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Foreword

Dear handball friends,

Welcome to Berlin! We stand on the eve of the matches that will determine the new champion of the 2013/14 Men’s EHF Cup. Across nine months of competition that started in September 2013, 34 countries registered 63 club teams that played the five previous rounds that have led to this final weekend. From the starting point, the teams have been whittled down to the final four teams that will compete for the title in front of a 10,000 strong capacity crowd in the Max-Schmeling-Halle located at the heart of Berlin.

Brace yourselves for high quality athletic entertainment, for the teams that have made it to the EHF Cup Finals come from countries with a rich handball history and are no strangers to playing at the highest level as they all have played in the EHF elite club competition. Former Champions League title holder, Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA), host team and CL finalist, Füchse Berlin (GER), and recurrent CL participants, Pick Szeged (HUN) and HCM Constanta (ROU), all enter the Finals of the Men’s EHF Cup for the first time.

Following on from the very successful inaugural event in Nantes, France, we are looking forward to a thrilling event in Germany. The second edition of the Men’s EHF Cup Finals will result in a new champion being crowned. But who will lift the unique sculptured trophy created by ‘Feuergestaltung’; will the trophy remain in Germany? Does a new home wait in France, Hungary, or Romania? Whatever the outcome, it is clear that a unique handcrafted trophy awaits a unique champion.

On behalf of the European Handball Federation, I welcome the delegations of Füchse Berlin, Montpellier Agglomeration HB, Pick Szeged, and HCM Constanta. Following months of preparation, they are ready to take to the court, and I wish all the teams the very best of luck. May the best team win.

As handball triumphantly moves to Berlin, I invite you to enjoy the matches; it is guaranteed to be unforgettable!

Jean BrihaultEHF President

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1. Introduction 5

- Welcome - EHF / EHFM / Füchse Berlin Media Team

2. Media timetable 6

3. Essential media information 7

- Accreditation collection- Photographers/TV bibs- Official event name/hastags- Media Centre opening times- Media seats- WLAN access- Video recording- Opening Press conference / Post-match press conference- Opening training- EHF Cup Finals Online- Television and live streaming- Invitation to Media Get Together

4. Media rules and guidelines 9

- Rules for ENG crews- Rules for photographers

5. Event information 11

- Season review: Facts and figures- Important regulations – extra-time and penalty throws- EHF CUP / EHF Cup Finals - Previous winners- Top scorers 2012/13- Head-to-heads

6. Team profiles 22

- Füchse Berlin (Germany)- Pick Szeged (Hungary)- Montpellier Agglomeration HB (France)- HCM Constanta (Romania)

Table of contents

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Welcome to the EHF Cup Finals/Berlin

It is a great pleasure to welcome all media representatives to Berlin for the second edition of the Men’s EHF Cup Finals.

We look forward to two days of top class handball in the sold-out Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin as Montpellier Agglomeration HB, Pick Szeged, HCM Constanta as well as the hosts of the event, Füchse Berlin compete for the EHF Cup title.

Up to 150 media representatives are expected in Berlin to cover the event, and we expect extensive local, regional and national coverage of the EHF Cup Finals.

If you require any help or assistance during your time in Berlin, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the media team from the EHF, EHFM and Füchse Berlin.

1. Introduction

EHF Cup Finals Media Team

Vlado BrindzakEHF Media ManagerTel. +43 1 80151 161Mob: +421 908 721 [email protected]

Akos MoczanEHFM Media Manager (TV/Radio)Tel: +43 1 80151 226Mob: +43 676 740 78 [email protected]

Jil WelterEHF Media Assistant /WebsiteMob: +49 152 370 93 [email protected]

Andre TzschaschelFüchse Berlin Media ManagerTel: +49 30 20916 876Mob: +49 172 31 884 [email protected]

Chris O’ReillyEHF Website / Social Media EditorTel. +43 1 80151 168Mob: +43 660 579 [email protected]

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Friday, 16 May 2014

10:00 – 11:00 Training Füchse Berlin Max-Schmeling-Halle

13:30 – 14:00 Media Call Füchse Berlin VIP Room, Max-Schmeling-Halle

13:30 – 14:30 Training HCM Constanta Max-Schmeling-Halle

14:00 – 14:30 Media Call Montpellier AHB VIP Room, Max-Schmeling-Halle

14:30 – 15:00 Media Call Pick Szeged VIP Room, Max-Schmeling-Halle

14:30 – 15:30 Training Montpellier AHB Max-Schmeling-Halle

15:00 – 15:30 Media Call HCM Constanta VIP Room, Max-Schmeling-Halle

15:30 – 16:30 Training Pick Szeged Max-Schmeling-Halle

Saturday, 17 May 201413:45 Photographers’ briefing Media Centre

14:35 Semi-final Füchse Berlin vs Pick Szeged Max-Schmeling-Halle

15 minutes after final whistle Post-match Press Conference Press Conference Room, (Head coach and key player from each team) Max-Schmeling-Halle

17:15 Semi-final HCM Constanta vs Montpellier AHB Max-Schmeling-Halle


20:00 Media Get Together Trumpete, Lützowplatz 9, 10785 Berlin

Sunday, 18 May 201413:00 3 / 4 Place Max-Schmeling-Halle


15:35 Final Max-Schmeling-Halle

15 minutes after winners’ ceremony Post-match Press Conference Press Conference Room, (Head coach and key player from each team) Max-Schmeling-Halle

2. Media Timetable

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3. Essential media information

Accreditation collectionYour accreditation can be collected from the accreditation desk at the Max-Schmeling-Halle from Friday, 16 May 2014, 13:00 hrs. Please bring an official form of identification – your press card or passport – and your official confirmation. Accreditations will not be issued without these.

Media parkingAs there are several huge sport events taking place in Berlin over the weekend (17/18 May) all media representatives are advised to use the city public transport. No media parking in the arena will be available.

Photographer bibsBibs for photographers will be issued at the accreditation desk at the Max-Schmeling-Halle from Friday, 16 May 2014. All photographers/TV will be required to pay a returnable deposit of €20 upon collection of their respective bibs. This deposit will be returned at the end of the event when the bib is returned to the Media Centre.

Official event name/official hashtagThe official name of the final event is the ‘Men’s EHF Cup Finals’ or simply the ‘EHF Cup Finals’. An official hashtag has also been announced, this is: ‘#ehfcupfinals’. Please use these official terms in your reports and communications.

Media Centre Opening TimesThe Media Centre is located in the Max-Schmeling-Halle. Opening hours for accredited media representatives are as follows:

Friday, 16 May 2014 (VIP Room) 13:00 – 17:00 hrs

Saturday, 17 May 2014 13:00 – 20:30 hrs

Sunday, 18 May 2014 11:00 – 20:00 hrs

Media seatsMedia representatives will be allocated a specific media seat in the Max-Schmeling-Halle. There will be media volunteers available to show you the way to your seat.

WLAN accessThere will be wireless internet access for all media representatives in the arena free of charge. A password for internet access will be provided on arrival.

Video recordingVideo in the arena, mixed zone and press conference room may only be recorded with the express permission of EHF Marketing GmbH. Please contact EHFM Media Manager, Akos Moczan for further information in advance of the event. Equipment used for video recording without permission will be removed.

Press conferencesThe press conference room is located a three minutes’ walk away from the mixed zone, sign posting will be provided. The post-match press conferences will take place 15 minutes after each match/winners’ ceremony and will be attended by the head coaches and key players. Press conferences will be conducted in English, any questions in your native language should be directed following the completion of the press conference.

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Open training for the mediaTeam training on Friday, 16 May 2014 will be open to the media for the first 15 minutes, for TV footage to be filmed and teams to be photographed. Media interviews are possible only at the media call.

