Media Guide VELUX EHF Champions League Season 2015/16 Last 16
Table of contents
Foreword 4
Media contacts 5
Map of participating clubs 6
Playing system diagram - stages and dates 7
Road to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 - diagram 8
Media accreditation for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 9
Facts & Figures of the Group Phase 11
Important regulations - scoring of the Last 16 matches 12
Motor Zaporozhye vs MVM Veszprem 14
HC Meshkov Brest vs Vive Tauron Kielce 23
Montpellier HB vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 32
Orlen Wisla Plock vs HC Vardar 41
MOL-Pick Szeged vs THW Kiel 50
HC PPD Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 59
Current top scorers 68
Past winners 69
3 Foreword
Dear Media Representative,
Following the conclusion of the group phase, the 2015/16 VELUX EHF Champions League in its new format is about to make another step towards the season’s finale in Cologne. Only the top fourteen teams have survived the exciting group phase marathon which was played for the first time with 28 teams on the starting grid. And before we set our sights towards the upcoming playoff matches let me just underline that the many thrilling matches between even opponents in the group phase has certainly justified our move to revitalise this stage of the competition.
The two clubs who won the Group A and B have also benefitted from another change in the playing system as Paris Saint-Germain Handball and FC Barcelona Lassa qualified directly to the quarter-finals and can now enjoy a welcome break in the busy season, while their future quarter-final opponents will have to overcome the Last 16 hurdles.
Whilst there has been a face-lift in the structure of the competition, not too much has changed when it comes to the composition of teams which made it to this phase and still can dream of a May trip to the river Rhine. Not fewer than twelve teams from the previous season’s Last 16 are back in the race again in addition to the two winners of the Group C and D knockout round, HC Meshkov Brest and Motor Zaporozhye who both finished just one place below a playoff spot last year.
Having made their way to the next round at the cost of Skjern Handbold and Naturhouse La Rioja respectively, both Eastern European sides face a daunting task now as two participants of the last edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 await them. Last season’s runners-up MVM Veszprem meet Zaporozhye while the third team of the 2014/15 season KS Vive Tauron Kielce put the ambitions of the Belarusian champions to a stern test.
There are four former EHF Champions League winners still in action and while the defending champions from Barcelona are now enjoying a relaxed fortnight, THW Kiel face last season’s quarter-final opponents MOL-Pick Szeged and the two remaining trophy holders Montpellier HB and SG Flensburg-Handewitt face each other.
Szeged was the last stop for Kiel before they boarded for Cologne and this could give THW a confidence boost when the same rivals meet this time around, but the current season of the reigning German champions is more turbulent and Szeged will be eager to avenge last year’s setback. It can be a payback time for another pairing as well as Orlen Wisla Plock take on HC Vardar again after they were eliminated last year in the Last 16 by the Macedonian champions despite a very promising first leg in Poland.
Germany, the country of the reigning EHF EURO champions is the only one out of nine countries represented in the Last 16 which can boast three teams. As all three have avoided each other in the playoff picture, only time will tell how many of them we will see in the quarter-finals and finally at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Germany’s third participant Rhein-Neckar Löwen play against HC PPD Zagreb in what should prove to be a pair of nail-biting games and we all are eager to find out whether the golden or white lions will prevail at the end.
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. I therefore hope you consider this media guide a useful and enriching resource for your work in the upcoming weeks and months. Should you require any further 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.
Jean Brihault EHF President
4 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] Twitter:@ehfmedia
Media accreditation for the Last 16 matches
The written media and photographer’s accreditation procedure in the Group Phase is entirely in the responsibility of the participating clubs.
TV and Radio accreditations are subjects to approval by EHF Marketing GmbH – please contact Miguel Mateo Marcellán.
Clubs – Media contacts
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) MVM Veszprém (HUN) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) Dmitriy Karpushchenko Zsolt Sevinger Gustau Galvache +380 50 5581181 +36 305024547 +34 618522789 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) Alexandr Kulbaka Sebastian Kozubek Louise Cosnard +375 29 350 74 79 +48 505031244 +33 675 591 939 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Montpellier HB (FRA) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Suzy Demonte Sandra von Wallis +33 499 610 358 +49 4611609625 [email protected] [email protected]
Orlen Wisla Płock (POL) HC Vardar (MKD) Tomasz Bauman Marko Savovski Tel: +48 723 100 787 +389 75 200 088 [email protected] [email protected]
MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) THW Kiel (GER) Levente Juhasz Christian Robohm +36 70 543 0979 +49 1635306300 [email protected] [email protected]
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Goran Roknic Christopher Monz +385 95 9999 334 +491744288849 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr [email protected]
5
ROU MVM MOL-Pick MOL-Pick HC Motor Szeged, HUN Szeged, SVK HCM Baia Mare, HCM Baia Mare, Veszprem, HUN Veszprem, Kielce, POL Kielce, Zaporozhye, UKR Zaporozhye, Chekhovskie Medvedi, RUS Medvedi, KS Vive Tauron Vive KS Tatran Presov, Tatran HC Vojvodina HC Vojvodina Novi Sad, SRB Novi Besiktas Besiktas JK, TUR Brest, BLR Brest, HC Meshkov MKD HC Vardar Plock, POL Plock, MKD Orlen Wisla HC Metalurg, HC Metalurg, GER THW Kiel, THW RK Borac m:tel m:tel RK Borac Banja Luka, BIH Banja Luka, SWE IFK Kristianstad, HC PPD Zagreb,CRO Lasko, SLO Lasko, ZAGREB RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO RK Celje Pivovarna RK Celje SG Flensburg- Handewitt, GER Handewitt, Alpla NOR HC Hard, AUT HC Hard, Elverum HH, Elverum Skjern Skjern Handbold, DEN Kadetten Schaffhausen, SUI Schaffhausen, KIF Kolding KIF Lassa, ESP Lassa, Kobenhavn, DEN Kobenhavn, FC Barcelona FC NED OCI-Lions, OCI-Lions, Naturhouse La Rioja, ESP Löwen, GER Löwen, Handball, FRA HB, FRA Rhein-Neckar Montpellier Montpellier Paris Saint-Germain Paris Clube Futebol do Porto, POR do Porto, VELUX EHF FINAL4 EHF FINAL4 VELUX Host City Cologne, GER GER Cologne, City Host Quarter-final teams Quarter-final 16 teams Last phase in the group eliminated Teams in qualification eliminated Teams 6 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE VELUX Season 2015/16 Season
vs vs vs vs place match rd 3 Final Semi-nals (draw) 28.-29.05.2016 FINAL4 B1 A1 M1 M2 vs vs vs vs M4 M3 M5 M6 Quarter-nals (no draw) first leg 20.-24.04.2016 leg second 27.04-01.05.2016 Quarter-nals B2 B3 B4 A4 A2 A3 vs vs vs vs vs vs bye bye B1 B5 K1 B6 A1 K2 A6 A5 Last 16 Last 16 (no draw) first leg 16.03.-20.03.2016 leg second 23.03.-27.03.2016 M1 M2 M3 M5 M4 M6 C1 D1 Season 2015/16 playing schedule playing Season 2015/16 vs vs Group A & B only KO Group C & D KO Group C & D Group A & B only Group A & B and Group A & B and C2 D2 K1 K2 Group Phase MatchesKO (no draw) 25.-29.11.2015 25.-29.11.2015 02.-06.12.2015 10.-14.02.2016 17.-21.-02.2016 24.-28.02.2016 02.-06.03.2016 B1 B7 B2 B5 B3 B6 B4 B8 D1 D2 D3 D5 D4 D6 A1 C1 A7 A6 C6 C2 A4 C4 A8 C5 A2 C3 A5 A3 Group Phase Groups A & B (draw) Group Phase Groups C & D (draw) Group Phase 16.-20.09.2015 23.-27.09.2015 30.09.-04.10.2015 07.-11.10.2015 14.-18.10.2015 21.-25.10.2015 11.-15.11.2015 18.-22.11.2015
(no draw) Qualication Qualication Tournament playing systemplaying Season 2015/16 QualicationTournament 05.-06.09.2015
7 8 Media Accreditation for the VELUX EHF FINAL4
With 15 weeks to go before the start of VELUX EHF FINAL4, the final Media accreditation is only open to professional media round of the VELUX EHF Champions League, the media accreditation representatives working at the event. Freelance media started. representatives may be asked to provide additional evidence of their work. There are limited places and it may not be possible to accept all The event will take place for the seventh time in the LANXESS arena, requests for accreditations. Cologne on 28/29 May 2016 and will see the continent’s top four teams battling it out over two days to lift the coveted VELUX EHF By applying for a media accreditation, media representatives also Champions League trophy. agree to the Media Terms and Conditions (EHF Events). Please read them carefully before making your application Journalists, photographers, TV and radio representatives can now submit their request for accreditation via an online form at Click here to enter the media accreditation page ehfFINAL4.com, the event’s official website. Requests can only be made online.
Requests for media accreditation should be made by Friday 6 May 2016, almost one week after the completion of quarter-final matches.
9 VELUX EHF FINAL4 2016 28 / 29 May 2016 LANXESS arena Cologne
@ehfcl und #EHFFINAL4 www.facebook.com/ehf.champions.league www.ehfFINAL4.com Facts and figures of the group phase PSG, Zagreb, Brest and Hansen top the group phase lists
180 matches - more than ever - have been played so far to decide the and are ahead of Barcelona, Kiel, Flensburg and Vardar, having 12 participants of the VELUX EHF Champions League’s knockout stage. home points each on their account. 4 qualification matches, 112 matches in Groups A/B, 60 matches in Groups C/D and four play-off matches. 15 goals scored by Vojvodina in the 15:37 defeat at Porto was the lowest number of goals by a team in a single match.
0 pairings of teams from the same nation will occur in the Last 16. 16 matches ended with a difference of ten or more goals.
0 team won or lost all their respective matches. 22 goals was the biggest gap in the competition so far, when Porto beat Vojvodina by 37:15. 2 points from 14 matches is the lowest return in the group phase, by Besiktas. 24 points, earned by PSG were the highest number of all teams, ahead of 23 (Veszprem and Barcelona), 21 (Kielce) and 20 (Flensburg). 3 times Kielce (in 14 rounds) and Baia Mare (in 10 rounds) tied a match to be the “draw kings” of the group phase. 28 teams - more than ever before - had been part of the group phase.
4 former or current EHF Champions League winners - representing 33 group matches (all in Groups A and B) were attended by 5,000 or 13 titles - still have the chance to win the trophy again: FC Barcelona more spectators, 23 in Group A, 10 in Group B. (eight-time winner), THW Kiel (three), Flensburg and Montpellier (one each). Two former Champions League finalists - Veszprem and Zagreb 39 goals was the lowest-score in the group phase, occurred in the – have also made it to the knockout stage. match Skjern vs Metalurg (20:19).
6 of those 14 teams still involved in the competition have been part 55 times more than 60 goals were scored in the group matches of at least one VELUX EHF FINAL4 (inaugurated in 2010) including playoffs - in 16 matches in Group A, 20 matches in Group B, 8 matches each in Groups C and D and 3 play-off matches. 8 times, 70 or more goals were scored in a group match, including Group C/D playoffs. 59 of 176 matches of the group phase were won by the away teams - 20 in Group A, 17 in B, 11 in C, 10 in D and 1 in the playoff. 9 nations, one more than last season, are represented by the 14 teams still in the competition - including three German teams, two +61 is the impressive goal difference of Brest after 12 matches French each, Hungarian and Polish sides and each one club from Spain, Belarus, Croatia, FYR Macedonia and Ukraine. 76 goals was the high score in this season so far, when Zaporozhye beat La Rioja by 39:37 in the Group C/D playoffs. 10 rounds including 60 matches had been played in groups C and D to confirm those four top ranked teams, which fought for the Last 16 105 of 176 matches of the group phase (including playoffs) were won berth. Zaporozhye and Brest qualified from those teams. by the home teams - 33 in Group A, 35 in Group B, 19 in Group C, 16 in Group D and 2 in the playoffs. 11 of 14 possible away points were taken by Barcelona. The defending champions lead the away ranking ahead of PSG (10), 107 goals were scored by PSG left back Mikkel Hansen in the group Veszprem (9), Flensburg and Kielce (8 each). phase to be on top of the top scorer ranking to be ahead of Kiril Lazarov (Barcelona/98) and Dean Bombac (Szeged/90). 12 of the 14 teams still in the competition were part of the Last 16 in the previous season - the only new arrivals are the C/D playoff 353 goals were conceded by Rhein-Neckar Löwen to have the best winners Brest and Zaporozhye. defence by 25.2 goals per match in average. The best average of all teams was taken by Metalurg by 24.1 goals per match. 12 of 176 matches of the group phase (including playoffs) ended in draws (3 in Group A, 4 in Groups B and D, 1 in playoffs, 0 in Group C). 442 goals were scored by PSG to have the best attack of all teams.
13 times less than 45 goals were scored in the group phase matches. 8,200 fans at the match against Istanbul was the lowest attendance In five of those 13 matches, Metalurg were involved. of a THW Kiel home match. Three times (against Flensburg, PSG and Zagreb) the arena was sold-out with more than 10,000 fans. 14 rounds including 112 matches were played in the groups A and B, in which Celje, Besiktas, Kristianstad and Kolding failed on the way to 10,428 fans in average attended the seven home matches of Zagreb the knockout stage. to be ahead of THW Kiel (9,625) in this ranking.
14 points on home court - which means the maximum from seven 15,200 fans each were at Zagreb’s home matches against PSG and matches - were taken by Paris and Veszprem. Kielce took 13 points Veszprem to have the highest attendance of all.
11 Important regulations
Scoring of the matches in the last 16 and quarter-finals
If, after completion of the two matches, both clubs have won the shall be continued until a decision is reached. In the second round, same number of points (no extra time will be played), the teams’ the other team shall start. Again five players shall be named who standings shall be determined by the following criteria: are eligible to play (the players named before may be named once again). a) goal difference b) higher number of plus goals scored in away match • In the second round, a decision is reached when a goal difference c) penalty throws arises after both teams have taken one throw each. Rules for execution of penalty throws • Eligible players are players entered in the match report that have • Prior to the penalty throws, each team shall name five players not been disqualified or suspended at the time of the final whistle. eligible to play at the end of the match by handing the referees a list of numbers. These players shall then take one throw each, • Serious infractions committed during penalty throws shall be alternating with their opponents. Each team is free to determine sanctioned by disqualification. If a thrower is disqualified or suffers the sequence in which throwers will take their throws. an injury, an eligible substitute player shall be supplementary named. • The goalkeepers may be freely selected from the match report and exchanged in accordance with the Rules of the Game. Goalkeepers • While the throws are being taken, only the player taking the throw, may take throws and throwers may perform as goalkeepers. the current goalkeeper and the referees may enter the respective half of the playing court. • The referees shall choose the goal at which throws are taken. The team taking the first penalty throw shall be determined by the • If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be referees by drawing lots. The team winning the draw may choose named to take a second throw in the same round. whether it wishes to throw first or last. Find all the regulations here • If the scores are equal after the first round of penalty throws, it
12 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.
Apply now at www.velux.com/sportsclubs
V11947-111_End-user_EHFmagazine_Ad_A4.indd 1 11-03-2016 11:50:16 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) vs MVM Veszprem (HUN)
First leg Saturday 19 March, 17:00 hrs. local time
Second leg Saturday 26 March, 17:00 hrs. local time
For Motor, the tournament began in Group D, where they struggled Last season, they played in the Champions League final and fought for a while but eventually managed to earn 15 points and finish in hard against Barcelona. I am sure that this year Veszprem will the first place. again do their best to win the major trophy. Yet we will try hard to continue winning, despite the opponent’s strength,” he told The next obstacle for the Ukrainian side was the Group C+D handball.motorsich.com. elimination play-off, where the team led by Mykola Stepanets faced Spain’s Naturhouse La Rioja. Meanwhile, Stepanets’ counterpart from Veszprem Xabier Sabate has been appointed the interim head coach of Hungary national Since both teams prefer attacking style, no wonder that the team. He signed a contract until June and therefore will be at the spectators saw many goals. Both in Spain and at home Motor won helm of two teams in the coming months. by a small margin — 31:30, 39:37. According to Sabate, both jobs will be equally important for him. As for MVM Veszprem, they were placed in Group A and finished “It is an honor for me to lead the national team in the World second behind Paris Saint-Germain, but ahead of traditional German Championship play-off against Serbia. I am grateful to Veszprem for powerhouses SG Flensburg-Handewitt and THW Kiel. allowing me to take this challenge,” says the Spaniard.
Last time, the roads of Motor and Veszprem crossed in the season Veszprem also signed a new contract until 2019 with the line player 2013/2014. In the group stage of the VELUX Champions league, the Andreas Nilsson. The 25-year-old Swede is delighted to stay in Hungarian team easily won at home (44:27), but lost in Ukraine Hungary. (21:25). “It was a very easy decision. I like the club and everything around it: However, Motor’s head coach Mykola Stepanets is sure that many the fans, the city, the country. Last season, I won Hungarian league, things have become different since that time. “Now Veszprem are Hungarian Cup and SEHA-League. But we lost to Barcelona in the not exactly like they used to be, many players and coaches have Champions League final, and those memories are not so nice. Hope changed. However, the Hungarian side still set the highest goals. this year it will be different,” Nilsson told mkb-mvmveszprem.hu.
Head-to-head stats HC Motor Zaporozhye vs MVM Veszprém 1-0-1 (53:66) 2:2 10.10.2013 MKB-MVM Veszprém vs HC Motor Zaporozhye, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 44:27 (20:13) 22.02.2014 HC Motor Zaporozhye vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 26:22 (13:13)
14 C/D knockout winners HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
For HC Motor Zaporozhye, a place in the VELUX Champions League Last 16 is already an achievement. And now, the Ukrainian champion is striving for more. Placed in Group D, Mykola Stepanets’ team was quite inconsistent at the start of the group phase. The Ukrainians alternated home wins with away losses, and after four games had only four points. Injuries were also taking their toll. Two team leaders, the left back Sergii Burka and the Lithuanian playmaker Aidenas Malasinskas, missed a number of games duу to injuries.
However, Motor managed to improve their game as the tournament progressed. They won two games in a row against Norway’s Handball Herrer, but the key moment for boosting the team morale was probably the game in Skopje against Metalurg. Motor were behind during the match, yet managed to come back and win 23:21.
The fight in the group was very tight, but Zaporozhye went on to beat at home their direct rivals, HCM Baia Mare and Kadetten Schaffhausen. Before the last game in Skjern, both opponents secured two top places in the group. The draw in Denmark was enough for the Ukrainian side to finish first.
