Media Guide Women’s EHF Champions League Season 2015/16 Main Round Table of contents
Foreword 5
Map of participating clubs 6
Women’s EHF Champions League Information 7
Media contacts - EHF/M, clubs contacts 8
2014/15 Seeding list 9
2014/15 Playing system diagram - stages and dates 10
Playing format 11
Important regulations - ranking of teams 12
Women’s EHF FINAL4 stays in Budapest until 2016 13
Extended women’s coverage on ehfTV 15
Facts & Figures 16
GROUP 1
Preview 18
Head-to-head stats 19
Rostov-Don 20
FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria 24
Larvik 28
Fleury Loiret Handball 32
Thüringer HC 36
HCM Baia Mare 40
2 Table of contents
GROUP 2
Preview 44
Head-to-head stats 45
Buducnost 46
CSM Bucuresti 50
Györi Audi ETO KC 54
HC Vardar 58
FC Midtjylland 62
Sävehof IK 66
Group Matches Top scorers 70
Past winners 71
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140917_UNQ_Handball_A4.indd 1 9/18/14 14:29 PM Foreword
Dear media representative,
Welcome to the 2015/16 Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round.
Less than three weeks after Norway‘s triumph at 2015’s pinnacle national team event, the World Championship, Europe’s elite women’s handball club competition returns to the spotlight as the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round starts.
From 6 January to 28 February, the six rounds of the main round will determine the eight teams to make it to the quarter-finals. I take this opportunity to welcome twelve sides from ten countries to the third phase of the competition.
Before we start analysing the two main round groups and their participants we should have a look back to the tournament in Denmark last month, which underlined the prominent position of the EHF Champions League in women‘s handball. Not only because no fewer than 93 players from the European top flight took part in the event and because all twelve main round teams had at least one player who took the floor in Denmark.
Almost 30 players return to the Champions League race decorated with a medal – eight Norwegian reigning champions, four Dutch runners-up and 15 Romanian bronze medallists. And it goes without saying that Champions League players created a backbone of almost all European teams and former champions from Brazil.
We will all be eager to find out how the recently awarded medallists can transfer their success from national team competition to their clubs. Their morale boost can prove to be a decisive factor for their sides in what will become probably as close and thrilling a main round stage of the Women‘s EHF Champions League as ever.
While all twelve participants have still a fair chance to reach the quarter-finals, there are still eight to ten teams who have all what it takes to reach the season‘ culmination in Budapest – the Women’s EHF FINAL4.
In Group 1 the new Russian powerhouse Rostov-Don has yet to drop a point in their maiden Champions League campaign, while defending champions Buducnost dominate Group 2 in a similar fashion having lost just one point. However, none of the group leaders can take the ticket to Budapest for granted as packs of formidable contenders also eye a May trip to the Hungarian capital.
Will Györ be able to show more consistency against fellow heavyweights? Will Baia Mare repeat last year‘s amazing surge of reaching the quarter-finals despite starting with zero points? And will two other ambitious newcomers CSM Bucuresti and Fleury Loiret Handball just make up the numbers in the main round or can they make it to the next round? All these questions and many more will be answered in the next two months.
To the teams, I wish you all the very best of luck! To the fans, I welcome you to the main round, I invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the exciting show.
We pride ourselves on our positive and cooperative relationship with the press and media and I am sure this will continue and develop in the future. Should you require any information, help or assistance during the course of the season, your first point of contact is the EHF Media and Communications Department based in our office in Vienna. They will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you might have.
Jean Brihault EHF President
5 RUS Rostov-Don, ROU Ankara WOMEN‘S EHF FINAL4 EHF FINAL4 WOMEN‘S ROU Host City Budapest, HUN Budapest, City Host Lublin, POL Lublin, MKS Selgros MKS HCM Baia Mare, CSM Bucharest, CSM BNTU BelAZ BNTU Yenimahalle BSK, TUR BSK, Yenimahalle Minsk Reg., BLR Minsk Reg., Hungaria, HUN Hungaria, FTC-Rail Cargo FTC-Rail Györi Audi Györi ETO KC, HUN KC, ETO WHC Radnicki Radnicki WHC Kragujevac, SRB Kragujevac, MKD HC Vardar, HC Vardar, SWE IK Sävehof, IK Sävehof, MNE Buducnost, Buducnost, NOR Glassverket, NOR Vegeta, CRO Vegeta, HC Podravka Larvik HK, Larvik DEN Esbjerg, Team DEN RK Krim FC Midtjylland, Midtjylland, FC Mercator, SLO Mercator, Hypo SERCODAK SERCODAK Dalfsen, NED Dalfsen, GER Niederösterreich, AUT Niederösterreich, Thüringer HC, Thüringer Fleury Loiret Fleury Handball, FRA Teams eliminated in qualification eliminated Teams Matches in Group eliminated Teams teams Main Round 6 WOMEN‘S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WOMEN‘S Season 2015/16 Season EHF Champions League information
New ways to follow the Women’s EHF Champions League Team line-ups and match reports can be viewed by clicking on a particular match on the eurohandball.com or ehfCL.com websites. The live stream on ehfTV.com is not the only way fans can follow the The online system is also under further development with the action. ultimate aim being to provide live scores and statistics from EHF competitions and to be available on the EHF website. The EHF Live Ticker tracks the scores of all matches. Every goal, missed shot and yellow card will be documented and live statistics Accreditation for Main Round made available online for the first time at this stage of Europe’s elite club competition. The written media and photographer’s accreditation procedure in the Main Round is entirely in the responsibility of the participating clubs. EHF Live launched TV and Radio accreditations are subjects to approval by EHF The EHF’s social media channels provide a very different view of both Marketing GmbH – please contact Miguel Mateo Marcellán. men’s and women’s premier continental competition. Online information As well as the coverage on the EHF Champions League Facebook page and Instagram reserved typically for the final weekends of major ehfCL.com competitions, on two new channels. ehfTV.com Regulations of the Women’s EHF Champions League This season fans can follow the @EHF_Live Twitter account to keep up Twitter:@ehfmedia , @ehfcl to date with all aspects of the event and add EHF_Live on Snapchat Facebook: ehf.champions.league for a behind the scenes look.
Online match reports Official name
From the opening matches of the season, the complete team line-up The official name of the competition is: Women’s EHF Champions is available online at eurohandball.com and available to download League. The full name of the competition should always be used. as a PDF document. The change has been made possible thanks to the introduction of a new online solution, which sees the EHF match Please note: If the season is required, it has to be positioned after delegate complete the final team line-up immediately after the “Champions League” e.g. Women’s EHF Champions League 2013/14. technical meeting. This development means that team line-ups are The wording “Champions League” should be written with a capital available for commentators and reporters hours before each match letter at the beginning of each word, i.e. Champions League. The throws-off. remaining letters should be in lower case. The word Champions does not have an apostrophe after the ‘s’. A further change means that a short time after each match, a completed match report is also available online with details such as goal scorers and number of spectators.
7 EHF/M Media contacts
Media matters TV and Radio
Vlado Brindzak Miguel Mateo Marcellan Media and Communications Media Manager European Handball Federation EHF Marketing GmbH +43 1 80 151 161 +43 1 80 151 224 [email protected] [email protected]
Main Round Clubs – Media contacts
GROUP 1 GROUP 2
Larvik HK FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria FC Midtjylland Buducnost Per Christian Andersen Andrea Pordán Troels Banggaard Milos Pavicevic +47 479 38800 +36 20 365 8263 +4521249289 +382 682 226 66 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Rostov-Don Thüringer HC HC Vardar CSM Bucuresti Maksim Shchennikov Bernd Hohnstein Ivana Stojanovska Constantin Caliman +7 918 5207625 +49 179 4649 389 +389 71 247 218 +40 721 800304 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
HCM Baia Mare Fleury Loiret Handball Györi Audi ETO KC IK Sävehof Ramona Ioana Pop Antony Tahar Andrea Szilagyi Rüdiger Osterloh +40744839987 +33 02 38866267 +36 70 394 95 96 +46 736 84 57 55 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
8 WOMEN'S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015/16 Qualification Tournaments Group Matches Main Round Quarterfinals FINAL4 Tournaments 4 groups with 4 teams 12 teams 8 teams 4 teams 16.-18.10.2015 (1) 08.-10.01.2016 (1) 12./13.09.2015 23.-25.10.2015 (2) 15.-17.01.2016 (2) 01.-03.04.2016 07./08.05.2016 tournaments 30.10.-01.11.2015 (3) 05.-07.02.2016 (3) first leg tournament played in semi finals 06.-08.11.2015 (4) 12.-14.02.2016 (4) and finals 13.-15.11.2015 (5) 19.-21.02.2016 (5) 08.-10.04.2016 NATION in one venue 20.-22.11.2015 (6) 26.-28.02.2016 (6) second leg in Budapest DRAWS: 26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT 26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT no draw no draw 12.04.2016 1 HUN 1 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 2 MNE 1 Buducnost 3 NOR 1 Larvik HK 4 DEN 1 FC Midtjylland 5 MKD 1 HC Vardar 6 SLO 1 RK Krim Mercator
7 ROU 1 CSM Bucuresti 8 GER 1 Thüringer HC 9 RUS 1 Rostov-Don 10 SWE 1 IK Sävehof 11 AUT 1 Hypo Niederösterreich 12 CRO 1 HC Podravka Vegeta 13 FRA 1 Fleury Loiret Handball 14 POL 1 MKS Selgros Lublin 15 HUN 2 Györi Audi ETO KC 16 DEN 2 Team Esbjerg 17 NOR 2 Glassverket
18 ROU 2 HCM Baia Mare the of team placed 4th and 3rd 2nd, 1st, 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed team from each group group each from team placed 3rd and 2nd 1st, 19 BLR 1 HC BNTU-BelAZ Minsk Round Main League Champions EHF WOMEN'S 20 NED 1 Sercodak Dalfsen Qualification Qualification 21 SRB 1 WHC Radnicki Kragujevac tournaments Winners of the 2 4 Winners of WOMEN'S EHF Champions League Quarterfinals League Champions EHF WOMEN'S of Winners 4 22 TUR 1 Ankara Yenimahalle BSK
2 groups with 4 teams
4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go to Cup Winners' Cup Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of CL Qualification Tornaments go to Cup Winners' Cup Rd 3
status: 23.06.2015 vs. vs. vs. vs. Place Match Place rd Final Semi-nals 3 FINAL4 07. / 08.05.2016 FINAL4 1 2 1 2 vs. vs. vs. vs. 4 3 Quarter-nals Quarter-nals rst leg rst 01. - 03.04.2016 second leg 08. - 10.04.2016 3 6 Main Round 08. - 10.01.2016 15. - 17.01.2016 05. - 07.02.2016 12. - 14.02.2016 19. - 21.02.2016 26. - 28.02.2016 Main Round Season 2015/16 playing dates playing Season 2015/16 Group Matches Group Home matches Home matches matches Total 3 6 16. - 18.10.2015 23. - 25.10.2015 30.10. - 01.11.2015 06. - 08.11.2015 13 - 15.11.2015 20. - 22.11.2015 Group Matches Group EHF Champions League 2015/16 playing system playing EHF League Champions 2015/16 Women’s Qualication Qualication 12/13.09.2015
10 Playing format
The playing system has already seen the reduction of the number of In case of 2 teams of the same country play in the same group in the qualification rounds from two to one and the creation of a new main main round, the order of the matches in this group can be changed by round following the group matches, which remained in the same the EHF. format of four groups with four teams each. The teams ranked 1 to 4 in each group after the completion of the From the group matches, three teams from each group qualified for main round qualify for the quarter-finals. the main round and the fourth ranked team continues in the Last 16 of the Cup Winners’ Cup. Following the main round quarter-finals will Quarter-finals be played on a knock-out home and away basis with the four winners qualifying for the Women’s EHF FINAL4. The matches of the quarterfinals shall be played as first and second leg matches. Main Round The matches of the quarter-finals are not drawn by lots, they result The main round will be played in two groups of six teams each. The from the final standings of the main round. 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranked teams of group A and B of the group matches 4th placed team Group 2 vs. 1st placed team Group 1 go into the same group in the main round (Group 1 of the main round) 4th placed team Group 1 vs. 1st placed team Group 2 and 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranked team of group C and D of the Group 3rd placed team Group 2 vs. 2nd placed team Group 1 Matches go into the same group in the main round (Group 2). 3rd placed team Group 1 vs. 2nd placed team Group 2 The three teams coming from the same group take along their results (points and goals) from the matches against each other. Each team There is no protection from teams of the same country. The winning plays a home and an away match against those 3 teams qualifying teams of the quarter-finals qualify for the WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4. from the parallel group.
The Main Round of the WOMEN’S EHF Champions League shall be played in accordance with the schedule set out below. Round 1: 1. A/C – 1.B/D and 2. A/C – 2. B/D and 3. A/C – 3. B/D Round 2: 3. B/D – 1. A/C and 1. B/D – 2. A/C and 2. B/D – 3. A/C Round 3: 1. A/C – 2. B/D and 2. A/C – 3. B/D and 3. A/C – 1. B/D Round 4: 1. B/D – 1 A/C and 2. B/D – 2. A/C and 3. B/D – 3. A/C Round 5: 1. A/C – 3. B/D and 2. A/C – 1. B/D and 3. A/C – 2. B/D Round 6: 2. B/D – 1. A/C and 3. B/D – 2. A/C and 1. B/D – 3. A/C
11 Important regulations
Scoring of the matches and ranking
General After completion of the group if two teams have scored the same number of points: All matches of the WOMEN’S EHF Champions League shall be a) number of points in matches of the two teams directly involved; b) played in 2 x 30 minutes with a half-time break of 10 minutes. The goal difference in matches of the two teams directly involved; EHF reserves the right to extend the half-time break in special c) higher number of goals scored in the away match of the two teams circumstances to 15 minutes. directly involved; d) goal difference in all matches of the group; The matches shall be scored as follows: a) win = 2 points b) draw = 1 e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group; point c) loss = 0 points After completion of the group if three or more teams have scored Teams’ rankings are obtained by adding up the number of points won. the same number of points: a) number of points in matches of all teams directly involved; Group Matches and Main Round b) goal difference in matches of all teams directly involved; c) higher number of plus goals in matches of all teams directly If two or more teams have scored the same number of points, the involved; ranking will be determined as follows: d) goal difference in all matches of the group; e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group; During the matches of the group: f) higher ranking in Group Matches (Main Round only) a) higher goal difference in all matches; g) greater number of points in Group Matches (Main Round only) b) greater number of plus goals in all matches; If the ranking of one of these teams is determined, the criteria are consecutively followed until the ranking of all teams is determined.
If no ranking can be determined, a decision shall be obtained by drawing lots. Lots shall be drawn by the EHF, if possible in the presence of team managers.
12 Women’s EHF FINAL4 stays in Budapest until 2016
Following its successful first two editions in Budapest in 2014 and 2015, the Women’s EHF FINAL4 will stay for another year in the Hungarian capital.
Hungarian side Györi Audi ETO KC won the maiden edition in May 2014 in front of 10,000 frenetic fans, while Buducnost dominated one year later.
The agreement which was reached with the Hungarian Handball Federation as organisers sees the event being played in Budapest’s Papp Laszlo Sportarena 2016.
More information at: www.ehfFINAL4.com Media Accrediation for the Women’s EHF FINAL4
The accreditation procedure of media representatives for the Women’s EHF FINAL4 will start in March 2016.
Tickets for 2016 Women’s EHF FINAL4 on sale
Coinciding with the event’s 200 days to go-mark, tickets for the 2016 edition of Women’s EHF FINAL4 in Budapest went on sale on 18 October 2015. Up to 12,000 spectators will be able to follow the showpiece event on 7/8 May 2016 in the Hungarian capital’s Papp László Budapest Sportaréna.
Tickets can be purchased via the official website, www.ehfFINAL4.com . All tickets are valid for both playing days.
Ticket prices: Category 1: 39,990 HUF (approx. 130 €) Category 2: 27,990 HUF (approx. 90 €) Category 3: 19,990 HUF (approx. 65 €)
Category 4 tickets at 9,900 HUF (approx. 35€) will go on sale at a later stage.
15 per cent ticket discount for clubs
The Hungarian Handball Federation and EHF Marketing GmbH, as organisers of the WOMEN’S EHF FINAL4, have come up with a special offer for clubs and federations to turn a visit to the showpiece event in women’s club handball into a true team happening.
If 15 tickets or more are being bought in bulk, a discount of 15 per cent applies to all tickets.
This means that Category 1 tickets are available for 33,900 HUF / €110 (regular price 39,990 HUF / €130), and Category 2 tickets cost 23,800 HUF / €76 (27,990 HUF / €90) and Category 3 tickets cost 16,990 HUF / €55 (19,990 HUF / €65).
This offer is valid until 31 January 2016. Ticket requests shall be sent to ticketing@ handballfederation.hu
13 Home of European Live-Handball
>> Men’s EHF EURO 2016 >> VELUX EHF Champions League >> Women’s EHF Champions League >> DKB Handball Bundesliga >> Liga Bauhaus Asobal >> And much more…
>> Matches live and on demand >> Highlights, features and best-of >> Compatible with smartphones and tablets
Check it out now! ehfTV.com 14 Extended women’s coverage on ehfTV.com
The complete coverage of all matches means that only during the group stage of both competitions handball fans will be spoilt by over 300 matches.
ehfTV.com extends the coverage of the Women’s CL
Since the 2014/15 season, handball’s leading live streaming platform ehfTV.com has been preparing a special package for all fans of women’s handball.
From the opening round of the group matches ehfTV produces a new magazine compiling the most interesting scenes of the round.
Every Monday after a playing round “REWIND - The Women’s Handball Show” will not only show the highlights of the games, but also All matches of new season live interviews with players and selections of the top five goals and saves.
Handball fans across Europe will not miss a single match in the new During the 26 minute long programme fans will also be introduced to a season of both elite European club competitions. All matches starting rookie of the round followed by best scenes of the three biggest stars from Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League and Group of the round. Matches of the Women´s EHF Champions League will be broadcast live and free of charge on ehfTV.com and the videos of all matches will be also on demand (subject to geo-blocking restrictions).
TV stations broadcast matches all over the world
The matches of this season in both the VELUX EHF Champions League and the Women’s EHF Champions League are shown live or delayed almost all over the world. Not less than 40 TV stations will broadcast matches live or delayed.
Only in Europe fans are able to watch matches in 19 countries, but also the handball TV audience in America (USA and Brazil), Asia and Africa (countries of Middle East and North Africa, Malaysia and Singapore) can enjoy a television coverage.
See the list of TV stations and countries below:
Europe • MNE Arena Sport Asia & Africa • AUT ORFsportplus • NOR Viasat Sport • MENA beIN Sports MENA • BEL Eleven Sports • POL NC+ • MYS Eleven Sports • BIH Arena Sport • ROU Digisport Romania • SGP Eleven Sports • CRO HRT • ROU Dolce Sport News • CRO Hrvatski Telekom/ Arena Sport • RUS NTV+ • HUN MTVA • DEN DR 1/2 • SLO Sport TV Slovenia • SLO RTVSLO • DEN Viasat Denmark • SRB Arena Sport • SWE SVT • FRA beIN Sports • SVK/CZE Sport 1 Slovakia • GER MDR • SWE Viasat 10 • HUN sport1/2 • MKD MKRTV America • BRA Esporte Interactivo • MKD Arena Sport • USA beIN Sports USA • MNE PRVA TV
15 Facts and figures of the group matches Györ the spectator magnet, Rostov top of the points
Following six rounds and 48 games, the group match stage of the Buducnost, Larvik and Baia Mare. Volgograd, Viborg, Metz, Leipzig Women’s EHF Champions League has come to an end with the final did not even qualify for the group matches, while Krim were whistle of the postponed match between Fleury and Thüringer eliminated. HC on Wednesday night (27:21), in which Fleury’s star Alexandrina Barbosa took the second position in the top scorer ranking. Both 9 - group matches ended with 60 goals or more overall, all of them sides had already clinched the berth for the main round, which will in groups A and C - topped in the match of Krim vs Rostov (31:36) begin on Friday, but they now know the exact number of points with 67 goals. they carry to the next stage. 10 - nations are represented by the 12 main round participants, ehfCL.com has analysed the group matches and has composed compared to 11 in the previous season. The only nation missing is a selection of the most important facts and figures of this stage. Slovenia, whereas all other nations are identical. Through this analysis, this year shows that not one dominating team tops all departments, but the ‘victory’ is split as Rostov have 11 - matches were attended by 3,000 or more spectators. the largest number of points, Vardar the best attack, Buducnost the best defence and Györ the highest number of spectators. 12 - group matches ended with a goal difference of ten or more goals. The biggest margin in one match was 19 goals, when Györ 1 - team finished the group with a clear record of six victories from beat Hypo by a final score of 37:16. six matches, Rostov-Don, to earn 12 points. Additionally, FTC and Buducnost (11 points each) remained undefeated. 15 - goals in one match (after 60 minutes) was the lowest score, from Midtjylland in their 15:25 loss against Vardar. 2 - nations are represented by two teams in the main round: Hungary (Györ, FTC) and Romania (Baia Mare, Bucuresti) 21 - away victories were among those 48 group matches.
