-final 26:29 (13:13)

In the previous two seasons, THW Kiel were the end of all of MKB- on top of the Bundesliga ranking and are aiming for their 20th title. MVM Veszprém’s hopes and dreams. Trading places In 2013 the three-time EHF Champions League winners eliminated the Hungarian side in two thrilling quarter-finals (32:31, 29:28). In Two Veszprém players once wore the THW jersey: 2013/14 EHF 2014 Veszprém lost the semi-final in Cologne, 26:29. Kiel have won Champions League top scorer Momir Ilic (101 goals this season mean the last four duels against the Hungarians. he is again the main contender for the golden ball), and Christian Zeitz, one of four players in Cologne who was in the Kiel squad for all Veszprém have been waiting for their next EHF Champions League three of their titles. Final for 13 years, after they were defeated by current THW coach Alfred Gislason and SC Magdeburg in the 2002 final. From next season, Aron Palmarsson will join this duo in Veszprém.

On the other hand, Kiel have never lost a match in Cologne against a On the opposite side, Kiel’s right back Marko Vujin has previously Spanish coach, nor do they make a habit of losing decisive matches played for Veszprém. in Cologne against non-German teams (the only exception was the bronze medal match against Kielce in 2013). Both sides have to replace injured key players: On Veszprém’s side is out, while Johan Sjöstrand and are 2015 is the fifth time THW are part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, unable to play for Kiel. while Veszprém have made to the final destination for the second consecutive time. Kiel have replaced Sjöstrand with Norwegian Steinar Ege, who will be the oldest ever VELUX EHF FINAL4 participant at the age of 43 The 2014/15 season years.

Surprisingly, THW have had a weaker season when compared with While Veszprém have their sixth EHF Champions League semi-final their semi opponent – they lost two matches (the first group match ahead, Kiel have reached this stage of the competition for the in Zagreb and the first quarter-final against Szeged). eleventh time.

On the other hand, Carlos Ortega’s team only lost once in this “Veszprém represent high quality. It is a 50:50 match,” says international season – on German ground, against Rhein-Neckar Gislason, who is aiming for his fourth individual EHF Champions Löwen. League trophy after winning in 2002, 2010 and 2012.

While Veszprém have already defended their Hungarian title in If Veszprém finish the weekend with the trophy, Ortega will become the final series against Szeged, Kiel are the only of the four VELUX the second person to win the EHF Champions League as both a EHF FINAL4 participants still waiting to contest their next domestic player (six times with Barcelona) and a coach. Kielce coach Talant trophy. They are currently two points ahead of Rhein-Neckar Löwen Dujshebaev is currently the only one who has achieved this feat.

20 Winner 4 vs 1 THW Kiel (GER) The German champions cruised into the knockout stage of Europe’s premier club competition with an impressive nine wins out of 10, having suffered their only defeat in the opening round when they lost 27:25 at HC PPD Zagreb.

The upset seemed to have spurred the treble former VELUX EHF Champions League winners into action as they demonstrated trademark high-tempo handball for the remainder of the group phase campaign. Especially impressive was their double win over an expensively assembled Paris Saint-Germain Handball within a week, as they dislodged the French side despite the protracted absence of prolific left back Filip Jicha, who had undergone ankle surgery before the competition started.

Nothing could reveal Kiel’s strength in every department better than the Last 16 tie with SG Flensburg-Handewitt as the injury depleted defending champions stood no chance against their regional rivals. In the quarter-finals they suffered the second defeat of the season at hands of Szeged, but quickly erased the deficit in the second leg.

Quarter-final @ MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) L29:31 (15:17) vs MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) W31:23 (18:10) Aggregate: 60:54

Last 16 @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) W30:21 (16:9) Playing hall vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) W33:28 (16:10) Aggregate: 63:49 Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel Europaplatz 1, 24103 Kiel GROUP A Final Table: Germany Capacity: 10,000 1. THW Kiel 10 9 0 1 322:259 (63) 18 2. PSG Handball 10 6 0 4 297:266 (31) 12 3. HC PPD Zagreb 10 6 0 4 241:248 (-7) 12 Club Address: 4. Naturhouse La Rioja 10 4 1 5 305:305 (0) 9 THW Kiel 5. HC Meshkov Brest 10 2 2 6 267:293 (-26) 6 Ziegelteich 30 6. HC Metalurg 10 1 1 8 233:294 (-61) 3 24103 Kiel Germany Group Phase results: Past achievements Media contact: (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Christian Robohm VELUX EHF Champions League +49 1635306300 @ HC PPD Zagreb L25:27 (13:9) Participations (including 2014/15 [email protected] vs Naturhouse La Rioja W34:32 (20:16) season): 18 @ HC Meshkov Brest W25:24 (11:11) Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 Online information: @ HC Metalurg W 42:27 (22:15) Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, Website: www.thw-provinzial.de @ PSG Handball W27:25 (12:13) 2008/09, 2013/14 Facebook: thwhandball vs PSG Handball W33:29 (14:15) Semi-final (3): 1996/1997, 2000/01, Twitter:@thw_handball vs HC PPD Zagreb W34:27 (16:16) 2012/13 @ Naturhouse La Rioja W34:30 (14:11) Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, vs HC Metalurg W35:16 (17:3) 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11 vs HC Meshkov Brest W33:22 (17:11) Kit colours Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96 Light Top scorers: Other Player shirt: white 1. Marko Vujin (SRB) 69 EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, Player short: white 2. Joan Cañellas Reixach (ESP) 48 2003/04 Goalkeeper shirt: green 3. (CRO) 48 Dark 4. Steffen Weinhold (GER) 46 German league: 19 titles (1957, 1962, Player shirt: black 5. Dominik Klein (GER) 37 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, Player short: black 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Goalkeeper shirt: red 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) German cup: 9 titles

21 THW Kiel (GER)

Biggest win: 26:50 (13:24) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006 Biggest defeat 22:13 (12:8) v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO (a), 25.03.2000 Longest winning run 10 matches (21.02.2010 – 25.09.2010) Longest unbeaten run 17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012) Longest losing run 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) Longest run without win 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) Most goals 50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006 Most goals opponent 44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 Most goals both teams 81 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 Fewest goals 13 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000 Fewest goals opponent 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 15:27W (a), 10.11.1996 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 21:15W (h), 12.01.1997 Fewest goals both teams 35 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage

1994/95 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 137: 136 + 1 6 2nd Gr. B 1995/96 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 151: 148 + 3 6 2nd Gr. A 1996/97 THW Kiel GER 10 6 1 3 247: 211 + 36 13 1/2-finals 1998/99 TKW Kiel GER 8 7 0 1 229: 199 + 30 14 1/4-finals 1999/00 THW Kiel GER 12 7 1 4 319: 283 + 36 15 Runner-up 2000/01 THW Kiel GER 10 5 1 4 279: 255 + 24 11 1/2-finals 2002/03 THW Kiel GER 8 4 1 3 234: 211 + 23 9 1/4-finals 2004/05 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 336: 274 + 62 16 1/4-finals 2005/06 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 346: 293 + 53 16 1/4-finals 2006/07 THW Kiel GER 14 11 1 2 517: 420 + 97 23 Winner 2007/08 THW Kiel GER 16 13 0 3 533: 462 + 71 26 Runner-up 2008/09 THW Kiel GER 16 12 1 3 548: 461 + 87 25 Runner-up 2009/10 THW Kiel GER 16 14 1 1 534: 444 + 90 29 Winner 2010/11 THW Kiel GER 14 9 2 3 456: 393 + 63 20 1/4-finals 2011/12 THW Kiel GER 16 12 3 1 496: 414 + 82 27 Winner 2012/13 THW Kiel GER 16 11 0 5 518: 457 + 61 22 Fourth Place 2013/14 THW Kiel GER 16 13 1 2 491:427 +64 27 Runner-up Total 204 146 13 45 6371:5488 +883 305