In the Group C+D play off, they faced Naturhouse La Rioja, a runner-up from the Group C. As both teams prefer attacking style, it came as no surprise that both elimination games featured a high number of goals. Still, Motor were stronger, winning 31:30 in Spain and then building on that advantage at home – 39:37. After that, their morale seems to be even higher than before! Playing hall TEC Terminal GROUP D Final Table: Kievskaya 316 07400 Brovary 1. HC Motor Zaporozhye 10 7 1 2 296:277 (19) 15 Ukraine 2. Skjern Handbold 10 6 2 2 293:271 (22) 14 Capacity: 3,500 3. Kadetten Schaffhausen 10 5 1 4 270:270 (0) 11 4. HCM Baia Mare 10 3 3 4 264:268 (-4) 9 5. Elverum Handball Herrer 10 3 1 6 274:289 (-15) 7 Club Address: 6. HC Metalurg 10 2 0 8 219:241 (-22) 4 HC Motor Zaporozhye Ivanova Str. 24 69068 Zaporozhye Ukraine Group Phase results: Past achievements Media contact: (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Dmitriy Karpushchenko VELUX EHF Champions League +380 50 5581181 C&D knockout: Participations (including 2015/16 [email protected] @ Naturhouse La Rioja W30 :31 (15 :14) season): 3 vs Naturhouse La Rioja W39 :37 (21 :16) Online information: Last 16 (1): 2013/14 Group Phase (1): 2014/15 Website: www.handball.motorsich.com Group D Facebook: HC-Motor vs HC Metalurg W30 :24 (13 :9) Other @ HCM Baia Mare L35 :30 (18 :14) EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13 vs Skjern Handbold W31 :26 (15 :13) Kit colours Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals @ Kadetten Schaffhausen L30 :27 (15 :8) 2011/12 Light @ Elverum Handball Herrer W29 :30 (15 :12) Player shirt: white/red vs Elverum Handball Herrer W33 :30 (14 :15) Ukrainian league: 3 titles (2013, 2014, Player short: white @ HC Metalurg W21 :23 (12 :9) 2015) Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/black vs HCM Baia Mare W25 :23 (14 :11) Ukrainian cup: 2 titles Dark vs Kadetten Schaffhausen W31 :23 (13 :9) Player shirt: blue @ Skjern Handbold D36 :36 (17 :19) Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red/black
15 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Biggest win: 31 :23 (13 :9) v Kadetten Schaffhausen (h), 28.11.2015 Biggest defeat: 44:27 (20:13) v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN (a), 10.10.2013 Longest winning run: 5 matches (18.10.2015 – 6.12.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (18.10.2015 – 06.03.2015) Longest losing run: 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014) Longest run without win: 6 matches (20.03.2014 – 18.10.2014) Most goals: 39 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:37W (h), 05.03.2016 Most goals opponent: 44 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013 Most goals both teams: 76 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:37W (h), 05.03.2016 Fewest goals: 21 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 21:23L (h), 04.10.2014 Fewest goals opponent: 18 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013 Fewest goals both teams: 42 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2013/14 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 12 4 1 7 333:367 -34 9:15 Last 16 2014/15 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 10 3 0 7 283:284 -1 6:14 5th Gr. D Total 22 7 1 14 616:651 -35 15:29
16 HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
69 Sergii Burka UKR Left Back 9.6.1987 Zaporozhye, UKR 208 110 11 Zakhar Denysov UKR Left Wing 1.3.1990 Ilychevsk, UKR 188 82 32 Vladyslav Dontsov UKR Right Back 22.9.1995 Zaporozhye, UKR 197 94 14 Dmytro Doroshchuk UKR Line Player 29.9.1986 Volyn reg., UKR 198 115 21 Gleb Kalarash RUS Line Player 29.11.1990 Moscow, UKR 205 94 20 Artem Kozakevych UKR Right Wing 2.10.1992 Novovolynsk, UKR 182 68 5 Iurii Kubatko UKR Right Back 28.8.1988 Zaporozhye, UKR 184 78 18 Kostyantyn Kurylenko UKR Left Back 10.7.1980 Zaporozhye, UKR 193 98 7 Aidenas Malasinskas LTU Centre Back 29.4.1986 Lietuva, LTU 189 84 27 Sergii Orlovskyi UKR Left Wing 18.4.1992 Zaporozhye, UKR 188 80 87 Barys Pukhouski BLR Centre Back 3.1.1987 St.Mazorita, BLR 186 100 83 Sergey Shelmenko RUS Right Back 5.4.1983 Kiev, UKR 195 98 10 Olexandr Shevelev UKR Line Player 2.12.1987 Zaporozhye, UKR 200 115 44 Igor Soroka RUS Left Wing 27.05.1991 Cherkessk, RUS 180 73 24 Ievgen Zhuk UKR Left Wing 4.8.1990 Zaporozhye, UKR 184 75 2 Stanislav Zhukov UKR Left Back 26.3.1992 Novovolynsk, UKR 198 94
55 Gennadiy Komok UKR Goalkeeper 5.7.1987 Zaporozhye, UKR 196 96 1 Valentyn Koshovy UKR Goalkeeper 5.2.1981 Zaporozhye, UKR 200 90 23 Yevgen Sapun UKR Goalkeeper 11.6.1985 Zaporozhye, UKR 185 85
Nikolay Stepanets coach • not a new face in Motor as he worked as their assistant coach in the past • in role of an interim coach he won two Ukrainian championship titles and also had his debut in the CL in their last two group phase • convinced the Motor’s managers to give him a chance to start the 2015/16 season as head coach • Kiev born, 50-year-old coached also domestic rivals Budivelnik Brovary and also steered Etoual Sportiv du Sahel to Tunisian league silver and the League Cup in 2007 • as Motor play in Brovary in the 2015/16 season, Stepanets returns where he made his first steps as a coach
17 Gennadiy Komok Ievgen Zhuk goalkeeper left wing • talented goalie last play the CL in the 2011/12 • promising Ukrainian prospect on the left wing season with Russian St.Petersburg, in the only year • after a few seasons in Burevestnik Lugansk he he spent abroad returned to his mother club • raised in Zaporozhye , he was number one • after Skopintsev left for Chekhov he should get goalkeeper in the team of city rivals ZTR, multiple CL more prominence on the playing court participant • scored 12 goals in two CL seasons with Motor • helped ZTR to win five national titles • has exellent accelaration and can surprise • a key player in the national team of Ukraine on with hard shots even from a back court position the way for their last major tournament EHF EURO 2010, currently taking a break for the national team
Sergey Burka Aidenas Malasinskas left back centre back • the tallest (208 cm) player of the Ukrainian • joined Motor in the summer of 2015, but championship joined Motor in 2012 from the city quickly became a key element in Motor rivals of ZTR • Lithuanian international has no problems with • collected four national titles with his former language barrier speaking Russian as well as all team club ZTR and added two with Motor of Motor • together with his current teammate Shevelev • played also for Kaunas clubs Lusis and was among players of the national team of Ukraine Granitas-Karys in his homeland followed by at their last major tournament - EHF EURO 2010 stints with Irun Bidasoa, Fraikin BM. Granollers, Naturhouse La Rioja • since then he has been a regular fixture in the Ukrainian selection • came from BM Puerto Sagunto and finished third in the ASOBAL top scorers list in the 2014/15 season
Barys Pukhouski Olexandr Shevelev centre back line player • moved to Motor Zaporozhye from SKA Minsk • one of not too many Ukrainians who played in in the summer of 2015 the European leagues recently • spent the end of the last season at his home • arrived from Dinamo Minsk (BLR), but played club SKA after leaving Hungary’s Csurgo for family in Astrakhan, Aalborg and in service of Ciudad Real reasons scored his first goals in the CL in 2011 • also had an experience of playing for Dinamo • his premiere appearance in the CL was in the Minsk in the past 2006/07 season with Ukrainian club Portovik • one of the leaders and the best all-time scorer • experience and physical strength make him a (571 goals) of the Belarus national team crucial figure in the center of defence and attack
Sergey Shelmenko Artem Kozakevich right back right wing • born in Ukraine and played for the national • Motor’s long hunt for one of the most talented team, but then acquired Russian citizenship and players in Ukraine was successfully completed in opted to play for Russia 2014 after the winger from Portovik Yuzhniy signed • after a number of seasons at Medvedi, • his dream to score first goals in the CL came Shelmenko left the team for Dinamo Minsk, but was true in the 2014/15 season unlucky as this club ceased to exist • shares the position with Yuriy Kubatko and • came back to Russia where he spent the rest is considered as one of the main specialists for of the 2013/14 season at St.Petersburg penalties • after a short second stint with Medvedi he signed for Motor in the summer of 2015
18 GROUP A 2nd ranked MVM Veszprém (HUN) Last year’s finalist lost MKB from their name and Carlos Ortega from their bench in a matter of two months. While the bank’s contract as sponsor simply ran out the Spanish coach’s was terminated after an unlucky draw at Plock in the first round of the VELUX EHF Champions League. All this at the wake of the defeat in the final of the Super Globe proved too much and the club parted ways with Ortega. His assistant Xavier Sabaté had been a popular figure eversince his arrival, yet there were few who thought that Ortega’s departure could have a positive impact on Veszprém. Yet, Sabaté proved to be perfectly fit for the job and quickly prompted the management to erase the word „interim” from his title. However, Xavi’s magic couldn’t have worked if it wasn’t for the players willingness to swallow the bitter pill – needless to say his men loved Ortega – and picked up the pace their new coach demanded.
By no surprise Veszprém maintained their 100 percent home record even when both right backs were injured and winger Péter Gulyás had to fill in, but both PSG and Kiel managed to beat the Hungarian powerhouse on home soil. However, with the full squad at his disposal Sabaté conquered the Flensburg fortress to prove Veszprém are still one of the top title contenders, who deliver when it matters. As long as inspirational leader and team captain László Nagy is fit, Veszprém have the slight edge against any of the other teams. The partnership of Mirko Alilovic and the massive defensive wall is hard to beat while Gasper Marguc, Ivan Sliskovic and Andreas Nilsson enjoy a great season in attack and the old guard of Chema, Nagy and Ilic can urge the long due conquest of the throne.
GROUP A Final Table: Playing hall 1. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 442:389 (53) 24 Veszprém Arena 2. MVM Veszprém 14 11 1 2 402:364 (38) 23 Külso Kadartai ut 3. SG Flensburg-Handewitt 14 10 0 4 429:380 (49) 20 8200 Veszprém 4. THW Kiel 14 8 1 5 400:388 (12) 17 Hungary 5. HC PPD Zagreb 14 5 1 8 358:367 (-9) 11 Capacity: 5,020 6. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 372:397 (-25) 8 7. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 14 3 1 10 385:398 (-13) 7 8. Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 14 1 0 13 382:487 (-105) 2 Club Address: MVM Veszprém Group Phase results: Past achievements Marcius 15. ut 5 (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) 8200 Veszprém VELUX EHF Champions League Hungary @ Orlen Wisla Plock D27 :27 (11 :13) Participations (including 2015/16 vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt W28 :24 (15 :14) season): 21 Media contact: @ HC PPD Zagreb W20 :21 (10 :9) Final (2): 2001/02, 2014/15 Zsolt Sevinger vs Besiktas JK W33 :25 (17 :12) Semi-final (3): 2002/03, 2005/06, +36 305024547 vs THW Kiel W29 :27 (17 :15) 2013/14 [email protected] @ PSG Handball L29 :27 (16 :12) Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W27 :30 (11 :17) 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, Online information: vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W34 :28 (17 :15) 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Website: www.mkbveszprem.eu vs PSG Handball W28 :20 (16 :14) Last 16 (3): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 Facebook: mkbveszprem @ THW Kiel L25 :24 (11 :12) Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, Twitter:@mkbveszpremkc @ Besiktas JK W34 :38 (15 :21) 2007/08 vs HC PPD Zagreb W27 :25 (16 :12) @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt W28 :29 (12 :10) Other Kit colours vs Orlen Wisla Plock W27 :25 (16 :13) Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Light Runners-up 1996/97 Player shirt: white Player short: white SEHA-league: 1 title (2015) Goalkeeper shirt: grey Hungarian league: 23 titles (1985, 1986, Dark 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, Player shirt: red 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, Player short: red 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, Goalkeeper shirt: black 2013, 2014, 2015)
Hungarian Cup winner: 24 times
19 MVM Veszprém (HUN)
Biggest win: 38:17 (18:9) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004 Biggest defeat: 30:18 (16:8) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995 Longest winning run: 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest unbeaten run: 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest losing run: 3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996) Longest run without win: 4 matches (09.01.1999 – 31.10.1999) Most goals: 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 46:26W (h), 07.10.2006 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 Most goals opponent: 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:32L (a), 01.03.2007 Most goals both teams: 76 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 Fewest goals: 15 v TEKA Santander ESP 25:15L (a), 15.03.1995 Fewest goals opponent: 13 v SO Chambery FRA 29:13W (h), 18.11.2001 13 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002 Fewest goals both teams: 32 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
1994/95 Fotex Veszprem HUN 6 2 2 2 131:147 –16 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1995/96 Fotex Veszprem HUN 6 3 0 3 147:144 +3 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 5 1 2 228:204 +24 11:5 1/4-finals 1998/99 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 3 1 4 200:188 +12 7:9 1/4-finals 1999/00 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 4 0 4 203:202 +1 8:8 1/4-finals 2001/02 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 12 9 0 3 310:267 +43 18:6 Runner-up 2002/03 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 8 0 2 276:238 +38 16:4 1/2-finals 2003/04 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 306:276 +30 14:6 1/4-finals 2004/05 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 317:259 +58 14:6 1/4-finals 2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:318 +55 18:6 1/2-finals 2006/07 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 10 7 0 3 338:288 +50 14:6 1/4-finals 2007/08 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 6 2 2 2 184:171 +13 6:6 3rd Gr. F 2008/09 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 8 0 4 351:320 +31 16:8 1/4-finals 2009/10 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 419:368 +51 22:6 1/4-finals 2010/11 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:338 +35 18:6 Last 16 2011/12 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 7 0 5 321:322 -1 14:10 Last 16 2012/13 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 410:348 +62 22:6 1/4-finals 2013/14 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 16 11 1 4 477:410 +67 23:9 4th Place 2014/15 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 16 13 1 2 480:423 +57 27:5 Runner-up Total 202 136 8 58 5844:5231 +613 280:124
20 MVM Veszprém (HUN)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
34 David Fekete HUN Left Back 12.10.1996 Budapest, HUN 180 82 35 Daniel Füzi HUN Line Player 9.8.1996 Veszprém, HUN 186 88 3 Peter Gulyas HUN Right Wing 4.3.1984 Veszprem, HUN 200 100 13 Momir Ilic SRB Left Back 22.12.1981 Andrelovac, SRB 200 104 4 Gergö Ivancsik HUN Left Wing 30.11.1981 Györ, HUN 190 87 66 Mate Lekai HUN Centre Back 16.6.1988 Budapest, HUN 190 83 24 Gasper Marguc SLO Right Wing 20.8.1990 Celje, SLO 180 74 Balazs Molnar HUN Left Wing 25.6.1997 Veszprem, HUN 175 70 19 Laszlo Nagy HUN Right Back 3.3.1981 Szeged, HUN 208 113 18 Andreas Nilsson SWE Line Player 12.4.1990 Trelleborg, SWE 197 110 14 Aron Palmarsson ISL Centre Back 19.7.1990 Reykjavik, ISL 193 100 25 Jose Maria Rodriguez Vaquero ESP Centre Back 5.1.1980 Palencia, ESP 185 91 37 Peter Schmid HUN Centre Back 6.8.1996 Veszprém, HUN 189 90 5 Istvan Timuzsin Schuch HUN Line Player 5.6.1985 Nagyatad, HUN 197 105 19 Ivan Sliskovic CRO Left Back 23.10.1991 Split, CRO 197 98 33 Renato Sulic CRO Line Player 12.10.1979 Rijeka, CRO 192 109 Benedek Szakaly HUN Right Wing 7.9.1997 Budapest, HUN 178 65 Erik Szeitl HUN Line Player 18.7.1997 Tapolca, HUN 194 98 Zoltan Szita HUN Left Back 10.2.1998 Veszprem, HUN 196 88 30 Mirsad Terzic BIH Left Back 12.7.1983 Priboj, BIH 196 103 Attila Toth HUN Right Back 17.3.1997 Budapest, HUN 192 84 23 Cristian Ugalde Garcia ESP Left Wing 19.10.1987 Barcelona, ESP 186 80 38 Martin Varju HUN Right Wing 3.1.1996 Szekszard, HUN 185 82 20 Christian Zeitz GER Right Back 18.11.1980 Heidelberg, GER 186 103
16 Roland Mikler HUN Goalkeeper 20.9.1984 Dunaujvaros, HUN 190 100 32 Mirko Alilovic CRO Goalkeeper 15.9.1985 Ljubuski, CRO 200 110 Barnabas Nagy HUN Goalkeeper 8.6.1998 Veszprem, HUN 190 87 Bence Gödör HUN Goalkeeper 9.10.1999 Veszprem, HUN 186 79
Javier Sabate coach • signed with Veszprém as assistant coach of Antonio Carlos Ortega but became interim coach after Ortega parted ways with the club • Spanish tactician earned a permanent contract on 8th January 2016, he is contracted until June 2017 • worked as an assistant coach under Ortega for more than ten years, their co- operation started at BM Antequera in Spain • Veszprém is the first club Sabaté has lead as head coach but in March 2016 he was appointed as interim coach to train the Hungarian national team
21 Roland Mikler Mirko Alilovic goalkeeper goalkeeper • 2005 All-Star goalkeeper of the junior world • like his predecessor Dejan Peric belongs to the championship elite class of goalkeepers who can send the audience to their feet and inspire his teammates • Hungarian national team goalkeeper is quick, compact and excellent at directing the defence • Croatian national team member and his medal tally consists of three silver medals and two bronze • as a teenager Mikler reached the semi-final of the EHF Cup over a decade ago, with Dunaferr in • recorded 11 goal assists during the 2013 WCh 2003 • very familiar with the Spanish contingent in • joined Veszprem in 2014 after the EHF Cup Veszprém as he played for five years in the ASOBAL success with Szeged
EC trophy: EHF Cup 2014 OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2016, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
Cristian Ugalde Momir Ilic left wing left back • brought up by Barcelona and played regularly • top scorer and only player passing 100 goals in the first team since he was 18 (103) in the 2013/14 CL season and again top scorer in 2014/15 (114 goals) • excelled at international level in the 2007/08 season with his 34 goals and participation in the • joined THW Kiel in 2009 from VfL national team Gummersbach and won seven titles during his four years with the club, including two CL titles • won every possible title with Barca – some of them multiple times • led Serbia to their first medal as an independent nation at EHF EURO 2012 • found a new challenge in Veszprém altering with Gergö Iváncsik, who is one of the best players • MVP of EHF EURO 2012 in this position according to Ugalde • 2013/14 All-star team left back EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: B 2011 EURO: S 2012
Aron Palmarsson Renato Sulic centre back line player • before joining Veszprem in summer 2015 the • at his second stint in Veszprém, in the 2004/05 versatile and tactically as well as technically skilled season he did not have a chance to play as he was playmaker was with Kiel for six years injured in a car incident before his first match • one of the biggest signing in the whole • came back to Veszprém after several years in competition before the 2015/16 season followed Zagreb and Celje the steps of two other former Kiel players Ilic and • 2013/14 and 2014/15 All-star team line player Zeitz • shares his time on the court with the • after the departure of Momir Ilic and Daniel defensive specialist Timuzsin Schuh and Andreas Narcisse, the 2012 Olympics All-Star become more Nilsson of an influential figure of Kiel on court EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: S 2008, WCh: G 2003 EURO: B 2010
Laszlo Nagy Gasper Marguc right back right wing • started his career as a basketball player and • took part in the WCh in Spain 2013, where was close to a move to the USA at the age of 13 Slovenia placed fourth • in the end he decided for handball and • came to Veszprem from Celje where he was became one of the best right backs of the world playing since 2009 • transferred from Szeged to Barcelona in 2006 • in the 2012/13 season played his best season and became the captain despite being a foreigner so far and became Slovenia’s top scorer in the CL, netting 72 times (10th overall) • All-Star team right back of the 2013 WCh • played two amazing matches against THW Kiel • All-Star team right back of the 2012/13 CL in 2012/13, scoring 18 times from 18 shots against season the legendary Thierry Omeyer EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003
22 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) vs Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
First leg Saturday 19 March, 17:00 hrs. local time
Second leg Saturday 26 March, 16:00 hrs. local time
The roads of the two opponents during the current tournament have The coach of Brest is not very happy to play the first leg at home: “If been different. In the group phase, HC Meshkov Brest were put in we were to start on the road, it would be a totally different story. Group C where they finished first. But that was not enough for the Still, we will definitely try to win in Brest. Our team will do the best Belarusian outfit to qualify for the Last 16. They had to go through the to make our fans happy. However, Vive are a very good team. It is the Group C+D play-off where they beat Denmark’s Skjern Handbold — most unpleasant opponent we could get. From my point of view, they 31:31, 27:23. are the main contenders to advance to the FINAL4. But I think that we have a chance. After all, we are already in the Last 16, which takes As for the Polish side, they started the competition in a stronger some pressure off our shoulders.” Group B. With 21 points in 14 games, they finished as runners-up behind FC Barcelona Lassa. Dujshebaev, who recently also became the head coach of the Poland national team, feels that his team is a favourite just by a tiny margin. The upcoming games will feature an interesting coaching duel. Sergey Bebeshko and Talant Dujshebaev were members of the CIS Olympic “Maybe the chances are 51 to 49 in our favour. But we should prove team that won gold medals in 1992 in Barcelona. Moreover, they it on the court. Brest are a very strong side. They took the first place were both playmakers. in their group, and then deservedly beat Skjern. Their dominance against the Danish side was not even questioned. The Belarusian “We always had some kind of rivalry. It was in the national team, champion has very good players like Atman, Kristopans, Stojkovic, and also in Spain where we played for the clubs. But it was a normal, and a great coach Sergey Bebeshko who has achieved good results sports competition. As players, we have both achieved everything. As everywhere he worked. I will be delighted to meet him again,” the a coach, Talant won Champions League three times. I wish I could also Vive head coach told ehfcl.com. get such results”, Bebeshko told bgk-meshkova.com.
Head-to-head stats no previous encounters in the European Cup competitions
23 C/D knockout winners HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
One of the goals declared by HC Meshkov Brest bosses for this season was to reach the Last 16 of the VELUX Champions League. It has already been achieved, and now the Belarusian side are preparing for the matches with Poland’s KS Vive Tauron Kielce. The road to the Last 16, however, was not easy for Brest. With the new format of the competition, they found themselves in Group C, and were considered the favourites together with Spain’s La Rioja Logrono.
The team led by the Ukrainian Sergey Bebeshko enjoyed a great start, beating Vojvodina at home, Tatran Presov and Chekhovskie Medvedi on the road. But then they lost to La Rioja in Brest and to Porto away, which put their chances to advance from the group in serious doubt. However, the Belarusian outfit managed to recover. They won all five remaining matches, including the return games against La Rioja and Porto. These two teams were the main Brest´s rivals in the group, but HC Meshkov finished ahead of them with 16 points.
