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.
They could have added one more if Viktória Petróczi, who had replaced Sirina, hadn't won a fastbreak duel with Henriette Mikkelsen.
This gave Gyõr the momentum at a time when Viborg were struggling to score in their organized attack.
Not the least because of an inexperienced Berit Kristensen whose hesitant playmaking caused more problems for her teammates than for Gyõr's defense.
Ibolya Mehlmann was also beginning to find her range - from both close and long range - with her elusive left hand. A missed penalty was the only major deduction on a splendid first half.
Gyõr went from 3-8 to 7-8 and were suddenly breathing the Danes down the neck as the Viborg attack continued to scramble.
But as the efforts from Gyõr continuously stranded on the excellent Louise Bager Nörgaard and the robust Viborg defense, they couldn't make too much headway.
The Viborg keeper were on top of things and even stunned Petroczi, one of the bulkiest keepers in European handball, with a goal from her own circle.
A clear sign of confidence. And it didn't hurt that both she and Nicolas won 7-metre scraps with Mehlmann and Görbicz.
Viborg appeared to have a small edge for the rest of the half, even as Gyõr fielded their Serbian terrier Ana Djokic. But it was Carmen Nitescu who could tie the match at 13-13 with a jumpshot.
Gyõr briefly took the lead at the beginning of the second half at 14-13. But Viborg would again take over as Mikkelsen shone in the fastbreak phase and from her left wing position.
With 10 minutes to go, Viborg were up 23-21 in the enemy's nest. But as Mehlmann went down a few gears, Görbicz improved vastly.
She challenged the defense at every opportunity and landed some freak shots from the outside that seemed to confuse an otherwise strong Valerie Nicolas.
Gyõr tied the match at 23-23 and probably could have opened a gap on the visiting side if it hadn't been for a dreadful showing from the wings.
The Viborg backcourters also had little on offer. Except for Rikke Skov. She played a splendid second half, one of her best in the Viborg jersey.
Ana Djokic put Gyõr ahead 26-25 with little over 3 minutes remaining on the clock. But Viborg tied when Natasja Burgers dealt a pass to Assink. Rikke Skov followed up with the next goal as Viborg grabbed the lead once again in this hard-fought, but clean encounter.
Görbicz won the last confrontation with Louise Bager as she converted a penalty to the just end result of 27-27. Gyõr will curse themselves for missing four 7-metres, while Viborg will wonder why their lead in the first half evaporated so soon.
They both get a new try on Sunday.
EHF Cup final, first leg:
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Viborg HK 27-27 (13-13)
Gyõr: Anita Görbicz 9 (2), Ibolya Mehlmann 6 (1), Renata Mörtel 3, Carmen Nitescu 3, Bernadett Bódi 2, Ana Dokic 2, Rita Borbás 1, Monika Kovacicova 1.
Viborg: Henriette Mikkelsen 7, Olga Assink 5, Rikke Skov 5, Saskia Mulder 4, Katrine Fruelund 2 (2), Charlotte Höjfeldt 1, Berit Kristensen 1, Louise Bager Nörgaard 1, Camilla Thorsen 1.
7-metres: 3/7, 2/3.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 2,800.
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.
They could have added one more if Viktória Petróczi, who had replaced Sirina, hadn't won a fastbreak duel with Henriette Mikkelsen.
This gave Gyõr the momentum at a time when Viborg were struggling to score in their organized attack.
Not the least because of an inexperienced Berit Kristensen whose hesitant playmaking caused more problems for her teammates than for Gyõr's defense.
Ibolya Mehlmann was also beginning to find her range - from both close and long range - with her elusive left hand. A missed penalty was the only major deduction on a splendid first half.
Gyõr went from 3-8 to 7-8 and were suddenly breathing the Danes down the neck as the Viborg attack continued to scramble.
But as the efforts from Gyõr continuously stranded on the excellent Louise Bager Nörgaard and the robust Viborg defense, they couldn't make too much headway.
The Viborg keeper were on top of things and even stunned Petroczi, one of the bulkiest keepers in European handball, with a goal from her own circle.
A clear sign of confidence. And it didn't hurt that both she and Nicolas won 7-metre scraps with Mehlmann and Görbicz.
Viborg appeared to have a small edge for the rest of the half, even as Gyõr fielded their Serbian terrier Ana Djokic. But it was Carmen Nitescu who could tie the match at 13-13 with a jumpshot.
Gyõr briefly took the lead at the beginning of the second half at 14-13. But Viborg would again take over as Mikkelsen shone in the fastbreak phase and from her left wing position.
With 10 minutes to go, Viborg were up 23-21 in the enemy's nest. But as Mehlmann went down a few gears, Görbicz improved vastly.
She challenged the defense at every opportunity and landed some freak shots from the outside that seemed to confuse an otherwise strong Valerie Nicolas.
Gyõr tied the match at 23-23 and probably could have opened a gap on the visiting side if it hadn't been for a dreadful showing from the wings.
The Viborg backcourters also had little on offer. Except for Rikke Skov. She played a splendid second half, one of her best in the Viborg jersey.
Ana Djokic put Gyõr ahead 26-25 with little over 3 minutes remaining on the clock. But Viborg tied when Natasja Burgers dealt a pass to Assink. Rikke Skov followed up with the next goal as Viborg grabbed the lead once again in this hard-fought, but clean encounter.
Görbicz won the last confrontation with Louise Bager as she converted a penalty to the just end result of 27-27. Gyõr will curse themselves for missing four 7-metres, while Viborg will wonder why their lead in the first half evaporated so soon.
They both get a new try on Sunday.
EHF Cup final, first leg:
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Viborg HK 27-27 (13-13)
Gyõr: Anita Görbicz 9 (2), Ibolya Mehlmann 6 (1), Renata Mörtel 3, Carmen Nitescu 3, Bernadett Bódi 2, Ana Dokic 2, Rita Borbás 1, Monika Kovacicova 1.
Viborg: Henriette Mikkelsen 7, Olga Assink 5, Rikke Skov 5, Saskia Mulder 4, Katrine Fruelund 2 (2), Charlotte Höjfeldt 1, Berit Kristensen 1, Louise Bager Nörgaard 1, Camilla Thorsen 1.
7-metres: 3/7, 2/3.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 2,800.
Gyõr-Viborg: Live Scores
From 17:00 today, live scores from the EHF Cup final between Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC and Viborg HK in Hungary will be available at HandballLive!. Direct link (I think).
This is the third time Viborg participate in the EHF Cup. They won in both their previous attempts - and both times against Hungarian opposition. In 1994 against Debrecen and in 1999 against - you guessed it - Gyõr.
Expect the score to be updated every five minutes. I can say this with some confidence as I have pledged to do the updating myself. Also have a look at Kometal's forums as someone could be kind enough to update there as well.
This is the third time Viborg participate in the EHF Cup. They won in both their previous attempts - and both times against Hungarian opposition. In 1994 against Debrecen and in 1999 against - you guessed it - Gyõr.
Expect the score to be updated every five minutes. I can say this with some confidence as I have pledged to do the updating myself. Also have a look at Kometal's forums as someone could be kind enough to update there as well.
Macedonia: Kometal Too Strong
Kometal Skopje won their 12th national championship after cruising through the playoffs with a maximum of 10 victories and a goal score of 387-143.
The 2002 Champions League winner defeated Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov a crushing 39-16 in the last round of the playoff tournament to complete the double.
Macedonian participation in European Cups 2004/2005:
Champions League (Qualification): Kometal Gjorche Petrov
EHF Cup: Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov
Cup Winner's Cup: Tutunski Kombinat
Challenge Cup: Kumanovo
The final table of the playoffs can be viewed at Kometalfans.com.
The 2002 Champions League winner defeated Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov a crushing 39-16 in the last round of the playoff tournament to complete the double.
Macedonian participation in European Cups 2004/2005:
Champions League (Qualification): Kometal Gjorche Petrov
EHF Cup: Eurostandard Gjorche Petrov
Cup Winner's Cup: Tutunski Kombinat
Challenge Cup: Kumanovo
The final table of the playoffs can be viewed at Kometalfans.com.
Croatia: Podravka Strike Back
Podravka Vegeta rebounded from the surprise defeat at the hands of Split Kaltenberg in the first playoff semifinal. At home in Koprivnica they won 34-25 to earn a third and decisive encounter.
The winner of that match will meet Lokomotiva Zagreb in the final of the Croatian Championship. The team from the Croatian capital whitewashed Brodosplit 36-16 to win the semifinal series 2-0.
The winner of that match will meet Lokomotiva Zagreb in the final of the Croatian Championship. The team from the Croatian capital whitewashed Brodosplit 36-16 to win the semifinal series 2-0.
Farkas Back in FTC
Andrea Farkas returns to Ferencváros to work as a coach for the goalkeepers, Handball.hu reports.
The highly experienced goalie played her last major championship in 2001 in Italy. She has both Olympic and World Championship silver in her medal collection.
The news comes a few days after Timea Sugár announced her departure from Ferencváros. The national team keeper has not revealed her new destination, but according to Handball.hu she has chosen Hypo NÖ.
The highly experienced goalie played her last major championship in 2001 in Italy. She has both Olympic and World Championship silver in her medal collection.
The news comes a few days after Timea Sugár announced her departure from Ferencváros. The national team keeper has not revealed her new destination, but according to Handball.hu she has chosen Hypo NÖ.
May 15, 2004
Challenge Cup: Nürnberg Ahead
1. FC Nürnberg defeated Universitatea Remin Deva from Romania 29-23 (13-8) at home in the first encounter of the Challenge Cup final.
The wings Tobiasz and Strass scored 6 goals for Nürnberg, while Deva's shooting star Valentina Elisei registered 9 for the visitors who won the cup two years ago.
The wings Tobiasz and Strass scored 6 goals for Nürnberg, while Deva's shooting star Valentina Elisei registered 9 for the visitors who won the cup two years ago.
Pictures from Bröndby
On Slagelse's web site you can find a few pictures from the final. The Champions League trophy is featured quite heavily. Wishful thinking?
The large banner on this image says "World's Best Bojana". Petrovic was named "Player of the Year" by the Danish association of handball players prior to the match.
A few more pics here.
The large banner on this image says "World's Best Bojana". Petrovic was named "Player of the Year" by the Danish association of handball players prior to the match.
A few more pics here.
Champions League: Krim Limit Defeat
Defending champions Krim Ljubljana escaped from Bröndbyhallen with a defeat of just one goal. Failing to score for the last seven and a half minutes, Slagelse FH had to settle for a 25-24 (14-13) victory that will be difficult to defend in Ljubljana.Surprising the visitors with an aggressive 3-3 formation, Slagelse got off to a splendid start. Anja Andersen's side took advantage of several fastbreaks to go up 5-2.
