MEDIA INFORMATION Women’s EHF Champions League 2018/19 Group Matches Draw

29 June 2018, 12:30 hrs Erste Campus, Vienna Media contacts

EHF/M media contacts

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

Clubs media contacts

POT 1 POT 2

Győri Audi ETO KC (HUN) Buducnost (MNE) Kobenhavn Handbold (DEN) Thüringer HC (GER) Tamas Szabo Milos Pavicevic Janni Møller Thomsen Bernd Hohnstein +36 20 505 63 07 +382 682 226 66 +45 223 55 225 +49 179 4649 389 szabo.tamas.gyorietokc [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] @gmail.com [email protected]

CSM Bucuresti (ROU) Rostov-Don (RUS) (NOR) (FRA) Ioana Patachi Andrey Demyanov Terje Marcussen Estelle Vogein ‎+40 748 050 301 +79897198555 +47 905 818 15 +33 608 258 725 ioana.patachi@csmbucur- [email protected] [email protected] estelle.gauvin esti.ro @metz-handball.fr

POT 3 POT 4

FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) RK Krim Mercator (SLO) Larvik HK (NOR) (FRA) Adam Schleinig Gašper Lončarič Bjørn Bjune Enora Talec +36 704 454 902 +386 51 630 877 +47 479 38800 +33 760 830 128 schleinig.adam@ftckezilabda. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] hu

Odense HC (DEN) IK Sävehof (SWE) Mark Jespersen Hanna Fogelström [email protected] +46 736 845755 [email protected]

2 Women´s EHF Champions league 2018/19

WOMEN'S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2018/19 Qualification Tournaments Group Matches Main Round Quarter-finals FINAL4 2 tournaments 4 groups with 4 teams 2 groups with 6 teams 8 teams 4 teams 05.-07.10.2018 (1) 25.-27.01.2019 (1) 11./12.05.2019 07.-09.09.2018 12.-14.10.2018 (2) 01.-03.02.2019 (2) 05.-07.04.2019 tournament tournaments 19.-21.10.2018 (3) 08.-10.02.2019 (3) first leg played in semi-finals 02.-04.11.2018 (4) 22.-24.02.2019 (4) played in semi- and finals 09.-11.11.2018 (5) 01.-03.03.2019 (5) 12.-14.04.2019 finals and finals NATION in one venue 16.-18.11.2018 (6) 08.-10.03.2019 (6) second leg

DRAWS: 27 June 2018 in Vienna/AUT 29 June 2018 in Vienna/AUT no draw no draw 16 April 2019

1 HUN 1 Györi Audi ETO KC 2 ROU 1 CSM Bucuresti 3 MNE 1 Buducnost 4 RUS 1 Rostov-Don 5 FRA 1 Metz Handball 6 DEN 1 Kobenhavn Handball

7 NOR 1 Vipers Kristiansand 8 GER 1 Thüringer HC 9 SLO 1 RK Krim Mercator 10 SWE 1 IK Sävehof 11 HUN 2 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 12 DEN 2 Odense HC 13 FRA 2 Brest Bretange HB 14 NOR 2 Larvik HK 15 ROU 2 SCM Craiova 16 GER 2 SG BBM Bietigheim 17 POL 1 MKS Perla Lublin

18 CRO 1 HC Podravka Vegeta the of team placed 4th and 3rd 2nd, 1st, 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed team from each group group each from team placed 3rd and 2nd 1st, 19 ITA 1 Jomi Salerno Round Main League Champions EHF WOMEN'S Qualification Qualification 20 TUR 1 Muratpasa BSK tournaments

21 ESP 1 Super Amara Bera Bera Winners of the 2 4 Winners of WOMEN'S EHF Champions League Quarter-finals League Champions EHF WOMEN'S of Winners 4 22 SRB 1 ZORK Jagodina

2 groups with 4 teams

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

status: 19.06.2018

Pots

Qualification tournaments draw

The eight teams hoping to qualify for the Women’s EHF Champions League Group Matches in the 2018/19 season can start their preparations. On Wednesday, they learned their opponents as the qualification draw was conducted at the EHF Office in Vienna. The eight teams were drawn into two groups of four, with all matches to be played on 7-9 September. Only the two group winners will advance to the group matches.

The only team that also played Champions League last season, SG BBM Bietigheim, were drawn into Group 1. The German side, who reached the main round upon their debut last season, will face Spanish champions Super Amara Bera Bera. In the other Group 1 semi-final, last year’s Challenge Cup winners, MKS Perla Lublin from Poland, will take on Jomi Salerno, who have won the Italian league two years in row. The winners of those two matches will duel for a place in the group matches. Bera Bera were drawn as the team with the first rights to host the Group 1 tournament. If the Spanish side will not stage the event, next in line to host it are: Lublin, Bietigheim, and ultimately Salerno.

In Group 2, reigning EHF Cup champions SCM Craiova from got ZORK Jagodina, which celebrated their first Serbian national title last season, as their opponents in the semi-final. A year ago HC Podravka Vegeta stumbled in the qualification over Vipers Kristiansand. So the team from Croatia, the only participants in the qualification who have actually won the Champions League once (in 1996), will hope for a better outcome this time when they face Muratpasa BSK, who won their fourth Turkish national championship last season. Also in Group 2, the winners of both matches will go head to head for that coveted ticket to the group matches. The first hosting rights for the Group 2 tournament went to Jagodina. Next in line would be Podravka, Craiova, and ultimately Muratpasa.

