TEAMS: 1. Györi Audi ETO 2. RK Krim Mercator 3. HC Podravka 4. U Jolidon Cluj Expert Grit Jurack says: This is a really tough group! Györ and Krim are contenders for the semi-finals, Podravka and Cluj have good teams, but I don’t think they have what it takes to make it to the next stage. Györ have a squad of international stars now, not just Hungarians. They have the advantage that they only have two tough league matches against FTC, so they can concentrate more on the EHF Champions League. They can go a long way, but they will have to be at their best when they play at Vâlcea or in Russia in the upcoming rounds. Krim have reinforced their squad with classy international players such as Linnea Torstensson or the Germans Wörz and Müller. Unfortunately Daniela Piedade is out after having a stroke – and I heartily hope that she will able to return. Together with Györ the Slovenians are my clear favourite for this group. Podravka and Cluj might be able to gain some points on home ground, but they will only fight for third spot, which enables them to play in the Cup Winners’ Cup. Podravka is traditionally strong on home ground, and unfortunately I don’t know that much about Cluj except that they have surprisingly beaten Rostov in the qualification.

44

MatchID: 201312020103-

Group B matches won draw lost goal-difference points1 HUN Györi Audi ETO KC 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 02 SLO RK Krim Mercator 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 03 CRO HC Podravka Vegeta 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 04 ROU U Jolidon Cluj 0 0 0 0 0:0 0 0

013 HUN Györi Audi ETO KC vs. CRO HC Podravka Vegeta  13.10.2012 17:15    Györ / HUN    Del.: Nachevski MKD

014 SLO RK Krim Mercator vs. ROU U Jolidon Cluj  14.10.2012 19:30    Ljubljana / SLO    Del.: Hagen SWE

015 ROU U Jolidon Cluj vs. HUN Györi Audi ETO KC  20.10.2012 17:30    Cluj Napoca / ROU   

016 CRO HC Podravka Vegeta vs. SLO RK Krim Mercator  21.10.2012 17:30    Koprivnica / CRO   

018 ROU U Jolidon Cluj vs. CRO HC Podravka Vegeta  27.10.2012 17:30    Cluj Napoca / ROU   

017 SLO RK Krim Mercator vs. HUN Györi Audi ETO KC  28.10.2012 19:30    Ljubljana / SLO   

019 HUN Györi Audi ETO KC vs. SLO RK Krim Mercator  03.11.2012 15:00    Györ / HUN   

020 CRO HC Podravka Vegeta vs. ROU U Jolidon Cluj  04.11.2012 17:30    Koprivnica / CRO   

022 ROU U Jolidon Cluj vs. SLO RK Krim Mercator  11.11.2012 16:30    Cluj Napoca / ROU   

021 CRO HC Podravka Vegeta vs. HUN Györi Audi ETO KC  11.11.2012 17:30    Koprivnica / CRO   

023 HUN Györi Audi ETO KC vs. ROU U Jolidon Cluj  17.11.2012 16:00    Györ / HUN   

024 SLO RK Krim Mercator vs. CRO HC Podravka Vegeta  18.11.2012 20:30    Ljubljana / SLO   

 

2012/13 Women's European Cup EHF Champions LeagueGroup Matches

EHF Report | 10.05.2012 12:40 | 2/4

45

GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC (Hungary)

Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions League 2012/13 season: Hungarian champions