Brest had to play the last group games without the right wing Dzianis Rutenka, the younger brother of a more famous Siarhei. He severely injured his knee in October during the match against Porto and has not recovered until now. Ivan Pesic, Alexander Tyumentsev, Nikola Manojlovic also missed some games because of injuries, and Manojlovic left the team in January.
The first place in the group meant that Brest had to oppose Skjern Handbold in the Group C+D play-off. As expected, both games were tight, especially the first leg in Denmark, which ended Playing hall in a draw (31:31). This result was obviously more favourable for the Belarusian team. And they Sportshall Victoria confirmed it in the second leg, at their sold-out arena in Brest. Having won 27:23, HC Meshkov Leningradskaya 4 secured a spot in the Last 16. And now they are eager to achieve even more. 224028 Brest Belarus Capacity: 3,500 GROUP C Final Table:
1. HC Meshkov Brest 10 8 0 2 321:264 (57) 16 Club Address: 2. Naturhouse La Rioja 10 7 0 3 298:270 (28) 14 HC Meshkov Brest 3. Futebol Clube do Porto 10 7 0 3 296:265 (31) 14 Leningradskaya 4 4. Chekhovskie Medvedi 10 4 0 6 271:292 (-21) 8 224028 Brest 5. Vojvodina 10 2 0 8 241:297 (-56) 4 Belarus 6. Tatran Presov 10 2 0 8 240:279 (-39) 4
Media contact: Alexandr Kulbaka +375 29 350 74 79 [email protected] Group Phase results: (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements Online information: VELUX EHF Champions League Website: www.bgk-meshkova.com C&D knockout: Participations (including 2015/16 Facebook: bgkmeshkova @ Skjern Handbold D31:31 (17 :14) season): 7 Twitter:bgk_meshkova vs Skjern Handbold W27:23 (14 :11) Group Phase (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, Group C: 2006/07, 2007/08, 2014/15 Qualification (1): 2008/09 Kit colours vs HC Vojvodina W34:22 (15:14) @ TATRAN Presov W20:30 (11:14) Light @ Chekhovskie Medvedi W27:33 (14:17) Other Player shirt: red vs Naturhouse La Rioja L31:33 (17:15) Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final Player short: red @ Futebol Clube do Porto L29:28 (16:11) 2011/12 Goalkeeper shirt: orange vs Futebol Clube do Porto W34:27 (17:12) Belarusian league: 7 titles (2004-08, Dark @ HC Vojvodina W26:35 (12:20) 2014, 2015) Player shirt: blue vs TATRAN Presov W32:26 (17:12) Belarusian cup: 9 titles Player short: blue @ Naturhouse La Rioja W28:32 (11:17) Goalkeeper shirt: black vs Chekhovskie Medvedi W32:26 (15:13)
24 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
Biggest win: 34:22 (15:14) v HC Vojvodina SRB (h), 19.09.2015 Biggest defeat: 36:17 (16:08) v GOG Gudme DEN (a), 09.10.2004 Longest winning run: 5 matches (24.10.2015 – 05.12.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 5 matches (24.10.2015 – 05.12.2015) Longest losing run: 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) Longest run without win: 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) Most goals: 35 v HC Vojvodina SRB 26:35W (a), 14.11.2015 Most goals opponent: 39 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006 39 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:31L (a), 28.09.2014 Most goals both teams: 70 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:31L (a), 28.09.2014 Fewest goals: 17 v GOG Gudme DEN 36:17L (a), 09.10.2004 17 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004 Fewest goals opponent: 22 v Wisla Plock SSA POL 28:22W (h), 13.11.2005 22 v HC PPD Zagreb CRO 26:22W (h), 15.11.2014 22 v HC Vojvodina SRB 34:22W (a), 19.09.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 44 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2004/05 Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR 6 1 0 5 143:184 -41 2:10 4th Gr. C 2005/06 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 6 1 0 5 165:183 -18 2:10 4th Gr. E 2006/07 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 6 0 0 6 146:189 –43 0:12 4th Gr. B 2007/08 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 6 1 0 5 154:182 -28 2:10 4th Gr. H 2014/15 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 10 2 2 6 267:293 –26 6:14 5th Gr. A Total 34 5 2 27 875:1031 -156 12:56
25 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
20 Pavel Atman RUS Left Back 25.5.1987 Volgograd, RUS 190 94 6 Maxim Babichev BLR Line Player 7.3.1986 Minsk, BLR 196 97 24 Maksim Baranau BLR Right Wing 11.4.1988 Bobruysk, BLR 188 82 11 Dzmitry Kamyshyk BLR Left Back 1.5.1990 Minsk, BLR 200 95 10 Dainis Kristopans LAT Right Back 27.9.1990 Ludza, LAT 213 135 7 Artsiom Kulak BLR Centre Back 23.2.1996 Brest, BLR 186 79 17 Dzmitry Nikulenkau BLR Centre Back 12.7.1984 Minsk, BLR 187 87 31 Simon Razgor SLO Left Wing 18.9.1985 Celje, SLO 183 84 3 Dzianis Rutenka BLR Right Wing 14.2.1986 Minsk, BLR 187 85 42 Artsiom Selvasiuk BLR Line Player 8.12.1992 Brest, BLR 190 93 22 Viachaslau Shumak BLR Line Player 22.12.1988 Brest, BLR 204 116 88 Siarhei Shylovich BLR Right Back 16.5.1986 Bobrujsk, BLR 198 95 18 Rastko Stojkovic SRB Line Player 12.7.1981 Belgrad, SRB 191 104 19 Alexander Tioumentsev Barabash ESP Centre Back 4.10.1983 Ajtubinsk, RUS 185 85 25 Andrei Tsypak BLR Left Wing 12.2.1993 Brest, BLR 185 84 23 Ljubo Vukic CRO Left Wing 3.8.1982 Split, CRO 192 96
1 Ivan Pesic CRO Goalkeeper 17.3.1989 Rijeka, CRO 194 110 21 Vitali Charapenka BLR Goalkeeper 27.1.1984 Brest, BLR 194 86 16 Dzmitry Patotski BLR Goalkeeper 3.10.1992 Baranovichi, BLR 195 107
Sergey Bebeshko coach • was appointed the new head coach of Brest in early June replacing Zeljko Babic who concentrated on his job with Croatia national team • already worked in Belarus as a head coach of Dinamo Minsk in 2009-13 and led Minsk not only to four consecutive titles of the national champion but also for the first time in Belarusian handball to the CL Last 16 in 2013 • in Brest he once again met a number of players that had worked with him in Minsk including Pavel Atman, Siarhei Shylovich, Dzianis Rutenka, Dzmitry Nikulenkau and Maxim Babichev • moved to his native Ukraine in 2013 and led Motor Zaporozhye to the champion title the next year, but left the club in December 2014
OG: G 1992 (as player)
26 Ivan Pesic Simon Razgor goalkeeper left wing • was invited to Brest in 2013 by Zeljko Babic • the 30-year-old Slovenian is beginning his who became head coach in that very year second season in Brest • also played in RK Maribor Branik, HC Zagreb • before joining the Belarusian team, he spent and Veszprem, but his spell in Hungary was marred his entire career at home playing for Celje and RK by a tragic incident in a night club when he was Maribor stabbed and his teammate Marian Cozma was killed • the best all-time scorer of RK Maribor with • after that he had a kidney removed, but that 1,052 goals did not prevent him from continuing his career • his father was also a handballer who played • also practiced taekwondo in his childhood for Celje as well as for the Yugoslavia junior national and even won some medals on a junior level, but team and later became a coach eventually preferred handball
Pavel Atman Dzmitry Nikulenkau left back centre back • the blonde Russian international joined Brest • the 31-year-old native of Minsk is a national this summer and signed a two-year contract player of Belarus and a well-respected player in the country • this is his second time in Belarus — between 2010 and 2013, he played for Dinamo Minsk, • during a number of years, he played a key role coached by Bebeshko at that time, and won three at Dinamo Minsk where he was the captain titles of Belarusian champion • was at Dinamo since the club foundation in • in 2013 moved from Minsk to Metalurg Skopje 2008 and until the club ceased to exist in February where he quickly became one of the fans’ favorites 2014, and won five titles of Belarus league and won the national league in 2014 • had some offers from abroad but preferred to • left Metalurg before the end of the 2014/15 move to Brest where he won the Belarusian league season and spent the rest of the season playing for two more times Al-Jaish in Qatar
Rastko Stojkovic line player Siarhei Shylovich right back • joined Brest in December 2013 after spending a few months in Qatar • moved to Brest in February 2014 after a short spell in Poland’s Pogon Szczecin • the native of Belgrade started his career at RK Crvena Zvezda and moved abroad at the age of 24 • before that, the 29-year-old had played for three clubs from Minsk, namely Arkatron, Dinamo • his first foreign experience was Germany and SKA where he spent four seasons at Pfullingen and Nordhorn-Lingen, and with the latter team won the • was one of the top players of SKA Minsk that EHF Cup in 2008 won the Challenge Cup in 2013 • played for Kielce in 2009-13 and won three • scored 25 goals at the EHF EURO 2016 in titles of Polish champion as well as four Polish Cups, Poland, which allowed him to be among the 25 top also reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013 scorers of the tournament EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008 EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2013 EURO: S 2012
Dainis Kristopans Maxim Baranau right back right wing • born in a small Latvian town Ludza and • after the severe injury of Dzianis Rutenka, he started his career in the local club Latgols became the first-choice player for Brest on the right wing • at the age of 18, moved to Tatran Presov and stayed almost six years in Slovakia, having won the • started his career at SKA Minsk but moved to national league five times Brest in 2010 at the age of 20 • left Tatran in February 2015 and spent a few • since then, has won the Belarusian league in months in Qatar before joining Brest in summer 2014 and 2015 as well as the Belarusian Cup in 2011, 2014 and 2015 • with the height of 213 cm, he is the tallest handball player not only in Brest but in the whole CL • regular member of Belarus national team for the last few years
27 GROUP B 2nd ranked KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
When you win all the matches in the group phase two times and you gain a place in the history books of the Champions League, it’s really a hit to lose the first game in the next edition of contest. Kielce had to swallow a bitter failure in Szeged after a weak attitude in the defence and unsuccessful try to catch up with the gap they allowed to make their rivals.
Further matches in the group affirmed that this season was not going to be that kind for the Polish Champions. After first five rounds Kielce had only two victories, two draws and a loss. To make matters worse their next duel with Vardar turned out to be a total disaster. Talant’s boys brought back from Skopje a ten-goal defeat 24:34!
But since that moment Vive got a grip and turned the proportions of their balance showing a handball on the highest level. They won seven from eight matches left and achieved a historical first victory over Barcelona. They had a huge chance to gather a full set of wins, but in the very last moments of the battle in Kristianstad Tobias Reichmann missed a penalty what gave another draw 35:35. The scapegoat winger fully made up for his blooper and in the last match against Szeged he gave the club the one and only lead few seconds before the final whistle scoring an empty-net goal!
It’s obvious that VELUX EHF FINAL4 is a must-have for Kielce and Brest are only a next step they need to make on their way. During the season they lost their previous captain Grzegorz Tkaczyk due to his shoulder injury, but they also regained the centre back Mariusz Jurkiewicz who debuted in the season at the beginning of March after ten months of struggle with his knee Playing hall ligaments. Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów ul. Boczna 15A 25-093 Kielce GROUP B Final Table: Poland Capacity: 4,000 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 11 1 2 423:372 (51) 23 2. KS Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 3 2 425:399 (26) 21 3. HC Vardar 14 9 0 5 416:373 (43) 18 Club Address: 4. Rhein-Neckar Löwen 14 8 1 5 369:353 (16) 17 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 5. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 7 1 6 404:390 (14) 15 ul. Robotnicza 5 6. Montpellier HB 14 3 1 10 372:413 (-41) 7 25-662 Kielce 7. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 1 10 409:437 (-28) 7 Poland 8. KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 14 2 0 12 348:429 (-81) 4 Media contact: Sebastian Kozubek +48 505031244 Group Phase results: [email protected] (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements
Online information: @ MOL-Pick Szeged L31 :30 (17 :14) VELUX EHF Champions League Website: www.vtkielce.pl vs Montpellier HB W30 :23 (12 :11) Participations (including 2015/16 Facebook: kielcehandball @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen D32 :32 (19 :15) season): 13 Twitter:@ksvive vs IFK Kristianstad W35 :27 (20 :12) Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third vs FC Barcelona Lassa D30 :30 (14 :17) ranked in VELUX F4) Last 16 (5): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, Kit colours @ HC Vardar L34 :24 (18 :14) @ KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W25 :33 (13 :12) 2011/12, 2013/14 Light vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W33 :31 (13 :14) Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99 Player shirt: yellow vs HC Vardar W23 :20 (10 :6) Group matches (3): 1999/2000, Player short: blue @ FC Barcelona Lassa W31 :33 (19 :16) 2003/04, 2010/11 Goalkeeper shirt: blue @ IFK Kristianstad D35 :35 (17 :19) Dark vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W28 :27 (12 :10) Other Player shirt: blue @ Montpellier HB W27 :32 (16 :17) 11 participations in other ECs Player short: blue vs MOL-Pick Szeged W27 :26 (12 :16) Goalkeeper shirt: green Polish league: 12 titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Polish cup: 12 titles
28 KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
Biggest win: 35:23 (16:13) v FC Porto Vitalis POR (h), 29.09.2013 Biggest defeat: 30:41 (19:19) v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN (h), 15.11.2003 Longest winning run: 11 matches (25.09.2014 - 15.03.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 11 matches (25.09.2014 - 15.03.2015) Longest losing run: 5 matches (13.02.2010 – 27.03.2010) 5 matches (19.02.2011 – 09.10.2011) Longest run without win: 6 matches (26.09.2010 – 27.11.2010) Most goals: 38 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 38:30W (h), 23.02.2014 Most goals opponent: 41 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:41L (h), 15.11.2003 Most goals both teams: 72 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 40:32L (a), 27.11.1999 Fewest goals: 21 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 25:21L (a), 27.02.2010 21 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 Fewest goals opponent: 20 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 20 v HC Vardar MKD 20:22W (a), 11.04.2015 20 v HC Vardar MKD 23:20W (h), 28.11.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 41 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
1999/00 KS Iskra-Lider Market POL 6 3 0 3 173:186 –13 6:6 3rd Gr. B 2003/04 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce POL 6 2 1 3 159:177 -18 5:7 3rd Gr. G 2009/10 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 5 1 6 345:344 +1 11:13 Last 16 2010/11 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 10 1 2 7 276:300 -24 4:16 6th Gr. A 2011/12 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 6 1 5 345:336 +9 13:11 Last 16 2012/13 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 16 14 0 2 469:400 +69 28:4 Third Place 2013/14 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 7 1 4 362:331 +31 15:9 Last 16 2014/15 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 16 14 0 2 483:439 +44 28:4 Third Place Total 90 52 6 32 2612:2513 +99 110:70
29 KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
13 Julen Aguinagalde Akizu ESP Line Player 8.12.1982 Irun, ESP 195 116 14 Karol Bielecki POL Left Back 23.1.1982 Sandomierz, POL 202 101 18 Bartlomiej Bis POL Line Player 25.3.1997 Kielce, POL 198 102 3 Jakub Bulski POL Line Player 29.4.1998 Kielce, POL 195 96 21 Denis Buntic CRO Right Back 13.11.1982 Ljubuski, BIH 198 93 10 Piotr Chrapkowski POL Left Back 24.3.1988 Goreczno, POL 202 100 27 Ivan Cupic CRO Right Wing 22.3.1986 Metkovic, CRO 178 75 4 Michal Grabowski POL Right Wing 28.11.1997 Kielce, POL 188 87 15 Mateusz Jachlewski POL Left Wing 27.12.1984 Gdynia, POL 185 88 5 Michal Jurecki POL Left Back 27.10.1984 Koscian, POL 198 110 19 Mariusz Jurkiewicz POL Left Back 3.2.1982 Lubin, POL 199 103 11 Mateusz Kus POL Line Player 14.7.1987 Piekary SL, POL 200 100 19 Krzysztof Lijewski POL Right Back 7.7.1983 Ostrów Wlkpl. POL 198 94 22 Pawel Paczkowski POL right back 14.06.1993 Swiecie, POL 195 93 9 Tobias Reichmann GER Right Wing 27.5.1988 Berlin, GER 188 85 17 Manuel Strlek CRO Left Wing 1.12.1988 Zagreb, CRO 182 84 6 Grzegorz Tkaczyk POL Left Back 22.12.1980 Warszawa, POL 194 94 2 Branko Vujovic MNE Right Back 20.4.1998 197 82 23 Uros Zorman SLO Centre Back 9.1.1980 Kranj, SLO 189 96
1 Slawomir Szmal POL Goalkeeper 2.10.1978 Strzelce Opolskie, POL 190 90 16 Marin Sego CRO Goalkeeper 2.8.1985 Mostar, BIH 194 100 Krzysztof Markowski POL Goalkeeper 5.8.1997 Kielce, POL 185 82
Talant Dujshebaev coach • most awarded figure in the club • during his longstanding playing career won plenty of trophies with three different national teams (CIS, Russia, Spain) • has successfully continued as a coach for the last 10 years, known for his impulsiveness • joined Kielce in the half of the 2013/14 season, replacing Bogdan Wenta • changed the playing style of Kielce placing greater emphasis on the aggressive defence
EC Trophies: CL 1994, 2006 (as coach), 2008 (as coach), 2009 (as coach), EHF Cup 1993, Cup Winners’ Cup 2002, 2003 OG: G 1992, B 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1993, EURO: S 1996, 1998, B 2000
30 Marin Sego Slawomir Szmal goalkeeper goalkeeper • his first stop in Poland was Wisla Plock when • 2009 World Handball Player of the Year he came from Zagreb in 2012 and stayed until 2014 • one of the key players in the Polish national • like in Plock with Marcin Wichary also in Kielce champions’ defence he has a strong competition in a goal from a Polish • spent several years in German Bundesliga national team goalkeeper - Szmal playing for TuS N-Lübbecke and Rhein Neckar Löwen • before his move to Poland spent half of his • competed in three VELUX EHF FINAL4 events career in Bosnia Herzegovina, and half in Croatia with Löwen in 2010/11 and twice with Kielce in • before his first FINAL4 start in 2015 was most 2012/13 and 2014/15 successful with Zagreb, where he helped his club to • on the court a hardworking Titan, beyond it progress twice to the CL quarter-finals always keen on handball initiatives for kids
EURO: S 2010 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
Manuel Strlek Michal Jurecki left wing left back • his arrival in Kielce in 2012 were his first steps • Kielce’s powerful left back returned to Poland abroad, after leaving his boyhood club Zagreb in 2010 after a three-season stint in Germany and spells at HSV Hamburg and TuS N-Lübbecke • started gathering CL experience in 2006 • All-Star Team Left back of the EHF EURO 2016 • together with his fellow countryman Cupic on the other side, they soon created extremely • under his steel covering the Polish tank hides effective duet of wingers a cheerful nature and a volcano of energy exploding in the most thrilling moments of the game • All-Star team left wing at EHF EURO 2010 • since 2015/16 a new captain of the team
OG: B 2012, WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2012, 2016 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015
Uros Zorman Julen Aguinagalde centre back line player • one of the best playmakers in the game • one of the world’s top line players • on the hunt for his fourth CL success • All-Star team line player of the 2013 WCh in Spain and EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark • not known for scoring lots of goals, but his movement and passes provide ample space for his • nominated for World Handball Player of the teammates in attack Year 2012 • longstanding captain of Slovenian national • joined Kielce from Atlético Mardid in 2013 for team famous for his charisma, weakness for his first foreign league experience coffee, work with children, for whom he has been • four VELUX EHF FINAL4 participations in 2010- organising summer camps over past years 2015
EC Trophies: CL: 2004, 2008, 2009 WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014, S 2016 EURO: S 2004
Krzysztof Lijewski Tobias Reichmann right back right wing • wanted to be a basketball player, but under • started his career at SC Magdeburg the influence of his father and older brother Marcin, he chose handball • played three seasons in Kiel and two in Wetzlar before he transferred to Kielce in 2014 as • joined Kielce in 2012 after seven successful the first German player in the Polish league years spent in Germany with Hamburg and Rhein- Neckar Löwen • All-Star team right winger of the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • best right back of EHF EURO 2014 • shares his position with Croatian Ivan Cupic • most versatile player in the team, clever in attack and vigilant in defence • winner of the IHF Super Globe in 2011 as part of THW Kiel EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2007 EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015 EURO: G 2016
31 Montpellier HB (FRA) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
First leg Saturday 19 March, 19:30 hrs. local time
Second leg Sunday 27 March, 17:00 hrs. local time
The result of the battle between Montpellier and Flensburg- “If I have to give you numbers, I’d say we have 20-25 per cent of going Handewitt is not as straightforward as it would appear. The 2014 through, but that’s what happens when you finish sixth in your group” winners, who finished third in Group A behind PSG and Veszprem, are the MHB coach explains. favourites but Montpellier, after a tough month in February, are now back in rhythm. “Last season, it was about the same thing when we played against Kielce and we nearly went to the quarter-finals, even winning in In fact, when asked if he would rather play against Flensburg or PSG, Poland. You can count on us to give 100%.” Up north, Mahé believes Patrice Canayer was not unhappy with the result. that “at this stage of the competition, all the teams are level. One bad game away, one big defeat and being favourites doesn’t mean much “I would rather play Flensburg than a team that we play against anymore.” already four or five times a season. If we play in the Champions League, it’s to battle with new teams, or at least teams we don’t know The confrontation, anyway, is one of teams which play quite a similar so well. For our fans too, I think Flensburg is a good draw.” style of handball. Short-sized players, with an ability to share the ball and find tiny open spaces, with an oversized appetite for fast-breaks. On the German side, the equation was clear before the last group Anders Eggert versus Michaël Guigou, Lasse Svan against Dragan phase game. Either you lose and you play against Montpellier, or Gajic, there are battles on almost every front. And while Flensburg you win and you have to go to Ukraine to play against HC Motor might have more rotations on the back-court, Montpellier have now Zaporozhye. ”At least, Montpellier is closer to us,” joked Kentin Mahé got all their injured players back. right after the game in Paris. “For me, it will be another special game, I never came back to play against French teams before this season, Baptiste Bonnefond and Mathieu Grébille are now fresh and fit; while and now I’ll play twice in less than a month.” Vid Kavticnik and Guigou will provide the much-needed experience for this kind of game. In history, Montpellier won twice against Flensburg, while conceding three defeats and a draw, back in 2012. But that was a long time ago Will this be enough to make the favourites shake? “Why not?” and Patrice Canayer does not think his boys are favourites. concluded Canayer. “Apart from Barcelona, none of the big teams had an easy time here. Now is the time for my guys to step up and prove themselves.” Head-to-head stats Montpellier HB vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 2-2-4 (215:214) 6:10
04.10.1997 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Montpellier HB, EHF Cup – Round 1 28:25 (8:10) 12.10.1997 Montpellier HB vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Cup – Round 1 21:21 (10:9) 06.03.2005 Montpellier HB vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 36:22 (16:10) 13.03.2005 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 32:19 (17:11) 15.02.2009 Montpellier HB vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3 31:25 (13:9) 01.03.2009 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Montpellier HB, EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3 22:21 (9:8) 27.09.2012 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 37:37 (19:18) 02.12.2012 Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 25:27 (14:12)
32 GROUP B 6th ranked Montpellier HB (FRA)
Montpellier had to wait until the third game before they gained their first points in the competition. After losing to Vardar and Kielce, they finally gained their first win at home against KIF Kolding Kobenhavn. In a direct opposition with KIF Kolding and IFK Kristianstad, Montpellier managed to snatch most of their points against these two teams. After Mathieu Grébille hurt himself in pre-season, Montpellier was plagued by injuries all along their VELUX EHF Champions League road. Baptiste Bonnefond, Diego Dolenec, Michaël Guigou, most of the back court line suffered injuries at some point or another. Add to this the departure in November of Borut Mackovsek and you understand why Montpellier’s campaign was so chaotic. These missing players probably cost MHB points against higher profile teams. One of the key games of this first phase for Montpellier was in Kristianstad. A tough game, against a direct opponent resulted in anarrow close win, which would prove to be key at the end of the phase. The two teams finished with the same amount of points, but Montpellier went through thanks to winning both direct encounters. Looking at statistics, Jure Dolenec scored the most goals for the team with 63 in the first fourteen games, while fellow Slovenian Dragan Gajic found the back of the net 55 times.
