MEDIA INFORMATION Women’S EHF Champions League 2017/18 Qualification 2 Table of Contents

Home , Anne Hubinger, Austrian Cup, Hanne Hegh, Jeanett Kristiansen, Kerstin Wohlbold, Larvik HK

MEDIA INFORMATION Women’s EHF Champions League 2017/18 Qualification 2 Table of contents

Foreword 4 Media contacts 5 Map of participating clubs 6 Playing system diagrams - stages and dates 8 Seeding for the qualification and group matches 9 Important regulations 10 10 GROUP 1 Preview 11 Vipers Kristiansand 12 HC Podravka Vegeta 18 Kastamonu Belediyesi 24 HC Gomel 30 GROUP 2 Preview 37 Thüringer HC 38 H 65 Höörs HK 44 Hypo Niederösterreich 50 Mecalia Atletico Guardes 56 2016/17 top scorers 62 Past winners 63 All-time club standings 64

3 Foreword Their mission is clear, but not at all easy as they face formidable adversaries. Podravka will have expectations to live up to in Group 1, where the Norwegian runners-up and tournament’s organisers Vipers Kristiansand are amongst their fiercest opponents. While Croatian champions take on Turkish title holders Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK in the semi- final, Vipers will make their debut at this level against the champions of Belarus HC Gomel. A difficult route also awaits Hypo. Even if they overcome last season’s Challenge Cup finalists H65 Höörs HK in the semi-final, they may have Dear handball friends, to outrun German runners-up and Group 2 hosts from Thüringer HC, who are favourites Welcome to a new season in the Women’s EHF to reach the tournament’s final at the expense Champions League. of Spanish newcomers Mecalia Atletico Four months after Györi Audi ETO KC clinched Guardes. their third title in five years in Budapest after In the group matches Buducnost, Metz and beating Vardar in a thrilling final, we are ready Bietigheim await the winner of Group 1 from to witness how a new handball fairy tale starts Kristiansand, while the winner of Group 2 to unravel. in Nordhausen will join Vardar, Larvik and As we enter the 25th season of the Ferencvaros. competition, eight matches in two qualification There are eight exciting matches ahead in this tournaments will determine which two teams qualification phase and I wish all teams the will earn the remaining berths in the 2017/18 very best of luck. group matches. The tournaments will take place in two major countries in women’s We pride ourselves on our positive and handball and I am sure we can look forward cooperative relationship with the press and to large crowds in the Norwegian city of media and I am sure this will continue and Kristiansand and Nordhausen, Germany. develop in the future. Should you require any information, help or assistance during What makes this year’s qualification also the course of the season, your first point of exciting is the fact that we have two former contact is the EHF Media and Communications EHF Champions League winners eyeing the Department based in our office in Vienna. return to the European top flight and remain in They will be more than happy to assist you the race for the Women’s EHF FINAL4 on 12/13 with any questions you might have. May 2018. Record four-time champions Hypo We look forward to working with you in the Niederösterreich and 1996 winners HC upcoming season! Podravka Vegeta found themselves fighting for their spots in the group matches and Michael Wiederer undoubtedly will do their best to bring back EHF President their glory days in this competition.

4 Media contacts

EHF/M media contacts

Media matters TV and Radio Vlado Brindzak Miguel Mateo Marcellan Media and Communications Media Manager European Handball Federation EHF Marketing GmbH +43 1 80 151 161 +43 1 80 151 224 [email protected] [email protected]

Clubs media contacts

GROUP 1 GROUP 2

Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) Thüringer HC (GER) H 65 Höörs HK (SWE) Terje Marcussen Bozica Palcic Bernd Hohnstein David Karlsson +47 905 818 15 +385 988 31 463 +49 179 4649 389 +46 739 392 159 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT) Mecalia Atletico Guardes (ESP) Kastamonu Belediyesi (TUR) HC Gomel (BLR) Kati Kovacs Nuria Lago Rodriguez Ahmet Cevher Yulia Mitrahovich +43 699 165 855 45 +34 667 202 535 +90 544 4187541 +375 2975 103 264 [email protected] prensa@ [email protected] [email protected] balonmanatleticoguardes.com

5 WOMEN‘S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Höörs Vistal HK H65, SWE Gdynia, POL Season 2017/18 Györi Audi ETO KC, HUN

Larvik HK, Qualification teams NOR

Group matches teams Vipers Kristiansand, NOR HC Gomel BLR

Nykobing FH, DEN

FC Midtjylland, DEN

Thüringer HC, GER Rostov-Don, RUS

SG BBM Bietigheim, GER

Brest Bretagne HB, FRA

WOMEN‘S EHF FINAL4

Metz Host City Budapest, HUN Handball, FRA

BM Atletico Guardes, ESP CSM Bucuresti, ROU

Hypo Niederösterreich, AUT Kastamonu Belediyesi, TUR

RK Krim Mercator, SLO

HC Podravka Vegeta, CRO FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, HUN 6 Buducnost, HC Vardar, MNE MKD WOMEN‘S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Höörs Vistal HK H65, SWE Gdynia, POL Season 2017/18 Györi Audi ETO KC, HUN

Larvik HK, Qualification teams NOR

Group matches teams Vipers Kristiansand, NOR HC Gomel BLR

Nykobing FH, DEN

FC Midtjylland, DEN

Thüringer HC, GER Rostov-Don, RUS

SG BBM Bietigheim, GER

Brest Bretagne HB, FRA

WOMEN‘S EHF FINAL4

Metz Host City Budapest, HUN Handball, FRA

BM Atletico Guardes, ESP CSM Bucuresti, ROU

Hypo Niederösterreich, AUT Kastamonu Belediyesi, TUR

RK Krim Mercator, SLO

HC Podravka Vegeta, CRO FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, HUN 7 Buducnost, HC Vardar, MNE MKD Women’s EHF Champions League 2017/18 playing system

Qualication Group Matches Main Round Quarter-nals FINAL4

Semi- nals 4 vs. 1 vs. 3 vs. 2 vs.

rd vs. 3 Place Match vs. vs.

Final Home matches 3 3 1 Total matches 6 6 2 vs.

Season 2017/18 playing dates

Qualication Group Matches Main Round Quarter-nals FINAL4 08.-10.09.2017 06.-08.10.2017 (1) 26.-28.01.2018 (1) rst leg 11./12.05.2018 13.-15.10.2017 (2) 02.-04.02.2018 (2) 06.-08.04.2018 20.-22.10.2017 (3) 09.-11.02.2018 (3) 03.-05.11.2017 (4) 23.-25.02.2018 (4) second leg 10.-12.11.2017 (5) 02.-04.03.2018 (5) 13.-15.04.2018 17.-19.11.2017 (6) 09.-11.03.2018 (6) Women´s EHF Champions league 2017/18

WOMEN'S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2017/18 Qualification Tournaments Group Matches Main Round Quarterfinals FINAL4 2Tournaments 4 groups with 4 teams 2 groups with 6 teams 8 teams 4 teams 06.-08.10.2017 (1) 26.-28.01.2018 (1) 08.-10.09.2017 13.-15.10.2017 (2) 02.-04.02.2018 (2) 06.-08.04.2018 12./13.05.2018 tournaments 20.-22.10.2017 (3) 09.-11.02.2018 (3) first leg tournament played in semi finals 03.-05.11.2017 (4) 23.-25.02.2018 (4) played in and finals 10.-12.11.2017 (5) 02.-04.03.2018 (5) 13.-15.04.2018 semi finals and in one venue 17.-19.11.2017 (6) 09.-11.03.2018 (6) second leg finals 30 June 2017 in DRAWS: 29 June 2017 in Vienna/AUT no draw no draw 17.04.2018 Ljubljana/SLO 1 HUN 1 Györi Audi ETO KC 2 MNE 1 Buducnost 3 MKD 1 HC Vardar 4 ROU 1 CSM Bucuresti 5 NOR 1 Larvik 6 RUS 1 Rostov-Don

7 DEN 1 Nyköbing Falster HB 8 FRA 1 Metz Handball 9 GER 1 SG BBM Bietigheim 10 SLO 1 RK Krim Mercator 11 HUN 2 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 12 DEN 2 FC Midtjylland 13 POL 1 Vistal Gdynia 14 FRA 2 Brest Bretagne HB 15 NOR 2 Vipers Kristiansand 16 GER 2 Thüringer HC 17 SWE 1 H 65 Höörs HK

18 CRO 1 HC Podravka Vegeta the of team placed 4th and 3rd 2nd, 1st, 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed team from each group group each from team placed 3rd and 2nd 1st, 19 AUT 1 Hypo Niederösterreich Round Main League Champions EHF WOMEN'S Qualification Qualification 20 TUR 1 Kastamonu Belediyesi tournaments

21 BLR 1 HC Gomel Winners of the 2 4 Winners of WOMEN'S EHF Champions League Quarterfinals League Champions EHF WOMEN'S of Winners 4 22 ESP 1 Mecalia Atletico Guardes

2 groups with 4 teams

4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go to EHF Cup Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of CL Qualification Tornaments go to EHF Cup Rd 3

status: 26.06.2017 Important regulations

SCORING OF MATCHES AND RANKING

GENERAL

All matches of the Women’s EHF Champions League shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes with a half- time break of 10 minutes.

The EHF reserves the right to extend the half-time break in special circumstances to 15 minutes.

QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENTS

If a semi-final match or the final (place 1/2) ends in a draw, there will be a five-minute break fol- lowed by one extra-time of 2x5 minutes, there will be a one-minute half-time break at the half-time for the changeover of teams. If the placement match (place 3/4) ends in a draw, there shall be no extra-time, the match will be decided directly by penalty throws. In the semifinals and/or final (place 1/2), if there is no winner after the extra-time, the match will be decided by penalty throws.

RULES FOR EXECUTION OF PENALTY THROWS

- Prior to penalty throwing, each team shall name five players eligible to play at the end of the match by handing the referees a list of numbers. These players shall then take one throw each, alternating with their opponents. Each team is free to determine the sequence in which throwers will take their throws

- The goalkeepers may be freely selected from the match report and exchanged in accordance with the Rules of the game. Goalkeepers may take throws and throwers may play as goalkeepers.