22 THW Kiel (GER)

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight Goals

41 Marko Vujin SRB Right Back 7.12.1984 201 104 69 21 Joan Cañellas Reixach ESP Centre Back 30.9.1986 198 95 48 4 Domagoj Duvnjak CRO Centre Back 1.6.1988 198 100 48 13 Steffen Weinhold GER Right Back 19.7.1986 191 100 46 33 Dominik Klein GER Left Wing 16.12.1983 190 86 37 24 Aron Palmarsson ISL Centre Back 19.7.1990 193 95 35 39 Filip Jicha CZE Left Back 19.4.1982 201 103 33 17 GER Line Player 22.3.1989 200 108 31 18 SWE Right Wing 23.12.1988 191 91 29 11 Christian Sprenger GER Right Wing 6.4.1983 190 94 26 19 DEN Centre Back 20.6.1991 196 96 13 7 DEN Line Player 1.11.1984 200 106 12 23 GER Left Wing 10.4.1993 190 81 9 5 Henrik Lundström SWE Left Wing 13.11.1979 185 82 6 25 Alexander Williams GER Back 15.8.1996 187 95 2 6 Fynn Ranke GER Line Player 5.1.1993 201 106 1 26 Lukas Wucherpfennig GER Right Wing 23.8.1995 184 81 16 Kim Sonne-Hansen DEN Goalkeeper 23.6.1992 200 87 12 Andreas Palicka SWE Goalkeeper 10.7.1986 189 90 1 Johan Sjöstrand SWE Goalkeeper 26.2.1987 195 94 32 Steinar Ege NOR Goalkeeper 10.4.1972 194 94

Alfred Gislason Situation in domestic competitions coach • earned nine German championships (with Another great finish between the defending Magdeburg and Kiel), four German cup titles, five champions THW and Rhein-Neckar Löwen is set to European club titles be seen in early June as the Lions from Mannheim • five times “coach of the year” in Germany are the only team who have been able to withstand Kiel’s pace this season. With two rounds to go Kiel • his first job on the bench was in his home are leading by two points, while the third team SG town Akureyri, before taking over Hameln, Magdeburg and Gummersbach in Germany Flensburg-Handewitt are already 11 points below.

• joined Kiel in 2008 as the successor of Noka They opened their domestic season with a Supercup Serdarusic – to lead THW to 15 trophies to date triumph over Füchse Berlin (24:18), but failed to EC trophies: CL 2002, 2010, 2012 (as coach), EHF Cup 2001 (as coach) reach the German Cup final tournament after having been eliminated by Rhein-Neckar in the quarter- finals (26:29).

23 Andreas Palicka Steinar Ege goalkeeper goalkeeper • one of many Swedish goalkeeping talents in • ended his career two and a half years ago, but the CL accepted a short term comeback • his first five years in Kiel after having joined • won the EHF Cup with Kiel as far back as 2002 from Swedish Redbergslids in 2008 to 2013 and was also German champion with the club twice somewhat in the shadow of legendary Omeyer during his first stay there from 1999-2003 • more time on the court in the last two seasons • no less than 232 internationals for Norway when he was partner with countryman and national • his first FINAL4 was with Danish AG team colleague Johan Sjöstrand Kobenhavn in 2012, with a third place as the result • will leave the club in the summer for Aalborg

EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002 Junior WCh: G 2007

Henrik Lundström Domagoj Duvnjak left wing centre back • was brought in as temporary replacement to • top signing of THW before the 2014/15 season long-term injured Dominik Klein • 2013 IHF World Handball Player of the Year • no stranger to Kiel who he represented from • arrived from Hamburg, where he played since 2004 to 2012, joining from Swedish Redbergslids IK 2009 • ended his active career in 2014 in the club he • not just a typical playmaker he is also a scorer came from to take over the job as sports director in and is an essential part of defence the club, but was persuaded by Kiel to comeback • best Bundesliga player in 2013 • 104 internationals for behind him • started his career in Zagreb • won the German title with Kiel seven times

CL: Winner 2007, 2010, 2012 EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2010, B 2012

Joan Canellas Rene Toft Hansen centre back line player • scored 50 goals in eight matches on the way to • even better in defence than on the line in the top goal scorer title of the EHF EURO 2014 attack, but after Marcus Ahlm’s departure in 2013, the learning period in attack is over for him • fits perfectly with Domagoj Duvnjak, with whom he played in Hamburg in 2013/14 • EHF EURO 2012 All-Star Team member • with Barcelona and Ciudad Real Spanish • in the CL since 2007 with former clubs KIF champion and cup winner Kolding and AG København • twice (2011, 2012) CL finalist with Ciudad Real • his brother Henrik is playing for Hamburg, his and Atletico Madrid – the club with which he also brother Allan for Mors-Thy and his sister Majbritt for won the IHF Super Globe twice (2010, 2012) Skive – and all four are line players

WCh G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

Steffen Weinhold Christian Sprenger right back right wing • one of the rising stars in German handball • worked under coach Alfred Gislason also at former club SC Magdeburg • after the 2008 junior WCh, the Bavarian changed from Fürth to HSG Nordhorn winning the • after seven years, including one EHF Cup EHF Cup in his first season title in 2007, the former German international transferred to Kiel in 2009 • after signing for TV Großwallstadt he was in the focus of the national team coach Heiner Brand • won twelve titles with THW • made the next step in his career, signing for SG • member of the EHF EURO 2012 All-star team Flensburg-Handewitt in 2012 and joined THW just • started his sporting career in judo, before weeks after Flensburg beat them in the 2014 CL final joining the Magdeburg handball team.

EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup 2008 EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012, EHF Cup 2007 Men’s 20 EHF EURO: G 2006, Junior WCh: S 2008

24 Kim Sonne Hansen Rune Dahmke goalkeeper left wing • first season in Kiel and away from Denmark, • only Kiel-born player in the THW squad was in joining from Skive IK at the bottom of the Danish his younger days sitting on the stands to cheer for league in the summer of 2014 his idols • refused to take the calls from Kiel coach • got his first professional contract in December Alfred Gislason for a long time, because he did not 2013 after being part of the THW youth teams recognise Gislason’s phone number • his father Frank Dahmke was THW player and • at first, he was seen as third keeper in the now is member of the club board squad, but injuries and illness among the established • replacement for Dominik Klein who tore his goalkeepers have given him more CL and Bundesliga cruciate ligament, in away matches he shares the appearances playing time with Henrik Lundström – the player of whom he got his first THW shirt as a souvenir

Filip Jícha Rasmus Lauge left back centre back • 2010 World Handball Player of the Year as the • second and last season with THW for the first Czech to win the award talented Danish international • twice top scorer of the CL, top scorer and MVP • his stint with Kiel hampered by injuries at EHF EURO 2010 • joined from Bjerringbro-Silkeborg in 2013 and • captain of the THW squad since 2013 will leave for local rivals SG Flensburg-Handewitt • one-against-one ability and tough shots make • missed EHF EURO 2014 due to a cruciate him feared by defences, also a strong defender ligament injury and a same injury kept him out of the 2014 VELUX EHF FINAL4 • only active player in the CL’s 20-year Ultimate Selection and Czech player of the year seven times EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012, EHF Cup 2006 EURO: G 2012, WCh: S 2011, S 2013

Aron Palmarsson Patrick Wiencek centre back line player • versatile and tactically as well as technically • plays his third season for THW Kiel skilled playmaker has been with Kiel for six years • had played for Bergischer HC and Tusem Essen now before he transferred to VfL Gummersbach, where • will say good-bye in the summer of 2014 he became Cup Winners’ Cup winner in 2011 joining Veszprem • awarded “German rookie of the year” and • after the departure of Momir Ilic and Daniel called up to the men’s national team in 2011 Narcisse, the 2012 Olympics All-Star has become • successor to the legendary Marcus Ahlm in Kiel more of an influential figure on court

EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2011 EURO: B 2010 Junior WCh: G 2009

Marko Vujin Niclas Ekberg right back right wing • in 2012 the Serbian shooter arrived to fill the • spotted and signed by AG Kobenhavn in 2010 gap after the departure of to KIF • tall winger from Ystad has large variety of • top scorer of the 2013/14 Bundesliga (248 shots, also effective on counter-attacks and reliable goals) on penalty throws • won seven consecutive national • these qualities have also earned him more championships with Veszprém and Kiel than 90 internationals for Sweden • in the national team he is one of the stalwarts • joined Kiel in 2012 after AG went bankrupt and who were key to silver at the EHF EURO 2012 after he experienced his first VELUX EHF FINAL4 • started his international career in Dunaferr • top scorer of the London Olympics 2012 with (Hungary), then played five years in Veszprem 50 goals

EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008 OG: S 2012 EURO: S 2012

25 Premium sponsor of

NEW SPORTSBRAND BY JACK & JONES MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)

MKB-MVM Veszprém won their group in the VELUX EHF Champions League for the third year running but this time it was arguably the strongest group of the competition. Carlos Ortega’s men overan the group with only one considerable hiccup (in Mannheim, where Veszprém was badly beaten) and did so with Laszlo Nagy absent from four games.

Summer signing has been outstanding and so are Christian Zeitz, who filled in for László Nagy without a problem and Máté Lékai also had some great games for the defending Hungarian champion.

