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VELUX EHF Champions LeagueSeason 2015/16
Qualification and Group Phase Draw
Vienna, 26 June 2015
Media Information
2
Map of participating clubs 4
Media contacts 5
Preview 6
Playing system diagram - stages and dates 7
Seeding list 8
Qualification teams
Elverum Handball Herrer 9
Alpla HC Hard 10
OCI-Lions 11
RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka 12
Groups A + B
POT 1
THW Kiel 13
FC Barcelona Lassa 14
POT 2
MKB-MVM Veszprem KC 15
Vive Tauron Kielce 16
POT 3
Paris Saint-Germain Handball 17
HC Vardar 18
POT 4
KIF Kolding Kobehavn 19
RK Celje Pivavorna Lasko 20
POT 5
MOL-Pick Szeged 21
Orlen Wisla Plock 22
Table of contents
3
POT 6
HC PPD Zagreb 23
Rhein-Neckar Löwen 24
POT 7
IFK Kristianstad 25
Besiktas JK 26
POT 8
Montpellier HB 27
SG Flensburg-Handewitt 28
Groups C + D
POT 1
Naturhouse La Rioja 29
HC Metalurg 30
POT 2
HC Meshkov Brest 31
Skjern Handbold 32
POT 3
Chekhovskie Medvedi 33
HC Motor Zaporozhye 34
POT 4
Futebol Clube do Porto 35
Kadetten Schaffhausen 36
POT 5
HCM Baia Mare 37
RK Vojvodina 38
POT 6
Tatran Presov 39
Past winners 40
2014/15 Top scorers 41
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5
EHF/M Media contacts
Qualification Clubs – Media contacts
Media matters
Vlado BrindzakMedia and Communications European Handball Federation+43 1 80 151 [email protected]
TV and Radio
Miguel Mateo MarcellanMedia ManagerEHF Marketing GmbH+43 1 80 151 [email protected]
Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR)Erik Henriksen+47 400 [email protected]
Alpla HC Hard (AUT)Hansjörg Füssinger+43 664 342 82 [email protected]
OCI-Lions (NED)Hans Gierman+31 6 [email protected]
RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka (BIH)Vladimir Brankovic+387 65 [email protected]
POT 1THW Kiel (GER)Christian Robohm +49 [email protected]
FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)Gustau Galvache+34 [email protected]
POT 3PSG Handball (FRA)Louise Cosnard+33 (0)675 591 [email protected]
RK Vardar PRO – Skopje (MKD)Marko Savovski+389 75 200 [email protected]
POT 5Pick Szeged (HUN)Nandor Szögi+36 70 [email protected]
Orlen Wisła Płock (POL)Piotr RaczkowskiTel: [email protected]
POT 7IFK Kristianstad (SWE)Nikolas Larsson+46 705 [email protected]
Besiktas JK (TUR)Berk [email protected]
POT 2HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)Pavel Bashkin+375 162 [email protected]
Skjern Handbold (DEN)Henning Kjaergaard+45 20 [email protected]
POT 4FC Porto (POR)Joana Moreira+351 22 508 32 [email protected]
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)Barbara Imobersteg+41 [email protected]
POT 6Tatran Presov (SVK)Branko Benko+421 911 [email protected]
POT 2MKB-MVM Veszprém KC (HUN)Zsolt Sevinger+36 [email protected]
Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)Sebastian Kozubek+48 [email protected]
POT 4KIF Kolding København (DEN)Thomas Christensen+45 22 [email protected]
RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO)Nejc Ajdnik+386 [email protected]
POT 6RK Zagreb (CRO)Goran Roknić+385 95 9999 [email protected]
Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER)Christopher [email protected]
POT 8SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)Sandra von Wallis+49 [email protected]
Montpellier (FRA)Suzy Demonte+33 499 610 [email protected]
POT 1Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP)Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez+34 63 77 66 [email protected]
HC Metalurg (MKD)Zoran Cvetanovski+389 [email protected]
POT 3 Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)Beniamin Kuznetsov+7 [email protected]
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)Dmitriy Karpushchenko+380 50 [email protected]
POT 5HCM Baia Mare (ROU)Ioachim Nicolae Fat+40 744 [email protected]
HC Vojvodina (SRB)Nemanja Protic +381 63 10 66 [email protected]
Group A + B Group C + D
6
Seeding for Group Phase draw confirmed
All clubs of the continent’s premium competition are to discover their European travel schedule up to March 2016 as the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 Group Phase draw takes place on Friday in the Vienna city centre.
The 27 teams directly seeded for the group phase and one qualifier will learn their fate in the new season as the draw both for the Groups A&B and Groups C&D is to be carried out at 20:00 hrs.
There are eight pots of two teams in the Groups A&B and six in the Groups C&D. The defending champions FC Barcelona Lassa will be drawn from the Pot 1 together with THW Kiel.
The teams will not be able to face opponents from the same country in the group what applies to sides from France, Germany, Poland and Hungary.
The only exception will be the 2014 winners SG Flensburg-Handewitt, who will play against one of the two bundesliga rivals in the group – either Kiel or Rhein-Neckar Löwen.
The group phase will commence with the first round matches on 16-20 September 2015, the last round in A and B is scheduled for 2-6 March 2016.
Seeding for the group phase draw:
Group A + B
Pot 1 FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) THW Kiel (GER)
Pot 2 MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
Pot 3 Paris SG Handball (FRA) HC Vardar (MKD)
Pot 4 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO)
Pot 5 MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Pot 6 HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
Pot 7 IFK Kristianstad (SWE) Besiktas Jimnastik Kul. (TUR)
Pot 8 Montpellier HB (FRA) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
Group C + D
Pot 1 Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) HC Metalurg (MKD)
Pot 2 HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) Skjern Handbold (DEN)
Pot 3 Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
Pot 4 Futebol Clube do Porto Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)
Pot 5 HCM Baia Mare (ROU) Vojvodina (SRB)
Pot 6 Tatran Presov (SVK) Qualifer
Following the confirmation of all participants of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 by the EHF Executive Committee last weekend in Krakow, the semi-final pairings of the qualification tournament have also been set.
As there is just one qualification tournament with four teams this season, there is no draw needed and the pairings have been determined based on the seeding list.
In the first semi-final Norwegian champions Elverum Handball Herrer, who are the top seed of the qualification, will therefore meet the Dutch championship trophy holders OCI-Lions on Saturday 5 September, while Austria’s Alpla HC Hard will face RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka from Bosnia Herzegovina in the other semi-final.
The semi-final winners will battle out the remaining place in the group phase on Sunday 6 September in the qualification final preceded by the third place match between the two Saturday’s losers.
The tournament’s winner will join either Group C or D in the European top flight, while the second and third ranked team qualify directly for the Men’s EHF Cup third elimination round. The fourth ranked side start already in the second elimination round of the EHF Cup.
The right to organise the qualification tournament will be drawn on Friday 26 June at 18:30 hrs in Vienna. As Hard hosted the qualification group last season, the Austrian champions will stage the tournament this time around only if all other participants decline to do so.