The two teams advancing from Groups 1 and 2 will be joining the 14 teams already seeded for the group matches. The draw for the group matches will be conducted at the Erste Campus in Vienna on Friday.

6 Pots

Pots for the group matches

One month after a thrilling conclusion of the 2017/18 European club competitions season the representatives of the continent’s elite clubs congregate again this week for the draw event on Friday to outline their first steps in the new season.

Eduarda Amorim (Györi Audi ETO KC) and Thierry Omeyer (Paris Saint-Germain Handball), two stellar names known from the Champions League history will take over the responsibility for drawing of the lots on Friday together with Michael Wiederer, EHF President and Martin Hausleitner, EHF Secretary General.

Draw procedure

14 directly seeded teams plus two qualification groups’ winners will be divided into four pots of four teams. Teams will not be able to face opponents from the same country in the group.

Györi Audi ETO KC, the defending champions, are seeded in the first pot together with two other participants of the Women’s EHF FINAL4 2018, Rostov-Don and CSM Bucuresti and Buducnost.

There will also be an open draw for the second pot with Metz Handball, Kobenhavn Handball, Vipers Kristiansand and Thüringer HC.

In the third pot FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria and Odense HC have to avoid their domestic rivals from Györ and Kobenhavn respectively and only then the remaining two teams Krim Mercator and Sävehof will be drawn.

To apply the country protection rule in the last pot there will be no draw but the four teams will be allocated always to the first possible group from left to right.

7 Györi Audi ETO KC

POT 1 Györi Audi ETO KC This one word could summarise Györi Audi ETO KC’s entire season. After their wins in the Hungarian Cup and the Women’s EHF Champions League, the last trophy was the Hungarian national championship. To finish their season victorious, Györ had to win against Békéscsaba ENKSE and count a better goal difference than FTC- Rail Cargo Hungaria. Ahead of the last round of the season, FTC were at the top with a better goal difference (+6). Györ were to play against Békéscsaba and, at the same time, FTC Club Address faced Vác. Only one thing mattered: Which team could win with the biggest goal Győri Audi ETO KC difference? Kiskutliget FTC were one goal shy of the required goal difference and could not score in the 92027 Győr dying seconds. The team ‘only’ won by 18 goals, 42:24, which meant that Györ Hungary could celebrate the title for the 14th time. Media contact It was a bittersweet moment for Ambros Martin, the head coach of Györ. He Tamas Szabo finished his tenure with the club with the hat-trick in the city of bridges, before +36 20 505 63 07 departing for Rostov for next season. As the last words in the interview after the szabo.tamas.gyorietokc final whistle, Martin said: “Thank you, I am sorry and I love you all!” @gmail.com

www.gyorietokc.hu

Győri-Audi-ETO-KC

@GyoriaudiETO

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 16 Player shirt: green/black Winners (4): 2012/13, 2013/14, 2016/17, Player short: green/black 2017/18 GK shirt: blue, black Runners-up (3): 2008/09, 2011/12, 2015/16 Semi-finals (4): 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11 Quarter-finals (1): 2014/15 Group Matches (2): 2000/01, 2005/06 Playing hall Qualification (1): 2004/05 AUDI Arena Györ Toth Laszlo utja Other 9027 Györ Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2005/06, Hungary Semi-final 2002/03 Capacity: 5,000 EHF Cup: Runners-up 1998/99, 2001/02, 2003/04, 2004/05 Hungarian league: 14 titles (1957, 1959, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) Hungarian cup: 13 titles

8 CSM Bucuresti

POT 1 CSM Bucuresti

For the fourth time in a row, CSM Bucuresti were crowned champions after anoth- er season that resembled a walk in the park for the Romanian powerhouse. CSM lost only one game, against Women’s EHF Cup winners SCM Craiova, and collected 75 points from a possible 78 throughout another dominating season. ’s return to the Romanian league after a four-year hiatus, during which she played for Buducnost, galvanised the fans, who flocked to see the Club Address 29-year-old superstar. Calea Victoriei Street no 126 However, Neagu, the top scorer of the Women’s EHF Champions League 2017/18, District 1 failed to breach the top 10 ranking within Romania, as she was rested for several 010094 Bucharest games during the season. Romania With their fourth consecutive title, CSM are now trailing only Oltchim Ramnicu Media contact Valcea, Universitatea Timisoara, Stiinta Bacau and Rapid Bucuresti as the most Ioana Patachi successful team in the history of the competition. ‎+40 748 050 301 [email protected]

www.csmbucuresti.ro

CSM-Bucuresti-Oficial

Kit colours

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

Dark Player shirt: blue Past achievements Player short: blue Women’s EHF Champions League GK shirt: green Participations (including 2018/19 season): 4 Winners (1): 2015/16 Semi-final (2): 2016/17, 2017/18 (3rd)

Other EHF Cup: Last 16 2011/12

Romanian league: 4 titles (2015-18) Playing hall Romanian cup: 3 titles Sala Polivalenta Ioan Kunst Ghermanescu Calea Piscului Nr. 10, sector 4 Bucharest Romania Capacity: 5,000

9 Buducnost

POT 1 Buducnost

The younger-than-ever Buducnost team proceeded a long way towards building the pedigree in their new generation, with yet another double triumph this season. Their genius tactician Dragan Adzic is close to creating a new force to be reckoned with, as Buducnost won their 12th consecutive double in a dominant fashion, demonstrated by their 33:11 Cup final win against league runners-up Levalea. The rampant Montenegrin powerhouse enjoyed an undefeated season, astonish- ing their opponents nationwide, with an average winning margin of 21 goals in the Club Address play-offs. Budućnost With the impressive level of performance from the youngsters, the two-time Wom- Ivana Milutinovica B.B. en’s EHF Champions League winners and 2017/18 quarter-finalists must be eyeing 81000 Podgorica Montenegro a swift return to continental glory.