EHF Cup Finals OnlineThe event will be covered extensively online by both the EHF Media and Communications Department and Füchse Berlin. The event can be followed on the EHF Cup and EHF Cup Finals websites: www.eurohandball.com and www.berlinfinals.com.

Live BlogThere will be a live blog available at www.eurohandball.com during both match days.

Live tickerEven fans unable to watch the matches on the TV or on the ehfTV live streaming will be able to follow the up-to-second updates of the matches’ scoreline at the live ticker, which was already available over the group phase and the quarter-finals.

All handball lovers can check not only the running score, but also the scorers, fouls, two-minutes suspensions, missed shots or saves.

The live ticker will be provided both in the HTML or Flash version here: http://ticker.ehf.eu/

Television and live streamingCoverage of the event will be shown on television by the following confirmed TV stations (at the time of publication): RBB in Germany, Digi Sport in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic and beIN in France, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibuti, Somalia, Eritrea.

ehfTV coverage and English commentaryAll four matches will also be streamed live and on-demand around the world at ehfTV.com, the European Handball Federation’s online streaming platform.

For the first time in the Men’s EHF Cup the matches will be also broadcast with a live English commentary of Tom O‘ Brannagain.

Visit ehfTV.com for more details and to watch games not only from the Men’s EHF Cup Finals, but also from the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and on demand from the recent MVM EHF FINAL4.

Invitation to Media Get TogetherAll accredited media representatives are invited for a Media Get Together on Saturday 17 May at 20:00 hrs local time at Trompete (Lützowplatz 9, 10875 Berlin). Journalists will be also able to follow the German football cup final on the screens.

The venue can be reached by via the U2 underground line (Eberswalderstr. near Max-Schmeling-Halle, 5-10 minutes’ walk, stop at Nollendorfplatz, Trompete Bar is 5 minutes’ walk away).

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4. Media rules and guidelines

Official EHFM Rules of Conduct for ENG CrewsThe following guidelines and rules of conduct for ENG Crews have been developed to make the job of ENG crews easier at EHF events. Upon receiving an accreditation and signing for an ENG bib, TV crews automatically agree to follow the EHFM Rule of Conduct for TV ENG crews. Bibs do NOT need to be returned at the end of the event.

1. ENG crews are obliged to produce a media identification card upon request.

2. The Host Broadcaster acts on behalf of the European Handball Federation/EHF Marketing GmbH

3. ENG personnel are requested to wear the bib and accreditation at ALL times.

4. All ENG crews must use the stickers provided on their camera equipment.

5. The bib and the accreditation are only valid for the EHF Cup Finals.

6. Only the Host Broadcaster is permitted onto the playing court.

7. Right holders have to stay in the positions designated to them during the games

8. Non-rights holders are not permitted to film during the matches.

9. The guidelines and instructions of the Host Broadcasters MUST be followed at all time

10. At no time, before, during or after the match are ENG crews permitted to stay in the area behind the players‘seats or behind the official table. They must place themselves in the position advised by the EHFM.

11. ENG crews are only permitted in the TV area of the mixed zone

12. ENG crews are not permitted to interfere/obstruct in the work of the Host Broadcaster.

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Official EHF Rules of Conduct for PhotographersThe EHF has developed the following guidelines to make the job of photographers at its events easier. Upon receiving the accreditation and bib the photographer automatically agrees to follow the EHF guidelines of conduct for photographers. Please note: Bibs do NOT need to be returned after the event

1. Photographers must attend the photographer briefing in the Media Centre on Saturday 17 May at 13:45 hrs

2. Photographers are only allowed to enter the court following the match for 3/4 place and final when permitted to do so. There will be a roped off area clearly marked for photographers in front of the timekeepers’ table.

3. Photographs can be taken during the player line-up. An area will be defined before the match for this purpose. Photographers may stand in this position until the pre-match procedure is over. They must then return to their designated position behind the advertising boards at the ends of the court.

4. Photograph bibs should be worn at all times. These will be issued as part of the accreditation process and are available from the Media Info Desk

5. During the match all photographers should be at the ends of the court where seats are available behind the advertising boards. Photographers will be advised before the match of and additionally designated areas where they may take photos looking down on the court.

6. It is not allowed to change ends during the game. This has to be done at the half time or at the end of the match. If a photographer wishes to change ends during the halftime break, he/she must follow the routing system

7. Photographers are not allowed to stand behind the players’ seats or on the opposite side of the court.

8. Photographers have to remain seated and cannot change seats during the match.

9. Photographers are allowed to sit in front of the nets after the point where it is fixed to the advertising borders (fixed 3 metres each side of the goal).

10. Photographers are not allowed sit or stand in front of or to obstruct the view of the advertising boards.

11. Strobe light photography is not permitted.

12. Photographers are not allowed to enter the court during the celebration and awarding ceremony which follows final. During the celebration and awarding ceremony there will be a clearly marked area reserved for photographers in front of the timekeepers’ table.

Upon collection of your accreditation you are obliged to follow the above-listed rules.

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Important regulationsExtra-time and penalty throws

All matches of the Men’s EHF Cup Finals shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes. If a semi-final match or the final ends in a draw, there will be a five minutes break followed by one extra time of 2 x 5 minutes, there will be a one minute half-time break at half-time for the changeover of teams. If the extra-time ends in a draw, the match will be decided by penalty throws.

If the placement match 3/4 ends in a draw, there shall be no extra time, the match will be decided directly by penalty throws.

If penalty throws are needed to decide the match, the procedure is as follows:

• At the Technical Meeting the teams will be informed at which goal the penalty throws will be taken. The team taking the first penalty throw shall be determined by the referees by drawing lots. The team winning the draw may choose whether it wishes to throw first or last.

• Prior to the penalty throws, each team shall name five players eligible to play at the end of the match by handing the referees a list of numbers. These players shall then take one throw each, alternating with their opponents. Each team is free to determine the sequence in which throwers will take their throws.

• The goalkeepers may be freely selected from the match report and exchanged in accordance with the Rules of the Game. Goalkeepers may take throws and throwers may perform as goalkeepers.

• If the scores are equal after the first round of penalty throws, it shall be continued until a decision is reached. In the second round, the other team shall start. Again five players shall be named who are eligible to play (the players named before may be named once again).

• In the second round, a decision is reached when a goal difference arises after both teams have taken one throw each.

• Eligible players are players entered in the match report that have not been disqualified or suspended at the time of the final whistle.

• Serious infractions committed during penalty throws shall be sanctioned by disqualification. If a thrower is disqualified or suffers an injury, an eligible substitute player shall be additionally named.

• While the throws are being taken, only the player taking the throw, the current goalkeeper and the referees may enter the respective half of the playing court.

• If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be named to take a second throw in the same round.

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EHF CupThe reformed Men’s EHF Cup began in the 2012/13 season following the merging of the Men’s EHF Cup and the Men’s Cup Winners’ Cup. The competition forms the second tier of competition after the VELUX EHF Champions League and above the Men’s Challenge Cup.

The new competition also brought with it a new format, with three qualification rounds, a Group Phase, Quarter-finals and a final tournament – the EHF Cups Finals.

EHF Cup Finals in BerlinThe EHF Cup Finals will be played on 17/18 May 2014 in Berlin, following the awarding the event and its local organisation to Füchse Berlin, a participant in the Men’s EHF Cup in the 2013/14 season.

Commenting on the awarding of the event to Berlin, Jean Brihault, EHF President, said at the time: “Handball’s profile in Berlin has grown significantly in recent years, and after the EHF Cup Finals’ highly successful premiere in Nantes last season, I am confident that the German capital is the right choice for the second edition of this top-class club event.”