2 - teams made it from qualification to main round: Baia Mare and 22 - times the home teams took the victory. Györ. 36 - main round matches are ahead to decide the participants for 2 - teams start their main round campaign with zero points on their the quarter-finals. account: Romanian runner-up Baia Mare (same as in the previous season, but later they made it to the quarter-finals) and Sävehof. +38 - is the best overall goal differential of all teams involved in the group phase – achieved by Vardar and Buducnost 3 - teams failed to accumulate a single point in the group phase: Krim, Hypo and Lublin. Podravaka also remain winless, but had one 45 - goals were scored by Allison Pineau (Baia Mare) to top the top point on their account. scorers’ list after the group stage, followed by Fleury’s Alexandrina Barbosa (39) and the Buducnost’s top strikers Katarina Bulatovic 3 - times Fleury managed to tie in the group matches, once against (38) and Cristina Neagu (37). each of their opponents. Therefore, the French champions had more draws on their account than all three remaining groups. 67 - goals were scored in the match Krim vs Rostov, with the highest number of strikes. 3 - group matches ended with 40 goals or less. The lowest number of combined goals was 36 in the match between Fleury and 76 - goals were scored in both group games between Fleury and Podravka (19:17). Podravka to be the overall lowest scoring match-up.
3 - former or current Champions League winners are part of the 117 - goals were scored by Podravka to have the weakest attack of main round: Györ (2013, 2014), Buducnost (2012, 2015) and Larvik all 16 participants. (2011). 131 - goals were conceded by Buducnost to have the best defence 3 - former Champions League winners were eliminated on their way from the group stage to the main round: Krim, Hypo and Podravka. 182 - goals were attained by Vardar in their six group matches to give them the best attack of all 16 participants. 5 - of the total 48 group matches ended with a draw, including the three draws of Fleury. 2,517 - goals were scored in the group phase, with an average of 52,4 goals per match. Groups A (671) and C (634) were the groups 5 - goals scored in one half was the lowest of all matches, when with the highest number of goals, ahead of D (611) and B (601) . Podravka were down 5:13 at FTC at the break. In addition, Podravka only scored six goals in the first half, as did Hypo against Györ. 4,732 - spectators on average attended Györ’s home matches.
7 - teams, which have been part of the 2014/15 main round are 5,089 spectators saw the match of Györ vs Vardar, as the fan again part of this stage: Vardar, Thüringer HC, Sävehof, Györ, highlight.
16 ENERGY TAKES OVER ENERGY BOOST STABIL
WWW.ADIDASHANDBALL.COM Group 1 preview
GROUP 1 STANDINGS
1. Rostov-Don 4 4 0 0 102:92 (10) 8 2. FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 4 3 1 0 126:106 (20) 7 3. Larvik 4 2 0 2 104:104 (0) 4 4. Fleury Loiret Handball 4 1 2 1 105:112 (-7) 4 5. Thüringer HC 4 0 1 3 103:116 (-13) 1 6. HCM Baia Mare 4 0 0 4 97:107 (-10) 0
Brilliant newcomers and unbeaten record breakers collide
The Russian, the Hungarian, the Norwegian, the French and the German national champions await Romanian runners-up HCM Baia Mare in Group 1 of the Main Round. Unbeaten newcomers Rostov Don are in pole position while record breaking FTC and Larvik are trailing the Russians with Fleury Loiret, Thüringer and Baia Mare behind them.
Group 1 might look slightly more balanced than group 2 but it is still almost impossible to predict how far can Rostov Don extended their unbeaten run, what the end of the heavy injury crisis means for Larvik or the true colours of Ferencváros, who won the group of champions. Current top scorer Allison Pineau’s Baia Mare, newcomers Fleury Loiret and last year’s quarter-finalist Thüringer are likely to fight for the fourth qualification berth but any of them can upset the big guys who start the Main Round with considerable point advantages.
Even before their debut in the Women’s EHF Champions League you could tell by their roster that Rostov Don are a forced to be reckoned with but the Russian champions surprised all by marching through one of the hardest groups. Apart from the highly convincing win over Larvik Jan Leslie’s team played balanced games against qualified opponents winning them by 1-2 goal margins. Katrine Lunde and Anna Sedoykina form the most in-form goalkeeper partnership of the competition while Ekaterina Ilina takes care of business at the other end of the court. Don are huge favourites to reach the quarter-final and not only because of their immaculate record.
FTC-Rail Cargo Hungária are another serious contender who have not tasted defeat so far in the competition but their group failed to put the Hungarian champions to the test. Ferencváros can rely on their faithful crowd who make the trip to Budapest a pain in the neck for any European heavyweight but FTC also claimed crucial points away from home en route to their record six-match unbeaten run. The heavy artillery line of Szandra Szöllősi-Zácsik, Zita Szucsánszki and Nerea Pena can take Ferencváros far and their trip to Rostov in the first round will clear the picture about the true potential of the team with the most goals scored in the Main Round. Larvik were hit by an injury crisis earlier on but the Norwegian powerhouse are now firing on all cylinders. Norway won the World Cup a fortnight ago which helps to boost the confidence in the ranks of Larvik and Nora Mörk and co. start the Main Round from a promising position. The highly rated youngsters and the returning stars of Larvik form a dangerous opponent with their trademark counter-attacking style but the home match against Rostov Don showed their weaknesses.
HCM Baia Mare may start the Main Round with zero points but as long as the rampant Allison Pineau keeps her form the Romanian outfit will not give up fighting for a quarter-final place. The squad of Baia Mare is strong enough to reach their goal but apart from the French playmaker the other big guns are yet to show consistency. Fleury Loiret, who only lost one game in their maiden Women’s EHF Champions League campaign, have a considerable points advantage over the Romanian team and the excellent combination of French and Spanish key players are eager to continue their excellent run while Thüringer would need an outstanding run of results to remain in the race for qualification. Bence Martha
18 Group 1 head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group 1 opponents in the EC
Rostov-Don vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 1-0-1 (46:54) 2:2 05.02.2012 Rostov-Don vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 23:22 (13:8) 11.02.2012 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria vs Rostov-Don, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 32:23 (15:11)
Rostov-Don vs Thüringer HC No previous encounters in European competitions
Rostov-Don vs Fleury Loiret Handball 0-0-1 (21:26) 0:2 14.09.2013 Rostov-Don vs Fleury Loiret Handball, EHF Champions League – Qualification Tournament 2 21:26 (11:12)
Larvik vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 3-0-3 (166:158) 6:6 08.11.1998 Larvik HK vs HERZ - FTC Budapest, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 33:23 (16:11) 15.11.1998 HERZ - FTC Budapest vs Larvik HK, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16 33:24 (17:11) 11.01.2004 Larvik HK vs FTC Budapest, EHF Champions League – Group D 29:22 (13:15) 07.02.2004 FTC Budapest vs Larvik HK, EHF Champions League – Group D 29:26 (18:16) 21.10.2012 FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria vs Larvik, EHF Champions League – Group C 28:24 (16:12) 17.11.2012 Larvik vs FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria, EHF Champions League – Group C 30:23 (16:13)
Larvik vs Thüringer HC 2-0-0 (65:44) 4:0 04.04.2015 Thüringer HC vs Larvik, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 26:29 (11:14) 11.04.2015 Larvik vs Thüringer HC, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 36:18 (17:9)
Larvik vs Fleury Loiret Handball No previous encounters in European competitions
HCM Baia Mare vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria No previous encounters in European competitions
HCM Baia Mare vs Thüringer HC 1-0-1 (49:55) 2:2 06.10.2013 Thüringer HC vs HCM Baia Mare, EHF Champions League – Group A 36:29 (18:15) 10.11.2013 HCM Baia Mare vs Thüringer HC, EHF Champions League – Group A 20:19 (10:11)
HCM Baia Mare vs Fleury Loiret Handball No previous encounters in European competitions
19 GROUP 1 Rostov-Don (RUS)
Maybe it is a good omen for Rostov-Don that the last debutants, which won the EHF Champions League in their first appearance, came from Russia: Zvezda Zvenigorod in the 2007/08 season. After failing three straight times in the qualification tournaments, Rostov will now start their maiden voyage in the Champions League - and a large number of experts predict that the Russian champions are contenders for going all the way to the EHF FINAL4 in Budapest in May.
Those predictions are mainly due to Rostov’s signings - and are centralised around one name: Katrine Lunde - for many the best goalkeeper in the world, two-time Olympic champion, three- time EHF EURO champion, world champion and four-time Champions League winner.
The Norwegian began her new chapter in Russia last year, after giving birth to her baby and leaving Györ. She has replaced Montenegrin goalkeeper Sonja Barjaktarovic. In addition, six Russian internationals have transferred to Rostov - Anna Sen (Györ), Ksenia Makeeva (Baia Mare), Ekaterina Davydenko (Baia Mare), Oxana Kiseleva (Kuban), Anna Sedoykina (Dinamo- Sinara) and Maria Basarab (Zvezda) – making them a dominant force.
The previous Rostov squad, led by Danish-born coach Jan Leslie, nearly won the treble last season. After becoming Russian champions, cup winners, and, subsequently, participated twice in the semi-final at the EHF Cup Winners’ Cup in 2013 and 2014, Rostov made it to the final of the EHF Cup in May. But all hopes of winning their first international trophy were shattered by the Danish side Team Tvis Holstebro in a 20:33 defeat. Playing hall Palace of Sport “ Rostov Don” St. Khalturinsky str. 103 A coup like this would be the icing on the cake for the 50th anniversary of the club, which will 344011 Rostov-Don include a big celebration, as well as a match against the Russian national team. Considering the Russia summer signings who were added by Leslie’s compatriot Lotte Grigel during the winter break it Capacity: 3,500 came as little surprise that the Russian newcomers are the only team in the competition with a perfect record of six wins from six group matches.
Club Address: Rostov-Don GROUP A FINAL STANDINGS 1 Konnoy Army street, 4-a 344029 Rostov-on-Don 1. Rostov-Don 6 6 0 0 173:148 (25) 12 Russia 2. Larvik 6 4 0 2 173:153 (20) 8 Media contact: 3. HCM Baia Mare 6 2 0 4 165:162 (3) 4 Maksim Shchennikov 4. RK Krim Mercator 6 0 0 6 160:208 (-48) 0 +7 918 5207625 [email protected] Group Matches results: @ Larvik W27:21 (14:10) Past achievements Online information: vs RK Krim Mercator W35:25 (16:12) Website: www.rostovhandball.ru @ HCM Baia Mare W22:20 (13:10) Women’s EHF Champions League Facebook: RostovHandball vs HCM Baia Mare W27:26 (14:15) Participations (including 2015/16 Twitter:@HCRostovDon vs Larvik W26:25 (15:14) season): 4 @ RK Krim Mercator W36:31 (18:14) Qualification (3): 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14 Kit colours Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions League 2015/16 season: Russian champions Other Light EHF Cup: runners-up 2014/15, quarter- Player shirt: yellow-black Late entry: final 2009/10 Player short: yellow Lotte Grigel Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2012/13, Goalkeeper shirt: yellow 2013/14, quarter-final 2010/11 Dark Player shirt: black-yellow Russian league: 4 titles (1990, 1991, Player short: black 1994, 2015) Goalkeeper shirt: dark red Russian cup: 7 titles
20 Rostov-Don (RUS)
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 35:25 (16:12) v RK Krim Mercator SLO (h), 24.10.2015 Biggest defeat: N/A Longest winning run: 6 matches (17.10.2015 – 20.11.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (17.10.2015 – 20.11.2015) Longest losing run: N/A Longest run without win: N/A
Most goals: 36 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 36:31W (a), 20.11.2015 Most goals opponent: 31 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 36:31W (a), 20.11.2015 Most goals both teams: 67 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 36:31W (a), 20.11.2015 Fewest goals: 22 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 22:20W (a), 30.10.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 20 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 22:20W (a), 30.10.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 42 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 22:20W (a), 30.10.2015
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached N/A
21 Rostov-Don (RUS) Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
77 Elena Avdekova RUS Left Wing 07/01/1989 Novokuznetsk, RUS 180 5 17 Vladlena Bobrovnikova RUS Left Back 24/10/1987 Krasnodar, RUS 180 18 99 Viktoriya Borshchenko UKR Left Wing 05/01/1986 Herson, UKR 170 14 18 Ekaterina Davydenko RUS Right Back 07/03/1989 Togliatti, RUS 184 7 33 Ekaterina Ilina RUS Left Back 07/03/1991 Togliatti, RUS 175 34 61 Lotte Grigel DEN Centre Back 05/04/1991 Esbjerg, DEN 165 22 Oxana Kiseleva RUS Left Wing 12/07/1988 Krasnodar, RUS 162 8 19 Kseniya Makeeva RUS Line Player 19/09/1990 Ufa, RUS 182 9 6 Iuliia Managarova UKR Right Wing 27/09/1988 Dnieprpetrovsk, UKR 170 31 7 Mayya Petrova RUS Line Player 26/05/1982 Volgograd, RUS 184 7 10 Anna Punko RUS Right Back 27/03/1989 Krasnodar, RUS 185 2 8 Anna Sen RUS Left Back 03/12/1990 Krasnodar, RUS 185 17 23 Regina Shymkute RUS Left Back 21/12/1985 Herson, UKR 179 16 4 Elena Slivinskaya RUS Left Back 09/05/1980 Rostov-On-Don, RUS 186 3 71 Alexandra Stepanova RUS Line Player 21/06/1989 Lievsk, RUS 180 2 15 Marina Sudakova RUS Right Wing 17/02/1989 Volgograd, RUS 156
3 Katrine Lunde NOR Goalkeeper 30/03/1980 Kristiansand, NOR 181 21 Anna Sedoykina RUS Goalkeeper 01/08/1984 Volgograd, RUS 181 1 Galina Mekhdieva RUS Goalkeeper 17/06/1985 Rostov-On-Don, RUS 180 12 Mariya Basarab RUS Goalkeeper 19/01/1990 Uray, RUS 186 16 Marina Skladchikova RUS Goalkeeper 22/11/1990 Krasnodar, RUS 191
Jan Leslie coach • signed with Rostov-Don in 2014 • his first experience away from his home country Denmark • won the Russian league in his debut season, having led Rostov- Don to the champion’s title for the first time since 1994 • previously worked in Denamrk at Skjern, Aalborg, Esbjerg and Randers and won the EHF Cup in 2010 and the Danish league in 2012 with Randers • considered one of the top Danish coaches of the new generation
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2010 (as coach)
22 Katrine Lunde Viktoria Borshchenko goalkeeper left wing • one of the best goalkeepers in the world who has • won Russian league four times during her five a big collection of major trophies won both with seasons in Russia: with Dinamo Volgograd in 2011, clubs and the Norwegian national team 2012, 2013 and with Rostov-Don in 2015 • her move to Rostov-Don after five years at • in her native Ukraine, she played for Dnepryanka Hungary’s Györ was one of the biggest transfer Kherson, Smart Krivy Rog and Galychanka Lviv events in Europe in summer 2015 • took part in a number of World and European • missed the last season at Györ because of Championships with the Ukraine national team pregnancy and got a baby in March • can play not only as a left wing but, if necessary, • already worked with Jan Leslie at Aalborg, and also as a playmaker this was one of the factors of her moving to Rostov EC Trophies: CL 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 OG: G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, S 2002, 2012 WCh: G 2011, S 2007, B 2009
Regina Shymkute Anna Sen left back left back • born in Kherson, Ukraine in the family of a • came back to Rostov-Don after a season in Lithuanian father and a Russian mother, and Hungary where she played for Gyor therefore has a Lithuanian last name • her first spell at Rostov was in 2011-14, and during • moved to Rostov-Don in 2010 after years of that time she was the Russian Cup twice, in 2012 and playing in Ukraine and Romania 2013 • played for Ukraine national team for many • has also played for Kuban Krasnodar and Zvezda years but in December 2014 decided to change her Zvenigorod, but has never been a Russian champion citizenship and got a Russian passport yet • played football at a young age and at some point • in 2008 won the Junior World Championship with even took the 4th place in the Ukrainian league with Russia and became the top scorer of that tournament her team
Ekaterina Ilina Maya Petrova centre back line player • one of the best Russian playmakers and the big • started her 13th season at Rostov-Don in 2015, revelation of the last season but had never become the Russian champion with this club before the previous season • moved to Rostov-Don in 2014 from Lada Toliatti just after winning the EHF Cup with that team • has been playing for Russian national team in beach handball as well • in 2008 became the Junior World Champion with the Russian team in Bratislava • married to a football player Alexander Petrov and has two sons Artem and Dima • won her first domestic trophies later than international ones, having become the Russian • has two diplomas of higher education after champion and Supercup winner with Rostov in 2015 graduating from the Kuban State University as well as the Architecture and Construction Institute EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014 EURO: B 2008, WCh: G 2009
Ekaterina Davydenko Iuliia Managarova right back back • came back to Russia in summer after a year spent • moved to Rostov in 2013 and quickly became one at HCM Baia Mare in Romania of the favorite players of local fans • already won her first trophy at Rostov-Don, • quiet and humble off the court but a natural namely the Russian Supercup leader in the game with a powerful shot and great scoring abilities • bBefore 2014, spent her entire career at Lada in her home town Toliatti • was a key player in the Ukraine national team but opted to change citizenship hoping to play for Russia • started to play for the Russian national team at an early age and won the bronze medal of the EHF • champion of three countries: Ukraine with Smart EURO at 19 Krivy Rog, Romania with Oltchim and Russia with Rostov-Don
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2012, 2014 EHF EURO: B 2008
23 GROUP 1 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) None of the 16 participants of the Women’s EHF Champions League season have a shorter journey to Papp Laszlo Arena - the hosting venue of the Women’s EHF FINAL4 in May 2016 - than Dabas based FTC Rail-Cargo Hungaria. Regardless of this closeness the route to the pinnacle event looks quite far, despite FTC having a successful series against Györ in the Hungarian league in the previous season - beating them in the final series. Under their former name Herz Budapest the Ferencvaros club made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2001. In the previous season, FTC came up short in the Champions League qualification against Leipzig one season after they nearly made it to the semi-finals again. The team of head coach Gabor Elek has lost its “strongest weapon in attack,” as former Champions League top scorer Zsuzsanna Tomori has transferred to their main rivals Györ and Orsolya Verten ended her career, but FTC are in the limited company of just three unbeaten teams after the group matches. Ferencvaros lost just one point away to Fleury and will start the main round stage with seven points. Until now they can rely on the back court artillery of three “S” - Szucsanski, Szollosi- Zacsik and Szekerces.
