May 31, 2004
Athens Schedule
The IHF released the playing schedule with throw-off times for the preliminary matches a couple of days ago.
Denmark's women:
August 15 - 21:30-23:10: DEN vs FRA
August 17 - 19:30-21:10: KOR vs DEN
August 19 - 21:30-23:10: ESP vs DEN
August 23 - 21:30-23:10: DEN vs ANG
Denmark's women:
August 15 - 21:30-23:10: DEN vs FRA
August 17 - 19:30-21:10: KOR vs DEN
August 19 - 21:30-23:10: ESP vs DEN
August 23 - 21:30-23:10: DEN vs ANG
Spain in Olympic Form
The Spanish surprise package from last year's World Championship is showing teeth with just 75 days to go to the Olympic Games in Athens. Winning 31-29 (16-11) in the Polish city of Zory on Sunday, the path to Hungary also seems clear.Spain struggled immensely last year against the Poles in the playoffs for Croatia, but this time Jose Francisco Aldeguer's side were on top of their game in the first leg.
From 3-3 in the first half, Spain scored four consecutive goals and held on to the lead right through the end. Trailing 5 goals at the interval, the Polish side did battle back in the second half to reduce the gap to two goals at full time. Giving them some hope of upstaging the Spanish favourites in Elche on Saturday.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Poland - Spain 29-31 (11-16)
Poland: Agata Wypych 8, Izabela Puchacz 7, Karolina Kudlacz 6, Kinga Polenz 3, Katarzyna Echolc 1, Ewa Damiecka 1, Sabina Wlodek 1, Iwona Szafulska 1, Monika Marzec 1.
Spain: Isabel Ortuno Torrico 7, Noelia Oncina 4, Patricia Alonso Jimenez 4, Marta Mangue Gonzalez 4, Montserrat Puche Diaz, Susana Fraile 3, Susana Pareja 1, Vanessa Amoros 1, Cristina Gomez 1, Diana Box 1.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 3x2m.
Attendance: 1,200.
Slovenia Solve Turkish Task
In a goal-rich encounter in Istanbul, Slovenia defeated Turkey 38-34 (18-15) to spring the door to Euro 2004 wide open.
The return leg in Slovenia should only be a formality for Marta Bon's side who could rely on 8 goals from All Star wing Tanja Oder. Turkey's shooting star Yeliz Özel netted 11 times.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Turkey - Slovenia 34-38 (15-18)
Turkey: Özel 11 (2), Orioz 6, Yaman 5, Yilmaz 5 (2), Turkay 4, Iskenderoglu 3 (1).
Slovenia: Oder 8 (3), Derepasko 6, Kurent 5, Freser 4, Ceckova 4, Dajcman 4 (2), Cerar 2.
7-metres: 5/5, 5/7.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 6x2m.
Disqualification: Yilmaz, Turkey.
Attendance: 700.
The return leg in Slovenia should only be a formality for Marta Bon's side who could rely on 8 goals from All Star wing Tanja Oder. Turkey's shooting star Yeliz Özel netted 11 times.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Turkey - Slovenia 34-38 (15-18)
Turkey: Özel 11 (2), Orioz 6, Yaman 5, Yilmaz 5 (2), Turkay 4, Iskenderoglu 3 (1).
Slovenia: Oder 8 (3), Derepasko 6, Kurent 5, Freser 4, Ceckova 4, Dajcman 4 (2), Cerar 2.
7-metres: 5/5, 5/7.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 6x2m.
Disqualification: Yilmaz, Turkey.
Attendance: 700.
Slovaks Win by 6
Slovakia captured a 30-24 (15-13) win over Serbia and Montenegro in the first playoff match for the European Championship.
After a close first half, the Slovak team took off at the beginning of the second half, increasing their advantage to 17-13.
With ten minutes to go, they were up 25-19. Failing to build further on their lead, they bring 6 goals with them to Nis for the return match.
Judged by the 2003 World Championship playoffs against Serbia and Montenegro that may not be enough. Winning 33-28 at home, they were stunned 36-21 in the return leg a year ago.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Slovakia - Serbia and Montenegro 30-24 (15-13)
Slovakia: Tothova 8, Stuparicova 5, Simakova 4, Mravikova 3, Halasova 2, Uhrakova 1, Kaltikova 1, Masickova 1, Kutkova 1.
SCG: Knezevic 6, Jovovic 4, Batinic 4, Durovic 3, Savic 3, Dokic 2, Milanovic 1, Mladenovic 1.
7-metres: 6/7, 1/3.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 1,000 in Michalovce.
After a close first half, the Slovak team took off at the beginning of the second half, increasing their advantage to 17-13.
With ten minutes to go, they were up 25-19. Failing to build further on their lead, they bring 6 goals with them to Nis for the return match.
Judged by the 2003 World Championship playoffs against Serbia and Montenegro that may not be enough. Winning 33-28 at home, they were stunned 36-21 in the return leg a year ago.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Slovakia - Serbia and Montenegro 30-24 (15-13)
Slovakia: Tothova 8, Stuparicova 5, Simakova 4, Mravikova 3, Halasova 2, Uhrakova 1, Kaltikova 1, Masickova 1, Kutkova 1.
SCG: Knezevic 6, Jovovic 4, Batinic 4, Durovic 3, Savic 3, Dokic 2, Milanovic 1, Mladenovic 1.
7-metres: 6/7, 1/3.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 1,000 in Michalovce.
May 30, 2004
Playoff Results
Slovakia - Serbia and Montenegro 30-24 (15-13)
Turkey - Slovenia 34-38 (15-18)
Poland - Spain 29-31 (11-16)
More on these matches later.
Turkey - Slovenia 34-38 (15-18)
Poland - Spain 29-31 (11-16)
More on these matches later.
Tertnes Testing Fabiková
The Czech Player of the Year 2003, Lucie Fabiková, will make a stop in Bergen to practice with Tertnes in the second week of June, Bergens Tidende reports.The star playmaker of Zora Olumouc and the Czech national team has previously been linked with Nordstrand, but Tertnes are now first in line to attract her signature.
"New challenges are tempting me, and regardless of what happens I'm probably going to leave the Czech Republic after this season," the charismatic Fabiková tells Bergens Tidende.
Having sent Larvik packing, Tertnes are vying for a spot in the Champions League after finishing runners-up in the Norwegian Championship. For that purpose, they are conscious that their squad must be empowered.
Nordstrand are in the same situation. But a couple of their expected signings have so far amounted to nothing. For instance, right wing Cristina Varzaru appears to be on her way to Viborg, according to Gazeta Sporturilor.
Netherlands Downed by Romania
The Dutch bid to reach Euro 2004 took a blow on Sunday when the host nation was defeated 31-28 (17-16) by Romania in Emmen.
Netherlands - Romania 28-31 (16-17)
Netherlands: Saskia Mulder 9, Elly An de Boer 7, Monique Feijen 6, Olga Assink 3, Natasja Burgers 1, Maaike Turnhout 1, Diana Lamein 1.
Romania: Mihaela Senocico 7, Simona Gogirla 6, Steluta Luca 5, Alina Dobrin 5, Teodora Vartic 3, Cristina Varzaru 2, Carmen Amariei 2, Valentina Elisei 1.
Netherlands - Romania 28-31 (16-17)
Netherlands: Saskia Mulder 9, Elly An de Boer 7, Monique Feijen 6, Olga Assink 3, Natasja Burgers 1, Maaike Turnhout 1, Diana Lamein 1.
Romania: Mihaela Senocico 7, Simona Gogirla 6, Steluta Luca 5, Alina Dobrin 5, Teodora Vartic 3, Cristina Varzaru 2, Carmen Amariei 2, Valentina Elisei 1.
Bulgaria Upset Croatia
The unheralded national team of Bulgaria dismissed Croatia 24-21 (10-9) at home in Gabrovo to gather a three-goal cushion ahead of the returner in Koprivnica.
The inexperienced Croatians could have been in more trouble if it hadn't been for keepers Knezovic and Jelcic who saved three penalties in total.
The young Zagreb aces Maida Arslanagic and Nikica Pusic were both absent from the Croatian squad because of injury.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Bulgaria - Croatia 24-21 (10-9)
Bulgaria: Simeonova 7, Zlateva 6, Demirova 5, Bojadijeva 4, Lebedeva 1, Tarkalanova 1.
Croatia: Tatari 7 (3), Popovic 3, Hrgovic 3, Janes 3 (2), Cop 2, Zebic 1, Gace 1, Golubic 1.
Attendance: 500.
The inexperienced Croatians could have been in more trouble if it hadn't been for keepers Knezovic and Jelcic who saved three penalties in total.
The young Zagreb aces Maida Arslanagic and Nikica Pusic were both absent from the Croatian squad because of injury.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Bulgaria - Croatia 24-21 (10-9)
Bulgaria: Simeonova 7, Zlateva 6, Demirova 5, Bojadijeva 4, Lebedeva 1, Tarkalanova 1.
Croatia: Tatari 7 (3), Popovic 3, Hrgovic 3, Janes 3 (2), Cop 2, Zebic 1, Gace 1, Golubic 1.
Attendance: 500.
Latvian to Aarhus
Sandra Paegle will be the first Latvian player to perform in Denmark. The young backcourter has signed a deal with SK Aarhus.
Paegle recently made a successful debut in the Latvian national team in the Challenge Trophy in Italy.
Aarhus has also picked up Mari Ann Lauersen, a right wing and former Viborg player. Previously, the club announced the acquisition of Hrafnildur Skuladottir, Icelandic national team player from Tvis Holstebro.
Paegle recently made a successful debut in the Latvian national team in the Challenge Trophy in Italy.
Aarhus has also picked up Mari Ann Lauersen, a right wing and former Viborg player. Previously, the club announced the acquisition of Hrafnildur Skuladottir, Icelandic national team player from Tvis Holstebro.
Slim Macedonian Victory
The Germans have one goal to make up on Saturday in Hannover. Backed by 2,000 supporters in the Kale arena, Macedonia won the first qualifier 23-22 (12-14) to snap both points.
Ekke Hoffmann's team had the upper hand in the first half, and the German coach praised his team for keeping it cool in the heated atmosphere - at least in the first 30 minutes.
"We played disciplined then, but unfortunately we had problems in the defense after the break. We will try to solve them for the next match," Hoffmann said afterwards to DHB, the German federation.
With Germany missing two penalties at the beginning of the second half, Andrey Portnoy's team enjoyed a 5-goal run to go up 17-14.
But as the Macedonians were hampered by suspensions, the home side never managed to take off and had to settle for the slim 23-22 victory.
Germany's topscorer Grit Jurack landed her 800th goal for her country last night. Olga Buyanova scored 10 times for Macedonia. Slagelse's Valentina Radulovic sustained a minor injury in the first half.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Macedonia - Germany 23-22 (12-14)
Macedonia: Buyanova 10 (5), Todorovska 4, Boeva 3, Velkova 2, Ferzalieva 2, Platon 1, Radulovic 1.
Germany: Jurack 5 (3), Härdter 4, Krause 4, Blacha 3, Henze 2, Pietzsch 2, Schmidt 2 (1).
7-metres: 5/6, 4/6.
Suspensions: 9x2m, 2x2m.
Disqualification: Klara Boeva, Macedonia.
Attendance: 2,000.
Ekke Hoffmann's team had the upper hand in the first half, and the German coach praised his team for keeping it cool in the heated atmosphere - at least in the first 30 minutes.
"We played disciplined then, but unfortunately we had problems in the defense after the break. We will try to solve them for the next match," Hoffmann said afterwards to DHB, the German federation.
With Germany missing two penalties at the beginning of the second half, Andrey Portnoy's team enjoyed a 5-goal run to go up 17-14.
But as the Macedonians were hampered by suspensions, the home side never managed to take off and had to settle for the slim 23-22 victory.
Germany's topscorer Grit Jurack landed her 800th goal for her country last night. Olga Buyanova scored 10 times for Macedonia. Slagelse's Valentina Radulovic sustained a minor injury in the first half.
Euro 2004 qualifier, first leg:
Macedonia - Germany 23-22 (12-14)
Macedonia: Buyanova 10 (5), Todorovska 4, Boeva 3, Velkova 2, Ferzalieva 2, Platon 1, Radulovic 1.
Germany: Jurack 5 (3), Härdter 4, Krause 4, Blacha 3, Henze 2, Pietzsch 2, Schmidt 2 (1).
7-metres: 5/6, 4/6.
Suspensions: 9x2m, 2x2m.
Disqualification: Klara Boeva, Macedonia.
Attendance: 2,000.
May 29, 2004
Ukraine Steal Win in Portugal
The Ukrainian World Championship semifinalists won the first qualifier away against Portugal 27-26 in the city of Trancoso.
Portugal - Ukraine 26-27 (13-13)
Portugal: A.M. Sousa 6, Cardoso 5, Barbosa 3, Ferreira 3, Viana 2, J. Sousa 2, Aguiar 1, Marques 1.
Ukraine: Raykhel 7, Yatsenko 5, Vergelyuk 4, Lyapina 4, Markushevska 3, Shynkarenko 2, Radchenko 1, Siukalo 1.
Attendance: 1,000.
Other results:
Azerbaijan - Belarus 21-25
Bulgaria - Croatia 24-21
Macedonia - Germany 23-22 (12-14)
Portugal - Ukraine 26-27 (13-13)
Portugal: A.M. Sousa 6, Cardoso 5, Barbosa 3, Ferreira 3, Viana 2, J. Sousa 2, Aguiar 1, Marques 1.
Ukraine: Raykhel 7, Yatsenko 5, Vergelyuk 4, Lyapina 4, Markushevska 3, Shynkarenko 2, Radchenko 1, Siukalo 1.
Attendance: 1,000.
Other results:
Azerbaijan - Belarus 21-25
Bulgaria - Croatia 24-21
Macedonia - Germany 23-22 (12-14)
Euro Playoffs: Austrians and Czechs in Control
The Austrians are in pole position for the return leg at home in Telfs. Herbert Müller's side moved a big step closer to the European Championship after defeating Lithuania 32-30 (17-14) in the first qualifier.
Tatjana Logvin and Sorina Teodorovic provided the majority of goals for the visitors with 10 each. Austria took command after 15 minutes and were ahead by seven goals at one point.
"Because of technical mistakes from us, Lithuania could come back, but the victory was never in doubt," Austria's manager Martin Hausleitner told Sportlive.
The Czech Republic could also be pleased after the first leg. Winning a close-fought 27-26 (12-11) on Iceland, qualification likewise seems imminent for the Czechs.
First leg of Euro 2004 qualifier:
Lithuania - Austria 30-32 (14-17)
Lithuania: Not available.
Austria: Logvin 10, Teodorovic 10 (3), B. Strass 7, Engel 2, S. Strass 1, Ofenböck 1, Fritz 1.
First leg of Euro 2004 qualifier:
Iceland - Czech Republic 26-27 (11-12)
Iceland: Tryggvadottir 8, Gudmundsdottir 6, Holmgeirsdottir 3, D. Skuladottir 3, H. Skuladottir 3, Ragnarsdottir 3.
Czech Republic: Saskova 6, Fabikova 5, Zamorska 4 (1), Kysucanova 4 (2), Knytlova 3, Valova 2, Vaakova 2, Arnosova 1.
Tatjana Logvin and Sorina Teodorovic provided the majority of goals for the visitors with 10 each. Austria took command after 15 minutes and were ahead by seven goals at one point.
"Because of technical mistakes from us, Lithuania could come back, but the victory was never in doubt," Austria's manager Martin Hausleitner told Sportlive.
The Czech Republic could also be pleased after the first leg. Winning a close-fought 27-26 (12-11) on Iceland, qualification likewise seems imminent for the Czechs.
First leg of Euro 2004 qualifier:
Lithuania - Austria 30-32 (14-17)
Lithuania: Not available.
Austria: Logvin 10, Teodorovic 10 (3), B. Strass 7, Engel 2, S. Strass 1, Ofenböck 1, Fritz 1.
First leg of Euro 2004 qualifier:
Iceland - Czech Republic 26-27 (11-12)
Iceland: Tryggvadottir 8, Gudmundsdottir 6, Holmgeirsdottir 3, D. Skuladottir 3, H. Skuladottir 3, Ragnarsdottir 3.
Czech Republic: Saskova 6, Fabikova 5, Zamorska 4 (1), Kysucanova 4 (2), Knytlova 3, Valova 2, Vaakova 2, Arnosova 1.