Manager of Füchse Berlin, Bob Hanning said: “We are very happy to have been chosen to organise the 2014 EHF Cup Finals in Berlin, having already shown the EHF during our matches last season in the VELUX EHF Champions League that we can be a good host.”

The event will be held in the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, with the capacity of up to 10,000 spectators, over two days with semi-finals to be played on Saturday, 17 May, the match for third/fourth place and the final on Sunday, 18 May. More than 100 volunteers, 150 media representatives, 20,000 spectators, and up to 80 players will take part in the two-day tournament.

New trophyFor the occasion of the 2014 EHF Cup Finals in Berlin a new trophy was crafted. Weighing more than 15 kg, the new trophy stands on 14 separate feet but only seven reach the bowl at the top, while seven stop half-way through, symbolising that eventually only one handball team will lift the trophy. Furthermore, as a tribute to the hosting city Berlin and the bear in its coat of arms, a bear’s head ornaments the bowl’s base.

EHF Cup Finals – numbers20,000 – spectators will attend the EHF Cup Finals in the Max-Schmeling-Halle in total over both days

240 – minutes of top class handball to be watched live on ehfTV.com

150 – media representatives will be covering the event on-site

146 – matches have been played so far in the first season of the new EHF Cup

120 – volunteers ready to help with organisation of the EHF Cup Finals

62 – participating teams from 34 national federations on the starting line of the race for the EHF Cup Finals

60 – goals of the competition’s top scorer Pedro Caseiro Portela (Sporting CP) before the EHF Cup Finals

21 – years of European Cup competitions organised by the EHF

15 – countries represented by players at the EHF Cup Finals

4 – reigning European champions from France – all from Montpellier

4 – seasons in a row German teams won this competition

0 – points lost on the way to the EHF Cup Finals by Montpellier

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EHF Cup Finals Programme

Saturday, 17 May 2014

14:35 hrs Semi-final 2: Füchse Berlin (GER) vs. Pick Szeged (HUN)Referees: Oyvind Togstad and Rune Kristiansen / NORDelegates: Henrik La Cour Laursen (EHF Technical Refereeing Committee / DEN) and Victor Poladenko (EHF Technical Refereeing Committee / RUS)

17:15 hrs Semi-final 1: HCM Constanta (ROU) vs. Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA)Referees: Zigmars Stolarovs and Renars Licis / LATDelegates: Jesus Guerrero (EHF Delegate) / ESP and Frederic Rudin (EHF Delegate) / SUI

Sunday, 18 May 2014

13:00 hrs 3/4 Placement match: Loser SF 1 vs. Loser SF 2Referees: Shlomo Cohen and Yoram Peretz / ISR

15:35 hrs Final: Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2Referees: Slave Nikolov and Gjorgji Nachevski / MKD

Tournament ManagementArne Elovsson EHF Vice President Ralf Dejaco EHF Treasurer Michael Wiederer EHF Secretary General Alexander Gehrer EHFM EHF CUP Finals Manager

TicketsRemaining tickets are available in the ticket shop: https://www.eventimsports.de/shop/98/42178/allareasTicket prices range from 49 to 199 euros.

VIP Packages: purchase directly from Füchse Berlin and via the club’s website http://www.fuechseberlin.de. VIP ticket for both days and the 4 Games 415 Euro. Contact person Dennis Quandt from UFA Sports - [email protected]

Media HotelFüchse Berlin have made a special arrangement with a selection of Berlin hotels for media representatives, please refer to www.berlinfinals.de. Contact the EHF Media and Communications department for full details [email protected].

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New faces will be seen at the EHF Cup Finals in Berlin this year, compared the last year in Nantes.All four teams are new. HBC Nantes were the only team in the quarter-finals who could have qualified for the second year in a row, but that was prevented by their 49:59 aggregate defeat to countrymen Montpellier Agglomeration HB.

While all teams are new, two nations, who were represented last year, are back again.In 2013, Germany was represented by Rhein-Neckar Löwen who won the tournament, and by Frisch Auf Göppingen who finished fourth. This year, the German colours will be defended only by Füchse Berlin.France, represented by runners-up Nantes last year, will see Montpellier try to copy that achievement, or even beat it, in the Max-Schmeling-Halle of Berlin.

Local derby againJust like last year, the quarter-finals contained a local derby between two teams from the same nation.

In the 2012-13 season, the Danish teams Team Tvis Holstebro and KIF Kolding København met in the quarter-final, with Holstebro as winner by one goal on aggregate.

This year, Montpellier defeated their French countrymen Nantes by ten on aggregate as the last step before the EHF Cup Finals.

Largest win and perfect run of MAHBThe largest win in the quarter-finals was booked by HCM Constanta. The Romanian champions won the first leg against Swedish Lugi HF 31:21 at home. Montpellier came in second with 33:24 at home in their second match against Nantes.

The quarter-finals did not change the fact that Montpellier are the only team who have won all their matches in the EHF Cup this season.

Their two wins against Nantes in the quarter-finals increased their total number of victories in the competition to ten. Two wins in Qualification Round 3, six wins in the group phase, and two in the quarter-finals.

Montpellier were also the only team who managed to win an away match in the quarter-finals. This happened as they won 26:25 in Nantes the first leg against HBC.

All four teams have managed to stay undefeated on home court throughout the tournament. While Montpellier and Füchse Berlin have won all their five home games, Constanta lost a point on the way, though, through a 31:31 draw against Füchse on 23. February.

When it comes to attendances, none of the quarter-finals could beat the largest crowd for an EHF Cup match so far this season. The Group D match between Füchse Berlin and Chambéry Savoie Handball on 9. February still holds the record with 5,745 spectators.

The largest attendance in the quarter-finals was 5,000 spectators at the first leg of the French tie between Nantes and Montpellier.

Season review: Facts & figures

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Best attack and best scorerIn the group phase, Sporting had the most dangerous attack. This was changed in the quarter-finals, where Montpellier and Constanta shared that honour, scoring 59 goals each.

Montpellier continued being the team who conceded the fewest goals, just like they were in the group phase. In the quarter-finals, the team under Patrice Canayer only let in 49 goals.

Just like after the group phase, Pedro Caseiro Portela from Sporting CP is still the most scoring player in the tournament, now with 60 goals.

However, the 23-year-old Portuguese right winger will have trouble keeping his first place, as his team is out of the competition now.

Alexandru Simicu from Constanta, who is in second place with 55 goals, and Dragan Gajic from Montpellier, who is third with 53, are both still in the tournament and with good chances of passing Caseiro, once the EHF Cup Finals launch on 17-18 May.

Gajic was the most scoring player in quarter-finals. The 29-year-old Slovenian right winger scored a total of no less than 22 goals in the two quarter-final matches against Nantes. Constanta’s 25-year-old left back Simicu came in second with 18 goals.

Dragan Gajic was also the most scoring player in a single match in the quarter-finals. 12 goals did he score in the first match against Nantes.

