26 / 27 May 2018 LANXESS arena Cologne

VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 MEDIA GUIDE Dear media representatve, Welcome to the ninth editon of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne’s LANXESS arena. We are delighted to be able to welcome media representatves from across the world to cover this year’s event. To ensure that you get the most out of your stay in Cologne, we have prepared a full programme of media events alongside the acton on court. In this guide you will fnd a comprehensive list of the events open to you as a media representatve, a list of key contacts and also complete informaton and statstcs on the four teams competng. Further informaton can also be found on the ofcial website at ehfCL.com, via the new app - which is available for iOS and Android devices – and also through the EHF Media Portal. We have a highly experienced media management team available to assist you over the weekend, made up of staf and volunteers from the EHF, EHF Marketng GmbH and our local partner, Stadionwelt. If you have any questons or requests, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to assist you further. Finally, we look forward to sharing a ‘Kölsch’ with you at the now traditonal ‘Media Get- together’ on Saturday evening, which is generously supported once again by the City of Cologne. We hope you enjoy your tme in Cologne! VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media Team

Media Contacts

JJ Rowland Thomas Schöneich EHF Head of Media and Newspaper Editor / Mobile Communicatons Reporters Tel: +49 (0) 151 2055 3893 Tel: +49 (0) 151 2057 3684 +43 664 8873 6594 +43 (0) 180 151 164 [email protected] [email protected] Miguel Mateo Marcellán Sara Bella EHF Marketng Media Manager Social Media Coordinator Tel: +49 (0) 151 1595 8755 Tel: +49 (0) 151 2058 0982 +43 (0) 180 151 224 +43 (0) 180 151 168 [email protected] [email protected]

Oliver Laaber Ganesh Pundt EHF Marketng Media Manager Media Centre Manager Tel: +49 (0) 151 1596 2023 Tel: +49 (0) 171 384 5801 +43 (0) 180 151 217 [email protected] [email protected]

Vladislav Brindzak Tomasz Grenke Online Editor Media Centre Manager Tel: +49 (0) 151 2058 2020 Tel: +49 (0) 151 5793 6622 +43 (0) 180 151 161 [email protected] [email protected]

ı 2 ı Contents

General informaton 4 HC Vardar team overview 44

Media events 7 Montpellier HB team overview 52

Media services 9 VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 player game logs 60

Additonal informaton 11 Final matches & top scorers afer quarter-fnals 64

Media tmetable 12 Potental head-to-heads 65

Guidelines for ENG crews and photographers 14 Important regulatons 67

Event informaton 16 Technology in use at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 67

VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18 map 18 VELUX EHF FINAL4 2010-2017 records 68

Club media contacts 21 Past winners – individuals 72

Facts and fgures afer the quarter-fnals 22 Past winners – clubs 75

Semi-fnal 1 preview 24 All-tme EHF Champions League club standings 77

HBC Nantes team overview 26 All-star Team 2017/18 fan vote 78

Paris Saint-Germain team overview 34 Next season 80

Semi-fnal 2 preview 42 Season 2018/19 overview 81

ı 3 ı 1. General information 1.1 Accreditation Important contact information Media Centre LANXESS arena +49 (0) 175 485 0973 Accreditaton Hotline: +49 (0) 175 257 4468

Accreditation Collection You can collect your accreditaton from the Accreditaton Centre at the LANXESS arena, please bring your confrmaton email from the EHF and photo ID. The Accreditaton Centre is located in the north-west of the LANXESS arena outdoor area, access is from the western side entrances. If you have to cancel your partcipaton in the VELUX EHF FINAL4, you must inform us by email to [email protected]. Accreditaton Centre Opening hours Thursday, 24 May from 08:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs Friday, 25 May from 08:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs Saturday, 26 May from 08:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs Sunday, 27 May from 10:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs For further informaton please call Accreditaton Hotline +49 (0) 175 257 4468

Arrival at the LANXESS arena Arriving by taxi Cologne central staton to the LANXESS arena: Duraton 10-15 min, about €10; Cologne Bonn Airport to the LANXESS arena: Duraton 15 min, about €25; Düsseldorf Airport to the LANXESS arena: Duraton 1 hour, about €75. Arriving by car Please note that the LANXESS arena will be sold out on all match days resultng in considerable trafc. Thanks to its central positon in the Köln-Deutz district, the LANXESS arena is very easy to reach: just follow directons marked “Kölnarena“ and “Kölnmesse“. You will fnd the LANXESS arena immediately next to the Köln-Deutz railway staton. Parking All media representatves can park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday free of charge in the LANXESS arena car parks P1, P2 and P4 (all open 24 hrs). Take a tcket on entry to the car park and then present this to the Media Centre Info Desk, where you will receive an exit tcket. Parking is available on a frst come, frst served basis. Public transport The LANXESS arena is located directly on the DB-Bahnhof “Bf Köln Messe / Deutz“ and at the stops of the Cologne Transport (KVB) “Bf DEUTZ / LANXESS arena“ (lines 3 and 4) or “Bf Deutz / Messe“ (lines 1 and 9). From there it is only a short walk to the LANXESS arena. Free of charge public transport Please note that as a media representatve you can travel free of charge on buses, trams and the metro in Cologne. You must have your accreditaton with you to travel for free.

ı 4 ı Media Pack Journalists will be provided with a media pack containing the ofcial magazine and media guide. This can be collected from the Media Info desk in the Media Centre on arrival. Photographer and TV bibs From 10:00 hrs on Friday, 25 May, photographers and TV representatves can collect their bibs from the Media Info desk in the Media Centre for a deposit of €20. These bibs must be worn at all tmes in the arena and returned afer the event. Please note that photographer bibs will only be allocated to those media representatves accredited as photographers. Photographer briefng All photographers must atend the briefngs on Saturday at 14:15 hrs and on Sunday at 14:15 hrs at the Media Centre where essental informaton regarding photographer positons, guidelines and tmetable will be distributed. The briefng will take place in the press conference room of the Media Centre. The Media Centre The Media Centre is located at the “Clubraum West” inside the LANXESS arena, the entrance for media representatves is on the opposite side to the Accreditaton Centre. The Media Centre is located close to the media seats and the mixed zone. The press conference room is directly next to the media working area. Workspaces will be available in the media working area. Food should not be consumed in the media working area. The press conference room is located in the Media Centre. Opening hours Friday, 25 May from 10:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs Saturday, 26 May from 10:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs Sunday, 27 May from 10:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs

Media seats Media seats (with tables, cabled internet, wif and electricity points) will be located in sector 214 of the lower ter in the west of the LANXESS arena. Please note that there are a limited number of seats and these will be allocated prior to the event to writen media representatves (your media seat number will be indicated on your accreditaton). Additonal TV observer places will also be available above blocks 212 and 213. There will be media volunteers available to show you to your seats. Internet access Wif and cabled internet connectons will be provided to enable you to work both in the media seats and the working room. You will receive a wif password on arrival. Please note that cabled internet will also be ofered in the media seats. The media internet connecton must not be used for live broadcastng, for this you are required to order your own separate ISDN line. For TV uploads a separate connecton is available – please contact the Host Broadcaster Centre next to Arena Control. Mixed zone / Flash zone The mixed zone / fash zone is located in the south-west of the LANXESS arena just next to the Media Centre and the press conference room. Selected rights owners and host broadcaster will have access to the fash zone by prior agreement with EHF Marketng GmbH. The mixed zone is divided into four areas: TV, radio, web TV and writen media. These areas will be strictly separated. Photography is not permited in the mixed zone.

ı 5 ı Press conferences The press conference room is located in the Media Centre “Clubraum West” of the LANXESS arena. The post-match press conferences will take place approximately 15 minutes afer each match / winners’ ceremony. The head coaches and key players nominated by the EHF will atend the press conferences. Media representatves may ask questons directly at the end of the press conference. The press conferences will be conducted in English. Any questons in your natve language should be directed at team representatves afer the ofcial end of the press conference. Interview requests Any requests for interviews with EHF and EHF Marketng GmbH representatves during the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne should be sent to JJ Rowland, Head of EHF Media and Communicatons ([email protected]), if possible before the start of the event. Video recording Recording video in the arena, the mixed zone and press conference room (including the use of live streaming services such as Periscope and Facebook Live) is only allowed with the express permission of EHF Marketng GmbH. An agreement must be reached PRIOR to the start of the event in the categories rights holder (RH), non-rights holder (NRH) or WebTV. Writen media may not record video in the arena or mixed zone. Special stckers will be issued for equipment that is permited to take video. Equipment used for video recording without permission will be removed. Contact EHFM Media Manager, Miguel Mateo for further informaton ahead of the event. Catering Cofee, sof drinks and snacks will be available in the catering area of the Media Centre. This is located in the south-west of the Media Centre just next to the mixed zone. Media representatves will get a symbol integrated on their accreditaton to indicate that they are permited access to media catering. Please note that smoking is not permited inside the LANXESS arena! Media Catering Opening hours Friday, 25 May from 14:00 to 23:00 hrs (Dinner 18:00-22:00 hrs) Saturday, 26 May from 10:00 to 23:00 hrs (Lunch 12:00-15:00 hrs / Dinner 17:00-21:30 hrs) Sunday, 27 May from 10:00 to 23:00 hrs (Lunch 12:00-15:00 hrs / Dinner 17:00-21:30 hrs) Media cloakroom The media can make use of the cloakroom to store their coats and other belongings. Cloakrooms ‘J’ and ‘K’ are available for this purpose. Opening tmes Thursday, 24 May 10:00-22:00 hrs Friday, 25 May 07:00-24:00 hrs Saturday, 26 May 07:00-22:00 hrs Sunday, 27 May 07:00-22:00 hrs

ı 6 ı 2. Media Events

Friday, 25 May 2018 Team Media Call from 11:45 hrs in Hotel Radisson Blu, Messe-Kreisel 3, 50679 Cologne Each team will be available for approximately 30 minutes. Five key players, coaches and team managers will be available for interviews and photographs.

11:45 – 12:00 hrs Welcome and announcement of the VELUX EHF Champions League All-star Team 2017/18 (voted by fans and media experts).

12:00 – 12:30 hrs Paris Saint-Germain Handball Nikola Karabatc; ; ; ; ; Zvonimir Serdarusic (coach); Bruno Martni (manager)

12:30 – 13:00 hrs HBC Nantes Rock Feliho; ; ; Kiril Lazarov; ; Thierry Ant (coach); Gaël Pelleter (president)

13:00 – 13:30 hrs Montpellier HB Michaël Guigou; ; Vid Kavtcnik; Valentn Porte; ; Patrice Canayer (manager/coach)

13:30 – 14:00 hrs HC Vardar Stojanche Stoilov; Igor Karacic; Ivan Cupic; Joan Canellas; Luka Cindric; Raul Gonzalez (coach); Biljana Crvenkoska (manager)

European Handball Talks from 14:30 hrs at Palais Flora, Am Botanischen Garten 1a, 50735 Cologne Sports business, technology and marketng experts will meet for a unique business event on Friday afernoon. Topics on the agenda include brand management and community building in the digital age as well as digitalisaton and technology in sport. The event will feature leading experts as keynote speakers and invited panel guests. Media representatves are invited to register to take part in the event. A shutle bus will be available to transport media representatves from the Radisson Blu hotel to the event.

VELUX EHF FINAL4 Locker Room Show, 18:00 to 19:00 hrs Hosted by ehfTV.com commentator, Tom O’Brannagain, the ‘VELUX EHF FINAL4 Locker Room Show’ is a TV show produced specifcally for the EHF’s social and digital media channels. Watch live from 18:00 hrs on Facebook, YouTube and ehfTV.com.

ı 7 ı Open training for the media Each team will hold a training session in the presence of media representatves (TV and photographers) for a minimum of the frst 15 minutes on Friday, 25 May in order to allow television footage to be flmed and players to be photographed. Teams may permit interviews to take place if they wish but this is not obligatory. Please note that training will NOT take place in the LANXESS arena. Shutle service from Radisson Blu to the training sessions will be organised.

10:30 – 12:00 11:00 – 13:00 15:00 – 17:00 16:00 – 17:30 Montpellier HB HC Vardar Paris Saint-Germain HB HBC Nantes Halle Ostheim Halle Bergischer Ring Halle Ostheim Halle Bergischer Ring Hardtgenbuscher Bergischer Ring 40 Hardtgenbuscher Bergischer Ring 40 Kirchweg 100 Kirchweg 100 51107 Cologne 51063 Cologne 51107 Cologne 51063 Cologne

Saturday, 26 May 2018 VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media Get-together From 20:30 hrs, Brauerei zur Malzmühle supported by City of Cologne Join us on Saturday evening for a Kölsch and a typical German meal at the traditonal Media Get-together, open to all media representatves. The EHF is very grateful to the City of Cologne for supportng this event. The evening will take place in the Brauerei zur Malzmühle in Cologne‘s old town from around 20:30 hrs or whenever you fnish your work. The UEFA Champions League Final will be shown live at the event. Remember to bring your media accreditaton – no entry without accreditaton will be possible. The Brauerei zur Malzmühle is accessible via the KVB line 1, 7 and 9. Sign up at the Info Desk in the Media Centre. Brauerei zur Malzmühle, Heumarkt 6, 50667 Cologne. Tel: +49 (0) 221 92160613, www.muehlenkoelsch.de

Sunday, 27 May 2018 EHF Press Conference from 13:30 hrs The EHF will hold an ofcial press conference on the fnal day of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in the LANXESS arena press conference room with ofcials from the EHF and EHF Marketng GmbH including the EHF President, Michael Wiederer; EHF Secretary General, Martn Hausleitner and EHF Marketng Managing Director, David Szlezak.

ı 8 ı 3. Media services

The VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media team will be available in the Hotel Radisson Blu on Friday, 25 May during the media call, to answer any questons you may have. If you have any further questons, do not hesitate to ask at the Info Desk located in the Media Centre. Media Portal All media informaton including fash quotes, ofcial line-ups, half-tme statstcs and fnal statstcs as well as media news will be available in the EHF Media Portal. Go to bit.ly/ehfmediaportal to register and access the portal. Free of charge photos A limited photo service will be provided from the event, with photographs available to download for non- commercial editorial use. Media will be provided with a download link by email. Sharable/embeddable video content Extensive video content and viral clips are made available at YouTube.com/ehfv and social media channels. This content is available for media outlets to share and embed on their own channels using the tools available on these channels. TV footage is also available exclusively for TV partners. Contact Miguel Mateo, EHFM Media Manager, for more informaton. Live tcker All matches will be available on the EHF’s live tcker with up-to-the-second updates. The service can be accessed via the ofcial website ehfCL.com Statstcs The ofcial line-ups, half-tme statstcs and fnal statstcs afer each match will be provided for all media representatves. All important statstcs will be available at the Info Desk. Statstcs will also be distributed to the media seats, photographer positons and TV studios.

ı 9 ı 4. Event coverage

Online: ehfCL.com and Facebook The VELUX EHF FINAL4 media team will provide extensive coverage on the ofcial website at ehfCL.com. Pictures, videos and much more will also be posted on the ofcial Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ehf. champions.league. Twiter: @EHF and @ehfcl The EHF’s ofcial Twiter channels carry all the latest news and informaton from the event. Instagram: @ehfcl The ofcial Instagram channel of the EHF Champions League features behind the scenes images and videos and showcases the highlights from matches and fans at the event. Snapchat: ehf_live Follow all of the latest updates and coverage at “ehf_live”. Ofcial hashtag: #EHFFINAL4 Use the event’s ofcial hashtag when you are postng content to social media channels and join in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 conversaton. Live streaming ehfTV.com will provide extensive coverage of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 including live and on-demand streaming as well as extensive behind-the-scenes reportng. Match commentary will be provided by Tom O’Brannagain.

VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 broadcasters*

ARG – DeporTV GBR – Premiere Sports POR – Sport TV (Incl. Angola, AUT – Sky Sport GEO – Silknet Mozambique and Cape Verde) BEL – Eleven Sports GER – Sky Sport ROU – Digi Sport and Dolce Sport BIH – Arenasport GRE – OTE Sports RUS – Match TV BLR – Belarus 5 HUN – Sport TV SLO – Sport TV BRA – Globo ISR – Sport1 SRB – Arenasport CAN – beIN Sports ITA – Eleven Sports SUI – MySports CRO – HRT and Arenasport KOS (Kosovo) – RTV21 SVK – Sport TV CZE – SportTV MAC (Macau) – TDM SWE – Viasat DEN – DR and TV3 Denmark MENA Region – beIN Sports (23 TUR – Dsmart ESP – TV3 Catalunya terrritories in total) UKR – Xsport FIN – YLE MKD – MRTV and Arenasport URU – Antel FRA – TFX and beIN Sports (Incl. MNE – Arenasport USA – beIN Sports (Incl. US Monaco, Andorra, Luxembourg, NOR – Viasat territories and possessions) Mauritus, Madagascar and POL – NC+ and Eleven Sports Worldwide – ehfTV.com French overseas territories) (Geo-restrictons could apply)

*correct as of 17 May 2018

ı 10 ı 5. Additional information

Storage of belongings Media representatves will have the opportunity to deposit their personal belonging inside the Media Centre using the lockers provided. No liability can be taken for items deposited. EHF Photo Project The EHF will once again have its own team of professional photographers covering the VELUX EHF FINAL4. These photographers have special permission to access the court and other areas of the LANXESS arena to enable them to fully document the event for the EHF. They will be wearing white bibs and will be clearly identfable. Ofcial name The ofcial name of the competton is the VELUX EHF Champions League and the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Please use these terms in your reportng of the event. Media quiz Complete the fyer available in your media bag and in the Media Centre for a chance to win VELUX EHF FINAL4 goodies. Entries should be returned to the Info Desk by Sunday at 12:00 hours.