Season Preview: For six straight years they reached the semi-finals of the Women’s EHF Champions League, and twice made it to the final (2009 and 2012). Now Győri Audi ETO KC is aiming once again to make it to the finals of this top competition. With Győr coach Karl-Erik Böhn stepping down to focus just on the Hungarian national team, the club signed a coach who knows how to reach a Women’s EHF Champions League final: the Spaniard Ambros Martin, who led his former team Itxako to the 2011 final against Larvik. One year later, Győr were close to winning the ultimate prize, but just missed out on away goals against Budućnost Podgorica in the final. The Hungarian champions and cup winners have signed two experienced players: Raphaelle Tervel joins her former and current coach from Itxako, and Orsolya Herr succeeds legendary goalkeeper Katalin Pálinger, who has retired. Meanwhile, Ana Gros has left to join Thüringer HC (Germany) and Orsolya Vérten now plays for Győr’s domestic top rivals Ferencváros. Two of their players have missed pre-season training - Ágnes Hornyák is pregnant and Serbian Andrea Lekić had some back problems – but she is fit and ready to play now. So the ambitions are high again, and club president Ernő Kelecsényi said: “I think our biggest success is that the main part of the team stayed together. We have a new coach, who is really ambitious and he has a very good understanding of the players. Our aim cannot be less than reaching the final again, and if we are there we want to win it.” Former world handball player of the year and last season’s top scorer Anita Görbicz, shares those hopes: “Year by year I said that this is the season when we will fulfil our dreams.”

Club address: Györi Audi ETO KC Kiskutliget 92027 Györ Hungary Contact numbers: Tel.:+36-20-5056307 Fax. +36-96-528500 Email: szabo.tamas.gyorietokc@gmail.com Arena: Magvassy Mihaly Sporthalle Kiskut Liget 9028 Györ, Hungary Capacity: 2800 Media contact: Szabó Tamás +36 305056907,+36 303645518 szabo.tamas.gyorietokc@gmail.com Online: Club website: www.gyorietokc.hu Facebook: Győri-Audi-ETO ehfCL.com Club achievements: Participations (including 2012/13 season): 10 Finalists: 2009, 2012 Semi-finalists: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 Group Phase: 2001, 2006 Qualification: 2005

Cup Winners´ Cup: Finalists: 2006 Semi-finalists: 2003

EHF Cup: Finalists: 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005

Hungarian champions: 9 titles (1957, 1959, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) Hungarian Cup winners: 8 titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

46

The squad

No. First Name Family Name Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height 18 Eduarda Idalina Amorim BRA Left Back 23.9.1986 82 186 13 Anita Görbicz HUN Centre Back 13.5.1983 55 173

1 Katrine Lunde Haraldsen NOR Goalkeeper 30.3.1980 65 181 12 Orsolya Herr HUN Goalkeeper 23.11.1984 77 176 31 Agnes Hornyak HUN Right Back 2.9.1982 70 180

8 Dora Hornyak HUN Left Back 24.1.1992 68 177 11 Dorina Korsos HUN Left Wing 3.9.1995 60 168 14 Aniko Kovacsics HUN Centre Back 29.8.1991 65 171 77 Andrea Lekic SRB Centre Back 6.9.1987 72 178

5 Heidi Loke NOR Line Player 12.12.1982 71 177 22 Adrienn Orban HUN Right Wing 1.10.1986 63 168

4 Jovanka Radicevic MNE Right Wing 23.10.1986 68 169 19 Viktoria Redei Soos HUN Right Back 26.7.1985 68 176 25 Szederke Sirian HUN Line Player 1.6.1994 66 172 21 Zsofi Szemerey HUN Goalkeeper 2.6.1994 70 180 24 Ivett Szepesi HUN Left Wing 4.2.1986 60 167 20 Raphaelle Tervel FRA Line Player 21.4.1979 72 178

New signings (including former club):

• Raphaelle Tervel (Itxako), • Viktória Rédei-Soós (Hypo

Niederösterreich), • Ivett Szepesi (Siófok), • Orsolya Herr (Siófok), • Dóra Hornyák (Veszprém)

Left the club (including new club): • Ana Gros (Thüringer HC), • Orsolya Vérten (Ferencváros), • Katalin Pálinger (end of career)

47

Key players

Heidi Löke: She is the famous daughter in a big handball family: Both the brothers of current world handball player of the year Heidi Löke are professional players, too – and all of them are pivots. Löke, girlfriend of Hungarian national team coach Karl Erik Böhn, is the only player to play in both previous EHF Champions League finals. In 2011 she took the title with her former club Larvik, when she became Champions League top scorer, and in 2012 she missed the title on aggregate with her new club Györi against Podgorica. And with the Norwegian national team Löke in won gold and was a member of the all-star team at the 2012 Olympic Games, 2011 world championship and EHF EURO 2010.