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published version, 6.9.2013

Qualification Qualification FinalRound 1 Round 2 Tournament

20 teams 40 teams 32 teams 16 teams 8 teams 4 teams07/08.09.2013 12/13.10.2013 23/24.11.2013 R1: 08/09.02.14 19/20.04.14 17/18.05.2014

first leg first leg first leg R2: 15/16.02.14 first leg TournamentR3: 22/23.02.14

14/15.09.2013 19/20.10.2013 30.11/01.12.2013 R4: 15/16.03.14 26/27.04.14NATION second leg second leg second leg R5:22/23.03.14 second leg

R6:29/30.03.1423.7.2013 23.7.2013 22.10.2013 5.12.2013 1.4.2014 29.4.2014

1 Loser CL WC KO Pick Szeged/HUN2 Loser CL WC KO Montpellier MAHB/FRA3 Loser CL WC KO Füchse Berlin/GER4 GER TSV Hannover-Burgdorf5 2nd CL QT 2 Tatran Presov/SVK6 2nd CL QT 3 RK Vojvodina/SRB7 2nd CL QT 4 HCM Constanta/ROU8 ESP Reale Ademar Leon9 3rd CL QT 2 AEK Athens/GRE

10 3rd CL QT 3 Alpla HC Hard/AUT11 3rd CL QT 4 Elverum HH/NOR12 DEN Aarhus Haandbold13 Loser CL KO Q 1 Handball Esch/LUX14 4th CL QT 2 Besiktas JK/TUR15 4th CL QT 3 Borac m:tel Banja Luka/BIH16 4th CL QT 4 KRAS / Volendam/NED17 SLO RK Maribor Branik18 RUS SKIF-Krasnodar19 ESP BM. Aragon20 FRA Chambery Savoie HB21 DEN Skjern Handbold22 RUS HC Kaustik23 FRA HBC Nantes24 DEN Mors-Thy Handbold25 SWE Lugi HF26 ROU Stiinta M. D. Bacau27 UKR HC Portovik28 NOR OIF Arendal29 POR S.L. Benfica30 RUS Permskie medvedi31 MKD HC Zomimak-M32 CRO RK Nexe33 SUI Kadetten Schaffhausen34 SRB RK Partizan35 HUN Csurgo Handball Club36 SWE IFK Kristianstad37 ROU HC Caras Severin38 POR Sporting CP39 CRO Porec40 SUI Pfadi Winterthur41 BLR SKA Minsk42 GRE A.C. Diomidis Argous43 NED OCI-Lions44 AUT Bregenz Handball45 CZE HBC Ronal Jicin46 LUX Handball Käerjeng47 EST Pölva Serviti48 BEL Achilles Bocholt49 TUR B.B. Ankara Spor Kulübü50 MNE HC Lovcen Cetinje51 ISR Maccabi Rishon-Lezion52 SVK HC Sporta Hlohovec53 BUL HC Dobrudja54 KOS KH Prishtina55 GBR London GD Handball Club56 LTU Klaipeda Dragunas57 NOR Fyllingen Bergen58 SUI TSV St. Otmar St. Gallen59 HUN Grundfos Tatabanya KC60 BLR HC Meshkov Brest61 ISL Haukar Hafnarfjördur62 ISR Maccabi Tyrec Tel Aviv

2013/2014 MEN'S EHF CUP

DRAWS:

QualificationRound 3

Group Phase

Quarterfinals

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1

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Top scorers of the competition

Rank Name & nation Club Goals

1 Pedro Andre Caseiro Portela (POR) Sporting CP (POR) 60

2 Alexandru Viorel Simicu (ROU) HCM Constanta (ROU) 55

3 Dragan Gajic (SLO) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 53

4 Zsolt Balogh (HUN) Pick Szeged (HUN) 49

5 Pedro Alberto Silva Osorio Solha (POR) Sporting CP (POR) 48

6 Jorge Maqueda Pena (ESP) HBC Nantes (FRA) 43

7 Valero Rivera Folch (ESP) HBC Nantes (FRA) 42

8 Frantisek Zatko (SVK) HC Sporta Hlohovec (SVK) 41

9 Nicolas Claire (FRA) HBC Nantes (FRA) 39

Jonas Erik Larholm (SWE) Pick Szeged (HUN) 39

Laurentiu Mihai Toma (ROU) HCM Constanta (ROU) 39

12 Fabio Ramos Magalhaes (POR) Sporting CP (POR) 38

13 Jure Dolenec (SLO) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 37

14 Frankis Carol Marzo (CUB) Sporting CP (POR) 36

Iuliu Alexandru Csepreghi (ROU) HCM Constanta (ROU) 36

16 Fredrik Petersen Raahauge (SWE) Füchse Berlin (GER) 35

17 Oliver Rabek (SVK) TATRAN Presov (SVK) 34

18 Diego Simonet (ESP) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 32

19 Mathieu Grebille (FRA) Montpellier Agglomeration HB (FRA) 31

Barys Pukhouski (BLR) Csurgói KK (HUN) 31

(Bold text indicates players that are still active in the competition.)

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Past winners

Previous Men’s Cup Winners’ Cup winners

2012 SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)2011 VfL Gummersbach (GER)2010 VfL Gummersbach (GER)2009 Pevafersa Valladolid (ESP)2008 MKB Veszprem KC (HUN)2007 HSV Hamburg2006 Chekhovski Medvedi (RUS)2005 C. BM Ademar Leon (ESP)2004 Portland San Antonio (ESP)2003 A.D.C. Ciudad Real (ESP)2002 A.D.C. Ciudad Real (ESP)2001 SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)2000 Portland San Antonio (ESP)1999 Prosesa Ademar Leon (ESP)1998 Caja Cantabria Santander (ESP)1997 Elgorriaga Bidasoa (ESP)1996 TBV Lemgo (GER)1995 FC Barcelona (ESP)1994 FC Barcelona (ESP)

Previous Men’s EHF Cup winners

2012 Frisch Auf Göppingen (GER)2011 Frisch Auf Göppingen (GER)2010 TBV Lemgo (GER)2009 VfL Gummersbach (GER)2008 HSG Nordhorn (GER)2007 SC Magdeburg (GER)2006 TBV Lemgo (GER)2005 Tusem Essen (GER)2004 THW Kiel (GER)2003 FC Barcelona (ESP)2002 THW Kiel (GER)2001 Sportclub Magdeburg (GER)2000 Metkovic Jumbo (CRO)1999 Sportclub Magdeburg (GER)1998 THW Kiel (GER)1997 SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)1996 BM Granollers (ESP)1995 BM Granollers (ESP)1994 Aliza Avidesa (ESP)

2013 Rhein Neckar Löwen (GER)

21

Head-to-heads

Montpellier Agglomeration HB v Füchse Berlin No previous encounters

Montpellier Agglomeration HB v Pick Szeged 13.11.1994 Pick Szeged HUN-Montpellier HB FRA EHF Cup Last 16 27:24 (14:09) 20.11.1994 Montpellier HB FRA-Pick Szeged HUN EHF Cup Last 16 22:20 (13:08) 14.12.2003 SC Pick Szeged HUN-Montpellier HB FRA EHF Champions League Last 16 29:22 (16:09) 21.12.2003 Montpellier HB FRA-SC Pick Szeged HUN EHF Champions League Last 16 27:26 (15:09) 15.11.2009 Montpellier HB FRA-Pick Szeged HUN EHF Champions League – Group A 30:23 (13:10) 22.11.2009 Pick Szeged HUN-Montpellier HB FRA EHF Champions League – Group A 26:33 (15:16) 19.11.2011 Pick Szeged HUN-Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA EHF Champions League – Group D 38:35 (18:17) 18.12.2011 Montpellier Agglomeration HB FRA-Pick Szeged HUN EHF Champions League – Group D 29:26 (17:14) Montpellier Agglomeration HB v HCM Constanta 07.10.2007 HCM Constanta ROU-Montpellier HB FRA EHF Champions League – Group B 23:28 (11:15) 10.11.2007 Montpellier HB FRA-HCM Constanta ROU EHF Champions League – Group B 34:23 (17:10) 08.10.2009 HCM Constanta ROU-Montpellier HB FRA EHF Champions League – Group A 37:33 (17:18) 10.02.2010 Montpellier HB FRA-HCM Constanta ROU EHF Champions League – Group A 37:24 (18:09) Füchse Berlin v Pick Szeged 14.10.2012 Pick Szeged HUN-Füchse Berlin GER EHF Champions League – Group D 22:29 (14:14) 24.02.2013 Füchse Berlin GER-Pick Szeged HUN EHF Champions League – Group D 29:24 (15:10)