Only Derepasko had some fortune as she broke through the offensive defense to score two early goals. But after missing a penalty on Rikke Schmidt, the Ukranian-born playmaker would almost disappear from the game.
Right back Maryna Vergelyuk was the most valuable asset for the title holders in the first half as she constantly challenged the defense. Krim were, however, struggling in attack, and Slagelse could keep the 3-goal lead at 7-4.
But the home side was not too sharp either. Bojana Petrovic played a dire first half, missing a string of shots. Anja Freser lacked sharpness as well, while Camilla Andersen couldn't follow up on a good begin.
The Slagelse captain missed a penalty on a superb Cecilie Legancer who wasn't exchanged until late in the second half. After Krim's equalizer to 8-8, there was little to separate the teams for the rest of the half.
Slagelse were mostly a small step ahead and could make it to half-time with a slim 14-13 lead.
In the second half, Krim jump-started with three goals in a row as Tatjana Logvin converted one penalty after another with great confidence.
Finally managing to pass Leganger, Anja Freser suddenly decided to join in on the action against her former teammates, and Stephanie Cano aided her effort with effective finishing.
Slagelse scored four goals in a row to go up 18-16 after 40 minutes. But Krim wouldn't quite let them go and got back to 20-19 for the home side.
Then Slagelse enjoyed another flurry with 6 goals in a row that would put them up 25-19 after a fastbreak from Petrovic.
Krim had come to a complete standstill. Vergelyuk and Kliukaite missed a handful of shots from the right back position, while Derepasko's efforts were frustrated by Rikke Schmidt who got better as the match progressed.
Krim's star pivots - Doler and Bodnieva - had nothing to work with either as the Slagelse central defense held extremely tight. Too tight in the case of Anne Loft who was disqualified after three suspensions earlier in the half.
With more than 7 minutes left, Krim seemed as if they were about to crumble. But with a compelling victory in sight, Slagelse got too complacent. Fridrikas, who had been instrumental on her first four 7-metres, finally missed a penalty.
Anja Freser and Valentina Radulovic also had bad patches after good showings earlier in the second half. Krim took advantage with an array of fastbreaks.
Tanja Oder waited very long to make an impact, but she was cold as ice in this phase - providing both goals and assists for the Slovenians who scored 5 unanswered goals.
And Krim Ljubljana could understandably celebrate after the match, while the Slagelse camp looked dejected.
Champions League final, first leg:
Slagelse FH - Krim Eta Malizia Ljubljana 25-24 (14-13)
Slagelse: Ausra Fridrikas 8 (4), Bojana Petrovic 5, Stephanie Cano 3, Camilla Andersen 2, Maja Mitrovic 2, Anja Freser 2, Valentina Radulovic 2, Mette Melgaard 1.
Krim: Tatjana Logvin 9 (7), Nataliya Derepasko 3, Olga Ceckova 3, Tanja Oder 3, Maryna Vergelyuk 3, Olena Yatsenko 2, Rugile Kliukaite 1.
7-metres: 4/6, 7/8.
Suspensions: 5x2m, 3x2m.
Development: 4-1, 5-3, 7-6, 8-8, 11-9, 14-13 (HT), 15-16, 18-16, 20-18, 23-19, 25-20, 25-24 (FT).
Attendance: 6,000 (unofficial).
CWC: Hypo Advantage
Hypo NÖ opened up a 5-goal gap on Ikast-Bording EH after winning the first leg of the Cup Winner's Cup final 35-30 (20-16) in southern Vienna.
The Austrians were in control for most of the match. Ikast had a 10-9 lead in the first half, but Hypo drew ahead toward the end of the first 30 minutes.
Gabriela Rotis made an overwhelming impact on left back with her heavy artillery, while Simona Spiridon was a constant worry on the line.
Another Romanian, Ikast's Narcisa Paunica, was the main threat of the visitors in the first half, but the Touray substitute Bettina Andersen also made her presence felt on the right wing.
Despite temporarily losing the dangerous Anda Bilobrk, who had blocked a shot with her head, Yuri Klimov's side opened up a lead in the closing minutes of the first half.
That pattern would repeat itself in the second. With Karin Mortensen as a solid bastion in goal, Ikast had launched a comeback that drew them level at 29-29. But five suspensions in the second half for Ikast were costly.
Hypo took advantage with a 6-1 run that would earn them a comfortable 35-30 victory, making them favourites to take the title on Friday in Denmark.
Cup Winner's Cup final, first leg
Hypo NÖ - Ikast-Bording EH 35-30 (20-16)
Hypo: Gabriela Rotis 13 (5), Anda Bilobrk 7 (3), Alexandra Nascimento 6, Simona Spiridon 5. Sladana Dronic 2 (1), Tetyana Shynkarenko 1, Daniela Piedade 1.
Ikast: Narcisa Paunica 6 (1), Bettina Andersen 5, Sara Hansen 4, Gro Hammerseng 3, Line Daugaard 3, Sanja Jovovic 3 (3), Trine Jensen 2, Tonje Kjärgaard 2, Lise Knudsen 2.
7-metres: 9/10, 4/6.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 1,400.
The Austrians were in control for most of the match. Ikast had a 10-9 lead in the first half, but Hypo drew ahead toward the end of the first 30 minutes.
Gabriela Rotis made an overwhelming impact on left back with her heavy artillery, while Simona Spiridon was a constant worry on the line.
Another Romanian, Ikast's Narcisa Paunica, was the main threat of the visitors in the first half, but the Touray substitute Bettina Andersen also made her presence felt on the right wing.
Despite temporarily losing the dangerous Anda Bilobrk, who had blocked a shot with her head, Yuri Klimov's side opened up a lead in the closing minutes of the first half.
That pattern would repeat itself in the second. With Karin Mortensen as a solid bastion in goal, Ikast had launched a comeback that drew them level at 29-29. But five suspensions in the second half for Ikast were costly.
Hypo took advantage with a 6-1 run that would earn them a comfortable 35-30 victory, making them favourites to take the title on Friday in Denmark.
Cup Winner's Cup final, first leg
Hypo NÖ - Ikast-Bording EH 35-30 (20-16)
Hypo: Gabriela Rotis 13 (5), Anda Bilobrk 7 (3), Alexandra Nascimento 6, Simona Spiridon 5. Sladana Dronic 2 (1), Tetyana Shynkarenko 1, Daniela Piedade 1.
Ikast: Narcisa Paunica 6 (1), Bettina Andersen 5, Sara Hansen 4, Gro Hammerseng 3, Line Daugaard 3, Sanja Jovovic 3 (3), Trine Jensen 2, Tonje Kjärgaard 2, Lise Knudsen 2.
7-metres: 9/10, 4/6.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 5x2m.
Attendance: 1,400.
Last-Minute Predictions
EHF Cup Final, first leg
Gyõri ETO KC - Viborg HK (Sun 17:00)
Truth be told, despite Viborg's victory in the Danish Championship they have been struggling in the absence of Lotte Kiärskou. She may return next weekend. But if Burgers and Fruelund can continue where they left off in the second half against Slagelse last weekend, Viborg should be capable of coping with the aggressive Gyõr defense. Two of Gyõr's key players in that defense are Nitescu and Dokic. The Romanian was in the squad for the match against Ferencváros, but there is a question mark surrounding the pivot Dokic. Without her, Gyõr are not quite as solid. Viborg have achieved good away results in the last three rounds - and against three strong teams: Nordstrand, Rapid Bucuresti, and Podravka. Gyõr were put in place by Dunaferr recently in the Hungarian Cup in their home arena, but European matches are different. With their enthusiastic home crowd behind them, and Görbicz, Mehlmann, and Vérten leading the atack, they should churn out a small victory.
Prediction: Gyõr by 3
Cup Winner's Cup Final, first leg:
Hypo NÖ - Ikast-Bording EH (Sat 14:00)
Paunica and Blanco appear to be ready, but there will be no sign of Josephine Touray and the long-term injured Kristine Andersen. Still, there are lots of talent left in the Ikast squad, and things have been going a lot more smoothly since the arrival of Ole Damgaard. They so very nearly upset Viborg HK in the first semi, and they've had a fairly easy time getting to the final with victories over Mislata and Metz. Hypo are on a roll after the Klimov take-over. With their very physical defense in place, they are now close to 20 victories in a row. Bilobrk has reinforced them well, while Löwy is beginning to shine after her terrible knee injuries. Their Champions League top scorer, Sladjana Dronic, had some ligament problems, but should be ready to play. Rotis got married in the middle of this week, so it remains to be seen how focused she is today in Maria Enzersdorf. Prokop has declared Ikast to be favourites, but a home victory for the multinational Austrians should be expected today.
Prediction: Hypo by 5
Challenge Cup Final, first leg:
1. FC Nürnberg - Universitatea Remin Deva (Sat 18:00)
Having just won the German cup with a fine victory over Frankfurt, Nürnberg confirmed their tremendous form. Their only worry is pivot Kathrin Blacha who will probably play despite a fracture. Remin Deva are also going well at the moment, having reached the Romanian Championship final. But Nürnberg in Germany should be too difficult.
Prediction: Nürnberg by 8
Gyõri ETO KC - Viborg HK (Sun 17:00)
Truth be told, despite Viborg's victory in the Danish Championship they have been struggling in the absence of Lotte Kiärskou. She may return next weekend. But if Burgers and Fruelund can continue where they left off in the second half against Slagelse last weekend, Viborg should be capable of coping with the aggressive Gyõr defense. Two of Gyõr's key players in that defense are Nitescu and Dokic. The Romanian was in the squad for the match against Ferencváros, but there is a question mark surrounding the pivot Dokic. Without her, Gyõr are not quite as solid. Viborg have achieved good away results in the last three rounds - and against three strong teams: Nordstrand, Rapid Bucuresti, and Podravka. Gyõr were put in place by Dunaferr recently in the Hungarian Cup in their home arena, but European matches are different. With their enthusiastic home crowd behind them, and Görbicz, Mehlmann, and Vérten leading the atack, they should churn out a small victory.