- The referees shall choose the goal at which throws are taken. The team taking the first penalty throw shall be determined by the referees by drawing lots. The team winning the draw may choose whether it wishes to throw first or last.

- If scores are equal after the first round of penalty throwing, it shall be continued until a decision is reached. In the second round, the other team shall start. Again five players shall be named who are eligible to play (the players named before may be named once again).

- In the second round, a decision is reached when a goal difference arises after both teams have taken one throw each.

- Eligible players are players entered in the match report who have not been disqualified or sus- pended at the time of the final whistle.

- Serious infractions committed during penalty throwing shall be sanctioned by disqualification. If a thrower is disqualified or suffers an injury, an eligible substitute player shall be named supplemen- tary.

- While the throws are being taken, only the player taking the throw, the current goalkeeper and the referees may enter the respective half of the playing area.

- If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be named to take a second throw in the same round.

10 Qualification Tournament 1 Qualification Tournament 1 Group D Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) Buducnost (MNE) HC Gomel (BLR) Metz Handball (FRA) HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) SG BBM Bietigheim (GER) Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK (TUR) Winner QT 1

2nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 th Playing hall 4 ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Winner of Aquarama Kristiansand Qualification Round 1: Super Amara Bera Bera (ESP) vs Colegio de Gaia (POR) Tangen 8 4608 Kristiansand Norway Capacity: 2,200 Match schedule (all times local) Saturday, 9 September 2017: Semi-finals Head-to-head stats in 1 17:00 hrs Vipers Kristiansand vs HC Gomel European Cup competitions 2 19:30 hrs HC Podravka Vegeta vs Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK Sunday, 10 September 2017: No previous encounters 3rd place match 16:00 hrs Loser semi-final 1 vs loser semi-final 2 Final 18:30 hrs Winner semi-final 1 vs winner semi-final 2

Preview: One former champion and While Gomel had an unsuccessful attempt in the three newcomers Champions League qualifiers last season, Vipers are debutants in the competition. So far, the Norwegian One team with proud Women’s EHF Champions team’s European experience is limited to the Cup League traditions and three hopeful newcomers Winners’ Cup and EHF Cup, but after being reinforced form qualification Group 1, who vie for one place considerably ahead of this season, the hosts enter the in the group matches this weekend in Kristiansand, qualification matches with confidence and optimism. southern Norway. HC Podravka Vegeta won the Champions League in 1996 after their second final in After being reunited at Vipers, the twin sisters are a row. The other three participants in the tournament playing in the same club for the first time in seven in Kristiansand Aquarama – Vipers Kristiansand, HC years. Gomel and Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK – have never played the group matches. Podravka have the proudest European traditions of the two teams who meet in the later game in • After being reunited at Vipers, twin sisters Katrine Kristiansand on Saturday. Lunde and Kristine Lunde Borgesen are playing in the same club team for the first time in seven years Champions League winners in 1996 and participants • HC Podravka Vegeta won the Champions League in in the final the year before; winners of the Champions 1996, but since the 2008/09 season, have not made Trophy in 1996; finalists of the EHF Cup twice and once it further than the group matches finalists in the Cup Winners’ Cup – this is the Croatian • HC Gomel were also in the qualifiers last season, champions record. All those achievements were long but did not make it to the group matches ago, but head coach of the current Podravka team, • HC Kastamonu Belediyesi and Vipers are Snjezana Petika, is confident before going to Norway. completely new to the Champions League

11 Vipers Kristiansand

GROUP 1 Vipers Kristiansand

On 29 March 2017 they made history in the Grundigligaen, the Norwegian women’s league. Since 18 April 2001 Larvik haven’t lost a single match in the Norwegian league but on that Wednesday in March Kristiansand won on Larvik’s home ground 32:30.

The two teams faced each other again in the finals of the play-offs. While Kristiansand Club Address won the first leg on home ground 31:30, Larvik won the second leg 26:20 and became Vipers Kristiansand Tangen 8 2016/17 Norwegian champions. 4608 Kristiansand Norway In the new season, however, their squad is bound to get some boost. Just one Media contact name for all - the Norwegian veteran goalkeeper Katrine Lunde has returned home Terje Marcussen from Rostov-Don and her Champions League experience will be invaluable for the +47 905 818 15 competition’s newcomers. [email protected]

www.vipers.no

VipersKristiansand

@VipersKrSand

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: blue Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Player shirt: pink Player short: black Other GK shirt: black Cup Winners‘ Cup: quarter-finals 2015/16 EHF Cup: semi-finals 2003/04, Last 16 2004/05

Norwegian league: - (runners-up 2016/17) Norwegian cup: - (runners-up 2010) Playing hall Aquarama Kristiansand Tangen 8 4608 Kristiansand Norway Capacity: 2,200

12 Vipers Kristiansand

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win N/A Biggest defeat N/A Longest winning run N/A Longest unbeaten run N/A Longest losing run N/A Longest run without win N/A Most goals N/A Most goals opponent N/A Most goals both teams N/A Fewest goals N/A Fewest goals opponent N/A Fewest goals both teams N/A

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 N/A

1313 Vipers Kristiansand

Kenneth Gabrielsen coach • coach of Norway’s junior team besides being in charge of Vipers • was with Glassverket ever since he took them to the promotion into the Norwegian league in the 2011/2012 season, but left for Vipers in the summer of 2016 • awarded Coach of the Year for the 2014/15 season by the players of the Norwegian league. • in his playing days, he represented Sandefjord TIF in the Norwegian league and in the EHF Cup

14 Vipers Kristiansand

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 3 Emilie Hegh Arntzen NOR Back 01/01/1994 Skien, NOR 183 26 Karine Emilie Dahlum NOR Right Wing 16/12/1999 Kristiansand, NOR 175 12 Eline Fagerheim NOR Goalkeeper 19/06/1998 Gjøvik, NOR 180 1 Sakura Hauge NOR Goalkeeper 07/01/1987 Bergen, NOR 174 24 Lina Marie Jensen NOR Back 15/03/1996 Stavanger, NOR 182 10 Vilde Jonassen NOR Left Wing 01/09/1992 Kristiansand, NOR 165 9 Mathilde Kristensen DEN Line Player 07/04/1993 Viborg, DEN 177 20 Jeanett Kristiansen NOR Left Back 24/12/1992 Stavanger, NOR 179 6 Malin Larsen Aune NOR Right Wing 04/03/1995 Ranheim, NOR 165 13 Kristine Lunde Borgesen NOR Centre Back 30/03/1980 Kristiansand, NOR 183 16 Katrine Lunde NOR Goalkeeper 30/03/1980 Kristiansand, NOR 181 27 Sunniva Naes Andersen NOR Left Wing 12/11/1996 Skien, NOR 175 8 Kristin Noersteboe NOR Right Back 09/09/1990 Bærum, NOR 178 2 Karoline Olsen NOR Left Wing 16/06/1998 Kristiansand, NOR 171 4 Tonje Refsnes NOR Right Back 13/11/1994 Kristiansand, NOR 170 7 Kari Skaar Brattset NOR Line Player 15/02/1991 Fredrikstad, NOR 183 14 Pernille Wang Skaug NOR Right Wing 29/01/1992 Halden, NOR 178 15 Linn Jorum Sulland NOR Right Back 15/07/1984 Oslo, NOR 178 22 Marta Tomac NOR Centre Back 20/09/1990 Trondheim, NOR 179

15 Thüringer HC

Katrine Lunde goalkeeper • one of the best goalkeepers in the world who has a big collection of major trophies won both with clubs and the Norwegian national team • her move to Rostov-Don after five years at Hungary’s Györ was one of the biggest transfer events in Europe in summer 2015; joined Vipers in the summer of 2017 • reunites with her twin sister Kristine Lunde

EC Trophies: CL 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, EHF Cup 2017 OG: G 2008, 2012, B 2016, EURO: G 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, S 2002, 2012 WCh: G 2011, S 2007, B 2009 Karoline Olsen left wing • played with Vipers all her senior career, starting to train with the team at age 16 • originally a back court player, but is expected to mainly being used on the left wing this season • mainly plays left wing in the Norwegian U19 team, with whom she starred at the Women’s EURO 19 this summer • despite only being 19 years old, she has already been an integrated part of the Vipers team for the past two seasons, including the EHF Cup last season

Emilie Hegh Arntzen left back • joined Vipers from league rivals Byasen ahead of this season • daughter of former Norwegian international Hanne Hegh and former assistant coach of Norway’s female national team Ketil Arntzen • started playing handball at age eight and started her senior career in Gjerpen, with whom she was promoted into the Norwegian top flight

OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2014, 2016

Marta Tomac centre back • joined Vipers from league rivals Byasen in 2015; played for Danish side SK Aarhus in 2010/11 • born in Zagreb, Croatia, and represented Croatia before playing for Norway • has played 33 internationals for Norway • good at both ends of the court, and her ability to read the game, as well as her eye for her teammates in the attack, make her a dangerous opponent

EURO: G 2016, WCh: G 2015

16 Thüringer HC

Jeanett Kristiansen left wing • after two stints with Glassverket and one year in Larvik joined Vipers in 2016

• from a real handball family, her older sister Veronica playing for Danish CL side FC Midtjylland and another sister, Charlotte also playing handball

• played in the left wing position in Larvik, but in Glassverket, coach Kenneth Gabrielsen makes use of her on the left back

Kari Brattset line player • joined Vipers together with the coach Gabrielsen and Jeanett Kristiansen in the summer of 2016 after two seasons in Glassverket, where she came from Fredrikstad • with her height easy to find for her back court players • has played two internationals for Norway so far • the upcoming qualification matches for the CL will be her European debut at club

Linn Jørum Sulland right back • arrived in Vipers in the summer of 2016 after stops at Stabæk, Larvik and Györ • in 2005/06 the best player of the domestic league and also was the top scorer • reached the 500-goal plateau in the national team • top scorer of the European Beach Handball Championship in 2007

EC trophies: CL 2011 OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011, 2015, S 2007, EURO: G 2008, 2010, S 2012

Malin Aune right wing • joined Vipers from Oppsal this summer • has played 21 senior internationals and 80 youth internationals for Norway • her greatest triumph so far was being part of the Norwegian side who won the EHF EURO 2016 • may only be 165cm tall, but her speed, technical skills and willpower sufficiently compensate

EURO: G 2016

17 HC Podravka Vegeta

GROUP 1 HC Podravka Vegeta In one of the most tightly-contested finishes the Croatian league has seen, Podrav- ka defended their title – though they relied on goal difference to do it.