European Superliga Formed
In a meeting in the Hungarian city of Tatabanya, seven clubs agreed to the establishment of an international league tournament from next season.
The instigator of this revolutionizing idea is Hypo NÖ who has already dubbed the league the "strongest in Europe". The Austrians will also handle the organization of the tournament.
The participating clubs, according to Sport1.at and Hypo's web site:
Hypo NÖ (AUT)
Krim Ljubljana (SLO)
Dunaferr SE (HUN)
Gyõri ETO KC (HUN)
Ferencváros (HUN)
Cornexi-Alcoa (HUN)
Slovan Duslo Sala (SVK)
In addition, the newly crowned Croatian champions from Lokomotiva Zagreb will be offered entry as well.
The tournament format is a traditional round robin with home and away matches. 12 rounds are to be played. Or 14 if Lokomotiva joins.
The agreement was reached in connection with a farewell match for Cornexi's Rita Deli. The testimonial of the elegant Hungarian was played in the city where she was born: Tatabanya.
Check out a gallery of Rita Deli's goodbye match here. Stunning pictures.
The instigator of this revolutionizing idea is Hypo NÖ who has already dubbed the league the "strongest in Europe". The Austrians will also handle the organization of the tournament.
The participating clubs, according to Sport1.at and Hypo's web site:
Hypo NÖ (AUT)
Krim Ljubljana (SLO)
Dunaferr SE (HUN)
Gyõri ETO KC (HUN)
Ferencváros (HUN)
Cornexi-Alcoa (HUN)
Slovan Duslo Sala (SVK)
In addition, the newly crowned Croatian champions from Lokomotiva Zagreb will be offered entry as well.
The tournament format is a traditional round robin with home and away matches. 12 rounds are to be played. Or 14 if Lokomotiva joins.
The agreement was reached in connection with a farewell match for Cornexi's Rita Deli. The testimonial of the elegant Hungarian was played in the city where she was born: Tatabanya.
Check out a gallery of Rita Deli's goodbye match here. Stunning pictures.
Pytlick: "Not Good Enough"
Jan Pytlick was ruthlessly honest about his team's performance after being taught a lesson by the Koreans in Thisted last night. B.T. talked to the Danish coach after the match.
"We face a team which is better than us in just about every regard. That doesn't make me nervous ahead of the Olympic Games, though. The Koreans have been gathered for one and a half month, while we have only been together for four days.
That's not intended to be an excuse, but merely an explanation for the varying quality of our performance. It is, however, an advantage that we know their strength now. I would prefer to meet a really strong Korean team than a mediocre one [at this time, handnews]," Pytlick maintains.
The coach pointed to the lacking threat from the 9m range, which was also one of the main problems last year in Croatia.
"The two matches have clearly revealed that we lack both sharpness and timing in our finishing. Three goals from the outside are not impressive, and the Koreans were even without two of their best players.
If we don't perform better at the Olympics, we won't stand a chance againt the Koreans. We simply weren't good enough. And that's it," Pytlick admitted to B.T.
"We face a team which is better than us in just about every regard. That doesn't make me nervous ahead of the Olympic Games, though. The Koreans have been gathered for one and a half month, while we have only been together for four days.
That's not intended to be an excuse, but merely an explanation for the varying quality of our performance. It is, however, an advantage that we know their strength now. I would prefer to meet a really strong Korean team than a mediocre one [at this time, handnews]," Pytlick maintains.
The coach pointed to the lacking threat from the 9m range, which was also one of the main problems last year in Croatia.
"The two matches have clearly revealed that we lack both sharpness and timing in our finishing. Three goals from the outside are not impressive, and the Koreans were even without two of their best players.
If we don't perform better at the Olympics, we won't stand a chance againt the Koreans. We simply weren't good enough. And that's it," Pytlick admitted to B.T.
May 28, 2004
Swedes Draw the Swiss
The first playoff match for the 2004 European Championship ended in an unresolved matter as Switzerland and Sweden played to a 23-23 (13-10).
Scoring five goals in a row, Sweden came from behind to go two goals ahead at the beginning of the second half. But the visitors couldn't hang on the lead, and the Swiss underdogs managed a draw.
"We made too many technical mistakes. The players were influenced by the importance of the match. We had many good opportunities, but when it was time to shoot, we would hit the posts," Peppe Johnsson told the Swedish federation. But the coach of Sweden was still pleased about the draw.
First leg of Euro 2004 qualifier:
Switzerland - Sweden 23-23 (13-10)
Sweden: Fanny Lagerström 7 (2), Kristina Flognman 3, Helena Andersson 2, Matilda Boson 2, Teresa Utkovic 2, Katarina Arfwidsson 2, Jessica Enström 2, Johanna Aronsson 2, Aasa Könsberg.
Switzerland: Osterwalder 7 (4), Kern 5 (3), Spreiter 4, Weigelt 2, Hess 1, Bachmann 1, Schilter 1, H. Estermann 1, Gisler 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 6x2m.
Disqualification: Jessica Enström (3x2m), Sweden.
Attendance: 525 in Herisau Sportzentrum, Switzerland.
Update: Swiss goal scorers added.
Scoring five goals in a row, Sweden came from behind to go two goals ahead at the beginning of the second half. But the visitors couldn't hang on the lead, and the Swiss underdogs managed a draw.
"We made too many technical mistakes. The players were influenced by the importance of the match. We had many good opportunities, but when it was time to shoot, we would hit the posts," Peppe Johnsson told the Swedish federation. But the coach of Sweden was still pleased about the draw.
First leg of Euro 2004 qualifier:
Switzerland - Sweden 23-23 (13-10)
Sweden: Fanny Lagerström 7 (2), Kristina Flognman 3, Helena Andersson 2, Matilda Boson 2, Teresa Utkovic 2, Katarina Arfwidsson 2, Jessica Enström 2, Johanna Aronsson 2, Aasa Könsberg.
Switzerland: Osterwalder 7 (4), Kern 5 (3), Spreiter 4, Weigelt 2, Hess 1, Bachmann 1, Schilter 1, H. Estermann 1, Gisler 1.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 6x2m.
Disqualification: Jessica Enström (3x2m), Sweden.
Attendance: 525 in Herisau Sportzentrum, Switzerland.
Update: Swiss goal scorers added.
Denmark Trounced by Korea
Korea made it more than clear on Friday that they could go all the way in Athens. After the draw yesterday, the Koreans were the superior team in the second friendly against Denmark in Thisted.Korea raced past the Danes at the end of the second half in typical fast-paced fashion to grab an easy 28-22 (14-9) victory against the mediocre hosts.
The All Star right wing Sun-Hee Woo helped open up a gap on the Danes in the middle of the first half as Pytlick's side began to struggle in attack.
Denmark fought back in the second half and tied the match at 17-17 before the Koreans launched another wave of attacks.
The Korean head coach Young-Chul Lim earned a red card in the first half after a couple of verbal disagreements with the Swedish referees.
Friendly on Friday in Thisted, Denmark:
Denmark - South Korea 22-28 (9-14)
Denmark: Trine Jensen 5, Winnie Mölgaard 4 (1), Camilla Thomsen 3, Mette Vestergaard 3 (1), Katrine Fruelund 3 (2), Henritte Mikkelsen 2, Christina Roslyng 1, Rikke Skov 1.
Korea: Sun-Hee Woo 7, Sang-Eun Lee 7 (4), Cha-Youn Kim 4, Pil-Hee Moon 4, So-Hee Jang 4, Im-Jeong Choi 2.
7-metres: 4/5, 4/4.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 3x2m.
Disqualification: Lim (head coach), Korea.
Development: 3-2, 6-4, 7-8, 9-10, 9-12, 9-14 (HT), 12-15, 15-17, 17-18, 20-22, 21-25, 22-28 (FT).
Bundesliga Tries the Nordic Way
The next Bundesliga season will see an influx of players and coaches from the Nordic countries.
Danish coach Thomas Hörlyk from Fox Team Nord takes over the helm in Frankfurt/Oder. And he has big shoes to fill.
Handing over a national title and a berth in the qualification to the Champions League to the incoming Dane, coach Dietmar Rösicke leaves the club with his illustrious wife Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke who is ending her long handball career.
Hörlyk is expected to bolster up the side with another Danish pivot - in addition to Maja Sommerlund - and a Swedish goalkeeper. The veteran Swede Madeleine Olsson continues her stay, making it a total of five Scandinavian actors in the club next year.
TuS Weibern will have a strong Icelandic flavour. Adalsteinn Eyjólfsson from Vestmannaeyjar, just 26 years of age, will take over the bottom side. He brings with him two Icelandic players as well as the experienced Austrian Sylvia Strass.
Weibern has also signed with Icelander Dagny Skuladottir from the sinking ship of TV Lützellinden.
HC Lepzig fired head coach Maik Nowak in April after a season of disappointments. With the biggest budget in the Bundesliga, the lone trophy from the victory over Krim Ljubljana in their own exhibition event, the Leipzig Masters, wasn't satisfying.
The club has been attempting to absolve Frode Scheie of his duties in Bäkkelaget. The Oslo side from the Norwegian first division has the former Flensburg keeper under contract for an additional year.
Bäkkelaget has not replied to a written offer from Leipzig. The Norwegian club recently pulled in the much sought-after Hanne Hálen from Ferrobus Mislata and is expecting promotion to the top league, Gildeserien.
Written in cooperation with Timo Hölscher.
Danish coach Thomas Hörlyk from Fox Team Nord takes over the helm in Frankfurt/Oder. And he has big shoes to fill.
Handing over a national title and a berth in the qualification to the Champions League to the incoming Dane, coach Dietmar Rösicke leaves the club with his illustrious wife Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke who is ending her long handball career.
Hörlyk is expected to bolster up the side with another Danish pivot - in addition to Maja Sommerlund - and a Swedish goalkeeper. The veteran Swede Madeleine Olsson continues her stay, making it a total of five Scandinavian actors in the club next year.
TuS Weibern will have a strong Icelandic flavour. Adalsteinn Eyjólfsson from Vestmannaeyjar, just 26 years of age, will take over the bottom side. He brings with him two Icelandic players as well as the experienced Austrian Sylvia Strass.
Weibern has also signed with Icelander Dagny Skuladottir from the sinking ship of TV Lützellinden.
HC Lepzig fired head coach Maik Nowak in April after a season of disappointments. With the biggest budget in the Bundesliga, the lone trophy from the victory over Krim Ljubljana in their own exhibition event, the Leipzig Masters, wasn't satisfying.
The club has been attempting to absolve Frode Scheie of his duties in Bäkkelaget. The Oslo side from the Norwegian first division has the former Flensburg keeper under contract for an additional year.
Bäkkelaget has not replied to a written offer from Leipzig. The Norwegian club recently pulled in the much sought-after Hanne Hálen from Ferrobus Mislata and is expecting promotion to the top league, Gildeserien.
Written in cooperation with Timo Hölscher.
Pytlick Praises Nielsen
Jan Pytlick commenting on the 24-24 draw with Korea last night:
"There were some good individual performances, but as a whole we played below level. I would have liked us to be a nick sharper. But they were difficult to play against, and we did have difficulties in both offense and defense.
I want to single out Rikke Nielsen for turning in a good performance. There was a drive in our game when she took part in the attack," Jan Pytlick tells tabloid B.T.
The newspaper rates Line Daugaard as the best Danish player last night, followed by Rikke Nielsen, Rikke Skov, and Louise Bager Nörgaard.
"There were some good individual performances, but as a whole we played below level. I would have liked us to be a nick sharper. But they were difficult to play against, and we did have difficulties in both offense and defense.
I want to single out Rikke Nielsen for turning in a good performance. There was a drive in our game when she took part in the attack," Jan Pytlick tells tabloid B.T.
The newspaper rates Line Daugaard as the best Danish player last night, followed by Rikke Nielsen, Rikke Skov, and Louise Bager Nörgaard.
Setback for Germany: No Baumbach
Ekke Hoffmann has lost one of his key players for the first Euro 2004 playoff leg in Skopje this weekend. According to Handball-World and the German federation, Trier's playmaker Maren Baumbach sustained an ankle injury in the final training session in Germany on Thursday and will not be travelling to Macedonia.
Slagelse Lost - to Esbjerg
You don't get anything for free, even as a Champions League winner. According to Själlands Tidende, Slagelse FH were defeated 35-30 in an exhibtion match against the promoted league side from Team Esbjerg.
The Slagelse squad mostly consisted of reserves, but Camilla Andersen and Ausra Fridrikas were both in action against an opponent that was both motivated and aggressive, the newspaper reports.
The audience thought it was a joke and part of the entertainment when coach Anja Andersen was presented with a red card. But apparently it wasn't.
The Slagelse camp was unhappy about an overly aggressive attitude from Esbjerg, claiming they misunderstood the concept of the exhibition.
The Slagelse squad mostly consisted of reserves, but Camilla Andersen and Ausra Fridrikas were both in action against an opponent that was both motivated and aggressive, the newspaper reports.
The audience thought it was a joke and part of the entertainment when coach Anja Andersen was presented with a red card. But apparently it wasn't.
The Slagelse camp was unhappy about an overly aggressive attitude from Esbjerg, claiming they misunderstood the concept of the exhibition.
Netherlands vs. Ukraine: 1-1
The Netherlands won the second friendly match against the Ukraine 27-25 (15-11) on home soil. Elly an de Boer scored 7 times for the hosts.
The Viborg trio of Assink, Burgers, and Mulder was given a rest day by national team coach Olaf Schimpf.
The Ukranians came from behind to win the first meeting 29-27 (13-16) on Wednesday. According to Handbalstartpunt, Olga Assink and Saskia Mulder scored 7 apiece in that match.
Link tip: The abovementioned Viborg players appear in an online interview about the upcoming playoff with Romania. All conducted in their native tounge. "Bredbaand" is "broadband", the rest is self-explanatory.
The Viborg trio of Assink, Burgers, and Mulder was given a rest day by national team coach Olaf Schimpf.
The Ukranians came from behind to win the first meeting 29-27 (13-16) on Wednesday. According to Handbalstartpunt, Olga Assink and Saskia Mulder scored 7 apiece in that match.
Link tip: The abovementioned Viborg players appear in an online interview about the upcoming playoff with Romania. All conducted in their native tounge. "Bredbaand" is "broadband", the rest is self-explanatory.
May 27, 2004
Denmark Draw Koreans
In a surprisingly low scoring match, Denmark drew South Korea 24-24 (13-12) in the first of two friendlies.
The second test is played tomorrow in Thisted.
Friendly match in Skive:
Denmark - Korea 24-24 (13-12)
Denmark: Line Daugaard 7, Karen Brödsgaard 4, Rikke Nielsen 4, Rikke Skov 2, Winnie Mölgaard 2, Tine Ladefoged 2, Trine Jensen 1, Anne Petersen 1, Heidi Johansen 1.
Korea: N/A.
The second test is played tomorrow in Thisted.
Friendly match in Skive:
Denmark - Korea 24-24 (13-12)
Denmark: Line Daugaard 7, Karen Brödsgaard 4, Rikke Nielsen 4, Rikke Skov 2, Winnie Mölgaard 2, Tine Ladefoged 2, Trine Jensen 1, Anne Petersen 1, Heidi Johansen 1.
Korea: N/A.
Euro 2004 Playoffs: Brief Preview
22 nations battle it out over the next two weekends for qualification to the 2004 European Championship in Hungary. 11 spots are at stake in these playoffs.
Already tomorrow, Switzerland and Sweden go head-to-head as the first two teams to see action.
Bulgaria - Croatia
The young Croatians showed limitations in the tests against France, but the Bulgarians simply don't have the sufficient level to exploit them. It will be a major surprise if Croatia are to miss qualification.
Macedonia - Germany
We ought to remember that Germany actually beat Hungary in Croatia. A few players have retired since then, but the current squad may in fact be stronger. It's a fast, homogenous team with adept technical players. The Kometal crew, headed by Buyanova, Todorovska and Ferzelieva, needs to spring a major surprise on the Germans in Skopje to go through.
Lithuania - Austria
Lithuania did beat the Ukraine at home last year in the qualifiers for the WCh in Croatia, but fell in the away match. They didn't convince in their own tournament in Vilnius this past weekend. They were strong in the early 90's, but too many leading players went abroad and changed nationality - some of them becoming Austrians. Herbert Müller's side could suffer a slim defeat in Lithuania, but they will not be denied a place in Hungary.