Useful addresses

LANXESS arena Brauerei zur Malzmühle (Media Get-together) Willy-Brandt-Platz 3 Heumarkt 6 50679 Cologne 50667 Cologne +49 (0) 221 8021 +49 (0) 221 92160613 [email protected] www.muehlenkoelsch.de www.lanxess-arena.de

Hotel Radisson Blu (Event Hotel) Palais Flora Cologne Messe-Kreisel 3 Am Botanischen Garten 1a 50679 Cologne 50735 Cologne +49 (0) 221 277 200 info.cologne@Radisson Blu.com www.Radisson Blu.de/hotel-koeln

ı 11 ı 6. Media timetable Thursday 24 May 2018

Time Event Place 08:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre opens LANXESS arena Approx. 09:30 hrs Arrival of Team - HC Vardar Hotel Radisson Blu Approx. 18:00 hrs Arrival of Team - Montpellier HB Hotel Radisson Blu Approx. 18:45 hrs Arrival of Team - HBC Nantes Hotel Radisson Blu Approx. 19:30 hrs Arrival of Team - Paris Saint-Germain Handball Hotel Radisson Blu 18:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre closes LANXESS arena

Friday 25 May 2018

Time Event Place 08:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre opens LANXESS arena 10:00 hrs Media Centre opens LANXESS arena 10:30 hrs Training - Montpellier HB Halle Ostheim frst 15 minutes open to TV cameras/photographers 11:00 hrs Training - HC Vardar Halle Bergischer Ring frst 15 minutes open to TV cameras/photographers 11:45 hrs Media call opening Radisson Blu 12:00 hrs Media call - Paris Saint-Germain Handball Radisson Blu 12:30 hrs Media call - HBC Nantes Radisson Blu 13:00 hrs Media call - Montpellier HB Radisson Blu 13:30 hrs Media call - HC Vardar Radisson Blu 14:30 hrs European Handball Talks Palais Flora 15:00 hrs Training - Paris Saint-Germain Handball Halle Ostheim frst 15 minutes open to TV cameras/photographers 16:00 hrs Training - HBC Nantes Halle Bergischer Ring frst 15 minutes open to TV cameras/photographers 18:00 hrs VELUX EHF FINAL4 Locker Room Show LANXESS arena 18:00 hrs VELUX EHF FINAL4 Opening Party LANXESS arena 20:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre closes LANXESS arena 24:00 hrs Media Centre closes LANXESS arena

ı 12 ı Saturday 26 May 2018

Time Event Place 08:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre opens LANXESS arena 10:00 hrs Media Centre opens LANXESS arena 14:15 hrs Photographers briefng LANXESS arena Media Centre 15:15 hrs SF - HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball LANXESS arena 15 mins afer match Press conference LANXESS arena Media Centre 18:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre closes LANXESS arena 18:00 hrs SF - HC Vardar vs Montpellier HB LANXESS arena 15 mins afer match Press conference LANXESS arena Media Centre 20:30 hrs Media Get-together Brauerei zur Malzmühle 24:00 hrs Media Centre closes LANXESS arena

Sunday 27 May 2018

Time Event Place 10:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre opens LANXESS arena 10:00 hrs Media Centre opens LANXESS arena 13:30 hrs EHF Press Conference LANXESS arena Media Centre 14:15 hrs Photographers briefng LANXESS arena Media Centre 15:00 hrs Accreditaton Centre closes LANXESS arena 15:15 hrs 3/4 Placement Match LANXESS arena 15 mins afer match Press conference LANXESS arena Media Centre 18:00 hrs VELUX EHF Champions League Final LANXESS arena 19:45 hrs Winners’ Ceremony Photographers / ENG allowed on court 15 mins afer ceremony Press conference LANXESS arena Media Centre 24:00 hrs Media Centre closes LANXESS arena

ı 13 ı 7. Ofcial EHFM Rules of Conduct for ENG Crews

The following guidelines and rules of conduct for ENG Crews have been developed to make the job of ENG crews easier at EHF events. Upon receiving an accreditaton and signing for an ENG bib, TV crews automatcally agree to follow the Rule of Conduct for TV ENG crews. 1. ENG crews are obliged to produce a press identfcaton card upon request. 2. The bib and the accreditaton are only valid for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018. 3. ENG personnel are requested to wear the bib and accreditaton at ALL tmes. 4. All ENG crews must use the stckers provided on their camera equipment. 5. The Host Broadcaster is actng on behalf of the European Handball Federaton. 6. Only the Host Broadcaster is permited onto the playing court. 7. The guidelines and instructons of the Host Broadcasters MUST be followed at all tmes. 8. ENG crews are not permited to interfere/obstruct in the work of the Host Broadcaster. 9. Right holders have to stay in the positons designated to them during the games. Positons will be allocated based on space available with priority to the broadcasters from the natons of the teams playing. 10. At no tme, before, during or afer the match are ENG crews permited to stay in the area behind the players‘ seats or behind the ofcial table. They must place themselves in the positon advised by the EHFM. 11. Non-rights holders are not permited to flm during the matches. 12. ENG crews are only permited in the TV area of the mixed zone. Upon collecton of the accreditaton and bib, ENG personnel are obliged to follow the above-listed rules.

ı 14 ı 8. Ofcial EHF Rules of Conduct for Photographers

The EHF has developed the following guidelines to make the job of photographers at its events easier. Upon receiving the accreditaton and bib the photographer automatcally agrees to follow the EHF guidelines of conduct for photographers. 1. Photographers are required to atend the briefngs in the Media Centre at 14:15 hrs Saturday, 26 May and at 14:15 hrs on Sunday, 27 May. 2. Photographers are only allowed to enter the court following 3/4 Placement Match and Final when permited to do so. There will be a roped of area clearly marked for photographers in front of the tmekeepers‘ table. 3. Photographs can be taken during the player line-up. An area will be defned before the match for this purpose. Photographers may stand in this positon untl the pre-match procedure is over. They must then return to their designated positon behind the advertsing boards at the ends of the court. 4. Photograph bibs should be worn at all tmes. These will be issued as part of the accreditaton process and are available from the Media Info Desk. 5. During the match all photographers should be at the ends of the court where seats are available behind the advertsing system. Photographers will be advised before the match of any additonally designated areas where they may take photos looking down on the court. 6. It is not allowed to change ends during the game. This has to be done at the half-tme or at the end of the match. If a photographer wishes to change ends during the half-tme break, he/she must follow the routng system. 7. Photographers are not allowed to stand behind the players‘ seats or on the opposite side of the court. 8. Photographers have to remain seated and cannot change seats during the match. 9. Photographers are allowed to sit in front of the nets afer the point where it is fxed to the advertsing borders (fxed 3 metres each side of the goal). 10. Photographers are not allowed to sit or stand in front of or to obstruct the view of the advertsing boards. 11. Strobe light photography is not permited. 12. Photographers are not allowed to enter the court during the celebraton and awarding ceremony which follows the fnal untl they are told to do so. An area in front of the tmekeepers’ table will be reserved for photographers and ENG crews. Upon collecton of your accreditaton you are obliged to follow the above-listed rules.

ı 15 ı 9. Event information

EHF, SELECT & KINEXON bring iBall and ball tracking to VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 The VELUX EHF FINAL4 will be the frst major event in European sport to be played with new tracking technology enabling the distributon of data in real tme. All matches will be equipped with the SELECT / KINEXON iBall capturing informaton such as ball speed, shot detecton, positon of the shot and placement of the shot in the goal. The iBall will provide a wealth of informaton for spectators and TV viewers as well as new insights into the game. Download the ofcial app A brand new ofcial event app, ofering fans a one-stop-shop of innovatve features, is available to download for iOS and Android devices. As well as news and giveaways, fans and the media will be able to play their own part in the event’s opening shows through the app’s ‘lightshow’ functon. A votng tool will also allow fans in the arena and watching at home to select their ‘player of the match’. American band Welshly Arms to perform at VELUX EHF FINAL4 The US band Welshly Arms is the top music act performing in Cologne. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, the American alternatve band’s breakout single ‘Legendary’ captured the globe’s atenton in 2017. The band will perform their hit ‘Legendary’ as well as their new single ‘Sanctuary’ on Sunday. They will also keep with FINAL4 traditon and sing their own version of ‘We Are The Champions’ as the trophy is awarded. Europe talks handball business The EHF and EHF Marketng GmbH will host a new sports business event on Friday, 25 May. The ‘European Handball Talks’ will bring together experts in sports business, technology and marketng to discuss the latest developments on the handball and sports markets. The event will feature several leading experts as keynote speakers and invited panel guests. Topics include brand management and community building in the digital age as well as digitalisaton and technology in sport. Tech experts to join frst ever hackathon Parallel to the business event, the very frst hackathon in handball will take place – under the ttle of the ‘European Handball HackDays’. Together with the ofcial data and streaming partner of the EHF club compettons, Sportradar, tracking provider, Kinexon, and digital service agency, Athleta, EHF Marketng has invited experts from various felds including programming, technology, business development and design to work on creatve solutons for data usage and visualisaton. Ofcial merchandise collecton available to purchase The new merchandising range for the VELUX EHF FINAL4, developed in conjuncton with the ofcial sports outiter of the EHF Champions League, Salming, consists of t-shirts, hoodies and socks for both men and women in a unique VELUX EHF FINAL4 design. Banded socks can be purchased for €8 a pair, T-shirts for €20 and hoodies for €50. 25 years EHF Champions League Following the foundaton of the EHF in 1991, the federaton took over the running of the European Champions Cup, and a new competton - the EHF Champions League - was born, played for the frst tme in 1993/94. The VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 marks the culminaton of the 25th season of the EHF Champions League. Ticket sale to start for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2019 The sale of tckets to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2019 will start during the fnal weekend in the tcket shop in the LANXESS arena. Online tcket sales will then begin in the week afer the fnal tournament in Cologne on 26 and 27 May.

ı 16 ı The best of European HANDBALL LIVE and on demand!

All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League and WOMEN’S EHF Champions League, selected games of European Cups, and other compettons live and on demand. Don’t miss the best highlights, compilatons, interviews, features, behind the scenes and more. VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

SG Flensburg-Handewitt Cocks THW Kiel GER IFK Kristianstad Season 2017/18 FIN GER Orlen Wisla Plock SWE Groups A+B POL Elverum HH NOR Groups C+D Aalborg Handball DEN HC Meshkov Brest Eliminated in uali cat on BLR

Skjern Handball DEN PGE POL

Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS VELUX EHF FINAL4 Host City: Cologne, GER

Tatran Presov SVK

Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER HC MotorZaporozhye UKR

Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA Telekom Veszprém HUN

HBC Nantes FRA

MOL-PickSzeged HUN ABANCA Ademar Leon ESP

Dinamo Bucuresti Sporting CL ROU POR

Besiktas MOGAZ HT Alpla HC Hard TUR AUT RK Gorenje Velenje FRA SLO HC Metalurg HC Vardar RUKOMETNI KLUB MKD PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB MKD

FC Lassa Kadetten Schaf ausen RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko HC PPD Zagreb ESP SUI SLO CRO VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

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ı 21 ı Two debutants among a French armada

Here are the most important facts and fgures on the 2 former or current champions are part of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18 season and the VELUX EHF FINAL4: Montpellier (2003) and history of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. Vardar (2017). players have won the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with two goals diference was the closest gap in this 2 0 diferent clubs: Cupic and German Tobias season’s quarter-fnals. Vardar only qualifed for Reichmann. Afer raising the trophy with THW Kiel the FINAL4 thanks to the away goal rule. in 2010 and 2012, he repeated the success in 2016 0 players have been part of all nine editons of the with Kielce. VELUX EHF FINAL4, from 2010 to 2018 2 The winners of Groups A (Vardar) and B (PSG), 0 tmes has a club defended the trophy at the VELUX who skipped the Last 16, have made it to Cologne. EHF FINAL4 since the implementaton of the format of the four VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 partcipants in the 2009/10 season. 2 were part of last season’s event: the 2017 fnalists, 1 player can win his third straight trophy in three years: Vardar and PSG. Vardar’s Croatan wing Ivan Cupic, who won the coaches have won the EHF CL with two diferent VELUX EHF CL in 2016 with Kielce and in 2017 with 2 clubs so far: Alfred Gislason (2002 with SC Vardar. The last players to win the Champions League Magdeburg, 2010 and 2012 with Kiel) and Talant three tmes in a row were those of Barcelona’s golden Dujshebaev (2006, 2008 and 2009 with Ciudad generaton, which took the trophy fve tmes in a row Real, 2016 with Kielce). Neither can add another from 1996 to 2000. CL trophy this year, but Noka Serdarusic has the 1 coach – Raul Gonzales – will move from one FINAL4 chance to equal their achievement, afer steering partcipant (Vardar) to another (Paris) for next season. Kiel to the ttle in 2007. 1 city has celebrated both Men’s and Women’s EHF 3 teams from the same country – France – have Champions League ttles: Skopje. The Kometal qualifed for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. women’s team took the trophy in 2002 and the This has never happened before. Vardar men won in 2017. 3 Afer three straight years where the defending 1 club will be represented at both FINAL4 events this champions failed to qualify for Cologne, Vardar season: Vardar. turned the tde. 1 Spanish coach, at least, was part of every 3 players, who won the Champions League in 2003 VELUX EHF FINAL4 since the format was with Montpellier, will be on court in Cologne 15 implemented in 2010. In 2017/18, it is Vardar’s years later: Michael Guigou (Montpellier), Thierry Raul Gonzalez. Omeyer and Nikola Karabatc (both PSG). 1 For the frst tme ever, none of the VELUX EHF 4 diferent countries are represented by the seven FINAL4 clubs are from Germany or Spain. VELUX EHF FINAL4 winners: Germany (4 – Kiel/2, Hamburg and Flensburg/both 1), Spain 1 It is the frst VELUX EHF FINAL4 ever without (Barcelona/2), Poland (Kielce/1) and FYR Macedonia either THW Kiel or FC Barcelona. (Vardar/1). 1 Jonas Truchanovicius (Montpellier) will be the 4 VELUX EHF FINAL4 matches since 2010 needed to frst Lithuanian to play at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. be decided in extra tme – two of them in a penalty shoot-out. First, Hamburg beat Barcelona in the 1 team, Montpellier, made history as the frst team 2013 fnal 30:29 afer extra tme, followed by to arrive at the FINAL4 from Groups C/D. the 2014 semi-fnal shoot-out between Flensburg and Barcelona (40:39). In 2016, Veszprém beat Kiel VELUX EHF FINAL4 debutants are among the four 2 31:29 afer extra tme, but then lost to Kielce 39:38 partcipants: Nantes and Montpellier. afer penaltes in the fnal. 2 coaches made history: Thierry Ant (Nantes) and Patrice Canayer (Montpellier) are the frst French coaches in the history of the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

ı 22 ı 4 former or current top scorers of the VELUX EHF 43 matches since the start of the group phase – CL will stll be on court in the semi-fnals: PSG’s Uwe including three in the quarter-fnals – were Gensheimer (2016/17 – 115 goals for PSG, 2010/11 atended by 5,000 fans. – 118 for Rhein-Neckar Löwen), PSG’s Mikkel Hansen (2011/12 – 98 for AG Kobenhavn, 2015/16 47 goals total was the lowest score of any VELUX EHF – 141 for PSG), Nantes’ Kiril Lazarov (2007/08 – 96 FINAL4 match since 2010 –twice in 2012: frst in the and 2005/06 – 85 for Veszprém) and PSG’s Nikola placement match Berlin vs Kobenhavn (21:26), then Karabatc (2006/07 – 89 for Kiel). in the fnal Kiel vs Atletco Madrid (26:21). 4 tmes, teams coached by a Spaniard won the 50 tmes, 60 or more goals were scored in a match trophy in Cologne: in 2011, 2015 (Barcelona/ since the start of the group phase, including three Xavi Pascual), 2016 (Kielce/) and quarter-fnal games. 2017 (Vardar/Raul Gonzalez). 56 goals in two legs of the quarter-fnal were enough 5 former or current IHF World Handball Players of for Vardar to make it to Cologne. the Year are stll in the competton: Nikola goals each make Filip Jicha (for Kiel and Barcelona) Karabatc (2007, 2014, 2016/PSG), Mikkel Hansen 56 and Momir Ilic (for Kiel and Veszprém) the best (2011, 2015/PSG), Daniel Narcisse (2012/PSG), overall scorers in VELUX EHF FINAL4 history. Thierry Omeyer (2008/PSG) and (2005/Vardar). 56.37 goals have been scored on average in all 200 matches of the 2017/18 season so far. 5 natons are only represented by the 23 previous winners of the Men’s EHF CL: Spain (14 ttles, +60 is the impressive goal diference for Montpellier including all from 1994 to 2001), Germany afer 16 VELUX EHF CL matches so far. (6 ttles, including four in Cologne), FYR Macedonia (Vardar), Poland (Kielce), France (Montpellier) and 67 goals in the match PSG vs Kielce (35:32) was the Slovenia (Celje). highest scoring quarter-fnal match. In total, 72 goals were the highest number of goals in a 5 diferent German clubs have qualifed for previous match this season – and it occurred twice in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 events: Kiel (six tmes), group phase: Szeged’s 37:35 away win at Löwen Hamburg (two), Rhein-Neckar Löwen, Flensburg and at Elverum’s 40:32 victory against Bucurest. and Berlin (each one). This year, only two German players are part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4: 109 matches since the start of the group phase were Uwe Gensheimer (PSG) and Dominik Klein (Nantes). won by home teams, including three in the quarter-fnals. 7 tmes, including the current season, Nantes’ lef wing Dominik Klein and PSG's goalkeeper Thierry 245 goals were scored at the 2016 editon of the Omeyer have been part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4. VELUX EHF FINAL4 to top this ranking just ahead of 2014 (244 goals) and 2013 (243). The lowest 21 matches since the start of the group phase ended overall score of a FINAL4 event was 191 goals in draws, two of them in the quarter-fnals: in 2012. Flensburg vs Montpellier 28:28 and Skjern vs Nantes 27:27. 522 goals were scored by Nantes in their 18 matches so far, while PSG struck 493 tmes in only 16 matches. 24 seasons, including the current one, Patrice Canayer has led Montpellier HB. 11,275 goals have been scored so far in this VELUX EHF CL season – 235 in the qualifcaton +24 goals was the highest margin of the 2017/18 VELUX tournament, 9,911 in the group phase EHF CL season, recorded in the Last 16 match (including play-ofs), 672 in the Last 16 and 457 Kielce vs Löwen (41:17). in the eight quarter-fnals. 29 VELUX EHF CL matches in a row, since November 15,000 fans in total saw both legs of the quarter-fnal 2014, PSG have been unbeaten on home ground. pairing Kiel vs Vardar. 30 goals diference in both legs of the Last 16 Kielce 42,567 spectators atended eight quarter-fnal vs Löwen is the biggest ever margin in a CL knock- matches, which means an average of 5,320. out stage.

ı 23 ı Semi-fnal 1 Preview

HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball Saturday 26 May, 15:15 hrs Referees: Martn Gjeding and Mads Hansen / DEN EHF Delegates: Nicolae Vizitu / MDA Georgios Bebetsos / GRE

All-French freworks to open VELUX EHF FINAL4

For the third tme in the history of the VELUX EHF On the other hand, Paris were the only side to win FINAL4, two teams from the same naton face in a both quarter-fnal legs. Afer skipping the Last 16 as semi-fnal. Afer two all-German pairings (Kiel vs Berlin Group B winners, they eased past 2016 champions in 2012 and Hamburg vs Kiel in 2013) it is a French Kielce. So far, PSG have lost only two matches in this connecton this tme when Nantes face PSG. internatonal season: in Flensburg and - afer already HBC are regarded the underdogs at their frst locking up the top spot - in Brest. appearance in Cologne, while Paris are the most Last season both French teams also met in the experienced of all teams with their third straight Champions League, when they played to a draw in partcipaton. Nantes before Paris won the return game on home • Gensheimer vs Klein is a duel between the two court in the Last 16. remaining German players in the competton This season both sides have already duelled four • Both teams meet for the ffh tme this season - tmes in three compettons. First, Nantes beat Paris but for the frst tme outside of France 32:26 in the Trophée des champions at the start of the season. In the French League, they ted at Nantes • Lazarov becomes the all-tme FINAL4 top scorer (27:27) before Paris won 31:29 on home ground. And if he fnds the net fve tmes Paris also defeated Nantes by two goals (35:33) in the Hamburg in 2013, Flensburg in 2014, Kielce in 2016 Coupe de la Ligue. and Vardar in 2017: in recent years it has not always Now it is the frst tme both sides lock horns on been the favourites who raised the trophy at the neutral ground - with PSG in the role of favourites VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. because of their internatonal experience, not only Now it is the big hope of the ‘Big H’ to contnue from their four IHF World Players of the Year: Nikola this series of underdog victories and extend their Karabatc, Thierry Omeyer, Daniel Narcisse (all Cinderella story at least untl the fnal. France) and Mikkel Hansen (Denmark). “I am not going to Cologne to buy perfume for my The three French stars all have a diferent story this grandmother and just be a character in the party. event: Narcisse will end his career afer this season, Now that we have qualifed, we are going there to Omeyer can win his ffh Champions League trophy win,” coach Thierry Ant says full of optmism and (just like Vardar goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik), and confdence. Karabatc can become the frst player to win the ttle In their second ever VELUX EHF Champions League with four diferent clubs afer his earlier triumphs season, Nantes have made it to the fnal destnaton with Montpellier, Kiel and Barcelona. afer beatng top sides such as defending champions Vardar and record champions Barcelona on the way to the knockout stage. They remained undefeated in the Last 16 (against Meshkov Brest) and quarter-fnal (Skjern Håndbold) to book their frst tcket to Cologne.

