VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
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Foreword 5
Media contacts 6
Map of participating clubs
Playing system diagrams - stages and dates
7
8
Important regulations - scoring of matches and ranking 10
EHF Champions League information 11 ehfTV.com 12
VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown 14
Facts & Figures of the Group Phase 16
GROUP A
Preview 19
Head-to-heads in the EC 20
THW Kiel 21
HC Metalurg 25
HC Prvo Plinarsko Drustvo Zagreb 29
Naturhouse La Rioja 33
PSG Handball 37
HC Meshkov Brest 41
GROUP B
Preview 45
Head-to-heads in the EC 46
FC Barcelona 47
KIF Kolding Köbenhavn 51
Alingsas HK
Orlen Wisla Plock
55
59
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 63
Besiktas MOGAZ HT 67
3

GROUP C
Preview 70
Head-to-heads in the EC 71
MKB-MVM Veszprem 73
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
HC Vardar
77
81
85
89
Montpellier Agglomeration HB 93
GROUP D
Preview 97
Head-to-heads in the EC 98
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
Dunkerque Grand Littoral
99
103
Kadetten Schaffhausen 107
MOL-Pick Szeged 111
Aalborg Handbold 115
HC Motor Zaporozhye 119
HISTORY
Past winners 123
History of the EHF Champions League 124
Top scorers of the past seasons 126
Top scorers of the 2013/14 season 127
All-time club standings 128
4

Dear Media Representative,
On behalf of the European Handball Federation, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Group
Phase of the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League. Moving into the first stage of the new season, I welcome all the teams who have made it to this stage of the competition.
Following an emotionally intense qualification phase that concluded on 7 September 2014, the final line-up of the Groups A to D is finally known. Twenty-four teams from all corners of
Europe will play the Group Phase that will begin in September 2014 and conclude in February
2015 following the winter hiatus, in all there will be ten rounds of competition.
The Group Phase is the first challenge that the teams have to face; this is by no means easy. In the past, we have borne witness, watching stunned as handball giants have failed to progress and the underdogs have thrived against all odds. The Group Phase is the first hurdle that has to be conquered on the road to the FINAL4.
Once again, as in the previous season, the final 24 teams representing 15 countries are ready for their first matches. The defending champions, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, will launch their new Champions League campaign from Group B; anew they will meet FC Barcelona, the record holder for most Champions League titles (7 wins).
The VELUX EHF Champions League is the only place where the handball elite meet on a
European club competition level. The event is guaranteed to bring both great highs and excruciating lows to the teams. But the Champions League remains unpredictable as ever; there is just so much to look forward to. I wish all the teams on their VELUX EHF Champions
League journey the very best of luck and I wish you, the fans an enjoyable season!
We pride ourselves on our positive and cooperative relationship with the press and media and
I am sure this will continue and develop in the future. I therefore hope you consider this media guide a useful and enriching resource for your work in the upcoming weeks and months.
Should you require any further information, help or assistance during the course of the season, your first point of contact is the EHF Media and Communications Department based in our office in Vienna.
They will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you might have.
We look forward to working with you in the coming season!
Jean Brihault
EHF President
5

GROUP A
THW Kiel (GER)
Christian Robohm
+49 1635306300 christian.robohm@thw-handball.de
HC Metalurg (MKD)
Zoran Cvetanovski
+389 78223505 zoran.cvetanovski@gmail.com
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
Goran Roknić
+385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@rk-zagreb.hr
Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP)
Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez
+34 63 77 66 107 naturhouselarioja.ehf@gmail.com
PSG Handball (FRA)
Louise Cosnard
+33 (0)675 591 939 lcosnard@psg.fr
HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)
Alexandr Kulbaka
+375 293 50 74 79 office@bgk-meshkova.com
Media matters TV and Radio
Vlado Brindzak
Media and Communications
European Handball Federation
+43 1 80 151 161 brindzak@eurohandball.com
Twitter: @ehfmedia
Miguel Mateo Marcellan
Media Manager
EHF Marketing GmbH
+43 1 80 151 224 mateo@ehfmarketing.com
GROUP B
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Gustau Galvache
+34 618522789 gustau.galvache@fcbarcelona.cat
KIF Kolding København (DEN)
Thomas Christensen
+45 22 629062 tc@kif.dk
Alingsas HK (SWE)
Christer Martensson
+46 705 919625 christer.martensson@ahk.nu
Orlen Wisła Płock (POL)
Piotr Raczkowski
Tel: +48-691-99881 sekretariat@sprwislaplock.pl
SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)
Sandra von Wallis
+49 4611609625 s.vonwallis@ sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
Besiktas Mogaz HT (TUR)
Berk Karahan
+90-535-358-8747 berk.karahan@bjk.com.tr
GROUP C
MKB-MVM Veszprém KC (HUN)
Zsolt Sevinger
+36 305024547 mkbveszpremkezilabdazrt@ upcmail.hu
RK Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
Nejc Ajdnik
+386 40687766 nejc.ajdnik@rk-celje.si
Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)
Benjamin Kuznetsov
+7 9166186054 benkuz@gmail.com
Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER)
Christopher Monz monz@rhein-neckar-loewen.de
+491744288849
HC Vardar Skopje (MKD)
Marko Savovski
+389 75 200 008 markosavovski@live.com
Montpellier Agglomeration HB
(FRA)
Suzy Demonte
+33 499 610 358 suzy.demonte@montpellierhandball.com
GROUP D
Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
Sebastian Kozubek
+48 505031244 s.kozubek@vivetargi.pl
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA)
Melanie Lefevbre
+ 33 3 28 66 91 52 melanie.lefebvre@usdk.fr
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)
Barbara Imobersteg
+41 787203247 imo.schule@gmx.ch
MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)
Nandor Szögi
+36 70 3878234 nandor.szogi@pickhandball.hu
Aalborg Handball (DEN)
Poul Madsbjerg
+4520804976 pm@aalborghaandbold.dk
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Dmitriy Karpushchenko
+380 50 5581181 hkmotor@yandex.ru
6

as HK, SW tanta, RO ano ITA
RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO ZAGREB
7

8
1 2
1 2

DRAWS:
NATION
06./07.09.2014
tournaments
4   groups   with   6   teams
24.
‐ 28.09.2014
(1)
01.
‐ 05.10.2014
(2)
08.
‐ 12.10.2014
(3)
15.
‐ 19.10.2014
(4)
12.
‐ 16.11.2014
(5)
19.
‐ 23.11.2014
(6)
26.
‐ 30.12.2014
(7)
03.
‐ 06.12.2014
(8)
11.
‐ 15.02.2015
(9)
18.
‐ 22.02.2015
(10)
16   teams
8   teams
4   teams
11.
‐ 15.03.2015 08.
‐ 12.04.2015 30./31.05.2015
first   leg first   leg tournament
18.
‐ 22.03.2015 15.
‐ 19.04.2015
second   leg second   leg
26   June   2014   in   Vienna   24   February   2015 24   March   2015 21   April   2015
27   June   2014   in   Vienna
‐
‐
‐
3 groups with 4 teams
4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go to the
EHF Cup Qualification Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of CL
Qualification Tornaments go to the EHF Cup Qualification
Rd 3 status: 23.06.2014

Group Phase
Scoring of the matches and ranking
General
All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes with a half-time break of 10 minutes. The EHF reserves the right to extend the half-time break in special circumstances to 15 minutes.
The matches shall be scored as follows: a) win = 2 points b) draw = 1 point c) loss = 0 points
Teams’ rankings are obtained by adding up the number of points won.
If two or more teams have scored the same number of points, the ranking will be determined as follows:
During the Group Phase:
a) higher goal difference in all matches;
b) higher number of plus goals in all matches;
After completion of the Group Phase if two teams have scored the same number of points:
a) number of points in matches of the two teams directly involved;
b) goal difference in matches of the two teams directly involved;
c) higher number of goals scored in the away match of the two
teams directly involved;
d) goal difference in all matches of the group;
e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group;
After completion of the Group Phase if three or more teams have scored the same number of points:
a) number of points in matches of all teams directly involved;
b) goal difference in matches of all teams directly involved;
c) higher number of plus goals in matches of all teams directly
involved;
d) goal difference in all matches of the group;
e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group;
If the ranking of one of these teams is determined, the criteria are consecutively followed until the ranking of all teams is determined.
If no ranking can be determined, a decision shall be obtained by drawing lots. Lots shall be drawn by the EHF, if possible in the presence of a responsible of each club.
10

Team line-ups and match reports
Already with the start of the 2012/13 season, an improvement to the media services offered by the EHF has come.
From the opening matches of the season, the complete team lineup has been available online at eurohandball.com and available to download as a PDF document. The change has been made possible thanks to the introduction of a new online solution, which sees the
EHF match delegate complete the final team line-up immediately after the technical meeting. This development means that team lineups are available for commentators and reporters hours before each match throws-off.
A further change means that a short time after each match, a completed match report will also be available online with details such as goal scorers and number of spectators.
Team line-ups and match reports can be viewed by clicking on a particular match on the eurohandball.com or ehfCL.com websites.
The online system is also under further development with the ultimate aim being to provide live scores and statistics from EHF competitions and available on the EHF website.
Online information ehfCL.com
ehfTV.com
Regulations of the VELUX EHF Champions League
Twitter: @ehfmedia, @ehfcl
Facebook: ehf.champions.league
Official name
The official name of the competition is: VELUX EHF Champions
League. The full name of the competition should always be used.
VELUX and the three letter abbreviation for the European Handball
Federation should always be displayed in capital letters before the name of the competition.
Please note: If the season is required, it has to be positioned after
“Champions League” e.g. VELUX EHF Champions League 2013/14. The wording “Champions League” should be written with a capital letter at the beginning of each word, i.e. Champions League. The remaining letters should be in lower case. The word Champions does not have an apostrophe after the ‘s’.
Accreditation for GroupPhase
The written media and photographer’s accreditation procedure in the Group Phase is entirely in the responsibility of the participating clubs. TV and Radio accreditations are subjects to approval by EHF
Marketing GmbH – please contact Miguel Mateo Marcellán.
11

All matches of new season live
Handball fans across Europe will not miss a single match in the new season of both elite European club competitions. All matches starting from Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League and Group Matches of the Women´s EHF Champions League will be broadcast live on ehfTV.com and the videos of all matches will be also on demand. Furthermore, like in the past season fully produced highlights magazine - “Rewind - the handball show” will feature stories and highlights from all Men´s top matches will be played out on Monday 7:00 / 8:00 GMT after each playing round.
The complete coverage of all matches means that only during the group stage of both competitions handball fans will be spoilt by
120 men´s and 78 women´s matches. Together with men´s knockout stage, respectively women´s Main Round and knockout stage this is supposed to create this season more than 226 hours of live handball on ehfTV.com.
Schedule of first 4 MOTW released
ehfTV commentator Tom Ó Brannagáin will be heading to FYR
Macedonia, Hungary and Denmark for the opening four rounds of the group phase.
On his travels, he will get to know Skopje very well with trips fto both
Metalurg (Round 1) and Vardar (Round 3) in store. The confirmed dates and times for Match of the Week are as follows:
Round 1: HC Metalurg vs Paris Saint-Germain – Sunday 28 September,
19:15 hrs. local time
Round 2: MKB-MVM Veszprem vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen – Saturday 4
October, 21:00 hrs. local time
Round 3: HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen – Sunday 12 October,
19:30 hrs. local time
Round 4: KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs FC Barcelona – Sunday 19
October, 1650 hrs. local time
*Note that live matches will be geo-blocked in some territories.
12

The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the culmination of the European club handball season. The two-day event sees the best four men’s teams in Europe playing to decide the ultimate winner of the VELUX EHF
Champions League.
Introduced in the 2009/10 season and to be played until at least 2014 in the LANXESS arena, Cologne, the decision to create a new format for the final phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League was seen as crucial for the growth of handball across Europe.
The aim was to create a flagship event, one that could compete on the international sports market and make the Europe´s leading club competition even more attractive to fans, partners and sponsors.
The success of the first four editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 showed that this new format was the right strategy. It has set new standards in organisation and entertainment: it is not just four games played over two days but a true entertainment event. The engagement of a top international act such as EUROPE was a sign too of the direction the event is taking.
It is undeniable that the 2014 VELUX EHF FINAL4 was the season’s highlight in European handball – 20,000 spectators in the LANXESS arena and millions of fans at home watched four unforgettable handball games and a unique entertainment show. Just before the event - “Do it like us”, the official song of the VELUX EHF Champions
League was released.
Tickets for the 2015 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 went on sale on the opening day of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2014. Now, eight months before the participating teams are known, only a very limited number of tickets remained.
The success of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is also thanks to the commitment of a great number of volunteers who have been active on the weekend of the event. The application procedure for next edition has already started and applications are invited also in the area of media.
Full information at: www.ehfFINAL4.com
VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media Accreditation
The accreditation procedure of media representatives for the VELUX
EHF FINAL4 will start early in 2015.
14

ehfFINAL4.com #EHFFINAL4
VIP-Hotline: +43 1
80151 – 216 ehfFINAL4@ehfma rketing.com

With the completion of the three qualification tournaments on
Sunday, all 24 group phase participants of the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season have been confirmed.
Motor Zaporozhye, Besiktas and Meshkov Brest were the last to book their tickets as winners of their respective tournaments for the flagship event of European club handball.
5 times (every edition since the first in 2010) that the final of the
VELUX EHF FINAL4 was composed of Spanish and/or German teams: 2010: Kiel vs Barcelona, 2011: Barcelona vs Madrid,
2012: Kiel vs Madrid, 2013: Hamburg vs Barcelona, 2014:
Flensburg vs Barcelona
To celebrate the return of the VELUX EHF Champions League, here are the most important facts and figures of the upcoming group phase and beyond:
5 times Belarusian Siarhei Rutenka has won the EHF Champions
League (three times with Ciudad Real, once with Celje and
Barcelona each) - which makes him the most successful currently active player. Thierry Omeyer (now PSG) can catch him, as he won the trophy four times already (three times with
Kiel and once with Montpellier).
1 debutant is among those 24 teams qualified: Besiktas - and their qualification also means that a Turkish side is part of the
EHF Champions League group phase for the first time.
6 different nations have been represented by clubs qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 since 2010: Spain, Germany, Russia,
Denmark, Poland and Hungary.
1 coach took the EHF Champions League trophy with two different clubs: Alfred Gislason, who won the title in 2002 with
SC Magdeburg and 2010 and 2012 with THW Kiel.
6th edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will take place in Cologne
30/31 May 2015.
1 person is EHF Champions League winner as a player (Teka
Santander/ESP) and a coach (Ciudad Real/ESP): Talant
Dushebaev. This season Dushebaev is aiming for his next record, trying to lead Polish champions Kielce to the podium in Cologne.
Another Champions League winning player who hopes to follow in Dushebaev’s footsteps is Carlos Antonio Ortega, six times winner as a player with FC Barcelona and is one of the FINAL4 contenders with his club Veszprem.
6 times the winner of the EHF Champions League was a German side: Magdeburg (2002), Kiel (2007, 2010, 2012), Hamburg
(2013) and Flensburg (2014).
7 times FC Barcelona has won the trophy of the EHF Champions
League, making them record winners of the competition.
3 winners of the qualification tournaments are part of the group phase: Motor Zaporozhye (Ukraine), Besiktas (Turkey) and Brest
(Belarus).
7 times Andrej Xepkin has raised the EHF Champions League trophy, six times with Barcelona (1996-2000 and 2005), once with Kiel (2007), making him the most successful player of all time.
4 (all) participants of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2014 are part of the group phase again: defending champions SG Flensburg-
Handewiit (GER), beaten finalist THW Kiel (GER), third ranked FC
Barcelona (ESP) and MVM-MKB Veszprem (HUN).
4 countries were represented by the winners of the EHF
Champions League since the start of this competition in 1993:
Spain (13 titles), Germany (6), France and Slovenia (each 1).
7 former top scorers of the EHF Champions League are part of the 2014/15 group phase: Momir Ilic (2013/14 - 103 goals,
Veszprem), Mikkel Hansen (2011/12 - 98 goals, then AG
Kobenhavn, now PSG Paris), Uwe Gensheimer (2010/11- 118 goals, Rhein Neckar Löwen), Filip Jicha 2008/09- 99 goals and
2009/10 - 119 goals, Kiel), Kiril Lazarow (2007/08 - 96 goals and
2005/06 - 85 goals, then Veszprem, today Barcelona), Nikola
Karabatic (2006/07 - 89 goals, then Kiel, today Barcelona),
Siarhei Rutenka (2003/04 - 103 goals and 2004/05 - 85 goals, then Celje, today Barcelona).
4 times both THW Kiel and FC Barcelona have been part of the
VELUX EHF FINAL 4 in Cologne, which has been played five times so far. Kiel took the trophy twice (2010, 2012), Barcelona once
(2011).
10 years ago was the last time that there was neither a Spanish nor German winner of the competition, when RK Celje from
Slovenia won.
5 former or current winners of the EHF Champions League are part of the 2014/15 group phase: SG Flensburg-Handewitt
(GER/2013), THW Kiel (2010, 2012), FC Barcelona (1996-2000,
2005, 2011), RK Celje (2004), Montpellier AHB (2003).
13 times Spanish teams have raised the trophy: Barcelona (7),
Ciudad Real (3), Santander, Irun, Portland (each 1).
16

15 different nations, the same number as the previous season, are represented by the 24 group phase participants. Germany and France have three teams each among those 24, Spain,
Denmark, Hungary, FYR Macedonia and Poland have two each.
In contrast to the previous season, the champions of Portugal missed the qualification for the group phase, but Turkey is present.
17 of those 24 teams were part of the 2013/14 group phase:
Kiel, Metalurg, Zagreb, La Rioja and Paris from Group A,
Barcelona, KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, Plock and Flensburg from
Group B, Veszprem, Celje, Löwen, Vardar from Group C and
Kielce, Dunkerque, Aalborg and Zaporozhye from Group D.
120 group matches are ahead until the participants of the Last
16 are confirmed in February 2015.
160 matches (including those 12 from the qualification tournaments) must be played until the 2014/15 winner of the
VELUX EHF Champions League will celebrate on the podium.
9600 minutes (if no extra-time is needed to decide games) must be played until the winner of the competition is confirmed.
15,320 spectators was a record high for the 2013/14 group phase in the game between Minsk and Barcelona.
20,000 fans are once again expected to be part of the 2015
VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.
Teams by age average
HC Vardar
FC Barcelona
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
HC Meshkov Brest
HC Motor Zaporozhye
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn
28
27
Naturhouse La Rioja 27
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 27
30
30
29
28
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Orlen Wisla Plock
THW Kiel
PSG Handball
Kadetten Schaffhausen
HC Metalurg
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral 24
Montpellier HB
MOL-Pick Szeged
Aalborg Handball
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Alingsas HK
HC PPD Zagreb
26
25
25
24
26
26
26
26
24
24
24
23
23
22
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 22
CL average 25
Teams by weight average
HC Vardar
Orlen Wisla Plock
MKB-MVM Veszprém
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
THW Kiel
HC Meshkov Brest
Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Aalborg Handball
HC PPD Zagreb
94.1
94.0
94.0
93.2
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
FC Barcelona
PSG Handball
92.9
92.3
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral 92.2
100.4
98.8
98.3
96.1
95.8
95.4
95.3
94.2
Montpellier HB
MOL-Pick Szeged
Alingsas HK
Kadetten Schaffhausen
92.2
92.1
91.9
91.2
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 91.1
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 91.0
90.7
HC Metalurg
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 89.3
Chekhovskie Medvedi
CL average
87.4
93,4
Teams by height average
Orlen Wisla Plock
THW Kiel
Naturhouse La Rioja
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
Aalborg Handball
HC Meshkov Brest
HC Vardar
HC Motor Zaporozhye
HC PPD Zagreb
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
FC Barcelona
HC Metalurg
Chekhovskie Medvedi
MKB-MVM Veszprém
PSG Handball
Kadetten Schaffhausen
Montpellier HB
MOL-Pick Szeged
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 190
Alingsas HK 190
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 189
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral 189
CL average 192
192
192
192
192
192
192
191
191
197
194
193
193
193
193
193
193
191
191
191
190
17

Ljubomir Vranjes SWE
Miha Zarabec
Juanin Garcia
Ugur Coban
Gal Marguc
Victor Tomas
Davor Palevski
Sergio Muggli
Ivan Cupic
SLO
ESP
TUR
SLO
ESP
MKD
SUI
CRO
Oguzhan Büyük TUR
Jalleledine Touati TUN
Theophile Causse FRA
Zlatko Horvat
Luka Rakovic
Michael Guigou FRA
Marvin Gerdon GER
Anders Eggert
CRO
CRO
DEN
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 168
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 174
Naturhouse La Rioja
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 177
FC Barcelona
HC Metalurg
Kadetten Schaffhausen
KS Vive Tauron Kielce
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral 179
HC PPD Zagreb
HC PPD Zagreb
Montpellier Aggl. HB
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
176
177
178
178
178
178
Besiktas MOGAZ HT 179
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral 179
179
179
179
179
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 179
Angel Montoro
Mateusz Piechowski
Marko Kopljar
Sergii Burka
Michal Kasal
Laszlo Nagy
Ivan Ivkovic
Kamil Syprzak
Otto Kancel
Patrick Eilert
Viachaslau Shumak
Egor Evdokimov
Leon Susnja
Jakov Gojun
Janko Bozovic
Borut Mackovsek
Igor Vori
SVK
DEN
BLR
RUS
CRO
CRO
AUT
SLO
CRO
ESP
POL
CRO
UKR
CZE
HUN
CRO
POL
Orlen Wisla Plock
Orlen Wisla Plock
PSG Handball
HC Motor Zaporozhye
213
210
210
208
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 208
MKB-MVM Veszprém 207
206 HC PPD Zagreb
Orlen Wisla Plock
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Meshkov Brest
HC Motor Zaporozhye
HC PPD Zagreb
PSG Handball
HC Meshkov Brest
Montpellier Aggl. HB
PSG Handball
206
205
205
204
204
204
204
203
203
203
Davor Palevski MKD
Fabian Schneider SUI
Artem Kozakevych UKR
Michal Daszek POL
Bostjan Kostomaj SLO
HC Metalurg
Kadetten Schaffhausen
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Orlen Wisla Plock
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 70
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 72
65
66
68
70
Miha Zarabec
Gal Marguc
Lenard Nagy
Lukas Blohme
Timur Dibirov
Arthur Anquetil
SLO
SLO
Theophile Causse FRA
HUN
GER
RUS
FRA
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 72
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral 72
MOL-Pick Szeged 72
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 72
HC Vardar
Montpellier Aggl. HB
Nikola Kosteski MKD HC Metalurg
Juanin Garcia
Marvin Gerdon
Goce Ojleski
Peter Schmid
ESP
GER
MKD HC Metalurg
HUN
Naturhouse La Rioja
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
MKB-MVM Veszprém
75
75
75
74
74
74
75
Strahinja Milic
Alexei Rastvortsev
Adam Borbely
Angel Rodriguez
Imre Pasztor
Francisco Garcia
Teo Coric
Zbigniew Kwiatkowski
Kamil Syprzak
Arpad Sterbik Capar
Josip Buljubasic
Andreas Nilsson
Laszlo Nagy
Matej Gaber
Viachaslau Shumak
Issam Tej
Tolga Özbahar
POL
ESP
CRO
SWE
HUN
SLO
BLR
FRA
TUR
SRB
RUS
HUN
ESP
HC Vardar
HC Vardar
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Naturhouse La Rioja
HUN
ESP
MOL-Pick Szeged
Naturhouse La Rioja
CRO PPD Zagreb
POL Orlen Wisla Plock
Orlen Wisla Plock
HC Vardar
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
MKB-MVM Veszprém
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Montpellier Aggl. HB
HC Meshkov Brest
Montpellier Aggl. HB
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
Mathias Pedersen DEN
Erik Pettersson
Lenard Nagy
Ömer Mercan
Kubilay Yilmaz
SWE
HUN
TUR
TUR
Aalborg Handball 30.7.1997
Alingsas HK 27.5.1997
MOL-Pick Szeged 8.5.1997
Besiktas MOGAZ 10.4.1997
Besiktas MOGAZ 22.3.1997
Martin Velkovski MKD HC Metalurg
Berkay Gulyurt TUR
Davor Palevski
Tom Pelayo
Benoit Kounkoud FRA
Yigit Ilgin
Felix Claar
Richard Mezei
Blaz Janc
Gal Marguc
MKD
FRA
TUR
SWE
Egon Urban HUN
R. Torbjörnsson SWE
HUN
SLO
SLO
10.3.1997
Besiktas MOGAZ 3.3.1997
HC Metalurg
Dunkerque HB 23.2.1997
PSG Handball 19.2.1997
Besiktas MOGAZT 1.2.1997
Alingsas HK
26.2.1997
MOL-Pick Szeged 12.12.1996
Alingsas HK
MOL-Pick Szeged 28.11.1996
Celje Lasko
Celje Lasko
5.1.1997
29.11.1996
20.11.1996
16.11.1996
Nenad Puljezevic HUN
Ljubomir Vranjes SWE
Boris Schnuchel DEN
Renato Vugrinec MKD
Vladimir Petric SRB
Ibrahim Demir
Richard Stochl
Kasper Hvidt
Venio Losert
Petar Angelov
Oguzhan Büyük TUR
Danijel Saric
Juanin Garcia
TUR
SVK
DEN
CRO
Thierry Omeyer FRA
Maik Machulla GER
Mladen Bojinovic SRB
MKD
BIH
ESP
Gurutz Aguinalde ESP
Kadetten 13.3.1973
SG Flensburg-Han. 3.10.1973
KIF Kolding Kob. 15.3.1975
HC Metalurg
HC Vardar
HC Motor 17.12.1975
KIF Kolding Kob. 6.2.1976
Montpellier Aggl. 25.7.1976
PSG Handball
PSG Handball
HC Vardar
9.6.1975
5.8.1975
Besiktas MOGAZ 4.10.1975
2.11.1976
SG Flensburg-Han. 9.1.1977
17.1.1977
8.3.1977
Besiktas MOGAZ 18.3.1977
FC Barcelona
La Rioja
La Rioja
27.6.1977
28.8.1977
26.10.1977
120
119
118
117
117
116
116
115
115
135
128
122
121
120
120
120
120
18

R U K O M E T N I K L U B
Z A G R E B
KIEL AND PSG TO LEAD LAST 16 CHARGE
The three-times VELUX EHF Champions League winners and a rapidly emerging force in European club handball will be favourites to reach the knockout stages from a delicately balanced group
The summer break is over and the eagerly awaited VELUX EHF Champions League 2014-15 season kicks off with a host of vastly entertaining fixtures, including a pair of Group A blockbusters in which quadruple former finalists HC PPD Zagreb are at home to treble winners THW Kiel while HC Metalurg entertain rising force Paris Saint-Germain Handball.
In the group’s other opener, Spanish contenders Naturhouse La Rioja clash with Belarus champions
Meshkov Brest who came through a tough qualifying tournament on home court to clinch their first group stage berth since 2007.
Even at first glance it is easy to tell that Kiel and PSG are strong favourites to advance to the Round of 16 while the other four teams face a fierce dogfight with each other for the remaining two berths.
A dominant Kiel are aiming to reach their fourth successive final, having lost the last two after clinching their third title in Europe’s premier club competition in 2012.
Still boasting an impressive squad led by the Czech Republic’s 2010 world player of the year Filip Jicha, the German giants will expect to make a winning start at a youthful Zagreb side who recruited former
Yugoslavia stalwart Veselin Vujovic as coach on Sunday after a patchy start in the regional SEHA league cost
Boris Dvorsek his job.
Big-spending PSG will also aim to go at least a step further than last season when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. This time round, nothing less than the Final 4 in Cologne will do for an outfit boasting the likes of Mikkel Hansen, Luc Abalo, Marko Kopljar, Theirry Omeyer and a stack of other household names who’ve been assembled into an expensive unit expected to win the most coveted trophy in European club handball.
Comprising mainly home-grown players, the group’s remaining teams appear to have a fairly even chance of advancing into the business end of the competition.
While Metalurg and Zagreb have plenty of recent experience in the Champions League, La Rioja and Brest can plausibly claim that they are venturing into something of an uncharted territory. The Spaniards made their first group stage appearance last season while Brest have returned to the top tier after a lengthy absence, but neither side will be happy to merely make up the numbers in their section.
Zoran Milosavljevic
19

Historic encounters of the Group A opponents in the EC
THW Kiel vs HC Metalurg
02.10.2008 THW Kiel vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
13.11.2008 HC Metalurg vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
19.04.2014 HC Metalurg vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
27.04.2014 THW Kiel vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
THW Kiel vs HC Zagreb
15.03.1997 THW Kiel vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
23.03.1997 Badel 1862 Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
19.03.2000 THW Kiel vs Badel 1862 Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
25.03.2000 Badel 1862 Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/2-finals
24.11.2002 RK Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
14.12.2002 THW Kiel vs RK Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
29.03.2009 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
04.04.2009 THW Kiel vs HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
21.04.2012 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
29.04.2012 THW Kiel vs Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
THW Kiel vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
14.12.2003 THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, EHF Cup – Last 16
21.12.2003 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, EHF Cup – Last 16
04.12.2005 Paris Handball vs THW Kiel, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
10.12.2005 THW Kiel vs Paris Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
THW Kiel vs HC Meshkov Brest
01.10.2005 THW Kiel vs Brest HC Meshkov, EHF Champions League, Group Matches - Group E
06.11.2005 Brest HC Meshkov vs THW Kiel, EHF Champions League, Group Matches - Group E
HC Metalurg vs HC Zagreb
14.10.2006 RK Metalurg Skopje vs RK Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
12.11.2006 RK Zagreb vs RK Metalurg Skopje, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
18.03.2012 HC Metalurg vs Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
24.03.2012 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
HC Metalurg vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
14.02.2009 HC Metalurg vs Paris Handball, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
21.02.2009 Paris Handball vs HC Metalurg, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
28.09.2013 HC Metalurg vs PSG Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
08.02.2014 PSG Handball vs HC Metalurg, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
HC Metalurg vs HC Meshkov Brest
02.10.2010 HC Meshkov Brest vs HC Metalurg, EHF Cup - Round 2
09.10.2010 HC Metalurg vs HC Meshkov Brest, EHF Cup - Round 2
No previous encounters in European competitions
THW Kiel vs Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Metalurg vs Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Zagreb vs Naturhouse La Rioja
HC Zagreb vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
HC Zagreb vs HC Meshkov Brest
Naturhouse La Rioja vs Paris Saint-Germain Handball
Naturhouse La Rioja vs HC Meshkov Brest
Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs HC Meshkov Brest
37:29 (18:15)
25:30 (12:15)
21:31 (09:14)
34:26 (19:11)
23:23 (08:11)
25:23 (12:14)
32:21 (14:11)
22:13 (08:07)
23:28 (08:15)
24:28 (14:10)
28:28 (13:12)
31:27 (17:11)
31:31 (15:12)
33:27 (16:16)
34:27 (19:12)
30:32 (14:19)
21:28 (11:13)
44:28 (22:12)
35:28 (19:11)
31:37 (15:21)
18:22 (09:09)
32:24 (19:11)
19:18 (07:09)
26:21 (12:10)
27:18 (16:12)
27:21 (16:11)
28:26 (12:12)
32:29 (16:12)
28:23 (14:12)
32:23 (14:13)
20

GROUP A
Playing hall
Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel
Europaplatz 1,
24103 Kiel
Germany
Capacity: 10,000
Club Address:
THW Kiel
Ziegelteich 30
24103 Kiel
Germany
Media contact:
Christian Robohm
+49 1635306300 christian.robohm@thw-handball.de
Online information:
Website: www.thw-provinzial.de
Facebook: thwhandball
Twitter: @thw_handball
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: green
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: red
The 2013/14 season of the VELUX EHF Champions League was something of a doubleanniversary for THW Kiel, reaching the quarter-finals for the 15th time and the semi-finals for the tenth time – but alas, that was all forgotten in their seventh final participation as they missed out on their fourth trophy, beaten by their local rivals SG Flensburg-Handewitt. It was their fourth appearance in Cologne, but for the first time the Zebras lost a final after becoming champions in 2010 and 2012 and finishing fourth in 2013.
Now the German record champions launch their next assault on the title, signing big names such as Croatian World Handball Player of the Year Domagoj Duvnjak, Spanish world champion and EHF EURO 2014 top scorer Joan Canellas (both from Hamburg) and German Champions
League winner Steffen Weinhold (Flensburg). On the other hand, Kiel legend Christian Zeitz bid his farewell after eleven years to play abroad for the first time in his career at one of Kiel’s main rivals, Veszprem. Additionally Tunisian talent Wael Jallouz and Icelandic left wing Gudjon Valur
Sigurdsson moved to another Champions League favourite, FC Barcelona. Nevertheless, with perhaps the best back court axis in the world (Jicha, Duvnjak, Palmarsson, Canellas, Weinhold,
Vujin) hopes are high to win all four possible titles this season.
After raising the German Super Cup trophy at the end of August, THW are aiming to add the
Bundesliga, VELUX EHF Champions League and German Cup. In the 2013/2014 season they had taken their 19th German title in the closest final round in years, leaving Rhein Neckar Löwen
(level in points) behind by only two goals. And Kiel did not only make remarkable signings on, but also off the court: Thorsten Storm, manager of the Rhein Neckar Löwen, returned to where his management career had started. Additionally, THW already set the signs for the future with the signing of Löwen goalkeeper Niklas Landin. Chased by a number of Europe’s top clubs, he signed a three-year contract valid from 2015 to 2018 with the zebras.
Kiel’s group contains two of last season’s quarter-finalists, PSG Handball and Metalurg Skopje, as well as La Rioja, Zagreb and the winner of qualification tournament 1 in the Champions
League group phase. “This group is highly attractive and we are really looking forward to meeting our former players Thierry Omeyer and Daniel Narcisse with PSG, the hardest nut to crack in this group. But all remaining teams have either a long successful tradition or big names, so we expect an exciting race for the top position,” says club director Sabine Holdorf-
Schust, adding: “Our main target is to make it to Cologne again. The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the flagship event of European club handball and has become a big brand, at which we absolutely want to be present.”
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: German champions
Newcomers:
Joan Cañellas (HSV Hamburg)
Domagoj Duvnjak (HSV Hamburg)
Steffen Weinhold (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Rune Dahmke (THW Kiel youth team)
Fynn Ranke (TSV Altenholz)
Kim Sonne Hansen (Skive FH)
Left the club:
Wael Jallouz (FC Barcelona)
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (FC Barcelona)
Christian Zeitz (MVM-MKB Veszprem)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 18
Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12
Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08,
2008/09, 2013/14
Semi-final (3): 1996/1997, 2000/01,
2012/13
Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03,
2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11
Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96
Other
EHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02,
2003/04
German league: 19 titles (1957, 1962,
1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999,
2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014)
German cup: 9 titles
21

VELUX EHF Champions League record
1994/95 THW Kiel GER
1995/96 THW Kiel GER
1996/97 THW Kiel GER
1998/99 TKW Kiel GER
1999/00 THW Kiel GER
2000/01 THW Kiel GER
2002/03 THW Kiel GER
2004/05 THW Kiel GER
2005/06 THW Kiel GER
2006/07 THW Kiel GER
2007/08 THW Kiel GER
2008/09 THW Kiel GER
2009/10 THW Kiel GER
2010/11 THW Kiel GER
2011/12 THW Kiel GER
2012/13 THW Kiel GER
2013/14 THW Kiel GER
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat
26:50 (13:24) v Banik OKD Karvina CZE (a), 22.10.2006
22:13 (12:8) v Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO (a), 25.03.2000
Longest winning run 10 matches (21.02.2010 – 25.09.2010)
Longest unbeaten run 17 matches (22.10.2011 – 11.10.2012)
Longest losing run 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996)
Longest run without win 3 matches (07.02.1996 – 19.03.1996)
Most goals
Most goals opponent
50 v Banik OKD Karvina CZE 26:50W (a), 22.10.2006
44 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008
Most goals both teams 81 v FC Barcelona ESP 44:37L (a), 13.04.2008
Fewest goals 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
MP W T L
6 3 0
6 3 0
10 6 1
8 7 0
12 7 1
10 5 1
8 4 1
10 8 0
10 8 0
14 11 1
16 13 0
16 12 1
16 14 1
14 9 2
16 12 3
16 11 0
16 13 1
204 146 13
3
1
3
1
2
2
2
3
5
2
45
1
4
4
3
3
3
3
GF GA GD
137: 136
151: 148
247: 211
229: 199
319: 283
279: 255
234: 211
336: 274
346: 293
517: 420
533: 462
548: 461
534: 444
456: 393
496: 414
518: 457
491:427
+ 61
+64
6371:5488 +883
+ 1
+ 3
+ 36
+ 30
+ 36
+ 24
+ 23
+ 62
+ 53
+ 97
+ 71
+ 87
+ 90
+ 63
+ 82
PTS
25
29
20
27
16
16
23
26
6
6
13
14
15
11
9
22
27
305
Stage
2nd Gr. B
2nd Gr. A
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
Runner-up
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
Winner
Runner-up
Runner-up
Winner
1/4-finals
Winner
Fourth Place
Runner-up
All stats in the media guide provided by Roy Knoppert
22

No. First Name
16
11
7
41
6
1
12
24
13
17
25
26
21
23
4
18
39
33
19
Joan
Rune
Domagoj
Niclas
Filip
Dominik
Rasmus
Andreas
Aron
Fynn
Johan
Kim
Christian
Rene
Marko
Steffen
Patrick
Alexander
Lukas
Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Cañellas Reixach
Dahmke
Duvnjak
Ekberg
Jicha
Klein
Lauge
Palicka
Palmarsson
Ranke
Sjöstrand
Sonne-Hansen
Sprenger
Toft Hansen
Vujin
Weinhold
Wiencek
Williams
Wucherpfennig
ESP Centre Back 30.9.1986
GER Left Wing 10.4.1993
CRO Centre Back 1.6.1988
SWE Right Wing
CZE Left Back
23.12.1988
19.4.1982
GER Left Wing 16.12.1983
DEN Centre Back 20.6.1991
SWE Goalkeeper 10.7.1986
ISL Centre Back 19.7.1990
GER Line Player 5.1.1993
SWE Goalkeeper 26.2.1987
DEN Goalkeeper 23.6.1992
GER Right Wing 6.4.1983
DEN Line Player
SRB Right Back
1.11.1984
7.12.1984
GER Right Back
GER Line Player
GER Back
GER Right Wing
19.7.1986
22.3.1989
15.8.1996
23.8.1995
189
193
201
195
200
190
200
201
198
190
198
191
201
190
196
191
200
187
184
87
94
106
104
90
95
106
94
100
108
95
81
95
81
100
91
103
86
96
23