They cruised to the quarter-finals after two convincing victories over Naturhouse La Rioja, which also gave their head coach Ortega a good opportunity to rest some of his key players. In the last knock-out stage before the FINAL4 they met again with PSG Handball and although they were limited to a draw in the away game this time, in front of their 5,000 vociferous fans in the second leg they left no doubt who will make it to the top four.

Quarter-final @ PSG Handball (FRA) T24:24 (10:12) vs PSG Handball (FRA) W34:28 (16:11) Aggregate score: 58:52

Last 16 @ Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) W31:23 (15:10) vs Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) W37:31 (18:15) Playing hall Aggregate: 68:54 Veszprém Arena Külso Kadartai ut GROUP C Final Table: 8200 Veszprém Hungary 1. MKB-MVM Veszprém 10 9 0 1 300:262 (38) 18 Capacity: 5,020 2. HC Vardar 10 7 1 2 313:289 (24) 15 3. Rhein-Neckar Löwen 10 6 0 4 302:282 (20) 12 4. Montpellier Agg. HB 10 3 2 5 293:317 (-24) 8 5. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 10 3 0 7 284:293 (-9) 6 Club Address: 6. Chekhovskie Medvedi 10 0 1 9 300:349 (-49) 1 MKB-MVM Veszprém Küldő-Kádártai út 5 Group Phase results: 8200 Veszprém (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements Hungary @ Chekhovskie Medvedi W37:32 (19:17) VELUX EHF Champions League Media contact: vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W27:24 (10:11) Participations (including 2014/15 Zsolt Sevinger vs Montpellier Aggl. HB W30:29 (14:11) season): 20 +36 305024547 @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W24:21 (14:9) Final (1): 2001/02 [email protected] @ HC Vardar W24:23 (13:11) Semi-final (3): 2002/03, 2005/06, vs HC Vardar W32:24 (16:10) 2013/14 Online information: vs Chekhovskie Medvedi W38:31 (17:16) Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, Website: www.mkb-mvmveszprem.eu @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen L25:32 (10:18) 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, Facebook: mkbveszpremkc vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W29:26 (15:10) 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Twitter:@mkbveszpremkc @ Montpellier Aggl. HB W34:20 (14:9) Last 16 (2): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, Top scorers: 2007/08 Kit colours 1. Momir Ilic (SRB) 101 Other Light 2. Renato Sulic (CRO) 54 Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Player shirt: white 3. Christian Zeitz (GER) 35 Runners-up 1996/97 Player short: white 4. Gasper Marguc (SLO) 35 Goalkeeper shirt: grey 5. Laszlo Nagy (HUN) 33 Hungarian league: 23 titles (1985, 1986, Dark 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, Player shirt: red 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, Player short: red 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, Goalkeeper shirt: black 2013, 2014, 2015) Hungarian cup: 24 titles

27 MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)

Biggest win: 38:17 (18:9) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004 Biggest defeat: 30:18 (16:8) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995 Longest winning run: 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest unbeaten run: 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest losing run: 3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996) Longest run without win: 4 matches (09.01.1999 – 31.10.1999) Most goals: 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 46:26W (h), 07.10.2006 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 Most goals opponent: 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:32L (a), 01.03.2007 Most goals both teams: 76 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 Fewest goals: 15 v TEKA Santander ESP 25:15L (a), 15.03.1995 Fewest goals opponent: 13 v SO Chambery FRA 29:13W (h), 18.11.2001 13 v Panellinios AC GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002 Fewest goals both teams: 32 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage

1994/95 Fotex Veszprem HUN 6 2 2 2 131:147 –16 6 3rd Gr. A 1995/96 Fotex Veszprem HUN 6 3 0 3 147:144 +3 6 3rd Gr. A 1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 5 1 2 228:204 +24 11 1/4-finals 1998/99 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 3 1 4 200:188 +12 7 1/4-finals 1999/00 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 4 0 4 203:202 +1 8 1/4-finals 2001/02 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 12 9 0 3 310:267 +43 18 Runner-up 2002/03 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 8 0 2 276:238 +38 16 1/2-finals 2003/04 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 306:276 +30 14 1/4-finals 2004/05 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 317:259 +58 14 1/4-finals 2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:318 +55 18 1/2-finals 2006/07 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 10 7 0 3 338:288 +50 14 1/4-finals 2007/08 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 6 2 2 2 184:171 +13 6 3rd Gr. F 2008/09 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 8 0 4 351:320 +31 16 1/4-finals 2009/10 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 419:368 +51 22 1/4-finals 2010/11 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:338 +35 18 Last 16 2011/12 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 7 0 5 321:322 -1 14 Last 16 2012/13 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 410:348 +62 22 1/4-finals 2013/14 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 16 11 1 4 477:410 +67 23 4th Place Total 186 123 7 56 5364:4808 +556 253

28 MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight Goals

13 Momir Ilic SRB Left Back 22.12.1981 200 109 101 33 Renato Sulic CRO Line Player 12.10.1979 192 109 54 20 Christian Zeitz GER Right Back 18.11.1980 186 103 35 24 Gasper Marguc SLO Right Wing 20.8.1990 182 82 35 19 Laszlo Nagy HUN Right Back 3.3.1981 207 117 33 18 Andreas Nilsson SWE Line Player 12.4.1990 196 117 29 23 Garcia ESP Left Wing 19.10.1987 187 82 28 3 Peter Gulyas HUN Right Wing 4.3.1984 200 106 27 11 Carlos Ruesga Pasarin ESP Centre Back 10.3.1985 184 98 19 25 Chema Rodriguez Vaquero ESP Centre Back 5.1.1980 187 98 19 66 Mate Lekai HUN Centre Back 16.6.1988 190 89 17 4 Gergö Ivancsik HUN Left Wing 30.11.1981 190 89 17 30 Mirsad Terzic BIH Left Back 12.7.1983 196 104 5 21 IRI Left Back 11.10.1991 200 102 4 5 Istvan Timuzsin Schuch HUN Line Player 5.6.1985 197 110 2 34 David Fekete HUN Left Wing 12.10.1996 180 85 35 Daniel Füzi HUN Line Player 9.8.1996 180 78 34 Otto Kancel SVK Left Back 1.2.1995 205 95 37 Peter Schmid HUN Centre Back 6.8.1996 180 75 38 Martin Varju HUN Right Wing 3.1.1996 185 82 12 Adam Borbely HUN Goalkeeper 22.6.1995 197 122 36 Gergely Rozsavölgyi HUN Goalkeeper 8.5.1996 187 93 32 Mirko Alilovic CRO Goalkeeper 15.9.1985 201 113 1 16 Roland Mikler HUN Goalkeeper 20.9.1984 190 102

Antonio Carlos Ortega Situation in domestic competitions coach • six time CL champion, 14 different cup Just eleven days before their semi-final match titles in Spain against THW they clinched the Hungarian championship title after beating their local arch • as a player for Barcelona he won every possible title at least three times rivals MOL-Pick Szeged for the sixth time in a row this season. • in 2005 started his coaching career in Antequera The two wins in the final series were preceded by • in 2012 left Spain for the first time to take another two in the league’s main round, which was on the challenge in Veszprém and in his second a starting point for Veszprem in the domestic league year he steered them to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 as they joined SEHA in the summer. They also beat for the first time Szeged in the season’s opening Hungarian Supercup and in the April final of the Hungarian Cup (after EC trophy: CL 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, Cup Winers’ Cup 1995, EHF Cup 2003 OG: B 2000, EURO: S 1998, B 2000 having eliminated Mezökövesdi HC in the semi-final).

Having lost just one unimportant match against Vardar in the last round they were equally impressive in the regional SEHA league. They hosted the final tournament in the Veszprem Arena and following a semi-final win over Zagreb (25:24) and a final victory against Brest Meshkov (32:21) they claimed another trophy for themselves.

