Media Information VELUX EHF Champions League Season 2015/16. Group Phase

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1 Media Information VELUX EHF Champions League Season 2015/16 Group Phase

2 VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/2016 OFFICIAL PROGRAMME Title sponsor Premium sponsor Regional Premium sponsor Partners VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPONSORS

3 Handle as you like The convenient top operation not only makes it easy to open the window with a single-handed tug at the elegant control bar, it also offers the opportunity to place furniture beneath the window. A unique ventilation flap is cleverly integrated in the control bar. Watch the movie here:

4 Table of contents Foreword 6 Media contacts 7 Map of participating clubs 8 Playing system diagrams - stages and dates 9 Where to follow - live ticker, live streaming, EHF_live 11 List of TV stations 13 ehftv.com relaunches, first MOTWs announced 14 VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown 16 Ticket partners for VELUX EHF FINAL4 announced 18 Qualification review 19 Facts & Figures of the Group Phase 20 Important regulations - scoring of matches and ranking 23 GROUP A Preview 25 Head-to-heads in the EC 26 THW Kiel 30 MVM Veszprem 34 Paris Saint-Germain Handball 38 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 42 Orlen Wisla Plock 46 HC Prvo Plinarsko Drustvo Zagreb 50 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 54 SG Flensburg-Handewitt 58 GROUP B Preview 63 Head-to-heads in the EC 64 FC Barcelona Lassa 67 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 71 HC Vardar 75 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 79 MOL-Pick Szeged 83 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 87 IFK Kristianstad 91 Montpellier HB 94 4

5 Table of contents GROUP C Preview 99 Head-to-heads in the EC 100 Naturhouse La Rioja 101 HC Meshkov Brest 105 Chekhovskie Medvedi 109 Futebol Clube do Porto 113 HC Vojvodina 117 Tatran Presov 120 GROUP D Preview 125 Head-to-heads in the EC 126 HC Metalurg 127 Skjern Handbold 131 HC Motor Zaporozhye 135 Kadetten Schaffhausen 139 HCM Baia Mare 143 Elverum Handball Herrer 146 HISTORY 2014/15 Top scorers /15 All-Star Team 150 Past winners 151 History of the EHF Champions League 152 All-time club standings 154 5

6 Foreword Dear handball friends, On behalf of the European Handball Federation, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16. As we enter the opening stages of the 23rd season, we are looking forward to a fresh challenge for Europe s top teams as a new playing system has been introduced with more teams and many more tough and exciting matches for fans to enjoy. Starting the season are 28 of the continent s leading teams, the expanded field representing 20 countries from across Europe. Denmark, Spain, France, Hungary, FYR Macedonia and Poland each have two teams in the competition this season, whilst Germany is the only country represented by three clubs. Thanks to the expanded number of participants, fans can look forward to a record-breaking number of 176 matches in the Group Phase, which is an increase of 56 games compared to last season. The VELUX EHF Champions League is a living product, and as such it needs to adapt and change over time, which is why it was decided introduce these important changes this season. The new system will involve more teams and more markets whilst at the same time creating a playing modus that produces close matches throughout the competition. Sixteen teams will compete in Groups A and B in the new playing system, while Groups C and D contain six teams each. The best two teams from C and D will make it through to the Last 16 where they will join the teams placed two to six from Groups A and B. The two group winners qualify directly for the quarter-finals stage. There are five clubs in the competition with a EHF Champions League title to their name. The defending champions and record winners, FC Barcelona Lassa, will launch their new campaign in Group B together with the 2002/03 trophy holders Montpellier Handball, whilst three-time winners THW Kiel will play in Group A with 2013/14 champions, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, and the 2003/04 winners Celje Pivovarna Lasko. IFK Kristianstad, Vojvodina, HCM Baia Mare and the qualifier Elverum will also make their premiere amongst the heavyweights of European handball, but there will be no time for the newcomers to find their feet with tough clashes promised right from the very first round. The dream of Cologne and the VELUX EHF FINAL4 may seem a distant one as the season throws off but there is much to look forward to over the months ahead. I wish all teams the very best of luck on their VELUX EHF Champions League journey and wish you, the fans, a very enjoyable season! Jean Brihault EHF President 6

7 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 A GROUP B GROUP C GROUP D THW Kiel (GER) Christian Robohm christian.robohm@thw-handball.de FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) Gustau Galvache gustau.galvache@fcbarcelona.cat Naturhouse La Rioja (ESP) Jaime Luis Gonzalez Gutierrez naturhouselarioja.ehf@gmail.com HC Metalurg (MKD) Ana Neloska a.neloska@rkmetalurg.mk Veszprém HC (HUN) Zsolt Sevinger mkbmvmveszprem@chello.hu KS Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) Sebastian Kozubek s.kozubek@vivetargi.pl HC Meshkov Brest (BLR) Alexandr Kulbaka media@bgk-meshkova.com Skjern Handbold (DEN) Jette Alstrup jette@skjernhaandbold.dk Paris Saint-Germain Handball (FRA) Louise Cosnard lcosnard@psg.fr HC Vardar (MKD) Marko Savovski markosavovski@live.com Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS) Olga Belysheva victi@bk.ru HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Dmitriy Karpushchenko hkmotor@yandex.ru RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko (SLO) Nejc Ajdnik nejc.ajdnik@rk-celje.si KIF Kolding Kobenhavn (DEN) Thomas Christensen tc@kif.dk Futebol Clube do Porto (POR) Joana Moreira joana.moreira@fcporto.pt Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) Barbara Imobersteg imo.schule@gmx.ch Orlen Wisla Płock (POL) Tomasz Bauman Tel: t.bauman@sprwislaplock.pl MOL-Pick Szeged (HUN) Levente Juhasz levente.juhasz@pickhandball.hu HC Vojvodina (SRB) Dan Fracile rkvojvodina1@gmail.com HCM Baia Mare (ROU) Paul Ursachi paul@minaur.ro HC PPD Zagreb (CRO) Goran Roknic glasnogovornik@rk zagreb.hr Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) Christopher Monz monz@rhein-neckar-loewen.de Tatran Presov (SVK) Branko Benko manager@tatranpresov.sk Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) Erik Henriksen erik@ehh.no Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu (TUR) Berk Karahan berk.karahan@bjk.com.tr IFK Kristianstad (SWE) Anders Hallengren anders.hallengren@ifkkristianstad.se SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) Sandra von Wallis s.vonwallis@sg-flensburg-handewitt.de Montpellier HB (FRA) Suzy Demonte suzy.demonte@montpellier-handball.com 7