Alfreð Gíslason coach
Nine German championships (with
Magdeburg and Kiel), four German cup titles, five European club titles (including twice the
Champions Trophy) have made Gislason a legendary coach, who was awarded 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. He joined Kiel in 2008 as the successor of
Noka Serdarusic – to lead THW to 15 trophies by now.
EC trophies: CL 2002, 2010, 2012 (as coach), EHF Cup 2001 (as coach)
Johan Sjöstrand goalkeeper
Since last season, Swedish is the language between the THW goalposts. After Thierry
Omeyer left, Sjöstrand was brought in to replace the legend together with a Sweden’s teammate Andreas Palicka. Although the former junior world champion is only 27, he has already got a journey through Europe behind him, with spells at Skövde, Flensburg,
Barcelona and Aalborg. Horse racing is another passion of Sjöstrand’s, just one look at his Instagram account will tell you that.
EC trophies: CL 2011
OG: S 2012
Filip Jícha left back
The left and centre back was the first Czech player to be awarded World Handball Player of the Year in 2010. Jícha was twice top scorer of the CL, top scorer and MVP at the 2010 EHF
EURO and is captain of the THW squad since
2013. His one-against-one ability and tough shots make him feared by defences, but he is also a strong defender. Jícha was the only active FINAL4 participant in the CL’s 20-year Ultimate Selection and has been named Czech player of the year seven times.
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012, EHF Cup 2006
Domagoj Duvnjak centre back
The Croatian is the top signing of THW this season. The reigning IHF World Handball
Player of the Year arrived from Hamburg, where played since 2009. Not just a typical playmaker, Duvnjak is also a scorer and is an essential part of the middle block in defence.
In 2013 after leading HSV to the winners’ podium of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 he was awarded best Bundesliga player. Duvnjak, who has received multiple international honours, started his career in Zagreb.
EC trophies: CL 2013
OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2010, B 2012
Aron Palmarsson centre back
Despite his young age of 23, this versatile and tactically as well as technically skilled playmaker has actually been with Kiel for five years now – but will say good-bye after this season, joining Veszprem. In competition with so many world-class backcourt players, match practice was scarce in his first years.
However, after the departure of Momir Ilic and Daniel Narcisse, the 2012 Olympics All-Star has become more of an influential figure on court.
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012
EURO: B 2010
Rene Toft Hansen line player
The Danish international is even better in defence than on the line in attack, but after
Marcus Ahlm’s departure last year, the learning period in attack is over for him. The
EHF EURO 2012 All-Star Team member is a regular in the competition, where he has been playing every year since 2007, with former clubs KIF Kolding and AG København.
His brother Henrik is playing for Hamburg, his brother Allan for Mors-
Thy and his sister Majbritt for Skive – and all four are line players.
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Marko Vujin right back
Two years ago the Serbian shooter arrived to fill the gap after the departure of Kim
Andersson to KIF Kolding. The two-metre tall right back from Bačka Palanka became the top scorer of the 2013/14 Bundesliga (248 goals). He has won seven consecutive national championships with Veszprém and Kiel. In the national team he is one of the stalwarts who were key to silver at the EHF EURO 2012. He started his international career in Dunaferr (Hungary), then played five years in Veszprem.
Christian Sprenger right wing
31-year-old worked under coach Alfred
Gislason at former club SC Magdeburg and after seven years, including one EHF Cup title in 2007, the former German international transferred to Kiel in 2009. Since then, he has won twelve titles with THW. His international achievements include selection on the EURO
2012 All-Star team. After this event Sprenger quit from playing for Germany. He started his sportive career in judo, before joining the Magdeburg handball team.
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008
EURO: S 2012
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012, EHF Cup 2007
24

GROUP A
Metalurg Skopje’s players certainly know how to make history. In the 2012/13 season they were the first Macedonian team to qualify for the quarter-finals of the VELUX EHF Champions
League. One year later they were part of the first duels between two teams from one city in the competition, facing Vardar in the group phase, and then again made it to the quarter-finals, finally beaten by eventual finalists THW Kiel.
In the new season the team of Lino Cervar will travel to Kiel again, as part of a tough group in the first stage of the competition including Paris Saint-Germain, HC Zagreb, La Rioja and another team they know from SEHA Liga, Meshkov Brest. In the domestic championship,
Metalurg left Vardar behind to win the title for the sixth time – despite missing their team captain Naumche Mojsovski due to injury.
With Naumche Mojsovski back on track, his brother Zlatko left Metalurg to sign for Pelister
Bitola - one of five players transferring from the Macedonian champions. Meanwhile, the same number of newcomers arrived in Skopje, three Serbians, one Montenegrin and one
Macedonian. These newcomers appear to have fit in quite well, as Metalurg beat Vardar 25:19 in the highlight of their preparation in Struga.
Taking into consideration the tough group and the changes within the team, the objective in Europe is simply to qualify for the knock-out stages. On home court and in the SEHA Liga,
Metalurg expects a fierce battle with their local rivals Vardar for top spot.
“As always, HC Metalurg strives to present itself in the best possible light in the Champions
League and will do everything possible this season to play an important part. Our group is strong starting with PSG and THW Kiel, however, Metalurg will make an attempt to attack second place in the group,” says coach Lino Cervar, who also acts as the manager of the club.
Team captain Mojsovski maintains a mixture of realistic expectations and dreams. “The basic goal this season will be to secure a place in the Last 16 and then to take it step by step, but we will again attempt to fight for the VELUX EHF FINAL4,” he says.
Playing hall
Boris Trajkovski bul. 8 Septemvri bb
Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Capacity: 7,000
Club Address:
HC Metalurg ul. Jane Lukroski 6
1000 Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Media contact:
Zoran Cvetanovski
+389 78223505 zoran.cvetanovski@gmail.com
Online information:
Website: http://www.rkmetalurg.mk/
Facebook: rkmetalurgofficial
Twitter: @RKMetalurg
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/orange/white
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: blue
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Macedonian champions
Newcomers:
Vladan Lipovina (BM Ciudad Encantada)
Mijajlo Marsenic (Partizan Belgrade)
Darko Djukic (Zeleznicar Nis)
Miroslav Kocic (Vojvodina)
Milorad Kukoski (Zomimak)
Left the club:
Rade Mijatovic (Csurgoi KK)
Dejan Pecakovski (Pelister Bitola)
Nikola Kedzo (HCM Constanta)
Igor Mandic (destination unknown)
Zlatko Mojsoski (Pelister Bitola)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 7
Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14
Last 16 (1): 2011/12
Group Matches (2): 2006/07, 2008/09
Qualification (1): 2010/11
Other
9 participations in other EC
Macedonian league: 6 titles (2006,
2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)
Macedonian cup: 5 titles
25

Biggest win :
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
32:18 (18:14) v Bjerringbro-Silkeborg DEN (h), 24.02.2013
43:24 (23:12) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 19.10.2006
4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012)
4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 4 matches (30.09.2012 – 20.10.2012)
4 matches (16.02.2013 – 23.03.2013)
Longest losing run:
4 matches (16.02.2014 – 30.03.2014)
8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008)
Longest run without win: 8 matches (28.09.2006 – 12.10.2008)
Most goals: 37 v Drammen HK NOR 37:30W (h), 18.10.2008
Most goals opponent: 43 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 43:24L (a), 19.10.2006
Most goals both teams: 67 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 43:24L (a), 19.10.2006
Fewest goals:
67 v Drammen HK NOR 37:30W (h), 18.10.2008
15 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 26:15L (a), 28.04.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 14 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 14:32W (a), 16.02.2013
Fewest goals both teams: 37 v Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 19:18W (h), 18.03.2012
VELUX EHF Champions League record
2006/07 RK Metalurg Skopje MKD
2008/09 HC Metalurg MKD
2011/12 HC Metalurg MKD
2012/13 HC Metalurg MKD
2013/14 HC Metalurg MKD
Total
MP W T
6
6
12
14
14
52
6
9
0
2
7
24
2
0
0
0
2
4
L GF GA GD
4
5
6
4
5
24
148:206
157:172
294:275
361:313
356:373
1316:1339
–58
-15
+19
+48
-17
-23
PTS
0
4
14
18
16
52
Stage
4th Gr. D
3rd Gr. C
Last 16
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
26

No. First Name
3
15
44
1
28
30
7
13
16
18
24
10
17
14
33
5
6
26
11
81
8
25
23
19
45
21
4
45
9
29
Martin
Nikola
Velko
Mijajlo
Filip
Nikola
Naumce
Marko
Goce
Davor
Zharko
Darko
Filip
Martin
Renato
Pavel
Vuko
Luka
Vancho
Darko
Goce
Ace
Miroslav
Nikola
Goran
Milorad
Vladan
Bojan
Borjan
Dejan
Team roster
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Manaskov
Markoski
Markovski
Marsenic
Mirkulovski
Mitrevski
Mojsovski
Nelovski
Ojleski
Palevski
Peshevski
Stanic
Taleski
Velkovski
Vugrinec
Atman
Borozan
Cindric
Dimovski
Djukic
Georgievski
Jonovski
Kocic
Kosteski
Krstevski
Kukoski
Lipovina
Madjovski
Madjovski
Manaskov
RUS Centre Back 25.5.1987
MNE Left Back 9.4.1994
CRO Centre Back 5.7.1993
MKD Line Player
SRB Right Wing
MKD Right Wing
MKD Left Back
4.4.1979
11.12.1994
12.2.1987
29.12.1980
SRB Goalkeeper 3.7.1981
MKD Right Wing 22.8.1992
MKD Centre Back 29.3.1996
MKD Left Back 7.12.1987
MNE Right Back
MKD Left Wing
7.3.1993
8.5.1994
MKD Centre Back 8.5.1994
MKD Left Wing 26.8.1992
MKD Left Back
MKD Line Player
MKD Left Back
SRB Line Player
7.6.1994
22.5.1990
5.4.1986
9.3.1993
MKD Centre Back 14.9.1983
MKD Goalkeeper 3.10.1985
MKD Centre Back 17.6.1980
MKD Left Back 6.6.1996
MKD Left Wing
MKD Left Wing
10.10.1989
26.2.1997
MKD Line Player 11.4.1991
SRB Goalkeeper 8.10.1978
MKD Left Back
MKD Right Back
MKD Right Back
28.3.1996
10.3.1997
9.6.1975
180
178
197
191
200
186
196
189
195
194
202
189
188
187
200
200
183
196
195
198
185
198
181
190
203
185
187
195
185
200
75
65
110
102
80
77
101
91
84
92
92
83
110
100
107
94
76
88
78
91
74
79
100
94
105
90
110
85
83
104
27

Lino Červar coach
He was the most successful coach of the
Croatian men’s national team, becoming
Olympic gold medallist in 2004 and world champion in 2003. Furthermore he collected several more medals like two WCh silver medals in 2005 and 2009 and EHF EURO silver 2008 and 2010. Parallel to his work for the Croatian federation, he was coach of RK
Zagreb for a long time. In 2009 he started coaching Metalurg – a job he focuses on completely since resigning from the helm of Croatia. He steered them to quarter-finals twice in a row.
OG: G 2004, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009
Darko Stanić goalkeeper
Courtesy of his excellent skills Serbian goalkeeper Darko Stanić, who joined
Metalurg in 2011, is referred to as ‘Minister of Defence’. Immediately he won the hearts of the fans and coach Lino Červar. At the end of the 2012/13 season Stanić was voted into of the EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia, where he won the silver medal with the hosts Serbia. While still playing for Koper he won the Challenge
Cup in 2011.
the VELUX EHF Champions League All-star team, the same award he received at the end
EURO: S 2012
Dejan Manaskov left wing
He is referred as one of the biggest
Macedonian talents and has been a part of the squad since 2008. The son of Macedonian handball legend Pepi Manaskov is also one of the key players of the national team. The fifth place at the EC 2012 in Serbia is his highest achievement. The 2013/14 season was a breakthrough year for the left win in European competition, scoring 33 goals on his team’s impressive run to the quarter-finals.
Pavel Atman left back
It did not take long for the Russian leftback to become the favourite player of the
Macedonian audience. After one season spent in Skopje, Atman appears to be one of the best players in the Metalurg squad and he showed great performance leading his team to the title in the domestic championship and quarter-finals in the EHF Champions League.
Before Metalurg the famous “Pasha” played for Kaustik Volgograd and Belarusian team Dinamo Minsk.
Naumce Mojsovski centre back
Two seasons ago the 34-year-old centre back of the Macedonian national team as a topscorer with 77 goals led his team to its first quarter-finals appearance in the
Champions League. Last December an injury drove him away from the court and he missed the biggest part of the season. Since he joined Metalurg in 2009 he has won four national championships. He reached the Challenge Cup final with
Pelister Bitola in 2002, but lost against Danish side Skjern. He was named 2012 Macedonian Athlete of the Year.
Mijajlo Marsenic line player
Marsenic’s standout performances in the SEHA league earned the Serbian line player a three-year contract with Metalurg this summer. Before his transfer to the
Macedonian club, he played for Partizan, with whom he won two Serbian league titles.
Marsenic is the first choice line player in the
Serbian junior team and 203 cm tall player made his debut for the senior national team during an unsuccessful qualification campaign for the 2015 World Championship in Qatar.
Renato Vugrinec right back
Renato Vugrinec is the only Metalurg player who has won a European Cup title to date as he was a Celje player when they won the CL in 2004. During the ten seasons he played for the Slovenian side (interrupted by stints at SC
Magdeburg and San Antonio) he won eight national championships and five times the national cup, scoring 1,465 goals on the go. At the age of 38 he debuted for the Macedonian national team and he was among the top scorers of the last season.
EC trophies: CL 2004
EURO: S 2004
Goce Georgievski right wing
Together with Dejan Manaskov, Goce
Georgievski is part of a new generation of young players who come from the Metalurg handball school. The 27-year-old played a successful 2013/14 VELUX EHF Champions
League season, scoring 31 goals overall. He only started playing handball at the age of 16, but quickly improved his skills and has been part of Metalurg’s senior team from 2006 onwards. He was part of the
Macedonian national team that finished 14th at the 2013 WCh in Spain.
28

GROUP A
Playing hall
Arena Zagreb
Laniste b.b.,
10000 Zagreb
Croatia
Capacity: 15,200
Club Address:
HC PPD Zagreb
Veprinecka 16
10000 Zagreb
Croatia
Media contact:
Goran Roknić
+385 95 9999 334 glasnogovornik@rk-zagreb.hr
Online information:
Website: www.rk-zagreb.hr
Facebook: RK-Zagreb
Twitter: @RKZagreb
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: blue
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: red
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
One of the competition’s stalwarts, Croatian all-time record champions (24 titles in 24 years)
HC PPD Zagreb, have reached the finals on four occasions, but the last time the team made an impact internationally, besides winning the SEHA Liga in 2013, was the participation in the
VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-finals in 2012.
Times have changed in Zagreb, and since last season the club has gone firmly back to its roots.
HC PPD Zagreb is the base for hopeful Croatian talents, though the threat of them disappearing elsewhere remains. Last season, the young squad narrowly missed out on qualification for the
Last 16 from a tough group and this year will not be much easier with opponents such as Kiel,
PSG, Metalurg, La Rioja and Meshkov Brest all hunting for a top four finish in Group A.
After twice missing the Last 16, manager Božidar Jović hopes to turn the tide despite the strong opponents: “Our main objective is to qualify for the Last 16. In the last two seasons we failed to do so and because of that it is even more important for us to break this negative streak.
Our group is very strong but also very attractive. I believe that there is no easy opponent in the VELUX EHF Champions League, and if that is the case than I would rather play in the group which is attractive,” Jovic says. He has already calculated what needs to happen to proceed:
“THW Kiel and PSG are above the rest of the group but I think we have a solid chance to outplay Metalurg, La Rioja and Meshkov Brest in our arena. Along with those six points we need one away win to qualify for the Last 16. Last season we won eight points but it wasn’t enough. This year I believe that with eight points we can qualify.”
Experienced team captain Zlatko Horvat is proud of the way his club is working now – and is also confident: “We have a very young team which is built with domestic players only. Our strength is the fact that we have played together for three years now and I honestly believe that it is time that we qualify for the Last 16.”
Part of the preparation was the participation at several top tournaments all over Europe.
Zagreb finished 2nd in the Casino Merkur Spielothek Cup in Germany, 5th in the Sparkassen
Cup in Germany and 4th in the Vendee Hand Trophee tournament in Nantes.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: Croatian
Champion
Newcomers: coach Veselin Vujovic
Domagoj Pavlović (RK Dubrava)
Mateo Lukačec (RK Ivanić Grad)
Luka Raković (RK Vardar)
Left the club: coach Boris Dvorsek
Jerko Matulić (Chamberry Savoie)
Marino Marić (Melsungen)
Marko Matić (destination unknown)
Hrvoje Batinović (RK Zadar)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 21
Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98,
1998/99
Semi-final (1): 1999/00
Quarter-final (6): 1995/96, 2000/01,
2002/03, 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12
Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11
Main Round (1): 2007/08
Group Phase (5): 1993/94, 2004/05,
2006/07, 2012/13, 2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05
Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-final 2006/07
SEHA League: 1 title (2013)
Croatian league: 24 titles (1991, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Croatian cup: 22 titles
29

VELUX EHF Champions League record
1993/94 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO
1994/95 Badel Zagreb CRO
1995/96 Croatia Banka Zagreb CRO
1996/97 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO
1997/98 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO
1998/99 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO
1999/00 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO
2000/01 Badel 1862 Zagreb CRO
2002/03 RK Zagreb CRO
2003/04 RK Zagreb CRO
2004/05 RK Zagreb CRO
2005/06 RK Zagreb CRO
2006/07 RK Zagreb CRO
2007/08 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO
2008/09 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO
2009/10 HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO
2010/11 HC Croatia Osiguranje ZAGREB CRO
2011/12 Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO
2012/13 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO
2013/14 HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO
Total
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
Biggest win
Biggest defeat:
34:15 (16:08) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 04.12.2010
17:29 (09:12) v FC Barcelona ESP (h), 24.02.2001
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)
6 matches (30.10.1999 – 05.12.1999)
Longest losing run:
6 matches (04.10.2008 – 22.11.2008)
7 matches (11.10.2012 – 16.02.2013)
Longest run without win: 8 matches (04.10.2012 – 16.02.2013)
Most goals: 38 v Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 38:30W (h), 23.02.2013
Most goals opponent: 36 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 36:29L (a), 16.03.2008
36 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 36:33L (a), 03.04.2010
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
T
3
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
0
3
1
22
1
1
0
1
1
3
2
1
MP W
6
12
12
12
6
8
8
10
12
12
10
8
6
8
6
12
12
14
10
10
6
9
2
4
194 96
7
4
7
8
2
6
0
5
7
6
3
5
3
5
3
4
L
2
6
3
6
3
2
3
6
7
6
3
4
76
2
3
5
3
3
3
4
2
GD
+5
-5
+44
+16
-7
+15
-5
+18
+39
+32
–18
-15
+182
+13
+19
+30
+3
–12
0
-6
+16
GF GA
209:216
273:258
165:170
212:194
153:148
339:344
357:313
351:335
135:147
203:203
138:144
310:294
300:287
288:269
260:230
195:192
358:319
391:359
266:284
267:282
5170:4988
PTS
6
11
17
12
8
8
6
11
15
19
5
8
214
14
17
15
9
2
11
5
15
Stage
4th Gr. A
Runner-up
3rd Gr. B
Runner-up
Runner-up
Runner-up
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
3rd Gr. B
Last 16
3rd Gr. D
3rd MR Gr. 3
1/4-finals
Last 16
Last 16
1/4-finals
5th Gr. D
5th Gr. A
30

No. First Name
12
19
36
22
14
43
11
7
24
45
74
35
41
37
94
11
83
27
48
4
5
13
18
16
33
51
77
Luka
Marko
Lovro
Luka
Ivan
Leon
Robert
Josip
Tonci
Jakov
Mario
Bruno-Vili
Ilija
Teo
Zlatko
Filip
Ivan
Arijan
Antonijo
Mateo
Stipe
Petar
Lovro
Matej
Sandro
Domagoj
Luka
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)
Team roster
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Sebetic
Sehic
Sprem
Stepancic
Stevanovic
Susnja
Tokic
Valcic
Valcic
Vrdoljak
Vuglac
Zobec
Brozovic
Coric
Horvat
Ivic
Ivkovic
Jovic
Kovacevic
Lukacec
Mandalinic
Medic
Mihic
Mudrinjak
Obranovic
Pavlovic
Rakovic
CRO Line Player
CRO Line Player
CRO Right Wing
26.5.1991
25.3.1992
25.9.1984
CRO Goalkeeper 30.8.1992
CRO Right Back 19.3.1996
CRO Goalkeeper 18.6.1996
CRO Left Wing 21.5.1987
CRO Centre Back 24.1.1995
CRO Left Back 9.9.1992
CRO Left Back
CRO Left Wing
12.6.1996
25.8.1994
CRO Goalkeeper 18.1.1994
CRO Centre Back 18.10.1992
CRO Left Back
CRO Right Wing
21.3.1993
6.6.1988
CRO Right Back
CRO Line Player
CRO Left Wing
CRO Right Back
26.5.1994
21.8.1996
26.1.1990
20.11.1990
CRO Goalkeeper 18.5.1982
CRO Line Player 5.8.1993
CRO Left Back 9.3.1996
CRO Centre Back 21.4.1984
CRO Left Back
CRO Left Back
CRO Right Back
CRO Left Back
9.6.1978
1.11.1996
30.1.1992
29.1.1996
197
188
185
201
193
204
190
190
194
185
195
188
194
179
195
197
179
195
206
190
78
90
83
86
93
84
85
97
101
113
85
96
100
90
90
110
120
80
96
103
31

Veselin Vujović coach
Right before the beginning of the new CL campaign, PPD Zagreb have decided to hire a new coach – one of the best players ever,
Veselin Vujović. He has, as a head-coach worked in Ciudad Real, Yugoslavian national team, Serbia and Montenegro (fourth place the OG in Sydney 2000). With Vardar he has won the regional SEHA League title in its first season. During his extraordinary career he was known as an outstanding specialist but also as an impulsive coach.
EC: Champions Cup 1985, 1986, 1991 (as player)
OG: G 1984, WCh: G 1986 (as player)
Lovro Šprem left wing
He has a well-known surname in Croatian handball. His older brother Goran has won many medals with Croatia including the gold from the World Championship in 2003. Lovro is Goran’s copy in speed, aggresiveness and rhythm. He won the bronze medal with the national team at the World Championship in
Spain in 2013. In 2009 he became the junior world champion in Tunisia. He is very skillful at counter attacks and playing at the front of a 5-1 defence.
WCh: B 2013
Stipe Mandalinić left back
Young left back was one of the surprises in the last season but a knee injury has unfortunately slowed down his development.
Now he is back, probably better prepared than ever. He was impressive at all junior selections, especially due to his extraordinary jump shot and super strong shot. Last season he played all matches, scored 43 goals in total with his best performance against RN Löwen in Mannheim where he was unstoppable with nine goals.
WCh: B 2013
Filip Ivić goalkeeper
He is a home-grown goalkeeper from
Zagreb’s handball school. As the captain of
Croatian junior national team he already won
European gold and was fourth in the world.
Last season he was given a chance in Zagreb’s first team and he used the opportunity to regional SEHA league. In his first senior season he also made it to the national team and backing Mirko Alilović he won bronze at the WCh in
Spain with Croatia.
open gates of senior handball in great style through some great saves in the CL and
WCh: B 2013
Josip Valčić centre back
This valuable and experienced central back would probably be called Croatian “golden reserve”. He has been Zagreb’s engine in the game for many years, but speaking of the national team he has remained in the shadows of Domagoj Duvnjak and Ivano Balić. the EHF EURO in 2008 and second time at the WCh on the home court in 2009. He has played in Gummersbach and this will be his ninth CL season with Zagreb.
Although, each time he got the chance in the team, he gained a silver medal – first time at
EURO: S 2008, WCh: S 2009
Luka Stepančić right back
One of the most exciting of Zagreb’s players is one of the most wanted on the European player’s market. He’s a more than two meters tall leftie with a great jump shot and ability to play in defence, embodying everything that modern handball requires. Last season was his fourth in the CL. He is also member of Croatian national team and already has a bronze medal from the WCh 2013 in Spain. At the WC in Tunisia in
2009, he won the gold medal with the junior team.
WCh: B 2013 tactics and trainings. He scored nine goals in six CL matches last season and this season is expected to be his big step forward.
Teo Ćorić line player
He is a big talent on the line and a member of
Croatian junior golden generation. Incredibly strong, tall, extraordinary scorer but also an interesting solution in Croatian champions’ defence. He came to Zagreb two years ago from Poreč which meant he will need some extra time to adopt to a new kind of handball
Zlatko Horvat right wing
Zagreb’s captain is currently enjoying his best handball years. The speedy right wing is a counter-attack specialist, but he is an important part of defence at the same time.
Horvat had his debut in the national team in
2006 and since then he has won four medals
– one bronze at each WCh, EHF EURO, and
Olympics and silver at the WCh in 2009. He has played in Zagreb from the beginning of his career and this will be his 13th campaign in the CL. In the 2010/11 season he was the third best scorer with 94 goals.
OG: B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
32

GROUP A
Playing hall
Palacio de los Deportes de la Rioja
Avenida Moncalvillo 2
Logrono
Spain
Capacity: 3,500
Club Address:
Naturhouse La Rioja
Avenida de Moncalvillo 2
26008 Logrono
Spain
Media contact:
Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez
+34 63 77 66 107 naturhouselarioja.ehf@gmail.com
Online information:
Website: www.cbclogrono.com
Facebook:
Club-Balonmano-Naturhouse-La-Rioja
Twitter: @NaturhouseRioja
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: green
Player short: green
Goalkeeper shirt: grey
It’s not a matter of age when it comes to being successful – if you are fit and experienced enough, you still can compete with the best of the best. So those at Naturhouse La Rioja say as they prepare for their second season in the VELUX EHF Champions League.
The Spanish runners-up, who left Valladolid behind in the Asobal league, signed two of the most experienced Spanish wing players over the summer - Juanin Garcia, the all-time top scorer of the Asobal league, and Albert Rocas. Both had their magic years at FC Barcelona, and as Garcia arrived straight from the Catalans, Rocas intermediately had been playing for KIF
Kolding in Denmark. In Logrono they are re-united again.
Mainly thanks to both top wings Naturhouse hope to go one step further compared to their debut season, when they highly closely missed the qualification for the Last 16. In additional to Rocas and Garcia, the Spaniards have signed Swedish talent Philip Stenmalm, who had been awarded Most Valuable Player at the 2013 Junior World Championship when he took gold with the “Tre Kronor” team.
Coach Jesús Javier González Fernández’s squad underwent plenty of changes over the summer, as eight newcomers came in to replace ten departures, which included a quintet of retired players. The goals are clear for Naturhouse this season: make it to the knock-out stage of the
VELUX EHF Champions League and qualify for Europe again with a strong showing in Spain.
Progressing from the group phase will not be easy, as they face three teams with sights firmly set on the VELUX EHF FINAL4, Kiel, PSG and Metalurg, as well as Zagreb and qualifiers Meshkov
Brest. Manager Jaime Luis González Gutiérrez hopes to continue for as long as possible in the
“greatest adventure in the young history of our club. Our target is to have a good atmosphere in our arena and to win our home matches.”
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Spanish runnersup
Newcomers:
Jorge Gómez Lite (BM Aragón)
Juan Antonio García Lorenzana (FC Barcelona)
Philip Stenmalm (Drott Halmstad)
Víctor Vigo Gerpe (BM Guadalajara)
Pablo Cacheda González (CR BM Valladolid)
Albert Rocas Comas (KIF Kolding)
Javier García Rubio (HBC Nantes)
Diego Martín Santamaría (Rioja youth team)
Left the club:
Jorge Martínez Martínez (retired)
Unai Arrieta Aizpurua (retired)
Arthur Malburg Patrianova (Villa de Aranda)
José Manuel Rial Ricoy (Juanfersa Gr. Fergar)
Alexander Tioumentsev (Orlen Wisla Plock)
Aidenas Malasinskas (Puerto Sagunto)
Josep Masachs Gelma (Stiinta Bacau)
Jon Ramiro Pérez (retired)
Pablo Hernández Suárez (retired)
Miguel Ángel Velasco Encinas (retired)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 2
Group phase (1): 2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: semi-final 2009/10, 2010/11,
Group Phase 2012/13
Spanish league: - (runners-up 2014)
Spanish cup: - (runners-up 2013)
33

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2013/14 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
38:34 (21:21) v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE (h), 20.02.2014
37:25 (19:11) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 12.02.2014
1 match (16.11.2013)
1 match (05.02.2014)
1 match (20.02.2014)
Longest unbeaten run: 3 matches (13.10.2013 – 16.11.2013)
Longest losing run: 2 matches (21.09.2013 – 29.09.2013)
2 matches (23.11.2013 – 27.11.2013)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (21.09.2013 – 19.10.2013)
Most goals: 38 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 38:34W (h), 20.02.2014
Most goals opponent: 37 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 37:25L (a), 12.02.2014
Most goals both teams: 72 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 38:34W (h), 20.02.2014
Fewest goals: 24 v HSV Hamburg GER 24:33L (h), 21.09.2013
24 v Aalborg Handbal DEN 28:24L (a), 29.09.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 23 v Aalborg Handbal DEN 25:23W (h), 05.02.2014
Fewest goals both teams: 48 v Aalborg Handbal DEN 25:23W (h), 05.02.2014
MP W T
10
10
3
3
2
2
L
5
5
GF GA
292:320
292:320
GD
-28
-28
PTS
8
8
Stage
5th Gr. D
34

26
26
18
59
1
4
11
24
12
23
89
32
17
6
15
2
3
14
No. First Name
Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height
Gurutz
Pablo
Patrick Lykke
Aguinalde Aquizu
Cacheda Gonzalez
Eilert
Angel
Ruben
Fernandez Perez
Garabaya Arenas
Juan Antonio Garcia Lorenzana
Francisco Javier Garcia Rubio
ESP Goalkeeper 26.10.1977
ESP Centre Back 9.1.1992
DEN Right Back 10.4.1989
ESP Left Wing
ESP Line Player
ESP Left Wing
ESP Line Player
16.9.1988
15.9.1978
28.8.1977
7.1.1990
Jorge Gomez Lite ESP Goalkeeper 6.6.1989
Thiagus Petrus Goncalves Dos Santos BRA Left Back 25.1.1989
Luis Felipe
Diego
Jimenez Reina
Martin Santamaria
ESP
ESP
Right Back
Left Wing
12.6.1989
25.7.1993
Albert
Pedro
Javier
Angel
Rocas Comas
Rodriguez Alvarez
Romeo Lopez
Romero Rodriguez
ESP
ESP
ESP
ESP
Right Wing
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Line Player
16.6.1982
22.8.1990
1.6.1990
5.6.1984
Miguel
Philip
Victor
Sanchez Migallon
Stenmalm
Vigo Gerpe
ESP Centre Back 8.2.1995
SWE Left Back 3.3.1992
ESP Centre Back 9.5.1984
187
199
193
190
188
193
192
202
201
180
205
192
201
176
195
200
200
186
90
98
90
84
75
93
121
80
100
94
90
108
82
97
90
108
75
120
35

Jesús Javier González Fernández coach
For the first time in his coaching career he led a CL participant last season. He became the “best coach of the Spanish league” in the 2012/13 season for the second time in his life after the most successful season of
Rioja in history. In 2007 former player took over the team of Logroño after being coach in Valladolid. And right when he arrived, the club made their first steps on the European stage.
Gurutz Aguinagalde Aquizu goalkeeper
The 37-year-old is one of the most experienced players at La Rioja and he has been with them for each of their European campaigns. He played an important part in the Rioja’s run in the EHF Cup where they reached the Group Phase and only narrowly missed the quarter-finals. He is the brother of Spanish national team line player Julen
Aguinagalde. To date he has won the Spanish King’s Cup in 1996, the
Spanish Super Cup in 1996 and the Cup Winners’ Cup winner in 1997.
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 1997
Juanin Garcia left wing
The all-time record scorer of the Spanish
ASOBAL league is still one of the most talented wing players in Europe. He joined
Barcelona at the start of the 2005/06 season and was part of the Spanish powerhouse squad that won the EHF Champions
League in 2011. He also won gold with the
Spanish national team at the 2005 World
Championship. His speed on the counterattack, his athletic game and his ability to shoot in so many different ways are both fundamental aspects of Juanin Garcia’s style.
EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 1999, 2005
OG: B 2008, WCh: G 2005, B 2011, EURO: S 2006 team.
Víctor Vigo Gerpe centre back
Although Víctor Vigo, born in 1984, will play for the first time in Champions League this season, he’s already had 3 previous experiences at EHF Cup level, defending the
Naturhouse (1) and Bm. Aragón (2) shirts.
Víctor started playing handball at the age of
12, because “many friends did so too”. His abilities on the court were soon noticed by the Spanish scouts, who started calling him for the U18 and Junior
Luis Felipe Jiménez Reina right back
This will be the second consecutive participation of this young Andalusian player with Naturhouse in the EHF CL. And he seems to understand this competition very well as this 25-year-old player already scored 40 goals last season. He started playing handball de Dios Román met him by chance at a local training, Luisfe (as he prefers to be called by his friends) was immediately brought to the
U18 Spanish squad.
at the early age of six in his hometown club
(Puente Genil) and the minute coach Juan
Philip Stenmalm left back
He was part of the Swedish U21 national team who were triumphant at the WCh in 2013.
Not only was the two metre tall and 96 kg heavy backcourt player an important figure by the blue and yellow side. He was even considered so important to his team that he was awarded MVP of the tournament after the final. The talented left back with the hard and versatile shot was the second best scorer of DROTT Halmstad last season before he decided to carry on in the CL with Rioja.
Rubén Garabaya Arenas line player
Naturhouse will enjoy this very experienced pivot (7th EHF CL participation) for the 4th consecutive year. With 168 matches played for the Spanish national team the 36-yearold defender is keen to help his club to get through a very tough qualification group. One of his fondest memories goes to EHF CL 06/07 with the goal he scored in the last seconds with Bm. Valladolid against Montpellier to clinch the first position in their group, which helped them reach semifinals that year.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 1999
Albert Rocas right wing
Double world champion with the Spanish national team (2005 and 2013), Rocas is only missing an EHF EURO crown in his collection.
He was nominated as the best ASOBAL right wing in 2004, 2007 and 2008, and best right wing of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
After six seasons at Barcelona, Rocas made the move to Denmark last season, his first to a foreign league. After one year with Kolding he is back in Spain.
EC trophies: CL 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup 2004
OG: B 2008, WCh: G 2005, 2013, B 2011, EURO: S 2006, B 2014
36

Playing hall
Halle Georges Carpentier
81 boulevard Massena
75013 Paris
France
Capacity: 4,800
Club Address:
PSG Handball
82 avenue Georges Lafont
75016 Paris
France
Media contact:
Louise Cosnard
+33 (0)675 591 939 lcosnard@psg.fr
Online information:
Website: www.psghand.fr
Facebook: PSGHand
Twitter: @psghand
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: grey
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: grey
GROUP A
The star-studded Paris team made a massive impact in last season’s VELUX EHF Champions
League, the club’s first appearance since 2005/06, before bowing out in the quarter-finals against
Veszprem. Two former World Handball Players of the Year, Mikkel Hansen and Daniel Narcisse, were part of the PSG team already in the previous season and now a third one has arrived from
Montpellier: goalkeeper and four-time EHF Champions League winner Thierry Omeyer.
The two-time Olympic and three-time world and EHF EURO champion replaces Jose Miguel
Sierra, who, like Antonio Garcia, left for EHF Cup winner Pick Szeged. Additionally two more
French national team players, Xavier Barachet and William Accambray, have arrived to strengthen the back court. With these arrivals, the team of coach Philippe Gardent is ready to go all the way in every competition and atone for raising only the one trophy, the French Cup, last season.
PSG sensationally missed out on the French league title last season, finishing second behind
Dunkerque. However, after an intense preparation, including one week in the Qatari capital
Doha, PSG are aiming high again in the league and with the goal to make it to Cologne in May
2015. The road to Cologne is already looking like a long and troublesome one in the group phase, as PSG were drawn together with THW Kiel (former club of Narcisse and Omeyer), Metalurg,
Zagreb, La Rioja and Meshkov Brest.
“Once again we will face very prestigious opponents in the VELUX EHF Champions League. THW
Kiel appears to be the declared favourite of our group, so we know that we have ten hard battles ahead. Our team will try to improve and go as far as possible in the competition. We do have a lot of potential but, as a newcomer, we also appreciate the difficulty to reach the top of this amazing competition,” admits manager Bruno Martini.
Team captain Daniel Narcisse says: “The VELUX EHF FINAL4 remains our dream destination after being stopped right in front of the door last year. The road to Cologne is very difficult because we have additionally high goals in the French championship. Managing all of those games makes it hard, but obviously we want to go as far as possible.
“The quarter-finals might already be something like a Champions League final, as it had occurred to us last season when we faced Veszprem. This is why the road to the FINAL4 is obviously very difficult. Despite this, we still hope to do better than last year.”
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: French runnersup
Newcomers:
William Accambray (Montpellier)
Thierry Omeyer (Montpellier)
Xavier Barachet (St. Raphael)
Left the club:
Antonio Garcia (Szeged)
Jose Manuel Sierra (Szeged)
Ibrahima Diaw (Bucharest)
Asgeir Orn Hallgrimsson (Nimes)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 3
Quarter-final (1): 2013/14
Last 16 (1): 2005/06
Other
EHF Cup: quarter-final 2006/07, Last 16
2003/04
French league: 1 title (2012/13)
French cup: 2 titles
37

Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
38:24 (22:11) v Wacker Thun SUI (h), 23.11.2013
44:28 (22:12) v THW Kiel GER (a), 10.12.2005
Longest winning run: 4 matches (17.11.2013 – 08.02.2014)
Longest unbeaten run: 4 matches (17.11.2013 – 08.02.2014)
Longest losing run: 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (23.11.1996 – 18.01.1997)
Most goals: 38 v Wacker Thun SUI 38:24W (h), 23.11.2013
Most goals opponent: 44 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005
Most goals both teams: 72 v THW Kiel GER 44:28L (a), 10.12.2005
Fewest goals: 20 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 20:26L (h), 11.01.1997
20 v Caja Cantabria Santander ESP 26:20L (a), 18.01.1997
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005
Fewest goals both teams: 39 v HC Banik Karvina CZE 21:18W (h), 09.10.2005
VELUX EHF Champions League record
1996/97 PSG Asnières FRA
2005/06 Paris Handball FRA
2013/14 PSG Handball FRA
Total
MP W T
6
8
14
28
1
4
7
12
1
2
0
1
L
5
3
6
14
GF GA
131:161
212:229
429:402
772:792
GD
–30
-17
+27
–20
PTS
2
9
15
26
Stage
4th Gr. D
Last 16
1/4-finals
38