ı 24 ı Coach Noka Serdarusic, who will be succeeded by Also, two-tme Champions League top scorer Kiril current Vardar coach Raul Gonzalez, can become Lazarov hopes for his second triumph in Cologne afer the third coach afer Alfred Gislason and Talant 2015, while he could also become all-tme top scorer Dujshebaev to win the Champions League with two of the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Currently on 51, he needs diferent clubs. And lef wing Uwe Gensheimer, who a handful of goals to catch up with Filip Jicha and is the second best scorer of the competton going Momir Ilic, who share the lead in this ranking with 56 into the VELUX EHF FINAL4, is likely to fnish as the each. competton’s leading scorer for the third tme afer Finally, in his seventh partcipaton in the fnals 2011 and 2017. tournament, German lef wing Dominik Klein hopes to But frst, PSG need to leave Nantes behind, as end his career with his fourth trophy afer winning it manager Bruno Martni is well aware: “We know that with Kiel in 2007, 2020 and 2012. everybody regards us the favourites, and we can take this role. But stll, we need to win both matches to win the trophy.” On Nantes’ side, three non-French players are in the focus. can crown a dream season: afer winning the EHF EURO 2018 with Spain, he is afer his second Champions League trophy afer winning it with Barcelona in 2015.

Head-to-head stats in the EC compettons HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 0-1-1 (53:61) 1:3 25.03.2017 HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 26:26 (15:14) 01.04.2017 Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HBC Nantes, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 35:27 (15:13)

Head-to-head stats in domestc compettons HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 12-3-15 (since 2008)

ı 25 ı HBC Nantes

0 matches, Nantes lost on home ground in the 2017/18 VELUX EHF Champions League season. 0 tmes before, Nantes qualifed for the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 1 multple winner is in Nantes’ squad: Dominik Klein (Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12). 1 former Champions League top scorer is in Nantes’ squad: Kiril Lazarov (2007/08 - 96 goals and 2005/06 - 85 goals for Veszprém). 2 tmes, including the current season, Nantes are part of the EHF Champions Club Address League. HBC Nantes 2 more players have won the VELUX EHF Champions League each once: Eduardo 91 rue de la Trocardiere Gurbindo and Kiril Lazarov (both Barcelona 2014/15) 44400 Reze 2 European fnal tournaments, Nantes were not only part of, but even hosted France them: the EHF Cup Finals 2013 and 2016. In both events, they lost the fnals against a German team (Löwen and Göppingen). Media contact 7 tmes, including the current event, Dominik Klein is part of a VELUX EHF Kevin Morin FINAL4. Lazarov plays his sixth FINAL4 tournament. +33 664865046 [email protected] 8 natons are represented in Nantes’ squad: FRA, ESP, BIH, HUN, NOR, GER, MKD, CRO. 18 matches - two more than the three opponents, Nantes needed to qualify www.hbcnantes.com for Cologne. 51 VELUX EHF FINAL4 goals were scored so far by Kiril Lazarov. He is just fve goals HBCNantesOfciel below the all-tme top scorers of the event, Filip Jicha (for Kiel and Barcelona) @HBCNantes and Momir Ilic (for Kiel and Veszprém). 522 goals were scored by Nantes in their 18 Champions League matches of this season - more than any other of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 partcipants.

TOP SCORERS Past achievements Eduardo Gurbindo 74 VELUX EHF Champions League 68 Partcipatons (including 2017/18 season): 2 David Balaguer 65 Last 16 (1): 2016/17 Dominik Klein 50 Other 47 EHF Cup: runners-up 2012/13, 2015/16, quarter-fnals 2013/14 French Cup: 1 ttle (2017) French League Cup: 1 ttle (2015) Trophée des Champions: 1 ttle (2017)

ı 26 ı EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 33:19 (16:9) v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR (h), 01.10.2016 Biggest defeat 35:27 (15:13) v Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA (a), 1.4.2017 Longest winning run 7 matches (14.10.2017 – 10.02.2018) Longest unbeaten run 7 matches (14.10.2017 – 10.02.2018) Longest losing run 1 match (19.11.2016) 1 match (01.04.2017) 1 match (23.09.2017) 1 match (03.10.2017) 1 match (17.02.2018) Longest run without win 3 matches (23.09.2017 – 03.10.2017) Most goals 37 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 37:31W (h), 11.03.2017 Most goals opponent 35 v Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 35:27L (a), 01.04.2017 Most goals both teams 68 v ABC/UMinho POR 35:33W (h), 09.10.2016 68 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 37:31W (h), 11.03.2017 Fewest goals 22 v HC PPD Zagreb CRO 23:22D (a), 17.02.2018 Fewest goals opponent 19 v Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR 33:19W (h), 01.10.2016 Fewest goals both teams 45 v HC PPD Zagreb CRO 23:22L (a), 17.02.2018

EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2016/17 HBC Nantes FRA 14 10 2 2 433:387 +46 22:6 Last 16 2017/18 HBC Nantes FRA 18 11 4 3 522:488 +34 26:10 FINAL4 Total 32 21 6 5 955:875 +80 48:16

ı 27 ı Natons represented in the squad: 8 Quarter-fnal results FRA 21 vs Skjern Handbold W33:27 (18:12) ESP 2 @ Skjern Handbold D27:27 (12:15) BIH 1 GER 1 Last 16 results MKD 1 @ HC Meshkov Brest W24:32 (14:16) CRO 1 vs HC Meshkov Brest D28:28 (14:17) HUN 1 Group Phase results NOR 1 vs MOL-Pick Szeged W30:26 (18:15) @ HC Vardar L27:23 (14:10) vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen D26:26 (15:16) @ FC Barcelona Lassa L31:25 (13:16) Former EHF Champions League winners vs IFK Kristanstad W34:25 (19:11) Dominik Klein @ Orlen Wisla Plock W30:32 (13:16) Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 @ MOL-Pick Szeged W30:33 (15:17 Eduardo Gurbindo Barcelona 2014/15 vs HC PPD Zagreb W28:27 (13:12) Kiril Lazarov vs Orlen Wisla Plock W32:30 (18:12) Barcelona 2014/15 vs FC Barcelona Lassa W29:25 (16:11) @ IFK Kristanstad W26:31 (12:13) @ HC PPD Zagreb L23:22 (12:8) vs HC Vardar W27:26 (18:12) @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen D30:30 (13:15)

ı 28 ı Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Positon Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight Gls 20 Lucien Aufret FRA Right Wing 1/25/97 La Roche sur Yon, FRA 182 73 4 30 Valentn Bachele FRA Goalkeeper 6/25/98 Montreuil, FRA 190 95 19 David Balaguer Romeu ESP Right Wing 8/17/91 Barcelona, ESP 185 83 65 8 Senjamin Buric BIH Line Player 11/20/90 Maglaj, BIH 198 100 32 7 Nicolas Claire FRA Centre Back 7/10/87 St Dennis-Reunion, FRA 190 91 47 1 FRA Goalkeeper 2/2/84 Rillieux la Pape, FRA 200 100 0 14 Julian Emonet FRA Lef Wing 1/4/92 Sartrouville, FRA 182 91 13 4 Rudolf Faluvegi HUN Lef Back 1/9/94 Budapest, HUN 192 92 28 22 Leo Fauvet FRA Line Player 10/4/99 Cannes, FRA 191 100 13 Rock Feliho FRA Back 8/13/82 Cotonou, BEN 192 100 0 5 Romaric Guillo C FRA Line Player 10/1/91 Pontvy, FRA 207 110 3 18 Eduardo Gurbindo Martnez ESP Right Back 11/8/87 Pamplona, ESP 195 92 74 29 NOR Lef Back 3/1/89 Drammen, NOR 196 106 9 23 Edson Imare FRA Centre Back 9/9/98 St Dennis-Reunion, FRA 189 78 9 Dominik Klein GER Lef Wing 12/16/83 Miltenberg, GER 190 86 50 2 FRA Centre Back 3/5/97 Lorient, FRA 194 95 44 27 Arthur Laugier FRA Right Wing 2/6/98 Reims, FRA 185 80 17 Kiril Lazarov MKD Right Back 5/10/80 Veles, MKD 195 99 39 21 Michel Junior Mataba-Tuzolana FRA Lef Wing 5/27/97 Argenteuil, FRA 188 75 0 15 Jerko Matulic CRO Right Wing 4/20/90 Supetar, CRO 187 83 16 12 Alexandre Moali FRA Goalkeeper 1/21/99 Paris, FRA 193 85 6 Guy Olivier Nyokas FRA Lef Back 6/28/86 Montermeil, FRA 188 86 11 10 Dragan Pechmalbec FRA Line Player 1/5/96 Cahors, FRA 194 94 11 25 Lucas Petraud FRA Right Back 1/10/99 Cagnes sur Mer, FRA 194 84 3 Guillaume Saurina FRA Lef Back 8/4/81 Avignon, FRA 195 95 6 24 James Junior Scot FRA Lef Back 5/27/96 Lens, FRA 200 83 1 16 Arnaud Sifert FRA Goalkeeper 12/6/78 Longjumeau, FRA 190 93 1 11 Nicolas Tournat FRA Line Player 4/5/94 Niort, FRA 200 116 68 26 Lucas Weiss FRA Back 3/4/97 Colmar, FRA 189 93

Thierry Ant coach • arrived in 2009 as they just promoted to the French frst league • steered them to one trophy, the league cup in 2014/15 • previously coached Créteil and Paris and reached the IHF Cup Winners’ Cup fnal with Créteil in 1989 • reached EHF Cup Final twice but Nantes lost in both cases • has a lot of trust in his young players and helps them develop

ı 29 ı Cyril Dumoulin goalkeeper • afer playing in Chambéry and Toulouse, he arrived in Nantes • with 1.99 m height, one of the tallest goalkeepers on the circuit • beside his handball career, he's also published two books he wrote - a diary of his seasons and they gained much critcal success

EURO: G 2014, B 2018, WCh: G 2015

Dominik Klein lef wing • moved to France in 2016 afer playing 10 seasons - and winning three CL ttles - with THW Kiel • his wife Isabell joined him to France and plays for the women’s club in Nantes • scored 1,071 goals and won eight championships in 15 Bundesliga seasons, won German cup six tmes • also played for Obernburg, Wallau-Massenheim and Grosswallstadt in his natve Germany

EC trophies: CL 2007, 2010, 2012 WCh: G 2007

Romain Lagarde lef back • one of the most promising players raised by Nantes • became a professional at 19, afer playing for two seasons in the A team • coach Thierry Ant ofen compares him to Nikola Karabatc because of his physical strength • made his natonal team debut in October and took part in the EHF EURO 2018 three months later

EURO: B 2018

Nicolas Claire centre back • former player for PSG Handball, who joined Nantes in 2014 to work with Thierry Ant, his coach and mentor in his early professional years • played his frst internatonal games with France in 2015 and was part of the bronze- winning team at EHF EURO 2018 • two younger brothers are also professional handball players, in the second French league • born on Réunion Island, like and Daniel Narcisse

EURO: B 2018

ı 30 ı Nicolas Tournat line player • considered by France natonal team coach as “one of the brightest hopes in French handball” • made debut for France in 2015, helped team win bronze at EHF EURO 2018 • arrived in Nantes at age 18 and has not played for any other team since • one of the leading players in the squad since 2015/16 • set to join Kielce in 2020

EURO: B 2018

Kiril Lazarov right back • scored over 1,000 goals in the CL, was competton’s top scorer in 2006 and 2008 • went to Nantes afer seven years in Spain with Ciudad Real and FC Barcelona • coach Thierry Ant hopes the Macedonian’s previous experience at the FINAL4 will help the team in Cologne • most successful scorer at a single EHF EURO (61 goals in 2012) and WCh (92 goals in 2009)

EC trophies: CL 2015

Eduardo Gurbindo right back • coach Thierry Ant convinced the Spaniard to come to Nantes in 2016 • Lazarov and Gurbindo are sharing the right back positon this season, just as they were doing for three years in Barcelona • can play on the wing, at right back and at centre back • won the CL with Barcelona in 2015, alongside Lazarov

EC trophies: CL 2015 EURO: G 2018, S 2016, B 2014

David Balaguer right wing • at age 26, he is following the footsteps of Valero Rivera. Formed in Barcelona like him, he joined Nantes in 2015 • shares many similarites with Rivera, like coming into the spotlight in the Nantes jersey • Barcelona unsuccessfully tried to sign him back in the summer of 2016 • made debut for Spain at the World Championship in 2017 before winning the EHF EURO the following year

EURO: G 2018

ı 31 ı Arnaud Sifert goalkeeper • played CL numerous tmes with Dunkerque, Montpellier and Nantes, but will make frst appearance at EHF FINAL4 • reached EHF Cup Final twice in a row with two diferent clubs, Nantes and Montpellier • played for Nantes from 2011 to 2013 before returning in 2016 • No. 2 goalkeeper but stll a leader of the team in the dressing room

Julian Emonet lef back • joined Nantes last summer afer playing for fve seasons in Dunkerque • admits to having learnt a lot from playing with Dominik Klein • makes up for his relatvely minor height of 1.82 metres by his explosive abilites

Olivier Nyokas lef back • returned to France afer two seasons in Balingen (Germany) • scored eight goals from eight atempts for France in his frst major internatonal game, at EHF EURO 2016 • was reunited in Nantes with best friend Nicolas Claire and with the coach from his younger years, Thierry Ant • twin brother Kevynn retred from handball last summer

WCh: G 2017

Espen Lie Hansen lef back • joined Nantes in January amid the team’s injury worries on the lef back positon • played in Dunkerque from 2012 to 2014, and had spells in Germany, Austria and Denmark before coming to Nantes • part of the Norwegian team which lost the WCh 2017 Final against hosts France • brings variety in Nantes’ game with his ability to shoot from long range

WCh: S 2017

ı 32 ı Rock Feliho lef back • captain and charismatc leader of the team’s defence • born in Benin, he arrived in France when he was six • used to play in atack as a junior, now a full-tme defender • has been with Nantes for the past seven seasons, afer playing four years in Germany with Balingen and Münster

Dragan Pechmalbec line player • his Serbian-born mother was a professional handball player • played football untl he was 15, aiming a professional career • has only played handball for six years and is already at the EHF FINAL4 • played his frst matches for France in March, two years afer he was stll a third- division player

Romaric Guillo line player • joined Nantes mid-season alongside Espen Lie Hansen and Guillaume Saurina • originally signed for next season but Senjamin Buric's injury forced the club to get him earlier • not just a talented handball player but also an excellent guitar player

Jerko Matulic right wing • the 28-year-old wing joined Nantes in 2016 from league rivals Chambéry • faces tough competton inside the team from David Balaguer, and will leave the club afer the season • if he could steal anybody’s handball trick, it would be former teammate Zlatko Horvat’s lob • played at the WCh with Croata but was overlooked for the home EHF EURO 2018, “one of the biggest disappointments of my life”

ı 33 ı Paris Saint-Germain Handball

1 tme - in 2007 with THW Kiel - Noka Serdarusic steered a club to an EHF Champions League trophy. Besides, the outgoing PSG coach was fnalist three more tmes in 2000 and 2008 (with Kiel) and 2017 (with PSG). 2 tmes, Daniel Narcisse won the EHF Champions League - now it is his last chance to add another trophy, as he ends his career afer this season. 3 tmes with three diferent clubs (Montpellier 2003, Kiel 2007 and Barcelona 2015), Nikola Karabatc won the Champions League. He can become the frst ever player in history to win the trophy with four diferent teams. Club Address 3 former or current Champions League top scorers are in the PSG squad: Uwe PSG Handball Gensheimer (2016/17 - 115 for PSG, 2010/11- 118 goals, Rhein Neckar Löwen), 82 avenue Georges Lafont Mikkel Hansen (2011/12 - 98 goals for AG Kobenhavn, 2015/16 - 141 goals for 75016 Paris PSG), Nikola Karabatc (2006/07 - 89 goals for Kiel). France 3 tmes in a row (2016 to 2018), PSG qualifed for the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Media contact 4 tmes, goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer won the EHF Champions League: 2003 with Mathieu Brelle-Andrade Montpellier, 2007, 2010 and 2012 with Kiel. +33 6 52 53 74 13 4 former or current IHF World Handball Players of the Year are part of the PSG [email protected] squad: Nikola Karabatc (2007, 2014, 2016), Mikkel Hansen (2011, 2015), Daniel Narcisse (2012) and Thierry Omeyer (2008). www.psghand.fr 6 tmes including the current season, PSG were part of the EHF Champions League. 8 diferent natons are represented in the PSG squad: FRA, ESP, MNE, GER, DEN, PSGHAND SWE, NOR, CRO. @psghand 13 matches - more than any other FINAL4 partcipant - were won by Paris in this season. 27 points were taken by PSG in their 16 Champions League matches so far. 29 VELUX EHF Champions League matches in a row since November 2014, PSG are unbeaten on home ground. +55 was PSG’s goal diference afer 16 matches. 67 goals in the match PSG vs Kielce (35:32) was the high score in the quarter-fnals. 87 goals, defending Champions League top scorer Uwe Gensheimer neted so far to be the best overall scorer stll in competton.