Media contact Milos Pavicevic +382 682 226 66 [email protected] [email protected]

www.zrkbuducnost.com

ZrkBuducnost

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: blue & white stripes Player short: blue Past achievements GK shirt: grey Women’s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2018/19 season): 23 Dark Winners (2): 2011/12, 2014/15 Player shirt: blue Runners-up (1): 2013/14 Player short: blue Semi-finals (8): 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, GK shirt: dark blue 2000/01, 2001/02, 2010/11, 2015/16, 2016/17 Main Round (1): 2012/13 Quarter-final (3): 2002/03, 2003/04, 2017/18 Last 16 (1): 1995/96 Playing hall Group Matches (6): 1996/97, 2004/05, S.C. Morača 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10 Str. Ivana Milutinovića b.b. 81000 Podgorica Other Montenegro Cup Winners Cup: Winners 2005/06, 2009/10 Capacity: 5,000 Montenegrin league: 30 titles (1985, 1989, 1990, 1992-2018) Montenegrin cup: 23 titles

10 Rostov-Don

POT 1 Rostov-Don

In 2018, EHF FINAL4 participants Rostov-Don won the Russian Superleague for the fourth time. This is their third title in four recent years, as the team also became champions in 2015 and 2017. This time, Rostov struggled a little in the regular season and finished third, one point behind Lada Togliatti and Astrakhanochka. But as the season progressed, the -studded team coached by Frederic Bougeant started to show their real strength. Club Address In the play-offs, they won all their matches, beating Stavropol in the quarter-final, Rostov-Don Astrakhanochka in the semi-final and Lada in the final with the same 2:0 result in 1 Konnoy Army street, 4-a all the best-of-three series. 344029 Rostov-on-Don Russia It was the second Russian championship title for Bougeant, who stepped down at the end of the season and will be replaced by Ambros Martin. Media contact Andrey Demyanov +79897198555 [email protected]

www.rostovhandball.ru

RostovHandball

@HCRostovDon

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow-black Player short: yellow Past achievements GK shirt: yellow Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 7 Player shirt: black-yellow Semi-finals (1): 2017/18 (4th) Player short: black Quarter-finals (1): 2015/16 GK shirt: dark red Group Matches (1): 2016/17 Qualification (3): 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14

Other EHF Cup: winners 2016/17, runners-up Playing hall 2014/15, quarter-final 2009/10 Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2012/13, Rostov-Don 2013/14, quarter-final 2010/11 1 Konnoy Army street, 4-a 344029 Rostov-on-Don Russian league: 6 titles (1990, 1991, 1994, Russia 2015, 2017, 2018) Russian cup: 10 titles

11 Metz Handball

POT 2 Metz Handball

Metz gained their third straight national title, the 22nd in the history of the club. Emmanuel Mayonnade’s team finished first of the regular competition, with only one defeat and a 10-point lead over second-place Brest. In the play-off, Metz earned two victories against Nantes in the semi-final to take on fellow Champions League contenders Brest for the title. Metz won the first leg in Brittany by four goals, and could afford to lose the second leg by two goals. Club Address Metz Handball The team will undergo several player changes this summer, as Slovenian super- 20 Rue des Mirabelles star will travel to concurrent Brest while Astride N’Gouan will make the 57050 Metz opposite journey and French international Gnonsiane Niombla will arrive from France Bucharest.

Media contact Estelle Vogein +33 608 258 725 estelle.gauvin@ metz-handball.fr

metz-handball.com

MetzHandballOfficiel

@MetzHandball

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue GK shirt: red Past achievements Dark Women’s EHF Champions League Player shirt: black Participations (including 2018/19 season): 20 Player short: black Quarter-final (2): 2016/17, 2017/18 GK shirt: blue Main Round (2): 2011/12, 2014/15 Last 16 (2): 1994/95, 1995/96 Last 32 (1): 1993/94 Group Matches (8): 1996/97, 1997/98, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2002/03, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2013/14 Playing hall Qualification (4): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 “Les Arenes” Metz Other 5 av. Rue Louis le Debonnaire EHF Cup: Runners-up 2012/13, quarter-final 57000 Metz 2000/01, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2007/08 France Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 1998/99, Capacity: 4,500 2003/04, 2009/10, 2010/11 French league: 22 titles (1989, 1990, 1993- 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004-2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016-18) French cup: 7 titles