GROUP B Final Table:
1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 11 1 2 423:372 (51) 23 2. KS Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 3 2 425:399 (26) 21 Playing hall 3. HC Vardar 14 9 0 5 416:373 (43) 18 Palais des Sports René Bougnol 4. Rhein-Neckar Löwen 14 8 1 5 369:353 (16) 17 1000 Av. du Val de Montferrand 5. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 7 1 6 404:390 (14) 15 34090 Montpellier 6. Montpellier HB 14 3 1 10 372:413 (-41) 7 France 7. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 1 10 409:437 (-28) 7 Capacity: 3,000 8. KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 14 2 0 12 348:429 (-81) 4
Club Address: Group Phase results: Montpellier HB (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements Centre Jean-Paul Lacombe Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000 vs HC Vardar L25:30 (12:9) VELUX EHF Champions League 34090 Montpellier @ KS Vive Tauron Kielce L30 :23 (12:11) Participations (including 2015/16 France vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W30:25 (14:14) season): 18 Media contact: @ FC Barcelona Lassa L37:27 (19:12) Winners (1): 2002/03 Suzy Demonte vs IFK Kristianstad W30:26 (13:14) Semi-final (1): 2004/05 +33 499 610 358 @ MOL-Pick Szeged L28:27 (14:14) Quarter-final (4): 2000/01, 2005/06, [email protected] vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen L28:30 (15:16) 2009/10, 2010/11 @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen L25:21 (16:10) Last 16 (5): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, Online information: vs MOL-Pick Szeged D29:29 (17:17) 2011/12, 2014/15 www.montpellierhandball.com @ IFK Kristianstad W29:30 (15:15) Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Facebook: montpellierhandball vs FC Barcelona Lassa L23:31 (11:15) Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, Twitter:@mhbofficiel @ KIF Kolding Kobenhavn L27:26 (14:12) 2012/13 vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce L27:32 (16:17) Qualification (1): 2013/14 @ HC Vardar L34:26 (17:17) Kit colours Other Light EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter- Player shirt: white final: 1996/97 Player short: white Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95 Goalkeeper shirt: orange/light green Last 32: 1997/98 Dark Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final Player shirt: blue 2001/02 Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) French cup: 12 titles
33 Montpellier HB (FRA)
Biggest win: 46:20 (26:9) v AC PAOK GRE (h), 04.10.2009 Biggest defeat: 37:20 (16:10) v Prosesa Ademar Leon ESP (a), 06.11.1999 Longest winning run: 7 matches (21.12.2003 – 14.11.2004) 7 matches (18.10.2009 – 25.02.2010) 7 matches (16.10.2010 – 06.03.2011) Longest unbeaten run: 10 matches (18.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest losing run: 4 matches (14.02.2016 – 05.03.2016) Longest run without win: 5 matches (25.03.2012 – 18.10.2012) 5 matches (02.12.2012 – 27.09.2014) Most goals: 46 v AC PAOK GRE 46:20W (h), 04.10.2009 Most goals opponent: 38 v Kolding KIF DEN 38:29L (a), 05.12.2004 38 v Pick Szeged HUN 38:35L (a), 19.11.2011 Most goals both teams: 78 v VfL Gummersbach GER 41:37W (h), 09.02.2008 Fewest goals: 17 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 26:17L (a), 03.01.1999 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 24:17L (a), 10.12.2000 Fewest goals opponent: 16 v HC Portovik Yuzhny UKR 26:16W (h), 07.10.2006 Fewest goals both teams: 38 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 21:17W (h), 08.11.1998
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage 1998/99 Montpellier HB FRA 6 3 0 3 134:134 0 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1999/00 Montpellier HB FRA 6 3 0 3 139:148 -9 6:6 3rd Gr. A 2000/01 Montpellier HB FRA 8 4 1 3 193:193 0 9:7 1/4-finals 2002/03 Montpellier HB FRA 12 8 1 3 334:311 +23 17:7 Winner 2003/04 Montpellier HB FRA 8 6 0 2 216:199 +17 12:4 Last 16 2004/05 Montpellier HB FRA 12 9 0 3 375:328 +47 18:6 1/2-finals 2005/06 Montpellier HB FRA 10 6 0 4 282:272 +10 12:8 1/4-finals 2006/07 Montpellier HB FRA 8 5 1 2 224:198 +26 11:5 Last 16 2007/08 Montpellier HB FRA 12 7 0 5 358:348 +10 14:10 3rd MR Gr. 2 2008/09 Montpellier HB FRA 10 6 1 3 295:275 +20 13:7 4th MR Gr. 3 2009/10 Montpellier HB FRA 14 10 2 2 447:372 +75 22:6 1/4-finals 2010/11 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 14 10 0 4 442:379 +63 20:8 1/4-finals 2011/12 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 12 6 0 6 357:357 0 12:12 Last 16 2012/13 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 10 2 2 6 301:311 –10 6:14 5th Gr. A 2014/15 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 12 4 2 6 351:377 –26 10:14 Last 16 Total 154 89 10 55 4448:4202
34 Montpellier HB (FRA) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
3 Arthur Anquetil FRA Left Wing 23.7.1995 Montpellier, FRA 182 78 24 Baptiste Bonnefond FRA Left Back 22.1.1993 Lyon, FRA 193 97 18 Felipe Borges Dutra Ribeiro BRA Left Wing 4.5.1985 Sao Bernardo, BRA 186 88 9 Maxime Bouschet FRA Right Back 2.4.1996 Montpellier, FRA 185 84 54 Jose Costa POR Line Player 23.3.1984 Braga, POR 190 95 11 Jure Dolenec SLO Right Back 6.12.1988 Ljubljana, SLO 190 90 13 Allahkaram Esteki IRI Left Back 20.3.1988 Isfahan, IRI 194 102 27 Ludovic Fabregas FRA Line Player 1.7.1996 Perpignan, FRA 198 100 25 Jean Loup Faustin FRA Left Back 23.3.1995 Montpellier, FRA 185 85 22 Matej Gaber SLO Line Player 22.7.1991 Kranj, SLO 197 115 30 Dragan Gajic SLO Right Wing 21.7.1984 Celje, SLO 188 85 10 Mathieu Grebille FRA Left Back 6.10.1991 Paris, FRA 198 97 14 Michael Guigou FRA Left Wing 28.1.1982 Apt, FRA 180 78 23 Vid Kavticnik SLO Right Back 24.5.1984 Gradec, SLO 191 87 21 Alexandre Saidani FRA Centre Back 30.7.1994 Montpellier, FRA 188 84 4 Diego Simonet ESP Centre Back 26.12.1989 Buenos Aires, ARG 188 88 3 Aymen Toumi TUN Right Wing 11.7.1990 Sousse, TUN 184 86 26 Allan Villeminot FRA Line Player 24.5.1995 Lyon, FRA 187 82 19 Kyllian Villeminot FRA Line Player 20.5.1998 Lyon , FRA 189 72 2 Iswaran Zahm FRA Left Back 23.5.1996 Saint Denis, FRA 200 93
1 Vincent Gerard FRA Goalkeeper 16.12.1986 Woippy, FRA 188 104 16 Arnaud Siffert FRA Goalkeeper 6.12.1978 Longjumeau, FRA 190 93 12 Samir Bellahcene FRA Goalkeeper 20.2.1995 Montpellier, FRA 197 110 97 Maxime Savonne FRA Goalkeeper 11.1.1997 Nimes , FRA 195 97
Patrice Canayer coach • currently in his 22st season at the head of Montpellier, in which he has won over 40 trophies • in 1994 he started his coaching career and coached players like Nikola Karabatic, Thierry Omeyer, Jerome Fernandez and Didier Dinart • reached the EHF Cup final in the 2013/14 season • in his active career played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris.
EC trophies: CL 2003
35 Vincent Gerard Michaël Guigou goalkeeper left wing/centre back • formed in Montpellier, he came back to his • player with the longest history in Montpellier first club in the summer of 2015 after playing in since he has played there for 15 seasons in a row Istres and Dunkerque • able to play on the left wing or on the centre • shares the position with Arnaud Siffert. Both back position, very quick on fast breaks and able to already played in Dunkerque together a couple of play in tiny spaces inside the defences seasons ago • over the years, he has become less of a scorer • his exuberant celebrations have instantly and turned into the brain of the team made him a fan favourite • only player of the winning CL campaign in • in four years in Dunkerque, he reached twice 2003 who still plays for MAHB the last 16 in the CL and a EHF Cup final in 2012 EC trophies: CL 2003 OG : G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, B 2005
Felipe Borges Baptiste Bonnefond left wing left back • discovered handball through beach handball, • at 23, he is the latest product of the which is played a lot in his native Sao Paulo Montpellier handball school • played for two and a half seasons in Ademar • in the 2015/16 season he was crippled by Leon before joining Montpellier in march 2013 injuries, but came back at the right time before the Last 16 phase • considered as the most successful active Brazilian player at the moment, having won 14 • following the steps of Mathieu Grébille, he domestic titles in less than eight years enjoyed his first national team apparances last November • best Brazilian scorer at the 2015 WCh with 31 goals in eight games • this special occasion was shared with his friend Ludovic Fabregas, with whom he has a very special relationship
Diego Simonet Matej Gaber centre back line player • Argentinian scored 47 goals in the 2014/15 • Slovenian rock of Montpellier’s defence, he CL campaign, including an impressive 11-goal will now have a bigger role in attack since Issam Tej’s performance in the last 16 game against Kielce left the club • best centre back of the French league in the • arrived at the beginning of the 2013/14 season 2013/14, but can play on the left back or even left alongside his friend Jure Dolenec and has done wing if needs be everything since to justify his “hard-defending” reputation • the second oldest brother of three in a family totally dedicated to handball, his two brothers play • should become a very important piece of in Ivry, in the French national league, where Diego Montpellier’s puzzle in the forthcoming years used to play before coming to Montpellier
Jure Dolenec Dragan Gajic right back right wing • in his first season with Montpellier in 2013/14 • arrived in 2011 together with fellow Slovenian had some ups and downs as he had to adapt to Vid Kavticnik and turned to be very useful to French defences Montpellier, both on and off the court • made his name in the CL with his former team • had his best season so far in the 2013/14, of Gorenje Velenje, scoring 64 goals in the 2012/13 finishing as the best scorer of the EHF Cup (72 goals) season and of the French league • recently extended his contract with • also helped his Slovenian teammates to settle Montpellier until 2019 in Montpellier, and that gave him quite a lot of work, since there were five of them in the club • at 26, he already counts nearly a hundred games with his national team • 2015 WCh top scorer (71 goals) and All-Star team right wing
36 GROUP A 3rd ranked SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) The 2014 Champions League winners were the best and the most stable German side in the group phase. Flensburg started in a brilliant way, clashing Paris 39:32. Losing at Kiel (well- deservingly) and Veszprem (unlucky and close) were setbacks, before the team of coach Ljubomir Vranjes started the longest Champions League winning streak in their club history.
Nine straight wins, including demolishing Kiel by a ten-goal victory, made Flensburg top the ranking prior to the final two rounds. But the painful defeat at home against Veszprem and the unsuccessful top table fight at Paris shattered the hopes of clinching the straight berth for the quarter-finals.
“It was possible, but our tough schedule in the domestic competitions was, maybe, the reason, why we did not have the power and the concentration you need to beat those two top teams,” Vranjes said. In contrast to Kiel, Flensburg had not been hit by injuries that hard, as only Jim Gottfridsson, Anders Zachariassen and Jakob Heinl were out for a long-term. The four new arrivals at the start of the season - Djordjic, Mahe, Toft Hansen and mainly Lauge Schmidt - fit perfectly in the team, the same occurred with late arrival Kresimir Kozina.
Lauge was awarded best European player in February, the Danish left back is in the form of his life. As all the injured players are back now, Vranjes will use this width to save the powers of his key players. This fact can be the key in the Last16 against Montpellier. “The French side is well- rehearsed and dangerous,” says Vranjes, who hopes that Flensburg will make it to Cologne Playing hall again, having in mind that mostly Kielce will be their rival in the quarter-finals, if they proceed. Flens Arena And the Polish team is supposed to be a lower hurdle than Barcelona or PSG, which might be Campusallee 2 the opponents of the remaining German teams. 24943 Flensburg Germany Capacity: 6,000 GROUP A Final Table:
1. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 442:389 (53) 24 2. MVM Veszprém 14 11 1 2 402:364 (38) 23 Club Address: 3. SG Flensburg-Handewitt 14 10 0 4 429:380 (49) 20 SG Flensburg-Handewitt 4. THW Kiel 14 8 1 5 400:388 (12) 17 Schiffbrücke 66 5. HC PPD Zagreb 14 5 1 8 358:367 (-9) 11 24939 Flensburg 6. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 372:397 (-25) 8 Germany 7. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 14 3 1 10 385:398 (-13) 7 8. Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 14 1 0 13 382:487 (-105) 2 Media contact: Sandra von Wallis Group Phase results: +49 4611609625 (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements [email protected] vs PSG Handball W39:32 (21:16) VELUX EHF Champions League Online information: @ MVM Veszprém L28:24 (15:14) Participations (including 2015/16 Website: www.sg-flensburg-handewitt.de @ THW Kiel L27:23 (14:13) season): 11 Facebook: SGFleHa vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W30:20 (13:10) Winners (1): 2013/14 Twitter:@SGFleHa vs Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu W33:25 (16:14) Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 @ Orlen Wisla Plock W30:34 (13:17) Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 vs HC PPD Zagreb W28:27 (12:13) Quarter-final (4): 2004/2005, @ HC PPD Zagreb W23:30 (10:15) 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013 Kit colours vs Orlen Wisla Plock W27:25 (13:11) Last 16 (1): 2014/15 Main round (1): 2007/2008 Light @ Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu W26:34 (16:17) Player shirt: blue-orange vs THW Kiel W37:27 (17:14) Other Player short: blue @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W26:30 (15:12) Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 Goalkeeper shirt: yellow vs MVM Veszprém L28:29 (12:10) @ PSG Handball L35:32 (16:16) 2011/2012 Dark EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 Player shirt: white City Cup: Winners 1998/1999 Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black German league: 1 title (2004) German cup: 4 titles
37 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
Biggest win: 43:24 (23:12) v RK Metalurg Skopje MKD (h), 19.10.2006 Biggest defeat: 36:22 (16:10) v Montpellier HB FRA (a), 06.03.2005 24:38 (8:19) v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP (h), 21.04.2011 21:35 (13:19) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (a), 28.09.2014 Longest winning run: 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 27.02.2016) Longest unbeaten run: 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 27.02.2016) Longest losing run: 3 matches (04.03.2006 - 01.04.2006) 3 matches (22.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) Longest run without win: 5 matches (10.02.2008 – 08.03.2008) Most goals: 44 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003 Most goals opponent: 41 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 41:31L (a), 02.12.2006 Most goals both teams: 80 v FC Barcelona ESP 39:41W (a), 31.05.2014 Fewest goals: 19 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 27:19L (a), 22.09.2010 Fewest goals opponent: 18 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 Fewest goals both teams: 43 v Montpellier HB FRA 22:21W (h), 01.03.2009 43 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 43 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 21:22W (a), 01.05.2011
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2003/04 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 10 1 3 450:401 +49 21:7 Runner-up 2004/05 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 10 7 1 2 319:270 +49 15:5 1/4-finals 2005/06 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER 12 7 0 5 372:326 +46 14:10 1/2-finals 2006/07 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 8 1 5 437:398 +39 17:11 Runner-up 2007/08 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 4 2 6 355:356 -1 10:14 4th MR Gr. 3 2008/09 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 8 0 4 360:329 +31 16:8 1/4-finals 2010/11 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 11 0 3 394:354 +40 22:6 1/4-finals 2012/13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 9 3 2 416:384 +32 21:7 1/4-finals 2013/14 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 16 12 1 3 489:441 +48 25:7 Winner 2014/15 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 6 0 6 337:340 -3 12:12 Last 16 Total 130 82 9 39 3929:3599 +330 173:87
38 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
2 Lukas Blohme GER Right Wing 7.11.1994 Flensburg, GER 188 72 17 Petar Djordjic SRB Left Back 17.9.1990 Sabac, SRB 197 102 7 Anders Eggert DEN Left Wing 14.5.1982 Aarhus, DEN 179 77 9 Holger Glandorf GER Right Back 30.3.1983 Osnabrück, GER 195 90 24 Jim Gottfridsson SWE Centre Back 2.9.1992 Ystad, SWE 190 95 21 Jacob Heinl GER Line Player 9.10.1986 Hamburg, GER 195 101 19 Johan Mikael Jakobsson SWE Right Back 12.2.1987 Lundby, SWE 195 89 3 Tobias Karlsson SWE Line Player 4.6.1981 Karlskrona, SWE 196 102 44 Kozina Kresimir CRO line player 25.06.1990 Derventa, BIH 197 106 4 Maik Machulla GER Centre Back 9.1.1977 Greifswald, GER 189 95 22 Kentin Mahe FRA Centre Back 22.5.1991 Paris, FRA 185 81 10 Thomas Mogensen DEN Centre Back 30.1.1983 Odder, DEN 187 100 17 Michael Nicolaisen GER Left Back 6.5.1995 Husum, GER 195 100 41 Bogdan Radivojevic SRB Right Wing 2.3.1993 Beograd, SRB 192 80 19 Rasmus Lauge Schmidt DEN Centre Back 20.6.1991 Randers, DEN 193 96 11 Lasse Svan DEN Right Wing 31.8.1983 Stevns, DEN 184 84 15 Henrik Toft Hansen DEN Line Player 18.12.1986 Skive, DEN 200 108 40 Ljubomir Vranjes SWE Centre Back 3.10.1973 Göteborg, SWE 168 80 14 Hampus Wanne SWE Left Wing 10.12.1993 Lundby, SWE 184 84 22 Anders Zachariassen DEN Line Player 4.9.1991 Sonderborg, SWE 192 96
1 Mattias Andersson SWE Goalkeeper 29.3.1978 Malmö, SWE 185 93 77 Thore Jöhnck GER Goalkeeper 28.7.1995 Flensburg, GER 184 84 32 Andreas Meyer Ejlersen DEN Goalkeeper 28.6.1997 Horsens, DEN 188 85 16 Kevin Möller DEN Goalkeeper 20.6.1990 Tonder , DEN 200 103
Ljubomir Vranjes coach • former Swedish national team player, still on the players’ list of Flensburg • became club manager in 2009 and coach in November 2010 • after winning the CL in the 2014/15 season he declined the number of top offers from PSG and the German national team • led Serbia to the 2014 EHF EURO in Denmark in a caretaker role, but did not continue • highly creative photographer in his spare time and just started to write his memoirs
EC trophies: CL 2014 (as coach), Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 (as coach) OG: S 2000, WCh: G 1999, EURO: G 1998, 2000 and 2002
39 Mattias Andersson Anders Eggert goalkeeper left wing • awarded “best player of the Bundesliga • had big shoes to fill in Flensburg as successor season 2011/12” of legendary Lars Christiansen • already in the younger age categories part of • top scorer of the German Bundesliga in 2011 all All-Star teams and became member of the senior (248 goals) and top scorer of the 2013 WCh in Spain national team (55 goals) • played at Kiel (2001-08), TV Großwallstadt • started his career at Gudme, in his ninth before signing in Flensburg season in Flensburg after intermediately being on loan at Skjern Handball • his saves at the 2014 FINAL4 were the major keys to win his last missing EC trophy • also famous for one of the highest percentages in the CL from the penalty throws EC trophies: CL 2007, 2014, EHF Cup: 2002, 2004, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2000 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2008, 2012, silver medallist 2014
Kentin Mahe Thomas Mogensen centre back centre back • joined Flensburg in 2015 after spells with HSV • highly experienced playmaker with more than Hamburg, VfL Gummersbach and Bayer Dormagen 1,000 goals for his club and long list of silverware (coached by his father Pascal in Dormagen) • since 2007 playing for Flensburg – his first stop • MVP and top scorer (49 goals) of the Men’s 20 outside his home country Denmark EHF EURO 2010 and MVP of the 2015 EHF Cup Finals • before played for Viborg and Svendborg, • in 2010 a debut in the French national team becoming Danish champion and cup winner twice • reached the Cup Winners’ Cup final with • to focus only on SG he quit his career in the Gummersbach in 2011/12 and EHF Cup final with Danish national team after the EHF EURO 2014 HSV in 2014/15
WCh: G 2015 EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Henrik Toft Hansen Tobias Karlsson line player line player • his girlfriend Ulrike Agren is playing for the • typical powerful Scandinavian defence Swedish national team and German club Buxtehude specialist, who – together with Magnus Jernemyr - build the Swedish middle block in the last years • his whole family is involved in handball: brothers Rene (also a line player of THW Kiel) and • team captain, a great honour after legendary Allan (Mors-Thy) and sisters Majbritt (Skive) and Lars Christiansen left SG Jeanette top players in the Danish league • Swedish champion three times with • part of AG Kobenhavn, which eliminated Hammarby IF Barcelona on the way to 2012 VELUX EHF FINAL4 • best defence player at the EHF EURO 2014 • transferred to Aalborg, before he joined Hamburg in 2013 and then Flensburg in 2015 EURO: G 2012, WCh: S 2013 EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012
Holger Glandorf Lasse Svan right back right wing • left-handed shooter and one of two German • one of the fastest wing players in the CL 2007 world champions in the Flensburg roster • same qualities as Eggert on the other side: fast • despite some injury breaks, the right back counter-attacks and a high scoring efficiency always returned to a high level of performance • another task in his team: motivation and • has the full set of three major European Cup relaxing – as his business is mental coaching competitions titles on his tally, with Nordhorn and Flensburg • after four seasons at GOG Svendborg he moved to Flensburg in 2008 • in August 2014 retired from the German national team to only focus on his club now • in addition to all his merits and trophies in handball, he was also a billiard’s champion in his home region Seeland
EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2008, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: G 2007 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
40 Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) vs HC Vardar (MKD)
First leg Wednesday 16 March, 18:30 hrs. local time
Second leg Saturday 27 March, 18:00 hrs. local time
In the first match of the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16, Polish runners-up Orlen Wisla Plock will play at home against Macedonian “Maybe at home there is too much pressure, especially for our champions HC Vardar. youth,” he says and hopes that perceiving Macedonian team as a favourite due to their higher rank in the group phase will work in the Standing face to face will be two clubs with totally different favour of Płock. motivations, but both hope to reach the longed-for quarter final. For Plock it would be the best achievement in the clubs history, for Skopje “What is crucial, Vardar has got their aspirations to win the another next step on their way to Cologne. Champions League. Our motivation is to go as far as we can,” adds the wing. Orlen Wisła Plock and HC Vardar met last year on exactly same stage However, Vardar players pass the buck back. “It is perfectly clear for of the competition. The first leg in Poland saw the hosts produce an us that this is going to be a very hard match. Plock are strong, they outstanding performance which led them to a six-goal victory. But as play at a very high level, especially when they play in front of their it turned out, it was too little for the Oilers to win on aggregate. home audience,” ensures Dujshebaev.