No. First Name
16
3
33
92
21
9
5
4
13
25
39
35
11
90
18
24
34
94
95
32
17
15
14
91
48
7
19
6
1
20
Jordy
Marko
Benoit
Jeffrey
Steve
Fahrudin
Zacharia
Daniel
Thierry
Axel
Julio
Boubou
Jonathan
Igor
Kevin
Ulysse
Dylan
Jakov
Robert
Mikkel
Samuel
Bryan
Luc
William
Patrice
Ludwig
Xavier
Mladen
Clement
Gabor
Team roster
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height
Jacoby
Kopljar
Kounkoud
M’tima
Marie Joseph
Melic
N’diaye
Narcisse
Omeyer
Rosier
Rupaire
Toure
Troudart
Vori
Abalo
Accambray
Annonay
Appolinaire
Barachet
Bojinovic
Branco
Csaszar
Durosier
Fodor
Garain
Gojun
Gunnarsson
Hansen
Honrubia
Jabea Njo
FRA Right Wing
FRA Left Back
6.9.1984
8.4.1988
FRA Goalkeeper 17.5.1979
FRA Back 27.5.1994
FRA Right Back
SRB Line Player
FRA Right Wing
HUN Line Player
19.11.1988
17.1.1977
25.8.1996
16.6.1984
FRA Line Player
FRA Right Wing
FRA Left Back
CRO Line Player
14.5.1994
3.4.1995
22.8.1996
18.4.1986
ISL Line Player
DEN Back
22.5.1980
22.10.1987
FRA Left Wing 5.7.1986
FRA Goalkeeper 28.6.1992
FRA Goalkeeper 8.2.1995
CRO Right Back 12.2.1986
FRA Right Wing
FRA Left Wing
19.2.1997
16.7.1991
FRA Left Wing
MNE Right Wing
FRA Back
FRA Back
3.1.1994
22.7.1984
2.6.1984
16.12.1979
FRA Goalkeeper 2.11.1976
FRA Centre Back 20.2.1994
FRA Line Player
FRA Left Wing
1.3.1995
29.1.1994
FRA Line Player
CRO Line Player
15.1.1996
20.9.1980
192
192
195
186
194
203
191
210
188
188
185
183
194
189
187
180
192
204
191
192
180
193
182
194
192
190
195
202
190
188
93
90
102
76
82
114
90
90
90
93
91
108
78
80
100
93
75
103
90
80
86
110
95
101
85
98
80
104
96
97
39

Philippe Gardent coach
After coaching Chambéry for 16 years (head coach and before assistant coach) he joined
PSG in 2012 with a mission to build-up a team capable of reaching the top of Europe. And right in his first season, the former pivot of the French national team took the French title with PSG. He played for several clubs in Paris winning two champion and two cup titles. He had 298 caps in 13 years with France and became world champion in
1995. As Chambéry coach he won the league in 2001 and cup in 2002.
OG: B 1992, WCh: G 1995, B 1993 (all as player)
Thierry Omeyer goalkeeper
Recently crowned best goalkeeper of history by the IHF, he is throwing himself in a last adventure to win again the CL. At 38, he played in one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, Kiel, and has achieved more than any other goalkeeper. In his seven seasons in
Germany, he gained a lot of experience and became the goalkeeper feared by every player on the planet. He then returned to Montpellier last season, reached the EHF Cup Final and decided to move on to PSG this summer.
EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012
OG: G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, 2011, B 2003, B 2005
Samuel Honrubia left wing
After having played in Montpellier for more than a decade, he joined PSG at the start of the 2012/13 season. Once he had arrived at the French capital he immediately showed what he is capable of and why is he is regarded as one of the best left wings in
Europe. He is very efficient when it comes to scoring from fast breaks and he also has the capacity to make a difference, due to his fast-pace changing of directions, when it comes to one-on-one situations on limited space.
OG: G 2012, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2011
Mikkel Hansen left back
He was awarded World Handball Player in
2011, the year he reached the VELUX EHF
FINAL4 with AG Kobenhavn. He is the son of former Danish international Flemming
Hansen. Having grown into a top class player at Danish side GOG, he played for Barcelona for two seasons before joining AG in 2011.
He then joined PSG at the start of the
2012/13 season. No doubt his astonishing arm and shooting skills will be a great weapon in PSG’s arsenal this season.
EURO: G 2012, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013
Daniele Narcisse centre back
He might well go down in history as one of the most decorated French players. Being voted 2012 World Handball Player of the Year, this award seemed to crown what looks like an amazing career full of titles. But now, in order to make the circle complete, the french centre back would like to bring PSG on top of Europe. Nicknamed “Air France” because it looks like he’s flying when he’s jumping, Narcisse has now reunited with former Kiel teammate Thierry Omeyer to fulfill his goal.
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012
OG: G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, 2009, B 2003, 2005
Igor Vori line player
At 203 cm, the tall Croatian is a pillar in any team’s defence. He may look a little bit sleepy and awkward, but that’s just an impression.
He has won nearly every title the sport has on offer and PSG recruited him to bring some
CL experience to his position. Vori has played handball in five countries so far, including
Spain (Barcelona), Germany (Hamburg) and, more strangely, Italy. He has had some troubles adapting to his new team last season but should be ready to take everything on this season.
EC trophies: CL 2013
OG: G 2004, B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012, WCh: G 2003, S 2005, 2009, B 2013
Xavier Barachet right back
After playing only one season in Spain, Xavier
Barachet returned to France last season to play with Saint Raphaël, before signing for PSG this season. Formed in Chambéry, the left-hander has already an impressive
CL experience despite only being aged 25.
Sadly, he has been injured a lot over the past seasons and due to a shoulder injury, has only focused on defending over the last two seasons. But thanks to surgery, he has now recovered and should be able to bring danger on the other side of the court as well.
OG: G 2012, EURO: G 2010, WCh: G 2009, 2011
Luc Abalo right wing
The spectacular right wing returned to France two seasons ago from Spanish side Atletico
Madrid and immediately showed how much progress he has made. During his four seasons in Spain, he learned to channel his energy and reached the final of the CL in 2011 and 2012. He has become a regular fixture in the national team as well. With his high jumps and all the tricks a winger must have in his bag, he is one of the best at his position.
EC trophies: CL 2009
OG: 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: 2009, 2011
40

GROUP A
Playing hall
Sportshall Victoria
Leningradskaya 4
224028 Brest
Belarus
Capacity: 3,500
Club Address:
HC Meshkov Brest
Leningradskaya 4
224028 Brest
Belarus office@bgk-meshkova.com
Media Contact:
Alexandr Kulbaka
+375 293 50 74 79 office@bgk-meshkova.com
Online information:
Website: www.bgk-meshkova.com
Facebook: bgkmeshkova
Twitter: bgk_meshkova
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: red
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: green/black
Six years Meshkov Brest were left in Dinamo Minsk’s shadows, six years missing out on the
Belarusian league title, six years absent from the Europe’s elite club competition.
However, all that has changed after Dinamo’s demise and Brest gladly struck back to take the title again in 2014. Some Dinamo players such as Dzianis Rutenka (brother of Siarhei) and
Maxim Babichev joined Meshkov – and after a long absence they are now in the VELUX EHF
Champions League Group Phase, where they had been constant participant from 2004 until
2008. In recent times, Brest were unlucky in the EHF Cup, twice coming up against eventual semi-finalists in the final qualification round in 2012 and 2013 and twice failing to beat German sides Frisch Auf Göppingen and Füchse Berlin. Brest have also been competing in the regional
SEHA Liga and even made it to the final tournament in April 2014 in Novi Sad.
For the new season, Meshkov signed experienced players Nikola Manojlovic from Rhein-
Neckar Löwen and Austrian international Janko Bozovic. And hosting the qualification tournament for the group phase, those newcomers (and stars like Serbian line player Rastko
Stojkovic and Slovenian playmaker David Spiler) helped the side through in the final against
Slovak champions Tatran Presov.
In the next stage the powerhouses of THW Kiel, Paris Saint-Germain and Metalurg Skopje will be visiting Brest, but despite those big names the hopes are high at the Belarusian champions to make it to the Last 16, as well as defend their domestic title and again reach the SEHA final event. Sports director Pavel Bashkin is confident: “Our goal is to enter the knock-out stage of the VELUX EHF Champions League. The participants of our group are very strong. They constantly participate in this competition, but the famous names of our opponents are also a guarantee that the hall will be full at our home matches.”
After the long absence, team captain Ljubo Vukic says he is “very glad to play in the strongest league in Europe. Of course, our group is difficult, but we will fight to be among the top four teams in the end, which would grant us with a ticket to the Last 16.”
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Belarusian champions, winner of qualification tournament 1
Newcomers:
Janko Bozovic (Emsdetten)
Nikola Manojlovic (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Simon Razgor (Maribor Branik)
Left the club:
Alexey Ushal (Kronon)
Alexey Haisa (Kronon)
Denis Volyntsev (Gomel)
Milan Dzukic (Borac Banja Luka)
Robert Markotic (Aix-En Provence)
David Milicevic (Samberiju)
Jury Tatarin (Sungul)
Nerius Ataevas (destination unknown)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 6
Group Matches (4): 2004/05, 2005/06,
2006/07, 2007/08
Qualification (1): 2008/09
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final
2011/12
Belarusian league: 6 titles (2004-08,
2014)
Belarusian cup: 7 titles
41

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2004/05 Brestskiy HC Meshkovo BLR
2005/06 Brest HC Meshkov BLR
2006/07 Brest HC Meshkov BLR
2007/08 HC Meshkov Brest BLR
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
28:22 (11:12) v Wisla Plock SSA POL (h), 13.11.2005
30:24 (15:12) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 17.11.2007
36:17 (16:08) v GOG Gudme DEN (a), 09.10.2004
1 match (16.10.2004)
1 match (13.11.2005)
1 match (17.11.2007)
Longest unbeaten run: 1 match (16.10.2004)
1 match (13.11.2005)
Longest losing run:
1 match (17.11.2007)
10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005)
10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007)
Longest run without win: 10 matches (09.10.2004 – 06.11.2005)
Most goals:
10 matches (30.09.2006 – 10.11.2007)
31 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 31:29W (h), 16.10.2004
31 v THW Kiel GER 31:37L (h), 06.11.2005
Most goals opponent: 39 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006
Most goals both teams: 68 v THW Kiel GER 31:37L (h), 06.11.2005
68 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 39:29L (a), 11.11.2006
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: 22 v Wisla Plock SSA POL 28:22W (h), 13.11.2005
Fewest goals both teams: 44 v RK Gorenje Velenje SLO 27:17L (a), 30.10.2004
MP W T
6
6
6
6
24
1
1
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
L
6
5
5
5
21
GF GA
143:184
165:183
146:189
154:182
608:738
GD
-41
-18
–43
-28
-130
PTS
0
2
2
2
6
Stage
4th Gr. C
4th Gr. E
4th Gr. B
4th Gr. H
42

31
30
22
88
9
17
16
1
90
6
24
7
21
11
29
13
18
23
No. First Name
Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Aleh
Maxim
Maksim
Janko
Vitali
Dzmitry
Ivan
Nikola
Dzmitry
Dzmitry
Ivan
Simon
Dzianis
Viachaslau
Siarhei
David
Rastko
Ljubo
Astrashapkin
Babichev
Baranau
Bozovic
Charapenka
Kamyshyk
Karacic
Manojlovic
Nikulenkau
Patotski
Pesic
Razgor
Rutenka
Shumak
Shylovich
Spiler
Stojkovic
Vukic
BLR Right Back
BLR Line Player
BLR Right Wing
20.1.1992
7.3.1986
11.4.1988
AUT Right Back 14.7.1985
BLR Goalkeeper 27.1.1984
BLR Left Back 1.5.1990
BIH Centre Back 26.5.1985
SRB Left Back 1.12.1981
BLR Centre Back 12.7.1984
BLR Goalkeeper 3.10.1992
CRO Goalkeeper 17.3.1989
SLO Left Wing
BLR Right Wing
BLR Line Player
BLR Right Back
18.9.1985
14.2.1986
22.12.1988
16.5.1986
SLO Centre Back 2.1.1983
SRB Line Player 12.7.1981
CRO Left Wing 3.8.1982
196
187
195
193
183
187
204
198
187
196
188
203
194
200
190
190
191
192
84
85
116
95
100
87
107
112
81
97
82
101
86
95
93
95
104
96
43

Željko Babić coach
The 42-year-old Croatian begins his second year at the helm of HC Meshkov Brest. In the past, he worked in his native Croatia as a coach of Zagreb and the national team, where he was an assistant of the famous Slavko
Goluza. His first steps in Brest were perhaps not very impressive, but in the end Babić convinced everyone of his high professional qualities, having led the team to the first title of Belarusian champion since 2008. The emotional and impulsive Balkan coach is always eager to learn something new, and he is a good motivator for his players.
Ljubo Vukić left wing
The Croatian from Split is the captain of
HC Meshkov Brest — he was given this role by the club owner Alexander Meshkov personally. Vukić starts his third year in
Brest, and he already speaks Russian quite fluently, which makes him a connecting link between the local players and the large
Balkan diaspora in the team. He acquired a lot of international experience in the national team — he was a part of it during some major tournaments including the 2008 Olympics. Before
Brest he mostly played for HC Osiguranje Zagreb.
EURO: S 2008
Vitali Charapenka goalkeeper
The 30-year-old is a veteran of HC Meshkov
Brest where he has been playing since 2005.
During this time, he won a number of local trophies with his club, including the title of
Belarusian champion in 2014. Last year, there were rumors that Charapenka would move to
France’s Creteille, but in the end he stayed at home. Vitali is currently also the first-choice goalkeeper of the Belarus national team. And in Brest, he showed his skills once again in the qualifying round of the VELUX Champions
League, where a few weeks ago his saves were crucial in the decisive match against Tatran Presov.
Nikola Manojlović left back
The 32-year old native of Belgrade is a new player in Brest, but he can boast quite a rich international experience. With the Serbia national team, he participated in a number of major tournaments including the London
Olympics. He has played in his native Serbia as well as Switzerland, Slovenia, Romania and Germany, so Belarus is the sixth country in his profile. In the Bundesliga, he spent four years at Frisch Auf
Goppingen and had two spells at Rhein-Neckar Lowen.
EURO: S 2012
Dzmitry Nikulenkau centre back
The 30-year-old native of Minsk is a national player of Belarus and a well-respected player in the country. During a number of years, he played a key role at Dinamo Minsk, where he was the captain. Nikulenkau was at Dinamo since the club foundation in 2008 and until
Dinamo ceased to exist in February 2014.
Nikulenkau had some offers from abroad, but he opted to move to Brest together with two other ex-Dinamo players,
Maxim Babichev and Dzianis Rutenka.
Rastko Stojković line player
The native of Belgrade started his career at RK
Crvena Zvezda, but moved abroad at the age of 24. He gained some experience in Germany, where he played for Pfullingen and Nordhorn-
Lingen, and with the latter team won the EHF
Cup in 2008. Then the Serb moved to Kielce where he won three titles of Polish champion and four Polish cups. During the last season, he managed to play for three clubs — first for Crvena Zvezda, then a couple of months in the exotic Qatar, and in December he joined Brest.
Janko Božović right back
Although the 29-year-old is an Austrian international, he was born in Bar,
Montenegro. His mother, Stanka Božović, also used to play for Austria in the past. And
Janko, whose height is 203 cm, moved abroad already at the age of 21. He travelled across station was Germany’s TV Emsdetten where he spent three seasons.
And now Božović is looking forward to a new challenge with the
Belarusian champions.
Europe, having played in Norway, Spain,
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia. His last
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008
EURO: S 2012
Dzianis Rutenka right wing
His name is very famous in handball —
Dzianis is a younger brother of the famous
Barcelona left back Siarhei Rutenka. The two brothers play together for the national team of Belarus, but unlike Siarhei, the 28-year-old
Dzianis has spent most of his career at home.
With Dinamo Minsk, he became a five-time
Belarusian champion, and when this club went bankrupt last February, the right wing was immediately picked up by Brest. With his new club, Rutenka won the national title once again, adding the sixth championship to his collection.
44

FLENSBURG ARE THE CHAMPIONS, BUT BARCELONA ARE ALWAYS FAVOURITES
When SG Flensburg-Handewitt won the VELUX EHF FINAL4 back in May, it came as a surprise to most people in the handball world. The North Germans will start their title defence while having to replace players such as substitute goalkeeper Søren Rasmussen who played a great part in the their triumph in the
Lanxess Arena in Cologne in May, as well as the experiences line player Michael V. Knudsen and right back
Steffen Weinhold.
On the positive side is the fact that Flensburg can welcome the hard-shooting left back Lars Kaufmann back from his one year injury break. One of the toughest rivals already in the group phase will be FC Barcelona who are almost always mentioned among the hottest favourites for the title. The Catalonians who have won the EHF Champions League seven times already, proved that they mean business once again, as the won the Super Globe in Qatar earlier this month.
Barcelona will have to play their first group matches without right wing Victor Tomas who has fractured his hand, but even this handicap does not remove the status as group favourites from the shoulders of the
Barcelona players. At first sight, 35-year-old Icelandic left wing Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson seems like their most exciting new signing.
KIF Kolding København have said goodbye to right wing Albert Rocas and defence specialist Joachim
Boldsen, but even though no replacements have been signed for those key players, the Danish champions look stronger than last year, simply because they are not bothered by that multitude of injuries which handicapped them last season. Lately, Kim Andersson, who has been nursing shoulder problems since April
2013, has even started shooting again, and in goal, veteran Kasper Hvidt has got himself a highly competent colleague in the shape of another former Danish international, Marcus Cleverly.
Orlen Wisla Plock will have amibtions of doing better than last season, where a fourth place in the group phase lead to an early exit in the Last 16. However, coach Manuel Cadenas´ men may have another tough season, having said goodbye to players such as Marcin Lijewski, Nikola Eklemovic and Petar Nenadic.
Alingsas HK are in the VELUX EHF Champions League for the second time and after a five year break. It will be interesting to see what the Swedish champions can do in this tough group, and it will be particularly interesting to follow their promising young playmaker Jesper Konradsson.
For the first time in 11 years is Turkish handball represented in the Champions League, and for Besiktas
MOGAZ HT it is even the debut in the tournament. The Turkish champions have promised to fight “until even their socks are torn apart”, and they are probably going to need that. However, it will be interesting to follow their most prominent signing, Croations left wing Ivan Nincevis who has joined from Dinamo Minsk.
Peter Bruun
45

Historic encounters of the Group B opponents in the EC
FC Barcelona vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn
20.12.1997 FC Barcelona vs Kolding IF, ECh for Club Teams – 1/2-finals
17.10.2009 FC Barcelona Borges vs KIF Kolding, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
06.03.2010 KIF Kolding vs FC Barcelona Borges, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
18.12.1999 FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, ECh for Club Teams – 1/2-finals
23.02.2007 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs FC Barcelona-Cifec, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
03.03.2007 FC Barcelona-Cifec vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
31.05.2014 FC Barcelona vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF FINAL4 – 1/2-finals
SO (36:36, 32:32, 17:18)
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Orlen Wisla Plock
02.10.2005 KIF Kolding vs Wisla Plock SSA, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group E
06.11.2005 Wisla Plock SSA vs KIF Kolding, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group E
07.10.2006 KIF Kolding Elite A/S vs Wisla Plock SA, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
19.10.2006 Wisla Plock SA vs KIF Kolding Elite A/S, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
20.10.2013 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Orlen Wisla Plock, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
13.02.2014 Orlen Wisla Plock vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
12.11.1995 Kolding IF vs SG Flensburg Handewitt, EHF Cup – Last 16 19:26 (8:8)
18.11.1995 SG Flensburg Handewitt vs Kolding IF, EHF Cup – Last 16
13.12.2003 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Kolding KIF, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
21.12.2003 Kolding KIF vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
Orlen Wisla Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
08.12.2001 SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Orlen SSA Plock, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
15.12.2001 Orlen SSA Plock vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Cup Winners’ Cup – Last 16
No previous encounters in European competitions
FC Barcelona vs Alingsas HK
FC Barcelona vs Orlen Wisla Plock
FC Barcelona vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Alingsas HK
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
Alingsas HK vs Orlen Wisla Plock
Alingsas HK vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Alingsas HK vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
Orlen Wisla Plock vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs Besiktas Mogaz HT
37:26 (20:14)
46:36 (23:19)
25:25 (10:12)
32:29 (16:14)
31:21 (13:10)
34:29 (14:12)
39:41 AET and
38:29 (16:14)
19:25 (10:12)
35:18 (19:4)
25:31 (13:13)
23:22 (13:11)
25:26 (08:10)
25:23 (13:10)
34:29 (16:13)
20:33 (11:17)
33:27 (19:12)
25:23 (10:9)
46

GROUP B
Playing hall
Palau Blaugrana
Av. Aristides Maillol, s/n
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Capacity: 7,250
Club Address:
FC Barcelona Intersport
Avda. Aristides Maillol, s/n
08028 Barcelona
Spain
Media contact:
Gustau Galvache
+34 618522789 gustau.galvache@fcbarcelona.cat
Online information:
Website: www.fcbarcelona.cat
Facebook: FCBHandbol
Twitter: @FCBHandbol
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red and yellow
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: green/grey
Dark
Player shirt: blue and red
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: black/dark red
Despite reaching the final destination of Cologne four times, FC Barcelona have only once lifted the coveted trophy in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 era. With that in mind and another near miss fresh in the memory, one of the team’s clear goals is to make it back to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 again, and maybe avoid a German team this time around.
The Catalans’ only win against a German team came in 2011 against Rhein Neckar Löwen compared to two final defeats against Kiel (2010) and Hamburg (2013) as well as last season’s thrilling semifinal loss to eventual winners SG Flensburg-Handewitt. Opportunities to make up for that heartbreaking loss present themselves to Barcelona in the two guaranteed encounters in the VELUX
EHF Champions League Group Phase. Additionally, the seven-time EHF Champions League winner will compete with Kolding, Alingsas, Plock and the winner of qualification tournament 3 in the first stage of the competition.
The Barca squad did not change all that much in the squad, with all of their top back court players such as Nikola Karabatic, Kiril Lazarov and Siarhei Rutenka remained in the blaugrana jersey.
Departures included all-time top scorer of the Asobal league, Juanin Garcia (La Rioja), and Spanish world champion Arpad Sterbik (Vardar Skopje), who both found new jobs at Champions League clubs, while Slovak left wing Martin Stranovsky transferred to German side Erlangen.
Sterbik’s replacement, Gonzalo Pérez De Vargas, is very well known to Barca, as he comes from the youth programme of the Catalans and was on loan at French side Felix Toulouse until now and the goalkeeper promises that he is ready for the challenge. Coming into the squad are two players from one of Barcelona’s top rivals, Tunisian left back Wael Jallouz and Icelandic left wing Gudjon Valur
Sigurdsson arrived from THW Kiel. With those newcomers, the goals for the upcoming season are the same as last year’s: to win all available competitions. The domestic competition has become a one-horse race, with Barcelona winning the Spanish Asobal league at a canter last season.
At least in the first three rounds Barca will miss their captain Victor Tomas, who fractured his right hand at the Asobal game one week before the start of the new season.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: Spanish champions
Newcomers:
Gonzalo Pérez De Vargas (Fenix Toulouse)
Wael Jallouz (THW Kiel)
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (THW Kiel)
Left the club:
Juanin García (Naturhouse La Rioja)
Arpad Sterbik (Vardar Skopje)
Martin Stranovsky (HC Erlangen)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 18
Winner (7): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98,
1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11
Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13
Semi-final (2): 2007/08, 2013/14
Quarter-final (3): 2005/06, 2006/07,
2011/12
Last 16 (1): 2003/04
Main Round (1): 2008/09
Other
EHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up
2001/02
Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94,
1994/95
Spanish league: 21 titles (1969, 1973,
1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990,
1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,
2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013,
2014)
Spanish cup: 18 titles
Asobal cup: 9 titles
47

VELUX EHF Champions League record
Reached
1995/96 FC Barcelona ESP
1996/97 FC Barcelona ESP
1997/98 FC Barcelona ESP
1998/99 FC Barcelona ESP
1999/00 FC Barcelona ESP
2000/01 FC Barcelona ESP
2003/04 FC Barcelona ESP
2004/05 FC Barcelona Cifec ESP
2005/06 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP
2006/07 FC Barcelona-Cifec ESP
2007/08 FC Barcelona ESP
2008/09 FC Barcelona Borges ESP
2009/10 FC Barcelona Borges ESP
2010/11 FC Barcelona Borges ESP
2011/12 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP
2012/13 FC Barcelona Intersport ESP
2013/14 FC Barcelona ESP
Total
Biggest win
Biggest defeat
Longest winning run
17:43 (9:21) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (a), 19.11.2011
31:21 (13:10) v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER (a), 23.02.2007
41:31 (20:15) v THW Kiel GER (a), 06.04.2008
12 matches (24.04.2011 – 12.02.2012)
Longest unbeaten run 16 matches (24.01.1996 – 16.03.1997)
Longest losing run 2 matches (25.03.2000 – 22.04.2000)
2 matches (16.10.2004 – 23.10.2004)
2 matches (11.12.2004 – 05.03.2005)
2 matches (15.03.2008 – 06.04.2008)
2 matches (23.11.2008 – 14.02.2009)
2 matches (30.05.2010 – 25.09.2010)
Longest run without win 3 matches (30.05.2010 – 03.10.2010)
Most goals
Most goals opponent
46 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009
41 v THW Kiel GER 41:31L (a), 06.04.2008
Most goals both teams 82 v KIF Kolding DEN 46:36W (h), 17.10.2009
Fewest goals 21 v ABC Braga POR 21:21D (a), 09.11.1997
21 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:21L (a), 23.10.2004
21 v Portland San Antonio ESP 25:21L (a), 25.02.2006
21 v SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 31:21L (a), 23.02.2007
Fewest goals opponent 12 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004
Fewest goals both teams 38 v Elgorriaga Bidasoa ESP 23:15W (a), 20.04.1996
38 v Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD 12:26W (a), 06.11.2004
MP W T L
8 5 2
12 10 1
12 9 1
12 8 3
12 10 0
12 8 2
8 5 1
14 8 0
10 9 0
10 8 0
1
2
14 11 0 3
10 6 0 4
16 13 1 2
16 10 3 3
14 11 0 3
16 13 0 3
16 12 1
212 156 15
3
41
2
2
2
6
1
1
2
1
GF GA GD
213: 173
358: 264
358: 284
357: 289
345: 271
316: 281
262: 212
400: 360
293: 244
314: 263
475: 407
307: 275
545: 461
501: 451
459: 357
488: 404
+ 49
+ 51
+ 68
+ 32
+ 84
+ 50
+102
+ 84
535:426 +109
6526:5422 +1104
+ 40
+ 94
+ 74
+ 68
+ 74
+ 35
+ 50
+ 40
PTS
27
23
22
26
18
16
22
12
25
327
20
18
11
16
12
21
19
19
Stage
Winner
Winner
Winner
Winner
Winner
Runner-up
Last 16
Winner
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
1/2-finals
3rd MR Gr. 4
Runner-up
Winner
1/4-finals
Runner-up
Third Place
48

No. First Name
33
77
27
3
13
9
18
22
1
22
12
11
37
9
10
8
Aitor
Raul
Eduardo
Wael
Nikola
Kiril
Viran
Jesper Brian
Gonzalo
Siarhei
Danijel
Daniel
Joan
Gudjon Valur
Cedric
Victor
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Arino Bengoechea ESP Left Wing 5.10.1992
Entrerrios Rodriguez ESP Centre Back 12.2.1981
Gurbindo Martinez ESP Right Back
Jallouz TUN Left Back
8.11.1987
3.5.1991
Karabatic
Lazarov
Morros de Argila
Nöddesbo
Perez de Vargas
Rutenka
Saric
FRA Centre Back 11.4.1984
MKD Right Back
ESP Left Back
DEN Line Player
ESP
BLR
BIH
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Goalkeeper
10.5.1980
15.12.1983
23.10.1980
10.1.1991
29.8.1981
27.6.1977
Sarmiento Melian
Saubich Mir
Sigurdsson
Sorhaindo
Tomas Gonzalez
ESP Centre Back 25.8.1983
ESP Right Wing 7.11.1989
ISL Left Wing
FRA Line Player
ESP Right Wing
8.8.1979
7.6.1984
15.2.1985
185
193
194
197
196
195
199
199
189
199
194
186
186
187
192
178
102
99
99
100
75
92
92
92
93
109
93
85
88
82
100
85
49

Xavi Pascual coach
The name is a “double feature” at FC
Barcelona, as the coaches of both the handball and the basketball section hold the same name. Handball’s Xavi Pascual played for a lengthy period for Barcelona and some other Spanish clubs, before becoming the goalkeeper coach at the EHF Champions
League record winners in 2005, where he started working with the legendary David Barrufet and others. In
2009 he succeeded Manolo Cadenas at Barcelona’s helm.
EC trophies: CL 2011
Danijel Šarić goalkeeper
One of the best Barcelona players, known for his incredible quality in goal and for the joy he brings to the team. The Bosnian goalkeeper won the CL in 2011 with Barcelona, was awarded the best goalkeeper of the ASOBAL league in 2011 and 2012, and the best player overall in 2011. He joined Barça in 2009, after spells with Spanish clubs San Antonio, León,
Alcobendas and Cantabria, but began his career in Serbia with RK
Crvena Zvezda and RK Sintelon.
EC trophies: CL 2011
Gudjón Valur Sigurdsson left wing
Before his arrival to Barcelona the Icelandic spent just one season away from the
Bundesliga - in 2011/12 he played for AG
Kobenhavn. The former Tusem Essen, VfL
Gummersbach and Rhein-Neckar Löwen player had some outstanding performances in Europe and really appeared to have got the joy of playing handball back. With his enormous experience from top handball and his equally large talent,
2008 Olympic silver medallist Sigurdsson is a real key player.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2005
OG: S 2008
Nikola Karabatić centre back / left back
The former World Handball Player of the
Year was one of Barcelona transfer coups last summer, with Kiril Lazarov being another one.
Karabatic has already won everything there is to win, as he has triumphed at Olympic
Games, World Championships and EHF
European Championships with the French national team. The left back is one of the most complete handball players with strengths in attack and defence.
He has also won the EHF Champions League twice – in 2003 with
Montpellier and 2007 with THW Kiel.
EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007
OG: G 2008, 2012, WCh: G 2009, 2011, B 2003, 2005, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, B 2008
Kiril Lazarov right back
The powerful back court shooter from FYR
Macedonia is the most successful scorer at a single EHF EURO event (2012 Serbia, 61 goals) and also at World Championship level (2009
Croatia, 92 goals). He was also top scorer of the EHF Champions League twice (2005/06 season he converted 62 per cent of his shots, being particularly effective from the penalty line (76 per cent) and with counter attack
(86 per cent).
and 2007/08) – but still this title is missing in his trophy cabinet. In the 2012/13 ASOBAL
Siarhei Rutenka left back
In 2011 the Belarusian became the second player to win five CL titles with three clubs after Jose Javier Hombrados (with Santander,
San Antonio, Ciudad Real) completed this feat as the first one. After lifting the trophy in 2004 with Celje, Rutenka won three titles with Ciudad Real, followed by the victory with Barcelona. No matter what competition,
Rutenka is among the top scorers, e.g. at the 2006 EHF EURO and in
2003/04 and the 2004/05 Champions League season.
EC trophies: CL 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011
Jesper Nøddesbo line player
Noddesbo started his career at Team Tvis
Holstebro – long before the Danish club made it as far as the EHF Cup semi-final in the
2012/13 season. His career started spiralling upwards when he joined KIF Kolding in 2004.
Since then, he has been among Europe’s elite whom he joined in the summer of 2007. He is an imposing presence on the court and is not afraid of anything when it comes to stopping opposing attackers.
year after year – with Kolding from 2004 to 2007, and ever since with FC Barcelona,
EURO: G 2008, S 2014, WCh: S 2011, 2013
Victor Tomas right wing
Following the victories in 2005 and 2011, the
Barcelona-born Tomas will be hoping to lift his third EHF Champions League trophy at the FINAL4 in Cologne. He joined Barcelona’s youth team in 1998 and has not played for any other club. In fact he is that loyal to play outside of Spain. He biggest assets are his great pace and his impressive flexibility that make him a strong player in attack but also in defence.
Barça, he has always stated that if he were to leave the Catalan club he would only
EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003
OG: B 2008, EURO: B 2014, WCh: G 2013
50

GROUP B
Playing hall
TRE-FOR Arena
Ambolten 2-6
6000 Kolding
Denmark
Capacity: 2,800
Club Address:
KIF Kolding København
Ambolten 2-6
6000 Kolding
Denmark
Media contact:
Thomas Christensen
+45 22 629062 tc@kif.dk
Online information:
Website: www.kif.dk
Facebook: KIFKBH
Twitter: @KifKoldingKBH
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: orange/blue
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: orange/blue
A big name in Danish and international handball has said farewell to the court. Joachim
Boldsen brought an end to his long and successful career, but not before he and his club
KIF Kolding København finished on top again in his last season, snatching back the Danish championship in May from the defending champions Aalborg thanks to two final victories. The
Danes hope that winning their 13th national title will not prove to be an unlucky number when they go for the title again and look to step up a level on the international stage.
After a season of many long-term injuries to key players such as Kim Andersson, Lasse Boesen and Kasper Irming, KIF are back on track with everyone healthy once again. They have even strengthened their squad with the signing of former EHF Champions League winning goalkeeper Marcus Cleverly, arriving from HSV Hamburg. Another big name to join the team is
Landin Jacobsen – but not the famous Niklas, rather his younger brother Magnus, who made the switch from Nordsjælland.
The new season is the first full one for coach Aron Kristjansson (also in charge of the Icelandic national team) after starting his job at KIF in February. With this barrage of good news at the club, hopes are high in Kolding and København to defend their Danish title and at least qualify for the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League like they had done in the 2013/14 season.
However, the opponents KIF face already in the group phase are high hurdles to clear: defending champions Flensburg, competition favourites Barcelona, Polish powerhouse Plock,
Alingsas and Turkish newcomers Besiktas. Despite their twelfth appearance in the Champions
League, for KIF club director Jens Boesen it is still something special to be part of the top
24 teams: “The VELUX EHF Champions League is the top product of our sport and it is very important for our club and our team to be a part of this and to perform well. Of course my biggest dream is to be among the last four teams in Cologne. But to make it there do not only need to perform well but also need some luck in the draws on the way.”
For team captain Torsten Laen, Champions League winner with Ciudad Real and VELUX EHF
FINAL 4 participant with Füchse Berlin, the return of key players shall be crucial to success:
“We have big ambitions for the upcoming season. We had a lot of success last season even though we had a lot of injury problems. With the return of Kim Andersson, Lasse Boesen and
Kasper Irming and new players at least at the same level as those who left the team, we expect at least the same success as last year.”
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: Danish champions
Past achievements
Newcomers:
Marcus Cleverly (HSV Hamburg)
Martin Dolk (Hammarby)
Magnus Landin Jacobsen (Nordsjælland)
Left the club:
Stefan Hundstrup (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg)
Søren Westphal (Aalborg Håndbold)
Joachim Boldsen (end of career)
Albert Rocas Comas (Naturhouse La Rioja)
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 12
Semi-final (1): 2001/02
Quarter-final (1): 2002/03
Last 16 (7): 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06,
2006/07, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2013/14
Last 32 (1): 1993/94
Group Phase (1): 1994/95
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Semi-final
1999/2000, Quarter-final 2007/08
EHF Cup: Quarter-final 2012/13
Alternative playing hall
Broendby Hallen
Broendby Stadion 20
2605 Brondby
Denmark
Capacity: 5,000
Danish league: 13 titles (1987, 1988,
1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2014)
Danish cup: 8 titles
51

VELUX EHF Champions League record
1994/95 Kolding IF DEN
2001/02 Kolding IF DEN
2002/03 Kolding IF DEN
2003/04 Kolding KIF DEN
2004/05 Kolding KIF DEN
2005/06 KIF Kolding DEN
2006/07 KIF Kolding Elite A/S DEN
2009/10 KIF Kolding DEN
2010/11 KIF Kolding DEN
2013/14 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
35:18 (19:04) v Wisla Plock SA POL (h), 07.10.2006
38:23 (20:10) v THW Kiel GER (a), 27.02.2010
40:25 (19:10) v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA (a), 28.11.2010
4 matches (16.11.2002 – 08.12.2002)
4 matches (30.09.2006 – 19.10.2006)
4 matches (13.10.2013 – 24.11.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 6 matches (30.09.2006 – 12.11.2006)
Longest losing run: 4 matches (26.02.2011 – 02.04.2011)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (17.10.2009 – 22.11.2009)
4 matches (27.02.2010 – 03.04.2010)
Most goals:
4 matches (26.02.2011 – 02.04.2011)
42 v RK Partizan Belgrad SCG 42:26W (h), 12.10.2003
42 v Prule 67 Ljubljana SLO 42:31W (h), 30.11.2003
Most goals opponent: 46 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 46:36L (a), 17.10.2009
Most goals both teams: 82 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 46:36L (a), 17.10.2009
Fewest goals: 16 v TEKA Santander ESP 28:16L (a), 25.01.1995
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v Lovcen Osiguranje YUG 20:18W (h), 11.11.2001
18 v Wisla Plock SA POL 35:18W (h), 07.10.2006
18 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 18:20W (a), 13.10.2013
Fewest goals both teams: 38 v Lovcen Osiguranje YUG 20:18W (h), 11.11.2001
38 v Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA 18:20W (a), 13.10.2013
MP W T
8
8
8
12
8
8
6
10
12
12
92
1
4
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
7
6
4
4
4
5
4
1
5
5
7
45
L
1
4
4
4
3
3
5
4
7
5
40
GF GA GD
140:163
263:256
235:215
253:239
279:267
251:240
252:213
336:342
349:388
292:293
2650:2616
+12
+11
+39
-6
–23
+7
+20
+14
-39
-1
+34
PTS
8
8
13
12
2
11
10
9
10
14
97
Stage
4th Gr. A
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
Last 16
Last 16
Last 16
Last 16
Last 16
Last 16
Last 16
52

No. First Name
4
6
2
1
18
21
7
5
3
20
10
8
13
19
16
9
14
Surname
Lasse Bredekjaer Anderson
Kim
Morten
Andersson
Ankersen
Lasse
Mikel Dalby
Boesen
Christensen
Marcus David Cleverly
Martin Per Dolk
Kasper
Kasper Ryan
Hvidt
Irming Andersen
Simon Edelberg Jensen
Daniel Jörgensen
Lars Troels
Lukas
Torsten
Magnus
Jorgensen
Karlsson
Laen
Landin Jacobsen
Kristian Stoklund Larsen
Mikkel Drud Nielsen
Jacob Vinholt Pedersen
Rolf Schwartz Ravn
Boris
Bo Dybdal
Schnuchel
Spellerberg
Thomas Björn Theilgaard
Cyril Viudes
53