29 Roland Mikler Mirko Alilovic goalkeeper goalkeeper • 2005 All-star goalkeeper of the junior world • like his predecessor Dejan Peric belongs to the championship elite class of goalkeepers who can send the audience to their feet and inspire his teammates • Hungarian national team goalkeeper is quick, compact and excellent at directing the defence • Croatian national team member and his medal tally consists of three silver medals and two bronze • as a teenager Mikler already reached the semi-final of the EHF Cup over a decade ago, with • recorded 11 goal assists during the 2013 WCh Dunaferr in 2003 • very familiar with the Spanish contingent in • joined Veszprem in 2014 after the EHF Cup Veszprém as he played for five years in the Asobal success with Szeged

EC trophy: EHF Cup 2014 OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: S 2009, B 2013

Cristian Ugalde Momir Ilic left wing left back • brought up by Barcelona and played regularly • top scorer and only player passing 100 goals in the first team since he was 18 (103) in the 2013/14 CL season • excelled at international level in the 2007/08 • joined THW Kiel in 2009 from VfL season with his 34 goals and participation in the Gummersbach and won seven titles during his four national team years with the club, including two CL titles • won every possible title with Barca – some of • led Serbia to their first medal as an them multiple times independent nation at EHF EURO 2012 • found a new challenge in Veszprém altering • MVP of EHF EURO 2012 with Gergő Iváncsik, who is one of the best players • 2013/14 All-star team left back in this position according to Ugalde

EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011 EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: B 2014, WCh: B 2011 EURO: S 2012

Chema Rodriguez Renato Sulic centre back line player • until 2012 played only in Spain (Valladolid, • at his second stint in Veszprém, in the 2004/05 Ciudad Real, Atlético Madrid) season he did not have a chance to play as he was injured in a car incident before his first match • in 2007 he transferred to Ciudad Real in what was one of the most expensive transfers in handball • came back to Veszprém after several years in history (€ 800.000) Zagreb and Celje • won the Spanish Championship and the • 2013/14 All-star team line player Spanish Cup three times • shares his time on the court with the defensive specialist Schuh and Nilsson

EC trophies: CL 2008, 2009 EURO: S 2008, WCh: G 2003 EURO: S 2006, WCh: G 2005, B 2011

Laszlo Nagy Gasper Marguc right back right wing • started his career as a basketball player and • took part in the WCh in Spain 2013, where was close to a move to the USA at the age of 13 Slovenia placed fourth • in the end he decided for handball and • came to Veszprem from Celje where he was became one of the best right backs of the world playing since 2009 • transferred from Szeged to Barcelona in 2006 • in the 2012/13 season played his best season and became the captain despite being a foreigner so far and became Slovenia’s top scorer in the CL, netting 72 times (10th overall) • All-Star team right back of the 2013 WCh • played two amazing matches against THW Kiel • All-Star team right back of the 2012/13 CL in 2012/13, scoring 18 times from 18 shots against season the legendary EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003

30 Gergö Ivancsik Mirsad Terzic left wing left back • son of Hungarian legend, Mihály Iváncsik • had an outstanding game in 2008, when his Celje beat Veszprém and the latter decided to offer • added 219 national team games to his tally him a contract scoring more than 600 goals • since then he became one of the most reliable • voted Hungarian handballer of the year in defenders and occasionally a threat in attack too 2010 • captain of the Bosnian national team • darling of fans due to his sportsmanlike behaviour • is not a prolific goalscorer but a great defender capable of defending agressively and efficiently • his younger brother Tamás joined Veszprém in without being sent off 2007, but left for Balatonfüred in the summer of 2014

EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008

Iman Jamali Mate Lekai left back centre back • spotted in the junior WCh where he scored 14 • member of Hungarian national team made big goals against Hungary and signed at the age of 19 impression in his former clubs PLER and Pick Szeged • immediately showed off with his thunderbolt • returned to Hungary from Celje where he shots even against the greatest names of the game spent two seasons • Iranian heavy shooter often compared to • had a lot of troubles with injuries during his Veszprém legend Carlos Pérez first season with Celje and missed all important matches, but in the league final he scored five and • suffered a heavy injury weeks prior to the played whole second half with broken finger 2014 FINAL4 but became the first Asian player to play in the final tournament • dynamic playmaker is a valuable alternative to Spaniards Rodriguez and currently injured Ruesga

Istvan Timuzsin Schuch Andreas Nilsson line player line player • destined for greatness as his Hungarian father • Swedish international was part of Sweden’s and Mongolian mother gave him names from their silver medal winning team at the London Olympic nation’s great leaders (István - the first Hungarian Games in 2012 king, Timuzsin - the birth name of Genghis Khan) • joined the team in the summer of 2014 after a • started his career at Gyöngyös but moved to two-year spell with HSV Hamburg whom he helped Veszprém for his studies and the club spotted him to win the CL trophy in 2013 • later on he was transfered to Constanta where • played for Swedish league club IFK Trelleborg he won two titles and made his debut in the CL and IFK Skövde in the past • after his return he became an irreplacable • off the court a keen golfer force in the middle of Veszprém’s wall EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: S 2012

Christian Zeitz Peter Gulyas right back right wing • Veszprem is the third club of his career • went all the way from the club’s youth sector to the first team and is currently the only player in • from 1986 to 2003 played for Kronau/ the squad who is a 100 % local product Österingen (forerunner of Rhein Neckar Löwen) and for next eleven years for THW Kiel • started his career as a right back and won bronze medal in the junior WCh in 2005 • known for his extremely powerful shots and unorthodox actions, Zeitz became a member of the • opted to stay in Veszprém and rather shift to German national team at an early age right wing, which proved to be a good decision • part of the 2007 World Championship winning • Hungarian international won tons of squad, but decided to focus solely on his club career Hungarian silverware with his home town club after the 2008 Olympic Games

EC trophies: CL 2007, 2010, 2012, EHF Cup 2004 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008 OG: S 2004, EURO: G 2004, S 2002, WCh: G 2007, B 2003

31 Playing schedule on Sunday 31 May 3/4 Placement Match

LANXESS arena, Cologne (GER) Sunday 31 May, 15:15 hrs. local time

Referees: Michael Johansson and Jasmin Kliko (SWE)

Final

LANXESS arena, Cologne (GER) Sunday 31 May, 18:00 hrs. local time

Referees: Constantin Din and Sorin Laurentiu Dinu (ROU)

Important regulations What follows, if a match ends in a draw

All matches of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 shall be played in 2 x 30 goal the penalty throws will be taken. The team taking the first minutes with a half-time break of 15 minutes. penalty throw shall be determined by the referees by drawing lots. The team winning the draw may choose whether it wishes • If a semi-final match or the final ends in a draw, there will be a to throw first or last. five minutes break followed by one extra time of 2 x 5 minutes, there will be a one minute half-time break at half time for the • If the scores are equal after the first round of penalty throws, changeover of teams. If there is a draw at the end of the extra it shall be continued until a decision is reached. In the second time, the penalty throws will take place. round, the other team shall start. Again five players shall be named who are eligible to play (the players named before may • If the placement match 3/4 ends in a draw, there shall be be named once again). no extra time, the match will be decided directly by penalty throws. • In the second round, a decision is reached when a goal difference arises after both teams have taken one throw each. • If penalty throws are needed to decide the match, the • Eligible players are players entered in the match report that procedure is as follows: have not been disqualified or suspended at the time of the final whistle. • Prior to the penalty throws, each team shall name five players eligible to play at the end of the match by handing the referees • Serious infractions committed during penalty throws shall a list of numbers. These players shall then take one throw be sanctioned by disqualification. If a thrower is disqualified each, alternating with their opponents. Each team is free to or suffers an injury, an eligible substitute player shall be determine the sequence in which throwers will take their supplementary named. throws. • While the throws are being taken, only the player taking the • The goalkeepers may be freely selected from the match report throw, the current goalkeeper and the referees may enter the and exchanged in accordance with the Rules of the Game. respective half of the playing court. Goalkeepers may take throws and throwers may perform as goalkeepers. • If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be named to take a second throw in the same round. • At the Technical Meeting the teams will be informed at which

32 Potential head-to-heads in the EC

FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 10-1-4 (434:399) 21:9 13.04.1986 VAEV Epitök SC vs FC Barcelona, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final 27:25 (13:12) 19.04.1986 FC Barcelona vs VAEV Epitök SC, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final 29:19 (13:10) 21.02.1998 Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 33:28 (19:13) 01.03.1998 FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 32:27 (13:15) 31.01.1999 Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 29:29 (14:15) 07.02.1999 FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 29:24 (16:11) 14.11.1999 Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 23:31 (13:16) 04.12.1999 FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 25:21 (13:13) 13.12.2003 FC Barcelona vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 33:29 (18:15) 20.12.2003 Fotex KC Veszprém vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 31:26 (16:14) 25.04.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 33:27 (17:15) 01.05.2010 MKB Veszprém KC vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 33:34 (19:15) 27.03.2011 FC Barcelona Borges vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 28:21 (14:13) 02.04.2011 MKB Veszprém KC vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 30:26 (15:8) 01.06.2014 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Place 3/4 26:25 (9:10)

FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel 9-1-9 (570:578) 19:19 22.04.2000 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 28:25 (15:14) 29.04.2000 FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Final 29:24 (15:12) 25.03.2001 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Semi-final 28:24 (12:11) 31.03.2001 FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Semi-final 33:28 (14:11) 20.04.2002 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, EHF Cup – Final 36:29 (19:13) 28.04.2002 FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Final 28:24 (14:08) 05.03.2005 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 30:25 (13:14) 12.03.2005 FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 33:27 (17:14) 06.04.2008 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona, VELUX EHF Champions League – Semi-final 41:31 (20:15) 13.04.2008 FC Barcelona vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Semi-final 44:37 (19:20) 19.10.2008 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 27:31 (15:15) 23.11.2008 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 33:26 (16:11) 11.10.2009 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 27:30 (17:20) 14.02.2010 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 30:32 (15:17) 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel GER, VELUX EHF FINAL4 – Final 34:36 (20:17) 03.10.2010 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 28:28 (14:10) 05.12.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 32:29 (13:15) 24.04.2011 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 27:25 (14:15) 01.05.2011 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 33:36 (15:19)

KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 1-0-5 (158:187) 2:10 18.10.2003 Fotex KC Veszprém vs KS ‘Vive’ Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group G 31:24 (21:12) 15.11.2003 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group G 30:41 (19:19) 17.10.2009 MKB Veszprém KC vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 33:26 (16:11) 06.03.2010 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 29:32 (14:14) 02.10.2011 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 25:29 (10:17) 11.02.2012 MKB Veszprém KC vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 21:24 (13:12)

KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs THW Kiel 3-1-3 (203:214) 7:7 21.02.1998 Jskra Ceresit Kielce vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Quarter-final 28:27 (16:12) 01.03.1998 THW Kiel vs Jskra Ceresit Kielce, EHF Cup – Quarter-final 31:26 (16:11) 10.10.2010 THW Kiel vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 33:29 (16:13) 06.03.2011 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 27:36 (11:18) 02.06.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF FINAL4 – Place 3/4 31:30 (19:12) 19.10.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 34:29 (17:11) 16.02.2014 THW Kiel vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 28:28 (13:16)

33 Current top scorers 2014/15

1 Mikkel Hansen (DEN) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 103 2 Momir Ilic (SRB) MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) 101 3 Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona (ESP) 99 4 Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar (MKD) 78 5 (HUN) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 76 Karol Bielecki (POL) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 76 7 Igor Karacic (CRO) HC Vardar (MKD) 74 8 (ESP) HC Vardar (MKD) 73 9 Dragan Gajic (SLO) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 71 10 Dean Bombac (SLO) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 69 Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) 69 12 Bo Dybdal Spellerberg (DEN) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) 66 13 (GER) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 65 (CRO) HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb (CRO) 65 15 Alexander Dereven (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) 62 Thomas Mogensen (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 62 17 Nikola Karabatic (FRA) FC Barcelona (ESP) 61 18 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (ISL) FC Barcelona (ESP) 60 19 Dmitry Zhitnikov (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) 59 20 Vid Kavticnik (SLO) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 57 Manuel Liniger (SUI) Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) 57 22 Baptiste Butto (FRA) Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA) 56 23 Sergiy Onufryienko (UKR) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) 55 24 Renato Sulic (CRO) MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) 54

Bold text indicates players of teams still in the competition.

34 Top scorers of the VELUX EHF FINAL4

Rank Player Club Goals 1 Filip Jicha THW Kiel 51 2 Siarhei Rutenka FC Barcelona 47 3 Juanin Garcia FC Barcelona 44 4 Kiril Lazarov BM Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid/FC Barcelona 35 5 Jesper Noddesbo FC Barcelona 31 6 Victor Tomas FC Barcelona 30 7 Momir Ilic THW Kiel/MKB-MVM Veszprem 26 8 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson Rhein Neckar Löwen/AG Kobenhavn/THW Kiel 25 9 Luc Abalo BM Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid 20 10 Jonas Källman BM Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid 19 Alberto Entrerrios BM Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid 19 Olafur Stefansson Rhein Neckar Löwen 19 Domagoj Duvnjak HSV Hamburg 19 Niclas Ekberg AG Kobenhavn/THW Kiel 19 15 Aron Palmarsson THW Kiel 18 THW Kiel 18 HSV Hamburg 18 18 Christian Sprenger THW Kiel 17 19 Laszlo Nagy FC Barcelona/MKB-MVM Veszprem 16 Julen Aguingalde BM Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid 16 21 Marcus Ahlm THW Kiel 15 Ivan Cupic Rhein Neckar Löwen/KS Vive Tauron Kielce 15 HSV Hamburg 15 24 Daniel Sarmiento FC Barcelona 14 Joan Canellas BM Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid 14 Igor Vori HSV Hamburg 14 27 Raul Entrerrios FC Barcelona 13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt 13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt 13 30 Jerome Fernandez BM Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid 12 Christian Zeitz THW Kiel 12 Steffen Weinhold SG Flensburg-Handewitt 12 33 Timur Dibirov Chekhovskie Medvedi 11 Mikhail Chipurin Chekhovskie Medvedi 11 Mikkel Hansen FC Barcelona 11 Dominik Klein THW Kiel 11 Alexander Petersson Füchse Berlin 11 Rastko Stojkovic KS Vive Tauron Kielce 11

(Bold text indicates players that are part of the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4.)

35 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)

36 EHF Champions League Winners at the 2015 Past Winners - Individuals VELUX EHF FINAL Steffen Weinhold is the only player David Barrufet, Antonio Ortega and FC Barcelona (12) at the 2015 edition of the VELUX . The Belarusian Siarhei Rutenka Ciudad Real 2006, 2008, 2009 EHF FINAL4 in Cologne with the international started his EHF Celje 2004, Barcelona 2011 chance of defending the title. The Champions League winning spree Viran Morros Ciudad Real 2008, 2009 German right back won the trophy in 2004, when he led Celje as EHF Victor Tomas Barcelona 2005, 2011 one year ago with SG Flensburg- Champions League top scorer to their Nikola Karabatic Montpellier 2003, Kiel 2007 Handewitt before he transferred first and only title. In 2006, 2008 and Aitor Arino Barcelona 2011 to THW Kiel. If Weinhold raises the 2009 he won the EHF Champions Raul Entrerrios Barcelona 2011 trophy in Cologne on 31 May, it League with Ciudad Real, and in 2011 Jesper Noddesbo Barcelona 2011 will be momentous not only for his he raised the trophy for the fifth time, Gonzalo Perez de Vargas Barcelona 2011 personal achievement – since the with FC Barcelona. Danijel Saric Barcelona 2011 implementation of the VELUX EHF Daniel Sarmiento Barcelona 2011 FINAL4 in LANXESS arena in 2010 no Four more players in the 2015 edition Joan Saubich Barcelona 2011 club or individual player has defended of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 have three Cedric Sorhaindo Barcelona 2011 the title. EHF Champions League trophies in their personal cabinet. Three of Kiel (9) If FC Barcelona take the trophy, them are triple winners with THW Dominik Klein (injured) Kiel 2007, 2010, 2012 another new chapter of history Kiel in 2007, 2010 and 2012: Dominik Henrik Lundström Kiel 2007, 2010, 2012 will be written. Not only would Klein, who will be in Cologne, but is Andreas Palicka Kiel 2010, 2012 the Catalans add their eighth EHF out with a torn cruciate ligament, Aron Palmarsson Kiel 2010, 2012 Champions League trophy to the Klein’s interim successor at THW, Christian Sprenger Kiel 2010, 2012 cabinet, but Siarhei Rutenka would Henrik Lundström, and Veszprem’s Filip Jicha Kiel 2010, 2012 join the short list of male handball right back Christian Zeitz. The fourth Steffen Weinhold Flensburg 2014 players to win six EHF Champions triple winner is Kielce playmaker Uros Domagoj Duvnjak Hamburg 2013 League titles – and he would be the Zorman, who took three of those Johan Sjöstrand (injured) Barcelona 2011 first in history to win it with three five titles with Rutenka (Celje 2004, different clubs. Ciudad Real 2008 and 2009). MKB-MVM Veszprém (6) Christian Zeitz Kiel 2007, 2010, 2012 The record holder is still Andrei Ten players participating in Cologne Laszlo Nagy Barcelona 2005, 2011 Xepkin, who won the trophy six have won the EHF Champions League Momir Ilic Kiel 2010, 2012 times with FC Barcelona, before he twice – among them big names like Andreas Nilsson Hamburg 2013 ended his illustrious career with current IHF World Handball Player of Cristian Ugalde Barcelona 2011 a seventh title with THW Kiel in the Year, Nikola Karabatic, Hungarian Chema Rodriguez Ciudad Real 2009 2007. Three other players hold six legend Laszlo Nagy and Spanish 2013 titles so far: former Barcelona stars World Champion Victor Tomas. KS Vive Tauron Kielce (2) Uros Zorman Celje 2004, Ciudad Real 2008, 2009 Tobias Reichmann Kiel 2010, 2012