After suffering a heavy 17:10 defeat in the ultimate round against Lokomotiva Zagreb, which put their title credentials under question, Podravka’s celebrations were kept at minimum.

Club address: HC Podravka Vegeta The unexpected defeat was not met with approval, and as a result, coach Dragan Zeljka Selingera 3A Mrdjen resigned his post after lifting six trophies in four years with the club. 48000 Koprivnica Croatia Nevertheless, Podravka celebrated their record 23rd title, and will continue their Media contact: Women’s EHF Champions League ambitions in the new season. Bozica Palcic +385 988 31 463 They will start the season with a former sharpshooter of the European top flight at [email protected] the helm as Snezana Petika took over the position in June. In the 1995/96 season Petika steered her team to their only title in the EHF Champions League as the top www.rk-podravka.hr scorer of the whole competition. RkPodravka

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: red/white Player short: red Past achievements Goalkeeper shirt: fuchsia/ white Women’s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 24 Dark Winners (1): 1995/96 Player shirt: blue Runners-up (1): 1994/95 Player short: blue/black Semi-finals (1): 1997/98 Goalkeeper shirt: black Quarter-finals (1): 1996/97 Main Round (3): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2008/09 Group Matches/Champions League (13): 1993/94, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2002/03, 2006/07, Playing hall 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, Sport Hall Fran Galović 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Zeljka Selingera bb Qualification (3): 2003/04, 2005/06, 2016/17 48000 Koprivnica Croatia Other Capacity: 2,500 Champions Trophy: Winners 1995/96 Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2004/05, Semi-finals 2007/08 EHF Cup: Runners-up 2000/01, 2005/06

Croatian league: 23 titles Croatian cup: 22 titles

18 HC Podravka Vegeta

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 35:20 (21:9) v GAS Anagennisi Artas GRE (h), 19.02.2000 Biggest defeat 17:35 (10:16) v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD (h), 03.11.2013 Longest winning run 6 matches (09.11.1997 – 01.02.1998) Longest unbeaten run 6 matches (09.11.1997 – 01.02.1998) Longest losing run 12 matches (19.10.2013 – 25.10.2015) MATCHES Longest winning run Longest run without win 16 matches (19.10.2013 – 21.11.2015) 6 Most goals 41 v Zvezda RUS 41:28W (h), 21.11.2010 GOALS Most goals opponent 40 v Györi Audi ETO HUN 33:40W (h), 13.01.2008 41 Most goals Most goals both teams 73 v Györi Audi ETO HUN 33:40W (h), 13.01.2008 Fewest goals 13 v HYPO Niederösterreich AUT 17:13L (a), 04.05.1996 GOALS Fewest goals opponent 14 v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 17:14W (h), 29.04.1995 Most goals both teams 73 Fewest goals both teams 30 v HYPO Niederösterreich AUT 17:13L (a), 04.05.1996

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1993/94 Podravka Koprivnica CRO 6 2 0 4 123:138 –15 4:8 4th Gr. A 1994/95 Podravka Koprivnica CRO 8 4 2 2 183:167 +16 10:6 Runner-up 1995/96 Podravka Koprivnica CRO 8 6 0 2 191:163 +28 12:4 Winner 1996/97 Podravka Koprivnica CRO 8 5 1 2 208:187 +21 11:5 1/4-finals 1997/98 Podravka Koprivnica CRO 10 7 0 3 254:220 +34 14:6 1/2-finals 1998/99 Podravka Koprivnica CRO 6 3 0 3 148:152 -4 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1999/00 Podravka Dolcela CRO 6 3 0 3 144:144 0 6:6 3rd Gr. D 2002/03 Podravka Vegeta Koprivnica CRO 6 2 1 3 163:168 -5 5:7 3rd Gr. A 2006/07 Podravka Vegeta Koprivnica CRO 6 2 0 4 171:197 -26 4:8 3rd Gr. C 2007/08 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 2 0 4 173:182 -9 4:8 3rd Gr. A 2008/09 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 12 6 0 6 347:349 -2 12:12 3rd MR Gr. 1 2009/10 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 2 0 4 172:192 -20 4:8 4th Gr. A 2010/11 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 1 0 5 168:180 -12 2:10 4th Gr. D 2011/12 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 1 2 3 146:161 -15 4:8 4th Gr. B 2012/13 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 3 0 3 136:143 -7 6:6 3rd Gr. B 2013/14 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 1 0 5 128:178 -50 2:10 3rd Gr. D 2014/15 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 0 0 6 152:191 –39 0:12 4th Gr. B 2015/16 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 6 0 1 5 117:150 –33 1:11 4th Gr. B Total 124 50 7 67 3124:3262 -138 107:141

1919 HC Podravka Vegeta

Snjezana Petika coach • legend of Podravka Vegeta for who she played 89 matches and scored 571 goals in the CL and Champions trophy • used to coach youth teams in the club and even her daughter Tena and U-17 national team • as a coach won multiple titles in Croatian championship with youth teams of Podravka • voted seven times as a best female handball player in Croatia • best scorer of the CL in 1994/95 and 1995/96 season when Podravka won CL title

EC trophies: CL 1996

20 HC Podravka Vegeta

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 31 Ana Debelic CRO Line Player 09/01/1994 Rijeka, CRO 183 4 Ivana Dezic CRO Right Back 27/07/1994 Varazdin, CRO 179 9 Dragica Dzono CRO Line Player 24/05/1987 Mostar, BIH 186 16 Magdalena Ecimovic CRO Goalkeeper 24/07/1998 Split, CRO 182 14 Lea Franusic CRO Right Back 07/09/2000 Dubrovnik, CRO 184 1 Antonia Jukic CRO Goalkeeper 09/05/1992 Split, CRO 172 12 Ivana Kapitanovic CRO Goalkeeper 17/09/1994 Split, CRO 184 5 Korina Karlovcan CRO Left Wing 18/10/1998 Zagreb, CRO 168 7 Dora Krsnik CRO Centre Back 19/01/1992 Zagreb, CRO 170 11 Ivona Mrden CRO Centre Back 29/12/1998 Zagreb, CRO 175 10 Ekatarina Nemaskalo CRO Left Wing 31/07/1989 Brovari, UKR 167 13 Iva Papac CRO Left Back 21/11/1998 Zagreb, CRO 176 17 Lara Pavlovic CRO Right Wing 14/12/1998 Koprivnica, CRO 175 18 Tena Petika CRO Left Back 16/06/2000 Koprivnica, CRO 190 2 Klara Petricevic CRO Left Wing 04/09/2000 Koprivnica, CRO 168 6 Elena Popovic CRO Line Player 29/05/2000 Koprivnica, CRO 180 8 Ana Toth CRO Left Back 31/08/1988 Zagreb, CRO 188 3 Ana Turk CRO Right Wing 29/06/1989 Jakarta, IDN 169 15 Marijeta Vidak CRO Left Back 14/08/1992 Virovitica, CRO 179

21 HC Podravka Vegeta

Ivana Kapitanovic goalkeeper • one of the best goalkeeper in the Croatian Championship in 2015/16 with almost 40% of saved shots • came to Podravka from Kaštela near Split when she was 13 years old • her ultimate sports goal is to win the Champions League and Olympic games • the 2017/18 season is her 8th season in the CL with only 23 years of age • first choice between the posts of Podravka Vegeta and Croatian national team

Ekaterina Nemaskalo left wing • her mother Elena was a star left wing playing for the USSR • coached by her mother when she played for Sesvete • suffered two tough knee injuries, which have slowed her development a little • member of Croatia national team and one of the most experienced in Podravka

Ana Toth left back • newest member of Podravka Vegeta; came from Trešnjevka • started playing in Lokomotiva; also played for Sesvete, Alcoa Szekesfehervar, Trešnjevka, CSM Ploiesti • while playing in Trešnjevka she coached girls born 2002. and 2004 • played for all youth and junior national teams and occasionally for seniors • wanted to end her career in Trešnjevka and start a coaching career, but she says she could not say no to Podravka

Dora Krsnik back • the 2017/18 season will be her 4th season in CL but also has experience of playing European cups with her former club Lokomotiva Zagreb • versatile player who can cover all back positions but also can turn into a line player when needed • played for RK Gorica, RK Trešnjevka, RK Lokomotiva Zagreb, RK Zelina • member of all junior and youth national team selections and now member of senior national team

22 HC Podravka Vegeta

Dragica Dzono line player • first choice on the line and mentor for younger Podravka line players • very important in defence due to her height and great defensive skills • Podravka brought her after Vesna Milanovic-Litre left Koprivnica • won several caps for the Croatia national team

Ana Debelic line player • came to Podravka Vegeta last year from their biggest rivals Lokomotiva Zagreb • used to play for Zamet, Zelina and Lokomotiva • was member of youth and junior national teams; now member of senior national team • very passionate player with great defensive and offensive skills

Ivana Dezic right back • top scorer of Croatian Championship in 2014/2015 with Koka Varazdin, 150 goals from 24 matches • member of all junior and youth national team selections • 1st time in senior national team for WCh Denmark 2015 qualification against Sweden • her first ever senior transfer was from Koka (Varazdin) to Podravka Vegeta (Koprivnica)

Ana Turk (Niksic) right wing • born in Jakarta, Indonesia • replaced Golubic and Gace, who left the club in the last few years • at the beginning of her career, she played for Podravka’s biggest rivals, Lokomotiva Zagreb • also gained experience in Hungary, playing in Szekesfehervar and Vac • coming back to handball after she missed last season due to pregnancy

23 Kastamonu Belediyesi

GROUP 1 Kastamonu Belediyesi One year after playing the Challenge Cup Final, Kastamonu GSK won their first ever national championship title.

With coach Hakan Günal at the helm of this small town’s team, the turning point of the season came when Kastamonu defeated Izmir BSB GSK with a buzzer-beating goal.