Aron Kristjansson coach
Danish handball is no stranger to Aron
Kristiansson, as he played for Skjern
Håndbold from 1998 to 2001, where he was part of the team who won the club’s only
Danish championship so far, in 1999. He has also got round to another Danish league club,
Team Tvis Holstebro in his active career which also contained 85 internationals for Iceland.
As a coach he was back in Skjern from 2004 to 2006, and since 10
February 2014 has he been head coach in KIF along with national coach in Iceland, a job he has had since August 2012.
Kasper Hvidt goalkeeper
The 38-year-old is still considered to be among the five best goalkeepers in the world.
After being awarded MVP as Denmark won the EHF EURO 2008 in Norway, he retired from international handball in 2010. After a career in Germany and Spain, including for first FCK Håndbold, then AG København, with whom he reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2012. Since August last year he has been with KIF.
a successful spell in FC Barcelona, Hvidt returned home to Denmark in 2009 to play
WCh: S 2011 / EHF EURO: G 2008
Martin Dolk left wing
When Stefan Hundstrup left for league rivals
Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and veteran Boris
Schnuchel ended his career at top level,
KIF needed new left wings. Together with
Magnus Landin, younger brother of Niklas
Landin, Martin Dolk was the answer. Dolk, who was top scoring player in the Swedish league last season with Hammarby, whom he also represented in the EHF Champions League in the 2008/09 season, has become an asset from the start. He is good from the left wing position, his speed comes in useful in the counter attacks, and he has proved to a reliable seven metre shooter as well.
Lukas Karlsson centre back
The Swedish international joined KIF Kolding from Viborg HK in 2009. The elegant and inventive playmaker was bothered by shoulder problems for a long time, but thanks to a lot of physical therapy he seems to be back to his best. Apart from orchestrating KIF´s attacking with 35 goals in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season, where
KIF reached the Last 16.. He is married to Norwegian international Ida
Bjørndalen.
play, he has also turned into one of the team´s most dangerous shooters, proving that fact
Bo Spellerberg left back
He has been a KIF Kolding player for 11 years, since he joined the club from FIF Copenhagen in 2003, and he recently reached 500 games for the team. He has won the Danish title five times with the club. He has been in the CL with the club six times, and during his entire time in the club, he has been a key player to the team. Being an elegant and hard-shooting playmaker as well as left back, the experienced Danish international has constantly been a leader in the team’s attacking play.
EHF EURO: G 2008, 2012
Torsten Laen line player
After celebrating several triumphs with top Danish side GOG, the former Danish international went abroad in 2007. First stop was to Ciudad Real, with whom he won the
EHF Champions League in 2008 and then on to the Bundesliga and Füchse Berlin, with a place in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2012 the major achievement. The experienced pivot and defence specialist joined KIF Kolding København in the summer of 2013 and has proved to be just as important a player in all aspects of the club’s play as expected.
EC trophies: EHFCL 2007/08
Kim Andersson right back
He was nominated for the World Handball
Player of the Year 2012, finishing joint-third place behind winner Daniel Narcisse. The nomination capped a brilliant year for the right back which included Olympic Silver with Sweden and winning the VELUX EHF
Champions League with THW Kiel for a third time. His first two seasons with KIF were disrupted with a shoulder injury, but after having surgery in
November last year, he is now on his back to the court, although not yet with his former shooting power.
EC trophies: EHFCL 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12
OG: S 2012
Simon Edelberg Jensen right wing
185 cm is not much for a back court player these days, but still Jensen started his career as a right back. However, he had changed for the wing position when he joined KIF from their eternal rivals GOG in 2007. His career nearly came to an end in the winter of 2011, when an emboli was found in one of his lungs.
Now he is back at full strength, though, and his speed in the counter attacks as well as his reliability from the right wing position have come in particularly useful after Albert Rocas has left the club.
54

GROUP B
Five years ago they had their first appearance and were taught a lesson, now Alingsås HK are back in the VELUX EHF Champions League and the whole city of 23,000 inhabitants is eagerly awaiting the next challenge.
By beating Lugi in the Swedish final, Alingsas took their second domestic championship title and are rewarded with encounters against European powerhouses such as defending champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt, record winners FC Barcelona and their Danish neighbours
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn in the group phase.
Coach Mikael Franzén and his team, including seven newcomers, hope for a special atmosphere in their one-year-old, state-of-the-art arena with a capacity of 3,000 fans. “It will be a big challenge for us as players to face some of the best teams in the world. We will have the possibility to play international handball both in Europe and in our own arena in Alingsås, that will be great. We are looking forward to this,” says team captain Max Darj. Franzén, who also acts as the club manager, adds: “For us it is a big challenge both for the club and for our organisation.”
Five seasons ago, Alingsas finished their debut Champions League season with two wins and eight defeats and this year they hope to do much better. Despite the top opponents they will compete with, Franzén and his team will be keen to make the most of any opportunity.
“You must always look for the chances and of course the possibility to reach the knock-out stage is there. It will be extremely tough, we are well aware of that, but as a coach and a player you always have to look for the opportunities. That is part of the reason why you play handball.”
In contrast to most of his players, Franzén already knows what it’s like to be part of the VELUX
EHF Champions League after coaching former Swedish champions Sävehof in the competition, as does Fredrik Larsson, the biggest name among the newcomers, arriving from German side
VfL Gummersbach after a spell under Franzén at Sävehof.
Playing hall
Estrad Arena
Lillagatan 1
44130 Alingsas
Sweden
Capacity: 2,000
Club Address:
Alingsas HK
Nolhaga alle 12 A
44155 Alingsas
Sweden
Media contact:
Christer Martensson
+46 705 919625 christer.martensson@ahk.nu
Online information:
Website: www.ahk.nu
Facebook: AlingsasHK
Twitter: @AlingsasHK
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: light green
Player short: light green
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: red
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: Swedish champions
Newcomers:
Rickard Frisk (Caperiotuma)
Emil Frend Öfors (Caperiotumba)
Oscar Bergendahl (HK Aranäs)
Andreas Flodman (Västerås Irsta HF)
Fredrik Larsson (VfL Gummersbach)
Olivier Löwenius (HP Alingsås)
Rasmus Torbjörnsson (Redbergslids IK)
Left the club:
Alexander Johnsson (LIF Lindesberg)
Alexander Axelsson (Sörhaga HK)
Alexander Borgstedt (Ystad IF)
Erik Nilsson (HP Warta)
Glenn Andersson (Rya HF)
Markus Stegefelt (IFK Skövde)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 2
Group Phase (1): 2009/10
Other
EHF Cup: Last 32 1999/00
Swedish league: 2 titles (2009, 2014)
55

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2009/10 Alingsas HK SWE
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
32:24 (16:09) v Fyllingen Handball NOR (h), 27.02.2010
21:33 (09:15) v FCK Handbold A/S DEN (h), 17.10.2009
1 match (07.11.2009)
1 match (27.02.2010)
Longest unbeaten run: 1 match (07.11.2009)
1 match (27.02.2010)
Longest losing run: 4 matches (14.11.2009 – 20.02.2010)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (14.11.2009 – 20.02.2010)
Most goals: 32 v Fyllingen Handball NOR 32:24W (h), 27.02.2010
Most goals opponent: 37 v HSV Hamburg GER 27:37L (h), 20.02.2010
Most goals both teams: 64 v HSV Hamburg GER 27:37L (h), 20.02.2010
Fewest goals: 21 v HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO 30:21L (a), 07.10.2009
21 v FCK Handbold A/S DEN 21:33L (h), 17.10.2009
Fewest goals opponent: 24 v Fyllingen Handball NOR 32:24W (h), 27.02.2010
Fewest goals both teams: 50 v BM Ciudad Real ESP 24:26L (h), 14.11.2009
MP W T
10
10
2
2
0
0
L
8
8
GF GA
251:302
251:302
GD
-51
-51
PTS
4
4
Stage
5th Gr. C
56

No. First Name
24
15
21
18
20
1
17
10
12
11
3
25
4
16
23
7
5
2
14
9
Mikael
Oscar
Felix
Max
Marcus
Johan
Andreas
Emil
Rickard
Pontus
Jesper
Fredrik
Oliver
Johan
Erik
Erik
Fredrik
Daniel
Rasmus
Pål
Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Aggefors
Bergendahl
Claar
Darj
Enström
Fagerlund
Flodman
Frend Öfors
Frisk
Johansson
Konradsson
Larsson
Löfwenius
Nilsson
Östling
Pettersson
Teern
Tellander
Torbjörnsson
Wetterbrandt
SWE Goalkeeper 20.1.1985
SWE Line Player 8.3.1995
SWE Centre Back 5.1.1997
SWE Line Player
SWE Right Wing
SWE Right Back
SWE Right Wing
27.9.1991
29.8.1987
9.12.1988
14.3.1993
SWE Left Wing 13.9.1994
SWE Goalkeeper 3.12.1992
SWE Left Wing 11.1.1990
SWE Centre Back 4.6.1994
SWE Left Back
SWE Left Wing
SWE Right Back
SWE Line Player
14.4.1984
20.1.1996
9.7.1992
7.8.1994
SWE Goalkeeper 27.5.1997
SWE Centre Back 28.9.1988
SWE Left Wing
SWE Right Wing
SWE Right Back
6.7.1983
29.11.1996
3.3.1986
193
191
184
184
195
195
193
190
190
200
191
188
190
191
192
191
192
182
180
184
95
103
90
101
87
90
87
84
85
106
92
80
96
99
87
82
84
91
109
90
57

Mikael Franzén coach
While Alingsas HK only became Swedish champions for the second time when defeating Lugi HF in the final last season, it was actually the tenth Swedish championship for Franzén who has been as least as successful as coach as he was as a player.
Having reached the quarter-final of the
2001/02 CL with Redbergslids IK and the final of Cup Winners’ Cup with the same club the following year as a player,
Franzén´s greatest coaching achievements have been taking Aranäs from the third league to the top flight in Sweden and lately bringing back the Swedish championship and a EHFCL berth to Alingsas.
Mikael Aggefors goalkeeper
Not only is Mikael Aggefors one of only three players in the current Alingsas squad who was also part of the team in their only previous
EHF Champions League campaign – in the
2009/10 season. He can also take a great part of the credit for the fact that the club is back in the tournament after four years of absence. As Alingsas qualified for the VELUX
EHF Champions League by winning the Swedish championship final
24:22 against Lugi HK, Aggefors simply closed his goal for almost ten minutes towards the end, and this meant that his teammates could change a 19:22 deficit into the 24:22 win.
Daniel Tellander left wing
With 14 internationals for Sweden and four year long career in the Bundesliga by MT
Melsungen, from 2007 to 2010, he is another one of those experienced players who are so crucial to Alingsas coach Franzén’s otherwise young team. Tellander may be behind players like Fredrik Petersen and Jonas Källman when it comes to the left wing position in the national team, but at Alingsas, his experience and his varied shots from the left wing position are extremely important qualities.
Fredrik Larsson left back
It was a quite good signing, Alingsas made when former Swedish international Fredrik
Larsson joined them from VfL Gummersbach this summer. Hard-shooting Larsson, who was part of the Swedish team at the EURO 2010 in
Austria as well as at the WCh 2011 on home team and from his years in Spanish and German handball, but just as well from his CL campaigns with the Swedish clubs Hammarby and IK
Sävehof.
court, brought a lot a of experience with him. Not only from his time with the national
Jesper Konradsen centre back
Just like goalkeeper Mikael Aggefors, Jesper
Konradsen is a great part of the reason for
Alingsas being in the CL. Scoring the last two goals in the Swedish championship final on the 24 May, he contributed decisively to Alingsas’ 24:22 win against Lugi, and this young lad proved that nerves seem to be something he does not know about. Young
Konradsson also displayed his huge qualities at the Men’s 20 EHF
EURO this summer, where he played a large part in Sweden winning the silver medal.
Max Darj line player
Despite his relatively young age of 23, Darj has already made to become team captain by Alingsas. However, he also possesses the experience to take that responsibility upon him, as he has been a regular in the team since 2009. This also means that the 192 cm tall and 99 kilo heavy pivot is the third player from Alingsas’ Champions League team from the 2009/10 season. Actually, he got his debut against no other opponent than Ciudad Real, at the age of only 19 year. In the meantime has he developed his physical strength even further, and today he is very valuable to the team at both ends of the court.
Pål Wetterbrandt right back
The 190 cm tall and 95 kilo heavy player is particularly important in Alingsas’ attacking play when it comes to putting pressure on the opponents’ defence. Through his physical strength he is a hard opponent to almost any defence. Furthermore, apart from his excellent left handed shot, his teammates can always count on total commitment from Wetterbrandt who is playing his second season with Alingsas after joining from league colleagues Aranäs in the summer of 2013, rejoining his former coach Aranäs, Franzén.
Marcus Enström right wing
Being another player from the 2009/10
Champions League team from Alingsas,
Enström is also one of the experienced players whom the team will have to rely on a lot, if they are going to have success in the VELUX EHF Champions League. Having been with Alingsas since 2006, he knows the club and the team inside out, and with his variation of shots from the right wing positions as well as his skills in the counter-attacks, “The Comet of the Year” in the Swedish league in the 2010/11 will be a valuable figure in their game once again.
58

GROUP B
Eleven players left, while just six arrived at Plock over the summer, giving Manuel Cadenas,
Orlen Wisla Plock and Spanish national team coach, plenty to think about at the beginning of his second season at the club. After eliminating Montpellier in the wildcard qualification last season, the Polish runners-up this year were awarded with direct entry into the group phase.
Among those who left, some big names occur like right back Marcin Lijewski, goalkeeper Marin
Sego (replaced by Spaniard Rodrigo Corales) and experienced playmaker Nikola Eklemovic.
Right before the start of the season, another key player, Serbian international Petar Nenadic, left for German side Füchse Berlin to replace the injured Polish playmaker Bartlomiej Jaska.
Plock needed to react and found a solution in Spain, signing the Kazakh Alexandre Tioumentsev from Naturhouse La Rioja.
Mariusz Jurkiewicz will leave Plock after this season to join arch rivals Kielce, who had again snatched away the Polish championship from the “Oilers” thanks to a 3:1 series win in the league final. After the EHF EURO 2014 break Plock had already signed tall Spanish right back
Angel Montoro, whose talent had already been discovered by Cadenas, when he was coach in
Leon. Besides Jurkiewicz and Montoro, left wing Ivan Nikcevic, goalkeeper Marcin Wichary and right wing Valentin Ghionea remain Plock’s key players.
To fight with Kielce for the domestic title and to qualify for the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-finals are the main goals of Cadenas & Co. However, they were drawn into a tough group, competing with defending champions Flensburg, competition favourite Barcelona,
Kolding Kobenhavn, Alingsas and Besiktas.
Playing hall
Orlen Arena
Pl. Celebry Papieskiej 1
09-400 Płock
Poland
Capacity: 5,467
Club Address:
Orlen Wisła Płock
Plac Celebry Papieskiej 1
09-400 Płock
Poland
Media contact:
Piotr Raczkowski
Tel: +48-691-99881 sekretariat@sprwislaplock.pl
Online information:
Website: www.sprwislaplock.pl
Facebook: sprWisla
Twitter: @SPRWisla
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: lemon green
Dark
Player shirt: white
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: orange
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Polish runners-up
Newcomers:
Nemanja Zelenovic (Celje)
Miljan Pusica (HC Vojvodina)
Rodrigo Corrales (FC Barcelona/loan Huesca)
Tiago Rocha (FC Porto)
Michal Daszek (Kwidzyn)
Alexandre Tioumentsev (Rioja)
Left the club:
Marcin Lijewski (Wybrzeze Gdansk)
Mateusz Goralski (Piotrkow)
Ivan Milas (HCM Minaur Baia Mare)
Nikola Eklemovic (HCM Minaur Baia Mare)
Petar Nenadic (Füchse Berlin)
Bostjan Kavas (Stord Handball)
Vedran Zrnic (Celje)
Janko Kevic (HCM Minaur Baia Mare)
Muhamed Toromanovic (US Creteil)
Pawel Paczkowski (Dunkerque HB)
Marin Sego (Vive Tauron Kielce)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 10
Last 16 (3): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14
Group Phase (5): 2002/03, 2004/05,
2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09
Qualification (1): 2012/13
Other
EHF Cup: quarter-finals 1993/94, Group
Phase: 2012/13
Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2008, 2011)
Polish cup: 10 titles
59

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2002/03 Wisla Plock SSA POL
2004/05 Wisla Plock SSA POL
2005/06 Wisla Plock SSA POL
2006/07 Wisla Plock SA POL
2008/09 Wisla Plock SA POL
2011/12 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
2013/14 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
42:26 (19:11) v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG (h), 13.11.2004
35:18 (19:04) v KIF Kolding Elite A/S DEN (a), 07.10.2006
34:17 (15:07) v HC Croatia Osiguranje-Zagreb CRO (a), 12.10.2008
2 matches (08.10.2005 – 15.10.2005)
2 matches (16.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 2 matches (08.10.2005 – 15.10.2005)
2 matches (03.12.2011 – 09.02.2012)
2 matches (16.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
Longest losing run: 6 matches (05.10.2008 – 20.11.2008)
Longest run without win: 6 matches (05.10.2008 – 20.11.2008)
Most goals: 42 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SCG 42:26W (h), 13.11.2004
Most goals opponent: 40 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002
Most goals both teams: 72 v Sportclub Magdeburg GER 40:32L (a), 16.11.2002
Fewest goals: 13 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006
Fewest goals opponent: 19 v Crvena Zvezda Beograd SRB 31:19W (h), 28.09.2006
19 v HCM Constanta ROU 19:34W (a), 09.02.2012
Fewest goals both teams: 34 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 21:13L (a), 15.10.2006
MP W T
6
12
12
54
6
6
6
6
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
4
5
15
2
2
1
1
L
6
7
7
38
4
4
5
5
GF GA GD
167:195
159:177
155:182
141:170
122:188
321:332
-66
-11
335:341 -6
1400:1585 –185
–28
-18
-27
–29
PTS
0
9
10
31
4
4
2
2
Stage
3rd Gr. A
4th Gr. D
3rd Gr. E
3rd Gr. C
4th Gr. H
Last 16
Last 16
60

7
17
21
9
16
77
18
13
5
36
3
15
19
2
25
12
10
24
No. First Name
Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Lukasz
Rodrigo
Michal
Calujek
Corrales Rodal
Daszek
Valentin Marian Ghionea
Mariusz Jurkiewicz
Zbigniew
Angel
Kwiatkowski
Montoro Cabello
Adam
Ivan
Mateusz
Miljan
Dan Emil
Tiago
Kamil
Alexander
Marcin
Adam
Nemanja
Morawski
Nikcevic
Piechowski
Pusica
Wichary
Wisniewski
Zelenovic
POL Left Back
ROU Right Wing
POL Left Back
POL Line Player
ESP Right Back
25.7.1994
ESP Goalkeeper 24.2.1991
POL Right Wing 27.6.1992
29.4.1984
3.2.1982
2.4.1985
10.4.1989
POL Goalkeeper 17.10.1994
SRB Left Wing 11.2.1981
POL Line Player
SRB Left Back
1.3.1995
30.6.1991
Racotea
Rocha
ROU Left Back
POR Line Player
21.7.1995
17.10.1985
Syprzak POL Line Player 23.7.1991
Tioumentsev Barabash ESP Centre Back 4.10.1983
POL
POL
SRB
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Right Back
17.2.1980
24.10.1980
27.2.1990
193
182
210
199
202
196
206
185
202
202
180
197
199
202
213
193
192
194
97
104
120
85
94
80
110
101
104
99
70
94
103
120
105
100
100
93
61

Manolo Cadenas coach
Before he signed to Orlen last season he had made a short return to León, where he was the coach from 1995 to 2007, in the “golden era” of the club. He led Ademar to their only national championship title in 2001, two cup titles and victories in the European arena.
He joined Płock in a difficult period facing a challenge of building the team nearly from the scratch. This season he is going to continue forming a group ready to make a step further both in domestic league and the CL. Besides the Polish runners-up he also coaches the Spanish national team.
EC Trophies: Cup Winner’s Cup 1989, 1999, 2005
EURO: B 2014
Ivan Nikcević left wing
Wisła’s experienced left winger has many titles to his name. Raised in Crvena Zvezda
Belgrade, he moved to Spain in 2005 where he played for the likes of Portland San
Antonio, Reyno de Navarra San Antonio and
Cuatro Rayas Valladolid, achieving his best
European performance with Navarra in the
EHF Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final in 2010.
Nikcević is also an important Serbian national team player scoring 453 goals in 123 international appearances (as of September 2014).
EURO: S 2012
Marcin Wichary goalkeeper
Depite his inconspicuous look, while standing between the posts he turns into a beast. The
34-year-old player came to Płock in 2004 and since that moment he has become a true
Oiler, beloved by the local fans and certain point in the goal. For many years he has been impressed with a 50% save efficiency in the group phase. His best achievement to date remains the 5th place in the Olympic Games
2008 in Beijing. a part of the national team with 105 matches played so far. In his WCh debut in 2013 he
Miljan Pušica left back
Th 23-year-old player is among six new faces that reinforced the ranks of Wisła this season.
He replaced on the left side his countryman,
Petar Nenadić, who walked out to Füchse
Berlin in the summer. With his current club he will have a chance to finally appear in the regular contest of the CL as with his previous team, RK Vojvodina, he fell in the
Qualification Tournament last year. The young back has scored 8 goals in 7 matches of his national team so far.
Mariusz Jurkiewicz left back/centre back
Wisła Płock’s 2013 signing seems to be in the prime of his career. Over past few years he transformed from the typical defender into comprehensive player able to threaten his rivals with the distance throw. After long time spent in Spain, he returned to his homeland and soon became the Oilers’ key player and one of the pillars of Polish representation.
His best European achievement was the CL Final in 2012 with Cuidad
Real. Next season the back is going to join Kielce.
WCh: B 2009
Nemanja Zelenović right back
He is another representative of the young guns of Płock. He arrived this summer from
Celje Pivovarna Laško. With Serbian Red Star, his first club, he experienced the CL debut in the 2007/08 season and still as a teenager he scored 18 goals next season. At the age national team, where he also played at the EHF EURO in Denmark.
He is expected to share his time at the right back position with Angel
Montoro.
of 24 he is currently the first choice at right back position and a member of Serbian
Kamil Syprzak line player
With his height of 206 cm the Polish Tower, as the domestic media call the young player, is intended for his position, but even though he plays on the line, sometimes he surprises his opponents with a jump throw from the distance. From the beginning connected with Płock, he debuted in the Polish first league in the age of 17. Since 2011 he has also performed in the national team, playing 47 matches with the balance of
64 goals. Besides handball he has got a talent for drawing.
Valentin Ghionea right wing
Romanian Handballer of the Year in 2008, and two-time top scorer in Romania (2005, 2007), joined Wisła Płock in 2012 and during his first season, he showed his great goalscoring ability. Ghionea quickly became a very important Wisła Player and his team’s top scorer. In the 2013/14 season he scored 226 goals in 43 appearances including 48 goals in the Champions League. With his speed he is an important part of
Manolo Cadenas’s philosophy of the game.
62

GROUP B
Playing hall
Flens Arena
Campusallee 2
24943 Flensburg
Germany
Capacity: 6,000
Club Address:
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Schiffbrücke 66
24939 Flensburg
Germany
Media contact:
Sandra von Wallis
+49 4611609625 s.vonwallis@sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
Online information:
Website: www.sg-flensburg-handewitt.de
Facebook: SGFleHa
Twitter: @SGFleHa
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: white
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: black
The trophy earned in Cologne just a few months ago will be present at the Flensarena for every
VELUX EHF Champions League match this season, providing SG Flensburg-Handewitt with a permanent reminder of their club’s biggest success to date, beating Barcelona and Kiel in the
2014 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4.
However, the defending champions will start the new season with a different, younger look.
Three key players Michael Knudsen and Sören Rasmussen (both to Bjerringbro-Silkeborg) and
Steffen Weinhold (THW Kiel) left, while youngsters from Scandinavia and the club’s own youth programme were brought in. Nevertheless, coach Ljubomir Vranjes is sure that this team is ready for big challenges: “It is highly important for the development of those young players to perform on the international stage for as long as possible.”
The German club, a three-time EHF Champions League finalist, has a tough group ahead for their quest to return to Cologne. The biggest focus is on a repeat of the most thrilling semifinal since the implementation of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, when Flensburg came from six goals behind in the final stages to beat FC Barcelona after a penalty shoot-out in Cologne on 31 May.
“Barcelona is the clear favourite to win the group,” admits Flensburg manager Dierk
Schmäschke, adding: “The group is tough but interesting for our fans, not only because of the duel with our Danish neighbours from Kolding. It is our dream to make it to Cologne again, which will be a much harder task than last season.”
Swedish champions Alingsas and Polish runners-up Plock are the other confirmed opponents for Flensburg, with the winner of qualification tournament 3 to join this group as well. Team captain Tobias Karlsson shares the opinions and hopes of his manager: “We are truly looking forward the new challenges but we know that we face tough opponents in the group phase.
“It’s our goal to build a good foundation for the knock-out stage, as our dream destination is
Cologne once again. Our debut there in June was extraordinary and it would be perfect to be part of this event again. To play in the Champions League is something very special. But this season is very hard for us with the Bundesliga, IHF Super Globe and Champions League. From end of August until Christmas we have to play 34 matches, so my biggest hope is that all our players stay fit and healthy,” says the Swedish defensive specialist.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Third ranked in
Germany
Newcomers:
Johan Jakobsson (Aalborg Handbold)
Anders Zachariassen (Sönderjysk Elitesport)
Kevin Møller (GOG Håndbold)
Kasper Kisum (TMS Ringsted)
Lukas Blohme (SG youth)
Michael Nicolaisen (SG youth)
Left the club:
Michael Knudsen (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg)
Sören Rasmussen (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg)
Steffen Weinhold (THW Kiel)
Olafur Gustafsson (Aalborg Handball)
Goran Bogunovic (HCM Constanta)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 10
Winners (1): 2013/14
Final (2): 2003/04, 2006/07
Semi-final (1): 2005/06
Quarter-final (4): 2004/05, 2008/09,
2010/11, 2012/13
Main Round (1): 2007/08
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/01,
2011/12
EHF Cup: Winners 1996/97
City Cup: Winners 1998/99
German league: 1 title (2004)
German cup: 3 titles
63

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2003/04 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
2004/05 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
2005/06 SG Flensburg Handewitt GER
2006/07 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
2007/08 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
2008/09 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
2010/11 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
2012/13 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
2013/14 SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
43:24 (23:12) v RK Metalurg Skopje MKD (h), 19.10.2006
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
6 matches (13.03.2005 – 05.11.2005)
6 matches (02.12.2010 – 03.04.2011)
Longest unbeaten run: 7 matches (24.04.2004 – 14.11.2004)
Longest losing run:
7 matches (25.11.2012 – 23.03.2013)
3 matches (04.03.2006 - 01.04.2006)
Longest run without win: 5 matches (10.02.2008 – 08.03.2008)
Most goals: 44 v Redbergslids IK SWE 44:33W (h), 22.11.2003
Most goals opponent: 41 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 41:31L (a), 02.12.2006
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: 43 v Montpellier HB FRA 22:21W (h), 01.03.2009
43 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 25:18W (h), 02.03.2011
43 v Renovalia Ciudad Real ESP 21:22W (a), 01.05.2011
MP W T
12
12
14
14
14
10
12
14
16 12
118 76
7
8
10
7
4
8
11
9
0
3
2
0
1
9
0
1
1
1
L
3
2
6
4
5
5
3
2
3
33
GF GA GD
450:401
319:270
372:326
437:398
355:356
360:329
394:354
416:384
489:441 +48
3592:3259 +333
+49
+49
+46
+39
-1
+31
+40
+32
PTS
10
16
22
21
21
15
14
17
25
161
Stage
Runner-up
1/4-finals
1/2-finals
Runner-up
4th MR Gr. 3
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
Winner
64

4
16
10
5
32
3
18
23
1
2
7
9
24
21
19
17
41
11
40
14
20
22
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height
Mattias
Lukas
Anders
Holger
Jim
Jacob
Johan Mikael
Thore
Tobias
Lars
Kasper
Maik
Kevin
Thomas
Drasko
Michael
Bogdan
Lasse
Ljubomir
Hampus
Stefan
Anders
Andersson
Blohme
Eggert
Glandorf
Gottfridsson
Heinl
Jakobsson
Jöhnck
Karlsson
Kaufmann
Kisum
Machulla
Möller
Mogensen
Nenadic
Nicolaisen
Radivojevic
Svan
Vranjes
Wanne
Wilhelm
Zachariassen
SWE Goalkeeper 29.3.1978
GER Right Wing
DEN Left Wing
7.11.1994
14.5.1982
GER Right Back 30.3.1983
SWE Centre Back 2.9.1992
GER Line Player
SWE Right Back
9.10.1986
12.2.1987
GER Goalkeeper 28.7.1995
SWE Line Player 4.6.1981
GER Left Back
DEN Left Back
25.2.1982
20.8.1992
GER Centre Back 9.1.1977
DEN Goalkeeper 20.6.1990
DEN Centre Back 30.1.1983
SRB Left Back 15.2.1990
GER Left Back
SRB Right Wing
6.5.1995
2.3.1993
DEN Right Wing 31.8.1983
SWE Centre Back 3.10.1973
SWE Left Wing 10.12.1993
GER Centre Back 22.1.1996
DEN Line Player 4.9.1991
184
196
199
190
189
200
187
202
185
188
179
195
190
195
195
195
192
184
168
184
190
192
95
103
100
91
84
102
103
92
93
72
77
90
95
101
89
84
93
96
100
80
84
80
65

Ljubomir Vranjes coach
Player, manager, coach – this the running order of the career of former Swedish international player. After retiring as a player he became club manager in 2009 and coach in November
2010. And after winning the CL last season the number of top offers like from PSG and the German national team were huge – but
Vranjes stayed in Flensburg. Intermediately he led Serbia to the 2014 EHF EURO in Denmark in a caretaker role, but did not continue on the Serbian bench. In his spare time, Vranjes is a highly creative photographer and just started to write his 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
Anders Eggert left wing
Fast, faster, Eggert: The Dane had to fill seriously big shoes in Flensburg as successor of legendary Lars Christiansen. But he coped perfectly with this situation and was the top scorer of the German Bundesliga in 2011
(248 goals) and top scorer of the 2013 World
Championship in Spain (55 goals). Eggert just started his ninth season in Flensburg after intermediately being on loan at Skjern handball. Eggert, who started his career at Gudme, is also famous being as cold as ice from the penalty line with one of the highest percentages in the CL.
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2008, 2012, silver medallist 2014
Thomas Mogensen centre back
With more than 1,000 goals for his club and long list of silverware, the Danish playmaker is highly experienced. Since 2007 he has played for Flensburg – his first stop outside his home country Denmark. Before he had played for Viborg and Svendborg, becoming
Danish champion and cup winner twice.
SG will have at least three more years of inspiration, as his contract expires in 2017. To focus only on SG he quit his career in the Danish national team after the last EHF EURO.
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup 2012
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Holger Glandorf right back
Years ago it was impossible to find any
German stars in the Flensburg squad, which mostly had been imprinted by Scandinavian players - but times have changed. One of two German 2007 world champions in the
Flensburg roster is left handed shooter
Glandorf. Despite some injury breaks, the right back always returned to a high level of performance. He is one of only a few players, who have the full set of three major European Cup competitions titles on his tally, with
Nordhorn and Flensburg. Last August he announced to quit from the
German national team and will only focus on his club now.
EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2008, 2010, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
WCh: G 2007
Mattias Andersson goalkeeper
The Swedish was the most outstanding
Flensburg player in the last years, including his award “best player of the Bundesliga season 2011/12”. Already in the younger age categories he was part of all All-Star teams and became member of the senior national team. After a highly successful time at Kiel
(2001-08), he left for three years to join TV
Großwallstadt. In 2011 he returned northwards, signing in Flensburg.
His saves in Cologne were the major keys to finally stand on the
FINAL4 winners’ podium in June – to win his last missing EC trophy.
EC trophies: CL 2007, 2014, EHF Cup: 2002, 2004, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
OG: S 2012, EHF EURO: G 2000
Lars Kaufmann left back
A man like Adonis with cannon shots and high jumps: It is no surprise that he became a model for men’s underwear and that his favourite movie is “Gladiator”. After some injuries in the last years (including another surgery at the start of last season) he always returned to the court, willing to prove why he was an important player of the 2007 WC winning team of Germany. By winning the CL and the Cup Winners’ Cup
Kaufmann (like Glandorf and Andersson) has won all three major ECs.
EC trophies: CL 2014, EHF Cup: 2011, Cup Winners’ Cup: winner 2012
WCh: G 2007
Tobias Karlsson line player
He is the typical powerful Scandinavian defence specialist, who – together with former
Barcelona rock Magnus Jernemyr - build the
Swedish middle block in the last years. He is the team captain, a great honour after legendary
Lars Christiansen left SG. He became Swedish champion three times with Hammarby IF.
On national team level he was awarded best defence player at the 2014 EHF EURO. He is the clear boss in the SG defence, while he seldom enters the opponent’s half.
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
OG: S 2012
Lasse Svan Hansen right wing
One who names „roasted hot dog“ as his favourite dish cannot be a professional sportsmen, right? But despite his love for the typical Danish snack, he is one of the fastest wing players in the CL. He has the same qualities as Eggert on the other side: fast counter-attacks and a high scoring efficiency. And he has 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.
In addition to all his merits and trophies in handball, Svan was billiards champion in his home region Seeland.
EC trophies: CL 2014, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2012
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
66

GROUP B
The VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase has not even started yet, but Besiktas MOGAZ
HT have already made history. By winning the qualification tournament in Hasselt with a clear
34:25 final victory against Romanian side HCM Constanta they became the first Turkish team to make it past the qualification – after they themselves had unsuccessfully tried six times before.
“To be part of the Champions League is a big chance for us, albeit a tough one and a new challenge,” says club manager Berk Karahan and adds: “It’s also an opportunity to represent
Turkish handball and the Turkish style of play. And there is an old saying in Turkish: ‘The Eagles love to fly high’, so our confidence is high as the sky.”
Besiktas first put their name on the map of European top handball, when they qualified for
EHF Cup Group Phase two seasons ago. Before the current season – and thanks to the support of their new sponsor MOGAZ – Besiktas signed some big names like Croatian wing player Ivan
Nincevic and Chilean international Erwin Feuchtmann.
These two helped to make the dream of the group phase come true, and over the coming weeks Besiktas will be welcoming handball powerhouses such as FC Barcelona and defending champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt to their arena. Plock, Alingsas and Kolding are Istanbul’s opponents other three opponent on their maiden voyage in the VELUX EHF Champions League.
“We want to go as far as we can. We know that our rivals are very strong and experienced in the Champions League but we are very encouraged to face them. On the court, the conditions are the same for all teams, each team plays with seven players,” says Karahan.
Team captain Ibrahim Demir is sure that “qualifying for and competing in the Champions
League will bring us a new vision of handball.”
“We are very happy to be in the same group with the best teams in Europe. Our main target is to fight until even our socks are torn apart. All my teammates have the same mind-set. After eleven years, Turkish handball is finally getting what it deserves.”
Playing hall
Sinan Erdem Arena
Zuhuratbaba Mh, Bakritköy
34147 Istanbul
Turkey
Capacity: 15,000
Besiktas MOGAZ HT
Suleyman Seba Cd. No. 48
34357 Besiktas - Istanbul
Turkey
Berk Karahan
Tel: +90-535-358-8747 berk.karahan@bjk.com.tr
Online information: www.bjk.com.tr
Twitter: @BJKHentbol
Facebook: Besiktas
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: green
Dark
Player shirt: green
Player short: green
Goalkeeper shirt: black
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 8
Qualification (6): 2005/06, 2007/08,
2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13
Other
EHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06,
2010/11
Challenge Cup: Semi-final
2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03
Turkish champions: 10 titles (1981,
1982, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011,
2012, 2013, 2014)
Turkish Cup winners: 10 titles
67

53
3
4
36
22
34
25
26
7
15
13
10
19
11
6
27
20
12
99
18
8
2
37
1
No. First Name Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Yigit
Tolga
Viktor
Ömer
Ivan
Tolga
Yunus
David
Kubilay
Ömer Ozan Arifoglu
Ercan Asikoglu
Muhammed Taha Ayar
Senol
Oguzhan
Josip
Volkan
Boyar
Büyük
Buljubasic
Caliskan
Mesut
Ugur
Predrag
Ibrahim
Ramazan
Bülent
Erwin Jan
Berkay
Cebi
Coban
Dacevic
Demir
Döne
Erkol
Feuchtmann Perez
Gulyurt
Ilgin
Kirli
Ladyko
Mercan
Nincevic
Özbahar
Özmusul
Rasic
Yilmaz
TUR Right Back
TUR Right Wing
TUR Line Player
20.8.1989
4.1.1983
12.6.1996
TUR Centre Back 8.5.1984
TUR Left Wing 18.3.1977
CRO Back 11.7.1988
TUR Centre Back 3.11.1990
TUR Goalkeeper 6.9.1991
TUR Left Wing 10.11.1988
SRB Left Back 21.7.1986
TUR Goalkeeper 4.10.1975
TUR Right Back
TUR Right Wing
10.7.1981
1.12.1977
GER Left Back 2.5.1990
TUR Centre Back 3.3.1997
TUR Left Wing 1.2.1997
TUR Goalkeeper 28.3.1993
UKR Centre Back 30.4.1979
TUR Right Back 10.4.1997
CRO Left Wing
TUR Line Player
27.10.1981
24.4.1984
TUR Goalkeeper 4.2.1989
SRB Left Back 4.12.1986
TUR Right Wing 22.3.1997
195
177
198
194
192
194
195
196
196
190
192
185
179
202
192
190
192
194
192
184
195
199
196
188
106
96
96
91
105
80
95
105
102
95
90
85
84
118
98
88
115
100
93
79
90
102
95
92
68