Playing hall City Hall Dabas Iscola utca 5 2370 Dabas Hungary GROUP B FINAL STANDINGS Capacity: 2,498
1. FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 6 5 1 0 181:146 (35) 11 2. Fleury Loiret Handball 6 2 3 1 144:149 (-5) 7 3. Thüringer HC 6 2 1 3 159:156 (3) 5 Club address: 4. HC Podravka Vegeta 6 0 1 5 117:150 (-33) 1 FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria Kobanyai ut 47/a. 1101 Budapest Group Matches results: Past achievements Hungary vs HC Podravka Vegeta W28:16 (13:5) @ Fleury Loiret Handball D28:28 (11:14) Women’s EHF Champions League Media contact: @ Thüringer HC W30:27 (18:13) Participations (including 2015/16 Andrea Pordán vs Thüringer HC W32:28 (19:12) season): 16 +36 20 365 8263 @ HC Podravka Vegeta W24:27 (12:16) Runners-up: 2001/02 [email protected] vs Fleury Loiret Handball W36:23 (24:12) Semi-finals: 1996/97, 2000/01 Quarter-finals: 1999/2000, 2002/03, Online information: Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions 2003/04 Website: kezilabda.fradi.hu League 2015/16 season: Hungarian champions Main Round: 2012/13 Facebook: ftckezilabda Group Matches/Champions League: 1994/95, 1995/96, 1997/98, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2013/14 Qualification: 2009/10, 2014/15
Kit colours Other Light EHF Cup: winners: 2005/06, semi-finals: Player shirt: white 2004/05 Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: red Cup Winners’ Cup: winners 2010/11, 2011/12, semi-finals: 2006/07, 2014/15 Dark Player shirt: green Hungarian league: 12 titles (1966, 1968, Player short: green 1969, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, Goalkeeper shirt: blue/black 2000, 2002, 2007, 2015) Hungarian cup: 12 titles
24 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 42:16 (19:7) v Anagennisi Artas GRE (h), 18.01.1997 Biggest defeat: 22:32 (11:13) v CS ‘Oltchim’ Rm. Valcea ROU (h), 04.11.2007 Longest winning run: 5 matches (14.10.2012 – 11.11.2012) Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (17.02.1996 – 05.01.1997) 6 matches (18.10.2015 - 22.11.2015) Longest losing run: 4 matches (12.01.2007 – 17.02.2007) 4 matches (27.10.2007 – 16.11.2007) 4 matches (02.03.2013 – 06.10.2013) Longest run without win: 5 matches (04.01.1998 – 31.10.1999)
Most goals: 42 v Anagennisi Artas GRE 42:16W (h), 18.01.1997 Most goals opponent: 39 v Viborg HK A/S DEN 39:30L (a), 13.01.2008 Most goals both teams: 70 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 34:36L (h), 10.02.2007 Fewest goals: 17 v Volgograd AKVA RUS 22:17L (a), 03.03.2001 Fewest goals opponent: 16 v Anagennisi Artas GRE 42:16W (h), 18.01.1997 16 v TUS Walle Bremen GER 27:16W (h), 25.01.1997 16 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 28:16W (h), 18.10.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 36 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 18:18D (h), 31.03.1996
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1994/95 Ferencvaros Budapest HUN 6 3 1 2 135:129 +6 7:5 3rd Gr. B 1995/96 Ferencvaros Budapest HUN 6 3 2 1 145:137 +8 8:4 2nd Gr. B 1996/97 Ferencvaros Budapest HUN 10 6 1 3 264:208 +56 13:7 1/2-finals 1997/98 HERZ – FTC Budapest HUN 6 1 1 4 147:159 –12 3:9 3rd Gr. B 1999/00 HERZ – FTC Budapest HUN 8 4 0 4 204:201 +3 8:8 1/4-finals 2000/01 HERZ – FTC Budapest HUN 10 5 0 5 264:232 +32 10:10 1/2-finals 2001/02 HERZ – FTC Budapest HUN 12 6 2 4 348:341 +7 14:10 Runner-up 2002/03 HERZ – FTC Budapest HUN 8 6 0 2 252:228 +24 12:4 1/4-finals 2003/04 FTC Budapest HUN 8 5 0 3 220:221 -1 10:6 1/4-finals 2006/07 FTC Budapest HUN 6 2 0 4 177:188 -11 4:8 3rd Gr. D 2007/08 Budapest Bank-FTC HUN 6 1 0 5 165:192 –27 2:10 4th Gr. D 2012/13 FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria HUN 12 8 0 4 346:336 +10 16:8 3rd MR Gr. 2 2013/14 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria HUN 6 3 0 3 162:161 +1 6:6 3rd Gr. B Total 104 53 7 44 2829:2733 +96 113:95
25 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
3 Anita Cifra HUN Line Player 6.8.1989 Bekes, HUN 180 2 45 Noemi Hafra HUN Centre Back 5.10.1998 Cegléd, HUN 180 1 92 Dora Hornyak HUN Left Back 24.1.1992 Debrecen, HUN 176 20 19 Monika Kovacsicz HUN Right Wing 20.11.1983 Komarno, SVK 171 12 22 Viktoria Lukacs HUN Right Wing 31.10.1995 Budapest, HUN 165 13 21 Greta Marton HUN Left Wing 3.10.1999 Mohacs, HUN 175 14 Rea Reka Meszaros HUN Line Player 14.4.1994 Vac, HUN 172 2 29 Noemi Mod HUN Centre Back 20.4.1997 Mohacs, HUN 175 98 Piroska Pappne Szamoransky HUN Line Player 9.7.1986 Györ, HUN 173 18 25 Nerea Pena Abaurrea ESP Centre Back 13.12.1989 Pamplona, ESP 175 20 6 Nadine Schatzl HUN Left Wing 19.11.1993 Munich, GER 173 12 4 Adrienn Szarka HUN Left Wing 28.6.1991 Kiskunhalas, HUN 176 1 94 Luca Szekerczes HUN Right Back 18.6.1994 Bonyhád, HUN 175 24 10 Klára Szekeres HUN Left Back 1.12.1987 Békéscsaba, HUN 186 2 2 Szandra Szollosi-Zacsik HUN Right Back 22.4.1990 Komarno, SVK 183 28 8 Zita Szucsanszki HUN Centre Back 22.5.1987 Budapest, HUN 172 26
16 Alena Abramovich BLR Goalkeeper 18.07.1981 Minsk, BLR 192 27 Katarina Tomasevic SRB Goalkeeper 6.2.1984 Belgrade, SRB 179 12 Melinda Szikora HUN Goalkeeper 19.11.1988 Kiskunhalas, HUN 175 72 Petra Hlogyik HUN Goalkeeper 28.2.1999 Tatabánya, HUN 180
Gabor Elek coach • son of legendary Ferencváros coach, who led the team for almost three decades, now plays in the arena that is named after his father, Gyula Elek • has been at the helm in Ferencváros since 2008 but he won his first domestic gold medal in 2015 having already won an enermous amount of silvers behind Györ • won back-to-back Cup Winners’ Cups with his team in 2011 and 2012 • respected member of the Ferencváros family, apart from his father his mother also played for the club
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup: 2011, 2012
26 Katarina Tomasevic Nadine Schatzl goalkeeper left wing • youngster is already a two-time Hungarian • the Serbian goalkeeper is a real globetrotter, champion and cup winner and played in the CL final played in Austria, Denmark, Spain, Serbia, Germany with Györ at the age of nineteen in 2012 and France before Ferencváros • despite her young age she has already featured in • has four national championship titles (Austrian, the EHF Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup with Érd Serbian, German and Hungarian) under her belt • born in Munich, Germany but started playing • signed a two-year contract in 2014 handball in Mohács at the age of 10 • veteran goalie has already participated in all • member of the Hungarian national team, is international EHF tournaments and reached the getting more and more time on the court at FTC semi-finals of both WCh and EURO
WCh: S 2013
Nerea Pena Szandra Szöllősi-Zácsik left back left back • Spanish international signed from Itxako in 2012 • back in business for 2015/16 after two serious and has been a clutch player for Elek ever since shoulder injuries, which saw her out of action for almost two years after a maternity leave • injury-prone sharp shooter has been through difficult times injuring the same knee twice but • Ferencváros and national team teammate Mónika when fit she is the focal point of FTC’s attacks Kovacsicz is Zácsik’s niece, her husband, Szabolcs Szöllősi is also a member of the Hungarian men’s • finished as runner-up both at the EURO 2014 with national team as line player Spain and in the CL with Itxako in 2011 • won both Hungarian and Slovenian titles; scored a • versatile player and is the perfect partner for Zita last second penalty against then CL holders Viborg, Szucsánszki in the Ferencváros artillery unit which saw her team triumph on away goals in 2011 • voted to the All-stars of the EURO 2010
EURO: S 2014, WCh: B 2011 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup: 2011, 2012
Zita Szucsánszki Piroska Szamoransky centre back line player • versatile player, who can also play in middle and • one of the longest serving members of left back positions. Ferencváros joined the club in 2005 • despite her young age part of the old guard at • Cup Winners’ Cup specialist, who won three Ferencváros, she was only 17 when debuted in the consecutive trophies between 2010 and 2012 (one green jersey ten years ago with Buducnost, two with Ferencváros) • voted player of the year in Hungary in 2011 • experienced Hungarian international and a clutch player both in defence and attack for Ferencváros • the 1,75 tall brunette was voted the Hottest and the Hungarian national team Player in the EHF EURO 2014, which was held in Hungary and Croatia • her twin sister, Aniko is a fellow handball player
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2006, Cup Winners’ Cup 2011, 2012 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2006, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010, 2011, 2012 EURO: B 2012 EURO: B 2012
Luca Szekerczés Monika Kovacsicz right back right wing • widely considered to be the best right back of her • veteran wing was born in the Slovakian half of generation in Hungary border town Komarno, but has over 130 games with the Hungarian national team under her belt • voted to the All-star teams of both the EURO in 2013 (where Hungary finished as runners-up) and • won national titles (both championship and WCh in 2014 national cup) in Hungary and Denmark • youngster will have to fill in for the team’s most • won back-to-back international titles twice – the prolific scorer, Zsuzsa Tomori, who signed to Györ CL with Viborg and the Cup Winners’ Cup with FTC • was offloaded a couple of times but was called • top scorer of Ferencváros when the team won the back in the summer CWC in 2011 • voted Youth Player of the Year in Hungary in 2012 EC trophies: CL 2009, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup 2011, 2012 EURO: B 2012, WCh: B 2005
27 GROUP 1 Larvik (NOR)
By cheating the gallows with their financial problems, keeping nearly the same successful squad from the 2014/15 season and having a former coach back in the hot seat: Larvik HK remain one of the main contenders to reach the Women’s EHF FINAL4 in Budapest.
In May 2015, they had their first appearance at the pinnacle event of women’s club handball, making it to the final against Buducnost. There, the Norwegian record champions failed to lift their second Champions League trophy after their 2011 success.
In June, Tor Odvar Moen became the successor of Ole Gustav Gjekstad, starting the mission to rejuvenate the team. Defence boss Tonje Larsen ended her career and is now Moen’s assistant on the bench, Linn Sulland has transferred to 2013 and 2014 champions Györ and also line player Isabel Blanco has also left Larvik. Some talented players have joined the squad mainly from the club’s youth programme, and the biggest name among the new arrivals is a well- known face in Larvik: Amanda Kurtovic, who is back, where it all started.
Kurtovic has proven her leader’s qualities in the group matches scoring the team’s maximum 32 goals, two more than Nora Mork who will follow Sulland after this season.
Last season’s runners-up will have a difficult task in the main round to add more points to their account and improve their position before quarter-finals.
Playing hall Arena Larvik Hoffsgate 6 GROUP A FINAL STANDINGS 3262 Larvik Norway Capacity: 4,000 1. Rostov-Don 6 6 0 0 173:148 (25) 12 2. Larvik 6 4 0 2 173:153 (20) 8 3. HCM Baia Mare 6 2 0 4 165:162 (3) 4 Club Address: 4. RK Krim Mercator 6 0 0 6 160:208 (-48) 0 Larvik Sverresgate 7 N-3256 Larvik Norway
Media contact: Group Matches results: Past achievements Per Christian Andersen vs Rostov-Don L21:27 (10:14) +47 33 138 230 @ HCM Baia Mare W31:29 (19:14) Women’s EHF Champions League [email protected] @ RK Krim Mercator W37:21 (21:10) Participations (including 2015/16 vs RK Krim Mercator W32:28 (17:15) season): 17 Online information: @ Rostov-Don L25:26 (14:15) Winners (1): 2010/11 Website: www.larvikhk.no vs HCM Baia Mare W27:22 (12:12) Runners-up (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 Facebook: larvikhk Semi-final (4): 2001/02, 2003/04, Twitter:@LarvikHK Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions 2009/10, 2011/12 League 2015/16 season: Norwegian champions Quarter-final (3): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2006/07 Late entry: Main Round (1): 2013/14 Kit colours Cecilie Wick Ullitz Group Matches (5): 1994/95, 1997/98, Light 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09 Player shirt: white Player short: red Other Goalkeeper shirt: orange Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2004/05, 2007/08, Semi-final 1996/97, 2005/06 Dark EHF Cup: Runners-up 2005/06 Player shirt: black Player short: black Norwegian league: 17 titles (1994, 1997, Goalkeeper shirt: green 2000-03, 2005-2015) Norwegian cup: 15 titles
28 Larvik (NOR)
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 41:20 (24:9) v Dinamo RUS (h), 12.02.2011 Biggest defeat: 29:17 (17:7) v RK Krim Neutro Roberts SLO (a), 10.03.2001 Longest winning run: 15 matches (18.10.2014 – 09.05.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 15 matches (18.10.2014 – 09.05.2015) Longest losing run: 4 matches (03.11.2007 – 05.01.2008) Longest run without win: 5 matches (16.11.2013 – 01.03.2014)
Most goals: 41 v Dinamo RUS 41:20W (h), 12.02.2011 Most goals opponent: 35 v HC ‘Lada Togliatti’ RUS 35:25L (a), 10.11.2007 Most goals both teams: 70 v IK Sävehof SWE 39:31W (h), 13.10.2012 Fewest goals: 13 v Buducnost MNE 23:13L (a), 08.04.2012 Fewest goals opponent: 16 v Oltchim Valcea ROU 22:16W (h), 10.02.2001 16 v Buducnost MNE 28:16W (h), 16.03.2013 Fewest goals both teams: 35 v HC Dinamo RUS 18:17W (h), 08.11.2009
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1994/95 Larvik HK NOR 6 2 1 3 141:144 -3 5:7 3rd Gr. A 1997/98 Larvik HK NOR 6 3 0 3 165:150 +15 6:6 3rd Gr. C 2000/01 Larvik HK NOR 8 5 0 3 193:181 +12 10:6 1/4-finals 2001/02 Larvik HK NOR 10 7 1 2 262:253 +9 15:5 1/2-finals 2002/03 Larvik HK NOR 8 4 1 3 216:193 +23 9:7 1/4-finals 2003/04 Larvik HK NOR 10 5 1 4 287:262 +25 11:9 1/2-finals 2005/06 Larvik HK NOR 6 3 0 3 153:154 -1 6:6 3rd Gr. A 2006/07 Larvik HK NOR 8 5 0 3 236:211 +25 10:6 1/4-finals 2007/08 Larvik HK NOR 6 2 0 4 166:179 –13 4:8 3rd Gr. C 2008/09 Larvik HK NOR 6 3 0 3 179:169 +10 6:6 3rd Gr. C 2009/10 Larvik HK NOR 14 10 0 4 365:339 +26 20:8 1/2-finals 2010/11 Larvik NOR 16 13 0 3 469:376 +93 26:6 Winner 2011/12 Larvik NOR 14 6 2 6 336:330 +6 14:14 1/2-finals 2012/13 Larvik NOR 16 10 0 6 435:379 +56 20:12 Runner-up 2013/14 Larvik NOR 12 5 2 5 304:280 +24 12:12 3rd MR Gr. 2 2014/15 Larvik NOR 16 15 0 1 444:355 +89 30:2 Runner-up Total 162 98 8 56 4351:3955 +396 204:120
29 Larvik (NOR) Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
20 Frida Helene Bjaaland NOR Left Back 05/07/1995 Porsgrunn, NOR 179 14 Kristine Breistøl NOR Left Back 23/08/1993 Oslo, NOR 191 24 8 Karoline Dyhre Breivang NOR Centre Back 10/05/1980 Oslo, NOR 172 7 4 Marit Malm Frafjord NOR Line Player 25/11/1985 Tromso, NOR 182 11 21 Helene Glemming NOR Right Wing 03/01/1997 Oslo, NOR 171 3 Anja Hammerseng-Edin NOR Back 05/02/1983 Porsgrunn, NOR 179 4 10 Gro Hammerseng-Edin NOR Centre Back 10/04/1980 Gjovik, NOR 180 18 13 Vilde Ingeborg Johansen NOR Line Player 25/07/1994 Tønsberg, NOR 1 11 Linn-Kristin Koren Riegelhuth NOR Right Wing 01/08/1984 Lorenskog, NOR 175 22 Amanda Kurtovic NOR Right Back 25/07/1991 Karlskrona, NOR 176 32 23 Lena Lowe NOR Left Back 20/03/1997 Tønsberg, NOR 9 Nora Mørk NOR Right Back 05/04/1991 Oslo, NOR 167 30 19 Thea Mørk NOR Left Wing 05/04/1991 Oslo, NOR 168 18 5 Jenny Osnes Graesholt NOR Right Wing 05/01/1989 Oslo, NOR 167 17 Mari Kristine Søbstad Molid NOR Back 08/08/1990 Trondheim, NOR 178 3 22 Sanna Charlotte Solberg NOR Left Wing 16/06/1990 Bærum, NOR 178 13 17 Tine Stange NOR Left Back 14/05/1986 Tønsberg, NOR 179 1 18 Hanne Svela NOR Centre Back 18/06/1996 Stavanger, NOR 173 28 Alina Wojtas POL Left Back 21/03/1987 Nowy Sacz, POL 191
1 Sandra Toft DEN Goalkeeper 18/10/1989 Gribskov, DEN 176 12 Alma Hasanic MNE Goalkeeper 13/05/1989 Sije, BIH 176 Cecilie Wick Ullitz NOR Goalkeeper 1/11/1997 Tønsberg, NOR
Tor Odvar Moen coach • has made a comeback to the job as head coach ahead of the 2015/16 season, succeeding Ole Gustav Gjekstad, to whom he was assistant coach for the previous three and a half years • has been with Larvik since 1997, taking care of several different jobs in the club • head coach in the club for the second time, as he took over at New Year 2011, as now late Karl Erik Bohn left with immediate effect • led Larvik to the club’s only CL triumph so far – in 2011 • has his strongest qualities in the tactical area and in communication with the players
30 Sanna Solberg Sandra Toft left wing goalkeeper • joined Larvik from Norwegian league colleagues • her 25th birthday on 18 October 2014 marked her Stabaek in the summer of 2014. debut in the CL (against Metz Handball) • 2014/15 is her first CL season, she has European • 2014/15 is her first season outside her native experience from the Cup Winners` Cup with country Denmark after she came from Holstebro Stabaek, though. • became number one for Denmark when Karin • her twin sister Silje plays for Danish league club Mortensen and Christina Nymand Pedersen quit the Team Tvis Holstebro as a goalkeeper national team after the London Olympics 2012 • Silje had played 36 internationals already, when • broke a neck vertebra in a car accident in 2009 Sanna had her debut in the autumn of 2013. and was close to being paralysed from the neck down – she was back on the court in five months EHF EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015
Gro Hammerseng-Edin Kristine Breistøl left back left back • World Handball Player of the year (2007) • joined Larvik from the club’s former rivals Bækkelaget in 2012 • excluding the 2011 WCh title and the 2012 Olympic gold - she has the same medals as Riegelhuth-Koren • had her break-through on the international stage scoring 13 goals away to Rostov in 2015/16 • several times the 32-year-old Norwegian was CL group matches nominated for All-Star Teams at major tournaments • benefits a lot from her height - 191 cm; has 37 • in 2011 she was a key part of Larvik’s CL winning junior internationals for Norway team • her older cousin Sara Breistøl also played • in 2013 she retired from the national team handball at top level, representing Larvik and the Norwegian national team EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2004 OG: G 2008, WCh: S 2001, 2007, EHF EURO: G 2004, 2006, 2010, S 2002
Anja Hammerseng-Edin Marit Malm Frafjord centre back line player • awarded the MVP at the EHF EURO 2012 after she • used to play for Larvik’s rivals Byasen, but led Norway to the silver medal joined Larvik in 2014 after a three year long foreign adventure at Viborg HK • also for her club team she has proven to be extremely valuable – at orchestrating Larvik’s • crucial in the centre of defence as well in the attacking play attack, to Larvik and the Norwegian national team • played in Gerpen and Storhamar before she • an Achilles tendon injury kept her out of the joined Larvik in 2012 last part of last season, and the first half of this one, but since new year, she has been back at full • in the 2013 summer she got married to her strength teammate Gro Hammerseng.
EHF EURO: S 2012, WCh: B 2009 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2014 OG: G 2008, 2012, EHF EURO: G 2006, 2008, 2010, S 2012, WCh: G 2011, S 2007, B 2009
Nora Mørk Amanda Kurtovic right back right wing • best scorer of the Norwegian team at the EHF • made a comeback to Larvik in summer 2015 after EURO 2014 (41 goals) three years joining from league colleagues Oppsal • voted the best right back of the EHF EURO 2014 • for a long time, she seemed to be heading for Danish Nykobing Falster, but ended in Larvik • can also play on the right wing, her twin sister and teammate Thea plays on the left wing • mainly seen as back up to Nora Mork in the right back after Linn Jorum Sulland has left for Györ • joined Larvik in the 2009/10 season and debuted in the national team in 2010 as 19-year-old • has been bothered quite a lot by injuries through her career and an injury also meant that she missed • in 2013/14 she had her record-breaking CL the triumph of winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in season so far with 71 goals 2014 with Danish Viborg HK EC trophies: CL 2011 OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011, 2015 EHF EURO: G 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2015
31 GROUP 1 Fleury Loiret Handball (FRA)
When you win all potential domestic trophies within 12 months and reach the Cup Winners’ Cup final within the same period, you deserve to be among the 16 best teams in Europe: Fleury Loiret Handball started their maiden voyage in the Champions League, after the newly crowned French champions failed to qualify for the flagship competition two years ago losing against WHC Vardar SCBT in qualification.
Coach Frederic Bougeant led his team to the French cup in May 2014, the French league cup in February 2015 and finally the victorious final series in the French championship in May 2015. Maybe the good working relationship with Vardar was one key to their first ever league title, as the Macedonians hosted a ten-day camp with the French to prepare for the MVM EHF FINAL4 in Budapest.
