Media Information VELUX EHF Champions League Season 2016/17
Group Phase Draw
Glostrup, 1 July 2016 Table of contents
Map of participating clubs 4
Media contacts 6
Playing system diagram - stages and dates 8
Seeding list 9
Home matches overview 10
Pots for group phase draw 11
Groups A&B
POT 1
Telekom Veszprem 12
Rhein-Neckar Löwen 13
POT 2
FC Barcelona Lassa 14
Vive Tauron Kielce 15
POT 3
Paris Saint-Germain Handball 16
HC Vardar 17
POT 4
HC PPD Zagreb 18
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg 19
POT 5
HC Meshkov Brest 20
Orlen Wisla Plock 21
POT 6
MOL-Pick Szeged 22
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 23
2 Table of contents
POT 7
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 24
Kadetten Schaffhausen 25
POT 8
IFK Kristianstad 26
THW Kiel 27
Groups C&D
POT 1
Naturhouse La Rioja 30
HBC Nantes 31
POT 2
HC Metalurg 32
TTH Holstebro 33
POT 3
HC Motor Zaporozhye 34
Chekhovskie Medvedi 35
POT 4
Besiktas MOGAZ HT 36
Montpellier HB 37
POT 5
Dinamo Bucuresti 38
Elverum Handball Herrer 39
Past winners 40
2014/15 Top scorers 41
All-time clubs standings 42
3 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
SG Flensburg- Cocks THW Kiel IFK Kristianstad Handewitt GER FIN GER Orlen Wisla SWE Season 2016/17 Plock, POL Elverum HH NOR Groups A&B teams Bjerringbro- Silkeborg, DEN HC Meshkov Brest Groups C&D teams BLR TTH Qualification teams Holstebro, DEN KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL
VELUX EHF FINAL4 Host City Cologne, GER Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
Achilles Bocholt, BEL
Tatran Presov Red Boys SVK Differdange, LUX
Rhein-Neckar Löwen HC MotorZaporozhye GER UKR
Paris Saint-Germain Handball, FRA Telekom Veszprém, HUN
HBC Nantes FRA
MOL-PickSzeged HUN Montpellier Handball, FRA
Dinamo ABC/UMinho Bucuresti, ROU POR
Besiktas Bregenz Gorenje MOGAZ HT, TUR Naturhouse Handball, AUT Velenje, SLO La Rioja ESP HC Vardar RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB MKD
FC Barcelona Kadetten RK Celje Pivovarna HC PPD HC Metalurg Maccabi CASTRO Lassa ESP Schaffhausen SUI Lasko, SLO Zagreb, CRO MKD Tel Aviv, ISR Your legends deserve daylight
The VELUX Group is donating roof windows to sports clubs across Europe. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are donating roof windows to sports clubs around Europe. Your sports club can apply for a donation of a complete installation of six windows by simply filling out the online application and contacting an installer. This is your chance to bring light and fresh air into your clubhouse, making it more bright, inviting and comfortable – and giving your legends the daylight they deserve.
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V11947-111_End-user_EHFmagazine_Ad_A4.indd 1 20-04-2016 15:14:37 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 Twitter:@ehf [email protected] [email protected]
Group A + B Group C + D POT 1 POT 2 POT 1 POT 2 Telekom Veszprém (HUN) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) HC Metalurg (MKD) Zsolt Sevinger Gustau Galvache Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez Ana Neloska +36 305024547 +34 618522789 +34 63 77 66 107 +389 723 103 98 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) HBC Nantes (FRA) TTH Holstebro Christopher Monz Sebastian Kozubek Lionel Pouget Line Kristoffersen +491744288849 +48 505031244 +33 685 44 42 58 +45 2845 9081 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
POT 3 POT 4 POT 3 POT 4 PSG Handball (FRA) HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Besiktas JK (TUR) Louise Cosnard Goran Roknić Dmitriy Karpushchenko Berk Karahan +33 (0)675 591 939 +385 95 9999 334 +380 50 5581181 +90-535-358-8747 [email protected] glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr [email protected] [email protected]
HC Vardar (MKD) Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Montpellier HB (FRA) Marko Savovski Jonas Loytved Olga Belysheva Suzy Demonte +389 75 200 008 +45 23 323235 +7 909 6391 839 +33 499 610 358 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
POT 5 POT 6 POT 5 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) Pick Szeged (HUN) Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) Alexandr Kulbaka Levente Juhasz Ovidiu Semen +375 29 350 74 79 +36 70 543 0979 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Orlen Wisła Płock (POL) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) Tomasz Bauman Sandra von Wallis Erik Henriksen Tel: +48 723 100 787 +49 4611609625 +47 400 21299 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
POT 7 POT 8 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) THW Kiel (GER) Nejc Ajdnik Christian Robohm +386 40687766 +49 1635306300 [email protected] [email protected]
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) IFK Kristianstad (SWE) Barbara Imobersteg Anders Hallengren +41 787203247 +46 734 33 11 88 [email protected] [email protected]
6
vs vs vs vs place match rd 3 Final Semi-nals (draw) 03./04.06.2017 FINAL4 B1 A1 M1 M2 vs vs vs vs M4 M3 M5 M6 Quarter-nals (no draw) first leg 19.-23.04.2017 leg second 26.-30.04.2017 Quarter-nals B2 B3 B4 A4 A2 A3 vs vs vs vs vs vs B5 K1 B6 K2 A6 A5 Last 16 Last 16 (no draw) first leg 22.-26.03.2017 leg second 29.03.-02.04.2017 M1 M2 M3 M5 M4 M6 C1 D1 Season 2016/17 playing schedule playing Season 2016/17 vs vs Group A & B only Group A & B only Group A & B and KO Group C & D Group A & B and KO Group C & D C2 D2 K1 K2 Group Phase MatchesKO (no draw) 30.11.-4.12.2016 08.-12.2.2017 15.-19.2.17 22.-26.2.17 01.-05.03.17 07.-12.03.17 B1 B7 B2 B5 B3 B6 B4 B8 D1 D2 D3 D5 D4 D6 A1 C1 A7 A6 C6 C2 A4 C4 A8 C5 A2 C3 A5 A3 Group Phase Groups A & B (draw) Group Phase Groups C & D (draw) Group Phase 21.-25.09.2016 28.9.-2.10.2016 05.-09.10.16 12.-16.10.16 19.-23.10.2016 09.-13.11.2016 16.-20.11.2016 23.-27.11.2016
(draw) Qualication Qualication Tournaments playing systemplaying Season 2016/17 QualicationTournaments 03./04.09.2016
8 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2016/17 Qualification Tournaments Group Phase Last 16 Quarterfinals FINAL4 21.-25.09.2016 (1); 28.9.-2.10.2016 (2); 03./04.09.2016 05.-09.10.16 (3); 12.-16.10.16 (4) 22.-26.03.2017 19.-23.04.2017 03./04.06.2017 tournaments 19.-23.10.2016 (5); 09.-13.11.2016 (6) first leg first leg tournament 16.-20.11.2016 (7); 23.-27.11.2016 (8) played in semi finals and finals 30.11.-4.12.2016 (9); 08.-12.2.2017 (10) 29.03.-02.04.2017 26.-30.04.2017 played in 15.-19.2.17 (11-A/B); 22.-26.2.17 (12-A/B) second leg second leg semi finals and finals 01.-05.03.17 (13); 08.-12.03.17 (14) DRAWS: 29 June 2016 in Vienna/AUT 01 July 2016 in Glostrup/DEN no draw no draw 02.05.2017 Group A and B (16 teams) 12 teams 8 teams 4 teams 2 groups with 8 teams