8 VELUX EHF FINAL4 Naturhouse La Rioja, ESP Futebol Clube do Porto, POR Montpellier HB, FRA Paris Saint-Germain Handball, FRA Rhein-Neckar Löwen, GER FC Barcelona Lassa, ESP Host City Cologne, GER OCI-Lions, NED Skjern Handbold, DEN Kadetten Schaffhausen, SUI KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, DEN Teams eliminated in qualification Groups C&D teams Groups A&B teams Season 2015/16 VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 8 Alpla HC Hard, AUT Elverum Handball Herrer, NOR A G R E B IFK Kristianstad, SWE HC PPD Zagreb,CRO RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, SLO Z P RVO P L I N A R S KO D R U Š T VO R U KO M E T N I K L U B SG FlensburgHandewitt, GER RK Borac m:tel Banja Luka, BIH THW Kiel, GER HC Metalurg, MKD HC Vojvodina Novi Sad, SRB MOL-Pick Szeged, HUN Veszprem HC, HUN HCM Baia Mare, ROU HC Motor Zaporozhye, UKR Tatran Presov, SVK Chekhovskie Medvedi, RUS KS Vive Tauron Kielce, POL Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu, TUR HC Meshkov Brest, BLR HC Vardar MKD Orlen Wisla Plock, POL

9 Group Phase Groups A & B (draw) Last 16 (no draw) Quarter-finals (no draw) Season 2015/16 playing system A1 B1 A1 bye M6 vs A1 A2 B2 B1 bye M5 vs B1 A3 B3 M1 K1 vs A2 M4 vs M1 A4 B4 A5 B5 M2 K2 vs B2 M3 B6 vs A3 M3 vs M2 Semi-finals (draw) vs A6 B6 A7 B7 M4 A6 vs B3 M5 B5 vs A4 vs A8 B8 Group Phase Groups C & D (draw) C1 D1 K1 C2 C2 D2 Group Phase KO Matches (no draw) K2 vs D1 D2 vs C1 M6 A5 vs B4 3 rd place match vs Final vs Qualification Tournament (no draw) C3 D3 C4 D4 C5 D5 C6 D6 Season 2015/16 playing schedule Qualification Tournament Group Phase Last 16 Quarter-finals FINAL first leg first leg Group A & B only Group A & B only Group A & B and KO Group C & D Group A & B and KO Group C & D second leg second leg

10 DRAWS: VELUX EHF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2015/16 Qualification Tournament (1); (2); 05./ (3); (4) / tournament (5); (6) first leg first leg tournament played in semi finals and finals (7); (8) (9); (10) played in in one venue (11 - A/B); (12 -A/B) second leg second leg semi finals and finals (13); (14) in Cologne 26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT 26 June 2015 in Vienna/AUT no draw no draw Group A and B (16 teams) 2 groups with 8 teams 1 GER 1 THW Kiel 2 ESP 1 FC Barcelona Lassa 3 HUN 1 MKB-MVM Veszprem 4 POL 1 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 5 MKD 1 HC Vardar 6 FRA 1 Paris Saint Germain HB 7 DEN 1 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 8 SLO 1 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 9 HUN 2 MOL-Pick Szeged 10 POL 2 Orlen Wisla Plock 11 CRO 1 HC PPD Zagreb 12 GER 2 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 13 SWE 1 IFK Kristianstad 14 TUR 1 Besiktas Jimnastik Kulubu 15 FRA 2 Montpellier HB 16 GER 3 SG Flensburg-Handewitt Group C and D (12 teams) 2 groups with 6 teams 1 ESP 2 Naturhouse La Rioja 2 MKD 2 HC Metalurg 3 DEN 2 Skjern Handball 4 BLR 1 HC Meskov Brest 5 RUS 1 Chekhovskie medvedi 6 UKR 1 HC Motor 7 SUI 1 Kadetten Schaffhausen 8 POR 1 Futebol Clube do Porto 9 ROU 1 HCM Baia Mare 10 SRB 1 Vojvodina 11 SVK 1 Tatran Presov 12 NOR 1 Elverum Handball Herrer 13 AUT 1 ALPLA HC Hard 14 BIH 1 RK Borac m:tel 15 NED 1 OCI/Lions 1 group with 4 teams 4th placed team of CL Qualification Tournament goes to EHF Cup Qualification Rd 2, 2nd and 3rd placed team of CL Qualification Tornament go to EHF Cup Qualification Rd 3 Group Phase Winner of the Qualification tournament 1st and 2nd placed team of CL Group Phase Group C and D play Group KO matches. Winners of these matches qualify for L16 Last 16 1st placed team of Group A and B qualify directly for the Quarterfinals; 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th placed team of Group A and B as well as winners of KO matches from Group C and D qualify for the Last 16 Quarterfinals 6 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Last Winners of Group A + B FINAL4 12 teams 8 teams 4 teams 4 Winners of VELUX EHF Champions League Quarterfinals status:

11 EHF Champions League information New ways to follow the VELUX EHF Champions League When Elverum Handball Herrer face OCI-Lions in the opening semifinal of the VELUX EHF Champions League Qualification Tournament on Saturday at 17:30 CET, the live stream on ehftv.com will not be the only way fans can follow the action. The tournament in Banja Luka will be covered on a variety of platforms, ensuring that anyone interested will not miss a beat, wherever they are. The EHF Live Ticker will track the scores of all four matches this weekend and for the rest of the season. Every goal, missed shot and yellow card will be documented and live statistics made available online for the first time at this stage of Europe s elite club competition. EHF Live launched The EHF s social media channels will provide a very different view of the chase for the final group phase place. As well as the coverage on the EHF Champions League Facebook page and Instagram EHF journalist Nemanja Savic will be on site to launch coverage of the matches, reserved typically for the final weekends of major competitions, on two new channels. This season fans can follow Twitter account to keep up to date with all aspects of the event and add EHF_Live on Snapchat for a behind the scenes look. Team line-ups and match reports Online match reports Accreditation for Group Phase The written media and photographer s accreditation procedure in the Group Phase is entirely in the responsibility of the participating clubs. TV and Radio accreditations are subject to approval by EHF Marketing GmbH please contact Miguel Mateo Marcellán. Online information Regulations of the VELUX EHF Champions Facebook: ehf.champions.league Official name The official name of the competition is: VELUX EHF Champions League. The full name of the competition should always be used. VELUX and the three letter abbreviation for the European Handball Federation should always be displayed in capital letters before the name of the competition. Please note: If the season is required, it has to be positioned after Champions League e.g. VELUX EHF Champions League 2014/15. The wording Champions League should be written with a capital letter at the beginning of each word, i.e. Champions League. The remaining letters should be in lower case. The word Champions does not have an apostrophe after the s. From the opening matches of the season, the complete team line-up is available online at eurohandball.com and available to download as a PDF document. The change has been made possible thanks to the introduction of a new online solution, which sees the EHF match delegate complete the final team line-up immediately after the technical meeting. This development means that team line-ups are available for commentators and reporters hours before each match throws-off. A further change means that a short time after each match, a completed match report will also be available online with details such as goal scorers and number of spectators. Team line-ups and match reports can be viewed by clicking on a particular match on the eurohandball.com or ehfcl.com websites. The online system is also under further development with the ultimate aim being to provide live scores and statistics from EHF competitions and to be available on the EHF website. 11

12 Hol Dir Sky und freu Dich auf die VELUX EHF Champions League. Erlebe alle Spiele der deutschen Teams sowie das VELUX EHF FINAL4 live, exklusiv und in HD. sky.de/sports

13 TV stations to broadcast matches all over the world The matches of the upcoming season will be shown live or delayed almost all over the world. Not less than 47 TV stations will broadcast matches live or delayed. Only in Europe fans will be able to watch matches in 30 countries, but also the handball TV audience in America (USA and Brazil), Asia and Africa (countries of Middle East and North Africa, Malaysia and Singapore) can look forward to a television coverage. See the list of TV stations and countries below: EUROPE BEL Eleven Sports BIH Arena Sport BLR BYRBCT Belarus 5 CRO HRT CRO Arena Sport DEN DR ESP TV3 Catalunya ESP TVE/ teledeporte FRA bein Sports 1/ 3 GER Sky Germany GRE OTE HUN sport1/2 ISL STod2 ISR Charlton Sport / Sport 1 ITA sportitalia MKD MKRTV MKD Arena Sport MNE Arena Sport NOR Viasat Sport POL NC+ POR Sport TV Portugal POR Porto TV ROU Digisport Romania ROU Dolce Sport RUS NTv+ Sport SLO Sport TV Slovenia SRB RTS SRB Arena Sport SUI Teleclub SVK/CZE Sport 1 SWE Viasat 10 TUR Dsmart UKR Xsport AMERICA BRA Esporte Interactivo USA bein Sports USA ASIA MENA bein Sports MENA MYS Eleven Sports SGP Eleven Sports 13

14 Important regulations Scoring of the matches and ranking General All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League shall be played in 2 x 30 minutes with a half-time break of 10 minutes. The EHF reserves the right to extend the half-time break in special circumstances to 15 minutes. The matches shall be scored as follows: a) win = 2 points b) draw = 1 point c) loss = 0 points Teams rankings are obtained by adding up the number of points won. Group Phase If two or more teams have scored the same number of points, the ranking will be determined as follows: During the Group Phase: a) higher goal difference in all matches; b) higher number of plus goals in all matches; After completion of the Group Phase if two teams have scored the same number of points: a) number of points in matches of the two teams directly involved; b) goal difference in matches of the two teams directly involved; c) higher number of goals scored in the away match of the two teams directly involved; d) goal difference in all matches of the group; e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group; After completion of the Group Phase if three or more teams have scored the same number of points: a) number of points in matches of all teams directly involved; b) goal difference in matches of all teams directly involved; c) higher number of plus goals in matches of all teams directly involved; d) goal difference in all matches of the group; e) higher number of plus goals in all matches of the group; If the ranking of one of these teams is determined, the criteria are consecutively followed until the ranking of all teams is determined. If no ranking can be determined, a decision shall be obtained by drawing lots. Lots shall be drawn by the EHF, if possible in the presence of a representative of each club. Group Phase KO matches If, after the completion of the two matches, both clubs have won the same number of points (no extra time will be played), the teams standings shall be determined by the following criteria: a) goal difference b) higher number of plus goals scored in away match c) penalty throws Rules of execution of penalty throws - 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 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. - 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 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 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. 14

15 Relaunch >> Compatible with smartphones and tablets >> New design and user-friendly menu >> All matches of the VELUX EHF Champions League and Women s EHF Champions League live and on-demand >> Additional matches from EHF competitions incl. EHF EURO events ehftv.com

