MEDIA INFORMATION. Women s EHF Champions League. 2017/18 Qualification

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1 MEDIA INFORMATION Women s EHF Champions League 2017/18 Qualification

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3 Table of contents Foreword Media contacts Map of participating clubs Playing system diagrams - stages and dates Seeding for the qualification and group matches Important regulations GROUP 1 Preview Vipers Kristiansand HC Podravka Vegeta Kastamonu Belediyesi HC Gomel GROUP 2 Preview Thüringer HC H 65 Höörs HK Hypo Niederösterreich Mecalia Atletico Guardes 2016/17 top scorers Past winners All-time club standings

4 Foreword Dear handball friends, Welcome to a new season in the Women s EHF Champions League. Four months after Györi Audi ETO KC clinched their third title in five years in Budapest after beating Vardar in a thrilling final, we are ready to witness how a new handball fairy tale starts to unravel. As we enter the 25 th season of the competition, eight matches in two qualification tournaments will determine which two teams will earn the remaining berths in the 2017/18 group matches. The tournaments will take place in two major countries in women s handball and I am sure we can look forward to large crowds in the Norwegian city of Kristiansand and Nordhausen, Germany. What makes this year s qualification also exciting is the fact that we have two former EHF Champions League winners eyeing the return to the European top flight and remain in the race for the Women s EHF FINAL4 on 12/13 May Record four-time champions Hypo Niederösterreich and 1996 winners HC Podravka Vegeta found themselves fighting for their spots in the group matches and undoubtedly will do their best to bring back their glory days in this competition. Their mission is clear, but not at all easy as they face formidable adversaries. Podravka will have expectations to live up to in Group 1, where the Norwegian runners-up and tournament s organisers Vipers Kristiansand are amongst their fiercest opponents. While Croatian champions take on Turkish title holders Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK in the semifinal, Vipers will make their debut at this level against the champions of Belarus HC Gomel. A difficult route also awaits Hypo. Even if they overcome last season s Challenge Cup finalists H65 Höörs HK in the semi-final, they may have to outrun German runners-up and Group 2 hosts from Thüringer HC, who are favourites to reach the tournament s final at the expense of Spanish newcomers Mecalia Atletico Guardes. In the group matches Buducnost, Metz and Bietigheim await the winner of Group 1 from Kristiansand, while the winner of Group 2 in Nordhausen will join Vardar, Larvik and Ferencvaros. There are eight exciting matches ahead in this qualification phase and I wish all teams the very best of luck. We pride ourselves on our positive and cooperative relationship with the press and media and I am sure this will continue and develop in the future. Should you require any information, help or assistance during the course of the season, your first point of contact is the EHF Media and Communications Department based in our office in Vienna. They will be more than happy to assist you with any questions you might have. We look forward to working with you in the upcoming season! Michael Wiederer EHF President 4

5 Media contacts EHF/M media contacts Media matters Vlado Brindzak Media and Communications European Handball Federation brindzak@eurohandball.com TV and Radio Miguel Mateo Marcellan Media Manager EHF Marketing GmbH mateo@ehfmarketing.com Clubs media contacts GROUP 1 GROUP 2 Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) Terje Marcussen terje@vipers.no HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) Bozica Palcic bozica.palcic@rk-podravka.hr Thüringer HC (GER) Bernd Hohnstein hohnstein@thueringer-hc.de H 65 Höörs HK (SWE) David Karlsson david@hafam.se Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT) Kati Kovacs info@hypo-noe.at Mecalia Atletico Guardes (ESP) Nuria Lago Rodriguez prensa@ balonmanatleticoguardes.com Kastamonu Belediyesi (TUR) Ahmet Cevher ahmet_cevher@hotmail.com HC Gomel (BLR) Yulia Mitrahovich mitrahovitch2009@yandex.ru 5

6 WOMEN S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Season 2017/18 Qualification teams Larvik HK, NOR Group matches teams Vipers Kristiansand, NOR Nykobing FH, DEN FC Midtjylland, DEN Thüringer HC, GER SG BBM Bietigheim, GER Brest Bretagne HB, FRA Metz Handball, FRA BM Atletico Guardes, ESP Hypo Niederösterreich, AUT RK Krim Mercator, SLO 6 HC Podravka Vegeta, CRO

7 Vistal Gdynia, POL Höörs HK H65, SWE Györi Audi ETO KC, HUN HC Gomel BLR Rostov-Don, RUS WOMEN S EHF FINAL4 Host City Budapest, HUN CSM Bucuresti, ROU Kastamonu Belediyesi, TUR Buducnost, MNE 7 HC Vardar, MKD FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, HUN

8 Women s EHF Champions League 2017/18 playing system Qualification Group Matches Main Round Quarter-finals FINAL4 4 vs. 1 3 vs. 2 Semi-finals vs. vs. vs. vs. 3 rd Place Match vs. Home matches 3 Total matches Final vs. Season 2017/18 playing dates Qualification Group Matches Main Round (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Quarter-finals FINAL4 first leg 11./ second leg

9 Women s EHF Champions league 2017/18 WOMEN'S EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2017/18 DRAWS: Qualification Tournaments 2Tournaments Group Matches 4 groups with 4 teams Main Round 2 groups with 6 teams Quarterfinals 8 teams FINAL4 4 teams (1) (1) (2) (2) / tournaments (3) (3) first leg tournament played in semi finals (4) (4) played in and finals (5) (5) semi finals and in one venue (6) (6) second leg finals 29 June 2017 in Vienna/AUT 1 HUN 1 Györi Audi ETO KC 2 MNE 1 Buducnost 3 MKD 1 HC Vardar 4 ROU 1 CSM Bucuresti 5 NOR 1 Larvik 6 RUS 1 Rostov-Don 7 DEN 1 Nyköbing Falster HB 8 FRA 1 Metz Handball 9 GER 1 SG BBM Bietigheim 10 SLO 1 RK Krim Mercator 11 HUN 2 FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria 12 DEN 2 FC Midtjylland 13 POL 1 Vistal Gdynia 14 FRA 2 Brest Bretagne HB 15 NOR 2 Vipers Kristiansand 16 GER 2 Thüringer HC 17 SWE 1 H 65 Höörs HK 18 CRO 1 HC Podravka Vegeta 19 AUT 1 Hypo Niederösterreich 20 TUR 1 Kastamonu Belediyesi 21 BLR 1 HC Gomel 22 ESP 1 Mecalia Atletico Guardes 30 June 2017 in Ljubljana/SLO Winners of the 2 Qualification tournaments no draw no draw st, 2nd and 3rd placed team from each group 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed team of the WOMEN'S EHF Champions League Main Round 4 Winners of WOMEN'S EHF Champions League Quarterfinals 2 groups with 4 teams 4th placed teams of CL Qualification Tournaments go to EHF Cup Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed teams of CL Qualification Tornaments go to EHF Cup Rd 3

10 Important regulations SCORING OF MATCHES AND RANKING GENERAL All matches of the Women s EHF Champions League shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes with a halftime break of 10 minutes. The EHF reserves the right to extend the half-time break in special circumstances to 15 minutes. QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENTS If a semi-final match or the final (place 1/2) ends in a draw, there will be a five-minute break followed by one extra-time of 2x5 minutes, there will be a one-minute half-time break at the half-time for the changeover of teams. If the placement match (place 3/4) ends in a draw, there shall be no extra-time, the match will be decided directly by penalty throws. In the semifinals and/or final (place 1/2), if there is no winner after the extra-time, the match will be decided by penalty throws. RULES FOR EXECUTION OF PENALTY THROWS - Prior to penalty throwing, 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 play as goalkeepers. - The referees shall choose the goal at which throws are 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. - If scores are equal after the first round of penalty throwing, 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 who have not been disqualified or suspended at the time of the final whistle. - Serious infractions committed during penalty throwing shall be sanctioned by disqualification. If a thrower is disqualified or suffers an injury, an eligible substitute player shall be named supplementary. - 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 area. - If the number of eligible players falls below five, players may be named to take a second throw in the same round. 10