Semi-finals for the qualification tournament set
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status: 24.06.2015
QualificationTournament
16.-20.09.15 (1); 23.-27.09.2015 (2);05./06.09.2015 30.09.-04.10.2015 (3); 07.-11.10.2015 (4) 16.-20.03.2016 20.-24.04.2016 28./29.05.2016
tournament 14.-18.10.2015 (5); 21.-25.10.2015 (6) first leg first leg tournament11.-15.11.2015 (7); 18.-22.11.2015 (8)
25.-29.11.2015 (9); 02.-06.12.2015 (10) 23.-27.03.2016 27.04.-01.05.2016in one venue 10.-14.02.2016 (11 - A/B); 17.-21.02.2016 (12 -A/B) second leg second leg
24.-28.02.2016 (13); 02.-06.03.2016 (14) in Cologne
26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT 26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT no draw no draw 03.05.2016
Group A and B (16 teams)2 groups with 8 teams
1 GER 1 THW Kiel2 ESP 1 FC Barcelona Lassa3 HUN 1 MKB-MVM Veszprem4 POL 1 KS Vive Tauron Kielce5 MKD 1 HC Vardar6 FRA 1 Paris Saint Germain HB7 DEN 1 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn8 SLO 1 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko9 HUN 2 MOL-Pick Szeged
10 POL 2 Orlen Wisla Plock11 CRO 1 HC PPD Zagreb12 GER 2 Rhein-Neckar Löwen13 SWE 1 IFK Kristianstad14 TUR 1 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu15 FRA 2 Montpellier HB16 GER 3 SG Flensburg-Handewitt
Group C and D (12 teams)
2 groups with 6 teams
1 ESP 2 Naturhouse La Rioja2 MKD 2 HC Metalurg3 DEN 2 Skjern Handball4 BLR 1 HC Meskov Brest5 RUS 1 Chekhovskie medvedi6 UKR 1 HC Motor7 SUI 1 Kadetten Schaffhausen8 POR 1 Futebol Clube do Porto9 ROU 1 HCM Baia Mare
10 SRB 1 Vojvodina11 SVK 1 Tatran Presov12 NOR 1 Elverum Handball Herrer13 AUT 1 ALPLA HC Hard14 BIH 1 RK Borac m:tel15 NED 1 OCI/Lions
VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015/16
Last 16 FINAL4QuarterfinalsGroup Phase
1 group with 4 teams
played in semi finals and finals played in semi finals and finals
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4th placed team of CL Qualification Tournament goes to EHF Cup Qualification Rd 2,
2nd and 3rd placed team of CL Qualification Tornament go to EHF Cup Qualification Rd 3
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matches qualify for L16
12 teams 8 teams 4 teams
9
Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR)
While a newcomer won the regular season this year, it was once again one of the teams that already used to fight for the title in the previous years, to take the national championship.
Norwegian cup winners Arendal secured the first place after the regular season when they met Runar Sandefjord. In the quarter-finals though, Runar held the upper hand and ended Arendal’s run for the Norwegian title.
Experienced Elverum took the title after beating Bodo in two matches in the final, 30:23 and 29:26.
Club Address:Elverum Handball HerrerPostboks 2952403 ElverumNorway
Media contact:Erik Henriksen+47 400 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.ehh.noFacebook: elverumhandballTwitter: @ElverumHandball
Playing hallTerningen ArenaHamarvegen 1122418 ElverumNorwayCapacity: 2,400
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
DarkPlayer shirt: blackPlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: green
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 2Qualification (1): 2013/14
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2010/11 EHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13
Norwegian league: 3 titles (2009, 2013, 2015)
* to be confirmed
10
Alpla HC Hard (AUT)
For the fourth straight time ALPLA HC Hard have been crowned champions in Austria. The concluding event of the Handball Liga Austria season saw two teams from the lake Constance region battle it out for the title. Markus Burger saw his team come out on top twice (30:26 and 24:20) in the set of finals against Bregenz Handball.
“It is an incredible feeling to be on top again. Despite the clear results, Bregenz were really a tough opponent, but make no mistake we fully deserved to win this title,” commented Burger.
After a great performance on home court, Hard did not leave people guessing who would lift the trophy. This was made clear as they silenced the 2,000 spectators in Bregenz with an 11:4 run in the second leg of the final. More than 1,000 fans gathered to celebrate the win outside their arena in Hard.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipation (including 2015/16 season): 5Group Matches (1): 2003/04Qualification (3): 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15
OtherChallenge Cup: Runners-up 2007/08, Semi-final 2004/05, Quarter-finals 2000/01, 2006/07
Austrian champions: 5 titles (2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Austrian Cup winners: 3 titlesClub Address:
Alpla HC HardSeestraße 606971 HardAustria
Media contact:Hansjörg FüssingerTel: +43 664 342 82 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.hchard.atFacebook: AlplaHard
Playing hallSporthalle am SeeSee Straße 606971 HardAustriaCapacity: 2,300
Kit colours
Light Player shirt: whitePlayer short: royal blueGoalkeeper shirt: white, grey, green
Dark Player shirt: redPlayer short: dark blueGoalkeeper shirt: white, grey, green
11
OCI-Lions (NED)
After finishing second four times in a row, Limburg Lions finally managed to make the last step towards the title. And all they needed was a woman to show them the right way. Under the guidance of head coach Monique Tijsterman the team from Sittard added the domestic championship title to the Dutch Cup and the multi-national Bene-League title this season.
In the Dutch finals against Volendam the Lions crowned themselves champions in the second match after winning 29:28 on home ground and 34:29 away. “I never thought we would lose these matches,” commented Tijsterman after the finals. “We have great quality in our ranks and we are able to stay relaxed in tough situations, and this was the key to our great season.”
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 1
OtherEHF Cup: Round 3 2011/12
Dutch league: 1 title (2015)Dutch cup: 1 title
Club Address:OCI-LIONSPO Box 5796160 AN GeleenNetherlands
Media contact:Hans Gierman+31 6 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.limburglions.nlFacebook: limburglionsTwitter: @oci_lions
Playing hallTopsporthal Fitland XLSittardNetherlandsCapacity: 2,200
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: red
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
* to be confirmed
12
RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka (BIH)
Club Address:RK Borac m:telVeselina Maslese 15-1778000 Banja LukaBosnia Herzegovina
Media contact:Vladimir Brankovic+387 65 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.rkborac.rs.baFacebook: rkboracTwitter: @rkborac
Playing hallSportska Dvorana “Borik”Aleja Svetog Save 4878000 Banja LukaBosnia HerzegovinaCapacity: 3,500
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: redPlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: grey
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: redGoalkeeper shirt: green
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 2Qualification (1): 2013/14
OtherChallenge Cup: Quarter-final 2004/05EHF Cup: Round 3 2000/01, 2010/11, 2012/13Cup Winners’ Cup: Round 3 2011/12
Bosnian league: 3 titles (2013, 2014, 2015)Bosnian cup: 5 times
Borac M:tel Banja Luka defended the double for the third time in a row, and they did it in style, defeating RK Izvidjac in straight matches (3:0 in series). Borac started the first match of the series with a home win (33:26), but the encounter had all the elements of a classic. Despite the high-scoring match, Borac goalkeeper and the star of the season Stanko Abadzic, recorded the show-stopping 21 saves to the frustration of their opponents from Ljubuski.