Anita Görbicz: Despite being among the best handball players in the world over the last decade, Görbicz (29) is still waiting to secure one of handball’s big prizes at either domestic or international level. Her only honours are individual titles: 2011/12 Champions League top scorer and world handball player of the year 2006. Görbicz’s only medals were either silver (world championship 2003) or bronze at the EHF EURO 2004 and the world championship 2005. She is a creative playmaker, top shooter and is as cold as ice from the penalty spot. Since 2005 she has been Hungarian champion every year with Györ, but has missed out on international titles several times despite being a finalist – the last time in the 2012 Champions League final against Buducnost.

Andrea Lekić: She has been voted Serbian handball player of the year three times, scored nearly 250 goals for different clubs in the EHF Champions League, and was twice most valuable player in the WHRL Balkan league – Andrea Lekić is a brilliant and typical Balkan style shooter. She started her career at Knjaz Miloš (Serbia) before transferring to Krim (Slovenia). Since 2011 Lekić has worn the Györ jersey and was among the nominees for the 2011 world handball player of the year.

Coach

Ambros Martin: Like Veszprém, like Györ: Both the top men’s and women’s teams in Hungary are counting on Spanish coaches this season. As Veszprém signed Carlos Ortega, Györ opted for Ambros Martin. He had been coaching top Spanish side Estrella Itxako for seven years, winning the EHF Cup in 2009 and reaching the final of the EHF Champions League – after defeating his new club Györ in the semi-final. .

48

RK KRIM MERCATOR (Slovenia)

Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions League 2012/13 season: Slovenian champions

Season Preview: Sweden, Germany, Brazil, Spain – players from across Europe have come to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana as Rokometni Klub Krim Mercator look to inject some international flair into their game as they aim to recreate past successes. Twice winners of the Women’s EHF Champions League, RK Krim have improved their squad with international stars like Spanish Olympic bronze medallist Carmen Martin (currently injured), Swedish internationals Linnea Torstensson (most valuable player of the EHF EURO 2010) and Gabriella Kain, and former German internationals Susann Müller and Nina Wörz, or Brazilian pivot Daniela Piedade, arriving from Hypo Niederösterreich. Making way for the new faces, several players have left including some well-known players such as Dane Kristina Bille, Croat Kristina Franić and Hungarian Ibolya Mehlmann. On a domestic level the Mercator team is far better than the rest of the league, so the Slovenians are putting all their efforts into the Women’s EHF Champions League. They are competing for the 18th straight time, but the first few games will see them without Martin and their top scorer Andrea Penezić, who was also injured at the Olympic Games. 2006 is the last time they reached the final but lost against Viborg, while the last time Krim won the title was exactly ten seasons ago. But thanks to their reinforced squad hopes are high of at least reaching the semi-finals. Team captain Liudmila Bodnieva hopes for an improvement on the court, too. “We are well aware that every year there are new clubs that are capable of achieving good results in the European competition. We know that we have a though group but we believe that we have a strong team which can achieve a lot. We would like to go a step higher than in previous seasons,” she said.

Club address: RK Krim Mercator Center Stozice Vojkova Cesta 100 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia Contact numbers: Tel +386-1-4273939 Fax +386-1-4273940 Email: goran.dujic@rkkrim.com Arena: Arena Stožice Vojkova Cesta 100 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia Capacity: 6000 Media contact: Gašper Lončarič +386 14273939 +38640196820 gasper@rkkrim.com Online: Club website: www.rkkrim.com ehfCL.com Club achievements: EHF Champions League: Participations (including 2012/13 season): 18 Winners: 2001, 2003 Finalists: 1999, 2004, 2006 Quarter-finals: 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007 Main Round: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Group Phase/Champions League: 2000

Slovenian champions: 17 titles(1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Slovenian Cup winners: 19 titles

49

The squad

No. First Name Family Name Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height 14 Liudmila Bodnieva RUS Line Player 15.10.1978 80 180