11 Qualification Tournament 1 Qualification Tournament 1 Vipers Kristiansand (NOR) HC Gomel (BLR) HC Podravka Vegeta (CRO) Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK (TUR) Group D Buducnost (MNE) Metz Handball (FRA) SG BBM Bietigheim (GER) Winner QT 1 2 nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3 rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 Playing hall Aquarama Kristiansand 4 th ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Winner of Qualification Round 1: Super Amara Bera Bera (ESP) vs Colegio de Gaia (POR) Tangen Kristiansand Norway Capacity: 2,200 Match schedule (all times local) Saturday, 9 September 2017: Semi-finals Head-to-head stats in European Cup competitions No previous encounters 1 17:00 hrs Vipers Kristiansand vs HC Gomel 2 19:30 hrs HC Podravka Vegeta vs Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK Sunday, 10 September 2017: 3rd place match 16:00 hrs Loser semi-final 1 vs loser semi-final 2 Final 18:30 hrs Winner semi-final 1 vs winner semi-final 2 Preview: One former champion and three newcomers One team with proud Women s EHF Champions League traditions and three hopeful newcomers form qualification Group 1, who vie for one place in the group matches this weekend in Kristiansand, southern Norway. HC Podravka Vegeta won the Champions League in 1996 after their second final in a row. The other three participants in the tournament in Kristiansand Aquarama Vipers Kristiansand, HC Gomel and Kastamonu Belediyesi GSK have never played the group matches. After being reunited at Vipers, twin sisters Katrine Lunde and Kristine Lunde Borgesen are playing in the same club team for the first time in seven years HC Podravka Vegeta won the Champions League in 1996, but since the 2008/09 season, have not made it further than the group matches HC Gomel were also in the qualifiers last season, but did not make it to the group matches HC Kastamonu Belediyesi and Vipers are completely new to the Champions League While Gomel had an unsuccessful attempt in the Champions League qualifiers last season, Vipers are debutants in the competition. So far, the Norwegian team s European experience is limited to the Cup Winners Cup and EHF Cup, but after being reinforced considerably ahead of this season, the hosts enter the qualification matches with confidence and optimism. After being reunited at Vipers, the twin sisters are playing in the same club for the first time in seven years. Podravka have the proudest European traditions of the two teams who meet in the later game in Kristiansand on Saturday. Champions League winners in 1996 and participants in the final the year before; winners of the Champions Trophy in 1996; finalists of the EHF Cup twice and once finalists in the Cup Winners Cup this is the Croatian champions record. All those achievements were long ago, but head coach of the current Podravka team, Snjezana Petika, is confident before going to Norway. 11

12 Vipers Kristiansand GROUP 1 Vipers Kristiansand On 29 March 2017 they made history in the Grundigligaen, the Norwegian women s league. Since 18 April 2001 Larvik haven t lost a single match in the Norwegian league but on that Wednesday in March Kristiansand won on Larvik s home ground 32:30. Club Address Vipers Kristiansand Tangen Kristiansand Norway Media contact Terje Marcussen terje@vipers.no The two teams faced each other again in the finals of the play-offs. While Kristiansand won the first leg on home ground 31:30, Larvik won the second leg 26:20 and became 2016/17 Norwegian champions. In the new season, however, their squad is bound to get some boost. Just one name for all - the Norwegian veteran goalkeeper Katrine Lunde has returned home from Rostov-Don and her Champions League experience will be invaluable for the competition s newcomers. Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: blue Dark Player shirt: pink Player short: black GK shirt: black Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Other Cup Winners Cup: quarter-finals 2015/16 EHF Cup: semi-finals 2003/04, Last /05 Playing hall Aquarama Kristiansand Tangen Kristiansand Norway Capacity: 2,200 Norwegian league: - (runners-up 2016/17) Norwegian cup: - (runners-up 2010) 12

13 Vipers Kristiansand EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/

14 Vipers Kristiansand Kenneth Gabrielsen coach coach of Norway s junior team besides being in charge of Vipers was with Glassverket ever since he took them to the promotion into the Norwegian league in the 2011/2012 season, but left for Vipers in the summer of 2016 awarded Coach of the Year for the 2014/15 season by the players of the Norwegian league. in his playing days, he represented Sandefjord TIF in the Norwegian league and in the EHF Cup 14

15 Vipers Kristiansand Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 3 Emilie Hegh Arntzen NOR Back 01/01/1994 Skien, NOR Karine Emilie Dahlum NOR Right Wing 16/12/1999 Kristiansand, NOR Eline Fagerheim NOR Goalkeeper 19/06/1998 Gjøvik, NOR Sakura Hauge NOR Goalkeeper 07/01/1987 Bergen, NOR Lina Marie Jensen NOR Back 15/03/1996 Stavanger, NOR Vilde Jonassen NOR Left Wing 01/09/1992 Kristiansand, NOR Mathilde Kristensen DEN Line Player 07/04/1993 Viborg, DEN Jeanett Kristiansen NOR Left Back 24/12/1992 Stavanger, NOR Malin Larsen Aune NOR Right Wing 04/03/1995 Ranheim, NOR Kristine Lunde Borgesen NOR Centre Back 30/03/1980 Kristiansand, NOR Katrine Lunde NOR Goalkeeper 30/03/1980 Kristiansand, NOR Sunniva Naes Andersen NOR Left Wing 12/11/1996 Skien, NOR Kristin Noersteboe NOR Right Back 09/09/1990 Bærum, NOR Karoline Olsen NOR Left Wing 16/06/1998 Kristiansand, NOR Tonje Refsnes NOR Right Back 13/11/1994 Kristiansand, NOR Kari Skaar Brattset NOR Line Player 15/02/1991 Fredrikstad, NOR Pernille Wang Skaug NOR Right Wing 29/01/1992 Halden, NOR Linn Jorum Sulland NOR Right Back 15/07/1984 Oslo, NOR Marta Tomac NOR Centre Back 20/09/1990 Trondheim, NOR

16 Thüringer HC Katrine Lunde goalkeeper one of the best goalkeepers in the world who has a big collection of major trophies won both with clubs and the Norwegian national team her move to Rostov-Don after five years at Hungary s Györ was one of the biggest transfer events in Europe in summer 2015; joined Vipers in the summer of 2017 reunites with her twin sister Kristine Lunde EC Trophies: CL 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, EHF Cup 2017 OG: G 2008, 2012, B 2016, EURO: G 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, S 2002, 2012 WCh: G 2011, S 2007, B 2009 Karoline Olsen left wing played with Vipers all her senior career, starting to train with the team at age 16 originally a back court player, but is expected to mainly being used on the left wing this season mainly plays left wing in the Norwegian U19 team, with whom she starred at the Women s EURO 19 this summer despite only being 19 years old, she has already been an integrated part of the Vipers team for the past two seasons, including the EHF Cup last season Emilie Hegh Arntzen left back joined Vipers from league rivals Byasen ahead of this season daughter of former Norwegian international Hanne Hegh and former assistant coach of Norway s female national team Ketil Arntzen started playing handball at age eight and started her senior career in Gjerpen, with whom she was promoted into the Norwegian top flight OG: B 2016, EURO: G 2014, 2016 Marta Tomac centre back joined Vipers from league rivals Byasen in 2015; played for Danish side SK Aarhus in 2010/11 born in Zagreb, Croatia, and represented Croatia before playing for Norway has played 33 internationals for Norway good at both ends of the court, and her ability to read the game, as well as her eye for her teammates in the attack, make her a dangerous opponent EURO: G 2016, WCh: G

17 Thüringer HC Jeanett Kristiansen left wing after two stints with Glassverket and one year in Larvik joined Vipers in 2016 from a real handball family, her older sister Veronica playing for Danish CL side FC Midtjylland and another sister, Charlotte also playing handball played in the left wing position in Larvik, but in Glassverket, coach Kenneth Gabrielsen makes use of her on the left back Kari Brattset line player joined Vipers together with the coach Gabrielsen and Jeanett Kristiansen in the summer of 2016 after two seasons in Glassverket, where she came from Fredrikstad with her height easy to find for her back court players has played two internationals for Norway so far the upcoming qualification matches for the CL will be her European debut at club Linn Jørum Sulland right back arrived in Vipers in the summer of 2016 after stops at Stabæk, Larvik and Györ in 2005/06 the best player of the domestic league and also was the top scorer reached the 500-goal plateau in the national team top scorer of the European Beach Handball Championship in 2007 EC trophies: CL 2011 OG: G 2012, WCh: G 2011, 2015, S 2007, EURO: G 2008, 2010, S 2012 Malin Aune right wing joined Vipers from Oppsal this summer has played 21 senior internationals and 80 youth internationals for Norway her greatest triumph so far was being part of the Norwegian side who won the EHF EURO 2016 may only be 165cm tall, but her speed, technical skills and willpower sufficiently compensate EURO: G

