February 29, 2004
Hungary: Gyõr Draw FTC
Result from the Hungarian league, round 20:
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Ferencvárosi TC 25-25 (17-12)
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Ferencvárosi TC 25-25 (17-12)
Danish League Results
Results from Sunday:
Horsens HK - Ikast/Bording EH 31-35 (16-16)
Randers HK - Sönderjyske HK 33-25 (14-11)
SK Aarhus - FC Copenhagen 20-22 (8-14)
Horsens HK - Ikast/Bording EH 31-35 (16-16)
Randers HK - Sönderjyske HK 33-25 (14-11)
SK Aarhus - FC Copenhagen 20-22 (8-14)
World Handball Player 2003: Derepasko Overlooked
The IHF's web team has published a so-called shortlist of players who are in contention for the coveted mantle as World Handball Player 2003. Such a list is rarely to be taken seriously, and this year is no exception.In the name of political concerns, the IHF apparently seeks out players from as many different countries - and continents - as possible. No country is present with more than one player. Which makes the whole thing a bit absurd.
The most scandalous omission is Nataliya Derepasko of Krim Ljubljana, but the absence of Katalin Pálinger and Bojana Petrovic is just as bizarre. It seems that the IHF takes nothing except their own tournament into consideration. Performances in the Champions League and other European tournaments appear to matter zilch. Or at least close to it.
And when that's the case, this is just another All Star team from the World Championship. And the whole thing becomes pointless. Kristine Lunde as World Handballer 2003? Give me a break. Maybe in a couple of years time, but certainly not now. This is a player who is not even certain of a place in the national team.
There are some excellent players in the group below, and a good deal of them are truly deserving of this honour. Of the ones mentioned, I would personally choose Tanja Oder. But if Derepasko, Pálinger, and Petrovic also were in play, it would be more difficult. I think I could go for Derepasko for her truly dominating play in the Champions League.
Pálinger and Petrovic also had a season to be proud of as they both played well in three tournaments: national championships, the EHF Cup, and the World Championship.
Update: Just to make it clear - you can also vote for players who are not on the list.
Grit Jurack (GER)
Tanja Logvin (AUT)
Kristine Lunde (NOR)
Elodie Mambo (CIV)
Valerie Nicolas (FRA)
Tanja Oder (SLO)
Montserrat Puche Diaz (ESP)
Bojana Radulovics (HUN)
Olena Tsygitsa (UKR)
Sun-Hee Woo (KOR)
Read about the shortlist here and see how many embarrassing errors you can find.
Maida Pulverizes Podravka
Podravka Vegeta are still licking their wounds after being humbled for the first time in the league this season. Lokomotiva Zagreb handed the superior force in Croatian club handball a clear-cut 27-22 (13-10) defeat yesterday.
Zagreb's 19-year-old diamond Maida Arslanagic once again proved unstoppable. One of the biggest talents in European handball steered her team to victory with 12 goals on just 15 tries.
The Croatian champions from Koprivniva also had difficulty coming to terms with Lokomotiva's 3-2-1 defensive formation. When they did get around it, keeper Ivana Jelcic was a solid last bastion in Zagreb's goal.
Marija Culjak (picture) stacked up 6 goals for Podravka as her team's top scorer. The side from Koprivnica can take solace in the fact that they are still leading the league and safely on the way to a 12th Croatian championship in a row.
Lokomotiva Zagreb - Podravka Vegeta 27-22 (13-10)
Lokomotiva: Arslanagic 12, Pasicnik 6(3), Pusic 4(1), Veselovac 2, Cop 1, Lovric 1, Trivic 1.
Podravka: Culjak 6(1), Budimir 5(5), Hodak 4, Tatari 3, Gilca 2, Hobjila 1 (1), Vresk 1.
Zagreb's 19-year-old diamond Maida Arslanagic once again proved unstoppable. One of the biggest talents in European handball steered her team to victory with 12 goals on just 15 tries.
The Croatian champions from Koprivniva also had difficulty coming to terms with Lokomotiva's 3-2-1 defensive formation. When they did get around it, keeper Ivana Jelcic was a solid last bastion in Zagreb's goal.
Marija Culjak (picture) stacked up 6 goals for Podravka as her team's top scorer. The side from Koprivnica can take solace in the fact that they are still leading the league and safely on the way to a 12th Croatian championship in a row.
Lokomotiva Zagreb - Podravka Vegeta 27-22 (13-10)
Lokomotiva: Arslanagic 12, Pasicnik 6(3), Pusic 4(1), Veselovac 2, Cop 1, Lovric 1, Trivic 1.
Podravka: Culjak 6(1), Budimir 5(5), Hodak 4, Tatari 3, Gilca 2, Hobjila 1 (1), Vresk 1.
February 28, 2004
Viborg Shocked by GOG
Viborg HK lost the fourth match of the season after being outgunned 36-38 (20-17) by GOG in their home arena. In the second half, the visitors from Gudme managed to put a lid on Olga Assink who had been formidable in the first 30 minutes with 7 goals on as many attempts.
At the same time, they put on an impressive display in attack with 21 goals against what is perhaps the strongest defense in the league. Rikke Hörlykke was the busy-body as usual with many assists, but took 21 shots for her 8 goals. GOG's right back Krisztina Nagy was much more effective as she reached the same number of goals after a stellar showing.
Racking up 6 goals, pivot Lene Lund Nielsen continued her improvement with another good performance for the visitors. Katrine Fruelund was the highlight of the Viborg side with 9 goals, but Natasja Burgers also had a good day.
In what must have been the last nail in the coffin, bottom-side Fox Team Nord lost 25-31 (10-16) at home to Aalborg DH.
Viborg-GOG 36-38 (20-17)
Viborg: Olga Assink 9, Katrine Fruelund 9 (7), Natasja Burgers 6, Rikke Skov 3, Saskia Mulder 3, Camilla Thorsen 2, Berit Kristensen 1, Henriette Mikkelsen 1, Leila Lejeune 1, Lotte Kjærskou 1.
GOG: Krisztina Nagy 8, Rikke Hørlykke 8, Lene Lund Nielsen 6, Ragnhild Aamodt 6, Pearl van der Vissel 4, Monique Feijen 3 (1), Winnie Mølgaard 3 (1).
Susp.: 2x2m, 1x2m.
Attendance: 1,690.
Fox Team Nord-Aalborg DH 25-31 (10-16)
Fox: Teresa Utkovic 7, Mette Nielsen 6 (5), Gitte Aaen 4, Anja Kristensen 3, Heidi Johansen 3, Lilian Tjörholm 2.
Aalborg DH: Natalia Deriouguina 8, Agnes Farkas 5 (2), Beatrix Benyats 4, Bettina Nielsen 4, Rikke Nielsen 4, Anniken Solberg 2, Maren Villabö 2, Erika Nilson 1, Louise Mortensen 1.
Susp.: 3x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 897.
At the same time, they put on an impressive display in attack with 21 goals against what is perhaps the strongest defense in the league. Rikke Hörlykke was the busy-body as usual with many assists, but took 21 shots for her 8 goals. GOG's right back Krisztina Nagy was much more effective as she reached the same number of goals after a stellar showing.
Racking up 6 goals, pivot Lene Lund Nielsen continued her improvement with another good performance for the visitors. Katrine Fruelund was the highlight of the Viborg side with 9 goals, but Natasja Burgers also had a good day.
In what must have been the last nail in the coffin, bottom-side Fox Team Nord lost 25-31 (10-16) at home to Aalborg DH.
Viborg-GOG 36-38 (20-17)
Viborg: Olga Assink 9, Katrine Fruelund 9 (7), Natasja Burgers 6, Rikke Skov 3, Saskia Mulder 3, Camilla Thorsen 2, Berit Kristensen 1, Henriette Mikkelsen 1, Leila Lejeune 1, Lotte Kjærskou 1.
GOG: Krisztina Nagy 8, Rikke Hørlykke 8, Lene Lund Nielsen 6, Ragnhild Aamodt 6, Pearl van der Vissel 4, Monique Feijen 3 (1), Winnie Mølgaard 3 (1).
Susp.: 2x2m, 1x2m.
Attendance: 1,690.
Fox Team Nord-Aalborg DH 25-31 (10-16)
Fox: Teresa Utkovic 7, Mette Nielsen 6 (5), Gitte Aaen 4, Anja Kristensen 3, Heidi Johansen 3, Lilian Tjörholm 2.
Aalborg DH: Natalia Deriouguina 8, Agnes Farkas 5 (2), Beatrix Benyats 4, Bettina Nielsen 4, Rikke Nielsen 4, Anniken Solberg 2, Maren Villabö 2, Erika Nilson 1, Louise Mortensen 1.
Susp.: 3x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 897.
Knezevic on Top
Not unexpectedly, Ljiljana Knezevic grabbed the top scoring mantle of the group stage of this year's Champions League. She will obviously be surpassed at the knock-out stage where the two Bojana's (Petrovic and Radulovics) are both present. But you could call her the moral top scorer as she will be on uneven terms with such players.1. Ljiljana Knezevic (Nis) 59
2. Sladana Dronic (Hypo) 53
3. Anna Burmistrova (Zaporozhye) 49
4. Bojana Petrovic (Slagelse) 47
5. Bojana Radulovics (Dunaferr) 45
6. Olga Buyanova (Kometal) 41
7. Nataliya Derepasko (Krim) 40
8. Izabela Puchacz (Buducnost) 40
9. Tanja Logvin (Krim) 39
10. Katja Nyberg (Larvik) 39
11. Linn Kristin Riegelhuth (Larvik) 38
12. Nadejda Muravyeva (Togliatti) 37
13. Susana Fraile (Elda) 35
14. Maren Baumbach (Trier) 33
15. Camilla Andersen (Slagelse) 31
16. Diana Box (Elda) 31
17. Bernadett Ferling (Dunaferr) 31
18. Viktoria Kocsik (FTC) 31
19. Erika Kirsner (FTC) 30
20. Olena Tsygitsa (Kometal) 30
Source: EHF.
Slagelse Clear Ikast Hurdle
Slagelse are apparently immune to defeat in Denmark. On Friday night they won their fourth match this season with a margin of just one goal. With the 26-25 (14-13) victory over Ikast/Bording in the Atletion arena in Aarhus, Slagelse made it 18 wins in as many matches in the Danish league this season.
Although a home encounter against Randers HK are among the remaining four matches of the regular season, Slagelse are now close to reaching the stated objective of going through the league undefeated.
Leading 25-21 with 5 minutes to go, Slagelse were seemingly in control. But Ikast took full advantage of a two-minute suspension for Ausra Fridrikas and almost stole a point. Kristine Andersen, however, dropped the ball in the last attack with just 10 seconds left.
The match was marred by a number of unfortunate incidents. One player after another took hits that required treatment. Stina Madsen tried out a rugby-style tackle to stop Isabel Blanco in a fastbreak. She was rewarded with a red card. And an ankle injury as she hurt herself in the collision. Crime doesn't pay.
Anja Freser continues to pose a problem for Slagelse on right back. The Slovenian seems reluctant to take the initiative, instead preferring to move the ball around at a fairly sedate speed. Down 2-5 in the first half, Ausra Fridrikas was once again put on court to apply some pressure from that position.
Something which the experienced Austrian has never been afraid to do. With her fearless presence on court, Slagelse quickly closed the gap. While Camilla Andersen looked besides herself, Petrovic was her usual superior self. Line player Maja Mitrovic also displayed some of her qualities with what was perhaps her best match in the Slagelse jersey so far.
Ikast's Tonje Kjaergaard had to sit the match out with a minor injury, but Isabel Blanco was no handicap. In fact, the Norwegian pivot was perhaps Ikast's best player on the night. Narcisa Paunica is still far removed from her best form, but Kristine Andersen is beginning to find the right gear.
On right back, Lise Knudsen played amazingly - for the first two minutes. For the rest of the match, Ikast were dreadful on that position. Trine Jensen tried her luck, but has yet to convince after her comeback. Touray has seen better days as well, while Daugaard was more solid.
Ana Vojcic continues to be quite a few notches ahead of Karin Mortensen. Slagelse's Rikke Schmidt, on the other hand, has emerged as the obvious first choice on the national team.
On this position, Anja Andersen has little to worry about. The wings are a different story. Stephanie Cano is out with a long-term foot ailment. Valentina Radulovic has also been handicapped by injury for quite a while, but may bounce back later. And now Stina Madsen could be in trouble as well.
Ikast/Bording - Slagelse 25-26 (13-14)
Ikast: Isabel Blanco 6, Gro Hammerseng 5, Kristine Andersen 5 (2), Josephine Touray 4, Sara Hansen 3, Line Daugaard 1, Lise Knudsen 1.
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 9 (1), Maja Mitrovic 5, Ausra Fridrikas 5, Stine Frank 4, Mette Melgaard 1, Anja Freser 1, Camilla Andersen 1.
Disqualificatoin: Stina Madsen, Slagelse.
Suspensions: 2x4m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 4,587 in Atletion, Aarhus.
Although a home encounter against Randers HK are among the remaining four matches of the regular season, Slagelse are now close to reaching the stated objective of going through the league undefeated.
Leading 25-21 with 5 minutes to go, Slagelse were seemingly in control. But Ikast took full advantage of a two-minute suspension for Ausra Fridrikas and almost stole a point. Kristine Andersen, however, dropped the ball in the last attack with just 10 seconds left.
The match was marred by a number of unfortunate incidents. One player after another took hits that required treatment. Stina Madsen tried out a rugby-style tackle to stop Isabel Blanco in a fastbreak. She was rewarded with a red card. And an ankle injury as she hurt herself in the collision. Crime doesn't pay.
Anja Freser continues to pose a problem for Slagelse on right back. The Slovenian seems reluctant to take the initiative, instead preferring to move the ball around at a fairly sedate speed. Down 2-5 in the first half, Ausra Fridrikas was once again put on court to apply some pressure from that position.
Something which the experienced Austrian has never been afraid to do. With her fearless presence on court, Slagelse quickly closed the gap. While Camilla Andersen looked besides herself, Petrovic was her usual superior self. Line player Maja Mitrovic also displayed some of her qualities with what was perhaps her best match in the Slagelse jersey so far.
Ikast's Tonje Kjaergaard had to sit the match out with a minor injury, but Isabel Blanco was no handicap. In fact, the Norwegian pivot was perhaps Ikast's best player on the night. Narcisa Paunica is still far removed from her best form, but Kristine Andersen is beginning to find the right gear.
On right back, Lise Knudsen played amazingly - for the first two minutes. For the rest of the match, Ikast were dreadful on that position. Trine Jensen tried her luck, but has yet to convince after her comeback. Touray has seen better days as well, while Daugaard was more solid.
Ana Vojcic continues to be quite a few notches ahead of Karin Mortensen. Slagelse's Rikke Schmidt, on the other hand, has emerged as the obvious first choice on the national team.
On this position, Anja Andersen has little to worry about. The wings are a different story. Stephanie Cano is out with a long-term foot ailment. Valentina Radulovic has also been handicapped by injury for quite a while, but may bounce back later. And now Stina Madsen could be in trouble as well.
Ikast/Bording - Slagelse 25-26 (13-14)
Ikast: Isabel Blanco 6, Gro Hammerseng 5, Kristine Andersen 5 (2), Josephine Touray 4, Sara Hansen 3, Line Daugaard 1, Lise Knudsen 1.
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 9 (1), Maja Mitrovic 5, Ausra Fridrikas 5, Stine Frank 4, Mette Melgaard 1, Anja Freser 1, Camilla Andersen 1.
Disqualificatoin: Stina Madsen, Slagelse.
Suspensions: 2x4m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 4,587 in Atletion, Aarhus.
February 26, 2004
Riegelhuth Out for Four Weeks
Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth dislocated her collarbone last night in the match against Tertnes. She will need to rest for at least four weeks to allow the injury to heal. No news concerning Duvholt's knee.
Mocsai Makes His Selection
Hungary's coach Lajos Mocsai has nominated his team for the test matches against Denmark and the Netherlands next week. The selection is exclusively domestic. Legionaries like Siti (FCK), Farkas (Aalborg DH), and Szrnka (Frankfurter HC) have been left out.
Mocsai has called up Gabrielle Szucs of Debrecen and Anita Bulath of Dunaferr for the first time. Both of them made a mark at the Junior World Championship in Macedonia when Hungary won silver. "Only" 9 Dunaferr representatives in the mix.
Keepers:
Katalin Pálinger (Dunaferr)
Timea Sugár (FTC)
Irina Sirina (Gyõri ETO)
Field players:
Zsuzsanna Lovász (Dunaferr)
Krisztina Pigniczki (Dunaferr)
Anita Kulcsar (Dunaferr)
Ibolya Mehlmann (Gyõri ETO)
Anita Görbicz (Gyõri ETO)
Ivett Nagy (Dunaferr)
Gabriella Szûcs (Debrecen)
Erika Kirsner (FTC)
Timea Tóth (FTC)
Bernadett Ferling (Dunaferr)
Beata Bohus (Dunaferr)
Anita Bulath (Dunaferr)
Bojana Radulovics (Dunaferr)
Mocsai has called up Gabrielle Szucs of Debrecen and Anita Bulath of Dunaferr for the first time. Both of them made a mark at the Junior World Championship in Macedonia when Hungary won silver. "Only" 9 Dunaferr representatives in the mix.
