Season 2013/14 Media Information VELUX EHF FINAL4 LANXESS arena Cologne

Saturday, 31 May 2014 Semi-final 2 – 15:15 MKB MVM Veszprém (HUN) vs THW Kiel (GER) :

Semi-final 1 – 18:00 FC Barcelona (ESP) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) :

Sunday, 1 June 2014 3/4 Placement match – 15:15 vs :

Final – 18:00 vs : Table of contents

Playing system diagram 4

Playing order & regulations 5

Facts & figures 6

FC Barcelona 8

THW Kiel 14

SG Flensburg Handewitt 20

MKB-MVM Veszprém 26

Head-to-heads 31

VELUX EHF Champions League Current Top Scorers 33

EHF Champions League Top Scorers 34

EHF Champions League Past Winners 35

EHF Champions League All-time club standings 36

2

vs. vs. vs. vs. Place Match Place rd Final Semi-nals 3 31.05 /1.06.2014 FINAL4 FINAL4 1 2 1 vs. vs. vs. vs. 2 rst leg rst - 20.04.2014 16.04. second leg 23.04. - 27.04.2014 Quarter-nals Quarter-nals 1 2 2 vs. vs. vs. vs. 3 1 vs. vs. vs. vs. 4 Last 16 Last rst leg rst - 23.03.2014 19.03. second leg - 30.03.2014 26.03. Last 16 Last Season 2013/14 playing dates playing Season 2013/14 20. - 24.11.2013 20. - 01.12.2013 27.11 05. - 09.02.2014 - 16.02.2014 12. - 23.02.2014 19. VELUX EHF Champions League 2013/14 playing system playing VELUX EHF League Champions 2013/14 Home Matches Home Matches Matches Total 5 10 Group Phase Group 18. - 22.09.2013 18. - 29.09.2013 25. 09. - 13.10.2013 - 20.10.2013 16. - 17.11.2013 13. Group Phase Group vs. vs. vs. vs. Qualication Tournaments Qualication/ Matches Wild Card Qualication Tournaments Qualication Qualication Matches and Wild Card 31.08. - 01.09.2013 31.08. - 01.09.2013 21.08.

4 Playing order overview

LANXESS arena, Cologne Saturday, 31 May 2014 15:15 hrs Semi-final 2: MKB-MVM Veszprem vs. THW Kiel Ref: Nenad Krstic & Peter Ljubic / SLO Del: Bozidar Djurkovic (EHF Comptrollers / SRB) & Antonio Goulao (EHF Technical Refereeing Committee / POR) 18:00 hrs Semi-final 1: FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt Ref: Vaclav Horacek & Jiri Novotny / CZE Del: Martin Hausleitner (EHF Competitions Commission / AUT) & Dragan Nachevski (EHF Competitions Commission / MKD) Sunday, 1 June 2014 15:15 hrs 3/4 placement match: Loser SF 1 vs. Loser SF 2 Ref: Andrei Gousko & Siarhei Repkin / BLR 18:00 hrs Final: Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2 Ref: Martin Gjeding & Mads Hansen / DEN

Important regulations What follows, if a match ends in a draw

All matches of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes • At the Technical Meeting the teams will be informed at which with a half-time break of 15 minutes. goal the penalty throws will be 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 • If a semi-final match or the final ends in a draw, there will be a to throw first or last. five minutes break followed by one extra time of 2 x 5 minutes, there will be a one minute half-time break at half time for the • If the scores are equal after the first round of penalty throws, changeover of teams. If there is a draw at the end of the extra- it shall be continued until a decision is reached. In the second time. round, the other team shall start. Again five players shall be named who are eligible to play (the players named before may • If the placement match 3/4 ends in a draw, there shall be be named once again). no extra time, the match will be decided directly by penalty throws. • In the second round, a decision is reached when a goal difference arises after both teams have taken one throw each. • If penalty throws are needed to decide the match, the procedure is as follows: • Eligible players are players entered in the match report that have not been disqualified or suspended at the time of the • Prior to the penalty throws, each team shall name five players final whistle. eligible to play at the end of the match by handing the referees a list of numbers. These players shall then take one throw • Serious infractions committed during penalty throws shall each, alternating with their opponents. Each team is free to be sanctioned by disqualification. If a thrower is disqualified determine the sequence in which throwers will take their or suffers an injury, an eligible substitute player shall be throws. supplementary named. • The goalkeepers may be freely selected from the match report • While the throws are being taken, only the player taking the and exchanged in accordance with the Rules of the Game. throw, the current goalkeeper and the referees may enter the Goalkeepers may take throws and throwers may perform as respective half of the playing court. goalkeepers. • If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be named to take a second throw in the same round.

5 Facts & figures Vugrinec, Kiel and Barcelona top the rankings

0 times SG Flensburg-Handewitt and MVM-MKB Veszprem had been 4 times both THW Kiel and FC Barcelona have been participants at the part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 before. VELUX EHF FINAL 4. While Barcelona took the trophy once in 2011, Kiel won the title in 2010 and 2012. 0 champions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 have defended their titles – and things will not change in 2014, as defending champions Hamburg 5 times Siarhei Rutenka has won the EHF Champions League to are already out after losing their Last 16 tie against Vardar Skopje. date, 2004 with Celje, 2006, 2008 and 2009 with Ciudad Real and 20111 with Barcelona. If Rutenka wins his sixth individual title, the 0 teams have qualified for all five VELUX EHF FINAL4 events since Belarusian would join the two legendary goalkeepers Tomas Svensson 2010. and David Barrufet, who also have six trophies to their name.

1 - Veszprem was finalist of the EHF Champions League once – but lost 7 times FC Barcelona won the EHF Champions League title; five 2002 against SC Magdeburg, led by current Kiel coach Alfred Gislason. straight times from 1996 and 2000 as well as 2005 and 2011.

1 - MVM MKB Veszprem is the first Hungarian side to qualify for 16 goals were scored by Uwe Gensheimer (Rhein Neckar Löwen) the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Other “maiden voyage” countries are Russia against FC Barcelona, making him the top scorer of the round, but 14 (Medvedi 2010), Denmark (AG Kobenhavn 2012) and Poland (Vive came in the first leg. Targi Kielce 2013). The remaining teams came either from Spain or Germany. 18 goals (65:47) were the biggest difference ever scored in a quarter- final of the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-finals since the 2 VELUX EHF FINAL 4 participants are coached by Spaniards: implementation of the current playing system in the 2009/10 season. Veszprem (Carlos Ortega) and Barcelona (Xavi Pascual). The remaining This result was scored by THW Kiel against Metalurg, followed by 14 teams are coached by Icelandic (Alfred Gislason/Kiel) and Swedish goals in the 2010/11 pairing HSV Hamburg vs. Chekhovskie Medvedi (Ljubomir Vranjes/Flensburg) coaches. Vranjes is the first Swedish (75:61) and 13 goals in the 2012/13 season by Kielce vs. Metalurg coach in Cologne. (53:40).

2 duels of the four quarter-final pairings were level at the ebd and 25 points from 14 matches by THW Kiel is the best record of the four had to be decided by the number of away goals: Barcelona vs. Löwen teams to reach Cologne, followed by Barcelona with 24 points, ahead (62:62 – 31:38, 31:24) and Flensburg vs. Vardar 49:49 (24:22, 25:27). of Veszprem on 23 and 21 for Flensburg.

2 times before FC Barcelona played finals of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 95 goals were scored by Renato Vugrinec so far to lead the top scorer against German teams (2010 vs. Kiel and 2013 vs. Hamburg) – and ranking of the VELUX EHF Champions League. The right back is ahead never have the Catalans won. The only title they took was in the 2011 of Momir Ilic (Veszprem - 81) and Gasper Marguc (Celje - 79). Ilic is all-Spanish final against Atletico Madrid. the only of the top three who can add to his tally in Cologne.

2 times SG Flensburg-Handewitt had been finalist in the EHF 98 goals was the lowest number of all current quarter-final pairings, Champions League finals - but the Northern Germans have not won scored by Flensburg and Vardar Skopje. the title after their defeats against Celje (2004) and Kiel (2007) 124 goals were scored by Löwen and Barcelona in their quarter-finals 2 teams of the 2013 VELUX EHF FINAL4 have made it again to Cologne: to top the number of goals in this round. Barcelona and Kiel. Kielce and defending champions Hamburg were eliminated in the Last 16. 355 goals conceded gives Veszprem the best defence of the four VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants after 14 matches, followed by 360 3 Icelandic left wing Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson will have his fourth (Barcelona), 375 (Kiel) and 379 (Flensburg) VELUX EHF FINAL4 with his third club: In 2011 he was in Cologne with Rhein Neckar Löwen, in 2012 with AG Kobenhavn and 2013 and 2014 470 goals in 14 matches scored by FC Barcelona puts them on top, with THW Kiel. “Goggi” has yet to win the trophy in Cologne. followed by 435 (Veszprem), 434 (Kiel) and 418 (Flensburg).

3 times has two German teams been part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 before: 2011, when Hamburg and Füchse both missed the final, 2012 when Kiel won after beating Füchse in the semi-finals and 2013, when Hamburg won the trophy after a semi-final win over Kiel.

3 times THW Kiel won the EHF Champions League (2007, 2010, 2012).

6 Facts & figures Season figures

Overall matches with the biggest numbers of goals in this Biggest goal difference in a single match season (all in the group phase) 19 goals - Barcelona vs. Wacker Thun (45:26) 73 goals – HSV Hamburg vs. Gorenje Velenje (41:32) 18 goals - FC Barcelona vs. HC Metalurg (35:17) 72 goals – DROTT Halmstad vs. Gorenje Velenje (32:40) 17 goals - MKB-MVM Veszprém vs. Motor Zaporozhye (44:27) 72 goals – Naturhouse La Rioja vs. DROTT Halmstad (38:34) *10 goals – Metalurg Skopje vs. THW Kiel 21:31, biggest difference in 71 goals - MKB-MVM Veszprém vs. Motor Zaporozhye (44:27) the quarter-finals 71 goals – FC Barcelona – Wacker Thun (45:26) *69 goals – Rhein neckar Löwen vs. FC Barcelona (38:31, highest number of goals in a single quarter-final match) Spectators 15,320 - Dinamo Minsk vs. FC Barcelona (GM) 13,200 – Rhein Neckar Löwen vs. FV Barcelona (QF) Matches with the lowest number of goals 11,000 - RK Zagreb vs. MKB-MVM Veszprém (GM) 38 goals - Dunkerque vs. KIF Kolding-Kobenhavn (18:20) 40 goals –Metalurg Skopje vs. KIF Kolding-Kobenhavn (23:17/L16) 43 goals – FC Porto vs. Dunkerque (22:21) 44 goals – FC Porto – Orlen Wisla Plock (20:24) 44 goals - Vardar Skopje vs. Metalurg Skopje (18:26) *46 goals – Flensburg vs. Vardar (24:22) – lowest number of goals in quarter-finals

7 FC Barcelona (ESP)

No team in the group phase managed to avoid a defeat at least once. Even FC Barcelona, a team that boasts stars like Arpad Sterbik, Siarhei Rutenka, Kiril Lazarov and Nikola Karabatic did not. Their group phase was like a burger - eight victories covered on both ends by two stumbles in Skopje.