18 HC Podravka Vegeta GROUP 1 HC Podravka Vegeta In one of the most tightly-contested finishes the Croatian league has seen, Podravka defended their title though they relied on goal difference to do it. After suffering a heavy 17:10 defeat in the ultimate round against Lokomotiva Zagreb, which put their title credentials under question, Podravka s celebrations were kept at minimum. Club address: HC Podravka Vegeta Zeljka Selingera 3A Koprivnica Croatia Media contact: Bozica Palcic bozica.palcic@rk-podravka.hr RkPodravka The unexpected defeat was not met with approval, and as a result, coach Dragan Mrdjen resigned his post after lifting six trophies in four years with the club. Nevertheless, Podravka celebrated their record 23rd title, and will continue their Women s EHF Champions League ambitions in the new season. They will start the season with a former sharpshooter of the European top flight at the helm as Snezana Petika took over the position in June. In the 1995/96 season Petika steered her team to their only title in the EHF Champions League as the top scorer of the whole competition. Kit colours Light Player shirt: red/white Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: fuchsia/ white Dark Player shirt: blue Player short: blue/black Goalkeeper shirt: black Playing hall Sport Hall Fran Galović Zeljka Selingera bb Koprivnica Croatia Capacity: 2,500 Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 24 Winners (1): 1995/96 Runners-up (1): 1994/95 Semi-finals (1): 1997/98 Quarter-finals (1): 1996/97 Main Round (3): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2008/09 Group Matches/Champions League (13): 1993/94, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2002/03, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (3): 2003/04, 2005/06, 2016/17 Other Champions Trophy: Winners 1995/96 Cup Winners Cup: Runners-up 2004/05, Semi-finals 2007/08 EHF Cup: Runners-up 2000/01, 2005/06 Croatian league: 23 titles Croatian cup: 22 titles 18

19 HC Podravka Vegeta EHF Champions League club records MATCHES Longest winning run GOALS Most goals GOALS Most goals both teams Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams 35:20 (21:9) v GAS Anagennisi Artas GRE (h), :35 (10:16) v WHC Vardar SCBT MKD (h), matches ( ) 6 matches ( ) 12 matches ( ) 16 matches ( ) 41 v Zvezda RUS 41:28W (h), v Györi Audi ETO HUN 33:40W (h), v Györi Audi ETO HUN 33:40W (h), v HYPO Niederösterreich AUT 17:13L (a), v Hypo Niederösterreich AUT 17:14W (h), v HYPO Niederösterreich AUT 17:13L (a), Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/ /94 Podravka Koprivnica CRO : :8 4th Gr. A 1994/95 Podravka Koprivnica CRO : :6 Runner-up 1995/96 Podravka Koprivnica CRO : :4 Winner 1996/97 Podravka Koprivnica CRO : :5 1/4-finals 1997/98 Podravka Koprivnica CRO : :6 1/2-finals 1998/99 Podravka Koprivnica CRO : :6 3rd Gr. A 1999/00 Podravka Dolcela CRO : :6 3rd Gr. D 2002/03 Podravka Vegeta Koprivnica CRO : :7 3rd Gr. A 2006/07 Podravka Vegeta Koprivnica CRO : :8 3rd Gr. C 2007/08 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :8 3rd Gr. A 2008/09 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :12 3rd MR Gr /10 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :8 4th Gr. A 2010/11 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :10 4th Gr. D 2011/12 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :8 4th Gr. B 2012/13 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :6 3rd Gr. B 2013/14 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :10 3rd Gr. D 2014/15 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :12 4th Gr. B 2015/16 HC Podravka Vegeta CRO : :11 4th Gr. B Total : :

20 HC Podravka Vegeta Snjezana Petika coach legend of Podravka Vegeta for who she played 89 matches and scored 571 goals in the CL and Champions trophy used to coach youth teams in the club and even her daughter Tena and U-17 national team as a coach won multiple titles in Croatian championship with youth teams of Podravka voted seven times as a best female handball player in Croatia best scorer of the CL in 1994/95 and 1995/96 season when Podravka won CL title EC trophies: CL

21 HC Podravka Vegeta Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 31 Ana Debelic CRO Line Player 09/01/1994 Rijeka, CRO Ivana Dezic CRO Right Back 27/07/1994 Varazdin, CRO Dragica Dzono CRO Line Player 24/05/1987 Mostar, BIH Magdalena Ecimovic CRO Goalkeeper 24/07/1998 Split, CRO Lea Franusic CRO Right Back 07/09/2000 Dubrovnik, CRO Antonia Jukic CRO Goalkeeper 09/05/1992 Split, CRO Ivana Kapitanovic CRO Goalkeeper 17/09/1994 Split, CRO Korina Karlovcan CRO Left Wing 18/10/1998 Zagreb, CRO Dora Krsnik CRO Centre Back 19/01/1992 Zagreb, CRO Ivona Mrden CRO Centre Back 29/12/1998 Zagreb, CRO Ekatarina Nemaskalo CRO Left Wing 31/07/1989 Brovari, UKR Iva Papac CRO Left Back 21/11/1998 Zagreb, CRO Lara Pavlovic CRO Right Wing 14/12/1998 Koprivnica, CRO Tena Petika CRO Left Back 16/06/2000 Koprivnica, CRO Klara Petricevic CRO Left Wing 04/09/2000 Koprivnica, CRO Elena Popovic CRO Line Player 29/05/2000 Koprivnica, CRO Ana Toth CRO Left Back 31/08/1988 Zagreb, CRO Ana Turk CRO Right Wing 29/06/1989 Jakarta, IDN Marijeta Vidak CRO Left Back 14/08/1992 Virovitica, CRO

22 HC Podravka Vegeta Ivana Kapitanovic goalkeeper one of the best goalkeeper in the Croatian Championship in 2015/16 with almost 40% of saved shots came to Podravka from Kaštela near Split when she was 13 years old her ultimate sports goal is to win the Champions League and Olympic games the 2017/18 season is her 8th season in the CL with only 23 years of age first choice between the posts of Podravka Vegeta and Croatian national team Ekaterina Nemaskalo left wing her mother Elena was a star left wing playing for the USSR coached by her mother when she played for Sesvete suffered two tough knee injuries, which have slowed her development a little member of Croatia national team and one of the most experienced in Podravka Ana Toth left back newest member of Podravka Vegeta; came from Trešnjevka started playing in Lokomotiva; also played for Sesvete, Alcoa Szekesfehervar, Trešnjevka, CSM Ploiesti while playing in Trešnjevka she coached girls born and 2004 played for all youth and junior national teams and occasionally for seniors wanted to end her career in Trešnjevka and start a coaching career, but she says she could not say no to Podravka Dora Krsnik back the 2017/18 season will be her 4th season in CL but also has experience of playing European cups with her former club Lokomotiva Zagreb versatile player who can cover all back positions but also can turn into a line player when needed played for RK Gorica, RK Trešnjevka, RK Lokomotiva Zagreb, RK Zelina member of all junior and youth national team selections and now member of senior national team 22

23 HC Podravka Vegeta Dragica Dzono line player first choice on the line and mentor for younger Podravka line players very important in defence due to her height and great defensive skills Podravka brought her after Vesna Milanovic-Litre left Koprivnica won several caps for the Croatia national team Ana Debelic line player came to Podravka Vegeta last year from their biggest rivals Lokomotiva Zagreb used to play for Zamet, Zelina and Lokomotiva was member of youth and junior national teams; now member of senior national team very passionate player with great defensive and offensive skills Ivana Dezic right back top scorer of Croatian Championship in 2014/2015 with Koka Varazdin, 150 goals from 24 matches member of all junior and youth national team selections 1st time in senior national team for WCh Denmark 2015 qualification against Sweden her first ever senior transfer was from Koka (Varazdin) to Podravka Vegeta (Koprivnica) Ana Turk (Niksic) right wing born in Jakarta, Indonesia replaced Golubic and Gace, who left the club in the last few years at the beginning of her career, she played for Podravka s biggest rivals, Lokomotiva Zagreb also gained experience in Hungary, playing in Szekesfehervar and Vac coming back to handball after she missed last season due to pregnancy 23