One of the club legends left Fleury, Marta Mangue, legendary Spanish playmaker, who joined Brest, but among the new arrivals, there’s another Spanish top star, line player Elisabeth Chavez. She continues the pattern of extremely tall players at Fleury, as before Russian Elena Polenova had been playing for the club, now the double world champion (2005, 2007), Olympic silver medallist (2008) and Champions League winner (2008) is assistant coach of the second team.
Fleury had to wait for their premiere win in the European top flight until the fourth round, but on the other they also remained unbeaten until the fifth round as they drew in their first three games in Group B. The French newcomers stole one point from a double-header against Hungarian champions FTC and they will open the main round with a promising four-point tally. Playing hall Palais des Sports Aubrais;Orleans 14 rue Eugete Vignat 45000 Orleans France Capacity: 2,800 GROUP B FINAL STANDINGS
Club Address: 1. FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 6 5 1 0 181:146 (35) 11 Fleury Loiret Handball 2. Fleury Loiret Handball 6 2 3 1 144:149 (-5) 7 109 Avenue Louis Gallouedec 45400 Fleury les Aubrais 3. Thüringer HC 6 2 1 3 159:156 (3) 5 France 4. HC Podravka Vegeta 6 0 1 5 117:150 (-33) 1
Media contact: Antony Tahar +33 02 38866267 [email protected] Group Matches results: Past achievements @ Thüringer HC D27:27 (15:15) Online information: vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria D28:28 (14:11) Women’s EHF Champions League Website: www.fleuryloirethandball.com @ HC Podravka Vegeta D20:20 (13:11) Participations (including 2015/16 Facebook: Fleury.Loiret.Handball vs HC Podravka Vegeta W19:17 (11:6) season): 2 Twitter:@FleuryLoiretHB @ FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria L23:36 (24:12) Qualification (1): 2013/14 vs Thüringer HC W27:21 (10:12) Other Kit colours Cup Winners’ Cup: runners-up 2014/15, Light Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions quarter-final 2013/14 Player shirt: white League 2015/16 season: French champions Challenge Cup: semi-final 2011/12 Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Late entries: French league: 1 title (2015) Elsa Deville French cup: 1 title (2014) Dark Audrey Bruneau French League Cup: 1 title (2015) Player shirt: black-pink Player short: pink Left the club: Goalkeeper shirt: blue Beatriz Fernandez Ibanez (ESP)
32 Fleury Loiret Handball
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 27:21 (10:12) v Thüringer HC (h), 06.01.2016 Biggest defeat: 23:36 (12:24) v FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria (a), 22.11.2015 Longest winning run: 1 match (08.11.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 4 matches (08.11.2014 – 01.11.2015) Longest losing run: 1 match (22.11.2015) Longest run without win: 3 matches (18.10.2015 – 01.11.2015)
Most goals: 28 v FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria 28:28D (h), 25.10.2015 Most goals opponent: 36 v FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria 23:36L (a), 22.11.2015 Most goals both teams: 59 v FTC Rail Cargo Hungaria 23:36L (a), 22.11.2015 Fewest goals: 19 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 19:17 (h), 08.11.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 17 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 19:17 (h), 08.11.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 36 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 19:17 (h), 08.11.2015
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached N/A
33 Fleury Loiret Handball Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
8 Mélissa Agathe FRA Right Back 06/06/1994 Saint-Pierre de la Réunion, FRA 175 6 3 Anais Atila FRA Centre Back 24/03/1999 Amilly, FRA 168 15 Audrey Bruneu FRA Left Back 21/09/1992 Clichy-la-Garenne, FRA 189 2 Pauline Cabassu FRA Left Wing 21/08/1996 Aix-en-Provence, FRA 166 86 Alexandrina Cabral Barbosa ESP Back 05/05/1986 Lisbon, POR 175 33 14 Elisabeth Chavez Hernandez ESP Line Player 17/11/1990 Tenerife, ESP 192 1 39 Hadja Cisse FRA Left Back 07/03/1991 Epernay, FRA 183 88 Elsa Deville FRA Right Wing 13/06/1996 La Teste de Buch, FRA 170 Laura Dorp FRA Line Player 26/07/1996 Saint-Doulchard, FRA 173 25 Aminata Doucoure FRA Left Wing 12/01/1994 Noisy-le-Grand, FRA 175 7 Béatriz Fernandez Ibanez ESP Back 19/03/1985 Santander, ESP 180 1 9 Alizée Gérard FRA Centre Back 14/10/1998 Orléans, FRA 176 4 Clémence Grangy FRA Right Wing 04/09/1998 Chateauroux, FRA 155 78 Manon Grimaud FRA Left Wing 12/04/1996 Marseille, FRA 172 34 Juliette Guerrier FRA Back 04/02/1996 Rouen, FRA 170 13 Manon Houette FRA Left Wing 02/07/1992 Le Mans, FRA 171 15 9 Laura Kamdop FRA Line Player 14/09/1990 Chartres, FRA 182 7 17 Marta Lopez Herrero ESP Right Wing 04/02/1990 Malaga, ESP 165 5 4 Daniela Alejandra Miño Larenas CHI Right Wing 10/10/1996 Las Condes, Santiago, CHI 174 1 77 Roseline Ngo Leyi FRA Line Player 27/04/1993 Paris, FRA 173 1 10 Diankenba Nianh FRA Left Back 14/02/1996 Vierzon, FRA 181 29 Gnonsiane Niombla FRA Back 09/07/1990 Villeurbanne, FRA 172 24 27 Estelle Nze Minko FRA Back 11/08/1991 Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, FRA 176 16 26 Axelle Ruel FRA Line Player 14/11/1996 Le Mans, FRA 176 18 Claire Scheid FRA Back 08/07/1997 Brest, FRA 185 11 Maakan Tounkara FRA Right Wing 12/03/1983 Epernay, FRA 165 7 5 Aida Viloria Ponsarnau ESP Left Back 05/02/1997 Martorell, ESP 181
12 Darly Zoqbi De Paula ESP Goalkeeper 25/08/1982 Ponte Nova, BRA 178 94 Audrey Nganmogne FRA Goalkeeper 14/11/1994 Yaoundé, CMR 178 72 Cécilia Errin FRA Goalkeeper 13/12/1998 Pointe-à-Pitre, FRA 185 97 Julie Foggea FRA Goalkeeper 28/08/1990 Les Abymes, FRA 182 1 Jade Honsai FRA Goalkeeper 18/10/1997 St Jean de Braye, FRA 175
Frederic Bougeant coach • arrived in 2012 from French rivals Le Havre and immediately began to build a squad in order to reach the CL • in three seasons, he has already won three trophies and lead his girls to the Cup Winners’ Cup finals • not a stranger to European competitions, since he won the Challenge Cup with Le Havre in 2012 • speaks perfect Spanish, a key factor to draft good players from abroad
EC trophies : Challenge Cup 2012
34 Darly Zoqbi de Paula Manon Houette goalkeeper left wing • acquired the Spanish nationality in 2014, in order • another player who has spent her entire to play with the national team professional career in Fleury Loiret • arrived in Europe in 2002, played with various • fun fact, she played every minute of every game Spanish and French clubs before signing to Fleury in Fleury’s Cup Winners’ Cup campaign last season in 2013 • quick and very efficient, she was elected best • knew Fred Bougeant from her four years in Le left winger of the French league for two seasons Havre, where they reached the EHF Cup semi-finals (2013/14 and 2014/15) in 2008, won two French national cups and took • made her national team debut last season, and part in the Cup Winners’ Cup final 2014/15 has been a regular fixture since • firm fan favourite in Fleury, where her Panther outfit has become one of the symbols of the club
Alexandrina Barbosa Gnonsiane Niombla left back centre back • signed from Thüringer in the summer of 2014 • arrived in 2010 in Fleury and has gradually moved up the steps • very quick, very powerful, one of the best left back on the continent and definitely Fleury’s • Bougeant sees her as “the boss on the court” in his sharpest offensive weapon team, in charge of the centre back position for two seasons • former Portugese citizen, she now has a Spanish passport and has reached the final of the last EURO • part of the new “France team”, first drafted in with her now national team 2013, she now is a real competition for Allison Pineau on her position • at 29 already played in five different countries: Portugal, Spain, Romania, Germany and France and took part in one CL final, in 2011 with Itxaco EURO: S 2014
Laura Kamdop Elisabeth Chavez Hernandez line player line player • has a very impressive mobility for a strongly built • the last Spanish recruit of the squad, and arrived body this summer after playing for three seasons in Nice • Bougeant presents her as one of his prides, since • already records 130 games with Spain national he has helped her develop into a national player team • has worn only one jersey in her entire career, the • even though she can attack very well, she is best Fleury Loiret Handball one at defending and hence doesn’t score a lot of goals • one of her best mates is Gnonsiane Niombla, • has already claimed that with so many Spanish both live in the same building and Gnons appreciate players around, Fleury felt like “home away from Laura for her down-to-earth, very realistic state of home” mind EURO: S 2008, 2014, WCh: B 2011; OG: B 2012
Estelle Nze Minko Marta Lopez Herrero right back right wing • transferred from Nantes in summer 2015 • another Spanish recruit who signed back in 2012 • played her first international game with France • currently the number one right winger in the in October 2014 Spanish squad, she was a finalist at the last EURO • has completed a bachelor in communication last • one of the most powerful right winger in the summer; waited until the end of her studies to sign circuit, her 1-vs-1 skills are especially impressive in Fleury • elected best right winger in the French league in • started her career on the left wing, but can now 2014, but suffered a severe knee injury which made play all positions on the backcourt her miss half of the 2014/15 season
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2011 EURO: S 2014; OG: B 2012
35 GROUP 1 Thüringer HC (GER)
Herbert Müller is in his sixth season as the coach of Thüringer HC. After leading the East German team to five straight national championship titles since 2011, the faces in his team have changed significantly. Right in THC’s tenth Bundesliga season, some key players have left, mainly from the back court positions like the two German internationals Nadja Nadgornaja (THC’s top scorer in last season’s EHF Champions League) to Dortmund or tall shooter Franziska Mietzner to Leipzig. Petra Popluharova ended her career and Yuliya Snopova transferred to Ankara.
In addition, Thüringer HC have been hit extremely hard by long-term injuries like newcomer Beate Scheffknecht, left wing Sonja Frey, German national team goalkeeper Jana Krause, Czech playmaker Iveta Luzumova and also Slovakian left-handed versatile player Lydia Jakubisova.
The biggest hopes among the new arrivals is the youngest newcomer the Romanian international Eliza Buceschi, who was awarded best young player of the 2014/15 Champions League season and arrived from Romanian runners-ups Baia Mare. She scored 25 goals in the group matches as the second best scorer after Svenja Huber.
One point which THC have taken to the main round will mean Müller & Co are facing a tough task to emulate last year’s quarter-final appearance.
Playing hall Wiedigsburghalle Nordhausen August-Bebel-Platz 6 99734 Nordhausen GROUP B FINAL STANDINGS Germany Capacity: 2,218 1. FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 6 5 1 0 181:146 (35) 11 2. Fleury Loiret Handball 6 2 3 1 144:149 (-5) 7 Club Address: 3. Thüringer HC 6 2 1 3 159:156 (3) 5 Thüringer HC 4. HC Podravka Vegeta 6 0 1 5 117:150 (-33) 1 Mittelhäuser Str. 21 99089 Erfurt Germany
Media contact: Bernd Hohnstein +49 179 4649 389 Group Matches results: Past achievements [email protected] vs Fleury Loiret Handball T27:27 (15:15) @ HC Podravka Vegeta W27:21 (11:13) Women’s EHF Champions League Online information: vs FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria L27:30 (13:18) Participations (including 2015/16 Website: www.thueringer-hc.de @ FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria L28:32 (12:19) season): 5 Facebook: ThueringerHC vs HC Podravka Vegeta W29:19 (13:6) Quarter-final (1): 2014/15 Twitter:@ThueringerHC @ Fleury Loiret Handball L21:27 (12:10) Main Round (1): 2013/14 Group Matches (2): 2011/12, 2012/13 Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions Kit colours League 2015/16 season: German champions Other Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2012/13 Light Late entry: Challenge Cup: runners-up 2008/09 Player shirt: white Audrey Deroin Player short: black German league: 5 titles (2011, 2012, Goalkeeper shirt: black 2013, 2014, 2015) Dark German cup: 2 titles Player shirt: red Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: green
36 Thüringer HC (GER)
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 33:20 (14:11) v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO (h), 19.10.2014 Biggest defeat: 36:18 (17:9) v Larvik NOR (a), 11.04.2015 Longest winning run: 3 matches (08.02.2014 – 02.03.2014) 3 matches (15.11.2014 – 31.01.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 4 matches (08.02.2014 – 08.03.2014) 4 matches (13.02.2015 – 15.03.2015) Longest losing run: 5 matches (02.10.2011 – 06.11.2011) Longest run without win: 6 matches (02.10.2011 – 13.11.2011)
Most goals: 36 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), 06.10.2013 Most goals opponent: 36 v Larvik NOR 36:18L (a), 11.04.2015 Most goals both teams: 65 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), 06.10.2013 Fewest goals: 14 v Buducnost MNE 23:14L (a), 09.11.2014 Fewest goals opponent: 19 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 29:19W (h), 21.11.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 37 v Buducnost MNE 23:14L (a), 09.11.2014
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2011/12 Thüringer HC GER 6 0 1 5 139:163 -24 1:11 4th Gr. A 2012/13 Thüringer HC GER 6 3 0 3 146:153 -7 6:6 3rd Gr. D 2013/14 Thüringer HC GER 12 5 1 6 316:321 -5 11:13 3rd MR Gr. 1 2014/15 Thüringer HC GER 14 7 1 6 367:364 +3 15:13 1/4-finals Total 38 15 3 20 968:1001 -33 33:43
37 Thüringer HC (GER) Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
8 Linda Bach GER Left Wing 12/11/1996 Erfurt, GER 170 23 Marieke Blase GER Left Back 06/01/1994 Oldenburg, GER 178 7 Eliza Iulia Buceschi ROU Left Back 01/08/1993 Baia Mare, ROU 178 25 92 Audrey Deroine FRA Right Wing 06/09/1989 Chatenay Malabry, FRA 174 19 Katrin Engel AUT Right Back 02/05/1984 Mistelbach, AUT 173 23 5 Sonja Frey AUT Left Wing 22/04/1993 Wien, AUT 169 5 10 Franziska Fuhrmann GER Line Player 23/01/1989 Erfurt, GER 177 9 Lucia Hruscakova SVK Left Back 02/08/1982 Kosice, SVK 177 30 Svenja Huber GER Right Wing 23/10/1985 Mannheim, GER 168 26 28 Lydia Jakubisova SVK Right Wing 14/10/1981 Bojnice, SVK 168 6 Josephine Kessler GER Wing 14/10/1996 Erfurt, GER 170 18 Iveta Luzumova CZE Centre Back 03/04/1989 Pisek, CZE 175 20 11 Crina Elena Pintea ROU Line Player 03/04/1990 Podu Turcului, ROU 186 12 7 Lotte Prak NED Back 28/11/1992 Niedorp, NED 170 2 Natalia Reshetnikova RUS Left Wing 16/04/1991 Ischewsk, RUS 162 3 4 Beate Scheffknecht AUT Left Back 27/02/1990 Innsbruck, AUT 175 1 13 Meike Schmelzer GER Line Player 19/07/1993 Wiesbaden, GER 173 10 14 Danick Snelder NED Line Player 22/05/1990 Pijnacker, NED 178 1 24 Anouk Van de Wiel NED Right Back 10/07/1992 Venlo, NED 188 31 Kerstin Wohlbold GER Centre Back 11/01/1984 Friedrichshafen, GER 169 12
1 Jana Krause GER Goalkeeper 10/06/1987 München, GER 186 12 Dinah Eckerle GER Goalkeeper 16/10/1995 Leonberg, GER 174 12 Lucie Satrapová CZE Goalkeeper 03/07/1989 Havlickuv Brod, CZE 183
Herbert Müller coach • born in Romania, his previous coaching experience includes Romanian side Brasov • also the head coach of the Austria national team • since he started coaching, his assistant has always been his brother, Helfried • led Nürnberg to their first-ever CL qualification, then won four straight German titles with Thüringer. • former mathematics lecturer
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2004
38 Jana Krause Sonja Frey goalkeeper left wing • number one goalkeeper following the retirement • also coached by Müller in the Austria national of Maike März team • started her career in Munich, in Nürnberg she • signed for THC when she was only 19 was coached by Müller • MVP at the U19 EHF EURO in 2011 • played for four years in Buxtehude before she • started her career at WAT Fünfhaus and Fivers in joined THC in 2013 Vienna • studies international management • also works as a physiotherapist
W 19 EURO: B 2011
Eliza Julia Buceschi Kerstin Wohlbold Left back centre back • voted the best young player of the 2014/15 CL • back after a nine-month injury break (rupture of season the cruciate ligament) • started her career at former Romanian • in her business life a teacher at a primary school champions Valcea, then transferred to Baia Mare, • won the German championship six times in where she became domestic champion in 2014 Nürnberg and THC – always with Müller as her coach • top scorer of Baia Mara and Romanian league in • one of her hobbies is snowboarding the 2014/15 season • the ‘extended arm’ of Herbert Müller on the • THC is her first club abroad, moved to Germany in court summer 2015 • part of the Romanian national team like her THC teammate Crina Pintea
WCh: B 2015
Danick Snelder Katrin Engel line player right back • part of the Dutch national team • started her career at Hypo and had her first appearance in the women’s team at the age of 16 • new number one line player at THC after Anja Althaus transferred to Vardar • has won already ten national championships – five with Hypo in Austria, one with Nürnberg and • All Star Team at the U19 EHF EURO 2009 in four consecutive (2011-2014) with THC in Germany Hungary. • top scorer of the 2009 WCh in China • four German championship titles with THC • scored 785 goals in 195 matches for the Austrian • best Dutch line player in the 2009/10 season, national team so far when playing for Hellas in Den Haag
WCh: S 2015
Audrey Deroin Svenja Huber right wing right wing • joined THC in December after her former club • arrived at Thüringer HC in December 2013 after Mios Biganos got bankrupt and signed a contract the German champions had a long list of injured left until the end of the season handed players • played 112 international matches for France and • played her first major tournament - the EHF EURO was part of the French squad at the 2012 Olympic 2014 in Croatia and Hungary - at the age of 29 Games in London • expert for fast breaks and penalty shots. • replaced long-term injured Slovak Lydia • born in the same city as German male national Jakubisova team captain Uwe Gensheimer – Mannheim. • Twice French cup winner with Toulon Saint Cyr • in business life worked as a sports journalist Var
EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2015 WCh: S 2009, S 2011, U17 EURO: B 2005
39 GROUP 1 HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
16 players departed, 14 newcomers arrived and to complete the full transition of HCM Baia Mare, the coach and the president also have changed. During their second appearance in the Women’s EHF Champions League, the Romanian side just missed a place in the MVM EHF FINAL4 2015 with a quarter-final defeat against Dinamo.
After the club lost their league finals against CSM Bucuresti, it was time for the winds of change to blow. Coach Tone Tiselj was replaced by Aurelian Rosca, the former Oltchim assistant coach and the man who led Romania’s national team to the gold medal in the 2014 U18 World Championship.
The team has changed completely over the last summer. Norwegian Olympic, world and EHF EURO champion Camilla Herrem, Brazilian world champion Barbara Arenhart (both to Denmark) and Romanian talent Eliza Buceschi (to German champions Thüringer HC) have left however other big names such as former IHF Player of the Year, Allison Pineau and Croatian Katarina Jezic have arrived.