The experienced winger Marko Mikic and the legendary veteran line player Ratko Nikolic finished on a high note as well - netting 11 and eight respectively to win the last match of the play-off series 34:30 in front of their own fans in Banja Luka and help the indomitable Borac to their 48th title. However it was not the last the fans have seen of the forceful Bosnian champions, as the cup final played in their home town provided yet another reason for celebration.
The “Borik” hall saw the team coached by Igor Radjenovic outplay RK Celik in the final 29:24 and secure another Cup glory, to defend the double.
13
THW Kiel (GER)
Club Address:THW KielZiegelteich 3024103 KielGermany
Media contact:Christian Robohm +49 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.thw-provinzial.deFacebook:thwhandballTwitter: @thw_handball
Playing hallSparkassen-Arena-KielEuropaplatz 1, 24103 KielGermanyCapacity: 10,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: green
DarkPlayer shirt: blackPlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: red
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 19Winners (3): 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12Runners-up (4): 1999/2000, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2013/14Semi-final (4): 1996/1997, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2014/15Quarter-final (5): 1998/99, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2010/11Group Phase (2): 1994/95, 1995/96
OtherEHF Cup: Winners 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04German league: 20 titles (1957, 1962, 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)German Cup winners: 9 times
Like in 2014, the the German championship was decided in the final round. But in contrast to one year before, it was not goal difference needed to separate THW Kiel and Rhein-Neckar Löwen. In the end, Kiel were two points and more than 20 goals ahead of the Löwen squad, handing them their 20th title.
Both sides were more than ten points clear of third ranked SG Flensburg-Handewitt, 2014 VELUX EHF Champions League winner.
The squad for the next season will change with both goalkeepers Johan Sjöstand and Andreas Palicka leaving, replaced by Löwen keeper Niklas Landin, again awarded best goalkeeper of the season. In addition, Rasmus Lauge and Aron Palmarsson will leave a gap in the back court.
POT 1
14
FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP)
Club Address:FC Barcelona LassaAvda. Aristides Maillol, s/n08028 BarcelonaSpain
Media contact:Gustau Galvache+34 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.fcbarcelona.catFacebook: FCBHandbolTwitter: @FCBHandbol
Playing hallPalau BlaugranaAv. Aristides Maillol, s/n08028 BarcelonaSpainCapacity: 7,250
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: red and yellowPlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: dark red/blue
DarkPlayer shirt: blue and redPlayer short: redGoalkeeper shirt: grey/green
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2014/15 season): 19Winner (8): 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2004/05, 2010/11, 2014/15Final (3): 2000/01, 2009/10, 2012/13Semi-final (2): 2007/08, 2013/14Quarter-final (3): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2011/12Last 16 (1): 2003/04Main Round (1): 2008/09
OtherEHF Cup: Winners 2002/03, Runners-up 2001/02Cup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 1993/94, 1994/95
Spanish league: 22 titles (1969, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Spanish Cup winner: 19 timesAsobal Cup winner: 10 times
For the fifth time in a row FC Barcelona win the Spanish league – their 22nd in club history. The Catalans dominated the Spanish League winning all 30 matches and leaving the runners-up Naturhouse La Rioja 12 points behind.
Succeeding in every competition they played – the Catalan Supercup, the Spanish Supercup, the Asobal Cup, the Superglobe, the Asobal League, Copa del Rey and the VELUX EHF Champions League - this season has been perfect for FC Barcelona.
Moreover, Xavi Pascual’s team overcome its scorer record with 1,187 goals in 30 games this season, with Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson leading the topscorer ranking with 126 goals. The next record that the Catalans could beat is the 67 consecutive wins by Ciudad Real.
POT 1
15
MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN)
Club Address:MKB-MVM VeszprémMarcius 15. ut 58200 VeszprémHungary
Media contact:Zsolt Sevinger+36 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.mkbveszprem.euFacebook: mkbveszpremTwitter: @mkbveszpremkc
Playing hallVeszprém ArenaKülso Kadartai ut8200 VeszprémHungaryCapacity: 5,020
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: grey
DarkPlayer shirt: redPlayer short: redGoalkeeper shirt: black
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 21Final (2): 2001/02, 2014/15Semi-final (3): 2002/03, 2005/06, 2013/14Quarter-final (9): 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2012/13Last 16 (3): 1993/94, 2010/11, 2011/12Group Phase (3): 1994/95, 1995/96, 2007/08
OtherCup Winners‘ Cup: Winners 2007/08, Runners-up 1996/97
SEHA-league: 1 title (2015)
Hungarian league: 23 titles (1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Hungarian Cup winner: 24 times
VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants MKB-MVM Veszprém won the league for the 23rd time, the eighth time in a row, after it was the same old story in the Hungarian championship. After reaching the quarter-finals in Europe’s premier club competition MOL-Pick Szeged took one step forward while their domestic arch-rivals took two and swept them aside, winning all six games between the sides in the 2014/15 season.
Veszprém opted to compete in the regional SEHA League instead of the regular season of the Hungarian championship and only joined the domestic playoff which they won with a flawless performance winning the Hungarian Cup on the run as well. The finals between Veszprém and Szeged brought about no surprises as the to-be Champions League finalist took the first match comfortably 29:23 at home before wrapping the title up in Szeged.
POT 2
16
KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL)
Club Address:KS Vive Tauron Kielceul. Robotnicza 525-662 KielcePoland
Media contact:Sebastian Kozubek+48 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.vtkielce.plFacebook: kielcehandballTwitter: @ksvive
Playing hallHala M.O.S.I.R – Legionówul. Boczna 15A25-093 KielcePolandCapacity: 4,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: yellowPlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: blue
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: green
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 13Semi-final (2): 2012/13, 2014/15 (third ranked in VELUX F4)Last 16 (5): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2013/14Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, 2003/04, 2010/11
Other11 participations in other ECs
Polish league: 12 titles (1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Polish cup: 12 titles
After difficulties caused by Orlen Wisla Plock in the Polish champions last year, the rivalry between the teams was expected to be more interesting this season. Nevertheless, everyone who deluded themselves that the domestic competition would be as tight as a medieval battle, quite quickly realised that the clashes would resemble more of a contest between squire and knight – no matter how much the armour-bearer strives for a victory, experience always wins.
Vive Tauron Kielce left a lot to be desired regarding their style on domestic court, but enraptured with their explosive power as they won all 22 matches in the regular season with the average advantage of 12 goals. In the play-off phase they easily defeated MMTS Kwidzyn in the quarter finals (2:0 in a best-of-three series) and Pogon Szczecin in semi-finals (3:0 in a best-of-five series).
The decisive games against Plock brought huge emotions both for fans and players. All in all, a 3:0 victory for Kielce gave them their 12th title. The Polish Cup was much the same, despite the close battle, and Talant Dujshebaev’s charges defeated the Oilers 26:23 in Warsaw.