Multiple EHF Champions League winners 7 titles with 2 clubs: Antonio 01) David Davis (Ciudad Real 06, 08, 09) Andrei Xepkin (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 05, Jonas Källman (Ciudad Real 06, 08, 09) Kiel 07) 5 titles with 3 clubs: Petar Metlicic (Ciudad Real 06, 08, 09) Jose Javier Hombrados (Santander 94, San Rolando Urios (Ciudad Real 06, 08, 09) 6 titles with 1 club: Antonio 01, Ciudad Real 06, 08, 09) Christian Zeitz (Kiel 07, 10, 12) David Barrufet (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 05) Siarhei Rutenka (Celje 04, Ciudad Real 08, 06, Dominik Klein (Kiel 07, 10, 12) Antonio Ortega (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 05) 09, Barcelona 11) Henrik Lundström (Kiel 07, 10, 12) Kim Andersson (Kiel 07, 10, 12) 6 titles with 2 clubs: 4 titles with 2 clubs: Marcus Ahlm (Kiel 07, 10, 12) Tomas Svensson (Irun 95, Barcelona 96, 97, 98, Didier Dinart (Montpellier 03, Ciudad Real 06, Jose Manuel Sierra (Barcelona 98, 99, 00) 99, 00) 08, 09) Josep Espar (Barcelona 98, 99, 00) Fernando Barbeito (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, San Patrik Cavar (Barcelona 98, 99, 00) 5 titles with 1 club: Antonio 01) Roger Magrina (Barcelona 98, 99, 00) Enric Masip (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, 00) Olafur Stefansson (Magdeburg 02, Ciudad Real Inaki Urdangarin (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, 00) 06, 08, 09) Three titles with two clubs: Rafael Guijosa (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, 00) Thierry Omeyer (Montpellier 03, Kiel 07, 10, 12) Uros Zorman (Celje 04, Ciudad Real 08, 09) Xavi O’Callaghan (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, 00) Three titles with one club: Two titles with one club: 19 players 5 titles with 2 clubs: Alberto Entrerrios (Ciudad Real 06, 08, 09) Two titles with two clubs: 9 players Mateo Garralda (Barcelona 96, 97, 98, 99, San (Ciudad Real 06, 08, 09)

37 History: 21 years of EHF Champions League

1993 – 2004

1993/94 the EHF Champions League trophy for the fourth time in a row. Final: ABC Braga vs TEKA Santander 22:22/21:23 (43:45) Zagreb’s coach Velimir Klajic had to admit that Barcelona “at this The inaugural year of the Men’s EHF Champions League saw the moment in time, were quite simply the best club team in the world.” classic home and away knockout matches being replaced with a totally new system. 32 teams went into two qualification rounds, eliminating 24 clubs. The remaining eight teams were placed into 1999/00 two groups of four teams each playing in a round-robin system. TEKA Final: THW Kiel – FC Barcelona 28:25 / 24:29 (52:54) Santander and ABC Braga topped their respective groups and faced THW Kiel became the first German team to make it into the Final but each other in the final. Santander narrowly kept the upper hand and even a 28:25-victory in the final’s first leg was not enough to end started what should become an eight-year Spanish club winning Barcelona’s EHF Champions League winning streak. Backed by half streak in the Men’s EHF Champions League. of the Spanish national team and international stars like Christian Schwarzer and Tomas Svensson, Barcelona won their fifth title.

1994/95 Final: Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun vs Badel Zagreb 30:20 / 26:27 (56:47) 2000/01 The final of the EHF Champions League’s second season became the Final: Portland San Antonio – FC Barcelona 30:24 / 22:25 (52:49) match of a lifetime for Irun’s Nenad Perunicic, nicknamed “the canon” For Barcelona it was a whole new feeling to watch another team or “Il Conquistadore” by the fans. He was his team’s key player in celebrating at the end of the Champions League Final. Following five the final and, in his first year in Spain, not only the lifted the EHF consecutive titles an era came to end when Spanish King Juan Carlos Champions League but also the national championship trophy with handed the huge tropy to Portland San Antonio at the end of all- Irun. Spanish Final.

1995/96 2001/02 Final: FC Barcelona vs Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun 23:15 / 23:23 (46:38) Final: Fotex Veszprem vs SC Magdeburg 23:21 / 25:30 (48:51) In the season that was marked by the “Bosman decision”, which had One year after Barcelona’s dominance had ended in the EHF substantial effects on transfer regulations and transfer fees in sport, Champions League, the dominance of Spanish clubs also came to FC Barcelona won their first EHF Champions League title. No other an end, when SC Magdeburg became the first German team to win should be capable of dethroning the Catalan side for the next four the competition. And late at night, at the end of a glittering party, years. Stefan Kretzschmar and coach Alfred Gislason were still up for jokes: “Training is on the agenda. The entire team is going to run through the whole town until 08:00 tomorrow morning,” they both 1996/97 proclaimed. Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 31:22 / 30:23 (61:45) In their second consecutive EHF Champions League Final Barcelona dominated both matches against Badel Zagreb. And while the Spanish 2002/03 side celebrated their second EHF Champions League triumph, the Final: Portland San Antonio – Montpellier HB 27:19 / 19:31 (46:50) Croatian side had lost their second final. Also in 1996/97 the so called A new star was born during the finals of the 2002/03 EHF Champions “fast break” was born due to a rule change, making handball more League season. Montpellier’s Nikola Karabatic scored 11 goals in the attractive and athletic than ever before. first leg in Spain and another six in front of his home fans, enabling his team to turn around the eight goal defeat from the first leg and to become the first French side to win the EHF Champions League. 1997/98 Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 28:18 / 28:22 (56:40) 2003/04 Barcelona beat Zagreb once more to win their third consecutive EHF Final: Celje vs Flensburg- Handewitt 34:28 / 28:30 (62:58) Champions League title. But at least as much news as the repeated In March 2003 the EHF had decided on a new structure for the triumph made the wedding of Barcelona player Inaki Urdangarin who competition. Three teams from Spain and Germany now had a married Christina, youngest daughter of Spanish King Juan Carlos and starting slot. Two representatives from Hungary, Slovenia, Denmark Queen Sofia, on 4th October 1997. and Croatia would start in the Group Phase. Overall 32 teams (8 groups of 4 teams each) made up the Group Phase. Flensburg had profited from the new system but Slovenian side Celje was too strong 1998/99 in the final. Final: Badel Zagreb vs FC Barcelona 22:22 / 18:29 (40:51) Once again there were tears in Zagreb and joy in Barcelona. The Spanish team beat Zagreb in their third consecutive final and lifted

38 History: 21 years of EHF Champions League

2004 – 2014

2004/05 Group Phase was reduced from 32 to 24. Four groups of six teams Final: BM Ciudad Real vs FC Barcelona Cifec 28:27 / 27:29 (55:56) each were formed and the first four teams qualified for the knockout Following four years without being present in the final, Barcelona phase which replaced the second group phase. For the first time the won their sixth EHF Champions League title. And while the spectator VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournament, which combined the Semi-finals and record for one match was 10,000 fans, the whole city celebrated the Final, was held in Cologne, Germany, to decide the champion. Barcelona’s victory. “We did a lap of honour in the Stadion Nou Camp THW Kiel won their second title when they beat Barcelona. in front of 100,000 spectators and were celebrated by the whole town,” remembers Barcelona’s Dane Lars Krogh Jeppesen. 2010/11 Final: FC Barcelona vs Renovalia Ciudad Real 27:24 2005/06 Since 2010 the event is known as the VELUX EHF Champions League. Final: Portland San Antonio vs BM Ciudad Real 19:25 / 28:37 (47:62) 40,000 fans stormed to Cologne to attend the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Spanish businessman and BM Ciudad Real president, Domingo Diaz de weekend and TV viewing audience figures went to a new height. 310 Mera, had put together a team that proved to be unbeatable in the million viewers from 76 countries worldwide watched 2,800 hours of 2005/06 Champions League season. Mera bought superstars from all TV transmissions 2010/11. Barcelona extended their lead as the most over Europe and the team around Olafur Stefansson, Mirza Dzomba, successful club in EHF Champions League history when won their Didier Dinart et al. paid justified Mera’s expenses when they beat seventh title, beating Ciudad Real in the Final. Spanish rival San Antonio in the final.