Füchse Berlin v HCM Constanta 23.02.2014 HCM Constanta ROU-Füchse Berlin GER EHF Cup – Group D 31:31 (16:16) 16.03.2014 Füchse Berlin GER-HCM Constanta ROU EHF Cup – Group D 28:26 (12:11) Pick Szeged v HCM Constanta 09.10.2004 SC Pick Szeged HUN-HCM Constanta ROU EHF Champions League – Group A 27:24 (16:12) 06.11.2004 HCM Constanta ROU-SC Pick Szeged HUN EHF Champions League – Group A 21:23 (13:09) 17.10.2009 HCM Constanta ROU-Pick Szeged HUN EHF Champions League – Group A 32:30 (17:16) 07.03.2010 Pick Szeged HUN-HCM Constanta ROU EHF Champions League – Group A 35:25 (14:17)

22

Füchse BerlinFor the second year in a row hosts of the EHF Cup Finals managed to avoid quarter-finals. Füchse made it in an even more impressive way than Nantes last year, as they won their group (D) and earned a direct ticket to the final tournament in the Max-Schmeling-Halle.

Their start into this season was far from convincing. First they unluckily lost the EHF Champions League qualification to Hamburg by one goal and then they only narrowly overcame Brest Meshkov in the last qualification round of the EHF Cup Group Phase.

However, they were unbeaten in the group phase and lost only two points after away draws at Constanta and Chambery. While other EHF Cup Finals contenders were focusing on the quarter-finals, they recorded the biggest success of their history in winning the German Cup.

Club Address:Füchse BerlinMarkgrafenstraße 3410117 BerlinGermany

Media contact:Andre Tzschaschel+49 172 3188 [email protected]

Online information:www.fuechse-berlin.deFacebook: fuechseberlinTwitter: @FuechseBerlin

Playing hallMax-Schmeling-HalleFalkplatz 110437 BerlinGermanyCapacity: 8,521

Kit coloursLightPlayer shirt: white/goldPlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: red

DarkPlayer shirt: green/goldPlayer short: greenGoalkeeper shirt: blue

Past achievements

VELUX EHF Champions LeagueVELUX EHF FINAL4 (fourth ranked): 2011/12Last 16: 2012/13

German cup winners 2014

GROUP B Final Table: 1. Füchse Berlin 6 4 2 0 181:164 (17) 10 2. HCM Constanta 6 3 2 1 173:160 (13) 8 3. Chambery Savoie Handball 6 2 2 2 162:158 (4) 6 4. HC Sporta Hlohovec 6 0 0 6 147:181 (-34) 0

Group Phase results:(W - win, D - draw, L - loss)vs Chambery Savoie Handball W30:27 (14:13)@ HC Sporta Hlohovec W33:27 (18:11)@ HCM Constanta D31:31 (16:16)vs HCM Constanta W28:26 (12:11)@ Chambery Savoie Handball D25:25 (10:12)vs HC Sporta Hlohovec W34:28 (17:14)

Top scorers:Fredrik Petersen Raahauge (SWE) 35Mattias Zachrisson (SWE) 30Konstantin Igropulo (RUS) 24Iker Romero Fernandez (ESP) 22Bartlomiej Jaszka (POL) 14

23

Team roster

Füchse Berlin

No. First Name Surname Nat. Position Date of Birth Height Weight Goals

83 Fredrik Raahauge Petersen SWE Left Wing 23.8.1983 188 85 35

21 Mattias Zachrisson SWE Right Wing 22.8.1990 179 86 30

35 Konstantin Igropulo RUS Right Back 14.4.1985 190 98 4

18 Iker Romero Fernandez ESP Centre Back 15.6.1980 196 100 22

24 Bartlomiej Jaszka POL Centre Back 16.6.1983 185 85 14

36 Jesper Nielsen SWE Line Player 30.9.1989 200 110 12

2 Colja Löffler GER Left Wing 8.5.1989 187 86 8

11 Markus Richwien GER Right Wing 5.7.1985 186 84 8

3 Fabian Wiede GER Right Back 8.2.1994 192 89 8

5 Jonas Thümmler GER Line Player 21.8.1993 192 87 7

28 Pavel Horak CZE Left Back 28.11.1982 198 113 6

13 Jaron Siewert GER Centre Back 31.1.1994 182 90 4

95 Paul Drux GER Left Back 7.2.1995 192 92 3

4 Oliver Milde GER Left Back 9.7.1993 193 90

9 Denis Milan Spoljaric CRO Centre Back 20.8.1979 196 96

12 Silvio Heinevetter GER Goalkeeper 21.10.1984 194 92

71 Petr Stochl CZE Goalkeeper 24.4.1976 193 100

1 Maximilian Kroll GER Goalkeeper 20.1.1993 190 96

24

Dagur SigurdssoncoachAfter 215 international matches and after scoring nearly 400 goals for Iceland, he retired as a player and continued the line of successful Icelandic coaches in European handball.

After playing for German club Wuppertal, he moved to Japan for the three years, before returning to Europe and becoming coach at Austrian side Bregenz in 2003. After four years he returned to his home country Iceland and became manager and director of his former club Valur Reykjavik, he worked parallel to this role as coach of the Austrian men’s national team from 2008 to 2010.

During this time he received an offer to take over Füchse Berlin, where he signed his first contract in 2009. Since July 2010 his only job is at Berlin and he led the Füchse sensationally to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in their debut international season in 2011/12.

The success paved the way for an extension of his contract until 2017. Together with manager Bob Hanning, he is the mastermind behind the steady progress of Füchse.

Iker Romerocentre backIt was the first big international transfer coup of Füchse, when they signed the Spanish player in 2011, right after he had won the VELUX EHF Champions League with FC Barcelona. Romero is a legend in his home country, a member of the 2005

World Championship winning squad and winning several more medals with the national team. The ever-smiling left or centre back started his club career in Leon, before moving to Ciudad Real and enjoying successful years at FC Barcelona, winning the EHF Champions League twice.

Since the start of the current season, 33-year-old Romero is the team captain of Füchse Berlin, where his current contract expires in 2014.

Romero is a back court all-rounder and is more likely to set teammates up than to shoot himself, but when it counts, the experienced Spaniard (199 caps for his national team) is ready to score the decisive goals.

Silvio HeinevettergoalkeeperThe current number one in the German national team was one of the keys of Füchse success in their debut season of the VELUX EHF Champions League, reaching the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

The 29-year-old started his career at Concordia Delitzsch, before he transferred to former CL winner SC Magdeburg in 2005. There he was coached by goalkeeping legend Wieland Schmidt, Olympic champion in 1980 with the former GDR.

After four seasons Heinevetter made his next step, signing a contract at Füchse Berlin. Despite a huge number of German and international clubs hunting his signature in 2013; he extended his contract for four more years until 2018. Heinevetter has been a part of the German national team since 2006 and became the clear number one in 2011 after Johannes Bitter (HSV Hamburg) quit his international career. Heinevetter is in a relationship with the popular German TV actress Simone Thomalla.

Konstantin Igropuloright backThe Russian right back arrived from FC Barcelona before the start of the last season and was winner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with the Catalan team in 2011. He was born in Stavropol to Greek parents – and after the start of his career at the

local club Stavropol he even made it to Greece, playing two seasons for Panellinios Athens.

After his return to Russia, he was signed by record champions Chekhovskie Medvedi and became a Russian international in 2005. At this time he had already won his first international silverware – becoming European champion and World Championship bronze medallist in beach handball.