POT 2
17
PSG Handball (FRA)
Club Address:PSG Handball82 avenue Georges Lafont75016 ParisFrance
Media contact:Louise Cosnard+33 (0)675 591 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.psghand.frFacebook: PSGHandTwitter: @PSG_HANDBALL
Playing hallHalle Georges Carpentier81 boulevard Massena75013 ParisFranceCapacity: 4,800
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: redGoalkeeper shirt: green
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 4Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15Last 16 (1): 2005/06
OtherEHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2006/07, Last 16 2003/04
French league: 2 titles (2013, 2015)French cup: 2 titles
Just like last season, it was a close call - but this time the French champions come from Paris. Despite trailing behind Montpellier for most of the season, the team led by Danish back court star Mikkel Hansen took the lead - thanks to an away victory over their rivals in the final stretch.
Montpellier’s defeat against Chambéry then opened the floor for PSG to gain their second league title in three years. The Parisians proved to be the superior side in direct confrontations having recorded a huge victory in the first encounter against Montpellier, winning 36:20.
POT 3
18
HC Vardar (MKD)
Club Address:HC Vardar - SkopjeMarko SavovskiBUL 8 mi Septemvri 20FYR Macedonia
Media contact:Marko Savovski+389 75 200 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.rkvardar.com.mkFacebook: rkvardarTwitter: @HCVardar
Playing hallJane SandanskiSkopjeFYR MacedoniaCapacity: 5,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: red/whitePlayer short: red/whiteGoalkeeper shirt: red/black/yellow
DarkPlayer shirt: black/RedPlayer short: red/whiteGoalkeeper shirt: black/grey
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 10Quarter-final (2): 2013/14, 2014/15Last 32 (1): 1999/2000Group Phase (6): 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1998/99, 2004/05, 2010/11, Quarter-finals 2006/07
SEHA league: 1 title (2012)
Macedonian league: 9 titles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015)Macedonian cup: 10 titles
Although at the beginning of the season many expected to enjoy the famous Skopje derby between Vardar and Metalurg, the financial problems which hit Metalurg early in the season left Vardar without competition on their way to the title. Both Vardar and Metalurg joined the rest of the teams in the season’s play-off and Vardar won all ten matches in this series. The last season match against Radovis was a formality and with the high scoring victory 35:23 Vardar ended up the season with a trophy.
This match was the last in the “red-black” uniforms for Dobrivoje Markovic, Aleksey Rastvortsev, Nemanja Pribak, Mikhail Chipurin, Vladimir Petric and Stefan Terzic.
For the first time after eight years Vardar earned both titles of the domestic season having clinched also the national cup.
POT 3
19
KIF Kolding København (DEN)
Club Address:KIF Kolding KøbenhavnAmbolten 2-66000 KoldingDenmark
Media contact:Thomas Christensen+45 22 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.kif.dkFacebook: KIFKBHTwitter: @KifKoldingKBH
Playing hallTRE-FOR ArenaAmbolten 2-66000 KoldingDenmarkCapacity: 2,800
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: greyPlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: orange
DarkPlayer shirt: red/whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: orange
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 13Semi-final (1): 2001/02Quarter-final (1): 2002/03Last 16 (8): 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2013/14, 2014/15Last 32 (1): 1993/94Group Phase (1): 1994/95
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: Semi-finals 1999/2000, Quarter-finals 2007/08EHF Cup: Quarter-finals 2012/13
Danish champions: 14 times (1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2015)
Danish cup: 8 titles
For the third time in history, KIF Kolding Kobenhavn and Skjern Handbold met in the final of the Danish championship. In the first leg in Messecenter Herning the defending champions KIF laid the foundation for defending the title, winning 30:24. The six-goal lead let them lift the trophy in front of 5,000 fans in Brondbyhallen despite the 21:20 defeat against the EHF Cup bronze winners from Skjern.
39-year-old Kasper Hvidt showed an outstanding performace in both final matches and proved once again a recipe for triumph. Thanks to him, KIF won the championship for the 14th time making them the most successfull men’s team ever in Denmark. Kim Andersson, who will move back to his youth club Ystad IF after three years in Denmark was impressed by the atmosphere during the final. “How can I leave this? It’s so hard right now,” he said.
POT 4
20
Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
Club Address:Celje Pivovarna LaškoOpekarniska Cesta 153000 CeljeSlovenia
Media contact:Nejc Ajdnik+386 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.rk-celje.siFacebook: rkceljepivovarnaLaskoTwitter: @RKCPL
Playing hallDvorana ZlatorogOpekarinska cesta 153000 CeljeSloveniaCapacity: 5,830
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: yellowPlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: blue
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: black
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 20Winner (1): 2003/04Semi-final (6): 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2004/05Quarter-final (2): 2001/02, 2005/06Last 16 (3): 1995/96, 2006/07, 2012/13, 2013/14Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2010/11, 2014/15Qualification (1): 2009/10
OtherCup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2002/02, 2011/12
Slovenian league: 19 titles (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015)Slovenian cup: 18 times
In the final showdown of the Slovenian championship RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko celebrated the double, after winning all three matches (3:0) against RK Gorenje Velenje – the side they had defeated in the battle for the Slovenian Cup trophy beforehand.
In Slovenian handball, it does not get much better than the duel between the two well-known rivals in the play-off finals. RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko shocked their Velenje counterparts to lead the series 2:0, with the decider played in Celje “Zlatorog” hall. The third match promised a lot of excitements, as the EHF Cup Finals participants RK Gorenje Velenje were expected to throw everything they had at Celje to stop the 18-time champions from taking another crown.
The high-scoring decider saw the “Wasps” close in on the Celje lead, to bring the match within two goals at 11:9. The incisive Celje run saw them forge 18:13 lead by half time. Celje topped the effort displayed by brave Gorenje, and increased the gap (25:19) approaching the last 15 minutes thanks to Miha Zarabec (eight goals) and Ivan Sliskovic’s seven-goal farewell to claim their 19th trophy, following a 33:30 home victory.
POT 4
21
MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN)
Club Address:MOL-Pick SzegedDeák Ferenc u. 28-30.6720 SzegedHungary
Media contact:Nandor Szögi+36 70 [email protected]
Online information:www.pickhandball.huFacebook: pickszegedTwitter: @pickhandball
Playing hallVarosi Sportcsarnok SzegedTemesvari Krt.336726 SzegedHungaryCapacity: 3,200
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: orangePlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: black / green
DarkPlayer shirt: blue Player short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: black or green
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 14Quarter-final (3): 1996/1997, 2003/2004, 2014/15Last 16 (5): 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13Main Round (1): 2007/2008Group Phase (3): 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012Qualification (1): 2013/14
OtherEHF Cup: Winners 2014/15, Quarter-final: 2000/01Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000
Cup Winners’ CupSemi-final: 1993/94Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09
Hungarian league: 2 titles (1996, 2007)
Hungarian cup: 6 titles
Szeged dominated the main round of the Hungarian league with just one defeat from 20 matches. Veszprem joined the competition in the winners stage and finished first thanks to two wins over Szeged. The finals brought about no surprises as VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants Veszprem took the first match comfortably 29:23 at home before wrapping the title up in Szeged.