16 VELUX EHF FINAL4 countdown The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the culmination of the European club handball season. The two-day event sees the best four men s teams in Europe playing to decide the ultimate winner of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Introduced in the 2009/10 season and to be played until at least 2020 in the LANXESS arena, Cologne, the decision to create a new format for the final phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League was seen as crucial for the growth of handball across Europe. The aim was to create a flagship event, one that could compete on the international sports market and make the Europe s leading club competition even more attractive to fans, partners and sponsors. The success of the first six editions of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 showed that this new format was the right strategy. It has set new standards in organisation and entertainment: it is not just four games played over two days but a true entertainment event. Yet again the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 was the season s highlight in European handball 20,000 spectators in the LANXESS arena and millions of fans at home watched four unforgettable handball games and a unique entertainment show. Tickets for the 2015 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 went on sale on the opening day of the VELUX EHF FINAL Now, eight months before the participating teams are known, only a very limited number of tickets remain. The success of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is also thanks to the commitment of a great number of volunteers who have been active on the weekend of the event. The application procedure for next edition has already started and applications are invited also in the area of media. Full information at: VELUX EHF FINAL4 Media Accreditation The accreditation procedure of media representatives for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will start in March

17 VELUX EHF FINAL / 29 May 2016 LANXESS arena Cologne ATMOSPHERE SHOW EXCITEMENT YOUR THRILLING EXPERIENCE The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the most popular handball event for fans from all over Europe 19,750 spectators are again expected in Cologne in May Do you want to be part of this gigantic event? Book your personal VIP arrangement via phone or via und #EHFFINAL4

18 VELUX EHF FINAL4 travel and ticket partners announced With over 12,000 tickets already sold for the next edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, those unlucky enough not yet to have secured their place in the LANXESS arena, Cologne on 28/29 May 2016 have been waiting for a chance to buy their ticket. The event s organiser, EHF Marketing GmbH, has released details of the first of its official travel and ticket partners, through which fans will be able to purchase not just tickets but also hotel and travel packages. The first nine official partners covering Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and Switzerland have been announced, and will be offering complete packages for fans wanting to travel to Cologne in May Additional official ticket partners will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans wanting to make a booking with one of the official travel partners should contact one of the following companies direct: Vietentours The well-known German sports travel specialist, Vietentours, has been a partner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 since 2010 and offers travel packages to all major handball and sports events worldwide. Contact: handball@vietentours.com Handbollsresor.nu Official partner for both the Swedish and Danish markets and has been a partner for several years. Contact: info@handbollsresor.nu Hemispheres Voyages A new partner, Hemispheres Voyages is the exclusive travel partner for the French market. Specialising in sports travel, the company has been organising travel arrangements to major rugby, football, tennis and handball events for the past 18 years. Contact: sport@hemispheres-voyages.fr Travel Sense A/S Travel partner for the Danish market and official partner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the second time is Travel Sense A/S. The company has tickets available in all categories. Contact: info@travelsense.dk Treff AG Official travel partner for the Swiss market for a number of years Contact: travel@treff.ch OPProductions (OlliP) Partner for both Swedish and Danish markets (Travel packages available from October) Contact: opprod61@gmail.com Tensi Kft Partner for the second time and covering the Hungarian market Contact: Tel: Ticket2Final A partner for several years, offering unique reservation packages, which entitle you to tickets should your team qualify. Contact: service@ticket2final.com TF travels A long-standing partner covering the Swedish market. tf@lysekil.nu Kagan s Turist Aps Travel partner for the Danish market Contact: info@kagan.dk

19 Qualification Tournament review Qualification Tournament Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) OCI-Lions (NED) Alpla HC Hard (AUT) RK Borac m:tel (BIH) Group D HC Metalurg (MKD) Skjern Handbold (DEN) HC Motor Zaporozhye (UKR) Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI) HCM Baia Mare (ROU) Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) Playing hall Sportska Dvorana Borik Aleja Svetog Save Banja Luka Bosnia Herzegovina Capacity: 3,500 2 nd ranked team - Alpla HC Hard - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 3 rd ranked team - OCI-Lions - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 3 4 th ranked team - RK Borac m:tel - EHF Cup, Qualification Round 2 vs Winner of Round 1: HB Dudelange (LUX)/Haslum Handballklubb (NOR) Review: Elverum qualify for group phase Elverum Handball Herrer ended a long five-year barren spell for Norwegian clubs by reaching the VELUX EHF Champions League group phase after winning the qualification tournament in grand style. Having tamed Dutch rivals OCI-Lions in Saturday s semi-final, Elverum overpowered Austrian outfit Alpla HC Hard in the final on Sunday thanks to majestic performances by centre back Steffen Stormo Stegavik and left wing Andre Lindboe. RK Metalurg, Skjern Handbold, Kadetten Schaffhausen, Motor Zaporozhye and HCM Baia Mare await them in Group D of the European top flight. The Lions finished third after a well deserved win over tournament hosts RK Borac m:tel in the day s curtain raiser, as both teams joined Alpla in the EHF Cup preliminary rounds. VELUX EHF Champions League Qualification Tournament Final: Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) vs Alpla HC Hard (AUT) 28:25 (15:11) Elverum made Norway proud after capping a memorable weekend in Banja Luka with a decisive victory against battling Alpla HC Hard in the qualifying tournament s final, which fully lived up to expectations. Buoyed by Saturday s dramatic extra-time win over Borac, Alpla made the brighter start and took an early 4:2 lead after Roland Schlinger scored three quick goals for the Austrian team. But the Norwegian side s playmaker Steffen Stormo Stegavik quickly outshone his counterpart, rifling in one goal after another to put Elverum in the driving seat and give them a 9:6 advantage midway through the first half. He scored five of his team s opening six goals and when Andre Lindboe joined the party, Elverum scored four without reply in the closing stages of the opening period to give themselves a comfortable cushion at the interval. It was literally a two-man show in the Borik Hall, as Stegavik and Lindboe scored 13 of their team s 15 goals in the first half, the former leading the way with eight. As Alpla pressed hard after the break, Lindboe took over and scored his eighth to keep the Norwegian outfit 18:15 ahead in the 35th minute. Clearly missing some fuel in the tank after Saturday s strengthsapping encounter with Borac, Alpla looked deflated in the next few minutes and allowed Elverum to pull away to 21:16. Alpla were not to be trampled, however, and they hauled themselves back into the contest with a 3:0 run which forced Elverum to call a time-out midway through the second half. With Stegavik and Lindboe tightly marked and stifled out in the last quarter of the game, the support cast stepped up to keep Elverum ahead as Alpla launched a fierce fightback. Lindboe scored Elverum s final goal to put the icing on the cake for the determined Norwegian side, who can now look forward to mixing it with Europe s best in the forthcoming months. Alpla s consolation is a berth in the EHF Cup third qualifying round and the Austrian club can head home with their heads high after leaving at all on the court against a pair of more heralded opponents. Third place match: OCI-LIONS (NED) vs RK Borac m:tel (BIH) 33:29 (16:14) Semi-finals match: Elverum Handball Herrer (NOR) vs OCI-Lions (NED) 35:30 (14:15) Alpla HC Hard (AUT) vs RK Borac m:tel (BIH) 35:33 AET (30:30, 17:14) 19

