VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 Champions

VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

2016/17 - Last 16 UPDATE

Foreword 4 Media contacts 5 Map of participating clubs 6 Playing system diagrams - stages and dates 8 Road to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 10 Facts and figures of the group phase 12 Important regulations 14

Last 16 previews HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball 15 Montpellier HB vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce 29 HC PPD Zagreb vs Telekom Veszprem 43 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs MOL-Pick Szeged 57 HC Meshkov Brest vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 71 THW Kiel vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 85 2016/17 Group Phase Top scorers 98 All-time stats VELUX EHF Champions League 99 Dear media representatives,

Welcome to the Last 16 and the knock-out phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

With FC Barcelona Lassa and HC Vardar having topped their respective groups, they have been rewarded with direct places in the quarter-finals, which means 12 teams competing in this round and a host of exciting clashes to look forward to. We witnessed what was perhaps one of the most interesting draws in the 24-year history of the competition last July, a result which brought together last season’s runners up, Telekom Veszprém, with many of the biggest names in the game including FC Barcelona Lassa, Paris Saint-Germain Handball, SG Flensburg-Handewitt and THW Kiel in the same group - it promised much and certainly delivered with many tough matches and several surprising results.

Group B was no less exciting, with the final positions in the table only decided in the last matches of the group phase. In groups C and D we have also seen a fairy tale first season for HBC Nantes and following the knock-out matches we have no fewer than three French teams playing for a place in the quarter-finals.

The new playing system introduced at the beginning of the 2015/16 season contin- ues to deliver thrilling action and close and attractive matches week after week. In the group phase, half of all matches were decided by three or fewer goals and of the 178 matches played, only four were decided by 10 or more goals. Figures from TV and social media channels also confirm the attractiveness of the competition, with match action being broadcast in 60 countries and further increases in the number of hours of coverage and overall audience on TV and ehfTV.com.

Ahead of the Last 16, we saw the official launch of the new ‘Let’s Play’ campaign from title sponsor, the VELUX Group. This initiative offers youth teams between the ages of 8 and 14 the chance to win a set of handballs completely free of charge. This season more than 3,000 handballs will be distributed across Europe. The VELUX Group has always been very active in its support of the sport at both elite and grassroots levels and this project offers the perfect opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of handball players. If you run a youth team or your children play in a team, I would encourage you to take part and take advantage of this generous offer!

Finally, I would like to wish all those teams playing in the Last 16 the very best of luck as we look forward to the next step on the road to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne on 3/4 June 2017.

Sporting wishes. Michael Wiederer EHF President EHF/M media contacts

Clubs media contacts

[email protected]

Media accreditation for the VELUX EHF FINAL4

Three and a half months before the start of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2017, the final round of the VELUX EHF Champions League, accreditation requests from media representatives are now being accepted. The event will take place in the LANXESS arena, Cologne on 3/4 June and will see the continent’s top four teams battling it out over two days to lift the coveted VELUX EHF Champions League trophy. Written media, photographers, TV and radio representatives can submit their request for accreditation via an online form at ehfFINAL4.com, the event’s official website. Requests can only be made online.

Requests for media accreditation should be made by Friday 5 May 2017.

Click here to enter the media accreditation page: https://accreditation.ehf.eu/final4/ VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

SG Flensburg- Cocks THW Kiel Season 2016/17 IFK Kristianstad GER Handewitt GER FIN Orlen Wisla SWE Quarter-final teams Plock, POL Elverum HH NOR Last 16 teams Bjerringbro- Silkeborg, DEN HC Meshkov Brest Teams eliminated in group phase BLR TTH Teams eliminated in qualification Holstebro, DEN KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL

VELUX EHF FINAL4 Host City Cologne, GER Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS

Achilles Bocholt, BEL

Tatran Presov Red Boys SVK Differdange, LUX

Rhein-Neckar Löwen HC MotorZaporozhye GER UKR

Paris Saint-Germain Handball, FRA Telekom Veszprém, HUN

HBC Nantes FRA

MOL-PickSzeged HUN Montpellier Handball, FRA

Dinamo ABC/UMinho Bucuresti, ROU POR

Besiktas Bregenz Gorenje MOGAZ HT, TUR Naturhouse Handball, AUT Velenje, SLO La Rioja ESP HC Vardar RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB MKD

FC Barcelona Kadetten RK Celje Pivovarna HC PPD HC Metalurg Maccabi CASTRO Lassa ESP Schaffhausen SUI Lasko, SLO Zagreb, CRO MKD Tel Aviv, ISR VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

VELUX EHF FINAL4 Host City Cologne, GER Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS

Achilles Bocholt, BEL

Tatran Presov Red Boys SVK Differdange, LUX

Rhein-Neckar Löwen HC MotorZaporozhye GER UKR

Paris Saint-Germain Handball, FRA Telekom Veszprém, HUN

HBC Nantes FRA

MOL-PickSzeged HUN Montpellier Handball, FRA

Dinamo ABC/UMinho Bucuresti, ROU POR

Besiktas Bregenz Gorenje MOGAZ HT, TUR Naturhouse Handball, AUT Velenje, SLO La Rioja ESP HC Vardar RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB MKD

FC Barcelona Kadetten RK Celje Pivovarna HC PPD HC Metalurg Maccabi CASTRO Lassa ESP Schaffhausen SUI Lasko, SLO Zagreb, CRO MKD Tel Aviv, ISR

Tournaments

Last 16

Tournaments

Last 16

Facts and figueres of the group phase

Facts and figures of the group phase More matches than ever before (184) have been played to decide the participants of the VELUX EHF Champions League Knock-out Phase: 8 qualification matches, 112 matches in Groups A and B, 60 matches in Groups C and D, and 4 play-off matches. FC Barcelona Lassa from Group A and HC Vardar from Group B have qualified directly for the quarter-finals. First, 12 teams will compete in the Last 16: 10 from Groups A and B and 2 (both from France) from the Group C and D play-offs. Between 22 March and 2 April, 12 matches will decide the six remaining participants for the quarter-finals, which will confirm the teams for the trophy battle at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne on 3-4 June. So there are just 24 matches left until we know the VELUX EHF Champions League 2016/17 champions. With Paris SG vs Nantes and Kiel vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the Last 16, two nations (France and Germany) will definitely be represented in the quarter-finals.

0 teams have won or lost all their matches.

0 teams from the qualification are still in the compe- 7 tition. defeats have been conceded by THW Kiel, as many as never before in a single Champions League season. 1 EHF Champions League debutant has made it through to the knockout stage: HBC Nantes. 9 matches ended with a margin of 10 or more goals.

1 team - Barcelona - have finished top of their group 9 different nations are being represented by the 14 for the second time in this format, which was imple- teams still in the competition – including 3 from both mented prior to the 2015/16 season. Germany and France, 2 from Hungary, and 1 each from Poland, Spain, Belarus, Croatia, Macedonia and Denmark. There is only one change compared to 2 2016: Denmark has replaced Ukraine. points from 14 matches is the lowest points total for any team in the group phase, by Kadetten Schaffhausen. 10 rounds including 60 matches have been played in Groups C and D to confirm the top four teams, which appeared in the play-offs for the Last 16. In the end, 4 times, 70 or more goals were scored in a group Montpellier and Nantes advanced. match including the play-offs. 12 of the 14 teams still in the competition have also 5 former or current EHF Champions League winners been part of the knockout stage last season. New are – with 14 titles in total – still have a chance to win the Nantes and Bjerringbro, replacing Motor and Plock. trophy again: Vive Tauron Kielce, FC Barcelona (8-time winner), THW Kiel (3), Flensburg and Montpellier (each 1). Also, two former finalists have made it to the knockout stage: Veszprém and Zagreb. 14 points on home ground, the maximum from seven matches, were taken by Barcelona and Paris. 6 coaches still involved in the competition have won the CL before: Talant Dujshebaev (Kielce/4 titles), Alfred Gislason (Kiel/4), Xavi Pascual (Barcelona/2), 16 of the 176 group phase matches (including play- Patrice Canayer (Montpellier), Noka Serdarusic (PSG) offs) ended in a draw: 3 each in the Groups A, C and D; and Ljubomir Vranjes (Flensburg/each 1). 6 in Group B; 1 in the play-offs.

6 times, a group phase match ended with less than 45 17 goals scored by Elverum in their 18:17 defeat at goals scored. Metalurg Skopje was the lowest number of goals for a team in a single match. 7 of the 14 teams still involved in the competition have been part of at least one VELUX EHF FINAL4 18 goals was the biggest gap in a single match: PSG (inaugurated in 2010): Kiel (6 participations - 2 tro- beat Kiel 42:24. phies), Barcelona (5-2), Kielce (3-1), Veszprém (3-0), Flensburg (1-1), PSG and Löwen (each 1-0). 25 points, earned by Barcelona, was the highest number among all teams, ahead of 24 (PSG), 20 (Vardar) and 18 (Kielce and Veszprém).

12 Facts and figueres of the group phase

28 teams - like last season - were part of the group phase. 451 35 goals was the lowest number of goals in a single goals were scored by PSG to have the best attack of all teams - like last season, when they scored 442 times. match: Metalurg vs Elverum 18:17.

36 matches (all in Groups A and B) were attended by 9,807 goals were scored in the group matches includ- 5,000 or more spectators: 26 in A, 10 in B. ing play-offs: 3081 (55,01 in average) in Group A; 3090 (55,17) in Group B; 1625 (54,16) in Group C; 1759 42 goals scored by PSG in their 42:24 win over Kiel (58,63) in group D; 252 (63,00) in the play-offs. was the highest number scored by a team in a single match. 10,000 or more fans were attending at seven group matches - either at Kiel, Herning or Zagreb. 45-year-old BSV goalkeeper Tom Jensen is the oldest player still in the competition. 11,500 spectators for Zagreb vs Celje was the highest attendance of all. 48 times, more than 60 goals were scored in the group matches including play-offs: 13 matches in both Groups A and B; 6 in Group C; 14 in Group D; 2 in the play-offs.

55,72 goals were scored on average per group match including play-offs. 58 of the 176 matches of the group phase (including playoffs) were won by the away teams (1 less than last season): 23 in A; 16 in B; 9 in C; 8 in D; 2 in the play-offs.

+68 is the impressive goal difference of PSG after 14 matches, better than any other team.

74 was the highest number of goals in a single match: Vardar vs Kielce 40:34.

84 goals were scored by Kadetten centre back Gabor Csaszar to top the goal scorer ranking. This time last season, eventual top scorer Mikkel Hansen had already been on 107, now the PSG left back is on 65. The best scorer still in the competition is PSG new arrival Uwe Gensheimer (83).

102 of the 176 matches of the group phase (including play-offs) were won by the home teams (3 less compared to last season): 30 in Group A; 34 in Group B; 18 in Group C; 19 in Group D; 1 in the play-offs.

350 goals were conceded by Pick Szeged, less than any other team in the Groups A and B after 14 matches. Metalurg had the best defence in the Groups C and D with 250 goals conceded in 10 matches.

13 Important regulations

Important regulations Scoring of the matches and ranking - If the scores are equal after the first round of Last 16 and quarter-finals penalty throws, it shall be continued until a If, after the completion of the two matches, both decision is reached. In the second round, the clubs have won the same number of points (no other team shall start. Again five players shall be extra time will be played), the teams’ standings named who are eligible to play (the players shall be determined by the following criteria: named before may be named once again). a) goal difference b) higher number of plus goals scored in away - In the second round, a decision (a winner) is match reached when a goal difference arises after both c) penalty throws teams have taken one throw each.

Rules for execution of penalty throws - Eligible players are players entered in the match report that have not been disqualified or - Prior to the penalty throws, each team shall suspended at the time of the final whistle. name five players eligible to play at the end of the match by handing the referees a list of - Serious infractions committed during penalty numbers. These players shall then take one throws shall be sanctioned by disqualification. If throw each until a decision (a winner) is reached, a thrower is disqualified or suffers an injury, an alternating with their opponents. Each team eligible substitute player shall be supplementary is free to determine the sequence in which named. throwers will take their throws. - While the throws are being taken, only the - The goalkeepers may be freely selected from player taking the throw, the current goalkeeper the match report and exchanged in accordance and the referees may enter the respective half with the Rules of the Game. Goalkeepers may of the playing court. take throws and throwers may perform as goalkeepers. - If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be named to take a second - The referees shall choose the goal at which throw in the same round. 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.

14 Group D preview

HBC Nantes vs PSG Handball

First leg: Saturday 25 March 2017, 20:45 hrs

Second leg: Saturday 1 April 2017, 17:00 hrs

PSG in danger at Nantes

At this stage of the competition last season, Group C winners HC Meshkov Brest and Group D winners Motor Zaporozhye were easily disposed of by Kielce and Veszprem, respectively. However, this year, the all-French clash between the winner of Group D and the second place team from Group A looks like a much more open affair.

For the first time in history, ehfTV.com’s Match of the Week heads to Nantes. Indeed, this is the first time the club has taken part in the competition. With only one loss in twelve games (in the first phase against Zaporozhye), and on the back of twenty consecutive wins throughout all competitions, Nantes look like a strong contender for the win in this first leg.

“They are on a big wave of confidence right now,” agreed Daniel Narcisse, PSG left back, after the last group phase game. But we are coming back at full speed just when we need to. Nantes is one of our toughest opponents in France, I don’t expect anything else in the Champions League.”

In fact, Nantes is one of the only four teams that has previously beat PSG, alongside THW Kiel, FC Barcelona Lassa and Montpellier HB, three former Champions League winners. In December, in a boiling XXL Arena, Thierry Anti’s men made PSG look inexperienced. The 37-31 was a major handball events in the country, but Nantes’ coach still doesn’t think his team is the clear favourites. “That evening, we had a perfect game. We might do it again, who knows, but for us to do it twice in a week is something else entirely. We’ll throw ourselves 100% into the first game and see what happens, we’ve got nothing to lose,” he says. It seems almost impossible to win in Nantes- they only lost once at home since the beginning of 2016. PSG on the other hand, have been struggling sometimes in away games this season in the Champions League. Losses in Kiel and Barcelona and narrow wins in Flensburg and Veszprem don’t make for an impressive record.

“Somehow, facing Nantes is a good thing for us. We know they can beat us, they’ve done it not so long ago, and it will force us to be 100% focused,” concludes Luc Abalo, right wing for PSG. PSG are in danger at Nantes, and they know it.

Historic encounters in the EC

HBC Nantes vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball

No previous encounters in European competitions

15 HBC Nantes

1st GROUP D HBC Nantes FINAL STANDINGS GROUP D 1. HBC Nantes 10 8 1 1 312:270 (42) 17 2. Motor Zaporozhye 10 7 1 2 308:272 (36) 15 3. Besiktas Mogaz HT 10 5 1 4 275:289 (-14) 11 4. Dinamo Bucuresti 10 3 2 5 294:294 (0) 8 5. TTH Holstebro 10 2 1 7 281:314 (-33) 5 6. ABC/UMinho 10 2 0 8 289:320 (-31) 4

Club Address HBC Nantes ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE 91 rue de la Trocardiere 44400 Reze Group Phase Nicolas Claire 61 France @ HC Motor Zaporozhye T26:26 (15:16) Dominik Klein 47 Media contact vs Besiktas Mogaz W33:19 (16:9) David Balaguer 44 Marina Normand vs ABC/UMinho W35:33 (20:16) Nicolas Tournat 44 +33 671 55 63 49 @ TTH Holstebro W25:35 (13:19) Eduardo Gurbindo 39 marina.normand@ @ Dinamo Bucuresti W26:27 (15:11) hbcnantes.com vs Dinamo Bucuresti W26:24 (12:12) www.hbcnantes.com vs HC Motor Zaporozhye L32:34 (19:16) @ Besiktas Mogaz W28:33 (14:16) HBCNantesOfficiel vs TTH Holstebro W31:26 (15:16) @ ABC/UMinhov W29:34 (13:18) HBCNantes C+D Elimination round Kit colours @ Naturhouse La Rioja W25:31 (13:13) vs Naturhouse La Rioja W37:31 (21:15) Light Player shirt: white/purple Player short: white GK shirt: orange or blue Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2016/17 season): 1 Player shirt: purple/yellow Player short: purple Other GK shirt: black EHF Cup: runners-up 2012/13, 2015/16, quarter-finals 2013/14

French League Cup: 1 title (2015)

Playing hall Salle Sportive de la Trocardiere 91 Rue de la Trocardiere 44400 Reze France Capacity: 4,500

16 Paris Saint-Germain Handball

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 33:19 (16:9) v Besiktas Mogaz TUR (h), 01.10.2016 Biggest defeat 32:34 (19:16) v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR (h), 19.11.2016 Longest winning run 5 matches (01.10.2016 – 13.10.2016) 5 matches (27.11.2016 – 11.03.2017) Longest unbeaten run 6 matches (22.09.2016 – 13.10.2016) MATCHES Longest losing run 1 match (19.11.2016) Longest unbeaten run 6 Longest run without win 1 match (19.11.2016) Most goals 37 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 37:31W (h), 11.03.2017 GOALS Most goals Most goals opponent 34 v HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 32:34L (h), 19.11.2016 37 Most goals both teams 68 v ABC/UMinho POR 35:33W (h), 09.10.2016

GOALS 68 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 37:31W (h), 11.03.2017 68 Most goals both teams Fewest goals 26 v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 26:24W (h), 13.11.2016 Fewest goals opponent 19 v Besiktas Mogaz TUR 33:19W (h), 01.10.2016 Fewest goals both teams 50 v Dinamo Bucuresti ROU 26:24W (h), 13.11.2016

17 HBC Nantes

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

Late entries: Left the club: none none

18 HBC Nantes

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 20 Lucien Auffret FRA R i g h t W i n g 25.1.1997 La Roche sur Yon, FRA 182 73 30 Valentin Bachele FRA G o a l k e e p e r 25.6.1998 Montreuil, FRA 190 95 19 David Balaguer Romeu ESP R i g h t W i n g 17.8.1991 Barcelona, ESP 185 93 10 Senjamin Buric BIH L i n e P l a y e r 20.11.1990 Maglaj, BIH 198 100 12 Robin Cantegrel FRA G o a l k e e p e r 13.2.1995 Nantes, FRA 194 91 7 Nicolas Claire FRA C e n t r e B a c k 10.7.1987 Saint-Denis Réunion, FRA190 91 17 Florian Delecroix FRA R i g h t B a c k 17.3.1994 Niort, FRA 197 93 14 Théo Derot FRA L e ft B a c k 17.6.1992 Nîmes, FRA 193 96 1 Cyril Dumoulin FRA G o a l k e e p e r 2.2.1984 Rillieux la Pape, FRA 200 100 C 13 Rock Feliho FRA B a c k 13.8.1982 Cotonou, BEN 192 100 5 Mahmoud Gharbi TUN L i n e P l a y e r 11.2.1982 Tunis, TUN 192 86 18 Eduardo Gurbindo Martinez ESP R i g h t B a c k 8.11.1987 Pamplona, ESP 195 92 23 Edson Imare FRA C e n t r e B a c k 9.9.1998 Saint-Denis Réunion, FRA189 78 Nicolas Jauffrineau FRA Left Wing 31.1.1997 178 9 Dominik Klein GER L e ft W i n g 16.12.1983 Miltenberg, GER 190 86 2 Romain Lagarde FRA L e ft B a c k 5.3.1997 Lorient, FRA 194 95 27 Arthur Laugier FRA R i g h t W i n g 6.2.1998 Reims, FRA 185 80 21 Michel Junior Matiaba-Tuzolana FRA L e ft W i n g 27.5.1997 Argenteuil, FRA 188 75 15 Jerko Matulic CRO R i g h t W i n g 20.4.1990 Supetar, CRO 187 83 Andi Muris Houlbert FRA Right Back 24.12.1999 187 8 O’Brian Nyateu FRA C e n t r e B a c k 7.11.1992 Bordeaux, FRA 186 90 6 Guy Olivier Nyokas FRA L e ft B a c k 28.6.1986 Montfermeil, FRA 187 86 22 Dragan Pechmalbec FRA L i n e P l a y e r 5.1.1996 Rennes, FRA 194 94 24 James Junior Scott FRA L e ft B a c k 27.5.1996 Lens, FRA 200 83 16 Arnaud Siffert FRA G o a l k e e p e r 6.12.1978 Longjumeau, FRA 190 93 Nathan Tourancheau FRA Left Back 26.5.1997 191 82 11 Nicolas Tournat FRA L i n e P l a y e r 5.4.1994 Niort, FRA 200 116 26 Lucas Weiss FRA Left Back 4.3.1997 Colmar, FRA 189 93

19 HBC Nantes

Cyril Dumoulin goalkeeper • after playing in Chambéry and Toulouse, he arrived in Nantes • arrived at the end of the 2015/16 season, to make up for the injury of Gorazd Skof • with 1.99 m height, one of the tallest goalkeeper on the circuit • beside his handball career, he's also published two books he wrote - a diary of his seasons and they gained much critical success

EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015

Dominik Klein left wing • in 2016, after ten seasons in THW Kiel, the left winger decided to give himself a new challenge by moving to France • his wife Isabell has moved with him and play for the women's club in Nantes • scored 1,071 goals in his 15 seasons in bundesliga, won 8 bundesliga titles and 6 German cup trophies • in his homeland played also for Obernburg, Wallau-Massenheim and Grosswallstadt EC trophies : CL 2007, 2010, 2012 WCh: G 2007

Olivier Nyokas left back • the 2016 recruit came back to France after two seasons in German Balingen • late bloomer, he impressed at the last EURO, most notably scoring eight goals against Serbia in his first game at a major tournament • major difference between him and his twin brother Alix Kevynn, who plays for Frisch Auf Göppingen, is their shooting hand - Olivier right, Alix Kevynn left • reunited with Thierry Anti, who was important to him as a young player in Paris WCh: G 2017

Theo Derot centre back • born in a handball family, his dad was a French international player and his uncle, Christian Gaudin, won the CL with SCM Magdeburg in 2002 • aged 25, he left his beloved club of Istres, where he was coached by his father, in the summer of 2015 to join Nantes • immediately rewarded with a EURO participation in January 2016 • still needs to toughen up physically as he is very injury-prone

20 HBC Nantes

Nicolas Claire centre back • former player of PSG Handball joined Nantes in 2014 to meet Thierry Anti, the coach who coached him at the beginning of his professionnal career • played his first international games with France in April 2015 • born on Réunion Island, where Jackson Richardson and Daniel Narcisse are from • handball is a family affair for him, since his two younger brothers play in the second league in France • delighted to be able to play with Olivier Nyokas, one of his best friends

Nicolas Tournat line player • considered by Didier Dinart as “one of the brightest hopes in French handball” • as a consequence, he made his first national team appearance in November 2015 • signed his first contract in the 2014/15 season and is now a regular fixture in the Nantes squad • without a doubt, the best player of his team during the EHF Cup Finals last season, where Nantes lost the final to Frisch Auf! Göppingen

Eduardo Gurbindo right back • after trying his luck for two seasons, Thierry Anti finally managed to convince the Spaniard to come to Nantes in 2016 • will perpetuate the tradition of Spanish players in Nantes, even though Valero Rivera made the inverse trip to Barcelona • has the advantage to be able to play both on the wing and the backcourt position • has taken part three times in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with FC Barcelona EC trophies : CL 2015 EURO: S 2016, B 2014

David Balaguer right wing • At 25 years, he’s following the footsteps of Valero Rivera. Formed in Barcelona like him, he then joined in 2015 • shares many similarities with Rivera, like coming to the spotlight with Nantes’ jersey on his shoulders • Barcelona tried to sign him back in the summer of 2016, but he chose to extend his contract in France instead • made his debut with the Spanish national team at the World Championship in 2017

21 Paris Saint-Germain Handball

2nd GROUP A Paris Saint- Germain Handball FINAL STANDINGS GROUP A 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 12 1 1 413:354 (59) 25 2. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 451:383 (68) 24 3. Telekom Veszprém 14 8 2 4 381:365 (16) 18 4. SG Flensburg-H. 14 7 1 6 382:366 (16) 15 5. THW Kiel 14 5 2 7 353:376 (-23) 12 Club Address 6. Bjerringbro-Silk. 14 4 0 10 364:396 (-32) 8 Paris Saint-Germain Handball 82 avenue Georges Lafont 7. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 367:401 (-34) 8 75016 Paris 8. Kadetten Schaffh. 14 1 0 13 370:440 (-70) 2 France

Media contact ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Louise Cosnard +33 675 591 939 Group Phase Uwe Gensheimer 83 [email protected] @ THW Kiel L28:27 (15:15) Mikkel Hansen 65 vs Orlen Wisla Plock W33:30 (15:15) Nikola Karabatic 58 www.psghand.fr @Kadetten Schaffhausen W25:35 (8:19) Nedim Remili 54 vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt W27:22 (13:11) Luc Abalo 37 PSGHAND @ Bjerringbro-Silkeborg W30:36 (16:19) @PSG_HANDBALL vs FC Barcelona Lassa W33:26 (15:12) @ Telekom Veszprém W28:29 (14:15) vs Telekom Veszprém W28:24 (14:12) Kit colours @ FC Barcelona Lassa L35:32 (14:14) vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg W32:27 (18:13) Light @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt W33:34 (18:15) Player shirt: white vs Kadetten Schaffhausen W34:26 (17:16) Player short: white GK shirt: green @ Orlen Wisla Plock W25:29 (11:14) vs THW Kiel W42:24 (22:10) Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Past achievements GK shirt: green VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 5 Semi-final (1): 2015/16 (3rd) Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15 Last 16 (1): 2005/06

Other EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2006/07, Last 16 2003/04 Playing hall Stade Pierre de Coubertin French league: 3 titles (2013, 2015, 2016) 82, Avenue Georges Lafond French cup: 2 titles 75016 Paris France Capacity: 4,012

22 Paris Saint-Germain Handball

EHF Champions League club records Biggest win 42:24 (22:10) v THW Kiel GER (h), 12.3.2017 Biggest defeat 44:28 (22:12) v THW Kiel GER (a), 10.12.2005 Longest winning run 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) 7 matches (2.10.2016 - 27.11.2016) Longest unbeaten run 7 matches (2.10.2016 - 27.11.2016) 7 matches (27.09.2015 – 21.11.2015) MATCHES Longest winning run Longest losing run 7 matches (06.12.2015 – 01.05.2016) 7 Longest run without win 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997)

GOALS 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 42 Most goals Most goals 42 v THW Kiel 42:24W (h), 12.03.2017 44 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 GOALS Most goals opponent 72 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005 Most goals both teams 72 Most goals both teams 20 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:26L (h), 11.01.1997 Fewest goals 20 v Caja Cantabria Santander ESP 26:20L (a), 18.01.1997 20 v MVM Veszprém HUN 28:20L (a), 28.11.2015 18 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005 Fewest goals opponent- 39 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005 Fewest goals both teams

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1996/97 PSG Asnières FRA 6 1 0 5 131:161 –30 2:10 4th Gr. D 2005/06 Paris Handball FRA 8 4 1 3 212:229 -17 9:7 1/8-finals 2013/14 PSG Handball FRA 14 7 1 6 429:402 +27 15:13 1/4-finals 2014/15 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 14 8 1 5 395:367 +28 17:11 1/4-finals 2015/16 Paris Saint-Germain Handball FRA 18 14 1 3 557:496 +61 29:7 Third Place Total: 60 34 4 22 1724:1655 +69 72:48

23 Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Noka Serdarusic coach • born in Yugoslavia, became a German citizen in 2008 • came out of retirement in 2012 to coach Aix, then moved to PSG in 2015 • does not speak French, only German, but since many players in PSG have played in Germany before it seems to be no problem • his previous coaching experience includes eleven seasons with THW Kiel and three with SG Flensburg-Handewitt • almost a honourary member of the Karabatic family

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

Late entries: Left the club: none none

24 Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 19 Luc Abalo FRA R i g h t W i n g 6.9.1984 Creteil, FRA 182 80 6 William Accambray FRA L e ft B a c k 8.4.1988 Cannes, FRA 194 94 88 Titouan Afanou Gatine FRA R i g h t B a c k 27.1.1995 Lyon, FRA 193 97 14 Xavier Barachet FRA R i g h t B a c k 19.11.1988 Nice, FRA 196 95 29 Djordane Bougrainville FRA L e ft B a c k 8.8.1993 Saint-Denis Reunion, FRA190 88 34 Clement Branco FRA R i g h t W i n g 25.8.1996 Perpignan, FRA 190 85 10 Adrien Chaudanson FRA L i n e P l a y e r 1.12.1998 Lyon, FRA 192 100 13 Paul Correia FRA R i g h t B a c k 12.2.1997 Nantes, FRA 185 91 2 Robin Dourte FRA L i n e P l a y e r 30.6.1998 Thionville, FRA 206 105 17 Dylan Garain FRA L e ft B a c k 22.8.1996 Les Abymes, FRA 192 86 70 Clement Gaudin FRA G o a l k e e p e r 13.3.1997 Martigues, FRA 197 87 3 Uwe Gensheimer GER L e ft W i n g 26.10.1986 Mannheim, GER 188 89 97 Andry Goujon Bellevue FRA L e ft W i n g 2.9.1999 Courtry, FRA 193 80 24 Mikkel Hansen DEN L e ft B a c k 22.10.1987 Helsingor, DEN 192 93 23 Gauthier Ivah FRA G o a l k e e p e r 6.1.1999 Saint-Denis, FRA 191 95 66 Halil Jaganjac CRO L e ft B a c k 22.6.1998 Rijeka, CRO 200 95 22 Luka Karabatic FRA L i n e P l a y e r 19.4.1988 Strasbourg, FRA 202 103 44 Nikola Karabatic FRA L e ft B a c k 11.4.1984 Nis, SRB 196 102 9 Adama Keita FRA L e ft W i n g 5.6.1997 Paris, FRA 183 77 20 Edouard Kempf FRA R i g h t W i n g 20.3.1998 Mulhouse, FRA 178 76 11 Benoit Kounkoud FRA R i g h t W i n g 19.2.1997 Versailles, FRA 188 78 77 Janus Lapajne SLO R i g h t B a c k 3.3.1995 Sampeter pri Gorici, SLO 192 93 90 Jeffrey M’tima FRA L e ft W i n g 16.7.1991 Schlitighelm, FRA 188 80 5 Henrik Møllgaard Jensen DEN L e ft B a c k 2.1.1985 Bramming, DEN 195 97 99 Dylan Nahi FRA L e ft W i n g 30.11.1999 Paris, FRA 190 90 C 25 Daniel Narcisse FRA C e n t r e B a c k 16.12.1979 St Dennis-Reunion, FRA 189 93 36 Jesper Nielsen SWE L i n e P l a y e r 30.9.1989 Norrköping, SWE 200 118 16 Thierry Omeyer FRA G o a l k e e p e r 2.11.1976 Mulhouse, FRA 192 93 18 Nedim Remili FRA R i g h t B a c k 18.7.1995 Creteil, FRA 195 94 12 Gorazd Skof SLO G o a l k e e p e r 11.7.1977 Novo Mesto, SLO 188 91 7 Luka Stepancic CRO R i g h t B a c k 20.11.1990 Pula, CRO 203 105 21 Jonathan Troudart FRA L i n e P l a y e r 15.1.1996 Fort de France, FRA 194 82

25 Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Thierry Omeyer goalkeeper • crowned best goalkeeper in history by the IHF • returned to Montpellier from Kiel for the 2013/14 season, reached the EHF Cup final and decided to move on to PSG in the summer of 2014 • awarded the best goalkeeper and the MVP at the WCh 2015 in Qatar • IHF Player of the Year 2008, All-star goalkeeper of OG 2008 and 2012, EURO 2006 EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2003, 2005

Uwe Gensheimer left wing • after 13 seasons playing for Rhein-Neckar Löwen, the German player of the year in 2011-14, left to join PSG in the summer of 2016 • his talent discovered early as he became Junior European champion in 2006, one year later awarded MVP at the Junior WCh • top scorer of 2010/11 CL season, when he also reached his only FINAL4

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016

Mikkel Hansen left back • 2011 & 2015 IHF World Handball Player of the Year went back to the FINAL4 in May 2016 with PSG, after already visiting twice with FC Barcelona and AG Kobenhavn • son of former Danish international Flemming; having grown into a top player at GOG • joining AG in 2011 arrived in PSG before the 2012/13 season; his headbands have now become a collector item among PSG fans • best CL scorer of the 2011/12 and 2015/16 editions

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

Nikola Karabatic left back / centre back • 2007 & 2014 World Handball Player of the Year • in his first season with PSG (2015/16), helped the club get the first taste of Cologne • won everything there is to win, as he has triumphed at Olympics, WChs and EHF EUROs with the French national team and three times in the CL (Montpellier, Kiel and Barcelona) • one of the most complete players with strengths both in attack and defence

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

26 Paris Saint-Germain Handball

Daniel Narcisse centre back • might well go down in history as one of the most decorated French players • 2012 IHF World Handball Player of the Year • nicknamed “Air France” because of his jumping skills • after three years of absence, ended up back to Cologne with former THW Kiel teammate Thierry Omeyer in May 2016

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

Luka Karabatic line player • was a national-level tennis player until he was 19, only then turned his back on the yellow ball and chose handball • began in Montpellier, then moved to Aix and finally to PSG in the summer of 2015 • on the CL list of Montpellier for six seasons, but did not enjoy too much playing time (in total 22 goals) • PSG is the third club where he reunites with his brother Nikola OG: S 2016, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015, 2017

Luka Stepancic right back • at 25, had been a target for PSG for years, but has just arrived in 2016 summer • follows the footstep of another tall Croatian right back who used to play in PSG in couple of seasons ago, Marko Kopljar • more than 2 m tall left-hander with a great jump shot and ability to play in defence • member of Croatian national team; at the 2009 Junior WCh in Tunisia won the gold

WCh: B 2013

Luc Abalo right wing • spectacular winger returned to France from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2012 • immediately showed how much progress he has made during his four seasons in Spain reached the final of the CL in 2011 and 2012 • regular fixture in the national team as well • with his high jumps and all the tricks a winger must have in their bag, he is one of the best in his position EC trophies: CL 2009 OG: G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2017

27 Your legends deserve daylight

The VELUX Group is donating roof windows to sports clubs across Europe. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are donating roof windows to sports clubs around Europe. Your sports club can apply for a donation of a complete installation of six windows by simply filling out the online application and contacting an installer. This is your chance to bring light and fresh air into your clubhouse, making it more bright, inviting and comfortable – and giving your legends the daylight they deserve.

Apply now at www.velux.com/sportsclubs

V11947-111_End-user_EHFmagazine_Ad_A5.indd 1 11-03-2016 12:15:21 Group C preview

Montpellier HB vs Vive Tauron Kielce

First leg: Sunday 26 March 2017, 17:00 hrs

Second leg: Sunday 2 April 2017, 18:00 hrs

Montpellier’s challenge against best team of Europe

Every tournament winner wants to repeat the success, and KS Vive Tauron Kielce are no exception. Following the Group Phase, where they finished second in Group B, the team of Talant Dujshebaev face Montpellier HB in Last 16.

The French team had started their VELUX Champions league campaign in Group C where they clearly dominated and finished first, winning eight of ten matches. The next obstacle they faced was HC Motor Zaporozhye in Elim- ination Round C+D. Both legs were very close, but Montpellier did a good job in Ukraine where they won 36:34, and then a home 29:29 draw sufficed to seal their Last 16 spot.

In the two previous seasons, Montpellier had also reached this stage but could not proceed any further. This time, they hope to do better - the head coach Patrice Canayer had declared early in the season that his team’s goal in the continental top flight was to make it to the quarter-final. Now they are just one step away from this target, yet the clash with Vive is certainly challenging as the French side face the last year’s VELUX Champions League winner.

During the triumphant season, Vive actually faced Montpellier in Group B - and grabbed all four points in head- to-heads, winning 30:23 at home and 32:27 away. Obviously the team from Kielce would like to upset their rivals once again, and in general to repeat their European success from 2016. However, it is not easy, and Vive’s coach Talant Dujshebaev knows that. “Many Champions League winners did not even reach the FINAL4 in the next season, so some retreat is probably inevitable after such success,” he told ehfcl.com.

Yet Kielce definitely set the highest goals, and they have some reason to be optimistic following the Group Phase where they finished second in Group B behind HC Vardar.n particular, the Polish champion boasted a clinical -at Your legends tack - 415 scored goals was the best result in the group and the second best in the whole Group Phase after Paris Saint-Germain. However, the team’s defense looked rather vulnerable as they conceded as many as 390 goals, and five defeats in 14 games was not a good record either. On Tuesday, Kielce had a successful rehearsal for the match in Montpellier as they comfortably beat MMTS Kwidzyn in the Polish league (35:24), and now Dujshevaev’s team deserve daylight hope to bring home a good result from France.

Historic encounters in the EC The VELUX Group is donating roof windows to sports clubs across Europe. In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are donating roof windows to sports clubs Montpellier HB vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce 1-0-3 (108:122) 2:6 around Europe. Your sports club can apply for a donation of a complete installation of six 15.03.2015 Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 25:29 (13:16) windows by simply filling out the online application and contacting an installer. 21.03.2015 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16 31:33 (14:15) This is your chance to bring light and fresh air into your clubhouse, making it more 26.09.2015 KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 30:23 (12:11) bright, inviting and comfortable – and giving your legends the daylight they deserve. 28.02.2016 Montpellier HB vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B 27:32 (16:17) Apply now at www.velux.com/sportsclubs

V11947-111_End-user_EHFmagazine_Ad_A5.indd 1 11-03-2016 12:15:21 Montpellier HB

1st GROUP C Montpellier HB

FINAL STANDINGS GROUP C 1. Montpellier HB 10 8 0 2 302:252 (50) 16 2. Naturhouse Rioja 10 5 1 4 294:286 (8) 11 3. HC Metalurg 10 5 0 5 240:251 (-11) 10 4. TATRAN Presov 10 4 1 5 259:271 (-12) 9 5. Elverum Handball 10 3 2 5 257:274 (-17) 8 6. Chekhov Medvedi 10 2 2 6 273:291 (-18) 6 Club Address Montpellier HB ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000 34090 Montpellier Group Phase Jure Dolenec 60 France vs TATRAN Presov W28:23 (14:14) Mathieu Grebille 60 Media contact @ Naturhouse La Rioja L31:30 (15:12) Jonas Truchanovicius 38 Suzy Demonte @ Elverum Handball L32:31 (18:14) Vid Kavticnik 34 +33 499 610 358 vs Chekhovskie Medvedi W26:22 (12:9) Valentin Porte 26 suzy.demonte@ vs HC Metalurg W28:18 (13:12) montpellier-handball.com @ HC Metalurg W24:30 (10:14) montpellierhandball.com @ TATRAN Presov W24:28 (9:14) vs Naturhouse La Rioja W37:27 (19:11) montpellierhandball @ Chekhovskie Medvedi W27:33 (13:14) vs Elverum Handball W31:24 (16:11) @mhbofficiel C+D Elimination round Kit colours @ HC Motor Zaporozhye W34:36 (15:18) vs HC Motor Zaporozhye T29:29 (14:13) Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: light blue/yellow Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2016/17 season): 19 Player shirt: blue Winners (1): 2002/03 Player short: blue Semi-final (1): 2004/05 GK shirt: purple Quarter-final (4): 2000/01, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 Last 16 (6): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2016/17 Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09 Playing hall Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, 2012/13 Palais des Sports René Bougnol Qualification (1): 2013/14 1000 Av. du Val de Montferrand Other 34090 Montpellier EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter-final: France 1996/97 Capacity: 3,000 Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95 Last 32: 1997/98 Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2001/02 French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) French cup: 13 titles

30 Montpellier HB

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 46:20 (26:9) v AC PAOK GRE (h), 04.10.2009 Biggest defeat 37:20 (16:10) v Prosesa Ademar Leon ESP (a), 06.11.1999 Longest winning run 8 matches (15.10.2016 – 04.03.2017) Longest unbeaten run 10 matches (18.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) Longest losing run 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) MATCHES Longest run without win 6 matches (14.02.2016 – 27.03.2016) Longest winning run 8 Most goals 46 v AC PAOK GRE 46:20W (h), 04.10.2009 Most goals opponent 38 v Kolding KIF DEN 38:29L (a), 05.12.2004 GOALS Most goals 38 v Pick Szeged HUN 38:35L (a), 19.11.2011 46 Most goals both teams 78 v VfL Gummersbach GER 41:37W (h), 09.02.2008

GOALS Fewest goals 17 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 26:17L (a), 03.01.1999 78 Most goals both teams 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 24:17L (a), 10.12.2000 Fewest goals opponent 16 v HC Portovik Yuzhny UKR 26:16W (h), 07.10.2006 Fewest goals both teams 38 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 21:17W (h), 08.11.1998