Poland - Spain
Here we go again. With an Olympic berth secured, Croatia was a great triumph for the Spanish national team. But we shouldn't forget that they nearly didn't make it. They beat the Poles by just one goal in last year's WCh playoffs. But since then their experience and confidence have grown, while the Polish side is more likely to have stagnated. This should give Spain the edge and see them through. But we should expect a close contest.
Slovakia - Serbia and Montenegro
Another repetition. Slovakia won at home last year, but were thrashed in the return leg. We could see a similar development this time. But perhaps with the Slovaks getting closer to a sometimes erratic team from Serbia and Montenegro.
Switzerland - Sweden
The in-form Swedes should have little difficulty getting past Switzerland who are yet to register on the radar in women's handball.
Azerbaijan - Belarus
Belarus made it to the last European Championship, but were a disappointment. And they don't appear to have seen much improvement since then. Still, Azerbaijan is a navigable opponent and they ought to be considered favourites with home advantage in the return.
Turkey - Slovenia
Turkish handball is going upwards - Üsküdar's defeat of Spartak Kiev comes to mind. But the two Yeliz'es, Yilmaz and Özel, and the rest of the Turkish squad should be no challenge for a team that bears a strong resemblence to one of the strongest club sides in Europe. Slovenia should solve this task without any fuss.
Portugal - Ukraine
The fourth-placed team from Croatia had some dreadful results a few months ago, but they are not going to be upset by Portugal with the Olympic squad taking form. The most interesting aspect of these meetings will perhaps be if Burmistrova, Kashel, and Shevchenko pop up as nationalized additions to the team.
Iceland - Czech Republic
The Czechs couldn't follow up on their Euro 2002 performance at the World Championship. You would still expect the unheralded Icelandic side to be somewhat weaker, though. Despite the reasonable results achieved lately by the North Atlantic island, the Czech Republic should settle it in Brno in the return leg.
Netherlands - Romania
One of the most anticipated clashes. The Romanian coach has many competent players to choose from - both domestically and from abroad, but how well will they work together as a team. The Dutch haven't been convincing lately - they were flabbergasted by Hungary a couple of months ago and didn't make it past the Czechs to go to Croatia last year. A home victory is not unlikely for the Netherlands. Progression will be harder.
Predicted country to qualify in bold.
Already tomorrow, Switzerland and Sweden go head-to-head as the first two teams to see action.
Bulgaria - Croatia
The young Croatians showed limitations in the tests against France, but the Bulgarians simply don't have the sufficient level to exploit them. It will be a major surprise if Croatia are to miss qualification.
Macedonia - Germany
We ought to remember that Germany actually beat Hungary in Croatia. A few players have retired since then, but the current squad may in fact be stronger. It's a fast, homogenous team with adept technical players. The Kometal crew, headed by Buyanova, Todorovska and Ferzelieva, needs to spring a major surprise on the Germans in Skopje to go through.
Lithuania - Austria
Lithuania did beat the Ukraine at home last year in the qualifiers for the WCh in Croatia, but fell in the away match. They didn't convince in their own tournament in Vilnius this past weekend. They were strong in the early 90's, but too many leading players went abroad and changed nationality - some of them becoming Austrians. Herbert Müller's side could suffer a slim defeat in Lithuania, but they will not be denied a place in Hungary.
Poland - Spain
Here we go again. With an Olympic berth secured, Croatia was a great triumph for the Spanish national team. But we shouldn't forget that they nearly didn't make it. They beat the Poles by just one goal in last year's WCh playoffs. But since then their experience and confidence have grown, while the Polish side is more likely to have stagnated. This should give Spain the edge and see them through. But we should expect a close contest.
Slovakia - Serbia and Montenegro
Another repetition. Slovakia won at home last year, but were thrashed in the return leg. We could see a similar development this time. But perhaps with the Slovaks getting closer to a sometimes erratic team from Serbia and Montenegro.
Switzerland - Sweden
The in-form Swedes should have little difficulty getting past Switzerland who are yet to register on the radar in women's handball.
Azerbaijan - Belarus
Belarus made it to the last European Championship, but were a disappointment. And they don't appear to have seen much improvement since then. Still, Azerbaijan is a navigable opponent and they ought to be considered favourites with home advantage in the return.
Turkey - Slovenia
Turkish handball is going upwards - Üsküdar's defeat of Spartak Kiev comes to mind. But the two Yeliz'es, Yilmaz and Özel, and the rest of the Turkish squad should be no challenge for a team that bears a strong resemblence to one of the strongest club sides in Europe. Slovenia should solve this task without any fuss.
Portugal - Ukraine
The fourth-placed team from Croatia had some dreadful results a few months ago, but they are not going to be upset by Portugal with the Olympic squad taking form. The most interesting aspect of these meetings will perhaps be if Burmistrova, Kashel, and Shevchenko pop up as nationalized additions to the team.
Iceland - Czech Republic
The Czechs couldn't follow up on their Euro 2002 performance at the World Championship. You would still expect the unheralded Icelandic side to be somewhat weaker, though. Despite the reasonable results achieved lately by the North Atlantic island, the Czech Republic should settle it in Brno in the return leg.
Netherlands - Romania
One of the most anticipated clashes. The Romanian coach has many competent players to choose from - both domestically and from abroad, but how well will they work together as a team. The Dutch haven't been convincing lately - they were flabbergasted by Hungary a couple of months ago and didn't make it past the Czechs to go to Croatia last year. A home victory is not unlikely for the Netherlands. Progression will be harder.
Predicted country to qualify in bold.
EHF Cup History
Viborg HK took the club's third EHF Cup in its third appearance in the tournament. No other club has won the trophy more than twice. Curious fact: All five Danish victories have been against Hungarian opponents in the final.Viborg's victory over Gyõr in the return leg of the final (37-21) was the largest ever in an EHF Cup final.
Number two dates back to 1988 when Egle Vilnius, with Ausra Fridrikas (then Ziukiene) in the side, beat Buducnost Titograd (the city is now Podgorica) 34-20 in Lithuania (then USSR). Vilnius won the return leg with 10 goals to capture the largest aggregate victory.
Winners since 1990:
2003/2004: Viborg HK (DEN)
2002/2003: Slagelse FH (DEN)
2001/2002: Ikast-Bording EH (DEN)
2000/2001: Montex Lublin (POL)
1999/2000: Ferroubus Mislata (ESP)
1998/1999: Viborg HK (DEN)
1997/1998: Dunaferr SE (HUN)
1996/1997: Olimpija Ljubljana (SLO)
1995/1996: Symphonia Debrecen VSC (HUN)
1994/1995: Symphonia Debrecen VSC (HUN)
1993/1994: Viborg HK (DEN)
1992/1993: Rapid Bucuresti (ROM)
1991/1992: SC Leipzig (GER)
1990/1991: Lokomotiva Zagreb (YUG)
1989/1990: Vorwärts Frankfurt (GDR)
The tournament was known as the IHF Cup prior to the 1993/1994 season.
Professor Prokop
The renowned manager of Hypo Niederösterreich, Gunnar Prokop, has been made an honorary professor for his long-term contributions to Austrian sport.
The prime minister of Niederösterreich, Erwin Pröll, officially awarded Prokop the title on Tuesday during a church ceremony.
Prokop was originally an athletics coach before his ambitious venture into handball. His wife, Liese Prokop, is a former Olympic silver medalist and world record holder in the pentathlon (replaced by the heptathlon).
He also worked with Maria Sykora, a world record holder in 400m hurdles in the early 1970s.
"I have dedicated my entire life to sport," Prokop said after receiving the prestigious title.
The prime minister of Niederösterreich, Erwin Pröll, officially awarded Prokop the title on Tuesday during a church ceremony.
Prokop was originally an athletics coach before his ambitious venture into handball. His wife, Liese Prokop, is a former Olympic silver medalist and world record holder in the pentathlon (replaced by the heptathlon).
He also worked with Maria Sykora, a world record holder in 400m hurdles in the early 1970s.
"I have dedicated my entire life to sport," Prokop said after receiving the prestigious title.
Austrian Comeback
The Austrian national team staged a forceful comeback with 23 goals in the second half to beat Slovenia in a friendly match ahead of the Euro 2004 qualifiers.
Trailing 15-22 after the first 30 minutes, the Austrians won 38-36 after an encounter that wasn't exactly short on goals. Tatjana Logvin scored 16/4 goals for the winners.
Trailing 15-22 after the first 30 minutes, the Austrians won 38-36 after an encounter that wasn't exactly short on goals. Tatjana Logvin scored 16/4 goals for the winners.
May 26, 2004
More Championships?
The freshly appointed EHF president, Tor Lian, wishes to reintroduce B world championships or something similar. The Norwegian thinks that the current system is too difficult for the minor handballing nations.
"The existing qualification scheme is too tough. I want an arrangement where the second-best get to play against teams on roughly the same level," Tor Lian tells Norwegian television NRK.
"The existing qualification scheme is too tough. I want an arrangement where the second-best get to play against teams on roughly the same level," Tor Lian tells Norwegian television NRK.
CL Top Scorers: Petrovic No. 1
Bojana Petrovic was handed a neat little trophy after the Champions League final as the visible evidence that she was the top scorer of the 2004 edition of the tournament.
Not surprisingly, the list is dominated by the semifinalists. Only Knezevic, who even changed club to stay in the race, interferred in the top. She had the highest average with 9.6 compared to Petrovic' 8.9.
1. Bojana Petrovic (Slagelse) 98
2. Nataliya Derepasko (Krim Ljubljana) 84
3. Ljiljana Knezevic (Nis/Buducnost) 77
4. Tatjana Logvin (Krim Ljubljana) 71
5. Katja Nyberg (Larvik) 69
5. Bojana Radulovics (Dunaferr) 69
7. Bernadett Ferling (Dunaferr) 61
8. Ausra Fridrikas (Slagelse) 59
9. Camilla Andersen (Slagelse) 56
10. Sladjana Dronic (Hypo) 53
10. Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (Larvik) 53
12. Olga Buyanova (Kometal) 50
13. Anna Burmistrova (Zaporozhye) 49
14. Nadeja Muravyeva (Togliatti) 44
15. Izabele Puchacz (Buducnost) 42
16. Sandra Kolakovic (Buducnost) 41
16. Ivett Nagy (Dunaferr) 41
16. Tanja Oder (Krim Ljubljana) 41
19. Viktória Kocsik (Ferencváros) 38
20. Erika Kirsner (Ferencváros) 37
Source: EHF
Not surprisingly, the list is dominated by the semifinalists. Only Knezevic, who even changed club to stay in the race, interferred in the top. She had the highest average with 9.6 compared to Petrovic' 8.9.
1. Bojana Petrovic (Slagelse) 98
2. Nataliya Derepasko (Krim Ljubljana) 84
3. Ljiljana Knezevic (Nis/Buducnost) 77
4. Tatjana Logvin (Krim Ljubljana) 71
5. Katja Nyberg (Larvik) 69
5. Bojana Radulovics (Dunaferr) 69
7. Bernadett Ferling (Dunaferr) 61
8. Ausra Fridrikas (Slagelse) 59
9. Camilla Andersen (Slagelse) 56
10. Sladjana Dronic (Hypo) 53
10. Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (Larvik) 53
12. Olga Buyanova (Kometal) 50
13. Anna Burmistrova (Zaporozhye) 49
14. Nadeja Muravyeva (Togliatti) 44
15. Izabele Puchacz (Buducnost) 42
16. Sandra Kolakovic (Buducnost) 41
16. Ivett Nagy (Dunaferr) 41
16. Tanja Oder (Krim Ljubljana) 41
19. Viktória Kocsik (Ferencváros) 38
20. Erika Kirsner (Ferencváros) 37
Source: EHF
Danish 1st Division 2004/2005
The Danish Handball Federation has decided to merge the two Danish first divisions into one nationwide tournament from next season.
The 14 clubs making up the division:
Fox Team Nord (Frederikshavn)
Taars/Ugilt IF
Skive fH
Skjern Haandbold
Team Tvis Holstebro
VRI, Risskov (Aarhus)
Silkeborg-Voel KFUM
Fredericia HK 1990
Team Haderslev KFUM
Sönderjyske HK
Odense Handball
HF Roar (Roskilde)
Ajax (Copenhagen)
BK Ydun (Copenhagen)
The division is dominated by clubs from Jutland. Sjaelland is only represented by Roar, Ajax, and Ydun.
While the top league has a strong presence of teams from central and eastern Jutland (Viborg, Ikast, Randers, Aarhus, Horsens, Kolding), the 1st division is mostly made up of teams from the western, southern and northern parts of Jutland.
The favourites are easy to point out. The relegated Sönderjyske HK have recently acquired two Norwegian aces in the shape Cecile Thorsteinsen, a former Randers player, and Gro Knutsen, an experienced pivot from Gjerpen and will be looking to get straight back up under Thomas Sörensen's guidance.
Fox Team Nord also stand out as a main candidate for promotion. They have recently fetched a trio of Swedish players: Johanna Wiberg, Lina Möller, and Alexandra Möller. They will also be coached by a Swede - Ola Maansson, who has been successful during his tenure with Team Eslöv.
The 14 clubs making up the division:
Fox Team Nord (Frederikshavn)
Taars/Ugilt IF
Skive fH
Skjern Haandbold
Team Tvis Holstebro
VRI, Risskov (Aarhus)
Silkeborg-Voel KFUM
Fredericia HK 1990
Team Haderslev KFUM
Sönderjyske HK
Odense Handball
HF Roar (Roskilde)
Ajax (Copenhagen)
BK Ydun (Copenhagen)
The division is dominated by clubs from Jutland. Sjaelland is only represented by Roar, Ajax, and Ydun.
While the top league has a strong presence of teams from central and eastern Jutland (Viborg, Ikast, Randers, Aarhus, Horsens, Kolding), the 1st division is mostly made up of teams from the western, southern and northern parts of Jutland.
The favourites are easy to point out. The relegated Sönderjyske HK have recently acquired two Norwegian aces in the shape Cecile Thorsteinsen, a former Randers player, and Gro Knutsen, an experienced pivot from Gjerpen and will be looking to get straight back up under Thomas Sörensen's guidance.
Fox Team Nord also stand out as a main candidate for promotion. They have recently fetched a trio of Swedish players: Johanna Wiberg, Lina Möller, and Alexandra Möller. They will also be coached by a Swede - Ola Maansson, who has been successful during his tenure with Team Eslöv.
Korea's Scandinavian Tour
They started in Norway, then went to Sweden, and later this week the South Korean national team will play two friendly matches against Denmark.
In Norway, they beat a weakened Nordstrand side an impressive 37-18. They also took out a selected team of talented Norwegian players a more modest 29-26.
In Sweden, they first defeated the Danish league club FCK Handball 34-23 before running over a mixed team of current and former players from the Swedish top side Team Eslöv IK 43-17 (19-7).
It does not appear as if Seong-Ok Oh and O-Kyeong Lim are in the squad. Not yet at least.
In Norway, they beat a weakened Nordstrand side an impressive 37-18. They also took out a selected team of talented Norwegian players a more modest 29-26.
In Sweden, they first defeated the Danish league club FCK Handball 34-23 before running over a mixed team of current and former players from the Swedish top side Team Eslöv IK 43-17 (19-7).
It does not appear as if Seong-Ok Oh and O-Kyeong Lim are in the squad. Not yet at least.
May 25, 2004
FTC: This is How We Paaaarty
Check out this excellent cluster of pictures from the season closing celebration in Ferencváros. This annual event takes place on a boat on the Danube.Timea Tóth is clearly not camera shy. Not sure what is going on here. A horizontal witch?
Ferencváros finished third in the league and made the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League where they lost to the eventual winners from Slagelse. A solid season after the departure of Farkas, Löwy, and Siti.
Goalie Timea Sugár is leaving the club, and so is playmaker Viktória Kocsik, but otherwise the squad will not undergo any major changes for next season. The Slovakian player Alzbeta Tóthová from Michalovce could be reinforcing them.
Nicolas: Keeper Extraordinaire
Seven titles in little over 12 months. Valerie Nicolas has simply had an unforgettable year.
She won the French Cup and Championship plus the Cup Winner's Cup at the end of last season with her former club Besancon.
In December she grabbed the World Championship and was named MVP of the tournament.