20 Facts and figures of the group phase 200 matches on the road to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 To celebrate the return of the VELUX EHF Champions League, here are the most important facts and figures of the upcoming group phase and beyond: 0 times since the inauguration of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2010 has the champions defended their title. The last team to do so was BM Ciudad Real in draw only will be held this season - the one for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 semi-finals in Cologne. Due to the new playing system, all pairings of the Last 16 and quarter-finals are set by the rankings of the groups phase. 1 coach led two different teams to the EHF Champions League trophies: Icelandic born Alfred Gislason (2002 SC Magdeburg, 2010 and 2012 THW Kiel) 1 person won the EHF Champions League as a player and a coach: Talant Dujshebaev. The current coach of Vive Tauron Kielce won the competition in 1994 as a player of Santander (ESP) and 2006, 2008 and 2009 as a coach of Ciudad Real. Veszprem coach Carlos Antonio Ortega was close to becoming number 2 on 31 May 2015, but failed in the final against his former club Barcelona, with which he took the title six times as a player. 2 winners of Groups A and B for the first time skip the Last 16 and directly qualify for the quarter-finals due to the new playing system. 4 teams are debutants of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase: Baia Mare (ROU), Kristianstad (SWE), Vojvodina (SRB) and Elverum (NOR), winner of the qualification tournament) 4 (which means all) participants of the VELUX EHF FINAL 2015 have qualified for the group phase again: Barcelona, Veszprem, Kielce and Kiel. 4 countries are represented by the previous 22 EHF Champions League champions: Spain (14 titles), Germany (6), Slovenia and France (each 1). 4 cross matches of the two best ranked teams of Groups C and D in March will decide the two Last 16 spots of those groups. 5 times have Barcelona and Kiel each qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Both won the trophy twice in Cologne s LANXESS arena. 5 former or current EHF Champions League champions with a collection of 14 trophies are part of the 2015/16 group phase: Barcelona, Kiel, Flensburg, Montpellier and Celje. 5 times only Spanish and/or German teams had qualified for the finals of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 (2010 Kiel vs Barcelona, 2011 Barcelona vs Madrid, 2012 Kiel vs Madrid, 2013 Hamburg vs Barcelona, 2014 Flensburg vs Kiel). The first and only exception was Hungarian record champions Veszprem in times with three different clubs (Celje, Ciudad Real/3, Barcelona/2) Belarusian Siarhei Rutenka won the EHF Champions League and thus is the most successful active player, ahead of Thierry Omeyer (Paris Saint-Germain), who the trophy four times (Montpellier, Kiel/3). If Rutenka and Barcelona win again, he joins all-time record winner Andrej Xepkin (six trophies with Barcelona, one with Kiel). 6 pairings will compose the Last 16 this season. Those teams on the positions 2-6 of Groups A and B and those teams winning the qualification matches of Groups C and D will face in the first knock-out stage. 7 former or current top scorers of the VELUX EHF Champions League are still playing in the 2015/16 season: Momir Ilic (2014/ goals, 2013/ goals, Veszprem), Mikkel Hansen (2011/12-98 goals for AG Kobenhavn, now PSG), Uwe Gensheimer (2010/ goals, Rhein Neckar Löwen), Filip Jicha (2008/09-99 goals, and 2009/ goals for Kiel, now Barcelona), Kiril Lazarov (2007/08-96 goals for Zagrab and 2005/06-85 goals for Veszprem, now Barcelona), Nikola Karabatic (2006/07-89 goals for Kiel, now PSG), Siarhei Rutenka (2003/ goals, 2004/05-85 goals for Celje, now Barcelona). 8 times ( , 2011, 2015) record winners FC Barcelona have won the EHF Champions League. 8 former or current IHF World Handball Players of the Year are part of the 28 squads of this Champions League season, four of them are contracted by PSG: Arpad Sterbik (2005/Vardar), Nikola Karabatic (2007, 2014/PSG), Thierry Omeyer (2008/PSG), Slawomir Szmal (2009/Kielce), Filip Jicha (2010/Barcelona), Mikkel Hansen (2011/PSG), Daniel Narcisse (2012/PSG) and Domagoj Duvnjak (2013/Kiel). Kielce coach Talant Dujshebaev was awarded twice (1994, 1996). 11 years ago, was the last time, a club not from Germany or Spain won the EHF Champions League: RK Pivovarna Lasko Celje (Slovenia). 14 times Spanish teams have won the EHF Champions League - Barcelona (8), Ciudad Real (3), Santander, Irun and Portland (each 1). 14 rounds will be played in Groups A and B, Groups C and D will play 10 rounds. 20 nations are represented by the 28 group phase participants. Germany have three clubs, Spain, France, Denmark, Hungary, FYR Macedonia and Poland each two. In the 2014/16 season (with 24 participating teams) it had only been 15 different nations. 21 teams, which had been part of the 2014/15 group phase, have qualified for this stage again. 20