12 Kobenhavn Handball

POT 2 Kobenhavn Handball

When the play-off finals started, it was already a fact that would see a new champion crowned. Neither Koebenhavn Haandbold nor Odense Håndbold had won the title before, and while Koebenhavn lost the final to Nykøbing Falster last year, Odense had made it their first final ever. Having won the league, Koebenhavn had the home right in the first leg and took a Club Address 28:25 victory in a full Frederiksberghallen. On home ground, Odense then forced Koebenhavn Haandbold the series into three matches with a clear victory, 29:22. Frederiksberg Hallen The third leg in Frederiksberg became a thriller, with Koebenhavn securing a 26:25 Jens Jessens Vej 20 win in the very last seconds. 2000 Frederiksberg Denmark The Koebenhavn triumph had a lot to with playmaker Mia Rej, who had a signifi- cant impact throughout the season and in the play-offs in particular – and she was Media contact obviously aware of her own performances: “I have played a divine season!” she Janni Møller Thomsen said in a TV interview after the third and deciding final. +45 223 55 225 [email protected]

www.kbhbold.dk

kbhbolddk

kbhbolddk

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: green Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 4 Player shirt: black Group matches (3): 2000/01, 2008/09, Player short: black 2009/10 Goalkeeper shirt: orange Other EHF Cup: quarter-final 2013/14, group phase 2017/18 Cup Winners’ Cup: 2008/09 winners, 2003/04 Playing hall semi-final Trefor Arena Broendby Broendby Stadion 20 Danish league: 1 title (2018) 2605 Brondby Denmark Capacity: 5,000

13 Vipers Kristiansand

POT 2 Vipers Kristiansand This season was historic in Norwegian women’s handball: For the first time in 13 years, Larvik did not win the league.

The club, who has been so dominant in the Scandinavian country for many years, had to form a more or less new team for 2017/18. After failing to win the league champion- ship, the “Seriemesterskabet”, they were not victorious in the play-off either.

Club Address Vipers Kristiansand In both cases, Vipers Kristiansand proved too much for the traditionally top club. Vipers Tangen 8 – who missed a place in the Women’s EHF Champions League Main Round in their 4608 Kristiansand maiden season but reached the final of the EHF Cup – assumed Larvik’s role as the Norway dominant team in Norway this season.

Media contact Terje Marcussen The club from Norway’s fourth largest city won all three titles in the country this sea- +47 905 818 15 son. First, they claimed the Cup. Next, they won the league, where Larvik managed to [email protected] be runners-up after a poor start to the season.

www.vipers.no Lastly, Vipers won the play-off, in which they defeated none other than Larvik as deci- sively as 40:28 in the final match. VipersKristiansand

@VipersKrSand

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: pink Player short: black GK shirt: black Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 2 Player shirt: black Group matches (1): 2017/18 Player short: black GK shirt: blue Other Cup Winners‘ Cup: quarter-finals 2015/16 EHF Cup: final 2017/18, semi-finals 2003/04, Last 16 2004/05

Playing hall Norwegian league: 1 title (2018) Aquarama Kristiansand Norwegian cup: 1 title Tangen 8 4608 Kristiansand Norway Capacity: 2,200

14 Thüringer HC

POT 2 Thüringer HC After SG Bietigheim took the crown in the previous season, Thüringer HC are back on the winners’ podium – for the seventh time in the last eight years. It was the 10th German championship title for Herbert Müller as a coach, after he also steered Nuremburg to three titles.

Defending champions Bietigheim were not real contenders this year, shaken by injury (Kim Naidzinavicius), pregnancy (Maura Visser) and internal problems, as Club Address they fired former German internationals Nina and Susann Müller in the middle of Thüringer HC the season. Mittelhäuser Str. 21 99089 Erfurt Germany Thüringer HC were dominant, finishing eight points ahead of Bietigheim and 13 points in front of third-ranked Buxtehuder HC. Media contact Bernd Hohnstein +49 179 4649 389 Before the start of the season, record champions HC Leipzig had lost their licence, [email protected] announced bankruptcy and restarted in the third division.

www.thueringer-hc.de

ThueringerHC

@ThueringerHC

Kit colours

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

Dark Player shirt: red Past achievements Player short: black Women’s EHF Champions League GK shirt: violet Participations (including 2018/19 season): 8 Quarter-finals (1): 2014/15 Main Round (4): 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 Group Matches (2): 2011/12, 2012/13

Other Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 2012/13 Playing hall Challenge Cup: runners-up 2008/09 Wiedigsburghalle Nordhausen August-Bebel-Platz 6 German league: 7 titles (2011, 2012, 2013, 99734 Nordhausen 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018) Germany German cup: 2 titles Capacity: 2,218

15 RK Krim Mercator

POT 3 RK Krim Mercator The record-breakers from Ljubljana have struck again: RK Krim Mercator eased to their 23rd Slovenian title as they won all 22 matches – with an average margin of 14 goals per game.