Mufit Arin coach
Arin has had plenty of success as a coach with
Beşiktaş JK, dominating theTurkish domestic scene over the past ten years. He is an eight time Turkish league champion, six time
Turkish cup winner, six time Turkish Super
Cup winner, and reached the EHF Challenge
Cup semifinal in the 2008/09 season. Arin’s notable playing achievement is winning the
Turkish league with Arcelik HK in 1983, but nothing can be compared to the successful qualification for the CL group phase this season.
Yunuz Özmusul goalkeeper
Despite transferring to Beşiktaş only recently, the talented goalkeeper feels himself like an established ‘Black Eagle’. He started his career in 2008/09. After five years in Turkish capital representative Maliye Milli Piyango, he went to Ankara İl Özel İdare for another challenge and where his potential was discovered by Beşiktaş. He was the star of the
Qualification Tournament in Hasselt, Belgium, especially in the final against HCM Constanta.
Ivan Ninčević left wing
Croatian national team’s left winger is a big reinforcement for Turkish champions, right before their first CL season. Ninčević has managed to build his name in Germany. From the second division and Stralsunder, as a top scorer he has earned a transfer to Füchse
Berlin with which he was always among
Bundesliga’s best clubs. After that he has played in Dinamo Minsk and later accepted Beskitas’ call. Outstanding scorer and a good defensive player able to motivate the whole team.
Erwin Feuchtmann Perez left back
Chile, Germany, Romania – and now
Turkey: Feuchtmann is a real globetrotter in handball. His grandfather made it in 1928 from Mannheim to Chile and his sons and grandchildren had handball in their veins.
Erwin, his brothers Emil and Harald and his sister Inga were or are part of the Chilean national team and participated in several world championships. Erwin played for several German clubs, then he transferred to Ordohei in Romania, before he joined the Besiktas squad this summer – to enjoy his first ever CL experience in his life.
OG: B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
Tolga Özbahar line player
The 30-year-old line player came to Beşiktaş in 2010 and is recognised as one of Turkey’s best players in his position, with over 60 international matches for Turkey and being awarded the best line player in the Turkish league several times. In the 2012/13 season, when Besiktas reached the EHF Cup Group
Phase, he was the second best scorer (27) and shined with his 10-goal haul in the Qualification Round 2 match against Odorheiu Secuiesc.
Ramazan Döne right back
The 33-year-old joined Beşiktaş in 2006 from Çankaya Belediyesi. He became the top scorer of the Challenge Cup in 2005/06 with
66 goals in 7 games as well as the top scorer of the Turkish league in 2005/06, 2006/07 and
2009/10. In the 2012/13 season he helped
Besiktas to reach the EHF Cup Group Phase and was their top scorer with 30 goals. He was awarded the best right back in the Turkish league several times and has played over 150 international matches for Turkey so far.
Ozan Arifoğlu right back
As a one of the earliest members of Beşiktaş
Mogaz, Turkish star Ozan Arifoğlu always plays with his heart. Besides he has been a vital part of senior team for five years. He won three league titles, three cup titles and several other domestic trophies. He also has a bright future in Turkish national Team, Ozan wore the red-white jersey more than 120 times. Playing the CL for the first time in his career will give him a new objective to represent the Turkish style of handball.
Ercan Aşıkoğlu right wing
‘The Speed of Black Eagle’ Ercan Aşıkoğlu is one of the most experienced player at
Beşiktaş Mogaz. Aşıkoğlu’s handball life began in Bursa Nilüfer after he moved on to
Turkey from Bulgaria. Being a high profile handball player, on the other hand he is a sport scholar who graduated from Uludağ
Universty Sport Academy. Especially with his professionalism and family life, he is a proper role-model for young eagles of Beşiktaş Mogaz. Although he won 12 domestic trophies, he is ready for a new challenge in the CL.
69

EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHTS CONGREGATE
We do not like to use the truism “Group of death” but Group C is definitely full of Champions League heavy weights: last year four of the six teams featured in the last 16, three played in the quarter-final and MKB-MVM
Veszprém went all the way to Cologne. Considering how miserably close Löwen and Vardar were to reach the
VELUX EHF FINAL4 the sextet of MKB-MVM Veszprém, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, HC Vardar, Chekhovskie Medvedi,
RK Celje and Montpellier promises thrilling handball action with an almost unpredictable outcome.
Three of the six teams shared the same group last year, Veszprém advanced as group winners, Löwen finished second while Celje was third but this year HC Vardar will definitely have a say in the matter of knockout stage.
So will EHF Cup-finalist Montpellier and Russian champion Chekhovskie. The Hungarian champion finished on top of their group in three years running, and had the best of familiar opponent Rhein-Neckar Löwen, whom they beat last year as well as in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in 2008. MKB-MVM Veszprém even strengthened their impressive squad with reinforcements to all compartments while Löwen have a rather long list of departures including coach Gudmundur Gudmundson.
Vardar used their abundant resources to further upgrade their enviable squad by landing the likes of Árpád
Sterbik, Sergei Gorbok and Blazenko Lackovic, which rightfully made coach Raul Gutierrez Gonzalez optimistic.
Without the above mentioned superstars the Macedonian team only went down against to-be-champions
Flensburg on an away goal rule after they remained unbeaten at home versus PSG and Barcelona.
It looks likely that Celje, Montpellier and Medvedi will battle it out for the fourth spot, for which it is impossible to tell who might have a small edge over the others. Celje lost quite a few important players, some of whom where distributed among group rivals (Marguc and Lékai to Veszprém, Mackovsek to Montpellier) and the same goes for Montpellier as well, who waved goodbye to William Accambray, Thierry Omeyer and
Wissem Hmam.
Russian champions (13 times in a row!) are coming back from a year long absence from the main stage of
European handball but are eager to prove they can do well with only Russian players in their squad.
Bence Mártha
70

Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko
09.10.1994 Fotex Veszprem vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2
15.10.1994 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Fotex Veszprem, VELUX EHF Champions League – Qualification Round 2
29.09.2007 MKB Veszprém KC vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F
18.11.2007 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group F
29.09.2012 MKB Veszprém KC vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
01.12.2012 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
17.11.2013 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs MKB-MVM Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
23.11.2013 MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Chekhovskie Medvedi
1982/83
1982/83
1987/88
1987/88
CSKA Moskau vs SC Epitök Veszprem, Champions Cup – Last 16
SC Epitök Veszprem vs CSKA Moskau, Champions Cup – Last 16
CSKA Moskau vs VAEV Bramac Veszprem, Champions Cup – Last 16
VAEV Bramac Veszprem vs CSKA Moskau, Champions Cup – Last 16
22.10.2011 MKB Veszprém KC vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
16.02.2012 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen
03.05.2008 MKB Veszprém KC HUN-Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER, Cup Winners’ Cup – finals
10.05.2008 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER-MKB Veszprém KC HUN, Cup Winners’ Cup – finals
04.10.2009 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER-MKB Veszprém KC HUN, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
21.02.2010 MKB Veszprém KC HUN-Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
29.09.2013 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN-Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
09.02.2014 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER-MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs HC Vardar
10.11.2001 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
08.12.2001 Fotex KC Veszprém vs Vardar Vatrost. Skopje, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
MKB-MVM Veszprém vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
08.11.1998 Montpellier HB vs Fotex KC Veszprém, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
03.01.1999 Fotex KC Veszprém vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
26.02.2006 Montpellier HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
04.03.2006 MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
22.02.2009 Montpellier HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3
07.03.2009 MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round Group 3
09.10.2010 MKB Veszprém KC vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
06.03.2011 Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs MKB Veszprém KC, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Chekhovskie Medvedi
10.11.2001 CSKA Moskau vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
08.12.2001 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs CSKA Moskau, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen
14.02.2009 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 2
26.02.2009 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Main Round-Group 2
02.10.2010 HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
04.12.2010 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
12.10.2013 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
20.02.2014 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
24.04.2011 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
30.04.2011 Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
21:17 (12:10)
26:17 (9:8)
23:21 (11:10)
27:22 (14:11)
24:30 (11:14)
22:23 (11:10)
27:26 (13:15)
30:24 (13:11)
25:27 (12:14)
28:26 (16:12)
28:34 (14:16)
31:26 (15:16)
28:32 (12:14)
33:32 (14:16)
25:28 (07:13)
35:25 (19:12)
27:29 (12:09)
26:35 (17:15)
22:18 (8:9)
21:24 (12:10)
24:24 (14:11)
28:23 (15:14)
32:22 (16:11)
19:24 (9:11)
26:31 (14:15)
27:26 (13:10)
31:19 (16:11)
25:30 (13:14)
24:14 (15:6)
22:22 (11:13)
24:22 (10:10)
30:26 (13:13)
37:32 (20:20)
28:28 (14:14)
32:29 (17:14)
34:30 (17:12)
30:29 (17:14)
25:25 (12:13)
24:27 (11:10)
27:22 (14:10)
71

Historic encounters of the Group C opponents in the EC
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
25.02.2001 Montpellier HB vs Celje Pivovarna Lasko, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
03.03.2001 Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen
28.03.2009 Chehovskie Medvedi vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
05.04.2009 Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Chehovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
09.11.1996 Montpellier HB vs CSKA Moscow, EHF Cup – Last 16
16.11.1996 CSKA Moscow vs Montpellier HB, EHF Cup – Last 16
10.11.2002 Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
08.12.2002 Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Moskau, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
12.10.2003 Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi Moscow, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
22.11.2003 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
16.10.2005 Montpellier HB vs Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
12.11.2005 Chehovski Medvedi, Chekhov vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
08.11.2009 Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
25.02.2010 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
28.04.2010 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
01.05.2010 Montpellier HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – 1/4-finals
(32:27, 12:14)
18.10.2012 Chekhovskie Medvedi vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
17.02.2013 Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs Chekhovskie Medvedi, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group A
No previous encounters in European competitions
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs HC Vardar
Chekhovskie Medvedi vs HC Vardar
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko vs HC Vardar
HC Vardar vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB
24:23 (10:9)
29:23 (13:12)
33:31 (21:15)
36:28 (16:13)
24:18 (10:9)
17:17 (10:9)
30:31 (15:11)
25:24 (13:12)
27:19 (14:9)
25:30 (14:13)
36:29 (19:14)
35:28 (20:12)
33:28 (19:14)
27:28 (11:16)
32:27 (18:13)
36:32 AET
35:29 (19:15)
30:30 (17:17)
72

GROUP C
Playing hall
Veszprém Arena
Külso Kadartai ut
8200 Veszprém
Hungary
Capacity: 5,020
Club Address:
MKB-MVM Veszprém
Marcius 15. ut 5
8200 Veszprém
Hungary
Media contact:
Zsolt Sevinger
+36 305024547 mkbveszprem@chello.hu
Online information:
Website: www.mkbveszprem.eu
Facebook: mkbveszpremkc
Twitter: @mkbveszpremkc
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: grey
Dark
Player shirt: red
Player short: red
Goalkeeper shirt: black
They have tasted the success of being part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne this year, and now they want to go all the way again. Several times they were highly close to the final destination of the VELUX EHF Champions League and failed on the last step, in the 2013/14 their time had come.
Despite finishing on the fourth position, the Hungarian record champions had given THW Kiel and FC Barcelona a great fight, honoured and cheered by hundreds of Veszprém fans in the
LANXESS arena. In order to reach this goal, Veszprém have bolstered their strong squad by two former Champions League winners. Left handed hammer shooter Christian Zeitz (three times winner) arrives from Kiel, Swedish powerful line player Andreas Nilsson from Hamburg
(2013 winner). Additionally Veszprém changed their goalkeeper from Nandor Fazekas to Roland
Mikler – so like in the national team the former Szeged stopper and EHF Cup winner with Pick now is the successor of Fazekas also on club level. Their shopping spree led the Hungarians also to their upcoming group opponent Celje, signing Hungarian playmaker Mate Lekai and
Slovenian goal machine Gasper Marguc.
Due to those big names, who have arrived at Veszprém, the aim is to go all the way in all competitions: Defending the Hungarian championship title for 23rd time, the Hungarian Cup for the 24th time – and to make it again to Cologne in the VELUX EHF Champions League. But on the way to Cologne, Veszprém – traditionally – got a handful of stumble stones already in the group phase like the last season’s quarter-finalists Rhein Neckar Löwen and Vardar, 2003
Champions League winner Montpellier, 2004 Champions League winner Celje or 2010 VELUX
EHF FINAL4 participants Medvedi. “We were for sure drawn in the strongest group of this season’s Champions League,” says club director Csaba Hajnal, adding: “In our opinion there is not even one weak opponent among our competitors.” But team captain Laszlo Nagy hopes for
“this special atmosphere” to come for all Champions League matches in their every time soldout arena, but also agrees that “we are in a very strong group”.
The preparation of the Balaton based team was anything but free of problems: Iman Jamali,
Mirko Alilovic and newcomer Mate Lekai needed to undergo surgeries – and will miss some more weeks.
Past achievements
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Hungarian
Champion
Newcomers:
Mate Lekai (Celje Pivovarna Lasko)
Gasper Marcuc (Celje Pivovarna lasko)
Roland Mikler (Pick Szeged)
Andreas Nilsson (HSV Hamburg)
Christian Zeitz (THW Kiel)
Left the club:
Nandor Fazekas (El Jaish Doha)
Tamas Ivancsik (Balatonfüredi KSE)
Uros Vilovski (Balatonfüredi KSE)
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 20
Final (1): 2001/02
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 (2): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12
Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96,
2007/08
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2007/08,
Runners-up 1996/97
Hungarian league: 22 titles (1985, 1986,
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014)
Hungarian cup: 23 titles
73

VELUX EHF Champions League record
1994/95 Fotex Veszprem HUN
1995/96 Fotex Veszprem HUN
1997/98 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
1998/99 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
1999/00 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
2001/02 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
2002/03 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
2003/04 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
2004/05 Fotex KC Veszprém HUN
2005/06 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2006/07 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2007/08 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2008/09 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2009/10 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2010/11 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2011/12 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2012/13 MKB Veszprém KC HUN
2013/14 MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
38:17 (18:09) v HC Granitas Kaunas LTU (h), 06.11.2004
30:18 (16:08) v Badel Zagreb CRO (a), 24.01.1995
Longest winning run: 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010)
Longest unbeaten run: 11 matches (11.10.2009 – 03.04.2010)
Longest losing run: 3 matches (16.01.1996 – 08.02.1996)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (09.01.1999 – 31.10.1999)
Most goals: 46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 46:26W (h), 07.10.2006
46 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006
Most goals opponent: 39 v THW Kiel GER 39:32L (a), 01.03.2007
Most goals both teams: 76 v MSK SIRS Povazska Bystrica SVK 30:46W (a), 21.10.2006
Fewest goals: 15 v TEKA Santander ESP 25:15L (a), 15.03.1995
Fewest goals opponent: 13 v SO Chambery FRA 29:13W (h), 18.11.2001
13 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002
Fewest goals both teams: 32 v Panellinios AC Athens GRE 19:13W (h), 17.11.2002
MP W T
12
14
12
12
10
12
10
6
8
12
10
10
8
8
6
6
14
16
11
11
186 123 7
0
1
8
7
4
9
5
3
2
3
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
9
7
8
11
7
2
7
9
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
L GF GA GD
3
5
4
3
3
2
3
3
3
4
56
2
3
4
3
2
4
2
3
317:259
373:318
338:288
184:171
351:320
419:368
373:338
321:322
131:147
147:144
228:204
200:188
203:202
310:267
276:238
306:276
410:348
477:410
+62
+67
5364:4808 +556
+1
+43
+38
+30
–16
+3
+24
+12
+31
+51
+35
-1
+58
+55
+50
+13
PTS
22
23
253
16
22
18
14
14
18
14
6
8
18
16
14
6
6
11
7
Stage
1/4-finals
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
3rd Gr. F
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
Last 16
Last 16
1/4-finals
4th Place
3rd Gr. A
3rd Gr. A
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
Runner-up
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
74

16
19
18
25
21
34
66
24
32
12
34
35
3
13
4
33
30
23
38
20
36
11
37
5
No. First Name Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Mirko
Adam
David
Daniel
Peter
Momir
Gergö
Iman
Otto
Mate
Gasper
Roland
Laszlo
Andreas
Jose Maria
Gergely
Carlos
Rozsavölgyi
Ruesga Pasarin
Peter Schmid
Istvan Timuzsin Schuch
Renato
Mirsad
Cristian
Martin
Christian
Sulic
Terzic
Ugalde Garcia
Varju
Zeitz
Alilovic
Borbely
Fekete
Füzi
Gulyas
Ilic
Ivancsik
CRO Goalkeeper 15.9.1985
HUN Goalkeeper 22.6.1995
HUN Left Wing 12.10.1996
HUN Line Player
HUN Right Wing
SRB Left Back
HUN Left Wing
9.8.1996
4.3.1984
22.12.1981
30.11.1981
Jamali
Kancel
Lekai
Marguc
IRI Left Back
SVK Left Back
11.10.1991
1.2.1995
HUN Centre Back 16.6.1988
SLO Right Wing 20.8.1990
Mikler
Nagy
HUN Goalkeeper 20.9.1984
HUN Right Back 3.3.1981
Nilsson SWE Line Player
Rodriguez Vaquero ESP Line Player
12.4.1990
5.1.1980
HUN Goalkeeper 8.5.1996
ESP Line Player 10.3.1985
HUN Centre Back 6.8.1996
HUN Line Player 5.6.1985
CRO Line Player
BIH Left Back
ESP Left Wing
HUN Right Wing
GER Right Back
12.10.1979
12.7.1983
19.10.1987
3.1.1996
18.11.1980
200
205
190
182
190
207
196
187
201
197
180
180
200
200
190
187
184
180
197
192
196
187
185
186
102
117
117
98
102
95
89
82
113
122
85
78
106
109
89
109
104
82
82
103
93
98
75
110
75

Antonio Carlos Ortega coach
Six-time winner of the CL, five European Cup triumphs, six time Spanish champion, 14 different cup titles in Spain, a silver medallist at the EHF EURO 1998 and Olympic bronze medallist in 2000 – Ortega’s cabinet of medals and trophies is absolutely huge. As a player for
Barcelona he won every possible title at least three times. In 2005 he started his coaching career in Antequera, in 2012 he left Spain for the first time to take on the challenge in Veszprém and in his second year he steered them to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the first time.
EC trophy: CL 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, Cup Winers’ Cup 1995, EHF Cup 2003
OG: B 2000, EURO: S 1998, B 2000
Cristian Ugalde left wing
Veszprém caught a really big fish in Ugalde.
He is a player who was brought up by
Barcelona and who played regularly in the first team since he was 18. He excelled at international level in the 2007/08 season with his 34 goals and participation in the national team. His biggest success with Barcelona was the CL title in 2011 but he won every possible title with Barca – some of them multiple times. He has found a new challenge in Veszprém altering with Gergő Iváncsik, who is one of the best players in this position according to Ugalde.
EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011
EURO: B 2014, WCh: B 2011
Chema Rodríguez Vaquero centre back
Until 2012 he played only in Spain (Valladolid,
Ciudad Real, Atlético Madrid). In 2007 he transferred to Ciudad Real in what was one of the most expensive transfers in handball history. At club level he is a twotime CL winner and he won the Spanish
Championship and the Spanish Cup three times. His accolades with Spain started with a silver medal at the EHF EURO in 2006, followed with the third place at the WCh 2011 and a world title in January 2013.
EC trophies: CL 2008, 2009
EURO: S 2006, WCh: G 2005, B 2011
László Nagy right back
He started his career as a basketball player and he was close to a move to the USA at the age of 13. In the end he decided for handball and became one of the best right backs of the world. He transferred from Szeged to
Barcelona in 2006 and became the captain of the team despite being a foreign player.
He was the captain of the national team until
2009 and then took a break until 2012. He reached 4th place at the
Olympics twice, he was selected in the All Star team of the last WCh and the best right back of the 2012/13 CL season.
EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011, EHF Cup 2003
Mirko Alilović goalkeeper
Like his predecessor Dejan Perić, he belongs to the elite class of goalkeepers who can send the audience to their feet and inspire his teammates. He is a member of the Croatian national team and his medal tally consists of three silver medals (WCh in 2009 and the EHF
EURO 2008 and 2010) and two bronze (2012
Olympics and 2013 WCh). In Spain he played an important role as an attack-starter and recorded 11 goal assists during the WCh. As he played for five years in the Asobal league he is very familiar with the Spanish contingent in Veszprém.
OG: B 2012, EURO: S 2008, 2010, WCh: S 2009, B 2013
Momir Ilić left back
The top scorer of the last CL season joined
THW Kiel in 2009 from VfL Gummersbach and won seven titles during his four years with the club, including two CL titles. The
Serbian left back led his country to their first handball medal as an independent nation at was the only player last season who passed 100 goals (103) in the CL and was voted by fans in the All-Star team as the best left back of the competition.
EHF EURO 2012 on home court, where he was selected as the MVP of the tournament. He
EC trophies: CL 2010, 2012
EURO: S 2012
Renato Sulić line player
This is the second stint of the robust Croatian in Veszprém, but in the 2004/05 season he did not have a chance to wear their jersey as he was injured in a car incident before his first match. He came back to Veszprém after several years in Zagreb and Celje. During
Slavko Goluža’s time at the Croatian national team helm, he was left out of the squad for the WCh in Spain. He will share his time on the court with the defensive specialist Timuzsin Schuh and Andreas Nilsson.
EURO: S 2008, WCh: G 2003
Gašper Marguč right wing
He took part in the WCh in Spain 2013, where
Slovenia placed fourth. Marguč came to
Veszprem from Celje where was playing since
2009. In the 2012/13 season he played his best season so far and became Slovenia’s top scorer in the CL, netting 72 times (10th overall). He played two amazing matches against THW Kiel, scoring 18 times from 18 shots against the legendary Thierry Omeyer. His goals were regularly voted by fans as one of the best shots of the week.
76

GROUP C
Playing hall
Dvorana Zlatorog
Opekarinska cesta 15
3000 Celje
Slovenia
Capacity: 5,830
Club Address:
Celje Pivovarna Laško
Opekarniska Cesta 15
3000 Celje
Slovenia
Media contact:
Nejc Ajdnik
+386 40687766 nejc.ajdnik@rk-celje.si
Online information:
Website: www.rk-celje.si
Facebook: rkceljepivovarnalasko
Twitter: @RKCPL
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: yellow
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: blue
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: black
It took them four tough years, but after the 2013/14 season the record champions from
Celje were on top of the Slovenian league again. So exactly ten years after winning the EHF
Champions League for the first and only time, the team of coach Branko Tamše qualified straight for their in 20th participation in the Champions League, a record held alongside Zagreb and Veszprem.
Branko Tamše has spent the summer seeing his team undergo many changes, with established players leaving, such as Gasper Marguc and Mate Lekai (both to Veszprem), Sebastian
Skube (to Silkeborg) or Borut Mačkovšek (to join the large Slovenian contingent at MAHB
Montpellier). This means that we will see the youngest Celje squad ever competing in Europe, with an average age of only 23 years. Hopes lie on the shoulders of many young talents, including two Olympic gold medalists - goalkeeper Urh Kastelic and right wing Gal Marguc, who led Slovenia to the title at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing two weeks ago.
The group phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League has set high hurdles for the youngsters, with Veszprem, Rhein Neckar Löwen, Medvedi, Vardar and Montpellier (with five Slovenian players) lying in wait. But after the 19th title on home ground and also winning the Slovenian
Super Cup for the third time, international ambitions are high, particularly with victories last season over Kiel, Flensburg and Hamburg over the last two seasons.
“We are out for more surprises,” is the goal for this international season, in which reaching the Last 16 is the main goal, despite changing half of the squad and mascot – the new one is called Poki. New manager Gregor Planteu hopes for a full Zlatorog arena against either top teams or traditional rivals: “From a marketing point of view we have same goals as last season. Opponents such as Veszprem, Vardar, Montpellier and Rhein Neckar Lowen should attract many fans. So from this point of view we are very happy with draw. We will see also a lot of former RK Celje Pivovarna Laško players such as Marguč, Lekai, Harbok, Toskić, Brumen,
Mačkovšek and Gajič at Montpellier.”
Qualification for the 2014/2015 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: Slovenian champions
Newcomers:
Miha Zarabec (RK Maribor Branik)
Šime Ivić (RK Nexe Našice)
Živan Pešić (Veszprem)
Michal Kasal (FC Barcelona)
Tilen Kodrin (youth team Celje)
Gal Marguč (youth team Celje)
Jaka Malus (youth team Celje)
Urh Kastelic (youth team Celje)
Left the club:
Gašper Marguč (Veszprem)
Mate Lekai (Veszprem)
Sebastjan Skube (Silkeborg)
Nemanja Zelenović (Wisla Plock)
Borut Mačkovšek (MAHB Montpellier)
Uroš Bundalo (Tremblay)
Žiga Mlakar (RK Maribor Branik)
Igor Žabič (loan to RK Maribor Branik)
Gregor Potočnik (loan to RK Trimo Trebnje)
Nikola Ranevski (Gorišnica)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 20
Winner (1): 2003/04
Semi-final (6): 1996/97, 1997/98,
1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2004/05
Quarter-final (2): 2001/02, 2005/06
Last 16 (4): 1995/96, 2006/07, 2012/13,
2013/14
Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09
Group Phase (3): 1993/94, 1994/95,
2010/11
Qualification (1): 2009/10
Other
Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-final 2002/02,
2011/12
Slovenian league: 19 titles (1991, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014)
Slovenian cup: 18 titles
77

VELUX EHF Champions League record
1993/94 Celje ‘Pivovarna Lasko’ SLO
1996/97 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
1997/98 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
1998/99 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
1999/00 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2000/01 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2001/02 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2003/04 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2004/05 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2005/06 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2006/07 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2007/08 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2008/09 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2010/11 HC Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2012/13 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
2013/14 Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
37:17 (16:09) v Redbergslids IK SWE (h), 18.11.2000
43:27 (23:16) v THW Kiel GER (a), 27.02.2011
6 matches (23.03.1997 – 24.01.1998)
6 matches (25.03.2000 – 09.12.2000)
Longest unbeaten run: 8 matches (31.10.2004 – 02.04.2005)
Longest losing run: 4 matches (16.02.2008 – 08.03.2008)
4 matches (14.02.2009 – 07.03.2009)
4 matches (02.10.2010 – 21.11.2010)
4 matches (27.02.2011 – 06.10.2012)
Longest run without win: 6 matches (16.02.2008 - 05.10.2008)
Most goals: 44 v HC ‘Granitas-Karys’ LTU 44:27W (h), 22.11.2008
Most goals opponent: 44 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 44:33L (a), 09.10.2010
Most goals both teams: 77 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 44:33L (a), 09.10.2010
Fewest goals: 17 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994
Fewest goals opponent: 16 v SG Wallau-Massenheim GER 23:16L (h), 13.02.1994
16 v Redbergslids Göteborg SWE 31:16W (h), 14.11.1998
Fewest goals both teams: 35 v UHK West Wien AUT 18:17L (a), 06.04.1994
MP W T
0
1
0
0
9
0
2
1
0
0
2
0
1
0
1
0
1
10
10
8
14
6
10
10
10
12
10
8
12
10
10
12
12
4
3
5
5
164 95
6
4
8
7
7
6
6
10
8
7
2
7
L
7
6
6
7
60
2
6
3
3
2
2
3
3
2
2
4
2
GF GA GD
120:116
254:213
268:234
290:245
294:250
292:254
232:217
447:398
360:327
311:273
272:237
342:344
296:287
300:332
305:324
322:327
+9
-32
–19
-5
4705:4378 +327
+33
+38
+35
-2
+44
+38
+15
+49
+4
+41
+34
+45
PTS
8
6
10
11
199
17
14
12
10
14
13
12
22
4
15
16
15
Stage
4th Gr. A
1/2-finals
1/2-finals
1/2-finals
1/2-finals
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
Winner
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
Last 16
4th MR Gr. 4
4th MR Gr. 2
5th Gr. A
Last 16
Last 16
78

14
1
13
11
99
4
10
25
6
5
8
41
3
98
2
16
19
23
7
77
18
35
15
9
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Blaz
Stefan
Rok
Blaz
Sime
Blaz
Michal
Urh
Vid
Luka
Tilen
Bostjan
Urban
Jaka
Gal
David
Zivan
Vid
David
Matevz
Ivan
Miha
Rok
Luka
Blagotinsek
Cavor
Cvetko
Husar
Ivic
Janc
Kasal
Kastelic
Kaucic
Kikanovic
Kodrin
Kostomaj
Lesjak
Malus
Marguc
Miklavcic
Pesic
Poteko
Razgor
Skok
Sliskovic
Zarbec
Zuran
Zvizej
SLO Line Player 17.1.1994
MNE Right Back 3.11.1994
SLO Centre Back 10.9.1996
SLO Left Wing
CRO Right Back
SLO Right Wing
CZE Left Back
8.2.1996
21.1.1993
20.11.1996
3.4.1994
SLO Goalkeeper 27.2.1996
SLO Right Wing 18.4.1995
SLO Left Back
SLO Left Wing
24.10.1996
14.5.1994
SLO Left Wing 6.2.1990
SLO Goalkeeper 24.8.1990
SLO Centre Back 15.6.1996
SLO Right Wing 16.11.1996
SLO Right Back
SRB Line Player
29.1.1983
7.7.1993
SLO Line Player 5.4.1991
SLO Centre Back 13.7.1989
SLO Goalkeeper 2.9.1986
CRO Left Back 23.10.1991
SLO Centre Back 12.10.1991
SLO Left Back 7.8.1987
SLO Left Wing 9.12.1980
200
182
196
190
180
187
187
177
202
195
184
181
194
185
208
195
195
193
181
188
194
174
189
185
70
94
84
72
91
77
84
85
93
90
84
99
108
92
82
94
98
72
94
89
100
106
104
80
79

Branko Tamše coach
Former player and coach of Celje’s arch rivals from Velenje took over the club last
December, just 48 hours after Vladan Matic and Celje announced the termination of their contract. The major task of the former youth and junior national team player is to rebuild a young team with hungry talents and create a competitive force to keep the pace with the more renowned rivals in the group.
Matevž Skok goalkeeper
The more experienced in the Celje’s goalkeeper tandem is Matevž Skok, a
Slovenian international player at the age of 28.
He moved to Celje two years ago from their biggest rival Velenje. In Celje he has become the first choice and also cemented his position in the national team. Before this season he had several tempting offers, but decided to stay in
Celje. His efforts have been featured among the top saves of the round last season on many occasions.
Luka Žvižej left wing
Žvižej competed at the 2004 Olympics in
Athens and he was listed among the top ten goal scorers at the 2012 EHF EURO. He was also part of the national team at the WCh
2013, where Slovenia finished just below the medal positions. In 2003 he moved from his home team to Spain – first to CB Cantabria and then to FC Barcelona, where he stayed for 2 years and won the CL in 2005 and the Spanish league in 2006.
Before moving back to Celje he had a second stint at Cantabria and spent three years with Pick Szeged.
EC trophies: CL 2005
Ivan Slišković left back
He joined Celje in summer 2013 from RK
Nexe Našice. Allready in his first season at the club he showed great handball skills, he fit in perfectly with their training and working system. He is playing in both ways – he is very good attacking player, while being a very important defensive player as well. His great perfomances in Celje’s shirt did not go unnoticed by Croatian national coach Slavko Goluža who placed him on list for the EHF EUROI in Denmark.
Miha Zarabec centre back
He joined RK Celje Pivovarna Laško in summer from another Slovenian club RK Maribor
Branik, where he experienced the EHF Cup
Group Phase in 2012/13. After Sebastian
Skube and Mate Lekai left the club, Miha
Zarabec will take over attacking duties. His main strenghts are speed, explosivity and his vision of play. This season will be his first in the VELUX EHF Champions League.
Vid Poteko line player
He is a member of Celje since 2010. Since then, he is a key part of Celje’s defence. He is known as a true fighter, who never gives up.
He was part of the Slovenian Mediterranean team playing in Mersin 2013 together with
Gašper Marguč, Urban Lesjak and Borut
Mačkovšek. After Alem Toskić left Celje for
Vardar Skopje over the summer, he will get more minutes in the offensive part of play. Besides him, Blaž
Blagotinšek, one of the shiniest Slovenian talents, is expected to get some minutes on the line as well.
Šime Ivić right back
He is a new member of RK Celje Pivovarna
Laško since summer 2014, as he joined them from RK Nexe Našice (Croatia). In Nexe he played a very important role, as he was the second best scorer of the team and overall
7th scorer in SEHA league. This was very clear sign that he is ready for a bigger stage and he decided to try the CL for the first time. His main positive characteristic are his agility and ability to play well in both attack and defence.
Blaž Janc right wing
Blaž Janc in one of the biggest talents in history of Slovenian handball. He is only 17, but he is playing already his third season in the first team of Celje. He made his debut in the CL at age of just 15 years, but this season he will be their main attacking power on right wing since
Gašper Marguč left to Veszprém. Blaž was also chosen as best right back in the previous Men’s
20 EHF EURO, where he was playing with players two years older than him. He was the main force for Slovenia U-18 national team which won the Youth Olympic Games.
80

GROUP C
Playing hall
Sport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” Chekhov
Poligrafistov Str. 30
142300 Chekhov
Russia
Capacity: 3,000
Club Address:
Chekhovskie Medvedi
Poligrafistov str. 30
142300 Chekhov, Mosk. oblast
Russia
Media contact:
Benjamin Kuznetsov
+7 9166186054 benkuz@gmail.com
Online information:
Website: www.ch-medvedi.ru
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: purple
Player short: purple
Goalkeeper shirt: red
Despite the problems suffered during the last year, Chekhovskie Medvedi remains a major force in the Russian handball. Last spring, the team led by Vladimir Maximov won the national league for the 13th time in a row. And now, they return to the VELUX Champions League after a year of absence.
Last season, the club from Chekhov had to withdraw from the main European competition due to financial problems. Those troubles were so strong that about two thirds of the squad opted to leave the sinking ship. However, some experienced players stayed, and Maximov gave a chance to a number of talented youngsters from the reserve squad. As a result, no team in
Russia could prevent Medvedi from getting another national title.
The club got through the turbulent times with dignity and now the situation seems to be more stable. The majority of Medvedi’s best players have remained, with only Daniil Shisharev leaving for Vardar Skopje. At the same time, Medvedi managed to strengthen their side with a few newcomers. Left wings Maxim Kuretkov (SKIF Krasnodar) and Anton Otrezov (Dinamo
Viktor Stavropol) joined, while Sergey Shelmenko returned after a year’s absence.
In 2013, the right back of the Russian national team moved to Dinamo Minsk, but after their exit from the VELUX EHF Champions League, he spent the rest of the season at St.Petersburg
HС. With this team, he won silver in the Russian league, before returning to the champions.
In Group C of the VELUX Champions League, Maximov’s team will meet MKB-MVM Vesprem,
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, HC Vardar and Montpellier AHB. There is plenty of history with the French team, as Chekhovskie Medvedi will face them for the seventh time in the last 13 years. Matches with Vardar are also going to be special, as this team’s roster contains a number of ex-Chekhov players such as Timur Dibirov, Alexei Rastvortsev, Siarhei
Harbok, Mikhail Chipurin and Daniil Shishkarev.
Medvedi got their season off to the perfect start, beating Permskie Medvedi 27:26 in the
Russian Super Cup. “We seem to start the season in good shape. Of course we made some mistakes but the team looked well and physically we were quite fit,” Sergei Shelmenko told the club’s official website. Quite soon, the players from Chekhov will set their sights on the
VELUX Champions League and Vladimir Maximov and his players want to make a remarkable comeback.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: Russian champions
Newcomers:
Anton Otrezov (Dinamo Victor Stavropol)
Maxim Kuretkov (SKIF Krasnodar)
Sergey Shelmenko (St. Petersburg HC)
Left the club:
Daniil Shishkarev (Vardar Skopje)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 14
Semi-final (1): 2009/10
Quarter-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11
Last 16 (3): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13
Main Round (1): 2007/08
Group Phase (6): 2000/01, 2001/02,
2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06,
2011/12
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06
Russian league: 13 titles (2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Russian cup: 12 titles
81

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2001/02 CSKA Moscow RUS
2002/03 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS
2003/04 Chehovski Medvedi Moscow RUS
2004/05 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS
2005/06 Chehovski Medvedi Chekhov RUS
2006/07 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS
2007/08 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS
2008/09 Chehovskie Medvedi RUS
2009/10 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
2010/11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
2011/12 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
2012/13 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
22:46 (12:24) v AC PAOK GRE (a), 03.03.2010
38:24 (20:15) v HSV Hamburg GER (a), 23.04.2011
Longest winning run: 5 games (29.11.2003 – 06.11.2004)
Longest unbeaten run: 8 games (18.10.2012 – 14.03.2013)
Longest losing run: 5 games (10.11.2001 – 08.12.2001)
Longest run without win: 6 games (23.04.2011 – 22.10.2011)
Most goals: 46 v AC PAOK GRE 22:46W (a), 03.03.2010
Most goals opponent: 45 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004
Most goals both teams: 77 v TBV Lemgo GER 45:32L (a), 04.12.2004
Fewest goals: 19 v Montpellier HB FRA 27:19L (a), 12.10.2003
19 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006
Fewest goals opponent: 17 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 30:17W (h), 31.03.2011
Fewest goals both teams: 45 v TBV Lemgo GER 23:22W (h), 11.12.2004
45 v RK Zagreb CRO 26:19L (a), 08.10.2006
MP W T L
6
8
12
12
6
8
6
6
16
14
10
12
9
8
3
6
116 59
7
7
3
4
3
6
1
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
4
2
3
14
4
5
3
4
3
2
5
4
3
2
5
3
43
GF GA GD
155:181
182:170
166:165
252:246
192:184
242:233
369:331
387:370
529:476
437:396
291:276
373:347
3575:3375
+8
+9
+38
+17
–26
+12
+1
+6
+53
+41
+15
+26
+200
PTS
6
8
15
14
2
4
6
12
20
19
10
16
132
Stage
4th Gr. C
3rd Gr. C
3rd Gr. D
Last 16
3rd Gr. A
Last 16
2nd MR Gr. 1
1/4-finals
Fourth Place
1/4-finals
5th Gr. B
Last 16
82

15
19
26
16
6
9
7
14
3
83
22
89
11
10
17
4
1
16
23
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Pavel
Alexander
Alexander
Victor
Oleg
Artem
Alexander
Dmitriy
Kirill
Dmitry
Maxim
Maksim
Roman
Anton
Dmitry
Dmitrii
Sergey
Roman
Dmitry
Andreev
Chernoivanov
Dereven
Furtsev
Grams
Grushko
Izmailov
Kornev
Kotov
Kovalev
Kuretkov
Makarov
Ostashchenko
Otrezov
Pavlenko
Santalov
Shelmenko
Tsarapkin
Zhitnikov
RUS Line Player
RUS Line Player
RUS Left Wing
19.7.1992
13.2.1979
26.3.1992
RUS Line Player 17.6.1996
RUS Goalkeeper 20.2.1984
RUS Goalkeeper 20.6.1993
RUS Centre Back 30.10.1995
RUS Right Back 16.6.1992
RUS Centre Back 23.5.1992
RUS Right Wing
RUS Right Wing
15.5.1982
16.11.1994
RUS Left Wing
RUS Left Back
10.9.1992
26.9.1992
RUS Centre Back 24.8.1988
RUS Goalkeeper 1.1.1991
RUS Left Back
RUS Right Back
RUS Left Back
RUS Back
7.4.1996
5.4.1983
9.5.1995
20.11.1989
186
185
180
191
181
190
188
192
195
202
193
200
200
193
185
196
195
197
193
78
86
80
89
75
75
80
87
86
98
92
90
85
105
91
89
103
91
80
83