21 22 Champions League participations in 23 years since the start of the competition in the 1993/94 season make RK Zagreb become the record holder ahead of Veszprem and Celje (21 participations). 22 goals in the 43:21 quarter-final clash of Barcelona against Zagreb was the biggest margin of all matches in the 2014/15 season. 25 players - an all-time record - left Macedonian runners-up Metalurg Skopje before the 2015/16 season. 28 teams are part of the new look group phase, split into eight teams each in Groups A and B and six teams each in Groups C and D. 29 points in 16 matches was FC Barcelona s record during their successful 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League campaign (14 wins, one draw and one defeat) goals were scored in average in all 160 matches of the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League season. 204 matches will be carried out in the 2015/16 season of the VELUX EHF Champions League - a large increase on the 160 last season. After the four qualification matches, which took place already, 172 group matches, four Group C/D cross matches, 12 Last 16 matches, eight quarter-finals and four matches at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will follow. 408 goals were conceded by Barcelona in their 16 matches of the 2014/15 season - the best defensive record. 527 goals were scored by Barcelona in their 16 matches of the 2014/15 season - the best attacking record. 8,989 goals were scored the 2014/15 VELUX EHF Champions League season, 657 in the qualification tournaments, 6816 in the group phase, 850 in the Last 16 matches, 442 in the quarterfinals and 224 at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 15,200 spectators attended the quarter-final Zagreb vs Barcelona - the record attendance of the 2014/15 season prior to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Teams by age average HC Vardar 28,74 HCM Baia Mare 28,25 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 28,24 HC Meshkov Brest 28,05 FC Barcelona Lassa 28 SG Flensburg-Handewitt 27,78 HC Motor Zaporozhye 27,55 Naturhouse La Rioja 27,41 Besiktas JK 26,96 TATRAN Presov 26,76 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 26,67 Orlen Wisla Plock 26,57 Kadetten Schaffhausen 26,52 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 26,29 Paris Saint-Germain Handball 26,29 THW Kiel 26,27 Elverum Handball Herrer 26,11 MVM Veszprém 25,68 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 25,26 Skjern Handbold 25,1 Futebol Clube do Porto 24,89 Vojvodina 24,81 Montpellier HB 24,76 IFK Kristianstad 23,95 MOL-Pick Szeged 23,92 Chekhovskie Medvedi 23,11 HC Metalurg 22,86 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 22,21 CL average 25,9 Teams by weight average HC Vardar 97,74 Orlen Wisla Plock 96,48 HC Meshkov Brest 95,7 Besiktas JK 95,48 Naturhouse La Rioja 95,35 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 95,29 THW Kiel 94,91 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 94,19 TATRAN Presov 94,19 FC Barcelona Lassa 93,35 Elverum Handball Herrer 92,94 HCM Baia Mare 92,63 IFK Kristianstad 92,19 HC Motor Zaporozhye 92 Futebol Clube do Porto 92 MVM Veszprém 91,93 HC Prvo plinarsko drustvo Zagreb 91,91 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 91,79 Kadetten Schaffhausen 91,62 Montpellier HB 91,56 HC Metalurg 91,44 SG Flensburg-Handewitt 91,17 MOL-Pick Szeged 90,77 Paris Saint-Germain Handball 90,21 Vojvodina 89,90 Skjern Handbold 89,81 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 89,21 Chekhovskie Medvedi 86,41 CL average 92,37 Teams by height average Orlen Wisla Plock 195,9 Naturhouse La Rioja 194,88 THW Kiel 194,14 FC Barcelona Lassa 193,26 KS Vive Tauron Kielce 193,14 HC Motor Zaporozhye 193,11 HC Vardar 193 HC Meshkov Brest 192,7 TATRAN Presov 192,64 HC PPD Zagreb 192,48 Vojvodina 192,29 Futebol Clube do Porto 192,16 Besiktas JK 191,83 HC Metalurg 191,8 Rhein-Neckar Löwen 191,29 Chekhovskie Medvedi 191,26 Paris Saint-Germain 191,07 Kadetten Schaffhausen 190,9 Montpellier HB 190,64 MVM Veszprém 190,57 Skjern Handbold 190,52 MOL-Pick Szeged 190,49 Elverum Handball Herrer 190,47 HCM Baia Mare 190,26 IFK Kristianstad 190,24 SG Flensburg-Handewitt 189,61 KIF Kolding Kobenhavn 189,04 RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko 187,89 CL average 191,56 21