The sheer dominance is one of the reasons that makes the EHF Champions League record winners of the red-hot favourite to win their eighth title. The club was quick in signing Mickael Robin from Montpellier as replacement for injured Arpad Sterbik, who led his new team safely past Aalborg in the Last 16.

In the first quarter-final leg against Rhein-Neckar at Mannheim they were trailing by no less than eleven goals in the second half, but Barcelona never gave in and succeeded on away goals in a thrilling finish of the second leg. Sterbik made it back for the quarter-final and is fit for the final tournament.

Quarter-final results First leg: Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona 38:31 (22:14) Second leg: FC Barcelona vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 31:24 (15:11)

Last 16 results First leg: Aalborg Handball vs FC Barcelona 22:29 (13:15) Second leg: FC Barcelona vs Aalborg Handball 31:20 (16:11) Playing hall GROUP C Final Table: Palau Blaugrana 1. FC Barcelona 10 8 1 1 348:256 (92) 17 Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n 2. PSG Handball 10 6 1 3 315:288 (27) 13 08028 Barcelona 3. HC Metalurg 10 5 2 3 256:265 (-9) 12 Spain 4. HC Vardar - Skopje 10 4 2 4 269:263 (6) 10 Capacity: 7,250 5. HC Dinamo Minsk 10 3 1 6 266:295 (-29) 7 6. Wacker Thun 10 0 1 9 242:329 (-87) 1 Club Address: FC Barcelona Intersport Group Phase results: Past achievements Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) 08028 Barcelona @ HC Vardar - Skopje D29:29 (15:19) VELUX EHF Champions League Spain vs Wacker Thun W45:26 (21:14) Participations (including 2013/14 vs HC Metalurg W35:17 (17:5) season): 17 Media contact: @ PSG Handball W33:29 (17:17) Winner (7): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, Gustau Galvache @ HC Dinamo Minsk W35:25 (16:15) 1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11 +34 618522789 vs HC Dinamo Minsk W35:25 (13:9) Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13 [email protected] vs HC Vardar - Skopje W30:23 (14:11) Semi-final (1): 2007/08 @ Wacker Thun W39:23 (17:13) Quarter-final (3): 2005/06, 2006/07, Online information: vs PSG Handball W38:28 (19:9) 2011/12 Website: www.fcbarcelona.cat @ HC Metalurg L29:31 (11:15) Last 16 (1): 2003/04 Facebook: FCBHandbol Main Round (1): 2008/09 Twitter: @FCBHandbol Other EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up Top scorers: 2001/02 Kit colours 1. Kiril Lazarov (MKD) 71 Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, 2. Nikola Karabatic (FRA) 63 Light 1994/95 Player shirt: red and yellow 3. Siarhei Rutenka (BLR) 58 4. Victor Tomas (ESP) 55 Player short: red Spanish league: 21 titles (1969, 1973, 5. Jesper Nöddesbo (DEN) 43 Goalkeeper shirt: green/grey 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, Dark 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, Player shirt: blue and red 2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, Player short: blue 2014) Goalkeeper shirt: black/dark red Spanish Cup winner: 18 times Asobal Cup winner: 9 times

8 FC Barcelona (ESP)

Biggest win 43:17 (21:9) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (a), 19.11.2011 Biggest defeat 21:31 (10:13) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 23.02.2007 31:41 (15:20) v THW Kiel GER (a), 06.04.2008 Longest winning run 12 matches (24.04.2011 – 12.02.2012) Longest unbeaten run 16 matches (24.01.1996 – 16.03.1997) Longest losing run 2 matches (6 times) Longest run without win 3 matches (30.05.2010 – 03.10.2010) Most goals 46 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 Most goals opponent 41 v THW Kiel GER 41:31L (a), 06.04.2008 Most goals both teams 82 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009 Fewest goals 21 v ABC Braga POR 21:21D (a), 09.11.1997 21 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:21L (a), 23.10.2004 21 v Portland San Antonio ESP 25:21L (a), 25.02.2006 21 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 31:21L (a), 23.02.2007 Fewest goals opponent 12 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004 Fewest goals both teams 38 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 23:15W (a), 20.04.1996 38 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1995/96 FC Barcelona ESP 8 5 2 1 213: 173 + 40 12 Winner 1996/97 FC Barcelona ESP 12 10 1 1 358: 264 + 94 21 Winner 1997/98 FC Barcelona ESP 12 9 1 2 358: 284 + 74 19 Winner 1998/99 FC Barcelona ESP 12 8 3 1 357: 289 + 68 19 Winner 1999/00 FC Barcelona ESP 12 10 0 2 345: 271 + 74 20 Winner 2000/01 FC Barcelona ESP 12 8 2 2 316: 281 + 35 18 Runner-up 2003/04 FC Barcelona ESP 8 5 1 2 262: 212 + 50 11 1/8-finals 2004/05 FC Barcelona Cifec ESP 14 8 0 6 400: 360 + 40 16 Winner 2005/06 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 10 9 0 1 293: 244 + 49 18 1/4-finals 2006/07 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP 10 8 0 2 314: 263 + 51 16 1/4-finals 2007/08 FC Barcelona ESP 14 11 0 3 475: 407 + 68 22 1/2-finals 2008/09 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 10 6 0 4 307: 275 + 32 12 3rd MR Gr. 4 2009/10 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 16 13 1 2 545: 461 + 84 27 Runner-up 2010/11 FC Barcelona Borges ESP 16 10 3 3 501: 451 + 50 23 Winner 2011/12 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 14 11 0 3 459: 357 +102 22 1/4-finals 2012/13 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP 16 13 0 3 488: 404 + 84 26 Runner-up Total 196 144 14 38 5991:4996 +995 302

Domestic competitions Barca lacked a worthy rival in this season of Asobal. The defending champions won all 30 matches in the league and they topped the ranking with a plus 400 goals difference. They clinched the title five rounds before the end and at the end they had 13 points ahead of the second best team – Naturhouse La Rioja. Already in December they claimed the Asobal Cup and added Copa del Rey at the beginning of May after a ten-goal win over Granollers.

9 FC Barcelona (ESP) Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height Goals

77 Kiril Lazarov MKD Right Back 10.5.1980 195 99 71 33 Nikola Karabatic FRA Left Back 11.4.1984 196 102 63 22 Siarhei Rutenka BLR Left Back 29.8.1981 199 109 58 8 Victor Tomas Gonzalez ESP Right Wing 15.2.1985 178 89 55 3 Jesper Brian Nöddesbo DEN Line Player 23.10.1980 199 101 43 9 Raul Entrerrios Rodriguez ESP Centre Back 12.2.1981 195 89 36 6 Juan Garcia Lorenzana ESP Left Wing 28.8.1977 176 74 30 10 Cedric Sorhaindo FRA Line Player 7.6.1984 192 100 25 11 Daniel Sarmiento Melian ESP Centre Back 25.8.1983 188 85 24 13 Aitor Arino Bengoechea ESP Left Wing 5.10.1992 184 81 19 18 Eduardo Gurbindo Martinez ESP Right Back 8.11.1987 195 89 15 37 Joan Saubich Mir ESP Right Wing 7.11.1989 186 88 13 24 Martin Stranovsky SVK Left Wing 12.9.1985 187 78 13 27 Viran Morros de Argila ESP Left Back 15.12.1983 197 92 4 34 David Balaguer Romeu ESP Right Wing 17.8.1991 184 83 1 41 Michal Kasal CZE Left Back 3.4.1994 207 100 12 Danijel Saric BIH Goalkeeper 27.6.1977 194 93 1 Arpad Sterbik ESP Goalkeeper 20.11.1979 200 119 23 Mickael Robin FRA Goalkeeper 28.5.1985 190 87 40 Ignacio Biosca Garcia ESP Goalkeeper 17.7.1995 200 95

10 Xavi Pascual Arpad Sterbik coach goalkeeper The name is a “double feature” at FC The two-metre tall 2005 World Handball Barcelona, as the coaches of both the Player of the Year was part of the famous handball and the basketball section hold the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper duo together with same name. Handball’s Xavi Pascual played Jose Hombrados. Having joined Barcelona in for a lengthy period Barcelona and some September 2012, he is now aiming to become other Spanish clubs, before becoming the equally as good together with his teammate goalkeeper coach at the EHF Champions Danijel Šarić. He won the EHF Champions League record winners in 2005, where he League three times with Ciudad Real (2006, started working with the legendary David Barrufet and others. In 2008 and 2009) and, being a Spanish citizen since 2008, also bronze 2009 he succeeded Manolo Cadenas at Barcelona’s helm and led the at the 2011 World Championship and gold at the 2013 World team to the Champions League victory in 2011. Championship with Spain.

Juanin Garcia Siarhei Rutenka left wing left back The all-time record scorer of the Spanish In 2011 the Belarusian became the second ASOBAL league is still one of the most player to win five EHF Champions League talented wing players in Europe. He joined titles with three clubs after Jose Javier the Spanish powerhouse at the start of Hombrados (with Santander, San Antonio, the 2005/06 season and was part of the Ciudad Real) completed this feat as the first Barcelona squad that won the EHF Champions one. After lifting the trophy in 2004 with League in 2011. He also won gold with the Celje, Rutenka won three titles with Ciudad Spanish national team at the 2005 World Real, followed by the victory with Barcelona. Championship. His speed on the counterattack, his athletic game and No matter what competition, Rutenka is among the top scorers, e.g. his ability to shoot in so many different ways are both fundamental at the 2006 EHF EURO and in 2003/04 and the 2004/05 Champions aspects of Juanin Garcia’s style. League season.