5 Daniela De Oliveira Piedade BRA Line Player 2.3.1979 70 175 22 Sanja Gregorc SLO Line Player 14.8.1990 70 178

1 Jelena Grubisic CRO Goalkeeper 20.1.1987 78 184 21 Alja Jankovic SLO Centre Back 10.9.1989 60 170 16 Gabriella Kain SWE Goalkeeper 25.3.1981 60 179 33 Katarina Krpez SRB Right Wing 2.5.1988 60 169 15 Barbara Lazovic-Varlec SLO Right Back 4.1.1988 70 183

4 Carmen Martin Berenguer ESP Right Wing 29.5.1988 60 169 8 Tamara Mavsar SLO Left Wing 1.4.1991 60 178

21 Susann Müller GER Right Back 26.5.1988 70 186 23 Andrea Penezic CRO Left Back 13.11.1985 76 186 88 Spela Potisek SLO Right Wing 25.2.1993 60 184

9 Maja Son SLO Left Back 23.2.1988 80 181 12 Sergeja Stefanisin SLO Goalkeeper 19.9.1974 70 184 17 Linnea Torstensson SWE Left Back 30.3.1983 80 190 34 Maryna Vergeliuk-Strile UKR Right Back 24.6.1978 70 182

7 Nina Christin Wörz GER Centre Back 14.11.1980 80 180 44 Maja Zrnec SLO Left Wing 31.5.1988 60 166 18 Nina Zulic SLO Left Back 4.12.1995 50 172

New signings (including former club):

• Linnea Torstensson (FC Mydtjlland), • Gabriella Kain (KIF Vejen), • Katarina Krpež (HC Metalurg), • Daniela Piedade (HYPO NO), • Nina Wörz (Randers HK), • Sussan Müller (Randers HK), • Carmen Martin (Itxako)

Left the club (including new club): • Kristina Bille (Larvik), • Andrea Šerić (Siofok KC KFT), • Gorica Ačimović (HYPO NO), • Kristina Franić (Erdi SKFT), • Alja Koren (Erdi SKFT) • Ibolya Mehlmann (end of career)

50

Key players

Linnea Torstenson: She became an international star at EHF EURO 2010in Denmark and Norway, when Torstensson’s goals paved the way to the biggest success ever for the Swedish women’s team, winning silver and qualifying automatically for the 2012 Olympic Games. Back court player Torstensson was awarded most valuable player of the EHF EURO. After becoming Swedish champions with her former club Skövde, Torstensson transferred to Denmark. First she signed for Aalborg, then for Midtjylland where she became Danish champion 2011 and qualified for the EHF Champions League, and now the tall shooter left Scandinavia to link-up with two times EHF Champions League winner Krim.

Andrea Penezić: The 27-year-old back court ace is the hub of the Croatian national team. How much they rely on her was obvious when she was ruled out of the Olympic quarter finals because of injury and the Croats were eliminated by Spain. Born in Zagreb, Penezić started her career at local club Lokomotiva, before joining the Croatian record champions Koprivnica in 2008. Being three times female handball player of the year in Croatia, she signed for Krim two years ago and was top scorer in the last EHF Champions League. At the 2011 world championship Penezić was member of the all-star team.

Liudmila Bodnieva: Seven years at Volgograd, now her tenth straight season at Krim – Liudmila Bodnieva is a perfect example of consistency and loyalty. The Kalmyk-born Russian international (34) is the team captain of Krim, and Ljubljana has become a second home for the world class pivot. In 2005 Bodnieva became world champion and was picked for the all-star team, one year later at the EHF EURO she had to settle for silver, but the all-star team status continued. After a long break in the Russian national team Bodnieva returned in 2011, but then missed the semi-finals of the world championship in Brazil and the Olympic Games in London. In her first season at Krim she reached the EHF Champions League final, a success she could repeat in 2006.