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1998/99 Montpellier HB FRA 6 3 0 3 134:134 0 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1999/00 Montpellier HB FRA 6 3 0 3 139:148 -9 6:6 3rd Gr. A 2000/01 Montpellier HB FRA 8 4 1 3 193:193 0 9:7 1/4-finals 2002/03 Montpellier HB FRA 12 8 1 3 334:311 +23 17:7 Winner 2003/04 Montpellier HB FRA 8 6 0 2 216:199 +17 12:4 1/8-finals 2004/05 Montpellier HB FRA 12 9 0 3 375:328 +47 18:6 1/2-finals 2005/06 Montpellier HB FRA 10 6 0 4 282:272 +10 12:8 1/4-finals 2006/07 Montpellier HB FRA 8 5 1 2 224:198 +26 11:5 1/8-finals 2007/08 Montpellier HB FRA 12 7 0 5 358:348 +10 14:10 3rd MR Gr. 2 2008/09 Montpellier HB FRA 10 6 1 3 295:275 +20 13:7 4th MR Gr. 3 2009/10 Montpellier HB FRA 14 10 2 2 447:372 +75 22:6 1/4-finals 2010/11 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 14 10 0 4 442:379 +63 20:8 1/4-finals 2011/12 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 12 6 0 6 357:357 0 12:12 1/8-finals 2012/13 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 10 2 2 6 301:311 –10 6:14 5th Gr. A 2014/15 Montpellier Agglom. HB FRA 12 4 2 6 351:377 –26 10:14 1/8-finals 2015/16 Montpellier HB FRA 16 3 1 12 429:472 –43 7:25 1/8-finals 170 92 11 67 4877:4674 +203 195:145

31 Montpellier HB

Patrice Canayer coach • currently in his 23rd season at the head of Montpellier, in which he has won over 40 trophies • in 1994 he started his coaching career and coached players like Nikola Karabatic, Thierry Omeyer, Jerome Fernandez and Didier Dinart • in his active career played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris

EC trophies: CL 2003

Late entries: Left the club: none none

32 Montpellier HB

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 3 Arthur Anquetil FRA L e ft W i n g 23.7.1995 Montpellier, FRA 182 78 21 Nassim Bellahcene FRA R i g h t B a c k 9.1.1998 Montpellier, FRA 190 90 12 Samir Bellahcene FRA G o a l k e e p e r 20.2.1995 Montpellier, FRA 190 116 29 Arnaud Bingo FRA L e ft W i n g 12.10.1987 Lyon, FRA 190 83 24 Baptiste Bonnefond FRA L e ft B a c k 22.1.1993 Lyon, FRA 194 99 26 Julien Bos FRA L e ft W i n g 18.8.1998 Pessac, FRA 188 76 20 Maxime Bouschet FRA R i g h t B a c k 2.4.1996 Montpellier, FRA 185 87 6 Theophile Causse FRA R i g h t W i n g 12.10.1992 Port au Prince, FRA 179 75 11 Jure Dolenec SLO R i g h t B a c k 6.12.1988 Kranj, SLO 190 95 27 Ludovic Fabregas FRA L i n e P l a y e r 1.7.1996 Perpignan, FRA 198 102 25 Jean Loup Faustin FRA C e n t r e B a c k 23.3.1995 Montpellier, FRA 185 88 1 Vincent Gerard FRA G o a l k e e p e r 16.12.1986 Woippy, FRA 189 98 10 Mathieu Grebille FRA L e ft B a c k 6.10.1991 Paris, FRA 198 98 C 14 Michael Guigou FRA L e ft W i n g 28.1.1982 Apt, FRA 179 77 30 Ilies Hakiki FRA L i n e P l a y e r 9.10.1998 Montpellier, FRA 193 90 15 Antoine Jonnier FRA L i n e P l a y e r 18.8.1998 Libourne, FRA 197 95 23 Vid Kavticnik SLO R i g h t B a c k 24.5.1984 Gradec, SLO 191 88 5 Samuel Paulin FRA L e ft B a c k 20.5.1998 Montpellier, FRA 202 98 28 Valentin Porte FRA R i g h t B a c k 7.9.1990 Versailles, FRA 190 93 16 Nikola Portner SUI G o a l k e e p e r 19.11.1993 Lyon, FRA 194 91 97 Maxime Savonne FRA G o a l k e e p e r 11.1.1997 Nimes , FRA 195 100 4 Diego Simonet ESP C e n t r e B a c k 26.12.1989 Buenos Aires, ARG 188 88 9 Aymen Toumi TUN R i g h t W i n g 11.7.1990 Sousse, TUN 184 88 7 Jonas Truchanovicius LTU L e ft B a c k 24.6.1993 Siauliai, LTU 203 105 19 Kyllian Villeminot FRA C e n t r e B a c k 20.5.1998 Lyon , FRA 189 72 2 Iswaran Zahm FRA L e ft B a c k 23.5.1996 Saint Denis, FRA 200 100 22 Miha Zvizej SLO L i n e P l a y e r 6.11.1987 Celje, SLO 193 100

33 Montpellier HB

Vincent Gerard goalkeeper • formed in Montpellier, he came back to his first club in the summer of 2015 after playing in Istres and Dunkerque • welcomes a new comrade between the posts this season, the promising Swiss Nikola Portner • his exuberant celebrations have instantly made him a fan favourite • reached four times in a row the CL Last 16 (2x Dunkerque, 2x Montpellier) OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2017

Michael Guigou left wing / centre back • player with the longest history in Montpellier since he has played there for 16 seasons in a row • able to play on the left wing or on the centre back position, very quick on fast breaks and able to play in tiny spaces inside the defences • over the years, he has become less of a scorer and turned more into a play-maker • only player of the winning CL campaign in 2003 who still plays for MAHB EC trophies: CL 2003 OG : G 2008, 2012, S 2016, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, B 2005

Mathieu Grebille left back • most known figure of the new Montpellier wave, along with Ludovic Fabregas • enjoyed his first national team appearance at only 21 • missed most of the last two seasons due to knee injuries • his jumps have earned him the nickname "Flying Grébille" • his great-grand father was an Olympic champion in boxing

OG: S 2016, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2015

Jonas Truchanovicius centre back / left back • one of the very few Lithuanian players to ever play the Champions League • adapted very quickly to his environment despite a language barrier • best at the left back position but he can also help at the center back • will play a crucial role after Vid Kavticnik is out for the rest of the season

34 Montpellier HB

Ludovic Fabregas line player • at only 20 and he has already played the EURO and the Olympics, making him one of the most promising French players of late • part of the new Golden generation of French handball, along with teammate Mathieu Grébille and PSG right winger Benoit Kounkoud • national team coach Didier Dinart counts on him to be the foundations of defence • youth European and world champion in mountain biking before definitely turning to handball at 15

OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2017

Valentin Porte right back • arrived in the summer of 2016 from other French club Toulouse with the ambition of playing the CL • played on the right wing until 2014, Claude Onesta then decided to place him on the backcourt, to much success • rose to prominence during the EURO 2014 (16 goals in the semi-final and the final) • golf aficionado, taught a lot of his former teammates, including now FC Barcelona goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2015, 2017, EURO: G 2014

Jure Dolenec right back • uses his original style much to his advantage, he's very efficient in small spaces and likes to shoot through the defense • made his name in the CL with his former team of Gorenje Velenje, scoring 64 goals in the 2012/13 season • doesn't particularly like resting since, as he says, "the more I play, the better I am" • already has nearly a hundred games with his national team WCh: B 2017

Aymen Toumi right wing • arrived last summer and was only meant to stay for a season, but his stellar performances in the CL and Dragan Gajic's departure convinced the club to keep him • has had a troubled relationship with his national team in the team, but everything's gone back to normal now • last remaining Tunisian player in Montpellier, which counted five just a couple of seasons ago

35 KS Vive Tauron Kielce

nd 2 GROUP B KS Vive Tauron Kielce FINAL STANDINGS GROUP B 1. HC Vardar 14 10 0 4 412:378 (34) 20 2. Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 0 5 415:390 (25) 18 3. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 8 1 5 376:350 (26) 17 4. Rhein-Neckar Löw. 14 8 1 5 392:396 (-4) 17 5. HC Meshkov Brest 14 5 4 5 383:385 (-2) 14 6. HC PPD Zagreb 14 4 1 9 332:356 (-24) 9 Club Address 7. Celje Piv. Lasko 14 3 3 8 399:424 (-25) 9 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 8. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 2 9 381:411 (-30) 8 ul. Robotnicza 5 25-662 Kielce ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Poland Group Phase Julen Aguinagalde 71 Media contact @ HC Meshkov Brest W24:29 (14:11) Sebastian Kozubek Karol Bielecki 60 +48 505031244 vs IFK Kristianstad W38:28 (18:13) Krzysztof Lijewski 43 [email protected] @ MOL-Pick Szeged W27:29 (15:16) Manuel Strlek 38 vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W31:23 (16:15) Darko Djukic 36 vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen L26:34 (15:16) www.vtkielce.pl @ HC Vardar L40:34 (18:18) kielcehandball @ HC PPD Zagreb W23:26 (12:11) vs HC PPD Zagreb W29:25 (11:12) @ksvive vs HC Vardar W27:24 (15:12) @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen L28:25 (16:13) @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko L34:33 (16:19) Kit colours vs MOL-Pick Szeged W28:24 (13:14) Light @ IFK Kristianstad L29:25 (15:13) Player shirt: yellow vs HC Meshkov Brest W35:27 (15:16) Player short: blue GK shirt: blue

Dark Past achievements Player shirt: blue Player short: blue VELUX EHF Champions League GK shirt: green Participations (including 2016/17 season): 14 Winners (1): 2015/16 Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third ranked in VELUX F4) Last 16 (5): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2013/14 Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99 Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, 2003/04, Playing hall 2010/11 Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów ul. Boczna 15A Other 25-093 Kielce 11 participations in other ECs Poland Capacity: 4,000 Polish league: 13 titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Polish cup: 13 titles

36 KS Vive Tauron Kielce

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 35:23 (16:13) v FC Porto Vitalis POR (h), 29.09.2013 Biggest defeat 30:41 (19:19) v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN (h), 15.11.2003 Longest winning run 11 matches (25.09.2014 – 15.03.2015) Longest unbeaten run 14 matches (15.11.2015 – 29.05.2016) Longest losing run 5 matches (13.02.2010 – 27.03.2010) MATCHES 5 matches (19.02.2011 – 09.10.2011) Longest winning run 11 Longest run without win 6 matches (26.09.2010 – 27.11.2010) Most goals 39 v MVM Veszprém HUN 39:38Wa7m (a), 29.05.2016 GOALS Most goals Most goals opponent 41 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:41L (h), 15.11.2003 39 Most goals both teams 77 v MVM Veszprém HUN 39:38Wa7m (a), 29.05.2016

GOALS Fewest goals 21 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 25:21L (a), 27.02.2010 77 Most goals both teams 21 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 Fewest goals opponent 20 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012 20 v HC Vardar MKD 20:22W (a), 11.04.2015 20 v HC Vardar MKD 23:20W (h), 28.11.2015 Fewest goals both teams 41 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1999/00 KS Iskra-Lider Market POL 6 3 0 3 173:186 –13 6:6 3rd Gr. B 2003/04 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce POL 6 2 1 3 159:177 -18 5:7 3rd Gr. G 2009/10 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 5 1 6 345:344 +1 11:13 1/8-finals 2010/11 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 10 1 2 7 276:300 -24 4:16 6th Gr. A 2011/12 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 6 1 5 345:336 +9 13:11 1/8-finals 2012/13 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 16 14 0 2 469:400 +69 28:4 Third Place 2013/14 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 12 7 1 4 362:331 +31 15:9 1/8-finals 2014/15 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 16 14 0 2 483:439 +44 28:4 Third Place 2015/16 KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 20 14 4 2 614:577 +37 32:8 Winner 110 66 10 34 3226:3090 +136 142:78

37 KS Vive Tauron Kielce

Talant Dujshebaev coach • most awarded figure in the club; during his longstanding playing career won plenty of trophies with three different national teams (CIS, Russia, Spain) • voted twice as the IHF World Player of the Year, in 1994 and in 1996 • has successfully continued as a coach for the last 10 years • joined Kielce in the half of the 2013/14 season, replacing Bogdan Wenta • changed the playing style of Kielce placing emphasis on the aggressive defence

EC Trophies: CL 1994 (as player), 2006, 2008, 2009, 2016 (as coach), EHF Cup 1993, Cup Winners’ Cup 2002, 2003 OG: G 1992, B 1996, 2000, WCh: G 1993, EURO: S 1996, 1998, B 2000

Late entries: Left the club: none none

38 KS Vive Tauron Kielce

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 13 Julen Aguinagalde Akizu ESP L i n e P l a y e r 8.12.1982 Irun, ESP 195 110 14 Karol Bielecki POL L e ft B a c k 23.1.1982 Sandomierz, POL 202 101 18 Bartlomiej Bis POL L i n e P l a y e r 25.3.1997 Kielce, POL 198 98 44 Dean Bombac SLO R i g h t W i n g 4.4.1989 Koper, SLO 188 92 3 Jakub Bulski POL L i n e P l a y e r 29.4.1998 Kielce, POL 195 96 10 Piotr Chrapkowski POL R i g h t W i n g 24.3.1988 Goreczno, POL 202 100 45 Darko Djukic SRB R i g h t W i n g 11.12.1994 Nis, SRB 191 78 4 Michal Grabowski POL R i g h t W i n g 28.11.1997 Kielce, POL 188 87 16 Filip Ivic CRO G o a l k e e p e r 30.8.1992 Zagreb, CRO 195 95 15 Mateusz Jachlewski POL L e ft B a c k 27.12.1984 Gdynia, POL 185 88 C 5 Michal Jurecki POL L e ft B a c k 27.10.1984 Koscian, POL 198 110 20 Mariusz Jurkiewicz POL C e n t r e B a c k 3.2.1982 Lubin, POL 199 103 11 Mateusz Kus POL R i g h t B a c k 14.7.1987 Piekary SL, POL 200 110 19 Krzysztof Lijewski POL R i g h t B a c k 7.7.1983 Ostrów Wlkpl., POL 198 94 Krzysztof Markowski POL G o a l k e e p e r 5.8.1997 Kielce, POL 185 82 22 Pawel Paczkowski POL R i g h t B a c k 14.6.1993 Swiecie, POL 192 90 9 Tobias Reichmann GER R i g h t W i n g 27.5.1988 Berlin Ost, GER 188 85 17 Manuel Strlek CRO L e ft W i n g 1.12.1988 Zagrzeb, CRO 181 79 1 Slawomir Szmal POL G o a l k e e p e r 2.10.1978 Strzelce Opolskie, POL 190 90 2 Branko Vujovic MNE R i g h t B a c k 20.4.1998 Niksic, MNE 194 99 7 Patryk Walczak POL L i n e P l a y e r 29.7.1992 Szczecin, POL 198 108 23 Uros Zorman SLO C e n t r e B a c k 9.1.1980 Kranj, SLO 189 96

39 KS Vive Tauron Kielce

Slawomir Szmal goalkeeper • 2009 World Handball Player of the Year; one of the key players in the Polish national champions’ defence • spent several years in Germany playing for TuS N-Lübbecke and Rhein-Neckar • competed in three VELUX EHF FINAL4 events with Löwen in 2010/11 and thrice with Kielce in 2012/13, 2014/15, 2016/17 • on the court a hardworking Titan, beyond it always keen on initiatives for kids

EC Trophies: CL 2016 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Manuel Strlek left wing • his arrival in Kielce in 2012 were his first steps abroad, after leaving his boyhood club Zagreb • started gathering CL experience in 2006 • very fast player, scoring a lot of goals on the counterattacks • All-Star team left wing at EHF EURO 2010, EHF EURO 2016 and CL 2015/16

EC Trophies: CL: 2016 OG: B 2012, WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2012, 2016

Michal Jurecki left back • Kielce’s powerful left back returned to Poland in 2010 after a three-season stint in Germany and spells at HSV Hamburg and TuS N-Lübbecke • All-Star Team Left back of the EHF EURO 2016 • under his steel covering the Polish tank hides a cheerful nature and a volcano of energy exploding in the most thrilling moments of the game • since 2015/16 a new captain of the team EC Trophies: CL: 2016 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Karol Bielecki left back • Poland’s biggest handball icon • spent eight seasons in the Bundesliga playing for Magdeburg and Rhein-Neckar • after losing sight in his left eye in an accident in 2010, the 33-year-old has made a remarkable comeback to his current steady form • known for his ability to score from long-range

EC trophies: CL: 2016, EHF Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

40 KS Vive Tauron Kielce

Uros Zorman centre back • one of the best playmakers in the game and one of only two players (with Thierry Omeyer) who has ever managed to win four CL titles • not known for scoring lots of goals, but his movement and passes provide ample space for his teammates in attack • longstanding captain of Slovenian national team, famous for his charisma, weakness for coffee, work with children, for whom he has been organising summer camps over past years EC Trophies: CL: 2004, 2008, 2009, 2016 EURO: S 2004

Julen Aguinagalde line player • All-Star team line player of the 2013 WCh in Spain, EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark and EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • nominated for World Handball Player of the Year 2012 • joined Kielce from Atlético Mardid in 2013 for his first foreign league experience • five times participated in VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010-16, scored the deciding penalty throw in the 2015/16 shootout against Veszprem EC Trophies: CL: 2016 WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014, S 2016

Krzysztof Lijewski right back • wanted to be a basketball player, but under the influence of his father and older brother Marcin, he chose handball • joined Kielce in 2012 after seven successful years spent in Germany with Hamburg and Rhein-Neckar Löwen • best right back of EHF EURO 2014; most versatile player in the team, clever in attack and vigilant in defence EC trophies: CL: 2016, Cup Winners’ Cup 2007 WCh: S 2007, B 2009, 2015

Tobias Reichmann right wing • started his career at SC Magdeburg, played three seasons in Kiel and two in Wetzlar before joining Kielce in 2014 as the first German player in the Polish league • All-Star team right winger of the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • his development in Kielce amplified his position in German national team • winner of the IHF Super Globe in 2011 as part of THW Kiel

EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012, 2016 OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016

41 Your legends deserve daylight

Apply now at www.velux.com/sportsclubs

V11947-111_End-user_EHFmagazine_Ad_A5.indd 1 11-03-2016 12:15:21 Group A preview

HC PPD Zagreb vs Telekom Veszprém

First leg: Saturday 25 March 2017, 18:00 hrs

Second leg: Saturday 1 April 2017, 17:30 hrs

Zagreb out to produce another stunning upset

The Croatian champions will be under no pressure and have everything to play for when they lock horns with familiar rivals Telekom Veszprem in their two-leg round-of-16 clash. The Hungarian side are strong favourites to go through but will be wary of an opponent capable of punching far above their weight. Having squeezed into the business end of Europe’s premier club competition by the narrowest of margins, Zagreb can now look forward to an epic clash against familiar foes Veszprem, who will head into the contest as firm favourites to reach the last eight.