22 Facts and figures of the group phase Ljubomir Vranjes SG Flensburg-Handewitt SWE 168 Tadej Matijasic HC Metalurg SLO 174 Adam Arokszallasi MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 174 Balazs Molnar MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 175 Davor Palevski HC Metalurg MKD 175 Rene T. Rasmussen Skjern Handbold DEN 176 Ugur Coban Besiktas MOGAZ HT TUR 177 Eljub Alagic RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 177 Gal Marguc RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 177 Victor Tomas FC Barcelona Lassa ESP 178 Miha Zarabec RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 178 Sergio Muggli Kadetten Schaffhausen SUI 178 Ivan Cupic KS Vive Tauron Kielce CRO 178 Hugo Delgado Futebol Clube do Porto POR 178 Benedek Szakaly MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 178 Zlatko Horvat HC PPD Zagreb CRO 179 Luka Rakovic HC PPD Zagreb CRO 179 shortest vs tallest Timofei Maslennikov Chekhovskie Medvedi RUS 60 Benedek Szakaly MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 65 Adam Arokszallasi MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 66 Artem Kozakevych HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 68 Simon Opstrup Skjern Handbold DEN 70 Balazs Molnar MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 70 Roland Selmeczi MOL-Pick Szeged HUN 70 Davor Palevski HC Metalurg MKD 70 Michal Daszek Orlen Wisla Plock POL 70 Hugo Delgado Futebol Clube do Porto POR 70 Eduardo Cadarso Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 71 Kyllian Villeminot Montpellier HB FRA 72 Lukas Blohme SG Flensburg-Handewitt GER 72 Gal Marguc RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 72 Martin Varju MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 73 Anze Dobovicnik RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 73 Tilen Dobovicnik RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO 73 Luka Savanovic RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko BIH Bence Gödör MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN Eduardo Cadarso Naturhouse La Rioja ESP Adam Dimovics MOL-Pick Szeged HUN Martin Nagy MOL-Pick Szeged HUN Grega Ocvirk RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO Gasper Dobaj RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO Eljub Alagic RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO Barnabas Nagy MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN Anze Dobovicnik RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO Todor Jandric Vojvodina SRB Tilen Dobovicnik RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko SLO Kyllian Villeminot Montpellier HB FRA Jakub Bulski KS Vive Tauron Kielce POL Stefan Trkulja Vojvodina SRB Branko Vujovic KS Vive Tauron Kielce MNE Zoltan Szita MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN lightest vs heaviest youngest vs oldest Dainis Kristopans HC Meshkov Brest LAT 213 Angel Montoro Cabello Orlen Wisla Plock ESP 213 Mateusz Piechowski Orlen Wisla Plock POL 210 Marko Kopljar FC Barcelona Lassa CRO 210 Antonijo Peshevski HC Metalurg MKD 209 Josip Sandrk HC PPD Zagreb CRO 209 Alberto Val Sancho Naturhouse La Rioja ESP 208 Laszlo Nagy MKB-MVM Veszprém HUN 208 Sergii Burka HC Motor Zaporozhye UKR 208 Ivan Ivkovic TATRAN Presov CRO 207 Michal Kasal Futebol Clube do Porto CZE 207 Milan Vuckovic Vojvodina SRB 207 Kamil Syprzak FC Barcelona Lassa POL 206 Aleksander Borresen Elverum Handball Herrer NOR 206 Gleb Kalarash HC Motor Zaporozhye RUS 205 Rogerio Ferreira Moraes THW Kiel BRA 204 Marco Oneto Orlen Wisla Plock ITA 204 Dainis Kristopans HC Meshkov Brest LAT 135 Strahinja Milic HC Vardar SRB 132 Rafael Baena Rhein-Neckar ESP 128 Andrej Petro Tatran Presov SVK 127 Kamil Syprzak FC Barcelona Lassa POL 120 Zbigniew Kwiatkowski Orlen Wisla Plock POL 120 Arpad Sterbik Capar HC Vardar ESP 119 Rogerio Ferreira Moraes THW Kiel BRA 118 Josip Buljubasic Besiktas CRO 118 Tolga Özbahar Besiktas TUR 118 Marco Oneto Orlen Wisla Plock ITA 117 Viachaslau Shumak HC Meshkov Brest BLR 116 Julen Aguinagalde Akizu Vive Tauron Kielce ESP 116 Blaz Blagotinsek Celje SLO 116 Fredric Pettersson IFK Kristianstad SWE 116 Francisco Garcia Rubio La Rioja ESP 115 Matej Gaber Montpellier HB SLO 115 Alexandr Radcenko Presov CZE Jesper Larsson Kristianstad SWE Ljubomir Vranjes Flensburg SWE Ibrahim Demir Besiktas TUR Kasper Hvidt KIF DEN Nikola Marinovic Kadetten AUT Thierry Omeyer PSG FRA Torsten Jansen THW Kiel GER Maik Machulla Flensburg GER Petar Angelov HC Vardar MKD Danijel Saric FC Barcelona Lassa BIH Gurutz Aguinagalde La Rioja ESP Thomas Klitgaard Skjern DEN Lars Jorgensen KIF DEN Radoslav Antl Presov SVK Mattias Andersson Flensburg SWE