Prediction: Gyõr by 3
Cup Winner's Cup Final, first leg:
Hypo NÖ - Ikast-Bording EH (Sat 14:00)
Paunica and Blanco appear to be ready, but there will be no sign of Josephine Touray and the long-term injured Kristine Andersen. Still, there are lots of talent left in the Ikast squad, and things have been going a lot more smoothly since the arrival of Ole Damgaard. They so very nearly upset Viborg HK in the first semi, and they've had a fairly easy time getting to the final with victories over Mislata and Metz. Hypo are on a roll after the Klimov take-over. With their very physical defense in place, they are now close to 20 victories in a row. Bilobrk has reinforced them well, while Löwy is beginning to shine after her terrible knee injuries. Their Champions League top scorer, Sladjana Dronic, had some ligament problems, but should be ready to play. Rotis got married in the middle of this week, so it remains to be seen how focused she is today in Maria Enzersdorf. Prokop has declared Ikast to be favourites, but a home victory for the multinational Austrians should be expected today.
Prediction: Hypo by 5
Challenge Cup Final, first leg:
1. FC Nürnberg - Universitatea Remin Deva (Sat 18:00)
Having just won the German cup with a fine victory over Frankfurt, Nürnberg confirmed their tremendous form. Their only worry is pivot Kathrin Blacha who will probably play despite a fracture. Remin Deva are also going well at the moment, having reached the Romanian Championship final. But Nürnberg in Germany should be too difficult.
Prediction: Nürnberg by 8
Champions League Final: Preview
We have finally arrived. It's mid-May, and the chips are down. Only two are left standing, and one has to fall. Will Krim be dethroned, or will Anja Andersen's sweet Champions League dreams be left in tatters?
Group
Motor Zaporozhye - Krim Ljubljana 26-33 (12-18)
Krim Ljubljana - Ikast-Bording EH 24-27 (13-11)
Buducnost Monet - Krim Ljubljana 26-24 (12-9)
Ikast-Bording EH - Krim Ljubljana 24-28 (10-13)
Krim Ljubljana - Motor Zaporozhye 34-22 (19-9)
Krim Ljubljana - Buducnost MONET 35-25 (18-12)
QF
Lada Togliatti - Krim Ljubljana 24-21 (15-13)
Krim Ljubljana - Lada Togliatti 29-25 (14-15)
SF
Larvik HK - Krim Ljubljana 30-33 (17-18)
Krim Ljubljana - Larvik HK 27-19 (14-9)
Average score: 28.8-24.8 (+4.0)
Group
DIN-Classic Nis - Slagelse FH 28-32 (13-15)
Slagelse FH - Hypo NÖ 38-26 (16-7)
Slagelse FH - Kometal kopje 29-27 (15-12)
Hypo NÖ - Slagelse FH 27-29 (10-12)
Slagelse FH - DIN-Classic Nis 31-25 (15-12)
Kometal Skopje - Slagelse FH 19-19 (10-11)
QF
Ferencváros - Slagelse FH 30-28 (14-16)
Slagelse FH - Ferencváros 32-25 (19-8)
SF
Dunaferr SE - Slagelse FH 34-29 (18-11)
Slagelse FH - Dunaferr SE 32-22 (15-9)
Average: 29.9-26.3 (+3.6)
Slagelse have been convincing in all but one home match in Bröndbyhallen so far. Only the two-goal win over Kometal Skopje posed problems. But they have a fresh defeat against Viborg in mind from that arena, and it remains to be seen how much that unpleasant experience rubs off.
Their defense has seen improvements this spring, and keeper Rikke Schmidt is in a career-best form. The squad is deemed injury-free, but some of the players are a bit rusty after long breaks, particularly the wings Cano and Radulovic.
The pressure on the title-less Slagelse is tremendous. Making the Champions League final for a debutant is certainly impressive, but the season objective is winning the title. And nothing less. To get there a very strong showing is needed today in Bröndby.
How will the team respond if they go behind with 3-4 goals in the first half? And how will coach Anja Andersen react faced with such a challenge?
The Krim side appears to posess a much more stable core. As the cliche goes, staying on top is always harder than getting there.
The Slovenians deserve credit for making it to the final again, albeit with great difficulty. They survived setbacks in round 2 and 3 of the group stage, only to bounce back as strong as ever in the next three matches. But they were again brought to the brink of defeat by Lada Togliatti in the quarterfinal before waltzing past Larvik in the semis.
They have lost two away matches so far, but only with 5 goals in total. Slagelse is one team that can shock them with a great goal run, as they did against Dunaferr, but they are not likely to do that over 60 minutes against such a well-organized opponent with two world class keepers.
We can expect Tone Tiselj to go for the "Ukranian formation" in the backcourt for his starting line-up - with Logvin, Derepasko, and Vergelyuk from left to right. Depending on its effectiveness, we may see Vergelyuk moving to center and Kliukaite coming on as right back. The latter could be a bit risky. The young Lithuanian finished well in the match against Larvik, but she has shown insecurity on other occasions.
Cecilie Leganger should start in goal, with Dinu ready to replace her in the second half. Likewise with Doler and Bodnieva. One of the cornerstones of the side is left wing Tanja Oder. Not only is she extremely reliable, she is also directly involved in many attacking build-ups in addition to being a brilliant defender. Depending on fitness and form, Ceckova or Yatsenko will open on right wing - another stronghold of the Krim side. Performing defensive tasks only, Tanja Tomanovic is another key figure.
Slagelse have two main options for the starting line-up. The tactical variation with either Camilla Andersen or Ausra Fridrikas on left wing and Radulovic on right wing, or the "clean" line-up with Radulovic on left wing and Cano on right wing - and most likely Andersen as playmaker, and Fridrikas as bench joker.
It depends how much trust Anja Andersen places in Cano who has not been sharp after returning. Valentina Radulovic could also be a question mark as she has only just come back. As a result, we can also expect to see Stine Frank on court at some point.
The keeper for 60 minutes will surely be Rikke Poulsen-Schmidt - unless things really go wrong. Pivot Mette Melgaard will start in attack, while her colleague at that position, Maja Mitrovic, will contribute in the defense for starters. Petrovic and Freser obviously occupy left and right backs respectively.
Krim Eta Malizia
Keeper: Cecilie Leganger
Left wing: Tanja Oder
Left back: Tatjana Logvin
Center back: Nataliya Derepasko
Right back: Marina Vergelyuk
Right wing: Olga Ceckova
Pivot: Deja Doler
Slagelse FH
Keeper: Rikke Poulsen-Schmidt
Left wing: Valentina Radulovic
Left back: Bojana Petrovic
Playmaker: Camilla Andersen
Right back: Anja Freser
Right wing: Stephanie Cano
Pivot: Mette Melgaard
When comparing the squads, Slagelse have the greater individualists. Perhaps none more so than Petrovic and Fridrikas. But the sheer depth and collective abilities of the Krim side work in their favour. It's the players versus the team to state a trivial dichotomy. Or creativity versus organization to pester you with another one.
I feel Krim have the upper hand and the momemtum going into these clashes, but we can hope for two exciting matches. And for that sake, it wouldn't hurt if Slagelse grabbed at least a 5-goal win in the first match. They will surely need it in Slovenia to withstand the pressure.
But it's my feeling that they will fall a bit short of that mark. A victory is realistic, but I suspect it could be a very slim one - bordering on defeat at some points.
Prediction: Slagelse by 1
Group
Motor Zaporozhye - Krim Ljubljana 26-33 (12-18)
Krim Ljubljana - Ikast-Bording EH 24-27 (13-11)
Buducnost Monet - Krim Ljubljana 26-24 (12-9)
Ikast-Bording EH - Krim Ljubljana 24-28 (10-13)
Krim Ljubljana - Motor Zaporozhye 34-22 (19-9)
Krim Ljubljana - Buducnost MONET 35-25 (18-12)
QF
Lada Togliatti - Krim Ljubljana 24-21 (15-13)
Krim Ljubljana - Lada Togliatti 29-25 (14-15)
SF
Larvik HK - Krim Ljubljana 30-33 (17-18)
Krim Ljubljana - Larvik HK 27-19 (14-9)
Average score: 28.8-24.8 (+4.0)
Group
DIN-Classic Nis - Slagelse FH 28-32 (13-15)
Slagelse FH - Hypo NÖ 38-26 (16-7)
Slagelse FH - Kometal kopje 29-27 (15-12)
Hypo NÖ - Slagelse FH 27-29 (10-12)
Slagelse FH - DIN-Classic Nis 31-25 (15-12)
Kometal Skopje - Slagelse FH 19-19 (10-11)
QF
Ferencváros - Slagelse FH 30-28 (14-16)
Slagelse FH - Ferencváros 32-25 (19-8)
SF
Dunaferr SE - Slagelse FH 34-29 (18-11)
Slagelse FH - Dunaferr SE 32-22 (15-9)
Average: 29.9-26.3 (+3.6)
Slagelse have been convincing in all but one home match in Bröndbyhallen so far. Only the two-goal win over Kometal Skopje posed problems. But they have a fresh defeat against Viborg in mind from that arena, and it remains to be seen how much that unpleasant experience rubs off.
Their defense has seen improvements this spring, and keeper Rikke Schmidt is in a career-best form. The squad is deemed injury-free, but some of the players are a bit rusty after long breaks, particularly the wings Cano and Radulovic.
The pressure on the title-less Slagelse is tremendous. Making the Champions League final for a debutant is certainly impressive, but the season objective is winning the title. And nothing less. To get there a very strong showing is needed today in Bröndby.
How will the team respond if they go behind with 3-4 goals in the first half? And how will coach Anja Andersen react faced with such a challenge?
The Krim side appears to posess a much more stable core. As the cliche goes, staying on top is always harder than getting there.
The Slovenians deserve credit for making it to the final again, albeit with great difficulty. They survived setbacks in round 2 and 3 of the group stage, only to bounce back as strong as ever in the next three matches. But they were again brought to the brink of defeat by Lada Togliatti in the quarterfinal before waltzing past Larvik in the semis.
They have lost two away matches so far, but only with 5 goals in total. Slagelse is one team that can shock them with a great goal run, as they did against Dunaferr, but they are not likely to do that over 60 minutes against such a well-organized opponent with two world class keepers.
We can expect Tone Tiselj to go for the "Ukranian formation" in the backcourt for his starting line-up - with Logvin, Derepasko, and Vergelyuk from left to right. Depending on its effectiveness, we may see Vergelyuk moving to center and Kliukaite coming on as right back. The latter could be a bit risky. The young Lithuanian finished well in the match against Larvik, but she has shown insecurity on other occasions.
Cecilie Leganger should start in goal, with Dinu ready to replace her in the second half. Likewise with Doler and Bodnieva. One of the cornerstones of the side is left wing Tanja Oder. Not only is she extremely reliable, she is also directly involved in many attacking build-ups in addition to being a brilliant defender. Depending on fitness and form, Ceckova or Yatsenko will open on right wing - another stronghold of the Krim side. Performing defensive tasks only, Tanja Tomanovic is another key figure.