Next season, they will have to do without Elizabeth Omoregie, who joins CSM Bucuresti – but even Omoregie’s departure will hardly affect Krim’s title-winning chances in the domestic league. Club Address RK Krim Mercator Center Stožice Vojkova Cesta 100 1000 Ljubljana

Media contact Gašper Lončarič +386 51 630 877 [email protected]

www.rkkrim.com

rkkrim

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: blue Player short: blue Past achievements GK shirt: white Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 24 Player shirt: red Winners (2): 2000/01, 2002/03 Player short: red Runners-up (3): 1998/99, 2003/04, 2005/06 GK shirt: black Semi-final (1): 2012/13 Quarter-final (4): 1996/97, 1997/98, 2004/05, 2006/07 Main Round (8): 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2016/17, 2017/18 Playing hall Last 16 (1): 1995/96 Group Matches (4): 1999/00, 2001/02, Sportna dvorana Kodeljevo 2007/08, 2015/16 Gortanova 21 1000 Ljubljana Other Slovenia Champions Trophy: Winners 2002/03, 2003/04 Capacity: 2,400 Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-final 2015/16

Slovenian league: 23 titles (1995 – 2015, 2017, 2018) Slovenian cup: 25 titles

16 IK Sävehof

POT 3 IK Sävehof After winning the Swedish championship last year, H 65 Höörs HK had to return the title to record champions IK Sävehof, against whom they won the championship last year. The final this year, in Scandinavium in Gothenburg, turned out to be a thriller, which was not decided until the final seconds. Sävehof veteran Ida Oden took the title for her club with the winning goal, 22:21. Sävehof got the better start to the final, leading 4:1, and at half-time, they were Club Address still in front by three, 13:10. IK Sävehof However, Höör took the upper hand after the break, holding a 18:15 lead with Partille Arena just over 10 minutes remaining. Sävehoft caught up again, 21:21, and in the dying Arenatorget 2 43322 Partille seconds, Oden scored the crucial goal. Sweden “I just saw the ball go in, and then I saw there were only two seconds left. I knew we had made it,” said Oden after the final, which was the last match in her career. Media contact Hanna Fogelström +46 736 845755 [email protected]

www.savehof.se

Savehof

IK_Savehof

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: yellow/black GK shirt: blue

Dark Player shirt: black Past achievements Player short: black Women’s EHF Champions League GK shirt: red Participations (including 2018/19 season): 10 Main Round (4): 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 Group Matches (3): 2007/08, 2010/11, 2012/13 Qualification (2): 2006/07, 2011/12

Other Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16: 2011/12 Playing hall Partille Arena Swedish league: 12 titles (1993, 2000, 2006, Arenatorget 2 2007, 2009-16, 2018) 43322 Partille Sweden Capacity: 4,500

17 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria

POT 3 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria

A bizarre end to the Hungarian league season saw FTC just missing out on their first title in three years: after 26 matches, they came up short by one goal. The neck-and-neck race with defending champions Györi Audi ETO KC went to the wire. Going into the final round, both teams were on 48 points but FTC had the bonus of a clearly better goal difference (+273 vs +267). However, while Györ defeated Bekescsabai by 25 goals (39:14) in their final match, Club Address FTC managed ‘only’ an 18-goal win (42:24) over Vaci, meaning that Györ snatched FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria the title by a single goal: +292 vs +291. Kobanyai ut 47/a. 1101 Budapest FTC were also edged by Györ in the semi-final of the domestic cup competition Hungary (30:29 after extra time). While FTC went out in the quarter-final of the Women’s EHF Champions League against Rostov-Don, their rivals from Györ went on to win Media contact that competition as well. Adam Schleinig +36 704 454 902 schleinig.adam@ftckezilabda. hu

kezilabda.fradi.hu

ftckezilabda

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: white GK shirt: red Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 19 Player shirt: green Runners-up (1): 2001/02 Player short: green Semi-finals (2): 1996/97, 2000/01 GK shirt: blue/black Quarter-finals (6): 1999/2000, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 Main Round (1): 2012/13 Group Matches/Champions League (6): Playing hall 1994/95, 1995/96, 1997/98, 2006/07, 2007/08, Dabas OBO Arena 2013/14 Iskola utca 5 Qualification (2): 2009/10, 2014/15 2370 Dabas, Hungary Other Capacity: 2,498 EHF Cup: winners 2005/06, semi-finals 2004/05 Cup Winners’ Cup: winners 2010/11, 2011/12, semi-finals 2006/07, 2014/15 Hungarian league: 12 titles (1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2015) Hungarian cup: 13 titles

18 Odense HC

POT 3 Odense HC Odense recorded their best result in the nine-year history of the club as they finished runners-up to København Håndbold in the HTH Go Ligaen. And they had come even close to winning to championship. In the regular compe- tition, second-place Odense closed the gap to København to just two points as the leaders lost two of their last four matches. In the play-off semi-final, Odense recovered from losing the opening leg to by winning the next two, including the decisive third leg 32:23. In the final, Club Address København opened with a 28:25 home win but again Odense levelled the tie in the Odense HC second leg with a resounding 29:22 victory. Lumbyvej 11 C, st. tv. So the battle for the championship went to the wire, and ultimately København 5000 Odense C Denmark grabbed the title with a tight 26:25 win despite eight goals by Odense’s Mette Tranborg. Media contact Odense could not put their mark on the Danish Santander Cup competition, Mark Jespersen bowing out in the Last 16. The trophy was ultimately lifted by Team Esbjerg, who [email protected] outscored København 31:20 in a one-sided final in December.

www.hcodense.dk

odensehaandbold

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: orange Player short: black GK shirt: red or green Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 1 Player shirt: purple Player short: black Other GK shirt: red or green EHF Cup: quarter-final 2015/16 Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16 2013/14

Danish league: - (runners-up 2018)