Vladimir Maximov coach
The handball legend is still the only person who has become an Olympic champion both as a coach and as a player. He led the Russian national team to a number of big titles. In
2012, Maximov resigned from the national team to fully concentrate on Medvedi, where he has been working since 2001. During his work at the Chekhov team, they have become a Russian champion every year. Last season was no exception, even though Medvedi had lost about two thirds of their squad.
EC trophy: Cup Winner’s Cup 2006
OG: G 1976 (as player), 2000, B 2004, WCh: G 1993, 1997, S 1978 (as player), 1999,
EURO: G 1996, S 1994, 2000
Oleg Grams goalkeeper
Born and raised in Krasnodar, the 30-yearold moved to Chekhov at a very young age.
He has been a member of the team since its foundation in 2001. During this time, Grams has become a 13-time Russian champion. The talented player gained a lot of experience on the international stage, competing both for
Medvedi and for the Russian national team at the EURO, WCh and the Olympics. Currently Oleg is one of the most experienced players in Chekhov.
EC trophy: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
Roman Ostashchenko left wing
This player is still young but he certainly has talent. He is especially good in defence.
Ostashchenko was born in Moscow and started to play at Kuntsevo, but then moved to Medvedi. However, he played for the reserve team until 2013. And when Maximov invited him to the main team, he faced a tough challenge — he had to replace Timur
Dibirov, who had moved to Vardar. He is still not very experienced, but is improving and can become quite an important player.
Alexander Dereven left back
This is another young player who is only
22-years old. He was born in Toliatti but, like many talented Russian players, was spotted by Chekhov scouts at a young age. First he played for the junior team of Medvedi where he stood out with his scoring ability. When many experienced players left the team in
2013, Dereven was one of the young talents that Maximov had to rely on. Dereven is progressing fast and has a good future at Medvedi.
Dmitry Zhitnikov centre back
He comes from Krasnodar, and his first coach at the local handball school was his father. At the age of 16, the talented boy was invited to
Chekhov where he played five seasons in the reserve team. But in 2010, he finally broke through to the main squad. As he matured and experienced players left, Zhitnikov began to play a more prominent role at Medvedi.
It is no wonder that he has also become a member of the Russian national team.
Alexander Chernoivanov line player
The 35-year-old line is currently the oldest players in the squad. He was born in
Krasnodar and started his career at the local team SKIF. In 2004, he was invited to
Chekhov, but spent first two years in the reserve team. Only at the age of 27, he started to play for the first team of Medvedi, and did so well that soon was invited to the
Russian national team. He is an eight-time Russian champion, and now he shares his rich experience with younger players.
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
Sergey Shelmenko right back
He was born in Ukraine and played for the national team, but then acquired Russian citizenship and opted to play for Russia. After a number of seasons at Medvedi, Shelmenko left the team last summer following the financial problems at the club. Sergey moved to Dinamo Minsk, but was unlucky again as this club ceased to exist. The right back came back to Russia where he spent the rest of the season at St.Petersburg.
But in summer, he was offered a return to Chekhov and accepted.
Dmitry Kovalev right wing
The 32-year-old is a captain of Medvedi and one of the key figures both on and off the court. Born in Omsk, he played for seasons at
Sungul Snezhinsk before moving to Chekhov in 2003. Currently he is an 11-time Russian champion, and his role at Medvedi only increased in the summer of 2013. Having competed at a number of major tournaments including the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he is a natural leader who serves as a good example for his young teammates.
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2006
84

GROUP C
Playing hall
SAP Arena
Xaver-Fuhr-Str. 150
68219 Mannheim
Germany
Capacity: 12,900
Club Address:
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Mollstraße 49a
68165 Mannheim
Germany
Media contact:
Christopher Monz monz@rhein-neckar-loewen.de
+491744288849
Online information:
Website: www.rhein-neckar-loewen.de
Facebook: rnloewen
Twitter: @RNLoewen
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: yellow
Player short: yellow
Goalkeeper shirt: white/red
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: blue/green
It was a heartbreaking end to last season for Rhein-Neckar Löwen. So close to glory both at home and in Europe, but twice left empty handed. First an eight-goal lead against FC Barcelona in the first leg of the VELUX EHF Champions League quarter-final was not enough to make it to
Cologne, as the Catalans went through on away goals. Then the Lions missed out on their first
German league title with an inferior goal difference compared to THW Kiel.
But the German runners-up have refused to look back in anger and disappointment, instead looking ahead to a season full of changes in all departments. Key personnel left the 2013
EHF Cup winners on and off the court, with coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson taking charge of the Danish men’s national team and replaced by a Dane, Nikolaj Jacobsen. Assistant and goalkeeper coach Tomas Svensson (six-time Champions League winner) is in the same position at Magdeburg now. Manager Thorsten Storm quit his job after seven highly successful years to return to where it all started for him, at THW Kiel. His successor is Lars Lamadé.
Eight players left Löwen over the summer, including Gorbok, Roggisch, Sesum, Stojanovic,
Manojlovic, Prodanovic and Isaias Guardiola, and next summer will see top star also saying
“farvel, Mannheim”, as goalkeeper Niklas Landin will join THW Kiel. Jacobsen starts his mission at Löwen with a handful of highly ambitious youngsters from all over Europe, such as Danish jewel Mads Mensah Larsen, Norwegian Harald Reinkind and a player regarded by many as the best German talent in years, Tim Suton. Despite these many changes, all involved at Löwen are confident they will play a starring role in all competitions, with a top three finish in the
German League alongside final tournament appearances in the German cup and Europe the goals. In the VELUX EHF Champions League, Löwen were drawn in arguably the toughest of all groups, facing FINAL4 contenders Veszprem, Vardar and Montpellier as well as internationally experienced teams Medvedi and Celje.
“From a sporting aspect, this group is highly attractive,” says team captain Uwe Gensheimer, adding: “Since last season we know how hard it is to play at Veszprem and thanks to their new arrivals they are a new powerhouse in European handball. In terms of travelling, the group could have been better.” New manager Lars Lamadé shares this opinion: “We will face teams which belong to the top of the Champions League. After making it to the FINAL4 in June,
Veszprem is the favourite in our group.” Before starting their European campaign, Löwen were part of a new handball world record, when 44,189 spectators attended the Bundesliga match against HSV Hamburg in Frankfurt’s Commerzbank-Arena, the highlight of the German day of handball on 6 September.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: runners-up in Germany
Newcomers: coach Nikolaj Jacobsen (Aalborg Handbold)
Bastian Rutschmann (Frisch Auf Göppingen)
Harald Reinkind (Fyllingen Handball)
Mads Mensah Larsen (Aalborg Handbold)
Stefan Kneer (SC Magdeburg)
Tim Suton (HG Saarlouis)
Left the club: coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson (Danish national team) assistant coach Tomas Svensson (SC Magdeburg)
Goran Stojanovic (El Jaish SC)
Isaias Guardiola (Aalborg Handbold)
Nikola Manojlovic (Meshkov Brest)
Rajko Prodanovic (Pick Szeged)
Sergei Gorbok (Vardar Skopje)
Zarko Sesum (Frisch Auf Göppingen)
Oliver Roggisch (end of career, now assistant coach and club management)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 6
Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11
Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14
Qualification (1): 2011/12
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08
EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, semi-final
2011/12, quarter-final 2006/07
85

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2008/09 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
2009/10 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
2010/11 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
2013/14 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
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
37:23 (20:08) v THW Kiel GER (a), 26.04.2009
Longest winning run: 5 matches (12.10.2013 – 28.11.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 8 matches (30.04.2009 – 13.02.2010)
Longest losing run:
8 matches (12.10.2013 – 20.02.2014)
2 matches (25.04.2010 – 02.05.2010)
2 matches (28.05.2011 – 29.05.2011)
Longest run without win: 4 matches (28.05.2011 - 29.09.2013)
Most goals: 40 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 40:25W (h), 08.03.2009
Most goals opponent: 38 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011
Most goals both teams: 76 v FC Barcelona Borges ESP 38:38D (h), 20.02.2011
Fewest goals: 23 v Chambery Savoie HB FRA 25:23L (a), 18.02.2009
23 v THW Kiel GER 37:23L (a), 26.04.2009
23 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 23:23 (a), 17.10.2010
Fewest goals opponent: 17 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 31:17W (h), 17.10.2013
Fewest goals both teams: 46 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 23:23 (a), 17.10.2010
MP W T L
14
14
16
14
58
7
9
9
9
34
4
2
2
2
10
5
3
3
3
14
GF GA GD
447:392
450:408
486:465
422:369
1805:1634
+55
+42
+21
+53
+171
PTS
20
20
18
20
78
Stage
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
4th Place
1/4-finals
86

22
18
12
32
30
6
4
20
26
60
72
3
42
24
77
11
19
10
9
2
27
23
No. First Name
Team roster
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Heigh Weight
Michal
Marco
Kim
David
Uwe
Marvin
Patrick
Abt
Bitz
Ekdahl du Rietz
Ganshorn
Gensheimer
Gerdon
Groetzki
GER Line Player
GER
SWE Left Back
GER Line Player
GER Left Wing
GER Right Wing
GER Right Wing
25.7.1990
9.11.1995
23.7.1989
27.5.1989
26.10.1986
24.7.1996
4.7.1989
Gedeon
Roy
Stefan
Niklas
Guardiola Villaplana ESP Line Player
James GER Left Wing
Kneer
Landin Jacobsen
GER Left Back
1.10.1984
12.12.1995
19.12.1985
DEN Goalkeeper 19.12.1988
Mads Mensah Larsen
Bjarte Hakon Myrhol
Roko
Alexander
Peribonio
Petersson
DEN
NOR
Centre Back
Line Player
12.8.1991
29.5.1982
CRO Goalkeeper 16.10.1991
ISL Right Back 2.7.1980
Harald
Bastian
Lukas
Andre
David
Stefan Rafn
Marius
Tim
Reinkind
Rutschmann
Sauer
Schmid
Schmidt
Sigurmannsson
Steinhauser
Suton
NOR Right Back 17.8.1992
GER Goalkeeper 30.12.1982
GER Left Wing
SUI Centre Back
25.10.1995
30.8.1983
GER Right Back
ISL Left Wing
19.10.1993
19.5.1990
GER Right Wing 6.2.1993
GER Centre Back 8.5.1996
200
190
194
200
188
192
194
186
193
194
191
188
179
189
195
195
183
190
181
197
187
191
97
99
87
95
94
98
95
109
96
100
99
90
75
84
103
96
83
90
86
101
83
91
87

Nikolaj Jacobsen coach
A new face on the Löwen bench: As
Gudmundur Gudmundsson became Danish national team coach, a Dane took over.
Jacobsen was coach at Aalborg before. After he had finished his playing career (decorated also with six league titles and seven cup titles
Viborg and Bjerringbro. In 2012 he took over Aalborg steering them to a surprising title in 2013 and leading them to the CL 2014 again before he left to Mannheim.
in Denmark and Germany) in 2007 he first became a TV expert and assistant coach in
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2002, 2004 (as player)
Uwe Gensheimer left wing
Born in Mannheim, he is the 100% local hero.
Since 2003 he has been playing for “his” club.
His talent was discovered early as he became
Junior European champion in 2006, one year later he was awarded MVP at the Junior WCh.
In 2011 and 2012 he was awarded German player of the year and was the top scorer of 2010/11 CL season. In 2012 he tore his
Achilles tendon, but right for the EHF Cup Finals in Nantes he was back helping Löwen to take their first title in history. Despite offers from Kiel and Barcelona, he extended his contract last season.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
Andre Schmid centre back
The five-time Swiss handball player of the year played for both Zürich clubs
Grasshoppers and ZMC Amicitia until 2009, before he left his mother country for one season with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg. The playmaker, who was twice a Swiss champion, transferred to Rhein-Neckar Löwen in 2010.
And in recent years, Schmid became the key in attack – both as playmaker and as shooter and was awarded best
Bundesliga player in the 2013/14 season.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
Niklas Landin goalkeeper
The 25-year-old Dane is in the Löwen squad since 2012 and is one of the main reasons for their success – but will leave Löwen after this season to join THW Kiel. The successor of legendary Kasper Hvidt in the Danish national team broke through during the 2011 WCh.
Before arriving in Mannheim he played for
Gudme in Denmark, where he was number 1 already at the age of 20. Landin was twice awarded best goalkeeper at the 2013 World Championship and the 2014 EHF EURO – and is seen to be among the three best keepers in the world currently.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
WCh: S 2011, 2013, EURO: G 2012, S 2014
Kim Ekdahl Du Rietz left back
Despite the huge competition at left back in the previous seasons, the Swede became number
1 on this position, leaving players like Sergey
Gorbok behind. Ekdahl du Rietz arrived in
Mannheim in 2012 from Nantes after beginning his career at Lugi Lund, where he became
Ekdahl du Rietz, with the particularly large shoe size of 51, is famous for his long-range shots and is an important part of the Löwen defence as well.
Swedish international very early thanks to making his first league debut at the age of 16.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
OG: S 2012
Bjarte Myrhol line player
In August 2011 his biggest fight started – not on, but off the court. After he was diagnosed with cancer, an immediate surgery and chemo therapy changed his life. But the Norwegian international was always willing to fight and only two and a half months after the surgery he returned to the court. After he left his first club in Sandefjord, he joined Veszprém, before arriving in Nordhorn and later Mannheim. After this season he will leave the club.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2008, 2013
Alexander Petersson right back
Born in Latvia, he took over Icelandic citizenship and became an Olympic silver medallist in 2008 and EHF EURO bronze medallist in 2010. He moved to Germany in
2003, playing for Düsseldorf, Großwallstadt,
Flensburg-Handewitt, and Füchse Berlin, before he transferred to Löwen in 2012. He is more a playmaker on the right back position but is also strong in man-to-man-actions. In the rejuvenated squad the Icelandic, who was member of the 2011 WCh All Star Team, is the most experienced player.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
OG: S 2008, EURO: B 2010
Patrick Groetzki right wing
He was 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. He was an MVP and silver medallist of the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in
2008 and crowned himself as junior world champion one year later. He established himself as a key player right after he was nominated for the men’s national team for the first time. Like Gensheimer, he is a counter-attack specialist and one of the main fan favourites.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2013
88

GROUP C
Playing hall
Jane Sandanski
Skopje
FYR Macedonia
Capacity: 5,000
Club Address:
HC Vardar - Skopje
Marko Savovski
BUL 8 mi Septemvri 20
FYR Macedonia
Media contact:
Marko Savovski
+389 75 200 008 markosavovski@live.com
Online information:
Website: www.rkvardar.com.mk
Facebook: rkvardar
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: red/white
Player short: red/white
Goalkeeper shirt: red/black/yellow
Dark
Player shirt: black/Red
Player short: red/white
Goalkeeper shirt: black/grey
Vardar has its own arena and it is certainly something to be proud of. The 5,500 capacity
Sportski Centar Jane Sandanski (named after a 18th century revolutionist) is the new home of both – men’s and women’s – EHF Champions League teams of Vardar Skopje. Vardar hope that Jane Sandanski shall become a fortress and the starting point to make a dream come true: to be the first ever handball club with men and women participating in the EHF FINAL4 tournaments.
After the women already made it to the final destination Budapest in May 2014, after their debut season in the EHF Champions League, the men’s team have the same aim now. In the previous season, Vardar were one goal short of reaching the VELUX EHF FINAL 4 in Cologne, as they were eliminated by eventual champions Flensburg in the quarter-finals.
But it is not only Jane Sandanski which makes coach Raul Gutierrez Gonzalez and club owner
Sergej Samsonenko feel optimistic, more so the big names Vardar has signed. Headed by 2013 world champion, former World Handball Player of the Year and four-time EHF Champions
League winner Arpad Sterbik (arriving from FC Barcelona) the prestigious squad had been strengthened enormously with players such as 2013 EHF Cup winner Sergej Gorbok (Löwen) and 2013 VELUX EHF Champions League winner Blazenko Lackovic (HSV Hamburg).
Besides the goal of making it to Cologne, the bolstered squad is supposed to leave their local rivals Metalurg behind in the Macedonian league. In the 2013/14 season, Vardar were surprisingly defeated by Metalurg. The team’s preparation, including a ten days camp in the
Slovenian Alps (Kranjska Gora), was intense, but in general Raul Gutierrez Gonzalez was highly satisfied with the integration of the newcomers.
Vardar need to play on a top level already in the group phase, as they were drawn in what is arguably the toughest group alongside with Veszprem, Rhein Neckar Löwen, Montpellier, Celje and Medvedi. But despite those tough opponents the whole club is looking forward to the next successful steps, as manager Marko Savovski mentions: “This season we have four new players who can help us to achieve the goal that we haven’t made last year - to enter the VELUX EHF
FINAL4 with the best four teams in Europe.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Macedonian runners-up
Newcomers:
Arpad Sterbik (Barcelona)
Blazenko Lackovic (HSV Hamburg)
Sergei Gorbok (Rhein-Neckar Lowen)
Daniil Shishkarev (Chekhovskie Medvedi).
Left the club:
Miladin Kozlina (GWD Minden)
Luka Rakovic (HC Zagreb)
Zlatko Daskaloski (CS Universitatea Timisoara)
Mitko Stojlov (CS Odorheiu Secuiesc)
Vlado Nedanovski (HC Vardar II)
Gradimir Chanevski (HC Vardar II)
Vlatko Jovchevski (HC Vardar II)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 9
Quarter-final (1): 2013/14
Last 32 (1): 1999/2000
Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03,
2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10
Other
Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 1998/99,
2004/05, 2010/11, quarter-final
2006/07
SEHA league: 2 titles (2012, 2014)
Macedonian league: 8 titles (1999,
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009,
2013)
Macedonian cup: 8 titles
89

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2001/02 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD
2002/03 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD
2003/04 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD
2004/05 Vardar Vatrost. Skopje MKD
2007/08 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD
2009/10 HC Vardar PRO – Skopje MKD
2013/14 HC Vardar – Skopje MKD
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
24:37 (11:19) v Wacker Thun SUI (a), 19.10.2013
41:19 (19:08) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 18.10.2003
2 matches (19.10.2013 – 14.11.2013)
2 matches (09.02.2014 – 16.02.2014)
Longest unbeaten run: 3 matches (13.11.2004 – 07.10.2007)
3 matches (13.10.2013 – 14.11.2013)
Longest losing run: 7 matches (12.10.2003 – 09.10.2004)
Longest run without win: 8 matches (12.10.2003 – 16.10.2004)
Most goals:
8 matches (03.10.2009 – 20.02.2010)
37 v Wacker Thun SUI 24:37W (a), 19.10.2013
Most goals opponent: 41 v FC Barcelona ESP 41:19L (a), 18.10.2003
Most goals both teams: 67 v Haukar Hafnarfjördur ISL 34:33L (a), 09.11.2003
Fewest goals: 12 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004
Fewest goals opponent: 22 v HCM Constanta ROU 22:22D (h), 13.11.2004
22 v GC Amicitia Zürich SUI 22:22D (h), 07.11.2009
22 v HC Metalurg MKD 22:27W (a), 14.11.2013
22 v HC Dinamo Minsk BLR 30:22W (h), 09.02.2014
Fewest goals both teams: 38 v FC Barcelona ESP 12:26L (h), 06.11.2004
MP W T
6
10
14
54
6
6
6
6
3
8
1
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
6
13
0
1
1
2
L
3
8
5
33
6
3
4
4
GF GA GD
152:175
152:181
157:210
124:153
161:180
253:316
-19
-63
376:369 +7
1375:1584 –209
–23
–29
-53
-29
PTS
5
3
15
34
0
4
3
4
Stage
4th Gr. D
4th Gr. D
4th Gr. B
3rd Gr. A
4th Gr. C
5th Gr. D
1/4-finals
90

12
13
8
25
18
6
23
15
5
9
33
1
10
20
26
7
80
31
19
32
No. First Name
Team roster
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Ilija
Petar
Matjaz
Mikhail
Timur
Alex
Sergei
Igor
Blazenko
Filip
Dobrivoje
Strahinja
Vladimir
Nemanja
Alexei
Daniil
Arpad
Stojanche
Stefan
Alem
Abutovic
Angelov
Brumen
Chipurin
Dibirov
Dujshebaev
Gorbok
Karacic
Lackovic
Lazarov
Markovic
Milic
Petric
Pribak
Rastvortsev
Shishkarev
Sterbik Capar
Stoilov
Terzic
Toskic
SRB Left Back 2.8.1988
MKD Goalkeeper 8.3.1977
SLO Right Wing 23.12.1982
RUS Line Player
RUS Left Wing
ESP Right Back
RUS Left Back
17.11.1980
30.7.1983
17.12.1992
4.12.1982
CRO Centre Back 2.11.1988
CRO Left Back 25.12.1980
MKD Left Back
SRB Left Wing
21.4.1985
22.4.1986
SRB Goalkeeper 20.12.1990
SRB Right Back 5.8.1975
MKD Centre Back 26.3.1984
RUS Left Back 8.8.1978
RUS Right Wing 6.7.1988
ESP Goalkeeper 20.11.1979
MKD Line Player
SRB Right Back
SRB Line Player
30.4.1987
17.5.1994
12.2.1982
189
197
199
188
198
189
190
200
190
200
191
195
190
202
192
190
190
180
187
196
135
98
103
128
87
99
100
81
85
119
110
93
108
99
103
90
110
74
88
98
91

Raul Gonzalez Gutierrez coach
After ending his playing career, the stalwart of
BM Valladolid and bronze medallist from the
Olympic Games in Atlanta with the national team of Spain started his coaching carrier in
Atletico Madrid and Ciudad Real working in team with Talant Dujshebaev. At Vardar he replaced Zoran Kastratovic early last season and achieved a great result, steering the team to a historical success. His squad reached the quarter-finals of the CL for the first time and was just one goal shy of the FINAL4.
OG: B 1996 (as player) final.
Timur Dibirov left wing
Vardar Skopje is just the second club in the career of Dibirov. The first was Chekhovskie
Medvedi, with whom he reached the VELUX
EHF FINAL4 in 2010. At the 2013 World
Championship the Russian international was voted best left wing of the tournament and it can be expected that the Vardar fast breaks will be more threatening and the team’s defence will more aggressive with Dibirov on the court. In 2006
Dibirov won the EHF Cup with Chekhov, beating CMB Valladolid in the
Arpad Sterbik goalkeeper
One of the best goalkeepers who holds there different citizenship Hungarian, Serbian and
Spanish after ten seasons spent in Spain moved from Barcelona and signed four year contract with Macedonian runners-up Vardar.
Dozens of international awards are in the collection of the 35-year-old keeper and world best player from 2005 as he has already won the Champions League title three times with Ciudad Real and has been voted as the best goalkeeper of the Spanish league five times.
EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009
WCh: B 1999, B 2001, B 2011, G 2013
Sergey Gorbok left back
The Belarusian left back started his carrier in Minsk and played in several different countries inducing Ukraine, Russia, Slovenia and Germany. After playing three seasons in Chekovskie Medvedi he took Russian citizenship and started playing for the national team of Russia. In the previous season with Reich Neckar Löwen he was step close to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. In Vardar he joins the “colony” of
Russian players and he will spend the next three seasons in Skopje.
Igor Karačić centre back
The 25-year-old Croatian was voted into the
SEHA League All-star team at the end of the
2012/13 season. He is regarded as a fast and tough player who is brilliant when it comes to ‘one-on-one’ situations. With his former club, HC Bosna BH Gas from Sarajevo, he reached the Last 16 in the 2010/11 VELUX EHF
Champions League season, scoring 62 goals on the way. Born in Mostar in 1988, he plays for the Croatian national team, while his brother Ivan Karacic plays for Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Stojance Stoilov line player
Stojance Stoilov is not only Vardar’s first choice line player, but occupies the same position in the Macedonian national team.
He joined Vardar four seasons ago from city rivals Metalurg – a step that saw his career spiralling upwards. The spotlight was on him at the EHF EURO 2012 when FYR Macedonia finished 5th and Stoilov played a brilliant tournament. In May 2013 he was selected for the All-star team of
SEHA League Final-Four tournament at which Vardar finished second.
Alex Dujshebaev right back
The son of Talant Dujshebaev joined Vardar at the beginning of the season. Playing for
Spain at the Junior World Championship this summer, Dujshebaev was one of the best players, helped his team to win silver and was selected for the All-star team as best right back. He had achieved the same honours at the 2012 Men’s 20 EHF EURO at which Spain topped the podium. In the two previous seasons during which he played for BM Aragon Dujshebaev became the Spanish ASOBAL’s top scorer on both occasions.
Matjaz Brumen right wing
The 31-year-old Slovenian is the only Vardar player with a European Cup title under his belt. He won the EHF Champions League with Celje in 2004 and the Challenge Cup with Koper in 2011. He has been playing for
Slovenian clubs Prule 67, Celje and Koper, at several major tournaments and was part of the team which only narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth at the 2013 World
Championship in Spain.
but this is the first time he plays outside of his home country. He played for Slovenia
EC trophies: CL 2004
92

GROUP C
Playing hall
Arena Montpellier
Rue de la Foire
34470 Pérols/Montpellier
France
Capacity: 8,000
Club Address:
Montpellier Agglomeration HB
Centre Jean-Paul Lacombe
Centre Jean Paul Lacombe - 1000
34090 Montpellier
France
Media contact:
Suzy Demonte
+33 499 610 358 suzy.demonte@montpellier-handball.com
Online information: www.montpellierhandball.com
Facebook: montpellierhandball
Twitter: @MAHB
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: orange/light blue
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: blue
Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA)
The previous season was a pure rollercoaster ride for Montpellier Agglomeration Handball.
First they signed Thierry Omeyer to set high goals, then the French record champions failed in the qualification for the VELUX EHF Champions League. After two points were deducted from them in the French league, Montpellier started an incredible run to chase the leaders, but defeat in the last round against Chambery saw them miss out on the two top places in the league, finishing below Dunkerque and PSG.
However, an additional place bid for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League was successful and a return to the top flight secured. Montpellier also qualified for the EHF Cup Finals in
Berlin, made it to the final, but then defeated by Szeged. The final major headline of the season was losing two of their key players to one of their biggest domestic rivals, as Omeyer and
William Accambray signed for PSG, while experienced former Tunisian international Wissem
Hmam also departed the club.
As for newcomers, former Olympic and world champion goalkeeper Venio Losert arrived from
Kielce and the number of Slovenian players in the team increased to five with Borut Mackovsek joining from Celje. Patrice Canayer has been in charge of Montpellier for more than 20 years and this season he and his charges hope to cause some surprises in all competitions, including the dream of their first ever participation at the VELUX EHF FINAL4.
The tasks awaiting the 2003 EHF Champions League winners are far from straightforward, as
Veszprem, Rhein Neckar Löwen, Vardar, Medvedi and Celje await in Group C. Nevertheless, team captain Michael Guigou is optimistic about clearing these hurdles. “Our objective is to proceed to the knock-out stage and to develop as a team as quickly as possible, in order to avoid a difficult opponent in the Last 16. However, we know that the group phase will be extremely hard, competing with three contenders for the title, Veszprem, Löwen and Vardar, who all will be supported by extraordinary audiences at their home matches. We will have to fight for the fourth position with Celje and Medvedi and we count on our fans at home to have a good base for the away matches. Prestigious games are ahead for us and we are going to take the challenge,” he said.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Third ranked in
France
Newcomers:
Venio Losert (Kielce)
Borut Mackovsek (Celje)
Baptiste Bonnefond (MAHB training centre)
Left the club:
William Accambray (Paris)
Thierry Omeyer (Paris)
Wissem Hmam (Saint Raphael)
Maxime Arvin Berod (Chartres)
Mickaël Robin (Cesson)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season):
Winners: 2002/03
Semi-final: 2004/05
Quarter-final: 2000/01, 2005/06,
2009/10, 2010/11
Last 16: 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07,
2011/12
Main Round: 2007/08, 2008/09
Group Phase: 1998/99, 1999/00,
2012/13
Qualification: 2013/14
Other:
EHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14 , quarterfinal 1996/97, Last 16 1993/94, 1994/95
Cup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final
2001/02
French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998-
2000, 2002-2006, 2008-2012)
French cup: 10 titles
93

VELUX EHF Champions League record
1998/99 Montpellier HB FRA
1999/00 Montpellier HB FRA
2000/01 Montpellier HB FRA
2002/03 Montpellier HB FRA
2003/04 Montpellier HB FRA
2004/05 Montpellier HB FRA
2005/06 Montpellier HB FRA
2006/07 Montpellier HB FRA
2007/08 Montpellier HB FRA
2008/09 Montpellier HB FRA
2009/10 Montpellier HB FRA
2010/11 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA
2011/12 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA
2012/13 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA
Total
Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA)
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
Longest winning run:
46:20 (26:09) v AC PAOK GRE (h), 04.10.2009
37:20 (16:10) v Prosesa Ademar Leon ESP (a), 06.11.1999
7 matches (21.12.2003 – 14.11.2004)
7 matches (18.10.2009 – 25.02.2010)
7 matches (16.10.2010 – 06.03.2011)
Longest unbeaten run: 10 matches (18.10.2009 – 03.04.2010)
Longest losing run: 3 matches (23.10.2011 – 04.12.2011)
3 matches (07.10.2012 – 18.10.2012)
Longest run without win: 5 matches (25.03.2012 – 18.10.2012)
Most goals: 46 v AC PAOK GRE 46:20W (h), 04.10.2009
Most goals opponent: 38 v Kolding KIF DEN 38:29L (a), 05.12.2004
38 v Pick Szeged HUN 38:35L (a), 19.11.2011
Most goals both teams: 78 v VfL Gummersbach GER 41:37W (h), 09.02.2008
Fewest goals: 17 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 26:17L (a), 03.01.1999
17 v FC Barcelona ESP 24:17L (a), 10.12.2000
Fewest goals opponent: 16 v HC Portovik Yuzhny UKR 26:16W (h), 07.10.2006
Fewest goals both teams: 38 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 21:17W (h), 08.11.1998
2
8
0
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
T
0
12
8
12
10
6
8
MP W
6 3
3
4
9
6
8
6
8
12
10
14
14
12
10
6
10 2
142 85
5
7
6
10
4
6
6
49
3
2
2
5
3
4
3
2
3
3
L
3
GF GA
134:134
139:148
193:193
334:311
216:199
375:328
282:272
224:198
358:348
295:275
447:372
442:379
357:357
+63
0
301:311 –10
4097:3825 +272
+26
+10
+20
+75
+23
+17
+47
+10
GD
0
-9
0
20
12
6
178
11
14
13
22
17
12
18
12
PTS
6
6
9
Stage
3rd Gr. A
3rd Gr. A
1/4-finals
Winner
Last 16
1/2-finals
1/4-finals
Last 16
3rd MR Gr. 2
4th MR Gr. 3
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
Last 16
5th Gr. A
94

4
6
21
16
2
1
51
12
20
26
5
14
19
23
17
25
22
30
10
3
95
24
18
9
11
27
Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA)
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Clement
Venio
Borut
Kevin
Alexandre
Arnaud
Diego
Issam
Vincent
Allan
Iswaran
Arthur
Samir
Baptiste
Felipe
Maxime
Jure
Ludovic
Jean Loup
Matej
Dragan
Mathieu
Michael
Antoine
Vid
Balazs
Anquetil
Bellahcene
Bonnefond
FRA Left Wing 23.7.1995
FRA Goalkeeper 20.2.1995
FRA Left Back 22.1.1993
Borges Dutra Ribeiro BRA Left Wing
Bouschet FRA Right Back
Dolenec
Fabregas
SLO
FRA
Right Back
Line Player
4.5.1985
2.4.1996
6.12.1988
1.7.1996
Faustin
Gaber
Gajic
Grebille
Guigou
Gutfreund
Kavticnik
Laluska
FRA
SLO
SLO
FRA
FRA
FRA
SLO
HUN
Left Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Left Back
Left Wing
Right Wing
Right Back
Right Back
23.3.1995
22.7.1991
21.7.1984
6.10.1991
28.1.1982
5.10.1992
24.5.1984
20.6.1981
Liard
Losert
Mackovsek
Mesnard
Saidani
Siffert
Simonet
Tej
Thouvenot
Villeminot
Zahm
FRA Right Wing
CRO Goalkeeper 25.7.1976
SLO Left Back
FRA Goalkeeper 11.1.1993
FRA Centre Back 30.7.1994
FRA Goalkeeper 6.12.1978
ESP Centre Back 26.12.1989
FRA Line Player
FRA
FRA
FRA
Line Player
Centre Back
Left Back
3.5.1996
11.9.1992
29.7.1979
30.5.1994
24.5.1995
23.5.1996
191
190
203
191
188
188
187
187
200
185
200
185
196
188
198
179
195
191
202
181
189
193
186
184
190
198
84
94
87
115
91
89
99
84
105
81
86
79
89
90
100
83
116
83
93
88
82
94
98
74
114
98
95

Patrice Canayer coach
He is now starting his 21st 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
Karabatić, Thierry Omeyer, Jérôme Fernandez and Didier Dinart. Now, with not as many stars but with as many young talented players as before, he meets again with the CL after reaching the EHF Cup final last season. In his active career the
52-year-old coach played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris.
EC trophies: CL 2003
Venio Losert goalkeeper
At 38, he has added another stop to his neverending European tour. After Croatia, Spain,
Denmark and Poland, he has now arrived in
Montpellier, his twelth professionnal club since the beginning of his career. Very easyliving but with a huge amount of experience in his backpack, he should help his younger teammates in learning what international level really is. He went to the FINAL4 two seasons ago, and would really like to live a successful CL campaign again before the end of its career.
OG : G 1996, 2004, B 2012, EURO: B 2012, WCh: G 2003, S 1995, 2005, 2009
Michaël Guigou left wing
At 32, he is the player with the longest history in Montpellier since he has played there for
15 seasons in a row. Able to play on the left wing or on the center back position, he is 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 into the brain of the team, constantly helping his teammates and thinking of ways to improve the game. He is the only player of the winning CL campaign in 2003 who still plays for MAHB.
Mathieu Grébille left back
At 22, he has already been branded as being the “next big thing” in French handball.
Formed at Montpellier, he has evolved step by step, and this season should see him explode into life, as well as taking more responsibilities.
He has already become a regular fixture in the national team, where some compare him to
Daniel Narcisse for his jumping abilities. During his younger years, he helped the team on the left wing position and has kept the ability to switch sides whenever needed.
EC trophies: CL 2003
OG : G 2008, 2012, EURO: G 2006, 2010, 2014, WCh: G 2009, 2011, B 2005
EURO: G 2014
Diego Simonet centre back
The Argentinian wave is about to crash on the CL. After scoring 41 goals in the EHF Cup campaign last season, as well as being elected best centre back of the French league,
Diego Simonet is ready to take on the best in Europe. Quick and with a sharp eye, the international player is able to shoot through defences, to give balls to lineplayers and to run around like a mad man for 60 minutes. He is much calmer than he used to be, he is making better choices and has become a key element in Canayer’s roster.
Matej Gaber line player
Even if Tej gets more playing time in attack,
Matej Gaber is now the rock of Montpellier’s defence. He has got the responsibility to replace Wissem Hmam, who left the club this summer. He arrived at the beginning of last season alongside his friend Jure Dolenec and has done everything since to justify his “harddefending” reputation. He has gained some playing time on offense as well, but he has still got a lot of progress to make there. Only aged 23, he should become a very important piece of Montpellier’s puzzle in the forthcoming years.
Jure Dolenec right back
For his first season with his new club, Jure
Dolenec has had some ups and downs, but it had to be expected. He had to adapt to
French defences and he has made a lot of progress and has now a much more complete way of playing. After causing havoc when he played the EHF Champions League with his former team of Gorenje Velenje, he is ready to do it all over again and wants to top his scoring mark, which he set at 64 two seasons ago. At 26, he could take another step this season facing the best teams in Europe.
Dragan Gajić right wing
Arrived in 2011, Dragan Gajic is very useful to
Montpellier, both on and off the court. He has had his best season so far last year, finishing as the best scorer of the EHF Cup and of the
French league. But he also helps his Slovenian teammates to settle in Montpellier, and that gives him quite a lot of work, since there are now six of them in the club. A fastbreak expert, he is fast as light and very self-assured in front of the goalkeeper, being able to score from near-impossible angles.
96

ALL TO PLAY FOR IN UNPREDICTABLE AND OPEN GROUP D
Having reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013, leaving the tournament after the Last 16 last year was a step down the ladder for KS Vive Tauron Kielce, and the team under legendary head coach Talant Duishebaev will obviously want more this season. The chance should be there in Group B, where the Polish champions appear as favourites in competition with five teams who seem more or less equal at first sight.
Changes have been few in Kielce compared to last season, and this carries the advantage with it that it would not be necessary to integrate a lot of new players in the team. Dunkerque HB Gran Littoral had a disappointing debut in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season, where the men from the north west of France failed to even go on from the group phase.
Having won the French championship in the meantime and having their first Champions League adventure behind them, Dunkerque should definitely be able to do better this time. Looking at the Dunkerque squad, the French champions may not look stronger than last year, but you do not win the French league ahead of teams such as Paris Saint-German and Montpellier without having some extraordinary qualities, and the experiences they harvested in the Champions League last year should do them good now.
Kadetten Schaffhausen have often had an ability to just squeeze themselves in among the four teams who proceeded to the knock-out stages, and the Swiss champions may very well do so again this time in a group where Kielce seems to be only really frightening opponent. The transfer account balances, as the club has signed just as many players as it has lost, but the return of left winger Manuel Liniger to his homeland should be a boost to Schaffhausen.
MOL-Pick Szeged surprised a good deal of the European handball community last season by winning the
EHF Cup. This year the Hungarian runners-up can celebrate their comeback to the VELUX EHF Champions
League. And what may we expect from them here? Well, according to their Spanish coach Juan Carlos
Pastor, they want to compete at the top of Europe, but having said goodbye to more players than they have brought in, they may face some difficulties here. Their most interesting signing is probably Spanish goalkeeper José Manuel Sierra who has joined from PSG and who has replaced Roland Mikler, now with local rivals Veszprém. Last season, Aalborg Handball made it to the knock-out stage for the first time, and the Danish runners-up have a very good chance to copy that achievement again this season.
When talking about Aalborg, we simply have to mention one of the most interesting and promising young newcomers in the international handball hemisphere. 19-year-old Norwegian centre back Sander Sagosen, who joined from Norwegian champions Haslum HK ahead of this season has already shown his enormous potential in attack as well as in defence.
HC Motor Zaporozhye made to the Last 16 last season, but still the Ukrainian champions had to go through the qualification tournament to reach the group phase this year. The Zappers are aiming to repeat last season’s achievement, but they are handicapped in those efforts by the fact that the security situation in
Ukraine forces them to play their home matches in Kiev instead of in their home town.
Peter Bruun
97