1 HUN 1 Telekom Veszprem 2 GER 1 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 3 ESP 1 F.C. Barcelona Lassa 4 POL 1 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 5 FRA 1 Paris Saint-Germain Handball 6 MKD 1 HC Vardar 7 CRO 1 HC PPD Zagreb 8 DEN 1 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg 9 BLR 1 HC Meshkov Brest 10 POL 2 Orlen Wisla Plock 11 HUN 2 MOL-Pick Szeged 12 GER 2 SG Flensburg Handewitt 13 SLO 1 Celje Pivovarna Lasko 14 SUI 1 Kadetten Schaffhausen 15 SWE 1 IFK Kristianstad 16 GER 3 THW Kiel Group C and D (12 teams) 2 groups with 6 teams 17 ESP 2 Naturhouse La Rioja 18 FRA 2 HBC Nantes 19 MKD 2 HC Metalurg 20 DEN 2 Team Tvis Holstebro 21 UKR 1 HC Motor Zaporozhye 22 RUS 1 Chekhovskie Medvedi 23 TUR 1 Besiktas Mogaz HT 24 FRA 3 Montpellier Handball KO matches from Group C D and qualify for the Last 16 25 ROU 1 Dinamo Bucuresti 16 Last League Champions EHF VELUX of Winners 6
26 NOR 1 Elverum Handball Quarterfinals League Champions EHF VELUX of Winners 4
27 SLO 2 RK Gorenje Velenje 1st placed team of qualify B Groupand A directly for the Quarterfinals;
28 POR 1 ABC/UMinho 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 6th and placed team of as well B Groupand A as winners of 29 SVK 1 Tatran Presov 30 AUT 1 Bregenz Handball 31 LUX 1 Red Boys Differdange 32 BEL 1 Achilles Bocholt Qualification Qualification 33 FIN 1 Cocks tournaments Winners of the 2 34 ISR 1 Maccabi Castro Tel-Aviv
2 groups with 4 teams
4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go to the 1st and 2nd placed team of CL Group Phase Group C EHF Cup Qualification Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of CL and D play Group KO matches. Winners of these Qualification Tornaments go to EHF Cup Qualification Rd 3 matches qualify for L16
status: 27.06.2016 VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 - Dates of the home matches of each team in the Group Phase (Group A, B, C and D)
home match home match home match home match home match home match home match HC Meshkov Brest Telekom Veszprem HC Meshkov Brest Telekom Veszprem F.C. Barcelona Lassa Telekom Veszprem Telekom Veszprem Orlen Wisla Plock Rhein-Neckar Löwen Orlen Wisla Plock Rhein-Neckar Löwen KS Vive Tauron Kielce Rhein-Neckar Löwen Rhein-Neckar Löwen MOL-Pick Szeged F.C. Barcelona Lassa MOL-Pick Szeged F.C. Barcelona Lassa HC PPD Zagreb Paris Saint-Germain HB HC PPD Zagreb SG Flensburg-Handewitt KS Vive Tauron Kielce SG Flensburg-Handewitt KS Vive Tauron Kielce Bjerringbro-Silkeborg HC Vardar Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Celje Pivovarna Lasko Paris Saint-Germain HB Celje Pivovarna Lasko Paris Saint-Germain HB MOL-Pick Szeged HC Meshkov Brest HC Meshkov Brest Kadetten Schaffhausen HC Vardar Kadetten Schaffhausen HC Vardar SG Flensburg-Handewitt Orlen Wisla Plock Orlen Wisla Plock IFK Kristianstad HC PPD Zagreb IFK Kristianstad HC PPD Zagreb IFK Kristianstad Celje Pivovarna Lasko IFK Kristianstad THW Kiel Bjerringbro Silkeborg THW Kiel Bjerringbro Silkeborg THW Kiel Kadetten Schaffhausen THW Kiel HC Metalurg Naturhouse La Rioja Naturhouse La Rioja HC Metalurg Besiktas Mogaz HAT Naturhouse La Rioja Naturhouse La Rioja Team Tvis Holstebro HBC Nantes HBC Nantes Team Tvis Holstebro Montpellier Handball HBC Nantes HBC Nantes Round 3 / 05.-09.10.2016 3 / Round Round 7 / 16.-20.11.2016 7 / Round Round 4 / 12.-16.10.2016 4 / Round 19.-23.10.2016 5 / Round 09.-13.11.2016 6 / Round Round 1 / 21.-25.09.2016 1 / Round
HC Motor Zaporozhye 28.09.-02.10.2016 2 / Round Dinamo Bucuresti HC Motor Zaporozhye Besiktas Mogaz HAT Dinamo Bucuresti HC Metalurg Dinamo Bucuresti Chekhovskie Medvedi Elverum Handball Chekhovskie Medvedi Montpellier Handball Elverum Handball Team Tvis Holstebro Elverum Handball Besiktas Mogaz HAT Winner Qualification Gr. 1 Dinamo Bucuresti Winner Qualification Gr. 1 Winner Qualification Gr. 1 HC Motor Zaporozhye Winner Qualification Gr. 1 Montpellier Handball Winner Qualification Gr. 2 Elverum Handball Winner Qualification Gr. 2 Winner Qualification Gr. 2 Chekhovskie Medvedi Winner Qualification Gr. 2 home match home match home match home match home match home match home match F.C. Barcelona Lassa F.C. Barcelona Lassa Telekom Veszprem HC Meshkov Brest Telekom Veszprem HC Meshkov Brest Telekom Veszprem KS Vive Tauron Kielce KS Vive Tauron Kielce Rhein-Neckar Löwen Orlen Wisla Plock Rhein-Neckar Löwen Orlen Wisla Plock Rhein-Neckar Löwen Paris Saint-Germain HB HC PPD Zagreb Paris Saint-Germain HB MOL-Pick Szeged F.C. Barcelona Lassa MOL-Pick Szeged F.C. Barcelona Lassa HC Vardar Bjerringbro-Silkeborg HC Vardar SG Flensburg-Handewitt KS Vive Tauron Kielce SG Flensburg-Handewitt KS Vive Tauron Kielce MOL-Pick Szeged MOL-Pick Szeged HC Meshkov Brest Celje Pivovarna Lasko Paris Saint-Germain HB Celje Pivovarna Lasko Paris Saint-Germain HB SG Flensburg-Handewitt SG Flensburg-Handewitt Orlen Wisla Plock Kadetten Schaffhausen HC Vardar Kadetten Schaffhausen HC Vardar Celje Pivovarna Lasko IFK Kristianstad Celje Pivovarna Lasko IFK Kristianstad HC PPD Zagreb IFK Kristianstad HC PPD Zagreb Kadetten Schaffhausen THW Kiel Kadetten Schaffhausen THW Kiel Bjerringbro-Silkeborg THW Kiel Bjerringbro Silkeborg HC Metalurg Naturhouse La Rioja HC Metalurg 2nd ranked team Gr. C 1st ranked team Gr. C Team Tvis Holstebro HBC Nantes Team Tvis Holstebro 2nd ranked team Gr. D 1st ranked team Gr. D Round 8 / 23.-27.11.2016 8 / Round Round 10 / 08.-12.02.2017 10 / Round Round 14 / 08.-12.03.2017 14 / Round Round 11 / 15.-19.02.2017 11 / Round 22.-26.02.2017 12 / Round 01.-05.03.2017 13 / Round
HC Motor Zaporozhye 30.11.-04.12.2016 9 / Round HC Motor Zaporozhye Besiktas Mogaz HAT Chekhovskie Medvedi Chekhovskie Medvedi Montpellier Handball Besiktas Mogaz HAT Dinamo Bucuresti Winner Qualification Gr. 1 Montpellier Handball Elverum Handball Winner Qualification Gr. 2
Teams Group A or B Teams Group C or D Seeding for Qualification and Group Phase draw
All clubs of the continent’s premium competition are to Group Phase draw discover their European travel schedule up to March 2017 as the draws for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 The 26 teams directly seeded for the group phase and two qualifiers will learn Qualification and Group Phase will take place later this week. their fate in the new season as the draw both for the Groups A&B and Groups C&D is to be conducted on Friday 1 July at 13:00 hrs in Glostrup, Denmark at Qualification draw the headquarters of SELECT SPORT, the EHF’s new ball partner.