Returning to her new club Viborg HK, she won all that could be won. Danish Cup, Danish Championship, and then the EHF Cup this past weekend.
Oh, did I mention that she also won the French League Cup with Besancon last March? That's 8 titles in a row in fact. Watch out for France in Athens - she could make it 9.
And a perfect time to plug Valerie Nicolas' excellent official web site: www.valnicolas.com which has also been added to the right sidebar under "Rotation".
The frequent updates by Valerie herself need particular praise, but there's also a cool photo collection.
She won the French Cup and Championship plus the Cup Winner's Cup at the end of last season with her former club Besancon.
In December she grabbed the World Championship and was named MVP of the tournament.
Returning to her new club Viborg HK, she won all that could be won. Danish Cup, Danish Championship, and then the EHF Cup this past weekend.
Oh, did I mention that she also won the French League Cup with Besancon last March? That's 8 titles in a row in fact. Watch out for France in Athens - she could make it 9.
And a perfect time to plug Valerie Nicolas' excellent official web site: www.valnicolas.com which has also been added to the right sidebar under "Rotation".
The frequent updates by Valerie herself need particular praise, but there's also a cool photo collection.
Danish TV Ratings
Ikast - Hypo (Friday 20:15, TV2):
1st Half: 615,000 (35% share - percentage of viewers watching tv at the time)
2nd Half: 745,000 (38% share)
Krim - Slagelse (Saturday 19:45, DR):
Entire match average: 932,000 (55% share)
Viborg - Gyõr (Sunday 16:15, TV2):
1st Half: 426,000 (51% share)
2nd Half: 557,000 (61% share)
Peak viewing figures in the second half for Krim vs. Slagelse must be well over a million. High shares for Viborg on Sunday, while Ikast struggled a tiny bit in the tough primetime on Friday, but still held their ground respectably.
Update: Actually Ikast did more than okay. The post-match transmission from Ikast-Hypo was the highest rated programme on TV2 all week with more than 900,000 viewers. Which means they have had excellent figures at the end of the match. Thanks to Europamester.dk for digging up the figures.
Seen at Handballsite.dk.
1st Half: 615,000 (35% share - percentage of viewers watching tv at the time)
2nd Half: 745,000 (38% share)
Krim - Slagelse (Saturday 19:45, DR):
Entire match average: 932,000 (55% share)
Viborg - Gyõr (Sunday 16:15, TV2):
1st Half: 426,000 (51% share)
2nd Half: 557,000 (61% share)
Peak viewing figures in the second half for Krim vs. Slagelse must be well over a million. High shares for Viborg on Sunday, while Ikast struggled a tiny bit in the tough primetime on Friday, but still held their ground respectably.
Update: Actually Ikast did more than okay. The post-match transmission from Ikast-Hypo was the highest rated programme on TV2 all week with more than 900,000 viewers. Which means they have had excellent figures at the end of the match. Thanks to Europamester.dk for digging up the figures.
Seen at Handballsite.dk.
Wilbek: Dangerous Dominance
A sunny season for Danish club handball came to an emphatic conclusion in the weekend with three European titles, including the most precious of them all - the Champions League.
But the oracle of Viborg, the venerable Ulrik Wilbek, can still sense storm clouds brewing on the horizon, he discloses in a interview with the tabloid B.T.
"This complete success is not healthy for handball. You can only be this dominant for one or two years. After that, there will be a great danger that the spectators, the media, and the sponsors lose interest. We have to be very careful that we don't shoot ourselves in the foot.
Next season there will be 7-8 teams in the European tournaments, all fighting for the same television interest and advertising money. We risk letting the air out of the balloon," warns Wilbek who is now in charge of Viborg HK's men.
Ulrik Wilbek ascribes the Danish success to the fierce competition of the league. Even the champions from Viborg were forced to concede defeat at home against Horsens HK. And Slagelse were shaken several times by fourth-ranked Randers.
"There are many strong teams in Europe, but we are several steps ahead because the middle-ranked teams in the league are so strong that they could compete in the top of all other leagues.
That provides for plenty of intensity and a high level in each and every match."
But the oracle of Viborg, the venerable Ulrik Wilbek, can still sense storm clouds brewing on the horizon, he discloses in a interview with the tabloid B.T.
"This complete success is not healthy for handball. You can only be this dominant for one or two years. After that, there will be a great danger that the spectators, the media, and the sponsors lose interest. We have to be very careful that we don't shoot ourselves in the foot.
Next season there will be 7-8 teams in the European tournaments, all fighting for the same television interest and advertising money. We risk letting the air out of the balloon," warns Wilbek who is now in charge of Viborg HK's men.
Ulrik Wilbek ascribes the Danish success to the fierce competition of the league. Even the champions from Viborg were forced to concede defeat at home against Horsens HK. And Slagelse were shaken several times by fourth-ranked Randers.
"There are many strong teams in Europe, but we are several steps ahead because the middle-ranked teams in the league are so strong that they could compete in the top of all other leagues.
That provides for plenty of intensity and a high level in each and every match."
May 24, 2004
WHIL Summary: Sala on Top
The Women's Handball International League is a cooperation between the Czech and Slovak federations.The first stage of the tournament is a combined league with 12 clubs, six from each country. For the playoff phase, the best-placed teams are then split in two on national grounds.
This season, DHK Olomouc won the Czech Championship after defeating Slavia Praha twice. Slovan Duslo Sala became Slovakian champs after two wins over Banska Bystrica.
Olomouc and Sala then clashed to decide the WHIL over one match. The Slovaks trounced their Czech conterparts 32-23 (16-6) to take the title on May 12.
Slovan Duslo Sala - DHK Olomouc 32-23 (16-6)
Sala: Halasova 6 (4), Salatova 4, Kutkova 4, Flaskova 3, Caltikova 3, Sedlakova 3, Stuparicova 3, Hrabovska 3, Dubajova 3 (1).
Olomouc: Fabíkova 7 (2), Coufalova 6, Saskova 3, Arnosova 3, Polaskova 1, Simerska 1, Mareckova 1, Hejtmanova 1 (1).
Petrovic: 6-8 Weeks Rest
Bojana Petrovic' worrisome knee injury was thankfully a lot less serious than it first appeared.
The Serbian left back was examined on Sunday by one of the leading Danish specialists in knee injuries, Uffe Jörgensen.
"Petrovic has stretched a ligament. She needs rest for 6-8 weeks. Had it been a damaged cruciate ligament it would have been much worse. This has no importance for Slagelse as she will be ready for the start of next season," Slagelse's chairman, Bjarne Stenbäk, tells newspaper B.T.
Petrovic - soon-to-be Popovic as she is getting married - will however have to forfeit Serbia and Montenegro's qualifiers against Slovakia the next two weekends.
The Serbian left back was examined on Sunday by one of the leading Danish specialists in knee injuries, Uffe Jörgensen.
"Petrovic has stretched a ligament. She needs rest for 6-8 weeks. Had it been a damaged cruciate ligament it would have been much worse. This has no importance for Slagelse as she will be ready for the start of next season," Slagelse's chairman, Bjarne Stenbäk, tells newspaper B.T.
Petrovic - soon-to-be Popovic as she is getting married - will however have to forfeit Serbia and Montenegro's qualifiers against Slovakia the next two weekends.
Elda Help Valencia
Mar Valencia will be vying for a place in the Champions League in the fall. Cristina Mayo's side finished runner-up in the Spanish 'Superliga' after thrashing Transarmilla Iznalloz 42-19.
Ferrobus Mislata were bumped into third place in the very last round after losing 23-22 away to the champions from Elda Prestigio.
Ferrobus Mislata were bumped into third place in the very last round after losing 23-22 away to the champions from Elda Prestigio.
Macedonia Beat Turks
Like Germany, Macedonia also come into the Euro qualifiers with fresh wins, albeit against weaker opposition.
The so-called Balkan Championship was won by the Macedonians last week after victories over Greece (34-25), Bulgaria (29-18), and Turkey (29-27).
The Turks finished second in the tournament. Yilmaz, Özel and the rest of the Turkish side meet Slovenia on Saturday in Istanbul in the Euro 2004 qualifiers.
The so-called Balkan Championship was won by the Macedonians last week after victories over Greece (34-25), Bulgaria (29-18), and Turkey (29-27).
The Turks finished second in the tournament. Yilmaz, Özel and the rest of the Turkish side meet Slovenia on Saturday in Istanbul in the Euro 2004 qualifiers.
Swedes Strong in Lithuania
The Swedish national side won a tournament in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius over the weekend to get a boost ahead of the European Championship qualification matches against Switzerland.
In addition to Sweden, Lithuania, and Belarus, the strong Russian club side Kuban Krasnodar took part.
Swedish results:
Friday: Sweden - Lithuania 31-22 (15-11)
Saturday: Sweden - Kuban Krasnodar 25-24 (13-11)
Sunday: Sweden - Belarus 35-20 (18-10)
In addition to Sweden, Lithuania, and Belarus, the strong Russian club side Kuban Krasnodar took part.
Swedish results:
Friday: Sweden - Lithuania 31-22 (15-11)
Saturday: Sweden - Kuban Krasnodar 25-24 (13-11)
Sunday: Sweden - Belarus 35-20 (18-10)
Germany Toy with Serbs
Germany won the third test match with even more ease than the two previous ones against a decimated side from Serbia and Montenegro.
Ekke Hoffmann's team took a devastating 41-22 (21-10) victory after completely outclassing the Serbs in the city of Ketsch.
Katarina Bulatovic made her presence felt by fouling Maren Baumbach to earn a red card in the 55th minute.
Despite the encouraging results, the German coach still advises caution ahead of the Euro qualifiers against Macedonia.
"We can await an absolute boiling pot in Skopje, thus I only rate our chances at 50 percent," Hoffmann maintains.
The German squad travels to Macedonia on Friday.
Third and final friendly match, played in Ketsch, Germany:
Germany - Serbia and Montenegro 41-22 (21-10)
Germany: Geheb 7, Krause 7 (2), Henze 6, Melbeck 5, Härdter 3, Althaus 3, Harke 3, Jurack 3, Erfmann 2, Baumbach 1, Pietzsch 1.
SCG: Mladenovic 5, Radovic 5, Bulatovic 3, Milanovic 3, Cubela 2, Ognjenovic 2 (2), Rokic 1, Milosevic 1.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 4x2m.
Disqualification: Bulatovic, SCG.
Attendance: 650.
Source: Handball-world.
Update: It was Katarina Bulatovic and not Marijana Bulatovic who was red-carded.
Ekke Hoffmann's team took a devastating 41-22 (21-10) victory after completely outclassing the Serbs in the city of Ketsch.
Katarina Bulatovic made her presence felt by fouling Maren Baumbach to earn a red card in the 55th minute.
Despite the encouraging results, the German coach still advises caution ahead of the Euro qualifiers against Macedonia.
"We can await an absolute boiling pot in Skopje, thus I only rate our chances at 50 percent," Hoffmann maintains.
The German squad travels to Macedonia on Friday.
Third and final friendly match, played in Ketsch, Germany:
Germany - Serbia and Montenegro 41-22 (21-10)
Germany: Geheb 7, Krause 7 (2), Henze 6, Melbeck 5, Härdter 3, Althaus 3, Harke 3, Jurack 3, Erfmann 2, Baumbach 1, Pietzsch 1.
SCG: Mladenovic 5, Radovic 5, Bulatovic 3, Milanovic 3, Cubela 2, Ognjenovic 2 (2), Rokic 1, Milosevic 1.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 4x2m.
Disqualification: Bulatovic, SCG.
Attendance: 650.
Source: Handball-world.
Update: It was Katarina Bulatovic and not Marijana Bulatovic who was red-carded.
Slagelse Reception
Pictures from the reception of the Champions League winners in the center of Slagelse today are now available at SFH's web site. No players in sight, though, except on that massive Bojana banner.
May 23, 2004
Ikast-Hypo in Pictures
Well, mostly Ikast it should be said. Rosenkilde has outdone himself yet again. This time with some excellent galleries from Ikast's Cup Winner's Cup triumph on Friday. Both from the match itself and the banquet afterwards.
He captures this historic moment when Tonje Kjärgaard ended her career with a bang. She still has a testimonial next month, so it isn't quite over yet.
Superb shot of the post-match jubilation. In the background, Danes should be able to spot Mohamed Zidan (footballer with FC Midtjylland) who is about to be sold to Monaco or another strong European club. He's the guy above Lise Knudsen's head.
Another very nice one. The girl in the jeans is the injured Josephine Touray. The comeback kid Kristine Andersen. Tonje finding a very shiny dance partner for the night.
Link update: I have been moving a bit around with the links. Added some new ones under "Rotation" that are worth checking out for one reason or another. Also made a new category for direct forum links. If you don't want your forum linked there, or have other ones to suggest, please drop me a line. I will still be adjusting the links back and forward in the next couple of weeks.
He captures this historic moment when Tonje Kjärgaard ended her career with a bang. She still has a testimonial next month, so it isn't quite over yet.
Superb shot of the post-match jubilation. In the background, Danes should be able to spot Mohamed Zidan (footballer with FC Midtjylland) who is about to be sold to Monaco or another strong European club. He's the guy above Lise Knudsen's head.
Another very nice one. The girl in the jeans is the injured Josephine Touray. The comeback kid Kristine Andersen. Tonje finding a very shiny dance partner for the night.
Link update: I have been moving a bit around with the links. Added some new ones under "Rotation" that are worth checking out for one reason or another. Also made a new category for direct forum links. If you don't want your forum linked there, or have other ones to suggest, please drop me a line. I will still be adjusting the links back and forward in the next couple of weeks.
Croatian Queens: Lokomotiva
Lokomotiva Zagreb ended Podravka's longstanding monopoly on the Croatian Championship on Sunday. In the third and decisive playoff final, Zagreb won 21-20 (8-8) in Koprivnica to take the title.
Svitlana Pasicnik was the best player with 10 goals for Lokomotiva. The young Dijana Golubic scored 6 for Podravka in a match with no less than 36 suspension minutes.
Yesterday, Podravka's Andrijana Budimir had miraculously forced a third encounter when she scored the decider on a free throw after time had run out. Podravka won that dramatic clash 31-30 (18-16).
But it wouldn't suffice for the former Champions League winners who only got a Croatian Cup victory out of a disappointing season.
Croatian Championship final, third leg:
Podravka Vegeta - Lokomotiva Zagreb 20-21 (8-8)
Podravka: Golubic 6, Tanase 4(2), Vresk 3, Gilca 2, Popovic 2, Budimir 2(1), Tatari 1.
Zagreb: Pasicnik 10 (3), Horvat 3, Arslanagic 3 (1), Martinovic 2, Pusic 1.
7-metres: 3/5, 4/6.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 10x2m.
Disqualification: Cop, Lokomotiva
Attendance: 1,200.
Croatian Championship final, second leg:
Podravka Vegeta - Lokomotiva Zagreb 31-30 (18-16)
Podravka: Budimir 8 (4), Gilca 7, Tatari 5 (2), Golubic 4, Tanase 4, Vresk 2, Hodak.
Zagreb: Arslanagic 12 (2), Pasicnik 6 (2), Pusic 4, Veselovac 3, Cop 3, Horvat 3.
7-metres: 7/10, 4/5.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 9x2m.
Attendance: 700.
Svitlana Pasicnik was the best player with 10 goals for Lokomotiva. The young Dijana Golubic scored 6 for Podravka in a match with no less than 36 suspension minutes.
Yesterday, Podravka's Andrijana Budimir had miraculously forced a third encounter when she scored the decider on a free throw after time had run out. Podravka won that dramatic clash 31-30 (18-16).
But it wouldn't suffice for the former Champions League winners who only got a Croatian Cup victory out of a disappointing season.
Croatian Championship final, third leg:
Podravka Vegeta - Lokomotiva Zagreb 20-21 (8-8)
Podravka: Golubic 6, Tanase 4(2), Vresk 3, Gilca 2, Popovic 2, Budimir 2(1), Tatari 1.
Zagreb: Pasicnik 10 (3), Horvat 3, Arslanagic 3 (1), Martinovic 2, Pusic 1.
7-metres: 3/5, 4/6.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 10x2m.
Disqualification: Cop, Lokomotiva
Attendance: 1,200.
Croatian Championship final, second leg:
Podravka Vegeta - Lokomotiva Zagreb 31-30 (18-16)
Podravka: Budimir 8 (4), Gilca 7, Tatari 5 (2), Golubic 4, Tanase 4, Vresk 2, Hodak.