Slagelse have two main options for the starting line-up. The tactical variation with either Camilla Andersen or Ausra Fridrikas on left wing and Radulovic on right wing, or the "clean" line-up with Radulovic on left wing and Cano on right wing - and most likely Andersen as playmaker, and Fridrikas as bench joker.
It depends how much trust Anja Andersen places in Cano who has not been sharp after returning. Valentina Radulovic could also be a question mark as she has only just come back. As a result, we can also expect to see Stine Frank on court at some point.
The keeper for 60 minutes will surely be Rikke Poulsen-Schmidt - unless things really go wrong. Pivot Mette Melgaard will start in attack, while her colleague at that position, Maja Mitrovic, will contribute in the defense for starters. Petrovic and Freser obviously occupy left and right backs respectively.
Krim Eta Malizia
Keeper: Cecilie Leganger
Left wing: Tanja Oder
Left back: Tatjana Logvin
Center back: Nataliya Derepasko
Right back: Marina Vergelyuk
Right wing: Olga Ceckova
Pivot: Deja Doler
Slagelse FH
Keeper: Rikke Poulsen-Schmidt
Left wing: Valentina Radulovic
Left back: Bojana Petrovic
Playmaker: Camilla Andersen
Right back: Anja Freser
Right wing: Stephanie Cano
Pivot: Mette Melgaard
When comparing the squads, Slagelse have the greater individualists. Perhaps none more so than Petrovic and Fridrikas. But the sheer depth and collective abilities of the Krim side work in their favour. It's the players versus the team to state a trivial dichotomy. Or creativity versus organization to pester you with another one.
I feel Krim have the upper hand and the momemtum going into these clashes, but we can hope for two exciting matches. And for that sake, it wouldn't hurt if Slagelse grabbed at least a 5-goal win in the first match. They will surely need it in Slovenia to withstand the pressure.
But it's my feeling that they will fall a bit short of that mark. A victory is realistic, but I suspect it could be a very slim one - bordering on defeat at some points.
Prediction: Slagelse by 1
Decisive Dunaferr
The reigning Hungarian champions from Dunaferr SE defended their national title after a comfortable victory 36-26 (21-10) over Váci NK.As they won the Cup final as well, this is their most successful season since 1998/1999 when they won the triple.
Without any goals from Vác star Auguszta Mátyás, the visitors were no match for the champions in Dunaújváros. The home side jumped to a 7-1 lead to score an early decision. Bojana Radulovics crashed in 9 goals.
Dunaferr SE - Váci NK 3626 (2110)
Dunaferr: Radulovics 9 (2), Kulcsár 5, Nagy 5, Pálffy 5, Ferling 5 (1), Kindl 4, Bulath 2 (1), Pigniczki 1.
Vác: Ilyés 8 (7), Hornyák 7 (1), Ôri 4, Gráner 3, Farkas 2, Syukalo 1. Mozkovaia 1.
7-metres: 4/4, 8/10
Suspensions: 8x2m, 6x2m.
Attendance: 700.
May 13, 2004
Romania: Rapid in the Dark
Rapid Bucuresti have suffered the same fate as Larvik. First place in the regular season and then a rude awakening in the playoffs.
Rapid were surprisingly knocked out by Silcotub Zalau in the semifinals after two defeats. The title favourites were sent packing after losing the second match 28-29 (14-16) at home in the Romanian capital on Monday.
Zalau's fierce duo of Gatzel and Farcau scored 8 and 7 goals respectively. Cristina Mihai's 11 goals for Rapid did not do sufficient damage.
Zalau go up against the Challenge Cup finalists Universitatea Remin Deva in the final. The Transylvanians from Deva got past Oltchim Valcea with a damning 39-24 (22-9) victory in the third and decisive match.
Rapid were surprisingly knocked out by Silcotub Zalau in the semifinals after two defeats. The title favourites were sent packing after losing the second match 28-29 (14-16) at home in the Romanian capital on Monday.
Zalau's fierce duo of Gatzel and Farcau scored 8 and 7 goals respectively. Cristina Mihai's 11 goals for Rapid did not do sufficient damage.
Zalau go up against the Challenge Cup finalists Universitatea Remin Deva in the final. The Transylvanians from Deva got past Oltchim Valcea with a damning 39-24 (22-9) victory in the third and decisive match.
Görbicz Speaks Out
Képes Sport, the Hungarian reply to Sports Illustrated, published an in-depth interview with Anita Görbicz a few days ago. Turning 21 on this exact day, the swank playmaker from Gyõr was in an outspoken mood.
To avoid encroaching on the copyrights of the magazine, here are some limited selections from the interview session.
Anita Görbicz first sketches out her background. Sport is truly in her genes as her father was a professional footballer. She has lived in Gyõr all her life, except for a short time when her father's career took the family to Veszprém.
Although handball is her profession, she also has great passion for football and is very keen to play it herself, if just for fun. She's an avid supporter of Italian football and is quite an admirer of AS Roma and their star player Francesco Totti.
With plenty of star quality herself, it's no secret that her signature would be a cherished one in a good number of places. When asked directly if she plans to switch to a different club, her answer is quite clear.
"I've received several offers, but Im not going anywhere. I'm attached to Gyõr very much. It's a small town, and though you can't say that all the people know each other, they usually recognize me anyway when I go out shopping, having lunch or whatever.
That has lots of advantages, and it is also a great feeling to be surrounded with all their love. The only foreign country worth transferring to is Denmark since you can make excellent money there and the league is good, too.
Though I don't think it can be stronger than the Hungarian league, so I'm not quite motivated to leave."
Görbicz is known to be quite expressive on court, at times making some curious faces and gestures.
"As a matter of fact, these movements and faces are not conscious, and I think they are tolerable. I don't even realize it in the heat of the game. The momentum and the will to win carries me away, and sometimes that's what happens."
If you are allergic to silver, it's probably a good idea to stay clear off Görbicz' medal collection.
"I pretty much feel like Hector Cúper, the football coach. Silver medal in the junior WCh, adult WCh, second place in the EHF Cup, the Hungarian Cup and the league, so I could list a lot of them.
When I was an adolescent and junior player, I could win gold medals as well, but nowadays it's always silver somehow."
Gyõr's coach Kálmán Róth, who has known Görbicz for ages - both as her school teacher and youth trainer - offers some interesting perspectives on the prodigy in another article in Képes Sport.
"I can't treat her as a child anymore. She still follows my instructions, or she tells what she thinks she should do. Sometimes you have to accept that she tries to pull a spin shot and she misses.
She may have missed even if she had shot with force. My principle as a coach is not to restrict personalities: artists should remain artists, we shouldn't transform them into craftsmen."
Róth points to discipline and concentration as the two areas where she still has things to improve.
With her lean and agile physique, Anita Görbicz is undoubtedly one of the lightest backcourt players in international handball. And Kálmán Róth is very aware of this.
"Opponents keep hitting and dashing her, and she spends all the time on the court. She's a 60-minute player. In case of a body that weighs 55 kilos, you must take care of physical recreation.
But she never asks for a relief during training. I have to ask her if she wants to take a rest or something."
Hungarian-English translation by Guttman.
Photo by Beardsley.
To avoid encroaching on the copyrights of the magazine, here are some limited selections from the interview session.
Anita Görbicz first sketches out her background. Sport is truly in her genes as her father was a professional footballer. She has lived in Gyõr all her life, except for a short time when her father's career took the family to Veszprém.
Although handball is her profession, she also has great passion for football and is very keen to play it herself, if just for fun. She's an avid supporter of Italian football and is quite an admirer of AS Roma and their star player Francesco Totti.
With plenty of star quality herself, it's no secret that her signature would be a cherished one in a good number of places. When asked directly if she plans to switch to a different club, her answer is quite clear.
"I've received several offers, but Im not going anywhere. I'm attached to Gyõr very much. It's a small town, and though you can't say that all the people know each other, they usually recognize me anyway when I go out shopping, having lunch or whatever.
That has lots of advantages, and it is also a great feeling to be surrounded with all their love. The only foreign country worth transferring to is Denmark since you can make excellent money there and the league is good, too.
Though I don't think it can be stronger than the Hungarian league, so I'm not quite motivated to leave."
Görbicz is known to be quite expressive on court, at times making some curious faces and gestures.
"As a matter of fact, these movements and faces are not conscious, and I think they are tolerable. I don't even realize it in the heat of the game. The momentum and the will to win carries me away, and sometimes that's what happens."
If you are allergic to silver, it's probably a good idea to stay clear off Görbicz' medal collection.
"I pretty much feel like Hector Cúper, the football coach. Silver medal in the junior WCh, adult WCh, second place in the EHF Cup, the Hungarian Cup and the league, so I could list a lot of them.
When I was an adolescent and junior player, I could win gold medals as well, but nowadays it's always silver somehow."
Gyõr's coach Kálmán Róth, who has known Görbicz for ages - both as her school teacher and youth trainer - offers some interesting perspectives on the prodigy in another article in Képes Sport.
"I can't treat her as a child anymore. She still follows my instructions, or she tells what she thinks she should do. Sometimes you have to accept that she tries to pull a spin shot and she misses.
She may have missed even if she had shot with force. My principle as a coach is not to restrict personalities: artists should remain artists, we shouldn't transform them into craftsmen."
Róth points to discipline and concentration as the two areas where she still has things to improve.
With her lean and agile physique, Anita Görbicz is undoubtedly one of the lightest backcourt players in international handball. And Kálmán Róth is very aware of this.
"Opponents keep hitting and dashing her, and she spends all the time on the court. She's a 60-minute player. In case of a body that weighs 55 kilos, you must take care of physical recreation.
But she never asks for a relief during training. I have to ask her if she wants to take a rest or something."
Hungarian-English translation by Guttman.
Photo by Beardsley.
Mortensen Feels the Heat
Karin Mortensen was the unassailable anchorwoman of the Danish squad that won the European Championship in December 2002. Winning the prestigious MVP award, Mortensen was the center of attention.
But times have changed for the Ikast keeper. Mortensen has not been able to reproduce the performances from that event. And it's now a real possibility that she will miss the Olympic Games in Athens.
Based on current form, as many as three keepers could be ahead of her in the mind of Jan Pytlick: Rikke Schmidt (Slagelse), Lene Rantala (Larvik), and Louise Bager (Viborg).
"I don't really think about it too much myself, as things will then really start to go wrong. But there's no doubt I will do everything to get to the Olympics. I will work my behind off and hope that's good enough," Mortensen reassures the newspaper B.T.
Karin Mortensen hopes to convince national team coach Jan Pytlick of her worth in two gatherings of the team prior to the naming of squad for Athens.