The eight participants of qualification tournaments have been As there will be a country protection at the group phase draw the Pot divided into two groups of four teams by the draw held at the 4 in Groups C&D and Pots 5 and 6 in Groups A&B will not be drawn but EHF Office in Vienna on Wednesday 29 June. AchillesISR) automatically allocated. The only exception is THW Kiel who will end up in a group either with Rhein-Neckar Löwen or SG Flensburg-Handewitt.
11 POT 1 Telekom Veszprém (HUN) Same old rivalry, same old result. Veszprém are once again champions of Hungary. The VELUX EHF Champions League finalists edged MOL-Pick Szeged for the title in a tightly contested play- off.
They had to work hard against their domestic arch rivals. The champions did not compete in the regular season of the Hungarian league as they competed and won the SEHA League instead and joined the competition in the play-offs.
As opposed to previous years there were no finals held in 2015/16 and it had been evident that the clashes between Veszprém and Szeged would determine the outcome of the national championship. Veszprém beat Szeged by a one-goal margin at home, which gave the best chance for Szeged to win the title in a long time.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Hungarian Past achievements champions VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2015/16 season): 22 Final (3): 2001/02, 2014/15, 2015/16 Semi-final (3): 2002/03, 2005/06, 2013/14 Playing hall Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, Veszprém Arena 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, Külso Kadartai ut 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 8200 Veszprém Last 16 (3): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 Hungary Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, Capacity: 5,020 2007/08
Other Club Address: Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Veszprem HC Runners-up 1996/97 5 Külső Kádártai út 8200 Veszprém SEHA-league: 2 titles (2015, 2016) Hungary Hungarian league: 24 titles (1985, 1986, Media contact: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, Zsolt Sevinger 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, +36 305024547 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, [email protected] 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Online information: Hungarian Cup winner: 25 times Website: www.handballveszprem.hu Facebook: veszpremhandballteam Twitter:@mkbveszpremkc
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: grey Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: black
12 POT 1 Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) They finally did it. After THW Kiel had snatched away the trophy in the two last years on the last match day, Rhein-Neckar Löwen had their day in the sun.
Thanks to an away win at Nettelstedt in the final league match, Löwen remained on top and secured their first ever German trophy. In the end, the Mannheim based team was one point ahead of SG Flensburg-Handewitt. Löwen were beaten by Kiel two years ago by two goals, last season by one point, and this season they failed once again to win the German Cup for the first time, losing the semi-final to Flensburg.
The German championship was the perfect farewell for Uwe Gensheimer, who left Löwen after 13 years for Paris Saint-Germain. The only title Löwen had won previously was the EHF Cup in 2013. The 2015/16 season was historic in another way, as THW Kiel failed to lift a trophy for the Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions first time in 13 years. Kiel finished third in the league ahead of Melsungen. League 2016/17 season: German champions
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 8 Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14 Last 16 (2): 2014/15, 2015/16 Playing hall Qualification (1): 2011/12 Fraport Arena Silostrasse 46 Other 65 929 Frankfurt Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08 Germany EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals Capacity: 5,000 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07
German league: 1 title (2016) Club Address: Rhein-Neckar Löwen Mollstraße 49a 68165 Mannheim Germany
Media contact: Christopher Monz +491744288849 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rhein-neckar-loewen.de Facebook: rnloewen Twitter:@RNLoewen
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow Goalkeeper shirt: white/red Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue/green
13 POT 2 FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)
It was another walk-in-the-park season for the Catalan powerhouse who won it last 92 games in a row and have not been defeated in the ASOBAL league for over three years now.
Barca clinched the league title soon after their quarter-final elimination in the VELUX EHF Champions League by THW Kiel and in the final standings the runners-up from Naturhouse La Rioja finished 13 points below the team from Palau Blaugrana. Although Barcelona was the best scoring team with 1,108 goals their top scorer, Kiril Lazarov (148 goals) was not in the top five scorers of the league as much more players shared the burden of scoring responsibilities throughout the season. Barcelona also dominated in the defence conceding only 718 goals.
The Catalan club established a new league record as they scored 48 goals in an away game at Teucro.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Spanish champions Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 sea6son): 20 Winner (8): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11, 2014/15 Playing hall Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13 Palau Blaugrana Semi-final (2): 2007/08, 2013/14 Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n Quarter-final (4): 2005/06, 2006/07, 08028 Barcelona 2011/12, 2015/16 Spain Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Capacity: 7,250 Main Round (1): 2008/09
Other Club Address: EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up FC Barcelona Lassa 2001/02 Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, 08028 Barcelona 1994/95 Spain Spanish league: 23 titles (1969, 1973, 1980, Media contact: 1982, 1986, 1988-92, 1996-2000, 2003, Gustau Galvache 2006, 2011-16) +34 618522789 Spanish Cup winner: 20 titles [email protected] Asobal Cup winner: 11 titles
Online information: Website: www.fcbarcelona.cat Facebook: FCBHandbol Twitter:@FCBHandbol
Kit colours Light Player shirt: red and yellow Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: dark red/blue Dark Player shirt: blue and red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: grey/green
14 POT 2 KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
This was the best season in the history of Vive Tauron Kielce. The Polish champions earned gained a triple crown, winning everything on offer: Polish Championship, Polish cup and the Champions League over the space of three weekends in a row, showing enormous physical and mental resilience.
In the Polish Championship, after taking two easy victories at home in the final of the play-off stage against Orlen Wisla Plock 35:29 and 33:26, the third game appeared to be a formality.
However, the Oilers lead and looked like they could have extended the duel to a fourth match, but Kielce finished the contest in the third game with a score of 27:25.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Polish champions
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 14 Winners (1): 2015/16 Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third ranked in VELUX F4) Playing hall Last 16 (5): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów 2011/12, 2013/14 ul. Boczna 15A Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99 25-093 Kielce Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, Poland 2003/04, 2010/11 Capacity: 4,000 Other 11 participations in other ECs Club Address: KS Vive Tauron Kielce Polish league: 13 titles (1993, 1994, ul. Robotnicza 5 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 25-662 Kielce 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Poland Polish cup: 13 titles
Media contact: Sebastian Kozubek +48 505031244 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.vtkielce.pl Facebook: kielcehandball Twitter:@ksvive
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: green
15 POT 3 Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA)
In France, title holders and recent VELUX EHF FINAL4 participant Paris Saint-Germain managed to win the league again. Losing only three games, including two after their crown was already secured, PSG remained the most regular of all participants.