Written off after a poor start in which they lost the opening four group phase matches, Zagreb sprung back to life with a 28:27 home victory over the section’s eventual winners HC Vardar. The performance rekindled instant memories of last season’s sensational win over Rhein-Neckar Löwen in the round of 16 and Zagreb will need to reproduce that kind of grit and determination if they are to stand any chance of emulating their 2016 success. The perennial Croatian title holders will be devoid of any pressure after defying the odds to sneak into the knockout stages on the basis of having a better head-to-head record than RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko on away goals, as the two teams finished level on nine points, tied on one win each and deadlocked on a 51:51 goal difference over their two group stage games. What swung the balance Zagreb’s way was scoring more away goals in their defeat at Celje (30:28) than the Slovenian outfit did in the reverse fixture when they were beaten by Zagreb (23:21), while the Croatian outfit were also fortunate to see Vardar beat IFK Kristianstad 32:29 in the group’s last game, as the Swedish side would have gone through with a draw. In contrast, Veszprem’s qualification was never in doubt and they expectably came through as the third-placed team from Group A, behind Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain Handball, who were always the odds-on favourites to finish as the section’s top two. Led by Serbian left back Momir Ilic, the competition’s third-highest top scorer with 77 goals, Veszprem had too much firepower for all the rivals that finished behind them, having won eight and drawn two games against the five teams they topped in the standings. Your legends Historic encounters in the EC deserve daylight HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs Telekom Veszprém 3-1-6 (246:254) 7:13 24.01.1995 Badel Zagreb vs Fotex Veszprem, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 30:18 (16:8) 15.02.1995 Fotex Veszprem vs Badel Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 23:23 (11:12) The VELUX Group is donating roof windows to sports clubs across Europe. 06.12.1998 Fotex KC Veszprém vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 27:25 (14:14) In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we are donating roof windows to sports clubs 09.01.1999 Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 19:18 (14:8) around Europe. Your sports club can apply for a donation of a complete installation of six 19.02.2000 Fotex KC Veszprém vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 27:25 (13:12) windows by simply filling out the online application and contacting an installer. 27.02.2000 Badel 1862 Zagreb vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 30:26 (16:12) This is your chance to bring light and fresh air into your clubhouse, making it more 20.10.2013 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 22:33 (8:15) bright, inviting and comfortable – and giving your legends the daylight they deserve. 15.02.2014 MKB-MVM Veszprém vs HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 34:27 (19:11) 03.10.2015 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb vs MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – group A 20:21 (10:9) Apply now at www.velux.com/sportsclubs 21.02.2016 MVM Veszprém vs HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 27:25 (16:12)

V11947-111_End-user_EHFmagazine_Ad_A5.indd 1 11-03-2016 12:15:21 HC PPD Zagreb

6th GROUP B HC PPD Zagreb

FINAL STANDINGS GROUP B 1. HC Vardar 14 10 0 4 412:378 (34) 20 2. Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 0 5 415:390 (25) 18 3. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 8 1 5 376:350 (26) 17 4. Rhein-Neckar Löw. 14 8 1 5 392:396 (-4) 17 5. HC Meshkov Brest 14 5 4 5 383:385 (-2) 14 6. HC PPD Zagreb 14 4 1 9 332:356 (-24) 9 Club Address 7. Celje Piv. Lasko 14 3 3 8 399:424 (-25) 9 HC PPD Zagreb 8. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 2 9 381:411 (-30) 8 Veprinecka 16 10000 Zagreb ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Croatia

Media contact Group Phase Stipe Mandalinic 68 Goran Roknić @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko L30:28 (14:13) Zlatko Horvat 47 +385 95 9999 334 vs MOL-Pick Szeged L24:26 (12:12) Dobrivoje Markovic 37 glasnogovornik@rk‐zagreb.hr @ IFK Kristianstad L29:22 (13:10) Igor Vori 36 vs HC Meshkov Brest L22:27 (10:14) David Miklavcic 30 www.rk-zagreb.hr vs HC Vardar W28:27 (12:17) @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen L25:24 (14:10) RK-Zagreb vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce L23:26 (12:11) @RKZagreb @ KS Vive Tauron Kielce L29:25 (11:12) vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W25:21 (10:15) @ HC Vardar L25:20 (14:8) Kit colours @ HC Meshkov Brest T21:21 (11:9) vs IFK Kristianstad W26:23 (13:11) Light @ MOL-Pick Szeged L26:21 (14:12) Player shirt: white vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko W23:21 (14:10) Player short: white GK shirt: blue

Dark Past achievements Player shirt: blue VELUX EHF Champions League Player short: blue Participations (including 2016/17 season): 23 GK shirt: yellow Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99 Semi-final (1): 1999/00 Quarter-final (7): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2015/16 Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11 Main Round (1): 2007/08 Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 2004/05, 2006/07, Playing hall 2012/13 Arena Zagreb Laniste b.b., Other 10000 Zagreb EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05 Croatia Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2006/07 Capacity: 15,200 SEHA League: 1 title (2013)

Croatian league: 26 titles (1991-2016) Croatian Cup winner: 23 times

44 HC PPD Zagreb

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 34:15 (16:8) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 04.12.2010 Biggest defeat 43:21 (23:10) v FC Barcelona ESP (h), 18.04.2015 Longest winning run 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) Longest unbeaten run 6 matches (09.11.1996 – 18.01.1997) 6 matches (12.12.1998 – 27.02.1999) MATCHES 6 matches (30.10.1999 – 05.12.1999) Longest winning run 6 6 matches (04.10.2008 – 22.11.2008) Longest losing run 7 matches (11.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) GOALS Most goals Longest run without win 8 matches (04.10.2012 – 16.02.2013) 38 Most goals 38 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 38:30W (h), 23.02.2013

GOALS Most goals opponent 43 v FC Barcelona ESP 43:21L (a), 18.04.2015 69 Most goals both teams Most goals both teams 69 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010 Fewest goals 15 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:15L (a), 22.10.2005 Fewest goals opponent 13 v THW Kiel GER 22:13W (h), 25.03.2000 13 v Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13W (h), 16.10.2005 Fewest goals both teams 36 v ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 18:18D (a), 20.11.1999 36 v HC Metalurg MKD 19:17W (h), 11.10.2014

VELUX EHF Champions League record MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1993/94 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 6 0 2 4 135:147 –12 2:10 4th Gr. A 1994/95 Badel Zagreb CRO 8 5 1 2 203:203 0 11:5 Runner-up 1995/96 Croatia Banka Zagreb CRO 6 2 1 3 138:144 -6 5:7 3rd Gr. B 1996/97 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 6 3 3 310:294 +16 15:9 Runner-up 1997/98 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 7 0 5 300:287 +13 14:10 Runner-up 1998/99 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 12 8 1 3 288:269 +19 17:7 Runner-up 1999/00 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 10 7 1 2 260:230 +30 15:5 1/2-finals 2000/01 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 8 4 1 3 195:192 +3 9:7 1/4-finals 2002/03 RK Zagreb CRO 8 3 2 3 209:216 -7 8:8 1/4-finals 2003/04 RK Zagreb CRO 10 4 0 6 273:258 +15 8:12 1/4-finals 2004/05 RK Zagreb CRO 6 3 0 3 165:170 -5 6:6 3rd Gr. B 2005/06 RK Zagreb CRO 8 5 1 2 212:194 +18 11:5 1/8-finals 2006/07 RK Zagreb CRO 6 3 0 3 153:148 +5 6:6 3rd Gr. D 2007/08 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 5 1 6 339:344 -5 11:13 3rd MR Gr. 3 2008/09 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 7 3 2 357:313 +44 17:7 1/4-finals 2009/10 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 12 6 0 6 351:335 +16 12:12 1/8-finals 2010/11 HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB CRO 12 6 3 3 358:319 +39 15:9 1/8-finals 2011/12 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 14 9 1 4 391:359 +32 19:9 1/4-finals 2012/13 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 2 1 7 266:284 –18 5:15 5th Gr. D 2013/14 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 10 4 0 6 267:282 -15 8:12 5th Gr. A 2014/15 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 14 7 0 7 328:356 -28 14:14 1/4-finals 2015/16 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb CRO 18 6 2 10 464:480 –16 14:22 1/4-finals 226 109 24 93 5962:5824 +138 242:210

45 HC PPD Zagreb

Silvio Ivandija coach • replaced Veselin Vujović in October 2016 • came to Zagreb from women’s handball club Lokomotiva Zagreb and women’s junior national team • used to coach men’s youth national teams with whom he won gold at M18 EHF EURO 2012, silver at M20 EHF EURO 2012 and silver at Men’s Junior World Championship 2013 • was already Zagreb coach, in 2005 he replaced Bruno Gudelj as head coach but after Lino Cervar took over he was his assistant coach and was also assistant in Slavko Goluza’s senior national team • also coached Osijek, Medvescak, Trieste, Izvida, Karlovac, Medu- gorje, Varazdin, El Jaish, Tresnjevka and a Qatar youth national team

Late entries: Left the club: Luka Mrakovcic Luka Rakovic (CRO) to SL Benfica Josip Veikc Igor Vujic

46 HC PPD Zagreb

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 13 Darko Cingesar SLO L e ft W i n g 25.7.1990 Ljubljana, SLO 183 85 3 Josip Eres BIH R i g h t W i n g 19.3.1995 Ljubuski, BIH 185 78 C 18 Zlatko Horvat CRO R i g h t W i n g 25.9.1984 Zagreb, CRO 179 86 23 Lovro Jotic CRO C e n t r e B a c k 12.11.1994 Zagreb, CRO 191 86 51 Arijan Jovic CRO G o a l k e e p e r 18.6.1996 Zagreb, CRO 184 90 9 Tin Kontrec CRO L i n e P l a y e r 9.9.1989 Nasice, CRO 191 89 83 Mateo Lukacec CRO C e n t r e B a c k 24.1.1995 Ivanic Grad, CRO 180 85 27 Stipe Mandalinic CRO L e ft W i n g 9.9.1992 Split, CRO 195 90 64 Velko Markoski MKD L e ft B a c k 5.4.1986 Struga, MAD 194 100 15 Dobrivoje Markovic SRB L e ft W i n g 22.4.1986 Teslic, SCG 188 81 5 Luka Mrakovcic CRO Centre Back 22.9.1994 Rijeka, CRO 191 88 48 Petar Medic CRO C e n t r e B a c k 12.6.1996 Zagreb, CRO 190 85 28 David Miklavcic SLO R i g h t B a c k 29.1.1983 Ljubljana, SLO 195 98 94 Domagoj Pavlovic CRO L e ft B a c k 21.3.1993 Zagreb, CRO 189 82 14 Luka Sebetic CRO R i g h t B a c k 26.5.1994 Bjelovar, CRO 198 97 16 Matevz Skok SLO G o a l k e e p e r 2.9.1986 Celje, SLO 189 96 11 Lovro Sprem CRO L e ft W i n g 26.1.1990 Zagreb, CRO 186 88 12 Ivan Stevanovic CRO G o a l k e e p e r 18.5.1982 Rijeka, CRO 193 101 19 Leon Susnja CRO L i n e P l a y e r 5.8.1993 Siroki Brijeg, CRO 204 113 22 Josip Valcic CRO C e n t r e B a c k 21.4.1984 Zadar, CRO 190 97 24 Tonci Valcic CRO L e ft B a c k 9.6.1978 Zadar, CRO 194 100 97 Josip Vekic CRO Right Back 16.3.1998 Metkovic, CRO 210 100 10 Igor Vori CRO L i n e P l a y e r 20.9.1980 Zagreb, CRO 203 114 17 Igor Vujic CRO Left Back 28.9.1987 Koper, SLO 196 100 6 Stefan Vujic CRO C e n t r e B a c k 6.7.1991 Rijeka, CRO 192 91

47 HC PPD Zagreb

Ivan Stevanovic goalkeeper • one of the oldest and most experienced Zagreb players • had amazing 2015/16 season that earned him place in Croatian national team at the age 33, originally wanted to quit handball at the age of 29 • his first sport was swimming, started handball at the end of primary school • played in Trsat, Pecine, Zamet, Porec, Krsko and signed for Kadetten Schaffhausen from next season EURO: B 2016

Darko Cingesar left wing • newcomer to Zagreb made his first international move, played only in Slovenia before (Skofja Loka, Gorenje Velenje, Branik Maribor) • played CL with Gorenje, known for efficient shooting • expected to make excellent pair on left wing side with Dobrivoje Markovic • Veselin Vujovic made him a national team player in 2016 when he got invited for EURO in Poland

Stipe Mandalinic left back • voted MVP of Men's 20 EHF EURO 2012, where he also won a silver medal with his team • his best season in the CL was 2013/14 when he scored 43 goals • nicknamed “Little Lackovic” (or “Little Lac”) because of similar style of shooting and playing • had a great return from the second knee injury scoring 40 goals in 8 CL matches, but another injury kept him sidelined until November 2016 WCh: B 2013

David Miklavcic right back • equally good at defence and attack • played so far in Trebnje, Velenje, Celje, Dinamo Minsk and Tremblay • one of three Slovenians playing in Zagreb (Cingesar and Skok)

WCh: B 2017

48 HC PPD Zagreb

Domagoj Pavlovic centre back • born in Ivanic, where he began playing handball before joining RK Dubrava – club where he rose to prominence, which took him to HC PPD Zagreb in 2014 • came through all Croatian youth selections, before establishing himself as the key member of junior national team • playing his third season for HC PPD Zagreb, alongside Croatian youth selection teammate Stipe Mandalinic • came back recently after suffering another shoulder surgery

Igor Vori line player • played handball in five countries so far, including, France (PSG), Spain (Barcelona), Germany (Hamburg) and, more strangely, Italy • returning to Zagreb after seven years • great defensive player who will enforce Zagreb's defence and be a mentor to younger players • started playing handball in Zagreb

EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: G 2004, B 2012; EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009, B 2013

Luka Sebetic right back • holds gold medal from Men's EHF EURO 2010 • scored his first goal in the CL when he was 17 • season 2016/17 is his seventh in CL • scored 52 CL goals in 2015/16

EURO: B 2016

Zlatko Horvat right wing • captain and speedy wing is a counter-attack specialist, but he is an important part of defence at the same time • had his debut in the national team in 2006 and since then he has won four medals • played in Zagreb from the beginning of his career and has already 13 campaigns in the CL under his belt • in the 2010/11 season the third top scorer with 94 goals OG B 2012, EURO B 2012, B 2016, WCh S 2009, B 2013

49 Telekom Veszprém

3rd GROUP A Telekom Veszprém FINAL STANDINGS GROUP A 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 12 1 1 413:354 (59) 25 2. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 451:383 (68) 24 3. Telekom Veszprém 14 8 2 4 381:365 (16) 18 4. SG Flensburg-H. 14 7 1 6 382:366 (16) 15 5. THW Kiel 14 5 2 7 353:376 (-23) 12 Club Address 6. Bjerringbro-Silk. 14 4 0 10 364:396 (-32) 8 Veszprem HC 5 Külső Kádártai út 7. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 367:401 (-34) 8 8200 Veszprém 8. Kadetten Schaffh. 14 1 0 13 370:440 (-70) 2 Hungary ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Media contact Zsolt Sevinger Group Phase Momir Ilic 77 +36 305024547 @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt T24:24 (10:13) Laszlo Nagy 49 [email protected] vs Kadetten Schaffhausen W32:28 (16:15) Dragan Gajic 38 @ Orlen Wisla Plock T28:28 (13:14) Mate Lekai 32 handballveszprem.hu vs THW Kiel W21:19 (13:10) Renato Sulic 32 @ FC Barcelona Lassa L26:23 (16:11) veszpremhandballteam vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg W30:29 (17:13) @mkbveszpremkc vs PSG Handball L28:29 (14:15) @ PSG Handball L28:24 (14:12) @ Bjerringbro-Silkeborg W24:29 (9:15) Kit colours vs FC Barcelona Lassa L22:25 (14:13) @ THW Kiel W25:27 (15:15) Light vs Orlen Wisla Plock W31:25 (18:14) Player shirt: white Player short: white @ Kadetten Schaffhausen W27:28 (15:16) GK shirt: green vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt W34:28 (17:18)

Dark Player shirt: red Past achievements Player short: red VELUX EHF Champions League GK shirt: black Participations (including 2015/16 season): 22 Final (3): 2001/02, 2014/15, 2015/16 Semi-final (3): 2002/03, 2005/06, 2013/14 Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13 Last 16 (3): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12 Playing hall Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, 2007/08 Veszprém Arena Other Külso Kadartai ut Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Run- 8200 Veszprém ners-up 1996/97 Hungary SEHA-league: 2 titles (2015, 2016) Capacity: 5,020 Hungarian league: 24 titles (1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Hungarian Cup winner: 25 times

50 Telekom Veszprém

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 38:17 (18:9) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004 Biggest defeat 30:18 (16:8) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995 Longest winning run 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) FINAL STANDINGS GROUP A Longest unbeaten run 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010) 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 12 1 1 413:354 (59) 25 Longest losing run 3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996) 2. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 451:383 (68) 24 MATCHES Longest run without win 4 matches (09.01.1999 – 31.10.1999) 3. Telekom Veszprém 14 8 2 4 381:365 (16) 18 Longest winning run Most goals 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 46:26W (h), 07.10.2006 4. SG Flensburg-H. 14 7 1 6 382:366 (16) 15 11 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006 5. THW Kiel 14 5 2 7 353:376 (-23) 12 GOALS Most goals opponent 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:32L (a), 01.03.2007 6. Bjerringbro-Silk. 14 4 0 10 364:396 (-32) 8 Most goals 46 39 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 39:38La7m (a), 29.05.2016 7. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 367:401 (-34) 8 Most goals both teams 77 v KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL 39:38La7m (a), 29.05.2016 8. Kadetten Schaffh. 14 1 0 13 370:440 (-70) 2 GOALS 77 Most goals both teams 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 Stage1994/95 1994/95 Fotex Veszprem HUN 6 2 2 2 131:147 –16 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1995/96 Fotex Veszprem HUN 6 3 0 3 147:144 +3 6:6 3rd Gr. A 1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 5 1 2 228:204 +24 11:5 1/4-finals 1998/99 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 3 1 4 200:188 +12 7:9 1/4-finals 1999/00 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 8 4 0 4 203:202 +1 8:8 1/4-finals 2001/02 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 12 9 0 3 310:267 +43 18:6 Runner-up 2002/03 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 8 0 2 276:238 +38 16:4 1/2-finals 2003/04 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 306:276 +30 14:6 1/4-finals 2004/05 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 10 7 0 3 317:259 +58 14:6 1/4-finals 2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:318 +55 18:6 1/2-finals 2006/07 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 10 7 0 3 338:288 +50 14:6 1/4-finals 2007/08 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 6 2 2 2 184:171 +13 6:6 3rd Gr. F 2008/09 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 8 0 4 351:320 +31 16:8 1/4-finals 2009/10 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 419:368 +51 22:6 1/4-finals 2010/11 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 9 0 3 373:338 +35 18:6 1/8-finals 2011/12 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 12 7 0 5 321:322 -1 14:10 1/8-finals 2012/13 MKB Veszprém KC HUN 14 11 0 3 410:348 +62 22:6 1/4-finals 2013/14 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 16 11 1 4 477:410 +67 23:9 Fourth Place 2014/15 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 16 13 1 2 480:423 +57 27:5 Runner-up 2015/16 MVM Veszprém HUN 20 15 2 3 600:539 +61 32:8 Runner-up Total: 222 151 10 61 6444:5770 +674 312:132

51 Telekom Veszprém

Xavier Sabate coach • signed with Veszprém as assistant coach of Antonio Carlos Ortega but became interim coach after Ortega parted ways with the club • Spanish tactician earned a per manent contract on 8th Janu- ary 2016, he is contracted until June 2017 • worked as an assistant coach under Ortega for more than ten years, their co-operation started at BM Antequera in Spain • Veszprém is the first club Sabaté has led as head coach but in March 2016 he was appointed as interim coach to train the Hungarian national team • will be replaced by Ljubomir Vranjes after 2016/17 season

Late entries: Left the club: none none

52 Telekom Veszprém

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 22 Inal Aflitulin RUS C e n t r e B a c k 22.3.1988 Astrakhan, RUS 183 85 32 Mirko Alilovic CRO G o a l k e e p e r 15.9.1985 Ljubuski, CRO 200 110 27 Gabor Ancsin HUN R i g h t B a c k 27.11.1990 Bekescsaba, HUN 201 109 31 Blaz Blagotinsek SLO L i n e P l a y e r 17.1.1994 Celje, SLO 202 110 12 Adam Borbely HUN G o a l k e e p e r 22.6.1995 Debrecen, HUN 196 118 41 Mate David HUN L i n e P l a y e r 24.9.1996 Cegléd, HUN 195 97 55 David Fekete HUN L e ft W i n g 12.10.1996 Budapest, HUN 180 82 43 Daniel Füzi HUN L i n e P l a y e r 9.8.1996 Veszprém, HUN 188 95 17 Dragan Gajic SLO R i g h t W i n g 21.7.1984 Celje, SLO 188 84 3 Peter Gulyas HUN R i g h t W i n g 4.3.1984 Veszprem, HUN 200 105 15 Norbert Gyene HUN R i g h t W i n g 18.4.1994 Veszprém, HUN 188 75 13 Momir Ilic SRB R i g h t B a c k 22.12.1981 Andjelovac, SRB 198 107 4 Gergö Ivancsik HUN L e ft W i n g 30.11.1981 Györ, HUN 190 86 21 Marko Kopljar CRO R i g h t B a c k 12.2.1986 Pozega, CRO 210 108 66 Mate Lekai HUN C e n t r e B a c k 16.6.1988 Budapest, HUN 190 89 96 Patrik Ligetvari HUN L e ft B a c k 13.2.1996 Várpalota, HUN 200 94 24 Gasper Marguc SLO R i g h t W i n g 20.8.1990 Celje, SLO 180 84 16 Roland Mikler HUN G o a l k e e p e r 20.9.1984 Dunaujvaros, HUN 190 101 40 Mirko Milasevic MNE L e ft B a c k 27.7.1985 Cetinje, MNE 196 93 44 Balazs Molnar HUN L e ft W i n g 25.6.1997 Veszprém, HUN 175 70 C 19 Laszlo Nagy HUN R i g h t B a c k 3.3.1981 Szeged, HUN 208 116 18 Andreas Nilsson SWE L i n e P l a y e r 12.4.1990 Trelleborg, SWE 197 116 14 Aron Palmarsson ISL C e n t r e B a c k 19.7.1990 Reykjavik, ISL 193 94 25 Jose Maria “Chema” Rodriguez ESP C e n t r e B a c k 5.1.1980 Palencia, ESP 187 98 45 Peter Schmid HUN C e n t r e B a c k 6.8.1996 Veszprém, HUN 190 92 5 Timuzsin I. Schuch HUN L i n e P l a y e r 5.6.1985 Nagyatad, HUN 197 109 91 Ivan Sliskovic CRO L e ft B a c k 23.10.1991 Split, CRO 197 98 33 Renato Sulic CRO L i n e P l a y e r 12.10.1979 Rijeka, CRO 192 108 46 Benedek Szakaly HUN R i g h t W i n g 7.9.1997 Budapest, HUN 178 65 47 Erik Szeitl HUN L i n e P l a y e r 18.7.1997 Tapolca, HUN 194 103 48 Zoltan Szita HUN C e n t r e B a c k 10.2.1998 Veszprém, HUN 196 90 30 Mirsad Terzic BIH L e ft B a c k 12.7.1983 Priboj, BIH 196 105 97 Attila Toth HUN R i g h t B a c k 17.3.1997 Badapest, HUN 193 90 49 David Ubornyak HUN C e n t r e B a c k 8.9.1998 Szabadszállás, HUN 188 74 23 Cristian Ugalde Garcia ESP L e ft W i n g 19.10.1987 Barcelona, ESP 187 80