Club address: Kastamonu B. Genclik SK Yenimahalle – who were favourites to win the 2016/17 trophy – and Kastamonu Aktekke mahallesi barbaros defeated each other once and each lost one game to unexpected rivals, but they cadde were otherwise unbeaten with 48 points at the end of the season. 37100 Kastamonu, Turkey

Media contact: Kastamonu’s decisive victory came from the Youth league. According to newly-im- Ahmet Cevher plemented rules, adult teams are awarded 10 per cent of their youth team’s points. +90 544 4187541 Therefore, Yenimahalle received 1.2 and Kastamonu collected 1.5. Kastamonu won [email protected] the title with a difference of 0.3 points.

www.kastamonubelediyesigsk.org

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white-red-black Player short: white-red-black Goalkeeper shirt: black-blue- Past achievements yellow Women’s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Dark Player shirt: black Other Player short: white EHF Cup: 2003/04 Round 2 Goalkeeper shirt: black-blue- Challenge Cup: runners-up 2015/16, Round 4 yellow 2009/10

Turkish league: 1 title (2017) Playing hall Turkish cup: - THF Spor Complex Yildizevler Hilal Mah. Holanda Cad. No 47 06550 Cankaya/Ankara Turkey Capacity: 2,090

24 Kastamonu Belediyesi

EHF Champions League club records

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 N/A

2525 Kastamonu Belediyesi

Hakan Günal coach • respected by the Turkish handball community both as a well-known club and national team player in the 1980s and 1990s and as a coach • before Kastamonu, he led Amasya Taşova YIBO, a very young team, to EC and became a real rival for the traditionally-strong Besiktas • assistant coach at Ankara İl Özel İdare SK where he coached Yunus Özmusul and Can Çelebi, long-term players of the Turkish national team • has won four women’s Super League titles, two women’s Turkish Cup titles and silver and bronze medals in Turkish men’s Super League

26 Kastamonu Belediyesi

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 10 Elif Sila Aydin TUR Back 11/04/1996 Ankara, TUR 171 92 Patricia Batista BRA Right Back 08/04/1992 Sao Paulo, BRA 180 14 Kristina Elez CRO Left Back 22/05/1987 Split, CRO 180 19 Elaine Gomes BRA Line Player 01/06/1992 fortezela, BRA 183 4 Yasemin Güler TUR Right Wing 10/04/1994 Konak, TUR 170 13 Serpil Iskenderoglu TUR Centre Back 15/07/1982 Istanbul, TUR 168 31 Katarzyna Kolodziejska POL Right Wing 10/01/1985 Elblag, POL 177 11 Nataliya Kotsina BLR Left Wing 07/09/1991 Grodno, BLR 175 7 Esma Muratovic MNE Centre Back 24/01/1996 Podgorica, MNE 176 12 Ljubica Nenezic MNE Goalkeeper 15/01/1997 Podgorica, MNE 179 1 Anca Mihaela Rombescu ROU Goalkeeper 15/09/1985 Drobeta-Turnu S., ROU 172 6 Andrea Seric CRO Line Player 03/08/1985 Split, CRO 184 30 Anastasia Sinitsyna RUS Left Back 03/09/1983 Rostov, RUS 182 9 Yeliz Yilmaz TUR Right Back 19/08/1980 Istanbul, TUR 178

27 Kastamonu Belediyesi

Ljubica Nenezic goalkeeper • 20-year-old Montenegrin goalkeeper who is the successor not only at Kastamonu of her countrywoman and idol Sonja Barjaktarovic, but in the Montenegro national team too • played for WHC Danilovgrad, the feeder team of Buducnost, and was runner-up in the Montenegrin league in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons • reached the Women’s EHF FINAL4 and won Montenegrin league in 2015/16 with Buducnost

Anca Mihaela Rombescu goalkeeper • a full Turkish trophy cabinet including four Turkish Super League titles, four Turkish Cups and two Turkish Super Cup titles • played for Romanian side Tomis Constanta and Turkish clubs Üsküdar BSK and Yenimahalle BSK before Kastamonu • has vital importance as a goalkeeper due to her experience in the Turkish Super League and European Cups

Elif Sila Aydin left wing • one of the promising stars of Turkish handball • at just 21-years-old has already won three Turkish Super League titles, one Turkish Cup and two Turkish Super Cup titles with Yenimahalle BSK and Kastamonu • has played for the Turkish youth and senior national teams • won the ISF World Handball High School championship title

Anastasia Sinitsyna left back • has played in European club competitions since 2001 with Russian, Ukrainian and Turkish teams including Rostov-Don • makes significant contribution to her team’s success with her experience alongside with physical superiority • won Turkish Super League title and played Women’s EHF Challenge Cup final in the 2015-16 season with Kastamonu

28 Kastamonu Belediyesi

Serpil Iskenderoglu centre back • the captain of Kastamonu has played an important part in the success of her team over the past three seasons in the Turkish league and European Cups • most decorated player of the team with one Bundesliga title, eight Turkish Super League titles, eight Turkish Cups and two Turkish Super Cups • top scorer of the Bundesliga in the 2006/07 season and twice in the Turkish league • has worn the national team jersey more than 300 times • played two Challenge Cup finals with two different Turkish teams in 2012 and 2016

Andrea Seric line player • her club career has included Croatian clubs Split Kaltenberg and Podravka Vegeta, Slovenia side RK Krim Mercator, Hungarian team Siofok and now Kastamonu • experienced player in European cups • member of the Croatian national team at London 2012 Olympic Games and has played in IHF Women’s World Championships and EHF EUROs

Patricia Batista da Silva right back • played over 30 times games for the Brazilian women’s national team • won gold medals with Brazil at the 2017 PHF Pan-American Championship, the 2012 PHF Pan-American Women’s Junior Championship and the 2014 FISU World University Handball Championship, gained bronze at the 2010 Youth OG in Singapore • has played not only in Brazil with Jundiai Handebol Clube, Vasco Vila Olímpica and Taubaté, but in France too, with French club Toulon

Katarzyna Kolodziejska right wing • has played nearly 80 games for Poland • club career has included spells with Polish teams Start Elblag, Energa Koszalin, Dablex Azs Gdansk and Vistal Laczpol Gdynia • has European Cup experience with Gdynia and won the Polish League title with them • played for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece before joining Kastamonu

29 HC Gomel

GROUP 1 HC Gomel BNTU-BelAZ were a major force in the Belarusian league for years, winning the trophy 22 times, but recently the centre of gravity in Belarusian women’s handball shifted to Gomel.

Coached by the Belarus national coach Tomaz Cater, HC Gomel became the champions for the second straight year in 2016/17. Club Address HC Gomel Having won the regular season, BNTU were unable to confirm their superiority st. 50 let Gomselmasha, 12 in the final games against Gomel. The best-of-five series was a fitting end to the 246018 Gomel season, as the teams had to play all five matches to determine the strongest side. Belarus

Media contact BNTU led 1:0, then 2:1 in the series, but Gomel showed good morale and turned Yulia Mitrahovich the battle around. In the decisive fifth match, they dominated and deservedly won +375 2975 103 264 28:20, thus claiming the gold medal. [email protected]

www.ghc.by gk.gomel

HandballGomel

Kit colours Light Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: white Dark Player shirt: green Past achievements Player short: white Women’s EHF Champions League Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Participations (including 2017/18 season): 2 Qualification (1): 2016/17

Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Round 3 2012/13 EHF Cup: Round 3 2014/15 Playing hall

Sportshall Victoria Belarusian league: 2 titles (2016, 2017) Leningradskaya 4 Belarusian cup: 3 titles 224028 Brest Belarus Capacity: 3,500

30 HC Gomel

EHF Champions League club records

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 N/A

3131 HC Gomel

Tomaz Cater coach • replaced Igor Chebrov as a head coach midway through the 2015/16 season and led Gomel to already two titles of a champion • also a head coach of the Belarus national team • previously the Slovenian worked with Slovenian and Austrian teams as well as the UAE national team • married to Hanna Stsiapanava, ex-national player of Belarus

32 HC Gomel

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 20 Jelena Agbaba SRB Line Player 20/06/1997 Kikinda, SRB 183 80 Marija Agbaba SRB Right Back 09/08/1995 Kikinda, SRB 182 87 Khrystsina Akhramenka BLR Right Wing 20/09/1995 Gomel, BLR 170 57 Lilliya Burduk BLR Goalkeeper 18/04/1989 Minsk, BLR 176 3 Katsiaryna Dronava BLR Left Back 06/11/2001 Gomel, BLR 171 15 Iryna Dronova BLR Left Wing 09/02/1981 Gomel, BLR 169 13 Iuliia Golubeva RUS 19/07/1994 Togliatti 172 16 Valiantsina Kumpel BLR Goalkeeper 11/11/1989 Grodno, BLR 180 5 Krystsina Misachenka BLR Left Wing 21/09/1997 Gomel, BLR 167 88 Natallia Padasinava BLR Left Back 02/03/1988 Gomel, BLR 185 77 Anna Redka UKR Centre Back 21/01/1989 Kiev, UKR 166 8 Viktoryia Shamanouskaya BLR Line Player 08/08/1993 Minsk, BLR 167 17 Yana Shubianok BLR Left Wing 03/01/1995 Gomel, BLR 170 33 Anastasiya Sivukha BLR Right Back 10/06/2002 Gomel, BLR 168 1 Eliza Slauta BLR Goalkeeper 18/08/1997 Gomel, BLR 179 11 Lesya Smolinh UKR Left Back 23/01/1994 Ivano-Frankivsk, UKR 175 89 Tatsiana Tsyrybka BLR Centre Back 18/09/1989 Gomel, BLR 182 19 Volha Vinakurava BLR Left Back 15/04/1994 Gomel, BLR 174 28 Darya Voranava BLR Centre Back 19/07/2000 Gomel, BLR 168 96 Teodora Zdravkovic SRB Right Wing 30/04/1996 Nisa, SRB 169

33 HC Gomel

Valiantsina Kumpel goalkeeper • arrived at Gomel in the summer of 2015 • born in Grodno and spent most of her career at the local club Gorodnichanka • her only experience abroad was a year at Hungary’s Siofok KC • first-choice goalkeeper of the Belarus national team

Iryna Dronova left wing • the 36-year-old Belarus international has a lot of experience and is a captain of Gomel • born and raised in Gomel and played only at the local team on club level • after giving birth to her daughter Yekaterina at the age of 20 she interrupted her career and came back only five years later • now Yekaterina, who is 16 and a promising left back, plays at Gomel together with her mother