TOP SCORERS Past achievements Uwe Gensheimer 87 VELUX EHF Champions League Nikola Karabatc 65 Partcipatons (including 2017/18 season): 6 65 Runners-up (1): 2016/17 61 Semi-fnal (1): 2015/16 (3rd) Mikkel Hansen 43 Quarter-fnal (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 16 (1): 2005/06 Other EHF Cup: Quarter-fnals 2006/07, Last 16 2003/04 French league: 4 ttles (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) French cup: 2 ttles

ı 34 ı EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 42:24 (22:10) v THW Kiel GER (h), 12.03.2017 Biggest defeat 44:28 (22:12) v THW Kiel GER (a), 10.12.2005 Longest winning run 9 matches (08.10.2017 – 17.02.2018) Longest unbeaten run 10 matches (11.02.2017 – 03.06.2017) Longest losing run 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) Longest run without win 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) Most goals 42 v THW Kiel GER 42:24W (h), 12.03.2017 Most goals opponent 44 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 Most goals both teams 72 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 Fewest goals 20 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:26L (h), 11.01.1997 20 v Caja Cantabria Santander ESP 26:20L (a), 18.01.1997 20 v MVM Veszprém HUN 28:20L (a), 28.11.2015 Fewest goals opponent 18 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005 Fewest goals both teams 39 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005

EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached

1996/97 PSG Asnières FRA 6 1 0 5 131:161 –30 2:10 4th Gr. D 2005/06 Paris Handball FRA 8 4 1 3 212:229 -17 9:7 Last 16 2013/14 PSG Handball FRA 14 7 1 6 429:402 +27 15:13 1/4-fnals 2014/15 Paris Saint-Germain HB FRA 14 8 1 5 395:367 +28 17:11 1/4-fnals 2015/16 Paris Saint-Germain HB FRA 18 14 1 3 557:496 +61 29:7 Third Place 2016/17 Paris Saint-Germain HB FRA 20 15 2 3 622:543 +79 32:8 Runner-up 2017/18 Paris Saint-Germain HB FRA 16 13 1 2 493:438 +55 27:5 FINAL4 Total 96 62 7 27 2839:2636 +203 131:61

ı 35 ı Quarter-fnal results Natons represented in the squad: 8 @ PGE Vive Kielce W28:34 (10:22) FRA 21 vs PGE Vive Kielce W35:32 (17:15) DEN 2 CRO 1 Last 16 results MNE 1 bye GER 1 SWE 1 Group Phase results ESP 1 @ THW Kiel W22:25 (10:12) NOR 1 vs HC Meshkov Brest W32:28 (15:14) @ SG Flensburg-Handewit L33:29 (13:14) vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W32:27 (18:14) Former EHF Champions League winners @ Aalborg Handbold W26:33 (11:18) Nikola Karabatc vs PGE Vive Kielce W33:28 (18:16) Montpellier 2002/03, Kiel 2006/07, Barcelona 2014/15 vs Telekom Veszprém HC W33:28 (19:14) Thierry Omeyer @ Telekom Veszprém HC W24:29 (12:12) Montpellier 2002/03, Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 @ PGE Vive Kielce W29:30 (11:15) Daniel Narcisse vs Aalborg Handbold W31:28 (16:14) Kiel 2009/10, 2011/12 @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W26:31 (13:17) Ciudad Real 2008/09 vs SG Flensburg-Handewit W29:21 (19:10) @ HC Meshkov Brest L29:28 (19:13 vs THW Kiel D29:29 (16:11)

ı 36 ı Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Positon Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight Gls 19 Luc Abalo FRA Right Wing 9/6/84 Creteil, FRA 182 86 28 88 Titouan Afanou Gatne FRA Right Back 1/27/95 Lyon, FRA 193 97 34 Clement Branco FRA Right Wing 8/25/96 Perpignan, FRA 190 85 17 Adrien Charlete FRA Centre Back 3/10/99 Saint-Pierre, FRA 183 84 85 Adrien Chaudanson FRA Line Player 12/1/98 Lyon, FRA 192 100 12 Rodal ESP Goalkeeper 1/24/91 Cangas, ESP 202 99 0 13 Jovo Damjanovic MNE Line Player 12/24/96 Niksic, MNE 199 109 0 33 Louis Despreaux FRA Right Back 2/22/99 Mont Saint Aignan, FRA 194 76 2 Robin Dourte FRA Line Player 6/30/98 Thionville, FRA 206 105 70 Clement Gaudin FRA Goalkeeper 3/13/97 Martgues, FRA 197 87 3 Uwe Gensheimer GER Lef Wing 10/26/86 Mannheim, GER 188 89 87 97 Andry Goujon Bellevue FRA Centre Back 9/2/99 Courtry, FRA 193 80 24 Mikkel Hansen DEN Lef Back 10/22/87 Helsingor, DEN 192 93 43 23 Gauthier Ivah FRA Goalkeeper 1/6/99 Saint-Denis, FRA 191 95 22 Luka Karabatc FRA Line Player 4/19/88 Strasbourg, FRA 202 108 23 44 Nikola Karabatc FRA Centre Back 4/11/84 Nis, FRA 196 104 65 9 Adama Keita FRA Lef Wing 6/5/97 Paris, FRA 183 77 9 20 Edouard Kempf FRA Right Wing 3/20/98 Mulhouse, FRA 178 76 17 11 Benoit Kounkoud FRA Right Wing 2/19/97 Versailles, FRA 188 78 27 5 Henrik Møllgaard Jensen DEN Line Player 1/2/85 Bramming, DEN 196 97 8 99 Dylan Nahi FRA Lef Wing 11/30/99 Paris, FRA 192 94 4 25 Daniel Narcisse C FRA Lef Back 12/16/79 St Dennis-Reunion, FRA 189 92 12 36 SWE Line Player 9/30/89 Norrköping, SWE 200 110 27 27 Sadou Ntanzi FRA Centre Back 1/7/00 Longjumeau, FRA 183 71 16 Thierry Omeyer FRA Goalkeeper 11/2/76 Mulhouse, FRA 192 93 0 18 Nedim Remili FRA Right Back 7/18/95 Creteil, FRA 195 94 65 10 Sander Sagosen NOR Lef Back 9/14/95 Stavanger, NOR 195 92 61 7 Luka Stepancic CRO Right Back 11/20/90 Pula, CRO 203 105 17 21 Jonathan Troudart FRA Line Player 1/15/96 Fort de France, FRA 194 82

Noka Serdarusic coach • born in Yugoslavia, became a German citzen in 2008 • came out of retrement in 2012 to coach Aix, then moved to PSG in 2015 • does not speak French, only German, but since many players in PSG have played in Germany before it seems to be no problem • his previous coaching experience includes 11 seasons with THW Kiel and three with SG Flensburg-Handewit

EC Trophies : CL 2007, EHF Cup 1998, 2002, 2004

ı 37 ı Thierry Omeyer goalkeeper • voted ‘best goalkeeper in history’ by fans in an online poll by the IHF • returned to Montpellier from Kiel for the 2013/14 season, then moved to PSG in the summer of 2014, where he plans to retre afer the 2018/19 season • MVP of the World Championship 2015 in Qatar • IHF Player of the Year 2008, and All-star goalkeeper of the 2008 and 2012 , the EHF EURO 2006, and the 2011 and 2015 World Championships EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016; EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008; WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2003, 2005

Uwe Gensheimer lef wing • joined Paris in the summer of 2016 afer playing for German side Rhein-Neckar Löwen for 13 seasons • fnished the 2016/17 season as top goal scorer in both the French league and the Champions League • has been top scorer of the Champions League twice (2016/17 and 2010/11), and on both occasions his team booked a place at the FINAL4 in Cologne

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016

Mikkel Hansen lef back • selected as IHF World Handball Player of the Year in 2011 and 2015; MVP at the 2016 Olympic Games and WCh 2013 • member of the All-star Team at the 2016 Olympic Games, the WCh 2011, the EURO 2012, 2014 and 2018, and the CL in 2014, 2015 and 2017 • fnished as top scorer of the CL in 2012 and 2016, as well as at the WCh 2011 • son of former Danish internatonal Flemming, having grown into a top player at GOG • his trademark headbands have become a collector item among PSG fans

OG: G 2016, EURO: G 2012, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013

Nikola Karabatc lef back / centre back • 2007, 2014 and 2016 World Handball Player of the Year – one of just two players in history to win the award three tmes • one of the most complete players, with strengths in both atack and defence • won the Champions League with all his previous teams but has yet to do so with Paris, despite two trips to Cologne with the French side

EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2015 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016; WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2003, 2005; EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, 2018

ı 38 ı Sander Sagosen centre back / lef back • at 22, Sagosen has already won two major awards at internatonal tournaments: best centre back at the EHF EURO 2016 and All-star lef back at the World Championship 2017 • fag waver for the new Norwegian generaton; a key player in winning the naton’s historic frst medal at a men’s handball event, the World Championship 2017 • scouted by many top clubs before signing for Aalborg in 2014, then moved to Paris ahead of the 2017/18 season • the move to Paris was obviously motvated by the club opportunity, but the chance to live with his girlfriend, Norwegian player Hannah Ofedal, was another important factor WCh: S 2017

Luka Karabatc line player • was a natonal-level tennis player untl the age of 19, before choosing handball • began in Montpellier, moved to Aix, then joined PSG in 2015 • PSG is the third club where he plays alongside his brother, Nikola

OG: S 2016, EURO: G 2014, B 2018, WCh: G 2015, 2017

Nedim Remili right back • All-star right back at the World Championship 2017 • signed with PSG in the summer of 2016 afer spending all his career in Créteil • his father, Kamel, was a professional handball player in Créteil, while his older brother is a professional football player • scored 81 goals in 18 games in his debut CL season as one of the top 10 scorers • made his frst appearance with the France natonal team in January 2016 and won his maiden ttle one year later

WCh: G 2017, EURO: B 2018

Luc Abalo right wing • began his career in Ivry, then moved to Spain and Atletco Madrid before becoming one of the frst stars to join Paris in 2012 • visited the FINAL4 fve tmes but has yet to come back with the trophy • won the Champions League ttle in 2009 (before the FINAL4 format), playing with Ciudad Real • remains one of the best in his positon at the age of 33, thanks to his high jumps and shootng tricks EC trophies: CL 2009 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, 2018, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2017

ı 39 ı Rodrigo Corrales goalkeeper • signed in Paris last summer afer playing for FC Barcelona and Wisla Plock • played his frst major tournament with Spain at the World Championship 2017 before winning the EHF EURO 2018 in Croata • son of Spanish fsherman, his hobbies include visitng museums and libraries

EURO: G 2018

Dylan Nahi lef wing • made debut in PSG main team three years ago at age 15 • played two whole CL seasons but only signed his frst professional contract in March • his idols are Danish lef wing Anders Eggert and PSG teammate Luc Abalo • became youngest ever French natonal team player at 17 years, 10 months, in October 2017

Adama Keita lef wing • started the season with PSG’s B-team in the French third division, scoring more than 10 goals in average per game • coach Noka Serdarusic had him join the club’s main squad mid-season • older brother Mahamadou is also a professional handball player in France - with Ivry

Henrik Møllgaard lef back • started his career at Ribe HK, once a traditonal club in the Danish top fight • played for various Danish sides, including Kolding, Aalborg and Skjern • moved to PSG in 2015 afer fnishing third with Skjern at the EHF Cup Finals in Berlin • strong and experienced defender, who also plays a valuable role in the Danish natonal team • will head back to his natve Denmark afer the season

EURO: S 2014, WCh: S 2013, OG: G 2016

ı 40 ı Jesper Nielsen line player • joined PSG in 2016 from Berlin but will head back to Germany next season to play for Rhein-Neckar Löwen • started his career with Swedish side IK Sävehof and gained his frst CL experience there • won the EHF Cup with Füchse in 2015

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2015 EURO: S 2018

Daniel Narcisse centre back • will make ffh visit to Cologne: his third with PSG afer winning twice with THW Kiel, in 2010 and 2012 • named IHF World Handball Player of the Year in 2012 • nicknamed ‘Air France’ because of his jumping skills • a year afer ending his internatonal career, Narcisse will completely retre as a player afer the season

EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2015, 2017, B 2003, 2005

Luka Stepancic right back • one of the most excitng players from the Zagreb academy joined PSG in the summer of 2016 • more than two-metre-tall lefhander with great jump shot and ability to play in defence • key player for the Croatan natonal team, won bronze at WCh 2013 in Spain • won gold at the 2009 Junior WCh in Tunisia

EURO: B 2016, WCh: B 2013

Benoit Kounkoud right wing • was just 19 when playing for France at the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland, then the youngest player to be called up since Nikola Karabatc • progression is vastly helped by Luc Abalo, his partner on the right wing • latest of the talents emerging from Reunion Island, where Daniel Narcisse and Jackson Richardson were born

ı 41 ı Semi-fnal 2 Preview

HC Vardar vs Montpellier HB Saturday 26 May, 18:00 hrs Referees: Jonas Eliasson and Anton Palsson / ISL EHF Delegates: Viktor Konopliastyi / UKR Miroslaw Baum / POL

Vardar hope to end champions’ curse in Cologne

Two weeks afer Györ became the frst team to win Montpellier are the frst ever team to make it all the Women’s Champions League twice in a row under the way to Cologne afer startng the season in the the FINAL4 format, Vardar are hoping to repeat that Groups C/D. They defeated Leon in the play-ofs and feat at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. eliminated record champions Barcelona in the Last On their mission to raise the trophy again, the 16 before routng Flensburg. Vardar had the easier Macedonian side will face Montpellier, who claimed way to the quarter-fnal as they skipped the Last 16 as the ttle back in 2003. winners of Group A. • Montpellier are having their debut at the VELUX Since Kiel’s partcipaton in 2013, no defending EHF FINAL4 champions qualifed for the pinnacle event the following season, let alone won the ttle again. • Montpellier can set up the third FINAL4 fnal with Vardar have completed the frst part of that mission, two teams from the same country and obviously want the take the next step as well. • Vardar can become the frst team to successfully If they succeed, their Croatan right wing, Ivan Cupic, defend their trophy at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 becomes the frst player since the golden Barcelona Irina Dibirova fnished her last big match as the coach generaton in the 1990s to win the Champions League of Vardar’s women's team in tears afer losing to Györ trophy three tmes in a row, afer he won it with Kielce again in the EHF Champions League Final in Budapest. in 2016 and with Vardar last year. Two weeks later, her husband, Vardar player Timur On the other side, Montpellier’s young gun Melvyn Dibirov, is eager to bring another trophy home to Richardson can follow his father, Jackson, who won Skopje. the Champions League in 2001 with Portland San The Russian wing is currently best scorer of the Antonio. And Portland were also Montpellier’s fnal defending champions and he will face another opponent on that magic night in May 2003, when the outstanding lef wing in Vardar’s frst match: French side made up a 27:19 defeat from the frst leg Montpellier’s French internatonal Michael Guigou. with a thumping 31:19 victory, stll the biggest winning Both semi-fnalists ended the dreams of German margin in any Men’s EHF Champions League Final. opponents in the quarter-fnals - but in contrastng Statstcs give Vardar the edge: they met Montpellier ways. Vardar clinched their second straight VELUX in the group phase of the 2014/15 and 2015/16 EHF FINAL4 berth thanks to the away-goal rule afer seasons and won three of those four matches, with a 29:28 away win in Kiel and a 28:27 home defeat the remaining match ending in a draw. against the three-tme champions. But Montpellier “We will be the underdogs in Cologne, but that demolished 2014 champions Flensburg by a 12-goal doesn’t mean we will not have any ambitons. If you win (29:17) in the second leg afer a draw in Germany. go to a FINAL4, it is to win it. It will be tough, but I am sure all four teams will have equal chances,” Montpellier coach Patrice Canayer says.

ı 42 ı For him, qualifcaton for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 “Vardar are champions and we need to defend the is a personal reward for his 24th season at the same ttle in Cologne,” he says. “We have to focus only on club, the longest period in European club handball. the things that will happen on the court. But there are Canayer steered MHB to the triumph in 2003, which no favourite teams in the fnal tournament.” is stll the only trophy won by a male French team in Gonzalaz likes to repeat the achievement by fellow any European Cup competton. In 2014, Canayer and Spanish coach Ambros Martn, who helped Györ win Montpellier lost the EHF Cup Final in Berlin against the women’s ttle two weeks ago before moving to a Pick Szeged. new club - in Martn’s case Rostov-Don. If Montpellier advance, the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will Not only Gonzalez, but several players will leave get its third fnal between two teams from the Vardar, like Arpad Sterbik (Veszprém), Luka Cindric same naton since its inauguraton in 2010. It also (Kielce), and Joan Canellas (Szeged), putng even happened in 2011 (Barcelona vs Ciudad Real) and 2014 more pressure on the team to do well in Cologne now (Flensburg vs Kiel). as they might not get another chance next year. If Vardar advance, they know they will face another French team as PSG and Nantes contest the other semi-fnal. Coach Raul Gonzalez will be full of motvaton, as he will take over from Noka Serdarusic at PSG next season.

Montpellier HB vs HC Vardar 0-1-3 (111:128) 1:7 19.10.2014 Montpellier Agglomeraton HB vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 34:34 (19:17) 14.02.2015 HC Vardar vs Montpellier Agglomeraton HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 30:26 (18:13) 20.09.2015 Montpellier HB vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 25:30 (12:9) 05.03.2016 HC Vardar vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 34:26 (17:17)

ı 43 ı HC Vardar

1 coach - Raul Gonzales - will move from one FINAL4 partcipant (Vardar) to another (Paris). 1 Vardar player - Arpad Sterbik - is the only former IHF Player of the Year competng at the FINAL4, who is not playing for Paris 2 tmes Vardar eliminated a German side in the quarter-fnal, when they made it to Cologne, last year it was Flensburg. 4 tmes Vardar goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik has won the EHF Champions League so far: 2005/06, 2007/08 and 2008/09 with Ciudad Real, 2016/17 with Vardar Skopje. Besides, he played three more Champions League fnals with three Club Address diferent clubs: Veszprém (2002), Ciudad Real (2006) and Atletco Madrid (2012). HC Vardar Marko Savovski 4 tmes Vardar have won the multnatonal SEHA Gazprom League (2012, 2014, BUL 8 mi Septemvri 20 2017, 2018) to be the record champions of the competton. FYR Macedonia 8 diferent natons are represented in the Vardar squad: MKD, SRB, MNE, ESP, CRO, RUS, BRA, LAT. Media contact 12 tmes including the current season, Vardar have been part of the EHF Biljana Crvenkoska Champions League. +38971247214 15 players of last season’s victorious squad are stll playing for Vardar. The only [email protected] big name who lef was (now Kielce). 23 points in 16 matches (10 victories - 3 draws - 3 defeats) were enough for rkvardar.com.mk Vardar to make it to Cologne. 56 goals in two legs of the quarter-fnal were enough for Vardar to make it to Cologne. rkvardar 68 goals were scored by Timur Dibirov so far to be Vardar’s top scorer ahead of @HCVardar Vuko Borozan (65), Luka Cindric (53).