“We had a perfect first game in Płock then. We played well in the “They have a great coach on the bench, a master of the Spanish defence, our goalkeeper had a great day and that’s why we had easy school of handball. I could not say if we are favourites at this point. counter attacks,” says the captain of Plock Adam Wisniewski. But if we give our best on the court, we will be able to reach a good result,” adds Karacić. “Vardar seemed to be a bit surprised with our attitude in that match. With a six-goal advantage we were going to Skopje hoping Adam Wisniewski has a huge respect to Vardar’s defence, assisted to advance, but we knew that it was going to be really hard in their by great goalkeepers. “This is a basis for their counter attack in arena full of fans. And we found out about it already in the first half,” the first and the second wave,” explains the player. But all in all his he adds. team seems not to fear of anything after finally beating Kielce in the domestic league for the first time in almost two years. Last season’s duel is also fresh in the memory of the Macedonian side and their players know how tough they can expect Wednesday to be. “In past seasons our Orlen Arena was very difficult to conquer. This year it’s a bit different, but maybe after the victory over Kielce “We must play at 300% because in front of their fans they will try not we will finally start to win. We have another extremely important only to win, but to win by as many goals as they can,” Igor Karacić told match ahead of us but we feel mentally strong right now,” smiles Makedonski Sport. Wisniewski.
Płock is not going well at home this season. They won only once The victory earned by the Polish runners-up did not remain unnoticed against Besiktas so far and suffered their heaviest defeat, 14 goals, by Vardar. “On Sunday they beat Kielce in the domestic league by four against THW Kiel. Adam Wisniewski judges that they play better away goals difference. That tells us a lot about their strength and progress because of a huge mental burden for some players, who cannot fully since we last met,” concludes Karacić. manage with the role of favourites on their own floor.
Head-to-head stats Orlen Wisla Plock vs HC Vardar 1-0-1 (52:57) 2:2 14.03.2015 Orlen Wisla Plock vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 32:26 (14:12) 21.03.2015 HC Vardar vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 31:20 (14:10)
41 GROUP A 6th ranked Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) The Oilers started the season on a high note with a spectacular draw 27:27 secured in the last seconds of a chase after Veszprem. The success, celebrated rather like a victory, was supposed to herald a great season of the Polish club. Soon it turned out however that one swallow doesn’t make a summer and the players needed to face a crushing fourteen goals home defeat at the hands of THW Kiel.
The already unstable personal situation of Plock swayed even more when in the middle of November the team was left by Nemanja Zelenovic, who was replaced by young Jose Guilherme de Toledo. Right before the New Year it was announced that also Manolo Cadenas is going to walk out after the season. The team however united all their forces to threaten the big brands of handball in the battle of taking one of the premium places in the Group A. Even though their balance after all fourteen matches of the past phase looks really feeble with only 3 wins, 2 draws and 9 defeats, it must be admitted that the Polish runners-up did a good job appropriate to the means remaining at their disposal. They were very close to make several surprises in away duels against Flensburg, Kiel and Veszprem – all three lost with only two goals.
To the crucial duels with the past season enforcer HC Vardar, Plock will stand with only one line player Tiago Rocha left as the other two, Marco Oneto Zuniga and Mateusz Piechowski dropped out due to their knees injuries. The Poles will also miss their back Bartosz Konitz who already finished the season after harming his shoulder. Anyway the Oilers will do their best not only to be close to make another surprise, but to finally present their fans the first quarter-final of the Champions League ever. Playing hall Orlen Arena Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1 GROUP A Final Table: 09-400 Płock Poland 1. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 442:389 (53) 24 Capacity: 5,467 2. MVM Veszprém 14 11 1 2 402:364 (38) 23 3. SG Flensburg-Handewitt 14 10 0 4 429:380 (49) 20 4. THW Kiel 14 8 1 5 400:388 (12) 17 Club Address: 5. HC PPD Zagreb 14 5 1 8 358:367 (-9) 11 Orlen Wisła Płock 6. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 372:397 (-25) 8 Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1 7. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 14 3 1 10 385:398 (-13) 7 09-400 Płock 8. Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 14 1 0 13 382:487 (-105) 2 Poland
Media contact: Group Phase results: Past achievements Tomasz Bauman (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Tel: +48 723 100 787 VELUX EHF Champions League [email protected] vs MVM Veszprém D27:27 (11:13) Participations (including 2015/16 @ PSG Handball L29:24 (16:13) season): 11 Online information: @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W25:28 (10:17) Last 16 (4): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14, Website: www.sprwislaplock.pl vs THW Kiel L23:37 (8:18) 2014/15 Facebook: sprWisla @ HC PPD Zagreb L29:25 (13:13) Group Phase (5): 2002/03, 2004/05, Twitter:@SPRWisla vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt L30:34 (13:17) 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09 vs Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu W32:26 (15:12) Qualification (1): 2012/13 @ Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu W29:38 (15:19) Kit colours @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt L27:25 (13:11) Other Light vs HC PPD Zagreb D23:23 (11:12) EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 1993/94, Group Player shirt: whiteblue vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko L26:31 (12:17) Phase: 2012/13 Player short: blue @ THW Kiel L26:24 (14:14) Goalkeeper shirt: yellow vs PSG Handball L22:27 (12:16) Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004, @ MVM Veszprém L27:25 (16:13) 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011) Dark Polish Cup: 10 titles Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: red
42 Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Biggest win: 42:26 (19:11) v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG (h), 13.11.2004 Biggest defeat: 35:18 (19:04) v KIF Kolding Elite A/S DEN (a), 07.10.2006 34:17 (15:07) v HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO (a), 12.10.2008 Longest winning run: 5 matches (29.11.2014 – 14.03.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (23.11.2014 – 14.03.2015) Longest losing run: 6 matches (05.10.2008 – 20.11.2008) Longest run without win: 6 matches (05.10.2008 – 20.11.2008) Most goals: 42 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG 42:26W (h), 13.11.2004 Most goals opponent: 40 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 Most goals both teams: 72 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002 Fewest goals: 13 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006 Fewest goals opponent: 19 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SRB 31:19W (h), 28.09.2006 19 v HCM Constanta ROU 19:34W (a), 09.02.2012 19 v Besiktas MOGAZ HT TUR 28:19W (h), 27.09.2014 Fewest goals both teams: 34 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2002/03 Wisla Plock SSA POL 6 1 0 5 167:195 –28 2:10 3rd Gr. A 2004/05 Wisla Plock SSA POL 6 1 0 5 159:177 -18 2:10 4th Gr. D 2005/06 Wisla Plock SSA POL 6 2 0 4 155:182 -27 4:8 3rd Gr. E 2006/07 Wisla Plock SA POL 6 2 0 4 141:170 –29 4:8 3rd Gr. C 2008/09 Wisla Plock SA POL 6 0 0 6 122:188 -66 0:12 4th Gr. H 2011/12 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 12 4 1 7 321:332 -11 9:15 1/8-finals 2013/14 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 12 5 0 7 335:341 -6 10:14 1/8-finals 2014/15 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 12 7 1 4 340:337 +3 15:9 Last 16 Total 66 22 2 42 1740:1922 –182 46:86
43 Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
34 Lukasz Calujek POL Left Back 25.7.1994 Zawadzkie, POL 202 104 3 Michal Daszek POL Right Wing 27.6.1992 Tczew, POL 180 70 37 Jose Guilherme De Toledo BRA Right Back 11.01.1994 Sao Paulo, BRA 193 96 15 Valentin Marian Ghionea ROU Right Wing 29.4.1984 Baia Mare, ROU 197 90 27 Bartosz Konitz POL Left Back 30.12.1984 Oborniki Wlkpl., POL 197 97 2 Zbigniew Kwiatkowski POL Line Player 2.4.1985 Mlawa, POL 202 120 25 Angel Montoro Cabello ESP Right Back 10.4.1989 Toledo, ESP 213 105 23 Jakub Moryn POL Left Wing 17.11.1996 Plock, POL 186 80 77 Ivan Nikcevic SRB Left Wing 11.2.1981 Niksic, MNE 182 80 29 Marco Antonio Oneto Zuniga ITA Line Player 3.6.1982 Vina del mar, CHI 204 117 18 Mateusz Piechowski POL Line Player 1.3.1995 Plock, POL 210 110 13 Miljan Pusica SRB Left Back 30.6.1991 Prijepolje, SRB 199 101 7 Dan Emil Racotea ROU Back 21.7.1995 Brasov, ROU 202 98 17 Tiago Rocha POR Line Player 17.10.1985 S. Paio Oleiros, POR 196 104 14 Maciej Skibinski POL Right Wing 28.4.1996 Ciechanów, POL 186 82 26 Marko Tarabochia BIH Centre Back 28.11.1988 Zagreb, BIH 192 92 10 Adam Wisniewski POL Left Wing 24.10.1980 Plock, POL 192 100 89 Dmitry Zhitnikov RUS Centre Back 20.11.1989 Zvolen, RUS 193 90
12 Marcin Wichary POL Goalkeeper 17.2.1980 Zabrze, POL 193 100 36 Rodrigo Corrales Rodal ESP Goalkeeper 24.2.1991 Cangas, ESP 201 99 16 Adam Morawski POL Goalkeeper 17.10.1994 Ciechanów, POL 193 94
Manolo Cadenas coach • before he signed to Orlen in 2013 he made a short return to Leon, where he had been the coach also from 1995 to 2007, in their “golden era” • led Ademar to their only national championship title in 2001, two cup titles and victories in the European arena • joined Plock in a difficult period facing a challenge of building the team from the scratch • besides Plock also coaches the Spanish national team EC Trophies: Cup Winner’s Cup 1989, 1999, 2005 EURO: B 2014
44 Rodrigo Corrales Rodal Marcin Wichary goalkeeper goalkeeper • coming to Plock in 2014 seems to be one of • depite his inconspicuous look, while standing the best decision made by the Spaniard who had between the posts he turns into a beast been in the shadow of other keepers in FC Barcelona • came to Plock in 2004 and since that moment • landed under Manolo Cadenas wings, which he has become a true Oiler, beloved by the local fans soon made the experts call him the future of • in his WCh debut in 2013 he impressed with a Spanish handball 50% save efficiency in the group phase • talented, hard-working and dynamic player • his best achievement to date remains the 5th soon gained hearts of the local fans with incredible place in the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing and the saves in crucial moments of the games bronze medal from the WCh 2015 in Qatar
EC Trophies: CL 2011 WCh: B 2015
Ivan Nikcevic Miljan Pusica left wing left back • experienced winger with many titles • among six players that reinforced the ranks of Wisla before the 2014/15 season • raised in Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, he moved to Spain in 2005 where he played for the likes of San • in 2014 on the left side replaced his Antonio and Cuatro Rayas Valladolid countryman, Petar Nenadic, who joined Füchse Berlin • achieved his best European performance with San Antonio in the Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final in • with his previous team, RK Vojvodina, he 2010 failed in the qualification tournament in the 2013/14 season • also an important Serbian national team player scoring over 450 goals
EURO: S 2012
Dmitry Zhitnikov Tiago Rocha centre back line player • comes from Krasnodar, and his first coach at • the first Portuguese player in Polish league; the local handball school was his father a hard-working player aware of his physical assets, despite his huge dimensions possesses a good • at the age of 16, the talented boy was invited coordination to Chekhov where he played five seasons in the reserve team • after spending twelve years in FC Porto he made his first step abroad joining Płock in 2014 • as he matured and experienced players left, Zhitnikov began to play a more prominent role at • became a cornerstone of the team until the Medvedi metacarpus injury in March 2015 put him out of action both in domestic and European contest • member of the Russian national team joined Plock in the summer of 2015 • after the departure of Kamil Syprzak to Barcelona in the summer of 2015 he shares his position with a newcomer Marco Oneto
Jose Guilherme de Toledo Valentin Ghionea right back right wing • surprisingly joined Plock in November after • Romanian Handballer of the Year in 2008 and Nemanja Zelenovic’s transfer to Magdeburg two-time top scorer in Romania (2005, 2007) • best scorer of the Men’s Youth World • joined Wisla Plock in 2012 and during his first Championship U-19 in 2013 season, he showed his great goalscoring ability • talented young player with an angel’s look and • quickly became a very important Wisla player devil’s temperament and his team’s top scorer • already during his first months in Plock he • in the 2013/14 season he scored 226 goals in already became an important part of the club in 43 appearances including 48 goals in the CL both domestic and European contest • with his speed he is an important part of • Before handball he used to train football and Manolo Cadenas’s philosophy of the game hockey
45 GROUP B 3rd ranked HC Vardar (MKD) Macedonian champions are playing one of the most successful group phase seasons ever. The “red-black” team shined in the first four opening matches in the VELUX EHF Champions League, but during this series the Russian right back Alexander Dereven suffered a serious injury in the match against Rhein-Neckar Löwen which sidelined the new Vardar acquisition for several months.
This winning streak was stopped surprisingly in Copenhagen when the Danish team managed to cause the first defeat to Raul Gonzales squad (33:31). However Vardar returned back on the winning track with a high-score (34:24) victory over Kielce, but then the defending champions FC Barcelona demonstrated their superiority by defeating Macedonian champions twice (31:30; 27:25). A payback from Kielce followed in the home match which the Polish team ended in their favor (23:20). Vardar once more shined at home against Copenhagen with another supreme victory (34:24) and ended successfully the 2015 year.