Nikola Karabatić Jesper Nøddesbo centre back / left back line player The former World Handball player of the Year Noddesbo started his career at Team Tvis has been one of Barcelona transfer coups Holstebro – long before the Danish club this summer, with Kiril Lazarov being another made it as far as the EHF Cup semi-final in the one. Karabatic has already won everything 2012/13 season. His career started spiralling there is to win, as he has triumphed at upwards when he joined KIF Kolding in 2004. Olympic Games, World Championships and Since then, he has been among Europe’s elite EHF European Championships with the French year after year – with Kolding from 2004 national team. The left back is one of the to 2007, and ever since with FC Barcelona, most complete handball players with strengths in attack and defence. whom he joined in the summer of 2007. He is an imposing presence He has also won the EHF Champions League twice – in 2003 with on the court and is not afraid of anything when it comes to stopping Montpellier and 2007 with THW Kiel. opposing attackers.

Kiril Lazarov Victor Tomas right back right wing The powerful back court shooter from FYR Following the victories in 2005 and 2011, the Macedonia is the most successful scorer at a Barcelona-born Tomas will be hoping to lift single EHF EURO event (2012 Serbia, 61 goals) his third EHF Champions League trophy at and also at World Championship level (2009 the FINAL4 in Cologne. He joined Barcelona’s Croatia, 92 goals). He was also top scorer of youth team in 1998 and has not played for the EHF Champions League twice (2005/06 any other club. In fact he is that loyal to and 2007/08) – but still this title is missing in Barça, he has always stated that if he were his trophy cabinet. In the 2012/13 ASOBAL to leave the Catalan club he would only season he converted 62 per cent of his shots, being particularly play outside of Spain. He biggest assets are his great pace and his effective from the penalty line (76 per cent) and with counter impressive flexibility that make him a strong player in attack but also (86 per cent). in defence.

11 Daniel Sarmiento Danijel Šarić centre back goalkeeper This talented centre back started playing One of the best Barcelona players for his in the ASOBAL league at the early age of 17 incredible quality in goal and for the joy he in Gáldar (Canary Islands). Following four brings to the team. Nowadays he will be years in Almeria and two in Ademar Leon he more important because of the injury to transferred to Barcelona, just after he had Arpad Sterbik. The Bosnian goalkeeper won been chosen as the best player of the ASOBAL the VELUX EHF Champions League in 2011 League in 2009. With his current club he has with Barcelona, awarded the best goalkeeper already won four league titles and also tasted of the ASOBAL Spanish league in 2011 and the VELUX EHF FINAL4 success in 2011. With the Spanish national 2012, and the best player overall in 2011. He joined Barça in 2009, team he claimed gold at the World Championship in 2013 and also after spells with Spanish clubs San Antonio, León, Alcobendas and took part at the last EHF EURO in Denmark, where Spain finished Cantabria, but began his career in Serbia with RK Crvena Zvezda and third. RK Sintelon.

Martin Straňovský Raúl Entrerríos left wing centre back The winner of the 2006 handball player At the age of 32, he has matured into one of of the year award in Slovakia spent seven the household names in Spanish handball and seasons with Leon, winning the ASOBAL Cup he is one of the leading players of the national in 2006. With 863 goals in seven seasons, he team. Although his natural position sees him caught the attention of FC Barcelona, where playing in the centre, his many skills in the he signed in 2012. This season’s VELUX EHF first line allow him to change permanently FINAL4 will be the second in his career, with with effectiveness and perform with ease in his previous best being the quarter-finals in all positions. His vision of the game is unique, the 2011/12 season, when Leon failed to make the last step despite and his shot is hard and straight. He is a highly charismatic player who winning the first leg against Füchse by 11 goals. Even after Juanin’s loves the sport. He has won all the most important European Cup departure he will still have a fierce competition on his position due to competitions including the CL and last January he helped Spain to win arriving Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson. bronze medals at the EHF EURO.

Cedric Sorhaindo Viran Morros line player line player He is a latecomer to handball. At 17, he had Born in Barcelona, Viran Morros started his to have surgery to both his legs in order to career with his current club before playing for put them straight and allow him to walk three different ASOBAL teams. After clinching properly. Since then, he has never stopped his sixth Spanish league title, he now has progressing. After learning his trade in Paris, the new opportunity to win his third CL title where he played for six years, he then moved following two successes with Ciudad Real to Barcelona. He immediately gained the (2008 and 2009). The defence is his natural confidence of his teammates with his tough environment. After being nominated as defence, forcing many to compare him to French defender Didier best defender in the Spanish league in 2008 and in the EHF EURO in Dinart. He has been a regular fixture in the French selection since 2012 he also made it to the short list of the CL best defenders in two 2008, gaining court time competition after competition, and winning straight seasons. His accolades with the national team consist of one three EHF EURO titles and one Olympic gold in 2012. gold (WCh 2013) and two bronzes (WCh 2011 and EHF EURO 2014).

Eduardo Gurbindo Joan Saubich Mir right back right wing The right back has played for four different After he started the pre-season with Rioja ASOBAL clubs (Portland San Antonio, Club BM he was presented as Barca’s third signing Torrevieja, BM Valladolid and FC Barcelona), of the 2013/14 season following big stars but only in the previous season he began to Nikola Karabatic and Kiril Lazarov. Saubich collect championship titles. Gurbindo lost a started playing handball at the young age of significant amount of his playing time after four in his birth town Sarrià de Ter. In 2004 Kiril Lazarov’s arrival last summer, but still he started playing for Barca’s youth teams stands out for his speed and good game and he made his debut for the first team in vision on the court. He was part of the Spanish national team at the the 2007/08 season. In the 2009/10 season he signed for BM Huesca. 2012 Olympic Games in London and also contributed to two bronze A loan spell at Huesca during the 2011/12 season proved to be very medals at the World Championship in 2011 and at the EHF EURO 2014 beneficial as he followed it with 152 goals making him the fourth top in Denmark. scorer in the Asobal last season.

12

THW Kiel (GER)

There have might been voices out there among the handball experts that uttered concern about THW Kiel’s ability to play yet another dominant season, after the German side had to cope with the departure of French internationals Thierry Omeyer and Daniel Narcisse, Swede Markus Ahlm and Serb Momir Ilic. However, the German national champions proved their critics wrong, not only in the VELUX EHF Champions League, where they topped Group B at the end of the group phase with eight wins from 10 matches, but also in the domestic league.

Head coach Alfred Gislason has once more forged a strong team that is ready to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne for the third consecutive time. They were spared a long trip after the first leg match against Motor Zaporozhye was played on the neutral court in Györ, Hungary due to political situation in Ukraine. Kiel won both encounters and for the 17th time they are in the top eight of the continent.

After an impressive show of Metalurg against Kolding in the last 16, Kiel were expecting a tough fight with the Macedonian qualifiers. However, already their first leg victory by ten goals away in the Boris Trajkovski hall paved the THW’s way to Cologne.

Quarter-final results First leg: HC Metalurg vs THW Kiel 21:31 (9:14) Second leg: THW Kiel vs HC Metlaurg 34:26 (19:11)

Playing hall Last 16 results Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel First leg: HC Motor Zaporozhye vs THW Kiel 28:31 (14:16) Europaplatz 1, Second leg: THW Kiel vs HC Motor Zaporozhye 40:28 (20:13) 24103 Kiel Germany Capacity: 10,000 GROUP B Final Table: 1. THW Kiel 10 8 1 1 298:268 -30 17 2. KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 10 7 0 3 249:240 -9 14 Club Address: 3. KS Vive Targi Kielce 10 6 1 3 307:276 -31 13 THW Kiel 4. Orlen Wisla Plock 10 4 0 6 275:277 (-2) 8 Ziegelteich 30 5. FC Porto Vitalis 10 2 1 7 241:278 (-37) 5 24103 Kiel 6. Dunkerque HB G.L. 10 1 1 8 237:268 (-31) 3 Germany Group Phase results: Media contact: (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements Christian Robohm @ Orlen Wisla Plock W34:33 (14:14) +49 1635306300 vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W29:26 (12:14) VELUX EHF Champions League [email protected] @ FC Porto Vitalis W31:27 (16:17) Participations (including 2013/14 @ KS Vive Targi Kielce L29:34 (11:17) season): 17 Online information: @ Dunkerque HB Littoral W29:21 (19:13) Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 Website: www.thw-provinzial.de vs Dunkerque HB Littoral W28:25 (15:12) Runners-up (3): 1999/2000, 2007/08, Facebook:thwhandball vs Orlen Wisla Plock W34:25 (16:11) 2008/09 Twitter: @thw_handball @ KIF Kolding Kobenhavn W26:24 (13:13) Semi-final (3): 1996/1997, 2000/01, vs KS Vive Targi Kielce D28:28 (13:16) 2012/13 vs FC Porto Vitalis W30:25 (17:11) Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11 Kit colours Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96 Light Other Player shirt: white EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, Player short: white 2003/04 Goalkeeper shirt: green Top scorers: 1. Marko Vujin (SRB) 78 German league: 19 titles (1957, 1962, Dark 2. Filip Jicha (CZE) 64 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, Player shirt: black 3. Niclas Ekberg(SWE) 45 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Player short: black 4. Gudjon Sigurdsson (ISL) 38 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) Goalkeeper shirt: red 5. Aron Palmarsson (ISL) 33 German Cup winners: 9 times

14 THW Kiel (GER)

Biggest win 50:26 (24:13) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006 Biggest defeat 13:22 (8:12) v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO (a), 25.03.2000 Longest winning run 10 matches (21.02.2010 – 25.09.2010) Longest unbeaten run 17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012) Longest losing run 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) Longest run without win 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) Most goals 50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006 Most goals opponent 44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 Most goals both teams 81 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 Fewest goals 18 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 25:18L (a), 18.01.1995 Fewest goals opponent 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 15:27W (a), 10.11.1996 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 21:15W (h), 12.01.1997 Fewest goals both teams 35 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1994/95 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 137: 136 + 1 6 2nd Gr. B 1995/96 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 151: 148 + 3 6 2nd Gr. A 1996/97 THW Kiel GER 10 6 1 3 247: 211 + 36 13 1/2-finals 1998/99 TKW Kiel GER 8 7 0 1 229: 199 + 30 14 1/4-finals 1999/00 THW Kiel GER 12 7 1 4 319: 283 + 36 15 Runner-up 2000/01 THW Kiel GER 10 5 1 4 279: 255 + 24 11 1/2-finals 2002/03 THW Kiel GER 8 4 1 3 234: 211 + 23 9 1/4-finals 2004/05 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 336: 274 + 62 16 1/4-finals 2005/06 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 346: 293 + 53 16 1/4-finals 2006/07 THW Kiel GER 14 11 1 2 517: 420 + 97 23 Winner 2007/08 THW Kiel GER 16 13 0 3 533: 462 + 71 26 Runner-up 2008/09 THW Kiel GER 16 12 1 3 548: 461 + 87 25 Runner-up 2009/10 THW Kiel GER 16 14 1 1 534: 444 + 90 29 Winner 2010/11 THW Kiel GER 14 9 2 3 456: 393 + 63 20 1/4-finals 2011/12 THW Kiel GER 16 12 3 1 496: 414 + 82 27 Winner 2012/13 THW Kiel GER 16 11 0 5 518: 457 + 61 22 Fourth Place Total 188 133 12 43 5880:5061 +819 278

Domestic competitions They became German champions after the most thrilling season in the history of German Bundesliga. Before the last match day of the season Rhein Neckar Löwen and THW Kiel were equal in points, but Löwen were ahead by seven goals – and in contrast to EHF competitions not the direct encounters of two equal teams, but the goal difference decided the final ranking. At the end Kiel prevailed by only two goals. Their mission in the DHB Cup is already over as they were eliminated by Rhein Neckar Löwen in the last 16.