Historic encounters of the Group D opponents in the EC
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral
22.09.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
30.11.2013 Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Pick Szeged
17.03.2013 Pick Szeged vs KS Vive Targi Kielce, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
24.03.2013 KS Vive Targi Kielce vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Last 16
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Pick Szeged
14.10.2006 SC Pick Szeged vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
11.11.2006 Kadetten Schaffhausen vs SC Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group B
25.09.2010 Pick Szeged vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
19.02.2011 Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
06.10.2012 Pick Szeged vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
07.02.2013 Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group D
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs Aalborg Handball
03.10.2010 AaB Handball vs Kadetten Schaffhausen, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
05.12.2010 Kadetten Schafhausen vs AaB Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
Pick Szeged vs Aalborg Handball
10.10.2010 Pick Szeged vs AaB Handball, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
06.03.2011 AaB Handball vs Pick Szeged, VELUX EHF Champions League – Group C
No previous encounters in European competitions
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Kadetten Schaffhausen
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs Aalborg Handball
KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs Kadetten Schaffhausen
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs Pick Szeged
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs Aalborg Handball
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Kadetten Schaffhausen vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Pick Szeged vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
Aalborg Handball vs HC Motor Zaporozhye
33:23 (15:11)
30:25 (12:15)
26:25 (15:14)
32:27 (14:11)
27:27 (12:14)
22:23 (10:13)
29:26 (12:10)
31:27 (12:15)
30:29 (12:14)
36:29 (21:14)
30:30 (15:14)
34:31 (17:19)
37:28 (18:13)
34:30 (17:19)
98

Playing hall
Hala M.O.S.I.R – Legionów ul. Boczna 15A
25-093 Kielce
Poland
Capacity: 4,000
Club Address:
KS Vive Tauron Kielce ul. Robotnicza 5
25-662 Kielce
Poland
Media contact:
Sebastian Kozubek
+48 505031244 s.kozubek@vivetargi.pl
Online information:
Website: www.vivetargi.pl
Facebook: vivetargikielce
Twitter: @vivetargikielce
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: yellow
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: blue
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: green
GROUP D
A new sponsor in the name, the same hopes and dreams as the year before and the first “full” season for coach Talant Dujshebaev. Vive Tauron Kielce aim for the top once again this season, which means reaching Cologne, a place where Dujshebaev has been several times before and the Polish champions have arrived once, in 2013, when they narrowly lost their semi-final against
Barcelona, then beat Kiel to finish third.
In the previous season, right after the arrival of Dujshebaev as the successor to Bogdan Wenta,
Kielce were unlucky to be eliminated in the Last 16 by German side Rhein Neckar Löwen. Their group is not as tough as last season’s but still challenging, as Kielce are regarded as favourites among Dunkerque, Szeged, Aalborg, Schaffhausen and Zaporozhye. Besides a new name in the team, energy company Tauron, Kielce’s squad has not changed all that much, only two positions have to be more precise: Marin Sego from their domestic rivals Wisla Plock replaced goalkeeper
Venio Losert, who moved to Montpellier, and German international Tobias Reichmann is new on the wing position, replacing Thorir Olafsson, who returned to his home country Iceland.
The only minor problem in the preparation was the injury of Krzysztof Lijewski, but the right back managed to return in time for the first league match last Saturday. Sports director Radosław
Wasiak is humble prior to the new international season: “Of course all participants of the VELUX
EHF Champions League fight for the top spot in their groups. We really have strong opponents like French champions Dunkerque, Szeged and Aalborg. We must show respect to all of them, as every game in this group will be tough.”
Team captain Grzegorz Tkaczyk is looking forward to “an interesting group”. “We know all the teams, because of their previous results in Europe. For example last season we lost at
Dunkerque, so now we want to have some revenge. Of course, I’m happy that we will face
Kadetten Schauffhausen, because of my friend Leszek Starczan. I was playing with him in Poland, in Warszawianka, and now we will meet again after some years apart. Every team in our group is really strong. Szeged, for example, are the defending EHF Cup champions and a team which made some good signings this summer,” Tkaczyk says.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Polish champions
Newcomers:
Tobias Reichmann (HSG Wetzlar)
Marin Sego (Orlen Wisła Płock)
Left the club:
Venio Losert (Montpellier HB Agglomeration)
Thorir Olafsson (UMF Stjarnan)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 12
Semi-final (1): 2012/13
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, 2010/11
Other
Other EC records: 11 participations in other ECs
Polish league: 11 titles (1993, 1994,
1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010,
2012, 2013, 2014)
Polish cup: 11 titles
99

VELUX EHF Champions League record
1999/00 KS Iskra-Lider Market POL
2003/04 KS ‘Vive’ Kielce POL
2009/10 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
2010/11 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
2011/12 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
2012/13 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
2013/14 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
35:23 (16:13) v FC Porto Vitalis POR (h), 29.09.2013
30:41 (19:19) v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN (h), 15.11.2003
Longest winning run: 10 matches (30.09.2012 – 23.02.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 10 matches (30.09.2012 – 23.02.2013)
Longest losing run: 5 matches (13.02.2010 – 27.03.2010)
5 matches (19.02.2011 – 09.10.2011)
Longest run without win: 6 matches (26.09.2010 – 27.11.2010)
Most goals: 38 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 38:30W (h), 23.02.2014
Most goals opponent: 41 v Fotex KC Veszprém HUN 30:41L (h), 15.11.2003
Most goals both teams: 72 v Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 40:32L (a), 27.11.1999
Fewest goals: 21 v HC Bosna BH Gas BIH 25:21L (a), 27.02.2010
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
Fewest goals both teams: 41 v HC Metalurg MKD 21:20W (h), 24.11.2012
MP W T
12
16
12
74
6
6
12
10
1
6
1
0
1
2
0
1
6
14
7
38
5
1
3
2
L
5
2
4
30
6
7
3
3
GF GA
173:186
159:177
345:344
276:300
345:336
469:400
362:331
2129:2074
GD
+9
+69
+31
+55
–13
-18
+1
-24
PTS
13
28
15
82
6
5
11
4
Stage
3rd Gr. B
3rd Gr. G
Last 16
6th Gr. A
Last 16
Third Place
Last 16
100

24
16
17
5
19
22
19
13
14
21
10
27
2
15
1
6
23
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Julen
Karol
Denis
Piotr
Ivan
Piotr
Mateusz
Michal
Krzysztof
Zeljko
Tobias
Tomasz
Marin
Manuel
Wojciech
Slawomir
Grzegorz
Uros
Aguinagalde Akizu
Bielecki
Buntic
Chrapkowski
Cupic
Grabarczyk
Jachlewski
Jurecki
Lijewski
Musa
Reichmann
Rosinski
Sego
Strlek
Swiader
Szmal
Tkaczyk
Zorman
ESP Line Player
POL Left Back
CRO Right Back
POL Left Back
CRO Right Wing
POL Line Player
POL Left Wing
8.12.1982
23.1.1982
13.11.1982
24.3.1988
22.3.1986
31.10.1982
27.12.1984
POL Left Back
POL Right Back
CRO Line Player
GER Right Wing
27.10.1984
7.7.1983
8.1.1986
27.5.1988
POL Centre Back 24.2.1984
CRO Goalkeeper 2.8.1985
CRO Left Wing 1.12.1988
POL Goalkeeper 18.8.1996
POL Goalkeeper 2.10.1978
POL Centre Back 22.12.1980
SLO Centre Back 9.1.1980
198
198
200
188
192
194
181
195
202
199
202
178
200
185
190
194
189
90
94
96
110
94
114
85
85
100
79
110
101
110
100
78
99
88
101

Talant Dujshebaev coach
The most awarded figure in the club. During his longstanding player career he won plenty of international trophies with three different teams, including CIS, Russia and Spain and a lot of individual distinctions. Since almost ten years he has successfully continued as a coach. Known for his impulsiveness, he joined
Kielce in the half of last season, replacing
Bogdan Wenta. He changed the playing style of the team placing greater emphasis on the aggressive defence and letting the players for relative equal time in.
EC Trophies: CL 1994, 2006 (as coach), 2008 (as coach), 2009 (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
Manuel Štrlek left wing
With his arrival in Kielce two years ago Manu made his first step abroad, after leaving his boyhood club Zagreb, where he started gathering EHF Champions League experience in 2006. Together with his fellow countryman on the other side, they soon created extremely effective duet of wingers doing with fast break a true masterpiece. His excellent performance at the EHF EURO 2010 earned him a place on the All-star team. With the 3rd place game at the EHF EURO 2014 he added 74th match to his international account with the score of 233 goals.
WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014
Uroš Zorman centre back
One of the best playmakers in the game is on the hunt for his fourth EHF Champions
League success. He is not known for scoring lots of goals, 23 in last season’s CL, but his movement and passes provide ample space for his teammates in attack, which he proved throughout last season. Longstanding captain of Slovenian national team is famous for his charisma, weakness for coffee and great approach to children, for whom he has been organising handball summer camps over past seven years.
EC Trophies: CL: 2004, 2008, 2009
EURO: S 2004
Krzysztof Lijewski right back
Although he wanted to be a basketball player, luckily under the influence of his father and older brother, he chose handball. The best right back of recent EHF EURO 2014 is the most versatile player in the team, clever in attack and vigilant in defence. He can not only threaten his opponents with a powerful shot but also mislead them with a precise pass to his teammate while looking in the other direction. He joined Kielce in
2012 after seven successful years spent in Germany.
EC Trophies: Cup Winner’s Cup: 2007
WCh: S 2007, B 2009
Sławomir Szmal goalkeeper
The former World Handball Player of the
Year is one of the key players in the Polish national champions’ defence. The goalkeeper spent several years in German Bundesliga playing for TuS N-Lübbecke and Rhein Neckar
Löwen. Szmal has competed in two VELUX
EHF FINAL4 events with Rhein-Neckar Löwen in 2010/11 and Kielce two years ago. On the court a hardworking Titan, beyond it a great man always keen on handball initiatives for kids.
WCh: S 2007, B 2009
Michał Jurecki left back
Kielce’s powerful left back Michał Jurecki returned to Poland in 2010 after a three season stint in Germany, which included spells as HSV Hamburg and TuS N-Lübbecke, and has been one of the club’s most consistent scorers since. 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.
WCh: S 2007, B 2009
Julen Aguinagalde line player
He is one of the world’s top line players and his presence on the line turns out to be a key for Kielce. He proved that with taking a place among the All-Star teams of two previous champion tournaments in Denmark and
Spain and receiving nomination for World
Handball Player of the Year 2012 as well. He joined Kielce from Atlético Mardid in 2013 for his first foreign league experience. After two VELUX EHF FINAL4 experiences, he is still striving for a trophy.
WCh: G 2013, B 2011, EURO: B 2014
Ivan Čupić right wing
The Croatian right wing was the second best goal scorer at the London 2012 Olympics. His reputation has been growing ever since he was named on the All-Star team at the 2009
WCh at home. Despite losing one finger in an accident in 2008 he continued his excellent form and has remained an important player of each team he has played including the national team. This season he will be sharing the floor with the new face in the club, German Tobias Reichmann.
OG: B 2012, WCh: S 2009, B 2013, EURO: S 2008, 2010, B 2012
102

GROUP D
Playing hall
Stades de Flandres
Avenue de Rosendael
59240 Dunkerque
France
Capacity: 2,500
Club Address:
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral
Avenue de Rosendael - B.P. 4197
59378 Dunkerque cedex 1
France
Media contact:
Melanie Lefevbre
+ 33 3 28 66 91 52 melanie.lefebvre@usdk.fr
Online information:
Website: www.usdk.fr
Facebook: DunkerqueHandball
Twitter: @USDKDunkerque
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: yellow
Player short: yellow
Goalkeeper shirt: black/red
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: blue/red
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA)
It was one of the biggest sensations of the European club handball season, when it was not the world selection of PSG but Dunkerque Handball Grand Littoral who took the French league title. For the first time, the club were top of the league – and now the team of coach Patrick
Cazal is aiming high in the VELUX EHF Champions League after an unsatisfying debut in the previous season, clearly missing out on the knock-out stage.
Dunkerque manager Régis Giunta hopes for an improvement on the international stage: “We confirmed our progress by becoming French champions ahead of Paris Saint Germain, the big favourite, and record champions Montpellier. But we have not been able to deploy the same energy in the Champions League. We were rookies and the fact that 95 percent of the team never played this competition before added difficulty to the fact that the draw put us in the hardest group. With last season’s experience and quite a good draw, we expect to qualify for the Last 16,” Giunta says.
“Regarding our opponents, Kielce seem to be out of reach, as it will be very difficult to beat them again after last year. Szeged seem to have the team to finish on the second position, so we will be in competition with Aalborg, Schaffhausen and Zaporozhye to gain one of the last two tickets to the Last 16. That’s at least the logic on paper,” he added.
Cazal’s successful team has not changed that much, two newcomers arrived, three players left.
However, two of them, who made it to Germany, are hard to replace - French international
Guillaume Joli, now playing with Ivano Balic at Wetzlar, and Norwegian shooter Espen Lie
Hansen, who transferred to Magdeburg. Additionally the French champions were hit hard by injuries during the preparation, with team captain Mohamed Mokrani, Pierre Soudry, Romain
Guillard, newcomer Pawel Paczkowski and Nicolas Nieto missing most of the test stage.
Despite the difficulties, team captain Mokrani is confident for the upcoming Champions League season. “Last year was our first participation in the Champions League and it was a journey of discovery for the club. At the level we are, we can be ambitious. The minimum goal is to achieve the Last 16. When we look back to the results of last season, we can only do better as we finished last in our group. We know Kielce because we played them last year but their game has certainly evolved as well as Szeged, winner of the EHF Cup. Both sides are big teams. If we want to proceed to the Last 16, we need to be very efficient in all home matches, but also try to win away once or twice,” admits Mokrani.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: French champions
Newcomers:
Zarko Pejovic (Tatran Presov)
Pawel Paczkowski (Wisla Plock)
Left the club:
Guillaume Joli (Wetzlar)
Espen Lie Hansen (Magdeburg)
Erwan Siakam (Créteil)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 3
Group Phase (1): 2013/14
Qualification (1): 2011/12
Other
EHF Cup: Finals 2011/12, Quarter-final
2006/07, 2007/07, 2009/10
Challenge Cup: Runners-up 2003/04
City-Cup: Quarter-final 1998/99,
1999/2000
French league: 1 title (2014)
French Champions Trophy: 1 title (2012)
French cup: 1 title
French League cup: 1 title
103

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2013/14 Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA
Total
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA)
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
30:25 (12:15) v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL (h), 30.11.2013
33:23 (15:11) v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL (a), 22.09.2013
Longest winning run: 1 match (30.11.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 1 match (30.11.2013)
Longest losing run:
1 match (15.02.2014)
6 matches (22.09.2013 – 20.11.2013)
Longest run without win: 6 matches (22.09.2013 – 20.11.2013)
Most goals: 30 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 30:25W (h), 30.11.2013
Most goals opponent: 33 v KS Vive Targi Kielce POL 33:23L (a), 22.09.2013
Most goals both teams: 57 v Orlen Wisla Plock POL 32:25L (a), 06.02.2014
Fewest goals: 18 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 18:20L (h), 13.10.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 20 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 18:20L (h), 13.10.2013
Fewest goals both teams: 38 v KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN 18:20L (h), 13.10.2013
MP W T
10
10
1
1
1
1
L
8
8
GF GA
237:268
237:268
GD
-31
-31
PTS
3
3
Stage
6th Gr. B
104

5
4
19
11
17
12
1
21
3
16
9
8
57
23
25
15
7
46
6
20
23
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral (FRA)
No. First Name Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height
Benjamin
William
Vincent
Florian
Baptiste
Theophile
Sebastien
Julian
Julien
Vincent
Mickael
Romain
Jerome
Sebastien
Bastien
Mohamed
Kornel
Nicolas
Pawel
Zarko
Tom
Roman
Pierre
Jalleledine
Afgour
Annotel
Bello
Billant
Butto
Causse
De Cocker
Emonet
Gardenat
Gerard
Grocaut
Guillard
Hoarau
Joumel
Lamon
Mokrani
Nagy
Nieto
Paczkowski
Pejovic
Pelayo
Scattolari
Soudry
Touati
FRA Line Player 1.4.1991
FRA Goalkeeper 29.3.1983
FRA Right Wing 8.7.1996
FRA Right Wing
FRA Left Wing
FRA Right Wing
FRA Line Player
7.7.1996
13.2.1987
12.10.1992
15.4.1995
FRA Left Wing 4.1.1992
FRA Goalkeeper 4.11.1995
FRA Goalkeeper 16.12.1986
FRA Line Player 26.4.1980
FRA Centre Back 14.1.1986
FRA Left Back 4.8.1995
FRA Centre Back 6.1.1995
FRA Centre Back 18.7.1981
FRA Line Player
HUN Left Back
FRA Line Player
POL Right Back
31.1.1981
21.11.1986
6.4.1994
14.6.1993
MNE Left Back
FRA Right Back
25.1.1986
23.2.1997
FRA Centre Back 11.2.1994
FRA Right Back 27.3.1988
TUN Right Wing 12.7.1982
182
190
188
194
190
186
195
195
187
179
190
186
195
195
191
183
179
106
93
82
78
86
72
97
91
97
97
105
100
80
97
98
93
96
105

Patrick Cazal coach
Since 2011 he has been the head coach of
USDK and it took him only two seasons to be voted as the best coach in the first French league and three to give his club its first french championhip. As a player he became double world champion under coach Daniel
Costantini in 1995 and 2001 and won two WCh bronze medals in 1997 and 2003. He played for Paris, Montpellier, Irun and Essen before ending his career in 2008 with Dunkerque, where he became the assistant coach. For his second season in the EHF CL, he now aims for the Last 16 stage.
Vincent Gérard goalkeeper
Gérard finally got his first title with his club, three seasons after arriving in Dunkirk. The
French championship crown came along with his second “best goalkeeper of the league” award in a row, and he’s now one regular fixture in the national team. Expert at stopping penalty throws and wing shots, he gives confidence to his teammates with his exuberant gestures after every one of his saves.Definitely a strong fan favourite, he showed last season that he had the capacity to become one of Dunkerque’s key elements in the competition.
EURO: G 2014
Baptiste Butto left wing
After learning his trade in Selestat, he arrived in Dunkerque in 2009 and has been in the top
10 scorers of the French league ever since.
Butto is known for his great speed on fast breaks and is very effective with penalties, but has never been drafted in the national season’s Champions League. A good performance, but which is far from his personnal record of 57 goals, set in the EHF Cup campaign back in
2012.
team, due to the huge amount of good left wings in France. He scored 30 goals in last
Kornél Nagy left back
With no connection to László Nagy, the right back from Veszprem, Kornél Nagy still has a very good talent for handball. He arrived in Dunkerque from Hungary in 2011 and immediately received praise both from coaches and teammates. Hard-working, inside the defence. Nagy is a very complete player and is now a key element in the squad, especially since he’s also able to play on the center back position. very good defender, he is able to shoot from outside the 9m line as well as scoring from
Bastien Lamon centre back
He first signed to Dunkerque at 18 and never left the club since. He is the symbol of what this team is about: not over-talented, but very hard-working and ready to give everything on the court for his partners. He’s been part of the club’s rise, and last season’s Champions
League participation, as well as the French championship, came as consecrations to him.
Not really the player to score goals, he is a lot better at putting his teammates in the best position, and scored the most assists of the squad last season in the CL.
Mohammed Mokrani line player
An international player with Algeria, the line player is always battling on the court.
Mokrani is a key element in the French side’s defence and although he is relatively small, he has got the capacity to sneak behind defenders on offence to create space and score goals. The 32-year-old met again with the EHF Champions League last season, after playing with another French club, US Ivry Handball, back in the
2007/08 season.
Pierre Soudry right back
He has been last season’s revelation in
Dunkerque. Since Rambo left the club in
January, he has had to play 60 minutes per game for six months, and still pulled out some amazing performances, which owed him a national team calling at the end of the season.
Relatively small but incredibly quick on his feet, he took many defenders by surprise, and at 26, he’s still got a lot of room for improvement. For his first season in the EHF Champions League, he scored 34 goals.
Jaleleddine Touati right wing
Another player who arrived in Dunkerque a long time ago and remained faithful to the club ever since. He first signed in the north of France in 2006 and climbed every step since, playing the EHF Cup Finals two seasons amongst all things. Shy in everyday’s life, he becomes someone else on the court, often encouraging his own fans to increase their support to his team. The right winger didn’t play much in the EHF
Champions League last season, but with Joli’s departure last summer, he should see his playtime increase.
106

GROUP D
Playing hall
BBC Arena
Schweizersbildstr. 10
8207 Schaffhausen
Switzerland
Capacity: 3,000
Club Address:
Kadetten Schaffhausen
Schweizersbildstrasse 10
8207 Schaffhausen
Switzerland
Media contact:
Barbara Imobersteg
+41 787203247 imo.schule@gmx.ch
Online information:
Website: www.kadettensh.ch
Twitter: @kadettensh
Facebook: kadettensh
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: orange
Player short: black
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow
Dark
Player shirt: black
Player short: orange
Goalkeeper shirt: green
After a one-year-absence from the VELUX EHF Champions League, Kadetten Schaffhausen is back on track and waving the Swiss flag in Europe’s top flight.
In 2013, Wacker Thun had the better of them in the Swiss league, now Schaffhausen turned the tide to win the finals of the domestic league in style against Winterthur and even celebrated the double after winning the Swiss cup as well.
Now the team of coach and 2007 world champion Markus Baur, who just led the Germany to gold at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO in Austria and who has also been in charge at Kadetten since
2013, is aiming to return to the Last 16 after reaching the knock-out stage in the 2010/11 and
2011/12 seasons.
To reach their goals – including making it to the finals of Swiss cup and Swiss league – they even signed a former VELUX EHF FINAL4 participant Markus Richwien, arriving from Füchse Berlin.
Two further newcomers from Bundesliga have come in to improve Baur’s team: Manuel Liniger and Anton Mansson, as has Switzerland’s top goalkeeper Nikola Portner, son of the former
Yugoslav international Zlatko Portner.
Schaffhausen will face Kielce, Dunkerque, Szeged, Aalborg and Zaporozhye in the group phase.
“It could have been worse,” says team captain David Graubner. “It is the main goal of our team to make it to the Last 16. I think Kielce is the strongest team and will dominate this group. All other teams are more or less on the same level. Therefore I expect a tough and interesting competition for us.”
Qualification for the 2014/2015 VELUX
EHF Champions League season: Swiss champions
Newcomers:
Nikola Portner (BSV Bern Muri)
Markus Richwien (Füchse Berlin)
Anton Mansson (MT Melsungen)
Manuel Liniger (HBW Balingen)
Left the club:
Nik Tominec (HC Kriens-Luzern)
Florian Goepfert (RTV Basel)
Julius Emrich (SG BBM Bietigheim)
Arunas Vaskevicius (Pfadi Winterthur)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 8
Last 16 (2): 2010/11, 2011/12
Group Phase (4): 2005/06, 2006/07,
2007/08, 2012/13
Qualification (1): 2009/10
Other
EHF Cup: final 2009/10
Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final: 2007/08
Swiss league: 7 titles (2005, 2006, 2007,
2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)
Swiss cup: 7 titles
107

VELUX EHF Champions League record
2005/06 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
2006/07 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
2007/08 Kadetten Schaffhausen GCZ SUI
2010/11 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
2011/12 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
2012/13 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
43:18 (23:08) v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH (h), 09.02.2012
36:25 (19:13) v FC Barcelona Intersport ESP (a), 01.12.2012
2 matches (28.11.2010 – 05.12.2010)
2 matches (19.02.2011 – 23.02.2011)
2 matches (09.02.2012 – 16.02.2012)
Longest unbeaten run: 2 matches (06.10.2007 – 13.10.2007)
Longest losing run:
2 matches (28.11.2010 – 05.12.2010)
2 matches (19.02.2011 – 23.02.2011)
2 matches (09.02.2012 – 16.02.2012)
4 matches (06.10.2011 – 17.11.2011)
4 matches (17.10.2012 – 01.12.2012)
Longest run without win: 5 matches (25.11.2007 – 14.10.2010)
Most goals: 43 v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18W (h), 09.02.2012
Most goals opponent: 40 v Füchse Berlin GER 35:40L (h), 14.02.2013
Most goals both teams: 75 v Füchse Berlin GER 35:40L (h), 14.02.2013
Fewest goals: 22 v Portland San Antonio ESP 31:22L (a), 15.10.2005
22 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:23L (h), 11.11.2006
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v HC Bosna BH Gas Sarajevo BIH 43:18W (h), 09.02.2012
Fewest goals both teams: 45 v SC Pick Szeged HUN 22:23L (h), 11.11.2006
MP W T
12
10
52
6
6
6
12
5
2
17
2
5
1
2
0
0
4
1
1
1
1
L
7
8
31
3
6
4
3
GF GA GD
160:181
168:169
179:174
362:376
366:345
284:330
1519:1575
-21
-1
+5
-14
+21
–46
-56
PTS
10
4
38
3
5
5
11
Stage
3rd Gr. G
3rd Gr. B
3rd Gr. C
Last 16
Last 16
6th Gr. D
108

24
23
22
9
24
16
10
15
23
3
13
6
4
8
20
25
11
14
26
1
12
7
19
Team roster
No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Albin
Nikola
Benjamin
David
Rares Lucian
Dimitrij
Peter
Manuel
Jonas
Marko
Anton
Zoran
Lucas
Sergio
Andrija
Nikola
Nenad
Markus
Ruben
Fabian
Leszek
Aleksandar
Kaj
Alili
Cvijetic
Geisser
Graubner
Jurca
Küttel
Kukucka
Liniger
Maier
Mamic
Mansson
Markovic
Meister
Muggli
Pendic
Portner
Puljezevic
Richwien
Schelbert
Schneider
Starczan
Stojanovic
Stokholm
SUI
SUI
SUI
Left Back
Right Wing
Line Player
1.6.1996
1.12.1989
13.7.1990
SUI Left Back
ROU Right Back
29.5.1984
29.4.1983
SUI Right Back 18.2.1994
SVK Centre Back 20.7.1982
SUI
SUI
SUI
SUI
SUI Left Wing 10.9.1981
GER Goalkeeper 12.1.1994
CRO Left Back
SWE Line Player
6.3.1994
9.1.1989
Left Back
Line Player
Centre Back
Centre Back
6.5.1995
16.8.1996
6.7.1993
12.3.1987
SUI Goalkeeper 19.11.1993
HUN Goalkeeper 13.3.1973
GER Right Wing
SUI Left Back
5.7.1985
11.12.1988
SUI Left Wing
POL Left Wing
12.8.1995
28.11.1977
SRB Right Back
SUI Goalkeeper
22.6.1983
15.4.1995
180
187
201
196
197
197
178
190
196
183
193
194
194
190
190
194
195
186
195
182
183
197
195
92
100
78
90
76
84
96
100
93
96
88
90
94
83
93
66
90
103
100
96
115
84
91
109

Markus Baur coach
He was one of the most prolific playmakers ever in Germany and was part of the “golden generation“. Already as a player he was “the extended arm” of coach Heiner Brand, so it was obvious that sometimes he would become a coach. Baur started his coaching career at his former club Lemgo and in 2012 he became part of the coaching staff of the
German federation. 2014 was his most successful year as a coach, leading Kadetten to the Swiss championship and cup title and the
German juniors to gold at the Men’s20 EHF EURO in Austria.
EC trophies: EHF Cup: 2006
OG: S 2004, WCh: G 2007, S 2003, EURO: G 2004, S 2002, B 1998
Manuel Liniger left wing
The 33-year-old experienced wing player had been part of the successful Kadetten team from 2007 until 2010, was twice semi-finalist of the Cup Winners’ Cup (becoming top scorer of the competition in 2008/09) and finalist in the EHF Cup season 2009/10. He started his career in Winterthur and also had spell at German sides Wilhelmshaven, Lemgo and Balingen. Since summer 2014 the Swiss international is back at
Schaffhausen. Scoring 833 goals he is the third most successful Swiss national team scorer of all time.
Nikola Portner goalkeeper
Born in France with Yugoslav roots and now number 1 of the Swiss national team: Nikola
Portner is quite international. His father
Zlatko was a famous handball player in Ex-
Yugoslavia, and Nikola followed his footprints very early, having his first match in the Swiss league already at the age of 17. Then he transferred to Muri Bern, where he had his first international appearance in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2011 – the same year as he became Swiss international. In summer 2014 he joined Kadetten to lift his career in the Champions League.
David Graubner left back
30-year-old Swiss international Graubner is one of the most experienced players in the
Kadetten squad. He already played seven years for Schaffhausen until 2012, before he joined German side Großwallstadt, but returned to the Rhine river only one year later. Like Liniger he was part of the Kadetten team, which made it to three EHF EC semifinals, including the final of the EHF Cup in 2010, when they lost against Lemgo, former club of their coach Markus Baur. Graubner is five times Swiss champion and four times Swiss cup winner.
Damir Doborac centre back
Switzerland is already the seventh country in which Doborac plays handball at a professional level. The Bosnian international
(34) started in Gradacac, then made it to Italy
(Prato), was twice Slovenian cup winner with
Koper, played the CL with Bosna Sarajevo,
Constanta (Romania) and at last Dinamo
Minsk (Belarus) and had also been part of the SC Magdeburg squad. This summer he joined Kadetten – the sixth team which he is part of an international club competition with.
Anton Mansson line player
This newcomer is the only Scandinavian in the quite international Kadetten squad. The
Swedish line player was the predecessor of former Barcelona star Magnus Jernemyr at
Lugi Lund, before he transferred to German side Melsungen in 2010. The 25-year-old left
Melsungen after their first qualification for the EHF Cup to sign a two-year contract at
Kadetten this summer. Even his private life is imprinted by handball, as his girlfriend is German international Nadja Nadgornaja, playing at
CL team and German champions Thüringer HC.
Rares Jurca right back
Romania, Germany, Croatia, Germany,
Switzerland – this is the way the Romanian international went, before he arrived for the second time in his career at Kadetten in 2010.
Jurca – a powerful shooter – was born in the
“handball city” Cluj-Napoca and started his international career at SC Magdeburg under current THW Kiel coach Alfred Gislason. After only one season he returned to Romania (Bucarest), then made it to
RK Zagreb, had his first stopover at Kadetten in 2007/08, then won the EHF Cup with German side Göppingen, until he finally settled in
Schaffhausen to become triple Swiss champion.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2010
Markus Richwien right wing
German Richwien is the only current Kadetten player, who was part of a VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournament, playing at Cologne with Füchse
Berlin in 2012. Born in Magdeburg, he went through all youth teams of former Champions
League winner SCM. In 2007 he joined
Füchse Berlin, where he became German international – debuting against Switzerland in 2008. After winning the German cup and making it to the EHF Cup
Finals on home ground in the German capital in 2014, Richwien joined his first club abroad, signing for Kadetten Schaffhausen.
110

GROUP D
Playing hall
Varosi Sportcsarnok Szeged
Temesvari Krt.33
6726 Szeged
Hungary
Capacity: 3,200
Club Address:
Pick Szeged
Deák Ferenc u. 28-30.
6720 Szeged
Hungary
Media contact:
Nandor Szögi
+36 70 3878234 nandor.szogi@pickhandball.hu
Online information: www.pickhandball.hu
Facebook: pickszeged
Twitter: @pickhandball
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: orange
Player short: silver
Goalkeeper shirt: black / red / green
Dark
Player shirt: blue or red
Player short: blue or red
Goalkeeper shirt: black / red / green
At the start of last season MOL-Pick Szeged were in despair after failing to qualify for the VELUX
EHF Champions League with a defeat to Metalurg. However, this defeat opened the gates for the biggest international success for the Hungarian runners-up. Szeged went on to win the
EHF Cup finals in style by accounting for host Füchse Berlin in the semi-final and favourites
Montpellier in the final.
In domestic competition, their domestic rivals Veszprem were too strong once again but finishing second was enough to be granted a direct spot in the group phase this season. In his second season as coach, Juan Carlos Pastor, who led Spain to its first world championship title in 2005, bolstered his squad with more Spaniards, as goalkeeper Jose Manuel Sierra and playmaker Antonio Garcia arrived from PSG.
Sierra has been given some huge shoes to fill, after influential goalkeeper Roland Mikler left for
Veszprem. Slovenian international Dean Bombac and Serbian international Rajko Prodanovic also joined to leave the squad looking fit for action in Europe’s top flight. Thanks to his team’s growth in international experience, manager Nándor Szögi is confident of success on at least one front this season.
“We would really like to win one of the Hungarian trophies, but this seems a very difficult task, because playing against Veszprém is always hard. In order to win, we must surprise them.
Our objective in Europe is always the same: to win the next game. Of course, our first task is to reach the Last 16, preferably after a good group result, which would give us a favourable
Last 16 game,” Szögi says, adding: “Our group seems to be very balanced. This team, with
Juan Carlos Pastor as the coach, can be a surprise this season. In my opinion, Kielce are the favourites of the group, they can even reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4.”
Besides the Polish champions, Szeged will face Dunkerque, Schaffhausen, Aalborg and
Zaporozhye in the group phase and team captain Attila Vadkerti believes that his side have a fantastic opportunity to progress from the group. “Last season we set the bar high both for ourselves and for our fans by winning the EHF Cup. This year, in the Champions League, our first goal is to pass the group phase in a good position, and after that, anything is possible.”
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Hungarian runners-up
Newcomers:
Piotr Wyszomirski (Csurgói KK)
José Manuel Sierra (PSG Handball)
Antonio García Robledo (PSG Handball)
Rajko Prodanovic (MKB-MVM Veszprém/
Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Dean Bombac (PAUC Handball)
Left the club:
Roland Mikler (MKB-MVM Veszprém)
Péter Tatai (Baia Mare)
Jonas Larholm (Team Tvis Holstebro)
Nikola Prce (Azoty Pulawy)
Marko Lasica (destination unknown)
Marinko Kekezovic (Targu-Jiu)
József Czina (destination unknown)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 13
Quarter-final (2): 1996/97, 2003/04
Last 16 (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07,
2010/11, 2012/13
Main Round (1): 2007/08
Group Phase (3): 2008/09, 2009/10,
2011/12
Qualification (1): 2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: quarter-final 2000/01, Last 16
1994/95, 1999/2000
Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final 1993/94, quarter-final 2002/03, 2008/09
Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007)
Hungarian cup: 6 titles
111

Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
39:24 (15:10) v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH (h), 07.10.2007
40:17 (19:05) 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)
Longest losing run: 6 matches (17.10.2009 – 20.02.2010)
6 matches (06.03.2011 – 15.10.2011)
Longest run without win: 7 matches (17.10.2009 – 27.02.2010)
Most goals: 39 v HC Bosna Sarajevo BIH 39:24W (h), 07.10.2007
Most goals opponent: 40 v FC Barcelona ESP 40:17L (a), 15.02.1997
Most goals both teams: 73 v Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA 38:35W (h), 19.11.2011
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
1996/97 Pick Szeged HUN
2003/04 SC Pick Szeged HUN
2004/05 SC Pick Szeged HUN
2005/06 SC Pick Szeged HUN
2006/07 SC Pick Szeged HUN
2007/08 Pick Szeged HUN
2008/09 Pick Szeged HUN
2009/10 Pick Szeged HUN
2010/11 Pick Szeged HUN
2011/12 Pick Szeged HUN
2012/13 Pick Szeged HUN
Total
MP W T
8
12
6
10
8
8
8
10
12
10
5
3
12 4
104 42
2
2
3
9
4
3
3
4
0
2
2
0
2
0
2
0
0
8
0
0
L
4
6
3
3
2
5
3
6
7
7
8
54
GF GA GD
205:216
269:262
190:187
219:218
202:203
361:310
159:161
287:307
336:351
285:316
313:350
2826:2881
-1
+51
-2
-20
–11
+7
+3
+1
-15
-31
–37
-55
PTS
8
18
4
6
8
8
10
6
10
6
8
92
Stage
1/4-finals
1/4-finals
Last 16
Last 16
Last 16
3rd MR Gr. 4
3rd Gr. H
5th Gr. A
Last 16
5th Gr. D
Last 16
112

96
7
10
77
16
17
22
1
31
91
88
89
87
12
8
97
94
5
9
11
98
18
90
20
19
21
44
15
51
No. First Name
Team roster
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Bence
Lenard
Gabriel
Imre
Rajko
Jose Manuel
Nikola
Bence
Egon
Attila
Peter
Vladimir
Piotr
Szabolcs
Gabor
Patrik
Zsolt
Alen
Dean
Balint
Roberto
Ancsin
Arpasi
Balogh
Blazevic
Bombac
Fekete
Garcia Parrondo
Antonio Jesus Garcia Robledo
Mate Gidai
Gergö
Ferenc
Haszillo
Ilyés
Jonas
Peter György
Richard
Niko
Källman
Matrai
Mezei
Mindegia Elizaga
Molnar
Nagy
Papp
Pasztor
Prodanovic
Sierra Mendez
Stojanov
Szabo
Urban
Vadkerti
Velky
Vranjes
Wyszomirski
Zubai
HUN Right Back
HUN Line Player
HUN Right Back
27.11.1990
17.9.1996
29.3.1989
CRO Left Back 29.3.1986
SLO Centre Back 4.4.1989
HUN Right Back
ESP Right Wing
27.6.1995
12.1.1980
ESP Left Back
HUN Right Wing
HUN Left Back
HUN Left Back
6.3.1984
18.1.1994
30.9.1996
20.12.1981
SWE Left Wing 17.7.1981
HUN Goalkeeper 17.4.1996
HUN Right Back 28.11.1996
ESP Centre Back 19.7.1988
HUN Centre Back 7.3.1994
HUN Centre Back 8.5.1997
SVK Line Player 18.12.1995
HUN Goalkeeper 23.7.1996
SRB Right Wing 24.4.1986
ESP Goalkeeper 21.5.1978
HUN Left Wing
HUN Left Back
28.10.1993
11.8.1994
HUN Right Wing
HUN Left Wing
HUN Left Wing
BIH Line Player
12.12.1996
22.2.1982
25.4.1992
14.12.1988
POL Goalkeeper 6.1.1988
HUN Line Player 31.3.1984
180
182
186
200
194
193
186
182
197
190
188
194
192
200
191
180
192
198
200
190
189
184
202
190
189
200
188
190
187
75
88
82
107
95
93
87
92
85
111
85
72
92
120
100
80
96
87
93
75
92
103
97
100
96
110
92
80
86
113