"And then it's just up to me to prove that I'm good enough."
But times have changed for the Ikast keeper. Mortensen has not been able to reproduce the performances from that event. And it's now a real possibility that she will miss the Olympic Games in Athens.
Based on current form, as many as three keepers could be ahead of her in the mind of Jan Pytlick: Rikke Schmidt (Slagelse), Lene Rantala (Larvik), and Louise Bager (Viborg).
"I don't really think about it too much myself, as things will then really start to go wrong. But there's no doubt I will do everything to get to the Olympics. I will work my behind off and hope that's good enough," Mortensen reassures the newspaper B.T.
Karin Mortensen hopes to convince national team coach Jan Pytlick of her worth in two gatherings of the team prior to the naming of squad for Athens.
"And then it's just up to me to prove that I'm good enough."
Norwegian Sides in Europe 2004/2005
Nordstrand: Champions League
Tertnes: Champions League qualification
Byaasen: EHF Cup
Vaag Vipers: EHF Cup
Larvik: Cup Winner's Cup
Tertnes: Champions League qualification
Byaasen: EHF Cup
Vaag Vipers: EHF Cup
Larvik: Cup Winner's Cup
May 12, 2004
Horn Blowing
To quote Hugh Grant - I'm not usually one to blow my own horn. But to my surprise the folks at Blogger.com (Pyra Labs), who are now part of the Google mastodont, somehow stopped by this esoteric blog.And not only that, they were kind enough to put it in the "Blogs of Note" section (the arrow is mine) which greets any one logging in to his or her "dashboard" - a front page for members. I only noticed this a few days ago, but it's actually been there for a week now.
I'm not entirely certain that this isn't some cruel joke. After all, the next one on the list is the blog of a guy who manages a strip club in the Midwest.
I also doubt women's handball in Denmark is the most common topic of conversation in Californian offices.
But, heck, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and take this as a compliment. Not sure how to interpret this guy, though.
But humour never hurt anyone. (Expect the guy who reputedly laughed himself to death during a screening of "A Fish Called Wanda".)
Croatia: Podravka Stunned by Split
Split Kaltenberg trampled down Podravka Vegeta 39-31 to capture the first semifinal match of the Croatian Championship playoffs in superior style.
In the other semifinal, Brodosplit had to settle for a 29-29 draw against Lokomotiva in Solin, and they now have a tough task ahead of them in the return leg Saturday in Zagreb.
In the other semifinal, Brodosplit had to settle for a 29-29 draw against Lokomotiva in Solin, and they now have a tough task ahead of them in the return leg Saturday in Zagreb.
Match Point for Elda
Alsa Elda Prestigio can successfully defend their Spanish Championship on Sunday if they beat fourth-ranked Itxako Estella at home in Elda.
If they fail to convert the first match point, they will have a renewed chance the week after when they travel to Valencia to square off with Ferrobus Mislata.
El Osito L'Eliana Mar Valencia slipped up the past weekend when they were downed 31-30 by Itxako.
They should now focus on fetching the important second place. And Cristina Mayo's women can do just that when they welcome Ferrobus Mislata in a few days.
1. Elda Prestigio 44p (+165)
2. L'Eliana Valencia 41p (+235)
3. Ferrobus Mislata 40p (+182)
4. S.D. Itxako 33p (+73)
5. Akaba Bera Bera 32p (+102)
---
14. Juventud Leganes Royne 6p (-232)
If they fail to convert the first match point, they will have a renewed chance the week after when they travel to Valencia to square off with Ferrobus Mislata.
El Osito L'Eliana Mar Valencia slipped up the past weekend when they were downed 31-30 by Itxako.
They should now focus on fetching the important second place. And Cristina Mayo's women can do just that when they welcome Ferrobus Mislata in a few days.
1. Elda Prestigio 44p (+165)
2. L'Eliana Valencia 41p (+235)
3. Ferrobus Mislata 40p (+182)
4. S.D. Itxako 33p (+73)
5. Akaba Bera Bera 32p (+102)
---
14. Juventud Leganes Royne 6p (-232)
Slagelse Try Press Boycott
After Anja Andersen's self-inflicted media storm earlier in the week, Slagelse now want peace and quiet to prepare for the Champions League final on Saturday. To achieve that aim they have decided to boycott the press in the time leading up to the match.
The chairman of the Danish Club Association, Arne Buch, has criticized that move in no uncertain terms. Buch, who is also the managing director of the league club GOG it should be added, refers to the deal the clubs have made with tv stations DR and TV 2 which allows them to produce match previews.
Despite the boycott, Slagelse do have good news. The entire squad will be fit and ready for Saturday, including Bojana Petrovic. And Bröndby-hallen has been sold out completely.
The chairman of the Danish Club Association, Arne Buch, has criticized that move in no uncertain terms. Buch, who is also the managing director of the league club GOG it should be added, refers to the deal the clubs have made with tv stations DR and TV 2 which allows them to produce match previews.
Despite the boycott, Slagelse do have good news. The entire squad will be fit and ready for Saturday, including Bojana Petrovic. And Bröndby-hallen has been sold out completely.
Touray Out
According to Europamester, the local Ikast newspaper - fittingly named Ikast Avis (newspaper) - is reporting that Josephine Touray will be absent for the first leg of the Cup Winner's Cup final against Hypo NÖ in Austria.
The quality right wing is battling with knee and groin problems. Pivot Isabel Blanco and left back Narcisa Paunica are also dubious.
The quality right wing is battling with knee and groin problems. Pivot Isabel Blanco and left back Narcisa Paunica are also dubious.
Randers Confirm Kristensen
Randers HK announced the seizure of the young Viborg playmaker Berit Kristensen on Wednesday. The 20-year-old has represented Denmark 50 times at youth level.
Horsens HK have also made a move on the transfer market by acquiring Christina Körup Pedersen from nearby rivals SK Aarhus. Pound-for-pound, Pedersen has probably been the best Aarhus player this season.
Horsens HK have also made a move on the transfer market by acquiring Christina Körup Pedersen from nearby rivals SK Aarhus. Pound-for-pound, Pedersen has probably been the best Aarhus player this season.
Copenhagen Sign Brazilian
FCK Handball have signed a one-year contract with the Brazilian national team keeper Chana Masson. Currently in the ranks of the Spanish side Ferroubus Mislata, Masson has played 80 matches for Brazil.
Swedish Roundup
Team Eslöv's reign as champions ended last week when the Swedish playoffs came to their conclusion. Skuru IK took the best-of-five series 3-1 after winning the fourth match 32-29 after extra time.
Team Eslöv have won the championship the two previous years. They reached the third round of the EHF Cup this season after knocking out Galychanka Lviv of the Ukraine, but then fell to GOG-Gudme.
They had won the regular season with an 8-points advantage over IK Sävehof. Skuru IK were only ranked third and were the underdogs going into the final.
Team Eslöv's coach Ola Maansson switches to the Danish side Fox Team Nord this summer. His task will be to put them back in the League.
Swedish Championship Playoff Final:
Team Eslöv IK - Skuru IK 20-28
Skuru IK - Team Eslöv IK 27-22
Team Eslöv IK - Skuru IK 25-22
Skuru IK - Team Eslöv IK 25-25 (Extra time: 32-29)
Top scorers (regular season):
1. Jessica Enström (Irsta Västeraas) 170 (38)
2. Karin Nilsson (Skaanela IF) 155 (17)
3. Jurgita Markeviciute (Sth-Polisens IF) 155 (57)
4. Jennie Sarensten (G/T -76) 152 (43)
5. Johanna Aronsson (Önnereds HK) 142 (13)
6. Jenny Gustafsson (Skuru IK) 139 (16)
7. Terése Krantz (Spaarvägens HF) 137 (21)
8. Frida Johansson (Skaanela IF) 129 (15)
9. Petra Skogsberg (Skövde HF) 116 (43)
10. Maria Lindqvist (IK Sävehof) 106 (1)
Source: Damhandboll.
Team Eslöv have won the championship the two previous years. They reached the third round of the EHF Cup this season after knocking out Galychanka Lviv of the Ukraine, but then fell to GOG-Gudme.
They had won the regular season with an 8-points advantage over IK Sävehof. Skuru IK were only ranked third and were the underdogs going into the final.
Team Eslöv's coach Ola Maansson switches to the Danish side Fox Team Nord this summer. His task will be to put them back in the League.
Swedish Championship Playoff Final:
Team Eslöv IK - Skuru IK 20-28
Skuru IK - Team Eslöv IK 27-22
Team Eslöv IK - Skuru IK 25-22
Skuru IK - Team Eslöv IK 25-25 (Extra time: 32-29)
Top scorers (regular season):
1. Jessica Enström (Irsta Västeraas) 170 (38)
2. Karin Nilsson (Skaanela IF) 155 (17)
3. Jurgita Markeviciute (Sth-Polisens IF) 155 (57)
4. Jennie Sarensten (G/T -76) 152 (43)
5. Johanna Aronsson (Önnereds HK) 142 (13)
6. Jenny Gustafsson (Skuru IK) 139 (16)
7. Terése Krantz (Spaarvägens HF) 137 (21)
8. Frida Johansson (Skaanela IF) 129 (15)
9. Petra Skogsberg (Skövde HF) 116 (43)
10. Maria Lindqvist (IK Sävehof) 106 (1)
Source: Damhandboll.
May 11, 2004
Apologies to Mr. Trefilov
Handnews recently carried a news item regarding the firing of Lada Togliatti's famous coach Evgeni Trefilov. This stemmed from a source that has proved reliable before, and there were some details that made it seem credible.
It was my impression that this was mainstream news in Russia. But, as Handball-World reports today, it now turns out that Evgeni Trefilov is still at the helm.
The false story about the discharge is described as a rumour put in circulation by Kuban Krasnodar, another Russian club.
Whatever the reason behind this is, I would like to apologize to Lada, Trefilov and the readers for dispersing what appears to be an outright falsehood.
You may spank me now. But please be gentle.
It was my impression that this was mainstream news in Russia. But, as Handball-World reports today, it now turns out that Evgeni Trefilov is still at the helm.
The false story about the discharge is described as a rumour put in circulation by Kuban Krasnodar, another Russian club.
Whatever the reason behind this is, I would like to apologize to Lada, Trefilov and the readers for dispersing what appears to be an outright falsehood.
You may spank me now. But please be gentle.
Lada Clinch Russian Title
Lada Togliatti swept the third consecutive Russian Championship with a 28-19 (14-12) home victory over the closest rivals from Dinamo-Akva Volgograd.
The two top clubs meet again tomorrow in the last league match of the season, but Akva can no longer catch Togliatti.