Zagreb: Arslanagic 12 (2), Pasicnik 6 (2), Pusic 4, Veselovac 3, Cop 3, Horvat 3.
7-metres: 7/10, 4/5.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 9x2m.
Attendance: 700.
Viborg Snatch Triple after Exhibition
Viborg HK captured a triple of titles after a glorious season. Having drawn the first match in Hungary, the Danish champions seized the EHF Cup after a crushing 37-21 (19-10) victory over Gyõri ETO KC.It was a triple in three ways. Third Danish European Cup title this weekend, third Danish EHF Cup victory in a row, and after the Danish Cup and Danish Championship, Viborg's third trophy in coach Ryan Zinglersen's first season after the reign of Ulrik Wilbek.
There was never much excitement in Aarhus. Except for the post-match celebration scenes. Gyõr had difficulty coming to terms with the special guard for playmaker Anita Görbicz in the opening phase, and Mehlmann did not find her range from the outside.
Natasja Burgers overran the Hungarian defenses to put the Danish side up 5-0. The visitors temporarily got better into the game, and pivot Ana Djokic completed a 3-goal run by scoring on an excellent rebound.
But Viborg would not let go off the initiative. Natasja Burgers delivered a remarkable performance in the first half with four goals and several assists. Left back Katrine Fruelund was also in a vigilant mood as she went for her usual breakthroughs - and converted penalties flawlessly.
Saskia Mulder had some initial difficulty with keeper Irina Sirina, but two goals from the right wing in the middle of half helped keep Gyõr at a distance.
The closest they got was 10-8 in the middle of the half. In addition to Ana Djokic on the line, the Romanian left back Carmen Nitescu was the only significant Gyõr threat in attack.
She made a nice fake to flick in an excellent blast, reducing Viborg's lead to 12-9. But this is when all tension would disappear from the match.
The home side scored 6 goals in a row to take an unrelenting 18-9 lead. The already struggling Gyõr side couldn't cope with two suspensions, and Camilla Thorsen effectively took over from Henriette Mikkelsen on left wing.
Only with a minute left of the half could Ibolya Mehlmann convert from right back with a thunderous shot. But the splendid Natasja Burgers replied to put Viborg up 19-10 at halftime.
A fitting finish to the career of the Dutchwoman who would sit out at the second half to spare her aching knees.
The last 30 minutes was one long triumphant run for Viborg. With a string of saves from a superb Valerie Nicolas in goal, Gyõr got nowhere in attack. A plethora of technical mistakes didn't aid their cause.
Sirina was replaced by Orsolya Herr after 37 minutes, but it had little effect as the Viborg offense waged on. Even Lotte Kiärskou could make a comeback in the second half, and she took full advantage when she broke through and scored on an excellent lob to 28-13.
Helga Nemeth also returned after injury in style. The veteran right back ended her Viborg career in the best possible fashion with 3 goals against her countrywomen late in the second half.
Anita Görbicz had great difficulty getting anywhere, but she did land an exquisite shot late in the second half. But her shot statistics looked like something from a horror novel. 14 missed shots, including two penalties.
After the match, Viborg coach Ryan Zinglersen praised his team for being mentally prepared and showing an aggressive attitude throughout.
EHF Cup final, second leg:
Viborg HK - Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC 37-21 (19-10)
Viborg: Katrine Fruelund 6 (4), Camilla Thorsen 5, Saskia Mulder 5 (1), Natasja Burgers 4, Olga Assink 4, Rikke Skov 4, Helga Nemeth 3, Trine Troelsen 2, Henriette Mikkelsen 2, Lotte Kiärskou 1, Charlotte Höjfeldt 1.
Gyõr: Anita Görbicz 4 (2), Ana Djokic 3, Renata Mörtel 3, Monika Kovacicova 3, Carmen Nitescu 3 (1), Ibolya Mehlmann 1, Bernadett Bódi 1, Orsolya Vérten 1, Rita Bórbas 1, Gabrielle Juhasz 1.
7-metres: 5/5, 3/5.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 4x2m.
Development: 4-0, 6-3, 9-6, 11-8, 15-9, 19-10 (HT), 23-10, 26-13, 28-13, 29-15, 32-18, 37-21 (FT).
Attendance: 4,300 in Atletion Arena in Aarhus.
Viborg win 64-48 on aggregate.
Germany Times Two
Germany are playing three test matches against Serbia and Montenegro to prepare for the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Macedonia. The Serbian side is missing a number of key players who are on European duty for their clubs.
Saturday in Rastatt: Germany - Serbia and Montenegro 35-27 (16-11)
Harke, Henze, Baumbach, and Krause scored five each. Milanovic and Radovic both scored 7 for SCG.
Friday in Bietigheim-Bissingen: Germany - Serbia and Montenegro 36-26 (19-12)
Jurack scored 7 for the hosts, while Milanovic hit 8 for Serbia.
Saturday in Rastatt: Germany - Serbia and Montenegro 35-27 (16-11)
Harke, Henze, Baumbach, and Krause scored five each. Milanovic and Radovic both scored 7 for SCG.
Friday in Bietigheim-Bissingen: Germany - Serbia and Montenegro 36-26 (19-12)
Jurack scored 7 for the hosts, while Milanovic hit 8 for Serbia.
Lejeune Out, Nemeth In
Despite reports to the contrary, Helga Nemeth is surprisingly ready for a comeback in the EHF Cup final against Gyõr in Aarhus.
Lotte Kiärskou is also back in the side after injury. This has knocked Leila Lejeune out of the squad as Ryan Zinglersen has not been pleased with her form lately.
Lotte Kiärskou is also back in the side after injury. This has knocked Leila Lejeune out of the squad as Ryan Zinglersen has not been pleased with her form lately.
Petrovic: "We Used our Heads"
In addition to scoring the goal of the match, Bojana Petrovic performed at her highest level for 44 minutes until she was struck by injury. She scored 9 goals and was superb in defense.
"Right now I am of course happy, but my knee is not looking too good. It seems a bit loose, but we have to deal with this problem later. Now it's time to party and enjoy this triumph. I have tried a lot, but the Champions League I had never won before.
We played a very good match. We used our heads, which was not the case in Bröndbyhallen. All the technical mistakes were gone, and that's why we won down here. Our 3-3 defense was perfect, even though it requires a lot of hard work.
We knew perfectly well that it would be difficult. That's why everyone was so concentrated," Bojana Petrovic told newspaper B.T.
The Slagelse star was looking forward to getting on the chartered plane back to Copenhagen - especially as champagne could be expected on board. The Kodeljevo was dry in this regard.
"Right now I am of course happy, but my knee is not looking too good. It seems a bit loose, but we have to deal with this problem later. Now it's time to party and enjoy this triumph. I have tried a lot, but the Champions League I had never won before.
We played a very good match. We used our heads, which was not the case in Bröndbyhallen. All the technical mistakes were gone, and that's why we won down here. Our 3-3 defense was perfect, even though it requires a lot of hard work.
We knew perfectly well that it would be difficult. That's why everyone was so concentrated," Bojana Petrovic told newspaper B.T.
The Slagelse star was looking forward to getting on the chartered plane back to Copenhagen - especially as champagne could be expected on board. The Kodeljevo was dry in this regard.
Krim to be Penalized
The Champions League final was interrupted several times as some members of the audience vented their dissatisfaction by throwing objects on court.Lighters, water bottles, a can of soda, coins, and a piece of wood landed on the floor. The EHF delegates were attentive to the problem.
"I'll file a special report where I'll make note of this," Sandor Andorka told Ritzau.
The Hungarian delegate added that Krim can expect to receive a fine.
Slagelse's assistant coach Brian Lyngholm demonstratively held up a coin in the second half which appeared to have been directed at the Slagelse bench. This prompted the organizers to post guards behind the Danish bench.
Camilla Andersen said that both Petrovic and Fridrikas had slipped on some of these objects before falling and hurting themselves in the knee and ankle respectively.
"But on the other hand we managed to stay focused on the match and even get some breathing space when they had to clean it up," the Slagese captain said.
Note: None of the people in the picture had anything to do with this.
- Wrecked at Halftime
The Slagelse squad went full throttle in both attack and defense - scoring 36 goals in one end and playing a demanding 3-3 formation in the other. This took its toll, according to assistant coach Brian Lyngholm.
"In the break, the players were lying down in the locker room. They were so wrecked. It was amazing they had so much stamina.
This is great triumph for Danish handball. I had a real good feeling before the game, and we were ahead for almost the entire match. It was wonderful, great."
Slagelse FH's chairman, Bjarne Stenbäk, was in a more sentimental mood and reminded of the rapid rise to the top for Slagelse.
"It was terrible to watch even though we were in front, but we knew they couldn't catch the 6 goals in the end. As the chairman of the club I'm very proud.
This is really incredible, the greatest - and then to win here in Ljubljana. Four years ago we played in the 2nd division, but we had faith in this project right from the start.
The closer we got, it became more and more difficult to believe, but we thought it could be done. Now we must defend the trophy next season," Stenbäk told Ritzau.
"In the break, the players were lying down in the locker room. They were so wrecked. It was amazing they had so much stamina.
This is great triumph for Danish handball. I had a real good feeling before the game, and we were ahead for almost the entire match. It was wonderful, great."
Slagelse FH's chairman, Bjarne Stenbäk, was in a more sentimental mood and reminded of the rapid rise to the top for Slagelse.
"It was terrible to watch even though we were in front, but we knew they couldn't catch the 6 goals in the end. As the chairman of the club I'm very proud.
This is really incredible, the greatest - and then to win here in Ljubljana. Four years ago we played in the 2nd division, but we had faith in this project right from the start.
The closer we got, it became more and more difficult to believe, but we thought it could be done. Now we must defend the trophy next season," Stenbäk told Ritzau.
Anja: "Fantastic"
It was a lifelong dream that was fulfilled for Anja Andersen in the Kodeljevo arena on May 22, 2004. She never reached the goal as a player, having to retire with a heart condition. But she earned it as a coach.
"This is fantastic. It's the greatest moment in my life and career. I have a hard time finding the words to describe my emotions. Because I have been dreaming of this for more than 30 years."
As has often been the case, Anja Andersen disappeared behind the scenes in the moment of triumph.
"I had to go to the locker room and call my mother. This is a big day for me. I'm just so happy that we succeeded," she explained to Ritzau.
"This is fantastic. It's the greatest moment in my life and career. I have a hard time finding the words to describe my emotions. Because I have been dreaming of this for more than 30 years."
As has often been the case, Anja Andersen disappeared behind the scenes in the moment of triumph.
"I had to go to the locker room and call my mother. This is a big day for me. I'm just so happy that we succeeded," she explained to Ritzau.
Camilla: Season Saved
Slagelse's captain Camilla Andersen admitted after the match that the loss of the Danish Championship added another dimension to the Champions League final."I must say that this has saved the season. Even though it (CL, ed.) was the objective, we were disappointed when we didn't win the Danish Championship gold.
For the first time this year we weren't the favourites. The only pressure upon us was placed there by ourselves," Andersen told news agency Ritzau.
With the inclusion of the Champions League on her resume, the 30-year-old playmaker has one of the finest medal collections in international handball. But it isn't quite complete.
"I still haven't won the Cup Winner's Cup. But I don't want to win Olympic gold again if that's what you are after. But I do want to be Danish champion again."
May 22, 2004
Slagelse Champions of Europe
Slagelse FH became the first ever Danish club to win the Champions League. A stellar 36-32 (16-14) victory over Krim Ljubljana in Slovenia gave Anja Andersen's side the most prestigious European Cup title.
After two victories against the reigning champions, Slagelse took the big-eared trophy with a 61-56 win on aggregate.
Traveling to Slovenia with a luggage of just one goal, the pressure on the title-less Danish squad was heavy. But it didn't show on court in the deafening noise of the Kodeljevo arena.
Slagelse opted for the 3-3 defensive formation which had worked in their favour in the first encounter. This forced technical mishaps from Derepasko and Vergelyuk in the first two Krim attacks, and Camilla Andersen could open the scoring for the visitors.
Derepasko appeared to have found her usual rhythm as she supplied Deja Doler three times on the line, resulting in one direct goal and two penalties which the Ukranian-born playmaker converted herself to tie the match at 3-3.
A fastbreak goal from right wing Ceckova put Krim ahead 4-3. Bodnieva could have added another, but missed an open chance on Rikke Schmidt. The Russian pivot had subsituted Doler who was struggling with her troubled knees after a tumble.
Valentina Radulovic equalized with a lob on Luminita Dinu from the right wing position before her teammate and Champions League top scorer Bojana Petrovic joined the action.
She wrestled herself loose from Bodnieva and netted Slagelse in front. Anja Freser added a third as she ripped one past Dinu in the far corner on her old home court, making it 6-4 for Slagelse.
The Romanian keeper, who had been deployed in goal from the beginning as an apparent tactical move, was immediately replaced by Leganger. The home side got two goals back on Slagelse after fastbreaks.
But this was Slagelse's night after all. Petrovic converted a penalty before Radulovic popped up as left wing to put the Danish team ahead again. With Mitrovic sent off, Vergelyuk zig-zagged her way through the Slagelse defense to make it 7-8.
Bojana Petrovic would reply with the goal of the match as she scored with her back turned to the goal on a flyer.
This was the beginning of a great spell for both Slagelse and the Serbian left back. With Derepasko missing a penalty, Slagelse enjoyed a 4-1 run to put them up 12-8.
But Krim was not out of it yet. Logvin temporarily came to light as the Slovenians had their best period of the match. With four goals in a row for the 2003 champions, the match was thrown wide open at 12-12.
But this woke up a sleeping giant. Ausra Fridrikas counter-attacked and combined herself to two late goals. Radulovic contributed by closing off the half with the goal to 16-14. She scored on Dinu who very tellingly had come back on as Leganger failed to make an impact.
With this substiantial number of goals at the break, Tone Tiselj and Co. knew they had to win the second half by four to regain the title.
But eyeing the massive trophy, Slagelse were not to let go. Petrovic continued where she left off, while Anja Freser stepped up at least two gears in the second half.
Slagelse's aggressive defense was still a major disrupting factor for Krim. They did earn a fair share of penalties after occasionally finding loopholes, but too many errors were in the mix.
Petrovic stole a loose ball from Vergelyuk to make it 20-16. A few minutes later, Freser wrong-footed Dinu to put Slagelse ahead a damning 23-17. This looked like a knock-out, but a suspension for Fridrikas again opened the match.
Despite missing two penalties, Logvin and Derepasko being the guilty parties, Krim came within three goals at 21-24. Leganger was finally showing off her skills at this point, and the match seemed about to swing.
Particularly when Petrovic suddenly lay on the floor in great pain after an unfortunate fall. The Player of the Year in the Danish league was crying as she was carried from court.
Was this a repetition of the Danish Championship final against Viborg when Slagelse fell apart in her absence and lost the title? No, said Fridrikas as she plunged in a massive blow from 9m territory to open up a renewed four-goal advantage.
But Krim were not beaten yet. They struck twice to go within just two goals at 23-25. Camilla Andersen and Maryna Vergelyuk would add one each to keep this distance.
Then followed two crucial moments. First defensive ace Tanja Tomanovic would get sent off for two minutes after a charge on Fridrikas at full speed. Just what Slagelse needed.
Then, Freser got a lucky rebound after hitting the crossbar and added one to Slagelse's account. Fridrikas put in the next as she beat Leganger with her fourth goal on the night.
Derepasko would pound in the next goal to make it 27-30 with 10 minutes to go. But Krim would never get closer from this point.
The remainder of the match was a goal fiesta. As the Slagelse defense went backwards in a more defensive set-up, Derepasko and Logvin found the needed range to score as they pleased.
But the key events were in the other end of the court where the Slagelse offense excelled in Petrovic' absence. Cano solved her job on the right wing. Freser kept pressing with her shots and also found Melgaard on the line with a couple of nice assists.
Camilla Andersen and Ausra Fridrikas seemed ageless as they tied the Slagelse offense together from shifting positions. Slagelse simply wouldn't stop scoring in a superb second half.
Meanwhile the clock was ticking out on Krim's reign at the very pinnacle of European club handball. A new champions was to be crowned.
Wild jubilation would predictably ensue after the match in the Slagelse camp - with Anja Andersen the usual exception. When the rest of the squad received their medals by the new EHF president, Tor Lian, Anja Andersen was having a private moment to digest what she would describe as the "greatest moment of my life".