The new squad worked well during their pre-season despite the injuries of Paula Ungureanu and Elena Gjeorgjievska. Under the fresh leadership of Rosca, Baia Mare remain unbeaten in preparation and also in the qualification tournament they hosted, however they failed to live up to their expectation in a tough group where they lost all matches against the Russian Playing hall newcomers from Rostov and Larvik. Sala Polivalenta Lascar Pana Bd. Unirii Nr.14 A For the second time in a row Baia Mare will start the main round with zero points but their last 430272 Baia Mare - Maramures year’s quarer-final surge proves that nothing is lost yet. Romania Capacity: 2,080
Club Address: GROUP A FINAL STANDINGS HCM Baia Mare BD.Bucuresti Nr. 47 A 1. Rostov-Don 6 6 0 0 173:148 (25) 12 430012 Baia Mare 2. Larvik 6 4 0 2 173:153 (20) 8 Romania 3. HCM Baia Mare 6 2 0 4 165:162 (3) 4 4. RK Krim Mercator 6 0 0 6 160:208 (-48) 0 Media contact: Ramona Ioana Pop +40744839987 Group Matches results: [email protected] @ RK Krim Mercator W33:27 (16:15) Past achievements vs Larvik L29:31 (14:19) Online information: vs Rostov-Don L20:22 (10:13) Women’s EHF Champions League Website: www.hcmbaiamare.ro @ Rostov-Don L26:27 (15:14) Participations (including 2015/16 Facebook: hcm.baiamare.official vs RK Krim Mercator W35:28 (16:14) season): 3 @ Larvik L22:27 (12:12) Quarter-final (1): 2014/15 Group matches (1): 2013/14 Qualification for the Women’s Champions League 2015/16 season: Romanian runners-up, Other Kit colours winner of qualification tournament 2 Challenge Cup: runners-up 2002/03 Light Player shirt: red Romanian league: 1 title (2014) Player short: red Romanian cup: 3 titles Goalkeeper shirt: black Dark Player shirt: white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: green
40 HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
Biggest win: 34:24 (18:12) v IK Sävehof SWE(h), 01.03.2015 32:22 (17:11) v Viborg HK A/S DEN (h), 15.03.2015 Biggest defeat: 21:33 (10:16) v Györi Audi ETO KC HUN (h), 12.10.2013 Longest winning run: 2 matches (15.02.2015-01.03.2015) 2 matches (15.03.2015-04.04.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 2 matches (15.02.2015-01.03.2015) 2 matches (15.03.2015-04.04.2015) Longest losing run: 3 matches (25.10.2014-5.11.2014) 3 matches (23.10.2015-7.11.2015) Longest run without win: 3 matches (25.10.2014-5.11.2014) 3 matches (23.10.2015-7.11.2015)
Most goals: 35 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 35:28W (h), 14.11.2015 Most goals opponent: 36 v Thüringer HC GER 36:29L (a), 06.10.2013 Most goals both teams: 65 v Thüringer HC GER 36:29L (a), 06.10.2013 Fewest goals: 18 v Györi Audi ETO KC 18:26L (h), 08.02.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 19 v Thüringer HC GER 20:19W (h), 10.11.2013 Fewest goals both teams: 39 v Thüringer HC GER 20:19W (h), 10.11.2013
Women’s EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2013/14 HCM Baia Mare ROU 6 2 0 4 140:162 -22 4:8 4th Gr. A 2014/15 HCM Baia Mare ROU 14 7 0 7 370:370 0 14:14 1/4-finals Total 20 9 0 11 510:532 -22 18:22
41 HCM Baia Mare (ROU) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Goals 10 Lois Abbingh NED Centre Back 13.8.1992 Groningen, NED 177 26 15 Valentina Neli Ardean Elisei ROU Left Wing 5.6.1982 Focsani, ROU 171 17 14 Alexandra L. Ciunt ROU Left Back 14.6.1992 Simisna, ROU 184 3 Alexandra Priscilla Do Nascimento BRA Right Wing 16.9.1981 Sao Paulo, BRA 179 12 5 Melinda Geiger ROU Right Back 28.3.1987 Baia Mare, ROU 174 19 18 Elena Gjeorgjievska MKD Right Back 27.3.1990 Struga, MKD 179 2 17 Katarina Jezic CRO Line Player 19.12.1992 Rijeka, CRO 173 16 8 Andrada Maior Pasca ROU Left Wing 21.2.1993 Baia Mare, ROU 168 22 Luciana Andreea Marin ROU Centre Back 13.10.1988 Slatina, ROU 176 4 77 Adriana Nicoleta Nechita ROU Right Wing 14.11.1983 Bailesti, ROU 172 6 4 Ioana Laura Oltean ROU Centre Back 20.7.1989 Bistrita, ROU 174 1 11 Gabriela Perianu ROU Left Back 20.6.1994 Braila, ROU 186 5 7 Allison Marie Pineau FRA Centre Back 2.5.1989 Chartres, FRA 180 45 2 Aneta Pirvut ROU Right Wing 22.6.1989 Dr. Severin, ROU 166 44 Gabriela Preda ROU Left Back 22.7.1987 Tirgu Neamt, ROU 184 1 9 Ibolya Gabriella Szucs HUN Left Back 31.8.1984 Oradea, ROU 184 6 Ana-Maria Tanasie ROU Left Wing 6.4.1995 Hunedoara, ROU 170 5 23 Timea Judita Tatar ROU Line Player 28.7.1989 Baia Mare, ROU 175 95 Bianca Elena Tiron ROU Left Back 31.5.1995 Iasi, ROU 180 25 Andrada Cynthia Tomescu ROU Line Player 30.7.1991 Baia Mare, ROU 180 88 Patricia Maria Vizitiu ROU Right Back 15.10.1988 Petrosani, ROU 177 6 73 Madalina Maria Zamfirescu ROU Centre Back 31.10.1994 Rm. Valcea, ROU 178
16 Yuliya Dumanska ROU Goalkeeper 15.8.1996 Gorodenka, UKR 177 12 Ionica Munteanu ROU Goalkeeper 7.1.1979 Bucharest, ROU 175 30 Paula Claudia Ungureanu ROU Goalkeeper 30.3.1980 Brasov, ROU 181
Aurelian Rosca coach • first started handball as a player, but retired at only 21 years old to focus on coaching • before an important game, he stays up all night to thoroughly explore the opponent’s weaknesses • considered one of the best youth coaches in the history of Romanian handball, with gold medals with the Under18 team in EURO 1999 and WCh 2014 • has been an assistant coach at Oltchim Ramnicu Valcea from 2009 to 2013
42 Paula Ungureanu Valentina Elisei goalkeeper left wing • twice named the “best handball player in • one of the most experienced players in Baia Romania”, in 2012 and 2014 Mare’s roster • after Luminita Hutupan’s retirement in 2009, she • after a ligament tear, made a one-year break from became Romania’s first choice in the goal handball and had a baby, Robert, in January 2013 • after a ligament tear in 2010 she has taken a two- • signed only two weeks after the birth year hiatus and had a baby, Paul, in January 2012 • will split her duties with Norwegian ace Camilla • her husband is a football player, also a Herrem, who came to Baia Mare in the 2014 goalkeeper, and has followed Paula almost summer, from Byasen Trondheim everywhere she played
WCh: S 2005, B 2015, EURO: B 2010 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007, Champions Trophy 2007, Challenge Cup 2002 WCh: S 2005, B 2015, EURO: B 2010
Lois Abbingh Allison Pineau left back centre back • played four years at German side VfL Oldenburg • French star has been named the “World Player of (2010-2014) before she transferred to Baia Mare last the Year” in 2012 summer • suffered two knee injuries, but came back more • made her comeback on the court after an eight- powerful than before month injury break in January 2015 • a social-media addict, she has a page on which • top scorer and member of the All-star team at the she posts on a daily basis and has over 43,000 fans 2010 U18 World Championship and top scorer of the • after leaving Oltchim in 2013, she changed three 2011 U19 EHF EURO with the Netherlands clubs – Vardar Skopje, Krim Ljubljana and HBC Nimes • top scorer of the Dutch league in the 2009/10 season at the age of only 18 WCh: S 2015 WCh: S 2009, 2011, EURO: B 2010
Katarina Jezic Melinda Geiger line player right back • joined Baia Mare in the summer of 2015 after • most expensive Romanian player ever, after stints with Lokomotiva Zagreb and Buducnost Oltchim paid 50.000 euros to Baia Mare in 2010 • the Croatian player has represented her country • her favourite movie is “The Notebook”, while she at all age categories doesn’t miss any movie that features Bruce Willis • first taken up swimming, but she decided that • her models in handball are Bojana Radulovics and handball was her big passion Gro Hammerseng • first started wearing the “mohawk” when she was • after only three years of handball, she was 14, spends 20 minutes a day for her hairstyle and featuring in Baia Mare’s roster at 16 years of age uses a lot of gel EURO: B 2010, WCh: B 2015
Adriana Nechita Alexandra do Nascimento right back right wing • one of the most experienced players in the team • after 11 seasons played for Hypo she took a new challenge and accepted Baia Mare’s offer in 2014 • her passion is photography and modeling, acted as a reporter for different Romanian TV stations • 2012 World Handball Player of the Year • followed by nearly 7,000 people on her official • with over 500 goals scored over 13 seasons one Facebook account of the top scorers of the CL history • shares the position with Brazilian stalwart • her husband, the Chilean right wing Patricio Alexandra do Nascimento Martinez, followed her to Baia Mare and plays for the men’s team
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007, Champions Trophy 2007 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2013 EURO: B 2010, WCh: B 2015 WCh: G 2013, Panamerican Games: G 2003, 2007, 2011
43 Group 2 preview
GROUP 2 STANDINGS
1. Buducnost 4 3 1 0 109:83 (26) 7 2. CSM Bucuresti 4 2 1 1 100:90 (10) 5 3. Györi Audi ETO KC 4 2 1 1 98:97 (1) 5 4. HC Vardar 4 2 0 2 107:94 (13) 4 5. FC Midtjylland 4 1 1 2 87:101 (-14) 3 6. IK Sävehof 4 0 0 4 77:113 (-36) 0
Buducnost head star-studded field eyeing the trophy
The Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round is just around the corner and there is no doubt that handball fans across Europe, still digesting the impressions from last month’s world championship, are eager to see their favourite clubs back in action after the month-long international break. The proverbial “group of death” is probably one of the most exploited clichés to describe a tough pool, but it really is the solitary accurate depiction of what Group 2 has in store.
Of course, its composition is a mouth-watering one, offering a plethora of high-octane clashes between the continent’s top teams, and it would be no surprise if four teams from this group reached the FINAL4 in Budapest. Reigning champions Buducnost will start as the section’s favourites to secure a top-four finish and hence advance into the premier club competition’s knockout stage, having carried seven out of a possible eight points from the group matches. With the bulk of their roster still licking their wounds after Montenegro’s dramatic 26:25 quarter-final defeat by Norway in the world championship, Buducnost will be eager to shake off the disappointment as quickly as possible. They will surely see a rampant start in the main round as the best way to bounce back from the national team’s elimination before the medal rounds. The one player whose spirit will be high no matter what is their Romanian left back Cristina Neagu, who returned to Podgorica with a bronze medal from the 24-nation tournament in Denmark, leading her country’s impressive campaign with a string of superb performances.
Hungarian giants Györi Audi ETO KC, who have locked horns with Buducnost in several spectacular clashes over the past few years, will also expect to advance into the last eight after taking five points into the main round, like Romanian high-flyers CSM Bucuresti. Fourth-placed Vardar, who carried four points, will also view reaching the quarter-finals as a minimum requirement for a talent-packed outfit boasting a myriad of the game’s household names. Györ, however, will sorely miss their towering left back Zsuzsanna Tomori, who suffered a serious knee injury in the world championship, which in turn dealt a bitter blow to Hungary as they were eliminated by Poland in the last 16. But with Anita Görbicz enjoying a second lease of life and playing some of the best handball of her career since the start of the season, Györ should still be able to navigate the group’s rocky waters and pull through to the last eight.
The same goes for CSM Bucuresti and Vardar, whose Serbian duo of Andrea Lekic and Sanja Damnjanovic will be fresh and rested for the main round clashes after missing the world championship as they pulled out of the Serbian national team last year. Denmark’s FC Midtjylland, who have three points, are lurking in fifth place at the moment and will certainly be ready to pounce at any opportunity to break into the top four, should some of their more heralded rivals slip up. Sixth-placed Sävehof, who have no points, have in all likelihood achieved their season’s objective by reaching the main round. However, the Swedish side could spring an upset or two as they are the group’s only team totally devoid of any pressure to earn a quarter- final berth. Zoran Milosavljevic
44 Group 2 head-to-heads Historic encounters of the Group 2 opponents in the EC Györi Audi ETO KC vs Buducnost 7-4-2 (343:311) 18:8 13.05.2006 ZRK Buducnost MONET vs Györi ETO Kezilabda Club, Cup Winners’ Cup – Final 25:25 (12:7) 20.05.2006 Györi ETO Kezilabda Club vs ZRK Buducnost MONET, Cup Winners’ Cup – Final 23:26 (10:14) 07.01.2007 ZRK Buducnost T-Mobile vs Györi Audi ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Group B 25:31 (12:16) 17.02.2007 Györi Audi ETO KC vs ZRK Buducnost T-Mobile, EHF Champions League – Group B 28:20 (13:9) 15.02.2009 Györi AUDI ETO KC vs Buducnost T-Mobile, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2 31:27 (15:14) 28.02.2009 Buducnost T-Mobile vs Györi AUDI ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2 26:26 (9:14) 05.05.2012 Györi AUDI ETO KC vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League – Final 29:27 (13:12) 13.05.2012 Buducnost vs Györi AUDI ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Final 27:25 (13:12) 02.02.2013 Györi Audi ETO KC vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1 27:17 (14:7) 10.03.2013 Buducnost vs Györi Audi ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1 21:22 (12:13) 01.02.2014 Györi Audi ETO KC vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2 23:23 (9:13) 09.03.2014 Buducnost vs Györi Audi ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 2 26:26 (14:12) 04.05.2014 Buducnost vs Györi Audi ETO KC, EHF Champions League MVM EHF FINAL4 – Final 21:27 (10:15)
Györi Audi ETO KC vs IK Sävehof 2-0-0 (73:44) 4:0 26.10.2014 IK Sävehof vs Györi Audi ETO KC, EHF Champions League – Group C 21:38 (8:20) 23.11.2014 Györi Audi ETO KC vs IK Sävehof, EHF Champions League – Group C 35:23 (16:14)
HC Vardar vs Buducnost 0-1-3 (78:96) 1:7 03.05.2014 WHC Vardar SCBT vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League MVM EHF FINAL4 – Semi-final 20:22 AET (16:16, 6:11) 19.10.2014 Buducnost vs WHC Vardar SCBT, EHF Champions League – Group B 23:17 (12:9) 16.11.2014 WHC Vardar SCBT vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League – Group B 24:24 (9:11) 09.05.2015 WHC Vardar SCBT vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League MVM EHF FINAL4 – Semi-final 17:27 (9:14)
HC Vardar vs IK Sävehof 1-1-0 (51:45) 3:1 09.02.2014 IK Sävehof vs WHC Vardar SCBT, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1 27:27 (15:15) 16.03.2014 WHC Vardar SCBT vs IK Sävehof, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1 24:18 (11:9)
FC Midtjylland vs Buducnost 6-0-4 (257:243) 12:8 16.03.2003 RK Buducnost MONET vs Ikast Bording EH, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 28:29 (14:16) 22.03.2003 Ikast Bording EH vs RK Buducnost MONET, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 25:26 (12:14) 04.01.2004 Ikast Bording EH vs RK Buducnost MONET, EHF Champions League – Group B 30:22 (12:11) 15.02.2004 RK Buducnost MONET vs Ikast Bording EH, EHF Champions League – Group B 31:19 (14:8) 16.01.2005 ZRK Buducnost MONET vs Ikast Bording EH, EHF Champions League – Group A 22:27 (14:13) 30.01.2005 Ikast Bording EH vs ZRK Buducnost MONET, EHF Champions League – Group A 32:25 (18:15) 16.10.2011 Buducnost vs FC Midtjylland, EHF Champions League – Group A 28:25 (11:11) 11.11.2011 FC Midtjylland vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League – Group A 34:20 (19:10) 20.10.2013 FC Midtjylland vs Buducnost, EHF Champions League – Group B 21:19 (8:11) 03.11.2013 Buducnost vs FC Midtjylland, EHF Champions League – Group B 22:15 (12:10)
FC Midtjylland vs IK Sävehof 1-1-0 (54:53) 3:1 01.02.2014 FC Midtjylland vs IK Sävehof, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1 25:24 (12:14) 09.03.2014 IK Sävehof vs FC Midtjylland, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 1 29:29 (14:17)
No previous encounters in European competitions Györi Audi ETO KC vs CSM Bucuresti HC Vardar vs CSM Bucuresti FC Midtjylland vs CSM Bucuresti
45 GROUP 2 Buducnost (MNE)
For the second time Buducnost are the hunted, not the hunters. The defending champions have a clear motto based on continuity: “Never change a winning team, neither on court, nor on the bench, in staff or administration”.
Coach Dragan Adzic extended his contract until 2020, all key field players stayed in the Montenegrin capital, the only change occurred between the goal posts: team captain and 2015 MVM EHF FINAL4 MVP Clara Woltering (to Dortmund) as well as Marina Rajcic (to Metz) left Buducnost. So the big responsibility on this key position lies on the shoulders of Croatian international Marta Zderic. At her side, the young goalkeeper talents Ana Rajkovic and Ljubica Nenezic shall grow and learn and just before the main round Adzic wasted no time to sign the Tunisian goalkeeping prodigy Echraf Abdullah who shined at the recent World Championship in Denmark.
In addition, Buducnost remained on their traditional way of including talents into the well- rehearsed and well-balanced squad in their 20th season in the European top flight. There’s no big name among their new arrivals, just young players eager to prove themselves like Djurdjina Malovic, Djurdjina Jaukovic (Women’s 19 EHF EURO 2015 Top Scorer & MVP), Ema Ramusovic, Dijana Ujkic (all from their own youth programme), as well as Serbian Jovana Kovacevic or the 17-year-old Croatian super-talent Matea Pletikosic, best centre back of the Women’s 17 EHF EURO last summer.