53 Telekom Veszprém

Roland Mikler goalkeeper • 2005 All-Star goalkeeper of the junior WCh, at which he led Hungary to bronze • Hungarian national team member is quick, compact, excellent at directing defence • as a teenager Mikler reached the semi-final of the EHF Cup over a decade ago, with Dunaferr in 2003, and won it with Szeged in 2014 • joined Veszprem in 2014 after the EHF Cup success with Szeged

EC trophy: EHF Cup 2014

Mirko Alilovic goalkeeper • like his predecessor (Dejan Peric) belongs to the elite class of goalkeepers who can send the audience to their feet and inspire his teammates • Croatian national team member, has been fighting for the first choice position with Roland Mikler in Veszprém • very familiar with the Spanish contingent in Veszprém as he played for five years in the ASOBAL

OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, 2016, WCh: S 2009, B 2013

Cristian Ugalde left wing • brought up by Barcelona and played regularly in the first team since he was 18 • excelled at international level in the 2007/08 season with his 34 goals and participation in the national team • won every possible title with Barca – some of them multiple times • found a new challenge in Veszprém with Gergö Iváncsik, who is one of the best players in this position according to Ugalde

EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EURO: S 2016, B 2014, WCh: B 2011

Momir Ilic left back • top scorer and only player passing 100 goals (103) in the 2013/14 CL season and again top scorer in 2014/15 (114 goals), in 2015/16 2nd behind Mikkel Hansen (120 goals) • joined THW Kiel in 2009 from VfL Gummersbach and won seven titles during his four years with the club, including two CL titles • led Serbia to their 1st medal as an independent nation at EHF EURO 2012 as MVP • 2013/14 and 2015/16 CL All-star team left back

EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: S 2012

54 Telekom Veszprém

Aron Palmarsson centre back • before joining Veszprem in summer 2015 the versatile and tactically as well as technically skilled playmaker was with Kiel for six years • struggled to find his game in Veszprém but became an influential player of the Hungarian team with some top-drawer performances. • won all possible trophies with Veszprém in his first year (Hungarian Championship and Cup, SEHA League) apart from the CL trophy

EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012 EURO: B 2010

Andreas Nilsson line player • the 26 year-old pivot has already featured in three Champions League finals having been crowned as champion in 2013 with Hamburg • won two SEHA League titles, two national championships and cups in Hungary with Veszprém • the Swede is sharing line-playing duties with Croatian Renato Sulic and the newcomer from Celje Blaz Blagotinsek

EC trophies: CL 2013 OG: S 2012

Laszlo Nagy right back • started his career as a basketball player and was close to a move to the USA at 13 • decided for handball and became one of the best right backs in the world • transferred from Szeged to Barcelona in 2006 and became the captain despite being a foreigner; captain of Veszprém since 2014 • All-Star right back of the 2013 WCh and the 2012/13 CL season

EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003

Dragan Gajic right wing • signed by Montpellier in 2011 together with fellow Slovenian Vid Kavticnik • has had two stellar seasons behind him in 2014/15 & 2015/16 scoring 71 & 73 goals respectably • signed with Veszprém in 2016, where he will share minutes with fellow Slovenian Gasper Marguc and the team’s co-captain Peter Gulyas • 2015 WCh top scorer (71 goals) and All-Star team right wing

55 OFFICIAL EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH BALL New SELECT Ultimate. Completely controlled bounce. Extreme durability. Optimal roundness. Perfect grip and soft feel.

select-sport.com Group A preview

OFFICIAL EHF Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs MOL-Pick Szeged

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE First leg: Sunday 26 March 2017, 16:50 hrs MATCH BALL Second leg: Sunday 2 April 2017, 17:00 hrs New SELECT Ultimate. Completely controlled bounce. Extreme durability. Optimal roundness. Perfect grip and soft feel. Family reunion in Silkeborg

It will be a family reunion in Jysk Arena in Silkeborg, when Bjerringbro-Silkeborg received MOL-Pick Szeged for the first leg of the two teams´ Last 16 tie in the VELUX EHF Champions League.

The Slovenian brothers Sebastian and Stas Skube will be in each their team for the match.

A family reunion will be part of the match, when Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and MOL-Pick Szeged meet for the first leg of the Last 16 Sunday afternoon.

The Slovenian brothers Sebastian and Stas Skube – both playmakers - will be on each their side of the middle line, when the match in Jysk Arena of Silkeborg throws off.

While Sebastian Skube is representing Silkeborg, his younger brother Stas is centre back by the visitors.

“He and I have played many games against each other. The only difference is that this time, he (Stas) is favourite, as he plays in a bigger team.

“Of course, I am looking forward to playing against him, though. It will be awesome,” Sebastian Skube told Bjer- ringbro-Silkeborg´s official website.

While Pick Szeged are in the Last 16 for the third time in succession, it is the first time in four years, Bjer- ringbro-Silkeborg have made it this far.

Apart from playmaker Stas Skube, right back Zsolt Balogh as well as left wing Jonas Källman and line player Bence Banhidi have been on fire for Szeged lately.

Before the match, Bjerringbro-Silkeborg are hampered by injuries by right wing Johan Hansen, playmaker Allan Damgaard and second goalkeeper Sebastian Frandsen.

Historic encounters in the EC

Bjerringbro-Silkeborg vs MOL-Pick Szeged No previous encounters in European competitions

select-sport.com 57 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

6th GROUP A Bjerringbro- Silkeborg FINAL STANDINGS GROUP A 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 12 1 1 413:354 (59) 25 2. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 451:383 (68) 24 3. Telekom Veszprém 14 8 2 4 381:365 (16) 18 4. SG Flensburg-H. 14 7 1 6 382:366 (16) 15 5. THW Kiel 14 5 2 7 353:376 (-23) 12 Club Address 6. Bjerringbro-Silk. 14 4 0 10 364:396 (-32) 8 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg Vestre Ringvej 7 7. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 367:401 (-34) 8 8850 Bjerringbro 8. Kadetten Schaffh. 14 1 0 13 370:440 (-70) 2 Denmark

Media contact ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Jonas Loytved +45 23 323235 Group Phase Nikolaj Markussen 54 [email protected] @ Kadetten Schaffhausen W24:25 (12:10) Sebastian Skube 50 vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt L19:25 (10:12) Michael V. Knudsen 49 vs THW Kiel L25:28 (9:12) bjerringbro-silkeborg.dk Allan Damgaard 47 vs Orlen Wisla Plock W33:24 (18:14 Johan a Plogv Hansen 39 bjerringbrosilkeborg vs Paris Saint-Germain L30:36 (16:19) @ Telekom Veszprém L30:29 (17:13) @BSVofficiel vs FC Barcelona Lassa L23:27 (13:11) @ FC Barcelona Lassa L34:19 (18:10) vs Telekom Veszprém L24:29 (9:15) Kit colours @ PSG Handball L32:27 (18:13) Light @ Orlen Wisla L28:25 (13:15) Player shirt: white @ THW Kiel W21:24 (11:10) Player short: blue @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt L26:24 (10:11) GK shirt: red vs Kadetten Schaffhausen W37:32 (18:14) Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: red Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 4 Last 16 (1): 2012/13 Group Phase (1): 2011/12 Qualification (1): 2010/11

Other EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2002/03, 2008/09, 2015/16, Last 16 2010/11 Playing hall Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-finals 2006/07 JYSK Arena, Silkeborg Ansvej 114 Danish league: 1 title (2016) 8600 Silkeborg Denmark Capacity: 3,000

58 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 23:35 (11:18) v St. Petersburg HC RUS (a), 18.11.2012 Biggest defeat 32:18 (18:14) v HC Metalurg MKD (a), 24.02.2013 Longest winning run 2 matches (18.11.2012 – 25.11.2012) FINAL STANDINGS GROUP A Longest unbeaten run 2 matches (18.11.2012 – 25.11.2012) 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 12 1 1 413:354 (59) 25 Longest losing run 11 matches (02.10.2011 – 30.09.2012) 2. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 451:383 (68) 24 MATCHES Longest run without win 11 matches (02.10.2011 – 30.09.2012) 3. Telekom Veszprém 14 8 2 4 381:365 (16) 18 Longest winning run Most goals 35 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 23:35W (a), 18.11.2012 4. SG Flensburg-H. 14 7 1 6 382:366 (16) 15 2 Most goals opponent 37 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 37:29L (a), 23.10.2011 5. THW Kiel 14 5 2 7 353:376 (-23) 12 GOALS 37 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 26:37L (h), 19.02.2012 6. Bjerringbro-Silk. 14 4 0 10 364:396 (-32) 8 Most goals 35 Most goals both teams 69 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 37:32 (h), 12.03.2017 7. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 367:401 (-34) 8 Fewest goals 18 v HC Metalurg MKD 32:18L (a), 24.02.2013 8. Kadetten Schaffh. 14 1 0 13 370:440 (-70) 2 GOALS 69 Most goals both teams Fewest goals opponent 22 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:22W (h), 25.11.2012 Fewest goals both teams 44 v MKB Veszprém HUN 19:25L (h), 04.12.2011

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 2011/12 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN 10 0 0 10 253:315 -62 0:20 6th Gr. B 2012/13 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN 12 4 0 8 309:339 –30 8:16 1/8-finals Total: 22 4 0 18 562:654 -92 8:36

59 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

Peter Bredsdorff-Larsen coach • head coach in Bjerringbro-Silkeborg since 2014 • at club level, had a previous career as head coach in Danish league clubs Skanderborg, AaB, Aalborg, KIF Kolding and KIF Kolding Kobenhavn • assistant national coach, Denmark, 2005-2012 and again 2015 • won the Danish championship 2009-10 as head coach by AaB Handball and in 2015-16 with Bjerringbro • in his days as a player, he played the right wing in the Aarhus based club VRI

EURO: G 2008 and 2012, WCh: S 2011 (as coach)

Late entries: Left the club: Emil Vase Nielsen none

60 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 21 Allan Damgaard DEN C e n t r e B a c k 11.4.1986 Nysted, DEN 185 88 1 Sebastian Frandsen DEN G o a l k e e p e r 27.5.1994 Århus, DEN 204 102 10 Johan Hansen DEN R i g h t W i n g 1.5.1994 Torshavn, FAR 190 91 23 Stefan Hundstrup DEN L e ft W i n g 30.6.1986 Svendborg, DEN 193 86 29 Rasmus Jensen DEN L i n e P l a y e r 17.6.1989 Odense, DEN 190 102 16 Tom Jensen DEN G o a l k e e p e r 31.8.1971 Hobro, DEN 190 91 34 Rasmus Kier DEN R i g h t W i n g 4.7.1996 Silkeborg, DEN 180 78 27 Kristian Klitgaard DEN L e ft W i n g 20.6.1986 Esbjerg, DEN 196 102 C 77 Michael V. Knudsen DEN L i n e P l a y e r 4.9.1978 Hobro, DEN 192 99 9 Jacob Lassen DEN R i g h t B a c k 11.9.1995 Randers, DEN 197 117 22 Nikolaj Markussen DEN L e ft B a c k 1.8.1988 Gribskov, DEN 211 106 18 Emil Vase Nielsen DEN Goalkeeper 12.10.1974 Silkeborg, DEN 188 90 7 Nikolaj Oris Nielsen DEN R i g h t B a c k 26.9.1986 Bjerringbro, DEN 197 100 11 Kasper Olsen DEN L e ft B a c k 1.2.1990 København, DEN 193 90 17 Kristian Orsted DEN L i n e P l a y e r 22.5.1995 Århus, DEN 210 121 39 Jens Plougstrup DEN L e ft B a c k 8.1.1999 Silkeborg, DEN 190 88 12 Sören Rasmussen DEN G o a l k e e p e r 12.8.1976 Skive, DEN 193 98 11 Sebastian Skube SLO C e n t r e B a c k 3.4.1987 Novo Mesto, SLO 189 90 4 Klaus Thomsen DEN L i n e P l a y e r 26.4.1986 Haderslev, DEN 198 102

61 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

Sören Rasmussen goalkeeper • joined the club in the summer 2014 from SG Flensburg-Handewitt after winning the CL with the North German side • before going abroad to represent Flensburg in 2010, he represented Viborg HK and AaB Handbold, with the latter, he won the Danish championship in 2010 • played 35 internationals for Denmark (2000-13), most of them as substitute • despite his age, extended his contract until the summer of 2017 EC trophies: CL 2014 WCh: S 2011

Sebastian Frandsen goalkeeper • joined from league rivals Ribe Esbjerg in the summer of 2016 • goalkeeper for the future and seen as a perfect partner for veteran Rasmussen • has experience from several junior national teams, where his greatest triumph so far was winning the Men's U20 WCh in Hungary in 2013 • turned down an offer from Barca in 2014, as he preferred court time in Esbjerg

Stefan Hundstrup left wing • arrived in the summer of 2014 from KIF Kolding København • has won the Danish championship with AG København as well as with KIF Kolding København • also represented GOG and Viborg HK in the Danish league • he is good as the advanced player in a 5-1 defence.

Nikolaj Markussen left back • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from nearby league rivals Skjern Handbold ahead of this season • the 213 cm tall already represented another Danish league club, Nordsjælland – the club of his childhood – as well Atletico Madrid and the Qatari club El Jaish • his career has been hampered by a couple of long injury breaks, but he has been completely fit for some time now and is back at full strength

EURO: G 2012, WCh S 2011

62 Bjerringbro-Silkeborg

Sebastian Skube centre back • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from RK Celje in the summer of 2014 • Bjerringbro-Silkeborg is his first club outside Slovenia • has played more than a hundred internationals for Slovenia and was part of the Slovenian team for the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • his younger brother, Stas, who plays for Szeged, plays the playmaker position just like Sebastian

Michael V. Knudsen line player • joined Bjerringbro-Silkeborg from SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the summer of 2014 • represented Viborg HK as well as Skjern Handbold in the Danish league before • strong and versatile on the line in the attack, clever and uncompromising defender, his slogan “Winners never quit and quitters never win” • played 244 internationals for Denmark (796 goals) before saying goodbye in 2014

EC trophies: CL 2014 EURO: G 2008, 2012, S 2014, B 2002, 2004, 2006, WCh S 2011, B 2007

Nikolaj Oris Nielsen right back • has played in Bjerringbro-Silkeborg all his career apart from being loaned out to league colleagues Lemvig Thyborøn one year • made his break-through in the Danish national team under coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson in 2015 and took part at the EHF EURO 2016 • his older brother Mads, a former national team player, plays for Danish league rivals Skive FH, while his younger brother Mikkel has a past career with Aarhus Handball • only left-handed back court player in the squad after Danish international Mads Christiansen left for SC Magdeburg

Rasmus Kier right wing • product of one of Bjerringbro-Silkeborg’s mother clubs, Silkeborg Voel in the 3rd league • promoted into BSV’s league team as a regular ahead of 2016/17 season, as former Danish international Dennis Kirkegaard left for league rivals HC Midtjylland • got extra responsibility, as the first choice on the right wing, Johan Hansen tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the CL match away against Wisla Plock on 18 February • has already delivered several impressive performances as the only natural right wing at the moment, not least through his five goals in BSV’s last group match against Kadetten Schaffhausen

63 MOL-Pick Szeged

3rd GROUP B MOL-Pick Szeged FINAL STANDINGS GROUP B 1. HC Vardar 14 10 0 4 412:378 (34) 20 2. Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 0 5 415:390 (25) 18 3. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 8 1 5 376:350 (26) 17 4. Rhein-Neckar Löw. 14 8 1 5 392:396 (-4) 17 5. HC Meshkov Brest 14 5 4 5 383:385 (-2) 14 6. HC PPD Zagreb 14 4 1 9 332:356 (-24) 9 Club Address 7. Celje Piv. Lasko 14 3 3 8 399:424 (-25) 9 MOL-Pick Szeged 8. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 2 9 381:411 (-30) 8 Deák Ferenc u. 28-30. 6720 Szeged ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Hungary Group Phase Zsolt Balogh 65 Media contact Levente Juhasz Vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen T28:28 (13:12) Jonas Källman 53 +36 70 543 0979 @ HC PPD Zagreb W24:26 (12:12) Sergei Gorbok 50 [email protected] vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce L27:29 (15:16) Bence Banhidi 38 @ HC Vardar L30:27 (16:15) Stas Skube 36 vs HC Meshkov Brest W24:22 (11:10) www.pickhandball.hu @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W25:31 (15:16) pickszeged @ IFK Kristianstad W21:29 (12:15) vs IFK Kristianstad W33:28 (20:17) @pickhandball vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W27:22 (15:10) @ HC Meshkov Brest L25:23 (14:14) vs HC Vardar L21:23 (11:12) Kit colours @ KS Vive Tauron Kielce L28:24 (13:14) Light vs HC PPD Zagreb W26:21 (14:12) Player shirt: orange @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen W24:30 (12:14) Player short: black GK shirt: white or red Past achievements Dark VELUX EHF Champions League Player shirt: blue Participations (including 2016/17 season): 15 Player short: blue Quarter-final (3): 1996/1997, 2003/2004, GK shirt: black 2014/15 Last 16 (6): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13, 2015/16 Main Round (1): 2007/2008 Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012 Qualification (1): 2013/14 Playing hall Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged Other Temesvari Krt.33 EHF Cup: Winners 2014/15, Quarter-final: 6726 Szeged 2000/01 Hungary Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000 Capacity: 3,200 Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-final: 1993/94 Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09 Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007) Hungarian cup: 6 titles

64 MOL-Pick Szeged

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 39:24 (15:10) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 07.10.2007 Biggest defeat 40:17 (19:5) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 15.02.1997 Longest winning run 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) Longest unbeaten run 6 matches (03.10.2007 – 24.11.2007) 6 matches (24.10.2015 – 14.02.2016) MATCHES Longest losing run 6 matches (17.10.2009 – 20.02.2010) Longest winning run 6 6 matches (06.03.2011 – 15.10.2011) Longest run without win 7 matches (17.10.2009 – 27.02.2010) GOALS Most goals Most goals 39 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 39:24W (h), 07.10.2007 39 Most goals opponent 40 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997

GOALS Most goals both teams 73 v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 38:35W (h), 19.11.2011 73 Most goals both teams Fewest goals 17 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997 Fewest goals opponent 16 v Wisla Plock SA POL 16:26W (a), 05.10.2008 Fewest goals both teams 39 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:19W (h), 08.03.2008

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1996/97 Pick Szeged HUN 8 3 2 3 205:216 –11 8:8 1/4-finals 2003/04 SC Pick Szeged HUN 10 4 0 6 269:262 +7 8:12 1/4-finals 2004/05 SC Pick Szeged HUN 8 4 2 2 190:187 +3 10:6 1/8-finals 2005/06 SC Pick Szeged HUN 8 3 0 5 219:218 +1 6:10 1/8-finals 2006/07 SC Pick Szeged HUN 8 3 2 3 202:203 -1 8:8 1/8-finals 2007/08 Pick Szeged HUN 12 9 0 3 361:310 +51 18:6 3rd MR Gr. 4 2008/09 Pick Szeged HUN 6 2 0 4 159:161 -2 4:8 3rd Gr. H 2009/10 Pick Szeged HUN 10 2 2 6 287:307 -20 6:14 5th Gr. A 2010/11 Pick Szeged HUN 12 5 0 7 336:351 -15 10:14 1/8-finals 2011/12 Pick Szeged HUN 10 3 0 7 285:316 -31 6:14 5th Gr. D 2012/13 Pick Szeged HUN 12 4 0 8 313:350 –37 8:16 1/8-finals 2014/15 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 14 9 1 4 395:383 +12 19:9 1/4-finals 2015/16 MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 16 8 1 7 466:455 +11 17:15 1/8-finals 134 59 10 65 3687:3719 -32 128:140

65 MOL-Pick Szeged

Juan Carlos Pastor coach • one of the masterminds of contemporary handball with an incredible amount of silverware in his career • Szeged found him fit for the job of rebuilding their team in order to be able to challenge for the Hungarian title against Veszprém • won the EHF Cup in his first year at the helm • became also the sporting director after Szeged legend Richárd Mezei resigned

EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2009, EHF Cup 2014 WCh: G 2005, EURO: S 2006, OG: B 2008

Late entries: Left the club: none none

66 MOL-Pick Szeged

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 91 Patrik Arpasi HUN L i n e P l a y e r 17.9.1996 Orosháza, HUN 197 110 19 Zsolt Balogh HUN R i g h t B a c k 29.3.1989 Orosháza, HUN 189 98 27 Bence Banhidi HUN L i n e P l a y e r 9.2.1995 Gyor, HUN 206 123 99 Denes Benak HUN L i n e P l a y e r 20.10.1998 Szeged, HUN 188 95 21 Alen Blazevic CRO L e ft B a c k 29.3.1986 Nasice, CRO 201 115 9 Richard Bodo HUN L e ft B a c k 13.3.1993 Mateszalka, HUN 204 114 77 Bendeguz Boka HUN L e ft W i n g 2.10.1993 Veszprem, HUN 194 90 34 Denis Buntic CRO R i g h t B a c k 13.11.1982 Ljubuski, BIH 199 110 93 Adam Dimovics HUN L e ft B a c k 23.1.1999 Szeged, HUN 187 83 95 Karoly Doleszal HUN C e n t r e B a c k 1.12.1995 Székesfehérvár, HUN 190 85 15 Balint Fekete HUN R i g h t B a c k 27.6.1995 Gyula, HUN 195 95 22 Matej Gaber SLO L i n e P l a y e r 22.7.1991 Kranj, SLO 198 110 88 Bence Götz HUN L e ft B a c k 25.11.1998 Sárospatak, HUN 192 85 14 Thiagus Goncalves Dos SantosBRA L e ft B a c k 25.1.1989 Juiz de Fora, BRA 199 100 13 Sergei Gorbok RUS L e ft B a c k 4.12.1982 Minsk, BLR 196 102 98 Gergö Haszillo HUN C e n t r e B a c k 30.9.1996 Székesfehérvár, HUN 192 92 8 Jonas Källman SWE L e ft W i n g 17.7.1981 Växjö, SWE 201 100 94 Richard Mezei HUN R i g h t B a c k 28.11.1996 Szeged, HUN 189 96 52 Martin Nagy HUN G o a l k e e p e r 9.1.1999 Szeged, HUN 202 88 7 Sandro Obranovic CRO C e n t r e B a c k 18.10.1992 Karlovac, CRO 195 98 12 Imre Pasztor HUN G o a l k e e p e r 23.7.1996 Szolnok, HUN 193 115 81 Zoltan Peter Patyi HUN C e n t r e B a c k 18.2.1995 Szeged, HUN 182 90 26 Pedro Rodriguez Alvarez ESP R i g h t W i n g 22.8.1990 Vigo, ESP 192 84 16 Marin Sego CRO G o a l k e e p e r 2.8.1985 Mostar, BIH 194 99 82 Roland Selmeczi HUN R i g h t W i n g 14.3.1997 Szeged, HUN 189 70 1 Jose Manuel Sierra Mendez ESP G o a l k e e p e r 21.5.1978 Moguer, ESP 194 91 20 Stas Skube SLO C e n t r e B a c k 15.11.1989 Novo Mesto, SLO 176 80 24 Mario Sostaric SLO R i g h t W i n g 25.11.1992 Slovenj Gradec, SLO 192 93 18 Stefan Sunajko SRB L e ft W i n g 10.4.1998 Zombor, SRB 190 80 83 Mate Szabo HUN R i g h t W i n g 27.1.1997 Szeged, HUN 190 75 C 17 Szabolcs Zubai HUN L i n e P l a y e r 31.3.1984 Mezokövesd, HUN 193 98

67 MOL-Pick Szeged

Marin Sego goalkeeper • signed in 2016 to replace Polish international Wyszomirski, who left Szeged • like he had in Plock with Marcin Wichary and in Kielce with a Polish national team goalkeeper, Szmal, he has now Sierra as competition in Szeged • before his first FINAL4 was most successful with Zagreb, where he helped his club to progress twice to the CL quarter-finals

EC trophies: CL 2016 EURO: S 2010

Jonas Källman left wing • signed in the winter of 2013/14 and showed his ability to defend in 3 positions • vital part of both coach Juan Carlos Pastor’s defensive variatons and Szeged’s attacking edge • spent more than a decade in Spain with Ciudad Real and Atlético Madrid before returning home (IFK Skövde) and finally signing a three-and-a-half year contract with Pick • the Swede is one of the survivors of the great changes in the Szeged locker-room

EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012

Sergei Gorbok left back • started his career in Minsk, also played in Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia, Germany • took Russian citizenship, started playing for Russia after three seasons in Chekhov • in the 2013/14 season with Rhein-Neckar Löwen he was close to the FINAL4 • joined the Russian “colony” of Vardar in 2014 and left for Szeged in 2016, where a lot is expected from him

EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014 OG: S 2012

Sandro Obranovic centre back • having started handball as a member of RK Karlovac youth squad, working his way up to the first team and the Challenge Cup berth • joined Szeged in 2016 from PPD Zagreb • flourished under guidance of Veselin Vujovic in the 2014/15 season, he will be a clutch 7th field player in Szeged • awarded best left back of the 2015 SEHA League Final tournament

68 MOL-Pick Szeged

Matej Gaber line player • signed by Szeged at the beginning of the 2016/17 season and has done everything since to justify his “hard-defending” reputation; should become a very important piece of coach Juan Carlos Pastor's puzzle in the forthcoming years • Slovenian rock is a regular at the national team having represented his country for more than 100 times • has played for Montpellier, where he already gained considerable CL experience

WCh: B 2017

Denis Buntic right back • born in Ljubuski, traditional handball city of Bosnia and Herzegovina • played for Izvidac, Zagreb, Koper, Ademar Leon and Kielce before joining Szeged • set his scoring record in the EC in 2009/10 with Ademar (57 goals) • the Croatian arrived in Szeged as Champions League's defending champion

EC trophies: CL 2016 OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2010, B 2012, WCh: S 2005, 2009

Zsolt Balogh right back • joined Pick Szeged from Braun Gyöngyös in 2012, by 2014 overtook Gábor Ancsin in the Pick roster in his poition • not as tall as one would expect from a backcourt player but has outstanding dribbling skills and a sharp eye for passing • coach Pastor gave him more time and he grabbed his chance, he is one of the few who remained in Szeged from the 2015/16 team EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014

Mario Sostaric right wing • spent his latest years away from Champions League action but has more than 50 goals in the competetion from 2014 with Velenje. • the 1,92 m tall winger is unlucky to have such competition as Gajic and Marguc in the Slovenian national team • was voted to the All Star team in the junior ECh and WCh (2011, 12) • Juan Carlos Pastor asked for Sostaric personally, he signed a three-year contract with the club

69 Thinkonepassion can reach countries.many The UNIQA Group is one of the leading insurance groups in its core markets of Austria and Central and Eastern Europe with over 40 companies in 19 countries and more than 9.3 million customers.

www.uniqagroup.com

140917_UNQ_Handball_A5.indd 1 9/18/14 14:29 PM Group A preview

HC Meshkov Brest vs SG Flensburg- Handewitt

First leg: Sunday 26 March 2017, 17:00* hrs

Second leg: Wednesday 22 March 2017, 18:30 hrs *all times local Brest and Flensburg optimistic ahead of clash

The paths of HC Meshkov Brest and SG Flensburg-Handewitt have never crossed in a EHF European competition, but now they are going to face each other in the VELUX Champions League Last 16. The first leg match will take place on Sunday in Brest. For the second year in a row, HC Meshkov Brest qualified for the VELUX Champions League Last 16. This season, the Belarusian champions claimed 14 points in Group B and finished in fifth place. Brest were particularly strong at home, where they earned ten points, and managed to upset strong teams such as Rhein-Neckar Löwen, MOL-Pick Szeged and HC Vardar. Those successful experiences give them a valid reason to be optimistic before the home match against Flensburg.

“I’m sure that it will be a top quality handball. With the support of home crowd, our players should show their best qualities. We have already beaten Rhein-Neckar Löwen at home this season, so why not do the same against another German rival?” says Brest’s sports director Pavel Bashkin. The Russian left back Pavel Atman seconds that: “Flensburg are a very strong rival, but we certainly have a good chance at home – and then we will see,” he told ehfcl.com.

Most likely, Brest will have to do without one of their key players Rastko Stojkovic. The Serbian line player got an Think passion injury last week in the SEHA League game against HC Prvo pilnarsko drustvo Zagreb. On the other hand, Flensburg one will travel to Belarus without left back Ivan Horvat and right back Johan Jakobsson who both have long term injuries. However, the Dutch right back Mark Bult, who moved from VfL Gummersbach in January as a replacement for can Jakobsson, is now finally eligible to play for Flensburg in the continental top flight. reach Flensburg, who are currently top of the German Bundesliga, have not been so consistent in the continental top flight this season. In the tough and competitive Group A, they suffered six defeats in 14 games and finished in just many fourth position. However, the team reached their main goal, which was to progress to the Last 16. Prior to this stage, German team’s coach Ljubomir Vranjes sounds optimistic. “Brest have had some good results under their countries. belt, yet I have a good feeling. We just have to do our job,” he says. The upcoming clash will be special for Flensburg’s left back Petar Djordjic. The 26-year-old Serbian, who has been The UNIQA Group is one of playing for the German side since 2015, will move to Brest in the summer- and therefore now has to compete against his future team. “It was not easy to agree on his transfer. About three months passed from the moment the leading insurance groups when we showed our interest until actually signing the contract. As for Djordjic playing against his future team, he in its core markets of Austria is quite professional, so I don’t think there should be any questions about that,” said Pavel Bashkin. and Central and Eastern Europe Historic encounters in the EC with over 40 companies in 19 countries and more than HC Meshkov Brest vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt 9.3 million customers. No previous encounters in European competitions www.uniqagroup.com

140917_UNQ_Handball_A5.indd 1 9/18/14 14:29 PM HC Meshkov Brest

5th GROUP B HC Meshkov Brest FINAL STANDINGS GROUP B 1. HC Vardar 14 10 0 4 412:378 (34) 20 2. Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 0 5 415:390 (25) 18 3. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 8 1 5 376:350 (26) 17 4. Rhein-Neckar Löw. 14 8 1 5 392:396 (-4) 17 5. HC Meshkov Brest 14 5 4 5 383:385 (-2) 14 6. HC PPD Zagreb 14 4 1 9 332:356 (-24) 9 Club Address 7. Celje Piv. Lasko 14 3 3 8 399:424 (-25) 9 HC Meshkov Brest 8. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 2 9 381:411 (-30) 8 Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Belarus ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE

Media contact Ivan Karaitschev Group Phase Rastko Stojkovic 69 +375 529 3101161 vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce L24:29 (14:11) Dainis Kristopans 68 [email protected] @ HC Vardar L31:27 (13:13) Vladislav Ostroushko 42 vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen W30:28 (17:12) Iman Jamali 41 @ HC PPD Zagreb W22:27 (10:14) Siarhei Shylovich 27 bgk-meshkova.com @ MOL-Pick Szeged L24:22 (11:10) bgkmeshkova vs IFK Kristianstad W32:27 (17:13) vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko T29:29 (14:15) bgk_meshkova @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko T36:36 (18:17) @ IFK Kristianstad T29:29 (15:17) vs MOL-Pick Szeged W25:23 (14:14) Kit colours vs HC PPD Zagreb T21:21 (11:9) Light @ Rhein-Neckar Löwen L25:24 (11:12) Player shirt: red vs HC Vardar W30:26 (15:13) Player short: red vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce L35:27 (15:16) GK shirt: yellow

Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue GK shirt: black Past achievements VELUX EHF Champions League Participations (including 2016/17 season): 8 Last 16 (1): 2015/16 Group Phase (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, Playing hall 2007/08, 2014/15 Sportshall Victoria Qualification (1): 2008/09 Leningradskaya 4 224028 Brest Other Belarus Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final 2011/12 Capacity: 3,500 Belarusian league: 8 titles (2004-08, 2014-16) Belarusian cup: 10 titles

72 HC Meshkov Brest

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 34:22 (15:14) v Vojvodina SRB (h), 19.09.2015 Biggest defeat 36:17 (16:8) v GOG Gudme DEN (a), 09.10.2004 FINAL STANDINGS GROUP B Longest winning run 5 matches (24.10.2015 – 05.12.2015) 1. HC Vardar 14 10 0 4 412:378 (34) 20 Longest unbeaten run 7 matches (24.10.2015 - 05.03.2016) 2. Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 0 5 415:390 (25) 18 Longest losing run 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 3. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 8 1 5 376:350 (26) 17 MATCHES 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) 4. Rhein-Neckar Löw. 14 8 1 5 392:396 (-4) 17 Longest winning run 5. HC Meshkov Brest 14 5 4 5 383:385 (-2) 14 5 Longest run without win 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005) 6. HC PPD Zagreb 14 4 1 9 332:356 (-24) 9 10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007) GOALS 7. Celje Piv. Lasko 14 3 3 8 399:424 (-25) 9 Most goals Most goals 36 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 36:36T (a), 27.11.2016 8. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 2 9 381:411 (-30) 8 36 Most goals opponent 39 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006

GOALS 39 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 39:31L (a), 28.09.2014 72 Most goals both teams Most goals both teams 72 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 36:36T (a), 27.11.2016 Fewest goals 17 v GOG Gudme DEN 36:17L (a), 09.10.2004 17 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004 Fewest goals opponent 20 v TATRAN Presov SVK 20:30W (a), 26.09.2015 Fewest goals both teams 42 v HC PPD Zagreb CRO 21:21T (h), 18.02.2017

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 2004/05 Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR 6 1 0 5 143:184 -41 2:10 4th Gr. C 2005/06 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 6 1 0 5 165:183 -18 2:10 4th Gr. E 2006/07 Brest HC Meshkov BLR 6 0 0 6 146:189 –43 0:12 4th Gr. B 2007/08 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 6 1 0 5 154:182 -28 2:10 4th Gr. H 2014/15 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 10 2 2 6 267:293 –26 6:14 5th Gr. A 2015/16 HC Meshkov Brest BLR 14 9 1 4 437:383 +54 19:9 1/8-finals 48 14 3 31 1312:1414 -102 31:65

73 HC Meshkov Brest

Sergey Bebeshko coach • was appointed the new head coach of Brest in June 2015 replacing Zel- jko Babic who concentrated on his job with Croatia national team then • as a head coach of Dinamo Minsk in 2009-13 and led them to four consecutive league titles and the first time in Belarusian handball to the CL Last 16 in 2013 • number of players that had worked with him in Minsk including Pavel Atman, Siarhei Shylovich, Dzianis Rutenka, Dzmitry Nikulenkau and Maxim Babichev • led Brest to another Belarusian title as well as to the CL Last 16 in 2015/16

OG: G 1992 (as player)

Late entries: Left the club: none none

74 HC Meshkov Brest

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 20 Pavel Atman RUS L e ft B a c k 25.5.1987 Volgograd, RUS 190 94 6 Maxim Babichev BLR L i n e P l a y e r 7.3.1986 Minsk, BLR 200 100 21 Vitali Charapenka BLR G o a l k e e p e r 27.1.1984 Brest, BLR 194 86 22 Iman Jamali HUN L e ft B a c k 11.10.1991 Esfahan, IRI 202 102 10 Dainis Kristopans LAT R i g h t B a c k 27.9.1990 Ludza, LAT 213 135 7 Artsiom Kulak BLR C e n t r e B a c k 23.2.1996 Brest, BLR 190 75 30 Rade Mijatovic MNE G o a l k e e p e r 30.6.1981 Sombor, SRB 192 98 C 17 Dzmitry Nikulenkau BLR C e n t r e B a c k 12.7.1984 Minsk, BLR 188 90 32 Vladislav Ostroushko UKR L e ft B a c k 5.3.1986 Cherkasy, UKR 202 101 1 Ivan Pesic CRO G o a l k e e p e r 17.3.1989 Rijeka, CRO 194 112 22 Rajko Prodanovic SRB R i g h t W i n g 24.4.1986 Beograd, SRB 186 87 31 Simon Razgor SLO L e ft W i n g 18.9.1985 Celje, SLO 183 84 3 Dzianis Rutenka BLR R i g h t W i n g 14.2.1986 Minsk, BLR 187 85 22 Viachaslau Shumak BLR L i n e P l a y e r 22.12.1988 Brest, BLR 204 116 88 Siarhei Shylovich BLR R i g h t B a c k 16.5.1986 Bobrujsk, BLR 198 95 18 Rastko Stojkovic SRB L i n e P l a y e r 12.7.1981 Belgrad, SRB 191 110 19 Alexander Tioumentsev ESP C e n t r e B a c k 4.10.1983 Ajtubinsk, RUS 185 85 23 Ljubo Vukic CRO L e ft W i n g 3.8.1982 Split, CRO 192 96 7 Andrei Yashchanka BLR L e ft B a c k 7.1.1992 Gomel, BLR 194 85 14 Andrei Yurynok BLR L e ft W i n g 21.9.1996 Brest, BLR 179 70

75 HC Meshkov Brest

Rade Mijatovic goalkeeper • vetran Montenegrin goalkeeper arrived in Brest in the summer of 2016, moving from Hungary's Tatabanya • Belarus is not a new country for him as he played for Dinamo Minsk in 2012-13, winning the title of a national champion in that season • also won the Serbian league with RK Vojvodina Novi Sad in 2005 and RK Red Star Belgrade in 2008, as well as the Macedonian league with Metalurg Skopje in 2014 • regularly plays for the Montenegro national team

Simon Razgor left wing • Slovenian is beginning his third season in Brest • before joining the Belarusian team, he spent his entire career at home playing for Celje and RK Maribor • top all-time scorer of RK Maribor with 1,052 goals • his father was also a handballer who played for Celje as well as for the Yugoslavia junior national team and later became a coach

Pavel Atman left back • the blonde Russian international is going to play his second season in Brest • this is his second time in Belarus — between 2010 and 2013, he played for Dinamo Minsk, coached by Bebeshko at that time, and won three titles of Belarusian champion • in 2013 moved from Minsk to Metalurg Skopje where he quickly became one of the fans’ favorites and won the national league in 2014 • left Metalurg before the end of the 2014/15 season and spent the rest of the season playing for Al-Jaish in Qatar

Dzmitry Nikulenkau centre back • native of Minsk is a national player of Belarus and a well-respected figure • during a number of years, he played a key role at Dinamo Minsk where he was the captain • was at Dinamo since the club foundation in 2008 and until the club ceased to exist in February 2014, and won five titles of Belarus league • had some offers from abroad but preferred to move to Brest where he won the Belarusian league three more times

76 HC Meshkov Brest

Rastko Stojkovic line player • joined Brest in December 2013 after spending a few months in Qatar • the native of Belgrade started his career at RK Crvena Zvezda and moved abroad at the age of 24, spent four seasons at Pfullingen and Nordhorn • played for Kielce in 2009-13 and won three titles of Polish champion as well as four Polish Cups, also reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013 • became the top scorer of Brest in 2015/16 CL with 89 goals and All-star line player

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008 EURO: S 2012

Dainis Kristopans right back • born in a small Latvian town Ludza and started his career in the local club Latgols • at the age of 18, moved to Tatran Presov and stayed almost six years in Slovakia, having won the national league five times • left Tatran in February 2015 and spent a few months in Qatar before joining Brest • with the height of 213 cm, he is the tallest handball player not only in Brest but together with Angel Montoro in the whole CL

Rajko Prodanovic right wing • Serb is a new player in Brest since the summer of 2016 • moved to Brest from Pick Szeged where he had two spells, in 2011-13 and 2014-16, and won silver medals of the Hungarian league in all four seasons • also played for Serbia's Jugovic as well as Spain's BM Antequera, Macedonia's Vardar and Germany's Rhein-Neckar Löwen • regular member of Serbia national team, he played at the 2012 Olympics

EURO: S 2012

Dzianis Rutenka right wing • younger brother of Siarhei Rutenka, the famous left back • unlike his brother, Dzianis has spent most of his career at home — he became a five- time Belarusian champion with Dinamo Minsk and then added three more titles with HC Meshkov Brest • moved to Brest in March 2014 immediately after Dinamo Minsk had gone bankrupt and ceased to exist • sidelined for a big part of the 2015/16 season due to a severe knee injury

77 SG Flensburg-Handewitt

4th GROUP A SG Flensburg- Handewitt FINAL STANDINGS GROUP A 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 12 1 1 413:354 (59) 25 2. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 451:383 (68) 24 3. Telekom Veszprém 14 8 2 4 381:365 (16) 18 4. SG Flensburg-H. 14 7 1 6 382:366 (16) 15 5. THW Kiel 14 5 2 7 353:376 (-23) 12 Club Address 6. Bjerringbro-Silk. 14 4 0 10 364:396 (-32) 8 SG Flensburg-Handewitt Schiffbrücke 66 7. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 367:401 (-34) 8 24939 Flensburg 8. Kadetten Schaffh. 14 1 0 13 370:440 (-70) 2 Germany