The Krim squad was a study in depression as the tears were rolling freely in front of a disappointed home crowd. Having already won three titles this season, four wasn't their lucky number.
Champions League final, second leg:
Krim Ljubljana - Slagelse FH 32-36 (14-16)
Krim: Nataliya Derepasko 11 (5), Tatjana Logvin 7, Liudmila Bodnieva 4, Maryna Vergelyuk 3, Olga Ceckova 3, Tanja Oder 2 (2), Deja Doler 1, Olena Yatsenko 1.
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 9 (1), Camilla Andersen 7, Anja Freser 6, Ausra Fridrikas 5, Valentina Radulovic 5, Stephanie Cano 2, Mette Melgaard 2.
7-metres: 7/10, 1/1.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 5x2m.
Development: 3-3, 5-6, 7-10, 9-12, 13-13, 14-16 (HT), 17-20, 19-24, 21-24, 24-27, 28-32, 32-36 (FT).
Attendance: 3,500 in Slovan Kodeljevo.
Slagelse win 61-56 on aggregate.
After two victories against the reigning champions, Slagelse took the big-eared trophy with a 61-56 win on aggregate.
Traveling to Slovenia with a luggage of just one goal, the pressure on the title-less Danish squad was heavy. But it didn't show on court in the deafening noise of the Kodeljevo arena.
Slagelse opted for the 3-3 defensive formation which had worked in their favour in the first encounter. This forced technical mishaps from Derepasko and Vergelyuk in the first two Krim attacks, and Camilla Andersen could open the scoring for the visitors.
Derepasko appeared to have found her usual rhythm as she supplied Deja Doler three times on the line, resulting in one direct goal and two penalties which the Ukranian-born playmaker converted herself to tie the match at 3-3.
A fastbreak goal from right wing Ceckova put Krim ahead 4-3. Bodnieva could have added another, but missed an open chance on Rikke Schmidt. The Russian pivot had subsituted Doler who was struggling with her troubled knees after a tumble.
Valentina Radulovic equalized with a lob on Luminita Dinu from the right wing position before her teammate and Champions League top scorer Bojana Petrovic joined the action.
She wrestled herself loose from Bodnieva and netted Slagelse in front. Anja Freser added a third as she ripped one past Dinu in the far corner on her old home court, making it 6-4 for Slagelse.
The Romanian keeper, who had been deployed in goal from the beginning as an apparent tactical move, was immediately replaced by Leganger. The home side got two goals back on Slagelse after fastbreaks.
But this was Slagelse's night after all. Petrovic converted a penalty before Radulovic popped up as left wing to put the Danish team ahead again. With Mitrovic sent off, Vergelyuk zig-zagged her way through the Slagelse defense to make it 7-8.
Bojana Petrovic would reply with the goal of the match as she scored with her back turned to the goal on a flyer.
This was the beginning of a great spell for both Slagelse and the Serbian left back. With Derepasko missing a penalty, Slagelse enjoyed a 4-1 run to put them up 12-8.
But Krim was not out of it yet. Logvin temporarily came to light as the Slovenians had their best period of the match. With four goals in a row for the 2003 champions, the match was thrown wide open at 12-12.
But this woke up a sleeping giant. Ausra Fridrikas counter-attacked and combined herself to two late goals. Radulovic contributed by closing off the half with the goal to 16-14. She scored on Dinu who very tellingly had come back on as Leganger failed to make an impact.
With this substiantial number of goals at the break, Tone Tiselj and Co. knew they had to win the second half by four to regain the title.
But eyeing the massive trophy, Slagelse were not to let go. Petrovic continued where she left off, while Anja Freser stepped up at least two gears in the second half.
Slagelse's aggressive defense was still a major disrupting factor for Krim. They did earn a fair share of penalties after occasionally finding loopholes, but too many errors were in the mix.
Petrovic stole a loose ball from Vergelyuk to make it 20-16. A few minutes later, Freser wrong-footed Dinu to put Slagelse ahead a damning 23-17. This looked like a knock-out, but a suspension for Fridrikas again opened the match.
Despite missing two penalties, Logvin and Derepasko being the guilty parties, Krim came within three goals at 21-24. Leganger was finally showing off her skills at this point, and the match seemed about to swing.
Particularly when Petrovic suddenly lay on the floor in great pain after an unfortunate fall. The Player of the Year in the Danish league was crying as she was carried from court.
Was this a repetition of the Danish Championship final against Viborg when Slagelse fell apart in her absence and lost the title? No, said Fridrikas as she plunged in a massive blow from 9m territory to open up a renewed four-goal advantage.
But Krim were not beaten yet. They struck twice to go within just two goals at 23-25. Camilla Andersen and Maryna Vergelyuk would add one each to keep this distance.
Then followed two crucial moments. First defensive ace Tanja Tomanovic would get sent off for two minutes after a charge on Fridrikas at full speed. Just what Slagelse needed.
Then, Freser got a lucky rebound after hitting the crossbar and added one to Slagelse's account. Fridrikas put in the next as she beat Leganger with her fourth goal on the night.
Derepasko would pound in the next goal to make it 27-30 with 10 minutes to go. But Krim would never get closer from this point.
The remainder of the match was a goal fiesta. As the Slagelse defense went backwards in a more defensive set-up, Derepasko and Logvin found the needed range to score as they pleased.
But the key events were in the other end of the court where the Slagelse offense excelled in Petrovic' absence. Cano solved her job on the right wing. Freser kept pressing with her shots and also found Melgaard on the line with a couple of nice assists.
Camilla Andersen and Ausra Fridrikas seemed ageless as they tied the Slagelse offense together from shifting positions. Slagelse simply wouldn't stop scoring in a superb second half.
Meanwhile the clock was ticking out on Krim's reign at the very pinnacle of European club handball. A new champions was to be crowned.
Wild jubilation would predictably ensue after the match in the Slagelse camp - with Anja Andersen the usual exception. When the rest of the squad received their medals by the new EHF president, Tor Lian, Anja Andersen was having a private moment to digest what she would describe as the "greatest moment of my life".
The Krim squad was a study in depression as the tears were rolling freely in front of a disappointed home crowd. Having already won three titles this season, four wasn't their lucky number.
Champions League final, second leg:
Krim Ljubljana - Slagelse FH 32-36 (14-16)
Krim: Nataliya Derepasko 11 (5), Tatjana Logvin 7, Liudmila Bodnieva 4, Maryna Vergelyuk 3, Olga Ceckova 3, Tanja Oder 2 (2), Deja Doler 1, Olena Yatsenko 1.
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 9 (1), Camilla Andersen 7, Anja Freser 6, Ausra Fridrikas 5, Valentina Radulovic 5, Stephanie Cano 2, Mette Melgaard 2.
7-metres: 7/10, 1/1.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 5x2m.
Development: 3-3, 5-6, 7-10, 9-12, 13-13, 14-16 (HT), 17-20, 19-24, 21-24, 24-27, 28-32, 32-36 (FT).
Attendance: 3,500 in Slovan Kodeljevo.
Slagelse win 61-56 on aggregate.
Nürnberg Win Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is still on German hands after 1. FC Nürnberg escaped from Romania with a 33-29 (16-13) defeat against Universitatea Remin Deva.Nürnberg had won the first encounter 29-23 last weekend and take over the reign as title holders from Borussia Dortmund after a tight 58-56 victory in total.
Universitatea Remin Deva - 1. FC Nürnberg 33-29 (16-13)
Deva: Avadanii 14 (7), Elisei 7, Zavragiu 6, Toth 2, Patru 2, Toncean 1, Curtean 1.
Nürnberg: Strass 7, Christenau 6 (1), Blacha 5, Simakova 4 (3), Tobiasz 3, Ofenböck 2, Klimankova 2.
7-metres: 7/7, 4/5.
Suspensions: 7x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 1,200.
Update: Match facts added.
Anja: 60 Minutes of Concentration
Slagelse's assistant coach Brian Lyngholm has been handed the assignment of briefing the press ahead of the final in Ljubljana to avoid any of the controversy emanating after the Danish Championship final. But Anja Andersen did take time to conduct an interview with newspaper B.T.
Slagelse coach Anja Andersen in B.T.:
"Bojana (Petrovic, ed.) is just so energized. I haven't seen her this good in practice for a long time. For this reason I'm not nervous about facing Krim. I'm almost happy it's Krim that we meet in the final, and I think Bojana feels the same way.
Neither one of us has won the Champions League before, and we are just so motivated to reach this goal. And it will happen. I feel it within myself. We will manage to pull through, even though it will be very difficult. We will be under enormous pressure from both the Krim side and the crowd.
I would of course have felt better if we came down here with a six-goal victory. On the other hand, it could have give us a false sense of security. Now we all need to be deeply concentrated for 60 minutes."
Krim keeper Cecilie Leganger in B.T.:
"We are in a very good position. It couldn't have been much better than losing with just one goal in Copenhagen. In Ljubljana we enjoy a fantastic backing from our fans who have supported us admirably in our Champions League matches.
For that reason, I can safely say that we are in a good position. But we do know that Slagelse is a good team. It won't help us if we go on court thinking that the trophy is already ours before the match is played."
Slagelse coach Anja Andersen in B.T.:
"Bojana (Petrovic, ed.) is just so energized. I haven't seen her this good in practice for a long time. For this reason I'm not nervous about facing Krim. I'm almost happy it's Krim that we meet in the final, and I think Bojana feels the same way.
Neither one of us has won the Champions League before, and we are just so motivated to reach this goal. And it will happen. I feel it within myself. We will manage to pull through, even though it will be very difficult. We will be under enormous pressure from both the Krim side and the crowd.
I would of course have felt better if we came down here with a six-goal victory. On the other hand, it could have give us a false sense of security. Now we all need to be deeply concentrated for 60 minutes."
Krim keeper Cecilie Leganger in B.T.:
"We are in a very good position. It couldn't have been much better than losing with just one goal in Copenhagen. In Ljubljana we enjoy a fantastic backing from our fans who have supported us admirably in our Champions League matches.
For that reason, I can safely say that we are in a good position. But we do know that Slagelse is a good team. It won't help us if we go on court thinking that the trophy is already ours before the match is played."
Champions League Final: Preview
Krim Eta Malizia - Slagelse FH (Sat 19:45)
First leg: 24-25
On the face of it, Slagelse seem to have a hopeless task ahead of them in Slovenia. But if they have taken a careful look at the first match, which they obviously have, they should find a number of reasons for optimism.
They did hurt Krim twice. In the beginning of the first half and the middle of the second. Krim pulled back in both instances, but Slagelse will know what worked, and what didn't. Their aggressive 3-3 formation at the beginning of the first half certainly paid dividends, at least as a short-term weapon.
Petrovic played a sub-par match, and knowing her capabilities it doesn't seem likely that she will do that twice. Against Leganger and Dinu nothing is given, though.
Krim had one blackout in Ljubljana against Ikast before the return of Tiselj. But even after his arrival, they were taken to the edge by Togliatti.
The defending champions will be looking to get their superstar pivots more into the game. The backcourt has seen better days as well. Neither Logvin nor Derepasko had much on offer in Denmark. Unlike Vergelyuk who pressed hard from right back.
The right side can excel again in Slovenia. Particularly if Tone Tiselj gives Yatsenko the nod over Ceckova. The former was extremely unpleasant for the Slagelse defense with her center challenges. But she didn't get an awful lot of time on court.
A question mark for Slagelse will be Anja Freser. How will she respond in the old home arena. She wasn't convincing in Denmark, can she keep her head cool in Slovenia? Slagelse can't afford a weak performance on any position.
Cano must continue where she left off in Bröndby in the second half, and Camilla Andersen must be much more careful not to take loose shots. Relying on a mountain of experience, Ausra Fridrikas is required to produce something special on one of the last big fight nights of a glorious career. When she is truly on, no one can stop her with legal means.
On paper, there is little separate them. But they don't play on neutral ground. If Krim net two goals in a row, the roof will pretty much come off. Slagelse couldn't quite cope in Budapest and Dunaújváros in similar surroundings. This won't be easier.
And it leaves us with little room to maneuver at prediction time. Krim simply won't let this opportunity slip away. A bit cheapish to go for the title holders, but in European club handball you need very substantive arguments not to go for the home side. Wishful thinking won't quite cut it. Slagelse certainly have the potential to make it a thriller, but getting out of Slovenia with the big trophy seems a tough sell.
Krim by 4
First leg: 24-25
On the face of it, Slagelse seem to have a hopeless task ahead of them in Slovenia. But if they have taken a careful look at the first match, which they obviously have, they should find a number of reasons for optimism.
They did hurt Krim twice. In the beginning of the first half and the middle of the second. Krim pulled back in both instances, but Slagelse will know what worked, and what didn't. Their aggressive 3-3 formation at the beginning of the first half certainly paid dividends, at least as a short-term weapon.
Petrovic played a sub-par match, and knowing her capabilities it doesn't seem likely that she will do that twice. Against Leganger and Dinu nothing is given, though.
Krim had one blackout in Ljubljana against Ikast before the return of Tiselj. But even after his arrival, they were taken to the edge by Togliatti.
The defending champions will be looking to get their superstar pivots more into the game. The backcourt has seen better days as well. Neither Logvin nor Derepasko had much on offer in Denmark. Unlike Vergelyuk who pressed hard from right back.
The right side can excel again in Slovenia. Particularly if Tone Tiselj gives Yatsenko the nod over Ceckova. The former was extremely unpleasant for the Slagelse defense with her center challenges. But she didn't get an awful lot of time on court.
A question mark for Slagelse will be Anja Freser. How will she respond in the old home arena. She wasn't convincing in Denmark, can she keep her head cool in Slovenia? Slagelse can't afford a weak performance on any position.
Cano must continue where she left off in Bröndby in the second half, and Camilla Andersen must be much more careful not to take loose shots. Relying on a mountain of experience, Ausra Fridrikas is required to produce something special on one of the last big fight nights of a glorious career. When she is truly on, no one can stop her with legal means.
On paper, there is little separate them. But they don't play on neutral ground. If Krim net two goals in a row, the roof will pretty much come off. Slagelse couldn't quite cope in Budapest and Dunaújváros in similar surroundings. This won't be easier.
And it leaves us with little room to maneuver at prediction time. Krim simply won't let this opportunity slip away. A bit cheapish to go for the title holders, but in European club handball you need very substantive arguments not to go for the home side. Wishful thinking won't quite cut it. Slagelse certainly have the potential to make it a thriller, but getting out of Slovenia with the big trophy seems a tough sell.
Krim by 4
EHF Cup Final: Preview
Viborg HK - Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC (Sun 16:15)
First leg: 27-27
Having lost in Gudme, Estella and Kristiansand in the three previous rounds, Gyõr can't exactly approach the final with the most comforting away statistic. Past results in endgames against Danish opposition aren't a pleasant read either.
Viborg have won all of their home matches, albeit in Viborg rather than Aarhus, but were pushed heavily by Rapid Bucuresti. Playmaker Kiãrskou has had the plaster removed from the left hand fracture and should fulfill a role as joker - depending on her fitness level. Gyõr's coach Róth must have had many tactical considerations going into the match.
The open defense, a Gyõr trademark, was rampaged in the first match. He could be giving it a second chance, perhaps hoping to spring a surprise on a Viborg team who are bound to have prepared thoroughly for the 6-0 formation which Gyõr more successfully resorted to in Hungary.
A 5-1 could be a compromising option, hoping for Görbicz to make steals and instigate fastbreaks as centerforward. An absolute necessity for the visitors. The Gyõr wings were non-existent in the first leg when Mehlmann and Görbicz played one good half each. They will need more than that in Atletion's Arena.
A potential problem for Viborg could be the right back where Nemeth has been ruled out with injury and Burgers has been overstrained for some time. Another soft spot could be playmaker Berit Kristensen who is yet to convince at this level. Leila Lejeune has also looked erratic lately, and it's questionable how much trust Zinglersen will place in these two.
Viborg's focus will again be on their staunch 6-0 defense. If it holds ground, the fast wings can reap the reward in the fastbreak phase. They will also be important in the organized attack as Viborg like to go wide. Particularly Mulder in the right side could be entering some key duels against Sirina - normally a strong wing adversary. On the left side, Zinglersen can choose between Mikkelsen and Thorsen as he pleases.