POT 5
22
Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Club Address:Orlen Wisła PłockPlac Celebry Papieskiej 109-400 PłockPoland
Media contact:Piotr RaczkowskiTel: [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.sprwislaplock.plFacebook: sprWislaTwitter: @SPRWisla
Playing hallOrlen ArenaPl. Celebry Papieskiej 109-400 PłockPolandCapacity: 5,467
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitebluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: orange
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 11Last 16 (4): 1995/96, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15Group Phase (5): 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09Qualification (1): 2012/13
OtherEHF Cup: Quarter-finals 1993/94, Group Phase: 2012/13
Polish league: 7 titles (1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011)Polish Cup: 10 titles
Yet another season completed in a runner-up position. Plock were clearly second best throughout the Polish league season behind Kielce, but were never under pressure en route to the final. The decisive games between the sides brought huge emotions both for fans and players. All in all, a 3:0 victory for Kielce gave them their 12th title and meant that Plock had to rely on an additional place to the VELUX EHF Champions League.
POT 5
23
HC PPD Zagreb (CRO)The late-season injury crisis could not prevent HC PPD Zagreb from taking their 25th Croatian league title following a win against GRK Varazdin, one week after defending the Croatian Cup trophy. Coach Veselin Vujovic rejuvenated his seriously depleted squad introducing a young gun Petar Medic to the team, while the Leon Susnja and Lovro Mihic had a chance to shine in a nine-goal (35:26) win, netting two goals each to put the title defence beyond doubt.
It was no coincidence Vujovic had confidence in Zagreb youngsters stepping up for the injured stars, as Zagreb confirmed the nation-wide dominance being crowned champions in all youth categories this season. The influence of Vujovic was apparent, as the Montenegrin brought to a close his debut season on the bench of the Croatian titan.
Last season’s quarter-finalist of the VELUX EHF Champions League completed the seventh undefeated season in a row, routinely defeating RK Dubrava (30:22) to celebrate the title in front of the home fans in Zagreb, granting their prospects Ilija Brozovic and Ivan Stevanovic a perfect farewell and ending a season of good cheer in the legendary Zagreb hall popularly known as the “match box”.
Club Address:HC PPD ZagrebVeprinecka 1610000 ZagrebCroatia
Media contact:Goran Roknić+385 95 9999 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.rk-zagreb.hrFacebook: RK-ZagrebTwitter: @RKZagreb
Playing hallArena ZagrebLaniste b.b.,10000 ZagrebCroatiaCapacity: 15,200
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: blue
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: red
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 22Final (4): 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99Semi-final (1): 1999/00Quarter-final (6): 2000/01, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15)Last 16 (3): 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11Main Round (1): 2007/08Group Phase (4): 1993/94, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13
OtherEHF Cup: Runners-up 2004/05Cup Winners‘ Cup: Semi-finals 2006/07
SEHA League: 1 title (2013)
Croatian league: 25 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, 2015)Croatian Cup winner: 22 times
POT 6
24
Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER)
Club Address:Rhein-Neckar LöwenMollstraße 49a68165 MannheimGermany
Media contact:Christopher [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.rhein-neckar-loewen.deFacebook: rnloewenTwitter: @RNLoewen
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: yellowPlayer short: yellowGoalkeeper shirt: white/red
DarkPlayer shirt: blackPlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: blue/green
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 7Semi-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11Quarter-final (2): 2009/10, 2013/14Last 16 (1): 2014/15Qualification (1): 2011/12
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: Runners-up 2007/08EHF Cup: Winners 2012/13, Semi-finals 2011/12, Quarter-finals 2006/07
German league: noneGerman Cup winner: none
Playing hallFraport ArenaSilostrasse 4665 929 FrankfurtGermanyCapacity: 5,000
For the second season in a row, Rhein-Neckar Löwen went toe-to-toe with THW Kiel throughout the season and the title was not decided until the very end. The club from Mannheim finished their campaign a mere two points behind the champions and nine ahead of third-placed Flensburg. All three teams will compete in Groups A&B of the VELUX EHF Champions League.
POT 6
25
IFK Kristianstad (SWE)
Club Address:IFK KristianstadVästra Storgatan 6929154 KristanstadSweden
Media contact:Nikolas Larsson+46 705 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.ifkkristianstad.seFacebook: IFKKristianstadTwitter: @IFKKristianstad
Playing hallKristianstad ArenaVästra Storgatan 129154 KristianstadSwedenCapacity:
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: orangePlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: red
DarkPlayer shirt: blackPlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 1
OtherEHF Cup: Group Phase 2013/14
Swedish league: 5 titles (1941, 1948, 1952, 1953, 2015)
12,000 spectators in Gothenburg’s Scandinavium witnessed a thrilling final for the Swedish championship. Last year’s champion Alingsas HK faced IFK Kristianstad in an intense match seeing both teams leading alternately.
But Kristianstad turned out to be the better team. After catching up 24:24 they managed to win 28:25 in the most important match of the season.
Led by - with eleven goals - topscorer of the final Marcus Olsson, who will leave Kristianstad for the Danish runners-up Skjern Handbold in the upcoming season, Kristianstad take the trophy for the first time after 62 years.
POT 7
26
Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR)Besiktas Mogaz HT not only won the Turkish championship this season but also the Turkish Cup.
In the play-off final for the national championship the team led by captain Ibrahim Demir had to face Büyüksehir Belediyesi Ankara.
Beating their opponents in three matches, 30:24, 32:24 and 33:25 the team from Istanbul crowned themselves champions again.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 9Group Phase (1): 2014/15Qualification (7): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/2011, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14
OtherEHF Cup: Last 16 1998/99, 2005/06, 2010/11Challenge Cup: Semi-final2008/09, Quarter-final 2002/03
Turkish league: 11 titles (1981, 1982, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Turkish cup: 11 titles
Club Address:Besiktas JKSuleyman Seba Cd. No. 4834357 Besiktas - IstanbulTurkey
Media contact:Berk KarahanTel: [email protected]
Online information:www.bjk.com.tr Twitter: @BJKHentbol Facebook: Besiktas
Playing hallSinam Erdem Spor SalonuZuhuratbaba Mh, Bakritköy34147 IstanbulTurkeyCapacity: 15,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: green
DarkPlayer shirt: greenPlayer short: greenGoalkeeper shirt: black
POT 7
27
Montpellier HB (FRA)
Club Address:Montpellier HBCentre Jean-Paul LacombeCentre Jean Paul Lacombe - 100034090 MontpellierFrance
Media contact:Suzy Demonte+33 499 610 [email protected]
Online information:www.montpellierhandball.comFacebook: montpellierhandballTwitter: @MAHB
Playing hallPark & Suites Arena MontpellierRue de la Foire34470 Pérols/MontpellierFranceCapacity: 8,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: orange/light blue
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: blue
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 18Winners (1): 2002/03Semi-final (1): 2004/05Quarter-final (4): 2000/01, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11Last 16 (5): 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, 2011/12, 2014/15Main Round (2): 2007/08, 2008/09Group Phase (3): 1998/99, 1999/00, 2012/13Qualification (1): 2013/14
OtherEHF Cup: Runners-up 2013/14, Quarter-final: 1996/97Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95Last 32: 1997/98
Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2001/02
French league: 14 titles (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)French cup: 12 titles
Record French champions Montpellier led the way for most of the season ahead of star-studded Paris Saint-Germain Handball and looked on course to earn their first title since 2012, but the VELUX EHF Champions League Last 16 participants endured a disastrous final month.