Media contact ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Sandra von Wallis +49 4611609625 Group Phase Kentin Mahe 41 s.vonwallis@sg-flensburg- vs Telekom Veszprém T24:24 (10:13) Holger Glandorf 40 handewitt.de @ Bjerringbro-Silkeborg W19:25 (10:12) Hampus Wanne 35 sg-flensburg-handewitt.de vs FC Barcelona Lassa L27:28 (11:13) Anders Eggert 32 @PSG Handball L27:22 (13:11) Thomas Mogensen 32 SGFleHa vs Orlen Wisla Plock W22:20 (9:10) Bogdan Radivojevic 32 @SGFleHa @ Kadetten Schaffhausenvs W26:29 (13:15) @THW Kiel W22:30 (12:14) vs THW Kiel L25:26 (13:17) Kit colours @ Orlen Wisla Plock W30:37 (16:18) vs PSG Handball L33:34 (18:15) Light @ FC Barcelona Lassa L26:23 (14:12) Player shirt: white vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg W26:24 (10:11) Player short: blue GK shirt: black vs Kadetten Schaffhausen W31:26 (15:14) @ Telekom Veszprém L34:28 (17:18) Dark Player shirt: dark-blue Past achievements Player short: blue VELUX EHF Champions League GK shirt: orange Participations (including 2016/17 season): 12 Winners (1): 2013/14 Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007 Semi-final (1): 2005/2006 Quarter-final (5): 2004/2005, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2015/16 Last 16 (1): 2014/15 Main Round (1): 2007/2008

Playing hall Other Flens Arena Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 Campusallee 2 2011/2012 24943 Flensburg EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997 Germany City Cup: Winners 1998/1999 Capacity: 6,000 German league: 1 title (2004) German cup: 4 titles

78 SG Flensburg-Handewitt

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 43:24 (23:12) v RK Metalurg Skopje MKD (h), 19.10.2006 Biggest defeat 36:22 (16:10) v Montpellier HB FRA (a), 06.03.2005 24:38 (08:19) v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP (h), 21.04.2011 35:21 (19:13) v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN (a), 28.09.2014 Longest winning run 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 20.02.2016) MATCHES Longest unbeaten run 9 matches (11.10.2015 – 20.02.2016) Longest winning run 9 Longest losing run 3 matches (04.03.2006 - 01.04.2006) 3 matches (22.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) GOALS Most goals Longest run without win 5 matches (10.02.2008 – 08.03.2008) 44 Most goals 44 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003

GOALS Most goals opponent 41 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 41:31L (a), 02.12.2006 80 Most goals both teams Most goals both teams 80 v FC Barcelona ESP 39:41W (a), 31.05.2014 Fewest goals 19 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 27:19L (a), 22.09.2010 Fewest goals opponent 18 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011 Fewest goals both teams 42 v Orlen Wisla Plock 22:20W (h), 19.10.2016

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 2003/04 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 10 1 3 450:401 +49 21:7 Runner-up 2004/05 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 10 7 1 2 319:270 +49 15:5 1/4-finals 2005/06 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER 12 7 0 5 372:326 +46 14:10 1/2-finals 2006/07 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 8 1 5 437:398 +39 17:11 Runner-up 2007/08 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 4 2 6 355:356 -1 10:14 4th MR Gr. 3 2008/09 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 8 0 4 360:329 +31 16:8 1/4-finals 2010/11 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 11 0 3 394:354 +40 22:6 1/4-finals 2012/13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 14 9 3 2 416:384 +32 21:7 1/4-finals 2013/14 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 16 12 1 3 489:441 +48 25:7 Winner 2014/15 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 12 6 0 6 337:340 -3 12:12 1/8-finals 2015/16 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 18 12 1 5 544:494 +50 25:11 1/4-finals 148 94 10 44 4473:4093 +380 198:98

79 SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Ljubomir Vranjes coach • former Swedish national team player, still on the players’ list of Flensburg • became club manager in 2009 and coach in November 2010; awarded IHF coach of the Year in 2014 • after winning the CL in the 2014/15 season he declined the number of top offers from PSG and the German national team • led Serbia to the EHF EURO 2014 in Denmark as a caretaker, but did not continue, will move to Veszprem after 2016/17 season • highly creative photographer in his spare time and published his book of memoirs

EC trophies: CL 2014 (as coach), Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 (as coach) OG: S 2000, WCh: G 1999, EURO: G 1998, 2000 and 2002

Late entries: Left the club: Mark Bult none

80 SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 1 Mattias Andersson SWE G o a l k e e p e r 29.3.1978 Malmö, SWE 185 93 42 Philipp Asmussen GER R i g h t B a c k 17.8.1996 Flensburg, GER 187 87 2 Lukas Blohme GER R i g h t W i n g 7.11.1994 Flensburg, GER 188 72 33 Robin Breitenfeldt GER L e ft W i n g 2.1.1998 Flensburg, GER 183 74 31 Mark Bult NED Right Back 7.9.1982 Emmen, NED 200 96 27 Morten Dibbert GER L e ft B a c k 19.10.1991 Rendsburg, GER 193 95 17 Petar Djordjic SRB L e ft B a c k 17.9.1990 Sabac, SRB 197 102 7 Anders Eggert Magnussen DEN L e ft W i n g 14.5.1982 Aarhus, DEN 179 77 9 Holger Glandorf GER R i g h t B a c k 30.3.1983 Osnabrück, GER 195 90 24 Jim Gottfridsson SWE C e n t r e B a c k 2.9.1992 Ystad, SWE 190 95 21 Jacob Heinl GER L i n e P l a y e r 9.10.1986 Hamburg, GER 195 101 73 Ivan Horvat CRO C e n t r e B a c k 17.2.1993 Balzano, ITA 192 97 19 Johan Mikael Jakobsson SWE R i g h t B a c k 12.2.1987 Lundby, SWE 195 89 C 77 Thore Jöhnck GER G o a l k e e p e r 28.7.1995 Kiel, GER 184 84 3 Tobias Karlsson SWE L i n e P l a y e r 4.6.1981 Karlskrona, SWE 196 102 28 Jannek Klein GER R i g h t B a c k 25.3.1999 Rendsburg, GER 197 92 26 Per Oke Kohnagel GER C e n t r e B a c k 28.5.1994 Flensburg, GER 188 83 20 Johannes Krüger GER L e ft W i n g 28.6.1997 Flensburg, GER 179 76 18 Toms Lielais LAT L e ft B a c k 20.5.1996 Aizkraukle, LAT 191 91 82 Norman Louwers GER L i n e P l a y e r 21.5.1994 Wolfsburg, GER 200 103 35 Kentin Mahe FRA C e n t r e B a c k 22.5.1991 Paris, FRA 185 81 32 Andreas Meyer Ejlersen DEN G o a l k e e p e r 28.6.1997 Horsens, DEN 188 85 37 Marcel Möller GER L i n e P l a y e r 25.7.1990 Eutin, GER 191 96 10 Thomas Mogensen DEN C e n t r e B a c k 30.1.1983 Odder, DEN 187 100 16 Kevin Møller DEN G o a l k e e p e r 20.6.1989 Tondern, DEN 200 103 34 Jamo Mumm GER L e ft W i n g 8.10.1997 Rendsburg, GER 185 83 41 Bogdan Radivojevic SRB R i g h t W i n g 2.3.1993 Beograd, SRB 186 84 36 Georg Rohwer GER C e n t r e B a c k 4.9.1997 Rendsburg, GER 183 83 50 Marlon Runow GER L e ft B a c k 11.1.1997 Flensburg, GER 197 87 25 Rasmus Lauge Schmidt DEN C e n t r e B a c k 20.6.1991 Randers, DEN 193 96 38 Niels-Jonas Simons GER R i g h t B a c k 12.9.1994 Flensburg, GER 179 83 6 Janos Steidtmann GER R i g h t W i n g 8.9.1996 Flensburg, GER 194 90 11 Lasse Svan DEN R i g h t W i n g 31.8.1983 Stevns, DEN 184 84 23 Henrik Toft Hansen DEN L i n e P l a y e r 18.12.1986 Skive, DEN 200 108 40 Ljubomir Vranjes SWE C e n t r e B a c k 3.10.1973 Göteborg, SWE 168 80 14 Hampus Wanne SWE L e ft W i n g 10.12.1993 Lundby, SWE 184 84 27 Leon Witte GER L e ft W i n g 25.9.1995 Flensburg, GER 183 84 22 Anders Zachariassen DEN L i n e P l a y e r 4.9.1991 Sonderborg, DEN 192 96

81 SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Mattias Andersson goalkeeper • already in the younger age categories part of all All-Star teams and became member of the senior national team • played at Kiel (2001-08), TV Großwallstadt before signing in Flensburg; awarded “best player of the Bundesliga season 2011/12” • his saves at the 2014 FINAL4 were key for Flensburg winning his last missing EC trophy • preparation perfectionist, no other keeper has a bigger video archive of top players

EC trophies: CL 2007, 2014, EHF Cup: 2002, 2004, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2000

Anders Eggert left wing • had big shoes to fill in Flensburg as successor of legendary Lars Christiansen • top scorer of the German Bundesliga in 2011 (248 goals) and top scorer of the 2013 WCh in Spain (55 goals) • started his career at Braband, in his tenth season in Flensburg after intermediately being on loan at Skjern Handball, where he moves again in 2017 • also famous for one of the highest percentages in the CL from the penalty throws EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2008, 2012, S 2014

Kentin Mahe centre back • joined Flensburg in 2015 after spells with HSV Hamburg, VfL Gummersbach and Bayer Dormagen (coached by his father Pascal in Dormagen) • Men's 20 EURO 2010 MVP and top scorer (49 goals); 2015 EHF Cup Finals MVP • in 2010 a debut in the French national team, now one of the key players • reached the Cup Winners’ Cup final with Gummersbach in 2011/12 and EHF Cup final with HSV in 2014/15 OG: S 2016, WCh: G 2015

Thomas Mogensen centre back • experienced Danish playmaker with more than 1,000 goals for his club and long list of silverware • since 2007 playing for Flensburg – his first stop outside his home country • before played for Viborg and GOG, Danish champion and cup winner twice • to focus only on SG he quit his career in the national team after the EURO 2014

EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

82 SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Henrik Toft Hansen line player • whole family involved in handball: brothers Rene (also a line player of Kiel) and Allan (Mors-Thy) and sisters Majbritt (Skive) and Jeanette players in the Danish league • his girlfriend Ulrike Agren plays in the women's CL for Esbjerg in 2016/17 • part of AG Kobenhavn, later transferred to Aalborg, before he joined Hamburg in 2013 and then Flensburg in 2015 after being part of the EHF Cup final

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

Tobias Karlsson line player • typical powerful Scandinavian defence specialist; best defence player at the EHF EURO 2014; awarded best Bundesliga defender in the 2015/16 season • team captain, a great honour after legendary Lars Christiansen left SG • Swedish champion three times with Hammarby IF, retired from the national team just before the 2016/17 season • founded an insurance company with some other former players in Sweden EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 OG: S 2012

Holger Glandorf right back • left-handed shooter and the last remaining German 2007 world champion in the Flensburg roster • despite some injury breaks, always returned to a high level of performance • has the full set of three major European Cup competitions titles on his tally, with Nordhorn and Flensburg • in August 2014 retired from the German national team to only focus on his club EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2008, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012 WCh: G 2007

Lasse Svan right wing • one of the fastest wing players in the CL; same qualities as Eggert on the other side: fast counter-attacks and a high scoring efficiency • 2nd best Danish scorer at Rio Olympics 2016 another task in his team: motivation and relaxing – as his business is mental coaching • after four seasons at GOG Svendborg he moved to Flensburg in 2008 • was also a billiard’s champion in his home region Seeland EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012 OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

83 Official Partner of the EHF and the EHF Champions League

KOBRA MEN Magma Red/Black

KOBRA WOMEN KOBRA MEN WATCH THE SALMING KOBRA VIDEO ON Diva Pink/Turquoise Black/Shocking Orange www.salminghandball.com

salminghandball.com Group Bpreview

Official Partner of the EHF and the EHF Champions League THW Kiel vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen

First leg: Wednesday 22 March 2017, 18:30 hrs

Second leg: Thursday 30 March 2017, 19:00 hrs

A German duel throws off the Last 16

Both teams were unhappy with the outcome of the group phase, and both are unhappy that they are facing an all-German duel in an international competition. Nevertheless, THW Kiel and Rhein-Neckar Löwen have to fight for a ticket for the quarter-final of the VELUX EHF Champions League on Wednesday. THW Kiel had their worst group phase in the history of the Champions League, and their overall biggest defeat in any competition -the 42:24 defeat at Paris in round 14. They hope to turn things around in the first leg of the all-German duel. “If our team is healthier than at Paris and the players show the right attitude, we might have a chance,” said THW coach Alfred Gislason. 17 times in the last 19 years, Kiel have made it to the quarter-final. They have never really been eliminated in the Last 16- but this trend is in danger this season. Nevertheless, the records speak in favour of THW: In the 37 matches played between the two teams in all competitions, Kiel have won 25 times, lost ten times and tied twice. Looking at EHF Champions League duels, Kiel have won four out of seven, while both teams tied once and lost once. The last time both German sides clashed in an international competition was in the 2009/10 -quar ter-finals, when Kiel booked their ticket to the first ever VELUX EHF FINAL4 at Cologne with two narrow wins over Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Kiel ultimately became Champions League winners for that season. In the 2008/09 season, the pair met in the semi-final- the outcome of which had already been decided in the first leg, after a 37:23 victory KOBRA MEN for Kiel. Magma Red/Black But the only domestic duel between the two this season ended as a 29:26 away win for Löwen at Kiel’s fortress. In the Bundesliga, the defending champions from Mannheim are ranked third, one point below Kiel, but have played three matches less. THW finished the group phase in fifth position after seven defeats, while Löwen gave up a better position in the group after two clear defeats in their last two group matches against Celje (31:37) and at home against Szeged (24:30). Löwen were eliminated from the Last 16 in the last two seasons- first by Szeged, then by Zagreb. The only time they made it all the way to Cologne was in 2011. This was the only year so far that Kiel had not been part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4. “We did not want to face Kiel, but now we have to,” said Löwen coach Nikolaj Jacobsen, who had been a THW player from 1998 to 2004, including the 2000 Champions League Final. Niklas Landin Jacobsen had been playing for Löwen, before he transferred to Kiel in 2015. Löwen’s line player Hendrik Pekeler- who had been a THW player in his younger days- will go back to THW in 2018. Historic encounters in the EC

KOBRA WOMEN KOBRA MEN WATCH THE SALMING KOBRA VIDEO ON THW Kiel vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen 4-1-1 (187:169) 9:3 Diva Pink/Turquoise Black/Shocking Orange www.salminghandball.com 26.04.2009 THW Kiel vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Semi-final 37:23 (20:8) 30.04.2009 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Semi-final 31:30 (16:18) 25.04.2010 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 28:29 (13:15) 02.05.2010 THW Kiel vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, EHF Champions League – Quarter-final 31:30 (12:13) salminghandball.com 21.11.2010 THW Kiel vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 30:27 (17:9) 26.11.2010 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A 30:30 (17:14)

85 THW Kiel

5th GROUP A THW Kiel FINAL STANDINGS GROUP A 1. FC Barcelona Lassa 14 12 1 1 413:354 (59) 25 2. PSG Handball 14 12 0 2 451:383 (68) 24 3. Telekom Veszprém 14 8 2 4 381:365 (16) 18 4. SG Flensburg-H. 14 7 1 6 382:366 (16) 15 5. THW Kiel 14 5 2 7 353:376 (-23) 12 Club Address 6. Bjerringbro-Silk. 14 4 0 10 364:396 (-32) 8 THW Kiel Ziegelteich 30 7. Orlen Wisla Plock 14 3 2 9 367:401 (-34) 8 24103 Kiel 8. Kadetten Schaffh. 14 1 0 13 370:440 (-70) 2 Germany ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE Media contact Christian Robohm Group Phase +49 1635306300 Niclas Ekberg 53 christian.robohm@thw- vs PSG Handball W28:27 (15:15) Marko Vujin 51 handball.de @ FC Barcelona Lassa L26:25 (10:13) Domagoj Duvnjak 45 @ Bjerringbro-Silkeborg W25:28 (9:12) Nikola Bylik 34 www.thw-provinzial.de @ Telekom Veszprém L21:19 (13:10) Lukas Nilsson 33 thwhandball vs Kadetten Schaffhausen W32:29 (19:15) @ Orlen Wisla Plock L24:22 (12:13) @thw_handball vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt L22:30 (12:14) @ SG Flensburg-Handewitt W25:26 (13:17) vs Orlen Wisla Plock T24:24 (15:9) Kit colours @Kadetten Schaffhausen W25:30 (13:13) Light vs Telekom Veszprém L25:27 (15:15) Player shirt: white vs Bjerringbro-Silkeborg L21:24 (11:10) Player short: white vs FC Barcelona Lassa T27:27 (13:15) GK shirt: black @ PSG Handball L42:24 (22:10)

Dark Past achievements Player shirt: black VELUX EHF Champions League Player short: black Participations (including 2016/17 season): 20 GK shirt: red Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12 Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2013/14 Semi-final (5): 1996/97, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16 Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11 Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96 Playing hall Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel Other Europaplatz 1, EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04 24103 Kiel Germany German league: 20 titles (1957, 1962, 1963, Capacity: 10,000 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) German Cup winners: 9 times

86 THW Kiel

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 26:50 (13:24) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006 Biggest defeat 42:24 (22:10) v PSG Handball FRA (a), 12.03.2017 Longest winning run 11 matches (02.10.2014 – 22.03.2015) Longest unbeaten run 17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012) Longest losing run 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996) MATCHES 3 matches (30.05.2015 – 17.09.2015) Longest winning run 11 3 matches (30.04.2016 – 29.05.2016) Longest run without win 4 matches (15.02.2017 – 12.03.2017) GOALS Most goals Most goals 50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006 50 Most goals opponent 44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008

GOALS Most goals both teams 81 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008 81 Most goals both teams Fewest goals 13 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000 Fewest goals opponent 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 15:27W (a), 10.11.1996 15 v SKA Minsk BLR 21:15W (h), 12.01.1997 Fewest goals both teams 35 v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO 22:13L (a), 25.03.2000

VELUX EHF Champions League record MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 1994/95 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 137:136 +1 6:6 2nd Gr. B 1995/96 THW Kiel GER 6 3 0 3 151:148 +3 6:6 2nd Gr. A 1996/97 THW Kiel GER 10 6 1 3 247:211 +36 13:7 1/2-finals 1998/99 TKW Kiel GER 8 7 0 1 229:199 +30 14:2 1/4-finals 1999/00 THW Kiel GER 12 7 1 4 319:283 +36 15:9 Runner-up 2000/01 THW Kiel GER 10 5 1 4 279:255 +24 11:9 1/2-finals 2002/03 THW Kiel GER 8 4 1 3 234:211 +23 9:7 1/4-finals 2004/05 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 336:274 +62 16:4 1/4-finals 2005/06 THW Kiel GER 10 8 0 2 346:293 +53 16:4 1/4-finals 2006/07 THW Kiel GER 14 11 1 2 517:420 +97 23:5 Winner 2007/08 THW Kiel GER 16 13 0 3 533:462 +71 26:6 Runner-up 2008/09 THW Kiel GER 16 12 1 3 548:461 +87 25:7 Runner-up 2009/10 THW Kiel GER 16 14 1 1 534:444 +90 29:3 Winner 2010/11 THW Kiel GER 14 9 2 3 456:393 +63 20:8 1/4-finals 2011/12 THW Kiel GER 16 12 3 1 496:414 +82 27:5 Winner 2012/13 THW Kiel GER 16 11 0 5 518:457 +61 22:10 Fourth Place 2013/14 THW Kiel GER 16 13 1 2 491:427 +64 27:5 Runner-up 2014/15 THW Kiel GER 16 12 0 4 498:421 +77 24:8 Fourth Place 2015/16 THW Kiel GER 20 10 1 9 579:567 +12 21:19 Fourth Place 240 168 14 58 7448:6476 +972 350:130

87 THW Kiel

Alfred Gislason coach • won nine German championships (with Essen, Magdeburg and Kiel), four German cup titles, six European club titles; five times “coach of the year” in Germany • his first job on the bench was in his home town Akureyri, before taking over Hameln, Magdeburg and Gummersbach in Germany and the Icelandic national team • joined Kiel in 2008 as the successor of Noka Serdarusic – to lead THW to 16 trophies to date

EC trophies: CL 2002, 2010, 2012 (as coach), EHF Cup 2001 (as coach)