Playing hall Odense Idraetshal Hojstrupvej 5 5200 Odense Denmark Capacity: 2,236

19 Brest Bretagne Handball

POT 4 Brest Bretagne Handball

Finishing runners-up to Metz Handball in the French Division 1 in 2016/17, Brest repeated that achievement last season. In the regular competition, Brest could not threaten Metz’s first place. Metz dropped just a single point in 22 matches and finished 10 points clear of Brest. However, in the play-off things got tighter. In the final, Brest lost the first leg at home 29:25. Club Address Brest Bretagne Handball They still believed in their chances when they travelled to Metz three days later, ARENA 140 Boulevard de but the 26:24 away win in the second leg was not sufficient to wipe out the four- Plymouth goal deficit. 29200 BREST Brest also beat Metz in the Coupe de France: their semi-final in April was in the France balance at 19:19 after 60 minutes, with Brest grabbing the win in extra time, 23:22. Media contact Brest ultimately lifted the trophy, leaving Toulon no chance in the final, 30:21. Enora Talec +33 760 830 128 [email protected]

www.brest-bretagnehandball.fr

Brest Bretagne Handball Officiel

@BBH_Officiel

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: fuchsia Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 2 Player shirt: white Group Matches (1): 2017/18 Player short: black GK shirt: blue Other EHF Cup: quarter-finals 2016/17

French league: 1 title (2012) French cup: 2 titles (2016, 2018) Playing hall Arena Brest 140 Boulevard de Plymouth 29200 Brest France Capacity: 4,077

20 Larvik

POT 2 Larvik

Larvik’s chain of domestic titles was broken after 13 years. Having won the Norwegian championship every season since 2004/05, Larvik was beaten by Vipers Kristiansand this time. Title favourites Vipers and Larvik finished the regular competition on the top-two spots and made their way through the subsequent play-off series without much hassle. However, the best-of-three final became a surprisingly one-sided affair as Vipers won Club Address by seven (29:22) and 12 goals (40:28) respectively to easily seal the deal even before a Larvik HK third leg. Stavernsveien 232 Earlier in the season, Larvik and Vipers both seemed heading to the final of the domes- N-3267 Larvik tic NM Cup until Larvik was upset in the semi-final by Stabaek Håndball, which then Norway clearly lost the final to Vipers. Media contact There was also disappointment for Larvik on international level. The Women’s EHF Bjørn Bjune Champions League winners from 2011 had their European season ended by finishing +47 479 38800 fourth in Group C, after winning just one of their six group matches. [email protected]

www.larvikhk.no

larvikhk

@LarvikHK

Kit colours

Light Player shirt: white Player short: red GK shirt: orange Past achievements Women’s EHF Champions League Dark Participations (including 2018/19 season): 20 Player shirt: black Winners (1): 2010/11 Player short: black Runners-up (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 GK shirt: yellow Semi-finals (4): 2001/02, 2003/04, 2009/10, 2011/12 Quarter-finals (5): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2006/07, 2015/16, 2016/17 Main Round (1): 2013/14 Playing hall Group Matches (6): 1994/95, 1997/98, Arena Larvik 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2017/18 Hoffsgate 6 3262 Larvik Other Norway Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2004/05, 2007/08, Capacity: 4,000 Semi-final 1996/97, 2005/06 EHF Cup: Runners-up 2005/06 Norwegian league: 19 titles (1994, 1997, 2000- 03, 2005-2017) Norwegian cup: 17 titles

21 2017/18 Top Scorers

2017/18 Top Scorers

Rank Player Club Goals 1 Cristina Neagu (ROU) CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 110 2 Iveta Luzumova (CZE) Thüringer HC (GER) 105 3 Andrea Penezic (CRO) HC Vardar (MKD) 92 4 Veronica Kristiansen (NOR) FC Midtjylland (DEN) 91 5 Johanna Westberg (SWE) NFH - Nykøbing Falster (DEN) 76 6 Ana Gros (SLO) Metz Handball (FRA) 74 7 Milena Raicevic (MNE) Buducnost (MNE) 72 8 Anita Görbicz (HUN) Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 70 9 Andrea Lekic (SRB) HC Vardar (MKD) 69 10 Isabelle Gullden (SWE) CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 66 Nerea Pena (ESP) FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 66 Anna Vyakhireva (RUS) Rostov-Don (RUS) 66 13 Grace Zaadi (FRA) Metz Handball (FRA) 61 14 Jovanka Radicevic (MNE) HC Vardar (MKD) 60 15 Manon Houette (FRA) Metz Handball (FRA) 57 Aniko Kovacsics (HUN) FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) 57 Amanda Kurtovic (NOR) CSM Bucuresti (ROU) 57 16 Nycke Groot (NED) Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 56 Thinkonepassion Alexandra Lacrabere (FRA) HC Vardar (MKD) 56 18 Tjasa Stanko (SLO) RK Krim Mercator (SLO) 55 can Dragana Cvijic (SRB) HC Vardar (MKD) 55 reach Iuliia Managarova (RUS) Rostov-Don (RUS) 55 many (NOR) Györi Audi ETO KC (HUN) 55 countries.