Helped by best league scorer Mikkel Hansen, the Parisians finished ten points ahead of second Saint-Raphaël, while Nantes finished third and Montpellier fourth.
The league was the only national title for Nikola’s Karabatic team-mates, though, since Montpellier beat them twice in the national cup finals.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: French champions Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 5 Semi-final (1): 2015/16 (3rd) Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 16 (1): 2005/06
Playing hall Other Stade Pierre de Coubertin EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2006/07, Last 16 82, Avenue Georges Lafond 2003/04 75016 Paris France French league: 3 titles (2013, 2015, 2016) Capacity: 4,012 French cup: 2 titles
Club Address: Paris Saint-Germain Handball 82 avenue Georges Lafont 75016 Paris France
Media contact: Louise Cosnard +33 675 591 939 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.psghand.fr Facebook: PSGHand Twitter:@PSG_HANDBALL
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
16 POT 3 HC Vardar (MKD) While a few seasons ago FYR Macedonia had an interesting championship in which was impossible to guess who will be the winner until the very end of the season, things have changed in the league that is a pure formality for HC Vardar.
One match before the season end, Vardar secured the trophy after they obtained an easy victory by demolishing the last season silver medallists Maks Strumica. Raul Gonzales team furiously started the match and had an advantage of 23 goals at one stage of the match that ended 47:30. The last match of the season against Prilep was quite an easy task that ended 38:34 in Vardar’s favour.
This trophy marked the end for Dejan Manaskov, Sergey Gorbok, Matjas Brumen and Alem Toskic at the club.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Macedonian champions Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 11 Quarter-final (3): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Last 32 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, Playing hall 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10 Jane Sandanski Skopje Other FYR Macedonia Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1998/99, Capacity: 5,000 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-finals 2006/07
SEHA league: 1 title (2012) Club Address: HC Vardar Macedonian league: 10 titles (1999, Marko Savovski 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, BUL 8 mi Septemvri 20 2013, 2015, 2016) FYR Macedonia Macedonian cup: 11 titles Media contact: Marko Savovski +389 75 200 088 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rkvardar.com.mk Facebook: rkvardar Twitter:@HCVardar
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: orange and red Dark Player shirt: black/red Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black and blue
17 POT 4 HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
HC PPD Zagreb showed the unquenchable trophy hunger once again. As usual, the title was decided between Zagreb and NEXE, with the team lead by Veselin Vujovic preaviling in both RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO matches to clear all doubts regarding the Croatian champion. ZAGREB Yet again, Zagreb’s season was plagued with injuries and departures. Vujovic’s team went through tough times during winter, as the likes of the quintessential sharpshooters Stipe Mandalinic and Luka Stepancic endured difficult setbacks.
However, Zagreb recovered from a mid-season injury crisis to on the wings of exhilarating performances in the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-finals. The ever-confident Lions took the championship trophy to their den by finishing the job domestically, celebrating the famous double in front of the home fans, for the milestone 25th time.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Croatian champions
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 23 Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99 Semi-final (1): 1999/00 Playing hall Quarter-final (7): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, Arena Zagreb 2015/16 Laniste b.b., Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 10000 Zagreb Main Round (1): 2007/08 Croatia Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 2004/05, Capacity: 15,200 2006/07, 2012/13
Club Address: Other HC PPD Zagreb EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05 Veprinecka 16 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2006/07 10000 Zagreb Croatia SEHA League: 1 title (2013)
Media contact: Croatian league: 26 titles (1991-2016) Goran Roknić Croatian Cup winner: 23 times +385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr
Online information: Website: www.rk-zagreb.hr Facebook: RK-Zagreb Twitter:@RKZagreb
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red
18 POT 4 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN) Before a ball was thrown in the finals of the play-off, it was a fact that Denmark would get a new national champion with neither Silkeborg nor Holstebro having won the title before. Regular season winners Holstebro reached their very first championship final.
As Silkeborg finished lower in the league than Holstebro, Silkeborg started at home, and the EHF Cup quarter-finalists placed one hand on the trophy at Jysk Arena. After 60 minutes it stood 27:20 for the hosts but, as it turned out four days later, the team from the Lake Highland of Jutland had no reason to feel safe before travelling north-west for the second leg.
On several occasions in the return match Holstebro came within touching distance of Silkeborg´s seven-goal lead. In a full Gråkjær Arena, Holstebro lead by six goals at 14:8 towards the end of the first half as well as 19:13 and 20:14 after the break.
However, Silkeborg managed to stop the downfall and reduce the deficit to one goal, 26:25 at Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions the final buzzer. With a 52:46 win on aggregate, Silkeborg lifted their first trophy in the club’s League 2016/17 season: Danish champions history.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Last 16 (1): 2012/13 Group Phase (1): 2011/12 Qualification (1): 2010/11 Playing hall JYSK Arena, Silkeborg Other Ansvej 114 EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2002/03, 2008/09, 8600 Silkeborg 2015/16, Last 16 2010/11 Denmark Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2006/07 Capacity: 3,000 Danish league: 1 title (2016)
Club Address: Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Vestre Ringvej 7 8850 Bjerringbro Denmark
Media contact: Jonas Loytved +45 23 323235 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.bjerringbro-silkeborg.dk Facebook: bjerringbrosilkeborg Twitter:@BSVofficiel
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red
19 POT 5 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
HC Meshkov Brest became Belarusian champions for the 8th time in history and for the third successive year. Just like in the previous season, they had to face SKA Minsk in the final. SKA signed a short-term contract with the famous Siarhei Rutenka at the end of the season, which raised their hopes for a national title.
Yet Brest, having a more balanced team, were too strong for the Minsk team. The fight was tight, and it was very important for HC Meshkov to win the first game in Minsk, which they did, 32:30.
The best-of-five series moved to Brest where the team coached by Sergey Bebeshko obviously felt more comfortable. In the second game, SKA led by four goals during the first half. Yet Brest made a comeback, strongly improved after the break and went on to comfortably win 33:26.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions The team from Minsk had their last hope in the third match, and SKA were leading 14:13 after League 2016/17 season: Belarusian the first half. But yet again, Bebeshko’s team were more fortunate, won 27:26 and lifted the champions national trophy.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 8 Last 16 (1): 2015/16 Group Phase (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2014/15 Playing hall Qualification (1): 2008/09 Sportshall Victoria Leningradskaya 4 Other 224028 Brest Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final Belarus 2011/12 Capacity: 3,500 Belarusian league: 8 titles (2004-08, Club Address: 2014-16) HC Meshkov Brest Belarusian cup: 10 titles Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus
Media contact: Alexandr Kulbaka +375 29 350 74 79 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.bgk-meshkova.com Facebook: bgkmeshkova Twitter:bgk_meshkova
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/green Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: grey
20 POT 5 Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Yet another season completed in a runner-up position. Plock were clearly second best throughout the Polish league season behind Kielce, but were never under pressure en route to the final.