Playing hall Another last-minute addition before the transfer deadline was Slovenian right wing Neli Irman who will have to help fill the gap after the team captain Radmila Petrovic was side-lined with S.C. Morača mononucleosis. Str. Ivana Milutinovića b.b. 81000 Podgorica Buducnost is leading the main round group with seven points and despite difficult opponents Montenegro coming their safe passage to the quarter-finals is all but sure. Capacity: 5,000
GROUP D FINAL STANDINGS Club Address: Budućnost 1. Buducnost 6 5 1 0 169:131 (38) 11 Ivana Milutinovica B.B. 81000 Podgorica 2. CSM Bucuresti 6 4 1 1 163:138 (25) 9 Montenegro 3. IK Sävehof 6 2 0 4 138:158 (-20) 4 4. MKS Selgros Lublin 6 0 0 6 141:184 (-43) 0 Media contact: Milos Pavicevic +382 682 226 66 Group Matches results: Past achievements [email protected] / milos_ps@ vs IK Sävehof W33:20 (17:8) yahoo.com @ MKS Selgros Lublin W31:23 (17:13) Women’s EHF Champions League @ CSM Bucuresti W28:22 (15:11) Participations (including 2015/16 Online information: vs CSM Bucuresti D23:23 (12:13) season): 20 Website: www.zrkbuducnost.com @ IK Sävehof W25:18 (14:11) Winners (2): 2011/12, 2014/15 Facebook: ZrkBuducnost vs MKS Selgros Lublin W29:25 (12:13) Runners-up (1): 2013/14 Semi-final (6): 1997/98, 1998/99, Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2010/11 League 2015/16 season: Montenegrin champions Main Round (1): 2012/13 Quarter-final (2): 2002/03, 2003/04 Kit colours Late entries: Last 16 (1): 1995/96 Light Neli Irman Group Matches (6): 1996/97, 2004/05, Player shirt: white Echraf Abdallah 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10 Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: blue Other Dark Cup Winners Cup: Winners 2005/06, Player shirt: blue 2009/10 Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: green Montenegrin league: 27 titles (1985,1989,1990,1992-2015) Montenegrin cup: 20 titles
46 Buducnost
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 39:20 (19:8) v RK Krim Mercator SLO (h), 15.03.2015 Biggest defeat: 36:21 (18:11) v Viborg HK DEN (a), 19.01.1997 Longest winning run: 14 matches (23.11.2014 – 01.11.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 22 matches (19.10.2014 – 20.11.2015) Longest losing run: 7 matches (21.02.2004 – 30.01.2005) Longest run without win: 7 matches (21.02.2004 – 30.01.2005)
Most goals: 40 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 36:40W (a), 04.03.2011 Most goals opponent: 40 v Mar El Osito L’Eliana ESP 26:40L (h), 05.04.1998 Most goals both teams: 76 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 36:40W (a), 04.03.2011 Fewest goals: 16 v Dunaferr SE HUN 16:18L (h), 06.02.2005 16 v Larvik NOR 28:16L (a), 16.03.2013 Fewest goals opponent: 14 v Thüringer HC GER 23:14W (h), 09.11.2014 Fewest goals both teams: 34 v Dunaferr SE HUN 16:18L (h), 06.02.2005
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1996/97 Buducnost Podgorica YUG 6 2 2 2 130:143 –13 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1997/98 Buducnost Podgorica YUG 10 5 1 4 292:305 –13 11:9 1/2-finals 1998/99 Buducnost Podgorica YUG 10 8 1 1 297:238 +59 17:3 1/2-finals 1999/00 Buducnost Podgorica YUG 10 5 2 3 287:274 +13 12:8 1/2-finals 2000/01 Bud. Brillant Podgorica YUG 10 5 3 2 265:246 +19 13:7 1/2-finals 2001/02 Bud. Brillant Podgorica YUG 10 5 2 3 297:277 +20 12:8 1/2-finals 2002/03 RK Buducnost MONET YUG 8 4 0 4 215:216 -1 8:8 1/4-finals 2003/04 RK Buducnost MONET SCG 8 4 0 4 209:219 –10 8:8 1/4-finals 2004/05 ZRK Buducnost MONET SCG 6 1 0 5 141:165 –24 2:10 4th Gr. A 2005/06 ZRK Buducnost MONET SCG 6 3 0 3 150:154 -4 6:6 3rd Gr. C 2006/07 ZRK Buducnost T-Mobile MNE 6 0 0 6 141:174 -33 0:12 4th Gr. B 2007/08 Buducnost T-Mobile MNE 6 1 1 4 153:189 –36 3:9 3rd Gr. D 2008/09 Buducnost T-Mobile MNE 12 6 2 4 317:326 -9 14:10 3rd MR Gr. 2 2009/10 Buducnost T-Mobile MNE 6 2 1 3 138:155 -17 5:7 3rd Gr. D 2010/11 ‘Buducnost’ MNE 14 10 0 4 417:360 +57 20:8 1/2-finals 2011/12 Buducnost MNE 16 14 0 2 453:385 +68 28:4 Winner 2012/13 Buducnost MNE 12 5 1 6 265:273 -8 11:13 3rd MR Gr. 1 2013/14 Buducnost MNE 14 8 3 3 349:298 +51 19:9 Runner-up 2014/15 Buducnost MNE 16 15 1 0 444:326 +118 31:1 Winner Total 186 103 20 63 4960:4723 +237 226:146
47 Buducnost Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
89 Kinga Achruk (Byzdra) POL Centre Back 09/01/1989 Pulawy, POL 181 9 14 Vanesa Agovic MNE Centre Back 30/03/1996 Berane, MNE 184 32 Katarina Bulatovic MNE Right Back 15/11/1984 Kragujevac, SRB 186 38 10 Itana Cavlovic MNE Line Player 27/08/1997 Podgorica, MNE 72 Dragana Cvijic SRB Line Player 15/03/1990 Beograd, SRB 184 14 6 Neli Irman SLO Right Wing 07/04/1986 Celje, SLO 172 9 Djurdjina Jaukovic MNE Left Back 24/02/1997 Niksic, MNE 185 6 24 Jovana Kovacevic SRB 09/04/1996 1 92 Suzana Lazovic MNE Line Player 28/01/1992 Podgorica, MNE 176 2 25 Djurdjina Malovic MNE Right Back 05/05/1996 Niksic, MNE 182 1 77 Majda Mehmedovic MNE Left Wing 25/05/1990 Bar, MNE 169 15 8 Cristina Georgiana Neagu ROU Left Back 26/08/1988 Bucharest, ROU 180 37 88 Biljana Pavicevic MNE Left Wing 12/05/1988 Podgorica, MNE 170 17 6 Ivona Pavicevic MNE Left Wing 21/04/1996 Podgorica, MNE 167 1 2 Radmila Petrovic MNE Right Wing 19/04/1988 Niksic, MNE 174 8 3 Matea Pletikosic CRO 24/04/1998 5 90 Milena Raicevic (Knezevic) MNE Back 12/03/1990 Podgorica, MNE 178 14 66 Ema Ramusovic MNE Line Player 28/11/1996 Berane, MNE 182 1 4 Dijana Ujkic MNE Right Wing 05/07/1996 Podgorica, MNE 172
43 Marta Zderic CRO Goalkeeper 20/04/1990 Metkovic 184 12 Ljubica Nenezic MNE Goalkeeper 15/01/1997 Podgorica 179 1 Ana Rajkovic MNE Goalkeeper 04/09/1996 Podgorica 177 Echraf Abdallah TUN Goalkeeper 14/01/1987
Dragan Adzic coach • retired due to injury in 1998 • almost a decade was an assistant to many coaches in Buducnost • became head coach in 2010 • in 2012 won the CL in May with Buducnost and EHF EURO in December with Montenegro • met his wife Timea after she came to the club as an interpreter to former coach, Hungarian Gyula Zsiga EC trophies: CL 2012, 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
48 Marta Zderic goalkeeper Majda Mehmedovic left wing • playing her ninth consecutive CL season, and her second with Buducnost, after she moved from • her mother played handball as a goalkeeper Podravka in 2013 • started handball in Bar at the age of 12 with her • started as a back, but soon she moved into goal brother Musa and immediately loved it • in Buducnost she chose number 43, the decision • it took her two years to get into the first team to use that unusual number for a goalkeeper was after being signed by Buducnost made by her niece Lara • voted for the 2013/14 CL All-Star Team as the best • despite an early exit at the EHF EURO 2014 on left wing home court in Varazdin she has had an impressive season in the Buducnost goal so far
EC trophies: CL 2015 EC trophies: CL 2012, 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
Biljana Pavicevic Milena Rajcevic (Knezevic) left wing left back • at 2008 Women’s Junior World Championship • started playing handball with her sister Dragana, suffered a severe knee injury followed by two her brother Ivan is a professional soccer player operations, two years of rehabilitation, and two • at 2012 EHF EURO first in assists (29) and shared seasons playing in Biseri and Macedonian Zito Prilep second place in scoring with Anita Görbicz (41 goals) • at the EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia stepped in for the • two-time Montenegrin player of the year game against Hungary and played very well the rest of the tournament, won by Montenegro at the end • voted second best young player of the CL in 2012 • graduated with a degree in Economics EC trophies: CL 2015 EC trophies: CL 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010 EHF EURO: G 2012 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
Cristina Neagu Dragana Cvijic centre back line player • named the World Handball Player of the Year • started handball at the age of 10, first as after leading Romania to bronze medals at the EHF goalkeeper, but being very tall for her age, Dragana’s EURO 2010 first coach put her at left back • top scorer (53 goals) and All-Star member of the • in 2007 at Crvena Zvezda she switched to a line EHF EURO 2010 and the 2014/15 CL season (102 player goals) • joined Buducnost in 2011 just in time to help • missed nearly two of the last four years, after a them on the way to the CL title shoulder injury and a torn ligament in her knee • Serbian national team player voted the best line • lost two CL finals, one with Oltchim (2013) and player of the WCh 2013 one with Buducnost (2014) EC trophies: CL 2015 EC trophies: CL 2012, 2015 EHF EURO: B 2010, WCh: B 2015 WCh: S 2013
Katarina Bulatovic Radmila Petrovic right back right wing • Serbia-born shooter arrived to Buducnost in 2014 • started training handball at 12, in her home town after one-year stints with Oltchim and Györ of Nikšić, where she played for five years as a right back • made it to the CL final for the first time in 2007 with Slagelse • when transferred to Buducnost in 2005, she was moved to the wing • won the CL title with three different clubs - Slagelse, Buducnost and Györ • strong alternative to Jovanka Radicevic in Montenegro national team • key player in Montenegro’s biggest achievements, when she was the top scorer at both the London • in 2014 she won her 100th cap with Montenegro Olympics and EHF EURO in 2012
EC trophies: CL 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010 EC trophies: CL 2012, 2015, Cup Winners’ Cup 2010 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2012
49 GROUP 2 CSM Bucuresti (ROU) It was a big challenge to combine seven sports under one roof, but supported by the city council, a municipal sports club was founded in Bucharest in 2007. In terms of women’s handball true success story began. In the 2011/12 season, the team had its first appearance in the EHF European Cup competitions, four years later, they are now part of the Women’s EHF Champions League.
After becoming Romanian champions for the first time in the club’s history, their goal is not to simply make up the numbers in the Europe’s top flight competition but to fight for the trophy at their first attempt. CSM Bucuresti, however, are not as inexperienced as they might seem. Their squad includes four Brazilian world champions, two Swedish EHF EURO bronze medallists, two Danish World Championship bronze medallists, a Spanish EHF EURO silver medallist and the most experienced player in the Romanian national team.
The squad takes root with the extraordinary goalkeeping duo of Mayssa Pessoa (Brazil) and newcomer Jelena Grubisic. CSM then boast two Swedish EHF EURO MVPs, Isabelle Gullden (2014) and Linnea Torstenson (2010), and newcomers Maria Fisker (Denmark) and Line Jorgensen. Four weeks prior to the start of the Women’s EHF Champions League season, it was announced that the club’s coach, Mette Klit, had left the club by mutual consent. Her successor was found quite quickly in fellow Dane, Kim Rasmussen, who also remained as the Polish women’s national team coach.
With Poland he faced two of his club chargees (Manea and Bradeanu) in the bronze medal match of the World Championship in Denmark last December.
Playing hall In their maiden campaign in the European top flight CSM managed to stop a fourteen-game Sala Polivalenta Ioan Kunst Ghermanescu winning streak of the defending champions of Buducnost and will enter the main round with B-Dul Tineretului, sec. 4 five points. Bucharest Romania Capacity: 5,000 GROUP D FINAL STANDINGS Club Address: Calea Victoriei Street no 126 1. Buducnost 6 5 1 0 169:131 (38) 11 District 1 2. CSM Bucuresti 6 4 1 1 163:138 (25) 9 010094 Bucharest 3. IK Sävehof 6 2 0 4 138:158 (-20) 4 Romania 4. MKS Selgros Lublin 6 0 0 6 141:184 (-43) 0
Media contact: Constantin Caliman +40 721 800304 [email protected] Group Matches results: Past achievements Online information: vs MKS Selgros Lublin W33:21 (14:13) Website: www.csmbucuresti.ro @ IK Sävehof W28:17 (13:9) Women’s EHF Champions League Facebook: CSM-Bucuresti-Oficial vs Buducnost L22:28 (11:15) @ Buducnost D23:23 (12:13) Participations (including 2015/16 @ MKS Selgros Lublin W30:27 (15:13) season): 1 Kit colours vs IK Sävehof W27:22 (13:9) Light Other Player shirt: yellow Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions EHF Cup: Last 16 2011/12 Player short: yellow League 2015/16 season: Romanian champions Goalkeeper shirt: orange Romanian league: 1 title (2015) Romanian cup: - runners-up 2015 Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: green
50 CSM Bucuresti
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 33:21 (14:13) v MKS Selgros Lublin POL (h), 16.10.2015 Biggest defeat: 22:28 (11:15) v Buducnost MNE (h), 1.11.2015 Longest winning run: 2 matches (16.10.2015 – 23.10.2015) 2 matches (13.11.2015 - 20.11.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 3 matches (8.11.2015 – 20.11.2015) Longest losing run: 1 match (1.11.2015) Longest run without win: 2 matches (1.11.2015 - 8.11.2015)
Most goals: 33 v MKS Selgros Lublin POL 33:21W (h), 16.10.2015 Most goals opponent: 28 v Buducnost MNE 22:28L (h), 1.11.2015 Most goals both teams: 57 v MKS Selgros Lublin POL 30:27W (a), 13.11.2015 Fewest goals: 22 v Buducnost MNE 22:28L (h), 1.11.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 17 v IK Sävehof SWE 28:17W (a), 23.10.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 45 v IK Sävehof SWE 28:17W (a), 23.10.2015
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached N/A
51 CSM Bucuresti Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
14 Bianca Bazaliu ROU Left Back 30/07/1997 Slatina, ROU 179 1 15 Aurelia Bradeanu ROU Back 05/05/1979 Slatina, ROU 180 10 81 Deonise Cavaleiro Fachinello BRA Right Back 20/06/1983 Santa Rosa, RS, BRA 180 4 5 Iulia Vasilica Curea ROU Left Wing 08/04/1982 Bacau, ROU 172 25 Maria Fisker DEN Left Wing 03/10/1990 Favrskov, DEN 170 17 8 Fernanda Franca da Silva BRA Left Wing 25/09/1989 Sao Bernardo, BRA 177 9 4 Isabelle Gulldén SWE Centre Back 29/06/1989 Sävedalen, SWE 178 35 10 Line Anna Ryborg Jörgensen DEN Right Back 31/12/1989 Hvidovre, DEN 186 30 22 Oana Andreea Manea ROU Line Player 18/04/1985 Bucharest, ROU 176 6 20 Carmen Dolores Martin Berenguer ESP Right Wing 29/05/1988 Almeria, ESP 169 10 18 Maria Cristina Nan ROU Line Player 19/05/1990 Bucuresti, ROU 178 2 77 Elena Magdalena Nicula ROU Centre Back 02/08/1986 bucharest, ROU 165 9 Ana Paula Rodrigues Belo BRA Centre Back 18/10/1987 Sao Luis, BRA 172 25 17 Linnea Torstensson SWE Left Back 30/03/1983 Stockholm, SWE 190 13 Cristina Georgiana Varzaru ROU Right Wing 05/12/1979 Bucharest, ROU 169 11 19 Ekaterina Vetkova RUS Line Player 01/08/1986 Syzran, RUS 182 2
84 Mayssa Raquel De Pessoa BRA Goalkeeper 11/09/1984 Joao Pessoa, BRA 180 87 Jelena Grubisic CRO Goalkeeper 20/01/1987 Zagreb, CRO 184 1 1 Madalina Ion ROU Goalkeeper 23/02/1996 Bucharest, ROU 180 12 Alina Iordache ROU Goalkeeper 22/03/1982 Bucuresti, ROU 177
Kim Rasmussen coach • started his coaching career in 1990 with the youth teams in his home country Denmark • since 2010 coach of the Poland’s national team steering them to the WCh 2013 semi-finals and to the EHF EURO 2014 (11th place) • had aslo stints with Danish Lyngby and Roskilde or Swedish Stavsten and in the 2014/15 season with HC Vardar for a very short time • hired by CSM just before the start of the 2015/16 season on his 43rd birthday (22 Sep) as a replacement for his fellow Dane Mette Klit
52 Mayssa Pessoa Jelena Grubisic goalkeeper goalkeeper • played in Brazil until she was 27, when she • played with Lokomotiva for eight seasons and five transferred to Issy Paris seasons for Krim • after one year in France, she moved to Dinamo • had her European Cup debut (Cup Winner’s Cup Volgograd and in 2014 signed with Bucharest 2002/03) when she was 15 with Lokomotiva. • her nickname is “Taffarel”, after her idol, one of • joined Györ shortly before the 2014/15 season Brazil’s greatest football goalkeepers to replace pregnant Katrine Lunde, but got injured shortly after • loves tattoos, having 32 on her body. Her favourite ones are the names of her relatives in • her national team debut was at the World Chinese and the Olympic rings made in London Championship 2007
WCh: G 2013
Maria Fisker Linnea Torstensson left wing left back • fast and has a scoring percentage well above 80% • Bucharest’s leader, a force to be reckoned with both in defence and in attack • started playing handball when she was five • most experienced player and also the most • joined Viborg in 2006 from third league club decorated player from Bucharest’s roster Vissing Hadsten, transferred to Randers HK in 2009, returned to Viborg in 2011 • named the “best Swedish handball player” three times in a row between 2010 and 2012 • in Bucharest shares the position with Brazilian world champion Fernanda Franca da Silva • MVP of the EHF EURO 2010, being the second top scorer, with 48 goals, five less than Cristina Neagu • her first experience outside Denmark, where she was studying to be a nurse
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup 2014 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2014, EHF Cup 2011 WCh: B 2013 EURO: S 2010, B 2014
Isabelle Gullden Oana Manea centre back line player • played for three clubs in her whole career: • in 2008 diagnosed with ventricular extrasystole Savehof, Viborg and CSM Bucuresti and stopped playing for six months • her uncle, Christer, was an Olympic wrestler, • can gather the team behind her, one of the who came close to the bronze medal in 1988, her reasons she has been also named captain both at boyfriend, Swedish goalkeeper Linus Persson plays Oltchim and the national team in CSM’s men’s team • her father, Dumitru, was a former football coach • creative playmaker, also deadly efficient from the at Sportul Studentesc, a first league team 7m line, scoring all 27 goals from as many shots at • make-up is her hobby, consideris to become a the EHF EURO 2014 full-time make-up artist after finishing her career • MVP and top scorer (58 goals) of EHF EURO 2014
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2014 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007, Champions Trophy 2007 EURO: S 2010, B 2014 EURO: B 2010, WCh: B 2015
Aurelia Bradeanu Carmen Martin right back/centre back right wing • versatile veteran is in her 16th CL season being • Spanish player started handball when she was one of the most experienced players only 7 years old, in Roquetas del Mar, her hometown • an integrant part of the Romanian national teams • named the best right wing of the EHF EURO 2014, after ranking third in the top scorers • her nickname, “Mika”, is the name of the EHF Euro 2000 mascot, a handball-loving squirrel • reached the CL final in 2011 with Itxako and the semi-final in 2013 with Krim Ljubljana • during her time in Györ, when she was pregnant, the fans came at her door and offered cookies and • loves drama movies, her favourite being “The one even made a bed for her newborn son Notebook”, also listens to a lot of Spanish movies, her favourite song being “Ojitos rojos” by the • finalist in the CL (2009), EHF Cup (2005) and Cup Spanish band Estopa Winners’ Cup (2006)
WCh: S 2005, B 2015, EURO: B 2010 EHF EURO: S 2008, S 2014, WCh: B 2011, OG: B 2012
53 GROUP 2 Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN)