24 Kastamonu Belediyesi GROUP 1 Kastamonu Belediyesi One year after playing the Challenge Cup Final, Kastamonu GSK won their first ever national championship title. With coach Hakan Günal at the helm of this small town s team, the turning point of the season came when Kastamonu defeated Izmir BSB GSK with a buzzer-beating goal. Club address: Kastamonu B. Genclik SK Aktekke mahallesi barbaros cadde Kastamonu, Turkey Media contact: Ahmet Cevher ahmet_cevher@hotmail.com Yenimahalle who were favourites to win the 2016/17 trophy and Kastamonu defeated each other once and each lost one game to unexpected rivals, but they were otherwise unbeaten with 48 points at the end of the season. Kastamonu s decisive victory came from the Youth league. According to newly-implemented rules, adult teams are awarded 10 per cent of their youth team s points. Therefore, Yenimahalle received 1.2 and Kastamonu collected 1.5. Kastamonu won the title with a difference of 0.3 points. Kit colours Light Player shirt: white-red-black Player short: white-red-black Goalkeeper shirt: black-blueyellow Dark Player shirt: black Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: black-blueyellow Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Other EHF Cup: 2003/04 Round 2 Challenge Cup: runners-up 2015/16, Round /10 Playing hall THF Spor Complex Yildizevler Hilal Mah. Holanda Cad. No Cankaya/Ankara Turkey Capacity: 2,090 Turkish league: 1 title (2017) Turkish cup: - 24

25 Kastamonu Belediyesi EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/

26 Kastamonu Belediyesi Hakan Günal coach respected by the Turkish handball community both as a well-known club and national team player in the 1980s and 1990s and as a coach before Kastamonu, he led Amasya Taşova YIBO, a very young team, to EC and became a real rival for the traditionally-strong Besiktas assistant coach at Ankara İl Özel İdare SK where he coached Yunus Özmusul and Can Çelebi, long-term players of the Turkish national team has won four women s Super League titles, two women s Turkish Cup titles and silver and bronze medals in Turkish men s Super League 26

27 Kastamonu Belediyesi Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 10 Elif Sila Aydin TUR Back 11/04/1996 Ankara, TUR Patricia Batista BRA Right Back 08/04/1992 Sao Paulo, BRA Kristina Elez CRO Left Back 22/05/1987 Split, CRO Elaine Gomes BRA Line Player 01/06/1992 fortezela, BRA Yasemin Güler TUR Right Wing 10/04/1994 Konak, TUR Serpil Iskenderoglu TUR Centre Back 15/07/1982 Istanbul, TUR Katarzyna Kolodziejska POL Right Wing 10/01/1985 Elblag, POL Nataliya Kotsina BLR Left Wing 07/09/1991 Grodno, BLR Esma Muratovic MNE Centre Back 24/01/1996 Podgorica, MNE Ljubica Nenezic MNE Goalkeeper 15/01/1997 Podgorica, MNE Anca Mihaela Rombescu ROU Goalkeeper 15/09/1985 Drobeta-Turnu S., ROU Andrea Seric CRO Line Player 03/08/1985 Split, CRO Anastasia Sinitsyna RUS Left Back 03/09/1983 Rostov, RUS Yeliz Yilmaz TUR Right Back 19/08/1980 Istanbul, TUR

28 Kastamonu Belediyesi Ljubica Nenezic goalkeeper 20-year-old Montenegrin goalkeeper who is the successor not only at Kastamonu of her countrywoman and idol Sonja Barjaktarovic, but in the Montenegro national team too played for WHC Danilovgrad, the feeder team of Buducnost, and was runner-up in the Montenegrin league in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons reached the Women s EHF FINAL4 and won Montenegrin league in 2015/16 with Buducnost Anca Mihaela Rombescu goalkeeper a full Turkish trophy cabinet including four Turkish Super League titles, four Turkish Cups and two Turkish Super Cup titles played for Romanian side Tomis Constanta and Turkish clubs Üsküdar BSK and Yenimahalle BSK before Kastamonu has vital importance as a goalkeeper due to her experience in the Turkish Super League and European Cups Elif Sila Aydin left wing one of the promising stars of Turkish handball at just 21-years-old has already won three Turkish Super League titles, one Turkish Cup and two Turkish Super Cup titles with Yenimahalle BSK and Kastamonu has played for the Turkish youth and senior national teams won the ISF World Handball High School championship title Anastasia Sinitsyna left back has played in European club competitions since 2001 with Russian, Ukrainian and Turkish teams including Rostov-Don makes significant contribution to her team s success with her experience alongside with physical superiority won Turkish Super League title and played Women s EHF Challenge Cup final in the season with Kastamonu 28

29 Kastamonu Belediyesi Serpil Iskenderoglu centre back the captain of Kastamonu has played an important part in the success of her team over the past three seasons in the Turkish league and European Cups most decorated player of the team with one Bundesliga title, eight Turkish Super League titles, eight Turkish Cups and two Turkish Super Cups top scorer of the Bundesliga in the 2006/07 season and twice in the Turkish league has worn the national team jersey more than 300 times played two Challenge Cup finals with two different Turkish teams in 2012 and 2016 Andrea Seric line player her club career has included Croatian clubs Split Kaltenberg and Podravka Vegeta, Slovenia side RK Krim Mercator, Hungarian team Siofok and now Kastamonu experienced player in European cups member of the Croatian national team at London 2012 Olympic Games and has played in IHF Women s World Championships and EHF EUROs Patricia Batista da Silva right back played over 30 times games for the Brazilian women s national team won gold medals with Brazil at the 2017 PHF Pan-American Championship, the 2012 PHF Pan-American Women s Junior Championship and the 2014 FISU World University Handball Championship, gained bronze at the 2010 Youth OG in Singapore has played not only in Brazil with Jundiai Handebol Clube, Vasco Vila Olímpica and Taubaté, but in France too, with French club Toulon Katarzyna Kolodziejska right wing has played nearly 80 games for Poland club career has included spells with Polish teams Start Elblag, Energa Koszalin, Dablex Azs Gdansk and Vistal Laczpol Gdynia has European Cup experience with Gdynia and won the Polish League title with them played for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece before joining Kastamonu 29

30 HC Gomel GROUP 1 HC Gomel BNTU-BelAZ were a major force in the Belarusian league for years, winning the trophy 22 times, but recently the centre of gravity in Belarusian women s handball shifted to Gomel. Club Address HC Gomel st. 50 let Gomselmasha, Gomel Belarus Media contact Yulia Mitrahovich mitrahovitch2009@yandex.ru Coached by the Belarus national coach Tomaz Cater, HC Gomel became the champions for the second straight year in 2016/17. Having won the regular season, BNTU were unable to confirm their superiority in the final games against Gomel. The best-of-five series was a fitting end to the season, as the teams had to play all five matches to determine the strongest side. BNTU led 1:0, then 2:1 in the series, but Gomel showed good morale and turned the battle around. In the decisive fifth match, they dominated and deservedly won 28:20, thus claiming the gold medal. gk.gomel HandballGomel Kit colours Light Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: white Dark Player shirt: green Player short: white Goalkeeper shirt: yellow Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 2 Qualification (1): 2016/17 Playing hall Sportshall Victoria Leningradskaya Brest Belarus Capacity: 3,500 Other Cup Winners Cup: Round /13 EHF Cup: Round /15 Belarusian league: 2 titles (2016, 2017) Belarusian cup: 3 titles 30

31 HC Gomel EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/

32 HC Gomel Tomaz Cater coach replaced Igor Chebrov as a head coach midway through the 2015/16 season and led Gomel to already two titles of a champion also a head coach of the Belarus national team previously the Slovenian worked with Slovenian and Austrian teams as well as the UAE national team married to Hanna Stsiapanava, ex-national player of Belarus 32