TOP SCORERS Past achievements Timur Dibirov 68 VELUX EHF Champions League Vuko Borozan 65 Partcipatons (including 2017/18 season): 12 Luka Cindric 53 Winners (1): 2016/17 Dainis Kristopans 49 Quarter-fnal (3): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Ivan Cupic 43 Last 32 (1): 1999/2000 Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10 Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-fnals 1998/99, 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-fnals 2006/07 SEHA league: 4 ttles (2012, 2014, 2017, 2018) Macedonian league: 11 ttles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017) Macedonian cup: 12 ttles

ı 44 ı EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 31:15 (14:8) v IFK Kristanstad SWE (h), 02.12.2017 Biggest defeat 41:19 (19:8) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.10.2003 Longest winning run 8 matches (12.03.2017 – 01.10.2017) Longest unbeaten run 15 matches (12.03.2017 – 02.12.2017) 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 40 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 40:34W (h), 12.11.2016 Most goals opponent 41 v FC Barcelona ESP 41:19L (a), 18.10.2003 Most goals both teams 74 v IFK Kristanstad SWE 38:36W (h), 20.02.2016 74 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 40:34W (h), 12.11.2016 Fewest goals 12 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004 Fewest goals opponent 15 v IFK Kristanstad SWE 15:31W (h), 02.12.2017 Fewest goals both teams 38 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004

EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached

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-fnals 2014/15 HC Vardar MKD 14 8 1 5 421:396 +25 17:11 1/4-fnals 2015/16 HC Vardar MKD 18 10 2 6 527:486 +41 22:14 1/4-fnals 2016/17 HC Vardar MKD 18 14 0 4 523:477 +46 28:8 Winner 2017/18 HC Vardar MKD 16 10 3 3 446:397 +49 23:9 FINAL4 Total 120 55 14 51 3292:3340 –48 124:116

ı 45 ı

Quarter-fnal results Natons represented in the squad: 8 @ THW Kiel W28:29 (12:14) MKD 6 vs THW Kiel L27:28 (13:13) SRB 4 ESP 3 Last 16 results CRO 3 bye RUS 2 MNE 1 Group Phase results BRA 1 @ Orlen Wisla Plock W22:26 (9:13) LAT 1 vs HBC Nantes W27:23 (14:10) vs HC PPD Zagreb W28:21 (13:10) @ MOL-Pick Szeged D26:26 (14:13) Former EHF Champions League winners vs FC Barcelona Lassa W27:24 (16:12) Arpad Sterbik @ IFK Kristanstad W23:26 (10:15) Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09, HC Vardar 2016/17 @ HC PPD Zagreb W23:29 (10:15) Ivan Cupic vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W30:26 (17:13 Kielce 2015/16, HC Vardar 2016/17 @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen D21:21 (11:11) Ilija Abutovic, Vuko Borozan, Joan Canellas, vs IFK Kristanstad W31:15 (14:8) Luka Cindric, Timur Dibirov, Rogerio Moraes, @ FC Barcelona Lassa L29:28 (15:14) Igor Karacic, , Mijailo Marsenic, Strahinja Milic, Vlado Nedanovski, Daniil Shishkarev, vs MOL-Pick Szeged W34:30 (16:14) Stojanche Stoilov (all HC Vardar 2016/17) @ HBC Nantes L27:26 (18:12) vs Orlen Wisla Plock D31:31 (16:16)

ı 46 ı Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Positon Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight Gls 20 Ilija Abutovic SRB Lef Back 8/2/88 Vrbas, SRB 202 100 1 34 Vuko Borozan MNE Lef Back 4/9/94 Cetnje, MNE 203 105 65 21 Joan Cañellas Reixach ESP Lef Back 9/30/86 St. Maria de Palau, ESP 198 100 21 25 Luka Cindric CRO Centre Back 7/5/93 Ogulin, CRO 182 90 53 27 Ivan Cupic CRO Right Wing 3/27/86 Metkovic, CRO 178 78 43 31 Timur Dibirov RUS Lef Wing 7/30/83 Petrozavodsk, RUS 180 74 68 13 Rogerio Ferreira Moraes BRA Line Player 1/11/94 Abaetetuba, BRA 204 118 25 16 Daniel Gjorgjeski MKD Goalkeeper 12/3/93 Gostvar, MKD 189 84 0 18 Igor Karacic CRO Centre Back 11/2/88 Mostar, CRO 198 87 27 30 Marko Kizic MKD Goalkeeper 1/22/01 Skopje, MKD 190 80 10 Dainis Kristopans LAT Right Back 9/27/90 Ludza, LAT 215 135 49 15 Jorge Maqueda Pena ESP Right Back 2/6/88 Toledo, ESP 197 105 32 93 Mijajlo Marsenic SRB Line Player 3/9/93 Berane, SRB 203 110 9 12 Strahinja Milic SRB Goalkeeper 12/22/90 Pristna, SRB 200 132 0 7 Vlado Nedanovski MKD Lef Wing 6/23/85 Resen, MKD 187 93 1 77 Toshe Onchev MKD Lef Wing 12/27/96 Veles, MKD 183 85 9 Martn Popovski MKD Right Wing 8/26/94 Stp, MKD 177 75 1 33 Daniil Shishkarev RUS Right Wing 7/6/88 Kustanay, RUS 190 85 30 1 Arpad Sterbik Capar ESP Goalkeeper 11/20/79 , SRB 200 119 0 5 Stojanche Stoilov C MKD Line Player 4/30/87 Skopje, MKD 192 110 17 37 Janja Vojvodic SRB Centre Back 5/31/95 Vrbas, SRB 180 72 4

Raul Gonzalez Guterrez coach • former stalwart of BM Valladolid and a member of the Spanish natonal team • started his coaching carrier at Atletco Madrid and Ciudad Real working in team with Talant Dujshebaev • replaced Zoran Kastratovic early in the 2013/14 season at Vardar • successor of Lino Cevar at the helm of the Macedonian natonal team • voted as best coach for the 2016/17 CL All-star Team • won the CL in his frst partcipaton in the VELUX EHF FINAL4

EC trophies: CL 2017

ı 47 ı Arpad Sterbik goalkeeper • one of the world’s best goalkeepers, who holds Hungarian, Serbian and Spanish citzenship • signed four-year contract with Vardar afer 10 seasons spent in Spain, moving from Barcelona in 2014 • received dozens of internatonal awards, including 2005 IHF World Handball Player of the Year, MVP of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017, and best goalkeeper of the Spanish league fve tmes

EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, 2017 WCh: G 2013, B 1999, B 2001, B 2011; EURO: G 2018, S 2016

Timur Dibirov lef wing • joined Vardar in 2013 as only the second club in his career, afer playing with Chekhovskie Medvedi for nine years • reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010 with Chekhovskie, fnishing fourth • a key player in the Russia natonal team; voted best lef wing at the World Championship 2013 • specialises in fast breaks and is also key in defence • married to one of the greatest Russian players, Irina Poltoratskaya, who coached Vardar’s women’s team to two straight CL fnals - in 2017 and 2018

EC trophies: CL 2017, Cup Winners' Cup 2006

Vuko Borozan lef back • made his way through the youth ranks at RK Lovcen, which has bred some of Montenegro’s fnest • made his senior debut in 2012 for Croatan side HRK Karlovac, before rising to acclaim at then Bundesliga outit TuS N-Lübbecke before joining Metalurg for the 2014/15 season • a towering sharpshooter widely regarded among the fnest Montenegrin talents ever • made his EHF EURO debut in 2014, aged only 20 as the youngest Montenegro player • was voted Montenegrin Sportsperson of the Year in 2017

EC trophies: CL 2017

Joan Canellas centre back • top scorer of the EHF EURO 2014 (50 goals in eight matches) • Spanish champion and cup winner with Barcelona and Ciudad Real twice (2011, 2012) • CL fnalist with Ciudad Real and Atletco Madrid – the clubs with which he also won the IHF Super Globe twice (2010 with Ciudad Real, 2012 with Madrid) • came in 2016 from Kiel and signed a three-year contract

EC trophies: CL 2017 WCh G 2013, B 2011, EURO: G 2018, B 2014, S 2016

ı 48 ı Luka Cindric centre back • played football untl he was 15, turned down an ofer from leading club Dinamo Zagreb, instead he started playing handball in his hometown Ogulin • has also played for Senj, Karlovac and Metalurg • was top scorer of the Croatan league 2012/13 with 243 goals in 33 matches for Karlovac • his father is a handball coach

EC trophies: CL 2017 EURO: B 2016

Stojanche Stoilov line player • frst choice on the line player positon in the Macedonian natonal team • joined Vardar in 2010 from rivals Metalurg, following a brief spell with Odorheiu Secuiesc – a step that saw his career reach new heights • played a brilliant tournament at the EHF EURO 2012 where his team fnished ffh • shares his playing tme with Mijajlo Marsenic and Rogerio Ferreira Moraes

EC trophies: CL 2017 EURO: S 2016

Dainis Kristopans right back • born in a small Latvian town, Ludza, he started his career at local club Latgols • moved to Tatran Presov at the age of 18 and stayed in Slovakia for almost six years, winning the natonal league fve tmes • lef Tatran in February 2015 and spent a few months in Qatar before joining Brest • at 2.15 metres, he is the tallest player not only for Vardar but, together with Angel Montoro, in the whole CL • signed a three-year contract with Vardar in October 2016, and joined the team for the 2017/18 season

Ivan Cupic right wing • second top goal scorer at the London 2012 Olympics • named in the All-Star Team at the World Championship 2009 • despite losing one fnger in an accident in 2008, has remained an important player for his club teams and the Croata natonal side • signed a four-year contract with Vardar in 2016 • frst player to win the EHF FINAL4 two years in a row, with Kielce (2016) and Vardar (2017)

EC trophies: CL 2016, 2017 OG: B 2012; WCh: S 2009, B 2013; EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, 2016

ı 49 ı Strahinja Milic goalkeeper • his imposing appearance has earned him the nickname ‘Jumbo,’ which even his mother uses • made his senior debut at boyhood club Partzan before moving to Silkeborg in 2008 • underwent knee surgery twice in the same year, then revived his career at Partzan and moved to Skopje in 2012 • one of the youngest players ever to represent Serbia, making his natonal team debut aged 16 • joining Vardar made one of his dreams come true – playing alongside his idol Arpad Sterbik

EC trophies: CL 2017

Vlado Nedanovski lef wing • currently in his 11th season with Vardar but in the meantme also played for Metalurg and Pelister • has occasional appearances for the Macedonian natonal team • the 32-year-old lef wing’s contract with Vardar expires in July 2018

EC trophies: CL 2017

Ilija Abutovic lef back / defence • rose to naton-wide acclaim during three seasons with Partzan Belgrade, before a season abroad at Slovenian top fight RD Slovan • among the frst signings made by Veselin Vujovic upon taking over Vardar in 2011 • arrival at Vardar was a defning moment of his career, changing to a defensive-minded playing style and becoming one of Europe’s best defenders • regular Serbian natonal team member since his debut in 2014

EC trophies: CL 2017

Igor Karacic centre back • voted as a player of the SEHA League 2012/13 All-star Team • a fast and tough player, excelling in one-on-one situatons • scored 62 goals on the way to the CL Last 16 with Bosna Sarajevo in 2010/11 • born in Mostar, he plays for the Croatan natonal team, while his brother Ivan plays for Bosnia-Herzegovina

EC trophies: CL 2017 EURO: B 2016

ı 50 ı Mijajlo Marsenic line player • his frst club in Macedonian handball was Metalurg. Also played for Partzan, and won the Serbian league with them twice • joined Vardar in the 2016/17 season • made his debut for the senior natonal team during an unsuccessful qualifcaton campaign for the WCh 2015 in Qatar

EC trophies: CL 2017

Rogerio Moraes line player • frst Brazilian player to compete in the Macedonian championship • won silver at the 2014 World University Championship • played for Brazil at the World Championship 2017 in France • joined Vardar in the summer of 2016, afer playing at Kiel and Altenholtz

EC trophies: CL 2017

Jorge Maqueda right back • arrived in Skopje at the beginning of the 2015/16 season and signed a two-year contract • before his arrival in Vardar he played for Barcelona, Alcobendas, Aragon and Nantes • the world class defender never played at the EHF FINAL4 before but was part of the inaugural EHF Cup Finals 2013 in Nantes, fnishing runners-up to the hostng team

EC trophies: CL 2017 EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: G 2013, B 2011

Daniil Shishkarev right wing • with his frst club Zarja Kaspija Astrakhan he played in three diferent club compettons: EHF Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and CL • Russian natonal team wing, arrived in Skopje in 2014. • played for Chekovskie Medvedi between 2009 and 2014, winning numerous ttles in Russia • has played more than 80 matches for the Russian natonal team

EC trophies: CL 2017

ı 51 ı Montpellier HB

0 tmes before, Montpellier qualifed for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 - in 2010, they failed in the one and only quarter-fnal penalty shoot-out against Chekhovskie Medvedi. 1 Jonas Truchanovicius (Montpellier) will be the frst ever Lithuanian at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 1 team, Montpellier, made another debut, arriving as the frst ever from Groups C/D at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 1 Montpellier are stll the only French male club to win any European Cup competton, the 2003 Champions League. Club Address Montpellier HB 1 son can follow his famous father: Melvyn Richardson. His father Jackson (former Centre Jean Paul Lacombe World Player of the Year and world champion) took the Champions League - 1000 trophy with Portland San Antonio. 34090 Montpellier 20 tmes Montpellier are part of the EHF Champions League including this season. France 23 seasons, including the current one, Patrice Canayer has led Montpellier HB. 27 points in 16 matches (12 victories - 1 draw - 3 defeats) is Montpellier’s Media contact outcome this season. Suzy De Monte +33 499 610 358 56 goals were scored by Valentn Porte to be Montpellier’s top scorer ahead of s.demonte@ Jonas Truchanovicius and Melvyn Richardson (both 54). montpellierhandball.com +60 is the impressive goal diference of Montpellier afer 16 VELUX EHF Champions League matches so far.

montpellierhandball.com TOP SCORERS Past achievements

MHB - Montpellier Handball Valentn Porte 56 VELUX EHF Champions League Melvyn Richardson 54 Partcipatons (including 2017/18 season): 20 @mhbofciel Jonas Truchanovicius 54 Winners (1): 2002/03 Vid Kavtcnik 53 Semi-fnal (1): 2004/05 Michael Guigou 47 Quarter-fnal (5): 2000/01, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2016/17 Last 16 (6): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2016/17 Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, 2012/13 Qualifcaton (1): 2013/14 Other EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter-fnal: 1996/97 Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95 Last 32: 1997/98 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-fnal 2001/02 French league: 14 ttles (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) French cup: 13 ttles

ı 52 ı EHF Champions League club records

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 8 matches (15.10.2016 – 04.03.2017) 8 matches (16.09.2017 – 19.11.2017) Longest unbeaten run 11 matches (15.10.2016 – 02.04.2017) Longest losing run 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) Longest run without win 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) 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

EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached

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-fnals 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-fnals 2005/06 Montpellier HB FRA 10 6 0 4 282:272 +10 12:8 1/4-fnals 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-fnals 2010/11 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 14 10 0 4 442:379 +63 20:8 1/4-fnals 2011/12 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 12 6 0 6 357:357 0 12:12 Last 16 2012/13 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 10 2 2 6 301:311 –10 6:14 5th Gr. A 2014/15 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 12 4 2 6 351:377 –26 10:14 Last 16 2015/16 Montpellier HB FRA 16 3 1 12 429:472 –43 7:25 Last 16 2016/17 Montpellier HB FRA 16 11 1 4 476:425 +51 23:9 1/4-fnals 2017/18 Montpellier HB FRA 16 12 1 3 470:410 +60 25:7 FINAL4 Total 202 115 13 74 5823:5509 +314 243:161

ı 53 ı

Quarter-fnal results Natons represented in the squad: 8 @ SG Flensburg-Handewit D28:28 (17:15) FRA 20 vs SG Flensburg-Handewit W29:17 (14:9) SUI 2 TUN 2 Last 16 results ITA 2 vs FC Barcelona Lassa W28:25 (13:13) @ FC Barcelona Lassa L30:28 (15:14) ARG 1 LTU 1 C+D Elimination round SLO 1 @ Abanca Ademar Leon W24:28 (12:14) EGY 1 vs Abanca Ademar Leon W20:19 (13:8)

Group Phase results vs HC Metalurg W32:22 (19:11) Former EHF Champions League winners @ Chekhovskie Medvedi W24:28 (13:14) Michael Guigou vs HC Motor Zaporozhye W28:20 (18:13) Montpellier 2002/03 @ Besiktas Mogaz HT W32:36 (16:20) Vid Kavtcnik Kiel 2006/2007 @ Sportng CP W29:33 (11:19) vs Sportng CP W33:32 (16:17) @ HC Metalurg W21:27 (14:16) vs Chekhovskie Medvedi W34:23 (15:11) vs Besiktas Mogaz HT L28:33 (14:19) @ HC Motor Zaporozhye L31:30 (14:12)

ı 54 ı Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Positon Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight Gls 33 Benjamin Afgour FRA Line Player 4/1/91 Rethel, FRA 195 110 26 21 Nassim Bellahcene FRA Right Back 1/9/98 Montpellier, FRA 190 95 29 Arnaud Bingo FRA Lef Wing 10/12/87 Lyon, FRA 190 80 12 24 Baptste Bonnefond FRA Lef Back 1/22/93 Lyon, FRA 193 97 21 13 Julien Bos FRA Right Wing 8/18/98 PESSAC, FRA 188 80 0 6 Theophile Causse FRA Right Wing 10/12/92 Port au Prince, HAI 180 73 27 27 Ludovic Fabregas FRA Line Player 7/1/96 Perpignan, FRA 198 100 23 25 Jean Loup Faustn FRA Centre Back 3/23/95 Montpellier, FRA 185 85 9 1 Vincent Gerard FRA Goalkeeper 12/16/86 Woippy, FRA 189 104 1 10 Mathieu Grebille FRA Lef Back 10/6/91 Paris, FRA 198 98 14 Michael Guigou C FRA Lef Wing 1/28/82 Apt, FRA 180 78 47 2 Ilies Hakiki FRA Line Player 10/9/98 Montpellier, FRA 193 97 0 15 Antoine Jonnier FRA Line Player 8/18/98 LIBOURNE, FRA 198 100 23 Vid Kavtcnik SLO Right Back 5/24/84 GRADEC, SLO 191 90 53 89 Mohamed Mamdouh A. S. EGY Line Player 4/1/89 Caire, EGY 193 100 6 26 Marius May SUI Centre Back 7/3/99 Genève, SUI 187 81 30 Marco Mengon ITA Centre Back 1/3/00 Trento, ITA 192 83 31 Simone Mengon ITA Centre Back 1/3/00 Trento, ITA 190 85 3 Theo Muller FRA Right Wing 7/13/00 Montpellier, FRA 183 73 98 Rubens Pierre FRA Goalkeeper 5/14/99 Confans-Sainte-Honorine, FRA 203 107 28 Valentn Porte FRA Right Back 9/7/90 Versailles, FRA 190 92 56 16 Nikola Portner SUI Goalkeeper 11/19/93 Lyon, SUI 194 90 3 22 Melvyn Richardson FRA Right Back 1/31/97 Marseille, FRA 190 85 54 97 Maxime Savonne FRA Goalkeeper 1/11/97 Nimes , FRA 195 85 4 Diego Simonet ARG Centre Back 12/26/89 Buenos Aires, ARG 189 89 32 32 Mathias Sisavath FRA Lef Wing 7/12/99 Montpellier, FRA 184 81 39 Mohamed Soussi TUN Lef Back 1/17/93 Nabeul, TUN 195 98 19 9 Aymen Toumi TUN Right Wing 7/11/90 Sousse, TUN 184 85 23 7 Jonas Truchanovicius LTU Lef Back 6/24/93 Siauliai, LTU 203 96 54 5 Kyllian Villeminot FRA Centre Back 5/20/98 Lyon , FRA 189 80 4

Patrice Canayer coach • currently in his 23rd 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 Karabatc, Thierry Omeyer, Jerome Fernandez and Didier Dinart • in his actve career played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris

EC trophies: CL 2003

ı 55 ı Vincent Gerard goalkeeper • formed in Montpellier, then moved to Istres, Dunkerque, before coming back in the south of France in 2015 • will join Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 • his exuberant celebratons have instantly made him a fan favourite • was elected best goalkeeper at the home World Championship 2017 • is French No. 1 goalkeeper since Thierry Omeyer’s internatonal retrement

OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2017, Euro: B 2018

Michael Guigou lef wing • player with the longest Montpellier history, going into his 18th season with the club • has become less a scorer and more a playmaker over the years since he is able to play as a centre back • only player of the CL-winning squad from 2003 stll playing in Montpellier • his recent seasons have been marred by injuries

EC trophies: CL 2003 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2018, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2005