Injury report Rasmus Lauge Schmidt – torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee – out for season

15 THW Kiel (GER) Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height Goals

41 Marko Vujin SRB Right Back 7.12.1984 200 100 78 39 Filip Jicha CZE Centre Back 19.4.1982 201 105 64 18 Niclas Ekberg SWE Right Wing 23.12.1988 191 79 45 9 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson ISL Left Wing 8.8.1979 187 82 38 24 Aron Palmarsson ISL Centre Back 19.7.1990 193 100 33 22 Wael Jallouz TUN Left Back 3.5.1991 197 92 31 7 Rene Toft Hansen DEN Line Player 1.11.1984 200 103 30 33 Dominik Klein GER Left Wing 16.12.1983 190 85 27 20 Christian Zeitz GER Right Back 18.11.1980 186 95 26 11 Christian Sprenger GER Right Wing 6.4.1983 190 90 23 17 Patrick Wiencek GER Line Player 22.3.1989 200 110 21 19 Rasmus Lauge Schmidt DEN Centre Back 20.6.1991 196 101 16 4 Tjark Müller GER Centre Back 2.6.1993 188 90 1 6 Fynn Ranke GER Line Player 5.1.1993 201 106 1 1 Johan Sjöstrand SWE Goalkeeper 26.2.1987 195 95 12 Andreas Palicka SWE Goalkeeper 10.7.1986 189 88 16 Moritz Krieter GER Goalkeeper 5.2.1994 193 89

16 Alfred Gíslason Johan Sjöstrand coach goalkeeper The Icelander is the only current coach, who Swedish is the new language between has won the CL with two different clubs - in the THW goalposts. After Thierry Omeyer 2002 with SC Magdeburg and in 2010 and returned to Montpellier, Sjöstrand was 2012 with THW Kiel. His current team have brought in to replace the legend together become five-time German champions, four- with close friend and international colleague time German cup winners, five-time German Andreas Palicka. Although Sjöstrand is only supercup winner, two-time EHF Trophy 26, he has already got a journey through winners, collected an EHF Cup along with an European handball behind him, with spells IHF Super Globe title. THW missed only one edition of the VELUX EHF at Skövde, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Barcelona and then Danish side FINAL4 under his leadership. In his active career Gislason played 190 Aalborg before his latest move. matches for Iceland and became German champion twice with Essen.

Gudjón Valur Sigurdsson Filip Jícha left wing left back After only one year away from the Bundesliga, The left and centre back was the first Czech the 2011/12 season was spent at AG player to be World Handball Player of the København, Sigurdsson returned to Germany Year in 2010. Jícha, two time VELUX EHF again before the start of last season. The Champions League winner in 2010 and 2012 former Tusem Essen, VfL Gummersbach and was twice top scorer of the competition and Rhein-Neckar Löwen player had some as well. He is a danger to all defences with his outstanding performances in Europe and one-against-one action and tough shots, but really appeared to have got the joy of playing he is also a strong defender. Jícha was in the handball back. With his enormous experience from top handball and only active VELUX EHF FINAL4 participant on Ultimate Selection from his equally large talent, 2008 Olympic silver medallist Sigurdsson is a 20 years of the EHF Champions League named in June 2013. real key player.

Aron Pálmarsson Rene Toft Hansen centre back line player Despite his young age, this versatile and The Danish international is even better in tactically as well as technically skilled defence than on the line in attack, but after playmaker has actually been with Kiel for four Marcus Ahlm’s departure, the learning period years now. In competition with so many world in attack is over for Toft Hansen, who will class backcourt players, match practice was share the position with Patrick Wiencek. Rene scarce in his first years. However, after the Toft Hansen is a regular in the competition, departure of Momir Ilic and Daniel Narcisse, where he has been playing every year since Palmarsson will be more in focus. Palmarsson 2007, with former clubs KIF Kolding and AG is expected to become the mastermind of the THW attack with his København. His greatest personal achievement is an EHF EURO 2012 well-known array of passing and his powerful shots. gold, a tournament in which he was part of the All-Star Team.

Marko Vujin Christian Sprenger right back right wing One year ago the Serbian shooter arrived in 30-year-old Sprenger worked under coach Kiel to fill the gap after the departure of Kim Alfred Gislason at former club SC Magdeburg Andersson to KIF Kolding. After an uneasy and after seven years, including one EHF Cup beginning, he grew and grew and the two- title in 2007, the former German international metre tall right back from Bačka Palanka transferred to THW Kiel in 2009. Since then, (Serbia) scored 76 goals in Europe, scoring Sprenger has won eleven titles: two CL over 0 for the third year running. Vujin has trophies, three German championships, three won six consecutive national championships German cup titles, the Super Globes and the with Veszprém and Kiel. In the Serbian national team he is one of the German super cup twice. His international achievements include stalwarts who were key to winning a silver medal at the EHF EURO 2012. selection on the EHF EURO 2012 All-Star team.

17 Andreas Palicka Moritz Krieter goalkeeper goalkeeper Among so many other things, Sweden is His father was a legend in the THW and famous for producing great goalkeepers, and the German goal: Michael “Pumpe” Krieter Andreas Palicka with 51 internationals on played for 15 years for Kiel and at the age of his CV is one of the latest examples. During 48 for the second team. At this time his son his first five years in Kiel, from he joined Moritz had already followed the footprints of from Swedish Redbergslids in 2008 to 2013, “Pumpe”: Since 2012, when he was 18 years Andreas Palicka did somewhat stand in the old, he is part of the THW squad – and his shadow of legendary Thierry Omeyer. This mission is to learn at the side of experienced season, however, there has been more time on the court for Palicka Swedish goalkeepers Andreas Palicka and Johan Sjöstrand. Due to who is now partner with countryman and national team colleague Kiel’s abundance of talent in goal during the 2012/13 season, Moritz Johan Sjöstrand. Palicka has already reached two VELUX EHF Krieter did not play a single Bundesliga match, but was nominated for Champions League triumphs with Kiel, in 2010 and 2012. one VELUX EHF Champions League game.

Dominik Klein Wael Jallouz left wing left back Married to Isabel Klein, team captain of the The Tunisian left back is set to become the German women’s national team, Dominik is first African player at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 part of a real handball family, including his in his first season with the club. He was brother Marcel, who is head of marketing at discovered by THW coach Alfred Gislason THW Kiel. Left wing Klein arrived at THW in during the 2012 edition of the IHF Super 2006 after he played for Großwallstadt and Globe in Doha, when “Willy” played for Wallau-Massenheim. In 2007 he became Saudi club Mudhar. Thanks to his powerful world champion with Germany in his first jump shots, Jallouz is already a key player major tournament. The 30-year-old’s biggest successes on club level in the Tunisian national team and transferred from his home town were three VELUX EHF Champions League titles. Off the court, Klein is Hammamet to Kiel in 2013. In his first season, Jallouz was expected ambassador for several social and charity organisations. to take some time to integrate, but found himself getting court time quickly. In January he won the silver medal at the African championships.

Ramus Lauge Schmidt Patrick Wiencek centre back line player For the talented Danish international and “Bamm-Bamm” Wiencek (nicknamed from European champion from 2012, his first the “Flintstones” character) plays his second season with THW Kiel has been one of mixed season for THW Kiel. The 25-year-old line emotions. The elegant playmaker, who player of the German national team had joined the Zebras from Danish Bjerringbro- played for Bergischer HC and Tusem Essen Silkeborg last summer, has made several fine before he transferred to VfL Gummersbach, performances in the North German team where he became Cup Winners’ Cup winner this season, but injuries have overshadowed in 2011. In the same year the 2009 junior large parts of his season. First, he missed the EHF EURO2014 due to a world champion was awarded “German rookie of the year” and cruciate ligament injury, and now a similar injury is virtually keeping called up to the men’s national team. The 2012 EHF EURO and the him out of the VELUX EHF FINAL4. He will be on the bench and maybe 2013 World Championship were his first major tournaments with the able to take a penalty shot or two, but that will be all. national team. In Kiel he is successor to the legendary Marcus Ahlm.

Christian Zeitz Niclas Ekberg right back right wing In his whole career 32-year-old Zeitz only wore It was good scouting when AG København two jerseys. From 1986 to 2003 he played spotted and signed Ystad winger Niclas for Kronau/Österingen (forerunner of Rhein Ekberg who was relatively unknown back Neckar Löwen) and for the past eleven years then, in 2010. With his 191 cm he is pretty the left-handed right back has been at THW. tall for a winger, but that does absolutely However, this will all change after this season not make him less efficient in that position with a move abroad to VELUX EHF FINAL4 where he possessed all the virtues of an opponents MKB Veszprem. Known for his internationally strong winger. He has a extremely powerful shots and unorthodox actions, Zeitz became a large variety of shots from the right wing position, he is effective on member of the German national team very early and was part of the counter-attacks and reliable on penalty throws. These qualities have 2007 World Championship winning squad, but decided to foucus solely also earned him more than 90 internationals for Sweden. Since 2012, on his club career after the 2008 Olympic Games. THW Kiel have benefitted from his skills.

18 Find your nearest store or shop online at jackjones.com SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)

For the second season in a row, SG Flensburg-Handewitt were paired with local rivals HSV in the group phase and for the second season in a row finished one point behind in second place. Ljubomir Vranjes’ side were barely troubled in their opening three encounters, dispatching their opponents with ease, before letting a four-goal half-time lead against La Rioja slip in a 35:35 draw. Subsequent defeat to HSV meant that finishing first in the group was out of their hands, despite a win in the return fixture, and second position was never really in doubt with nearest rivals Velenje and Aalborg lacking consistency.