According to Handball-World, who has a correspondent on the scene, Lada will hold a press conference Wednesday. They are expected to announce the departure of an undisclosed number of players.
The two top clubs meet again tomorrow in the last league match of the season, but Akva can no longer catch Togliatti.
According to Handball-World, who has a correspondent on the scene, Lada will hold a press conference Wednesday. They are expected to announce the departure of an undisclosed number of players.
Gyõr Overtake Ferencváros
Gyõri ETO KC took over second place in the playoff for the Hungarian Championship with a 25-23 victory over Ferencváros in Budapest.
Gyõr are now one point behind Dunaferr who can secure the title with a victory over Váci NK in their penultimate match on Friday.
With the home defeat, Ferencváros are now out of the running for the title. The best they can hope for is second place. But that will require victory in their last round over Dunaferr, while Gyõr must succumb to Vác.
Ferencvárosi TC - Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC 23-25 (11-13)
FTC: Uhrakova 6 (3), Tóth 6, Pádár 5, Mravikova 4, Kocsik 2 (2).
Gyõr: Görbicz 8 (2), Borbás 6, Mehlmann 5 (3), Bódi 3, Mörtel 2, Vérten 1.
7-meters: 5/7, 5/6.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 1,000.
Gyõr are now one point behind Dunaferr who can secure the title with a victory over Váci NK in their penultimate match on Friday.
With the home defeat, Ferencváros are now out of the running for the title. The best they can hope for is second place. But that will require victory in their last round over Dunaferr, while Gyõr must succumb to Vác.
Ferencvárosi TC - Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC 23-25 (11-13)
FTC: Uhrakova 6 (3), Tóth 6, Pádár 5, Mravikova 4, Kocsik 2 (2).
Gyõr: Görbicz 8 (2), Borbás 6, Mehlmann 5 (3), Bódi 3, Mörtel 2, Vérten 1.
7-meters: 5/7, 5/6.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 1,000.
More Anja: Interviews Dissected
The debate over Anja Andersen's post-match comments Sunday wages on in Denmark. To separate fact from fiction, DR Sporten has posted two interviews with Anja Andersen that were carried out with the Slagelse coach right after the match.
But the confusion doesn't end there. The two interviews are very different in tone. The first is conducted by a properly trained reporter who lets Anja do the talking. The second is full of leading questions, and Anja Andersen slips up pretty badly.
In the first one, she stipulates clearly that the team did not lose the match on "purpose or anything like that". Which both she and Slagelse president Bjarne Stenbäk have also maintained vehemently after being faced with a barrage of criticism.
But she also makes this remark:
"You could say that we were throwing away the gold today. To me it was important that Bojana didn't play in the second half. She could have. But I deliberately kept her out."
She then goes to great lengths to explain how Champions League is the top goal:
"I'm sorry to say it, but im not even angry or disappointed today. I'm very happy that we played this match, and I'm very happy it was against Viborg as they have clearly been the second-best team this season."
Anja Andersen does congratulate Viborg and says that they fully deserved the title. Before emphasizing once again that the championship really wasn't that important to her:
"I have played my cards as I did because the Champions League is the most important thing, and I can do without a Danish Championship gold, which we won last year. When I can show you the Champions League trophy in 14 days, then I won't even be able to remember this match."
Then comes the direct questions in the second interview. And Anja Andersen is quick to show why she is often kept away from the media.
Would you say that you could have won the match?
"Yes, we could have won. No doubt about it."
To understand you correctly, Bojana could have played?
"Bojana could have played - the entire second half. Several times she asks to come in. I also turned down Camilla a couple of times."
You are making the team lose a Danish Championship final?
"Yes, you can say that. You can say that."
That's somewhat controversial, what will the team say about it?
"You can see for yourself next weekend - that's why I'm doing it."
A serious case of foot-in-mouth disease. Of course, Slagelse did not lose the match on purpose. The players on court were fighting the best they could, and tears were flowing after the match.
Anja's comments sound a lot like kindergarten rhetoric. When you lose a competition, you start whining that it didn't really count this time. But next time...
In my mind, a Champions League trophy that doesn't come with a national championship is not worth as much. And that goes for any sport or any team. A professional club can focus on both - and win both.
I strongly doubt that the decisions of the coaching staff did anything positive for Slagelse's Champions League bid. Quite the opposite. Petrovic looked dejected after the match. There was bickering on the bench. And then a media storm arose, seriously questioning the competence of the coach.
If she had simply said that Petrovic was spared to prevent overstraining the afflicted ankle, it would have made things a lot more simple instead of presenting these absurd explanations.
But the confusion doesn't end there. The two interviews are very different in tone. The first is conducted by a properly trained reporter who lets Anja do the talking. The second is full of leading questions, and Anja Andersen slips up pretty badly.
In the first one, she stipulates clearly that the team did not lose the match on "purpose or anything like that". Which both she and Slagelse president Bjarne Stenbäk have also maintained vehemently after being faced with a barrage of criticism.
But she also makes this remark:
"You could say that we were throwing away the gold today. To me it was important that Bojana didn't play in the second half. She could have. But I deliberately kept her out."
She then goes to great lengths to explain how Champions League is the top goal:
"I'm sorry to say it, but im not even angry or disappointed today. I'm very happy that we played this match, and I'm very happy it was against Viborg as they have clearly been the second-best team this season."
Anja Andersen does congratulate Viborg and says that they fully deserved the title. Before emphasizing once again that the championship really wasn't that important to her:
"I have played my cards as I did because the Champions League is the most important thing, and I can do without a Danish Championship gold, which we won last year. When I can show you the Champions League trophy in 14 days, then I won't even be able to remember this match."
Then comes the direct questions in the second interview. And Anja Andersen is quick to show why she is often kept away from the media.
Would you say that you could have won the match?
"Yes, we could have won. No doubt about it."
To understand you correctly, Bojana could have played?
"Bojana could have played - the entire second half. Several times she asks to come in. I also turned down Camilla a couple of times."
You are making the team lose a Danish Championship final?
"Yes, you can say that. You can say that."
That's somewhat controversial, what will the team say about it?
"You can see for yourself next weekend - that's why I'm doing it."
A serious case of foot-in-mouth disease. Of course, Slagelse did not lose the match on purpose. The players on court were fighting the best they could, and tears were flowing after the match.
Anja's comments sound a lot like kindergarten rhetoric. When you lose a competition, you start whining that it didn't really count this time. But next time...
In my mind, a Champions League trophy that doesn't come with a national championship is not worth as much. And that goes for any sport or any team. A professional club can focus on both - and win both.
I strongly doubt that the decisions of the coaching staff did anything positive for Slagelse's Champions League bid. Quite the opposite. Petrovic looked dejected after the match. There was bickering on the bench. And then a media storm arose, seriously questioning the competence of the coach.
If she had simply said that Petrovic was spared to prevent overstraining the afflicted ankle, it would have made things a lot more simple instead of presenting these absurd explanations.
SFH-VHK: Player Ratings
Rating system: "Four Stars" - employed by leading movie critics such as Leonard Maltin and Roger Ebert. Range: "BOMB" to "****". Half stars can be given as well. Second lowest is therefore "½*" and second highest is "***½"Slagelse FH
Rikke Schmidt: **
Strong first half, but against a poor Viborg attack. Couldn't do much in the last 30 minutes when her services were truly needed.
Stine Frank: *
Two technical faults and a missed shot from the left wing. Mulder raced right past her in defense several times.
Camilla Andersen: *
One of her worst matches in a long time. Kept missing on Bager with a series of frail shots at the beginning of the second.
Anne Loft: *½
Brief stint on left back, but without much fortune.
Bojana Petrovic: **
Constantly guarded, she made little impact herself before being substituted. Did however make plenty of room for her teammates, and she controlled Fruelund well in defense.
Ausra Fridrikas: **
Held tight in defense, but was too one-sided in attack. Converted on half of her ten shots and didn't really make any mistakes. Scored a fine second-phase fastbreak goal, but was not as aggressive as usual.
Maja Mitrovic: *½
Almost solely used for defensive tasks. Received one of her 2-minute suspensions for complaints. Not good.
Mette Melgaard: **½
A fine first half for the agile pivot, but had little on offer in the second. Earned a suspension for a clumsy tackle on Fruelund at a crucial time.
Anja Freser: ***
Her best match in the Slagelse jersey. The only one to consistently pass Louise Bager, even in the second half, with some quality shots. Had her misses as well, though. Plus a couple of minor mistakes and a critical 2-minute suspension.
Valentina Radulovic: **
A so-and-so comeback. Missed some chances, but did score a couple of good goals from right wing.
Stephanie Cano: ½*
Got close to the BOMB rating, but that would have been a bit too harsh. Did miss her three shots after some sloppy finishing, but there were few flaws in her defensive work.
Viborg HK
Louise Bager: ***
Replaced Nicolas in the first half. Took a while to get going, but then enjoyed a superb spell as the Slagelse attack was combusting. Kept her goal clean for 12 minutes. Read the shots from Camilla Andersen easily, and even caught a blast from Fridrikas.
Valerie Nicolas: **
Performed reasonably well before being exchanged at a time when Viborg generally were in a crisis.
Henriette Mikkelsen: *½
Scored a goal, which was rare for Viborg in the first half, but just didn't have a great 30 minutes.
Camilla Thorsen: **½
A bigger threat from left wing. Scored on two of her 3 shots, including a nice, low curler.
Rikke Skov: *½
She began well. But then went on a terrible shooting spree that would make her a liability. No slouch in defense, though.
Leila Lejeune: *½
Scored an excellent first goal to open the match, but soon disappeared and was substituted.
Katrine Fruelund: ***
Anonymous on right back in the first half, but a gold mine for Viborg in the second with breakthroughs and assists. Her 9m shots could need some refining, though. Solid penalties.
Berit Kristensen: *
Dreadful performance from the young playmaker who looked too nervous for such a big occasion. Was wisely benched.
Olga Assink: **
The workhorse tried her luck as both pivot and playmaker. And she actually did quite well in the second role. Waited a long time for her first goal, but then came up with a big and decisive one.
Charlotte Höjfeldt: **½
Solved her task as pivot in the second half with great competence. Cooperated well with the backcourt line and proved expensive for Slagelse despite only scoring once herself.
Natasja Burgers: ***½
Outstanding showing from the right back. Came on after 15 minutes and scored two fine goals in the first half. But it was the second half in which she really made a move. Threw assists left and right. Rampaged the Slagelse defense with her speedy runs that would result in several penalties. Scored a cunning goal on a free throw as the defenders were expecting her to pass.
Saskia Mulder: ***
Superb finishing in the second half. Was a main instigator of the Viborg comeback.