33 HC Gomel Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 20 Jelena Agbaba SRB Line Player 20/06/1997 Kikinda, SRB Marija Agbaba SRB Right Back 09/08/1995 Kikinda, SRB Khrystsina Akhramenka BLR Right Wing 20/09/1995 Gomel, BLR Lilliya Burduk BLR Goalkeeper 18/04/1989 Minsk, BLR Katsiaryna Dronava BLR Left Back 06/11/2001 Gomel, BLR Iryna Dronova BLR Left Wing 09/02/1981 Gomel, BLR Iuliia Golubeva RUS 19/07/1994 Togliatti Valiantsina Kumpel BLR Goalkeeper 11/11/1989 Grodno, BLR Krystsina Misachenka BLR Left Wing 21/09/1997 Gomel, BLR Natallia Padasinava BLR Left Back 02/03/1988 Gomel, BLR Anna Redka UKR Centre Back 21/01/1989 Kiev, UKR Viktoryia Shamanouskaya BLR Line Player 08/08/1993 Minsk, BLR Yana Shubianok BLR Left Wing 03/01/1995 Gomel, BLR Anastasiya Sivukha BLR Right Back 10/06/2002 Gomel, BLR Eliza Slauta BLR Goalkeeper 18/08/1997 Gomel, BLR Lesya Smolinh UKR Left Back 23/01/1994 Ivano-Frankivsk, UKR Tatsiana Tsyrybka BLR Centre Back 18/09/1989 Gomel, BLR Volha Vinakurava BLR Left Back 15/04/1994 Gomel, BLR Darya Voranava BLR Centre Back 19/07/2000 Gomel, BLR Teodora Zdravkovic SRB Right Wing 30/04/1996 Nisa, SRB

34 HC Gomel Valiantsina Kumpel goalkeeper arrived at Gomel in the summer of 2015 born in Grodno and spent most of her career at the local club Gorodnichanka her only experience abroad was a year at Hungary s Siofok KC first-choice goalkeeper of the Belarus national team Iryna Dronova left wing the 36-year-old Belarus international has a lot of experience and is a captain of Gomel born and raised in Gomel and played only at the local team on club level after giving birth to her daughter Yekaterina at the age of 20 she interrupted her career and came back only five years later now Yekaterina, who is 16 and a promising left back, plays at Gomel together with her mother Lesya Smolinh left back arrived at Gomel in the summer of 2017 from Galychanka Lviv was a captain of Galychanka and became a three-time Ukrainian champion with the Lviv team was voted the best player of the 2016/17 Ukrainian league in the Ukraine national team usually plays as a centre back Anna Redka centre back born in Brovary and started her career at Spartak Kiev where she won a bronze medal of the Ukrainian league moved to Gomel in 2012 because she wanted a new challenge plays for the Ukraine national team her hobbies are swimming and beach volleyball 34

35 HC Gomel Viktoryia Shamanouskaya line player moved to Gomel from Arkatron Minsk in 2014 born in Minsk, she was engaged in equestrian sport in her childhood got interested in handball only at the age of 15 after seeing Belarus men s national team playing at EHF EURO plays for the Belarus national team Marija Agbaba right back the 22-year-old Serbian is starting her first season in Belarus moved to Gomel together with her younger sister Elena who is a line player both sisters played for Hungary s Siofok KC last season born and raised in Kikinda and started her career at the local team Teodora Zdravkovic right wing the 21-year-old is a new face at Gomel moved on a one-year loan deal from ZRK Naisa Nis born in Nis, she played for Naisa since 2011 played for Serbia junior national team Khristsyna Akhramenka right wing 22-year-old is one of the most promising Belarusian players used to play football in her childhood but eventually chose handball plays for the Belarus national team calls herself a very sentimental person who likes melodramas very much 35

36 The best of European HANDBALL LIVE and on demand! All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League and WOMEN S EHF Champions League, selected games of European Cups, and other competitions live and on demand. Don t miss the best highlights, compilations, 36 interviews, features, behind the scenes and more.

37 Qualification Tournament 2 Qualification Tournament 2 Thüringer HC (GER) Mecalia Atletico Guardes (ESP) H 65 Höörs HK (SWE) Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT) Group C HC Vardar (MKD) Larvik (NOR) FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria (HUN) Winner QT 2 Playing hall Wiedigsburghalle Nordhausen August-Bebel-Platz Nordhausen Germany Capacity: 2,218 Head-to-head stats in European Cup competitions 2 nd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3 rd ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4 th ranked team - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Astrakhanochka (RUS) Match schedule (all times local) Saturday, 9 September 2017: Semi-finals 1 14:00 hrs Thüringer HC vs Mecalia Atletico Guardes 2 16:30 hrs H 65 Höörs HK vs Hypo Niederösterreich Sunday, 10 September 2017: 3rd place match 12:30 hrs Loser semi-final 1 vs loser semi-final 2 Final 15:00 hrs Winner semi-final 1 vs winner semi-final 2 Thüringer HC vs Hypo Niederösterreich (0:0) 3: Thüringer HC vs Hypo NÖ, Cup Winners Cup Semi-final 32:32 (15:19) Hypo NÖ vs Thüringer HC, Cup Winners Cup Semi-final 24:22 (11:10) Hypo Niederösterreich vs Thüringer HC, EHF CL Group A 29:23 (14:13) Thüringer HC vs Hypo Niederösterreich, EHF CL Group A 34:25 (17:11) Mecalia Atletico Guardes vs H 65 Höörs HK (45:53) 0: H 65 Höörs HK vs Mecalia Atletico Guardes, Challenge Cup Quarter-final 24:21 (10:13) Mecalia Atletico Guardes vs H 65 Höörs HK, Challenge Cup Quarter-final 24:29 (12:14) Preview: Two experienced sides, two debutants HC Vardar, Larvik and FTC Budapest are awaiting their fourth opponent in Group C of the Women s EHF Champions League, with the open spot to be decided in the German city of Nordhausen this weekend. Either the champions from Austria, Spain or Sweden, or the hosts and German runners-up, will qualify for the group matches this weekend Each of the qualification Group 2 semi-finals are composed of one debutant and one team with extensive Champions League experience Hosts Thüringer HC are positioned as favourites to claim the group match place ahead of their semifinal against Mecalia Atletico Guardes We are the favourites and we take this role, says Herbert Müller, coach of Thüringer HC, before hosting the qualification tournament. In contrast with the Spanish champions from the little town of A Guarda (10,000 inhabitants) in Galicia, THC have the experience of participating in the EHF Champions League steadily since 2011, including the quarterfinals in times in 23 years: Hypo Niederösterreich have been part of the EHF Champions League from the beginning in 1993 until This series of success including four titles and two other appearances in the final came to an end last season, when they were eliminated in the 2016/17 qualification stage by German runners-up HC Leipzig. 37

38 Thüringer HC GROUP 2 Club Address Thüringer HC Mittelhäuser Str Erfurt Germany Thüringer HC They dominated the German women s Bundesliga for six seasons in a row. But this year this era came to an end. Thüringer HC finished second with eight points behind the new and unbeaten champions SG BBM Bietigheim. They also reached the final four of the German Cup. The semi-final between Thüringen and TuS Metzingen ended in a tie after the regular playing time. In a thrilling penalty shoot-out it were Metzingen who eventually won the trophy with a 23:22 victory. Despite not making it to the Champions League as the German champions, they still made it to the European top flight after the EHF Executive Committee meeting in Zagreb granted them a place in the qualification following their upgrade request via the German Handball Federation. Media contact Bernd Hohnstein hohnstein@thueringer-hc.de Kit colours Light Player shirt: white Player short: black GK shirt: black Dark Player shirt: red Player short: black GK shirt: blue Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 7 Quarter-finals (1): 2014/15 Main Round (3): 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17 Group Matches (2): 2011/12, 2012/13 Playing hall Wiedigsburghalle Nordhausen August-Bebel-Platz Nordhausen Germany Capacity: 2,218 Other Cup Winners Cup: semi-final 2012/13 Challenge Cup: runners-up 2008/09 German league: 6 titles (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) German cup: 2 titles 38