A home loss to PSG and another away to Chambery two weeks later saw them miss out on the trophy by a single point and force them to apply for an additional place in Europe’s elite competition.
POT 8
28
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER)
Club Address:SG Flensburg-HandewittSchiffbrücke 6624939 FlensburgGermany
Media contact:Sandra von Wallis+49 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.sg-flensburg-handewitt.deFacebook: SGFleHaTwitter: @SGFleHa
Playing hallFlens ArenaCampusallee 224943 FlensburgGermanyCapacity: 6,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: blue-orangePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
DarkPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: black
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 11Winners (1): 2013/14Final (2): 2003/2004, 2006/2007Semi-final (1): 2005/2006Quarter-final (4): 2004/2005, 2008/2009, 2010/2011, 2012/2013Last 16 (1): 2014/15Main Round (1): 2007/2008
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: Winners 2000/2001 2011/2012EHF Cup: Winners 1996/1997City Cup: Winners 1998/1999
German league: 1 title (2004)German cup: 4 titles
The 2013/14 VELUX EHF Champions League winners were out of the running for the domestic title from an early stage as THW Kiel and Rhein-Neckar Löwen broke away from the crowd. Ljubomir Vranjes’ team were left to contend with Magdeburg for third place and they secured that position towards the end of the season. A successful additional place application means that Flensburg are the only third ranked team in Europe to earn a place in Groups A&B.
POT 8
29
Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP)
FC Barcelona Lassa enjoyed another perfect season in the Spanish ASOBAL league with 30 wins from 30, leaving the other 15 teams to battle it out for second place. Once again it was Naturhouse La Rioja who proved to be the best of the rest as they fended off the challenge of Granollers to secure a place in Groups C&D of the VELUX EHF Champions League and the chance to emulate last season’s achievement of reaching the Last 16.
Club Address:Naturhouse La RiojaAvenida de Moncalvillo 226008 LogronoSpain
Media contact:Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez+34 63 77 66 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.cbclogrono.comFacebook: Club-Balonmano-Naturhouse-La-RiojaTwitter: @NaturhouseRioja
Playing hallPalacio de los deportes de la RiojaAvenida Moncalvillo 2LogronoSpainCapacity: 3,500
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: redGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
DarkPlayer shirt: blackPlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: blue
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 3Group Phase (2): 2013/14, 2014/15
OtherEHF Cup: Semi-finalists 2009/10, 2010/11, Group Phase 2012/13
Spanish league: no titlesSpanish Cup winners: - (runners-up in 2013, 2014, 2015)
POT 1
30
HC Metalurg (MKD)
Club Address:HC Metalurgul. Jane Lukroski 61000 SkopjeFYR Macedonia
Media contact:Zoran Cvetanovski+389 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.rkmetalurg.mkFacebook: rkmetalurgofficialTwitter: @RKMetalurg
Playing hallBoris Trajkovskibul. 8 Septemvri bbSkopje FYR MacedoniaCapacity: 7,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: yellow/orange/white
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: blue
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 8Quarter-final (2): 2012/13, 2013/14Last 16 (1): 2011/12Group Phase (3): 2006/07, 2008/09, 2014/15)Qualification (1): 2010/11
Other9 participations in other ECMacedonian league: 6 titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)Macedonian cup: 5 titles
Although at the beginning of the season many expected to enjoy the famous Skopje derby between Vardar and Metalurg, the financial problems which hit Metalurg early in the season left Vardar without competition on their way to the title. Both Vardar and Metalurg joined the rest of the teams in the season’s play-off and Vardar won all ten matches in this series while the former champions Metalurg ended level on points with Zomimak.
POT 1
31
HC Meshkov Brest (BLR)After the bankrupcy of Dinamo Minsk in February 2014, HC Meshkov Brest seemed to be the only major force in Belarusian handball. In the end, the team led by Zeljko Babic lived up to expectations and clinched the seventh title overall and second in a row. But their way to the gold medals was not always smooth. As Brest was busy playing in the VELUX Champions League and SEHA League, the team’s participation in the national championship started from the second stage. HC Meshkov lost there just once, to SKA Minsk, and predictably took the first place.
In the play-off semi-finals, Babic’s team easily beat Kronon Grodno in two games. But the final best-of-three series against SKA was much more breathtaking. In the first match in Minsk, HC Meshkov Brest lost by nine goals (24:33). Just after that, the club owner Alexander Meshkov lodged an appeal, claiming that SKA leader Barys Pukhousky, who had returned home from Hungary’s Csurgo just a few weeks before, was not eligible to play.
The protest was declined, but the resulting scandal did not prevent Brest from coming back on home court. Having won the second game 29:26, they went on the win the decisive third match in the penalty shootout after a 26:26 draw at full-time.
Club Address:HC Meshkov BrestLeningradskaya 4224028 BrestBelarus
Media contact:Pavel Bashkin+375 162 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.bgk-meshkova.comFacebook: bgkmeshkovaTwitter: bgk_meshkova
Playing hallSportshall VictoriaLeningradskaya 4224028 BrestBelarusCapacity: 3,500
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: yellow/green
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: grey
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 7Group Phase (5): 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2014/15Qualification (1): 2008/09
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: quarter-final 2011/12
Belarusian league: 7 titles (2004-08, 2014, 2015)Belarusian cup: 9 titles
POT 2
32
Skjern Handball (DEN)
Club Address:Skjern HandboldOstergade 406900 SkjernDenmark
Media contact:Henning Kjaergaard+45 20 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.skjernhaandbold.dkFacebook: skjernhaandbold Twitter: @SkjernHaandbold
Playing hallSkjern Bank ArenaRanunkelvej 16900 SkjernDenmarkCapacity: 2,400
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: greenPlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: red
DarkPlayer shirt: redPlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: grey
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 3Last 16 (1): 2003/04Group Phase (1): 1999/2000,
OtherChallenge Cup: Winners 2001/02, 2002/03EHF Cup: Semi-final 2006/07, 2014/15Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-final 2005/06
Danish league: 2010, 2013Danish cup: 2012 Super-Cup winner
While Skjern were impressing in the EHF Cup all season, their domestic form suffered somewhat as they finished fifth in the main round of the Danish league. However, they found their form in the winners stage to reach the semi-finals level on points with KIF Kolding Kobenhavn and set up an encounter with Bjerringbro-Silkeborg. Skjern’s first leg 31:25 victory at home proved to be enough to send them into the final against KIF, but a heavy defeat in the first match meant they had to settle for silver and apply for an additional place in the VELUX EHF Champions League
POT 2
33
Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)Medvedi continue to dominate the Russian handball, having won the 14th champion title in a row. For the last two years, they have lost a number of players due to financial problems, but the experienced head coach Vladimir Maximov knows how to bring trophies to Chekhov.