May 9, 2004
French Hat Trick
The third test match between France and Croatia ended the same way as the two previous ones. With victory for the French hosts. This time 29-19 (14-9) in Besancon.
Anja Comments a "Disgrace"
Viborg grabbed the spotlight after their stunning conquest of the Danish Championship. But not for long. Anja Andersen soon took center stage with some controversial comments she made after the final.
The president of the Danish Handball Federation has already denounced her statements by calling them a disgrace. Anja Andersen told the national news agency Ritzau that she had kept the moderately injured Bojana Petrovic benched in the disastrous second half to prepare the team better for the Champions League finals against Krim.
"I don't have the slighest doubt that we could have won the final. A couple of times she actually wanted to go on court and play, but I kept Bojana away to make the other players take greater responsibility. We have to go through some hard times to win the Champions League. It was a conscious decision what I did. It will help us come out on top in the finals against Krim," the Slagelse coach told Ritzau.
The comments were interpreted as deliberately throwing the match. Which seems a bit of a stretch. Looks more like sour grapes and obstinance.
Petrovic was in fact injured, and there was a real risk of exacerbating the problem. One should also note that Slagelse had completely dominated the first half - because of a superb defense. And Anja Andersen could certainly expect her team to win without much fuss. Even without Petrovic.
When she realized it wasn't as simple as that, she refrained because it would have felt as too much of concession to put her on court. It would reveal just how dependent of Petrovic the Slagelse team has become.
The president of the Danish Handball Federation has already denounced her statements by calling them a disgrace. Anja Andersen told the national news agency Ritzau that she had kept the moderately injured Bojana Petrovic benched in the disastrous second half to prepare the team better for the Champions League finals against Krim.
"I don't have the slighest doubt that we could have won the final. A couple of times she actually wanted to go on court and play, but I kept Bojana away to make the other players take greater responsibility. We have to go through some hard times to win the Champions League. It was a conscious decision what I did. It will help us come out on top in the finals against Krim," the Slagelse coach told Ritzau.
The comments were interpreted as deliberately throwing the match. Which seems a bit of a stretch. Looks more like sour grapes and obstinance.
Petrovic was in fact injured, and there was a real risk of exacerbating the problem. One should also note that Slagelse had completely dominated the first half - because of a superb defense. And Anja Andersen could certainly expect her team to win without much fuss. Even without Petrovic.
When she realized it wasn't as simple as that, she refrained because it would have felt as too much of concession to put her on court. It would reveal just how dependent of Petrovic the Slagelse team has become.
Nordstrand Champions of Norway
Nordstrand easily recovered from the setback of losing the second match of the playoff final versus Tertnes. In the third and crucial clash on Sunday, Nordstrand won 27-21 (15-9) to take the Norwegian title and book a place in next year's edition of the Champions League.
Nordstrand soon gained a 8-4 lead that Tertnes could never close. Captain Monica Sandve and Kine Kristiansen both scored 6 goals for the new champions in a match witnessed by just 410 spectators. Mette Ommundsen was again Tertnes' top scorer, this time after 7 goals.
Nordstrand's coach, Ivica Rimanic, tells Nettavisen that the club is now on the look-out for player that can strengthen them for the Champions League. He also complimented Tertnes - who had knocked out the huge title favourites and now former champions from Larvik:
"I'd like to use this occasion to applaud Tertnes for a fine effort against us in the playoff finals. They have played some good matches and given us tough resistance," Rimanic tells Nettavisen.
Nordstrand soon gained a 8-4 lead that Tertnes could never close. Captain Monica Sandve and Kine Kristiansen both scored 6 goals for the new champions in a match witnessed by just 410 spectators. Mette Ommundsen was again Tertnes' top scorer, this time after 7 goals.
Nordstrand's coach, Ivica Rimanic, tells Nettavisen that the club is now on the look-out for player that can strengthen them for the Champions League. He also complimented Tertnes - who had knocked out the huge title favourites and now former champions from Larvik:
"I'd like to use this occasion to applaud Tertnes for a fine effort against us in the playoff finals. They have played some good matches and given us tough resistance," Rimanic tells Nettavisen.
Nürnberg Cup Winners
1. FC Nürnberg defeated the German champions from Frankfurt/Oder 32-26 (13-13) in the final of the German Cup in Riesa. The Challenge Cup finalists took off in the second half with Ofenböck and Simakova as the driving forces.
1. FC Nürnberg - Frankfurter HC 32-26 (13-13)
Nürnberg: Ofenböck 8, Simakova 7 (3), Blacha 5, Tobiasz 4, Strass 4, Christenau 3 (2), Klimankova 1.
Frankfurt: Szrnka 8, Urbanke-Rösicke 6, Tichonowitsch 5 (2), Sommerlund 4, Geschke 1, Hering 1, Spalviene 1.
7-meters: 5/8, 2/2.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 1,800.
1. FC Nürnberg - Frankfurter HC 32-26 (13-13)
Nürnberg: Ofenböck 8, Simakova 7 (3), Blacha 5, Tobiasz 4, Strass 4, Christenau 3 (2), Klimankova 1.
Frankfurt: Szrnka 8, Urbanke-Rösicke 6, Tichonowitsch 5 (2), Sommerlund 4, Geschke 1, Hering 1, Spalviene 1.
7-meters: 5/8, 2/2.
Suspensions: 3x2m, 4x2m.
Attendance: 1,800.
Viborg Danish Champions
Viborg shockingly captured the Danish Championship with a 25-23 (8-14) away victory over the title holders from Slagelse FH in the third and decisive match in Bröndbyhallen.Failing to make any impact whatsoever in attack, Viborg looked down and out in the first half when they were behind 14-7. But they pulled one back before the interval, and in the second half the match turned around 180 degrees.
Despite an early goal from an unusually sharp Anja Freser, Slagelse were beginning to struggle in the absence of Bojana Petrovic. Their superstar left back had sprained an ankle in warm-up. She gave it a try in the first half. But the closely guarded Serb only managed one goal in addition to missing a penalty. Petrovic sat out the second half completely.
This was just what Viborg needed. The Dutch duo of Burgers and Mulder ignited the slumbering Viborg offense, and Slagelse began attracting costly 2-minute suspensions.
Taking one bad shot after another, Camilla Andersen failed to find her range. Anja Freser and Ausra Fridrikas were also having more and more difficulty with Louise Bager Nörgaard who had replaced Nicolas in the first half.
For the duration of 12 minutes in the beginning of the second half, Slagelse failed to score a single goal. And Ryan Zinglersen's more and more optimistic team suddenly found themselves in front 16-15 against a dazzled Slagelse squad.
The comeback kid on right wing, Valentina Radulovic, scored a couple of important goals to maintain contact with the reborn visitors. But it would not last. At 21-19, Viborg were ahead with two goals for the first time in the match.
Things got even worse for the shaken Champions League finalists when Olga Assink tagged in her first goal with less than 4 minutes to go, making it 24-20 for Viborg.
Slagelse desperately tried to instigate a figh-back, and they got back to within two goals. But all hope was lost when keeper Rikke Schmidt served an imprecise fastbreak pass with 60 seconds left.
Viborg ran out the clock in professional style. With 25-23 as the final score, they could celebrate a championship that had seemed totally unlikely after the rough beating endured in the first match of the playoff series - their 8th consecutive defeat at the hands of Slagelse.
With luck, fight and defensive skill, they earned a narrow win in Aarhus to force Slagelse into a third match. But Slagelse were still massive favourites to take the title - and even more so after the first 30 minutes.
In fact, one television commentator remarked that it would probably have been better for Viborg if they had drawn the second match to save them from the humiliation they were about to experience in Bröndby. Boy, was he wrong.
Slagelse FH - Viborg HK 23-25 (14-8)
Slagelse: Anja Freser 8, Mette Melgaard 5, Ausra Fridrikas 5, Valentina Radulovic 2, Camilla Andersen 2 (1), Bojana Petrovic 1.
Viborg: Katrine Fruelund 8 (5), Natasja Burgers 4, Saskia Mulder 4, Camilla Thorsen 2, Rikke Skov 2, Olga Assink 1, Henriette Mikkelsen 1, Leila Lejeune 1, Berit Kristensen 1, Charlotte Höjfeldt 1.
7-meters: 1/2, 5/7.
Suspensions: 4x2m, 4x2m.
Development: 3-2, 6-3, 8-3, 10-6, 13-7, 14-8 (HT), 15-12, 15-15, 16-16, 18-18, 20-23, 23-25 (FT).
Attendance: 3,816.
No Champions League Changes
The European Handball Federation did not pass a motion to change the women's Champion League format for the 2004/2005 season on the congress in Cyprus. It had been suggested to move to a system with six teams in three groups - which would result in four more matches at the group stage.
The Danish top clubs had all been against the change as they feared the schedule would be too packed with a domestic league to attend to as well.
The Danish top clubs had all been against the change as they feared the schedule would be too packed with a domestic league to attend to as well.
Tertnes Won't Go Away
Tertnes surprisingly forced Nordstrand into a third and decisive match for the Norwegian Championship after winning 23-22 (10-11) in Oslo on Saturday.
The Larvik slayers appeared out of contention after losing the first match at home 20-26. But a strong defense kept Nordstrand away from the gold medals for now. The favourites can however settle for a draw in the decider which is played today in Oslo.
Mette Ommundsen scored 6 goals for Tertnes, while Unni Nyhamar Hinkel netted 5 times for the home side.
The Larvik slayers appeared out of contention after losing the first match at home 20-26. But a strong defense kept Nordstrand away from the gold medals for now. The favourites can however settle for a draw in the decider which is played today in Oslo.
Mette Ommundsen scored 6 goals for Tertnes, while Unni Nyhamar Hinkel netted 5 times for the home side.
German Cup: Frankfurt vs. Nürnberg
Frankfurter HC are on course to winning the German double at the Final Four in Riesa. In the semifinal on Saturday, they once again took care of HC Leipzig, winning a comfortable 35-28 (17-9) to ease into the final.
A much more sturdy task awaits them there in the shape of 1. FC Nürnberg. Herbert Mülller's side crushed TV 05 Mainzlar 41-27 (20-15) after a goal-frenzy in the other semifinal.
Semifinals:
HC Leipzig - Frankfurter HC 28-35 (9-17)
Leipzig: Danilovic 9 (4), Jurack 5 (3), Albert 3, Pietzsch 2, Radzeviciute 2, Langkeit 2, Sörlie Lybekk 2, Reiche 1, Geheb 1, Wörz 1.
FHC: Szrnka 10, Spalviene 8, Urbanke-Rösicke 6 (1), Geschke 4, Tichonowitsch 4 (2), Sommerlund 3.