Keepers:
Katalin Pálinger (Dunaferr)
Timea Sugár (FTC)
Irina Sirina (Gyõri ETO)
Field players:
Zsuzsanna Lovász (Dunaferr)
Krisztina Pigniczki (Dunaferr)
Anita Kulcsar (Dunaferr)
Ibolya Mehlmann (Gyõri ETO)
Anita Görbicz (Gyõri ETO)
Ivett Nagy (Dunaferr)
Gabriella Szûcs (Debrecen)
Erika Kirsner (FTC)
Timea Tóth (FTC)
Bernadett Ferling (Dunaferr)
Beata Bohus (Dunaferr)
Anita Bulath (Dunaferr)
Bojana Radulovics (Dunaferr)
Hungary: Radulovics Sinks FTC
Ten strikes from Bojana Radulovics proved decisive when Dunaferr SE took a firm grip on first place in the Hungarian league with a 30-29 (13-12) conquest of Ferencváros in Budapest on Thursday evening.
Timea Tóth was the most prolific scorer for the home side with 8 clean goals. Dunaferr attracted no fewer than 9 two-minute suspensions.
With three rounds remaining of the regular season, Dunaferr lead with 34 points for 19 matches. Ferencváros are four points behind in third place. Gyõri ETO are in second place - two points behind Dunaferr.
Gyõr played yesterday evening. But that was in the Hungarian Cup where they defeated Debrecen 32-25
(16-12) to move into the semifinals. The victory was sweet revenge for Görbicz and Co. as they recently lost to Debrecen.
Gyõr go up against Ferencváros in a home match on Sunday which should settle second place in the league.
Timea Tóth was the most prolific scorer for the home side with 8 clean goals. Dunaferr attracted no fewer than 9 two-minute suspensions.
With three rounds remaining of the regular season, Dunaferr lead with 34 points for 19 matches. Ferencváros are four points behind in third place. Gyõri ETO are in second place - two points behind Dunaferr.
Gyõr played yesterday evening. But that was in the Hungarian Cup where they defeated Debrecen 32-25
(16-12) to move into the semifinals. The victory was sweet revenge for Görbicz and Co. as they recently lost to Debrecen.
Gyõr go up against Ferencváros in a home match on Sunday which should settle second place in the league.
Urbanke Saves Frankfurt
Frankfurter HC are still on course to take the Bundesliga title. But it took a penalty goal from Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke with 16 seconds remaining to get the two points in Buxtehude on Wednesday evening. Frankfurt/Oder won 26-25 (12-15), heavily aided by 8 goals from Hortenzia Szrnka.
February 25, 2004
Danish League Results
Kolding IF - Randers HK 21-26 (12-12)
Kolding: Anette Olesen 6 (3), Anette Bonde 5, Nodjialem Myaro 3, Louise Pedersen 3, Pernille Hansen 2, Christina Roslyng 1, Ella Grödem 1.
Randers: Chao Zhai 9 (4), Kathrine Munch 4, Steluta Luca 4, Tatiana Silitch 3, Tanja Milanovic 3, Laura Danielsen 2, Annie Andersen 1.
Susp.: 3x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 1,643.
FC Copenhagen - Fox Team Nord 26-24 (14-8)
FCK: Matilda Boson 5, Elly an de Boer 5 (1), Melanie Smith 3, Eszter Siti 3, Lene Tobiasen 3, Christina Krogshede 2, Camilla Thomsen 1, Mette Vestergaard 1, Gitte W. Nielsen 1, Helle Wehl 1, Sofie Steffensen 1.
Fox: Anja Kristensen 11 (1), Heidi Johansen 4, Teresa Utkovic 4, Line Kiärskou 3, Gitte Aaen 2.
Susp.: 1x2m, 0x2m.
Attendance: 448.
Sönderjyske HK - Viborg HK 22-34 (9-18)
Sönderjyske: Sorina Teodorovic 8 (3), Anne Jensen 4, Lene Lunde 3, Trine Nöddesbo 3, Stine Svangaard 2, Louise Möhl 1, Sisse Alker 1.
Viborg: Olga Assink 11, Henriette Mikkelsen 7, Katrine Fruelund 7 (4), Berit Kristensen 2, Camilla Thorsen 2, Ann Grete Nörgaard 2 (1), Leila Lejeune 1, Saskia Mulder 1, Trine Troelsen 1.
Susp.: 2x2m, 0x2m.
Attendance: 1,475.
GOG - SK Aarhus 34-29 (16-12)
GOG: Winnie Mölgaard 9 (5), Rikke Hörlykke 7, Monique Feijen 5, Ragnhild Aamodt 4, Krisztina Nagy 3, Lene Lund Nielsen 3, Pearl van der Vissel 2, Birgit van Os 1.
Arhus: Christina Körup Pedersen 10 (3), Maja Grönbek 5, Camilla Transel 5 (2), Helle Svensson 2, Julie Transel 2, Karina Björn 2, Stine Qwist 1, Camilla Lund 1, Stephanie Moreau 1.
Susp.: 3x2m. 4x2m.
Attendance: 750.
Kolding: Anette Olesen 6 (3), Anette Bonde 5, Nodjialem Myaro 3, Louise Pedersen 3, Pernille Hansen 2, Christina Roslyng 1, Ella Grödem 1.
Randers: Chao Zhai 9 (4), Kathrine Munch 4, Steluta Luca 4, Tatiana Silitch 3, Tanja Milanovic 3, Laura Danielsen 2, Annie Andersen 1.
Susp.: 3x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 1,643.
FC Copenhagen - Fox Team Nord 26-24 (14-8)
FCK: Matilda Boson 5, Elly an de Boer 5 (1), Melanie Smith 3, Eszter Siti 3, Lene Tobiasen 3, Christina Krogshede 2, Camilla Thomsen 1, Mette Vestergaard 1, Gitte W. Nielsen 1, Helle Wehl 1, Sofie Steffensen 1.
Fox: Anja Kristensen 11 (1), Heidi Johansen 4, Teresa Utkovic 4, Line Kiärskou 3, Gitte Aaen 2.
Susp.: 1x2m, 0x2m.
Attendance: 448.
Sönderjyske HK - Viborg HK 22-34 (9-18)
Sönderjyske: Sorina Teodorovic 8 (3), Anne Jensen 4, Lene Lunde 3, Trine Nöddesbo 3, Stine Svangaard 2, Louise Möhl 1, Sisse Alker 1.
Viborg: Olga Assink 11, Henriette Mikkelsen 7, Katrine Fruelund 7 (4), Berit Kristensen 2, Camilla Thorsen 2, Ann Grete Nörgaard 2 (1), Leila Lejeune 1, Saskia Mulder 1, Trine Troelsen 1.
Susp.: 2x2m, 0x2m.
Attendance: 1,475.
GOG - SK Aarhus 34-29 (16-12)
GOG: Winnie Mölgaard 9 (5), Rikke Hörlykke 7, Monique Feijen 5, Ragnhild Aamodt 4, Krisztina Nagy 3, Lene Lund Nielsen 3, Pearl van der Vissel 2, Birgit van Os 1.
Arhus: Christina Körup Pedersen 10 (3), Maja Grönbek 5, Camilla Transel 5 (2), Helle Svensson 2, Julie Transel 2, Karina Björn 2, Stine Qwist 1, Camilla Lund 1, Stephanie Moreau 1.
Susp.: 3x2m. 4x2m.
Attendance: 750.
Ahlgrimm Pulls Out
Bayer Levekusen's playmaker Heike Ahlgrimm has decided to end her national team career, according to Handball-World. The 28-year-old reached 90 caps for Germany, but needs some breathing space outside her club career in order to pursue an education as graphical designer.
Ahlgrimm also wants to make room for younger players to come through and believes that Germany is going so strong at the center back position that she can afford to leave.
Agniezka Tobiasz is also saying 'Auf Wiedersehen' to Ekke Hoffmann. The 31-year-old right wing leaves the national team with 96 matches on her account. She was disappointingly denied a Croatia trip.
Ahlgrimm also wants to make room for younger players to come through and believes that Germany is going so strong at the center back position that she can afford to leave.
Agniezka Tobiasz is also saying 'Auf Wiedersehen' to Ekke Hoffmann. The 31-year-old right wing leaves the national team with 96 matches on her account. She was disappointingly denied a Croatia trip.
Larvik Stunned by Injuries
Larvik defeated Tertnes 32-25 in an away match on Wednesday, but the victory may have come at a high price as two key players left the court with injury.
Kristine Duvholt Havnaas, the exceptionally gifted left-hander, sustained a knee injury. Early reports on Larvik's site indicate that she may have tore a cruciate knee ligament which could rule her out for the rest of the season.
The 30-year-old made the All Star team at the 1999 World Championship on home soil and is one of Norway's greatest ever wing players.
With her speed and skill, she could be the magic formula to Larvik's problem on the playmaker position. Inger Sofie Heieraas has not been convincing lately, but the pacy Duvholt has put in solid performances. The versatile Duvholt can also play right back.
Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth is suddenly another question mark. She briefly passed out on the sideline after being injured in the shoulder region and was taken to hospital for examination. Riegelhuth, who is also a flexible leftty, has been in a superb form lately.
Kristine Duvholt Havnaas, the exceptionally gifted left-hander, sustained a knee injury. Early reports on Larvik's site indicate that she may have tore a cruciate knee ligament which could rule her out for the rest of the season.
The 30-year-old made the All Star team at the 1999 World Championship on home soil and is one of Norway's greatest ever wing players.
With her speed and skill, she could be the magic formula to Larvik's problem on the playmaker position. Inger Sofie Heieraas has not been convincing lately, but the pacy Duvholt has put in solid performances. The versatile Duvholt can also play right back.
Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth is suddenly another question mark. She briefly passed out on the sideline after being injured in the shoulder region and was taken to hospital for examination. Riegelhuth, who is also a flexible leftty, has been in a superb form lately.
Anja's Coaching Dream
Anja Andersen has declared that she wishes to become a national team coach in the future. But not in Denmark, B.T. reports. The first woman of Slagelse has been having an argument with the president of the Danish Handball Federation (DHF).
"To become national coach in Denmark you have to kiss ass on the right people. I don't want to do that. It's all going wrong in the DHF. Sören Hög should step down and let himself replace with Ulrik Wilbek," she told TV 2 recently.
Sören Hög fired back, pointing to Anja's lack of formal coaching training. But that argument didn't impress the Slagelse coach:
"When he began six years ago, Jan Pytlick didn't have the courses Sören Hög is talking about. He has taken them as he went along. But I don't understand all this talk about courses. I feel I have the competence that will make me suitable as a national coach, even though I don't have any fancy courses," Anja says to B.T.
Anyone interested in hiring her? Norway, France, Hungary, Russia, Serbia? Or Korea? Yeah, Korea would be nice.
"To become national coach in Denmark you have to kiss ass on the right people. I don't want to do that. It's all going wrong in the DHF. Sören Hög should step down and let himself replace with Ulrik Wilbek," she told TV 2 recently.
Sören Hög fired back, pointing to Anja's lack of formal coaching training. But that argument didn't impress the Slagelse coach:
"When he began six years ago, Jan Pytlick didn't have the courses Sören Hög is talking about. He has taken them as he went along. But I don't understand all this talk about courses. I feel I have the competence that will make me suitable as a national coach, even though I don't have any fancy courses," Anja says to B.T.
Anyone interested in hiring her? Norway, France, Hungary, Russia, Serbia? Or Korea? Yeah, Korea would be nice.
Money, Money, Jurack
Is Grit Jurack the most expensive player in the history of women's handball? Money matters are often kept secret for obvious reasons, but there is ample reason to believe that her transfer to Viborg is record-breaking.Jurack compared her decision with Beckham's infamous switch to Real Madrid. The actual figures involved, of course, nor her stardom come anywhere close to David Beckham's, but it was the principle behind that she felt to be similar. She wanted a greater sporting challenge "in the strongest league in the world" as she puts it.
According to Danish newspaper B.T., the transfer fee was as high as 190,000 Euro. Viborg's sports manager Michael Hansen denies to comment on that figure, but Ikast's Frank Henriksen has spoken of a price tag of around 170-180,000 Euro.
In addition, there's Jurack's annual salary which is believed to be around 200,000 Euro as well. With these numbers in front of them, Ikast stopped bidding on the German and settled for a cheaper right back solution in the young Ana Batinic.
On Viborg's web site, they thank 16 of their sponsors for pledging financial support to sign the German from Leipzig.
Viborg's first choice on right back has been the Dutch player Natasja Burgers who has not extended her contract with Viborg. It is already known that Helga Nemeth will return to Hungary where she might continue her career if the management in Cornexi-Alcoa changes.
Earlier in the year, Viborg reached an agreement with the young lefty Isabel Ortuno Torrico from Elda Prestigio who also plays right back.
February 24, 2004
Jurack Moves to Viborg
Today it was confirmed by all parties involved that Grit Jurack will be departing from HC Leipzig after the season. The German star will join Viborg HK on a 3-year contract from the 1st of July 2004.
Viborg brought out the big wallet to release the Leipzig captain from her current contract which originally ran to 2006. The transfer fee was significantly above 100,000 Euro according to the management of the German club.
Jurack was also sought after by her previous club Ikast/Bording, among others, but the generous offer from Viborg was too good to turn down for the powerful lefty.
Viborg brought out the big wallet to release the Leipzig captain from her current contract which originally ran to 2006. The transfer fee was significantly above 100,000 Euro according to the management of the German club.
Jurack was also sought after by her previous club Ikast/Bording, among others, but the generous offer from Viborg was too good to turn down for the powerful lefty.
EHF Cup: Quarterfinal Draw
GOG-Gudme - Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC
Vaag Vipers - Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov
Viborg HK - Rapid CFR Bucuresti
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd - Nordstrand 2000
Vaag Vipers - Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov
Viborg HK - Rapid CFR Bucuresti
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd - Nordstrand 2000
Cup Winner's Cup: Quarterfinal Draw
Ikast/Bording EH - Ferrobus Mislata
Alsa Elda Prestigio - FC Copenhagen Handball
Hypo NÖ - Váci NK
El Osito L'Eliana - Metropole Metz
Alsa Elda Prestigio - FC Copenhagen Handball
Hypo NÖ - Váci NK
El Osito L'Eliana - Metropole Metz
Challenge Cup: Quarterfinal Draw
IB Vestmannaeyjar - Brodosplit Inzenjering
1. FC Nürnberg - Anadolu University
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen - MKS Vitaral Jelfa Jelenia Gora
Borussia Dortmund - Universitatea Remin Deva
1. FC Nürnberg - Anadolu University
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen - MKS Vitaral Jelfa Jelenia Gora
Borussia Dortmund - Universitatea Remin Deva
Larvik Pick Up Hilmo
National team pivot Elisabeth Hilmo of Selbu will be switching to Larvik after this season. Larvik announced today that Hilmo has signed a two-year deal with the Norwegian champions.
Elisabeth Hilmo has emerged as the top line player in Norway after a convincing performance at the World Championship.
Larvik coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad is not surprisingly enthusiastic about the signing.
"Elisabeth has been one of the main profiles in Norwegian women's handball for the last couple of years. She is a player of international caliber and holds an important position on the national team," Gjekstad says in a press release published on Larvik's web site.
Elisabeth Hilmo has emerged as the top line player in Norway after a convincing performance at the World Championship.
Larvik coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad is not surprisingly enthusiastic about the signing.
"Elisabeth has been one of the main profiles in Norwegian women's handball for the last couple of years. She is a player of international caliber and holds an important position on the national team," Gjekstad says in a press release published on Larvik's web site.
February 23, 2004
Halldorsson Leaving Aarhus
Kristjan Halldorsson will be vacating his position as head coach of SK Aarhus after the season. Due to family reasons he wants to return to his native Iceland after a long stay in Scandinavia that also included a spell in Larvik.
Halldorrson had originally signed a two-year contract, but both parties had an option to terminate after one year. As usual, SK Aarhus are headed for the relegation playoffs after yet another disappointing season.
Halldorrson had originally signed a two-year contract, but both parties had an option to terminate after one year. As usual, SK Aarhus are headed for the relegation playoffs after yet another disappointing season.
Challenge Cup: Quarterfinalists
Finally I'm having a look at the Challenge Cup. With activity in four European tournaments this weekend and almost 30 international matches played, it's hard to keep up with them all.
Return matches of Round 4:
SA Merignac - Anadolu Uni. 34-33 (56-67)
Well done by the Turkish No. 1. Paulo Gondo's nine goals weren't enough to pull in Anadolu's substantial lead from the first leg.
Universitatea Remin Deva - AS Altamura 27-23 (61-41)
Remin Deva played both matches at home in Romania. After a 18-goal conquest in the first match, they relaxed a bit more in the second. The Romanians won the tournament two years ago.
IB Vestmannaeyjar - Le Havre Athletic Club 27-27 (57-49)
The French teams were almost wiped out completely from the European tournaments after this weekend. Le Havre managed a draw with Vestmannaeyjar on Iceland, but that was of little use after a heavy home defeat a week ago. Alla Gorkorian scored 17 goals over the two meetings for Vestmannaeyjar.
Uni Jolidon Cluj - 1. FC Nürnberg 28-24 (53-59)
The Germans were actually leading at half-time, but lost momentum in the second half as less experienced players had a go. However, the aggregate victory was never in doubt for Stefanie Ofenböck and her teammates. The talented Mihaela Senocico landed 11 goals for the Romanians.