Eight years in a row, Györi Audi ETO have made it to at least the semi-finals of the Women’s EHF Champions League, and even lifted the trophy in 2013 and 2014. This achievement has not been matched by any other female team in the European club handball’s flagship competition up to this point. But then the defending champions’ trend came to an end in April 2015 - losing their quarter- finals against Vardar on aggregate. Thus, the Hungarian powerhouses failed to qualify for the MVM EHF FINAL4 at home in Budapest. Even on a domestic level, Györ were suffering. They lost the league finals to their rivals FTC, but managed to book their place in the Champions League group matches by winning their qualification tournament. In total ten players including Katrine Lunde, Susann Müller, Jelena Grubisic, Macarena Aguilar and Orsolya Herr have departed. On the other hand, some Hungarians young guns, Dutch stars Cornelia Nycke Groot and Yvette Broich and Norwegian right back Linn Sulland now wear the famous green and white. In a tough group against such sides as Midtjylland, Vardar and record champions, Hypo Niederösterreich the squad of Martin Ambros stumbled twice on Midtjylland getting just one point from two matches, but still managed to win the group after two wins against Hypo and another two against Vardar. Although Anita Görbicz after maternity leave and Eduarda Amorim after a long-term injury look Playing hall to be getting back on track, Györ suffered a costly blow as their left back Zsuzsanna Tomori got AUDI Arena injured. The management found a quick and worthy replacement as they signed the recently Kiskút liget crowned world champion Ida Alstad from Norwegian Byasen just before the start of the main 9027 Györ round. Hungary Capacity: 5,000 GROUP C FINAL STANDINGS Club Address: Győri Audi ETO KC 1. Györi Audi ETO KC 6 4 1 1 164:134 (30) 9 Kiskutliget 2. HC Vardar 6 4 0 2 182:144 (38) 8 92027 Győr Hungary 3. FC Midtjylland 6 3 1 2 153:149 (4) 7 4. Hypo Niederösterreich 6 0 0 6 135:207 (-72) 0 Media contact: Andrea Szilagyi Group Matches results Past achievements +36 70 394 95 96 @ HC Vardar W27:22 (13:10) [email protected] vs FC Midtjylland L21:26 (11:11) Women’s EHF Champions League @ Hypo Niederösterreich W29:21 (15:6) Participations (including 2015/16 Online information: vs Hypo Niederösterreich W37:16 (17:9) season): 13 Website: www.gyorietokc.hu vs HC Vardar W28:27 (14:17) Winners (2): 2012/13, 2013/14 Facebook: Győri-Audi-ETO-KC @ FC Midtjylland D22:22 (10:12) Runners-up (2): 2008/09, 2011/12 Twitter:@GyoriaudiETO Semi-final (4): 2006/07, 2007/08, Qualification for the 2015/16 Women’s 2009/10, 2010/11 Quarter-final (1): 2014/15 Kit colours EHF Champions League season: Hungarian runners-ups, winners of qualification Group Matches (2): 2000/01, 2005/06 Light tournament 1 Qualification (1): 2004/05 Player shirt: white Player short: green Late entry: Other Goalkeeper shirt: white/red Ida Alstad Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2005/06, Dark Semi-final 2002/03 Player shirt: green/black EHF Cup: Runners-up 1998/99, 2001/02, Player short: green/black 2003/04, 2004/05 Goalkeeper shirt: blue, black Hungarian league: 11 titles (1957, 1959, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) Hungarian cup: 12 titles
54 Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN)
Biggest win: 37:16 (17:9) v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT (h), 08.11.2015 Biggest defeat: 28:39 (12:20) v Spartak Kiev UKR (a), 17.02.2001 Longest winning run: 13 matches (13.10.2012 – 06.04.2013) Longest unbeaten run: 22 matches (05.05.2013 – 23.11.2014) Longest losing run: 3 matches (11.02.2001 – 07.01.2006) Longest run without win: 4 matches (28.01.2001 – 07.01.2006) 4 matches (20.03.2011 – 02.10.2011)
Most goals: 41 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 41:22W (h), 05.10.2013 Most goals opponent: 39 v Spartak Kiev UKR 39:28L (a), 17.02.2001 Most goals both teams: 73 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 33:40W (a), 13.01.2008 Fewest goals: 18 v Larvik NOR 18:24L (h), 20.03.2011 18 v WHC Vardar SCBT 24:18L (a), 04.04.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 14 v SD Itxako ESP 14:20W (a), 14.11.2009 Fewest goals both teams: 34 v SD Itxako ESP 14:20W (a), 14.11.2009
Women’s EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2000/01 Györi Graboplast ETO HUN 6 1 2 3 156:168 –12 4 4th Gr. D 2005/06 Györi ETO Kezilabda Club HUN 6 3 0 3 154:169 -15 6 3rd Gr. D 2006/07 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN 10 6 0 4 291:267 +24 12 1/2-finals 2007/08 Györi Audi ETO HUN 14 11 0 3 415:366 +49 22 1/2-finals 2008/09 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN 16 11 1 4 454:415 +39 23 Runner-up 2009/10 Györi AUDI ETO KC HUN 14 8 2 4 355:337 +18 18 1/2-finals 2010/11 Györi AUDI ETO KC HUN 14 10 1 3 387:334 +53 21 1/2-finals 2011/12 Györi AUDI ETO KC HUN 16 10 1 5 472:422 +50 21 Runner-up 2012/13 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN 16 15 0 1 435:346 +89 30 Winner 2013/14 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN 14 12 2 0 408:337 +71 26 Winner 2014/15 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN 14 10 1 3 385:313 +72 21:7 1/4-finals Total 140 97 10 33 3912:3474 +438 204:76
55 Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Goals 4 Ida Alstad NOR Back 13.6.1985 Trondheim, NOR 172 18 Eduarda Idalina Amorim Taleska BRA Left Back 23.9.1986 Blumenau/BRA 186 16 33 Bernadett Bognar-Bodi HUN Right Wing 9.3.1986 Szeged/HUN 175 11 14 Yvette Broch NED Line Player 21.12.1990 Monster/NED 184 5 28 Beatrix Elö HUN Right Back 28.1.1997 Györ/HUN 182 13 Anita Görbicz HUN Centre Back 13.5.1983 Veszprem/HUN 173 21 27 Cornelia Nycke Groot NED Centre Back 4.5.1988 Alkmaar/NED 170 11 8 Anette Emma Hudak HUN Left Back 25.3.1998 Bratislava/SVK 178 3 Jana Knedlikova CZE Right Wing 22.6.1989 Praha/CZE 167 7 11 Dorina Korsos HUN Left Wing 3.9.1995 Kecskemét/HUN 168 5 14 Aniko Kovacsics HUN Centre Back 29.8.1991 Nagyatad/HUN 170 20 17 Rita Lakatos HUN Centre Back 6.7.1999 Dunajska Streda/SVK 174 88 Luca Linder HUN Line Player 8.6.1996 Mohacs/HUN 171 5 Heidi Loke NOR Line Player 12.12.1982 Tnsberg/NOR 177 24 21 Szimonetta Planeta HUN Right Back 12.12.1993 Kazincbarcika/HUN 198 6 15 Linn Jorum Sulland NOR Right Back 15.7.1984 Oslo/NOR 178 18 23 Zsuzsanna Tomori HUN Left Back 18.6.1987 Budapest/HUN 187 19 96 Gabriella Toth HUN Back 23.9.1996 Berettyóújfalu/HUN 175 22 Adrienn Orban HUN Right Wing 1.10.1986 Györ/HUN 168 1 9 Julia Harsfalvi HUN Centre Back 12.11.1996 Zalaegerszeg/HUN 168
16 Alexa Weninger HUN Goalkeeper 25.6.1997 Györ/HUN 177 21 Eva Kiss HUN Goalkeeper 10.7.1987 Debrecen/HUN 189 85 Kari Aalvik Grimsbø NOR Goalkeeper 4.1.1985 Bergen/NOR 180
Ambros Martín coach • born in Lanzarote, Canary Islands • joined Győr in 2012 • previously coached top Spanish side Estrella Itxako for seven years, winning the EHF Cup in 2009 • also eliminating Györ in the semi-final on the way to the CL final in 2010/11 during that spell • in his first season with Győr he won their first European trophy
EC trophies: CL 2013, 2014, EHF Cup 2009
56 Kari Aalvik Grimsbø Dorina Korsos goalkeeper left wing • joined Györ from Danish Team Esbjerg during • was only seventeen years old when she made her the 2014/15 season, as Croatian Jelena Grubisic, a debut in the CL replacement for pregnant Katrine Lunde, got injured • despite her young age a key player for Ambros • before joining Esbjerg, had a long career in Martin playing on the top of the 5+1 defence and Norwegian Byasen, including a lot of appearances in her stellar performances have won her an All-star the CL, the EHF Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup defender title in the 2014/15 season • All-star goalkeeper of the 2012 Olympics • with the absence of Anita Görbicz, Kovacsics plays more in the middle and gives Korsos more time to • started her career at the age of 5, had her debut prove herself on the wing for Byasen in the Norwegian league at the age of 17
OG: G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2011, 2015, S 2007, B 2009 EC trophies: CL 2013, 2014 EURO: B 2012
Aniko Kovacsics Eduarda Amorim left wing/centre back left back • the playmaker was propelled into the starting • 2014 IHF Player of the Year seven due to the pregnancy of Anita Görbicz in the 2014/15 season • Brazilian international arrived in Europe in 2006 • the 23-year-old made her CL debut at 16 and is • first joining Kometal Skopje in FYR Macedonia, already in her eighth season. transferred to Győr in 2009 • also able to play left wing and was deployed in • passed the 300 goals milestone in the European that position by Hungary during EHF EURO 2014 top flight in the 2013/14 season • awarded best young player of the 2012/13 CL • All-star left back at the WCh 2013 and the CL season 2013/14 EC trophies: CL 2013, 2014 EC trophies: CL 2013, 2014 EURO: B 2012 WCh: G 2013, Pan-American Games: G 2003, 2007, 2011
Nycke Groot Heidi Loke centre back line player • expected to have a major share on the playing • World Handball Player of the Year (2011) time at the playmaker’s position with Anita Görbicz • famous daughter in a big handball family as both • her entire career at top level in Denmark until she of her siblings are professional players and all of joined Györ in the summer of 2015 (started in Team them are line players Tvis Holstebro and since 2011 in FC Midtjylland) • in 2011 she took the title with Larvik as the CL top • with FCM the top scorer of the 2014 MVM EHF scorer, and in 2012 she only narrowly missed it with FINAL4 (20 goals) Győr only to achieve it one year later • player of the year in the Danish league in 2014 • member of the All-Star teams at the London Olympics, 2011 WCh and EHF EURO 2010, 2012 & 2014 WCh: S 2015 EC trophies: CL 2011, 2013, 2014 OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011, 2015, EURO: G 2008, 2010, 2014, S 2012
Linn-Jørum Sulland Bernadett Bognar-Bodi right back right wing • recent new reinforcement from Larvik, whom she • debuted for Györ in the 2002/03 season joined in 2009 from league rivals Stabæk • returned in 2013 after spending time with • in 2005/06 the best player of the domestic league Randers in Denmark and various Hungarian teams and also was the top scorer • filled up the gap left by Jovanka Radicevic at right • reached the 500-goal plateau in the national team wing • top scorer of the European Beach Handball • her personal best in the CL is 30 goals she Championship in 2007 recorded in the 2014/15 season
EC trophies: CL 2011 EC trophies: CL 2014 OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011, 2015, S 2007, EURO: G 2008, 2010, S 2012
57 GROUP 2 HC Vardar (MKD)
Two years ago, they made an instant splash by making it to the MVM EHF FINAL4 as debutants, in May 2014 they were part of the pinnacle event again - and in both cases Vardar Skopje lost their semi-final against Buducnost. To book the trip to Budapest for a third time is the goal of the Macedonian champions this season. In contrast to the previous years, the squad did not change that much: The only newcomers are Serbian left back Sanja Damnjanovic (from Viborg) and Croatian Andrea Covic from Podravka.
In the previous season, Vardar were the first team to stop Györ after eight semi-final participations in the Champions League in a row by defeating the 2013 and 2014 champions in the quarter-finals, but this time around the team from Skopje failed to gain a single point against the Hungarian rivals.
Indira Kastratovic and Jan Pytlick led their players to two important and really impressive wins against Midtjylland which provided Vardar with a good four-point cushion for the extremely difficult main round group where the defending champions from Buducnost and the new Romanian powerhouse CSM Bucuresti await.
In the group matches the team could rely mainly on two Andreas in the team as Lekic and Penezic combined for 58 goals (29 each) but more players will have to step up to bolster Vardar’s chance to secure a better position for the quarter-finals.
Playing hall Jane Sandanski Skopje FYR Macedonia Capacity: 5,500 GROUP C FINAL STANDINGS
1. Györi Audi ETO KC 6 4 1 1 164:134 (30) 9 Club Address: 2. HC Vardar 6 4 0 2 182:144 (38) 8 WHC Vardar 3. FC Midtjylland 6 3 1 2 153:149 (4) 7 Preseka 55/10 4. Hypo Niederösterreich 6 0 0 6 135:207 (-72) 0 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia
Media contact: Ivana Stojanovska Group Matches results: +389 71 247 218 vs Györi Audi ETO KC L22:27 (10:13) Past achievements [email protected] @ Hypo Niederösterreich W38:25 (22:9) vs FC Midtjylland W33:24 (16:8) Women’s EHF Champions League Online information: @ FC Midtjylland W25:15 (12:11) Participations (including 2015/16 Website: www.zrkvardar.mk @ Györi Audi ETO KC L27:28 (17:14) season): 3 Facebook: ZRK-Vardar-SCBT vs Hypo Niederösterreich W37:25 (15:14) Semi-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 (third Twitter:@zrkvardar rank at MVM EHF FINAL4) Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions League 2015/16 season: Macedonian champions Other Kit colours EHF Cup: Last 16: 2012/13 Light Player shirt: white Macedonian league: 2 titles (2013, Player short: black 2014, 2015) Goalkeeper shirt: green Macedonian cup: 3 titles Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: black
58 HC Vardar
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 17:35 (10:16) v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO (a), 03.11.2013 29:47 (12:24) v RK Krim Mercator SLO (a), 06.03.2015 Biggest defeat: 27:17 (14:9) v Buducnost MNE (a), 09.05.2015 Longest winning run: 5 matches (19.10.2013 – 02.02.2014) Longest unbeaten run: 9 matches (06.10.2013 – 15.02.2014) Longest losing run: 2 matches (22.11.2014 – 30.01.2015) Longest run without win: 3 matches (16.11.2014 – 30.01.2015)
Most goals: 47 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 29:47W (a), 06.03.2015 Most goals opponent: 33 v Dinamo-Sinara RUS 33:25L (a), 15.02.2015 Most goals both teams: 76 v RK Krim Mercator SLO 29:47W (a), 06.03.2015 Fewest goals: 17 v Buducnost MNE 23:17L (a), 19.10.2014 17 v Buducnost MNE 27:17L (a), 09.05.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 17 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 17:35W (a), 03.11.2013 Fewest goals both teams: 40 v Buducnost MNE 23:17L (a), 19.10.2014
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2013/14 WHC Vardar SCBT MKD 14 9 3 2 393:333 +60 21:7 Third Place 2014/15 WHC Vardar SCBT MKD 16 9 2 5 435:403 +32 20:12 Third Place Total 30 18 5 7 828:736 +92 41:19
59 HC Vardar Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
20 Anja Althaus GER Line Player 03/09/1982 Magdeburg, GER 177 11 25 Olga Chernoivanenko RUS Right Wing 17/04/1989 Samarsk, RUS 176 7 27 Andrea Covic CRO Line Player 09/10/1993 Sinj, CRO 180 4 11 Sanja Damnjanovic SRB Centre Back 25/05/1987 Beograd, SRB 181 13 17 Siraba Dembele FRA Left Wing 28/06/1986 Dreux, FRA 172 13 96 Itana Grbic MNE Left Wing 01/09/1996 Podgorica, MNE 169 6 30 Alena Ikhneva RUS Left Back 30/07/1995 Orenburg, RUS 183 7 71 Tatiana Khmyrova RUS Right Back 06/02/1990 Volgograd, RUS 180 12 5 Andrea Klikovac MNE Right Back 05/05/1991 Podgorica, MNE 174 4 15 Barbara Lazovic SLO Right Back 04/01/1988 Brezice, SLO 183 9 77 Andrea Lekic SRB Centre Back 06/09/1987 Beograd, SRB 178 29 23 Andrea Penezic CRO Left Back 13/11/1985 Zagreb, CRO 186 29 4 Jovanka Radicevic MNE Right Wing 23/10/1986 Podgorica, MNE 169 15 91 Sara Ristovska MKD Right Wing 09/09/1996 Skopje, MKD 169 7 19 Maja Sokac CRO Left Wing 31/05/1982 Split, CRO 178 15
12 Amandine Leynaud FRA Goalkeeper 02/05/1986 Aubenas, FRA 178 1 31 Inna Suslina RUS Goalkeeper 05/01/1979 Tashkent, USSR 184 1 Dragana Petkovska MKD Goalkeeper 12/06/1996 Skopje, MKD
Indira Kastratovic coach • in her second coaching season led Vardar to their historical third place at the first women’s FINAL4 and repeated that also in 2015 with help of her coaching partner Jan Pytlick • her greatest success as a player achieved with Kometal, for whom she played twice in the CL final, winning the title in 2002 • in 1997 she was the top scorer of the WCh with 71 goals as part of the Macedonian team • in 2006 she retired as a player and concentrated her attention on coaching youth players
EC trophies: CL 2002 (as player)
60 Inna Suslina Siraba Dembele goalkeeper left wing • former Russia national team player graduated • French left wing signed with Vardar ahead of last from the University RGPU Rostov Don as a teacher season and played an important role in the team in 2013/14, scoring 35 goals • Vardar is her second stint outside of Russia – she previously spent four seasons with GOG in Denmark • Vardar is the seventh team in her career – she previously played for five different French teams • has twice been voted in All-Star teams – at the and spent one season with Danish club Randers EHF EURO 2006 and the WCh 2009 • captain of the France national team • as team captain led the team to the bronze medal at the first edition of the FINAL4 in 2014 • extended her contract with Vardar until 2016
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002 WCh: S 2009, 2011, EHF EURO B 2006 OG: S 2004, WCh: G 2001, 2007, 2009, EHF EURO: S 2006, B 2008
Andrea Penezic Sanja Damnjanovic left back left back/centre back • in the summer of 2014 signed a 1+1 year contract • played for a number of clubs in Serbia, also for Krim and Podravka • raised the Slovenian title and cup four times with Krim Mercator • haunted by several injuries while with Viborg (2013-2015) • best left back in the All-Star Team at the WCh 2011 • named in the All-star team at the EHF EURO 2012 and WCh 2013 – both played in Serbia • played also for Lokomotiva and Podravka • awarded Handball Player of the Year in Serbia for • Croatian player of the year six consecutive times the 2013/14 season • together with Cristina Neagu the top scorer of the 2014/15 season with 102 goals WCh: S 2013
Andrea Lekic Anja Althaus centre back line player • competed in karate and reached blue belt • first German player to play in FYR Macedonia. before moving on to ball sports including volleyball, • switched from being a designer in advertising basketball, football and tennis to a hairdresser, and is known as stylist to her • voted the 2013 World Handball Player of the Year teammates in both her club and national team • All-Star Team at the EHF EURO 2012. • two EHF Champions League titles with Viborg (2009, 2010) • organises her own handball camp every other year • one of the most famous German players with over 200 caps for Germany and more than 500 goals
EC trophies: CL 2013 EC trophies: CL 2009, 2010 WCh: S 2013 WCh: B 2007, Junior WCh: B 2001
Barbara Lazovic Jovanka Radicevic right back right wing • arrived from Krim together with Andrea Penezic • as the daughter of a handball player, started in the summer of 2014 playing handball at the age of 12 • before she joined Vardar she played only for Krim • best right wing at the EHF EURO 2012 and at the besides a year-long stint in Zaječar, Serbia World Championship 2015 • married to Vuk Lazovic, a handball player from • in 2013 she won the CL title with Györ. Serbia • with Buducnost, she won seven championships • contemplated a switch to Serbia, but remained and cup titles in Montenegro (2005-2011), two loyal to the Slovenian national team regional league titles (2010, 2011) and two titles in the Cup Winners’ Cup (2006, 2010) • expected to share more time with Tatiana Khmyrova who is back after a long injury EC trophies: CL 2013, Cup Winners’ Cup 2006, 2010 OG: S 2012, EURO: G 2012
61 GROUP 2 FC Midtjylland (DEN)
Helle Thomsen has a single focus: The coach of FC Midtjylland - one of the rare number of female coaches in the EHF Champions League - is only looking after for the Danish champions now. Before the start of the season, she ended her successful second job for the Swedish national team, crowned with the bronze medal at the EHF EURO 2014 in Budapest.
And Budapest was the place where Thomsen and her team were in May 2014 too, as FCM made it to the first ever MVM EHF FINAL4 in the Hungarian capital, finally ending up in the fourth position. Only some months later the dream of another successful Champions League season came to a rapid end, as Midtjylland surprisingly failed in qualification against Serbian champions Kragujevac. But what started disappointing, ended with a trophy, as Thomsen’s team won the the EHF Cup Winners’ Cup. As FCM also became Danish champions after the league finals against Esbjerg, they qualified directly for the group matches this season.
After this success, two key players from the back court axis went south eastward: Dutch striker Nycke Groot to Györ and Line Jörgensen to Bucuresti. The biggest names among the new arrivals are Danish international Louise Burgaard who arrives from Viborg and Swedish playmaker Johanna Ahlm who transferred from Esbjerg. In addition, Midtjylland signed Serbian goalkeeper Ana Vojcic to join experienced Sabine Englert between the goal posts.