After the break, Vardar started the New Year with one-goal away defeat from Rhein-Neckar Löwen (28:27), but they missed Manaskov and Stoilov who were suspended because of violating club regulation and also Igor Karacic who had small injury. In addition Blazenko Lackovic left the club and transferred to THW Kiel. IFK Kristianstad caused a serious headache for local fans in Jane Sandanski when Vardar managed to secure the points only in the last minutes of the match (38:36). In the end of the group phase Szeged and Montpelier were an easy “catch” brining Vardar three consecutive victories and final third position in the group phase. Vardar will enter the Last 16 without the captain Filip Lazarov who recently broke his finger. In addition Sergei Gorbok muscle injury makes him questionable for this clash, yet the objective is clear, surpass the previous season success and reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Playing hall GROUP B Final Table: Jane Sandanski Skopje 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 11 1 2 423:372 (51) 23 FYR Macedonia 2. KS Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 3 2 425:399 (26) 21 Capacity: 5,000 3. HC Vardar 14 9 0 5 416:373 (43) 18 4. Rhein-Neckar Löwen 14 8 1 5 369:353 (16) 17 5. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 7 1 6 404:390 (14) 15 Club Address: 6. Montpellier HB 14 3 1 10 372:413 (-41) 7 HC Vardar 7. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 1 10 409:437 (-28) 7 Marko Savovski 8. KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 14 2 0 12 348:429 (-81) 4 BUL 8 mi Septemvri 20 FYR Macedonia Group Phase results: (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements Media contact: Marko Savovski @ Montpellier HB W25:30 (12:9) VELUX EHF Champions League +389 75 200 088 vs MOL-Pick Szeged W27:23 (11:11) Participations (including 2015/16 [email protected] @ IFK Kristianstad W25:30 (13:15) season): 10 vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W25:19 (11:10) Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Online information: @ KIF Kolding Kobenhavn L33:31 (17:15) Last 32 (1): 1999/2000 Website: www.rkvardar.com.mk vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce W34:24 (18:14) Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, Facebook: rkvardar @ FC Barcelona Lassa L31:30 (16:13) 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10 Twitter:@HCVardar vs FC Barcelona Lassa L25:27 (15:12) @ KS Vive Tauron Kielce L23:20 (10:6) Other Kit colours vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W34:24 (18:8) Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1998/99, 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-finals Light @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen L28:27 (14:15) 2006/07 Player shirt: white vs IFK Kristianstad W38:36 (21:19) Player short: white @ MOL-Pick Szeged W29:31 (14:13) SEHA league: 1 title (2012) Goalkeeper shirt: orange and red vs Montpellier HB W34:26 (17:17) Dark Macedonian league: 9 titles (1999, Player shirt: black/red 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, Player short: black 2013, 2015) Goalkeeper shirt: black and blue Macedonian cup: 10 titles
46 HC Vardar (MKD)
Biggest win: 37:24 (19:11) v Wacker Thun SUI (a), 19.10.2013 Biggest defeat: 41:19 (19:08) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.10.2003 Longest winning run: 4 matches (26.04.2014 – 12.10.2014) 4 matches (29.11.2014 – 21.02.2015) 4 matches (20.09.2015 – 18.10.2015) Longest unbeaten run: 5 matches (26.04.2014 – 19.10.2014) Longest losing run: 7 matches (12.10.2003 – 09.10.2004) Longest run without win: 8 matches (12.10.2003 – 16.10.2004) 8 matches (03.10.2009 – 20.02.2010) Most goals: 39 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:28W (h), 04.10.2014 39 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 34:39W (a), 06.12.2014 Most goals opponent: 41 v FC Barcelona ESP 41:19L (a), 18.10.2003 Most goals both teams: 74 v IFK Kristianstad SWE 38:36W (h), 20.02.2016 Fewest goals: 12 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004 Fewest goals opponent: 20 v Orlen Wisla Plock 31:20W (h), 21.03.2015 Fewest goals both teams: 38 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2001/02 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 6 1 1 4 152:175 –23 3:9 4th Gr. D 2002/03 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 6 2 0 4 152:181 –29 4:8 4th Gr. D 2003/04 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 6 0 0 6 157:210 -53 0:12 4th Gr. B 2004/05 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 6 1 2 3 124:153 -29 4:8 3rd Gr. A 2007/08 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 6 2 1 3 161:180 -19 5:7 4th Gr. C 2009/10 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 10 1 1 8 253:316 -63 3:17 5th Gr. D 2013/14 HC Vardar – Skopje MKD 14 6 3 5 376:369 +7 15:13 1/4-finals 2014/15 HC Vardar MKD 14 8 1 5 421:396 +25 17:11 1/4-finals Total 68 21 9 38 1796:1980
47 HC Vardar (MKD) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
20 Ilija Abutovic SRB Left Back 2.8.1988 Vrbas, SRB 202 99 7 Matjaz Brumen SLO Right Wing 23.12.1982 Ljublana, SLO 190 90 25 Luka Cindric CRO Centre Back 5.7.1993 Ogulin, CRO 185 89 17 Alexander Dereven RUS Left Back 26.3.1992 Toliatti, RUS 199 88 31 Timur Dibirov RUS Left Wing 30.7.1983 Petrozavodsk, RUS 180 74 19 Alex Dujshebaev ESP Right Back 17.12.1992 Santander, ESP 187 84 32 Sergei Gorbok RUS Left Back 4.12.1982 Minsk, RUS 196 98 18 Igor Karacic CRO Centre Back 2.11.1988 Mostar, BIH 191 91 23 Filip Lazarov MKD Left Back 21.4.1985 Veles, MKD 199 100 11 Dejan Manaskov MKD Left Wing 26.8.1992 Veles, MKD 181 78 15 Jorge Maqueda Pena ESP Right Back 6.12.1988 Toledo, ESP 195 102 93 Mijajlo Marsenic SRB Line Player 9.3.1993 Berane, MNE 202 107 33 Daniil Shishkarev RUS Right Wing 6.7.1988 Kustanai, RUS 190 85 5 Stojanche Stoilov MKD Line Player 30.4.1987 Skopje, MKD 191 110 10 Alem Toskic SRB Line Player 12.2.1982 Priboj, SRB 190 108
1 Arpad Sterbik Capar ESP Goalkeeper 20.11.1979 Senta, SRB 200 119 12 Strahinja Milic SRB Goalkeeper 22.12.1990 Pristina, SRB 200 132 26 Petar Angelov MKD Goalkeeper 8.3.1977 Kavadarci, MKD 192 103
Raul Gonzalez Gutierrez coach • stalwart of BM Valladolid and a member of the Spanish national team during his playing career • started his coaching carrier in Atletico Madrid and Ciudad Real working in team with Talant Dujshebaev • replaced Zoran Kastratovic early in the 2013/14 season at Vardar • steered the team to a historical success - the quarter-finals of the CL for the first time and was just one goal shy of the FINAL4 OG: B 1996 (as player)
48 Arpad Sterbik Jorge Maqueda goalkeeper right back • one of the best goalkeepers who holds • arrived in Skopje at the beginning of the Hungarian, Serbian and Spanish citizenship 2015/16 season and signed a two-year contract • after ten seasons spent in Spain moved from • before his arrival in Vardar he played for Barcelona in 2014 and signed a four-year contract Barcelona, Alcobendas, Aragon and Nantes with Macedonian runners-up • the world class defender is gold medalist from • dozens of international awards including the the World Championship 2013 in Spain and bronze 2005 IHF World Handball Player of the Year holder from EHF EURO 2011 • voted as the best goalkeeper of the Spanish league five times
EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009 WCh: G 2013, EURO: S 2016 WCh: B 1999, B 2001, B 2011, G 2013, EURO: S 2016
Timur Dibirov Sergey Gorbok left wing left back • in 2013 he joined Vardar as just the second • started his carrier in Minsk, played in several club in his career countries (Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia, Germany) • the first was Chekhovskie Medvedi, with • took Russian citizenship and started playing whom he reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010 for Russia after playing three seasons in Chekhov • voted best left wing of at the 2013 WCh • in the 2013/14 season with Rhein-Neckar Löwen he was close to the FINAL4 • fast breaks specialists also key in defence • joined the Russian “colony” of Vardar in 2014
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
Igor Karacic Alem Toskic centre back line player • voted into the 2012/13 SEHA League All-Star • joined Vardar in 2013 and currently plays the team most successful season in the “red-black” team • regarded as a fast and tough player who is • started his career in Partizan and transferred brilliant when it comes to ‘one-on-one’ situations to Celje where he played six seasons; for two seasons he wore Zagreb jersey • scored 62 goals on the way to the last 16 in the 2010/11 CL season with Bosna Sarajevo • has been chosen among the best players of the third round in the 2015/16 • born in Mostar he plays for the Croatian national team, while his brother Ivan plays for • plays his last season in Skopje before moving Bosnia Herzegovina to Gorenje Velenje
EURO: B 2016 EURO: S 2012
Alex Dujshebaev Daniil Shishkarev right back right wing • son of Talant Dujshebaev joined Vardar at the • with his first club Zarja Kaspija Astrakhan beginning of the 2013/14 season played in three club competitions (EHF Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and CL) • played for Spain at the Junior World Championship in 2013 and helped to win silver • Russian national team winger arrived in Skopje in 2014 and plays his second season in Vardar • best right back of the All-star team at the 2012 Men’s 20 EHF EURO and the 2013 Junior WCh • in the period from 2009-2014 played for Chekovskie Medvedi and has number of titles in the • top scorer of the Spanish ASOBAL with BM Russian championship Aragon in 2011/12 and 2012/13 • has played more than 70 matches for the • voted best young player of the CL in 2014/15 Russian national team EURO: S 2016
49 MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) vs THW Kiel (GER)
First leg Sunday 20 March, 18:30 hrs. local time
Second leg Wednesday 23 March, 18:30 hrs. local time
MOL-Pick Szeged are presented a chance to revenge their elimination When asked about the opponent Alfred Gislason’s assessment from last year when THW Kiel proved too strong for the Hungarian couldn’t have been more to the point: “Everything revolves around runners-up. However, the sense in Szeged is that this year the margin Dean Bomba in attack. The Slovenian is enjoying a great season.” is smaller and Pick have a good chance to make it to the next round. Bombac, who sits proudly on third place in the goalscorers’ chart, is one of the many players who will leave Szeged after the season Tides have changed since these two European heavyweights locked but the Slovenian playmaker is dedicated to make the most if his horns in the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-final a little more last season in Hungary. “Those who aim to the top have to beat than a year ago. Kiel with their outstanding starting lineup and talent- everyboday” – Bombac told Ehfcl.com after the draw. packed squad were heavy favourites against the Hungarian outfit nevertheless Pick ousted Kiel’s domestic rival Rhein-Neckar Löwen in Gislason also pointed out that Szeged are by no means a one-man the previous round. team and THW Kiel csaptain Domagoj Duvnjak also acknowledged that they play host to an elite team. „We are facing a very strong team Kiel still have the outstanding starting lineup but their squad is no so I hope our fans will fill the arena to help us eliminate Szeged” – the longer as frightening as it used to be. Having lost Aron Palmarsson, Croat told his club’s website. Filip Jicha and Rasmus Lauge might have not been enough to rule the German powerhouse out of Cologne yet Rene Toft Hansen, Patrick However, it is not a usual sight to see Kiel finish fourth in a Group. Wiencek, Steffen Weinhold and Christian Dissinger have all been out Even less peculiar to the Zebras to suffer heavy defeats in Zagreb injured at some point of the season – if not for the entire. and Flensburg and it is now safe to say that the optimism of Szeged’s local hero, Ferenc Ilyés is well-founded. “I believe this season we will MOL-Pick Szeged had a fair share of injury setbacks themselves, Zsolt have a better chance against Kiel than last year” – said Ilyés in the Balogh and Niko Mindegía’s absence were particularly painful, but the wake of their defeat at Kielce, where Szeged put up their best away Hungarian runners-up remained composed especially at home, where performance of the season. only Barcelona and Vardar (who were extremely lucky to get away with a win) defeated Pick. Among the elite teams that left Szeged “I regret that we lost in Kielce but the way we performed in the arena empty handed are Kiel, who managed to turn the duell around at of such a great team should give us confidence and self-belief against home last year. In the wake of their two-goal defeat away the German Kiel” – claimed Juan Carlos Pastor. Szeged and Kiel are the last to start team made use of the faltering away form of Szeged and ousted Juan but the first to finish their best of 16 clash as the teams play the home Carlos Pastor’s team by a six-goal margin on aggregate. But as said and away matches within three days starting on 20 March in the before, a lot has changed since then. Újszegedi Arena.
Head-to-head stats MOL-Pick Szeged vs THW Kiel 1-0-3 (104:132) 2:6 02.10.2011 Pick Szeged vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 26:38 (14:16) 09.02.2012 THW Kiel vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D 34:24 (18:12) 12.04.2015 MOL-Pick Szeged vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 31:29 (17:15) 19.04.2015 THW Kiel vs MOL-Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 31:23 (18:10)
50 GROUP B 5th ranked MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) MOL-Pick Szeged are no longer to be referred to as „the other team” in Hungary. Led by one of the contemporary masterminds of the game Juan Carlos Pastor’s team proved they were aproaching the elite when Szeged eliminated Rhein-Neckar Löwen and even beat Kiel at home in the quarter-final last year.
Marred by injuries of key players such as Spanish international Niko Mindegía and Hungarian sensation Zsolt Balogh for the first half of the season Szeged still managed to shake off doubts of qualification to the last 16. The Újszegedi Arena remained a fortress, where even Barcelona were made to sweat blood for the win and if it wasn’t for the poor away record (yet again) Pick would have found a much easier path towards Cologne. However, victories against Kielce, Löwen and Montpellier this season speak volumes about the strength of the Hungarian runners-up, who also had some great periods in away games, particularly at Kielce, where they had the lead for most of the intensive battle and in Montpellier, where the rampant Hungarians snatched a draw.
With Mindegía back in action the Kielce-bound playmaking genious Dean Bombac can finally catch a breath and Balogh’s return is met by some great performances from Gábor Ancsin at right back. Their defence is solid, have great goalies and backed by the intimidating Szeged crowd at home Pick are a force to be reckoned with. It’s the away match that is more of a concern – partly due to last year’s clash with Kiel: brave Pick brought a two-goal advantage to Playing hall Kiel only to see it shattered by the home side in the first half and eventually bow out. Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged Szeged are going to make drastic changes in their ranks next summer, protagonists of both Temesvari Krt.33 defence and attack are set to leave the City of Sunlight, but they are not finished yet and the 6726 Szeged sense is the city is that Szeged are by no means the underdog against the German powerhouse. Hungary GROUP B Final Table: Capacity: 3,200 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 11 1 2 423:372 (51) 23 2. KS Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 3 2 425:399 (26) 21 Club Address: 3. HC Vardar 14 9 0 5 416:373 (43) 18 MOL-Pick Szeged 4. Rhein-Neckar Löwen 14 8 1 5 369:353 (16) 17 Deák Ferenc u. 28-30. 5. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 7 1 6 404:390 (14) 15 6720 Szeged 6. Montpellier HB 14 3 1 10 372:413 (-41) 7 Hungary 7. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 1 10 409:437 (-28) 7 8. KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 14 2 0 12 348:429 (-81) 4 Media contact: Levente Juhasz Group Phase results: Past achievements +36 70 543 0979 (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) [email protected] VELUX EHF Champions League vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce W31:30 (17:14) Participations (including 2015/16 Online information: @ HC Vardar L27:23 (11:11) season): 14 Website: www.pickhandball.hu vs FC Barcelona Lassa L28:30 (12:13) Quarter-final (3): 1996/1997, Facebook: pickszeged @ KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W22:27 (9:16) 2003/2004, 2014/15 Twitter:@pickhandball @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen L30:25 (13:13) Last 16 (5): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, vs Montpellier HB W28:27 (14:14) 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13 vs IFK Kristianstad W35:28 (19:14) Main Round (1): 2007/2008 @ IFK Kristianstad W32:34 (19:16) Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, Kit colours @ Montpellier HB D29:29 (17:17) 2009/2010, 2011/2012 Light vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W30:24 (14:12) Qualification (1): 2013/14 Player shirt: orange vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W34:23 (18:13) Player short: black @ FC Barcelona Lassa L30:25 (19:14) Goalkeeper shirt: white or green vs HC Vardar L29:31 (14:13) Other EHF Cup: Winners 2014/15, Quarter- Dark @ KS Vive Tauron Kielce L27:26 (12:16) final: 2000/01 Player shirt: blue Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000 Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: black Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-final: 1993/94 Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09 Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007) Hungarian cup: 6 titles
51 MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)
Biggest win: 39:24 (15:10) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 07.10.2007 Biggest defeat: 40:17 (19:5) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 15.02.1997 Longest winning run: 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) Longest losing run: 6 matches (17.10.2009 – 20.02.2010) 6 matches (06.03.2011 – 15.10.2011) Longest run without win: 7 matches (17.10.2009 – 27.02.2010) Most goals: 39 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 39:24W (h), 07.10.2007 Most goals opponent: 40 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997 Most goals both teams: 73 v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 38:35W (h), 19.11.2011 Fewest goals: 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997 Fewest goals opponent: 16 v Wisla Plock SA POL 16:26W (a), 05.10.2008 Fewest goals both teams: 39 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:19W (h), 08.03.2008
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
1996/97 Pick Szeged HUN 8 3 2 3 205:216 –11 8:8 1/4-finals 2003/04 SC Pick Szeged HUN 10 4 0 6 269:262 +7 8:12 1/4-finals 2004/05 SC Pick Szeged HUN 8 4 2 2 190:187 +3 10:6 Last 16 2005/06 SC Pick Szeged HUN 8 3 0 5 219:218 +1 6:10 Last 16 2006/07 SC Pick Szeged HUN 8 3 2 3 202:203 -1 8:8 Last 16 2007/08 Pick Szeged HUN 12 9 0 3 361:310 +51 18:6 3rd MR Gr. 4 2008/09 Pick Szeged HUN 6 2 0 4 159:161 -2 4:8 3rd Gr. H 2009/10 Pick Szeged HUN 10 2 2 6 287:307 -20 6:14 5th Gr. A 2010/11 Pick Szeged HUN 12 5 0 7 336:351 -15 10:14 Last 16 2011/12 Pick Szeged HUN 10 3 0 7 285:316 -31 6:14 5th Gr. D 2012/13 Pick Szeged HUN 12 4 0 8 313:350 –37 8:16 Last 16 2014/15 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 14 9 1 4 395:383 +12 19:9 1/4-finals Total 118 51 9 58 3221:3264
52 MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
90 Gabor Ancsin HUN Right Back 27.11.1990 Bekescsaba, HUN 202 97 92 Adam Arokszallasi HUN Right Wing 5.7.1994 Szeged, HUN 174 66 20 Patrik Arpasi HUN Line Player 17.9.1996 Orosháza, HUN 190 100 19 Zsolt Balogh HUN Right Back 29.3.1989 Orosháza, HUN 189 96 21 Alen Blazevic CRO Left Back 29.3.1986 Nasice, CRO 200 110 44 Dean Bombac SLO Centre Back 4.4.1989 Koper, SLO 188 92 54 Marko Curuvija SRB Left Wing 24.7.1981 Belgrade, SRB 198 93 93 Adam Dimovics HUN Centre Back 23.1.1999 Szeged, HUN 187 83 95 Karoly Doleszal HUN Left Wing 1.12.1995 Székesfehérvár, HUN 190 85 15 Balint Fekete HUN Right Back 27.6.1995 Gyula, HUN 190 80 51 Roberto Garcia Parrondo ESP Right Wing 12.1.1980 Madrid, ESP 187 86 9 Antonio Jesus Garcia Robledo ESP Left Back 6.3.1984 Llagosta, ESP 191 95 11 Mate Gidai HUN Right Wing 18.1.1994 Békéscsaba, HUN 180 75 14 Thiagus Petrus Goncalves Dos Santos BRA Left Back 25.1.1989 Juiz de Fora, BRA 199 100 98 Gergö Haszillo HUN Centre Back 30.9.1996 Székesfehérvár, HUN 192 92 23 Márk Hegedüs HUN Line Player 14.9.1992 Budapest, HUN 190 100 18 Ferenc Ilyés HUN Left Back 20.12.1981 Székelyudvarhely, ROU 198 103 8 Jonas Källman SWE Left Wing 17.7.1981 Växjö, SWE 200 100 24 Vladan Loncar BIH Left Back 25.1.1997 Sarajevo, BIH 195 90 99 Stefan Manojlovity SRB Centre Back 22.12.1997 Zenta, SRB 182 80 94 Richard Mezei HUN Centre Back 28.11.1996 Szeged, HUN 189 96 5 Niko Mindegia Elizaga ESP Centre Back 19.7.1988 Santesteban, ESP 182 85 89 Lenard Nagy HUN Left Wing 8.5.1997 Senta, SRB 182 74 81 Zoltan Peter Patyi HUN Centre Back 18.2.1995 Szeged, HUN 182 90 22 Rajko Prodanovic SRB Right Wing 24.4.1986 Beograd, SRB 186 87 82 Roland Selmeczi HUN Right Wing 14.3.1997 Szeged, HUN 189 70 91 Bence Szabo HUN Line Player 11.8.1994 Kecskemét, HUN 200 111 83 Mate Szabo HUN Right Wing 27.1.1997 Szeged, HUN 190 75 84 Peter Szabo HUN Left Back 1.7.1996 Szeged, HUN 188 84 96 Egon Urban HUN Right Wing 12.12.1996 Senta, SRB 180 75 85 Daniel Gabor Varga HUN Line Player 26.9.1997 Szeged, HUN 193 100 10 Peter Velky HUN Left Wing 25.4.1992 Orosháza, HUN 186 82 77 Vladimir Vranjes BIH Line Player 14.12.1988 Banja Luka, BIH 200 107 17 Szabolcs Zubai HUN Line Player 31.3.1984 Mezokövesd, HUN 193 93 1 Jose Manuel Sierra Mendez ESP Goalkeeper 21.5.1978 Moguer, ESP 193 88 16 Piotr Wyszomirski POL Goalkeeper 6.1.1988 Warszava, POL 194 95 97 Boris Manojlovity SRB Goalkeeper 13.4.1993 Zenta, SRB 188 102 52 Martin Nagy HUN Goalkeeper 9.1.1999 Szeged, HUN 202 88 12 Imre Pasztor HUN Goalkeeper 23.7.1996 Szolnok, HUN 190 115
Juan Carlos Pastor coach • one of the masterminds of contemporary handball with an incredible amount of silverware in his career • Szeged found him fit for the job of rebuilding their team in order to be able to challenge for the Hungarian title against Veszprém • won the EHF Cup in his first year at the helm • became also the sporting director after Szeged legend Richárd Mezei resigned
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2009, EHF Cup 2014 WCh: G 2005, EURO: S 2006, OG: B 2008
53 José Manuel Sierra Jonas Källman goalkeeper left wing • together with Piotr Wyszomirski supposed to • signed in the winter of 2013/14 and showed fill in for Hungarian international Roland Mikler, who his unique ability to defend in three positions joined Veszprém • vital part of both coach Juan Carlos Pastor’s • one of the most influential goalkeepers in the defensive variatons and Szeged’s attacking edge world, the Valladolid legend has won an enormous • spent more than a decade in Spain with amount of trophies through his almost two decades Ciudad Real and Atlético Madrid before returning long career home (IFK Skövde) and finally signing a three-and-a- • signed from PSG, has done a grand slam of half year contract with Pick great Spanish teams (Barcelona, Ciudad Real and Valladolid) in the past EC trophies: CL 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2009 EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014 OG: S 2012
Thiagus Petrus Goncalves Ferenc Ilyés left back left back • first Brazilian player of the 55-year-old history • one of the most influential Hungarian players of the club at both club and international level • his lethal shots come handy at Pick where the • one of the many who played both for Szeged shooting compartment badly needed reinforcement and Veszprém • joined Niko Mindegía, his former teammate • defensive specialist can also be an impact from La Rioja, where he won 2x silver in ASOBAL player at left back as shown by his marvellous performance in the 2014 EHF Cup Finals • Brazilian international won gold at the Pan American Games in 2015 in Toronto • great talisman for his team as won three international trophies with three different clubs
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008, EHF Cup: 2010, 2014
Antonio García Robledo Szabolcs Zubai left back line player • without a doubt the biggest name the EHF Cup • one of the most technically gifted in his winner signed in the summer of 2014 position in Hungary • won a great deal of both individual, club and • coming from the famous Dunaferr school national team silverware and a lot is expected from • U2 fan signed a contract with Pick Szeged the Granollers-raised shooter in Szeged in 2008 and has been the focal point of both the • former Spanish player of the year team’s attacks and defence • Szeged is his third team in the CL having tried • well over his 100th cap and a decade in the his luck with Leon and PSG before grinder of opponents’ walls finally managed to get a grip on a trophy, which came in 2014
WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014
Zsolt Balogh Roberto García Parrondo right back right wing • joined Pick Szeged from Braun Gyöngyös in • brought by coach Pastor when he took the 2012 Szeged hotseat • by 2014 overtook Gábor Ancsin in the Pick • the two won an incredible amount of trophies roster at his poition together • not as tall as one would expect from a • Madrid-born played for seven Spanish backcourt player but has outstanding dribbling skills teams before he decided to bring his talents to and a sharp eye for passing international courts • new coach Pastor gave him more time and he • one of the few players to have literally won all grabbed his chance international trophies EHF had to offer
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014 EC trophies: CL 2008, 2009, Cup Winners’ Cup 2005, EHF Cup 2013 WCh: G 2005, EURO: B 2011
54 GROUP A 4th ranked THW Kiel (GER) To finish on a fourth position was the weakest final ranking of the three times EHF Champions League winners in as group phase ever. But this position results from a long series of long-term injuries: At the start of the season, both left wings - Dominik Klein and Torsten Jansen - were out, then Patrick Wiencek tore his crucial ligament in October, followed by the severe knee injury of team captain Rene Toft Hansen in December - thus, both line players are out until the end of the season.