Spono Nottwil - Borussia Dortmund 23-35 (38-60)
The Swiss side predictably endured another beating in the return match against the Challenge Cup winners from last season.
Colegio de Gaia - MKS Vitaral Jelfa 20-37 (37-69)
The Polish side was not kind to their hosts for both meetings as they racked up two massive wins in Oporto.
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen - Eskisehir Osmangazi 33-12 (69-23)
It's turning into a German Cup tournament.
Brodosplit Inzenjering - Motor Zaporozhye 2 (57-53)
Settled a week ago.
Return matches of Round 4:
SA Merignac - Anadolu Uni. 34-33 (56-67)
Well done by the Turkish No. 1. Paulo Gondo's nine goals weren't enough to pull in Anadolu's substantial lead from the first leg.
Universitatea Remin Deva - AS Altamura 27-23 (61-41)
Remin Deva played both matches at home in Romania. After a 18-goal conquest in the first match, they relaxed a bit more in the second. The Romanians won the tournament two years ago.
IB Vestmannaeyjar - Le Havre Athletic Club 27-27 (57-49)
The French teams were almost wiped out completely from the European tournaments after this weekend. Le Havre managed a draw with Vestmannaeyjar on Iceland, but that was of little use after a heavy home defeat a week ago. Alla Gorkorian scored 17 goals over the two meetings for Vestmannaeyjar.
Uni Jolidon Cluj - 1. FC Nürnberg 28-24 (53-59)
The Germans were actually leading at half-time, but lost momentum in the second half as less experienced players had a go. However, the aggregate victory was never in doubt for Stefanie Ofenböck and her teammates. The talented Mihaela Senocico landed 11 goals for the Romanians.
Spono Nottwil - Borussia Dortmund 23-35 (38-60)
The Swiss side predictably endured another beating in the return match against the Challenge Cup winners from last season.
Colegio de Gaia - MKS Vitaral Jelfa 20-37 (37-69)
The Polish side was not kind to their hosts for both meetings as they racked up two massive wins in Oporto.
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen - Eskisehir Osmangazi 33-12 (69-23)
It's turning into a German Cup tournament.
Brodosplit Inzenjering - Motor Zaporozhye 2 (57-53)
Settled a week ago.
CL Group C: Hypo Have Last Say
In the last match of this year's group stage of the Champions League, Hypo NÖ earned a tight 30-28 (16-16) victory over DIN-Classic in Nis. The match was of little importance as the Serbs were too far distanced from Hypo to put the third place in doubt.
Through 10 goals from Ljiljana Knezevic, Nis had the initiative for most of the match and held a 2-goal lead with 5 minutes to go. Hypo dipped them on the finishing line, though, and go into the Cup Winner's Cup with a winning boost. Dronic did her part with 8 goals.
Through 10 goals from Ljiljana Knezevic, Nis had the initiative for most of the match and held a 2-goal lead with 5 minutes to go. Hypo dipped them on the finishing line, though, and go into the Cup Winner's Cup with a winning boost. Dronic did her part with 8 goals.
February 22, 2004
EHF Cup: Norwegian Double Through
Two Norwegian sides will be in the pot when the draw for the EHF Cup quarterfinals is made on Tuesday in Vienna. Nordstrand 2000 progressed after a clear 30-19 (18-9) defeat of Astrakhanochka Astrakhan in Oslo. The agile pivot Randi Gustad landed 10 goals for Nordstrand who go through 51-43 on aggregate.
Vaag Vipers joined them after winning an impressive 31-26 (18-16) against the French star ensemble from E.S. Besancon. Vipers' star back Kristine Lunde scored 12 goals. The Norwegian side was 10 goals ahead at the middle of the second half and move on with a 3-goal advantage on aggregate.
Rapid Bucuresti also took care of a French representative. Having won the first encounter 33-27, the Romanians sent Cercle Dijon Bourgogne packing after a 34-31 victory in Romania in the second match.
Gyõr easily made the cut with a 33-22 (17-11) dismissal of the Spanish side Itxako Estella 3322 (1711). The Hungarians go through with 7 goals more on their account.
Full bunch:
Viborg HK (DEN)
GOG-Gudme (DEN)
Eurostandard G.P. (MKD)
AKVA Volgograd (RUS)
Nordstrand 2000 (NOR)
Vaag Vipers (NOR)
Rapid Bucuresti (ROM)
Gyõri Graboplast (HUN)
Vaag Vipers joined them after winning an impressive 31-26 (18-16) against the French star ensemble from E.S. Besancon. Vipers' star back Kristine Lunde scored 12 goals. The Norwegian side was 10 goals ahead at the middle of the second half and move on with a 3-goal advantage on aggregate.
Rapid Bucuresti also took care of a French representative. Having won the first encounter 33-27, the Romanians sent Cercle Dijon Bourgogne packing after a 34-31 victory in Romania in the second match.
Gyõr easily made the cut with a 33-22 (17-11) dismissal of the Spanish side Itxako Estella 3322 (1711). The Hungarians go through with 7 goals more on their account.
Full bunch:
Viborg HK (DEN)
GOG-Gudme (DEN)
Eurostandard G.P. (MKD)
AKVA Volgograd (RUS)
Nordstrand 2000 (NOR)
Vaag Vipers (NOR)
Rapid Bucuresti (ROM)
Gyõri Graboplast (HUN)
CL Group B: Ikast Extend European Stay
Ikast/Bording ended a 3-game losing streak in the Champions League with a comfortable 36-25 conquest of Motor Zaporozhye in Ikast-hallen. The win puts Ikast through to the quarterfinal stage of Cup Winner's Cup.
CL Group D: Ferencvaros Win in Poland
Ferencvaros finished the group stage with a 28-27 (14-15) victory over Bystrzyca Lublin in Poland.
Kometal's Injury Blow: Tsygitsa Out
Olena Tsygitsa of Kometal Gjorche Petrov has been ruled out for the rest of the season, according to the club's web site. The Ukrainian All-Star broke the ankle on her left foot in the second half against Slagelse on Saturday.Doctors in Skopje say that this type of injury is extremely rare and already decided to operate on the ankle late last night. The Ukrainian made the All-Star team at the World Championship in Croatia and is regarded as one of the best left backs in the world.
The injury couldn't have come at a worse time for Kometal who have a stern test against Larvik HK awaiting for them in the quarterfinals of the Champions League next month.
EHF Cup: Four Quarterfinalists Cleared
The EHF Cup quarterfinals are beginning to fall in place.
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd made little doubt about their qualification when they trampled down Buxtehuder SV in the second half to win 30-24 (12-12) in Germany. This victory puts them through with an 11-goal advantage after they won the first match 25-20. Kochetova (9/1) was the top scorer of the return match.
Viborg HK had some injury problems in the squad and were in trouble at half-time, but got away from Koprivinica with a 35-34 (17-12) defeat to Podravka Vegeta. After winning by 10 goals at home, Viborg easily advance. Leila Lejeune registered 8 goals for the Danish side, while Gilca hit 8 for the Croatians.
GOG had little difficulty getting past GAS Artas, especially after winning by 12 goals in Greece. The return leg in Gudme was won by 35-28 (17-15) after 10 goals by Monique Feijen.
Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov had a modest 3-goal advantage over Zeeman Vastgoed before the return match in the Netherlands, but the outcome was never in question as the Macedonians won 29-21 (12-6) after shutting the Dutch side out in the first half.
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd made little doubt about their qualification when they trampled down Buxtehuder SV in the second half to win 30-24 (12-12) in Germany. This victory puts them through with an 11-goal advantage after they won the first match 25-20. Kochetova (9/1) was the top scorer of the return match.
Viborg HK had some injury problems in the squad and were in trouble at half-time, but got away from Koprivinica with a 35-34 (17-12) defeat to Podravka Vegeta. After winning by 10 goals at home, Viborg easily advance. Leila Lejeune registered 8 goals for the Danish side, while Gilca hit 8 for the Croatians.
GOG had little difficulty getting past GAS Artas, especially after winning by 12 goals in Greece. The return leg in Gudme was won by 35-28 (17-15) after 10 goals by Monique Feijen.
Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov had a modest 3-goal advantage over Zeeman Vastgoed before the return match in the Netherlands, but the outcome was never in question as the Macedonians won 29-21 (12-6) after shutting the Dutch side out in the first half.
CL Match Details from Saturday
Group A:
El Osito L'Eliana - DJK/MJC Trier 35-20 (16-9)
Valencia: Puche Diaz 8 (2), Oncina 7, Gomez 5, Mari 5, Mangue 4, Aguilar 3, Ilic 2, Ruiz 1.
Trier: Meier 4, Baumbach 4, Tegel 3, Bohm 3, Henker 2, Scholl 1, Althaus 1, Nykytenko 1.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 2x2m.
Dunaferr SE - Lada Togliatti 29-28 (13-11)
Dunaferr: Radulovics 11 (5), Nagy 5, Bulath 3, Lovasz 3, Ferling 2, Kulcsar 2, Pigniczki 1, Kindl 1, Gaspar 1.
Togliatti: Postnova 8 (3), Chaplina 5, Muravyeva 4 (2), Kareeva 3, Shipilova 2, Yakovleva 2, Tscherni 2, Rumenskaya 1, Dyadetchko 1.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 1,500.
Group B:
Krim Eta Malizia - Buducnost Monet 35-25 (18-12)
Krim: Derepasko 8 (3), Logvin, Ceckova 7, Bodnieva 4, Kliukaite 4, Verhelyuk 3, Oder 1.
Buducnost: Kolakovic 8 (8), Puchacz 7 (1), Jeraminok 4, Damjanac 3, Volkova 2, Marzac 1.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 3,000.
Group C:
Kometal Gjorche Petrov - Slagelse FH 19-19 (10-11)
Kometal: Olga Buyanova 8 (2), Olena Tsygitsa 6 (1), Partenko 2, Todorovska 1, Velkova 1, Raykhel 1.
Slagelse: Stinne Bossen 7 (1), Sandra Folden 6 (2), Stina Madsen 3, Line Möller 2, Maria Hansen 1.
Suspenspions: 3x2m, 7x2m.
Disqualification: Maria Hansen, Slagelse.
Attendance: 2,000.
Group D:
Alsa Elda Prestigio - Larvik HK 25-25 (14-11)
[Missing]
El Osito L'Eliana - DJK/MJC Trier 35-20 (16-9)
Valencia: Puche Diaz 8 (2), Oncina 7, Gomez 5, Mari 5, Mangue 4, Aguilar 3, Ilic 2, Ruiz 1.
Trier: Meier 4, Baumbach 4, Tegel 3, Bohm 3, Henker 2, Scholl 1, Althaus 1, Nykytenko 1.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 2x2m.
Dunaferr SE - Lada Togliatti 29-28 (13-11)
Dunaferr: Radulovics 11 (5), Nagy 5, Bulath 3, Lovasz 3, Ferling 2, Kulcsar 2, Pigniczki 1, Kindl 1, Gaspar 1.
Togliatti: Postnova 8 (3), Chaplina 5, Muravyeva 4 (2), Kareeva 3, Shipilova 2, Yakovleva 2, Tscherni 2, Rumenskaya 1, Dyadetchko 1.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 1,500.
Group B:
Krim Eta Malizia - Buducnost Monet 35-25 (18-12)
Krim: Derepasko 8 (3), Logvin, Ceckova 7, Bodnieva 4, Kliukaite 4, Verhelyuk 3, Oder 1.
Buducnost: Kolakovic 8 (8), Puchacz 7 (1), Jeraminok 4, Damjanac 3, Volkova 2, Marzac 1.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 3,000.
Group C:
Kometal Gjorche Petrov - Slagelse FH 19-19 (10-11)
Kometal: Olga Buyanova 8 (2), Olena Tsygitsa 6 (1), Partenko 2, Todorovska 1, Velkova 1, Raykhel 1.
Slagelse: Stinne Bossen 7 (1), Sandra Folden 6 (2), Stina Madsen 3, Line Möller 2, Maria Hansen 1.
Suspenspions: 3x2m, 7x2m.
Disqualification: Maria Hansen, Slagelse.
Attendance: 2,000.
Group D:
Alsa Elda Prestigio - Larvik HK 25-25 (14-11)
[Missing]
February 21, 2004
CL Group D: Elda Out after Draw
Alsa Elda Prestigio came close, but had to settle for a 25-25 (14-10) draw against Larvik HK which puts Ferencváros in the quarterfinals regardless of the result in Lublin tomorrow.
The Spaniards almost had victory in their laps as they were ahead 25-22 with just three minutes to go.
The Spaniards almost had victory in their laps as they were ahead 25-22 with just three minutes to go.
CL Group B: Krim Ready for Lada
Krim Ljubljana won Group B after a crushing 35-25 (18-12) defeat of Buducnost Monet at home in Slovenia. This means that the defending champions will go up against Lada Togliatti at the next stage. Dunaferr will meet Buducnost.
CL Group C: Slagelse Babies Draw Kometal
Slagelse's much-diminished squad earned a staggering 19-19 (11-10) draw with Kometal Gjorche Petrov in Skopje. The draw was enough to put the home side through to a quarterfinal against Larvik HK.
But other than that, Kometal had little to celebrate. Besides struggling with an inexperienced Slagelse outfit, the Macedonians lost Olena Tsygitsa with what appeared to be a troublesome injury.
But other than that, Kometal had little to celebrate. Besides struggling with an inexperienced Slagelse outfit, the Macedonians lost Olena Tsygitsa with what appeared to be a troublesome injury.
CL Group A: Dunaferr on Top
Dunaferr SE took first place in Group A after a 29-28 (13-11) home victory over Lada Togliatti. El Osito L'Eliana finish third after a 35-20 (16-9) demolition job on DJK/MJC Trier in Valencia.
Valencia-Trier Postponed
The Champions League match between Valencia and Trier has been postponed for five hours, according to Handball-World.com. The Dutch referees, who were scheduled for the match, are stranded in Milano and will be replaced by a Danish pair.
But they will not arrive in Spain until 19:30. This means that the match has been moved from 16:30 to the late hour of 21:30.
Update: Trier graciously agreed to having Spanish referees for the match. This means it was only postponed half an hour.
But they will not arrive in Spain until 19:30. This means that the match has been moved from 16:30 to the late hour of 21:30.
Update: Trier graciously agreed to having Spanish referees for the match. This means it was only postponed half an hour.
February 20, 2004
European Cup Ranking: Norway Falling
The European Handball Federation has released the national European Cup rankings which will determine the number of teams that can participate in the European competitions next season. Last season's leaders Norway dropped from first to fifth place, while Spain went from second to third.
Denmark moves from fourth into first, narrowly ahead of Hungary who goes from third to second. Through the efforts of Krim Ljubljana, Slovenia are now ranked fourth. The demise of Hypo is reflected in Austria's drop from 10 to 15. Macedonia has taken a dip from 7 to 14, while Ukraine and France have both moved forward quite a lot.
The ranking is based on results from the last three completed seasons. The top seven countries for women can each enter two teams into the Champions League and the EHF Cup as it currently stands as well as one club in the Cup Winner's Cup. Teams ranked 14-24 can enter one club into those competitions.
1. Denmark
2. Hungary
3. Spain
4. Slovenia
5. Norway
6. Serbia and Montenegro
7. Russia
---
8. France
9. Ukraine
10. Romania
11. Germany
12. Croatia
13. Poland
14. Macedonia
15. Austria
16. Turkey
17. Greece
18. Portugal
19. Slovakia
20. Italy
21. Czech Republic
22. Lithuania
23. Switzerland
24. Netherlands
---
25. Belarus
26. Bulgaria
27. Cyprus
28. Bosnia and Hercegovina
29. Sweden
30. Azerbaijan.
46 countries in total.
Combined Top 10 - men and women:
1. Spain (2.0 - avg. rank)
2. Hungary (2.5)
3. Denmark (3.5)
4. Slovenia (4.0)
5. Germany (6.5)
6. SCG (7.0)
7. Norway (7.5)
8. France (7.5)
9. Russia (8.0)
10. Croatia (8.5)
Denmark moves from fourth into first, narrowly ahead of Hungary who goes from third to second. Through the efforts of Krim Ljubljana, Slovenia are now ranked fourth. The demise of Hypo is reflected in Austria's drop from 10 to 15. Macedonia has taken a dip from 7 to 14, while Ukraine and France have both moved forward quite a lot.
The ranking is based on results from the last three completed seasons. The top seven countries for women can each enter two teams into the Champions League and the EHF Cup as it currently stands as well as one club in the Cup Winner's Cup. Teams ranked 14-24 can enter one club into those competitions.
1. Denmark
2. Hungary
3. Spain
4. Slovenia
5. Norway
6. Serbia and Montenegro
7. Russia
---
8. France
9. Ukraine
10. Romania
11. Germany
12. Croatia
13. Poland
14. Macedonia
15. Austria
16. Turkey
17. Greece
18. Portugal
19. Slovakia
20. Italy
21. Czech Republic
22. Lithuania
23. Switzerland
24. Netherlands
---
25. Belarus
26. Bulgaria
27. Cyprus
28. Bosnia and Hercegovina
29. Sweden
30. Azerbaijan.
46 countries in total.