Coach

Tone Tiselj: Tone Tiselj is in his second spell as the Head Coach at Krim, after he had coached the Slovenian record champions in their golden era from 2000 until 2006, reaching the EHF Champions League final four times and winning the trophy twice (2001, 2003). Tiselj returned in 2011 after he had coached several other teams including VELUX Men’s EHF Champions League participants Gorenje Velenje and RK Celje. Until the start of September, Tiselj was also coach of the Slovenian women’s national team, but now is succeeded by Marta Bon - who also was his successor as Krim coach.

51

HC PODRAVKA VEGETA (Croatia)

Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions League 2012/13 season: Croatian champions

Season Preview: They have the longest tradition in the Women’s EHF Champions League – and in their 19th season in the competition Podravka Vegeta hope to proceed to the Main Round again, after an absence of three years. The Croatian record champions from the town of Koprivnica have not made any major changes to their line-up for 2012-13. Their highest profile newcomer is Hungarian international Anita Bulath, arriving from Veszprém. The 1996 Women’s EHF Champions League winners are aiming to reach the next stage of the competition after they had missed the Main Round three times since 2009. “To still be in the competition in spring” is the objective of the Podravka club, which have a new president this season with Jörn Pedersen being the successor of Krunoslav Bešvir. As usual Kopivnica are the big favourites in their domestic league, and in their second competition - the multi-national regional women’s handball league (WHRL) - they want to gain more success than in the previous seasons. And the WHRL is perfect preparation for their international matches in the Women’s EHF Champions League. Club director Božica Palčić is confident that his team have a good chance despite strong opponents in the Group Matches. “Podravka are preparing to make at least one step forward in this season of the Champions League,” he said. “We are aware once again that, unfortunately, we are in a very strong group, but it does not mean we will lessen our goals. After analyzing last year presence in the Champions League we set list of things we had to improve.”

Club address: HC Podravka Vegeta Zeljka Selingera 3A 48000 Koprivnica,Croatia Contact numbers: Tel. +385-48-240240 Fax. +385-48-240241 Email: ljerka.vresk@rk-podravka.hr rk.podravka@kc.t-com.hr Arena: Sport Hall Fran Galovic Zeljka Selingera bb 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia Capacity: 2500 Media contact: Božica Palčić; Ljerka Vresk, +385 98831463 +385 98325075 bozica.palcic@rk-podravka.hr ljerka.vresk@rk-podravka.hr Online: Club website: www.rk-podravka.hr ehfCL.com EHF Champions League records: Participations (including 2012/13 season): 19 Winners: 1996 Finalists: 1995 Semi-finalists: 1998 Quarter-final: 1997 Main Round: 2001, 2002, 2009 Group Phase/Champions League: 1994, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 Qualification: 2004, 2006 Cup Winners Cup: Finalists: 2005 Semi-finalists: 2008 EHF Cup: Finalists: 2001, 2006 Croatian champions: 19 titles Croatian Cup winners: 18 titles 52

The squad

No. First Name Family Name Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height 8 Andrea Bozic CRO Line Player 26.7.1994 65 175 2 Andrea Covic CRO Line Player 9.10.1993 76 175 4 Zana Covic CRO Right Back 20.8.1989 71 180

11 Sanja Damnjanovic SRB Left Back 25.5.1987 73 181 14 Ivana Dragisic CRO Right Wing 29.3.1994 75 177 10 Anita Gace CRO Right Wing 14.4.1983 69 177 23 Lidija Horvat CRO Right Back 5.5.1982 74 184 16 Ivana Jelcic CRO Goalkeeper 16.3.1980 70 179

9 Dora Kalaus CRO Right Wing 24.6.1996 70 172 7 Larissa Kalaus CRO Left Back 24.6.1996 72 172

22 Ivana Kapitanovic CRO Goalkeeper 17.9.1994 73 183 3 Ana Marija Maljak CRO Right Wing 5.11.1996 64 169

13 Vesna Milanovic Litre CRO Line Player 30.5.1986 72 180 8 Antonia Oremovic CRO Left Wing 31.1.1997 53 163 5 Iva Pongrac CRO Left Wing 19.6.1991 60 165