The German side were hit hard by injuries at the beginning of 2014, so much so that coach Vranjes was an unused substitute in the penultimate game against La Rioja, but they completed the group phase with three wins from three, happy in the knowledge that they will avoid their local rivals for the next round at least. In the Last 16 they faced Celje exactly 10 years after the perennial Slovenian champions beat Flensburg in the EHF Champions League finals and this time German team prevailed by two goals on aggregate.

They were close to follow the defending champions HSV Hamburg, who crashed out on Vardar in the Last 16, but Flensburg survived both the weak first half at home and the second leg hell in the Boris Trajkovski arena. Only the penalty throw of Anders Eggert in the dying moments of the tie and the away goals rule decided that Vranjes’ team will make a trip to Cologne at last.

Quarter-final results Playing hall First leg: SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs HC Vardar Skopje 24:22 (13:14) Flens Arena Second leg: HC Vardar Skopje vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 27:25 (10:15) Campusallee 2 24943 Flensburg Last 16 results Germany First leg: Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 26:25 (13:12) Capacity: 6,000 Second leg: SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko 30:27 (15:14)

Club Address: GROUP D Final Table: SG Flensburg-Handewitt 1. HSV Hamburg 10 9 0 1 330:266 (64) 18 Schiffbrücke 66 2. SG Flensburg-Handewitt 10 8 1 1 314:272 (42) 17 24939 Flensburg 3. RK Gorenje Velenje 10 4 0 6 307:320 (-13) 8 Germany 4. Aalborg Handball 10 4 0 6 275:265 (10) 8 5. Naturhouse La Rioja 10 3 2 5 292:320 (-28) 8 Media contact: 6. HK DROTT Halmstad 10 0 1 9 289:364 (-75) 1 Sandra von Wallis Group Phase results: +49 4611609625 (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Past achievements [email protected] vs Aalborg Handball W31:27 (15:12) @ HK DROTT Halmstad W37:27 (19:13) Online information: VELUX EHF Champions League vs RK Gorenje Velenje W35:31 (16:13) Participations (including 2013/14 Website: @ Naturhouse La Rioja D32:32 (19:13) www.sg-flensburg-handewitt.de season): 9 @ HSV Hamburg L27:32 (14:15) Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 Facebook: SGFleHa vs HSV Hamburg W27:24 (13:11) Twitter: @SGFleHa Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 @ Aalborg Handball W27:26 (14:13) Quarter-final (4): 2004/2005, vs HK DROTT Halmstad W33:25 (20:8) 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013 vs Naturhouse La Rioja W37:25 (19:11) Kit colours Main Round (1): 2007/2008 @ RK Gorenje Velenje W28:23 (15:9) Light Player shirt: red Other Player short: blue Top scorers: Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 Goalkeeper shirt: yellow 1. Anders Eggert (DEN) 65 2011/2012 2. Holger Glandorf (GER) 58 EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 Dark City Cup: Winners 1998/1999 Player shirt: white 3. Steffen Weinhold (GER) 46 Player short: blue 4. Thomas Mogensen (DEN) 45 5. Jim Gottfridsson (SWE) 37 German league: 1 title (2004) Goalkeeper shirt: black German Cup winners: three times

20 SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)

Biggest win 43:24 (23:12) v RK Metalurg Skopje MKD (h), 19.10.2006 Biggest defeat 22:36 (10:16) v Montpellier HB FRA (a), 06.03.2005 24:38 (8:19) v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP (h), 21.04.2011 Longest winning run 6 matches (13.03.2005 – 05.11.2005) 6 matches (02.12.2010 – 03.04.2011) Longest unbeaten run 7 matches (24.04.2004 – 14.11.2004) 7 matches (25.11.2012 – 23.03.2013) Longest losing run 3 matches (04.03.2006 - 01.04.2006) Longest run without win 5 matches (10.02.2008 – 08.03.2008) Most goals 44 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003 Most goals opponent 41 v Celje Pivovarna Laško SLO 41:31L (a), 02.12.2006 Most goals both teams 77 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003 Fewest goals 19 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 27:19L (a), 22.09.2010 Fewest goals opponent 18 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 Fewest goals both teams 43 v Montpellier HB FRA 22:21W (h), 01.03.2009 43 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 43 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 21:22W (a), 01.05.2011

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 2003/04 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 10 1 3 450: 401 + 49 21 Runner-up 2004/05 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 10 7 1 2 319: 270 + 49 15 1/4-finals 2005/06 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER 12 7 0 5 372: 326 + 46 14 1/2-finals 2006/07 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 8 1 5 437: 398 + 39 17 Runner-up 2007/08 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 4 2 6 355: 356 - 1 10 4th MR Gr. 3 2008/09 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 8 0 4 360: 329 + 31 16 1/4-finals 2010/11 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 11 0 3 394: 354 + 40 22 1/4-finals 2012/13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 9 3 2 416: 384 + 32 21 1/4-finals Total 102 64 8 30 3103:2818 +285 136

Domestic competitions The chance for a German Bundesliga title was very realistic for SG until the last rounds and they finished only five points below Kiel and Rhein-Neckar Löwen keeping their chance for a ticket in the next season of the VELUX EHF Champions League alive. They waged a successful campaign in the German Cup as they reached the final after eliminating Magdeburg, Aue, Wetzlar and also Rhein Neckar Löwen. They were also leading in the final against Füchse Berlin a few minutes before the end, but they let the trophy slip through their hands.

21 SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER) Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height Goals

7 Anders Eggert Jensen DEN Left Wing 14.5.1982 179 79 65 9 Holger Glandorf GER Right Back 30.3.1983 195 90 58 13 Steffen Weinhold GER Right Back 19.7.1986 188 95 46 10 Thomas Mogensen DEN Centre Back 30.1.1983 187 100 45 24 Jim Gottfridsson SWE Centre Back 2.9.1992 190 95 37 77 Michael V. Knudsen DEN Line Player 4.9.1978 192 99 33 11 Lasse Svan DEN Right Wing 31.8.1983 185 85 33 5 Drasko Nenadic SRB Left Back 15.2.1990 202 91 23 41 Bogdan Radivojevic SRB Right Wing 2.3.1993 192 80 22 21 Jacob Heinl GER Line Player 9.10.1986 195 101 20 14 Hampus Wanne SWE Left Wing 10.12.1993 184 84 17 22 Olafur Gustafsson ISL Left Back 27.3.1989 198 96 12 2 Lukas Blohme GER Right Wing 7.11.1994 188 72 3 19 Michael Nicolaisen GER Left Back 6.5.1995 195 100 2 3 Tobias Karlsson SWE Line Player 4.6.1981 196 102 1 4 Maik Machulla GER Centre Back 9.1.1977 189 95 1 28 Lars Kaufmann GER Left Back 25.2.1982 199 103 40 Ljubomir Vranjes SWE Centre Back 3.10.1973 168 80 30 Goran Bogunovic CRO Left Back 28.6.1989 198 98 1 Mattias Andersson SWE Goalkeeper 29.3.1978 185 93 16 Sören Rasmussen DEN Goalkeeper 12.8.1976 193 98 24 Christopher Rudeck GER Goalkeeper 15.10.1994 198 98

22 Ljubomir Vranjes Mattias Andersson coach goalkeeper Player, manager, coach – this the running order The Swedish was the most outstanding of the career of former Swedish international Flensburg player in the last two years, player. After retiring as a player he became including his award “best player of the club manager in 2009 and coach in November Bundesliga season 2011/12”. He won the 2010. His biggest success on the bench was CL in 2007 with THW Kiel, where he played the title in the Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 and until 2008, before leaving Northern Germany finishing second in the German league in the for three years to join TV Großwallstadt. same season. As a player he became World In 2011 he returned northwards, signing Champion in 1999 and threetimes EHF EURO champion. After his club his contract in Flensburg. Mainly thanks to his saves Flensburg won had been narrowly eliminated by HSV in the quarter-final he succesfully the Cup Winners’ Cup in the 2011/12 season. He is one of the most steered Serbia to EHF EURO 2014 last June. experienced goalkeepers in the CL and won a silver medal with Sweden at 2012 Olympics in London.

Anders Eggert Steffen Weinhold left wing right back Fast, faster, Eggert: The Dane had to fill the Although he is 27 years old, Weinhold is biggest shoes ever in Flensburg as successor considered to be one of the rising stars in of legendary Lars Christiansen. But he coped German handball. He was Men’s 20 EHF EURO perfectly with this situation and was the top champion in 2006 and runner-up at the Junior scorer of the German Bundesliga in 2011 and World Championship the following year. Right top scorer of the 2013 world championship after this event, the Bavarian transferred from in Spain. He is two-time EHF EURO champion Fürth to German powerhouse HSG Nordhorn, (2008, 2012) and two-time runner-up of winning the EHF Cup in his first season. After the WCh (2011, 2013) with Denmark. He has just started his already signing for TV Großwallstadt he was in the focus of the national team eighth season in Flensburg. He is also famous being as cold as ice from coach Heiner Brand and then made the next step in his career, signing the penalty line with one of the highest percentages in the CL. for SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2012. He is set to move to THW Kiel at the end of this season.

Thomas Mogensen Tobias Karlsson centre back line player More than 1000 goals for his club, awarded He is the typical powerful Scandinavian 2012 EHF EURO champion and silver defence specialist, who – together with medallist at the 2011 and 2013 WCh – former Barcelona rock Magnus Jernemyr - Danish playmaker Thomas Mogensen is build the Swedish middle block in the last highly experienced. Since 2007 he plays for years. He is the team captain, a great honour Flensburg – his first stop outside his home- after legendary Lars Christiansen left SG. He country Denmark. Before he had been player became Swedish champion three times with of Viborg HK and GOG Svendborg, becoming Hammarby IF. Like Mattias Andersson, he Danish champion and Cup winner twice. His biggest success on club was part of the Swedish team which took silver at the 2012 Olympics level was winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2012. And SG will have at in London. He is the clear boss in the SG defence, the look upon least two more years of inspiration, as his contract expires in 2015. his attack statistics proves that he is rather randomly entering the opponent’s half.