Combined Top 10 - men and women:
1. Spain (2.0 - avg. rank)
2. Hungary (2.5)
3. Denmark (3.5)
4. Slovenia (4.0)
5. Germany (6.5)
6. SCG (7.0)
7. Norway (7.5)
8. France (7.5)
9. Russia (8.0)
10. Croatia (8.5)
CL Round 6: Preview and Predictions
The remaining pieces of the puzzle are to be put in place over the weekend. Some are already through, some are already out. All eight home teams won in round 5, they won't have it quite that easy in the last round. Group D has most excitement in store as Ferencvaros and Elda Prestigio are fighting to reach the quarters. Hypo have a miniscule chance of getting past Kometal, but it will require a major upset in Skopje where Slagelse are sending an untested squad.Group A:
Dunaferr SE - Lada Togliatti (Sat 18:00)
El Osito L'Eliana - DJK/MJC Trier (Sat 16:30)
Predictions: Lada by 3, El Osito by 5.
I honestly think that Dunaferr will be favourites to win at home against the Russians. But I've made some miserable predictions regarding this team, so I'll go with Lada instead. They are a brilliant away team after all. Both teams will probably want to avoid Krim Ljubljana in their quarterfinal. The Slovenians begin their match half an hour earlier. If they fail against Buducnost, it's not necessarily a good idea to win group A - at least if they want to avoid Krim. But then again, Buducnost are also mighty strong and the group winners will play the return leg at home which is normally an advantage. Mar Valencia have beaten Dunaferr at home and put in a good performance in Togliatti in the last round, while Trier couldn't keep up with the Hungarians.
Group B:
Krim Eta Malizia - Buducnost Monet (Sat 17:30)
Ikast/Bording EH - Motor Zaporozhye (Sun 16:30)
Predictions: Krim by 6, Ikast by 5.
I have a feeling that both Krim and Buducnost would like to avoid Lada. It's a long trip to Russia, and you never quite know what you get with Togliatti. But they will have no idea what to do to steer clear of them. Which means they will surely both try and win the match to secure the important return leg at home no matter who they face. Krim have been breathtaking in the last couple of matches and will want to avenge the defeat in Podgorica. Buducnost were strong against Ikast. You don't win by 12 goals by accident, although the crisis-struck Danes were really a sad bunch. Motor Zaporozhye are strong in the Ukraine, but have an appalling away record. Ikast can't possibly get any worse and will be in a defiant mood to register the needed win to progress into the Cup Winner's Cup.
Group C:
Kometal Gjorche Petrov - Slagelse FH (Sat 18:00)
DIN-Classic, Nis - Hypo NÖ (Sun 18:30)
Predictions: Kometal by 10, Nis by 3.
Anja Andersen seems to think that the group stage is already over. This has caused her to skip the trip to Macedonia and instead send a team of mostly second-tier players, much to the regret of Hypo who still had hopes of going through if Slagelse could win big in Skopje. That's not going to happen now. Sure, there are some talented players in the Slagelse outfit, but they shouldn't get anywhere near a team like Kometal with established and experienced international players. As I doubt, Slagelse will beat Skopje on Saturday, Hypo will likely know that they can't go any further in this tournament before the match in Serbia. Since they will already be qualified for the Cup Winner's Cup, it's not unlikely that Nis will get their first win. Especially with home advantage.
Group D:
Alsa Elda Prestigio - Larvik HK (Sat 18:30)
Bystrzyca Lublin - Ferencvaros (Sun 16:30)
Predictions: Larvik by 2, Ferencvaros by 4.
Ouch - two very difficult matches to predict. Although they are already group winners, Larvik is not the kind of team that goes down without a fight. The Spaniards are strong at home, but the direct encounter between the two in Norway showed that they were miles apart. The discrepancy will not be as distinct this time, but I think the Norwegians will obtain a fairly solid lead at the middle of the second half and then lose some of it in the end. But still come out on top. Ferencvaros will know what they have to do on Sunday. If a win is required , they should have enough quality in the side to get it. However, Lublin shouldn't be discarded too easily as they have shown a quite respectable level in the last two matches.
February 19, 2004
Prokop Fuming at Slagelse
Gunnar Prokop is outraged over Anja Andersen's decision to spare several of Slagelse's stars for the match against Kometal Skopje in the last round of the Champions League group stage.
Slagelse are already certain to win the group, and because of a busy domestic schedule players like Bojana Petrovic, Camilla Andersen, Anja Freser, and keeper Rikke Schmidt will stay at home to rest. Anja Andersen will not be taking the trip to Macedonia either.
This leaves Gunnar Prokop in a uproar as Hypo's already slim chances of progression will be virtually non-existent.
"That's madness from a sporting point of view, a deathblow to handball and a clear distortion of the tournament," an angry Hypo boss tells Sport1.at.
Prokop may have gone a bit overboard in his comments, but I think his criticism is valid. Slagelse are showing a flagrant disregard for the tournament and ought to be punished for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Slagelse are already certain to win the group, and because of a busy domestic schedule players like Bojana Petrovic, Camilla Andersen, Anja Freser, and keeper Rikke Schmidt will stay at home to rest. Anja Andersen will not be taking the trip to Macedonia either.
This leaves Gunnar Prokop in a uproar as Hypo's already slim chances of progression will be virtually non-existent.
"That's madness from a sporting point of view, a deathblow to handball and a clear distortion of the tournament," an angry Hypo boss tells Sport1.at.
Prokop may have gone a bit overboard in his comments, but I think his criticism is valid. Slagelse are showing a flagrant disregard for the tournament and ought to be punished for unsportsmanlike conduct.
February 18, 2004
Copenhagen's Goal Mania
In a splendidly entertaining match between two strong attacking sides, FC Copenhagen raced past Aalborg DH in the second half to book a 42-36 (18-19) win after an appealing goal spectacle.
As Aalborg coach Christian Dalmose pointed out afterwards, it's not bad scoring 36 goals in an away match, but when you allow 42 goals, you are not going to win anything.
In the meeting between former Ferencvaros teammates Siti and Farkas, the former came out on top. Farkas did score 13 goals - converted 10 out of 11 penalties - but ran out of breath in the second half. Siti, on the other hand, was hustling and bustling throughout the match and put in another excellent performance.
After a shaky begin to her stay in Copenhagen, the swift Hungarian is really coming to light. Left wing Matilda Boson also showed why she is regarded as one of the most talented Swedish players with an almost flawless showing.
Rikke Nielsen worked hard and fed her teammates with a bunch of assists, but her own finishing could have been a bit sharper. With fast attacking styles, both teams had an easy time connecting to their pivots. Especially Deriouguina had lots of passes to work with - which resulted in plenty of goals and 7-meter throws.
But the broader bench of the home team decided in the end.
FC Copenhagen - Aalborg DH 42-36 (18-19)
FCK: Elly an de Boer 9 (4), Matilda Boson 8, Eszter Siti 8, Lene Tobiasen 5, Mette Vestergaard 5 (1), Camilla Thomsen 4, Christina Kroghshede 2, Gitte W. Nielsen 1.
Aalborg DH: Agnes Farkas 13 (10), Natalija Deriouguina 6, Beatrix Benyats 6, Louise Mortensen 5, Rikke Nielsen 3, Bettina Nielsen 2, Erika Nilsson 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 5x2m.
Disqualification: Maren Villabö, Aalborg.
Attendance: 497.
As Aalborg coach Christian Dalmose pointed out afterwards, it's not bad scoring 36 goals in an away match, but when you allow 42 goals, you are not going to win anything.
In the meeting between former Ferencvaros teammates Siti and Farkas, the former came out on top. Farkas did score 13 goals - converted 10 out of 11 penalties - but ran out of breath in the second half. Siti, on the other hand, was hustling and bustling throughout the match and put in another excellent performance.
After a shaky begin to her stay in Copenhagen, the swift Hungarian is really coming to light. Left wing Matilda Boson also showed why she is regarded as one of the most talented Swedish players with an almost flawless showing.
Rikke Nielsen worked hard and fed her teammates with a bunch of assists, but her own finishing could have been a bit sharper. With fast attacking styles, both teams had an easy time connecting to their pivots. Especially Deriouguina had lots of passes to work with - which resulted in plenty of goals and 7-meter throws.
But the broader bench of the home team decided in the end.
FC Copenhagen - Aalborg DH 42-36 (18-19)
FCK: Elly an de Boer 9 (4), Matilda Boson 8, Eszter Siti 8, Lene Tobiasen 5, Mette Vestergaard 5 (1), Camilla Thomsen 4, Christina Kroghshede 2, Gitte W. Nielsen 1.
Aalborg DH: Agnes Farkas 13 (10), Natalija Deriouguina 6, Beatrix Benyats 6, Louise Mortensen 5, Rikke Nielsen 3, Bettina Nielsen 2, Erika Nilsson 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 5x2m.
Disqualification: Maren Villabö, Aalborg.
Attendance: 497.
Hungary: Gyõr in Trouble
First place in the regular season may have been wasted for Gyõr when they lost 21-20 (13-6) to Debrecen on Wednesday. Dunaferr made no mistake as they upended Esztergom 32-18 (18-8) in an away match yesterday. Radulovics and Nagy scored 7 each.
Next thursday, Ferencvaros receive Dunaferr in a match that could greatly impact the distribution of points in the 6-round playoff.
Next thursday, Ferencvaros receive Dunaferr in a match that could greatly impact the distribution of points in the 6-round playoff.
Hungarian Cup
Quarterfinal time in the Hungarian Cup. In typical cup fashion, only one match is played to decide the semifinalists.
Csömör KSK - Váci NK
Cornexi-Alcoa - Ferencvaros
Kiskunhalas NKSE - Dunaferr SE
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Debrecen VSC
Csömör KSK - Váci NK
Cornexi-Alcoa - Ferencvaros
Kiskunhalas NKSE - Dunaferr SE
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Debrecen VSC
Dutch Selection
Dutch national coach Olaf Schimpf has announced his squad for the matches against Hungary and Denmark in early March.
Jokelyn Tienstral, Bera Bera S. Sebastian
Debbie Klijn, Bayer Leverkusen
Marieke v/d Wal, Open Line
Irina Pusic, Borussia Dortmund
Monique Feijen, GOG/Gudme
Pearl vd Wissel, GOG/Gudme
Birgit van Os, GOG/Gudme
Saskia Mulder, Viborg HK
Olga Assink, Viborg HK
Natasja Burgers, Viborg HK
Andrea Groot, Björnar IL
Elly-An de Boer, FCK Handball
Diane Roelofsen, 1. FC Nürnberg
Silvia Hofman, HSG Blomberg-Lippe
Diane Lamein, TV Lützellinden
Joyce Hilster, Zeeman Vastgoed
Amy den Broeder, Hellas
Jokelyn Tienstral, Bera Bera S. Sebastian
Debbie Klijn, Bayer Leverkusen
Marieke v/d Wal, Open Line
Irina Pusic, Borussia Dortmund
Monique Feijen, GOG/Gudme
Pearl vd Wissel, GOG/Gudme
Birgit van Os, GOG/Gudme
Saskia Mulder, Viborg HK
Olga Assink, Viborg HK
Natasja Burgers, Viborg HK
Andrea Groot, Björnar IL
Elly-An de Boer, FCK Handball
Diane Roelofsen, 1. FC Nürnberg
Silvia Hofman, HSG Blomberg-Lippe
Diane Lamein, TV Lützellinden
Joyce Hilster, Zeeman Vastgoed
Amy den Broeder, Hellas
EHF Cup: Follow-up
Round of 16, First Leg:
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd - Buxtehuder SV 25-20
E.S. Besancon - Vaag Vipers 32-30
Astrakhanochka Astrakhan - Nordstrand 2000 24-21
Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov - Zeeman Vastgoed SEW 19-16
Cercle Dijon Bourgogne - Rapid CFR Bucuresti 27-33
S.D. Itxako Estella - Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC 30-26
GAS Artas - GOG/Gudme 25-37
Viborg HK - Podravka Vegeta 37-27
What a great round of handball. We can look forward to so some very close decisions in the weekend. With a few exceptions. GOG had a surprisingly easy time - at least for me - in the postponed match against Artas. 10 goals from Vracheva could not avert a tragedy for the Greeks.
Rapid Bucuresti showed why they are the Romanian league leaders and gained a solid advantage before the home game. Cristina Varzaru scored 9 from the wing. Viborg also gained a comfortable margin on Podravka after Assink's 13-goal show. The match in Koprivnica will be closer, but 10 goals should do.
Now to the close ones. Buxtehude kept up with Volgograd for almost the entire match, but did see the Russians slip away in the end as the favoured home team scored 8 goals in a row. Elena Polenova, (yes, the 1.98m player) hit 6 goals for Volgograd, while Kotenko reached the same figure for the Germans.
A difficult task also awaits another Russian side. Astrakhan managed a 24-21 win against Nordstrand, but 3 goals will likely not be enough in Oslo for Turey and Co.
Nordstrand's Norwegian rivals from Vaag escaped from France with a slim 32-30 loss to Besancon. Another close encounter should be in store in Norway. Aalborg's reinforcement for next season, Kristine Lunde, registered 11 goals in the first leg.
Zeeman Vastgoed scored just 6 goals in the first half, but settled for a modest 19-16 defeat against Eurostandard in Skopje. If both teams have as much trouble scoring goals in the return match in Holland, this will be a tight match-up.
Görbicz smacked in 10 goals against Itxako Estella, but Romanian international Simona Gogirla replied by hammering in 14 for the Spaniards. 4 goals also made up the difference in the final result: 30-26 for Itxako. A prediction still ought to favour the Hungarians - slightly. But it's noteworthy that Itxako drew Ferrobus Mislata in an away game on Sunday.
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd - Buxtehuder SV 25-20
E.S. Besancon - Vaag Vipers 32-30
Astrakhanochka Astrakhan - Nordstrand 2000 24-21
Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov - Zeeman Vastgoed SEW 19-16
Cercle Dijon Bourgogne - Rapid CFR Bucuresti 27-33
S.D. Itxako Estella - Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC 30-26
GAS Artas - GOG/Gudme 25-37
Viborg HK - Podravka Vegeta 37-27
What a great round of handball. We can look forward to so some very close decisions in the weekend. With a few exceptions. GOG had a surprisingly easy time - at least for me - in the postponed match against Artas. 10 goals from Vracheva could not avert a tragedy for the Greeks.
Rapid Bucuresti showed why they are the Romanian league leaders and gained a solid advantage before the home game. Cristina Varzaru scored 9 from the wing. Viborg also gained a comfortable margin on Podravka after Assink's 13-goal show. The match in Koprivnica will be closer, but 10 goals should do.
Now to the close ones. Buxtehude kept up with Volgograd for almost the entire match, but did see the Russians slip away in the end as the favoured home team scored 8 goals in a row. Elena Polenova, (yes, the 1.98m player) hit 6 goals for Volgograd, while Kotenko reached the same figure for the Germans.
A difficult task also awaits another Russian side. Astrakhan managed a 24-21 win against Nordstrand, but 3 goals will likely not be enough in Oslo for Turey and Co.
Nordstrand's Norwegian rivals from Vaag escaped from France with a slim 32-30 loss to Besancon. Another close encounter should be in store in Norway. Aalborg's reinforcement for next season, Kristine Lunde, registered 11 goals in the first leg.
Zeeman Vastgoed scored just 6 goals in the first half, but settled for a modest 19-16 defeat against Eurostandard in Skopje. If both teams have as much trouble scoring goals in the return match in Holland, this will be a tight match-up.
Görbicz smacked in 10 goals against Itxako Estella, but Romanian international Simona Gogirla replied by hammering in 14 for the Spaniards. 4 goals also made up the difference in the final result: 30-26 for Itxako. A prediction still ought to favour the Hungarians - slightly. But it's noteworthy that Itxako drew Ferrobus Mislata in an away game on Sunday.
Arvidsson Takes Over Kolding
KIF Kolding has hired Morten Arvidssson to be in charge of the club for the next 4 years from the coming season. The fired Randers coach originally intended to return to the teaching profession but received offers from both Danish and foreign clubs.
League: Experimental Slagelse Beat Kolding
Slagelse racked up yet another win in the Danish League when Kolding IF visited Antvorskovhallen in Slagelse last night. The home side earned a convincing 28-27 (12-8) victory, but missed a plethora of chances in the process.
They also tried an offensive 3-3 defense that worked quite well. Anette Hoffmann didn't see any action for Kolding this time.
Slagelse FH - Kolding IF 28-17 (12-8)
Slagelse FH: Stine Frank 7, Bojana Petrovic 5, Anja Freser 5, Mette Melgaard 4, Maria Hansen 2, Ausra Fridrikas 2, Stina Madsen 1, Kamilla Kristensen 1, Camilla Andersen 1
Kolding: Anette Olesen 5 (4), Anette Bonde 4, Christina Roslyng 4, Ella Grödem 3, Nodjialem Myaro 1
Suspensions: 1x2m, 3x2m.
Attendance: 1,315
They also tried an offensive 3-3 defense that worked quite well. Anette Hoffmann didn't see any action for Kolding this time.
Slagelse FH - Kolding IF 28-17 (12-8)
Slagelse FH: Stine Frank 7, Bojana Petrovic 5, Anja Freser 5, Mette Melgaard 4, Maria Hansen 2, Ausra Fridrikas 2, Stina Madsen 1, Kamilla Kristensen 1, Camilla Andersen 1
Kolding: Anette Olesen 5 (4), Anette Bonde 4, Christina Roslyng 4, Ella Grödem 3, Nodjialem Myaro 1
Suspensions: 1x2m, 3x2m.