Baptste Bonnefond lef back • joined from Villeurbanne in 2010 and has since not played for another team • sufered many serious injuries, including a knee injury which kept him out for an entre year • made his frst natonal team appearance late 2015 but was not called up again untl March 2018

Jonas Truchanovicius lef back • one of few Lithuanian players to ever play the CL, and now the frst to reach the FINAL4 • arrived in the summer of 2016 and quickly adapted to the demanding Montpellier style of play • best at the lef back positon but can also help at the centre back • proved his potental this season with excellent performances against teams like Barcelona and Flensburg-Handewit

ı 56 ı Diego Simonet centre back • his two brothers, Sebastan and Pablo, are also professional handball players. Sebastan has also played in the CL this season, with Ademar Leon • sufered a knee injury which lef him on the side line for eight months in 2016/17, but came back just in tme and played a key role in the Last 16 win against Kielce • prone to injury due to his style of atack that puts him right in the defensive line • has been elected Argentnian Handball Player of the Year four tmes and is a key member of the natonal team

Ludovic Fabregas line player • stll only 21, one of the key players of the golden French generaton including Timothey N’guessan, and Yanis Lenne • out injured for three months this season and missed EHF EURO 2018 in Croata • All-star Team line player in the CL 2016/17 • will join Barcelona this summer • youth European and world champion in mountain biking before turning to handball at the age of 15

OG: S 2016, WCh G 2017

Valentn Porte right back • arrived in Montpellier in 2016 and reached the CL Quarter-fnals in his debut season • played on the right wing untl 2014 when then natonal team coach placed him on the back court, with great success • rose to prominence during EHF EURO 2014, scoring 16 goals in semi-fnal and fnal • golf afcionado, having learned a lot from his teammates, like FC Barcelona goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas

OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2015, 2017, EURO: G 2014, B 2018

Vid Kavtcnik right back • one of few Montpellier players to have won the CL - with Kiel in 2007 • former right wing, evolved into a right back who can also play in the middle of the atack if needed • only player remaining from the Slovenian era at Montpellier, when he played with the likes of Dragan Gajic and • his experience in crucial games can become key to Montpellier’s performance at the FINAL4 EC trophies: CL 2007 WCh: B 2017, EURO: S 2004

ı 57 ı Nikola Portner goalkeeper • son of three-tme CL winner Zlatko Portner (twice with Metaloplastka Sabac, once with FC Barcelona) • born in France but has a Swiss passport and spent most of his youth in Switzerland • played for Bern and Kadeten Schafausen before signing with Montpellier in 2016 • has extended his contract with the French side untl 2022

Arnaud Bingo lef wing • spent most of his professional career in Tremblay, which he led to the Cup Winners' Cup Final in 2011 • one of the few Montpellier players to have played at the LANXESS arena before as that Cup Winners’ Cup Final took place in Cologne • athletcism and speed in fast-breaks are his trademarks • was part of the French team who won the World Championship in 2011

WCh: G 2011

Mohamed Soussi lef back • talented player who, at age 25, is a key member of the Tunisian natonal team • one of the two Tunisian players at Montpellier this season, alongside right wing Aymen Toumi • arrived last season in France, and has already convinced the club’s management to extend is contract • helped Tunisia win their 10th African Championship in Gabon this year

Benjamin Afgour line player • played for Dunkerque for eight seasons before joining Montpellier last summer • reached the EHF Cup Final 2012 with his previous club • EHF EURO 2018 in Croata was his frst major tournament with France, coming home with a bronze medal

EURO: B 2018

ı 58 ı Mohamed Mamdouh line player • joined Montpellier mid-season from Aix-en-Provence • one of three Egyptan players to compete in the French top league • has made it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in his frst ever CL season

Jean-Loup Faustn centre back • most recent in a series of talented players to emerge from Montpellier • mostly used as an aggressive defender since his ability to steal balls is impressive • can play all positons in atack, from centre back to lef wing to line player • comes from the Montpellier area and is one of the local players on the roster

Melvyn Richardson right back • son of Jackson Richardson, 2001 CL winner with Portland San Antonio • was instrumental to Montpellier’s success as he perfectly replaced the injured Valentn Porte • at his best on the back court but also able to play on the wing, from where he scored nine tmes in domestc league game this season • played for the frst tme with the French team in June 2017

Théophile Caussé right wing • born in Hait, he was adopted by a French family when he was four • played rugby union before turning to handball as a teenager, making his debuts in the French frst league aged 17 • signed with Montpellier in 2016 to play CL more regularly afer previously playing in the competton with Dunkerque

ı 59 ı VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 Player Game Log

GURBINDO MARTINEZ, Eduardo ESP 6 matches / 9 goals Goals 2min 01.06.2013 SF FC Barcelona Intersport ESP vs KS Vive Targi Kielce POL W 28:23 3 2’ 02.06.2013 F FC Barcelona Intersport ESP vs HSV Hamburg GER L 29:30aet 3 2’ 31.05.2014 SF FC Barcelona ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewit GER L 39:41a7m 0 0 01.06.2014 3/4 FC Barcelona ESP vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 26:25 0 0 30.05.2015 SF FC Barcelona ESP vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL W 33:28 0 0 31.05.2015 F FC Barcelona ESP vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 28:23 3 0

KLEIN, Dominik GER 10/13 29.05.2010 SF THW Kiel GER vs BM Ciudad Real ESP W 29:27 2 4’ 30.05.2010 F THW Kiel GER vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP W 36:34 5 0 26.05.2012 SF THW Kiel GER vs Füchse Berlin GER W 25:24 0 0 27.05.2012 F THW Kiel GER vs BM Atletco Madrid ESP W 26:21 3 2’ 01.06.2013 SF THW Kiel GER vs HSV Hamburg GER L 33:39 0 0 02.06.2013 3/4 THW Kiel GER vs KS Vive Targi Kielce POL L 30:31 1 0 31.05.2014 SF THW Kiel GER vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 29:26 0 0 01.06.2014 F THW Kiel GER vs SG Flensburg-Handewit GER L 28:30 0 0 28.05.2016 SF THW Kiel GER vs MVM Veszprém HUN L 28:31 1 0 29.05.2016 3/4 THW Kiel GER vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA L 27:29 1 0

LAZAROV, Kiril MKD 10/51 28.05.2011 SF Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP vs HSV Hamburg GER W 28:23 5 0 29.05.2011 F Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP L 24:27 5 0 26.05.2012 SF BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs AG Kobenhavn DEN W 25:23 11 0 27.05.2012 F BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 21:26 5 0 31.05.2014 SF FC Barcelona ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewit GER L 39:41a7m 6 0 01.06.2014 3/4 FC Barcelona ESP vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 26:25 3 0 Players not applicable 30.05.2015 SF FC Barcelona ESP vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL W 33:28 7 0 31.05.2015 F FC Barcelona ESP vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 28:23 0 0 AUFFRET, Lucien GER 03.06.2017 SF FC Barcelona Lassa ESP vs HC Vardar MKD L 25:26 6 0 04.06.2017 3/4 FC Barcelona Lassa ESP vs Telekom Veszprém HUN L 30:34 3 0 BACHELE, Valentn FRA BALAGUER ROMEU, David ESP

BURIC, Senjamin BIH ABALO, Luc FRA 10 matches/30 goals Goals 2min CLAIRE, Nicolas FRA 29.05.2010 SF BM Ciudad Real ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 27:29 2 0 30.05.2010 3/4 BM Ciudad Real ESP vs Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS W 36:28 4 0 DUMOULIN, Cyril FRA 28.05.2011 SF Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP vs HSV Hamburg GER W 28:23 6 2’ 29.05.2011 F Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP L 24:27 3 0 EMONET, Julian FRA 26.05.2012 SF BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs AG Kobenhavn DEN W 25:23 1 0 FALUVEGI, Rudolf HUN 27.05.2012 F BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 21:26 4 2’ 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 3 0 FAUVET, Leo FRA 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 2 0 FELIHO, Rock FRA 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 2 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 3 0 GUILLO, Romaric FRA HANSEN, Espen Lie NOR GENSHEIMER, Uwe GER 4/19 28.05.2011 SF Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP L 28:30 7 0 IMARE, Edson FRA LAGARDE, Romain FRA LAUGIER, Arthur FRA MATIABA-TUZOLANA, Michel Junior FRA MATULIC, Jerko CRO MOALI. Alexandre FRA NYOKAS, Guy Olivier FRA PECHMALBEC, Dragan FRA PETRAUD, Lucas FRA SAURINA, Guillaume FRA SCOTT, James Junior FRA SIFFERT, Arnaud FRA TOURNAT, Nicolas FRA WEISS, Lucas FRA

ı 60 ı 29.05.2011 3/4 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER vs HSV Hamburg GER L 31:33 3 0 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 7 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 2 0

HANSEN, Mikkel DEN 8/42 29.05.2010 SF FC Barcelona Borges ESP vs Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS W 34:27 2 0 30.05.2010 F FC Barcelona Borges ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 34:36 1 0 26.05.2012 SF AG Kobenhavn DEN vs BM Atletco Madrid ESP L 23:25 4 0 27.05.2012 3/4 AG Kobenhavn DEN vs Füchse Berlin GER W 26:21 4 2’ 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 10 0 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 10 2’ 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 7 2’ 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 4 2’

KARABATIC, Luka FRA 4/3 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 1 2’ 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 1 2’ 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 1 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 0 4’

KARABATIC, Nikola FRA 8/31 31.05.2014 SF FC Barcelona ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewit GER L 39:41a7m 5 4’ 01.06.2014 3/4 FC Barcelona ESP vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 26:25 4 0 30.05.2015 SF FC Barcelona ESP vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL W 33:28 8 4’ 31.05.2015 F FC Barcelona ESP vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 28:23 6 2’ 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 2 2’ 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 0 0 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 1 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 5 2’

KOUNKOUD, Benoit FRA 4/3 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 0 0 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 3 2’ 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 0 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 0 0

MØLLGAARD JENSEN, Henrik DEN 4/1 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 1 0 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 0 2’ 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 0 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 0 0

NAHI, Dylan FRA 2/0 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 0 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 0 0

NARCISSE, Daniel FRA 10/31 29.05.2010 SF THW Kiel GER vs BM Ciudad Real ESP W 29:27 3 0 Players not applicable 30.05.2010 F THW Kiel GER vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP W 36:34 4 0 26.05.2012 SF THW Kiel GER vs Füchse Berlin GER W 25:24 2 4’ AFANOU GATINE, Titouan FRA 27.05.2012 F THW Kiel GER vs BM Atletco Madrid ESP W 26:21 2 0 BRANCO, Clement FRA 01.06.2013 SF THW Kiel GER vs HSV Hamburg GER L 33:39 4 2’ 02.06.2013 3/4 THW Kiel GER vs KS Vive Targi Kielce POL L 30:31 3 0 CHARLETTE, Adrien FRA 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 1 0 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 5 0 CHAUDANSON, Adrien FRA 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 3 0 CORRALES RODAL, Rodrigo ESP 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 4 0

DAMJANOVIC, Jovo MNE NIELSEN, Jesper SWE 2/2 DESPREAUX, Louis FRA 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 2 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 0 0 DOURTE, Robin FRA GAUDIN, Clement FRA OMEYER, Thierry FRA 10/0 29.05.2010 SF THW Kiel GER vs BM Ciudad Real ESP W 29:27 0 0 GOUJON BELLEVUE, Andry FRA 30.05.2010 F THW Kiel GER vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP W 36:34 0 0 IVAH, Gauthier FRA 26.05.2012 SF THW Kiel GER vs Füchse Berlin GER W 25:24 0 0 27.05.2012 F THW Kiel GER vs BM Atletco Madrid ESP W 26:21 0 0 KEITA, Adama FRA 01.06.2013 SF THW Kiel GER vs HSV Hamburg GER L 33:39 0 0 KEMPF, Edouard FRA 02.06.2013 3/4 THW Kiel GER vs KS Vive Targi Kielce POL L 30:31 0 0 NTANZI, Sadou FRA 28.05.2016 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 0 0 29.05.2016 3/4 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs THW Kiel GER W 29:27 0 0 SAGOSEN, Sander NOR 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 0 0 TROUDART, Jonathan FRA 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 0 0

ı 61 ı REMILI, Nedim FRA 2/6 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 3 2’ 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 3 0

STEPANCIC, Luka CRO 2/3 03.06.2017 SF Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs Telekom Veszprém HUN W 27:26 1 0 04.06.2017 F Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA vs HC Vardar MKD L 23:24 2 0

ABUTOVIC, Ilija SRB 2 matches / 1 goal Goals 2min 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 1 2’

BOROZAN, Vuko MNE 2/8 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 5 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 3 2’

CAÑELLAS REIXACH, Joan 12/23 29.05.2010 SF BM Ciudad Real ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 27:29 1 2’ 30.05.2010 3/4 BM Ciudad Real ESP vs Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS W 36:28 3 0 28.05.2011 SF Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP vs HSV Hamburg GER W 28:23 2 0 29.05.2011 F Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP L 24:27 2 0 26.05.2012 SF BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs AG Kobenhavn DEN W 25:23 3 0 27.05.2012 F BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 21:26 3 0 30.05.2015 SF THW Kiel GER vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN L 27:31 5 0 31.05.2015 3/4 THW Kiel GER vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL L 26:28 0 0 28.05.2016 SF THW Kiel GER vs MVM Veszprém HUN L 28:31 0 2’ 29.05.2016 3/4 THW Kiel GER vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA L 27:29 2 0 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 2 2’

CINDRIC, Luka CRO 2/7 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 4 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 3 0

CUPIC, Ivan CRO 10/31 28.05.2011 SF Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER vs FC Barcelona Borges ESP L 28:30 4 0 29.05.2011 3/4 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER vs HSV Hamburg GER L 31:33 2 0 01.06.2013 SF KS Vive Targi Kielce POL vs FC Barcelona Intersport ESP L 23:28 2 0 02.06.2013 3/4 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL vs THW Kiel GER W 31:30 7 2’ 30.05.2015 SF KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL vs FC Barcelona ESP L 28:33 3 0 31.05.2015 3/4 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL vs THW Kiel GER W 28:26 1 0 28.05.2016 SF KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 28:26 2 0 29.05.2016 F KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL vs MVM Veszprém HUN W 39:38a7m 0 0 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 7 2’ 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 3 0

DIBIROV, Timur RUS 4/17 29.05.2010 SF Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS vs FC Barcelona Borges L 27:34 5 0 30.05.2010 3/4 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS vs BM Ciudad Real ESP L 28:36 6 2’ 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 6 0

FERREIRA MORAES, Rogerio BRA 3/0 28.05.2016 SF THW Kiel GER vs MVM Veszprém HUN L 28:31 0 0 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 0 0

KARACIC, Igor CRO 2/2 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 2 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 0 0

Players not applicable MAQUEDA PENA, Jorge ESP 2/1 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 1 2’ GJORGJESKI, Daniel MKD 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 0 0 KIZIC, Marko MKD MARSENIC, Mijajlo SRB 2/1 KRISTOPANS, Dainis LAT 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 NEDANOVSKI, Vlado MKD 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 1 0 ONCHEV, Toshe MKD MILIC, Strahinja SRB 2/0 POPOVSKI, Martn MKD 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 VOJVODIC, Janja SRB 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 0 0

ı 62 ı SHISHKAREV, Daniil RUS 4/4 29.05.2010 SF Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS vs FC Barcelona Borges L 27:34 0 0 30.05.2010 3/4 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS vs BM Ciudad Real ESP L 28:36 1 0 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 3 2’

STERBIK CAPAR, Arpad ESP 11/0 29.05.2010 SF BM Ciudad Real ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 27:29 0 0 30.05.2010 3/4 BM Ciudad Real ESP vs Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS W 36:28 0 0 28.05.2011 SF Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP vs HSV Hamburg GER W 28:23 0 0 26.05.2012 SF BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs AG Kobenhavn DEN W 25:23 0 0 27.05.2012 F BM Atletco Madrid ESP vs THW Kiel GER L 21:26 0 0 01.06.2013 SF FC Barcelona Intersport ESP vs KS Vive Targi Kielce POL W 28:23 0 0 02.06.2013 F FC Barcelona Intersport ESP vs HSV Hamburg GER L 29:30aet 0 0 31.05.2014 SF FC Barcelona ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewit GER L 39:41a7m 0 0 01.06.2014 3/4 FC Barcelona ESP vs MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN W 26:25 0 0 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 0 0

STOILOV, Stojanche MKD 2/0 03.06.2017 SF HC Vardar MKD vs FC Barcelona Lassa ESP W 26:25 0 0 04.06.2017 F HC Vardar MKD vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA W 24:23 0 0

AFGOUR, Benjamin FRA N/A MENGON, Marco ITA N/A

BELLAHCENE, Nassim FRA N/A MENGON, Simone ITA N/A

BINGO, Arnaud FRA N/A MULLER, Theo FRA N/A

BONNEFOND, Baptste FRA N/A PIERRE, Rubens FRA N/A

BOS, Julien FRA N/A PORTE, Valentn FRA N/A

CAUSSE, Theophile FRA N/A PORTNER, Nikola SUI N/A

FABREGAS, Ludovic FRA N/A RICHARDSON, Melvyn FRA N/A

FAUSTIN, Jean Loup N/A SAVONNE, Maxime FRA N/A

GERARD, Vincent FRA N/A SIMONET, Diego ARG N/A

GREBILLE, Mathieu FRA N/A SISAVATH, Mathias FRA N/A

GUIGOU, Michael FRA N/A SOUSSI, Mohamed TUN N/A

HAKIKI, Ilies FRA N/A TOUMI, Aymen TUN N/A

JONNIER, Antoine FRA N/A TRUCHANOVICIUS, Jonas LTU N/A

KAVTICNIK, Vid SLO N/A VILLEMINOT, Kyllian FRA N/A

MAMDOUH ASHEM SHEBIB, Mohamed EGY N/A

MAY, Marius SUI N/A

ı 63 ı Final matches

3/4 Placement Match Final Loser Semi-fnal 1 vs Loser Semi-fnal 2 Winner Semi-fnal 1 vs Winner Semi-fnal 2 Sunday 27 May, 15:15 hrs Sunday 27 May, 18:00 hrs Referees: Referees: Bojan Lah and David Sok / SLO Oscar Raluy Lopez and Angel Sabroso Ramirez / ESP

Top scorers afer quarter-fnals

Rank Player Club Goals 1 Markuss Olsson (SWE) Skjern Handbold (DEN) 88 2 Uwe Gensheimer (GER) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 87 3 Andre Schmid (SUI) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 83 4 Alex Dujshebaev (ESP) PGE Vive Kielce (POL) 79 5 Mate Lekai (HUN) Telekom Veszprém HC (HUN) 75 6 Michal Jurecki (POL) PGE Vive Kielce (POL) 74 Eduardo Gurbindo (ESP) HBC Nantes (FRA) 74 (NOR) Skjern Handbold (DEN) 74 9 Dika Mem (FRA) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) 73 10 Momir Ilic (SRB) Telekom Veszprém HC (HUN) 71 11 (SWE) SG Flensburg-Handewit (GER) 70 Kasper Sondergaard (DEN) Skjern Handbold (DEN) 70 13 (SWE) IFK Kristanstad (SWE) 69 Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) 69 (GER) THW Kiel (GER) 69 16 Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar (MKD) 68 (GER) SG Flensburg-Handewit (GER) 68 Karol Bielecki (POL) PGE Vive Kielce (POL) 68 Nicolas Tournat (FRA) HBC Nantes (FRA) 68 20 Valero Rivera (ESP) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) 66 (SWE) THW Kiel (GER) 66

(Bold text indicates players that are stll actve in the competton.)