Later he became an indoor handball star, latest when he transferred from Medvedi to FC Barcelona in 2009. At Berlin he now fills the footprints of his Icelandic predecessor Alexander Petersson.

EC trophies: CL 2005, 2011 (Barcelona), CWC 2002, 2003 (Ciudad Real) OG: B 2008, EURO: S 2006, WCh: G 2005, B 2011

EC trophies: EHF Cup 2007 (SC Magdeburg)

EC trophies: CL 2011

Füchse Berlin Profiles

25

Pick Szeged

Club Address:Pick SzegedDeák Ferenc u. 28-30.6720 SzegedHungary

Media contact:Nandor Szögi+36 70 [email protected]

Online information:www.pickhandball.huFacebook: pickszeged

Playing hallVarosi Sportcsarnok SzegedTemesvari Krt.336726 SzegedHungaryCapacity: 3,200

Kit coloursLightPlayer shirt: orangePlayer short: silverGoalkeeper shirt: black / red / green

DarkPlayer shirt: blue or redPlayer short: blue or redGoalkeeper shirt: black / red / green

Past achievements

VELUX EHF Champions LeagueQuarter-final: 1996/1997, 2003/2004Last 16: 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2010/2011, 2012/13Main Round: 2007/2008Group Phase: 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012

EHF CupQuarter-final: 2000/01Last 16: 1994/95, 1999/2000

Cup Winners’ CupSemi-final: 1993/94Quarter-final: 2002/03, 2008/09

Hungarian champions: 1996, 2007,

Hungarian cup winners: 1977, 1982, 1983, 1993, 2006, 2008

Right after the group phase draw everybody expected a three-way battle for the Group C top spot, but already half-way through it was clear that Tatran Presov could not keep the pace with Szeged and Nantes. Both rivals exchanged some blows as they won their respective home matches.

However at the end it was Presov who clinched the top position for Szeged after the Slovakian champions had beaten Nantes in the last round preventing the last season’s runners-up to claim the group victory on away goals rule ahead of Szeged. Pick successfully extended their Swedish contingent as Jonas Källman joined Jonas Larholm right before the group phase, although he got injured before quarter-finals and will also miss Berlin. Even without him, Pick safely passed Sporting CP, losing the first leg by two and winning the second on home court by six.

Group Phase results:(W - win, D - draw, L - loss)vs HBC Nantes W28:27 (18:13)@ IFK Kristianstad W26:23 (13:12)@ TATRAN Presov W31:29 (18:14)vs TATRAN Presov W37:31 (19:9)@ HBC Nantes L31:23 (15:10)vs FK Kristianstad 29:18 (16:9)

Top scorers:Zsolt Balogh (HUN) 49Jonas Erik Larholm (SWE) 39Jonas Källman (SWE) 24Niko Mindegia Elizaga (ESP) 21Gabor Ancsin (HUN) 18

GROUP C Final Table: 1. Pick Szeged 6 5 0 1 174:159 (15) 10 2. HBC Nantes 6 4 0 2 176:154 (22) 8 3. TATRAN Presov 6 2 0 4 181:198 (-17) 4 4. IFK Kristianstad 6 1 0 5 151:171 (-20) 2

Quarter-final resultsFirst leg: Sporting CP vs Pick Szeged 29:27 (11:12)Second leg: Pick Szeged vs Sporting CP 28:22 (16:10)

26

Team roster

Pick Szeged


19 Zsolt Balogh HUN Right Back 29.3.1989 189 96 49

10 Jonas Erik Larholm SWE Centre Back 3.6.1982 193 88 39

8 Jonas Källman SWE Left Wing 17.7.1981 200 100 24

5 Niko Mindegia Elizaga ESP Centre Back 19.7.1988 184 87 21

90 Gabor Ancsin HUN Right Back 27.11.1990 202 97 18

19 Nikola Prce BIH Left Back 1.8.1980 200 105 15

17 Szabolcs Zubai HUN Line Player 31.3.1984 191 86 15

18 Ferenc Ilyés HUN Left Back 20.12.1981 198 103 11

34 Marko Lasica MNE Right Wing 30.4.1988 188 80 11

7 Attila Vadkerti HUN Left Wing 22.2.1982 182 88 8

77 Vladimir Vranjes BIH Line Player 14.12.1988 200 107 6

6 Marinko Kekezovic HUN Left Wing 20.8.1985 187 80 5

51 Roberto Garcia Parrondo ESP Right Wing 12.1.1980 187 86 4

21 Alen Blazevic CRO Left Back 29.3.1986 200 110 1

11 Mate Gidai HUN Right Wing 18.1.1994 185 80 1

9 Mark Hegedüs HUN Line Player 14.9.1992 190 103 1

24 Jozsef Czina HUN Left Back 24.11.1980 196 106

16 Roland Mikler HUN Goalkeeper 20.9.1984 190 92

12 Peter Tatai HUN Goalkeeper 23.6.1983 195 98

27

Juan Carlos Pastor coachOne of the masterminds of contemporary handball Juan Carlos Pastor has won an incredible amount of silverware in his career. With BM Valladolid Pastor won the Spanish league and cup at home, a Cup Winners’ Cup, an EHF Cup, a City Cup

and a European Supercup at international level. He spent four years at the helm of the Spanish national team and led them to win the World Championship in Tunisia in 2005, finished runner-up at the 2006 European Championship and won bronze in the Beijing Olympics. Pastor is a household name in the world of handball, no wonder Pick 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 MKB-MVM Veszprém and the EHF Cup. Due to lack of time for preparation Szeged missed out on the VELUX EHF Champions League after being knocked out by Metalurg Skopje.

Jonas Larholmcentre back29-year-old versatile back court player, but best used as centre back. The Swedish 2012 Olympic silver medallist Larholm has turned out to be a reinforcement of the Szeged back court this season. He was the most important transfer of the

Hungarian runners-up before the start of this season, and he has played his considerable part in Szeged reaching the EHF Cup Finals.

Not only does he possess a large and versatile shooting repertoire. He is also good at making his teammates good with his passes and his ability to read the game. Larholm played two years at FC Barcelona before changing to Aalborg in Denmark, from where he joined Pick Szeged in last summer. His stay in Szeged will only be of a duration of one year, as it has turned out.

Next season he will return to Denmark and a three year contract with Team Tvis Holstebro who finished third in the 2012/13 edition of the EHF Cup and who are heading for European handball again next season.

Roland MiklergoalkeeperThe 2005 All-star goalkeeper of the junior world championship joined Pick Szeged in 2010 quickly establishing himself as both the team’s first choice goalkeeper and the future heir of Nándor Fazekas, the Hungarian national team’s goalkeeper. The

former Dunaferr player has developed to become one of the best goalkeepers in the game, Mikler showed his capacity to be a clutch player both for Pick Szeged and the national team. The 1.94 metre tall player is quick, compact and excellent at directing the famous Pick Szeged defence behind which he already gained name in the VELUX EHF Champions League last season when a lot of his brilliant saves made it to the selection of EHF’s top five saves. The 29 year old goalkeeper is one of Pick Szeged’s most important assets and will definitely play an essential role in the team’s EHF Cup campaign. As a teenager Mikler already reached the semi-final of the EHF Cup more than a decade ago, with Dunaferr in 2003.

Zsolt Baloghright backThe 25-year-old right back joined Pick Szeged from Braun Gyöngyös in 2012 and although the shooter was meant to be a second choice option for his position by 2014 he overtook Gábor Ancsin in the Pick roster. The Hungarian international is not as

tall as one would expect from a backcourt player but has outstanding dribbling skills and a sharp eye for passing, which makes him a useful part of Pick’s offense.