Attendance: 1,315
Jovovic Assault: Ikast Complaining
Ikast/Bording will be filing a complaint with the European Handball Federation after the brutal tackle that left Sanja Jovovic unconscious on Sunday. The Portuguese referees failed to reprimand the Buducnost captain Bulatovic who was responsible for the rowdy challenge.
Sanja Jovovic is still in hospital in Podgorica, awaiting further medical checks to assess her condition. She will not return to Ikast until Friday or Saturday.
Sanja Jovovic is still in hospital in Podgorica, awaiting further medical checks to assess her condition. She will not return to Ikast until Friday or Saturday.
Pedersen to Aalborg
Former national team right wing Louise Pedersen will be leaving KIF Kolding in favour of Aalborg DH next season, according to DR Sporten. This season, Pedersen was in Kolding on a loan from Viborg HK where her contract expires on July 1st.
February 17, 2004
Ikast: Fjeldstad Steps Down
After a series of disappointing results, culminating with the ousting from the Champions League on Sunday in Podgorica, Ikast/Bording's head coach Morten Fjeldstad has left his position.
The new man at the helmet is the 33-year-old Ole Damgaard who had previously been picked as assistant coach to the Swede Magnus Johansson next season.
Fjeldstad was in charge when Ikast scored a respectable win against Krim Ljubljana in Slovenia. But his fortunes changed as the team went from one low to another. Ikast keeper Karin Mortensen has openly criticized the work of Fjeldstad on several occasions to the press.
Morten Fjeldstad, who is Norwegian, took over from Christian Dalmose just six weeks ago. Dalmose was expelled from the club after alleged disloyalty and is now in Aalborg.
The experienced assistant coach Tine Kristiansen is also departing.
Update: There has been some confusement about whether or not Fjeldstad chose to resign himself or was given the boot. Ikast has now released a statement where it says he stepped down after his own choice. Let's assume that's the case.
The new man at the helmet is the 33-year-old Ole Damgaard who had previously been picked as assistant coach to the Swede Magnus Johansson next season.
Fjeldstad was in charge when Ikast scored a respectable win against Krim Ljubljana in Slovenia. But his fortunes changed as the team went from one low to another. Ikast keeper Karin Mortensen has openly criticized the work of Fjeldstad on several occasions to the press.
Morten Fjeldstad, who is Norwegian, took over from Christian Dalmose just six weeks ago. Dalmose was expelled from the club after alleged disloyalty and is now in Aalborg.
The experienced assistant coach Tine Kristiansen is also departing.
Update: There has been some confusement about whether or not Fjeldstad chose to resign himself or was given the boot. Ikast has now released a statement where it says he stepped down after his own choice. Let's assume that's the case.
Pytlick Selection for Hungary Test
Denmark's coach Jan Pytlick has selected the following players for the match against Hungary which takes place on the 2nd of March in Aarhus. The team will then travel to Hungary to meet Holland and the World Championship silver medalists a second time:
Keepers:
Rikke Poulsen Schmidt, Slagelse FH
Louise Bager Nörgaard, Viborg HK
Karin Mortensen, Ikast/Bording
Field:
Rikke Skov, Viborg HK
Henriette Mikkelsen, Viborg HK
Lise Knudsen, Ikast/Bording
Mette Vestergaard Larsen, FCK
Winnie Mölgaard, GOG
Christina Roslyng Hansen, Kolding IF
Kathrine Munch, Randers HK
Heidi Johansen, Fox Team Nord
Rikke Hörlykke, GOG
Camilla Thomsen, FCK
Lotte Kiärskou, Viborg HK
Trine Jensen, Ikast/Bording
Kristine Andersen, Ikast/Bording
Katrine Fruelund, Viborg HK
Karen Brödsgaard, Larvik HK
Line Daugaard, Ikast/Bording
Josephine Touray, Ikast/Bording
The following players did not make the cut, but will take part in the training on March 1st:
Mette Iversen, GOG
Lene Rantala, Larvik HK
Tine Ladefoged, Horsens HK
Rikke Nielsen, Aalborg DH
Match schedule:
March 2: Aarhus: Denmark - Hungary
March 5: Dunaújváros (Hungary): Hungary - Holland
March 6: Pápa (Hungary): Denmark - Holland
March 7: Gyõr (Hungary): Hungary - Denmark
Keepers:
Rikke Poulsen Schmidt, Slagelse FH
Louise Bager Nörgaard, Viborg HK
Karin Mortensen, Ikast/Bording
Field:
Rikke Skov, Viborg HK
Henriette Mikkelsen, Viborg HK
Lise Knudsen, Ikast/Bording
Mette Vestergaard Larsen, FCK
Winnie Mölgaard, GOG
Christina Roslyng Hansen, Kolding IF
Kathrine Munch, Randers HK
Heidi Johansen, Fox Team Nord
Rikke Hörlykke, GOG
Camilla Thomsen, FCK
Lotte Kiärskou, Viborg HK
Trine Jensen, Ikast/Bording
Kristine Andersen, Ikast/Bording
Katrine Fruelund, Viborg HK
Karen Brödsgaard, Larvik HK
Line Daugaard, Ikast/Bording
Josephine Touray, Ikast/Bording
The following players did not make the cut, but will take part in the training on March 1st:
Mette Iversen, GOG
Lene Rantala, Larvik HK
Tine Ladefoged, Horsens HK
Rikke Nielsen, Aalborg DH
Match schedule:
March 2: Aarhus: Denmark - Hungary
March 5: Dunaújváros (Hungary): Hungary - Holland
March 6: Pápa (Hungary): Denmark - Holland
March 7: Gyõr (Hungary): Hungary - Denmark
February 16, 2004
Cup Winner's Cup: Follow-up
Ferrobus Mislata (ESP) - Silcotub Zalau (ROM) 33-19
FC Copenhagen (DEN) - KSK Lutch Moscow (RUS) 34-15
Üsküdar Istanbul (TUR) - Handball Metz Metropole 22-33 (FRA)
Handball Cercle Nimes (FRA) - Váci NK (HUN) 21-24
Teresa Andreu snatched up 8 goals for Ferrobus as the Spaniards build up an insurmountable advantage vis-a-vis Zalau. Ejsmont (6/3), Halen (5), and Pareja (5) also had their say in the attack of the Valencia side. Alina Jula (9/6) and Ramona Farcau (4) scored the most goals for Silcotub.
Eszter Siti landed 7 clean goals for FCK when the only League club from the Danish capital ran over Lutch to practically guarantee a place in the next round. Tsvetkova (8/3) scored more than half of her team's goals.
Üsküdar took care of Spartak Kiev, but had no reply to the French top side Metz in Istanbul despite 10 goals from Özel. Yeliz Yilmaz settled for "just" 6 goals. Cendier was the top scorer for Metz with 6 pins.
3,000 watched as Nathalie Macra scored 8 goals for Handball Cercle Nimes. But that wasn't enough to prevent Vác from returning to Hungary with a 3-goal booty. Ganna Syukalo scored 5 goals for the visitors who must be favoured to go through in the only close tie of this round.
FC Copenhagen (DEN) - KSK Lutch Moscow (RUS) 34-15
Üsküdar Istanbul (TUR) - Handball Metz Metropole 22-33 (FRA)
Handball Cercle Nimes (FRA) - Váci NK (HUN) 21-24
Teresa Andreu snatched up 8 goals for Ferrobus as the Spaniards build up an insurmountable advantage vis-a-vis Zalau. Ejsmont (6/3), Halen (5), and Pareja (5) also had their say in the attack of the Valencia side. Alina Jula (9/6) and Ramona Farcau (4) scored the most goals for Silcotub.
Eszter Siti landed 7 clean goals for FCK when the only League club from the Danish capital ran over Lutch to practically guarantee a place in the next round. Tsvetkova (8/3) scored more than half of her team's goals.
Üsküdar took care of Spartak Kiev, but had no reply to the French top side Metz in Istanbul despite 10 goals from Özel. Yeliz Yilmaz settled for "just" 6 goals. Cendier was the top scorer for Metz with 6 pins.
3,000 watched as Nathalie Macra scored 8 goals for Handball Cercle Nimes. But that wasn't enough to prevent Vác from returning to Hungary with a 3-goal booty. Ganna Syukalo scored 5 goals for the visitors who must be favoured to go through in the only close tie of this round.
Challenge Cup: Follow-up
Motor Zaporozhye 2 (UKR) - Brodosplit Inzenjering (CRO) 28-31, 25-26
Anadolu University (TUR) - SA Merignacais HB (FRA) 34-22
Le Havre Athletic Club (FRA) - IB Vestmannaeyjar (ISL) 22-30
1. FC Nürnberg (GER) - Uni Jolidon Cluj (ROM) 35-25
Borussia Dortmund (GER) - Spono Nottwil (CH) 25-15
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) - Eskisehir Osmangazi Uni (TUR) 36-11
Universitatea Remin Deva (ROM) - AS Altamura (ITA)
Colegio de Gaia (POR) - MKS Vitaral Jelfa (POL)
Brodosplit made it through this weekend after a double-tie. Both French teams look to be going out after some very disappointing results. Vestmannaeyjar were particularly impressive in Le Havre.
Germany should get a trio in the quarters as one would expect beforehand, including tournament favourites Nürnberg.
Anadolu University (TUR) - SA Merignacais HB (FRA) 34-22
Le Havre Athletic Club (FRA) - IB Vestmannaeyjar (ISL) 22-30
1. FC Nürnberg (GER) - Uni Jolidon Cluj (ROM) 35-25
Borussia Dortmund (GER) - Spono Nottwil (CH) 25-15
TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) - Eskisehir Osmangazi Uni (TUR) 36-11
Universitatea Remin Deva (ROM) - AS Altamura (ITA)
Colegio de Gaia (POR) - MKS Vitaral Jelfa (POL)
Brodosplit made it through this weekend after a double-tie. Both French teams look to be going out after some very disappointing results. Vestmannaeyjar were particularly impressive in Le Havre.
Germany should get a trio in the quarters as one would expect beforehand, including tournament favourites Nürnberg.
CL Top Scorers after Round 5
1 KNEZEVIC, Ljiljana RK (Nis) 49
2 PETROVIC, Bojana (Slagelse FH) 47
3 DRONIC, Sladana (Hypo NÖ) 45
4 BURMISTROVA, Anna (Zaporozhye) 41
5 NYBERG, Katja (Larvik) 34
6 RADULOVICS, Bojana (Dunaferr) 34
7 BUYANOVA, Olga (Skopje) 33
8 MURAVYEVA, Nadejda (Togliatti) 33
9 PUCHACZ, Izabela (Buducnost) 33
10 DEREPASKO, Nataliya (Krim) 32
11 LOGVIN, Tatjana (Krim) 32
12 ANDERSEN, Camilla (Slagelse) 31
13 FRAILE, Susana (Elda) 31
14 RIEGELHUTH, Linn-Kristin (Larvik) 31
15 BAUMBACH, Maren (Trier) 29
16 FERLING, Bernadett (Dunaferr) 29
17 KOCSIK, Viktoria (Ferencvaros) 28
18 BULATOVIC, Marijana (Buducnost) 25
19 RAYKHEL, Oxana (Skopje) 25
20 TSYGITSA, Olena (Skopje) 25
Three of the top four could depart from the tournament next weekend, leaving Petrovic with a chunky lead. But she needs to reach at least the semis with Slagelse to finish on top. There are still as many as 7 matches left for two of the clubs.
2 PETROVIC, Bojana (Slagelse FH) 47
3 DRONIC, Sladana (Hypo NÖ) 45
4 BURMISTROVA, Anna (Zaporozhye) 41
5 NYBERG, Katja (Larvik) 34
6 RADULOVICS, Bojana (Dunaferr) 34
7 BUYANOVA, Olga (Skopje) 33
8 MURAVYEVA, Nadejda (Togliatti) 33
9 PUCHACZ, Izabela (Buducnost) 33
10 DEREPASKO, Nataliya (Krim) 32
11 LOGVIN, Tatjana (Krim) 32
12 ANDERSEN, Camilla (Slagelse) 31
13 FRAILE, Susana (Elda) 31
14 RIEGELHUTH, Linn-Kristin (Larvik) 31
15 BAUMBACH, Maren (Trier) 29
16 FERLING, Bernadett (Dunaferr) 29
17 KOCSIK, Viktoria (Ferencvaros) 28
18 BULATOVIC, Marijana (Buducnost) 25
19 RAYKHEL, Oxana (Skopje) 25
20 TSYGITSA, Olena (Skopje) 25
Three of the top four could depart from the tournament next weekend, leaving Petrovic with a chunky lead. But she needs to reach at least the semis with Slagelse to finish on top. There are still as many as 7 matches left for two of the clubs.
Danish League: Hoff Back, Fox Gone
Wing legend Anette Hoffmann returned to court for a brief stint when Kolding took on Sönderjyske in a bottom-clash in the Danish League yesterday. The former national team ace had a few attempts, but failed to score in her comeback match that ended with a 24-24 (14-11) draw.Not a satisfactory outcome for either team, but Kolding should take solace in the fact that they are still 4 points away from the direct relegation zone. Another Anette, with the surname Bonde, also returned to action for Kolding. The talented right back has been dearly missed in the attack. Which she made evident with 5 goals yesterday.
While Sönderjyske still maintained a slim hope of saving themselves, Sunday must have surely have spelled the end for Fox Team Nord. The team from northern Jutland had a disastrous day in Aarhus where they scored a pitiful 3 goals in the entire first half.
They improved in the second half, but SK Aarhus could seal a 20-17 victory that should be enough to save them from relegation. And doom the foxes.
Kolding IF - Sönderjyske HK 24-24 (14-11)
Kolding: Anette Bonde 5, Nodjialem Myaro 5, Louise Pedersen 4 (1), Pernille Hansen 3, Anette Olesen 3 (2), Christina Roslyng 2, Louise Svalastog 1, Susanne Kastrup 1.
Sönderjyske: Stine Svangaard 6, Sorina Teodorovic 5 (1), Jannie Kristensen 3, Petra Schultz 3, Anne Jensen 3, Louise Möhl 2, Trine Nöddesbo 1, Rikke Jakobsen 1.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 1,085.
SK Aarhus - Fox Team Nord 20-17 (12-3)
SK Aarhus: Julie Transel 4, Karina Björn 4, Camilla Lund 3, Camilla Transel 2, Christina Körup Pedersen 2, Merethe Hansen 2, Stephanie Moreau 2, Stine Qwist 1.
Team Fox Nord: Teresa Utkovic 5, Line Kiaerskou 4 (2), Mette Nielsen 3 (1), Heidi Johansen 2, Gitte Aaen 1, Lilian Thörholm 1, Pia Harstad 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 1x2m.
Jovovic Update
Sanja Jovovic suffered a brain contusion after a reckless tackle from Buducnost captain Bulatovic at the end of the first half. Jovovic was knocked unconscious for 20 minutes. The hospital in Podgorica kept her overnight for observation, but she is said to be recovering.
Jovovic received a huge blow mid-air and was knocked out of her breath when she came crashing down to the floor. Ikast/Bording's chairman, Palle Höj, explains to DR Sporten that doctors in Montenegro believed her life had been in jeopardy for a period of time.
Bulatovic' punishment for this clear red-card offense from the Portuguese referees: None. At the very minumum she should have been given a 2-minute suspension.
Europamester.dk has uploaded a RealPlayer file which shows Jovovic being "tackled" (remember to click 'play').
Jovovic received a huge blow mid-air and was knocked out of her breath when she came crashing down to the floor. Ikast/Bording's chairman, Palle Höj, explains to DR Sporten that doctors in Montenegro believed her life had been in jeopardy for a period of time.
Bulatovic' punishment for this clear red-card offense from the Portuguese referees: None. At the very minumum she should have been given a 2-minute suspension.
Europamester.dk has uploaded a RealPlayer file which shows Jovovic being "tackled" (remember to click 'play').
CL: Match Details from Sunday
Group A:
Dunaferr SE - DJK/MJC Trier 30-22 (14-10)
Dunaferr: Ferling 10 (8), Radulovics 6 (2), Kulcsar 5, Nagy 3, Lovasz 2, Pigniczki 1, Kindl 1, Gaspar 1, Bulath 1.
Trier: Baumbach 7 (1), Bohm 6 (3), Althaus 4, Meier 3, Mozgovaya 1, Henker 1.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 6x2m.
Attendance: 2,000.
Group B:
Buducnost Monet - Ikast/Bording EH 31-19 (14-8)
Buducnost: Puchacz 8, Savic 7, Kolakovic 6 (4), Bulatovic 3, Jeraminok 3, Volkova 2, Damjanac 1, Milickovic 1.
Ikast: Daugaard 3, Batinic 3, Hammerseng 2, Jovovic 2, Paunica 2, Andersen 2, Jensen 2, Kjaergaard 1, Touray 1, Knudsen 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 6,000 (approx.).
Group C:
Kometal Skopje - Hypo NÖ 25-23 (11-10)
Skopje: Raykhel 7 (5), Buyanova 6 (1), Todorovska 5, Tsygitsa 4, Partenko 2, Cupic 1.
Hypo: Dronic 9, Shynkarenko 3, Piedade 2, Spiridon 2, Bilobrk 2, Engl 2, Budecevic 2, Rotis 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 7x2m.
Attendance: 2,500.
Group D:
Larvik HK - Bystrzyca Lublin 33-26 (17-14)
Larvik: Riegelhuth 9, Haarsaker 8, Nyberg 6, Br?dsgaard 5, Johansen 5.
Lublin: Malgorzata Rola 10.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 1,050.