28 Nikica Pusic Koroljevic CRO Left Wing 19.3.1983 62 177 6 Sara Senvald CRO Line Player 14.3.1996 75 184

20 Miranda Tatari CRO Centre Back 20.9.1983 73 174 17 Nikolina Tvoric CRO Right Wing 2.9.1994 66 176 15 Marijeta Vidak CRO Left Back 14.8.1992 81 179

1 Marta Zderic CRO Goalkeeper 20.4.1990 77 183

New signings (including former club):

• Anita Bulath (Veszprém/HUN), • Žana Čović (RK Lokomotiva/CRO)

Left the club (including new club): • Ivana Petković (RK Zelina/CRO), • Dina Havić (RK Zamet/CRO), • Maja Kožnjak (RK Lokomotiva/CRO) • Anita Bulath (Viborg HK/DEN)

53

Key players

Lidija Horvat: Horvat has been a tower of power in the Podravka’s defence as well as the Croatian national team for many years. But due to her height and power she is also a brilliant shooter in attack. The 28 year old back court player was born in Zagreb and started playing handball at Kraš in the Croatian capital before playing for Podravka. After transferring to Brasov (Romania), Budućnost (Montenegro) and Metz (France), Horvat returned to Podravka in 2011. She was part of the Croatian team at the Olympic Games 2012.

Ivana Jelčić: Together with her current Women’s EHF Champions League opponent Jelena Grubišić (Krim), Jelčić is one half of the goalkeeping duo with the Croatian national team, but at the Olympic Games in London she was the number one. 30-year-old Jelčić was born in Mostar and is in her seventh season at the Croat record champions after starting her professional career at Lokomotiva in Zagreb.

Miranda Tatari: The team captain of Podravka and the Croatian national team, Tatari was born in Koprivnica, the home town of Podravka, and has never moved clubs throughout her career so far. Currently she is in her 13th EHF Champions League season with Vegeta. The 29-year-old playmaker started her career in the youth team of Podravka and later became part of every age group national team for Croatia. In 2009 Tatari signed another four-year contract in her home town.

Coach

Neven Hrupec: After coaching Croatian talent in different age categories, Neven Hrupec became head coach of Podravka as successor of Zdravko Zovko in 2010. As his team have no real rival at domestic level, Hrupec is trying to focus on both international competitions, WHRL and EHF Champions League.

54

U JOLIDON CLUJ (Romania)

Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions League 2012/13 season: Romanian runners-up

Season Preview: When U Jolidon Cluj reached the Group Phase, it was the biggest surprise in all the qualification tournaments and play-offs for the Women’s EHF Champions League. In their third consecutive attempt, the Romanian runners-up qualified for the last 16 teams despite having had the toughest of all opponents.

To beat strengthened Turkish champion Muratpasa was a first sign of their power, but in the final against Russian runners-up Rostov they were the clear underdogs despite home advantage, as Rostov had eliminated big favourites Zaječar from Serbia in the second semi-final.

In a thrilling match, Cluj destroyed Rostov’s hopes, and reached the Group Matches for the first time in history. Jolidon have been runners-up three times in a row in the Romanian League, second to the 'dream team' of Oltchim Vâlcea.

The university team from Transylvania – who missed out on qualification against Metalurg and Viborg in the previous two years - mostly consists of Romanian players but have signed some experienced stars to add to their well-rehearsed squad. The top newcomer is Carmen Florentina Cartas (CSM Cetate Devatrans Deva), who was top scorer in the qualification tournament.

In the Group Matches the Romanians have to face tough opponents like the favourites from Györ (HUN), the semi-finalists Krim (SLO) and the experienced Podravka from Croatia. But despite those tough clashes hopes of success are high, says managing director Cosmin Salajan: “To reach the Group Matches makes us really proud and happy, as now we can compete with some of the best teams in Europe. We are among the top 16 teams in Europe and we hope to prove our value.”