Lesya Smolinh left back • arrived at Gomel in the summer of 2017 from Galychanka Lviv • was a captain of Galychanka and became a three-time Ukrainian champion with the Lviv team • was voted the best player of the 2016/17 Ukrainian league • in the Ukraine national team usually plays as a centre back

Anna Redka centre back • born in Brovary and started her career at Spartak Kiev where she won a bronze medal of the Ukrainian league • moved to Gomel in 2012 because she wanted a new challenge • plays for the Ukraine national team • her hobbies are swimming and beach volleyball

34 HC Gomel

Viktoryia Shamanouskaya line player • moved to Gomel from Arkatron Minsk in 2014 • born in Minsk, she was engaged in equestrian sport in her childhood • got interested in handball only at the age of 15 after seeing Belarus men’s national team playing at EHF EURO • plays for the Belarus national team

Marija Agbaba right back • the 22-year-old Serbian is starting her first season in Belarus • moved to Gomel together with her younger sister Elena who is a line player • both sisters played for Hungary’s Siofok KC last season • born and raised in Kikinda and started her career at the local team

Teodora Zdravkovic right wing • the 21-year-old is a new face at Gomel • moved on a one-year loan deal from ZRK Naisa Nis • born in Nis, she played for Naisa since 2011 • played for Serbia junior national team

Khristsyna Akhramenka right wing • 22-year-old is one of the most promising Belarusian players • used to play football in her childhood but eventually chose handball • plays for the Belarus national team • calls herself a very sentimental person who likes melodramas very much

35 The best of European HANDBALL LIVE and on demand!

CMY

All matches o the VELU EHF Champions League and WOMENS EHF Champions League selected games of European Cups, and other competitions live and on demand. Don’t miss the best highlights, compilations,36 interviews, features, behind the scenes and more. Qualification Tournament 2 Qualification Tournament 2 Group C Thüringer HC (GER) HC Vardar (MKD) Mecalia Atletico Guardes (ESP) Larvik (NOR) H 65 Höörs HK (SWE) FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) The best of European Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT) Winner QT 2

2nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 HANDBALL 4th ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Astrakhanochka (RUS) Playing hall Wiedigsburghalle Nordhausen Match schedule (all times local) August-Bebel-Platz 6 Saturday, 9 September 2017: 99734 Nordhausen LIVE Germany Semi-finals Capacity: 2,218 1 14:00 hrs Thüringer HC vs Mecalia Atletico Guardes and on demand! 2 16:30 hrs H 65 Höörs HK vs Hypo Niederösterreich Sunday, 10 September 2017: 3rd place match 12:30 hrs Loser semi-final 1 vs loser semi-final 2 C Final Head-to-head stats in M 15:00 hrs Winner semi-final 1 vs winner semi-final 2

Y European Cup competitions

CM Thüringer HC vs Hypo Niederösterreich 1-1-2 (0:0) 3:5

MY 07.04.2013 Thüringer HC vs Hypo NÖ, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final 32:32 (15:19)

CY 13.04.2013 Hypo NÖ vs Thüringer HC, Cup Winners’ Cup – Semi-final 24:22 (11:10)

CMY 13.10.2013 Hypo Niederösterreich vs Thüringer HC, EHF CL – Group A 29:23 (14:13)

K 17.11.2013 Thüringer HC vs Hypo Niederösterreich, EHF CL – Group A 34:25 (17:11)

Mecalia Atletico Guardes vs H 65 Höörs HK 0-0-2 (45:53) 0:4 05.03.2017 H 65 Höörs HK vs Mecalia Atletico Guardes, Challenge Cup – Quarter-final 24:21 (10:13) 12.03.2017 Mecalia Atletico Guardes vs H 65 Höörs HK, Challenge Cup – Quarter-final 24:29 (12:14)

Preview: Two experienced sides, two debutants “We are the favourites and we take this role,” says Herbert Müller, coach of Thüringer HC, before HC Vardar, Larvik and FTC Budapest are awaiting hosting the qualification tournament. In contrast their fourth opponent in Group C of the Women’s with the Spanish champions from the little town of A EHF Champions League, with the open spot to be Guarda (10,000 inhabitants) in Galicia, THC have the decided in the German city of Nordhausen this experience of participating in the EHF Champions weekend. League steadily since 2011, including the quarter- finals in 2015. • Either the champions from Austria, Spain or Sweden, or the hosts and German runners-up, will 23 times in 23 years: Hypo Niederösterreich have qualify for the group matches this weekend been part of the EHF Champions League from the • Each of the qualification Group 2 semi-finals are beginning in 1993 until 2016. This series of success composed of one debutant and one team with – including four titles and two other appearances extensive Champions League experience in the final – came to an end last season, when they • Hosts Thüringer HC are positioned as favourites were eliminated in the 2016/17 qualification stage to claim the group match place ahead of their semi- by German runners-up HC Leipzig. All matches o the VELU EHF Champions League and WOMENS EHF Champions League selected final against Mecalia Atletico Guardes games of European Cups, and other competitions live and on demand. Don’t miss the best highlights, compilations, interviews, features, behind the scenes and more. 37 Thüringer HC

GROUP 2 Thüringer HC They dominated the German women’s Bundesliga for six seasons in a row. But this year this era came to an end. Thüringer HC finished second with eight points behind the new and unbeaten champions SG BBM Bietigheim. They also reached the final four of the German Cup. The semi-final between Thüringen and TuS Metzingen ended in a tie after the regular playing time. In a thrilling penalty shoot-out it were Metzingen who eventually won the trophy with a 23:22 victory. Club Address Despite not making it to the Champions League as the German champions, they Thüringer HC still made it to the European top flight after the EHF Executive Committee meeting Mittelhäuser Str. 21 in Zagreb granted them a place in the qualification following their upgrade request 99089 Erfurt via the German Handball Federation. Germany

Media contact Bernd Hohnstein +49 179 4649 389 [email protected]

www.thueringer-hc.de

ThueringerHC

@ThueringerHC

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: black

Dark Player shirt: red Past achievements Player short: black Women’s EHF Champions League GK shirt: blue Participations (including 2017/18 season): 7 Quarter-finals (1): 2014/15 Main Round (3): 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17 Group Matches (2): 2011/12, 2012/13

Other Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2012/13 Challenge Cup: runners-up 2008/09 Playing hall Wiedigsburghalle Nordhausen German league: 6 titles (2011, 2012, 2013, August-Bebel-Platz 6 2014, 2015, 2016) 99734 Nordhausen German cup: 2 titles Germany Capacity: 2,218

38 Thüringer HC

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 33:20 (14:11) v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO (h), 19.10.2014 Biggest defeat 36:18 (17:9) v Larvik NOR (a), 11.04.2015 Longest winning run 3 matches (08.02.2014 – 02.03.2014) 3 matches (15.11.2014 – 31.01.2015) 3 matches (13.11.2016 – 29.01.2017) MATCHES Longest unbeaten run 4 matches (08.02.2014 – 08.03.2014) Longest winning run 3 Longest losing run 4 matches (13.02.2015 – 15.03.2015) Longest run without win 7 matches (06.01.2016 – 28.02.2016) GOALS Most goals 7 matches (06.01.2016 – 28.02.2016) 36 Most goals 36 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), 06.10.2013

GOALS Most goals opponent 38 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 38:27L (a), 19.02.2016 65 Most goals both teams Most goals both teams 65 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), 06.10.2013 65 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 38:27L (a), 19.02.2016 Fewest goals 14 v Buducnost MNE 23:14L (a), 09.11.2014 Fewest goals opponent 16 v Glassverket NOR 24:16W (h), 16.10.2016 Fewest goals both teams 37 v Buducnost MNE 23:14L (a), 09.11.2014

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 2011/12 Thüringer HC GER 6 0 1 5 139:163 -24 1:11 4th Gr. A 2012/13 Thüringer HC GER 6 3 0 3 146:153 -7 6:6 3rd Gr. D 2013/14 Thüringer HC GER 12 5 1 6 316:321 -5 11:13 3rd MR Gr. 1 2014/15 Thüringer HC GER 14 7 1 6 367:364 +3 15:13 1/4-finals 2015/16 Thüringer HC GER 12 2 1 9 300:337 –37 5:19 6th MR Gr. 1 2016/17 Thüringer HC GER 12 4 1 7 314:329 -15 9:15 5th MR Gr. 1 Total 62 21 5 36 1582:1667 -85 47:77

39 Thüringer HC

Herbert Müller coach • born in Romania, his previous coaching experience includes Romanian side Brasov • also the head coach of the Austria national team • since he started coaching, his assistant has always been his brother, Helfried • led Nürnberg to their first-ever CL qualification, then won four straight German titles with Thüringer. • former mathematics lecturer

EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2004

40 Thüringer HC

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 15 Macarena Aguilar Diaz ESP Centre Back 12/03/1985 Bolanos de Calatrava, ESP 170 3 Tyra Bessert GER Left Back 04/05/2002 Erfurt, GER 173 12 Dinah Eckerle GER Goalkeeper 16/10/1995 Leonberg, GER 174 6 Lara-Sophie Fichtner GER Left Wing 17/07/2001 Erfurt, GER 168 23 Franziska Fuhrmann GER Line Player 23/01/1989 Erfurt, GER 177 57 Josefine Huber AUT Line Player 19/02/1996 Wien, AUT 180 27 Anne Hubinger GER Right Back 31/07/1993 Ribnitz-Damgarten, GER 185 28 Lydia Jakubisova SVK Right Wing 14/10/1981 Bojnice, SVK 168 1 Jana Krause GER Goalkeeper 10/06/1987 München, GER 186 5 Saskia Lang GER Left Back 19/12/1986 Lörrach, GER 179 18 Iveta Luzumova CZE Centre Back 03/04/1989 Pisek, CZE 175 10 Alexandra Mazzucco GER Right Wing 29/01/1993 Lauf a.d. Pegnitz, GER 175 15 Gordana Mitrovic GER Centre Back 10/09/1996 Attendorn, GER 176 14 Anika Niederwieser ITA Left Back 28/02/1992 Bressanone, ITA 182 55 Julia Redder GER Left Back 14/09/1998 Erfurt, GER 177 4 Beate Scheffknecht AUT Left Back 27/02/1990 Innsbruck, AUT 180 26 Nina Schilk GER Left Wing 09/07/1989 Hamburg, GER 165 13 Meike Schmelzer GER Line Player 19/07/1993 Wiesbaden, GER 178 33 Antonia Westland GER Left Back 21/11/1997 Erfurt, GER 179 31 Kerstin Wohlbold GER Centre Back 11/01/1984 Friedrichshafen, GER 169