Comments: The Polish goal scorers are somehow missing. Norwegians media outlets are extremely crummy when it comes to match details, but they will show up eventually. Kometal appear to have scored 26 goals when you add up the individual goal scorers. I'm sure they would like that, but I don't quite think that's correct.
Good start from Kulcsar in Dunaferr. Riegelhuth continues to chop away in Larvik. Of the Larvik players that made it to the scoresheet, no one hit fewer than 5 goals. Of the Ikast players that scored, no one managed more than 3. Unusual, but quite telling.
Dunaferr SE - DJK/MJC Trier 30-22 (14-10)
Dunaferr: Ferling 10 (8), Radulovics 6 (2), Kulcsar 5, Nagy 3, Lovasz 2, Pigniczki 1, Kindl 1, Gaspar 1, Bulath 1.
Trier: Baumbach 7 (1), Bohm 6 (3), Althaus 4, Meier 3, Mozgovaya 1, Henker 1.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 6x2m.
Attendance: 2,000.
Group B:
Buducnost Monet - Ikast/Bording EH 31-19 (14-8)
Buducnost: Puchacz 8, Savic 7, Kolakovic 6 (4), Bulatovic 3, Jeraminok 3, Volkova 2, Damjanac 1, Milickovic 1.
Ikast: Daugaard 3, Batinic 3, Hammerseng 2, Jovovic 2, Paunica 2, Andersen 2, Jensen 2, Kjaergaard 1, Touray 1, Knudsen 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 6,000 (approx.).
Group C:
Kometal Skopje - Hypo NÖ 25-23 (11-10)
Skopje: Raykhel 7 (5), Buyanova 6 (1), Todorovska 5, Tsygitsa 4, Partenko 2, Cupic 1.
Hypo: Dronic 9, Shynkarenko 3, Piedade 2, Spiridon 2, Bilobrk 2, Engl 2, Budecevic 2, Rotis 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 7x2m.
Attendance: 2,500.
Group D:
Larvik HK - Bystrzyca Lublin 33-26 (17-14)
Larvik: Riegelhuth 9, Haarsaker 8, Nyberg 6, Br?dsgaard 5, Johansen 5.
Lublin: Malgorzata Rola 10.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 1,050.
Comments: The Polish goal scorers are somehow missing. Norwegians media outlets are extremely crummy when it comes to match details, but they will show up eventually. Kometal appear to have scored 26 goals when you add up the individual goal scorers. I'm sure they would like that, but I don't quite think that's correct.
Good start from Kulcsar in Dunaferr. Riegelhuth continues to chop away in Larvik. Of the Larvik players that made it to the scoresheet, no one hit fewer than 5 goals. Of the Ikast players that scored, no one managed more than 3. Unusual, but quite telling.
February 15, 2004
Jovovic Hospitalized
Ikast's Sanja Jovovic was taken to hospital after hitting the back of her head against the floor after being tackled in the first half of the match against her former club in Podgorica. The Serbian backcourt player is said to have been unconscious when she was carried off court.
Group C: Kometal Almost There
Only a disaster can prevent Kometal Skopje from progressing to a quarterfinal against Larvik. After a close match in Macedonia, the home side beat Hypo NÖ 25-23 (11-10).
The score was tied at 20-20 with 10 minutes to go, but Kometal had the strongest finish and a 5-1 run put them ahead 25-21. The Austrians, however, did manage two late goals that complicate things slightly ahead of the last round.
The first encounter between the two clubs ended with the reverse score, 25-23 to Hypo, in the very first round. If Kometal lose at home to Slagelse - who have nothing to play for - while Hypo defeat Nis in Serbia, goal score in all matches could become decisive. Kometal are 15 goals ahead on that account.
The score was tied at 20-20 with 10 minutes to go, but Kometal had the strongest finish and a 5-1 run put them ahead 25-21. The Austrians, however, did manage two late goals that complicate things slightly ahead of the last round.
The first encounter between the two clubs ended with the reverse score, 25-23 to Hypo, in the very first round. If Kometal lose at home to Slagelse - who have nothing to play for - while Hypo defeat Nis in Serbia, goal score in all matches could become decisive. Kometal are 15 goals ahead on that account.
CL Group B: Ikast Embarrassed in Podgorica
Buducnost Monet qualified for the next stage in imposing style as they thrashed Ikast/Bording 31-19 (14-8) in Montenegro.
CL Group A: Dunaferr Sack Trier
Dunaferr SE are through to the quarters after a comfortable victory of 30-22 (14-10) against DJK/MJC Trier in Dunaujvaros.
Cup Winner's Cup Results
Üsküdar Istanbul - Metz Metropole 22-33.
Cercle Nimes - Váci NK 21-24.
Yesterday Ferrobus Mislata defeated Silcotub Zalau a resounding 33-19 in Spain.
Cercle Nimes - Váci NK 21-24.
Yesterday Ferrobus Mislata defeated Silcotub Zalau a resounding 33-19 in Spain.
EHF Cup Results
Cercle Dijon Bourgogne - Rapid Bucuresti 27-33.
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd - Buxtehuder SV 25-20 (11-13).
E.S. Besancon - Vaag Vipers 32-30 (18-18).
GAS Artas - GOG/Gudme 25-37 (7-17).
Dinamo-AKVA Volgograd - Buxtehuder SV 25-20 (11-13).
E.S. Besancon - Vaag Vipers 32-30 (18-18).
GAS Artas - GOG/Gudme 25-37 (7-17).
Challenge Cup: Le Havre Humbled
The Icelandic champions from Vestmannaeyar took a big step toward the quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup after winning a surprisingly convincing 30-22 (15-12) against Le Havre in France.
The Turkish top side Anadolu University also dealt out a beating to a French side as they punished Merignac 34-22 in Eskisehir, putting them in the driver's seat before the return leg in Bordeaux.
Bayer Leverkusen secured the third German win after completely outclassing Osmangazi University 36-11 (19-4).
Remin Deva and Altamura play both matches of their tie in Italy next weekend.
The Turkish top side Anadolu University also dealt out a beating to a French side as they punished Merignac 34-22 in Eskisehir, putting them in the driver's seat before the return leg in Bordeaux.
Bayer Leverkusen secured the third German win after completely outclassing Osmangazi University 36-11 (19-4).
Remin Deva and Altamura play both matches of their tie in Italy next weekend.
CL: Group D in Larvik's Hands
Larvik took first place in Group D after the expected victory over Bystrzyca Lublin. But coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad was far from satisfied after a tame performance from his team in the 33-26 (17-14) win.The Poles were only one goal behind far into the second half before the home side finally started to show teeth. Without having a great day, Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (picture) was Larvik's top scorer with 9 goals. Mostly from fastbreaks.
After a splendid individual performance, left wing Malgorzata Rola scored 10 goals for the visitors who are out this year's competition and have no chance of making third place.
Larvik will meet either Kometal Skopje or Hypo NÖ in the quarterfinals. Ferencvaros are still favourites to go through in second place.
In case Elda Prestigio defeat Larvik, which will take quite a bit of improvement from the Spaniards considering the first match between the two, the Hungarians can settle the matter simply by drawing bottom-residents Lublin in Poland.
Challenge Cup: Brodosplit Through
Brodosplit Inzenjering have already made the quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup after two narrow defeats of Motor Zaporozhye's second team in Croatia.
The first match on Saturday was won 31-28 (16-13) after 11 goals from Natasa Kolega, and the second on Sunday resulted in a 26-25 (14-12) win for the home team.
Two of the three German representatives had easy wins yesterday in the first leg. 1. FC Nürnberg took care of Jolidon Cluj of Romania 35-25 (17-9), while Borussia Dortmund gained a similar advantage after a 25-15 (14-9) defeat of Spono Nottwil.
The first match on Saturday was won 31-28 (16-13) after 11 goals from Natasa Kolega, and the second on Sunday resulted in a 26-25 (14-12) win for the home team.
Two of the three German representatives had easy wins yesterday in the first leg. 1. FC Nürnberg took care of Jolidon Cluj of Romania 35-25 (17-9), while Borussia Dortmund gained a similar advantage after a 25-15 (14-9) defeat of Spono Nottwil.
EHF Cup: Nordstrand Defeated in Russia
Astrakhanochka Astrakhan - Nordstrand 2000 24-21 (12-10).
CL: Match Details from Saturday
Group A:
Lada Togliatti - El Osito L'Eliana 29-26 (13-12)
Togliatti: Shipilova 7, Muravyeva 7, Yakovleva 5, Chaplina 4, Naukovitch 2, Postnova 1, Pal 1, Rumenskaya 1, Tcherni1.
L'Eliana: Mangue 5, Aguilar 5, Oncina 5, Marti 4, Del Olmo 3, Ruiz 2, Ilic 2.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 2,400.
Group B:
Krim Ljubljana - Motor Zaporozhye 34-22 (19-9)
Derepasko 6, Oder 6, Logvin 6, Kliukaite 4, Cerar 4 (2), Bodnieva 3, Verhelyuk, Yatsenko 1, Ceckova 1.
Motor: Burmistrova 12 (4), Ribina 4, Valjuchek 2 (1), Reznir 1, Mukhina 1, Borodina 1, Kasel 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 4x2m.
Group C:
Slagelse FH - DIN-Classic, Nis 31-25 (15-12)
Slagelse: Petrovic 10, Andersen 8 (4), Fridrikas 4, Freser 2, Höpfner 2, Melgaard 2, Frank 2, Mitrovic 1.
Nis: Knezevic 6, Andrusenko 5, Dokic 5, Mladenovic 3, Kalinicenko 3, Bartosic 2, Bojadzijeva 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 8x2m.
Disqualification: Knezevic, Nis.
Attendance: 4,014.
Group D:
Elda Prestigio - Ferencvaros 29-24 (16-13)
Elda: Fraile 9, Box Alonso 6 (1), Ortuno 6 (2), Gisbert 5, Morales 1, Fernandez 1, Turnhout 1.
FTC: Toth 7, Kocsik 5 (5), Rabai 4, Uhrakova 3, Mravikova 3, Kirsner 2.
Suspensions: 7x2m, 6x2m.
Attendance: 1,200.
Lada Togliatti - El Osito L'Eliana 29-26 (13-12)
Togliatti: Shipilova 7, Muravyeva 7, Yakovleva 5, Chaplina 4, Naukovitch 2, Postnova 1, Pal 1, Rumenskaya 1, Tcherni1.
L'Eliana: Mangue 5, Aguilar 5, Oncina 5, Marti 4, Del Olmo 3, Ruiz 2, Ilic 2.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 2,400.
Group B:
Krim Ljubljana - Motor Zaporozhye 34-22 (19-9)
Derepasko 6, Oder 6, Logvin 6, Kliukaite 4, Cerar 4 (2), Bodnieva 3, Verhelyuk, Yatsenko 1, Ceckova 1.
Motor: Burmistrova 12 (4), Ribina 4, Valjuchek 2 (1), Reznir 1, Mukhina 1, Borodina 1, Kasel 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 4x2m.
Group C:
Slagelse FH - DIN-Classic, Nis 31-25 (15-12)
Slagelse: Petrovic 10, Andersen 8 (4), Fridrikas 4, Freser 2, Höpfner 2, Melgaard 2, Frank 2, Mitrovic 1.
Nis: Knezevic 6, Andrusenko 5, Dokic 5, Mladenovic 3, Kalinicenko 3, Bartosic 2, Bojadzijeva 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 8x2m.
Disqualification: Knezevic, Nis.
Attendance: 4,014.
Group D:
Elda Prestigio - Ferencvaros 29-24 (16-13)
Elda: Fraile 9, Box Alonso 6 (1), Ortuno 6 (2), Gisbert 5, Morales 1, Fernandez 1, Turnhout 1.
FTC: Toth 7, Kocsik 5 (5), Rabai 4, Uhrakova 3, Mravikova 3, Kirsner 2.
Suspensions: 7x2m, 6x2m.
Attendance: 1,200.
February 14, 2004
CL: Lada in Quarters
Lada Togliatti sent last year's finalists El Osito L'Eliana packing from the Champions League after a 29-26 (13-12) win in Russia in Group A. The victory guarantees Togliatti a berth in the quarterfinals.
Muravyeva and Shipilova both scored 7 goals for the Russian champions.
Muravyeva and Shipilova both scored 7 goals for the Russian champions.
CL: Krim Overwhelm Motor
Group B result: Krim Ljubljana - Motor Zaporozhye 34-22 (19-9).
EHF Cup: Gyõr Fall in Spain
Result: Itxako Estella Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC 30-26 (14-10).
CL: Ferencvaros Lose in Elda
Group D result: Elda Prestigio - Ferencvaros 29-24 (16-13).
CL: Slagelse Win Group C
Slagelse secured first spot in Group C of the Champions League after a routine 31-25 (15-12) victory over DIN-Classic from Nis. With maximum points after five rounds, Slagelse can afford to lose in Skopje in the last round and still finish first.
Slagelse FH - DIN-Classic, Nis 31-25 (15-12)
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 10, Camilla Andersen 8 (4), Ausra Fridrikas 4, Anja Freser 2, Marie Höpfner 2, Mette Melgaard 2, Stine Frank 2, Maja Mitrovic 1.
Nis: Ljiljana Knezevic 6, Anna Andrusenko 5, Maja Dokic 5, Ivana Mladenovic 3, Irina Kalinicenko 3, Jovana Bartosic 2, Margarita Bojadzijeva 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 8x2m.
Disqualification: Ljiljana Knezevic, Nis.
Attendance: 4,014.
Slagelse FH - DIN-Classic, Nis 31-25 (15-12)
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 10, Camilla Andersen 8 (4), Ausra Fridrikas 4, Anja Freser 2, Marie Höpfner 2, Mette Melgaard 2, Stine Frank 2, Maja Mitrovic 1.
Nis: Ljiljana Knezevic 6, Anna Andrusenko 5, Maja Dokic 5, Ivana Mladenovic 3, Irina Kalinicenko 3, Jovana Bartosic 2, Margarita Bojadzijeva 1.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 8x2m.
Disqualification: Ljiljana Knezevic, Nis.
Attendance: 4,014.
CWC: Copenhagen Crush Lutch
FCK Handball should have no trouble making the quarterfinal of the Cup Winner's Cup after a 34-15 (15-7) rout of Lutch in Copenhagen.
FCK Handball - KSK Lutch Moscow 34-15 (15-7)
FCK: Mette Vestergaard 9 (5), Eszter Siti 7, Christina Krogshede 6, Matilda Boson 5, Camilla Thomsen 2, Lene Tobiasen 2, Elly an de Boer 2 (1), Melanie Nielsen 1.
Lutch: Marina Tsvetkova 8 (3), Irite Haiznutsitse 2, Ekaterina Jilkina 2, Ekaterina Tiapkova 1, Kseria Vcinukhina 1, Tatiana Kolyada 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 6x2m.
Disqualification: Marina Tsvetkova, Lutch.
Attendance: 1,350.
P.S. Apologies for the bizarre spelling of some of the Russian names.
FCK Handball - KSK Lutch Moscow 34-15 (15-7)
FCK: Mette Vestergaard 9 (5), Eszter Siti 7, Christina Krogshede 6, Matilda Boson 5, Camilla Thomsen 2, Lene Tobiasen 2, Elly an de Boer 2 (1), Melanie Nielsen 1.
Lutch: Marina Tsvetkova 8 (3), Irite Haiznutsitse 2, Ekaterina Jilkina 2, Ekaterina Tiapkova 1, Kseria Vcinukhina 1, Tatiana Kolyada 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 6x2m.
Disqualification: Marina Tsvetkova, Lutch.
Attendance: 1,350.
P.S. Apologies for the bizarre spelling of some of the Russian names.
EHF Cup: Assink Hits 13
Dutch pivot Olga Assink was in an exuberant mood when Viborg HK downed Podravka Vegeta 37-27 (19-12) in the first leg of the EHF Cup's Round of 16.
Assink scored 13 goals and helped Viborg to a big advantage for the return leg in Koprivnica next weekend. Left back Katrine Fruelund was also in stellar form, while Mulder, Mikkelsen, and Thorsen were forceful in the fastbreaks.
Viborg raced to a 8-2 lead in the first half and was in control for most of the match. The Croatians did have a good spell in the second half when they reduced Viborg's lead to 6 goals, but the home side had more on offer. Romanian Gabriela Hobjila scored 10 goals for Podravka and was a constant threat on right back.
Viborg HK - Podravka Vegeta 37-27 (19-12)
Viborg: Olga Assink 13, Katrine Fruelund 7, Saskia Mulder 6, Henriette Mikkelsen 5, Camilla Thorsen 3, Helga Nemeth 3.
Prodravka: Gabriela Hobjila 10, Ionela Gilca 5, Ljerka Vresk 3, Renata Hodak 3, Andrijana Budimir 3, Macija Culjak 2, Miranda Tatari 1.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 8x2m.
Attendance: 1,678.
Assink scored 13 goals and helped Viborg to a big advantage for the return leg in Koprivnica next weekend. Left back Katrine Fruelund was also in stellar form, while Mulder, Mikkelsen, and Thorsen were forceful in the fastbreaks.
Viborg raced to a 8-2 lead in the first half and was in control for most of the match. The Croatians did have a good spell in the second half when they reduced Viborg's lead to 6 goals, but the home side had more on offer. Romanian Gabriela Hobjila scored 10 goals for Podravka and was a constant threat on right back.