Holger Glandorf Lasse Svan Hansen right back right wing Years ago it was impossible to find any One who names „roasted hot dog“ as his German stars in the Flensburg squad, which favourite dish cannot be a professional mostly had been imprinted by Scandinavian sportsmen, or? But despite his love for the players - but times have changed. One of typical Danish snack, he is one of the fastest two German 2007 world champions in the wing players in the CL. He has the same Flensburg roster is left handed shooter qualities as Eggert on the other side: fast Glandorf. Despite some injury breaks, the counter-attacks and a high scoring efficiency. right back always returned to a high level of And he has another task in his team: performance. Aside winning the gold medal on home ground at the motivation and relaxing – as his business is mental coaching. After 2007 WCh in Germany, also won twice the EHF Cup (2008 and 2010) four seasons at GOG Svendborg he moved to Flensburg in 2008. In the with Nordhorn and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2012. Danish national team he won gold at the 2012 EHF EURO and silver each at the 2011 and 2013 WCh.

23 Drasko Nenadic Søren Rasmussen left back goalkeeper After beginning his professional career at Red Not until the age of 33 did the 193 cm Star Belgrade, Nenadic transferred to the tall goalkeeper with 39 internationals for Spanish sides Granollers and Guadalajara. Denmark feel ready for a career outside the When Flensburg suffered from several injuries borders of his native country. Having won on his position they signed him in autumn the Danish championship with AaB Håndbold 2013 – as coach Ljubomir Vranjes knew him in 2010, Rasmussen joined SG Flensburg- from the Serbian national team. His contract Handewitt, and even though he has been was extended until 2016 thanks to a string of standing somehow in the shadow of another strong performances. To reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the biggest veteran, Swedish international Mattias Andersson, he has had his success of his career to date, with his only domestic title being the moments of glory and played a crucial part in several Flensburg wins Serbian championship in 2010. The 24-year-old is a big fan of reading this season. After the season he will be moving home to Denmark to biographies. join EHF Cup participants Bjerringbro-Silkeborg.

Hampus Wanne Jacob Heinl left wing line player Not many people in the handball world Once Flensburg, always Flensburg is the case outside Sweden had heard of Hampus Wanne, of line player Jacob Heinl. Born in Hamburg, he before he left Önnereds HK in the second joined the club at the age of eight in 1994 and Swedish league for SG Flensburg-Handewitt went through all younger age category teams. in the summer of 2013. However, people The powerful defensive specialist will play an soon learned to recognise this fast and highly even more important role from next season, talented winger. Even though his job is mainly when Michale Knudsen will leave Flensburg for to be back-up for Danish international Anders Danish side Bjerringbro. Heinl has played 25 Eggert, Wanne has got quite a lot of time on the court in his debut international matches with Germany. The 27-year-old mainly plies his season already, and he has definitely made himself known. Therefore, trade in Flensburg’s defensive centre block, but has also contributed it is no surprise that Flensburg have hurried to extend his one year with 20 goals in the competition. contract with another two years to the summer of 2016.

Jim Gottfridsson Michael V. Knudsen centre back line player Flensburg appeared to have made a bit of The European champion from 2008 is not a scoop last summer, as they signed Jim only a veteran with regards to his age. Having Gottfridsson from Swedish league club Ystad´s been in Flensburg since 2005 the experienced IF. The tall and physically strong playmaker line player and strong and uncompromising has really proved himself at both ends of defender is also one of the players who have the court in his first Bundesliga season, and been with North German club longest. At he has had more match practice, than most the end of this season, however, Knudsen’s people expected, including himself. His self- time in North Germany will be over. He will confidence is emphasised by his statement when he had signed on for be following teammate and countryman Søren Rasmussen home to Flensburg. “I am joining to sit on the bench,” he said, and he certainly Denmark and to Bjerringbro-Silkeborg. Recently, Michael V. Knudsen has not spent nearly as much time on the bench, as one might expect ended his national team career after 228 matches for Denmark, for a newcomer. Around 40% of the time has he been on the court. and he will be eager to end his Flensburg career with a triumph in Cologne.

Olafur Gustafsson Bogdan Radivojevic left back right wing The VELUX EHF FINAL4 will be the last In contrast to his teammate Drasko Nenadic, two matches in the shirt of SG Flensburg- the Serbian right wing began his career at Red Handewitt for Icelandic left back Gustafsson Star’s arch rivals Partizan and became Serbian (24). After a year and a half with the club, he champion twice. In August 2013, Radivojevic leaves to go on a three-year contract with was part of the Serbian team at the Junior Danish side Aalborg Handball, where he will World Championship in Bosnia-Herzegovina, replace Mads Mensah Larsen. Gustafsson shortly after signing a four-year contract at had arrived from Icelandic champions FH Flensburg, where he is supposed to learn Hafnarfördur in November 2012, when Flensburg were looking for new from his Danish wing colleagues and counter attack specialists. back court players. Despite having the Icelandic citizenship, Gustafsson After some month of acclimatisation, Radivojevic is well integrated was born in Denmark – in a city famous for handball: Horsens. When in the team. His favourite place to be in Flensburg is the restaurant at home, he prefers Icelandic lamb, cooked by his mother. “Macedonia”, where he gets his beloved Balkan food.

24 VELUX EHF Champions League Title Sponsor

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VELUX EHF FINAL4 Charity Partner ehfFINAL4.com MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)

Momir Ilic, who arrived from German national champions THW Kiel at the beginning of the season, promised that MKB-MVM Veszprem would take Europe and in that respect the VELUX EHF Champions League by storm. And the Hungarian side gave everything they had to fulfill the Serbian left back’s promises at the start of the competition. With six consecutive wins in the first six matches of the group phase they became the first team to qualify for the Last 16, eventually also securing the top spot in Group A mid-February following 34:27 victory against Zagreb in Round 9.

They faced Orlen Wisla Plock with their former stalwart Nikola Eklemovic in the Last 16. Although they lost the first match in Poland by one goal, they comfortably reached the top eight after beating Plock by five at home.

Veszprem broke the VELUX EHF FINAL4 curse at last as they eliminated PSG Handball in a battle of two potential debutants for Cologne. Momir Ilic, who helped Kiel to eliminate his current team last year on the FINAL4 threshold was instrumental for the Hungarian champions and is set to become the top scorer of the 2013/14 season.

Quarter-final results First leg: PSG Handball vs MKB-MVM Veszprem 26:28 (14:12) Second leg: MKB-MVM Veszprem vs PSG Handball 31:26 (12:12)

Last 16 results Playing hall First leg: Orlen Wisla Plock vs MKB-MVM Veszprem 34:33 (16:16) Veszprém Arena Second leg: MKB-MVM Veszprem vs Orlen Wisla Plock 31:26 (16:11) Külso Kadartai ut 8200 Veszprém GROUP A Final Table: Hungary 1. MKB-MVM Veszprém 10 8 1 1 303:243 (60) 17 Capacity: 5,020 2. Rhein-Neckar Löwen 10 7 2 1 305:252 (53) 16 3. Celje Pivovarna Lasko 10 4 1 5 269:272 (-3) 9 4. HC Motor Zaporozhye 10 4 1 5 277:296 (-19) 9 Club Address: 5. HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb 10 4 0 6 267:282 (-15) 8 MKB-MVM Veszprém 6. St. Petersburg HC 10 0 1 9 216:292 (-76) 1 Marcius 15. ut 5 8200 Veszprém Hungary Group Phase results: Past achievements (W - win, D - draw, L - loss) Media contact: @ St. Petersburg HC W28:15 (12:7) VELUX EHF Champions League Zsolt Sevinger vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W30:29 (17:14) Participations (including 2013/14 +36 305024547 vs HC Motor Zaporozhye W44:27 (20:13) season): 19 [email protected] @ HC Croatia O. Zagreb W33:22 (15:8) Final (1): 2001/02 @ Celje Pivovarna Lasko W31:26 (15:14) Semi-final (2): 2002/03, 2005/06 Online information: vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko W27:26 (13:10) Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, Website: www.mkbveszprem.eu vs St. Petersburg HC W29:20 (13:7) 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, Facebook: mkbveszprem @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen D25:25 (13:12) 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Twitter: @mkbveszpremkc vs HC Croatia O. Zagreb W34:27 (19:11) Last 16 (2): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 @ HC Motor Zaporozhye L26:22 (13:13) Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, 2007/08

Kit colours Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Light Runners-up 1996/97 Player shirt: white Hungarian league: 22 titles (1985, 1986, Player short: white 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, Goalkeeper shirt: grey Top scorers: 1. Momir Ilic (SRB) 91 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, Dark 2. Renato Sulic (CRO) 66 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, Player shirt: red 3. Laszlo Nagy (HUN) 49 2013, 2014) Player short: red 4. Peter Gulyas (HUN) 33 Goalkeeper shirt: black Cristian Ugalde Garcia (ESP) 33 Hungarian Cup winner: 23 times

26 MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)

Club records – VELUX EHF Champions League

Biggest win 38:17 (18:9) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004 Biggest defeat 18:30 (8:16) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995 Longest winning run 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest unbeaten run 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest losing run 3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996) Longest run without win 4 matches (09.01.1999 – 31.10.1999) Most goals 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 46:26W (h), 07.10.2006 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 Most goals opponent 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:32L (a), 01.03.2007 Most goals both teams 76 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 Fewest goals 15 v TEKA Santander ESP 25:15L (a), 15.03.1995 Fewest goals opponent 13 v SO Chambery FRA 29:13W (h), 18.11.2001 13 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002 Fewest goals both teams 32 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage Reached 1994/95 Fotex Veszprém HUN 6 2 2 2 131:147 - 16 6 3rd Gr. A 1995/96 Fotex Veszprém HUN 6 3 0 3 147:144 + 3 6 3rd Gr. A 1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 5 1 2 228:204 + 24 11 1/4-finals 1998/99 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 3 1 4 200:188 + 12 7 1/4-finals 1999/00 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 4 0 4 203:202 + 1 8 1/4-finals 2001/02 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 12 9 0 3 310:267 + 43 18 Runner-up 2002/03 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 8 0 2 276:238 + 38 16 1/2-finals 2003/04 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 306:276 + 30 14 1/4-finals 2004/05 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 317:259 + 58 14 1/4-finals 2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:318 + 55 18 1/2-finals 2006/07 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 10 7 0 3 338:288 + 50 14 1/4-finals 2007/08 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 6 2 2 2 184:171 + 13 6 3rd Gr. F 2008/09 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 8 0 4 351:320 + 31 16 1/4-finals 2009/10 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 419:368 + 51 22 1/4-finals 2010/11 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:338 + 35 18 1/8-finals 2011/12 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 7 0 5 321:322 - 1 14 1/8-finals 2012/13 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 410:348 + 62 22 1/4-finals Total 170 112 6 52 4887:4398 +489 230

Domestic competitions Injury report The defending champions topped the ranking of the Hungarian league’s regular season. Iman Jamali - left knee ligament damage Veszprem won the same amount of points (46 from 24 matches) as Szeged, but thanks to a better aggregate score from their direct encounters in which they exchanged home wins they finished ahead of their arch rivals. Both teams avoided quarter-finals and were directly seeded for semi-finals. The defeat in Szeged proved to be the only one in the domestic season as they beat Pick not only in the Hungarian Cup final, but also in both matches of the league final.