Zsolt Balogh came up with a steady performance in his first year but his second season was different as new coach Juan Carlos Pastor gave him more and more time to shine and Balogh grabbed his chance. As the right back became a key figure for the team, Pick offered him a new contract for 2+1 years.

Balogh moved to Szeged from the city of Gyöngyös in the north but he was no stranger to Szeged as his birthtown Orosháza is less then 60 km from it.

EC trophies: CWC 2009OG: B 2008, EURO: S 2006, WCh: G 2005

EC trophies: CL 2006, 2008, 2009OG: S 2012

Pick Szeged Profiles

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29

Montpellier Agglomeration HB

Club Address:Montpellier Agglomeration 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 hallPalais des Sports René Bougnol1000 Av. du Val de Montferrand34090 MontpellierFranceCapacity: 3,000

Kit coloursLightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: orange/light blue

DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: blue

Past achievements

VELUX EHF Champions LeagueWinners: 2002/03Semi-final: 2004/05Quarter-final: 2000/01, 2005/06, 2009/10, 2010/11Last 16: 1995/96, 2003/04, 2006/07, 2011/12Main Round: 2007/08, 2008/09Group Phase: 1998/99, 1999/00, 2012/13Qualification 2013/14

EHF CupQuarter-final: 1996/97Last 16: 1993/94, 1994/95Last 32: 1997/98

EHF Cup Winners’ CupQuarter-final: 2001/02

French champions: 14 timesFrench cup winners: 13 tmes

The 2003 EHF Champions League winners lived up to expectations as they cruised past the group phase in a very convincing fashion. They won all eight matches in the competition so far (six group phase games plus two qualifiers vs Kaustik) and only their group rivals Sporting CP scored more goals in the group phase (195 to Montpellier’s 192).

Both the Portuguese club and the Danish side Skjern put a good fight against the heavy favourites for the winners’ trophy, but still Montpellier maintained a perfect record. After FC Barcelona lost Arpad Sterbik due to a long-term injury, the French club agreed to help them out with their third goalkeeper Mickael Robin.

In the all-French quarter-final they recorded two more wins extending their winning streak against HBC Nantes to 14 games.

GROUP B Final Table:

1. Montpellier Agglomeration HB 6 6 0 0 192:147 (45) 12 2. Sporting CP 6 4 0 2 195:165 (30) 8 3. Skjern Handbold 6 2 0 4 156:158 (-2) 4 4. HC Zomimak-M 6 0 0 6 130:203 (-73) 0

Group Phase results:(W - win, D - draw, L - loss)vs HC Zomimak-M W41:22 (22:9)@ Sporting CP W30:27 (14:14)@ Skjern Handbold W23:26 (16:9)vs Skjern Handbold W27:25 (14:12)@ HC Zomimak-M W32:19 (17:11)vs Sporting CP W36:31 (19:13)

Top scorers:Dragan Gajic (SLO) 53Jure Dolenec (SLO) 37Diego Simonet (ESP) 32Mathieu Grebille (FRA) 31William Accambray (FRA) 20

Quarter-final resultsFirst leg: HBC Nantes vs Montpellier Agglomeration HB 25:26 (13:15)Second leg:Montpellier Agglomeration HB vs HBC Nantes 33:24 (17:9)

30

Team roster

Montpellier Agglomeration HB


30 Dragan Gajic SLO Right Wing 21.7.1984 190 83 53

11 Jure Dolenec SLO Right Back 6.12.1988 190 90 37

4 Diego Simonet ESP Centre Back 26.12.1989 189 86 32

10 Mathieu Grebille FRA Left Back 6.10.1991 198 94 31

7 William Accambray FRA Left Back 8.4.1988 194 104 20

22 Matej Gaber SLO Line Player 22.7.1991 198 110 15

6 Issam Tej FRA Line Player 29.7.1979 188 110 15

19 Antoine Gutfreund FRA Right Back 5.10.1992 196 90 12

23 Vid Kavticnik SLO Right Back 24.5.1984 190 85 11

25 Jean Loup Faustin FRA Left Back 23.3.1995 186 81 7

27 Ludovic Fabregas FRA Line Player 1.7.1996 190 80 6

14 Michael Guigou FRA Centre Back 28.1.1982 179 79 4

31 Arthur Anquetil FRA Left Wing 23.7.1995 175 70 3

20 Vincent Thouvenot FRA Left Back 30.5.1994 198 102 2

26 Allan Villeminot FRA Centre Back 24.5.1995 187 80 2

88 Wissem Hmam FRA Back 21.4.1981 197 104

16 Thierry Omeyer FRA Goalkeeper 2.11.1976 192 93 1

12 Kevin Mesnard FRA Goalkeeper 11.1.1993 192 86

91 Arnaud Siffert FRA Goalkeeper 6.12.1978 190 91

31

Montpellier Agglomeration HB ProfilesPatrice Canayercoach15 French championship titles, 14 cup victories, 15 participations in the VELUX EHF Champions League since 1995 including winning the title in 2003 – these are just some of the achievements of Montpellier coach Patrice Canayer.

In 1994 he started his coaching career and coached players like Nikola Karabatić, Thierry Omeyer, Jérôme Fernandez and Didier Dinart. Now Canayer’s 20th straight season on the Montpellier bench has begun. With a younger roster and not as many stars as in the past, he will be able to see how good he is at forming tomorrow’s stars. Having already won the French league cup this season, he really wants to win the EHF Cup, a competition he’s never taken part in before. A real team leader, few are the players who can say a bad word about him. In his active career the 52-year-old coach played for Bordeaux and Racing Paris.

William Accambrayleft backThe new star of Montpellier and the French national team. The powerful left back is one the most powerful shooters in Europe. He rose to prominence at the 2011 World Championship, where Accambray won his first international title. In 2012 he was one of the key players

responsible for the French Olympic gold medal in London.

As he was born to an athletic family with his father a high-level hammer thrower and his mother a discus thrower, it’s no surprise William is such a powerful player. Nearly two metres tall and over 100 kilos, he’s one of the continent’s strongest player and his shots from beyond the 9m line have devastating effects. But William is not only an arm, since he’s a very good defender as well. Coming back from the EHF EURO 2014, where he did not enjoy too much playing time, but still earned a gold medal, he’s really looking forward to playing against the best players on the continent for his first EHF Cup participation. He recently signed for PSG.

Thierry OmeyergoalkeeperHe is back in the club where he won his first CL title. After playing six years in Montpellier, he then left to Kiel where he played for seven seasons.

Keen to finish his career in his native country, he decided to head back to

Montpellier last summer, meeting again with one of the coaches who made him what he is today, Patrice Canayer. Omeyer came back to Montpellier with the firm intention to add some more titles to his already impressive record of four CL titles, two Olympic gold medals, three EHF EURO golds, including one (in 2006) where he was elected best goalkeeper of the competition.

At 36, he is a goalkeeper who can change a game. All the experience he gained in Germany make him one of the goalkeepers that many players fear. He has got one special ambition this year in the EHF Cup, because it is a title he has never won before and would undoubtedly like to add a new trophy to his collection. From 2014/15 he will play for PSG.

Dragan Gajic right wingThe Slovenian is a counter-attacking expert. The right wing is fast as light and extremely self-assured in front of goal. He’s a penalty specialist (he scored 28 in a row this season without missing one in the French league), but he’s got a wide range of shots as well,

being able to score from almost impossible angles.

In France, Gajic is for now the best scorer of the league, having put the ball over a hundred times into the net in only half of the season. Arrived in 2011 in France after playing for Celje, Zagreb and Maribor, he’s very useful to the staff since he helps new Slovenian players settle in the team, like Matej Gaber and Jure Dolenec this season.

At only 29, he’s now become one of the best right winger on the planet, feared by all goalkeepers and wanted by some of the biggest clubs. But for now, he’s happy in Montpellier, and he shows that on the court.