41 Thüringer HC

Dinah Eckerle goalkeeper • stepped in in 2015, when Krause suffered a knee injury, since then on the same level • transferred to the THC youth college from her home club Ditzingen at the age of 14 • had her bundesliga debut at the age of 16 as the youngest THC Bundesliga player ever • played her first CL match at the age of 17 • awarded best goalkeeper of the 2014 U20 WCh in Croatia

Nina Schilk left wing • mother Ingrid was a German handball international, father Claus is a handball coach in the second division • made national team debut against Switzerland in 2016 at age 27 in the team’s first match under new coach Michael Biegler • first played on first league level for Rosengarten, later joined German record champions Leverkusen • this summer she joined THC to replace Maria Kiedrowski and Manon Houette, who have left the squad

Saskia Lang left back • has arrived at THC from bankrupt HC Leipzig, where she played since 2011 • has a German and a Swiss passport but decided to play for the German national team after 40 matches for younger age category teams of Switzerland • started her career at Swiss club Brühl St. Gallen before joining German club HSG Blomberg-Lippe in 2009 • played her first major tournament with the national team at the WCh 2013

Beate Scheffknecht left back • started her career in Dornbirn, where she became Austrian national team player at the age of 17; played at the 2007 & 2009 WCh and the EHF EURO 2008 • transferred to THC in 2015; new number 1 on her position after Romanian Eliza Buceschi left to France • coached by Herbert Müller already when she had her first club experience outside Austria, in Nürnberg, and now is coached by him also in the national team • also played for German clubs Bieitgheim and Göppingen, where she was third best Bundesliga scorer in the 2014/15 season

42 Thüringer HC

Kerstin Wohlbold centre back • played a brilliant 2015/16 season after a nine-month injury break • in her business life a teacher at a primary school • won the German championship seven times in Nürnberg and THC – always with Müller as her coach • comeback in the German national team under new coach Michael Biegler • one of her hobbies is snowboarding

Maike Schmelzer line player • arrived at THC in 2014, formerly played for Mainz and Koblenz • became German national team player at the age of 20 • in the past key player in all German youth and junior national teams • supposed to fill the void after Dutch line player Dannick Snelder • studies sports and English to become a teacher

Anne Hubinger right back • youngest player for Germany at EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia, has played three more major events since • at HC Leipzig she replaced Susann Müller, who moved to Györ (now Bietigheim) • has won the German cup twice (2014, 2016) with Leipzig before joining THC

Alexandra Mazzucco right wing • progressed through all of the German youth and junior national teams • made her debut in the national team in 2015 and was part of the team at the WCh 2015 in Denmark • is studying sports management • arrived at Leipzig at age 18 in 2011, has now moved to THC to replace retired Kathrin Engel of Austria

43 H 65 Höörs HK

GROUP 2 H 65 Höörs HK

After being named Swedish champions eight years in a row, IK Sävehof´s domi- nance was finally broken in 2017. Though H 65 Höörs HK were not able to win the Challenge Cup as they did in 2014, with defeats in both legs of the final against HC Lokomotiva Zagreb putting an end to that hope, Höör took surprising revenge in the final of the Swedish championship. In the semi-final, Sävehof eliminated their opponents in the finals over the previous two years, Skuru IK, while Höör sent Lugi HF home. Club Address Unlike the quarter- and semi-finals, which are played ‘best of five’, the final in -Swe H 65 Höörs HK den is a one-match affair. The final result of 27:25 does not provide a real picture Friluftsvägen 11 of the difference between the two finalists, as Höör were in control almost all the Sweden way. Not even 13 goals from right wing Emma Ekenman-Fernis were enough to save Sävehof from losing their first championship final in eight years. Media contact David Karlsson For their maiden voyage in the Women’s EHF Champions League, Höör will have to +46 739 392 159 do without two of their key players from this season, who are both joining other [email protected] Champions League participants. Goalkeeper Jessica Ryde is joining FC Midtjylland, while left back Cassandra Tollbring is continuing her career in Larvik. For siblings Cassandra and Jerry Tollbring, the day of the finals was a family triumph as later that same afternoon, younger brother Jerry copied Cassandra’s triumph and won www.h65.se the men’s championship with Kristianstad. HoorsHkH65

h65hoor

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: light blue Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: dark blue

Dark Past achievements Player shirt: red Women’s EHF Champions League Player short: red Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Goalkeeper shirt: orange Other Challenge Cup: 2013/14 winners, 2016/17 runners-up, 2012/13 semi-finalists EHF Cup: 2015/16 quarter-finalists

Swedish league: 1 title (2017) Playing hall Eslövhallen Onsjövägen 243 34 Eslöv, Sweden Capacity: 1,500

44 H 65 Höörs HK

EHF Champions League club records

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 N/A

4545 H 65 Höörs HK

Ola Mansson coach • took over from Niklas Harris in the summer of 2016 • had a career as a player, with IFK Kristianstad as his most prominent club before devoting himself to coaching at the age of 26 in 2000 • has coached men as well as women during his career • has been a coach at six different Swedish clubs before joining Höör • is in charge of Sweden’s U19 women, together with Erik Larholm, as well as being head coach in Höör

46 H 65 Höörs HK

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 28 Amanda Andersson SWE Left Wing 13/09/1993 Lund, SWE 168 9 Anna Bardis SWE Centre Back 10/04/1993 Lund, SWE 172 16 Gry Bergdahl SWE Goalkeeper 28/04/1994 Växsjö, SWE 175 25 Michaela Fransson SWE Line Player 18/03/1996 Vinslöv, SWE 174 24 Ida Gullberg SWE Left Wing 25/09/1998 Hoor, SWE 176 21 Sofia Hvenfelt SWE Line Player 23/04/1996 Göteborg, SWE 180 2 Anna Johansson SWE Centre Back 05/05/1996 Höör, SWE 174 4 Evelina Källhage SWE Left Wing 20/04/1997 Göteborg, SWE 170 14 Emma Lindqvist SWE Centre Back 17/09/1997 Helsingborg, SWE 177 11 Jonna Linnell SWE Left Wing 07/12/1988 Tyresö, SWE 173 6 Mikaela Mässing SWE Right Back 13/03/1994 Mölndal, SWE 188 20 Anna Olsson SWE Right Back 08/12/1986 Karlshamn, SWE 170 5 Emma Rask SWE Right Wing 17/01/1996 Höör, SWE 162 19 Kristin Thorleifsdottir SWE Right Back 13/01/1998 Stockholm, SWE 182 23 Marie Wall SWE Right Wing 03/04/1992 Kungälv, SWE 177 12 Jannike Wiberg SWE Goalkeeper 20/03/1987 Höör, SWE 172 13 Tilda Winberg SWE Right Back 05/07/1998 Ystad, SWE 179

47 H 65 Höörs HK

Jannike Wiberg goalkeeper • has played with Höör during their rise from the third division to winning the Swedish championship last season • can look forward to being first-choice goalkeeper this season, after Jessica Ryde left for Danish CL participants FC Midtjylland • about to give up handball at the age of 27 in 2014, but made a comeback the next season

EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2014

Emma Rask left wing • has played with Höör all her senior career • technically skilled and fast winger, good at fast breaks • has played a total of 55 youth internationals for Sweden

EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2014

Anna Olsson back • joined Höör from league rivals Kristianstads HK in 2015; recently extended her contract until next summer • her experience and her qualities as a leader add to her fine variation of shots and her ability to break through the opposing defence • her twin sister Maria is still playing with Kristianstad, while her younger brother Markus is playing for Danish CL participants Skjern Handbold • just like her siblings, has experience in the Swedish national team, where she has made four appearances

Emma Lindqvist centre back • joined in 2016 from OV Helsingborg • expected to be a competent backup to newcomer Anna Bardis in the playmaker position • despite only being 19 years old, she has already displayed impressive defensive qualities • in attack, her eye for the game is one of her biggest advantages • recently she extended her contract with Höör for another two years until 2019

48 H 65 Höörs HK

Anna Bardis centre back • joined in the summer of 2017 summer from league rivals Eslövs IK • replacing Cassandra Tollbring, who left for Norwegian champions Larvik • studying to become a physiotherapist alongside playing handball • was highest scoring player in the Swedish league in the 2015/16 season • apart from being effective on her own, she also has a fine eye for the game and for her teammates

Sofia Hvenfelt line player • joined Höör from Önnereds HK near Gothenburg • at age 21, she is already a reliable line player as well as being a strong and uncompromising defender • her height, 180cm, is another of her advantages • was included in the Swedish national league team which was named this spring

Mikaela Mässing right back • arrived in Höör in the summer of 2014 when they were reigning Challenge Cup winners • in the 2017/18 season her role in the team has increased after the number one on the right back position Jasmina Djapanovic left the club • helped her team with 25 goals on their journey to the Challenge Cup final against Lokomotiva Zagreb

Jonna Linnell right wing • has played for Höör since 2012, when she joined from league rivals Lugi • daughter of former Swedish men’s national coach Ingemar Linnéll • from a genuine handball family, as her brother Jesper and her sister Jennie also play handball at top level • had a short foreign adventure in Danish KIF Vejen in the 2007/08 season

EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2014

49 Hypo Niederösterreich

GROUP 2 Hypo Niederösterreich The 2016/2017 season was a historic one in Austria: For the first time in nearly 30 years, Hypo Niederösterreich did not win both trophies. The four-time EHF Cham- pions League winners were defeated 17:18 by MGA Fivers in the Austrian Cup final after 29 trophies in a row.