39 Thüringer HC EHF Champions League club records MATCHES Longest winning run GOALS Most goals GOALS Most goals both teams Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams 33:20 (14:11) v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO (h), :18 (17:9) v Larvik NOR (a), matches ( ) 3 matches ( ) 3 matches ( ) 4 matches ( ) 4 matches ( ) 7 matches ( ) 7 matches ( ) 36 v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), v HCM Baia Mare ROU 38:27L (a), v HCM Baia Mare ROU 36:29W (h), v HCM Baia Mare ROU 38:27L (a), v Buducnost MNE 23:14L (a), v Glassverket NOR 24:16W (h), v Buducnost MNE 23:14L (a), Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/ /12 Thüringer HC GER : :11 4th Gr. A 2012/13 Thüringer HC GER : :6 3rd Gr. D 2013/14 Thüringer HC GER : :13 3rd MR Gr /15 Thüringer HC GER : :13 1/4-finals 2015/16 Thüringer HC GER : :19 6th MR Gr /17 Thüringer HC GER : :15 5th MR Gr. 1 Total : :77 39

40 Thüringer HC Herbert Müller coach born in Romania, his previous coaching experience includes Romanian side Brasov also the head coach of the Austria national team since he started coaching, his assistant has always been his brother, Helfried led Nürnberg to their first-ever CL qualification, then won four straight German titles with Thüringer. former mathematics lecturer EC trophies: Challenge Cup

41 Thüringer HC Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 15 Macarena Aguilar Diaz ESP Centre Back 12/03/1985 Bolanos de Calatrava, ESP Tyra Bessert GER Left Back 04/05/2002 Erfurt, GER Dinah Eckerle GER Goalkeeper 16/10/1995 Leonberg, GER Lara-Sophie Fichtner GER Left Wing 17/07/2001 Erfurt, GER Franziska Fuhrmann GER Line Player 23/01/1989 Erfurt, GER Josefine Huber AUT Line Player 19/02/1996 Wien, AUT Anne Hubinger GER Right Back 31/07/1993 Ribnitz-Damgarten, GER Lydia Jakubisova SVK Right Wing 14/10/1981 Bojnice, SVK Jana Krause GER Goalkeeper 10/06/1987 München, GER Saskia Lang GER Left Back 19/12/1986 Lörrach, GER Iveta Luzumova CZE Centre Back 03/04/1989 Pisek, CZE Alexandra Mazzucco GER Right Wing 29/01/1993 Lauf a.d. Pegnitz, GER Gordana Mitrovic GER Centre Back 10/09/1996 Attendorn, GER Anika Niederwieser ITA Left Back 28/02/1992 Bressanone, ITA Julia Redder GER Left Back 14/09/1998 Erfurt, GER Beate Scheffknecht AUT Left Back 27/02/1990 Innsbruck, AUT Nina Schilk GER Left Wing 09/07/1989 Hamburg, GER Meike Schmelzer GER Line Player 19/07/1993 Wiesbaden, GER Antonia Westland GER Left Back 21/11/1997 Erfurt, GER Kerstin Wohlbold GER Centre Back 11/01/1984 Friedrichshafen, GER

42 Thüringer HC Dinah Eckerle goalkeeper stepped in in 2015, when Krause suffered a knee injury, since then on the same level transferred to the THC youth college from her home club Ditzingen at the age of 14 had her bundesliga debut at the age of 16 as the youngest THC Bundesliga player ever played her first CL match at the age of 17 awarded best goalkeeper of the 2014 U20 WCh in Croatia Nina Schilk left wing mother Ingrid was a German handball international, father Claus is a handball coach in the second division made national team debut against Switzerland in 2016 at age 27 in the team s first match under new coach Michael Biegler first played on first league level for Rosengarten, later joined German record champions Leverkusen this summer she joined THC to replace Maria Kiedrowski and Manon Houette, who have left the squad Saskia Lang left back has arrived at THC from bankrupt HC Leipzig, where she played since 2011 has a German and a Swiss passport but decided to play for the German national team after 40 matches for younger age category teams of Switzerland started her career at Swiss club Brühl St. Gallen before joining German club HSG Blomberg-Lippe in 2009 played her first major tournament with the national team at the WCh 2013 Beate Scheffknecht left back started her career in Dornbirn, where she became Austrian national team player at the age of 17; played at the 2007 & 2009 WCh and the EHF EURO 2008 transferred to THC in 2015; new number 1 on her position after Romanian Eliza Buceschi left to France coached by Herbert Müller already when she had her first club experience outside Austria, in Nürnberg, and now is coached by him also in the national team also played for German clubs Bieitgheim and Göppingen, where she was third best Bundesliga scorer in the 2014/15 season 42

43 Thüringer HC Kerstin Wohlbold centre back played a brilliant 2015/16 season after a nine-month injury break in her business life a teacher at a primary school won the German championship seven times in Nürnberg and THC always with Müller as her coach comeback in the German national team under new coach Michael Biegler one of her hobbies is snowboarding Maike Schmelzer line player arrived at THC in 2014, formerly played for Mainz and Koblenz became German national team player at the age of 20 in the past key player in all German youth and junior national teams supposed to fill the void after Dutch line player Dannick Snelder studies sports and English to become a teacher Anne Hubinger right back youngest player for Germany at EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia, has played three more major events since at HC Leipzig she replaced Susann Müller, who moved to Györ (now Bietigheim) has won the German cup twice (2014, 2016) with Leipzig before joining THC Alexandra Mazzucco right wing progressed through all of the German youth and junior national teams made her debut in the national team in 2015 and was part of the team at the WCh 2015 in Denmark is studying sports management arrived at Leipzig at age 18 in 2011, has now moved to THC to replace retired Kathrin Engel of Austria 43

44 H 65 Höörs HK GROUP 2 H 65 Höörs HK Club Address H 65 Höörs HK Friluftsvägen 11 Sweden Media contact David Karlsson david@hafam.se HoorsHkH65 After being named Swedish champions eight years in a row, IK Sävehof s dominance was finally broken in Though H 65 Höörs HK were not able to win the Challenge Cup as they did in 2014, with defeats in both legs of the final against HC Lokomotiva Zagreb putting an end to that hope, Höör took surprising revenge in the final of the Swedish championship. In the semi-final, Sävehof eliminated their opponents in the finals over the previous two years, Skuru IK, while Höör sent Lugi HF home. Unlike the quarter- and semi-finals, which are played best of five, the final in Sweden is a one-match affair. The final result of 27:25 does not provide a real picture of the difference between the two finalists, as Höör were in control almost all the way. Not even 13 goals from right wing Emma Ekenman-Fernis were enough to save Sävehof from losing their first championship final in eight years. For their maiden voyage in the Women s EHF Champions League, Höör will have to do without two of their key players from this season, who are both joining other Champions League participants. Goalkeeper Jessica Ryde is joining FC Midtjylland, while left back Cassandra Tollbring is continuing her career in Larvik. For siblings Cassandra and Jerry Tollbring, the day of the finals was a family triumph as later that same afternoon, younger brother Jerry copied Cassandra s triumph and won the men s championship with Kristianstad. h65hoor Kit colours Light Player shirt: light blue Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: dark blue Dark Player shirt: red Player short: red Goalkeeper shirt: orange Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Other Challenge Cup: 2013/14 winners, 2016/17 runners-up, 2012/13 semi-finalists EHF Cup: 2015/16 quarter-finalists Playing hall Eslövhallen Onsjövägen Eslöv, Sweden Capacity: 1,500 Swedish league: 1 title (2017) 44

45 H 65 Höörs HK EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/

46 H 65 Höörs HK Ola Mansson coach took over from Niklas Harris in the summer of 2016 had a career as a player, with IFK Kristianstad as his most prominent club before devoting himself to coaching at the age of 26 in 2000 has coached men as well as women during his career has been a coach at six different Swedish clubs before joining Höör is in charge of Sweden s U19 women, together with Erik Larholm, as well as being head coach in Höör 46

47 H 65 Höörs HK Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 28 Amanda Andersson SWE Left Wing 13/09/1993 Lund, SWE Anna Bardis SWE Centre Back 10/04/1993 Lund, SWE Gry Bergdahl SWE Goalkeeper 28/04/1994 Växsjö, SWE Michaela Fransson SWE Line Player 18/03/1996 Vinslöv, SWE Ida Gullberg SWE Left Wing 25/09/1998 Hoor, SWE Sofia Hvenfelt SWE Line Player 23/04/1996 Göteborg, SWE Anna Johansson SWE Centre Back 05/05/1996 Höör, SWE Evelina Källhage SWE Left Wing 20/04/1997 Göteborg, SWE Emma Lindqvist SWE Centre Back 17/09/1997 Helsingborg, SWE Jonna Linnell SWE Left Wing 07/12/1988 Tyresö, SWE Mikaela Mässing SWE Right Back 13/03/1994 Mölndal, SWE Anna Olsson SWE Right Back 08/12/1986 Karlshamn, SWE Emma Rask SWE Right Wing 17/01/1996 Höör, SWE Kristin Thorleifsdottir SWE Right Back 13/01/1998 Stockholm, SWE Marie Wall SWE Right Wing 03/04/1992 Kungälv, SWE Jannike Wiberg SWE Goalkeeper 20/03/1987 Höör, SWE Tilda Winberg SWE Right Back 05/07/1998 Ystad, SWE