The decisive games between the sides brought huge emotions both for fans and players. All in all, a 3:0 victory for Kielce gave them their 13th title and meant that Plock had to rely on an additional place to the VELUX EHF Champions League.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Polish runners-up Past achievements upgraded by the EHF EXEC VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 12 Last 16 (5): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Group Phase (5): 2002/03, 2004/05, Playing hall 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09 Orlen Arena Qualification (1): 2012/13 Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Other Poland EHF Cup: quarter-finals 1993/94, Group Capacity: 5,467 Phase: 2012/13
Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011) Club Address: Polish Cup: 10 titles Orlen Wisła Płock Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1 09-400 Płock Poland
Media contact: Tomasz Bauman Tel: +48 723 100 787 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.sprwislaplock.pl Facebook: sprWisla Twitter:@SPRWisla
Kit colours Light Player shirt: whiteblue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red
21 POT 6 MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)
The perennial crown prince of Hungarian handball led mainly by the inspirational centre back Dean Bombac were close to dethrone Veszprem both in the league and the cup but at the end they were denied in their intentions.
After the extra-time defeat in the cup final Szeged lost the away game against Veszprem by only narrowest of margins and any win the return leg of the winners’ stage would guarantee them a desired reward - their third title. However Veszprem held the upper hand basically from the start of the deciding game and never let Szeged hope to rally back.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Hungarian runners- Past achievements up upgraded by the EHF EXEC VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 15 Quarter-final (3): 1996/1997, 2003/2004, 2014/15 Last 16 (6): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, Playing hall 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13, Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged 2015/16 Temesvari Krt.33 Main Round (1): 2007/2008 6726 Szeged Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, Hungary 2009/2010, 2011/2012 Capacity: 3,200 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Other Club Address: MOL-Pick Szeged EHF Cup: Winners 2014/15, Quarter- Deák Ferenc u. 28-30. final: 2000/01 6720 Szeged Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000 Hungary Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-final: 1993/94 Media contact: Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09 Levente Juhasz Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007) +36 70 543 0979 Hungarian cup: 6 titles [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.pickhandball.hu Facebook: pickszeged Twitter:@pickhandball
Kit colours Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: white or green Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black
22 POT 6 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
The long wait for the second title in Flensburg’s history continues after the last bundesliga season saw the 2014 VELUX EHF Champions League winners finish second only by a narrow margin behind Rhein-Neckar Löwen.
Despite surviving in the title run longer than their regional arch-rivals from Kiel Ljubomir Vranjes’s charges came short at the end as their title drought dates back to 2004 when they claimed their first and only league crown.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions Past achievements League 2016/17 season: German runners-up VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 12 Winners (1): 2013/14 Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 Playing hall Quarter-final (5): 2004/2005, Flens Arena 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, Campusallee 2 2015/16 24943 Flensburg Last 16 (1): 2014/15 Germany Main Round (1): 2007/2008 Capacity: 6,000 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 Club Address: 2011/2012 SG Flensburg-Handewitt EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 Schiffbrücke 66 City Cup: Winners 1998/1999 24939 Flensburg Germany German league: 1 title (2004) German cup: 4 titles Media contact: Sandra von Wallis +49 4611609625 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.sg-flensburg-handewitt.de Facebook: SGFleHa Twitter:@SGFleHa
Kit colours Light Player shirt: blue-orange Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: white Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black
23 POT 7 Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
Zlatorog hall witnessed a true renaissance this season, as 5,000 loud fans flood the arena at each Celje Pivovarna Lasko match. The VELUX EHF Champions League outfit enjoyed a good season in all competitions, which saw the emergence of the home-grown talent Blaz Janc as one of the team’s leading figures.
As usual, Celje’s title push encountered little resistance from other Slovenian sides, aside from the three-time champion and bitter rivals Gorenje.
The Velenje-based club even lead the league table, ahead of their away duel with Celje in the ultimate round of the championship; however, Branko Tamse’s side cleared any doubts from the very first minute, which was the only time Gorenje lead in the match.
The final result has put Gorenje as runners-up for a third time in a row, while Celje claimed their milestone 20th Slovenian champions title, alongside their 19th domestic cup glory.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Slovenian Past achievements champions VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 21 Winner (1): 2003/04 Semi-final (6): 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2004/05 Playing hall Quarter-final (2): 2001/02, 2005/06 Dvorana Zlatorog Last 16 (3): 1995/96, 2006/07, 2012/13, Opekarinska cesta 15 2013/14 3000 Celje Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Slovenia Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 1994/95, Capacity: 5,830 2010/11, 2014/15 Qualification (1): 2009/10
Club Address: Other Celje Pivovarna Lasko Cup Winners‘ Cup: semi-finals 2002/02, Opekarniska Cesta 15 2011/12 3000 Celje Slovenia Slovenian league: 20 titles (1992-2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Media contact: 2010, 2014, 2015) Nejc Ajdnik Slovenian cup: 19 times +386 40687766 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rk-celje.si Facebook: rkceljepivovarnaLasko Twitter:@RKCPL
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow-blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red
24 POT 7 Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) Kadetten Schaffhausen again demonstrated their dominance by taking the trophy for the ninth time within eleven years, adding the Swiss cup and thus their fourth double to their club cabinet.
Only four days after winning the cup final against St. Gallen 32:28, a thrilling and exciting final series in the best-of-five mode started. And 2016 Kadetten needed all five matches against Wacker Thun to make it again. After both sides won their first two home matches, the fifth game was needed to decide.
3,150 fans in the sold-out BBC Arena witnessed a true thriller, which was open until the final stages, but Kadetten took a 30:28 win at the end and consequently the trophy as well after a season in which coach Markus Baur was sacked and replaced by Dane Lars Walther.
Another icing on the cake was the “best player of the season” award for Kadetten’s Hungarian playmaker Gabor Csaszar.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Swiss champions Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 10 Last 16 (2): 2010/11, 2011/12 Group Phase (6): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16 Playing hall Qualification (1): 2009/10 BBC Arena Schweizersbildstr. 10 Other 8207 Schaffhausen EHF Cup: final 2009/10 Switzerland Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final: 2007/08 Capacity: 3,000 Swiss league: 9 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016) Club Address: Swiss Cup: 8 titles Kadetten Schaffhausen Schweizersbildstrasse 10 8207 Schaffhausen Switzerland
Media contact: Barbara Imobersteg +41 787203247 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.kadettensh.ch Twitter:@kadettensh Facebook: kadettensh
Kit colours Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: orange Goalkeeper shirt: green
25 POT 8 IFK Kristianstad (SWE) Last year, IFK Kristianstad became Swedish champions for the first time in 62 years.
This season, they copied that achievement, winning the championship for the second time in succession and against the same opponent as last year.
The Swedish championship is decided in just the final match, after the quarter and semi-finals are played as a best of five series. This year, the final was played in the Malmö Arena on Sunday 22. May, and just like last year on Gothenburg, Kristianstad and Alingsås faced each other in the deciding match.