Juan Carlos Pastor coach
One of the masterminds of contemporary handball has won an incredible amount of silverware in his career. Pastor is a household name in the world of handball, no wonder
Szeged found him fit for the job of rebuilding their team in order to be able to challenge both for the Hungarian title against domestic rivals Veszprém and the EHF Cup, which the
Spaniard won in his first year at the helm. After Szeged legend Richárd
Mezei had resigned Pastor became also the sporting director.
José Manuel Sierra goalkeeper
The 36-year-old practicaly won all trophies a handballer can lift, still Sierra faces a big challenge in Szeged where he is supposed to fill in for Hungarian international Roland
Mikler, who joined Veszprém. Sierra has been one of the most influential goalkeepers in the world, the Valladolid legend has won an enormous amount of trophies through his almost two decades long career. He signed from PSG had done a grand slam of great Spanish teams (Barcelona, Ciudad Real and Valladolid.
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2009, EHF Cup 2014
WCh: G 2005, EURO: S 2006, OG: B 2008
EC trophies: CL 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, Cup Winners’ Cup: 2009
WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014
Jonas Källman left wing
Signed in the winter of 2014 Jonas Kälman showed his unique ability to defend in three positions, thus the 32-year-old ought to be a vital part of both coach Juan Carlos Pastor’s defensive variatons and Szeged’s attacking edge if unfortunate injuries do not keep him out of action. Having spent more than a decade in Spain with Ciudad Real and Atlético
Madrid the versatile Swede had returned home and played for IFK
Skövde before he signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Pick.
EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009, EHF Cup 2014
OG: S 2012
Ferenc Ilyés left back
Transylvania-born Ilyés has been one of the most influential Hungarian players at both club and international level. One of the many who played both for Szeged and Veszprém the defensive specialist can also be an impact player at left back as shown by his marvellous performance in the 2014 EHF Cup Finals. Ilyés had been a great talisman for his team as won three international trophies with three different clubs
EC trophies: Cup Winners’ Cup 2008, EHF Cup: 2010, 2014
Antonio García Robledo left back
The 30-year-old Spaniard was without a doubt the biggest name the EHF Cup winner signed this summer. He has won a great deal of both individual, club and national team silverware and a lot is expected from the
Granollers-raised shooter in Szeged, too.
Former Spanish player of the year will be trusted with the heavy burden of providing the team with a much needed attacking edge. Szeged will be his third team in the CL having tried his luck with Leon and PSG before.
WCh: G 2013, EURO: B 2014
Szabolcs Zubai line player
The 1,93 m tall line player is one of the most technically gifted in his position in Hungary, had Zubai been a little more robust he would be a top drawer player. Coming from the famous Dunaferr school the 30-year-old U2 fan signed a contract with Pick Szeged in
2008 and has been the focal point of both the team’s attacks and defence. Well over his 100th cap and a decade in the grinder of opponents’ walls Zubai finally managed to get a grip on a trophy, which came in 2014.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014
Gábor Ancsin right back
The 2,02-meter tall right back already has
Bundesliga experience under his belt, he was only 19 when Rhein-Neckar Löwen signed him from Dunaferr. The 23-year-old heavy shooter has been the first choice right back of the Hungarian runner-up but it was only at EURO 2014 that he established himself as an important player for the national team, too. Voted junior player of the year back in 2011 he has just started to prove his worth at senior level.
EC trophies: EHF Cup 2014
Roberto García Parrondo right wing
It came as no surprise coach Pastor brought the 34 year old wing with him when he took the Szeged hotseat as the two won an incredible amount of trophies together.
Madrid-born Parrondo had played for seven
Spanish teams before he decided to bring his talents to international courts. The left handed wingman has great technical skills and the speed of lightning even at 34 and is one of the few players to have literally won all international trophies EHF had to offer – the last being the EHF Cup with his present team, Pick Szeged.
EC trophies: CL 2008, 2009, Cup Winners’ Cup 2005, EHF Cup 2013
WCh: G 2005, EURO: B 2011
114

GROUP D
Playing hall
Gigantium Arena
Olimpiaparken 2
9220 Aalborg Ost
Denmark
Capacity: 4,666
Club Address:
Aalborg Håndbold A/S
Willy Brandts Vej 31
DK-9220 Aalborg Øst
Denmark
Media contact:
Poul Madsbjerg
+4520804976 pm@aalborghaandbold.dk
Online information:
Website: www.aalborghaandbold.dk
Facebook: aalborghaandbold
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: Lime
Player short: White
Goalkeeper shirt: Blue
Dark
Player shirt: Red
Player short: White
Goalkeeper shirt: Black
The wind of change is blowing at the North Sea coast in Aalborg: After becoming Danish champions in 2013 and making it to the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League season 2013/14, coach
Nikolaj Jacobsen said “farvel” to join Rhein Neckar Löwen and succeed Gudmundur Gudmundsson, the new Danish national team coach.
Due to their strong performances in Europe last season, high profile clubs were on the hunt for
Aalborg talent, leading to the departures of Danish international Mads Mensah Larsen, who joined
Jacobsen at Rhein Neckar Löwen, Swedish international Johan Jakobsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt) and Johan Bagersted (SC Magdeburg). So it is the main job for the new coach Jesper Jensen
(Jacobsen’s former international teammate) to integrate the newcomers and himself at the current
Danish runners-up, who lost the league final against KIF Kolding Kobenhavn.
“Obviously, we have a new team more or less, as some of the greatest stars have left, so we have to build a new basis. I think we have got pretty far already,” said an optimistic Jensen.
And the coach has every reason to be optimistic, as the names of those new arrivals are well-known in the world of handball: Spanish international Isaias Guardiola arrives from Rhein Neckar Löwen and Icelandic shooter Olafur Guststafsson from Flensburg, while Aalborg continued their tradition of signing Norwegian talents with 20-year-old Sander Sagosen, who already debuted in the men’s team at the EHF EURO 2014 – in Aalborg. 36-year-old Jensen is not only the new coach of the club but also its manager. He insists he’s ready to fulfil both tasks, despite having just two years on the bench at women’s first league team Vejen.
“Of course it is a big task for me to be in charge of one of the best teams in Denmark. I will not hesitate to admit that, but I feel well prepared and well equipped for the job. When it comes to the game of handball, I feel completely at home. When it comes to management, though, I will inevitably meet some challenges in some areas, but I feel quite calm and confident about that, and hopefully I can learn the things I do not know yet in a hurry,” he said.
The goals of Aalborg Håndbold are set high for this season - making it at least to the semi-finals of the domestic league and progressing to the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League again. In
Group D, the Danes will face Kielce, Dunkerque, Schaffhausen, Szeged and Zaporozhye. A tricky group made tougher by pre-season injuries to Marcus Mørk, who will not be able to play until 2015, and Martin Larsen, who should return in October or November.
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Danish runners-up
Newcomers:
Søren Westphal (KIF Kolding København)
Isaías Guardiola (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Olafur Gustafsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Sander Sagosen (Haslum HK)
Left the club:
Mads Mensah Larsen (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)
Johan Jakobsson (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Richard Kappelin (Selestat)
Jacob Bagersted (Magdeburg)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 3
Last 16 (1): 2013/14
Group Phase (1): 2010/11
Other
Danish league: 2010, 2013
Danish cup: - (2012 Supercup winner)
115

VELUX EHF Champions League record
Reached
2010/11 AaB Handball DEN
2013/14 Aalborg Handball DEN
Total
Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
37:23 (17:07) v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE (h), 24.11.2013
31:20 (16:11) v FC Barcelona ESP (a), 29.03.2014
Longest winning run: 3 matches (16.10.2013 – 24.11.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 3 matches (16.10.2013 – 24.11.2013)
Longest losing run: 6 matches (01.12.2013 – 29.03.2014)
Longest run without win: 6 matches (01.12.2013 – 29.03.2014)
Most goals: 37 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 37:23 (h), 24.11.2013
Most goals opponent: 39 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:29L (a), 23.09.2010
Most goals both teams: 68 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 39:29L (a), 23.09.2010
68 v Cuatro Rayas BM Valladolid ESP (h) 32:36L (h), 21.11.2010
Fewest goals:
68 v Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 30:38L (h), 20.02.2011
20 v HSV Hamburg GER 28:20L (a), 23.02.2014
20 v FC Barcelona ESP 31:20L (a), 29.03.2014
Fewest goals opponent: 23 v HK DROTT Halmstad SWE 37:23 (h), 24.11.2013
Fewest goals both teams: 48 v Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 25:23L (a), 05.02.2014
48 v HSV Hamburg GER 28:20L (a), 23.02.2014
MP W
10
12
22
2
4
6
T
2
0
2
L
6
8
14
GF GA
311:339
317:325
628:664
GD
-28
-8
-36
PTS
6
8
14
Stage
6th Gr. C
Last 16
116

Team roster
Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight No. First Name
12
7
18
30
25
27
11
21
2
5
6
10
12
26
29
23
16
28
6
22
Niclas Andreas Barud
Emil
Juul-Lassen
Berggren
Engelbrecht
Ole
Joshua Krohn
Isaias
Olafur
Erevik
Grace
SWE Line Player
SWE Left Back
DEN Left Wing
22.3.1988
3.8.1986
31.3.1993
NOR Goalkeeper 9.1.1981
DEN Right Back 31.1.1996
Guardiola Villaplana ESP Right Back
Gustafsson ISL Left Back
1.10.1984
27.3.1989
Christian
Magnus
Simon Hald
Stig Bugge
Jensen
Jensen
Jensen
Jensen
Marcus Molbjerg Jorgensen
Martin Larsen
Marcus Mork Kristiansen
Mathias Mark Pedersen
Nicolai Nygaard Pedersen
Sander Sagosen
Morten Andreas Slundt
Havard Tvedten
Soren Westphal
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
DEN
Right Wing
Line Player
Line Player
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Right Back
DEN Left Back
15.11.1995
12.7.1996
28.9.1994
9.9.1992
20.5.1996
19.9.1992
20.10.1987
DEN Centre Back 30.7.1997
DEN
NOR
DEN
NOR
DEN
Left Back
Centre Back
Centre Back
Left Wing
Goalkeeper
15.2.1994
14.9.1995
26.5.1984
29.6.1978
8.7.1986
186
195
203
186
190
196
190
187
194
195
187
183
200
196
195
197
196
190
200
196
83
99
93
95
83
95
109
89
97
93
89
82
90
105
103
93
92
92
103
95
117

Jesper Jensen coach
His coaching experience may be modest, as he had only year as a coach behind him – and that was a women’s coach – before taking over in Aalborg this summer. However, his handball experience is enormous. From 1999 to 2012 was he an elegant and inventive many times, and now the players in Aalborg benefit from his huge experience as well as from his many ideas and his uncompromising will to win.
playmaker in Skjern. The Danish national teams also benefitted from his qualities
EHF EURO: G 2008 / WCh: B 2007
Ole Erevik goalkeeper
Erevik started his career in his home town of
Stavanger, and has played in Spain for Reale
Ademar Leon and Bidasoa Irun, in Germany for SC Magdeburg before joining KIF Kolding in 2008. He moved in 2011 to Aalborg, where he won his second Danish league title. The temperamental Norwegian goalkeeper has very fast reactions and great flexibility. He has been the first choice goalkeeper for the Norwegian national eam since Steinar Ege ended his career in 2012. He has played 156 internationals for his country.
Håvard Tvedten left wing
Norwegian international Tvedten is in Aalborg for the second time in his career. After playing in Spain with the clubs Logroño, Naturhouse
La Rioja and BM Valladolid – he returned to
Aalborg in 2011 after five years of absence.
Despite having reach the age of 36, Tvedten from the penalty line and on fast breaks is as high as ever.
His experience from 208 internationals for Norway also helps a lot, of course.
has not lost much of his speed, and his scoring percentage from the wing as well
Ólafur Gústaffson left back
With his 198 cm and 100 kilo, Gústafsson possesses the physical qualities for being a good back court player in modern handball. If you add a hard and varied right handed shot, you have a player who would be on the wish list of many a coach. Furthermore, Gústafsson carries experience from the German
Bundesliga as well as from the VELUX EHF
Champions League with him from his stay in SG Flensburg-Handewitt last year. Qualities which has been welcomed in Aalborg, where he has replaced Danish international Mads Mensah Larsen.
Sander Sagosen centre back
Already a year ago, Norway’s national coach at the time, Robert Hedin predicted that
Sagosen (19) could become the world’s best handball player. Ever since has the remarkable playmaker and defence talent done his best to prove Hedin right. Apart from being a great organiser of his team’s attacking and being a fine reader of the game despite his young age, Sagosen also has an extremely dangerous shot.
Furthermore, he is just as good in the defence as he is in the attack which is extra rare for so young a player.
Niclas Barud line player
196 cm tall and 105 kilo heavy Barud has his greatest skills in the defence, but lately he has also proved his values in the attack, after Jacob
Bagersted left for SC Magdeburg and while
Barud´s only remaining line player colleague,
Simon Hald has been ill during the pre-season.
Barud, who has played 30 internationals for Sweden this far, had Champions League experience from two years in succession with Swedish IK Sävehof, when he joined Aalborg in 2012 and made his comeback to the Champions
League the following year.
Isaias Guardiola right back
When Isaias Guardiola left Rhein-Neckar
Löwen where his twin brother Gideon still plays, and moved north to Aalborg, it was to replace Swedish international Johan
Jakobsson who has left for SG Flensburg-
Handewitt. At the start of this season, shoulder problems have prevented Guardiola from being just a big threat from the distance as his predecessor, but once the two meter tall left handed back court player who has played six internationals for Spain is fit, Aalborg will have a great asset at both ends of the court.
Stig Bugge Jensen right wing
Bugge joined Aalborg before the start of last season from fellow Danish league competitors, TMS Ringsted, and is a huge talent – which he proved at the U21 World championship in Bosnia last summer and in the Aalborg team for great parts of last season. He stepped into the shoes of the former Swedish international Jan
Lennartsson, who returned home in the summer of 2013. Foot injuries have troubled him from time to time, but at present he seems to be fully fit and in shape, and in that condition he is a great asset to his team.
118

GROUP D
With home games over 500 km away from home in Kiev’s Palace of Sport, the situation is far from ideal for Zaporozhye this season. Nevertheless, coach Sergey Bebeshko is pleased to be part of this competition after winning the qualification tournament in Hard (Austria), beating
Portuguese champions Porto in the final.
“This win was very important for our further development. This season we have no fixtures in the Ukrainian championship. I’m proud of our players. they fought like gladiators,” Bebeshko said after the final. This gives last season’s debutants another chance to leave their mark on the
European handball map.
In their first VELUX EHF Champions League season the Ukrainian champions made it to the
Last 16 after a sensational home win against Veszprem in the final group match. Facing THW
Kiel in the Last 16 meant the end of their journey, but Motor gained enormous experience and confidence in going so far, supported by the fact that Motor won all 20 matches of the
Ukrainian league to finish on top again.
After signing two players from Dinamo Minsk and Motor ZNTU, Bebeshko strengthened his squad and account for departures such as Alexey Kamanin (end of career) and back court shooter Vladislav Ostroushko, who transferred to Hungarian side Csurgoi. Bebeshko can still count on his tall and powerful back court shooters like Onufryienko or Burka, who was the decisive factor at the qualification tournament in Hard.
In the group phase Motor will face Polish champions KS Vive Tauron Kielce, French champions
Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral, as well Swiss title holders Kadetten Schaffhausen, plus two runners-up from their national leagues last season: Hungarian side Pick Szeged (current EHF
Cup winners) and Denmark’s Aalborg Handball – and just like in their maiden voyage last season, the Ukrainians hope to reach the Last 16 again.
Playing hall
Palace of Sports
Sportivna Plasha 1
Kiev
Ukraine
Capacity: 6,897
Club Address:
HC Motor Zaporozhye
Ivanova Str. 24
69068 Zaporozhye
Ukraine
Media contact:
Dmitriy Karpushchenko
+380 50 5581181 hkmotor@yandex.ru
Online information:
Website: www.handball.motorsich.com
Facebook: HC-Motor
Kit colours
Light
Player shirt: white/red
Player short: white
Goalkeeper shirt: yellow/black
Dark
Player shirt: blue
Player short: blue
Goalkeeper shirt: red/black
Qualification for the 2014/15 VELUX EHF
Champions League season: Ukrainian champions, winner of qualification tournament 2
Newcomers:
Vladyslav Dontsov
Stanislav Zhukov (both HC Motor ZNTU ZAS)
Dmytro Doroshchuk
Mykola Stetsyura (both HC Dinamo Minsk)
Artem Kozakevych (HC Portovik)
Left the club:
Vitaliy Gorbachov (HC Motor ZNTU ZAS)
Yevgeny Gurkovsky (Handball Club Dunarea
Calarasi)
Alexey Kamanin (no club)
Vladislav Ostroushko (HC Csurgoi)
Alexander Semikov (no new club)
Yuriy Shamrylo (HC Zaglebie Lubin)
Mykhaylo Tsap (Handball Club Dunarea)
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League
Participations (including 2014/15 season): 2
Last 16: 2013/14
Other
EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13
Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals
2011/12
Ukrainian league: 2 titles (2013, 2014)
Ukrainian cup: 1 title
119

Biggest win:
Biggest defeat:
18:24 (10:14) v St. Petersburg HC RUS (a), 21.11.2013
44:27 (20:13) v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN (a), 10.10.2013
Longest winning run: 2 matches (17.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
Longest unbeaten run: 2 matches (19.09.2013 – 26.09.2013)
Longest losing run:
2 matches (17.11.2013 – 21.11.2013)
3 matches (28.11.2013 – 15.02.2014)
Longest run without win: 3 matches (28.11.2013 – 15.02.2014)
Most goals: 31 v Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER 31:31D (a), 19.09.2013
31 v HC Croatia Osiguranje Zagreb CRO 31:30W (h), 26.09.2013
Most goals opponent: 44 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013
Most goals both teams: 71 v MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 44:27L (a), 10.10.2013
Fewest goals: 24 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
Fewest goals opponent: 18 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
Fewest goals both teams: 42 v St. Petersburg HC RUS 18:24W (a), 21.11.2013
VELUX EHF Champions League record
2013/14 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
Total
MP W
12
12
4
4
T
1
1
L
7
7
GF GA
333:367
333:367
GD
-34
-34
PTS
9
9
Stage
Last 16
120

23
10
9
22
5
18
33
31
12
55
24
2
13
69
32
14
8
1
20
No. First Name Surname
Team roster
Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight
Inal
Sergii
Vladyslav
Dmytro
Egor
Valentyn
Artem
Iurii
Kostyantyn
Sergiy
Angel
Yevgen
Olexandr
Oleg
Mykola
Richard
Aliaksandr
Ievgen
Stanislav
Aflitulin
Burka
Dontsov
Doroshchuk
Evdokimov
Koshovy
Kozakevych
Kubatko
Kurylenko
Onufryienko
Perez de Inestrosa
Sapun
Shevelev
Skopintsev
Stetsyura
Stochl
Tsitou
Zhuk
Zhukov
RUS Centre Back 22.3.1988
UKR Left Back
UKR Right Back
9.6.1987
22.9.1995
UKR Line Player 29.9.1986
RUS Line Player 9.3.1982
UKR Goalkeeper 5.2.1981
UKR Right Wing 2.10.1992
UKR Right Wing 28.8.1988
UKR Left Back 10.7.1980
UKR Right Back 31.1.1985
ESP Centre Back 31.3.1986
UKR Goalkeeper 11.6.1985
UKR Line Player 2.12.1987
RUS Left Wing
UKR Right Back
15.4.1984
20.7.1986
SVK Goalkeeper 17.12.1975
BLR Line Player 28.10.1986
UKR Left Wing
UKR Left Back
4.8.1990
26.3.1992
184
193
190
185
185
200
184
195
182
208
197
198
204
200
182
200
190
184
198
85
115
80
96
78
98
95
85
108
105
75
94
82
110
94
115
114
90
68
121

Serhiy Bebeshko coach
In December 2009 the former Ukrainian international, who was living in Ciudad Real at that time, was asked on the phone to become new coach of Dinamo Minsk. Bebeshko agreed and led Minsk for the first time in
Belarusian handball to the CL Last 16 in 2013.
After more than 20 years the 1992 Olympic champion returned to native country and accomploshed the same feat with Motor Zaporozhye. The national title was his premiere since he was first champion of independent
Ukraine as a player with SKA Kiev in 1992.
Richard Štochl goalkeeper
Motor’s last moment reinforcement from last season is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in Europe. The eight-time player of the year in Slovakia is only the second foreigner in Ukraine from outside of the former Soviet Union area. Within his over
200 international matches for Slovakia he participated in two World Championships
2009 and 2011 and also three EHF EURO tournaments (2006, 2008,
2012). At club level he won seven championships in five different countries – Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, France and Russia.
Oleg Skopintsev left wing
One of the Russian internationals in Motor’s squad arrived from Dinamo Minsk in 2013 and without doubt he has become a key player in Zaporozhye. The fast winger is technically skillful and frequently used in the 5:1 defence. Already after a few months in the new team Skopintsev was considered as the main specialist from the seven-metre line. His first playing season for Chekhovskie Medvedi in the CL was unforgettable as he reached the VELUX EHF FINAL4. He has been a regular part of the Russian national team.
Sergey Burka left back
After a four-year absence, the tallest (208 cm) player of the Ukrainian championship is finally back in the CL. He joined Motor just in 2012 from the city rivals of ZTR. He collected four national titles with his former club ZTR and added one with Motor last year.
Burka, together with his current teammates
Onufryienko, Shevelev and Ostroushko, has been among players of the national team of Ukraine at their last major tournament - EHF EURO 2010. Since then he has been a regular fixture in the Ukrainian selection.
Inal Aflitulin centre back
This talented Russian playmaker is bound to be considered as one of the strongest players in Ukraine soon. Quick on his feet and with a strong shot, he is always fighting to the very last second of the match. Astrakhanborn started playing in the youth team champion made successful debut in the CL previous season and deserved himself the invitation to national team for the EHF EURO
2014. of Chekhovskie Medvedi and in 2011 he joined the Motor team. The twice Ukrainian
Alexandr Shevelev line player
There are not too many Ukrainians who played in the European leagues recently. But
Motor’s pivot, who arrived from Dinamo
Minsk (BLR), has already played in the Danish club Aalborg and for the former Spanish club
Ciudad Real scored his first goals in the CL in
2011. But his premiere appearance in the CL was in the 2006/07 season with Ukrainian club Portovik. Besides he played in Russia for Astrakhan side Zarya
Kaspia. With great experience and physical strength Shevelev became a crucial figure in the center of defence and attack.
Sergey Onufryienko right back
Previous CL experience of the Ukrainian national team right back dates back to his stints with ZTR Zaporozhye and HC Dinamo
Minsk. The left-hander remains one of the top-scorers in the CL among Ukrainians. He won five national championships with ZTR coach Sergey Bebeshko, with whom he transferred to the new club over the 2013 summer. On the national team level he was part of the
EHF EURO 2010.
and another four plus two domestic cups with
Belarusian Dinamo alongside current Motor’s
Artem Kozakevich right wing
Motor’s long hunt for one of the most talented players in Ukraine was successfully completed this summer after the best winger of the last season of the Ukrainian championship from Portovik Yuzhniy signed. His dream to score first goals in the
CL is closer also courtesy of his excellent performance in the qualification tournament.
With his partner Yuriy Kubatko he shares his time on court at right wing and despite being just a few months in the new team he is considered as one of the main specialists for penalties.
122

2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
SG Flensburg-Handewitt
HSV Hamburg
THW Kiel
FC Barcelona Borges
THW Kiel
BM Ciudad Real
BM Ciudad Real
THW Kiel
BM Ciudad Real
FC Barcelona-Cifec
RK Celje Pivovarna Laško
Montpellier HB
SC Magdeburg
Portland San Antonio
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Elgorriaga Bidasoa
TEKA Santander
(ESP)
(ESP)
(SLO)
(FRA)
(GER)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(GER
(GER)
(GER)
(ESP)
(GER)
(ESP)
(ESP)
(GER)
123

1993 – 2004
1993/94
Final: ABC Braga vs TEKA Santander 22:22/21:23 (43:45)
The inaugural year of the Men’s EHF Champions League saw the classic home and away knockout matches being replaced with a totally new system. 32 teams went into two qualification rounds, eliminating 24 clubs. The remaining eight teams were placed into two groups of four teams each playing in a round-robin system. TEKA
Santander and ABC Braga topped their respective groups and faced each other in the final. Santander narrowly kept the upper hand and started what should become an eight-year Spanish club winning streak in the Men’s EHF Champions League.
the EHF Champions League trophy for the fourth time in a row.
Zagreb’s coach Velimir Klajic had to admit that Barcelona “at this moment in time, were quite simply the best club team in the world.”
1999/00
Final: THW Kiel – FC Barcelona 28:25 / 24:29 (52:54)
THW Kiel became the first German team to make it into the Final but even a 28:25-victory in the final’s first leg was not enough to end
Barcelona’s EHF Champions League winning streak. Backed by half of the Spanish national team and international stars like Christian
Schwarzer and Tomas Svensson, Barcelona won their fifth title.
1994/95
Final: Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun vs Badel Zagreb 30:20 / 26:27 (56:47)
The final of the EHF Champions League’s second season became the match of a lifetime for Irun’s Nenad Perunicic, nicknamed “the canon” or “Il Conquistadore” by the fans. He was his team’s key player in the final and, in his first year in Spain, not only the lifted the EHF
Champions League but also the national championship trophy with
Irun.
2000/01
Final: Portland San Antonio – FC Barcelona 30:24 / 22:25 (52:49)
For Barcelona it was a whole new feeling to watch another team celebrating at the end of the Champions League Final. Following five consecutive titles an era came to end when Spanish King Juan Carlos handed the huge tropy to Portland San Antonio at the end of all-
Spanish Final.
1995/96
Final: FC Barcelona vs Elgorriaga Bidasoa Irun 23:15 / 23:23 (46:38)
In the season that was marked by the “Bosman decision”, which had substantial effects on transfer regulations and transfer fees in sport,
FC Barcelona won their first EHF Champions League title. No other should be capable of dethroning the Catalan side for the next four years.
1996/97
Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 31:22 / 30:23 (61:45)
In their second consecutive EHF Champions League Final Barcelona dominated both matches against Badel Zagreb. And while the Spanish side celebrated their second EHF Champions League triumph, the
Croatian side had lost their second final. Also in 1996/97 the so called
“fast break” was born due to a rule change, making handball more attractive and athletic than ever before.
2001/02
Final: Fotex Veszprem vs SC Magdeburg 23:21 / 25:30 (48:51)
One year after Barcelona’s dominance had ended in the EHF
Champions League, the dominance of Spanish clubs also came to an end, when SC Magdeburg became the first German team to win the competition. And late at night, at the end of a glittering party,
Stefan Kretzschmar and coach Alfred Gislason were still up for jokes: “Training is on the agenda. The entire team is going to run through the whole town until 08:00 tomorrow morning,” they both proclaimed.
1997/98
Final: FC Barcelona vs Badel Zagreb 28:18 / 28:22 (56:40)
Barcelona beat Zagreb once more to win their third consecutive EHF
Champions League title. But at least as much news as the repeated triumph made the wedding of Barcelona player Inaki Urdangarin who married Christina, youngest daughter of Spanish King Juan Carlos and
Queen Sofia, on 4th October 1997.
1998/99
Final: Badel Zagreb vs FC Barcelona 22:22 / 18:29 (40:51)
Once again there were tears in Zagreb and joy in Barcelona. The
Spanish team beat Zagreb in their third consecutive final and lifted
2002/03
Final: Portland San Antonio – Montpellier HB 27:19 / 19:31 (46:50)
A new star was born during the finals of the 2002/03 EHF Champions
League season. Montpellier’s Nikola Karabatic scored 11 goals in the first leg in Spain and another six in front of his home fans, enabling his team to turn around the eight goal defeat from the first leg and to become the first French side to win the EHF Champions League.
2003/04
Final: Celje vs Flensburg- Handewitt 34:28 / 28:30 (62:58)
In March 2003 the EHF had decided on a new structure for the competition. Three teams from Spain and Germany now had a starting slot. Two representatives from Hungary, Slovenia, Denmark and Croatia would start in the Group Phase. Overall 32 teams (8 groups of 4 teams each) made up the Group Phase. Flensburg had profited from the new system but Slovenian side Celje was too strong in the final.
124

2004/05
Final: BM Ciudad Real vs FC Barcelona Cifec 28:27 / 27:29 (55:56)
Following four years without being present in the final, Barcelona won their sixth EHF Champions League title. And while the spectator record for one match was 10,000 fans, the whole city celebrated
Barcelona’s victory. “We did a lap of honour in the Stadion Nou Camp in front of 100,000 spectators and were celebrated by the whole town,” remembers Barcelona’s Dane Lars Krogh Jeppesen.
2004 – 2014
Group Phase was reduced from 32 to 24. Four groups of six teams each were formed and the first four teams qualified for the knockout phase which replaced the second group phase. For the first time the
VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournament, which combined the Semi-finals and the Final, was held in Cologne, Germany, to decide the champion.
THW Kiel won their second title when they beat Barcelona.
2005/06
Final: Portland San Antonio vs BM Ciudad Real 19:25 / 28:37 (47:62)
Spanish businessman and BM Ciudad Real president, Domingo Diaz de
Mera, had put together a team that proved to be unbeatable in the
2005/06 Champions League season. Mera bought superstars from all over Europe and the team around Olafur Stefansson, Mirza Dzomba,
Didier Dinart et al. paid justified Mera’s expenses when they beat
Spanish rival San Antonio in the final.
2010/11
Final: FC Barcelona vs Renovalia Ciudad Real 27:24
Since 2010 the event is known as the VELUX EHF Champions League.
40,000 fans stormed to Cologne to attend the VELUX EHF FINAL4 weekend and TV viewing audience figures went to a new height. 310 million viewers from 76 countries worldwide watched 2,800 hours of
TV transmissions 2010/11. Barcelona extended their lead as the most successful club in EHF Champions League history when won their seventh title, beating Ciudad Real in the Final.
2006/07
Final: SG Flensburg- Handewitt vs THW Kiel 28:28 / 27:29 (55:57)
The EHF Champions League, through the efforts of the 2005 founded EHF Marketing GmbH, became a unified look. Since 2006,
TV spectators across Europe know they are watching a men’s EHF
Champions League match when they see the distinct blue lagoon and black supplied by flooring specialists Gerfloor in addition to the season’s individual yellow and blue handball supplied by adidas. On the sport side of things, Kiel won their first EHF Champions League title, beating arch rival Flensburg-Handewitt.
2011/12
Final: THW Kiel vs BM Atletico Madrid 26:21
The German powerhouse sensationally lost in their first home match of the season against Montpellier, but no other team was able to overcome THW Kiel throughout the remaining of the season. Gíslason led his team to the third trophy in the club’s history becoming the first coach who won with two different teams. Defending champions from
Barcelona were eliminated in the quarter-finals by AG København, but the Danish side was stopped in the semi-final by Atlético Madrid, who made it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the fourth time in a row.
2007/08
Final: BM Ciudad Real vs THW Kiel 27:29 / 31:25 (58:54)
In the 2007/08 season a second Group Phase with four groups of four teams each replaced the Last 16-matches and the quarter-finals.
The first teams of each group qualified for the semi-finals and in the final 2006 champion Ciudad Real faced 2007 champion THW Kiel. The
Spanish side prevailed and could win their second EHF Champions
League trophy.
2008/09
Final: THW Kiel vs BM Ciudad Real 39:34 / 27:33 (66:67)
THW Kiel and BM Ciudad Real faced each other in the final for the second year in a row and even though Kiel had won the first leg of the final by five goals, it was Ciudad Real that won the EHF Champions
League for a second consecutive time. Kiel were still in the lead by 20:16 after 39 minutes but with a series of 10:3 goals within 11 minutes Ciudad Real turned the match in their favour.
2009/10
Final: FC Barcelona Borges vs HW Kiel 34:36
In the 2009/10 season the number of participating teams in the first
2012/13
Final: FC Barcelona vs HSV Hamburg 29:30 AET
HSV Hamburg go into the new season as the defending champion. For the first time the extra-time had to decide the winner. In 20 years of
EHF Champions League history there have only been two champions,
Montpellier in 2003 and Celje in 2004, who neither came from
Spain nor from Germany. The All-Stars team of the 20 years were announced: Goalkeeper Tomas Svensson (SWE), Left Wing Stefan
Kretzschmar (GER), Left Back Filip Jícha (CZE), Line Player Andrei
Xepkin (ESP), Centre Back Jackson Richardson (FRA), Right Back
(Oláfur Stefansson), Right Wing Mirza Džomba (CRO), Best defender
Didier Dinart (FRA)
2013/14
Final: SG Flensburg-Handewitt vs THW Kiel 30:28
For the third year in a row a team from Northern Germany prevailed as SG Flensburg-Handewitt took both of their opponents at the
VELUX EHF FINAL4 by surprise. In the semi-final the “Vranjes boys” eliminated giants of FC Barcelona after a penalty-shoot-out thriller and made the Cinderrella story perfect by beating their neighbours from Kiel 30:28 in the final.
125

Season Player
1993/94 Uroš Šerbec
1994/95 Nenad Peruničić
1995/96 Carlos Resende
1996/97 Carlos Resende
1997/98 József Éles
1998/99 Zlatko Saračević
1999/00 Zlatko Saračević
Club
Celje Pivovarna Laško/SLO
Bidasoa Irun/ESP
ABC Braga/POR
ABC Braga/POR
MKB Veszprém KC/HUN
RK Zagreb/CRO
RK Zagreb/CRO
2000/01 Yuriy Kostetskiy
2001/02 Nenad Peruničić
2002/03 Mirza Džomba
2003/04 Siarhei Rutenka
2004/05 Siarhei Rutenka
2005/06 Kiril Lazarov
2006/07 Nikola Karabatic
2007/08 Kiril Lazarov
ABC Braga/POR
SC Magdeburg
FOTEX KC Veszprém/HUN
Celje Pivovarna Laško/SLO
Celje Pivovarna Laško/SLO
MKB Veszprém/HUN
THW Kiel/GER
MKB Veszprém/HUN
Ólafur Stefánsson BM Ciudad Real/ESP
2008/09 Filip Jícha THW Kiel/GER
2009/10 Filip Jícha
2010/11 Uwe Gensheimer
THW Kiel/GER
Rhein-Neckar Löwen/GER
2011/12 Mikkel Hansen
2012/13 Hans Lindberg
2013/14 Momir Ilic
AG København/DEN
HSV Hamburg/GER
98
101
MKB-MVM Veszprem/HUN 103
96
99
119
118
85
85
89
96
81
122
67
103
Goals
84
90
92
76
82
80
82
126

1 Ilic Momir (SRB)
2 Vugrinec Renato (MKD)
3 Vujin Marko (SRB)
MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)
HC Metalurg (MKD)
THW Kiel (GER)
4 Lazarov Kiril (MKD)
5 Marguc Gasper (SLO)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO)
6 Eggert Magnussen Anders (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
7 Gensheimer Uwe (GER) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
8 Rutenka Siarhei (BLR)
9 Dibirov Timur (RUS)
Karabatic Nikola (FRA)
Skube Stas (SLO)
12 Glandorf Holger (GER)
Jicha Filip (CZE)
14 Karacic Igor (CRO)
Nenadic Petar (SRB)
16 Sulic Renato (CRO)
17 Persson Magnus (SWE)
18 Rocas Comas Albert (ESP)
19 Tomas Gonzalez Victor (ESP)
20 Onufryienko Sergiy (UKR)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
HC Vardar - Skopje (MKD)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
RK Gorenje Velenje (SLO)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
THW Kiel (GER)
HC Vardar - Skopje (MKD)
Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)
HK DROTT Halmstad (SWE)
KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN)
FC Barcelona (ESP)
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
71
71
69
69
73
72
72
72
68
67
64
61
60
80
79
78
77
103
95
85
127

2
3
#
1
4
5
4
5
2
3
TR Name of the club
1 FC Barcelona ESP
THW Kiel GER
MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN
BM Atletico Madrid ESP
HC Zagreb CRO
8
9
6
7
8
9
6
7
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO
Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA
SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER
HSV Hamburg GER
10 10 Portland San Antonio ESP
11 11 Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS
12 12 Reale Ademar Leon ESP
13 13 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn DEN
14 14 Pick Szeged HUN
15 15 KS Vive Targi Kielce POL
16 16 Rhein-Neckar Löwen GER
17 17 Chambery Savoie Handball FRA
18 18 RK Gorenje Velenje SLO
19 19 HC Metalurg MKD
20 20 SC Magdeburg GER
21 26 Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI
22 29 HC Vardar MKD
23 32 Orlen Wisla Plock POL
24 36 PSG Handball FRA
25 48 Aalborg Handball DEN
26 58 HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR
27 61 Naturhouse La Rioja ESP
28 77 HC Meshkov Brest BLR
29 91 Alingsas HK SWE
30 94 Dunkerque HB Grand Littoral FRA
Besiktas JK TUR
MP W
212 156
204 146
186 123
144 111
194 96
164 95
142 85
118 76
98 68
100 64
116 59
100 50
92 45
104 42
74 38
58 34
74 29
62 26
52 24
40 24
52 17
54 13
54 15
28 12
22 6
12 4
10 3
24 3
10 2
10
0
1
0
D
15
13
7
5
22
3
4
1
4
8
6
6
7
9
9
9
8
6
14
10
3
8
1
2
2
1
2
0
0
1
0
28
76
7
5
L
41
45
56
60
49
33
21
30
43
44
40
54
30
14
42
35
24
13
31
33
38
14
14
21
8
8
0
^ = Excluding Qualifying matches
The club name is the last used name in VELUX EHF Champions League competition
TR – total ranking
MP – matches played
W – wins
D – draws
L – losses
GF:GA – goals for:goals against
P – points
NP – number of participations
% = winning percentage
G - group
All stats in this guide are provided by Roy Knoppert
GF:FA GD P NP % G
6526:5422 1104 327:97 (17) 77,12 B
6371:5488 883
5364:4808 556
305:103 (17)
253:119 (18)
74,75 A
68,01 C
4502:3803 699
5170:4988 182
227:61 (10) 78,82
214:174 (20) 55,15 A
4705:4378 327
4097:3825 272
3592:3259 333
3088:2670 418
2929:2594 335
3575:3375 200
2875:2817 58
2650:2616 34
199:129 (16) 60,67 C
178:106 (14) 62,68 C
161:75 (9)
145:51 (7)
68,22 B
73,98
134:66 (9) 67,00
132:100 (12) 56,90 C
106:94 (10) 53,00
97:87 (10) 52,72 B
2826:2881 -55
2129:2074 55
92:116 (11) 44,23 D
82:66 (7) 55,41 D
1805:1634 171 78:38
2028:2133 -105 61:87
(4)
(8)
67,24
41,22
C
1779:1775 4
1316:1339 -23
1166:1077 89
1519:1575 -56
53:71
52:52
51:29
38:66
(6)
(5)
(4)
(6)
42,74
50,00 A
63,75
36,54 D
1375:1584 –209 34:74
1400:1585 –185 31:77
772:792
628:664
–20
-36
26:30
14:30
333:367
292:320
608:738
251:302
-34
-28
-130
-51
9:15
8:12
6:42
4:16
237:268
0:0
-31
0
3:17
0:0
(7)
(7)
(3)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(4)
(1)
(1)
(0)
31,48
37,50
C
28,70 B
46,43 A
31,82 D
D
40,00 A
12,50 A
20,00 B
15,00
0,00
D
B
128

2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase
by
EHF Media & Communications, 24/09/2014
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Bence Martha, Zoran Milosavljevic, Kevin Domas, Magda Pluszewska, Bruno Pinevic, Sergey Nikolaev,
Francisco Miranda, Igor Grachev, Amina Idrizi, Nejc Adnik, Eren Cetin, Roy Knoppert
129