2011/12 2006/07 Final: THW Kiel vs BM Atletico Madrid 26:21 Final: SG Flensburg- Handewitt vs THW Kiel 28:28 / 27:29 (55:57) The German powerhouse sensationally lost in their first home match The EHF Champions League, through the efforts of the 2005 of the season against Montpellier, but no other team was able to founded EHF Marketing GmbH, became a unified look. Since 2006, overcome THW Kiel throughout the remaining of the season. Gíslason TV spectators across Europe know they are watching a men’s EHF led his team to the third trophy in the club’s history becoming the first Champions League match when they see the distinct blue lagoon coach who won with two different teams. Defending champions from and black supplied by flooring specialists Gerfloor in addition to the Barcelona were eliminated in the quarter-finals by AG København, but season’s individual yellow and blue handball supplied by adidas. On the Danish side was stopped in the semi-final by Atlético Madrid, who the sport side of things, Kiel won their first EHF Champions League made it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the fourth time in a row. title, beating arch rival Flensburg-Handewitt.

2012/13 2007/08 Final: FC Barcelona vs HSV Hamburg 29:30 AET Final: BM Ciudad Real vs THW Kiel 27:29 / 31:25 (58:54) HSV Hamburg go into the new season as the defending champion. For In the 2007/08 season a second Group Phase with four groups of four the first time the extra-time had to decide the winner. In 20 years of teams each replaced the Last 16-matches and the quarter-finals. EHF Champions League history there have only been two champions, The first teams of each group qualified for the semi-finals and in the Montpellier in 2003 and Celje in 2004, who neither came from final 2006 champion Ciudad Real faced 2007 champion THW Kiel. The Spain nor from Germany. The All-Stars team of the 20 years were Spanish side prevailed and could win their second EHF Champions announced: Goalkeeper Tomas Svensson (SWE), Left Wing Stefan League trophy. Kretzschmar (GER), Left Back Filip Jícha (CZE), Line Player Andrei Xepkin (ESP), Centre Back (FRA), Right Back 2008/09 (Oláfur Stefansson), Right Wing Mirza Džomba (CRO), Best defender Final: THW Kiel vs BM Ciudad Real 39:34 / 27:33 (66:67) Didier Dinart (FRA) THW Kiel and BM Ciudad Real faced each other in the final for the second year in a row and even though Kiel had won the first leg of the 2013/14 final by five goals, it was Ciudad Real that won the EHF Champions Final: SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel 30:28 League for a second consecutive time. Kiel were still in the lead For the third year in a row a team from Northern Germany prevailed by 20:16 after 39 minutes but with a series of 10:3 goals within 11 as SG Flensburg-Handewitt took both of their opponents at the minutes Ciudad Real turned the match in their favour. VELUX EHF FINAL4 by surprise. In the semi-final the “Vranjes boys” eliminated giants of FC Barcelona after a penalty-shoot-out thriller 2009/10 and made the Cinderrella story perfect by beating their neighbours Final: FC Barcelona Borges vs HW Kiel 34:36 from Kiel 30:28 in the final. In the 2009/10 season the number of participating teams in the first

39 Men’s EHF Champions League 1993-2015 All-time club standings

# TR Name of the club MP W D L GF:FA GD P NP % G 1 1 FC Barcelona ESP 226 168 16 42 6992:5779 +1213 352:100 (18)* 77,88% SF 2 2 THW Kiel GER 218 158 13 47 6816:5850 +966 329:107 (18)* 75,46% SF 3 3 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 200 135 8 57 5790:5176 +614 278:122 (19)* 69,50% SF 4 4 HC PPD Zagreb CRO 208 103 22 83 5498:5344 +154 228:188 (21)* 54,81% QF 5 5 BM Atletico Madrid ESP 144 111 5 28 4502:3803 +699 227:61 (10) 78,82% 6 6 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 174 98 9 67 4989:4671 +318 205:143 (17)* 58,91% GP 7 7 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 154 89 10 55 4448:4202 +246 188:120 (15)* 61,04% L16 8 8 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 130 82 9 39 3929:3599 +330 173:87 (10)* 66,54% L16 9 9 HSV Hamburg GER 98 68 9 21 3088:2670 +418 145:51 (7) 73,98% 10 10 Portland San Antonio ESP 100 64 6 30 2929:2594 +335 134:66 (9) 67,00% 11 11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 126 59 15 52 3875:3724 +151 133:119 (13)* 52,78% GP 12 12 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 104 52 9 43 2982:2932 +50 113:95 (11)* 54,33% L16 13 13 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 118 51 9 58 3221:3264 -43 111:125 (12)* 47,03% QF 14 14 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 88 51 6 31 2556:2454 +102 108:68 (8)* 61,36% SF 15 15 Reale Ademar Leon ESP 100 50 6 44 2875:2817 +58 106:94 (10) 53,00% 16 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 70 40 10 20 2166:1981 +185 90:50 (5)* 64,29% L16 17 17 Chambery Savoie Handball FRA 74 29 3 42 2028:2133 -105 61:87 (8) 41,22% 18 18 HC Metalurg MKD 62 25 5 32 1549:1633 -84 55:69 (6)* 44,36% GP 19 19 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 62 26 1 35 1779:1775 +4 53:71 (6) 42,74% 20 20 SC Magdeburg GER 40 24 3 13 1166:1077 +89 51:29 (4) 63,75% 21 22 HC Vardar MKD 68 21 9 38 1796:1980 –184 51:85 (8)* 37,50% QF 22 23 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 66 22 2 42 1740:1922 –182 46:86 (8)* 34,85% L16 23 24 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 62 19 6 37 1783:1872 -89 44:80 (7)* 35,48% GP 24 26 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 42 20 3 19 1167:1159 +8 43:41 (4)* 51,19% QF 25 42 Aalborg Handball DEN 34 8 5 21 917:993 -76 21:47 (3)* 30,88% L16 26 47 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 22 7 3 12 651:693 -42 17:27 (2)* 38,64% L16 27 50 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 22 7 1 14 616:651 -35 15:29 (2)* 34,09% GP 28 55 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 34 5 2 27 875:1031 -156 12:56 (5)* 17,65% GP 29 57 Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 22 5 1 16 537:577 -40 11:33 (2)* 25,00% L16 30 79 Alingsas HK SWE 20 3 0 17 503:600 -97 6:34 (2)* 15,00% GP 31 102 Besiktas MOGAZ HT TUR 10 1 0 9 253:303 –50 2:18 (1)* 10,00% GP

^ = Excluding Qualifying matches The club name is the last used name in VELUX EHF Champions League competition TR – total ranking MP – matches played W – wins D – draws L – losses GF:GA – goals for:goals against P – points NP – number of participations % = winning percentage S - stage reached in the 2014/15 season (SF - semi-final, QF - quarter-final, L16 - Last 16, GP - group phase) All stats in this guide are provided by Roy Knoppert

40 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 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 Qualication Tournaments Qualication Qualication Tournaments Qualication 06. - 07.09.2014 12 teams 12 3 tournaments with semi-nals and nals

42

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 B5 K1 B6 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

Qualication Qualication Tournaments (draw) playing systemplaying Season 2015/16 QualicationTournaments 05.-06.09.2015

43 ADI_15_018_AZ_Handball_stabil_boost_RZ4.indd 1 07.05.15 14:49 A unique piece of art

Since 2010 Austrian metal artist Stefan Gahr has been designing the every trophy is a unique piece of art. And, of course, I try to improve trophy for the VELUX EHF Champions League – and it keeps improving year after year.” every year. Before the winning team lift this special piece of art, fans get the At the beginning was a simple photo. “This is how we came up with chance to see the coveted trophy at close range. At the JACK & JONES the idea for the trophy‘s form, when I saw the player’s arm, lifted up autograph session on Friday it will be presented to the fans. Later high and kind of petrified in maximum tension,” says Stefan Gahr. that day visitors of the Opening Party can get their personal souvenir photo with the trophy at the VELUX Indoor Stand at the LANXESS To build the first wooden model the artist used his own hand. arena. “However, I have to say that I added some centimetres to it to really have a gigantic hand. The ball though is original-size and is made of VELUX EHF FINAL4 Trophy Factbox steel whetted with brass.” Author: Stefan Gahr Weight: 10 kg In the process Gahr hammers the hot steel sheet into form, welds Height: 85 cm and whets it multiple times. “The trophy’s outward appearance might Width: 40 cm look similar year after year, however I keep changing my technique, so Materials: steel whetted with brass

45

New developments on ehfTV.com The season highlight of club handball, the VEUX EHF FINAL4 sets highlights of the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4. standards not only on the court and in terms of entertainment, but also when it comes to its TV production. Opening Party streamed live