At this point, all similarities stopped. Whilst last year’s final was a close affair with changing leads and a relatively narrow 28:25 win for Kristianstad, the team under Ola Lindgren left no doubt this time. With a stunning 18:6 lead at half-time, Kristianstad eliminated any excitement about the result at an early stage and secured a convincing 27:18 win. Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Swedish champions Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 2 Group Phase (1): 2015/16
Other EHF Cup: Group Phase 2013/14 Playing hall Kristianstad Arena Swedish league: 6 titles (1941, 1948, Västra Storgatan 1 1952, 1953, 2015, 2016) 29154 Kristianstad Sweden Capacity: 4,800
Club Address: IFK Kristianstad Västra Storgatan 69 29154 Kristanstad Sweden
Media contact: Anders Hallengren +46 734 33 11 88 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.ifkkristianstad.se Facebook: IFKKristianstad Twitter:@IFKKristianstad
Kit colours Light Player shirt: orange Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: red/yellow/black/white Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: red/yellow/black/white
26 POT 8 THW Kiel (GER)
Four-year reign of THW Kiel in Germany has ended last season as the defending champions had to leave the throne for Rhein-Neckar Löwen, who claimed their maiden league crown.
Despite many injuries Kiel were in the three-way race for the title almost for the entire season, but a handful of unexpected upsets in the later stage of the competition made them only see backs of Löwen and Flensburg.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: German 3rd ranked Past achievements team upgraded by the EHF EXEC VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 20 Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2013/14 Playing hall Semi-final (5): 1996/97, 2000/01, Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16 Europaplatz 1, Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, 24103 Kiel 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11 Germany Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96 Capacity: 10,000 Other EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, Club Address: 2003/04 THW Kiel Ziegelteich 30 German league: 20 titles (1957, 1962, 24103 Kiel 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, Germany 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Media contact: German Cup winners: 9 times Christian Robohm +49 1635306300 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.thw-provinzial.de Facebook:thwhandball Twitter:@thw_handball
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: green Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: red
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magazine advert.indd 1 12/04/2016 17:19 POT 1 Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP)
The title run in the Spanish ASOBAL has not been a question for some time and the most interesting race is just behind the FC Barcelona leading position.
Rioja were able to defend their runners-up position despite the fact they met a fierce opposition from the likes of ressurected Ademar Leon and Granollers, who finished third in the EHF Cup last season.
At the end Rioja prevailed garnering five more points then third Leon after recording 21 wins, one draw and six defeats in 28 matches.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions Past achievements League 2016/17 season: Spanish runners-up VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Group Phase (3): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16
Playing hall Other EHF Cup: Semi-finalists 2009/10, Palacio de los deportes de la Rioja 2010/11, Group Phase 2012/13 Avenida Moncalvillo 2 Logrono Spanish league: no titles Spain Spanish Cup winners: - (runners-up in Capacity: 3,500 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Club Address: Naturhouse La Rioja Avenida de Moncalvillo 2 26008 Logrono Spain
Media contact: Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez +34 63 77 66 107 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.cbclogrono.com Facebook: Club-Balonmano-Naturhouse- La-Rioja Twitter:@NaturhouseRioja
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue
30 POT 1 HBC Nantes (FRA)
After winning the French League Cup title in 2015 Nantes were eager to add more silverware to their cabinet. They focused primarily on two competitions - the domestic championship and the EHF Cup, where they hosted the final tournament for the second time.
In the European competition they reached the final but like in 2013 when they hosted the first ever edition of the EHF Cup Finals came short against a German team - this time around Frisch Auf Göppingen.
In the French league they conquered new heights as they finished third behind Paris Saint- Germain Handball and St. Raphael Var.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: French 3rd ranked Past achievements team upgraded by the EHF EXEC VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 1
Other EHF Cup: runners-up 2012/13, 2015/16, Playing hall quarter-finals 2013/14 Salle Sportive de la Trocardiere 91 Rue de la Trocardiere French League Cup: 1 title (2015) 44400 Reze France Capacity: 4,500
Club Address: HBC Nantes 91 rue de la Trocardiere 44400 Reze France
Media contact: Lionel Pouget +33 685 44 42 58 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.hbcnantes.com Facebook: HBCNantesOfficiel Twitter:HBCNantes
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white/purple Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: orange or blue Dark Player shirt: purple/yellow Player short: purple Goalkeeper shirt: black
31 POT 2 HC Metalurg (MKD)
Yet another season HC Metalurg witnessed a successful title campaign of their city arch-rivals from Vardar. But Metalurg hinted a new desire to come back at the top as they left the rest of the Macedonian competition well behind them.
They won the regular season played without Vardar with a perfect record of 18 wins from 18 matches and suffered their only two defeats in the winners’ stage against Vardar. While last year they finished on the same points as Zomimak, this time around they left the third team from Strumica nine points below.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Macedonian runners-up upgraded by the EHF EXEC Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 9 Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14 Last 16 (1): 2011/12 Group Phase (4): 2006/07, 2008/09, Playing hall 2014/15, 2015/16 Boris Trajkovski Qualification (1): 2010/11 bul. 8 Septemvri bb Skopje Other FYR Macedonia 9 participations in other EC Capacity: 7,000 Macedonian league: 6 titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) Macedonian cup: 5 titles
Club Address: HC Metalurg ul. Jane Lukroski 6 1000 Skopje FYR Macedonia
Media contact: Ana Neloska +389 723 103 98 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.rkmetalurg.mk Facebook: rkmetalurgofficial Twitter:@RKMetalurg
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/orange/white Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue
32 POT 2 TTH Holstebro (DEN) It was a break-through season for Team Tvis Holstebro who changed their name to TTH Holstebro after the 2015/16. Not only their women’s club won the last edition of the Cup Winners’ Cup, but their men had a fabolous somestic season.
After winning the regular season of the Danish championship Holstebro made it to the play- off’s final for the first time in their history. The also had an advantage of hosting the return leg of the home and away final series against Bjerringbro, but had a mountain to climb after the first leg which they lost by seven goals.
On several occasions Holstebro came within touching distance of Silkeborg’s lead. In a full Gråkjær Arena, Holstebro lead by six goals at 14:8 towards the end of the first half as well as 19:13 and 20:14 after the break. However, Silkeborg managed to stop the downfall and reduce the deficit to one goal, 26:25 at the final buzzer.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Danish runners-up Past achievements upgraded by the EHF EXEC VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 1
Other EHF Cup: semi-finals (3rd ranked) Playing hall 2012/13, quarter-finals 2014/15 Gräkjaer Arena Hostrupvej 27 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2009/10 7500 Holstebro Challenge Cup: Round 4 2002/03 Denmark Capacity: 3,250 Danish league: -runners-up 2016 Danish cup: 1 title (2008)
Club Address: TTH Holstebro Hostrupsvej 27 7500 Holstebro Denmark
Media contact: Line Kristoffersen +45 2845 9081 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.teamtvisholstebro.dk Facebook: teamtvisholstebro
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: black Dark Player shirt: back Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue or green
33 POT 3 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
For the fourth successive time, HC Motor Zaporozhye became the Ukrainian champion.
On paper, Motor’s sternest rival was another team from Zaporozhye, ZTR. But Motor did not give their opponents any chances. The team coached by Mykola Stepanets won all four derbies against ZTR, as well as all other 20 games in the league.