27 MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height Goals

13 Momir Ilic SRB Left Back 22.12.1981 200 104 91 33 Renato Sulic CRO Line Player 12.10.1979 192 105 66 19 Laszlo Nagy HUN Right Back 3.3.1981 208 113 49 3 Peter Gulyas HUN Right Wing 4.3.1984 200 100 33 23 Cristian Ugalde Garcia ESP Left Wing 19.10.1987 186 80 33 21 Moorchegani Iman Jamali IRI Left Back 11.10.1991 202 102 32 4 Gergö Ivancsik HUN Left Wing 30.11.1981 190 87 30 9 Tamas Ivancsik HUN Right Wing 3.4.1983 179 75 28 25 Jose Maria Rodriguez Vaquero ESP Centre Back 5.1.1980 185 91 20 11 Carlos Ruesga Pasarin ESP Centre Back 10.3.1985 184 94 19 30 Mirsad Terzic BIH Left Back 12.7.1983 196 103 8 5 Istvan Timuzsin Schuch HUN Line Player 5.6.1985 197 105 4 2 Uros Vilovski SRB Line Player 25.2.1984 197 103 4 18 Tamas Mocsai HUN Right Back 9.12.1978 196 95 4 42 Norbert Gyene HUN Right Wing 18.4.1994 185 70 3 35 Ivan Pesic SRB Line Player 7.7.1993 196 101 2 39 Patrik Ligetvari HUN Right Back 13.2.1996 196 85 32 Mirko Alilovic CRO Goalkeeper 15.9.1985 200 110 1 Nandor Fazekas HUN Goalkeeper 16.10.1976 192 92

28 Carlos Antonio Ortega Mirko Alilović coach goalkeeper Six-time winner of the CL, five European Like his predecessor Dejan Perić he belongs Cup triumphs, sixtime Spanish champion, 14 to the elite class of goalkeepers who can send different cup titles in Spain, a silver medallist the audience to their feet and inspire his at the EHF EURO 1998 and Olympic bronze teammates. He is a member of the Croatian medallist in 2000 – Ortega’s cabinet of medals national team and his medal tally consists of and trophies is absolutely huge. As a player for three silver medals (WCh in 2009 and the EHF Barcelona he won every possible title at least EURO 2008 and 2010) and two bronze pieces three times. In 2005 he started his coaching (2012 Olympics and 2013 WCh). In Spain he career in Antequera, in 2012 he left Spain for the first time to take on played an important role as an attack-starter and recorded 11 goal the challenge in Veszprém. His team was stopped just in front of the assistances during the WCh. As he played for five years in Asobal he is VELUX EHF FINAL4 gates by THW Kiel in the quarter-final. very familiar with Spanish contingent in Veszprém.

Cristian Ugalde Momir Ilić left wing left back Veszprém caught a really big fish in him. He joined the THW Kiel in 2009 from VfL He is a player who was brought up by Gummersbach and won seven titles during Barcelona and who played regularly in the his four years with THW, including two CL adult team since he was 18. He excelled at titles. The Serbian left back led his country to the international level in the 2007/08 season their first handball medal as an independent with his 34 goals and the participation in nation at EHF EURO 2012 on the home court the national team. His biggest success with where he was selected as the MVP of the Barcelona was the CL title in 2011 but he won tournament. He was just one of many leaving every possible title with Barca – some of them more times. He found faces in the THW squad last summer. Veszprém expects him to prove a new challenge in Veszprém where he will alter with Gergő Iváncsik his sharpshooting skilles as he stands at the top of the top scorers’ list who is one of the best players on this position according to Ugalde. of the CL regularly.

Chema Rodríguez Vaquero Renato Sulić centre back line player Until 2012 he played only in Spain (Valladolid, This is the second stint of the robust Croatian Ciudad Real, Atlético Madrid). In 2007 he in Veszprém, but in the 2004/05 season he transferred to Ciudad Real in what was one of did not have a chance to wear their dress as the most expensive transfers of the handball he was injured in a car incident before his history. On the club level he is two-time CL first match. The world champion and EHF winner and he won the Spanish Championship EURO silver medallist came back to Veszprém and the Spanish Cup three times. His accolade after several years in Zagreb and Celje. During at the national team started with silver medal Slavko Goluža’s time at the helm he was left from the EHF EURO in 2006, followed with the third place at the WCh out of the squad for the World Championships in Spain. After the 2011 and most recently with a world champion title in January 2013. departure of Marco Oneto he will share his time on the court with the defensive specialist Timuzsin Schuh.

László Nagy Tamás Iváncsik right back right wing He started his career as a basketball player He joined his brother Gergő in Veszprém in and he was close to move to the USA at the 2007 but they had already played together age of 13. At the end he decided for handball one year earlier in the national team. He and became one of the best right backs of suffered a serious injury in January 2012 the world. He transferred from Szeged to when the ligament in his left knee was torn Barcelona in 2006 and became the captain of and his Olympic dream marred. He decided the team despite being a foreigner. He was to resign in the national team afterwards. He the captain of the national team until 2009 performed very well in his club and he was then he made a break and returned in 2012. He reached 4th place at one of the top scorers of the Hungarian Championship. Last season he the Olympics twice, he was selected in the All Star team of the last set his new personal best in the CL as he scored 37 goals. WCh and the best right back of the last CL season.

29 Nándor Fazekas Timuzsin István Schuch goalkeeper line player Almost two decades in goal was enough The defensive rock was destined for greatness for the world class goalkeeper, who is as his Hungarian father and Mongolian contemplating retirement but wants to wave mother gave him names from their nation’s goodbye to handball on a high note in Cologne. great leaders. István is the name of the first He retired from the national team with five Hungarian king while Timuzsin is the birth WChs, five EHF EUROs and one Olympic Games name of Genghis Khan. Schuch started his under his belt. He won the Hungarian league career at Gyöngyös but when he moved to 10 times, the Cup 9 times with Veszprém and Veszprém for his studies Fotex spotted the won an EHF Cup with VfL Gummersbach. Fazekas has already reached youngster and offered him a contract. Later on he was transfered the final of the CL once but went down with Fotex vs. Magdeburg in to Constanta where he won two titles and made his debut in the CL. 2002. He fractured a bone in his wrist 27 days from the FINAL4 but will After his return to Veszprem he became an irreplacable force in the surely make it to the Cologne show. middle of MKB’s wall.

Gergő Iváncsik Mirsad Terzic left wing left back It has been 15 years that the son of Hungarian In 2008 the Bosnian left back had an legend, Mihály Iváncsik joined Fotex outstanding game, when his Celje side beat Veszprém. The athletic left wing slowly made Veszprém and the Hungarians decided his way to the starting line up of Veszprém, to offer him a contract. Since then Terzic where he has played almost 400 games. became one of the most reliable defenders Iváncsik added 219 national team games to and occasionally a threat in attack, too, but his tally, several WChs and EUROs and two with the likes of Momir Ilic and Carlos Ruesga Olympic Games saw him score more than 600 in the line up Terzic can commit himself 100 goals. He was voted Hungarian handballer of the year in 2010 and percent to defensive duties. The captain of the Bosnian national team has always been a darling of fans due to his sportsmanlike behaviour. is not a prolific goalscorer but a great defender who is capable of He shared most of the success of the last decades with his younger defending agressively and efficiently withoug being sent off for which brother Tamás, who joined Veszprém in 2007. he is considered to be a very important part of Veszprém.

Carlos Ruesga Uros Vilovski centre back line player The Spaniard came to Veszprém in 2013 to The Serbian pivot is a real hero. He saved replace Gábor Császár, who moved on to the life of teammate Ivan Pesic on the tragic PSG. Ruesga struggled with injuries in his first night when Marian Cozma was murdered on season but as spring came the playmaker the streets of Veszprém and Vilovski dragged showed his worth in both the Hungarian the bleeding Pesic to a nearby hospital. The league and in the Champions League, too. The doctors claim if he had not done so, the 2013 world champion is a natural playmaker young goalkeeper would have bled to death. but can also play in left and right back The line player was offloaded to Montpellier positions due to his excellent athletism and vision not to mention his but came back to Veszprém last summer to provide an important trademark tumbling shot. He played for Spanish champions Portland option for Carlos Ortega. Although he remains second choice for the San Antonio and later Ademar León, where he finally claimed the line player’s role in Veszprém Vilovski is a big favorite of the Veszprém leading spot. crowd.

Iman Jamali Péter Gulyás left back right wing The young left back was spotted in the junior The Veszprém-born righ wing went all the World Championship where he scored 14 way from the club’s youth sector to the first goals against Hungary. He was only 19 years team and is currently the only player in the old when Veszprém signed him but Jamali squad of Veszprém who is a 100 percent immediately showed off with his thunderbolt local product. Gulyás started his career as shots even against the greatest names of the a right back and won bronze medal in the game. The Iranian heavy shooter had some junior world championship in 2005 but it was problems fitting into the defence of Veszprém difficult for him to claim a place in the starting and is mainly used in attack but the 22 year old player improves day line up due to huge competition. The young player opted to stay in by day. He is often compared to Veszprém legend Carlos Pérez for his Veszprém and rather shift to right wing, which proved to be a good devastating shooting power. He suffered a heavy injury weeks prior decision: capped 83 times Gulyás won the Cup Winners’ Cup and tons to the FINAL4 but he is going to make it to Cologne as the first Asian of Hungarian silverware with his home town club. player to play in the Finals.