Viborg have been favourites to take the EHF title all along, and the Cup is right there for the taking after the draw in Gyõr. Perhaps the high expectations for "the triple" can work slightly against them. But even if that's the case, Gyõr have a stern task ahead of them.
Prediction: Viborg by 5
First leg: 27-27
Having lost in Gudme, Estella and Kristiansand in the three previous rounds, Gyõr can't exactly approach the final with the most comforting away statistic. Past results in endgames against Danish opposition aren't a pleasant read either.
Viborg have won all of their home matches, albeit in Viborg rather than Aarhus, but were pushed heavily by Rapid Bucuresti. Playmaker Kiãrskou has had the plaster removed from the left hand fracture and should fulfill a role as joker - depending on her fitness level. Gyõr's coach Róth must have had many tactical considerations going into the match.
The open defense, a Gyõr trademark, was rampaged in the first match. He could be giving it a second chance, perhaps hoping to spring a surprise on a Viborg team who are bound to have prepared thoroughly for the 6-0 formation which Gyõr more successfully resorted to in Hungary.
A 5-1 could be a compromising option, hoping for Görbicz to make steals and instigate fastbreaks as centerforward. An absolute necessity for the visitors. The Gyõr wings were non-existent in the first leg when Mehlmann and Görbicz played one good half each. They will need more than that in Atletion's Arena.
A potential problem for Viborg could be the right back where Nemeth has been ruled out with injury and Burgers has been overstrained for some time. Another soft spot could be playmaker Berit Kristensen who is yet to convince at this level. Leila Lejeune has also looked erratic lately, and it's questionable how much trust Zinglersen will place in these two.
Viborg's focus will again be on their staunch 6-0 defense. If it holds ground, the fast wings can reap the reward in the fastbreak phase. They will also be important in the organized attack as Viborg like to go wide. Particularly Mulder in the right side could be entering some key duels against Sirina - normally a strong wing adversary. On the left side, Zinglersen can choose between Mikkelsen and Thorsen as he pleases.
Viborg have been favourites to take the EHF title all along, and the Cup is right there for the taking after the draw in Gyõr. Perhaps the high expectations for "the triple" can work slightly against them. But even if that's the case, Gyõr have a stern task ahead of them.
Prediction: Viborg by 5
CWC History
Ikast became the first Danish club to win the Cup Winner's Cup, a tournament inaugurated in the 1976/1977 season.Winners since 1990:
2003/2004: Ikast-Bording (DEN)
2002/2003: E.S. Besancon (FRA)
2001/2002: Lada Togliatti (RUS)
2000/2001: Motor Zaporozhye (UKR)
1999/2000: Mar Valencia (ESP)
1998/1999: Bäkkelagets SK (NOR)
1997/1998: Bäkkelagets SK (NOR)
1996/1997: Istochnik Rostov (RUS)
1995/1996: TV Giessen Lützellinden (GER)
1994/1995: Dunaferr SE (HUN)
1993/1994: TUS Walle Bremen (GER)
1992/1993: TV Giessen Lutzellinden (GER)
1991/1992: Radnicki Belgrade (YUG)
1990/1991: Radnicki Belgrade (YUG)
1989/1990: Rostelmash Rostov (URS)
May 21, 2004
Ikast Rout Hypo to Grab Cup
It was a fairy tale ending for Tonje Kjärgaard as yet another title found its way to her impressive resume. The Ikast-Bording pivot scored in the very last second to seal a crushing 36-22 (18-11) victory over Hypo NÖ.Ikast denied the Austrians their 9th European cup title and instead took a third of their own with a solid 66-57 win on aggregate.
Ole Damgaard and the Ikast squad had done their home work well before the return leg in front of almost 3,800 spectators in Messecenter Herning.
The defense was well in place, allowing them to jump to a 4-0 lead. It took almost 8 minutes before the visitors found the net for the first time through Anda Bilobrk.
The Croatian would turn out to pose the only substantial threat to the robust Ikast defense where Tonje Kjärgaard was as formidable as ever. Going up 8-3 after 13 minutes, the home side had already matched Hypo's advantage from the first leg.
And they would add two more to go up 10-3 midway through the first half. Left back Gabriela Rotis struggled to make any sort of impact. And when she did unleash her weapon, Karin Mortensen saved the day.
In the other end, Trine Jensen finally found her form with some savvy shots from the outside. Tonje Kjärgaard was a study in perfection as she converted all of her three chances.
Hypo got a temporary relieve in the first half when Bilobrk broke through and cut Ikast's lead down to 4 goals at 11-7. Sladjana Dronic could have shortened the gap further, but Mortensen blocked her penalty.
This goaded the Ikast attack who came up with three goals in a row to practically shut out team Prokop. Sanja Jovovic made it 14-7 as she flicked the ball behind Olga Sanko and into the bottom corner.
Battling four suspensions after some overly rough play, Hypo were in deep trouble. But they did escape to half-time down just 18-11. It could have been worse.
And it got worse. Ikast opened the second half in superior style and broke any remaining fighting spirit in the opponent. From 18-11, the Danish Championship bronze medalists expanded to 21-11.
The rest was pure exhibition. Even Kristine Andersen came on in a much-awaited comeback to get a taste of the action. Except for a 5-goal spell by pivot Simona Spiridon, Hypo had little resistance on offer in the second half. Their cause was certainly not aided by 5 missed penalty throws in total.
Ikast were up both 29-16 and 32-18 midway in the second half. And even four consecutive Hypo goals didn't spoil the party as Ikast replied with four of their own. The last one perfectly signed by Tonje Kjärgaard.
The Ikast pivot sank down on the floor in joy, while a massive pile of players was formed around her to cheer the captain. And celebrate the title.
Cup Winner's Cup final second leg:
Ikast-Bording EH - Hypo NÖ 36-22 (18-11)
Ikast: Gro Hammerseng 8 (7), Narcisa Paunica 6 (1), Sanja Jovovic 5 (1), Tonje Kjärgaard 4, Line Daugaard 4, Bettina Andersen 4, Trine Jensen 4, Isabel Blanco 1.
Hypo: Anda Bilobrk 8 (1), Simona Spiridon 6, Gabriela Rotis 3, Sladjana Dronic 2 (1), Dora Löwy 1, Tatyana Shynkarenko 1, Alexandra Nascimento 1.
7-metres: 9/12, 2/7.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 9x2m.
Disqualification: Shynkarenko (3x2m), Hypo.
Development: 2-0, 6-2, 10-3, 11-7, 15-9, 18-11 (HT), 21-11, 26-15, 29-16, 32-22, 36-22 (FT)
Attendance: 3,747.
Ikast-Bording win 66-57 on aggregate.
What's on TV?
Just wanted to pass this link to the Czech Handball Server on - in case you hadn't noticed it at the bottom of the page. If you scroll down and check the left-hand column, you will find a very useful listing of scheduled tv programmes for handball.
If you have a massive satellite dish in your possession, I suppose this could be quite useful. I don't know how complete it is or whether or nor it's supplied by C.H.S. or someone else. Another list here.
The web broadcast of TW1 is unfortunately down. Which means no Ikast-Hypo if you can't watch this channel any other way.
If you have a massive satellite dish in your possession, I suppose this could be quite useful. I don't know how complete it is or whether or nor it's supplied by C.H.S. or someone else. Another list here.
The web broadcast of TW1 is unfortunately down. Which means no Ikast-Hypo if you can't watch this channel any other way.
Hungarian Summary
Dunaferr rounded off the Hungarian Championship in style as they fended off Ferencváros 31-25 (16-11) on Wednesday. Bojana Radulovics landed 7 goals in the last important game of the season.
Györ did not show the most impressive form before the return leg against Viborg. But they did manage to overcome Váci NK 25-23 (15-11) at home, confirming the second place which will hand them a spot in Champions League qualification.
Final standings after the playoff:
1. Dunaferr (162138) 14p
2. Gyõr (150151) 11p
3. FTC (164154) 8p
4. Vác (148181) 1p
Pictures from both the gold medal celebration and the Dunaferr-Ferencváros match is available at FTC Handball. No comments about those pieces of cloth on the heads of these two.
Györ did not show the most impressive form before the return leg against Viborg. But they did manage to overcome Váci NK 25-23 (15-11) at home, confirming the second place which will hand them a spot in Champions League qualification.
Final standings after the playoff:
1. Dunaferr (162138) 14p
2. Gyõr (150151) 11p
3. FTC (164154) 8p
4. Vác (148181) 1p
Pictures from both the gold medal celebration and the Dunaferr-Ferencváros match is available at FTC Handball. No comments about those pieces of cloth on the heads of these two.
Kristine Andersen to Play
A surprising name popped up on the match report ahead of Ikast-Bording's match against Hypo NÖ. After four months of absence, playmaker Kristine Andersen has been given a green light to play by the medical staff.
She is not expected to feature in the starting line-up, but Ikast manager Frank Henriksen believes her mere presence on the match report could give the team a boost.
She is not expected to feature in the starting line-up, but Ikast manager Frank Henriksen believes her mere presence on the match report could give the team a boost.
Tonje's Farewell Night
Friday night will be something extra in more ways than one for Ikast-Bording. The club's 29-year-old captain Tonje Kjärgaard bids goodbye to handball after 12 years of service.
The highly esteemed pivot already has a booming collection of medals and she would like to end her career in a winning fashion.
"It will be special to say goodbye tonight, no doubt. But I'm very pleased that it happens at home in front of more than 4,000 spectators. Almost the kind of the ending that I could only dream about.
It doesn't make it less fantastic that it's a final. That's an additional motivation, and I can guarantee that I will do everything to win the trophy," Kjärgaard says on Ikast's web site.
The highly esteemed pivot already has a booming collection of medals and she would like to end her career in a winning fashion.
"It will be special to say goodbye tonight, no doubt. But I'm very pleased that it happens at home in front of more than 4,000 spectators. Almost the kind of the ending that I could only dream about.
It doesn't make it less fantastic that it's a final. That's an additional motivation, and I can guarantee that I will do everything to win the trophy," Kjärgaard says on Ikast's web site.
Cup Winner's Cup Final: Preview
Ikast-Bording EH - Hypo NÖ (Fri 20:15)
First leg: 30-35
Ikast didn't have the greatest experiences with Hypo last season, losing both group matches in the Champions League to Prokop's side. But this Hypo side is a different specimen entirely.
Except for the defeat to Krim, Ikast have shown considerable strength in their European home matches, typically winning by 9-10 goals. But the precondition for renewed success is a much firmer defense.
Rotis has to be neutralized, while the Bilobrk-Spiridon connection must be broken. Ikast need to run the Austrians ragged in fastbreaks to pull in the 5 goals needed.
The establised Ikast offense has too many flaws to carry them through to cup victory on its own. The playmaker and right back positions have been too timid with supplying goals and too much have come down to Paunica.
Bilobrk was a great signing by Prokop, but Klimov may have been an even better one. Still riding on a winning streak, the cunning Russian appears to have brought more structure and defensive discipline into the squad.
The reinforcements for next season are coming thick and fast, but even the current Hypo side is strong enough to take a European title.
I suspect we will see a thriller where the Ikast advantage could balance on a clear plus of 5-6 goals for a while. But it's my feeling they won't quite bridge the gap in the end.
Prediction: Ikast by 3
First leg: 30-35
Ikast didn't have the greatest experiences with Hypo last season, losing both group matches in the Champions League to Prokop's side. But this Hypo side is a different specimen entirely.
Except for the defeat to Krim, Ikast have shown considerable strength in their European home matches, typically winning by 9-10 goals. But the precondition for renewed success is a much firmer defense.
Rotis has to be neutralized, while the Bilobrk-Spiridon connection must be broken. Ikast need to run the Austrians ragged in fastbreaks to pull in the 5 goals needed.
The establised Ikast offense has too many flaws to carry them through to cup victory on its own. The playmaker and right back positions have been too timid with supplying goals and too much have come down to Paunica.
Bilobrk was a great signing by Prokop, but Klimov may have been an even better one. Still riding on a winning streak, the cunning Russian appears to have brought more structure and defensive discipline into the squad.
The reinforcements for next season are coming thick and fast, but even the current Hypo side is strong enough to take a European title.
I suspect we will see a thriller where the Ikast advantage could balance on a clear plus of 5-6 goals for a while. But it's my feeling they won't quite bridge the gap in the end.
Prediction: Ikast by 3
Challenge Cup Final: Preview
Universitatea Remin Deva - 1. FC Nürnberg (Sat 10:00)
First leg: 23-29
Ten o'clock? I hope they have time to finish breakfast first.
In the semifinals, Remin Deva won by 14 home and lost by 8 away to Jelenia Gora. In the quarterfinals, they met another German team. After losing by two goals in Dortmund, they won by 4 goals at home.
Remin Deva are a formidable home team who will try and put Nürnberg under tremendous pressure. With left back Valentina Neli Elisei as the outstanding player, they have also made the final of the Romanian Championship.
They are undefeated in Deva in 2004, and in their last home match they whitewashed Oltchim Valcea with 15 goals.
But Nürnberg is the hottest team in Germany right now. With Babsi Strass and Agnieszka Tobiasz they are well-covered on the wing positions. Sylvia Harlander in goal and Kathrin Blacha on the line are also a very good pair.
And their backcourt headed by Ofenböck, Christenau, and Simakova has been on fire lately. They are homogenous and experienced enough to ride off the storm in Transylvania.
A player like Ofenböck is still in her early 20's and therefore one of the youngest in the squad. But like the rest, she's still highly experienced with over 100 national team matches for Austria to her name.
Remin Deva should get away with a slim victory, but the fast Nürnberg side is very capable of inflicting the Romanians a rare defeat at home.
Prediction: Remin Deva by 1
First leg: 23-29
Ten o'clock? I hope they have time to finish breakfast first.
In the semifinals, Remin Deva won by 14 home and lost by 8 away to Jelenia Gora. In the quarterfinals, they met another German team. After losing by two goals in Dortmund, they won by 4 goals at home.
Remin Deva are a formidable home team who will try and put Nürnberg under tremendous pressure. With left back Valentina Neli Elisei as the outstanding player, they have also made the final of the Romanian Championship.
They are undefeated in Deva in 2004, and in their last home match they whitewashed Oltchim Valcea with 15 goals.
But Nürnberg is the hottest team in Germany right now. With Babsi Strass and Agnieszka Tobiasz they are well-covered on the wing positions. Sylvia Harlander in goal and Kathrin Blacha on the line are also a very good pair.
And their backcourt headed by Ofenböck, Christenau, and Simakova has been on fire lately. They are homogenous and experienced enough to ride off the storm in Transylvania.
A player like Ofenböck is still in her early 20's and therefore one of the youngest in the squad. But like the rest, she's still highly experienced with over 100 national team matches for Austria to her name.
Remin Deva should get away with a slim victory, but the fast Nürnberg side is very capable of inflicting the Romanians a rare defeat at home.
Prediction: Remin Deva by 1
May 20, 2004
Russian All Stars
The Handball Union of Russia has selected the best players of the national championship of the 2003/2004 season.
The champions from Lada Togliatti are represented on three of the seven positions. Runners-up Akva Volgograd failed to make an impression on the jury.
Anna Kurepta (picture) of Kuban Krasnodar not only made the All Star team. The 21-year-old national team performer also won top scoring honours with 334 goals in 42 matches.
Keeper: Maria Sidorova (Lada Togliatti)
Left wing: Emilia Turey (Astrahanochka Astrakhan)
Left back: Anna Kurepta (Kuban Krasnodar)
Center back: Natalia Evtuhova (Rostov-Don)
Right back: Svetlana Smirnova (Kuban Krasnodar)
Right wing: Janna Yakovleva (Lada Togliatti)
Pivot: Natalia Shipilova (Lada Togliatti)
The champions from Lada Togliatti are represented on three of the seven positions. Runners-up Akva Volgograd failed to make an impression on the jury.
Anna Kurepta (picture) of Kuban Krasnodar not only made the All Star team. The 21-year-old national team performer also won top scoring honours with 334 goals in 42 matches.