So in the end Motor had a perfect record, 48 points in 24 matches and were deserved champions.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: Ukrainian champions
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Last 16 (2): 2013/14, 2015/16 Group Phase (1): 2014/15
Playing hall * Other Lokomotiv Sport Complex EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Kotlova 90/1 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals Kharkiv 2011/12 Ukraine Capacity: 4,500 * to be confirmed Ukrainian league: 4 titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Ukrainian cup: 3 titles Club Address: HC Motor Zaporozhye Ivanova Str. 24 69068 Zaporozhye Ukraine
Media contact: Dmitriy Karpushchenko +380 50 5581181 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.handball.motorsich.com Facebook: HC-Motor
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white/red Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/black Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red/black
34 POT 3 Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi continue to be the dominant force in the Russian handball. The team coached by Vladimir Maximov won their 15th title in a row. It was not always easy for the Chekhov team. In the Russian Superleague, if the difference between the leader and the runner-up is more than four points after a regular season, the first-placed team automatically becomes a champion, and no play-off series are played.
But this year, this was not the case. Chekhovskie Medvedi had 58 points, while their rivals Permskie Medvedi had 54, and the best-of-three final series were to be held. In the first game in Perm, Chekhov were down by two goals at half-time (17:19) but showed character and eventually won 33:30.
In Chekhov, the battle was also tight, but the more experienced Maximov’s played raised the Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions tempo in the right moments, and their goalkeeper made some good saves, driving them to a League 2016/17 season: Russian champions 34:32 win and the championship.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 16 Semi-final (1): 2009/10 Quarter-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Last 16 (3): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13 Playing hall Main Round (1): 2007/08 Sport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” Chekhov Group Phase (8): 2000/01, 2001/02, Poligrafistov Str. 30 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 142300 Chekhov 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16 Russia Capacity: 3,000 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06
Club Address: Russian league: 15 titles (2002-2016) Chekhovskie Medvedi Russian cup: 14 titles Poligrafistov str. 30 142300 Chekhov, Mosk. oblast Russia
Media contact: Olga Belysheva +7 909 6391 839 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.ch-medvedi.ru
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: purple Player short: purple Goalkeeper shirt: red
35 POT 4 Besiktas MOGAZ HT (TUR)
After lifting the Turkish Cup for the 11th time in May, Turkish powerhouse won the eighth consecutive championship with same coaches and captain at the beginning of June. Their opponent was Büyüksehir Belediye Ankaraspor (BSB Ankaraspor) just like last year’s play-off final. In the first leg at Ankara, Besiktas managed to win by four goals after extra time (36:40). Games at home were much easier for the reigning champions. Rivals played two pleasurable games for handball fans at Istanbul and play-off final series ended 3-0 in favor of black and white. Last game of the season was very emotional especially for Besiktas fans. Their Serbian gem Darko Djukic, who was voted Best Young Player of the 2015/16 VELUX EHF Champions League left the club to join KS Vive Tauron Kielce. And the most inspiring player of Turkish champions, Miroslav Kocic said farewell, too. Serbian goalie signed a contract with LNH newcomers Saran HB. With Besiktas’s last title, Turkish Cup Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions finalist Göztepe qualified to Challenge Cup. Istanbul team extend the contracts of some players League 2016/17 season: Turkish champions like stalwart Ramazan Döne, line players Tolga Özbahar and Mehmet Demirezen.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 10 Group Phase (2): 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (7): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13, Playing hall 2013/14 Sinam Erdem Spor Salonu Zuhuratbaba Mh, Bakritköy Other 34147 Istanbul EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06, Turkey 2010/11 Capacity: 15,000 Challenge Cup: Semi-final 2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03
Club Address: Turkish league: 12 titles (1981, 1982, Besiktas MOGAZ HT 2005, 2007, 2009-2016) Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48 Turkish cup: 12 titles 34357 Besiktas - Istanbul Turkey
Media contact: Berk Karahan Tel: +90 535 358 8747 [email protected]
Online information: www.bjk.com.tr Twitter:@BJKHentbol Facebook: Besiktas
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue
36 POT 4 Montpellier HB (FRA)
Record French champions Montpellier dropped by two places compared to their runners-up position in 2014/15 falling back not only behind the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain but also St. Raphael Var and HBC Nantes. The 2003 EHF Champions League winners, who still remain the only French team to conquer the European throne, made it up at least in the domestic French competitions beating Paris both in the final of the French Cup and the League Cup.
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 season: French 4th ranked Past achievements team upgraded by EHF EXEC VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 19 Winners (1): 2002/03 Semi-final (1): 2004/05 Quarter-final (4): 2000/01, 2005/06, Playing hall 2009/10, 2010/11 Park & Suites Arena Montpellier Last 16 (6): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, Rue de la Foire 2011/12, 2014/15, 2016/17 34470 Pérols/Montpellier Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 France Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, Capacity: 8,000 2012/13 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Other Club Address: Montpellier HB EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter- Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000 final: 1996/97 34090 Montpellier Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95 France Last 32: 1997/98 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final Media contact: 2001/02 Suzy Demonte +33 499 610 358 French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998, [email protected] 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) Online information: French cup: 13 titles www.montpellierhandball.com Facebook: montpellierhandball Twitter:@mhbofficiel
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: orange/light blue Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black
37 POT 5 Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) With 13 titles in the “Liga Națională”, Dinamo București have always been a powerhouse in the Romanian’s men handball. However, in the last 15 years, Dinamo only managed to win one title, in 2005. The last ten years have been the most difficult in the team’s history, the lack of funding bringing Dinamo to the brink of bankruptcy. The powerhouse had to play their home games in Brașov or Călărași, but came back to Bucharest in 2014 with huge ambitions.
Having lost in the semi-finals last season against Minaur Baia Mare, Dinamo tried even harder this season and finished the regular season on top with six points more than CSM București. After wins against Dunărea Călărași and Politehnica Timișoara in the first play-off rounds, the final against CSM București was set.
Dinamo looked in control after obliterating CSM in the first game, 34:20, but CSM came back and won the second leg, 27:25 bringing the tie down to the wire. Having the better regular season, Dinamo played in their home hall, packed with their ultras, and clawed back in the Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions second half to win, 25:23. It was the first title in the last 11 years for Dinamo, who claim it is League 2016/17 season: Romanian the start of a new era in Romanian handball. champions
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Group Stage (1): 2005/06 Qualification (2): 1995/96, 1997/98
Other Playing hall EHF Cup: semi-finals 2003/04, Last 16 2001/02, Dinamo Bucuresti Arena 2004/05 Soseaue Stefan Cel Mare 7-9 Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2002/03 Sector 2, 020121 Bucuresti Challenge Cup: runners-up 2000/01, semi-finals Romania 2007/08 Capacity: 2,538 City Cup: Semi-finals 1999/2000 European Champions’ Cup: 1 title (1965) Club Address: IHF Cup Winners’ Cup: runners-up 1983 Dinamo Bucuresti Sos.Stefan cel Mare n° 7-9 ,sec2 Romanian league: 13 titles (1959, 1960, 1961, Bucuresti 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1978, 1986, 1995, 1997, Romania 2005, 2016) Romanian cup: 3 titles (1979, 1982, 1988) Media contact: Ovidiu Semen [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.csdinamo.eu Facebook: csdinamo
Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: red Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: blue
38 POT 5 Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) In Norway, like in Sweden, it was same procedure as last year. For the second time in succession, ØIF Arendal won the league and could call themselves “Seriemester” – league champions.
Also for the second time in succession, they did not make it in the play-offs. In fact, Arendal were sent out already in the quarter-finals, and once again, the final was a tussle between Elverum HH and Haslum HK.