But in the league finals, Martin Matuschkowitz’s team struck back, beating the Vienna-based Fivers team twice in the best-of-three series (31:23 and 32:21) to Club Address secure their 41st straight league title. Hypo Niederösterreich BSFZ Südstadt Liese-Prokop-Platz 1 For Hypo, it was not only the first-ever season that saw them defeated in the Cup 2344 Maria Enzersdorf final – it was also the first time they did not make it to the group stage of the EHF Austria Champions League, as they lost the final of the qualification tournament against German side HC Leipzig. Media contact: Kati Kovacs +43 699 165 855 45 While Ines Ivancok (Fivers) finished as top scorer of the season with 150 goals, [email protected] Hypo centre back Patricia Kovacs was awarded best player of the season. www.hypo-noe.at

hyponoe

Past achievements

Kit colours Women’s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 25 Light Winners (4): 1993/94, 1994/95, 1997/98, Player shirt: yellow 1999/2000 Player short: blue Runners-up (2): 1995/96, 2007/08 Goalkeeper shirt: orange Semi-final (5): 1996/97, 1998/99, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09 Dark Quarter-final (1): 2005/06 Player shirt: black Playing hall Group Matches (11): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, Player short: black BSFZ Südstadt 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Goalkeeper shirt: dark green Liese Prokop Platz 1 Qualification (1): 2016/17 2344 Maria Enzersdorf Austria Other Capacity: 1,020 Champions Trophy: Winners 1999/2000 Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2012/13, Run- ners-up 2003/04

Austrian league: 41 titles (1977-2017) Austrian cup: 29 titles

50 Hypo Niederösterreich

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 17:32 (7:17) v Bel. Olimpija Ljubljana SLO (a), 19.02.1995 Biggest defeat 37:16 (17:9) v Györi Audi ETO KC HUN (a), 08.11.2015 Longest winning run 14 matches (22.01.1994 – 26.03.1995) Longest unbeaten run 14 matches (22.01.1994 – 26.03.1995) Longest losing run 7 matches (23.11.2014 – 21.11.2015) Longest run without win 7 matches (23.11.2014 – 21.11.2015) Most goals 38 v HC Kometal Gjorce Petrov MKD 38:27W (h), 19.01.2007 MATCHES 38 v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 38:28W (h), 14.03.2009 Longest winning run 14 Most goals opponent 42 v HC Leipzig GER 42:22L (a), 31.10.2014 Most goals both teams 71 v Randers HK DEN 39:32L (a), 30.11.2011 GOALS 38 Most goals Fewest goals 14 v Podravka Koprivnica CRO 17:14L (a), 29.04.1995 14 v Kometal Dj. P. Skopje MKD 21:14L (a), 01.03.1998 GOALS Fewest goals opponent 12 v Kometal Dj. P. Skopje MKD 26:12W (h), 21.02.1998 71 Most goals both teams Fewest goals both teams 30 v Podravka Koprivnica CRO 17:13W (h), 04.05.1996

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1993/94 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 8 8 0 0 186:149 +37 16:0 Winner 1994/95 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 8 7 0 1 202:147 +55 14:2 Winner 1995/96 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 8 6 1 1 184:150 +34 13:3 Runner-up 1996/97 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 10 9 0 1 249:194 +55 18:2 1/2-finals 1997/98 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 12 9 0 3 275:241 +34 18:6 Winner 1998/99 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 10 8 0 2 277:234 +43 16:4 1/2-finals 1999/00 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 12 8 2 2 338:291 +47 18:6 Winner 2000/01 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 3 0 3 158:162 -4 6:6 3rd Gr. A 2001/02 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 3 0 3 171:159 +12 6:6 3rd Gr. C 2002/03 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 3 0 3 149:165 –16 6:6 3rd Gr. C 2003/04 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 3 0 3 159:166 -7 6:6 3rd Gr. C 2004/05 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 10 6 0 4 287:268 +19 12:8 1/2-finals 2005/06 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 8 5 0 3 225:211 +14 10:6 1/4-finals 2006/07 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 10 7 0 3 295:275 +20 14:6 1/2-finals 2007/08 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 16 13 0 3 498:435 +63 26:6 Runner-up 2008/09 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 14 11 0 3 421:366 +55 22:6 1/2-finals 2009/10 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 12 5 1 6 331:350 -19 10*:14 3rd MR Gr. 2 2010/11 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 2 0 4 137:147 -10 4:8 3rd Gr. B 2011/12 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 2 0 4 167:187 -20 4:8 4th Gr. C 2012/13 Hypo NÖ AUT 6 3 0 3 156:153 +3 6:6 3rd Gr. A 2013/14 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 2 0 4 149:170 -21 4:8 3rd Gr. A 2014/15 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 6 1 1 4 136:175 –39 3:9 4th Gr. A 2015/16 Hypo Niederősterreich AUT 6 0 0 6 135:207 –72 0:12 4th Gr. C Total 198 124 5 69 5285:5002 +283 252*:144 * = Point for Hypo Niederösterreich deducted by official decision

5151 Hypo Niederösterreich

Martin Matuschkowitz coach • took over the team in the middle of the 2015/16 season, succeeding on Ferenc Kovacs • part of the club since 1997 • had been Hypo’s head coach (2004, 2009), youth coach and assistant coach before • had intermediately been coaching teams from Germany (Lützellinden) and Denmark (Kolding) • assistant under Kovacs, who now is his assistant

52 Hypo Niederösterreich

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 77 Gorica Acimovic AUT Left Back 28/02/1985 Banja Luka, BIH 186 33 Tatjana Barisic AUT Left Wing 23/09/1998 Schwaz, AUT 167 17 Johanna Bauer AUT Left Wing 13/06/1997 Wien, AUT 167 46 Elena Berlini AUT Centre Back 31/10/1999 Mödling, AUT 178 70 Klaudia Alexa Dalnoki HUN Left Wing 27/02/1998 Budapest, HUN 164 6 Mirela Dedic AUT Left Wing 15/12/1991 Bruck an der Mur, AUT 169 8 Sarah Draguljic AUT Line Player 25/01/2000 Linz, AUT 170 19 Isabel Dramac AUT Left Back 17/05/2000 Wien, AUT 164 18 Hildigunnur Einarsdottir ISL Line Player 11/02/1988 Reykjavik, ISL 180 1 Verena Flöck AUT Goalkeeper 29/06/1992 Vienna, AUT 176 43 Isabella Fritz-Castro AUT Goalkeeper 19/11/1998 Mödling, AUT 172 92 Anna Hajgato HUN Goalkeeper 27/04/1992 Budapest, HUN 170 27 Stefanie Hirsch AUT Goalkeeper 25/12/1998 Mödling, AUT 178 7 Kitti Kiss HUN Right Wing 13/03/1994 Györ, HUN 163 44 Edona Krasniqi AUT Line Player 14/05/1996 Mödling, AUT 175 24 Melanie Krautwaschl AUT Right Back 16/02/1996 Graz, AUT 174 22 Mona Magloth AUT Line Player 11/05/1996 Mödling, AUT 175 83 Teodora Magurean ROU Centre Back 14/03/1998 Baia Mare, ROU 174 14 Lena Mittendorfer AUT Left Back 01/06/1998 Mödling, AUT 180 5 Tanja Posch AUT Left Wing 26/01/1996 Mödling, AUT 168 16 Olga Sanko RUS Goalkeeper 28/02/1978 Rostov/Don, RUS 180 13 Miriam Schaupp AUT Right Wing 21/01/1998 Eggenburg, AUT 165 10 Marina Topic AUT Right Back 17/09/1996 Mödling, AUT 180 23 Sonata Vijunaite LTU Line Player 23/02/1980 Lietuva, LTU 179 15 Claudia Wess AUT Right Back 15/06/1995 Wien, AUT 180

53 Hypo Niederösterreich

Olga Sanko goalkeeper • played and won her so-far only CL final against Hypo when playing for Zvezda in 2007/08 • came to Hypo as a young player in 2005, then returned to her home country of Russia before joining the Austrians again in 2009 • mother of twins • since 2015/16 season shares the job with young Verena Flöck EC trophies: CL 2008

Verena Flök goalkeeper • in her second stint at Hypo after playing for the club’s youth teams from 2005 to 2011 • moved to Germany at age 19, first to Thüringer HC, later to MJC Trier, before returning to Vienna in 2015 • builds goalkeeper duo in Austrian national team with Petra Blazek (Valcea) • works as a graphic designer in daily life

Mirela Dedic left wing • arrived at Hypo at the age of 17, had been playing for Bruck/Leitha • had played more than 30 matches for the Austrian national team • had been part of all Austrian younger age category national teams • has played nearly 50 matches for the Austrian national team so far

Gorica Acimovic left back • had quit playing handball after the 2014/15 season, then returned to the Hypo squad in February 2016 to help the young team • had her first time at Hypo from 2004 to 2009, then transferred to Viborg; after three successful years the Bosnian-born former Austria national player returned to Hypo • last one in the team, who had been part of the 2008 CL final squad • has changed from right to left back for the 2017/18 season

EC trophies: CL 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup 2013

54 Hypo Niederösterreich

Teodora Magurean centre back • arrived from the youth programme of CS Extrem Baia Mare at the start of the season for her first club abroad • able to play on all back court positions • her nickname is Teo, her favourite handball team is FC Barcelona

Hildigunnur Einarsdottir line player • Icelandic international who arrived from German record champions HC Leipzig • will replace Danish line player Cristina Haurum, who left to Germany • powerful defence specialist who previously played for Tertnes in Norway and Koblenz in Germany • won three domestic league titles in Iceland with Valur

Melanie Krautwaschl right back/right wing • came over from Hypo’s local rivals Wiener Neustadt before this season, and formerly played for Graz • has played in all Austrian younger age category national teams • started playing handball only seven years ago

Kitty Kiss right wing • born in the Hungarian capital of handball, Győr, but she never made an appearance for the first team there • played for Győr’s youth academy, Mosonmagyaróvár and signed a contract with Hypo in the summer of 2015 • former coach Ferenc Kovács personally asked for her • had already been playing coach for Austrian club Wiener Neustadt, before she returned to Hypo

55 Hypo Niederösterreich

GROUP 2 Mecalia Atletico Guardes Galician team Mecalia Atletico Guardes celebrated the club’s 50th anniversary by winning the Liga Loterías for the first time in history, ending four seasons of domi- nance from Bera Bera.

The victory was a significant achievement for the club from a town with a popula- tion of just 10,000, who won the league in the last round.