Club address: U Jolidon Cluj Str. Cardinal Iuliu Hossu nr. 23 400029 Cluj Napoca, Romania Contact numbers: Tel. +40-264-419391 Fax: +40-264-447869 Email: handbal@jolidon.ro Arena: Horia Demian Splaiul Indepentei Street 3400 Cluj Napoca, Romania Capacity: 3000 Media contact: Monica Mihoc +40 745562063 handbal@jolidon.ro Online: Club website: www.uhandbal.ro Twitter: @ uhandbal Facebook: uhandbal ehfCL.com EHF Champions League: Participations (including 2012/13 season): 2 Qualification: 2011/12

Other EC records: Challenge Cup: Finalists: 2006/07

Cup Winners’ Cup: Quarter-finalists: 2007/08 Last 16: 2011/12

Romanian champions: - (runners-up 2010, 2011, 2012)

55

The squad

No. First Name Family Name Nat. Position Date of Birth Weight Height 25 Mihaela Ani Senocico ROU Back 14.12.1981 70 174 22 Florentina Carmen Cartas ROU Left Back 9.5.1985 72 180 10 Florina Maria Chintoan ROU Line Player 6.12.1985 74 178

4 Elena Nicoleta Dinca ROU Left Wing 2.7.1988 72 170 2 Stefania Florea ROU Right Wing 1.2.1992 62 171 9 Irina Ivan ROU Line Player 6.3.1992 79 185 5 Cristina Laslo ROU Back 10.4.1996 72 176 8 Alexandra Lup ROU Back 1.6.1994 65 181

16 Ana Maria Mazarean ROU Goalkeeper 4.2.1993 71 180 7 Raluca Elena Mihai ROU Left Wing 18.10.1986 60 174 3 Magdalena Elena Paraschiv ROU Right Wing 11.8.1982 62 165 1 Viktoria Petroczi HUN Goalkeeper 27.2.1983 91 190

13 Adriana Veronica Stoian ROU Back 14.7.1987 70 178 12 Viorica Suba ROU Goalkeeper 3.5.1989 72 182 15 Andreea Lucretia Tetean ROU Back 25.2.1989 70 171 11 Maria Mihaela Tivadar ROU Back 14.6.1982 70 178 18 Alina-Ileana Turcas ROU Back 1.4.1972 80 182 26 Clara Stela Vadineanu ROU Back 26.10.1986 72 183 77 Ionica Munteanu ROU Goalkeeper 7.1.1979 176

6 Abigail Beatrice Valean ROU Left Wing 15.2.1994 61 171

New signings (including former club):

• Carmen Florentina Cartas (CSM Cetate Devatrans Deva)

• Ionica Munteanu (SCM Craiova) • Alexandra Lup (LPS Bistrita) • Abigail Valean (LPS Bistrita)

Left the club (including new club): • Ionica Munteanu (SCM Craiova) • Laura Oltean (HCM Baia Mare) • Oana Bondar (HCM Baia Mare) • Adela Biliga Radu (Stiinta Bucuresti)

56

Key players

Florentina Carmen Cartas: This is the first ever season of international handball for the 27-year-old left back with Cluj and the Romanian national team. In the qualification tournament she was top scorer for her team and a major part of their success in reaching the Group Matches of the Women’s EHF Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. She arrived from CSM Cetate Deva at the Transylvanian club.

Mihaela Ani Senocico: Apart from one season with Randers in Denmark, Senocico has played for Cluj throughout her career, and the 30-year-old is now captain of the EHF Champions League debutant. Senocico’s best international season was in 2006/07, when she scored 113 goals in the EHF Challenge Cup and paved the way for a place in the final for the Romanians. And she has been a long-term part of the Romanian national team.

Elena Nicoleta Dincă: Aged only 17, Dincă started her international career for Rapid Bucureşti before transferring to Cluj, where she has played since 2007. In younger age categories the fast left-wing (24) was captain of the Romanian youth and junior national team, scoring 149 goals before changing to the seniors.

Coach

Gheorghe Covaciu: His biggest success as a player was the bronze medal with Romania at the 1984 Olympic Games, and since 2005 Gheorghe Covaciu has been the coach of Cluj, hunting the champions from Valceă year after year. His contract is valid until the end of this season, but after reaching the Group Matches many think his contract at Cluj could be extended.

57