48 H 65 Höörs HK Jannike Wiberg goalkeeper has played with Höör during their rise from the third division to winning the Swedish championship last season can look forward to being first-choice goalkeeper this season, after Jessica Ryde left for Danish CL participants FC Midtjylland about to give up handball at the age of 27 in 2014, but made a comeback the next season EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2014 Emma Rask left wing has played with Höör all her senior career technically skilled and fast winger, good at fast breaks has played a total of 55 youth internationals for Sweden EC trophies: Challenge Cup 2014 Anna Olsson back joined Höör from league rivals Kristianstads HK in 2015; recently extended her contract until next summer her experience and her qualities as a leader add to her fine variation of shots and her ability to break through the opposing defence her twin sister Maria is still playing with Kristianstad, while her younger brother Markus is playing for Danish CL participants Skjern Handbold just like her siblings, has experience in the Swedish national team, where she has made four appearances Emma Lindqvist centre back joined in 2016 from OV Helsingborg expected to be a competent backup to newcomer Anna Bardis in the playmaker position despite only being 19 years old, she has already displayed impressive defensive qualities in attack, her eye for the game is one of her biggest advantages recently she extended her contract with Höör for another two years until

49 H 65 Höörs HK Anna Bardis centre back joined in the summer of 2017 summer from league rivals Eslövs IK replacing Cassandra Tollbring, who left for Norwegian champions Larvik studying to become a physiotherapist alongside playing handball was highest scoring player in the Swedish league in the 2015/16 season apart from being effective on her own, she also has a fine eye for the game and for her teammates Sofia Hvenfelt line player joined Höör from Önnereds HK near Gothenburg at age 21, she is already a reliable line player as well as being a strong and uncompromising defender her height, 180cm, is another of her advantages was included in the Swedish national league team which was named this spring Mikaela Mässing right back arrived in Höör in the summer of 2014 when they were reigning Challenge Cup winners in the 2017/18 season her role in the team has increased after the number one on the right back position Jasmina Djapanovic left the club helped her team with 25 goals on their journey to the Challenge Cup final against Lokomotiva Zagreb Jonna Linnell right wing has played for Höör since 2012, when she joined from league rivals Lugi daughter of former Swedish men s national coach Ingemar Linnéll from a genuine handball family, as her brother Jesper and her sister Jennie also play handball at top level had a short foreign adventure in Danish KIF Vejen in the 2007/08 season EC trophies: Challenge Cup

50 Hypo Niederösterreich GROUP 2 Hypo Niederösterreich The 2016/2017 season was a historic one in Austria: For the first time in nearly 30 years, Hypo Niederösterreich did not win both trophies. The four-time EHF Champions League winners were defeated 17:18 by MGA Fivers in the Austrian Cup final after 29 trophies in a row. Club Address Hypo Niederösterreich BSFZ Südstadt Liese-Prokop-Platz Maria Enzersdorf Austria Media contact: Kati Kovacs info@hypo-noe.at But in the league finals, Martin Matuschkowitz s team struck back, beating the Vienna-based Fivers team twice in the best-of-three series (31:23 and 32:21) to secure their 41st straight league title. For Hypo, it was not only the first-ever season that saw them defeated in the Cup final it was also the first time they did not make it to the group stage of the EHF Champions League, as they lost the final of the qualification tournament against German side HC Leipzig. While Ines Ivancok (Fivers) finished as top scorer of the season with 150 goals, Hypo centre back Patricia Kovacs was awarded best player of the season. hyponoe Kit colours Light Player shirt: yellow Player short: blue Goalkeeper shirt: orange Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black Goalkeeper shirt: dark green Playing hall BSFZ Südstadt Liese Prokop Platz Maria Enzersdorf Austria Capacity: 1,020 Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 25 Winners (4): 1993/94, 1994/95, 1997/98, 1999/2000 Runners-up (2): 1995/96, 2007/08 Semi-final (5): 1996/97, 1998/99, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09 Quarter-final (1): 2005/06 Group Matches (11): 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Qualification (1): 2016/17 Other Champions Trophy: Winners 1999/2000 Cup Winners Cup: Winners 2012/13, Runners-up 2003/04 Austrian league: 41 titles ( ) Austrian cup: 29 titles 50

51 Hypo Niederösterreich EHF Champions League club records MATCHES Longest winning run GOALS Most goals GOALS Most goals both teams Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams 17:32 (7:17) v Bel. Olimpija Ljubljana SLO (a), :16 (17:9) v Györi Audi ETO KC HUN (a), matches ( ) 14 matches ( ) 7 matches ( ) 7 matches ( ) 38 v HC Kometal Gjorce Petrov MKD 38:27W (h), v HC Podravka Vegeta CRO 38:28W (h), v HC Leipzig GER 42:22L (a), v Randers HK DEN 39:32L (a), v Podravka Koprivnica CRO 17:14L (a), v Kometal Dj. P. Skopje MKD 21:14L (a), v Kometal Dj. P. Skopje MKD 26:12W (h), v Podravka Koprivnica CRO 17:13W (h), Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/ /94 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :0 Winner 1994/95 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :2 Winner 1995/96 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :3 Runner-up 1996/97 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :2 1/2-finals 1997/98 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 Winner 1998/99 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :4 1/2-finals 1999/00 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 Winner 2000/01 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 3rd Gr. A 2001/02 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 3rd Gr. C 2002/03 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 3rd Gr. C 2003/04 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 3rd Gr. C 2004/05 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :8 1/2-finals 2005/06 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 1/4-finals 2006/07 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 1/2-finals 2007/08 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 Runner-up 2008/09 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :6 1/2-finals 2009/10 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : *:14 3rd MR Gr /11 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :8 3rd Gr. B 2011/12 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :8 4th Gr. C 2012/13 Hypo NÖ AUT : :6 3rd Gr. A 2013/14 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :8 3rd Gr. A 2014/15 Hypo Niederösterreich AUT : :9 4th Gr. A 2015/16 Hypo Niederősterreich AUT : :12 4th Gr. C Total : *:144 * = Point for Hypo Niederösterreich deducted by official decision 5151

52 Hypo Niederösterreich Martin Matuschkowitz coach took over the team in the middle of the 2015/16 season, succeeding on Ferenc Kovacs part of the club since 1997 had been Hypo s head coach (2004, 2009), youth coach and assistant coach before had intermediately been coaching teams from Germany (Lützellinden) and Denmark (Kolding) assistant under Kovacs, who now is his assistant 52

53 Hypo Niederösterreich Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 77 Gorica Acimovic AUT Left Back 28/02/1985 Banja Luka, BIH Tatjana Barisic AUT Left Wing 23/09/1998 Schwaz, AUT Johanna Bauer AUT Left Wing 13/06/1997 Wien, AUT Elena Berlini AUT Centre Back 31/10/1999 Mödling, AUT Klaudia Alexa Dalnoki HUN Left Wing 27/02/1998 Budapest, HUN Mirela Dedic AUT Left Wing 15/12/1991 Bruck an der Mur, AUT Sarah Draguljic AUT Line Player 25/01/2000 Linz, AUT Isabel Dramac AUT Left Back 17/05/2000 Wien, AUT Hildigunnur Einarsdottir ISL Line Player 11/02/1988 Reykjavik, ISL Verena Flöck AUT Goalkeeper 29/06/1992 Vienna, AUT Isabella Fritz-Castro AUT Goalkeeper 19/11/1998 Mödling, AUT Anna Hajgato HUN Goalkeeper 27/04/1992 Budapest, HUN Stefanie Hirsch AUT Goalkeeper 25/12/1998 Mödling, AUT Kitti Kiss HUN Right Wing 13/03/1994 Györ, HUN Edona Krasniqi AUT Line Player 14/05/1996 Mödling, AUT Melanie Krautwaschl AUT Right Back 16/02/1996 Graz, AUT Mona Magloth AUT Line Player 11/05/1996 Mödling, AUT Teodora Magurean ROU Centre Back 14/03/1998 Baia Mare, ROU Lena Mittendorfer AUT Left Back 01/06/1998 Mödling, AUT Tanja Posch AUT Left Wing 26/01/1996 Mödling, AUT Olga Sanko RUS Goalkeeper 28/02/1978 Rostov/Don, RUS Miriam Schaupp AUT Right Wing 21/01/1998 Eggenburg, AUT Marina Topic AUT Right Back 17/09/1996 Mödling, AUT Sonata Vijunaite LTU Line Player 23/02/1980 Lietuva, LTU Claudia Wess AUT Right Back 15/06/1995 Wien, AUT