Club Address Mecalia Atletico Guardes Canaria team Rocasa Gran Canaria, who finished third in the league, won the Copa Sport Hall A Sangrina de la Reina by beating Bera Bera in extra time in the final. It was the second Copa Portugal Avenue s/n in club history, after they claimed the first in 2015. 36780 A Guarda Spain

Media contact Nuria Lago Rodriguez +34 667 202 535 [email protected]

www.balonmanatleticoguardes.com

mecaliaguardesofficial

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: red-white Player short: red GK shirt: green Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Player shirt: black Player short: black Other GK shirt: blue Challenge Cup: quarter-finals 2016/17 Cup Winners’ Cup: Round 3 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16

Spanish league: 1 title (2017) Playing hall Spanish cup: - Complejo Deportivo de As Travesas Av. de Castrelos, 1, 36210 Vigo Spain Capacity: 6,000

56 Mecalia Atletico Guardes

EHF Champions League club records

Past seasons

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 N/A

5757 Mecalia Atletico Guardes

Jose Ignacio Prades coach • led Guardes to the domestic league title in 2017, in his first season in charge of the club • celebrated previous successes with BM Elda (2011 ) and Elche (2013), who both finisghed runner-up in the league • led Spain to gold at World University Handball Champi- onship 2011 on home court

58 Mecalia Atletico Guardes

Team roster

No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 1 Marisol Carratu ESP Goalkeeper 15/07/1986 Buenos Aires, ARG 175 16 Estela Carrera ESP Goalkeeper 08/10/1991 Elda, ESP 165 17 Rebeca Castell ESP Line Player 20/04/1994 Castellon de la Plana, ESP 172 2 Ana Isabel Cerqueira POR Right Wing 08/10/1990 Caminha, POR 165 6 Estela Doiro ESP Line Player 28/12/1990 La Guardia, ESP 162 5 Naiara Egozkue ESP Left Wing 21/10/1983 Pamplona, ESP 173 19 Anthia Espiñeira ESP Centre Back 27/11/1996 Vigo, ESP 164 26 Carla Gomez Suau ESP Back 30/01/1991 S. Antoni de Vilamajor, ESP 180 18 Jennifer Gutierrez ESP Left Wing 20/02/1995 Horgen, SUI 168 11 Ines Hernandez ESP Line Player 30/08/1986 Almeria, ESP 172 14 Alesia Kurchankova BLR Line Player 04/07/1980 BLR 167 27 Raquel Lorenzo ESP Goalkeeper 27/10/1993 La Guarda, ESP 170 7 Marta Mendez ESP Left Back 07/11/1994 Leon, ESP 185 9 Luciana Mendoza ARG Right Back 14/03/1990 Buenos Aires, ARG 171 92 Marta Pombal ESP Line Player 18/03/1999 Oia, ESP 169 21 Gabriela Romero BRA Centre Back 25/03/1996 Sao Paulo, BRA 168 4 Africa Sempere ESP Back 25/09/1992 Torrellano, ESP 168 22 Rosario Urban Medel ARG Right Wing 13/03/1997 Buenos Aires, ARG 164

59 Mecalia Atletico Guardes

Marisol Carratu goalkeeper • represented Argentina at the 2016 Olympic Games and the WCh in 2013 and 2015 • entering her second season with Atlético • transmits serenity to her teammates

Estela Carrera goalkeeper • fast and intuitive goalkeeper • going into her fifth European season but first in the CL • previously played EHF Cup 2012/13 and 2013/14 with Alcobendas, Cup Winners’ Cup 2015/16 and Challenge Cup 2016/17 with Atlético

Jennifer Gutierrez left wing • arrived this season from Rincón Fertilidad Málaga • made debut for national team in June 2017 age 17 • scored 17 times for Elche in EHF Cup 2013/14 season

Ines Hernandez left back • starting into 5th season at Guardes • complete player, usable on different positions in defence and attack • scored 13 times during Atlético’s run to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup last season

60 Mecalia Atletico Guardes

Estela Doiro centre back/line player • plays leading role in the team on and off the court • versatile player with lots of different qualities • four seasons of European experience (Cup Winners’ Cup, Challenge Cup) but approaching her CL debut

Africa Sempere line player • arrived from Frederikstad in Norway last year • leading goal scorer at Atlético last season, including 34 goals in the Challenge Cup • key player with strength in defence

Luciana Mendoza right back • the Argentine international is going into her second season at Guardes • one of the leaders in attack with the ability to break open the opponent’s defence • has scored nearly four goals on average for the Argentine national team

Ana Cerquiera right wing • Portuguese player who has spent whole her career at Guardes • one of the two team captains alongside Estela Doiro • often praised for her efficiency in attack

61 2015/16 Top Scorers

2016/17 Top Scorers

Rank Player Club Goals 1 Andrea Penezic (CRO) HC Vardar (MKD) 98 2 Isabelle Gulldén (SWE) CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 92 3 Katarina Bulatovic (MNE) Buducnost (MNE) 90 Cristina Neagu (ROU) Buducnost (MNE) 90 5 Nora Mørk (NOR) Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 85 6 Anita Görbicz (HUN) Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 84 Ana Gros (SLO) Metz Handball (FRA) 84 8 Linn-Kristin Koren Riegelhuth (NOR) Larvik (NOR) 83 9 Stine Jörgensen (DEN) FC Midtjylland (DEN) 81 10 Karina Sabirova (RUS) Astrakhanochka (RUS) 78 11 Amanda Kurtovic (NOR) Larvik (NOR) 74 12 Eduarda Amorim Taleska (BRA) Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 70 13 Jovanka Radicevic (MNE) HC Vardar (MKD) 69 14 Carmen Martin (ESP) CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 65 15 Iveta Luzumova (CZE) Thüringer HC (GER) 64 16 Nerea Pena (ESP) FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 60 17 Jenny Alm (SWE) Team Esbjerg (DEN) 59 Andrea Lekic (SRB) HC Vardar (MKD) 59 19 Alexandra Lacrabere (FRA) HC Vardar (MKD) 58 20 Marit Malm Frafjord (NOR) Larvik (NOR) 57 Veronica Kristiansen (NOR) FC Midtjylland (DEN) 57

62 Past winners

1994 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT

1995 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT

1996 Podravka Koprivnica CRO

1997 Mar El Osito L´Eliana Valencia ESP

1998 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT

1999 Dunaferr SE HUN

2000 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT

2001 RK Krim Neutro Roberts SLO

2002 Kometal D.P. Skopje MKD

2003 Krim ETA Kotex Ljubljana SLO

2004 Slagelse FH DEN

2005 Slagelse FH DEN

2006 Viborg A/S DEN

2007 Slagelse FH DEN

2008 Zvezda Zvenigorod RUS

2009 Viborg A/S DEN

2010 Viborg A/S DEN

2011 Larvik HK NOR

2012 Buducnost Podgorica MNE

2013 Gyõri Audi ETO KC HUN

2014 Gyõri Audi ETO KC HUN

2015 Buducnost Podgorica MNE

2016 CSM Bucuresti ROU

2017 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN

63 All-time clubs standings

All-time clubs standings TR Name of the club MP W D L GF:FA GD P NP % 1 Buducnost MNE 218 125 21 72 5837:5473 +364 271:165 (21) 62,16% 2 Györi Audi ETO KC HUN 172 122 12 38 4829:4221 +608 256:88 (13) 74,42%

3 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 198 124 5 69 5285:5002 +283 252*:144 (23) 63,64% 4 Larvik NOR 190 113 10 67 5135:4721 +414 236:144 (18) 62,11% 5 RK Krim Mercator SLO 214 106 10 98 5778:5707 +71 222:206 (21) 51,87% 6 Viborg HK DEN 164 87 12 65 4565:4323 +242 186:142 (17) 56,71% 7 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria HUN 132 68 11 53 3604:3477 +127 147:117 (15) 55,68% 8 Oltchim Rm. Valcea ROU 118 62 8 48 3148:3005 +143 132:104 (12) 55,93% 9 CBM Astroc Sagunto ESP 100 52 3 45 2658:2582 +76 107:93 (12) 53,50% 10 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 124 50 7 67 3124:3262 -138 107:141 (18) 43,15% 11 Kometal Gjorce Petrov MKD 98 47 6 45 2460:2410 +50 100:96 (12) 51,02% 12 FC Midtjylland DEN 96 44 6 46 2470:2476 -6 94:98 (9) 48,96% 13 HC Vardar MKD 62 41 6 15 1803:1574 +229 88:36 (4) 70,97% 14 Dinamo-Sinara RUS 94 38 9 47 2473:2520 -47 85:103 (11) 45,21% 15 Slagelse DT DEN 56 38 2 16 1514:1400 +114 78:34 (5) 69,64% 16 HC Lada RUS 62 33 2 27 1729:1737 -8 68:56 (7) 54,84% 17 Dunaferr NK HUN 52 29 4 19 1395:1285 +110 62:42 (6) 59,62% 18 Metz Handball FRA 80 26 6 48 1979:2084 –105 58:102 (10) 36,25% 19 Thüringer HC GER 62 21 5 36 1582:1667 -85 47:77 (6) 37,90% 20 Zvezda Zvenigorod RUS 46 21 3 22 1294:1297 -3 45:47 (5) 48,91%

21 HC Leipzig GER 72 20 3 49 1792:2025 –233 43:101 (9) 29,86% 22 CSM Bucuresti ROU 32 20 2 10 843:794 +49 42:22 (2) 65,63% 23 MKS Selgros Lublin POL 64 18 5 41 1617:1782 –165 41:87 (10) 32,03% 24 Grupo Asfi Itxako Navarra ESP 34 17 5 12 879:839 +40 39:29 (3) 57,35% 25 Byasen NOR 40 15 3 22 942:1006 –64 33:47 (6) 41,25% 28 Rostov-Don RUS 20 12 1 7 547:499 48 25:15 (2) 62,50% NR HC Gomel BLR 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR Nykøbing FH DEN 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR BM Atletico Guardes ESP 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR Brest Bretagne FRA 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR SG BBM Bietigheim GER 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR Vipers Kristiansand NOR 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR Vistal Gdynia POL 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR Höörs HK H65 SWE 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00% NR Kastamonu Belediyesi TUR 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0:0 (0) 0,00%

* = Point for Hypo NÖ deducted by official decision Excluding Qualifying matches 6464 65