ı 64 ı Potential head-to-head stats

Head-to-head stats in the EC compettons Montpellier HB vs HBC Nantes 2-0-0 (59:49) 4:0 21.04.2014 HBC Nantes vs Montpellier Agglomeraton HB, EHF Cup – Quarter-fnal 25:26 (13:15) 27.04.2014 Montpellier Agglomeraton HB vs HBC Nantes, EHF Cup – Quarter-fnal 33:24 (17:9)

Montpellier HB vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball No previous encounters in European compettons

HBC Nantes vs HC Vardar 1-0-1 (50:53) 2:2 23.09.2017 HC Vardar vs HBC Nantes, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 27:23 (14:10) 25.02.2018 HBC Nantes vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 27:26 (18:12)

Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Vardar 1-1-1 (82:73) 3:3 13.10.2013 HC Vardar – Skopje vs PSG Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 24:24 (9:12) 22.02.2014 PSG Handball vs HC Vardar – Skopje, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C 35:25 (15:12) 04.06.2017 Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Vardar, VELUX EHF Champions League FINAL4 – Final 23:24 (12:11)

Head-to-head stats in domestc compettons Montpellier HB vs HBC Nantes 22-3-6 (since 2008)

Montpellier HB vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 42-5-18 (since 1993)

ı 65 ı Get the full experience – download the App.

The handball world at your f ngert p. The of cial VELUX EHF FINAL4 App unites all important and interest ng informat on about the weekend from the event area to matches, fan act vit es and much more. Make sure to download it from your app store start ng 2 May 2018 and see what it has to of er.

Available on: Important regulations

What follows if a match ends in a draw All matches of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 shall be played in • If the scores are equal afer the frst round of 2 x 30 minutes with a half-tme break of 15 minutes. penalty throws, it shall be contnued untl a If a semi-fnal match or the fnal (place 1/2) ends in a decision is reached. In the second round, the other draw, there will be a fve-minute break followed by one team shall start. Again fve players shall be named extra tme of 2 x 5 minutes, there will be a one minute who are eligible to play (the players named before break at half-tme for the changeover of teams. may be named once again). If the 3/4 Placement Match ends in a draw, there shall • In the second round, a decision is reached when a be no extra tme, the match will be decided directly by goal diference arises afer both teams have taken penalty throws. one throw each. If penalty throws are needed to decide the match, the • Eligible players are players entered in the match procedure is as follows: report that have not been disqualifed or suspended at the tme of the fnal whistle. • Prior to the penalty throws, each team shall name fve players eligible to play at the end of the match • Serious infractons commited during penalty by handing the referees a list of numbers. These throws shall be sanctoned by disqualifcaton. players shall then take one throw each, alternatng If a thrower is disqualifed or sufers an injury, with their opponents. Each team is free to an eligible substtute player shall be determine the sequence in which throwers will supplementary named. take their throws. • While the throws are being taken, only the player • The goalkeepers may be freely selected from the taking the throw, the current goalkeeper and the match report and exchanged in accordance with referees may enter the respectve half of the the Rules of the Game. Goalkeepers may take playing court. throws and throwers may perform as goalkeepers. • If the number of eligible players falls below fve, • At the Technical Meetng the teams will be players may be named to take a second throw in informed at which goal the penalty throws will be the same round. taken. The team taking the frst penalty throw shall be determined by the referees by drawing lots. The team winning the draw may choose whether it wishes to throw frst or last.

Technology in use at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 iBall The VELUX EHF FINAL4 will be the frst major event in European sport to be played with new tracking technology enabling the distributon of data in real tme. Each game will be played with the SELECT / KINEXON iBall. Goal-line cameras The system uses special wide-angle cameras fxed to the crossbar to give a complete picture of the goal-line and at the request of the referee, the awarding of a goal can be checked on a video replay. Goal-light An LED light installed behind the goal will light up at the same tme as the buzzer sounds for team tme-outs and at the end of each half. Instant replay Referees will also have the opportunity - in certain match situatons - to refer to an instant video replay to aid their decision making. Buzzer For the frst tme in the VELUX EHF Champions League history, the European Handball Federaton will give teams the opportunity to request a team tmeout by hitng a buzzer on an electronic device instead of putng the well-known green card on the ofcials’ table. The electronic team tmeout is connected to the ofcial scoreboard and hitng its buzzer will directly stop the tme. Additonally, an audio signal will make all partes aware that a tmeout has been requested.

ı 67 ı VELUX EHF FINAL4 RECORDS 2010-2017

Top Scorers (25 goals and more) MP Goals Matches Played (10 and more) Filip Jicha (Kiel, Barcelona) 12 56 Momir Ilic (Kiel, Veszprém) 14 Momir Ilic (Kiel, Veszprém) 14 56 Aron Palmarsson (Kiel, Veszprém) 14 Jose Maria Rodriguez Vaquero (Ciudad Real, Madrid, Kiril Lazarov (Ciudad Real, Madrid, Barcelona) 10 51 Veszprém) 14 Laszlo Nagy (Barcelona, Veszprém) 12 51 Joan Cañellas Reixach (Ciudad Real, Madrid, Kiel, Vardar) 12 Aron Palmarsson (Kiel, Veszprém) 14 48 Filip Jicha (Kiel, Barcelona) 12 Siarhei Rutenka (Barcelona) 10 47 de Argila (Ciudad Real, Barcelona) 12 Juan Antonio Garcia Lorenzana (Barcelona) 8 44 Laszlo Nagy (Barcelona, Veszprém) 12 Mikkel Hansen (Barcelona, Kobenhavn, Paris) 8 42 Christan Sprenger (Kiel) 12 Victor Tomas Gonzalez (Barcelona) 12 40 Victor Tomas Gonzalez (Barcelona) 12 Jesper Brian Nöddesbo (Barcelona) 11 38 Jesper Brian Nöddesbo (Barcelona) 11 Arpad Sterbik Capar (Ciudad Real, Madrid, Barcelona, Vardar) 11 Marko Vujin (Kiel) 8 37 Luc Abalo (Ciudad Real, Madrid,Paris) 10 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (Rhein-Neckar, Ivan Cupic (Rhein-Neckar, Kielce, Vardar) 10 Kobenhavn, Kiel, Barcelona) 10 36 Niclas Ekberg (Kobenhavn, Kiel) 10 (Hamburg, Kiel) 8 35 Raul Entrerrios Rodriguez (Barcelona) 10 Karol Bielecki (Rhein-Neckar, Kielce) 8 34 Dominik Klein (Kiel) 10 Nikola Karabatc (Barcelona, Paris) 8 31 Kiril Lazarov (Ciudad Real, Madrid, Barcelona) 10 Ivan Cupic (Rhein-Neckar, Kielce, Vardar) 10 31 Daniel Narcisse (Kiel, Paris) 10 Daniel Narcisse (Kiel, Paris) 10 31 Thierry Omeyer (Kiel, Paris) 10 Luc Abalo (Ciudad Real, Madrid, Paris) 10 30 (Kiel) 10 Akizu (Ciudad Real, Siarhei Rutenka (Barcelona) 10 Madrid, Kielce) 9 27 Danijel Saric (Barcelona) 10 Niclas Ekberg (Kobenhavn, Kiel) 10 26 Daniel Sarmiento Melian (Barcelona) 10 Raul Entrerrios Rodriguez (Barcelona) 10 25 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (Rhein-Neckar, Kobenhavn, Kiel, Barcelona) 10 Cedric Sorhaindo (Barcelona) 10 Cristan Ugalde Garcia (Barcelona, Veszprém) 10 Christan Zeitz (Kiel, Veszprém) 10

Disqualifcatons at VELUX EHF FINAL4

Garcia Roberto Parrondo (BM Atletco Madrid) 27.05.2012 THW Kiel vs BM Atletco Madrid 26:21 Denis Buntc (KS Vive Targi Kielce) 02.06.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel 31:30 Renato Sulic (MKB-MVM Veszprém) 31.05.2014 MKB-MVM Veszprém vs THW Kiel 26:29 Renato Sulic (MKB-MVM Veszprém) 30.05.2015 THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 27:31 Piotr Chrapkowski (KS Vive Tauron Kielce) 31.05.2015 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs THW Kiel 28:26 Domagoj Duvnjak (THW Kiel) 31.05.2015 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs THW Kiel 28:26 Mateusz Kus (KS Vive Tauron Kielce) 28.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 28:26 Igor Vori (Paris Saint-Germain Handball) 28.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 28:26

ı 68 ı Most goals in one game Juan Garcia Lorenzana 13 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel 34:36 Filip Jicha 11 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel 34:36 Filip Jicha 11 26.05.2012 Füchse Berlin vs THW Kiel 24:25 Kiril Lazarov 11 26.05.2012 BM Atletco Madrid vs AG Kobenhavn 25:23 Domagoj Duvnjak 11 01.06.2013 THW Kiel vs HSV Hamburg 33:39 Siarhei Rutenka 11 01.06.2014 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 26:25 Marko Vujin 10 01.06.2013 THW Kiel vs HSV Hamburg 33:39 Mikkel Hansen 10 28.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 28:26 Mikkel Hansen 10 29.05.2016 Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs THW Kiel 29:27 Aron Palmarsson 9 30.05.2015 THW Kiel vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 27:31 Karol Bielecki 9 31.05.2015 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs THW Kiel 28:26 9 29.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprém 39:38

Most goals in the fnal (10 goals and more) – also pre-FINAL4 years Siarhei Rutenka 13 18.04.2004 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewit 34:28 Juan Garcia Lorenzana 13 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel 34:36 Olafur Stefansson 12 11.05.2008 THW Kiel vs BM Ciudad Real 25:31 Nenad Perunicic 11 22.04.2000 THW Kiel vs FC Barcelona 28:25 Nikola Karabatc 11 26.04.2003 Portland San Antonio vs Montpellier HB 27:19 Michael Guigou 11 04.05.2003 Montpellier HB vs Portland San Antonio 31:19 Lars Christansen 11 24.04.2004 SG Flensburg-Handewit vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko 30:28 Siarhei Rutenka 11 24.04.2004 SG Flensburg-Handewit vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko 30:28 Jonas Källman 11 11.05.2008 THW Kiel vs BM Ciudad Real 25:31 Filip Jicha 11 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel 34:36 Mikail Jakimovich 10 26.04.2003 Portland San Antonio vs Montpellier HB 27:19

All-tme ranking VELUX EHF FINAL4 1. FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 12 7 0 5 363:345 +18 14:10 2. THW Kiel GER 12 5 0 7 344:351 -7 10:14 3. KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 6 4 0 2 177:181 -4 8:4 4. HSV Hamburg GER 4 3 0 1 125:121 +4 6:2 5. BM Atletco Madrid ESP 6 3 0 3 161:156 +5 6:6 6. Telekom Veszprém HUN 8 3 0 5 234:234 0 6:10 7. SG Flensburg-Handewit GER 2 2 0 0 71:67 +4 4:0 8. HC Vardar MKD 2 2 0 0 50:48 +2 4:0 9. Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 4 2 0 2 105:105 0 4:4 10. AG Kobenhavn DEN 2 1 0 1 49:46 +3 2:2 11. Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 2 0 0 2 59:63 -4 0:4 12. Füchse Berlin GER 2 0 0 2 45:51 -6 0:4 13. Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 2 0 0 2 55:70 -15 0:4

ı 69 ı Most goals in one match 41 31.05.2014 SG Flensburg-Handewit vs FC Barcelona 39:41 afer 7m shootout HSV Hamburg scored 39 goals on 1 June 2013 in the regular playing tme of the semi-fnal game THW Kiel vs HSV Hamburg 33:39 (16:19)

Most goals in one match both teams 80 31.05.2014 FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewit 39:41 afer 7m shootout THW Kiel and HSV Hamburg scored 72 goals on 1 June 2013 in the regular playing tme of a semi-fnal game 33:39 (16:19)

Least goals in one match 21 27.05.2012 Füchse Berlin vs AG Kobenhavn 21:26 21 27.05.2012 BM Atletco Madrid vs THW Kiel 26:21 Most partcipatons at VELUX EHF FINAL4 Least goals in one match both teams (including this year) 47 27.05.2012 Füchse Berlin vs AG Kobenhavn 21:26 6 FC Barcelona Lassa 47 27.05.2012 THW Kiel vs BM Atletco Madrid 26:21 6 THW Kiel 47 04.06.2017 Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Vardar 23:24 4 Telekom Veszprém Biggest win 3 BM Atletco Madrid 3 KS Vive Tauron Kielce +8 30.05.2010 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs BM Ciudad Real 28:36 3 Paris Saint-Germain Handball Most goals at half-tme 2 HSV Hamburg 20 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel (20:17) 2 HC Vardar

Most goals at half-tme both teams 37 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel (20:17)

Least goals at half-tme 9 27.05.2012 Füchse Berlin vs AG Kobenhavn (9:13) 9 02.06.2013 HSV Hamburg vs FC Barcelona Intersport (11:9) 9 01.06.2014 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém (9:10)

Least goals at half-tme both teams 19 01.06.2014 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém (9:10)

Biggest gap at half-tme +7 02.06.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs THW Kiel (19:12)

Biggest change from half-tme score to full-tme score 6* 28.05.2016 THW Kiel vs MVM Veszprém 28:31 (15:12, 25:25) * afer OT1 5 29.05.2010 BM Ciudad Real vs THW Kiel 27:29 (15:12) 5 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel 34:36 (20:17) 5 26.05.2012 BM Atletco Madrid vs AG Kobenhavn 25:23 (12:15) 5** 29.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprém 39:38 (13:17, 29:29, 35:35) ** afer OT1 and 7m

Most penalty minutes at VELUX EHF FINAL4 18’ 28.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs PSG Handball 28:26

Most penalty minutes both teams at VELUX EHF FINAL4 30’ 27.05.2012 THW Kiel vs BM Atletco Madrid 26:21

ı 70 ı Least penalty minutes at VELUX EHF FINAL4 0 01.06.2014 FC Barcelona FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 26:25

Least penalty minutes both teams at VELUX EHF FINAL4 6’ 01.06.2014 FC Barcelona vs MKB-MVM Veszprém 26:25

Most 7m throws 11 29.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprém 39:38

Most 7m throws both teams 18 29.05.2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs MVM Veszprém 39:38

Least 7m throws 0 29.05.2010 THW Kiel vs BM Ciudad Real 27:29 0 01.06.2014 THW Kiel vs SG Flensburg-Handewit 30:28

Least 7m throws both teams 1 01.06.2014 SG Flensburg vs Handewit-THW Kiel 30:28

Most 7m throws scored 9 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel 34:36

Most 7m throws scored both teams 12 30.05.2010 FC Barcelona Borges vs THW Kiel 34:36

Least 7m throws scored 0 29.05.2010 THW Kiel BM Ciudad Real vs THW Kiel 27:29 0 31.05.2014 THW Kiel MKB-MVM Veszprém vs THW Kiel 26:29 0 01.06.2014 THW Kiel SG Flensburg-Handewit vs THW Kiel 30:28

Least 7m throws scored both teams 1 01.06.2014 SG Flensburg-Handewit vs THW Kiel 30:28

Most penalty minutes MP PIM Laszlo Nagy (Barcelona, Veszprém) 12 20’ Igor Vori (Hamburg, Paris) 5 14’ Renato Sulic (Veszprém) 7 14’ Nikola Karabatc (Barcelona, Paris) 8 14’ Istvan Timuzsin Schuch (Veszprém) 7 12’ Mirsad Terzic (Veszprém) 8 12’ Christan Zeitz (Kiel, Veszprém) 10 12’ Mateusz Kus (Kielce) 2 10’ Didier Dinart (Ciudad Real, Madrid) 6 10’ (Barcelona) 6 10’ Michal Jurecki (Kielce) 6 10’ Domagoj Duvnjak (Hamburg, Kiel) 8 10’ Rene Tof Hansen (Kobenhavn, Kiel) 8 10’ Patrick Wiencek (Kiel) 8 10’ Filip Jicha (Kiel, Barcelona) 12 10’

ı 71 ı Sterbik and Omeyer fght for ffh trophies FACTS AND FIGURES: The Vardar and PSG goalkeepers top the ranking of multple EHF Champions League winners on court at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 in Cologne

Can Vardar defend the ttle and stop the French armada at Nikola Karabatc could also break a record. The three-tme the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018? This is the major queston prior IHF World Player of the Year could be the frst player to win to the VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18’s pinnacle the trophy with four diferent clubs, afer his successes with event, where Vardar will face Montpellier in the semi-fnal, Montpellier (2003), Kiel (2007) and Barcelona (2015). and Paris Saint-Germain and HBC Nantes will duel for the Even the VELUX EHF FINAL4 debutants Nantes and second spot in the fnal. Montpellier count on previous EHF Champions League In terms of previous success, two goalkeepers are in focus: winners: Nantes’ German lef wing Dominik Klein, who will Arpad Sterbik (Vardar) and Thierry Omeyer (PSG) each have fnish his career afer this season, won the trophy three the chance to win their ffh individual EHF Champions tmes with Kiel – and will now face his former teammates League trophy. Both have made it to the winners’ podium Omeyer, Karabatc and Daniel Narcisse in what is his seventh four tmes with two clubs – Sterbik with Ciudad Real (2006, appearance in Cologne. 2008, 2009) and Vardar (2017), Omeyer with Montpellier Alongside Vardar’s 2017 champions, the second semi- (2003) and Kiel (2007, 2010, 2012). fnal features two previous Champions League winners: Four tmes, they have faced each other in the Champions Montpellier’s Vid Kavtcnik (2007 with Kiel) and Michael League Finals. Sterbik was victorious in 2008, 2009 and Guigou, who took the trophy in 2003 with the only club he 2017, while Omeyer’s only win against a team featuring has ever played for, together with Karabatc and Omeyer. Sterbik was in 2012. Looking at coaches, three of the four are former or current 11 players in history have won the trophy fve or more tmes EHF Champions League winners: Patrice Canayer steered – a list stll topped by Andrei Xepkin, who was part of all six Montpellier to the 2003 ttle, Noka Serdarusic (PSG) was Barcelona squads that took the trophy between 1996 and Kiel’s coach in 2007 and Raul Gonzalez was the mastermind 2005, and claimed his seventh trophy with Kiel in 2007. behind Vardar’s 2017 triumph. While Vardar are out to become the frst team to defend the In total, 23 former Champions League winners made it to ttle since the implementaton of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne – and six of them count more than one trophy on 2010, one player could enjoy an individual historic moment: their tally. Ivan Cupic. Vardar’s Croatan wing became the frst player to defend the ttle in Cologne last year afer raising the trophy with Kielce in 2016. Now, Cupic can become the frst to win the trophy for three consecutve years since the golden FC Barcelona generaton in the 1990s.