Late entries: Left the club: Dener Jaanimaa (EST) to MT Melsungen

88 THW Kiel

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 53 Nikola Bilyk AUT L e ft B a c k 28.11.1996 Tunis, TUN 198 94 34 Ilija Brozovic CRO L i n e P l a y e r 26.5.1991 Split, CRO 195 107 23 Rune Dahmke GER L e ft W i n g 10.4.1993 Kiel, GER 190 81 15 Christian Dissinger GER L e ft B a c k 15.11.1991 Ludwigshafen, GER 202 102 C 4 Domagoj Duvnjak CRO C e n t r e B a c k 1.6.1988 Dakovo, CRO 198 100 18 Niclas Ekberg SWE R i g h t W i n g 23.12.1988 Ystad, SWE 191 91 26 Lucas Firnhaber GER R i g h t B a c k 23.4.1997 Buxtehude, GER 200 93 5 Sebastian Firnhaber GER L e ft B a c k 18.4.1994 Buxtehude, GER 198 97 8 Blazenko Lackovic CRO L e ft B a c k 25.12.1980 Varazdin, CRO 197 100 16 Tom Landgraf GER G o a l k e e p e r 11.3.1996 Aschersleben, GER 198 106 1 Niklas Landin Jacobsen DEN G o a l k e e p e r 19.12.1988 Soborg, DEN 200 95 65 Lukas Nilsson SWE L e ft B a c k 16.11.1996 Ystad, SWE 192 97 92 Raul Santos AUT L e ft W i n g 1.6.1992 Santo Domingo, DOM 180 75 11 Christian Sprenger GER R i g h t W i n g 6.4.1983 Ludwigsfelde, GER 190 94 7 Rene Toft Hansen DEN L i n e P l a y e r 1.11.1984 Rybjerg, DEN 200 110 41 Marko Vujin SRB R i g h t B a c k 7.12.1984 Backa Palanka, SRB 200 100 13 Steffen Weinhold GER R i g h t B a c k 19.7.1986 Fuerth, GER 191 100 17 Patrick Wiencek GER L i n e P l a y e r 22.3.1989 Duisburg, GER 200 109 25 Alexander Williams GER L e ft B a c k 15.8.1996 Hamburg, GER 187 95 77 Andreas Wolff GER G o a l k e e p e r 3.3.1991 Euskirchen, GER 198 100 20 Christian Zeitz GER R i g h t B a c k 18.11.1980 Heidelberg, GER 186 103

89 THW Kiel

Niklas Landin goalkeeper • joined Kiel in the summer of 2015 after three seasons with Rhein-Neckar Löwen • successor of legendary Kasper Hvidt in the Danish national team broke through during the 2011 WCh • played also for Gudme in Denmark, where he was number 1 at the age of 20 • best goalkeeper at the 2013 WCh, EHF EURO 2014, 2013/14 CL and 2016 Olympics

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

Andreas Wolff goalkeeper • German No.1 since the autumn of 2015, excelled at the EURO 2016, where he was awarded best goalkeeper and later also EHF Player of the Month • in the summer of 2016 arrived in Kiel from Wetzlar, also played in Großwallstadt • learnt a lot from his former legendary Spanish teammate Jose Javier Hombrados • 2016 “title holder” of the “German beard of the year” award; also known for his blood donations OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016

Rune Dahmke left wing • only Kiel-born player in the team; when younger cheered for his idols in the stands • got his first professional contract in 2012 after being part of the THW youth teams • his father Frank Dahmke was THW player and now is member of the club board • following Dominik Klein's departure to Nantes the number 1 on the left wing • youngest of the EURO gold medallists in 2016 in Krakow

EURO: G 2016

Domagoj Duvnjak centre back • THW’s top signing before the 2014/15 season, arrived from Hamburg, where he played since 2009 • 2013 IHF World Handball Player of the Year, best Bundesliga player in 2013 • not just a typical playmaker he is also a scorer and is an essential part of defence • started his career in Dakovo

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

90 THW Kiel

Rene Toft Hansen line player • even better in defence than on the line in attack, but after Marcus Ahlm’s departure in 2013, the learning period in attack was over for him • new captain since Jicha’s departure; EHF EURO 2012 All-Star Team member • in the CL since 2007 with former clubs KIF Kolding and AG Kobenhavn • his brother Henrik is playing for Flensburg, his brother Allan for Mors-Thy and his sister Majbritt for Skive – all four line players OG: G 2016, WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014

Steffen Weinhold right back • one of the most prominent players in current German handball • after the 2008 junior WCh, the Bavarian changed from Erlangen to HSG Nordhorn winning the EHF Cup in his first season • after signing for TV Großwallstadt was in the focus of the national team coach Heiner Brand, made the next step in his career, signing for SG Flensburg-Handewitt in 2012 and joined THW just weeks after Flensburg beat them in the 2014 CL final

EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup 2008 OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2016

Marko Vujin right back • in 2012 the Serbian shooter arrived to fill the gap after the departure of Kim Andersson to KIF • top scorer of the 2013/14 Bundesliga (248 goals) • won eight consecutive national championships with Veszprém and Kiel until 2015 • started his international career in Dunaferr, then played five years in Veszprem

EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008 EURO: S 2012

Niclas Ekberg right wing • tall winger from Ystad has large variety of shots, also effective on counterattacks • these qualities have also earned him more than 90 internationals for Sweden • joined Kiel in 2012 after after his first VELUX EHF FINAL4 with AG Kobenhavn, who spotted and signed him in 2010 • top scorer of the London Olympics 2012 (50 goals), but missed the 2016 Games due to injury OG: S 2012

91 Rhein-Neckar Löwen

4th GROUP B Rhein-Neckar Löwen FINAL STANDINGS GROUP B 1. HC Vardar 14 10 0 4 412:378 (34) 20 2. Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 0 5 415:390 (25) 18 3. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 8 1 5 376:350 (26) 17 4. Rhein-Neckar Löw. 14 8 1 5 392:396 (-4) 17 5. HC Meshkov Brest 14 5 4 5 383:385 (-2) 14 6. HC PPD Zagreb 14 4 1 9 332:356 (-24) 9 Club Address 7. Celje Piv. Lasko 14 3 3 8 399:424 (-25) 9 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 8. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 2 9 381:411 (-30) 8 Mollstraße 49a 68165 Mannheim Germany ROAD TO THE LAST 16 TOP SCORERS OF THE GROUP PHASE

Media contact Group Phase Andre Schmid 65 Christopher Monz @ MOL-Pick Szeged T28:28 (13:12) Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson 45 +491744288849 [email protected] vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko W31:30 (16:15) Rafael Baena Gonzalez 39 @ HC Meshkov Brest L30:28 (17:12) Kim Eckdahl du Rietz 39 vs IFK Kristianstad W30:29 (17:13) Mads Mensah Larsen 38 rhein-neckar-loewen.de @ KS Vive Tauron Kielce W26:34 (15:16) vs HC PPD Zagreb W25:24 (14:10) rnloewen vs HC Vardar L27:33 (16:17) @RNLoewen @HC Vardar W26:29 (15:15) @ HC PPD Zagreb L25:21 (10:15) vs KS Vive Tauron Kielce W28:25 (16:13) Kit colours @ IFK Kristianstad W29:31 (16:15) Light vs HC Meshkov Brest W25:24 (11:12) Player shirt: yellow @ RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko L37:31 (20:13) Player short: blue vs MOL-Pick Szeged L24:30 (12:14) GK shirt: red/blue

Dark Player shirt: blue Past achievements Player short: blue VELUX EHF Champions League GK shirt: red/white Participations (including 2016/17 season): 8 Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11 Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14 Last 16 (2): 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (1): 2011/12

Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08 Playing hall EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals SAP Arena 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07 An der Arena 1 68163 Mannheim German league: 1 title (2016) Germany Capacity: 13,200

92 Rhein-Neckar Löwen

EHF Champions League club records

Biggest win 40:25 (19:10) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 08.03.2009 24:39 (10:20) v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH (a), 18.10.2009 37:22 (19:11) v Chambery Savoie HB FRA (h), 10.10.2010 FINAL STANDINGS GROUP B 1. HC Vardar 14 10 0 4 412:378 (34) 20 Biggest defeat 37:23 (20:8) v THW Kiel GER (a), 26.04.2009 2. Vive Tauron Kielce 14 9 0 5 415:390 (25) 18 Longest winning run 5 matches (12.10.2013 – 28.11.2013) 3. MOL-Pick Szeged 14 8 1 5 376:350 (26) 17 MATCHES Longest unbeaten run 8 matches (30.04.2009 – 13.02.2010) Longest winning run 4. Rhein-Neckar Löw. 14 8 1 5 392:396 (-4) 17 5 8 matches (12.10.2013 – 20.02.2014) 5. HC Meshkov Brest 14 5 4 5 383:385 (-2) 14 Longest losing run 3 matches (21.02.2015 - 22.03.2015) 6. HC PPD Zagreb 14 4 1 9 332:356 (-24) 9 GOALS 7. Celje Piv. Lasko 14 3 3 8 399:424 (-25) 9 Most goals Longest run without win 4 matches (28.05.2011 - 29.09.2013) 8. IFK Kristianstad 14 3 2 9 381:411 (-30) 8 40 Most goals 40 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 40:25W (h), 08.03.2009

GOALS Most goals opponent 38 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 76 Most goals both teams Most goals both teams 76 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011 Fewest goals 19 v HC Vardar MKD 25:19L (a), 10.10.2015 Fewest goals opponent 17 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:17W (h), 17.10.2013 Fewest goals both teams 43 v FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 22:21W (h), 20.09.2015

VELUX EHF Champions League record

MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/95 2008/09 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 14 9 2 3 447:392 +55 20:8 1/2-finals 2009/10 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 14 9 2 3 450:408 +42 20:8 1/4-finals 2010/11 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 16 7 4 5 486:465 +21 18:14 Fourth Place 2013/14 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 14 9 2 3 422:369 +53 20:8 1/4-finals 2014/15 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 12 6 0 6 361:347 +14 12:12 1/8-finals 2015/16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 16 9 1 6 422:407 +15 19:13 1/8-finals 86 49 11 26 2588:2388 +200 109:63

93 Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Nikolaj Jacobsen coach • arrived on the Löwen bench in 2014 as his predecessor Gud- mundur Gudmundsson became Danish national team coach • coached Viborg, Bjerringbro (both as an assistant) and Aalborg in the past, steering Aalborg to a surprising title and the CL in 2013 • six league titles and seven cup titles in Denmark and Germa- ny in his playing career • now made history by steering Löwen to their first ever bundesliga trophy • TV expert since 2007

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004 (as player)

Late entries: Left the club: Leon Bolius none Maximilian Trost

94 Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Team roster

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height Weight 26 Michel Abt GER L e ft B a c k 25.7.1990 Heidelberg, GER 193 97 1 Mikael Appelgren SWE G o a l k e e p e r 6.9.1989 Uddevalla, SWE 191 100 16 Rafael Baena Gonzalez ESP L i n e P l a y e r 7.11.1982 Estepa, ESP 191 128 61 Lukas Bauer GER G o a l k e e p e r 22.8.1995 Germersheim, GER 192 95 60 Kim Ekdahl du Rietz SWE L e ft B a c k 23.7.1989 Lund, SWE 194 100 42 Marvin Gerdon GER R i g h t W i n g 24.7.1996 Speyer, GER 179 75 24 Patrick Groetzki GER R i g h t W i n g 4.7.1989 Pforzheim, GER 189 84 30 Gedeon Guardiola VillaplanaESP L i n e P l a y e r 1.10.1984 Petrer, ESP 200 103 14 Max Haider GER L i n e P l a y e r 26.4.1996 Heidelberg, GER 197 105 97 Rico Keller GER L e ft B a c k 30.7.1997 Heidelberg, GER 192 87 22 Mads Mensah Larsen DEN C e n t r e B a c k 12.8.1991 Holbæk, DEN 188 109 11 Dejan Manaskov MKD L e ft W i n g 26.8.1992 Veles, MKD 181 78 12 Andreas Palicka SWE G o a l k e e p e r 10.7.1986 N Nöbbelöv, SWE 189 88 23 Hendrik Pekeler GER L i n e P l a y e r 2.7.1991 Itzehohe, GER 203 101 32 Alexander Petersson ISL R i g h t B a c k 2.7.1980 Riga, LAT 186 87 27 Harald Reinkind NOR R i g h t B a c k 17.8.1992 Trondheim, NOR 196 95 13 Maximilian Rolka POL L e ft B a c k 21.11.1996 Bremen, GER 190 87 C 2 Andre Schmid SUI C e n t r e B a c k 30.8.1983 Horgen, SUI 190 86 35 Max Schwarz GER R i g h t B a c k 2.4.1993 Pforzheim, GER 190 90 9 Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson ISL L e ft W i n g 8.8.1979 Reykjavik, ISL 187 82 19 Marius Steinhauser GER R i g h t W i n g 6.2.1993 Karlsruhe, GER 187 83 Maximilian Trost GER 23.8.1995 Leon Bolius GER 13.6.1995

95 Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Mikael Appelgren goalkeeper • awarded best goalkeeper of the Swedish league 2011/12, when he played for Skövde • then transferred to German club Melsungen, where he made it twice to the German cup final tournament and played in the group phase of the EHF Cup • was signed by Löwen in 2015 to become the successor of Niklas Landin • formed the duo between the post with three different goalkeepers in 2015/16: Darko Stanic, Borko Ristovski and Richard Stochl – all have gone by the end of the season • since 2016/17 shares his time with Andreas Palicka (former Kiel and Aalborg keeper)

Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson left wing • after two seasons at FC Barcelona the Icelander returned to Bundesliga and Löwen, where he was until 2012 • before his stay in Barcelona spent just one season away from Germans sides- in 2011/12 he played for AG Kobenhavn, also former Essen, Gummersbach and Kiel player • all-time top scorer of the Icelandic national team, reached 500 CL goals in 2015/16 • his fifth trip to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 brought him the CL title 2015 with Barcelona

EC trophies: CL 2015, EHF Cup 2005 OG: S 2008

Kim Ekdahl Durietz left back • despite the huge competition at left back in the past, the Swede became No 1, important part of the defence as well, but famous for his long-range shots • arrived in Mannheim in 2012 from Nantes after beginning his career at Lugi Lund • made his first league debut at the age of 16 • particularly large shoe size of 51

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: S 2012

Andre Schmid centre back • seven-time Swiss handball player of the year • played for both Zürich clubs Grasshoppers and ZMC Amicitia until 2009, joined Löwen after one season with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg • key in attack – both as playmaker and as shooter, awarded best Bundesliga player in the previous three seasons • new team captain after Uwe Gensheimer's departure to PSG

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013

96 Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Mads Mensah Larsen centre back • started his international career at AG Kobenhavn & made it to the 2012 FINAL4 • became Danish champion for the second time at Aalborg, where he firstly was coached by Nikolaj Jacobsen, when Jacobsen became Löwen coach in 2014, he followed him to Mannheim • was U20 EHF EURO champion with Denmark • his father is from Ghana, his mother Danish OG: S 2016, WCh: S 2013, EURO: S 2014

Gedeon Guardiola Villaplana line player • defence boss of Löwen as the successor of Oliver “The Rogg” Roggisch • arrived in Mannheim in 2012 with his twin brother Isaias, who then left to Aalborg in 2014; played at Logrono and San Antonio before he joined Löwen • had been a karateka in his younger days • when scores for Löwen, the whole arena shouts “Ole!”

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014, S 2016

Harald Reinkind right back • had his debut in the Norwegian league at 16 already, playing for Fyllingen Bergen • played EHF Champions League already at the age of 18 • was awarded best right back at the U21 World Championship in 2013 • had his debut in the Norwegian men’s team at the age of 19, part of the successful team, which made it to the semi-final of the EHF EURO 2016 in Poland • transferred to Löwen in 2014, later took the number 1 role on his position from Icelandic Alexander Petersson

Patrick Groetzki right wing • born in Pforzheim only a few kilometres away from Mannheim • right after ending his youth career he switched to Löwen and became part of the German younger age category national teams; MVP and silver medallist of the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in 2008 and junior world champion in 2009 • key player right after he was nominated for the men’s national team for the first time, missed the EHF EURO 2016 due to a broken leg OG: S 2012 EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013 OG: B 2016

97 All-time stats VELUX EHF Champions League

All-time stats VELUX EHF Champions League

31 Biggest wins Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen 29 ZTR Zaporozhye UKR @ AS Conversano 2003 ITA 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009 26 Montpellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009 26 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP @ HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 17:43 (9:21), 19.11.2011 26 Biggest home wins Montellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 25 FC Barcelona ESP vs Hapoel Rishon Le Zion ISR 42:17 (18:10), 15.11.1997 04.10.2009 25 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI vs HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18 (23:8), 09.02.2012

31 Biggest away wins Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 29 ZTR Zaporozhye UKR @ AS Conversano 2003 ITA 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 (10:25), 14.11.2009 26 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP @ HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 17:43 (9:21), 19.11.2011

18 Biggest lead at half-time RK Zagreb CRO vs Pelister Bitola MKD 37:13 (23:5), 17 Montpellier HB FRA vs AC PAOK GRE 46:20 (26:9), 04.10.2009 16.10.2005

50 Most goals THW Kiel GER @ HC Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50 48 HSV Hamburg GER @ Fyllingen Handball NOR 17:48 (10:25), 14.11.2009 (13:24), 22.10.2006 47 THW Kiel GER vs CS HCM Constanta ROU 47:31 (24:18), 12.11.2006

82 Most goals both teams Barcelona Borges ESP vs KIF Kolding DEN 46:36 81 FC Barcelona ESP vs THW Kiel GER 44:37 (19:20), 13.04.2008 (23:19), 17.10.2009 80* FC Barcelona ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 39:41 (17:18, 32:32, 36:36), 31.05.2014

11 Fewest goals: Aalborg Handball DEN vs FC Barcelona ESP 11:31 12 AS Conversano 2003 ITA vs ZTR Zaporozhye UKR 12:41 (5:19), 29.11.2003 (5:16), 15.03.2015 12 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD vs FC Barcelona ESP 12:26 (8:15), 06.11.2004

32 Fewest goals both teams: Wallau-Massenheim GER vs UHK West Wien AUT 32 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN vs Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13 (9:7), 17.11.2002 17:15 (7:6), 20.03.1994 33 Panellinios AC Athens GRE vs Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 16:17 (8:9), 30.11.2002

-9 Biggest deficit overcome after losing first half to win a game KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL @ HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 27:28 (19:10), 18.02.2015

-6 Biggest deficit overcome after losing first half to draw a game FC Barcelona ESP @ -6 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO vs HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD 28:28 (10:16), 07.10.2007 GOG Gudme DEN 22:22 (16:10), 14.02.1996 -6 Pevafersa Valladolid ESP vs Pick Szeged HUN 35:35 (13:19), 27.02.2010 -6 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 32:32 (13:19), 19.10.2013

98 2015/16 Top Scorers

2016/17 Group Phase Top Scorers Rank Player Club Goals 1 Gabor Csaszar (HUN) Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) 84 2 Uwe Gensheimer (GER) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 83 3 Momir Ilic (SRB) Telekom Veszprém (HUN) 77 Blaz Janc (SLO) RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) 77 5 Magnus Bramming (DEN) TTH Holstebro (DEN) 72 Jerry Tollbring (SWE) IFK Kristianstad (SWE) 72 7 Julen Aguinagalde (ESP) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 71 Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) 71 9 Rastko Stojkovic (SRB) HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) 69 10 Sajad Esteki (IRI) Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU) 68 Dainis Kristopans (LAT) HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) 68 Stipe Mandalinic (CRO) HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) 68 13 Zsolt Balogh (HUN) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 65 Mikkel Hansen (DEN) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 65 Andre Schmid (SUI) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 65 16 Alex Dujshebaev (ESP) HC Vardar (MKD) 64 17 Luka Maros (SUI) Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) 63 18 Nicolas Claire (FRA) HBC Nantes (FRA) 61 Angel Fernandez Perez (ESP) Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) 61 20 Karol Bielecki (POL) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 60 Jure Dolenec (SLO) Montpellier HB (FRA) 60 Mathieu Grebille (FRA) Montpellier HB (FRA) 60 Sime Ivic (CRO) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL) 60 24 Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar (MKD) 59 25 Nikola Karabatic (FRA) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 58

* players in bold still active in the competition EHF Media & Communications 20/09/16 Vlado Brindzak +43 1 80 151 161 [email protected]

Contributors: Björn Pazen, Zoran Milosavljevic, Peter Bruun, Tomas Cuncik, Adrian Costeiu, Nemanja Savic, Bence Martha, Kevin Domas, Sergey Nikolaev, Jelena Bagaric, Amina Idrizi, Magda Pluszewska, Laia Coll, Filipa Sousa. All stats by Roy Knoppert.