54 Hypo Niederösterreich Olga Sanko goalkeeper played and won her so-far only CL final against Hypo when playing for Zvezda in 2007/08 came to Hypo as a young player in 2005, then returned to her home country of Russia before joining the Austrians again in 2009 mother of twins since 2015/16 season shares the job with young Verena Flöck EC trophies: CL 2008 Verena Flök goalkeeper in her second stint at Hypo after playing for the club s youth teams from 2005 to 2011 moved to Germany at age 19, first to Thüringer HC, later to MJC Trier, before returning to Vienna in 2015 builds goalkeeper duo in Austrian national team with Petra Blazek (Valcea) works as a graphic designer in daily life Mirela Dedic left wing arrived at Hypo at the age of 17, had been playing for Bruck/Leitha had played more than 30 matches for the Austrian national team had been part of all Austrian younger age category national teams has played nearly 50 matches for the Austrian national team so far Gorica Acimovic left back had quit playing handball after the 2014/15 season, then returned to the Hypo squad in February 2016 to help the young team had her first time at Hypo from 2004 to 2009, then transferred to Viborg; after three successful years the Bosnian-born former Austria national player returned to Hypo last one in the team, who had been part of the 2008 CL final squad has changed from right to left back for the 2017/18 season EC trophies: CL 2010, Cup Winners Cup

55 Hypo Niederösterreich Teodora Magurean centre back arrived from the youth programme of CS Extrem Baia Mare at the start of the season for her first club abroad able to play on all back court positions her nickname is Teo, her favourite handball team is FC Barcelona Hildigunnur Einarsdottir line player Icelandic international who arrived from German record champions HC Leipzig will replace Danish line player Cristina Haurum, who left to Germany powerful defence specialist who previously played for Tertnes in Norway and Koblenz in Germany won three domestic league titles in Iceland with Valur Melanie Krautwaschl right back/right wing came over from Hypo s local rivals Wiener Neustadt before this season, and formerly played for Graz has played in all Austrian younger age category national teams started playing handball only seven years ago Kitty Kiss right wing born in the Hungarian capital of handball, Győr, but she never made an appearance for the first team there played for Győr s youth academy, Mosonmagyaróvár and signed a contract with Hypo in the summer of 2015 former coach Ferenc Kovács personally asked for her had already been playing coach for Austrian club Wiener Neustadt, before she returned to Hypo 55

56 Hypo Niederösterreich GROUP 2 Mecalia Atletico Guardes Galician team Mecalia Atletico Guardes celebrated the club s 50th anniversary by winning the Liga Loterías for the first time in history, ending four seasons of dominance from Bera Bera. The victory was a significant achievement for the club from a town with a population of just 10,000, who won the league in the last round. Club Address Mecalia Atletico Guardes Sport Hall A Sangrina Portugal Avenue s/n A Guarda Spain Canaria team Rocasa Gran Canaria, who finished third in the league, won the Copa de la Reina by beating Bera Bera in extra time in the final. It was the second Copa in club history, after they claimed the first in Media contact Nuria Lago Rodriguez prensa@balonmanatleticoguardes.com mecaliaguardesofficial Kit colours Light Player shirt: red-white Player short: red GK shirt: green Dark Player shirt: black Player short: black GK shirt: blue Past achievements Women s EHF Champions League Participations (including 2017/18 season): 1 Other Challenge Cup: quarter-finals 2016/17 Cup Winners Cup: Round /14, 2014/15, 2015/16 Playing hall Complejo Deportivo de As Travesas Av. de Castrelos, 1, Vigo Spain Capacity: 6,000 Spanish league: 1 title (2017) Spanish cup: - 56

57 Mecalia Atletico Guardes EHF Champions League club records Biggest win Biggest defeat Longest winning run Longest unbeaten run Longest losing run Longest run without win Most goals Most goals opponent Most goals both teams Fewest goals Fewest goals opponent Fewest goals both teams Past seasons MP W T L GF GA GD PTS Stage1994/

58 Mecalia Atletico Guardes Jose Ignacio Prades coach led Guardes to the domestic league title in 2017, in his first season in charge of the club celebrated previous successes with BM Elda (2011 ) and Elche (2013), who both finisghed runner-up in the league led Spain to gold at World University Handball Championship 2011 on home court 58

59 Mecalia Atletico Guardes Team roster No. First name Surname Nat. Position Date of birth Place of birth Height 1 Marisol Carratu ESP Goalkeeper 15/07/1986 Buenos Aires, ARG Estela Carrera ESP Goalkeeper 08/10/1991 Elda, ESP Rebeca Castell ESP Line Player 20/04/1994 Castellon de la Plana, ESP Ana Isabel Cerqueira POR Right Wing 08/10/1990 Caminha, POR Estela Doiro ESP Line Player 28/12/1990 La Guardia, ESP Naiara Egozkue ESP Left Wing 21/10/1983 Pamplona, ESP Anthia Espiñeira ESP Centre Back 27/11/1996 Vigo, ESP Carla Gomez Suau ESP Back 30/01/1991 S. Antoni de Vilamajor, ESP Jennifer Gutierrez ESP Left Wing 20/02/1995 Horgen, SUI Ines Hernandez ESP Line Player 30/08/1986 Almeria, ESP Alesia Kurchankova BLR Line Player 04/07/1980 BLR Raquel Lorenzo ESP Goalkeeper 27/10/1993 La Guarda, ESP Marta Mendez ESP Left Back 07/11/1994 Leon, ESP Luciana Mendoza ARG Right Back 14/03/1990 Buenos Aires, ARG Marta Pombal ESP Line Player 18/03/1999 Oia, ESP Gabriela Romero BRA Centre Back 25/03/1996 Sao Paulo, BRA Africa Sempere ESP Back 25/09/1992 Torrellano, ESP Rosario Urban Medel ARG Right Wing 13/03/1997 Buenos Aires, ARG

60 Mecalia Atletico Guardes Marisol Carratu goalkeeper represented Argentina at the 2016 Olympic Games and the WCh in 2013 and 2015 entering her second season with Atlético transmits serenity to her teammates Estela Carrera goalkeeper fast and intuitive goalkeeper going into her fifth European season but first in the CL previously played EHF Cup 2012/13 and 2013/14 with Alcobendas, Cup Winners Cup 2015/16 and Challenge Cup 2016/17 with Atlético Jennifer Gutierrez left wing arrived this season from Rincón Fertilidad Málaga made debut for national team in June 2017 age 17 scored 17 times for Elche in EHF Cup 2013/14 season Ines Hernandez left back starting into 5th season at Guardes complete player, usable on different positions in defence and attack scored 13 times during Atlético s run to the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup last season 60

61 Mecalia Atletico Guardes Estela Doiro centre back/line player plays leading role in the team on and off the court versatile player with lots of different qualities four seasons of European experience (Cup Winners Cup, Challenge Cup) but approaching her CL debut Africa Sempere line player arrived from Frederikstad in Norway last year leading goal scorer at Atlético last season, including 34 goals in the Challenge Cup key player with strength in defence Luciana Mendoza right back the Argentine international is going into her second season at Guardes one of the leaders in attack with the ability to break open the opponent s defence has scored nearly four goals on average for the Argentine national team Ana Cerquiera right wing Portuguese player who has spent whole her career at Guardes one of the two team captains alongside Estela Doiro often praised for her efficiency in attack 61