Keeper: Maria Sidorova (Lada Togliatti)
Left wing: Emilia Turey (Astrahanochka Astrakhan)
Left back: Anna Kurepta (Kuban Krasnodar)
Center back: Natalia Evtuhova (Rostov-Don)
Right back: Svetlana Smirnova (Kuban Krasnodar)
Right wing: Janna Yakovleva (Lada Togliatti)
Pivot: Natalia Shipilova (Lada Togliatti)
Croatia: Arslanagic Ignites Lokomotiva
Lokomotiva Zagreb defeated the defending champs from Podravka Vegeta 28-25 (16-13) in the first leg of the Croatian Championship final.Headed by a 12-goal display from prodigy Maida Arslanagic (picture), the home side were in control for most of the match in the Dom Sportova arena in Zagreb.
Scoring 7 times, Ionela Gilca was the dominant player for Podravka. Having won all Croatian championships since 1993, the Koprivnica-based side could now be seeing an end to their domestic supremacy.
But they still have ample opportunity to avenge the defeat when the teams clash again on Sunday in Koprivnica in the second leg.
Croatian Championship playoff final, first leg:
Lokomotiva Zagreb - Podravka Vegeta 28-25 (16-13)
Zagreb: Arslanagic 12 (1), Pasicnik 7 (2), Veselovac 4, Pusic 2, Starcek 1, Cop 1, Lovric 1.
Podravka: Gilca 7, Tanase 5 (1), Tatari 5 (1), Budimir 4 (2), Vresk 3, Golubic 1.
7-metres: 3/3, 4/6.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 7x2m.
Attendance: 700.
May 19, 2004
SCG Champs: Buducnost
Buducnost Monet lived up to the expectations as they beat Nis twice to take the Championship of Serbia and Montenegro. The side from Podgorica followed up on the 28-26 home success with a commanding 30-23 (13-13) victory in the return leg in Nis.
DIN-Classic Nis - Buducnost Monet 23-30 (13-13)
Din: Selmanovic 7 (2), Micic 5, Lakovic 4, Kalinichenko 4, Bojic 1, Campa 1, Mladenovic 1.
Bududnost: Knezevic 9, Damjanac 6, Puchacz 5, Kolakovic 4 (3), Marsec 3, Jeraminok 2, Milickovic 1.
7-metres: 2/4, 3/3.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 7x2m.
Attendance: 2,000.
DIN-Classic Nis - Buducnost Monet 23-30 (13-13)
Din: Selmanovic 7 (2), Micic 5, Lakovic 4, Kalinichenko 4, Bojic 1, Campa 1, Mladenovic 1.
Bududnost: Knezevic 9, Damjanac 6, Puchacz 5, Kolakovic 4 (3), Marsec 3, Jeraminok 2, Milickovic 1.
7-metres: 2/4, 3/3.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 7x2m.
Attendance: 2,000.
Bundesliga All Stars
Handball-World constituted an expert group of 10 members to select an All Star team of the German league for the 2003/2004 season.
Best of the Bundesliga:
Keeper: Stella Joseph-Mathieu (Frankfurt/Oder)
Left wing: Susanne Henze (Buxtehude)
Left back: Nadine Krause (Leverkusen)
Center back: Maren Baumbach (Trier)
Right back: Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke (Frankfurt/Oder)
Right wing: Raissa Tichonowitsch (Frankfurt/Oder) and Agnieszka Tobiasz (Nürnberg)
Pivot: Maja Sommerlund (Frankfurt/Oder)
The right wing position was too close to call.
Best of the Bundesliga:
Keeper: Stella Joseph-Mathieu (Frankfurt/Oder)
Left wing: Susanne Henze (Buxtehude)
Left back: Nadine Krause (Leverkusen)
Center back: Maren Baumbach (Trier)
Right back: Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke (Frankfurt/Oder)
Right wing: Raissa Tichonowitsch (Frankfurt/Oder) and Agnieszka Tobiasz (Nürnberg)
Pivot: Maja Sommerlund (Frankfurt/Oder)
The right wing position was too close to call.
Kiärskou Interview - Gyõr Gallery
Handball.hu has published a fine interview with Viborg's playmaker Lotte Kiärskou.
An excerpt:
handball.hu: Did you really want to win in Gyõr?
Kiaerskou: We couldn't have played for a draw, because we would have been defeated for sure! We came to Hungary with the commitment to win and secure the cup victory in the first leg. By the way, I'm not completely satisfied with our performance: we simply couldn't contain Görbicz. She's an excellent player, she could do whatever she wanted. But on the whole, I think the draw is a good base for the second leg in Aarhus.
The interview was conducted after the Gyõr-Viborg match on Sunday.
FTC Handball has uploaded a very nice gallery from the same occasion.
Didn't I tell you Petroczi isn't the smallest keeper on the block? Some vivid facial expressions on this one.
An excerpt:
handball.hu: Did you really want to win in Gyõr?
Kiaerskou: We couldn't have played for a draw, because we would have been defeated for sure! We came to Hungary with the commitment to win and secure the cup victory in the first leg. By the way, I'm not completely satisfied with our performance: we simply couldn't contain Görbicz. She's an excellent player, she could do whatever she wanted. But on the whole, I think the draw is a good base for the second leg in Aarhus.
The interview was conducted after the Gyõr-Viborg match on Sunday.
FTC Handball has uploaded a very nice gallery from the same occasion.
Didn't I tell you Petroczi isn't the smallest keeper on the block? Some vivid facial expressions on this one.
Hypo Pick Up Pal
Lada Toglatti will undergo major changes after this season. Oxana Pal is the fifth player officially departing to another club, Handball-World reports.
The 24-year-old backcourter has signed a one-year contract with Hypo NÖ with the option of a two-year extension.
At a press conference in Togliatti the retirements of Oxana Romenskaya and Tatiana Dyadetchko were also announced.
Previously, Irina Poltoratskaya has left for Slagelse in order to get her knee fixed. Inna Suslina and Anna Kareeva reinforce GOG next season. And Marina Naukovitch has already left Russia as she is teaming up with HC Podravka in Croatia.
The talented left wing Elena Chaplina could also be headed abroad. If that wasn't enough, keeper Maria Sidorova and team captain Nadezda Muravyeva both have foreign offers as well.
Natalia Shipilova, Elena Cherny, and Ludmila Postnova are still under contract. And they will be key figures in Evgeni Trefilov's attempt to rebuild the team after this mass departure. He is expected to call up a number of talented youngsters to the senior squad.
The 24-year-old backcourter has signed a one-year contract with Hypo NÖ with the option of a two-year extension.
At a press conference in Togliatti the retirements of Oxana Romenskaya and Tatiana Dyadetchko were also announced.
Previously, Irina Poltoratskaya has left for Slagelse in order to get her knee fixed. Inna Suslina and Anna Kareeva reinforce GOG next season. And Marina Naukovitch has already left Russia as she is teaming up with HC Podravka in Croatia.
The talented left wing Elena Chaplina could also be headed abroad. If that wasn't enough, keeper Maria Sidorova and team captain Nadezda Muravyeva both have foreign offers as well.
Natalia Shipilova, Elena Cherny, and Ludmila Postnova are still under contract. And they will be key figures in Evgeni Trefilov's attempt to rebuild the team after this mass departure. He is expected to call up a number of talented youngsters to the senior squad.
May 18, 2004
Danish Squad Chosen
Jan Pytlick has nominated his squad for the two tests against South Korea on May 27-28.Keepers: Lene Rantala (Larvik), Karin Mortensen (Ikast), Rikke Poulsen Schmidt (Slagelse), Louise Bager Nörgaard (Viborg)
Wings: Henriette Mikkelsen (Viborg), Line Daugaard (Ikast), Christina Roslyng (Kolding), Kathrine Munch (Randers)
Backs: Rikke Skov (Viborg), Mette Sjöberg (Horsens), Winnie Mölgaard (GOG), Tine Ladefoged (Horsens, picture), Rikke Nielsen (Aalborg), Mette Vestergaard (FCK), Trine Jensen (Ikast), Anne Petersen (Tertnes)
Pivots: Camilla Thomsen (FCK), Heidi Johansen (Fox Team Nord), Karen Brödsgaard (Larvik)
Lotte Kiärskou, Rikke Hörlykke, Kristine Andersen, and Josephine Touray will meet with the rest of the team on May 25, but will not take part in training as they are all attending injuries.
Sandve Retires from Handball
Nordstrand's captain Monica Sandve won't be able to participate in the Champions League next season for the newly-crowned Norwegian champions.A bothersome knee injury puts an end to the career of the 30-year-old left wing who was a steady feature for Norway at a number of international championships. Lately, Sandve has been taking arthritis pills to even be able to play.
"That's really completely foolish. I have to think about the rest of my life. I'm going to need these legs for more than just handball," Sandve tells Avisa.no.
May 17, 2004
Aalborg Confirm Four
Aalborg DH officially declared the expected four signings on Monday. Narcisa Paunica (left back), Isabel Blanco (pivot) and Trine Jensen (right back) join the ambitious club from Ikast-Bording EH, while Louise Pedersen (right wing) arrives from Kolding IF.
Mia Hundvin, who recently gave birth, will leave Aalborg due to family reasons. Two other Norwegians, Maren Villabö and Anniken Solberg, also end their engagement with the club in little over a month. Belarusian national team keeper Natalia Petrakova has similarly been let go by Aalborg DH.
The anticipated 2004/2005 squad looks like this:
Keepers: Katrine Lunde, Maria Nörgaard, Mette Hyldgaard
Wings: Bettina Nielsen, Louise Mortensen, Erika Nilsson, Louise Pedersen, Beatrix Benyats
Backs: Agnes Farkas, Narcisa Paunica, Kristine Lunde, Heidi Holme Astrup, Rikke Nielsen, Trine Jensen
Pivots: Natalia Deriouguina, Isabel Blanco
There are still question marks surrounding Erika Nilsson, who has a troubled knee, and Mette Hyldgaard, who has not come to terms with the club.
Mia Hundvin, who recently gave birth, will leave Aalborg due to family reasons. Two other Norwegians, Maren Villabö and Anniken Solberg, also end their engagement with the club in little over a month. Belarusian national team keeper Natalia Petrakova has similarly been let go by Aalborg DH.
The anticipated 2004/2005 squad looks like this:
Keepers: Katrine Lunde, Maria Nörgaard, Mette Hyldgaard
Wings: Bettina Nielsen, Louise Mortensen, Erika Nilsson, Louise Pedersen, Beatrix Benyats
Backs: Agnes Farkas, Narcisa Paunica, Kristine Lunde, Heidi Holme Astrup, Rikke Nielsen, Trine Jensen
Pivots: Natalia Deriouguina, Isabel Blanco
There are still question marks surrounding Erika Nilsson, who has a troubled knee, and Mette Hyldgaard, who has not come to terms with the club.
Double-Up on Iceland
The Danish B squad played two matches on Iceland this weekend. The first encounter with the Icelandic hosts resulted in a 34-31 (13-16) victory, while the second match was won 25-23 (10-10).
Tine Ladefoged of Horsens HK scored 9 goals in the first win, while Anja Kristensen of Fox Team Nord landed 6 in the second.
Tine Ladefoged of Horsens HK scored 9 goals in the first win, while Anja Kristensen of Fox Team Nord landed 6 in the second.
Zinglersen: "60-40"
Viborg coach Ryan Zinglersen was cautious not to raise expectations too much after the draw in Gyõr in the first EHF Cup final.
"Perhaps it's 60-40 in our favour, but it will be a very equal match. Gyõr obviously isn't a bad team. It's clearly the two best teams in the EHF Cup that face each other. The home advantage is not as great as it used to be. You no longer win by 12 goals at home and lose by 8 away," Zinglersen explains to daily newspaper B.T.
Despite Viborg leading for most of the match, Ryan Zinglersen was happy with the draw.
"I want to win every time, of course. But you can't maintain a lead through an entire match in this sort of inferno, so I'm well-pleased. Not every team can score 27 goals under these conditions."
Right wing Saskia Mulder on Viborg's web site:
"There's an indescribable noise in the arena, and you can't hear a thing during the match. I really hope our audience comes to Aarhus and help us to victory in the home match. It was a good result, but we haven't won yet."
"Perhaps it's 60-40 in our favour, but it will be a very equal match. Gyõr obviously isn't a bad team. It's clearly the two best teams in the EHF Cup that face each other. The home advantage is not as great as it used to be. You no longer win by 12 goals at home and lose by 8 away," Zinglersen explains to daily newspaper B.T.
Despite Viborg leading for most of the match, Ryan Zinglersen was happy with the draw.
"I want to win every time, of course. But you can't maintain a lead through an entire match in this sort of inferno, so I'm well-pleased. Not every team can score 27 goals under these conditions."
Right wing Saskia Mulder on Viborg's web site:
"There's an indescribable noise in the arena, and you can't hear a thing during the match. I really hope our audience comes to Aarhus and help us to victory in the home match. It was a good result, but we haven't won yet."
France: Metz Finish the Job
HB Métropole Metz replaced Besancon as French champions on Sunday. Metz have been in a class of their own this season, and yesterday they overran Le Havre to take the 21st victory in a row.
The left back Sonia Cendier put in 8 goals in the commanding 36-24 (18-10) away win in Le Havre.
Metz have 63 points ahead of the last round when they face second-ranked Besancon with 60 points. The French use a special 3-2-1 (W-D-L) points system which means that Besancon can only go two points closer in the last round.
The left back Sonia Cendier put in 8 goals in the commanding 36-24 (18-10) away win in Le Havre.
Metz have 63 points ahead of the last round when they face second-ranked Besancon with 60 points. The French use a special 3-2-1 (W-D-L) points system which means that Besancon can only go two points closer in the last round.
Elda Prestigio: Campeon!
They did it again. Alsa Elda Prestigio recaptured the Spanish Championship on Sunday after defeating S.D. Itxako Estella 25-22 (13-14) in the penultimate round of the Superliga ABF, the Spanish league.The victory leaves them four points clear at the top of the table with just one round to go. The champions have lost just two matches all season.
Falling victim to a 25-26 defeat, El Osito L'Eliana Mar Valencia were stunned at home by Ferrobus Mislata and had to give up the cherished second place which could mean entrance to the Champions League.
Hanne Halen whipped in 10 goals for Ferrobus who are now one point ahead of Valencia before the last round.
But the race for silver is still very much an open affair as Ferrobus Mislata go up against the newly crowned champions from Elda, while Cristina Mayo's side clash with lowly Iznalloz in the last outing of the season.
Croatia: Podravka Brush off Split
The record-champions from Koprivnica eased into the final of the Croatian Championship after manhandling Split Kaltenberg 38-24 (20-10) in the third semifinal at home to win the series 2-1.
Player of the match was Podravka's Ionela Gilca who scored 7 goals. Gabrijela Hobjila also netted 7 times.
Podravka clash with Lokomotiva Zagreb in the final.
Player of the match was Podravka's Ionela Gilca who scored 7 goals. Gabrijela Hobjila also netted 7 times.
Podravka clash with Lokomotiva Zagreb in the final.
May 16, 2004
Draw for Viborg in Hungary
78 percent of those polled at Nemzeti Sport's site think that Gyõr will win the EHF Cup. That number is likely to decrease after today.
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC had to settle for a 27-27 (13-13) draw against Viborg HK and will need even more artistry from Anita Görbicz on Sunday in Aarhus to bring home the EHF Cup trophy.
The Gyõr playmaker scored 9 times in total after a dazzling second half when her elastic wrist was put on prominent display.
The first half was a different matter entirely. Viborg easily coped with the trademark open defense of the hosts. Olga Assink found all the holes she could ever dream of, and the wings were on fire.
Saskia Mulder converted from the right wing to 6-1 for the Viborg side after 7 minutes of play. Kálmán Róth responded immediately with a time-out to drag his team back down to a 6-0 formation after the 3-2-1 blackout.
It took a few minutes before the switch started having an effect. Viborg maintained the 5-goal advantage at 8-3.
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC had to settle for a 27-27 (13-13) draw against Viborg HK and will need even more artistry from Anita Görbicz on Sunday in Aarhus to bring home the EHF Cup trophy.
The Gyõr playmaker scored 9 times in total after a dazzling second half when her elastic wrist was put on prominent display.
The first half was a different matter entirely. Viborg easily coped with the trademark open defense of the hosts. Olga Assink found all the holes she could ever dream of, and the wings were on fire.
Saskia Mulder converted from the right wing to 6-1 for the Viborg side after 7 minutes of play. Kálmán Róth responded immediately with a time-out to drag his team back down to a 6-0 formation after the 3-2-1 blackout.
It took a few minutes before the switch started having an effect. Viborg maintained the 5-goal advantage at 8-3.