30 Head-to-heads

FC Barcelona Intersport vs THW Kiel 9-1-9 (570:578) 01/05/2011: 36:33 in Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League, Quarter-final, 2nd leg 24/04/2011: 27:25 in Barcelona VELUX EHF Champions League, Quarter-final, 1st leg 05/12/2010: 32:29 in Barcelona VELUX EHF Champions League, Group Phase 03/10/2010: 28:28 in Kiel VELUX EHF Champions League, Group Phase 30/05/2010: 34:36 in Cologne/GER VELUX EHF FINAL4, Semi-final 14/02/2010: 32:30 in Kiel EHF Champions League, Group Phase 11/10/2009: 27:30 in Barcelona EHF Champions League, Group Phase 23/11/2008: 26:33 in Kiel EHF Champions League, Group Matches 19/10/2008: 27:31 in Barcelona EHF Champions League, Group Matches 13/04/2008: 44:37 in Barcelona EHF Champions League, Semi-final, 2nd leg 06/04/2008: 31:41 in Kiel EHF Champions League, Semi-final, 1st leg 12/03/2005: 33:27 in Barcelona EHF Champions League, Quarter-final, 2nd leg 05/03/2005: 25:30 in Kiel EHF Champions League, Quarter-final, 1st leg 28/04/2002: 28:24 in Barcelona EHF Cup, Final, 2nd leg 20/04/2002: 29:36 in Kiel EHF Cup, Final, 1st leg 31/03/2001: 33:28 in Barcelona EHF Champions League, Semi-final, 2nd leg 25/03/2001: 24:28 in Kiel EHF Champions League, Semi-final, 1st leg 29/04/2000: 29:24 in Barcelona EHF Champions League, Final, 2nd leg 22/04/2000: 25:28 in Kiel EHF Champions League, Final, 1st leg

Kiel vs Veszprem 5-0-4 (270:261) 27/04/2013: 29:28 in Veszprem VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-final 21/04/2013: 32:31 in Kiel VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-final 17/02/2013: 32:21in Kiel VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase 18/10/2012: 30:31 in Veszprém VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase 01/03/2007: 39:32 in Kiel EHF Champions League Quarter-finals, 2nd leg 25/02/2007: 36:39 in Veszprém EHF Champions League Quarter-finals, 1st leg 25/10/2002: 23:31 in Dessau/GER Champions Trophy, semi-final 13/02/1996: 21:23 in Veszprém EHF Champions League, Group Phase 24/01/1996: 28:25 in Kiel EHF Champions League, Group Phase

Veszprém vs Barcelona 3-1-8 (328:354) 02/04/2011: 30:26 in Veszprem VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 27/03/2011: 21:28 in Barcelona VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 01/05/2010: 33:34 in Veszprem EHF Champions League Quarter-final 21/04/2010: 27:33 in Barcelona EHF Champions League Quarter-final 20/12/2003: 31:26 in Veszprem EHF Champions League Last 16 13/12/2003: 29:33 in Barcelona EHF Champions League Last 16 04/12/1999: 21:25 in Barcelona EHF Champions League Group Phase 14/11/1999: 23:31 in Veszprem EHF Champions League Group Phase 07/02/1999: 24:29 in Barcelona EHF Champions League Quarter-final 31/01/1999: 29:29 in Veszprem EHF Champions League Quarter-final 21/02/1998: 33:28 in Veszprem EHF Champions League Quarter-final 01/03/1998: 27:32 in Barcelona EHF Champions League Quarter-final

31 Head-to-heads

Veszprem vs Flensburg 1-0-3 (100:113) 16/11/2008: 29:32 in Flensburg EHF Champions League, Group Phase 05/10/2008: 29:28 in Veszprem EHF Champions League, Group Phase 03/03/2001: 20:22 in Veszprem Cup Winners’ Cup Quarter-final 24/02/2001: 22:31 in Flensburg Cup Winners’ Cup Quarter-final

Flensburg vs Kiel 2-1-4 (196:201) 29/04/2007: 27:29 in Kiel EHF Champions League Final 22/04/2007: 28:28 in Flensburg EHF Champions League Final 04/03/2006: 32:34 in Flensburg EHF Champions League Quarter-final 28/02/2006: 32:28 in Kiel EHF Champions League Quarter-final 28/10/2001: 31:33 in Kiel Champions Trophy final 22/04/1998: 21:26 in Kiel EHF Cup Final 18/04/1998: 25:23 in Flensburg EHF Cup Final

Flensburg vs Barcelona 1-0-2 (89:87) 03/03/2007: 29:34 in Barcelona EHF Champions League Quarter-final 23/02/2007: 31:21 in Flensburg EHF Champions League Quarter-final 18/12/1998: 29:32 in Magdeburg (GER) Champions Trophy Semi-final

32 VELUX EHF Champions League Current Top Scorers

No. Player Club Goals 1 Renato Vugrinec (SLO) HC Metalurg (MKD) 95 2 Momir Ilic (SRB) MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) 91 3 Gasper Marguc (SLO) Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) 79 4 Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) 78 5 Uwe Gensheimer (GER) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 77 6 Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar - Skopje (MKD) 72 Stas Skube (SLO) RK Gorenje Velenje (SLO) 72 8 Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona (ESP) 71 9 Igor Karacic (CRO) HC Vardar - Skopje (MKD) 69 Petar Nenadic (SRB) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) 69 11 Magnus Persson (SWE) HK DROTT Halmstad (SWE) 67 12 Renato Sulic (CRO) MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) 66 13 Anders Eggert (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 65 14 Filip Jicha (CZE) THW Kiel (GER) 64 Albert Rocas Comas (ESP) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) 64 16 Nikola Karabatic (FRA) FC Barcelona (ESP) 63 17 Sergiy Onufryienko (UKR) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) 60 18 Havard Tvedten (NOR) Aalborg Handball (DEN) 59 Nemanja Zelenovic (SRB) Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) 59 20 Holger Glandorf (GER) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 58 Michal Jurecki (POL) KS Vive Targi Kielce (POL) 58 Mads Mensah Larsen (DEN) Aalborg Handball (DEN) 58 Siarhei Rutenka (BLR) FC Barcelona (ESP) 58 Stefan Schröder (GER) HSV Hamburg (GER) 58

Bold text indicates players of teams still in the competition.

33 EHF Champions League Top Scorers

Season Player Club Goals 1993/94 Uroš Šerbec Celje Pivovarna Laško/SLO 76 1994/95 Nenad Peruničić Bidasoa Irun/ESP 82 1995/96 Carlos Resende ABC Braga/POR 80 1996/97 Carlos Resende ABC Braga/POR 82 1997/98 József Éles MKB Veszprém KC/HUN 84 1998/99 Zlatko Saračević RK Zagreb/CRO 90 1999/00 Zlatko Saračević RK Zagreb/CRO 92 2000/01 Yuriy Kostetskiy ABC Braga/POR 81 2001/02 Nenad Peruničić SC Magdeburg 122 2002/03 Mirza Džomba FOTEX KC Veszprém/HUN 67 2003/04 Siarhei Rutenka Celje Pivovarna Laško/SLO 103 2004/05 Siarhei Rutenka Celje Pivovarna Laško/SLO 85 2005/06 Kiril Lazarov MKB Veszprém/HUN 85 2006/07 Nikola Karabatic THW Kiel/GER 89 2007/08 Kiril Lazarov MKB Veszprém/HUN 96 Ólafur Stefánsson BM Ciudad Real/ESP 96 2008/09 Filip Jícha THW Kiel/GER 99 2009/10 Filip Jícha THW Kiel/GER 119 2010/11 Uwe Gensheimer Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER 118 2011/12 Mikkel Hansen AG København/DEN 98 2012/13 Hans Lindberg HSV Hamburg/GER 101

34 EHF Champions League Past Winners

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)

35 EHF Champions League 1993-2014 All-time club standings (before FINAL4)

# Name of the club MP W D L GF:FA GD P NP % 1 FC Barcelona ESP 210 155 15 40 6461:5356 +1105 325:95 (17) 77,38% 2 THW Kiel GER 202 145 13 44 6314:5432 +882 303:101 (17) 75,00% 3 MKB MVM Veszprém HUN 184 123 7 54 5313:4753 +560 253:115 (18) 68,75% 4 BM Atletico Madrid ESP 144 111 5 28 4502:3803 +699 227:61 (10) 78,82% 5 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 194 96 22 76 5170:4988 +182 214:174 (20) 55,15% 6 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 164 95 9 60 4705:4378 +327 199:129 (16) 60,67% 7 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 142 85 8 49 4097:3825 +272 178:106 (14) 62,68% 8 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 116 74 9 33 3521:3192 +329 157:75 (9) 67,67% 9 HSV Hamburg GER 98 68 9 21 3088:2670 +418 145:51 (7) 73,98% 10 Portland San Antonio ESP 100 64 6 30 2929:2594 +335 134:66 (9) 67,00% 11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 116 59 14 43 3575:3375 +200 132:100 (12) 56,90% 12 Reale Ademar Leon ESP 100 50 6 44 2875:2817 +58 106:94 (10) 53,00% 13 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 92 45 7 40 2650:2616 +34 97:87 (10) 52,72% 14 Pick Szeged HUN 104 42 8 54 2826:2881 -55 92:116 (11) 44,23% 15 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 74 38 6 30 2129:2074 +55 82:66 (7) 55,41% 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 58 34 10 14 1805:1634 +171 78:38 (4) 67,24% 17 Chambery Savoie Handball FRA 74 29 3 42 2028:2133 -105 61:87 (8) 41,22% 18 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 62 26 1 35 1779:1775 +4 53:71 (6) 42,74% 19 HC Metalurg MKD 52 24 4 24 1316:1339 -23 52:52 (5) 50,00% 20 SC Magdeburg GER 40 24 3 13 1166:1077 +89 51:29 (4) 63,75% 29 HC Vardar - Skopje MKD 54 13 8 33 1375:1584 –209 34:74 (7) 31,48% 32 Orlen Wisla Plock POL 54 15 1 38 1400:1585 –185 31:77 (7) 28,70% 36 PSG Handball FRA 28 12 2 14 772:792 –20 26:30 (3) 46,43% 37 HC Dinamo Minsk BLR 32 11 4 17 894:920 -26 26:38 (3) 40,63% 48 Aalborg Handball DEN 22 6 2 14 628:664 -36 14:30 (2) 31,82% 53 St. Petersburg HC RUS 40 5 2 33 941:1213 -272 12:68 (4) 15,00% 58 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 12 4 1 7 333:367 -34 9:15 (1) 37,50% 61 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 10 3 2 5 292:320 -28 8:12 (1) 40,00% 81 FC Porto Vitalis POR 10 2 1 7 241:278 -37 5:15 (1) 25,00% 94 Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 10 1 1 8 237:268 -31 3:17 (1) 15,00% 106 HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 10 0 1 9 289:364 -75 1:19 (1) 5,00% 107 Wacker Thun SUI 10 0 1 9 242:329 -87 1:19 (1) 5,00%

^ = Excluding Qualifying matches W – wins The club name is the last used name in VELUX EHF Champions League D – draws competition L – losses bold = participating in VELUX EHF Champions League 2013/14 GF:GA – goals for:goals against (participations incl. this season) P – points TR – total ranking NP – number of participations MP – matches played % - winning percentage

All stats in this guide are provided by Roy Knoppert

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