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 18 countries and around 10 million customers.

www.uniqagroup.com

22

33_18_Ins_Handball_Think_one_passion_A4.indd 1 11.01.18 16:22 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 18 countries and around 10 million customers.

www.uniqagroup.com

23

33_18_Ins_Handball_Think_one_passion_A4.indd 1 11.01.18 16:22 History: 25 years of EHF Champions League

History: 25 years of EHF Champions League 1993 - 2006 In 1997 there was a whole new constellation in the final. Mar Valencia, who had narrowly lost 1993/94 three times in the Champions League Group Hypo NIederösterreich vs Vasas Budapest Phase, celebrated a Spanish fiesta. The team, 20:18 / 25:21 (45:39) which was based around the excellent Natalia New name, new playing system, but well- Morskova, was the first Spanish team in the known finalists – just as in the men’s history of the competition to reach the final. competition the Champions League replaced The opponent was Viborg – the first Danish the Champions Cup from the 1993/94 season. finalist since Copenhagen in 1966 (ed. IHF 32 teams played two K.O. rounds for the eight competition). places in the Champions League. The two finalists were the winners of the two groups of 1997/98 four. Hypo Niederösterreich became the first Hypo Niederösterreich vs Mar El Osito L’Eliana title holder showing a spotless performance 28:21 / 28:26 (56:47) with 12 victories from 12 matches. Mar El Osito L’Eliana had reached the final by scoring at least 31 goals per match. They failed 1994/95 to repeat this feat when they needed it most. Hypo Niederösterreich vs Podravka Koprivnica Hypo Niederösterreich triumphed with two 14:17 / 26:19 (40:36) victories, earning their third Champions League After 20 victories in 20 Champions League title. matches, Hypo Niederösterreich was beaten for the first time in the first leg of the final 1998/99 in Koprivnica. But the 14:17 in Croatia was Dunaferr SE vs Krim Electa Ljubljana 25:23 / followed by a clear 26:19 victory in the second 26:26 (51:49) leg and the cup remained in Austria. Two new faces appeared in the Champions League final in the 1998/99 season. In the semi- 1995/96 finals Dunaferr had beaten defending champion Podravka Koprivnica vs Hypo Niederösterreich Hypo NIederösterreich while Ljubljana narrowly 13:17 / 25:20 (38:37) held the upper hand over Podgorica. In the In the 1995/96 season Austrian side Hypo final it was the Hungarian side that prevailed, Niederösterreich „only” finished second and winning their first Champions League title. that created tremendous joy for the Eastern Croatians. Under the leadership of the old 1999/00 and new top scorer, Snežana Petika, Podravka Hypo Niederösterreich vs Kometal Skopje Koprivnica for the first time took the crown of 32:23 / 20:22 (52:45) the greatest club competition. The final of the 1999/00 is less likely to be remembered for Hypo’s fourth title in just 1996/97 four years but more for the violent disruptions Mar Valencia vs Viborg HK 35:26 / 23:24 caused during the final by Macedonian fans. (58:50)

24 History: 25 years of EHF Champions League

In the second leg objects had been thrown onto Skopje had won the title in 2002. There was the court for almost the entire match, and the also another record: goalkeeper Luminita Dinu problems reached a climax when everyone fled won the European title for the third time in a into the changing rooms and Hypo manager row. Gunnar Prokop was attacked. 2003/04 2000/01 Slagelse DT vs Krim Ljubljana 25:24 / 36:32 Viborg HK A/S vs RK Krim N. Roberts Ljubljana (61:56) 22:22 / 19:25 (41:47) In less than four years world class player and After suffering defeat in the 1999 finals against world class coach Anja Andersen had led Dunaferr, the time was finally ripe in 2001 for Danish side Slagelse DT out of the second Krim, Slovenia’s most dominating club whose division and straight into their first Champions focus had always been to win the Champions League season. And just one year after they League. In the final Krim prevailed over Viborg had already celebrated the win of the EHF Cup, thanks to win and a draw. the team was victorious once more – this time in Europe’s most prestigious club handball 2001/02 competition. It was a fairy tale come true. FTC HERZ Budapest vs Kometal D. P. Skopje 27:25 / 22:26 (49:51) 2004/05 On 19 May 2002, 45,000 fans people celebrated Slagelse DT vs Kometal D.P. Skopje 27:23 / their heroines enthusiastically in the main 27:20 (54:43) square of the Macedonian capital – a great For the second time in the history of the achievement had been made: Kometal Champions League and after the double victory Skopje wore the crown of Europe’s top club of Hypo Niederösterreich in 1994 and 1995, a competition for the first time. Two years team was able to defend its title. In all twelve before, the Macedonians had played in the Champions League matches, from the Group finals against Hypo Niederösterreich but after Phase to the final, coach Anja Andersen’s team rioting fans during the second leg in Skopje suffered only one defeat. all Macedonian clubs were banned for one year from the European Cup, and no one had 2005/06 expected Macedonian handball to recover that Krim Ljubljana vs Viborg HK A/S 22:24 / 21:20 fast from the shock. (43:44) In the history of the CL that had not happened 2002/03 before. In both final matches of the 2005/06 El Osito Valencia vs Krim N. Roberts Ljubljana season the away teams won. It seemed a mere 30:27 / 28:36 (58:63) formality for Viborg to lift the trophy following For the third time in a row, the Champions their 24:22 win in Slovenia, but Ljubljana fought League winner came from former Yugoslavia back and had one hand on the cup when they and for the second time after 2001 Krim led 20:17 in the 52nd minute before running Ljubljana was sitting on the European throne. out of steam.