It certainly helps that he can still rely on a few experienced players. The captain Dmitry Kovalev won the national title for the 12th time, the goalkeeper Oleg Grams 11th or Alexander Chernoivanov 9th.
There is no play-off in the Russian Superleague, and the champion is determined after a regular season. It is held in two stages: first all 12 teams play against each other, and later they are divided into two groups competing for places 1-6 and 7-12.
Maximov’s team were leading after the first stage, and they had no big worries thereafter, having lost only once. In the end, they were crowned champions two games before the finish, leaving the main rival Permskie Medvedi ten points behind.
Club Address:Chekhovskie MedvediPoligrafistov str. 30142300 Chekhov, Mosk. oblastRussia
Media contact:Beniamin Kuznetsov+7 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.ch-medvedi.ru
Playing hallSport Hall “Olimpiyskiy” ChekhovPoligrafistov Str. 30142300 ChekhovRussiaCapacity: 3,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
DarkPlayer shirt: purplePlayer short: purpleGoalkeeper shirt: red
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 15Semi-final (1): 2009/10Quarter-final (2): 2008/09, 2010/11Last 16 (3): 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13Main Round (1): 2007/08Group Phase (7): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06,2011/12, 2014/15
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: Winner 2005/06
Russian league: 14 titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Russian cup: 13 titles
POT 3
34
HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
In the recent years, Motor have become a dominant force in the Ukrainian handball. This season, the team retained their national title, having won it for the third time in a row — and third overall.
Motor faced some tough competition from ZTR, another team from Zaporozhye, which have previously won the championship as many as 14 times. The decisive derby between the two rivals took place on 28 May. After losing the first half, Motor managed to finally win 31:27.
There was some turbulence at Motor in the middle of the season as the team changed their coach. Sergey Bebeshko decided to step down following some poor results in the VELUX Champions League, and he was replaced by Mykola Stepanets who managed to complete the work started by his predecessor.
Club Address:HC Motor ZaporozhyeIvanova Str. 2469068 ZaporozhyeUkraine
Media contact:Dmitriy Karpushchenko+380 50 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.handball.motorsich.comFacebook: HC-Motor
Playing hallTEC Terminal Kievskaya 31607400 BrovaryUkraineCapacity: 3,500
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: white/redPlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: yellow/black
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: red/black
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 3Last 16 (1): 2013/14Group Phase (1): 2014/15
OtherEHF Cup: Group Phase 2012/13Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 2011/12
Ukrainian league: 3 titles (2013, 2014, 2015)Ukrainian cup: 2 titles
POT 3
35
Futebol Clube do Porto (POR)Porto won the Portuguese Andebol League in a thrilling final match against Sporting. After two extra-time periods, Porto won the championship and became the first Portuguese team to win a seventh title in a row.
Porto finished the regular season on the first place, four points beyond Sporting. In the Playoffs, the team in white and blue qualified without problems for the final, eliminating Passos M. in the quarter-final (2:0) and Benfica in the semi-final (3:0). The final seemed to be easy for Porto as they won the first two games in Dragao Caixa, 36:33 and 29:20. But their opponents took advantage of playing at home and pushed the decision to the final fifth play-off match.
The spectators in the sold-out Dragao Caixa, got to see an exciting match. The Dragons couldn’t maintain a five-goal lead, giving Sporting the chance to comeback and tie with an amazing nine meters throw, when time had already ran out. The second extra-time decided the match and the championship. With a 34:32 win Porto claimed their 19th national league title.
Club Address:Futebol Clube do PortoEstadio do Dragao vi FC PortoEntrada Poente, Piso 34350-451 PortoPortugal
Media contact:Joana MoreiraTel: +351 22 508 32 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.fcporto.ptFacebook: FCPortoTwitter: @FCPorto
Playing hallDragao CaixaVia Futebol Clube do Porto,4350419 Porto,PortugalCapacity: 2,225
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: white/bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: grey/blue
DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: dark blueGoalkeeper shirt: grey/blue
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 9Last 16 (1): 1999/2000Group Phase (1): 2013/14Qualification (6): 2004/2005, 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2014/15)
OtherCup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finals 2000/2001, 2001/2002
Portuguese league: 19 titles (1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Portuguese cup: 7 titles
POT 4
36
Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)After missing out on the cup final due to a semi-final-defeat against eventual winners Pfadi Winterthur, Kadetten Schaffhausen struck back with the league win. The team of head coach Markus Baur that finished second in the regular season, was fully focussed on the final series as they wanted to make good for some weak performances in the play-offs winning only three out of ten matches.
In both best-of-five-series in the semi-finals against Otmar St. Gallen (31:13, 26:25, 37:22) and the finals against Wacker Thun (29:24, 27:19, 30:28), Kadetten only needed three matches to win their eighth title in Switzerland.
The signing of Hungarian playmaker Gabor Csaszar from Paris St. Germain proved to be the key for Schaffhausen to take the wins. In the upcoming season Austrian national team goalkeeper Nikola Marinovic and Swiss top talent Luka Marros will strenghthen the Swiss champions, replacing goalkeeper Jonas Maier and line player Anton Mansson, who will leave the club.
Club Address:Kadetten SchaffhausenSchweizersbildstrasse 108207 SchaffhausenSwitzerland
Media contact:Barbara Imobersteg+41 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.kadettensh.chTwitter: @kadettenshFacebook: kadettensh
Playing hallBBC ArenaSchweizersbildstr. 108207 SchaffhausenSwitzerlandCapacity: 3,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: orangePlayer short: blackGoalkeeper shirt: yellow
DarkPlayer shirt: blackPlayer short: orangeGoalkeeper shirt: green
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 9Last 16 (2): 2010/11, 2011/12Group Phase (5): 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2012/13, 2014/15)Qualification (1): 2009/10
OtherEHF Cup: final 2009/10Cup Winners’ Cup: semi-final: 2007/08
Swiss league: 8 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015)Swiss Cup: 7 titles
POT 4
37
HCM Baia Mare (ROU)
Club Address:HCM Baia MareStr. Valea Rosie 264800 Baia Mare - MaramuresRomania
Media contact:Ioachim Nicolae Fat+40 744 [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.minaur.roFacebook: hcminaur
Playing hall*Sala Polivalenta Lascar PanaBd. Unirii Nr.14 A430272 Baia Mare - MaramuresRomaniaCapacity: 2,080
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: blue-whitePlayer short: blue-whiteGoalkeeper shirt: multicolour
DarkPlayer shirt: yellowPlayer short: yellowGoalkeeper shirt: multicolour
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 1
OtherChallenge Cup: Quarter-final 2003/04, 2004/05EHF Cup: Round 3 2005/06
Romanian league: 3 titles (1998, 1999, 2015)Romanian Cup: 5 titles
If Bucharest had to wait 12 years to repeat a win in the women’s Liga Nationala, Minaur Baia Mare ended a dire 16-year old period without a title. One of the most popular teams in Romania, Minaur was on the brink of bankruptcy three years ago, but the redemption story has been one of this season’s headlines. However, Minaur’s ascension to the first place has hit several bumps on the road. The most contested season in the last 20 years saw HC Odorhei win the regular season. But the Men’s Challenge Cup winners failed to impress in the play-offs and were sent home packing. Minaur, who finished second in the regular season, tied with Dinamo Bucuresti and HCM Constanta, reached their peak at the right team.