During the EURO in Poland, Steffen Weinhold and Christian Dissinger were out with adductor injuries, Weinhold is supposed to miss the rest of the season. Besides, Filip Jicha had left Kiel to Barcelona right before the first match of the season. Several new players - Igor Anic, Ilja Brozovic and Dener Jaanimaa - were signed during the season.
“It simply does not fit in such a short term”, was the short analyse of coach Alfred Gislason. His team had started with a defeat at Zagreb, and then lost their first home match in the VELUX EHF Champions League after more than four years against Paris. Mainly those two clear defeats against the French champions (26:30, 30:37) hit the confidence of THW. But even before the winter break they showed their best Champions League match, beating Veszprem in a thrilling endgame at the comeback of Klein.
Having the 2007 World Champion back on track in his last season at THW, Kiel rose - but then were again hit hard by the biggest ever derby defeat against Flensburg (27:37). By winning the last two group matches they sealed the fourth position - and will have something like a re- match in the Last16, facing Szeged, the team they eliminated in the last season’s quarter-finals. Playing hall The biggest motivation for Kiel is the fact that they would duel with their old enemies from Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel Barcelona, if they finish the Last16 victorious. Europaplatz 1, 24103 Kiel GROUP A Final Table: Germany Capacity: 10,000 1. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 442:389 (53) 24 2. MVM Veszprém 14 11 1 2 402:364 (38) 23 3. SG Flensburg-Handewitt 14 10 0 4 429:380 (49) 20 Club Address: 4. THW Kiel 14 8 1 5 400:388 (12) 17 THW Kiel 5. HC PPD Zagreb 14 5 1 8 358:367 (-9) 11 Ziegelteich 30 6. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 372:397 (-25) 8 24103 Kiel 7. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 14 3 1 10 385:398 (-13) 7 Germany 8. Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 14 1 0 13 382:487 (-105) 2
Media contact: Group Phase results: Past achievements Christian Robohm (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) +49 1635306300 VELUX EHF Champions League @ HC PPD Zagreb L29:22 (13:11) [email protected] Participations (including 2015/16 vs Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu W32:21 (16:12) season): 19 vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt W27:23 (14:13) Online information: Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 @ Orlen Wisla Plock W23:37 (8:18) Website: www.thw-provinzial.de Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, @ MVM Veszprém L29:27 (17:15) Facebook:thwhandball 2008/09, 2013/14 vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W35:32 (16:14) Twitter:@thw_handball Semi-final (4): 1996/1997, 2000/01, vs PSG Handball L26:30 (10:16) 2012/13, 2014/15 @ PSG Handball L37:30 (18:12) Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, Kit colours @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko D23:23 (14:14) 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11 vs MVM Veszprém W25:24 (11:12) Light Group phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96 @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt L37:27 (17:14) Player shirt: white vs Orlen Wisla Plock W26:24 (14:14) Player short: white Other @ Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu W27:32 (14:17) Goalkeeper shirt: black EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, vs HC PPD Zagreb W31:29 (14:17) Dark 2003/04 Player shirt: black German league: 20 titles (1957, 1962, Player short: black 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, Goalkeeper shirt: red 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) German Cup winners: 9 times
55 THW Kiel (GER)
Biggest win: 26:50 (13:24) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006 Biggest defeat 27:37 (14:17) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 14.02.2016 Longest winning run 11 matches (2.10.2014 – 22.03.2015) Longest unbeaten run 17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012) Longest losing run 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) Longest run without win 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) 3 matches (12.11.2015 – 06.12.2015) Most goals 50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006 Most goals opponent 44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 Most goals both teams 81 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 Fewest goals 13 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000 Fewest goals opponent 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 15:27W (a), 10.11.1996 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 21:15W (h), 12.01.1997 Fewest goals both teams 35 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
1994/95 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 137:136 +1 6:6 2nd Gr. B 1995/96 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 151:148 +3 6:6 2nd Gr. A 1996/97 THW Kiel GER 10 6 1 3 247:211 +36 13:7 1/2-finals 1998/99 TKW Kiel GER 8 7 0 1 229:199 +30 14:2 1/4-finals 1999/00 THW Kiel GER 12 7 1 4 319:283 +36 15:9 Runner-up 2000/01 THW Kiel GER 10 5 1 4 279:255 +24 11:9 1/2-finals 2002/03 THW Kiel GER 8 4 1 3 234:211 +23 9:7 1/4-finals 2004/05 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 336:274 +62 16:4 1/4-finals 2005/06 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 346:293 +53 16:4 1/4-finals 2006/07 THW Kiel GER 14 11 1 2 517:420 +97 23:5 Winner 2007/08 THW Kiel GER 16 13 0 3 533:462 +71 26:6 Runner-up 2008/09 THW Kiel GER 16 12 1 3 548:461 +87 25:7 Runner-up 2009/10 THW Kiel GER 16 14 1 1 534:444 +90 29:3 Winner 2010/11 THW Kiel GER 14 9 2 3 456:393 +63 20:8 1/4-finals 2011/12 THW Kiel GER 16 12 3 1 496:414 +82 27:5 Winner 2012/13 THW Kiel GER 16 11 0 5 518:457 +61 22:10 4th Place 2013/14 THW Kiel GER 16 13 1 2 491:427 +64 27:5 Runner-up 2014/15 THW Kiel GER 16 12 0 4 498:421 +77 24:8 4th Place Total: 220 158 13 49 6869:5909 +960 329:111
56 THW Kiel (GER)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
28 Malte Abelmann-Brockmann GER Left Wing 11.6.1995 Kiel, GER 183 76 19 Igor Anic FRA Line Player 12.06.1987 Mostar, BIH 196 102 34 Ilija Brozovic CRO Line Player 26.05.1991 Split, CRO 195 107 27 Thies Bergemann GER Right Back 19.1.1996 Kiel, GER 188 80 21 Joan Cañellas Reixach ESP Centre Back 30.9.1986 St. Maria de Palau, ESP 197 95 23 Rune Dahmke GER Left Wing 10.4.1993 Kiel, GER 189 81 15 Christian Dissinger GER Left Back 15.11.1991 Ludwigshafen, GER 202 102 4 Domagoj Duvnjak CRO Centre Back 1.6.1988 Dakovo, CRO 198 100 18 Niclas Ekberg SWE Right Wing 23.12.1988 Ystad, SWE 191 89 6 Rogerio Ferreira Moraes BRA Line Player 11.1.1994 Abaetetuba, BRA 204 118 26 Lucas Firnhaber GER Right Back 23.4.1997 Buxtehude, GER 200 93 24 Dener Jaanimaa EST Right Back 9.8.1989 Tallinn, EST 185 92 5 Torsten Jansen GER Left Wing 23.12.1976 Adenau, GER 185 86 33 Dominik Klein GER Left Wing 16.12.1983 Miltenberg, GER 190 86 9 Erlend Mamelund NOR Left Back 1.5.1984 Bærum, NOR 197 99 11 Christian Sprenger GER Right Wing 6.4.1983 Ludwigsfelde, GER 190 94 7 Rene Toft Hansen DEN Line Player 1.11.1984 Rybjerg, DEN 200 110 41 Marko Vujin SRB Right Back 7.12.1984 Backa Palanka, SRB 201 104 13 Steffen Weinhold GER Right Back 19.7.1986 Fuerth, GER 191 100 17 Patrick Wiencek GER Line Player 22.3.1989 Duisburg, GER 200 108 25 Alexander Williams GER Left Back 15.8.1996 Hamburg, GER 187 95
1 Niklas Landin Jacobsen DEN Goalkeeper 19.12.1988 Soborg, DEN 201 102 29 Nikolas Katsigiannis GER Goalkeeper 17.9.1982 Werne, GER 195 104 12 Dominik Plaue GER Goalkeeper 14.7.1995 Bad Homburg, GER 196 87 32 Fynn Malte Schröder GER Goalkeeper 12.2.1997 Bremen, GER 186 79
Alfred Gislason coach • won nine German championships (with Magdeburg and Kiel), four German cup titles, five European club titles • five times “coach of the year” in Germany • his first job on the bench was in his home town Akureyri, before taking over Hameln, Magdeburg and Gummersbach in Germany • joined Kiel in 2008 as the successor of Noka Serdarusic – to lead THW to 15 trophies to date EC trophies: CL 2002, 2010, 2012 (as coach), EHF Cup 2001 (as coach)
57 Niklas Landin Rune Dahmke goalkeeper left wing • joined Kiel in the summer of 2015 after three • only Kiel-born player in the THW squad seasons with bundesliga rivals Rhein-Neckar Löwen and was in his younger days sitting on the stands cheering for his idols • successor of legendary Kasper Hvidt in the Danish national team broke through during the 2011 • got his first professional contract in December WCh 2013 after being part of the THW youth teams • played also for Gudme in Denmark, where he • his father Frank Dahmke was THW player and was number 1 already at the age of 20 now is member of the club board • best goalkeeper at the 2013 WCh, the EHF • at least until October 2015 replacement for EURO 2014 and the 2013/14 CL Dominik Klein who tore his cruciate ligament in the previous season
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 EURO: G 2016 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Domagoj Duvnjak Joan Canellas centre back centre back • THW’s top signing before the 2014/15 season • scored 50 goals in eight matches on the way to • 2013 IHF World Handball Player of the Year the top goal scorer title of the EHF EURO 2014 • arrived from Hamburg, where he played since • fits perfectly with Domagoj Duvnjak, with 2009 whom he played in Hamburg in 2013/14 • not just a typical playmaker he is also a scorer • with Barcelona and Ciudad Real Spanish and is an essential part of defence champion and cup winner • best Bundesliga player in 2013 • twice (2011, 2012) CL finalist with Ciudad Real and Atletico Madrid – the club with which he also • started his career in Zagreb won the IHF Super Globe twice (2010, 2012)
EC trophies: CL 2013 WCh G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014, S 2016 OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2010, B 2012, 2016 Igor Anic Christian Dissinger line player left back • arrived at Kiel in October 2015 from HBC • U21 World Champion with Germany in 2011 Nantes, after Patrick Wiencek had torn his ACT in and awarded MVP of this tournament the CL match against Flensburg • right after this title left Germany to play for • had been playing for THW already from 2007 Swiss champions Schaffhausen until 2010, winning in total seven titles in three • tore his crucial ligament in his first CL match seasons against Barcelona and suffered the same injury • started his career at Montpellier, before again in 2013 right after he had signed a contract at he went to Nantes, he played for Gummersbach Atletico Madrid (23010-2012) and Cesson-Rennes (2012-2014) • had his comeback in 2014 for the German side • famous for his cartoons, mostly portraits N-Lübbecke, signed for Kiel in 2015 other handball players EC trophies: CL 2010, EHF Cup 2011 EURO: G 2016 EURO: G 2014
Marko Vujin Niclas Ekberg right back right wing • in 2012 the Serbian shooter arrived to fill the • spotted and signed by AG Kobenhavn in 2010 gap after the departure of Kim Andersson to KIF • tall winger from Ystad has large variety of • top scorer of the 2013/14 Bundesliga (248 shots, also effective on counterattacks and reliable goals) on penalty throws • won seven consecutive national • these qualities have also earned him more championships with Veszprém and Kiel than 90 internationals for Sweden • in the national team he is one of the stalwarts • joined Kiel in 2012 after AG went bankrupt and who were key to silver at the EHF EURO 2012 after he experienced his first VELUX EHF FINAL4 • started his international career in Dunaferr • top scorer of the London Olympics 2012 with (Hungary), then played five years in Veszprem 50 goals
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008 OG: S 2012 EURO: S 2012
58 HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB First leg Saturday 19 March, 20:00 hrs. local time
Second leg Sunday 27 March, 19:30 hrs. local time
After three years PPD Zagreb and Rhein-Neckar Löwen meet again in “I want to warn that we have been marked as favorites in these VELUX EHF Champions Legaue. But this time it is in a different stage encounters. Zagreb has very young team, very talented and they want of competition. Lions from Zagreb will meet Lions from Mannheim for to prove themselves,” said Jacobsen for club’s website. two great matches in Last 16 stage of EHFCL. First leg will be played in Arena Zagreb, fortress of Zagreb Lions which is not that easy to Zagreb wants revenge for those two defeats three years ago but they conquer. will need to be at their best performance to do so. Sebetic shined against Kiel with eight goals, Mandalinic against Celje with ten and Last time these two teams met was in 2013 when they played they will both have to repeat that together with great defence and together in Group A. Rhein-Neckar Löwen won both those matches. goalkeepers if they want to win. They were especially convincing in first match by winning 34:26. In that match Stipe Mandalinic shined for Zagreb scoring nine goals. “It is going to be a very tough match. Rhein-Neckar Löwen is currently Even though he did not play much this season due to knee injury, in leading team in Bundesliga. For us this is the most important match of last few matches of EHFCL he showed he is back on track. If it is to be the season because we are now in eight-finals. Löwen plays fast and judged by 2013, he loves playing and scoring against Löwen. attractive handball. They have top-class wing players and some of the best players in the world on some positions. In return match in Zagreb Löwen had far more difficult assignment to complete. They won by four goals but had very tough match and that “I believe in my team because we showed that we can play with best is what Zagreb is counting on in this first leg of Last 16. “They can teams,” said Ivic for ehfcl.com expect very tough match in Arena Zagreb and I believe that we can win,” said Filip Ivic for ehfcl.com. Nikolaj Jacobsen’s team experienced some surprising loses in Group B and did not showed consistency throughout group stage. They Rhein-Neckar Löwen coach Nikolaj Jacobsen also stressed for club’s want to be in quarter-finals but for that they need to beat Zagreb official website that Zagreb plays great at home: “They are having youngsters who are eager to mess up their plans. very good season and in match against Kiel where they won 29:22, they didn’t show all they can do.“ “We are going to prepare as best as we can - both mentally and physically. I can only promise one thing for the fans – spectacular Jacobsen said that he is happy they do not need to play against Kiel in handball,” said Luka Sebetic for ehfcl.com. Last 16, but is very aware of threat Zagreb can pose in this double- header.
Head-to-head stats HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 0-3-3 (165:180) 3:9 04.10.2008 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Group H 33:33 (16:14) 13.11.2008 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, EHF Champions League – Group H 27:27 (11:15) 27.03.2011 HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 28:31 (12:15) 31.03.2011 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 27:27 (11:9) 14.11.2013 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 34:26 (21:11) 23.11.2013 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 24:28 (12:13)
59 GROUP A 5th ranked HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) PPD Zagreb’s road to VELUX EHF Champions League was not at all easy, but first goal that club management asked for is achieved. It all started bright and shiny for Veselin Vujovic’s team. A huge RUKOMETNI KLUB 29:22 win over THW Kiel in Zagreb was a big push at the beginning of the season. It continued with PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB a close away win over Celje 21:20 and it looked like Zagreb is on a road to make spectacular season opening.
Arena Zagreb did not manage to scare and hold Veszprem who were the first team to beat Zagreb. The toughest defeat Zagreb had in Paris where PSG won by 11 goals. A win over Wisla boosted their confidence, but a surprising defeat to Besiktas in Istanbul made coach Vujovic resign for a day, but after consultations he decided to stay. In two matches against Flensburg, Zagreb experienced some changes in team. In first match they lost Luka Stepancic who suffered a knee injury (torn ACL) but signed new left wing Dobrivoje Markovic (SRB). Eventually Zagreb lost both encounters with the 2014 winners. Zagreb ended 2015 with a revenge win over Besiktas in Zagreb and a draw with Wisla in Plock where Vujovic came with youngest players he had due to series of injuries.