EC trophies: CL 2003

OG: G 2012, EURO: G 2014, WCh: G 2011

OG: G 2008, G 2012, EURO: G 2006, G 2010, G 2014, B 2008, WCh: G 2001, G 2009, G 2011, B 2003, B 2005EC trophies: CL 2003, 2007, 2010, 2012, IHF Super Globe 2011

32

HCM Constanta

Club Address:HCM Constantastr. Mircea cel Batran no 99B, e900726 ConstantaRomania

Media contact:Ali Nurhan+40 724 [email protected]

Online information:www.hcmct.roFacebook: HCM-Constanta-Officiel

Playing hallSala Sporturilor Constanta B.dul Tomis Nr. 104-106 ConstantaRomaniaCapacity: 2,994

Kit coloursLightPlayer shirt: whitePlayer short: whiteGoalkeeper shirt: blue/red/green

DarkPlayer shirt: bluePlayer short: blueGoalkeeper shirt: blue

Past achievements

VELUX EHF Champions LeagueLast 16: 2009/10Group Phase: 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13Qualification: 2013/14

EHF Cup Winners’ CupSemi-final: 2005/06Quarter-final: 2006/07, 2008/09Round 4: 2002/03

Challenge CupSemi-final: 2003/2004Round 4: 2000/01

Romanian champions: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Romanian cup winners: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013

After a failure in the VELUX EHF Champions League qualification in Porto the Romanian champions quickly refocused to the EHF Cup and it was not an easy task having the EHF Cup Finals hosts and Chambery as another traditional EHF Champions League club in the group.

After four rounds they had only four points and they were trailing both at Hlohovec and at home vs Chambery in their lost matches a few minutes before the end. But in both cases they had a great finish as they successfully claimed the last quarter-final ticket. They went on in a perfect fashion in the quarter-final as they basically decided the tie with Lugi already in the first leg at home, winning by 10 goals.

GROUP B Final Table: 1. Füchse Berlin 6 4 2 0 181:164 (17) 10 2. HCM Constanta 6 3 2 1 173:160 (13) 8 3. Chambery Savoie Handball 6 2 2 2 162:158 (4) 6 4. HC Sporta Hlohovec 6 0 0 6 147:181 (-34) 0

Group Phase results:(W - win, D - draw, L - loss)vs HC Sporta Hlohovec W31:22 (17:12)@ Chambery Savoie Handball D29:29 (14:14)vs Füchse Berlin D31:31 (16:16)@ Füchse Berlin L28:26 (12:11)@ HC Sporta Hlohovec W27:25 (12:15)vs Chambery Savoie Handball W29:25 (15:14)

Quarter-final resultsFirst leg: HCM Constanta vs Lugi HF 31:21 (15:10)Second leg: Lugi HF vs HCM Constanta 34:28 (14:13)

Top scorers:Alexander Viorel Simicu (ROU) 55Laurentiu Mihai Toma (ROU) 39Iuliu Alexandru Csepreghi (ROU) 36George Ionut Buricea (ROU) 21Bogdan Andrei Criciotoiu (ROU) 20

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Team roster

HCM Constanta


7 Alexandru Viorel Simicu ROU Left Back 8.10.1988 202 96 55

14 Laurentiu Mihai Toma ROU Right Wing 28.6.1981 194 90 39

28 Iuliu Alexandru Csepreghi ROU Left Back 28.3.1987 195 100 36

77 George Ionut Buricea ROU Left Wing 1.8.1979 179 80 21

90 Bogdan Andrei Criciotoiu ROU Right Back 13.3.1990 196 105 20

3 Marius Ioan Novanc ROU Line Player 8.11.1980 194 103 15

15 Marius Sadoveac ROU Right Wing 7.5.1985 193 88 14

18 Branislav Angelovski MKD Centre Back 21.2.1977 192 85 9

55 Albert Georgian Cristescu ROU Line Player 30.5.1992 194 97 7

17 Dalibor Cutura SRB Centre Back 14.6.1975 190 91 7

11 Marius Stavrositu ROU Centre Back 3.9.1980 182 80 7

30 Bogdan Vasilie Soldanescu ROU Line Player 30.1.1985 193 108 1

24 Ramon Alin Somlea ROU Centre Back 20.2.1994 83 191 1

22 Aleksandar Adzic MNE Left Back 18.9.1975 192 103

13 Predrag Vujadinovic SRB Left Wing 12.7.1983 186 86

16 Mihai Catalin Popescu ROU Goalkeeper 15.3.1985 190 100

1 Ionut Rudi Stanescu ROU Goalkeeper 14.8.1979 196 103

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Zvonko ŠundovskicoachŠundovski (46) has attracted huge interest from European clubs after leading FYR Macedonia’s national team to the 5th place in the EHF EURO 2012. Several German clubs wanted to sign him in 2012 after the best performance of his career, but

he chose Constanța, as he wanted to coach a VELUX EHF Champions League team.

At first, he had both communication and tactical problems, as he didn’t know Romanian and needed to change the team’s approach to the game. But after a difficult season and an early exit from this year’s Champions League, Constanța has made a serious improvement. Šundovski describes himself as a perfectionist and he thinks the key for success is drinking two-three cups of espresso every morning. The Macedonian coach says his happiest memory is placing 5th with the national team in the EHF EURO 2012, after which 100,000 Macedonians came to the streets of Skopje to celebrate the achievement.

Alexandru Csepreghileft backCsepreghi’s ascension, highlighted by playing his first game in the national team as a 19-year-old Minaur Baia Mare player, has been marred by recurring knee injuries, which crippled his minutes in Constanța’s shirt and his progress as a player. However, the

26-year-old left back, who has a cannon for an arm, is back in business, after he had a successful operation on his knee in April 2013.

He has been in superb form for the “sailors” this season, scoring 10 goals in the qualification round against Danish side Mors-Thy. Csepreghi loves tattoos and he has put the story of his life on his left hand: a portrait of his grandparents, a rose, two clowns and a cross, the latter which was tattoed in the memory of Zoran Kurteș, Constanța’s ex-coach, who died in 2010. Another interesting fact from his life is that the priest who officiated Csepreghi’s wedding was a former teammate from Minaur Baia Mare.

Mihai PopescugoalkeeperIf you say HCM Constanța, you could say definitely think of Mihai Popescu. The 28-year-old goalkeeper’s career is a perfect mirror for the Romanian champions. The excellent goalkeeper helped them secure seven national titles in the last ten years.

His connections with handball have started since he was a toddler. But his first contact with the ball was painful! While cheering for his father – an ex-goalkeeper – behind the posts, Mihai, then only a 5-year-old kid- was hit in his face. He started handball playing as a right-back, but his father asked Mihai’s youth coach to put him between the posts. He never looked back and became Romania’s top goalkeeper. Popescu, who was awarded the ”Romanian handball player of the year” in 2010, 2011 and 2012, has also a strong goal appetite, scoring two goals in the 2008/09 edition of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

Alexandru Șimicu left backBorn in Timișoara, Șimicu’s imposing physique has recommended him straight away for handball. He has started playing as a 12-year old at the local high-school and was immediately scouted by the local club, Politehnica Timișoara.

In 2011, he signed for HCM Constanța, winning two championships, two Romanian Cups and one Romanian Supercup with the ”sailors”. The 25-year-old left back, who can also play as a center back, has been named the ”Romanian handball player of the year” in 2013. A great defender, who has both skill and huge size (2,00 m), Șimicu is considered one of the cornerstones for the new Romanian national team. He started to ply his trade also in attack, where he is a constant threat, with a powerful and precise shot.

HCM Constanta Profiles

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