Viborg HK - Podravka Vegeta 37-27 (19-12)
Viborg: Olga Assink 13, Katrine Fruelund 7, Saskia Mulder 6, Henriette Mikkelsen 5, Camilla Thorsen 3, Helga Nemeth 3.
Prodravka: Gabriela Hobjila 10, Ionela Gilca 5, Ljerka Vresk 3, Renata Hodak 3, Andrijana Budimir 3, Macija Culjak 2, Miranda Tatari 1.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 8x2m.
Attendance: 1,678.
February 13, 2004
Vasas Debacle: Fines Handed Out
The Hungarian Handball Federation has dealt out fines following the grotesque scenes after a match between Vasas and Hypo in Budapest in January.
The Austrian club received a fine of 400 Euro for unsporting conduct, while its coach Martin Matuschkowitz has to cough up with 800 Euro for his role in the skirmish that broke out.
The hardest-hitting woman in handball, Hypo's fierceless pivot Simona Spiridon, received a punishment of 400 Euro after she climbed into to the seats to display her fistfightning skills on male fans of Vasas. Shynkarenko joined in, but avoided any personal fine as she seemed to play more of a back-up role to her teammate.
The club will appeal the fines.
The Austrian club received a fine of 400 Euro for unsporting conduct, while its coach Martin Matuschkowitz has to cough up with 800 Euro for his role in the skirmish that broke out.
The hardest-hitting woman in handball, Hypo's fierceless pivot Simona Spiridon, received a punishment of 400 Euro after she climbed into to the seats to display her fistfightning skills on male fans of Vasas. Shynkarenko joined in, but avoided any personal fine as she seemed to play more of a back-up role to her teammate.
The club will appeal the fines.
Hypo Pull in Former Captain
Anda Bilobrk has parted with Brodosplit mid-season and hooked up with her former club Hypo NÖ ahead of the club's important meeting with Kometal Skopje.The 25-year-old playmaker and defensive specialist won the Champions League in 2000 with the Austrian powerhouse. The former Hypo captain left Lower Austria after the 2001/2002 season and returned to her home country of Croatia to play for Podravka in Koprivnica.
If her license is released in time, she will be eligible to play on Sunday in Macedonia. After one season in Koprivnica she transferred to their rivals Brodosplit.
Her sudden depature comes at an unfortunate time for Brodosplit as they play in the Challenge Cup this weekend.
Gunnar Prokop is also on the lookout for a new keeper. Marianna Gubova is out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery, and he has his eyes firmly set on Elena Galkina from Lokomotiva Zagreb.
Report: Jurack Going to Viborg
Danish TV 2 reported on Friday that Viborg HK has signed the German right back Grit Jurack from next season. The Leipzig player has been rumoured to return to Ikast/Bording for some time, but it now seems the rivals in Viborg attracted her coveted signature instead.
The powerful lefty will be replacing Helga Nemeth who is returning to Hungary when her contract expires at the end of this season.
Viborg's managing director Peter Cassöe declines to comment on the report, but doesn't refute it either. TV 2 is a major sponsor of Viborg HK and it would be surprising if they got this story wrong.
Leipzig, however, is vehemently denying any such talk of a transfer of their biggest star. According to Handball-World, Manager Kay-Sven Hähner maintains that Jurack has a contract with the club until 2006 and is not going anywhere.
The powerful lefty will be replacing Helga Nemeth who is returning to Hungary when her contract expires at the end of this season.
Viborg's managing director Peter Cassöe declines to comment on the report, but doesn't refute it either. TV 2 is a major sponsor of Viborg HK and it would be surprising if they got this story wrong.
Leipzig, however, is vehemently denying any such talk of a transfer of their biggest star. According to Handball-World, Manager Kay-Sven Hähner maintains that Jurack has a contract with the club until 2006 and is not going anywhere.
EHF Cup: Round of 16 Predictions
I'll skip the preview until the return legs next weekend and go straight to the more or less informed predictions with a brief comment attached.
Dinamo-AQUA Volgograd - Buxtehuder SV
Volgograd by 7. The Russian number two should have an easy time against the club from outer Hamburg. Buxtehude are far removed from last season's form.
E.S. Besancon - Vaag Vipers
Besancon by 5. The Vipers side is rich on talent and will provide a stern test even for a French side saturated with world champions. Not in France, however.
Astrakhanochka Astrakhan - Nordstrand 2000
Draw. Emilya Turey and company will welcome Nordstrand who took out the favoured Randers HK in the previous round. The Norwegians will get something in the proximity of a draw, with a win not unlikely.
Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov - Zeeman Vastgoed SEW
Eurostandard by 6. The Dutch women shouldn't be underestimated, but they will lose in Macedonia.
Cercle Dijon Bourgogne - Rapid CFR Bucuresti
Bucuresti by 3. A difficult one to diagnose, but the Romanian top side should be capable of handling Ilda Bengue and Bourgogne.
S.D. Itxako Estella - Gyori Graboplast ETO
Gyor by 2. Itxako's veterans Bogdanova and Gogirla haven't reached the expiration date yet, but there is too much talent in the Gyor outfit. The first match in Spain should be close, though.
GAS Anagennisi Artas - GOG/Gudme
Artas by 4. Stranded in a airport in Holland, GOG are having a nightmare journey to Athens. This should cost them victory against the strong Greeks.
Viborg HK - Podravka Vegeta
Viborg by 9. Viborg are red-hot at the moment and could give the Croatian top side the same treatment as Ikast handed them in the fall.
Dinamo-AQUA Volgograd - Buxtehuder SV
Volgograd by 7. The Russian number two should have an easy time against the club from outer Hamburg. Buxtehude are far removed from last season's form.
E.S. Besancon - Vaag Vipers
Besancon by 5. The Vipers side is rich on talent and will provide a stern test even for a French side saturated with world champions. Not in France, however.
Astrakhanochka Astrakhan - Nordstrand 2000
Draw. Emilya Turey and company will welcome Nordstrand who took out the favoured Randers HK in the previous round. The Norwegians will get something in the proximity of a draw, with a win not unlikely.
Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov - Zeeman Vastgoed SEWEurostandard by 6. The Dutch women shouldn't be underestimated, but they will lose in Macedonia.
Cercle Dijon Bourgogne - Rapid CFR Bucuresti
Bucuresti by 3. A difficult one to diagnose, but the Romanian top side should be capable of handling Ilda Bengue and Bourgogne.
S.D. Itxako Estella - Gyori Graboplast ETO
Gyor by 2. Itxako's veterans Bogdanova and Gogirla haven't reached the expiration date yet, but there is too much talent in the Gyor outfit. The first match in Spain should be close, though.
GAS Anagennisi Artas - GOG/Gudme
Artas by 4. Stranded in a airport in Holland, GOG are having a nightmare journey to Athens. This should cost them victory against the strong Greeks.
Viborg HK - Podravka Vegeta
Viborg by 9. Viborg are red-hot at the moment and could give the Croatian top side the same treatment as Ikast handed them in the fall.
CL Round 5: Preview and Predictions
The group stage is nearing its conclusion. After the weekend, all quarterfinalists could very well be in place, leaving only a few battles for position as well as qualification for the Cup Winner's Cup to be decided in the last round.Group A:
Lada Togliatti - El Osito L'Eliana (Sat 17:00)
Dunaferr SE - DJK/MJC Trier (Sun 18:00)
Predictions: Togliatti by 5, Dunaferr by 3.
Cristina Mayo has a seemingly impossible undertaking awaiting in Russia. A win is obviously required if Valencia are to have any chance of progressing. A year ago they won in Skopje in the penultimate round to secure a berth in the quarters. But except for the victory over Dunaferr, they haven't come close to replicating last year's form. And it's hard to imagine them doing any sort of damage when they lost by 9 goals at home to Togliatti.
The Russians are known for getting very little, if anything, out of their home advantage in European tourmanents. And Dunaferr did manage to beat them in Russia let's not forget. But the Spaniards don't have the defense to pull a match like that off. And they no longer have Tatjana Medved to score 9 goals as she did when they met in Togliatti last season and only lost 25-24.
With the routing of Trier fresh in mind, Trefilov should not have too many worries. Especially as the experienced Anna Kareeva has rejoined the squad after injury. They have no need for a big win, and I doubt they will try to get one. Which should allow Valencia to get away with a respectable 5-goal defeat.
Dunaferr solved their acute pivot problem this week by slipping Anita Kulcsar into the crew. Although a distinct reinforcement, expecting miracles on this basis alone is probably not a good idea.
The Champions League has been a bumpy ride for the Hungarians with only one truly impressive result so far. But despite the set-back in Valencia, they are in a very comfortable position with two home matches remaining. First place in the group - which may be needed to avoid Krim - is very much within the grasp of Radulovics and cohorts.
Trier rebounded nicely from the drubbing by Lada last weekend as they tied the quality side HC Leipzig midweek. It's 'do or die' in Hungary, however. A victory would leave it to their own devices in the last round. They should have the ability to make it close, but the points will elude them.
Group B:
Krim Eta Malizia - Motor Zaporozhye (Sat 17:30)
Buducnost Monet - Ikast/Bording EH (Sun 18:30)
Predictions: Krim by 8, Buducnost by 2.
After two unexpected defeats Krim bounced back with a telling victory over Ikast. Tone Tiselj is back at the helmet after securing the Slovenian men silver on the European stage. And he certainly knew how to fire on his players in Herning Messecenter. It's difficult to envision Motor troubling the title holders the least bit after that performance.
The Ukrainians left Podgorica with a modest defeat, but have had a habit of combusting in their away matches. They had no reply to Krim Ljubljana in the first meeting in Zaporozhye, and they are not going to have it easier in Slovenia.
Ikast/Bording are simply put in a must-win situation after two losses in a row. They are a strong away-team and managed to win in Podgorica at the quarterfinal stage last year. They ran away from Buducnost in the second half when they met in the first round. But Buducnost have shown a marked improvement since Panov took over.
They can count on a vociferous support in the Moraca Sports Hall. Sanja Jovovic was their head attraction in last year's meetings between the two, but the stylish back is in Ikast now. Her replacement, Izabela Puchacz, is no slouch either, though.
After the lacklustre performance against Krim, Ikast fell down even further midweek in Viborg. Morten Fjeldstad frantically experiments with a number of formations, but never seems to find the right one. With this indecisiveness in mind, Ikast have quite a task ahead of them. Krim couldn't win in Podgorica - and I doubt Ikast are capable of doing so with their current form. They won't go down easily, though.
Group C:
Slagelse FH - Din-Classic, Nis (Sat 16:15)
Kometal Gjorche Petrov - Hypo NÖ (Sun 19:30)
Predictions: Slagelse by 9, Kometal by 5.
The only team with maximum points goes up against the only team with a big, round zero on their account. Although they are already qualified for the next stage, Slagelse will want to secure two points ahead of the difficult away match in Skopje in the last round, making first place a guarantee.
After a mediocre performance in Südstadt and a slim victory over Kometal, they will want to find the highest gear and register a convincing win. And the one-woman-show from Nis will not have the tools to prevent that.
Hypo are not what they used to be, but they shouldn't be underestimated either. Having beaten both Skopje and Nis at home, they gave Slagelse a scare in Austria. Their main liability is the lack of experience. And this could become evident in a difficult away match like the one in Skopje.
Especially against a steadily improving Kometal side that can clinch a quarterfinal spot with a 3-goal victory to make up for the disappointment last season. Although a crushing victory is not likely, it's almost unthinkable that they will let this opportunity slip away.
Given the past history between the clubs - the 2000 Champions League final comes to mind - one would hope that this match is carried out in a sportingly fair atmosphere. Then the respective stars were Kastratovic and Fridrikas, on Sunday they could be Tsygitsa and Dronic.
Group D:
Elda Prestigio - Ferencvaros (Sat 16:30)
Larvik HK - Bystrzyca Lublin (Sun 16:15)
Predictions: Ferencvaros by 2, Larvik by 11.
Last chance for the Spanish champions and current league leaders. They have been far from impressive in their away matches, but seem a lot more assertive at home in Elda. Their 15-goal shipwreck in Larvik was followed by another disappointing result against Lublin.
They were competive in Budapest and should pose a real threat to Ferencvaros who can probably afford to lose the match and still go through. But the homogenous Hungarian side is on a roll at the moment and will be eager to follow up on the success against Larvik.
They still have hopes for first place - which would steer them clear of Slagelse in a quarterfinal - if Larvik mess up in Spain in the last round.
Elda have more on offer than Susana Fraile, although she is the central figure in attack. The young right backs Oana Soit and Isabel Ortuno should be looked out for. The same goes for the seasoned pivot Diana Box and wing Beatriz Morales.
Ferencvaros lost several key players ahead of the season, but the team has really started to come together around the new playmaker Viktoria Kocsik, who was picked up in Vasarhely as a replacement for Siti. It's hard to identify any particular weak spots in the squad.
Righthanded Margit Padar on right back could be one, but from what I've seen she has done quite well. With the departure of Farkas, Timea Toth has really shined on left back. Slovakian right wing Mravikova is really making a name for herself at the moment, while veteran Kirsner is a fixed feature on the other flank.
The keeper duo of Sugar and Miklosova is also quite solid, while Lucia Uhrakova - the third Slovakian musketeer - takes up lots of space on the 6m line. Both in attack and defense.
A close tie is to be expected in Spain, but I give the Hungarians the slight nod.
Larvik haven't been quite extraordinary recently. Which they really ought to be at this time of the season when the knock-out stage of the Champions League is moving ever closer. But after the set-back in Budapest a home match with Bystrzyca is like a gift from the above. The main issue will probably be whether or not they win by more or less than 10 goals. I think more.
February 12, 2004
Cup Winner's Cup: Round 4 Preview
Ferrobus Mislata (ESP) - Silcotub Zalau (ROM)
FCK Handball (DEN) - KSK Lutch (RUS)
Cercle Nimes (FRA) - Vaci NK (HUN)
Üsküdar (TUR) - Metz Metropole (FRA)
We can actually have three Spanish teams in the quarterfinals as both Alsa Elda Prestigio and El Osito L'Eliana could wound up in third place in their respective Champions League groups. Other possible participants could be Hypo NÖ and Ikast/Bording.
Mislata and Zalau are both third in their respective leagues and should have a very close tie. Zalau put Frankfurt out of the Cup Winner's Cup with ease and recently handed Rapid CFR Bucuresti their only loss of the season.
With players like Valeria Bese, Ana Maria Lazer, Roxana Gatzel, Ramona Farcau, and Daniela Crap in their squad, they are certainly competent enough to beat the Spaniards as well.
Ferrobus captain Susana Pareja recently sustained an ankle injury, but should be cleared to play against the Romanians. Swede Jessica Everlönn, however, won't be ready.
As usual, the Valencia side will rely mostly on Polish veteran Anna Ejsmont for their goals. But Teresa Andreu and former Norway and Bäkkelaget player Hanne Halen could also contribute.
Mette Vestergaard and FC Copenhagen meet another club from a capital city, Lutch from Moscow. Only ranked 8th domestically this season, Lutch also took part in the Cup Winner's Cup last season when they were barely beaten by Lokomotiva Zagreb. FCK took out the Croatians in round 3 this year.
The star of Lutch is the playmaker Tsvetkova, but the left back Kolyada should also be able to play quite well. Raisa Verakso, the 2001 World Champion, was in Lutch last season.
The heavy back is in her thirties and might have retired. In a very distant past she was close to being signed with Viborg, but only her old friend Natalia Deriouguina decided to move to Denmark. FCK will be favoured to solve the problem, but could very well go out considering their erratic form.
Handball Cercle Nimes are ranked in the middle of the French top division. They have a strong defense in front of keeper Joanne Dudziak, but lack some offensive punch. Left back Nathalie Macra is perhaps their most recognizable field player.
But we shouldn't leave out the Tunisian right back Rafika Marzouk who played quite well at the World Championship in Croatia.
Recently downing Gyõr, Vác are ranked fourth in a stronger league and must be tipped to progress to the quarterfinals. They handled the quite competent Norwegian side Byaasen twice in Hungary in the last round.
Their most dominant player through a number of years has been Auguszta Matyas who won Olympic bronze with Hungary in Atlanta 1996. The former Dunaferr performer has been popping in hundreds and hundreds of goals for Vaci NK. The club also added the Ukranian national team player Ganna Syukalo to its roster ahead of the season.
Üsküdar and their star player Yeliz Yilmaz sensationally knocked out Spartak Kiev in the third round. But Metropole Metz should be a wake-up call. The undefeated top dogs in the French league have a formidable team.
Just look at this selection: Wendling, Szabo, Medved, Ludwig, Vogein, Cerna, Cendier, Dajcman. They conquered their main rivals of Besancon a few days ago and must be brimming with confidence. If one team is going to stop the Champions League drop-outs from stealing the tournament, it probably has to be Metz.
This preview became quite verbose. I apologize for that.
FCK Handball (DEN) - KSK Lutch (RUS)
Cercle Nimes (FRA) - Vaci NK (HUN)
Üsküdar (TUR) - Metz Metropole (FRA)
We can actually have three Spanish teams in the quarterfinals as both Alsa Elda Prestigio and El Osito L'Eliana could wound up in third place in their respective Champions League groups. Other possible participants could be Hypo NÖ and Ikast/Bording.
Mislata and Zalau are both third in their respective leagues and should have a very close tie. Zalau put Frankfurt out of the Cup Winner's Cup with ease and recently handed Rapid CFR Bucuresti their only loss of the season.