25 History: 25 years of EHF Champions League

History: 25 years of EHF Champions League 2006 - 2017 second consecutive time and the third time in the last five years. Also the Danish dominance 2006/07 continued. Since 2003/2004 all Champions Slagelse DT vs Lada Togliatti 29:29 / 32:24 League titles had gone to Danish teams, except (61:53) for the 2007/2008 season when Russian team It was Slagelse’s third go at gold and they did it Zvezda Zvenigorod celebrated the victory. convincingly. With elite performances both in the Champions League and the Danish league, 2010/11 where they did not lose one single point, Anja Larvik vs Itxako Reyno De Navarra 23:21 / Andersen’s women were the favourites for the 24:25 (47:46) title – so another success of the “dream team” In a real nail-biting thriller right until the dying was not a surprise. seconds, Itxako defeated Larvik by a single goal in the second leg of the final, but with 2007/08 the aggregate score, the Norwegians were the Zvezda Zvenigorod vs Hypo Niederösterreich lucky winners of this clash and brought home 25:24 / 31:29 (56:53) the EHF Champions League trophy for the first After having beaten Hypo Niederösterreich time in the club’s history. at home 25:24, the Russian champions were also triumphant in Wiener Neustadt in a 2011/12 very tough second leg. For Hypo it was a Győri AUDI ETO KC vs Budoćnost 29:27 / 25:27 big disappointment as everything had been (54:54) prepared for party at the Arena Nova to Budućnost won the tightest edition of the celebrated then ninth title since 1989. EHF Women’s Champions League by account of scoring the greater number of away goals 2008/09 (27 in Hungary) than Győri AUDI ETO KC (25 in Viborg HK vs Győri AUDI ETO KC 24:26 / 26:23 Montenegro). It was only a small consolation (50:49) for Györ’s Anita Görbicz who picked up the top Viborg HK won the Champions League for the scorer for the 2011/12 season. second time after having lost the first leg of the 2012/13 final 24:26 but winning the second leg 26:23 Larvik HK vs Győri AUDI ETO KC 21:24 / 22:23 against Györ. Viborg’s Grit Jurack contributed (43:47) four goals in the second match and became the After losing the finals in 2009 and 2012 Győr Champions League’s top scorer with 113 goals finally ended their curse of seven European in the 2008/09 season. Cup finals without a trophy. The coronation of the new queens of European handball took 2009/10 place in jam-packed Veszprém Aréna after the Viborg HK vs Oltchim Rm. Vâlcea 28:21 / 32:31 second leg victory and carried on in the streets (60:52) of the city of Győr. The Hungarian team were Viborg HK defeated Oltchim Vâlcea to win dominant throughout the whole season as they the Women’s EHF Champions League for the suffered only one defeat (in the semi-final at

26 History: 25 years of EHF Champions League home vs Oltchim) in 16 matches. Rasmussen not only eliminated the previously unbeaten Russian team after two narrow 2013/14 wins but also ousted Vardar in the semi-final Buducnost vs Győri AUDI ETO KC 21:27 (10:15) and completely stunned handball Europe by For the first time in history just one final defeating Györi Audi ETO KC despite the fact game decided about the new title holders as the Hungarian favourites played with support Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena hosted the of a sold-out crowd (12.000) of the Papp Laszlo excellent premiere edition of the MVM EHF Arena behind them. Unstoppable Isabelle FINAL4. Györ successfully defended the title Gullden netted in 15 goals in the final and after avenging their 2012 defeat by Buducnost Aurelia Bradeanu scored the deciding penalty in front of a sold-out crowd (10,000). Hungarian in the shoot-out for CSM. champions were the only undefeated team of the season as they won 12 matches and drew 2016/17 twice with Buducnost in the main round. Györ’s Györi Audi ETO KC vs HC Vardar 31:30 after captain Anita Görbicz became the season’s top extra-time (26:26, 15:12) scorer for the second time scoring 87 goals. The sold-out Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena wittnessed a very similar and thrilling scenario 2014/15 like the year before as the final went to the Larvik vs Buducnost 22:26 (8:14) extra-time. Vardar, who ousted the defending After defending champions Györi Audi ETO champions CSM Bucuresti in the semi-final, KC had been hit by a series of injuries and climbed back from a three-goal deficit, but maternity leaves it became as no major surprise mainly courtesy of a stellar performance of as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals Anita Görbicz Györ were able to snatch a by Vardar. The Macedonian champions had to narrow victory and their third title in five years. settle with the third place finish for the second straight time though, after stumbling upon 2017/18 Buducnost once again in the semi-final. In the Györi Audi ETO KC vs HC Vardar 27:26 after final showdown of the two previously unbeaten extra-time (20:20, 9:9) teams in Budapest the Montengrin side cruised Both rivals from the previous season continued past Larvik to their second European crown. to dominate the competition also in the new Andrea Penezic and Cristina Neagu shared the season and eventually met in the final again. top scorer‘s title with each scoring 102 goals. And yet again they pampered the sold-out crowd in the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarena 2015/16 with an extra-time thriller. In the end, Györ CSM Bucuresti vs Györi Audi ETO KC 29:26 became the first team to successfully defend after penalty shootout (25:25, 13:12) the FINAL4 trophy after they were propelled The Romanian newcomers were all but to the title by their Brazilian star Eduarda impressive before the final rounds of the main Amorim. The left back first equalised for 20:20 round and only a few people would expect and forced an extra-time and she was also they could stand a chance against another instrumental in the final 10 minutes of the Champions League debutants Rostov-Don in game the quarter-finals. However the team of Kim 27