Having finished lower than Elverum in the league, Haslum started at home, but did not get much out the home advantage, to say the least. A 28:23 win for Elverum gave last season’s VELUX EHF Champions League participants an extremely good position ahead of the return match in Terningen Arena of Elverum.
Through another five goal win, 26:21 this time, they could celebrate winning the play-off for the fifth time in a row.
Past achievements
Qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions VELUX EHF Champions League League 2016/17 season: Norwegian Participations (including 2016/17 champions season): 3 Group Phase (1): 2015/16 Qualification (1): 2013/14
Playing hall Other Terningen Arena Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final Hamarvegen 112 2010/11 2418 Elverum EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 Norway Capacity: 2,400 Norwegian league: 4 titles (2009, 2013, 2015, 2016)
Club Address: Elverum Handball Herrer Postboks 295 2403 Elverum Norway
Media contact: Erik Henriksen +47 400 21299 [email protected]
Online information: Website: www.ehh.no Facebook: elverumhandball Twitter:@ElverumHandball
Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: green
39 Past Winners
2016 Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
2015 FC Barcelona (ESP)
2014 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
2013 HSV Hamburg (GER)
2012 THW Kiel (GER)
2011 FC Barcelona Borges (ESP)
2010 THW Kiel (GER)
2009 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2008 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2007 THW Kiel (GER)
2006 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2005 FC Barcelona-Cifec (ESP)
2004 RK Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
2003 Montpellier HB (FRA)
2002 SC Magdeburg (GER)
2001 Portland San Antonio (ESP)
2000 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1999 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1998 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1997 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1996 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1995 Elgorriaga Bidasoa (ESP)
1994 TEKA Santander (ESP)
40 2015/16 Top Scorers
Rank Player Club Goals 1 Mikkel Hansen (DEN) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 141 2 Momir Ilic (SRB) MVM Veszprém (HUN) 120 3 Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) 109 4 Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) 103 5 Dean Bombac (SLO) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 101 6 Domagoj Duvnjak (CRO) THW Kiel (GER) 93 Michal Jurecki (POL) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 93 8 Anders Eggert (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 90 Nikola Karabatic (FRA) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 90 Barys Pukhouski (BLR) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) 90 11 Rastko Stojkovic (SRB) HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) 89 12 Darko Djukic (SRB) Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR) 87 13 Holger Glandorf (GER) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 83 14 Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar (MKD) 78 Gasper Marguc (SLO) MVM Veszprém (HUN) 78 Andre Schmid (SUI) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 78 Lasse Svan (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 78 18 Rasmus Lauge Schmidt (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 77 19 Karol Bielecki (POL) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 76 20 Ramazan Döne (TUR) Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR) 74 Iman Jamali Moorchegani (HUN) IFK Kristianstad (SWE) 74
41 All-time club standings 1993 - 2016 # TR Name of the club MP W D L GF:FA GD P NP % G 1 1 FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 244 182 17 45 7533:6261 +1272 381:107 (19)* 78,07% 2 2 THW Kiel GER 240 168 14 58 7448:6476 +972 350:130 (19)* 72,92% 3 3 Telekom Veszprem HUN 222 151 10 61 6444:5770 +674 312:132 (20)* 70,27% 4 4 HC PPD Zagreb CRO 226 109 24 93 5962:5824 +138 242:210 (22)* 53,54% 5 5 BM Atletico Madrid ESP 144 111 5 28 4502:3803 +699 227:61 (10) 78,82% 6 6 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 184 101 10 77 5374:5069 +305 212:164 (18)* 57,61% 7 7 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER 148 94 10 44 4473:4093 +380 198:98 (11)* 66,89% 8 8 Montpellier Handball FRA 170 92 11 67 4877:4674 +203 195:145 (16)* 57,35% 9 9 HSV Hamburg GER 98 68 9 21 3088:2670 +418 145:51 (7) 73,98% 10 10 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 110 66 10 34 3226:3090 +136 142:78 (9)* 64,55% 11 11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 136 63 15 58 4146:4016 +130 141:131 (14)* 51,84% 12 12 Portland San Antonio ESP 100 64 6 30 2929:2594 +335 134:66 (9) 67,00% 13 13 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 134 59 10 65 3687:3719 -32 128:140 (13)* 47,76% 14 14 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 118 54 9 55 3330:3361 -31 117:119 (12) 49,58% 15 15 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 86 49 11 26 2588:2388 +200 109:63 (6)* 63,37% 16 16 Reale Ademar Leon ESP 100 50 6 44 2875:2817 +58 106:94 (10) 53,00% 17 17 HC Vardar MKD 86 31 11 44 2323:2466 –143 73:99 (9)* 42,44% 18 18 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 60 34 4 22 1724:1655 +69 72:48 (5)* 60,00% 19 19 Chambery Savoie Handball FRA 74 29 3 42 2028:2133 -105 61:87 (8) 41,22% 20 20 HC Metalurg MKD 72 27 5 32 1768:1874 -106 59:85 (7)* 40,97% 21 21 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 72 24 7 41 2053:2142 -89 55:89 (8)* 38,19% 22 22 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 82 25 5 52 2166:2374 –208 55:109 (9)* 33,54% 23 23 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 62 26 1 35 1779:1775 +4 53:71 (6)Q 42,74% 24 24 SC Magdeburg GER 40 24 3 13 1166:1077 +89 51:29 (4) 63,75% 25 25 GOG Svendborg TGI DEN 62 23 5 34 1765:1815 –50 51:73 (8) 41,13% 26 30 ABC/UMinho POR 38 16 5 17 876:915 –39 37:39 (5)Q 48,68% Q 27 32 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 36 16 2 18 1034:1065 -31 34:38 (3)* 47,22% 28 35 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 34 14 3 17 1016:1033 -17 31:37 (3)* 45,59% 29 36 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 48 14 3 31 1312:1414 -102 31:65 (6)* 32,29% 30 46 Tatran Presov SVK 46 9 4 33 1245:1436 -191 22:70 (7)Q 23,91% Q 31 67 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN 22 4 0 18 562:654 -92 8:36 (2)* 18,18% 32 71 Elverum Handball NOR 10 3 1 6 274:289 -15 7:13 (1)* 35,00% 33 72 IFK Kristianstad SWE 14 3 1 10 409:437 -28 7:21 (1)* 25,00% Q 34 73 Bregenz Handball AUT 24 2 3 19 648:791 -143 7:41 (4)Q 14,58% Q 35 97 Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR 24 2 0 22 635:790 –155 4:44 (2)* 16,67% 36 105 Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 6 1 0 5 148:198 -50 2:10 (1)* 16,67% NR Team Tvis Holstebro DEN 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0)* 0,00% NR HBC Nantes FRA 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0)* 0,00% NR Achilles Bocholt BEL 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0)Q 0,00% Q NR Red Boys Differdange LUX 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0)Q 0,00% Q NR Cocks FIN 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0)Q 0,00% Q NR Maccabi Castro Tel-Aviv ISR 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0)Q 0,00% Q
All stats in this guide are provided by Roy Knoppert.
42 VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 Qualification Draw Media Information by
EHF Media & Communications, 29/06/2016
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Bence Martha, Kevin Domas, Michal Pomorski, Sergey Nikolaev, Adrian Costeiu, Amina Idrizi, Nemanja
Savic, Roy Knoppert
43 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