With players like Valeria Bese, Ana Maria Lazer, Roxana Gatzel, Ramona Farcau, and Daniela Crap in their squad, they are certainly competent enough to beat the Spaniards as well.
Ferrobus captain Susana Pareja recently sustained an ankle injury, but should be cleared to play against the Romanians. Swede Jessica Everlönn, however, won't be ready.
As usual, the Valencia side will rely mostly on Polish veteran Anna Ejsmont for their goals. But Teresa Andreu and former Norway and Bäkkelaget player Hanne Halen could also contribute.
Mette Vestergaard and FC Copenhagen meet another club from a capital city, Lutch from Moscow. Only ranked 8th domestically this season, Lutch also took part in the Cup Winner's Cup last season when they were barely beaten by Lokomotiva Zagreb. FCK took out the Croatians in round 3 this year.
The star of Lutch is the playmaker Tsvetkova, but the left back Kolyada should also be able to play quite well. Raisa Verakso, the 2001 World Champion, was in Lutch last season.
The heavy back is in her thirties and might have retired. In a very distant past she was close to being signed with Viborg, but only her old friend Natalia Deriouguina decided to move to Denmark. FCK will be favoured to solve the problem, but could very well go out considering their erratic form.
Handball Cercle Nimes are ranked in the middle of the French top division. They have a strong defense in front of keeper Joanne Dudziak, but lack some offensive punch. Left back Nathalie Macra is perhaps their most recognizable field player.
But we shouldn't leave out the Tunisian right back Rafika Marzouk who played quite well at the World Championship in Croatia.
Recently downing Gyõr, Vác are ranked fourth in a stronger league and must be tipped to progress to the quarterfinals. They handled the quite competent Norwegian side Byaasen twice in Hungary in the last round.
Their most dominant player through a number of years has been Auguszta Matyas who won Olympic bronze with Hungary in Atlanta 1996. The former Dunaferr performer has been popping in hundreds and hundreds of goals for Vaci NK. The club also added the Ukranian national team player Ganna Syukalo to its roster ahead of the season.
Üsküdar and their star player Yeliz Yilmaz sensationally knocked out Spartak Kiev in the third round. But Metropole Metz should be a wake-up call. The undefeated top dogs in the French league have a formidable team.
Just look at this selection: Wendling, Szabo, Medved, Ludwig, Vogein, Cerna, Cendier, Dajcman. They conquered their main rivals of Besancon a few days ago and must be brimming with confidence. If one team is going to stop the Champions League drop-outs from stealing the tournament, it probably has to be Metz.
This preview became quite verbose. I apologize for that.
Challenge Cup: Round of 16 Preview
Anadolu Üni. (TUR) - Merignac (FRA)
Universitatea Remin Deva (ROM) - A.S Altamura (ITA)
Havre Athletic Club (FRA) - Vestmannaeyjar (ISL)
1. FC Nürnberg (GER) - Uni Ursus Cluj (ROM)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) - Spono Nottwil (CH)
Colegio de Gaia (POR) - Vitaral Jelfa (POL)
Motor Zaporozhye 2 (UKR) - Brodosplit Inzenjering (CRO)
Bayer Leverkusen (GER) - Osmangazi Üni. (TUR)
One should refrain from calling this the Mickey Mouse Cup (shouldn't that be Minnie Mouse?) as I've heard some people do. It isn't quite fair. There are some very good teams in here.
Nürnberg and Leverkusen are third and fourth in Germany respectively, Le Havre is third in France. The Croatian shipyard team Brodosplit Inzenjering - the EHF refers to them by an outdated name - are the second-strongest club in Croatia. Unfortunately, Klaudjia Bubalo was injured recently, but they still have Natasa Kolega, another great veteran, fit for fight.
Anadolu are number one in Turkey, and we saw what their countrywomen from Üsküdar did to Spartak Kiev. They could threaten French bottom-side Merignac, although Paula Gondo and Co. should go through on paper.
Remin Deva recently took out Silcotub Zalau in the Romanian league and should make fodder out of Altamura. Vestmannaeyjar have players with international experience like the former Ikast wing Anja Nielsen, but Le Havre with the Congolese playmaker Chantal Okoye and the Romanian back Viorica Diaconu should be too big of a challenge.
Useless fact of the day: Germany's top-ranked female tennis player is originally from Cluj in Romania. That's completely unrelated to the meeting between Nürnberg and Cluj in which the Germans must prevail comfortably.
Spono Nottwil can't even keep up with best Swiss sides and there's a little doubt that Borussia will make cheese out of their defense.
Colegio de Gaia will hopefully be beaten by my favourite Polish club, Vitaral Jelfa Jelenia Gora. I like them because of their excellent fan site which seems to indicate that they are really likable. Otherwise, it wouldn't be very good, would it now? Besides, I find it quite enticing to pronounce the club name.
I don't know what Motor's second team is doing in a European competition. I guess the Ukranian federation and the EHF would know. Anyway, I think Brodosplit will take care of them. Especially as both matches are played in Croatia.
Osmangazi is yet another Turkish university team. They are quite a bit softer than Anadolu and can't possibly stand a chance against Bayer Leverkusen.
Update: Klaudija Bubalo has already overcome her bizarre injury which involved a parquet floor and will be joining forces with Kolega for Brodosplit against Motor.
Universitatea Remin Deva (ROM) - A.S Altamura (ITA)
Havre Athletic Club (FRA) - Vestmannaeyjar (ISL)
1. FC Nürnberg (GER) - Uni Ursus Cluj (ROM)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) - Spono Nottwil (CH)
Colegio de Gaia (POR) - Vitaral Jelfa (POL)
Motor Zaporozhye 2 (UKR) - Brodosplit Inzenjering (CRO)
Bayer Leverkusen (GER) - Osmangazi Üni. (TUR)
One should refrain from calling this the Mickey Mouse Cup (shouldn't that be Minnie Mouse?) as I've heard some people do. It isn't quite fair. There are some very good teams in here.
Nürnberg and Leverkusen are third and fourth in Germany respectively, Le Havre is third in France. The Croatian shipyard team Brodosplit Inzenjering - the EHF refers to them by an outdated name - are the second-strongest club in Croatia. Unfortunately, Klaudjia Bubalo was injured recently, but they still have Natasa Kolega, another great veteran, fit for fight.
Anadolu are number one in Turkey, and we saw what their countrywomen from Üsküdar did to Spartak Kiev. They could threaten French bottom-side Merignac, although Paula Gondo and Co. should go through on paper.
Remin Deva recently took out Silcotub Zalau in the Romanian league and should make fodder out of Altamura. Vestmannaeyjar have players with international experience like the former Ikast wing Anja Nielsen, but Le Havre with the Congolese playmaker Chantal Okoye and the Romanian back Viorica Diaconu should be too big of a challenge.
Useless fact of the day: Germany's top-ranked female tennis player is originally from Cluj in Romania. That's completely unrelated to the meeting between Nürnberg and Cluj in which the Germans must prevail comfortably.
Spono Nottwil can't even keep up with best Swiss sides and there's a little doubt that Borussia will make cheese out of their defense.
Colegio de Gaia will hopefully be beaten by my favourite Polish club, Vitaral Jelfa Jelenia Gora. I like them because of their excellent fan site which seems to indicate that they are really likable. Otherwise, it wouldn't be very good, would it now? Besides, I find it quite enticing to pronounce the club name.
I don't know what Motor's second team is doing in a European competition. I guess the Ukranian federation and the EHF would know. Anyway, I think Brodosplit will take care of them. Especially as both matches are played in Croatia.
Osmangazi is yet another Turkish university team. They are quite a bit softer than Anadolu and can't possibly stand a chance against Bayer Leverkusen.
Update: Klaudija Bubalo has already overcome her bizarre injury which involved a parquet floor and will be joining forces with Kolega for Brodosplit against Motor.
Rematch: Slagelse vs. Aalborg
The Danish Handball Federation has stipulated a rematch between Slagelse and Aalborg DH on February 24th or 25th. After losing 36-37 in a dramatic match on the 1st of February, Aalborg protested because a call for time-out had been overlooked late in the second half.
The Federation has accepted Aalborg's protest and annulled the result of the match. Slagelse president Bjarne Stenbäk objects to the date of the rematch as it falls right between Slagelse's Champions League encounter with Kometal Skopje and a domestic task against Ikast. He also considers an appeal as the Aalborg protest may have surpassed a required deadline.
The Federation has accepted Aalborg's protest and annulled the result of the match. Slagelse president Bjarne Stenbäk objects to the date of the rematch as it falls right between Slagelse's Champions League encounter with Kometal Skopje and a domestic task against Ikast. He also considers an appeal as the Aalborg protest may have surpassed a required deadline.
CL Top Scorers: Knezevic in Pole Position
Champions League top scorers after round 4, according to the EHF.
1. Ljiljana Knezevic (Nis) 43
2. Bojana Petrovic (Slagelse) 37
3. Sladana Dronic (Hypo) 36
4. Anna Burmistrova (Zaporozhye) 30
5. Katja Nyberg (Larvik) 28
5. Bojana Radulovics (Dunaferr) 28
7. Olga Buyanova (Skopje) 27
8. Nadejda Muravyeva (Togliatti) 26
8. Tanja Logvin (Krim) 26
8. Nataliya Derepasko (Krim) 26
11. Izabela Puchacz (Podgorica) 25
12. Viktoria Kocsik (Ferencvaros) 23
12. Josephine Touray (Ikast) 23
12. Camilla Andersen (Slagelse) 23
15. Maren Baumbach (Trier) 22
15. Marijana Bulatovic (Podgorica) 22
15. Susana Fraile (Elda Prestigio) 22
15. Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (Larvik) 22
19. Katarina Mravikova (Ferencvaros) 21
19. Sabina Wlodek (Lublin) 21
20. Olena Tsygitsa (Skopje) 20
20. Erika Kirsner (Ferencvaros) 20
1. Ljiljana Knezevic (Nis) 43
2. Bojana Petrovic (Slagelse) 37
3. Sladana Dronic (Hypo) 36
4. Anna Burmistrova (Zaporozhye) 30
5. Katja Nyberg (Larvik) 28
5. Bojana Radulovics (Dunaferr) 28
7. Olga Buyanova (Skopje) 27
8. Nadejda Muravyeva (Togliatti) 26
8. Tanja Logvin (Krim) 26
8. Nataliya Derepasko (Krim) 26
11. Izabela Puchacz (Podgorica) 25
12. Viktoria Kocsik (Ferencvaros) 23
12. Josephine Touray (Ikast) 23
12. Camilla Andersen (Slagelse) 23
15. Maren Baumbach (Trier) 22
15. Marijana Bulatovic (Podgorica) 22
15. Susana Fraile (Elda Prestigio) 22
15. Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (Larvik) 22
19. Katarina Mravikova (Ferencvaros) 21
19. Sabina Wlodek (Lublin) 21
20. Olena Tsygitsa (Skopje) 20
20. Erika Kirsner (Ferencvaros) 20
Bundesliga: Leipzig Held to Draw in Trier
German champions DJK/MJC Trier scored twice in the closing minute to salvage a 32-32 draw against HC Leipzig in the Arena Trier. According to HBVF.de, the equalizer was scored on a 7-metre throw in the very last second.
After 14 rounds, Leipzig are now three points behind the Bundesliga leaders from Frankfurt/Oder and can no longer be regarded as title favourites.
After 14 rounds, Leipzig are now three points behind the Bundesliga leaders from Frankfurt/Oder and can no longer be regarded as title favourites.
February 11, 2004
Ikast Embarrassed by Viborg
Ikast suffered a devastating 32-22 (19-11) beating at the hands of Viborg on Wednesday evening, effectively putting the second place in the Danish League out of reach.
Viborg had scored two comeback victories against Ikast earlier in the season, but the hattrick against their local rivals was clinched in much more convincing fashion.
After 11 minutes of play Henriette Mikkelsen made it a shocking 10-1 in favour of the home team in Viborg Stadionhal. And it was already more than evident that Ikast wouldn't get a much-needed boost to the morale ahead of their important Champions League shootout with Buducnost Monet. Quite the contrary.
A robust defense and an impenetrable Valerie Nicolas proved a frustrating experience for Ikast's ad hoc-formation of Hammerseng, Andersen, and Knudsen in the backcourt. And the counter-attacks from Mikkelsen and Mulder rained down on a hapless Karin Mortensen.
Well-accompanied by the quickstepping Natasja Burgers, Lotte Kiärskou was in a fierce playmaking mood throughout the match. Only when Ana Vojcic replaced Mortensen, and Touray and Daugaard moved forward in Ikast's trademark 4-2 defensive step-up, could the visitors follow suit with Viborg.
They temporarily cut the lead down to 6, trailing 5-11, but Viborg soon extended the gap again and were in front 19-11 at half-time. In the second half, only the size of the victory was the matter of dispute. Leila Lejeune did her part to make it as crushing as possible with 6 excellent goals.
At 45 minutes, Viborg were ahead 28-16, but Ikast gained a few goals to make the final score a bit more respectable.
Horsens are beginning to display the qualities that propelled them to third spot earlier in the season. They upended the red-hot GOG side 28-25 (17-16) at home, taking fifth place place away from them as a bonus. After a few sub-par showings, Swedish all-star Aasa Eriksson was back on top with 9 goals.
Viborg - Ikast/Bording 32-22 (19-11)
Viborg: Leila Lejeune 6, Olga Assink 6, Lotte Kiärskou 6 (3), Saskia Mulder 4, Henriette Mikkelsen 4, Natasja Burgers 4, Rikke Skov 1, Katrine Fruelund.
Ikast: Sanja Jovovic 6 (1), Gro Hammerseng 4, Narcisa Paunica 3, Line Daugaard 3, Isabel Blanco 2, Lise Knudsen 1, Trine Jensen 1, Sara Hansen 1, Josephine Touray 1.
Suspensions: 2x2, 3x2m.
Attendance: 2,411.
Horsens - GOG/Gudme 28-25 (17-16)
Horsens: Aasa Eriksson 9 (1), Mette Sjöberg 5, Jane Wangsö 4, Christina Kristensen 3, Tine Ladefoged 3 (1), Mia Falk 2, Kirsten Sönderskov 1, Mette Jensen 1.
GOG: Monique Feijen 8 (5), Pearl van der Vissel 5, Lene Lund Nielsen 4, Krisztina Nagy 3, Rikke Hörlykke 3, Ragnhild Aamodt 2.
Suspensions: 0x2m, 3x2m.
Attendance: 914.
Viborg had scored two comeback victories against Ikast earlier in the season, but the hattrick against their local rivals was clinched in much more convincing fashion.
After 11 minutes of play Henriette Mikkelsen made it a shocking 10-1 in favour of the home team in Viborg Stadionhal. And it was already more than evident that Ikast wouldn't get a much-needed boost to the morale ahead of their important Champions League shootout with Buducnost Monet. Quite the contrary.
A robust defense and an impenetrable Valerie Nicolas proved a frustrating experience for Ikast's ad hoc-formation of Hammerseng, Andersen, and Knudsen in the backcourt. And the counter-attacks from Mikkelsen and Mulder rained down on a hapless Karin Mortensen.
Well-accompanied by the quickstepping Natasja Burgers, Lotte Kiärskou was in a fierce playmaking mood throughout the match. Only when Ana Vojcic replaced Mortensen, and Touray and Daugaard moved forward in Ikast's trademark 4-2 defensive step-up, could the visitors follow suit with Viborg.
They temporarily cut the lead down to 6, trailing 5-11, but Viborg soon extended the gap again and were in front 19-11 at half-time. In the second half, only the size of the victory was the matter of dispute. Leila Lejeune did her part to make it as crushing as possible with 6 excellent goals.
At 45 minutes, Viborg were ahead 28-16, but Ikast gained a few goals to make the final score a bit more respectable.
Horsens are beginning to display the qualities that propelled them to third spot earlier in the season. They upended the red-hot GOG side 28-25 (17-16) at home, taking fifth place place away from them as a bonus. After a few sub-par showings, Swedish all-star Aasa Eriksson was back on top with 9 goals.
Viborg - Ikast/Bording 32-22 (19-11)
Viborg: Leila Lejeune 6, Olga Assink 6, Lotte Kiärskou 6 (3), Saskia Mulder 4, Henriette Mikkelsen 4, Natasja Burgers 4, Rikke Skov 1, Katrine Fruelund.
Ikast: Sanja Jovovic 6 (1), Gro Hammerseng 4, Narcisa Paunica 3, Line Daugaard 3, Isabel Blanco 2, Lise Knudsen 1, Trine Jensen 1, Sara Hansen 1, Josephine Touray 1.
Suspensions: 2x2, 3x2m.
Attendance: 2,411.
Horsens - GOG/Gudme 28-25 (17-16)
Horsens: Aasa Eriksson 9 (1), Mette Sjöberg 5, Jane Wangsö 4, Christina Kristensen 3, Tine Ladefoged 3 (1), Mia Falk 2, Kirsten Sönderskov 1, Mette Jensen 1.
GOG: Monique Feijen 8 (5), Pearl van der Vissel 5, Lene Lund Nielsen 4, Krisztina Nagy 3, Rikke Hörlykke 3, Ragnhild Aamodt 2.
Suspensions: 0x2m, 3x2m.
Attendance: 914.
February 10, 2004
Dunaferr Snatches Up Anita Kulcsar
In a manifest of their dominant position in Hungarian