20 cameras are positioned inside the LANXESS arena – another two are Not only will the seven thousand fans expected at the VELUX EHF mobile with camera teams that provide extra features for ehfTV.com FINAL4 Opening Party at the LANXESS arena have a chance to and the competition’s TV partners – and produce pictures of a quality experience a unique atmosphere on the eve of the season’s ending that will make the TV viewers feel as close to the event as never before. tournament as ehfTV will stream the party live to all on Friday 29 May. For the first time in-goal cameras will take pictures directly from inside the goals and pole cameras will enable the fans at home to watch the The Opening Party will start on Friday at 18:00 hrs. The programme teams from the top during their timeouts. These two new camera of events centred on the open-air stage will include the great angles have only been developed this season for the coverage of the performance of Brings, the presentation of the teams, a chance to VELUX EHF Champions League. meet favourite handball stars and much more. The best handball players in the world will chat about the upcoming events, before they The international TV production will also have access to the goal line meet the fans and sign autographs for about 30 minutes, while hosts technology, a system that has been in use at the two previous events, Anett Sattler, Edit Szalay and Markus Floth offer a taste of the hot but to date only provided the referees with pictures if they were in atmosphere in the arena. doubt whether the ball had crossed the line. Overall more than 60 people work on the international TV production. The 2014 VELUX EHF The presentation of teams will start with Vive Tauron Kielce at 19:10 FINAL4 reached a cumulative audience of 68 million in 140 countries. folowed by FC Barcelona at 19:20. Before the third team, MKB-MVM Veszprem take the floor on the podium (19:40) the new winners’ trophy Furthermore ehfTV.com streams all four matches live and on-demand will be presented to the fans at 19:30. Last year’s finalists THW Kiel will and offers a range of features starting with the arrival of the teams conclude the session at 19:50. right through to the winners’ celebrations on Sunday night. On Monday “Rewind – The Handball Show” will sum it all up and show the TV stations showing the VELUX EHF FINAL4 GER Sky Germany Sky Sports HD 2 HUN Digi Sport Digi Sport 1 ESP TV3 Catalunya TV3 Catalunya POL NC+ Canal+ Sport 2 EU ehfTV.com ehfTV.com FRA beIN Sports beIN Sports3 BIH/MNE/MKD/SRB Arenasport Arenasport 1 SWE Viasat TV10 NOR Viasat Viasat Sport ROU Digi Sport Digi Sport 2 ROU Dolce Sport Dolce Sport 2 CRO Hrvatski telekom Arenasport 1 MKD Alfa TV Alfa TV SVK/CZE Sport1 Sport1 SLO Sport TV SportTV 1 TUR Dsmart Smart Sport HD GRE OTE Sport OTE Sport 4 POR Sport TV SportTV 3 BLR BYBRTC Belarus5 ISR Sport1 Sport1 RUS NTV+ NTV+ Sport CRO HRT HRT 2 SUI Teleclub Teleclub Sport2 HD ISL 365 Stod 2 Sport FIN YLE YLE Areena DEN DR DR2 MENA beIN Sports USA beIN Sports BRA Esporte Interactivo Esporte Interactivo Asia Eurosport Eurosport Asia GBR Eurosport Eurosport 2 UK

47 All-star team voting reaches new heights Following the huge success in the past two seasons with more than 20,000 handball fans taking part in online votes for the VELUX EHF RIGHT WING Champions League All-star Team, the new opportunity to choose the Dragan Gajic (SLO) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) star selection of the European top flight arose again this season and Zlatko Horvat (CRO) HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) it met with a tremendous interest of supporters. From 8 April to 24 Valentin Ghionea (ROU) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) May 43.981 people joined the vote and submitted almost 440.000 Victor Tomas (ESP) FC Barcelona (ESP) individual votes. (GER) Rhein-Necar Löwen

In its third edition, the All-star Team vote also asked the fans to cast DEFENDER their online ballots for the two new positions as the the best coach Piotr Grabarczyk (POL) Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) and the best young player (born in 1992 or younger) have been added Rene Toft Hansen (DEN) THW Kiel (GER) to the previous eight. In another developments the selection for each Lars Jörgensen (DEN) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) position has been extended from four to five names. Players from 19 Viran Morros (ESP) FC Barcelona (ESP) clubs and from 17 nations in the current season have been selected. (CRO) PSG Handball (FRA) The fans’ choice for the All-star team will be announced on Friday 29 May at 13:00 hrs. YOUNG PLAYER (1992 and younger) Alexander Dereven (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) The players nominated for the 2014/15 season: Sander Sagosen (NOR) Aalborg Handball (DEN) Alex Dujshebaev (ESP) HC Vardar (MKD) GOALKEEPER Blaz Janc (SLO) Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) Filip Ivic (CRO) HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Theofile Causse (FRA) Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA) Roland Mikler (HUN) MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) Thierry Omeyer (FRA) PSG Handball (FRA) COACH Arpad Sterbik (ESP) HC Vardar (MKD) Alfred Gislason (ISL) THW Kiel (GER) Danijel Saric (BIH) FC Barcelona (ESP) Raul Gonzalez (ESP) HC Vardar (MKD) Juan Pastor (ESP) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) LEFT WING Veselin Vujovic (MNE) HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar (MKD) Talant Dujshebaev (ESP) Vive Targi Kielce (POL) Uwe Gensheimer (GER) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Samuel Honrubia PSG Handball (FRA) Juanin Garcia (ESP) Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (ISL) FC Barcelona (ESP) 2012/13 VELUX EHF Champions League All-star team LEFT BACK Left wing: Anders Eggert (DEN/SG Flensburg Handewitt) 39% Momir Ilic (SRB) MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) Left back: Filip Jicha (CZE/THW Kiel) 33% William Accambray (FRA) PSG Handball (FRA) Centre back: Daniel Narcisse (FRA/THW Kiel) 35% Karol Bielecki (POL) Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Line player: Julen Aguinagalde (ESP/BM Atlético Madrid) 32% Bo Dybdal Spellerberg (DEN) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) Right back: Laszlo Nagy (HUN/MKB Veszprém) 42% Nikola Karabatic (FRA) FC Barcelona (ESP) Right wing: Ivan Cupic (CRO/KS Vive Targi Kielce) 42% Goalkeeper: Darko Stanic (SRB/HC Metalurg) 38% CENTRE BACK Defender: Timuzsin Schuch (HUN/MKB Veszprém KC) 34% Mikkel Hansen (DEN) PSG Handball (FRA) Thomas Mogensen (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Top scorer award: Hans Lindberg (DEN/HSV Hamburg) 101 goals Igor Karacic (CRO) HC Vardar (MKD) Dean Bombac (SLO) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 2013/14 VELUX EHF Champions League All-star team Joan Cañellas (ESP) THW Kiel (GER) Left wing - Timur Dibirov (RUS/Vardar Skopje) 36,11% (9,593) Left back - Momir Ilic (SRB/MKB-MVM Veszprem) 54,60% (14,507) LINE PLAYER Centre back - Mikkel Hansen (DEN/PSG Handball) 43,99% (11,686) (POL) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) Line player - Renato Sulic (CRO/MKB-MVM Veszprem) 56,45% (14,997) Renato Sulic (CRO) MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) Right back - Kiril Lazarov (MKD/FC Barcelona) 42,04% (11,169) Julen Aguinagalde (ESP) Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Right wing - Luc Abalo (FRA/PSG Handball) 42,73% (11,353) Patrick Wiencek (GER) THW Kiel (GER) Goalkeeper - Niklas Landin (DEN/Rhein-Neckar Löwen) 44,03% (11,699) Tolga Özbahar (TUR) Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR) Defender - Timuzsin Schuch (HUN/MKB-MVM Veszprem) 49,27% 13,091)

RIGHT BACK Top scorer award: Momir Ilic (SRB/MKB-MVM Veszprem) 103 goals Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona (ESP) VELUX EHF FINAL4 Most valuable player: Aron Palmarsson (ISL/THW Kiel) Zsolt Balogh (HUN) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) Alexander Petersson (ISL) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Kim Andersson (SWE) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN)

48 2014/15 VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media Information by

EHF Media & Communications, 27/05/2015

Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Bence Martha, Zoran Milosavljevic, Adrian Costeiu, Magda Pluszewska, Kevin Domas, Amina Idrizi,

Bruno Pinevic, Francisco Miranda, Adria Barrio, Grega Sever, all stats by Roy Knoppert

49 For further information please contact: Vladislav Brindzak EHF Media & Communications +49 160 173 2034 [email protected] Twitter: @ehfmedia

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