23 ehftv.com All matches of new season live Handball fans across Europe will not miss a single match in the new season of both elite European club competitions. All matches starting from Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League and Group Matches of the Women s EHF Champions League will be broadcast live on ehftv.com and the videos of all matches will be also on demand. Furthermore, like in the past season fully produced highlights magazine - Rewind - the handball show will feature stories and highlights from all Men s top matches will be played out on Monday 7:00 / 8:00 GMT after each playing round. The complete coverage of all matches means that only during the group stage of both competitions handball fans will be spoilt by 176 men s and 84 women s matches. Together with men s knockout stage, respectively women s main round and knockout stage this is supposed to create this season more than 260 hours of live handball on ehftv.com. New look ehftv relaunches The EHF Champions League Draw in Vienna on Friday, 26 June signaled the start of the 2015/16 season and with it came a new look for the video streaming platform, ehftv. Based on feedback from fans, the platform has been given a fresh face and new features have been added to make the site much easier to navigate. The new web page will offer a responsive design, with viewers able to stream all of the content from the platform, both live matches and on-demand videos, direct to their mobile devices. ehftv already offers a plethora of handball video content including magazine shows, features and interviews as well as each and every match from the VELUX EHF Champions League and Women s EHF Champions League. Additionally, the platform offers streaming from other EHF competitions including European Cups and the European Championships. In the new season there will also be a renewed focus on coverage of top league competitions, with selected matches from both the German Handball Bundesliga and Spain s Asobal. After a big premiere in Mannheim, Germany where he will follow the first steps of the defending champions on their title-defence path as FC Barcelona Lassa undergo a more than challenging opening test with the hosts Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Matches in Veszprem, Hungary (Round 2), Montpellier, France (Round 3), Skopje, FYR Macedonia (Round 4), Kielce, Poland (Round 5) will follow. The first stage of the European top flight will culminate in Paris in Round 6 as the home star-studded team of Paris Saint-Germain Handball receive last season s runners-up from Veszprem. Matches of the Week in Rounds 1-6 Round 1 Sunday, 20 September 2015 (19:30 hrs), SAP Arena (Mannheim, GER) Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs FC Barcelona Lassa Round 2 Saturday, 26 September 2015 (17:30 hrs), Veszprem Arena (Veszprem, HUN) Veszprem Handball Club vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt Round 3 Sunday, 4 October 2015 (17:00 hrs), Palais des Sports Rene Bougnol (Montpellier, FRA) Montpellier HB vs KIF Kolding Kobenhavn Round 4 Saturday, 11 October 2015 (18:00 hrs), SC Jane Sandanski (Skopje, MKD) HC Vardar vs Rhein-Neckar Löwen Round 5 Saturday, 17 October 2015 (18:00 hrs), MOSIR Hala Legionow (Kielce, POL) KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs FC Barcelona Lassa Round 6 Sunday, 25 October 2015 (17:00 hrs), Halle George Carpentier (Paris, FRA) Paris Saint-Germain Handball vs Veszprem Handball Club All times are local. *Note that live matches will be geo-blocked in some territories. First six stops of MOTW announced The Match of the Week has become already a traditional feature on ehftv.com and all handball fans can already look forward to a new series as the schedule for the first six rounds of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2015/16 has been announced. The ehftv commentator Tom O Brannagain, who guides the viewers through the MOTW games with his unique way of commentating, will not be able to complain for a lack of adventure as he is to visit six handball arenas in five countries in just a five-week span. 23

24 Roof Windows Skylights Roof Windows & Skylights Roof Windows Skylights Ready. Pick. Click! The patented VELUX Pick&Click! system makes installation fast and simple thanks to pre-fitted mounting brackets. And no matter what type of VELUX roof window you have small or large, old or new rest assured that all our blinds and shutters will fit flawlessly every time.

25 Group A preview RUKOMETNI KLUB PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO Z A G R E B EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHTS CONGREGATE The strongest group ever in the history of the competition, the Kiel manager says and many agree. One half of Group A are aiming for the VELUX EHF FINAL4, the others are merely aiming for the knock-out stages, and with even six teams proceeding from the new playing system, two will miss out on their goals. This group is the strongest ever in the history of the EHF Champions League, said Sabine Holdorf-Schust, director of THW Kiel after the draw event in Vienna, and this was all before PSG Paris had started their shopping spree. There s no lack of star power, with five former of current IHF World Handball Players of the year and three former or current Champions League top scorers among the Group A teams. In terms of transfers, the French champions did all they could to push themselves to Cologne: Noka Serdarusic as the new coach and the Karabatic brothers carry all the hopes of this star-studded team. If not now, then when? said TV expert Francois-Xavier Houlet, when asked if Paris would make it to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the first time after missing out on it twice in a row. Both times, MVM Veszprem was, where it ended for the Parisians, now they have the chance to take revenge in the group phase. The 2015 Champions League finalist and SEHA Liga winner from Hungary have boosted their squad particularly with Icelandic playmaker Aron Palmarsson (MVP of the 2014 VELUX EHF FINAL4). Palmarsson is the third former Kiel player after Momir Ilic and Christian Zeitz to have made the move to Hungary. And those three will face their ex-club again. If we look at their transfers, Kiel has lost power, despite signing goalkeeper Niklas Landin from Löwen. But losing Palmarsson, Rasmus Lauge (to Flensburg) and Filip Jicha to Barcelona means a setback for the back court axis, in which Domagoj Duvnjak and Joan Canellas will have to carry more responsibility, as young new arrival Christian Dissinger will need some time to adapt. And in the left wing position, Dominik Klein and Torsten Jansen are currently out due to injuries. And Flensburg? The 2014 Champions League winners have bolstered their squad not only with Lauge, but with three arrivals from Hamburg: Henrik Toft Hansen, Petar Djordjic and Kentin Mahe - but the French playmaker (MVP of the EHF Cup Finals 2015) will miss the start of the Champions League due to an ankle injury. From the width of the squad, Flensburg even seem to be stronger than Kiel and openly speak about the possible qualification for Cologne. Those four are seen to be seeded for the Last 16 or the quarter-final, for which the group winner qualifies directly. Zagreb, Celje, Besiktas and Plock will fight for the two remaining spots for the knock-out stage. Zagreb again lost some key players, but coach Veselin Vujovic is confident that his rejuvenated team can do it all again in their 22nd appearance in the EHF Champions League. Last season, Zagreb managed to cause major upsets on home ground by beating Kiel, Paris and Kolding. Celje (like Veszprem are for the 21st time part of the Champions League) have the same structure in their team, composed by highly skilled Slovenian talents. Coach Brank Tamse can count on some experienced players too - as Celje have proved in the previous seasons, when they beat Kiel and Hamburg at home, however, their away performances are much weaker than at home. The same holds true for the Oilers from Plock, who were the only team in the 2014/15 season, which managed to beat Barcelona. With some new arrivals and Manuel Cadenas as their coach they should be able to make it to the Last 16 again. So Besiktas Istanbul - in their second ever appearance in the group phase - seems to be the big underdog, after the Turkish champions had only won one of ten matches in the previous season. And from the names of their mostly Serbian internationals added to the squad the chance of any upset does not seem too likely. Björn Pazen 25