Powered by excellent displays from goalkeeper Peter Tatai and centre back Nikola Eklemovic, Minaur sailed past Stiinta Dedeman Bacau (2:1) and Dinamo Bucuresti (2:1) on their way to the final. It was another Baia Mare – CSM Bucuresti display, as in the women’s final, but this time Minaur prevailed and won the third title in the team’s history. Baia Mare are preparing, therefore, for the VELUX EHF Champions League handball and have already made important signings, like former Veszprem players Tamas Ivancsik or Uros Vilovski.
POT 5
* to be confirmed
38
RK Vojvodina (SRB)The thriller in Sabac saw the six-goal performance from the prolific left back Uros Elezovic push Vojvodina to title defence with two games to go, following a hard-fought away win against Metaloplastika. Upon overtaking the narrow lead mid-way through the first half, Vojvodina approached the final four minutes with a solid three-goal advantage (23:20).
However, the heated atmosphere in Sabac spurred a 3:0 run by the hosts in the dying minutes of the match to keep the deficit within one goal. With the quintessential Serbian national team goalkeeper Miroslav Kocic on song, Vojvodina survived the late Metaloplastika comeback to lift the trophy for the third consecutive time, following a 24:23 triumph.
Throughout the undefeated title-defence run, the four-time champions saw little resistance from the other contenders. Vojvodina finished comfortable 10 points ahead of the second-placed Spartak Vojput, while defeating last season’s bitter rival Radnicki Kragujevac in both encounters. Their perfect season was the first in the history of Serbian league play-off. The icing on the cake was repeating the double - lifting the Serbian Cup trophy in Novi Sad.
Club Address:RK VojvodinaSentandrejski put 106B21000 Novi SadSerbia
Media contact:Nemanja Protic Tel: [email protected]
Online information:Website: www.rkv.rsFacebook: RK VojvodinaTwitter:@rkvojvodina
Playing hallSpens,Novi SadSutjeska 221000 Novi SadSerbiaCapacity: 7,000
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: redGoalkeeper shirt: blue
DarkPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: redGoalkeeper shirt: blue
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions League Participation (including 2015/16 season): 4Qualification (3): 2005/06, 2013/14, 2014/15
OtherEHF Cup: Group Phase 2014/15Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16 2011/12
Serbian league: 4 titles (2005, 2013, 2014, 2015) Serbian cup: 4 titles
POT 5
39
Tatran Presov (SVK)
Presov were once again successful in the domestic competitions, winning the Slovakian Extraliga for the 11th time and their ninth in a row together with another Slovakian cup triumph.
With former national team coach in charge, Peter Dávid, Presov lost a domestic game for the first time in two years, losing the second semi-final tie against MSK Povazska Bystrica, ending their 79-game unbeaten streak.
Nevertheless, Presov grabbed the ninth title in a row after ruling out Bystrica 3:1 in the best of five series and beating Sporta Hlohovec comfortably in the finals 3:0.
Past achievements
VELUX EHF Champions LeagueParticipations (including 2015/16 season): 12Last 16 (1): 2004/05Last 32 (1): 1993/94Group Matches (4): 2005/06, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11Qualification (5): 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15
OtherEHF CupQuarter-final 2011/12, Last 16 1994/95, 1995/96, Group Phase 2012/13, Round 4 2009/10, Round 3 2006/07Cup Winners’ CupQuarter-final 205/06, Last 16 2007/08, 2008/09, Round 4 2002/03
Slovak league: 11 titles (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)Slovak cup: 12 titles
Club Address:TATRAN PresovHolleho 3080 01 PresovSlovakia
Media contact:Branko Benko+421 911 [email protected]
Online information:www.tatranpresov.skFacebook: TatranPresovHandballTeamSlovakiaTwitter: @ht_tatranpresov
Playing hallCity Hall PresovJana Pavla II 20801 PresovSlovakiaCapacity: 3,500
Kit colours
LightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: green
DarkPlayer shirt: greenPlayer short: greenGoalkeeper shirt: black
POT 6
40
Past Winners
2015 FC Barcelona (ESP)
2014 SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 2013 HSV Hamburg (GER)
2012 THW Kiel (GER)
2011 FC Barcelona Borges (ESP)
2010 THW Kiel (GER)
2009 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2008 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2007 THW Kiel (GER)
2006 BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2005 FC Barcelona-Cifec (ESP)
2004 RK Celje Pivovarna Laško (SLO)
2003 Montpellier HB (FRA)
2002 SC Magdeburg (GER)
2001 Portland San Antonio (ESP)
2000 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1999 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1998 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1997 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1996 FC Barcelona (ESP)
1995 Elgorriaga Bidasoa (ESP)
1994 TEKA Santander (ESP)
41
2014/15 Top Scorers
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Momir Ilic (SRB) MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) 114
2 Kiril Lazarov (MKD) FC Barcelona (ESP) 106
3 Mikkel Hansen (DEN) Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) 103
4 Karol Bielecki (POL) KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) 92
5 Timur Dibirov (RUS) HC Vardar (MKD) 78
6 Zsolt Balogh (HUN) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 76
Marko Vujin (SRB) THW Kiel (GER) 76
8 Nikola Karabatic (FRA) FC Barcelona (ESP) 75
9 Igor Karacic (CRO) HC Vardar (MKD) 74
10 Alex Dujshebaev (ESP) HC Vardar (MKD) 73
11 Dragan Gajic (SLO) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 71
Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson (ISL) FC Barcelona (ESP) 71
13 Dean Bombac (SLO) MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) 69
14 Bo Dybdal Spellerberg (DEN) KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) 66
15 Uwe Gensheimer (GER) Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) 65
Zlatko Horvat (CRO) HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) 65
17 Alexander Dereven (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) 62
Thomas Mogensen (DEN) SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) 62
19 Renato Sulic (CRO) MKB-MVM Veszprém (HUN) 60
20 Dmitry Zhitnikov (RUS) Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) 59
VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 Group Phase Draw
Media Information
by
EHF Media & Communications, 26/06/2015
Contributors: Björn Pazen, Peter Bruun, Bence Martha, Kevin Domas, Michal Pomorski, Sergey Nikolaev, Adrian Costeiu, Amina Idrizi, Nemanja
Savic, Roy Knoppert
European Handball FederationHoffingergasse 181120 ViennaAustria
Tel +43 1 80151 0
For further information please contact:
Vladislav BrindzakEHF Media & Communications+43 1 80151 [email protected]
EHF Marketing GmbHHoffingergasse 181120 ViennaAustria
Tel +43 1 80151 200