All multple EHF Champions League winners 5 ttles with 1 club 7 ttles with 2 clubs Enric Masip (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000) Andrei Xepkin (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2004/05, Kiel 2006/07) Inaki Urdangarin (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000) 6 ttles with 1 club (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, David Barrufet (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000) 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2004/05) Xavier O'Callaghan (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, Antonio Carlos Ortega (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2004/05) 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2004/05) 5 ttles with 2 clubs 6 ttles with 2 clubs Mateo Garralda (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, (Irun 1994/95, Barcelona 1995/96, 1997/98, 1998/99, San Antonio 2000/01) 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000) 5 ttles with 3 clubs 6 ttles with 3 clubs Jose Javier Hombrados (Santander 1993/94, San Siarhei Rutenka (Celje 2003/04, Ciudad Real 2007/08, Antonio 2000/01, Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, 2005/06, 2008/09, Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) 2008/09)

ı 72 ı 4 ttles with 3 clubs 3 ttles with 3 clubs Uros Zorman (Celje 2003/04, Ciudad Real 2007/08, Nikola Karabatc (Montpellier 2002/03, Kiel 2006/07, 2008/09, Kielce 2015/16) Barcelona 2014/15) 4 ttles with 2 clubs 2 ttles with 1 club Didier Dinart (Montpellier 2002/03, Ciudad Real Ales Pajovic (Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08) 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09) Roberto Garcia Parrondo (Ciudad Real 2007/08, 2008/09) Fernando Barbeito (Barcelona 1995/96, 1996/97, Alexandru Dedu (Barcelona 1997/98, 1998/99) 1997/98, San Antonio 2000/01) David Barbeito (Barcelona 1996/97, 1995/96) Olafur Stefansson (Magdeburg 2001/02, Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09) Demetrio Lozano (Barcelona 1998/99, 1999/2000) Thierry Omeyer (Montpellier 2002/03, Kiel 2006/07, (Barcelona 2004/05, 2010/11) 2009/10, 2011/12) Jesus Olalla (Barcelona 1996/97, 1995/96) Arpad Sterbik (Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, Juan Perez (Barcelona 1996/97, 1995/96) 2008/09, Vardar 2016/17) Laszlo Nagy (Barcelona 2004/05, 2010/11) 3 ttles with 1 club Quino Soler (Barcelona 1997/98, 1998/99) Alberto Entrerrios (Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, Andreas Palicka (Kiel 2009/10, 2011/12) 2008/09) Aron Palmarsson (Kiel 2009/10, 2011/12) David Davis (Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09) Christan Sprenger (Kiel 2009/10, 2011/12) Jonas Källman (Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, Daniel Narcisse (Kiel 2009/10, 2011/12) 2008/09) Filip Jicha (Kiel 2009/10, 2011/12) Petar Metlicic (Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, Momir Ilic (Kiel 2009/10, 2011/12) 2008/09) Aitor Arino (Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) Rolando Urios (Ciudad Real 2005/06, 2007/08, Raul Entrerrios (Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) 2008/09) Jesper Nöddesbo (Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) Christan Zeitz (Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12) Gonzalo Perez de Vargas (Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) Dominik Klein (Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12) Danijel Saric (Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) Henrik Lundström (Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12) Joan Saubich (Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) (Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12) Cedric Sorhaindo (Barcelona 2010/11, 2014/15) Marcus Ahlm (Kiel 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12) Jose Manuel Sierra (Barcelona 1997/98, 1998/99, 2 ttles with 2 clubs 1999/2000) Ivan Cupic (Kielce 2015/16; Vardar 2016/17) Josep Espar (Barcelona 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000) Dejan Peric (Celje 2003/04, Barcelona 2004/05) Patrik Cavar (Barcelona 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000) Jerome Fernandez (Barcelona 2004/05, Ciudad Real Roger Magrina (Barcelona 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000) 2008/09) Victor Tomas (Barcelona 2004/05, 2010/11, 2014/15) Lars Krogh Jeppesen (Barcelona 2004/05, Kiel 2006/07) 3 ttles with 2 clubs Mikhail Jakimovich (Santander 1993/94, San Antonio 2000/01) Viran Morros (Ciudad Real 2007/08, 2008/09, Nenad Perunicic (Irun 1994/95, Magdeburg 2001/02) Barcelona 2014/15) Oleg Kisselev (Irun 1994/95, San Antonio 2000/01) Tobias Reichmann (Kiel 2009/10, Kiel 2011/12, Kielce 2015/16) Juan Munoz (Santander 1993/94, Barcelona 1996/97) Matas Andersson (Kiel 2006/07, Flensburg 2013/14)

ı 73 ı ULTIMATE Completely controlled bounce. Extreme durability. Optimal roundness. Perfect grip and soft feel. Official match ball of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

select-sport.com Past winners

2017 HC Vardar MKD

2016 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL

2015 FC Barcelona ESP

2014 SG Flensburg-Handewit 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

ı 75 ı GET YOUR MERCHANDISE NOW! All-time EHF Champions League standings

Rank and Club MP W D L GF:GA GD PW:PL NS WP 1 FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 278 205 20 53 8513:7154 +1359 430:126 (21)* 77,34% 2 THW Kiel GER 276 184 18 74 8375:7417 +958 386:166 (21)* 69,93% 3 Telekom Veszprém HC HUN 258 173 14 71 7459:6720 +739 360:156 (22)* 69,77% 4 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 256 115 27 114 6684:6628 +56 257:255 (24)* 50,20% 5 Montpellier HB FRA 202 115 13 74 5823:5509 +314 243:161 (18)* 60,15% 6 SG Flensburg-Handewit GER 184 112 16 56 5468:5065 +403 240:128 (13)* 65,22% 7 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 216 107 14 95 6171:5927 +244 228:204 (20)* 52,78% 8 BM Atletco Madrid ESP 144 111 5 28 4502:3803 +699 227:61 (10) 78,82% 9 PGE Vive Kielce POL 144 83 13 48 4250:4065 +185 179:109 (11)* 62,15% 10 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 168 76 13 79 4650:4644 +6 165:171 (15)* 49,11% 11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 156 67 18 71 4690:4613 +77 152:160 (16)* 48,72% 12 HSV Hamburg GER 98 68 9 21 3088:2670 +418 145:51 (7) 73,98% 13 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 118 64 17 37 3492:3302 +190 145:91 (8)* 61,44% 14 Portland San Antonio ESP 100 64 6 30 2929:2594 +335 134:66 (9) 67,00% 15 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 96 62 7 27 2839:2636 +203 131:61 (7)* 68,23% 16 HC Vardar MKD 120 55 14 51 3292:3340 –48 124:116 (11)* 51,67% 17 Abanca Ademar Leon ESP 112 56 6 50 3188:3135 +53 118:106 (11)* 52,68% 18 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 118 54 9 55 3330:3361 -31 117:119 (12) 49,58% 19 HC Metalurg MKD 92 34 6 52 2270:2418 -148 74:110 (9)* 40,22% 20 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 110 30 10 70 2913:3183 –270 70:150 (11)* 31,82% 21 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 60 30 7 23 1757:1728 +29 67:53 (5)* 55,83% 22 Rk Gorenje Velenje SLO 72 32 1 39 2050:2046 +4 65:79 (7)* 45,14% 23 Kadeten Schafausen SUI 96 29 7 60 2686:2856 -170 65:127 (10)* 33,85% 24 Chambery Savoie Handball FRA 74 29 3 42 2028:2133 -105 61:87 (8) 41,22% 25 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 80 23 10 47 2172:2319 -147 56:104 (8)* 35,00% 28 HBC Nantes FRA 32 21 6 5 955:875 +80 48:16 (2)* 75,00% 29 Skjern Handbold DEN 42 20 5 17 1190:1120 +70 45:39 (4)* 53,57% 39 TATRAN Presov SVK 56 13 5 38 1504:1707 -203 31:81 (8)Q 27,68% 44 Besiktas Mogaz HT TUR 44 12 2 30 1203:1375 –172 26:62 (4)* 29,55% 45 Aalborg Handbold DEN 48 10 6 32 1281:1398 -117 26:70 (4)* 27,08% 47 Elverum Handball NOR 30 11 3 16 818:867 -49 25:35 (3)* 41,67% 50 IFK Kristanstad SWE 44 9 5 30 1191:1316 -125 23:65 (3)* 26,14% 62 Sportng CP POR 16 6 0 10 425:446 –21 12:20 (2)* 37,50% 64 Dinamo Bucurest ROU 26 5 2 19 720:816 -96 12:40 (3)* 23,08% 117 Alpla HC Hard AUT 6 0 0 6 138:180 -42 0:12 (1)Q 0,00% NR Cocks FIN 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0)Q 0,00%

EC / Men’s VELUX EHF Champions League 1993/94 – 2017/18 (Excluding qualifying matches) Last update 2018-04-29 (up to and including Men’s VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-fnal 2017/2018) The club name is the last used name in Men’s VELUX EHF Champions League competton

* = partcipatng in Men’s VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18 (partcipatons incl. this season) Q = qualifcaton Men’s VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18

ı 77 ı All-star Team vote

With the VELUX EHF Champions League 2017/18 Lef wing nearing its completon, handball fans have had their Uwe Gensheimer (GER) - Paris Saint-Germain Handball say once more on the selecton of the greatest stars of this season in the All-star Team votng. Valero Rivera (ESP) – FC Barcelona Lassa Like the past fve editons of the vote, this opportunity Timur Dibirov (RUS) - HC Vardar to choose the star selecton of the European top fight Manuel Strlek (CRO) - PGE Vive Kielce has generated a great deal of interest. Dominik Klein (GER) - HBC Nantes In its sixth year, the All-star team vote again asked the fans to cast their online ballots for 10 positons - the startng seven plus the best defender, the best coach and Lef back the best young player (born in 1995 or younger). There (SWE) - Skjern Handbold are fve nominees in the selecton for each positon. Michal Jurecki (POL) - PGE Vive Kielce Players and coaches from 16 clubs and from 15 natons in the current season have been selected. Vuko Borozan (MNE) - HC Vardar While fve members of the 2016/17 All-star team can Sander Sagosen (NOR) - Paris Saint-Germain Handball make it back to the elite company, there are no fewer Rasmus Lauge (DEN) - SG Flensburg-Handewit than 30 new names (60 percent) in the nominaton list. Votng is open untl Tuesday 22 May 2018 and a panel of selected handball journalists will also contribute to Centre back the fnal selecton. Andre Schmid (SUI) - Rhein-Neckar Löwen The All-star team will be announced on Friday 25 May Mate Lekai (HUN) - Telekom Veszprem HC on the eve of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 event in Cologne. Luka Cindric (CRO) - HC Vardar Fans who have partcipated in the vote can win some interestng prizes including an ofcial semi-fnal match (SLO) - THW Kiel ball, a signed jersey from one of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Nikola Karabatc (FRA) - Paris Saint-Germain Handball teams and ofcial Salming merchandise. Players have been nominated on the basis of their comprehensive performance throughout the season so Line player far; not just their goal-getng prowess, but also their Bjarte Myrhol (NOR) - Skjern Handbold performance in defence, the number of blocks, assists Patrick Wiencek (GER) - THW Kiel and reacton in crucial moments during each match. Nicolas Tournat (FRA) - HBC Nantes Julen Aguinagalde (ESP) - PGE Vive Kielce Rastko Stojkovic (SRB) - HC Meshkov Brest Goalkeeper Tibor Ivanisevic (SRB) - Skjern Handbold Right back Niklas Landin (DEN) - THW Kiel Dika Mem (FRA) – FC Barcelona Lassa Arpad Sterbik (ESP) - HC Vardar Albin Lagergren (SWE) - IFK Kristanstad Matas Andersson (SWE) - SG Flensburg-Handewit Alex Dujshebaev (ESP) - PGE Vive Kielce Vincent Gerard (FRA) - Montpellier Handball Holger Glandorf (GER) - SG Flensburg-Handewit Valentn Porte (FRA) - Montpellier Handball

ı 78 ı Right wing Young player Rene Rasmussen (DEN) - Skjern Handbold Dmitrii Santalov (RUS) - Chekhovskie Medvedi Niclas Ekberg (SWE) - THW Kiel Halil Jaganjac (CRO) - HC Metalurg David Balaguer (ESP) - HBC Nantes Bence Banhidi (HUN) - MOL-Pick Szeged Blaz Janc (SLO) - PGE Vive Kielce Romain Lagarde (FRA) - HBC Nantes Lasse Svan (DEN) - SG Flensburg-Handewit (AUT) - THW Kiel Defender Luka Karabatc (FRA) - Paris Saint-Germain Handball Coach Tobias Karlsson (SWE) - SG Flensburg-Handewit Patrice Canayer (FRA) - Montpellier Handball Viran Morros (ESP) – FC Barcelona Lassa Ole Norgaard (DEN) - Skjern Handbold Timuzsin Schuh (HUN) - Telekom Veszprem HC Raul Gonzalez (ESP) - HC Vardar Ilja Abutovic (SRB) - HC Vardar Maik Machulla (GER) - SG Flensburg-Handewit Thierry Ant (FRA) - HBC Nantes

Previous All-star Teams

Category 2016/17 2015/16 2014/15 2013/14 Goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas Niklas Landin Niklas Landin Lef wing Uwe Gensheimer Manuel Strlek Uwe Gensheimer Timur Dibirov Lef back Mikkel Hansen Momir Ilic Nikola Karabatc Momir Ilic Centre back Nikola Karabatc Dean Bombac Mikkel Hansen Mikkel Hansen Line player Ludovic Fabregas Rastko Stojkovic Renato Sulic Renato Sulic Right back Alex Dujshebaev Kiril Lazarov Kiril Lazarov Kiril Lazarov Right wing Victor Tomas Gasper Marguc Victor Tomas Luc Abalo Defender Luka Karabatc Timuzsin Schuch Rene Tof Hansen Timuzsin Schuch Young player Nedim Remili Darko Djukic Alex Dujshebaev N/A Coach Raul Gonzalez Xavi Sabate Talant Dusjhebaev N/A

Category 2012/13 Goalkeeper Darko Stanic Lef wing Anders Eggert Lef back Filip Jícha Centre back Daniel Narcisse Line player Julen Aguinagalde Right back Laszlo Nagy Right wing Ivan Cupic Defender Timuzsin Schuch Young player N/A Coach N/A

ı 79 ı What you need to know about the next season

The European club season 2017/18 is almost over and although handball fans have to wait almost 100 days for the next European Cup match acton, preparatons for the new season already started many months ago. Regulatons have been completed, playing systems confrmed and important dates set.

Creation of the starting line-up Member federatons of the EHF have to register their clubs eligible to take part in the European top fight by Tuesday 5 June. The VELUX EHF Champions League 2018/19 will be played in the same mode as this season with 28 teams. As always the distributon of places is a result of the EHF Ranking List which is a summary of the results in all three EHF club compettons of the seasons 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17. The current 2017/18 season is not considered for the EHF Ranking List, but it will be considered for the seeding of the new partcipants in the various compettons of 2018/19. The procedure for the awarding of additonal places and upgrades from the EHF Cup to the VELUX EHF Champions League remains unchanged. The EHF has approved a list of criteria that will be used as a tool to defne - on the one hand the awarding of upgrades for those federatons who will ask for it - and on the other hand the decision regarding the distributon of teams into Groups A or B (8 teams each) respectvely C or D (6 teams each). The criteria list consists of eight diferent felds (venue, TV, ranking in the domestc league, spectators, performance in past EHF club compettons, sponsoring potental, implementaton of dutes and regulatons and new media). Based on these criteria the EHF Executve Commitee meetng in Glasgow on Monday, 18 June will decide all upgrade requests and confrm 16 teams for Groups A and B and remaining teams for Groups C and D and for qualifcaton tournament(s), whose winner(s) will join the group phase in C and/or D.

2018/19 season – important dates

5 Jun 2018 deadline for all natonal federatons to submit their requests for upgrades in the VELUX EHF Champions League 2018/19 18 Jun 2018 the fnal list of partcipants for Groups A&B, Groups C&D and qualifcaton tournament(s) to be confrmed at the EHF EXEC meetng (Glasgow, UK) 29 Jun 2018 Qualifcaton and Group Phase draw 31 Aug –2 Sep 2018 Qualifcaton tournament(s) 12 – 16 Sep 2018 Group Phase Round 1 28 Nov–2 Dec 2018 Group Phase Round 10 (last round in 2018, last in Groups C&D) 6–10 Feb 2019 Group Phase Round 11 (frst in 2019) 20 Feb–3 Mar 2019 Groups C&D knockout phase 27 Feb–3 Mar 2019 Group Phase Round 14 (last round in Groups A&B) 20 – 31 Mar 2019 Last 16 24 Apr – 5 May 2019 Quarter-fnals 7 May 2019 VELUX EHF FINAL4 Draw 1–2 June 2019 VELUX EHF FINAL4 2019

ı 80 ı Men's European Cup Ranking 2018/19

Number of teams from each naton in Ranking details the various compettons Pos 2017/18 Move Pos 2018/19 Naton Ave Points Champions League EHF Cup Challenge Cup Total 1 1 GER 128.50 2 3 0 5 3 2 ESP 115.00 2 3 0 5 2 3 HUN 106.83 1 3 0 4 4 4 FRA 105.83 1 3 0 4 5 5 POL 75.71 1 3 0 4 6 6 DEN 63.33 1 3 0 4 8 7 MKD 51.22 1 3 0 4 9 8 CRO 42.25 1 2 1 4 10 9 POR 37.33 1 2 1 4 7 10 SLO 36.67 1 2 1 4 12 11 ROU 30.89 1 2 1 4 15 12 BLR 27.78 1 2 1 4 13 13 SUI 26.25 1 2 1 4 14 14 UKR 24.11 1 1 2 4 11 15 SWE 23.56 1 1 2 4 17 16 NOR 21.78 1 1 2 4 16 17 RUS 20.75 1 1 2 4 23 18 NED 14.25 1 1 2 4 18 19 SRB 13.44 1 1 2 4 27 20 ISL 12.67 1 1 2 4 19 21 CZE 12.57 1 1 2 4 20 22 SVK 12.56 1 1 2 4 24 23 TUR 11.11 1 1 2 4 22 24 FIN 10.50 1 1 2 4 31 25 ISR 9.67 1 1 2 4 21 26 BEL 9.56 1 1 2 4 25 27 AUT 8.89 1 1 2 4 30 28 LUX 7.33 0 1 3 4 26 29 GRE 7.22 0 1 3 4 28 30 EST 6.83 0 1 3 4 29 31 KOS 5.50 0 1 3 4 32 32 BIH 5.25 0 1 3 4 33 33 ITA 4.00 0 1 3 4 34 34 BUL 3.33 0 1 3 4 39 35 MNE 2.50 0 1 3 4 36 36 MDA 2.17 0 1 3 4 37 37 GBR 2.00 0 1 3 4 35 38 CYP 1.67 0 1 3 4 40 39 GEO 0.60 0 1 3 4 38 40 LTU 0.50 0 1 3 4 ALB/AND/ARM/AZE/FAR/IRL/LAT/LIE/MLT/MON 0.00 0 0 4 4

The ranking for the 2018/19 season is based on the results of the European Cup seasons 2014/15 and 2015/16, 2016/17

ı 81 ı Open up to a smarter, healthier home

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2018-04-26 l EHF-FINAL-4-official-magazine-210x297mm_1.indd 3 27/04/2018 21.03 Notes

EHF Media & Communicatons 18/5/18 Vladislav Brindzak +43 1 80 151 161 [email protected]

Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Nemanja Savic, Kevin Domas, Amina Idrizi. All stats by Roy Knoppert. Layout by Richard Turner.

ı 83 ı