Croatia winning bronze medal at EHF EURO in Poland was a huge boost for handball fans in Zagreb who filled all seats in Zagreb Arena (15,200) for the match against PSG, but Zagreb failed to win. That was first match for defence specialist Velko Markoski (MKD) who signed with Zagreb in December. In last three matches Zagreb experienced two defeats and one win. Veszprem and Kiel in last round secured close wins. Winning against Celje in Zagreb was very important because Zagreb secured fifth position in Group B. What also marked February for Zagreb was return of injured Stipe Mandalinic who came back with style scoring 10 goals against Celje. GROUP A Final Table: Playing hall Arena Zagreb 1. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 442:389 (53) 24 Laniste b.b., 2. MVM Veszprém 14 11 1 2 402:364 (38) 23 10000 Zagreb 3. SG Flensburg-Handewitt 14 10 0 4 429:380 (49) 20 Croatia 4. THW Kiel 14 8 1 5 400:388 (12) 17 Capacity: 15,200 5. HC PPD Zagreb 14 5 1 8 358:367 (-9) 11 6. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 372:397 (-25) 8 7. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 14 3 1 10 385:398 (-13) 7 Club Address: 8. Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 14 1 0 13 382:487 (-105) 2 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb Veprinecka 16 Group Phase results: Past achievements 10000 Zagreb (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Croatia VELUX EHF Champions League vs THW Kiel W29:22 (13:11) Participations (including 2015/16 Media contact: @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W20:21 (10:9) season): 22 Goran Roknić vs MVM Veszprém L20:21 (10:9) Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, +385 95 9999 334 @ PSG Handball L34:23 (18:8) 1998/99 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr vs Orlen Wisla Plock W29:25 (13:13) Semi-final (1): 1999/00 @ Besiktas JK L32:30 (17:13) Quarter-final (6): 2000/01, 2002/03, Online information: @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt L28:27 (12:13) 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15) Website: www.rk-zagreb.hr vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt L23:30 (10:15) Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 Facebook: RK-Zagreb vs Besiktas JK W32:26 (14:11) Main Round (1): 2007/08 Twitter:@RKZagreb @ Orlen Wisla Plock D23:23 (11:12) Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 2004/05, vs PSG Handball L23:25 (10:15) 2006/07, 2012/13 Kit colours @ MVM Veszprém L27:25 (16:12) Light vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W24:23 (8:9) Other Player shirt: white @ THW Kiel L31:29 (14:17) EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05 Player short: white Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2006/07 Goalkeeper shirt: orange SEHA League: 1 title (2013) Dark Player shirt: blue Croatian league: 25 titles (1991, 1992, Player short: blue 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, Goalkeeper shirt: yellow 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Croatian Cup winner: 22 times
60 HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Biggest win 34:15 (16:8) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 04.12.2010 RUKOMETNI KLUB Biggest defeat: 21:43 (10:23) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.04.2015 PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO Longest winning run: 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) ZAGREB Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (09.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) 6 matches (30.10.1999 – 05.12.1999) 6 matches (04.10.2008 – 22.11.2008) Longest losing run: 7 matches (11.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) Longest run without win: 8 matches (04.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) Most goals: 38 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 38:30W (h), 23.02.2013 Most goals opponent: 43 v FC Barcelona ESP 43:21L (a), 18.04.2015 Most goals both teams: 69 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010 Fewest goals: 15 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:15L (a), 22.10.2005 Fewest goals opponent: 13 v THW Kiel GER 22:13W (h), 25.03.2000 13 v Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13W (h), 16.10.2005 Fewest goals both teams: 36 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 18:18D (a), 20.11.1999 36 v HC Metalurg MKD 19:17W (h), 11.10.2014 VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
1993/94 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 6 0 2 4 135:147 –12 2:10 4th Gr. A 1994/95 Badel Zagreb CRO 8 5 1 2 203:203 0 11:5 Runner-up 1995/96 Croatia Banka Zagreb CRO 6 2 1 3 138:144 -6 5:7 3rd Gr. B 1996/97 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 6 3 3 310:294 +16 15:9 Runner-up 1997/98 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 7 0 5 300:287 +13 14:10 Runner-up 1998/99 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 8 1 3 288:269 +19 17:7 Runner-up 1999/00 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 10 7 1 2 260:230 +30 15:5 1/2-finals 2000/01 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 8 4 1 3 195:192 +3 9:7 1/4-finals 2002/03 RK Zagreb CRO 8 3 2 3 209:216 -7 8:8 1/4-finals 2003/04 RK Zagreb CRO 10 4 0 6 273:258 +15 8:12 1/4-finals 2004/05 RK Zagreb CRO 6 3 0 3 165:170 -5 6:6 3rd Gr. B 2005/06 RK Zagreb CRO 8 5 1 2 212:194 +18 11:5 Last 16 2006/07 RK Zagreb CRO 6 3 0 3 153:148 +5 6:6 3rd Gr. D 2007/08 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 5 1 6 339:344 -5 11:13 3rd MR Gr. 3 2008/09 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 7 3 2 357:313 +44 17:7 1/4-finals 2009/10 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 6 0 6 351:335 +16 12:12 Last 16 2010/11 HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB CRO 12 6 3 3 358:319 +39 15:9 Last 16 2011/12 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 14 9 1 4 391:359 +32 19:9 1/4-finals 2012/13 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 2 1 7 266:284 –18 5:15 5th Gr. D 2013/14 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 4 0 6 267:282 -15 8:12 5th Gr. A 2014/15 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 14 7 0 7 328:356 -28 14:14 1/4-finals Total 208 103 22 83 5498:5344 +154 228:188
61 HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
18 Zlatko Horvat CRO Right Wing 25.9.1984 Zagreb, CRO 179 87 51 Arijan Jovic CRO 18.6.1996 Zagreb, CRO 184 82 9 Tin Kontrec CRO Line Player 9.9.1989 Nasice, CRO 196 95 77 Antonijo Kovacevic CRO Left Wing 21.5.1987 Zagreb, CRO 190 90 27 Stipe Mandalinic CRO Left Back 9.9.1992 Split, CRO 195 90 64 Velko Markoski MKD Left Back 05.04.1986 Struga, MKD 194 100 15 Dobrivoje Markovic SRB Left Wing 22.04.1986 Teslic, BIH 188 81 48 Petar Medic CRO 12.6.1996 Zagreb, CRO 187 80 4 Lovro Mihic CRO Left Wing 25.8.1994 Zagreb, CRO 180 74 37 Sandro Obranovic CRO Centre Back 18.10.1992 Karlovac, CRO 194 83 94 Domagoj Pavlovic CRO Left Back 21.3.1993 Zagreb, CRO 189 82 17 Luka Rakovic CRO Right Wing 6.6.1988 Zagreb, CRO 179 86 7 Stanko Sabljic CRO Line Player 28.1.1988 Mostar, BIH 202 108 20 Josip Sandrk CRO Left Back 27.4.1987 Zagreb, CRO 209 100 14 Luka Sebetic CRO Right Back 26.5.1994 Bjelovar, CRO 197 93 11 Lovro Sprem CRO Left Wing 26.1.1990 Zagreb, CRO 186 88 7 Luka Stepancic CRO Right Back 20.11.1990 Pula, CRO 200 104 19 Leon Susnja CRO Line Player 5.8.1993 Siroki Brijeg, BIH 204 113 22 Josip Valcic CRO Centre Back 21.4.1984 Zadar, CRO 190 97 24 Tonci Valcic CRO Left Back 9.6.1978 Zadar, CRO 194 100 45 Jakov Vrdoljak CRO 1.11.1996 Zagreb, CRO 189 85 4 Stefan Vujic CRO Centre Back 6.7.1991 Rijeka, CRO 192 91 14 Marko Vukic CRO Left Back 24.2.1993 Split, CRO 202 90
16 Filip Ivic CRO Goalkeeper 30.8.1992 Zagreb, CRO 196 95 12 Ivan Stevanovic CRO Goalkeeper 18.5.1982 Rijeka, CRO 193 101
Veselin Vujovic coach • hired by Zagreb right before the beginning of the 2014/15 CL campaign • one of the best players ever, worked as a head-coach in Ciudad Real, Vardar, Yugoslavian national team, Serbia and Montenegro (fourth place the OG in Sydney 2000) and is in charge of Slovenia now • with Vardar won the regional SEHA League title in its first season • known as an outstanding specialist but also as an impulsive coach
EC: Champions Cup 1985, 1986, 1991 (as player) OG: G 1984, WCh: G 1986 (as player)
62 Filip Ivic Lovro Sprem goalkeeper left wing • home-grown goalkeeper from Zagreb’s school • well-known surname in Croatian handball, his older brother Goran won many medals with Croatia • won European gold and was fourth in the world as the captain of Croatian junior national team • Goran’s copy in speed, aggresiveness and rhythm • in the 2013/14 season he was given a chance in Zagreb’s first team • became the junior world champion in Tunisia in 2009 • used the opportunity to open gates of senior handball in great style through some great saves • very skillful at counter attacks and playing out front in a 5-1 defence • in his first senior season he also made it to the national team and backed Mirko Alilović on the way to bronze at the 2013 WCh WCh: B 2013 WCh: B 2013
Domagoj Pavlovic Tonci Valcic left back left back • born in Ivanic, where he began playing • made a debut for Zagreb in 1999, currently handball before joining RK Dubrava – club where playing his ninth season for the club. he rose to prominence, which took him to HC PPD Zagreb in 2014 • older brother to Zagreb and Croatia teammate Josip Valcic • came through all Croatian youth selections, before establishing himself as the key member of • defensive specialist, known for his great junior national team anticipation of player movement in 6-0 zone • playing his second season for HC PPD Zagreb, • made Croatia national team debut in 2003 and alongside Croatian youth selection teammates Filip has since made 109 appearances scoring 189 goals Ivic, Sandro Obranovic and Stipe Mandalinic • Enjoys working with Veselin Vujovic, who is WCh: G 2003, S 2009, EURO: S 2008, S 2010 said to give him great confidence
Sandro Obranovic Stipe Mandalinic left/centre back left back Susn • having started handball as a member of RK • voted MVP of U20 EHF EURO 2012, where he Karlovac youth squad, working his way up to the also won a silver medal with his team first team and the Challenge Cup berth • his best season in the CL was 2013/14 when he • joined Zagreb in 2013, from Croatian vice- scored 43 goals champions and the EHF Cup outfit RK NEXE Nasice • nicknamed “Little Lacković” (or “Little Lac”) • flourished under guidance of Veselin Vujovic because of similar style of shooting and playing in the 2014/15 season, becoming one of the key players for Zagreb coming off the bench • had a great return from the second knee injury (torn ACL) scoring 25 goals in four matches in • awarded best left back of the 2015 SEHA early 2016 League Final tournament WCh: B 2016
Luka Sebetic Zlatko Horvat right back right wing • holds gold medal from U18 EHF EURO 2010 • captain and speedy wing is a counter-attack specialist, but he is an important part of defence at • scored his first goal in the CL when he was 17 the same time • in his 21 years he had already six CL seasons • had his debut in the national team in 2006 and under his belt since then he has won four medals • first choice on right back after his namesake • played in Zagreb from the beginning of his Luka Stepancic got injured career and has already 13 campaigns in the CL under his belt • in the 2010/11 season the third top scorer with 94 goals EURO: B 2016 OG: B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
63 GROUP B 4th ranked Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) The Löwen appearances in the VELUX EHF Champions League group phase were something like a roller-coater ride: Beating defending Barcelona in the opener and a draw against Kielce was a start close to perfection, but then the German runners-up mainly caused a lot of surprising weaknesses in their away matches.
They lost at Kristianstad, Skopje and Szeged to miss a better position than the fourth rank they finally have. But for coach Nicolaj Jacobsen, the significance of fighting for the Bundesliga title in the last season of team captain Uwe Gensheimer was higher than to be victorious on international ground. “Due to the schedule we have, we have to rotate to save powers”, was his regular statement, why he left his top stars such as Andy Schmid or Gensheimer out in several Champions League matches. And finally, Löwen had to shiver until the last attack of the group phase, when Kielce beat Szeged, not to finish on the fifth position and to face their German rivals Kiel in the Last16.
Now they duel with Zagreb, knowing about the home strengths of the Croats. “The decision, which team will make it to the quarter-finals, will be taken in the Zagreb arena,” says Jacobsen.
In between, he had to struggle with injuries of Gensheimer (Achilles) and the broken leg of German international Patrick Groetzki. Besides, Löwen already had four different goalkeepers during this season, as Darko Stanic left early to Qatar, followed by an intermediate signing of Richard Stochl. Now Mikael Apelgren and Borko Ristovski are the ones between the posts. In Bundesliga, they top the ranking, but are equal with Kiel, in the German Cup Löwen will face Playing hall Flensburg in the semi-final and in case they make it to the Champions League quarter-finals, SAP Arena they will face Paris Saint-Germain - so they fear that another season ends without any title. Xaver-Fuhr-Str. 150 68219 Mannheim GROUP B Final Table: Germany Capacity: 12,900 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 11 1 2 423:372 (51) 23 2. KS Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 3 2 425:399 (26) 21 3. HC Vardar 14 9 0 5 416:373 (43) 18 Club Address: 4. Rhein-Neckar Löwen 14 8 1 5 369:353 (16) 17 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 5. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 7 1 6 404:390 (14) 15 Mollstraße 49a 6. Montpellier HB 14 3 1 10 372:413 (-41) 7 68165 Mannheim 7. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 1 10 409:437 (-28) 7 Germany 8. KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 14 2 0 12 348:429 (-81) 4
Media contact: Christopher Monz +491744288849 [email protected] Group Phase results: Past achievements (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Online information: VELUX EHF Champions League Website: www.rhein-neckar-loewen.de vs FC Barcelona Lassa W22:21 (10:9) Participations (including 2015/16 Facebook: rnloewen @ KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W18:30 (8:12) season): 7 Twitter:@RNLoewen vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce D32:32 (19:15) Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 @ HC Vardar L25:19 (11:10) Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14 vs MOL-Pick Szeged W30:25 (13:13) Last 16 (1): 2014/15 @ IFK Kristianstad L32:29 (20:12) Kit colours Qualification (1): 2011/12 @ Montpellier HB W28:30 (15:16) Light vs Montpellier HB W25:21 (16:10) Player shirt: yellow Other vs IFK Kristianstad W29:20 (15:10) Player short: yellow Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08 @ MOL-Pick Szeged L30:24 (14:12) Goalkeeper shirt: red/white EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals vs HC Vardar W28:27 (14:15) 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07 Dark @ KS Vive Tauron Kielce L28:27 (12:10) Player shirt: blue vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W24:20 (12:11) German league: none Player short: blue @ FC Barcelona Lassa L26:20 (11:10) Goalkeeper shirt: red/green German Cup winner: none
64 Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
Biggest win: 40:25 (19:10) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 08.03.2009 39:24 (20:10) v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH (a), 18.10.2009 37:22 (19:11) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 10.10.2010 Biggest defeat: 37:23 (20:8) v THW Kiel GER (a), 26.04.2009 Longest winning run: 5 matches (12.10.2013 – 28.11.2013) Longest unbeaten run: 8 matches (30.04.2009 – 13.02.2010) 8 matches (12.10.2013 – 20.02.2014) Longest losing run: 3 matches (21.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) Longest run without win: 4 matches (28.05.2011 - 29.09.2013) Most goals: 40 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 40:25W (h), 08.03.2009 Most goals opponent: 38 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 Most goals both teams: 76 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 Fewest goals: 22 v FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 22:21W (h), 20.09.2015 Fewest goals opponent: 17 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:17W (h), 17.10.2013 Fewest goals both teams: 43 v FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 22:21W (h), 20.09.2015
VELUX EHF Champions League record
MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage
2008/09 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 14 9 2 3 447:392 +55 20:8 1/2-finals 2009/10 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 14 9 2 3 450:408 +42 20:8 1/4-finals 2010/11 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 16 7 4 5 486:465 +21 18:14 Fourth Place 2013/14 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 14 9 2 3 422:369 +53 20:8 1/4-finals 2014/15 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 12 6 0 6 361:347 +14 12:12 Last 16 Total 70 40 10 20 2166:1981
65 Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight
26 Michal Abt GER Line Player 25.7.1990 Heidelberg, GER 193 97 16 Rafael Baena Gonzalez ESP Line Player 7.11.1982 Estepa, ESP 191 128 60 Kim Ekdahl du Rietz SWE Left Back 23.7.1989 Lund, SWE 194 100 72 David Ganshorn GER Line Player 27.5.1989 Mannheim, GER 191 99 3 Uwe Gensheimer GER Left Wing 26.10.1986 Mannheim, GER 188 90 42 Marvin Gerdon GER Right Wing 24.7.1996 Speyer, GER 179 75 24 Patrick Groetzki GER Right Wing 4.7.1989 Pforzheim, GER 189 84 30 Gedeon Guardiola Villaplana ESP Line Player 1.10.1984 Petrer, ESP 199 103 14 Max Haider GER Line Player 26.4.1996 Heidelberg, GER 189 90 97 Rico Keller GER Left Back 30.7.1997 Heidelberg, GER 192 88 4 Stefan Kneer GER Left Back 19.12.1985 Bühl, GER 194 98 22 Mads Mensah Larsen DEN Centre Back 12.8.1991 Holbæk, DEN 188 109 23 Hendrik Pekeler GER Line Player 2.7.1991 Itzehohe, GER 203 97 32 Alexander Petersson ISL Right Back 2.7.1980 Riga, LAT 186 87 27 Harald Reinkind NOR Right Back 17.8.1992 Trondheim, NOR 195 95 2 Andre Schmid SUI Centre Back 30.8.1983 Horgen, SUI 190 86 11 Stefan Rafn Sigurmannsson ISL Left Wing 19.5.1990 Hafnarfjördur, ISL 197 101 19 Marius Steinhauser GER Right Wing 6.2.1993 Karlsruhe, GER 187 83
12 Borko Ristovski MKD Goalkeeper 02.11.1982 Skopje, MKD 190 100 1 Mikael Appelgren SWE Goalkeeper 6.9.1989 Uddevalla, SWE 192 100 83 Marco Bitz GER Goalkeeper 9.11.1995 Schwetzingen, GER 189 89
Nikolaj Jacobsen coach • new face on the Löwen bench since 2014 as his predecessor Gudmundur Gudmundsson became Danish national team coach • coached Viborg, Bjerringbro (both as an assistant) and Aalborg in the past, steering Aalborg to a surprising title and the CL in 2013 • six league titles and seven cup titles in Denmark and Germany during his playing career • TV expert in 2007
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004 (as player)
66 Mikael Appelgren Uwe Gensheimer goalkeeper left wing • arrived from MT Melsungen last summer as • born in Mannheim, he is the 100% local hero successor of Niklas Landin • playing for “his” club since 2003 • was supposed to build the goalkeeper duo with Darko Stanic, but the Serb left to Qatar, so now • his talent discovered early as he became he shares the job with Borko Ristovski Junior European champion in 2006, one year later awarded MVP at the Junior WCh • was part of Sweden’s EURO squad in Poland, as number 2 behind Mattias Andersson • in 2011 and 2012 German player of the year • was from the number of saves the best • top scorer of 2010/11 CL season Bundesliga goalkeeper in the 2013/14 and the 2014/15 seasons • declined offers from Kiel and Barcelona EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
Kim Ekdahl Du Rietz Mads Mensah Larsen left back centre back • despite the huge competition at left back in • started his international career at AG the previous seasons, the Swede became number 1 Kobenhavn & made it to the 2012 VELUX EHF FINAL4 • arrived in Mannheim in 2012 from Nantes • became Danish champion for the second time after beginning his career at Lugi Lund at Aalborg, where he firstly was coached by Nikolaj Jacobsen, when Jacobsen became Löwen coach in • made his first league debut at the age of 16 2014, he followed him to Mannheim • important part of the Löwen defence as well, • was U20 EHF EURO champion with Denmark but famous for his long-range shots in the attack • his father is from Ghana, his mother Danish • particularly large shoe size of 51
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 WCh: S 2013, EHF EURO: S 2014 OG: S 2012
Andre Schmid Gedeon Guardiola Villaplana centre back line player • five-time Swiss handball player of the year • defence boss of Löwen as the successor of Oliver “The Rogg” Roggisch • played for both Zürich clubs Grasshoppers and ZMC Amicitia until 2009 • arrived in Mannheim in 2012 with his twin brother Isaias, who then left to Aalborg in 2014 • joined Löwen after one season with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg • played at Logrono and San Antonio before he joined Löwen • key in attack – both as playmaker and as shooter • had been a karateka in his younger days • best Bundesliga player in the 2013/14 season • when scores for Löwen, the whole arena shouts “Ole!” EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 WCH G 2013 EHF EURO B 2014, EHF Cup winner 2013 EURO: S 2016
Alexander Petersson Patrick Groetzki right back right wing • born in Latvia, took over Icelandic citizenship • born in Pforzheim only a few kilometres away and became an Olympic silver medallist in 2008 and from Mannheim EHF EURO bronze medallist in 2010 • right after ending his youth career he switched • moved to Germany in 2003, playing for to Löwen and became part of the German younger Düsseldorf, Großwallstadt, Flensburg-Handewitt, age category national teams and Füchse, before transferring to RNL in 2012 • MVP and silver medallist of the Men’s 20 EHF • more a playmaker on the right back position EURO in 2008 and junior world champion in 2009 but is also strong in man-to-man-actions • key player right after he was nominated for • member of the 2011 WCh All Star Team and the men’s national team for the first time the most experienced player of Löwen
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: S 2008, EURO: B 2010
67 Current top scorers 2015/16
1 Mikkel Hansen (DEN) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 107 2 Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) 98 3 Dean Bombac (SLO) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 90 4 Darko Djukic (SRB) Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR) 87 5 Barys Pukhouski (BLR) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) 86 6 Momir Ilic (SRB) MVM Veszprém (HUN) 78 7 Nikola Karabatic (FRA) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 77 Rastko Stojkovic (SRB) HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) 77 9 Ramazan Döne (TUR) Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR) 74 Iman Jamali (HUN) IFK Kristianstad (SWE) 74 11 Anders Eggert (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 72 Janko Bozovic (AUT) HC Metalurg (MKD) 71 13 Jerry Tollbring (SWE) IFK Kristianstad (SWE) 70 14 Andre Schmid (SUI) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 69 15 Kristian Björnsen (NOR) IFK Kristianstad (SWE) 68 Cristian Malmagro (ESP) Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) 68 Bo Spellerberg (DEN) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) 68 18 Blaz Janc (SLO) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) 67 Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) 67 Domagoj Duvnjak (CRO) THW Kiel (GER) 66
Bold text indicates players of teams still in the competition.
68 Past Winners
2015 FC Barcelona (ESP)
2014 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
2013 HSV Hamburg (GER)
2012 THW Kiel (GER)
2011 FC Barcelona Borges (ESP)
2010 THW Kiel (GER)
2009 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2008 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2007 THW Kiel (GER)
2006 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2005 FC Barcelona-Cifec (ESP)
2004 RK Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
2003 Montpellier HB (FRA)
2002 SC Magdeburg (GER)
2001 Portland San Antonio (ESP)
2000 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1999 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1998 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1997 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1996 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1995 Elgorriaga Bidasoa (ESP)
1994 TEKA Santander (ESP)
2015/16 VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 Media Guide by
EHF Media & Communications, 16/03/2016
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Bence Martha, Magda Pluszewska, Kevin Domas, Amina Idrizi, Jelena Bagaric, Adria Barrio, Sergey
Nikolaev, all stats by Roy Knoppert
69 For further information please contact: Vladislav Brindzak EHF Media & Communications +43 1 80151 161 [email protected] Twitter: @ehf
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