In the group matches they completely collapsed in both games against HC Vardar, however Playing hall they allowed two-time champions Györ take just one point from their double-header, which means they kick off the main round with three points. IBF Arena Stadion Allé 2b 7430 Ikast Denmark Capacity: 2,250 GROUP C FINAL STANDINGS
1. Györi Audi ETO KC 6 4 1 1 164:134 (30) 9 Club address: 2. HC Vardar 6 4 0 2 182:144 (38) 8 FC Midtjylland 3. FC Midtjylland 6 3 1 2 153:149 (4) 7 Stadion Alle 2B 4. Hypo Niederösterreich 6 0 0 6 135:207 (-72) 0 7430 Ikast Denmark Group Matches results: Media contact: Past achievements vs Hypo Niederösterreich W33:21 (14:11) Troels Banggaard @ Györi Audi ETO KC W26:21 (11:11) +4521249289 Women’s EHF Champions League @ HC Vardar L24:33 (8:16) [email protected] Participations (including 2015/16 vs HC Vardar L15:25 (11:12) season): 8 @ Hypo Niederösterreich W33:27 (16:10) Online information: Semi-final: 2002/03, 2013/14 vs Györi Audi ETO KC D22:22 (12:10) Website: www.fcm-haandbold.dk Quarter-final: 1998/99, 2004/05 Facebook: FCMHaandbold Main Round: 2003/04, 2008/09, Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions 2011/12 League 2015/16 season: Danish champions Group Matches: 2003/04 Qualification: 2014/15
Kit colours Other Cup Winners’ Cup: winners 2003/04, Light 2014/15, semi-finals 1999/2000 Player shirt: white EHF Cup: winners 2001/02, 2010/11, Player short: purple runners-up 2006/07, semi-finals Goalkeeper shirt: blue/red/yellow 2007/08, 2012/13 Dark City Cup: winners 1997/98, runners-up Player shirt: purple 1996/97, semi-finals 1994/95 Player short: purple Goalkeeper shirt: blue/red/yellow Danish league: 4 titles (1998, 2011, 2013, 2015) Danish cup: 6 titles
62 FC Midtjylland
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 34:18 (16:10) v Motor Zaporoshje UKR (h), 14.11.1998 Biggest defeat: 24:38 (14:19) v Viborg HK DEN (h), 07.02.2009 Longest winning run: 5 matches (22.02.2004 – 30.01.2005) Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (22.02.2004 – 12.02.2005) Longest losing run: 7 matches (18.01.2009 – 21.03.2009) Longest run without win: 9 matches (03.01.2009 – 21.03.2009)
Most goals: 37 v MKS Selgros Lublin POL 37:26W (h), 17.11.2013 Most goals opponent: 38 v Viborg HK DEN 24:38L (h), 07.02.2009 Most goals both teams: 67 v CBM Astroc Sagunto ESP 37:30L (a), 19.02.2005 Fewest goals: 15 v Buducnost MNE 15:22L (a), 03.11.2013 15 v HC Vardar MKD 15:25L (a), 08.11.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 17 v Byasen NOR 17:19W (a), 01.10.2011 Fewest goals both teams: 36 v Byasen NOR 17:19W (a), 01.10.2011
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1998/99 Ikast FS DEN 8 4 2 2 198:173 +25 10:6 1/4-finals 2002/03 Ikast Bording EH DEN 10 5 0 5 266:266 0 10:10 1/2-finals 2003/04 Ikast Bording EH DEN 6 3 0 3 162:159 +3 6:6 3rd Gr. B 2004/05 Ikast Bording EH DEN 8 5 1 2 233:226 +7 11:5 1/4-finals 2008/09 Ikast-Brande EH DEN 12 3 1 8 325:367 -42 7:17 4th MR Gr. 1 2011/12 FC Midtjylland DEN 12 6 0 6 290:283 +7 12:12 4th MR Gr. 1 2013/14 FC Midtjylland DEN 14 8 1 5 365:349 +16 17:11 Fourth Place Total 70 34 5 31 1839:1823 +16 73:67
63 FC Midtjylland Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
18 Ditte Hoegenhaug Aaen DEN Left Back 14/02/1996 Strandby, DEN 175 22 Johanna M. H. Ahlm SWE Centre Back 03/10/1987 Härlanda, SWE 175 24 40 Karina Andersen DEN Left Back 05/03/1996 Nordfyn, DEN 182 24 Mie Augustesen DEN Left Wing 19/07/1988 Hedensted, DEN 177 7 45 Emilie Bastrup Bertelsen DEN Left Wing 19/02/1997 Holstebro, DEN 171 2 Pauline Boegelund DEN Right Back 17/02/1996 Egedal, DEN 174 11 27 Louise Katharina Burgaard DEN Right Back 17/10/1992 Esbjerg 178 20 9 Sabina Rosengren Jacobsen SWE Left Back 24/03/1989 Lund, SWE 182 8 7 Annika Jakobsen DEN Right Wing 25/02/1997 Horsens, DEN 170 3 25 Trine Ostergaard Jensen DEN Right Wing 17/10/1991 Galten, DEN 165 19 6 Stine Jörgensen DEN Left Back 03/09/1990 Brønderslev, DEN 180 19 10 Veronica Kristiansen NOR Left Back 10/07/1990 Stavanger, NOR 172 17 15 Jane Sönderbaek Mejlvang DEN Centre Back 02/08/1995 Ringkøbing-Skjern, DEN 181 3 4 Line Skak Lindegaard Nielsen DEN Line Player 06/04/1997 Ikast-Brande, DEN 175 3 20 Sabine Pedersen DEN Line Player 05/05/1986 Aalborg, DEN 180 7 8 Simone Cathrine Petersen DEN Centre Back 28/08/1997 Ringsted, DEN 165 14 Kristina Sommer DEN Right Wing 26/01/1994 Aarhus, DEN 174 17 Susan Torp Thorsgaard DEN Line Player 13/10/1988 Aarhus, DEN 188 2 21 Fie Woller DEN Left Wing 17/09/1992 Herning, DEN 175 9
16 Sabine Englert GER Goalkeeper 27/11/1981 Aschaffenburg, GER 185 1 1 Stephanie Andersen DEN Goalkeeper 19/06/1992 Randers, DEN 187 12 Stephanie Kjaer Rasmussen DEN Goalkeeper 21/10/1996 Ikast-Brand, DEN 178 49 Frederikke Fevre Siggard DEN Goalkeeper 23/01/1997 Ikast-Brande, DEN 176 79 Ana Vojcic SRB Goalkeeper 03/06/1979 Arandelovac, SRB 179
Helle Thomsen coach • coming from a handball mad family, she started playing at the age of five in Frederikshavn • key part of the Frederikshavn team of the late nineties, reaching the Danish championship final in 1998 as well as the Danish Cup final and the quarter-finals of the City Cup in 1999 • in March 2012 became head coach of FCM • in the 2012/13 season led FCM to the Danish league and cup, as well as the semi-finals of the EHF Cup • in her second season steered the team to the maiden EHF FINAL4 in Budapest
EC trophies: EHF Cup: 2011 (as assistant coach)
64 Sabine Englert Ana Vojcic goalkeeper goalkeeper • former German national team player is in • joined Midtjylland from league rivals Randers fact a former teammate of Kiel winger Dominik HK ahead of the 2015/16 season, also represented Klein - when she started playing at the age of 5 in Aalborg DH from 2007 to 2013 Aschaffenburg, they were in the same mixed team • seen as a great supplement to German star • only a few days after signing the contract keeper Sabine Englert who has been missing a with FCM in the early spring 2008, she played in her qualified colleague for a long time future home, the Ikast Brande Arena, with Hypo NÖ. • for the second time with the club, where she • on the same occasion she sustained a played from 2003 to 2005, when the club name was knee injury, but since then, she has had happier Ikast-Bording EH memories of the hall • has played 60 internationals for Serbia
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2015 EHF Cup 2011, Challenge Cup: 2005 WCh: Bronze 2007
Fie Woller Veronica Kristiansen left wing left back • at the age of 5, when she started to play • joined FCM from Norwegian runners-up handball, she knew that her future was on the left Glassverket ahead of the 2015/16 season wing, just like her idol Lars Christiansen • succeeding her teammate in the Norwegian • in FCM she used to play in the same team as national team Ida Alstad in the left back position her twin sister Cecilie which she will be sharing with Stine Jorgensen • however, lack of time on the court made • out of a handball family, as her sisters Jeanett Cecilie move to then league newcomer Nykøbing and Charlotte also play handball. Jeanett is playing in Glassverket which Veronica has just left • won the W19 EHF EURO 2011 with Denmark • has played 46 internationals for Norway • Best Young Player of the 2013/14 CL season EC trophies: EHF Cup 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2015 EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015
Johanna Ahlm Susan Thorsgaard centre back line player • joined FC Midtjylland ahead of the 2015/16 • with her 188 cm taller than most female season from league rivals Team Esbjerg handball players • has to fill out the large footsteps of Dutch • she as well as her teammates in FCM and in international Nycke Groot in the playmaker spot the Danish national team have benefited from her height • playing in Denmark is no stranger to her, as she has played in the Danish league since 2009, • another great asset is her experience representing Aalborg, Viborg and Esbjerg • has played in FCM’s first team since 2009, and • played 127 internationals for Sweden and she can also add around hundred internationals for scored 419 goals Denmark to her CV EC trophies: CL 2010 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2015 EURO: S 2010, B 2014
Louise Katharina Burgaard Trine Østergaard Jensen right back right wing • made her first appearances in the Danish league • ever since she started playing handball at the at 17 with KIF Vejen. age of nine, has been ambitious • joined FCM from Viborg in the summer of 2015, • key player for FCM, particularly after former played also for Team Tvis Holstebro (summer 2013) Danish international Maibritt Kviesgaard left in the summer of 2013 • debuted in the Denmark national team at 19 and later became a regular in the squad • in 2012 she also made her debut for Denmark • won her first senior Danish titles with Viborg – • third best scorer of FCM in their successful Danish cup and Danish championship 2013/14 2013/14 campaign to the FINAL4 in Budapest and fourth best team’s scorer in the 2014/15 season crowned with the Cup Winners’ Cup trophy EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2014 EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2015 WCh: B 2013
65 GROUP 2 IK Sävehof (SWE)
Henrik Signell and IK Sävehof must feel like an academy for Europe’s best clubs: The Swedish club educates young players, gives them the chance to improve on the international stage, moulds them into becoming national team players, and then they transfer. Like in previous years, two of the best Sävehof players have left the club now: Jenny Alm and Filippa Idehn, the famous goalkeeper who plays only in shorts and both EURO 2014 bronze medallists with Sweden, have signed for Danish side Team Esbbjerg.
In addition, club legend Ida Oden has brought her career too an end along with Jenny Wikensten.
So again, Signell had to start with a new squad with a younger generation of Swedish talent but still managed to steer his team to the main round. Last year they took only one win at this stage and it will not be easier this time around. Despite entering the main round with zero points Sävehof leads the ranking at least in one factor as no other goalkeeper in the competition scored three goals like their Hanna Eriksson.
In domestic competitions, Sävehof are simply unbeatable, becoming national champions seven times in a row and nine times in the past ten years.
The club is well-known and well-settled in the EHF Champions League, and in the previous years they always made it to the main round. Funnily enough they made history in the 2014/15 season by becoming the first ever main round participant to not win a single group match - thanks to Playing hall three draws the edged out HC Lokomotiva Zagreb. Partillebohallen Gamla Kronvägen 56 Five players from Sävehof’s youth teams were added to the all-Scandinavian squad with one 43300 Partille player from Norway, Denmark and Iceland making up rest of the side from Sweden. Among the Sweden new arrivals the biggest hopes are carried on the shoulders of 20-year-old Dane Rikke Jensen, Capacity: 2,000 arriving from Danish champions Midtjylland and experienced Norwegian Stine Lund Andreassen, arriving from French Challenge Cup winners Mios Bigamos.
GROUP D FINAL STANDINGS Club Address: IK Sävehof 1. Buducnost 6 5 1 0 169:131 (38) 11 Box 201 2. CSM Bucuresti 6 4 1 1 163:138 (25) 9 43324 Partille Sweden 3. IK Sävehof 6 2 0 4 138:158 (-20) 4 4. MKS Selgros Lublin 6 0 0 6 141:184 (-43) 0 Media contact: Rüdiger Osterloh +46 736 84 57 55 [email protected] Group Matches result: Past achievements Online information: @ Buducnost L20:33 (8:17) Website: www.savehof.se vs CSM Bucuresti L17:28 (9: 13) Women’s EHF Champions League Facebook: Savehof @ MKS Selgros Lublin W34:21 (17:10) Participations (including 2015/16 Twitter:IK_Savehof vs MKS Selgros Lublin W27:24 (14:11) season): 8 vs Buducnost L18:25 (11:14) Main Round (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 @ CSM Bucuresti L22:27 (9:13) Group Matches (3): 2007/08, 2010/11, Kit colours 2012/13 Qualification for the Women’s EHF Champions Light Qualification (2): 2006/07, 2011/12 League 2015/16 season: Swedish champions Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow/black Other Goalkeeper shirt: green Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16: 2011/12
Dark Swedish league: 11 titles (1993, 2000, Player shirt: black 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, Player short: black 2013, 2014, 2015) Goalkeeper shirt: orange
66 IK Sävehof
Club records – EHF Champions League
Biggest win: 34:21 (14:13) v MKS Selgros Lublin POL (a), 30.10.2015 Biggest defeat: 21:38 (8:20) v Györi Audi ETO KC (h), 26.10.2014 Longest winning run: 3 matches (12.10.2013 – 03.11.2013) Longest unbeaten run: 4 matches (12.10.2013 – 10.11.2013) Longest losing run: 12 matches (12.01.2008 – 11.11.2012) Longest run without win: 15 matches (10.11.2013 – 06.02.2015)
Most goals: 36 v 1. FC Nürnberg GER 36:34W (h), 11.11.2007 Most goals opponent: 39 v Larvik NOR 39:31L (a), 13.10.2012 Most goals both teams: 70 v 1. FC Nürnberg GER 36:34W (h), 11.11.2007 70 v Viborg HK DEN 37:33L (a), 14.11.2010 70 v Larvik NOR 39:31L (a), 13.10.2012 Fewest goals: 17 v Larvik NOR 25:17L (a), 14.03.2015 17 v CSM Bucuresti ROU 17:28L (h), 23.10.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 21 v Metz Handball FRA 22:25W (a), 06.02.2015 21 v MKS Selgros Lublin POL 34:21W (a), 30.10.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 42 v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD 24:18L (a), 16.03.2014 42 v Larvik NOR 25:17L (a), 14.03.2015
EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2007/08 IK Sävehof SWE 6 1 1 4 172:191 –19 3:9 4th Gr. B 2010/11 IK Sävehof SWE 6 0 0 6 163:212 -49 0:12 4th Gr. A 2012/13 IK Sävehof SWE 6 1 0 5 174:192 –18 2:10 4th Gr. C 2013/14 IK Sävehof SWE 12 3 3 6 318:339 -21 9:15 4th MR Gr. 1 2014/15 IK Sävehof SWE 12 1 3 8 279:345 –66 5:19 5th MR Gr. 2 Total 42 6 7 29 1106:1279 -173 19:65
67 IK Sävehof Team roster
No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Goals
10 Stine Lund Andreassen NOR Centre Back 11/11/1986 Bergen, NOR 163 19 3 Emma Ekenman-Fernis SWE Right Wing 24/07/1996 Stockholm, SWE 172 20 20 Mimmi Eliasson SWE Centre Back 03/01/1997 Göteborg, SWE 178 8 Elin Enhörning SWE Line Player 13/03/1990 Uddevalla, SWE 176 6 9 Julia Eriksson SWE Left Back 07/07/1994 Göteborg, SWE 181 31 18 Linn Hansson SWE Left Back 18/09/1997 Göteborg, SWE 169 15 Birna Berg Haraldsdottir ISL Right Back 21/06/1993 Reykjavik, ISL 185 21 Ida Holm SWE Centre Back 13/02/1997 Karlstad, SWE 176 11 Rikke Slumstrup Jensen DEN Left Back 30/09/1995 Herning, DEN 189 2 13 Elin Karlsson SWE Centre Back 04/01/1989 Göteborg, SWE 180 7 Thess Krönell SWE Line Player 30/05/1996 Umeå, SWE 177 3 5 Joanna Lindvall-Haggren SWE Right Wing 28/06/1994 Göteborg, SWE 175 11 19 Olivia Mellegard SWE Left Wing 17/06/1996 Göteborg, SWE 177 14 17 Hanna Örtorp SWE Left Wing 20/12/1997 Göteborg, SWE 162 2 Tilda Olsson SWE Right Back 15/03/1996 Mölndal, SWE 176 9 14 Linnea Petterson SWE Left Back 28/07/1995 Kiruna, SWE 178 1 4 Louise Sand SWE Left Wing 27/12/1992 Göteborg, SWE 160 18 6 Sofia Tegstedt SWE Left Wing 03/01/1991 Göteborg, SWE 177
1 Johanna Bundsen SWE Goalkeeper 03/06/1991 Uddevalla, SWE 183 1 12 Isabella Mouratidou SWE Goalkeeper 05/08/1997 Stockholm, SWE 178 16 Hanna Eriksson SWE Goalkeeper 23/02/1996 Ludvika, SWE 176 3
Henrik Signell coach • became the head coach in 2012 • played eight years for the club during his active days which also included one match for Sweden’s national team • after his active career was in charge of the male junior team in Sävehof and later assistant coach for the men’s league team • in between he has also been assistant coach for Finland’s female national team
68 Johanna Bundsen Louise Sand goalkeeper left wing • has been with Sävehof since 2007 when joining • Loui has been crazy about playing ball all her life from league colleagues Kroppskultur and for her confirmation she only wanted a ball as present • had her real break-through by Sävehof last season after being a bit in the shadow of Filippa • with her 160 cm she is not among the tallest on Idehn until then a court, but she more than compensates for that through her outstanding technique • carrying an increased responsibility after Idehn left for Danish Team Esbjerg in summer 2015 • joined Sävehof in 2009 after spells with Kärra and Önnereds • has played 18 internationals for Sweden, mostly sharing the job with Idehn • Sweden national team member since 2012
EURO: B 2014 EURO: B 2014
Rikke Jensen Stine Lunde Andreassen left back centre back • joined Sävehof before this season from Danish • joined Sävehof this summer from Challenge Cup champions FC Midtjylland winners Union Mios Biganos-Begles in France • her 189 cm makes her one of the tallest players in • finish second in the French championship with the Swedish league at all her Bordeaux based club • joined from the Danish champions, but she was • had a career by Norwegian Tertnes Bergen before rarely a part of FC Midtjylland’s league team after her French adventure her debut in February 2014 in a cup match • has European experiences from the CL qualifiers, • replacing Swedish international Jenny Alm who the Cup Winners’ Cup and the EHF Cup with Tertnes has left for Danish Team Esbjerg EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2015
Elin Karlsson Elin Enhörning centre back line player • had a foreign adventure at a very young age, even • joined Sävehof from Swedish league colleagues before she was 18, she went to Frederikshavn in Team Eslöv in the autumn of 2013 as replacement to Denmark to play for their U18 team injured Swedish international Linn Blom. • joined Sävehof in 2012 from BK Heid • decided to end her handball career to give priority to studying, but the offer from Sävehof gave • in 2011 participated at the Vasaloppett (90 km her new motivation. cross-country skiing race) two days before a league match (three goals) • As Linn Blom got fit, but changed to Danish Team Tvis Holstebro, extended her contract with Sävehof • dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro for another year • played 28 junior internationals for Sweden, she has never made it to the senior national team yet.
Sofia Tegstedt Birna Berg Haraldsdottir line player right back • came back to her childhood club Sävehof in the • joined Sävehof from Fram Reykjavik in the summer of 2014 from league colleagues BK Heid, summer of 2013 extended her contract for another year in the • one of only three non-Swedish players in the summer of 2015 team took part at the WCh 2011 with Iceland • replaced her older sister Frida who left for • the 2015/16 season is her third in the CL, in the German Bundesliga newcomers Füchse Berlin at the previous two scored six goals in total same time • bound to get more playing time after Ida Oden • gathered the CL experience in th 2014/15 season retired after the 2014/15 season
69 Group Matches Top Scorers
Rank Player Club Goals 1 Allison Pineau (FRA) HCM Baia Mare (ROU) 45 2 Katarina Bulatovic (MNE) Buducnost (MNE) 38 3 Cristina Neagu (ROU) Buducnost (MNE) 37 4 Isabelle Gulldén (SWE) CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 35 5 Ekaterina Ilina (RUS) Rostov-Don (RUS) 34 Iwona Niedzwiedz (POL) MKS Selgros Lublin (POL) 34 7 Alexandrina Cabral Barbosa (ESP) Fleury Loiret Handball (FRA) 33 Tamara Mavsar (SLO) RK Krim Mercator (SLO) 33 9 Amanda Kurtovic (NOR) Larvik (NOR) 32 10 Julia Eriksson (SWE) IK Sävehof (SWE) 31 Iuliia Managarova (UKR) Rostov-Don (RUS) 31 12 Line Jörgensen (DEN) CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 30 Nora Mørk (NOR) Larvik (NOR) 30 Alzbeta Tothova (SVK) Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT) 30 15 Andrea Lekic (SRB) HC Vardar (MKD) 29 Andrea Penezic (CRO) HC Vardar (MKD) 29 17 Elizabeth Omoregie (BUL) RK Krim Mercator (SLO) 28 Szandra Szollosi-Zacsik (HUN) FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 28 19 Lois Abbingh (NED) HCM Baia Mare (ROU) 26 Marta Gega (POL) MKS Selgros Lublin (POL) 26 Svenja Huber (GER) Thüringer HC (GER) 26 Zita Szucsanszki (HUN) FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 26
70 Past Winners
1994 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT
1995 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT
1996 Podravka Koprivnica CRO
1997 Mar El Osito L´Eliana Valencia ESP
1998 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT
1999 Dunaferr SE HUN
2000 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT
2001 RK Krim Neutro Roberts SLO
2002 Kometal D.P. Skopje MKD
2003 Krim ETA Kotex Ljubljana SLO
2004 Slagelse FH DEN
2005 Slagelse FH DEN
2006 Viborg A/S DEN
2007 Slagelse FH DEN
2008 Zvezda Zvenigorod RUS
2009 Viborg A/S DEN
2010 Viborg A/S DEN
2011 Larvik HK NOR
2012 Buducnost Podgorica MNE
2013 Gyõri Audi ETO KC HUN
2014 Gyõri Audi ETO KC HUN
2015 Buducnost Podgorica MNE
2015/16 Women’s EHF Champions League Group Matches Media Information by
EHF Media & Communications, 16/10/2015
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Adrian Costeiu, Amina Idrizi, Nemanja Savic, Michal Pomorski, Fulya Oktem, Bence Martha, Kevin Domas,
Sergey Nikolaev, Jelena Bagaric, Roy Knoppert
71 For further information please contact: Vladislav Brindzak EHF Media & Communications +43 1 80151 161 [email protected]
European Handball Federation EHF Marketing GmbH Hoffingergasse 18 Hoffingergasse 18 1120 Vienna 1120 Vienna Austria Austria
Tel +43 1 80151 0 Tel +43 1 80151 224