7-meters: 7/11, 3/4.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 6x2m.
Attendance: 2,000.
1. FC Nürnberg - TV 05 Mainzlar 41-27 (20-15)
Nürnberg: Ofenböck 10, Blacha 7, Strass 6, Tobiasz 6, Simakova 5 (4), Rohde 2, Klimankova 1, Jusiene 1, Schmid 1, Christenau 1 (1).
Mainzlar: Rebber 6, Ludmilova 6 (2), Grölz 4, Krtschil 3, Konietzny 2, König 2, Laurito 1, Treek 1.
7-meters: 5/6, 2/2.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 1,500.
A much more sturdy task awaits them there in the shape of 1. FC Nürnberg. Herbert Mülller's side crushed TV 05 Mainzlar 41-27 (20-15) after a goal-frenzy in the other semifinal.
Semifinals:
HC Leipzig - Frankfurter HC 28-35 (9-17)
Leipzig: Danilovic 9 (4), Jurack 5 (3), Albert 3, Pietzsch 2, Radzeviciute 2, Langkeit 2, Sörlie Lybekk 2, Reiche 1, Geheb 1, Wörz 1.
FHC: Szrnka 10, Spalviene 8, Urbanke-Rösicke 6 (1), Geschke 4, Tichonowitsch 4 (2), Sommerlund 3.
7-meters: 7/11, 3/4.
Suspensions: 2x2m, 6x2m.
Attendance: 2,000.
1. FC Nürnberg - TV 05 Mainzlar 41-27 (20-15)
Nürnberg: Ofenböck 10, Blacha 7, Strass 6, Tobiasz 6, Simakova 5 (4), Rohde 2, Klimankova 1, Jusiene 1, Schmid 1, Christenau 1 (1).
Mainzlar: Rebber 6, Ludmilova 6 (2), Grölz 4, Krtschil 3, Konietzny 2, König 2, Laurito 1, Treek 1.
7-meters: 5/6, 2/2.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 1,500.
May 8, 2004
Euro Hosts: Sweden and Macedonia
Sweden will host the 2006 Women's European Championship, while Macedonia will organize the same event in 2008. This was decided by the European Handball Federation on Saturday.
Women's 19 Draw
The 16 nations taking part in the Women's 19 European Championship were distributed in four groups at the Cyprus congress. The tournament takes place in the Czech Republic from July 30 to August 8, 2004 in the cities of Zlin and Olomouc.
Group A: Russia, Sweden, Portugal, France
Group B: Denmark, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland
Group C: Romania, Croatia, Spain, Serbia and Montenegro
Group D: Norway, Germany, Austria, Iceland
Group A: Russia, Sweden, Portugal, France
Group B: Denmark, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland
Group C: Romania, Croatia, Spain, Serbia and Montenegro
Group D: Norway, Germany, Austria, Iceland
Hypo: 28 in a Row
They may have arrived late. But when Hypo NÖ did show up, they left few unanswered questions. Hypo NÖ won their 28th Austrian Championship in succession on Friday after beating McDonald's Wiener Neustadt 32-25 (16-13) for a second time in the best-of-three series.Gabriela Rotis scored 9 times and was assisted by 6 goals from Dora Löwy. Alexandra Nascimento and Anda Bilobrk both hit 5.
After their Hungarian expedition earlier in the season, Hypo arrvied for the championship playoff on home soil in March and swept it clean to set up the final with Wiener Neustadt - which has become a refuge for former Hypo players.
Hypo had won the first match of the final 35-20 (19-11).
Gyõr Close in on Dunaferr
With Anita Görbicz in full swing, Gyõr grabbed a prestigious win against Dunaferr last night in the Hungarian Championship playoff. The home side won 26-22 (11-11) to close in on the title holders and gain momentum on Ferencváros in the battle for the important second place which could put them through to the Champions League.Anita Görbicz scored 9 times for Gyõr in a match with no fewer than 32 suspension minutes. Borbás - the replacement for the injured Ana Djokic - scored 6 times.
Bernadett Ferling and Ivett Nagy both came up with a pale 4 goals as the top scorers of the visiting side.
Ferencváros made no mistakes in their away match in Vác. They took control in the beginning of the second half and won 26-23 (11-11). Right wing Katarina Mraviková hit 5 goals for the winners, while Auguszta Mátyás landed 12 for the losers.
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Dunaferr SE 26-22 (11-11)
Gyõr: Görbicz 9 (3), Borbás 6, Mörtel 3, Mehlmann 3, Juhász 2, Bódi 1, Vérten 1, Kovacicová 1.
Dunaferr: Ferling 4, Nagy 4, Radulovics 3 (1), Bulath 3, Bohus 2, Kindl 2, Pigniczki 2, Kulcsár 1, Lovász 1.
7-meters: 3/3, 1/1.
Suspensions: 8x2m, 8x2m.
Attendance: 1,800.
Standings with two rounds remaining:
1. Dunaferr 10 p
2. Ferencváros 8 p
3. Győr 7 p
4. Vác 1 p
Ferencváros play Gyõr at home on Tuesday in a match of great significance. If the Budapest side win, they are guaranteed at least qualification to the Champions League. And they will still have a chance to win the championship on May 19th. A win for Gyõr almost certainly hands the title to Dunaferr - and it gives them the attractive second place in all likelihood.
France vs. Croatia: Closer
The second test match between France and Croatia turned out to be a whole lot closer than the first. The French world champions won 26-20 (14-10) in Dijon, but the Croatians were only two goals down with ten minutes to go.
Isabelle Wendling had an excellent match with 6 goals for the home side. In the Croatian team, it was mostly the keepers Knezovic and Jelcic that stood out, according to Handzone.
The countries meet again tomorrow for the third and final friendly match in Besancon.
France - Croatie 26 - 20 (14-10)
France: Jacques 7 (5), Wendling 6, Korfanty 4, Herbrecht 3, Vogein 3, Fiossonangaye 1, Guehl 1, Tervel 1.
Croatia: Pusic 4, Janes 4, Tatari 3 (1), Hrgovic 3 (1), Golubic 3, Horvat 2, Gace 1.
Isabelle Wendling had an excellent match with 6 goals for the home side. In the Croatian team, it was mostly the keepers Knezovic and Jelcic that stood out, according to Handzone.
The countries meet again tomorrow for the third and final friendly match in Besancon.
France - Croatie 26 - 20 (14-10)
France: Jacques 7 (5), Wendling 6, Korfanty 4, Herbrecht 3, Vogein 3, Fiossonangaye 1, Guehl 1, Tervel 1.
Croatia: Pusic 4, Janes 4, Tatari 3 (1), Hrgovic 3 (1), Golubic 3, Horvat 2, Gace 1.
Sönderjyske Fetch German Playmaker
According to Handball-World, Sönderjyske HK have signed a one-year deal with the German playmaker Randy Bülau from SC Buntekuh Lübeck.
Sönderjyske have been relegated and will play next season in a new, nationwide Division 1.
Sönderjyske have been relegated and will play next season in a new, nationwide Division 1.
Sommerlund Still a Frankfurter
Frankfurt/Oder's Danish pivot Maja Sommerlund has prolonged her contract with the newly-crowned German champions for an additional year, Handball-World reports. The former Skovbakken player is 29 years old.
Frankfurter HC have also come to terms with veteran Swede Madeleine Olsson for another season. But the loss of the retiring Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke will undoubtedly put a damper on their Champions League prospects.
Coach Thomas Hörlyk takes control of the team this summer as Dietmar Rösicke has decided to step down.
Frankfurter HC have also come to terms with veteran Swede Madeleine Olsson for another season. But the loss of the retiring Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke will undoubtedly put a damper on their Champions League prospects.
Coach Thomas Hörlyk takes control of the team this summer as Dietmar Rösicke has decided to step down.
Norwegian President
Tor Lian of Norway was elected as president of the European Handball Federation at the Ordinary EHF Congress on Cyprus. In the second election round he received 23 votes from the member federations as opposed to 22 for Jean Kaiser of Luxembourg.
First round:
Lian (NOR) 21
Kaiser (LUX) 13
Jankovic (SLO) 6
Güntzel (SUI) 5
Second round:
Lian (NOR) 23
Kaiser (LUX) 22
First round:
Lian (NOR) 21
Kaiser (LUX) 13
Jankovic (SLO) 6
Güntzel (SUI) 5
Second round:
Lian (NOR) 23
Kaiser (LUX) 22
May 6, 2004
Angry Larvik Snatch Bronze
Larvik HK rebounded from the disastrous events lately by slam-dunking Byaasen 42-23 (21-10) in the bronze final of the Norwegian Championship.
Haarsaker pounded in 11 goals and was assisted by 8 from Katja Nyberg and Tine Kristiansen. This was the farewell match of Lene Lillevik and Karen Brödsgaard.
Haarsaker pounded in 11 goals and was assisted by 8 from Katja Nyberg and Tine Kristiansen. This was the farewell match of Lene Lillevik and Karen Brödsgaard.
Korea Drop by Denmark
The Danish national team side will play two test matches against South Korea in late May. The first match against the bronze medalists from the World Championship takes place Thursday May 27 in Skive, while the second is played in Thisted the next day.
The clashes will serve as an interesting prelude to the Olympic Games where the two countries are grouped together.
The clashes will serve as an interesting prelude to the Olympic Games where the two countries are grouped together.
League Complete: Aarhus Remain
SK Aarhus left it late as usual. But on Thursday night they booked their tickets for another season in the league with a 23-17 away win in the second match against Tvis Holstebro.Aarhus were also victorious in the first encounter, and the make-up of the Danish Women's League for the 2004/2005 season is now complete.
Slagelse FH
Viborg HK
Ikast-Bording EH
Randers HK
GOG
Horsens HK
FCK Handball
Aalborg DH
Kolding IF
SK Aarhus
Team Esbjerg
TMS Ringsted
France Overran Croatia
Eurosport's highly welcome experiment of showing women's handball from Paris was kicked off yesterday. But it's hard to describe the friendly match between France and a very inexperienced Croatian side as anything but a disappointment.
With only the Danish legionnaries absent, the world champions were not far from their strongest outfit. And they proved far too strong against a team build around the Croatian side at last year's Junior World Championship.
The 37-26 (21-13) result for France was more flattering to the visitors than the match itself. The hosts were up 35-18 with 9 minutes left before Maida Arslanagic helped pull a few goals back for Croatia.
The first half looked promising when Croatia went ahead a surprising 7-6, but a time-out from Krumbholz changed the picture completely. France went on to score 8 times in a row as Croatia experienced a goal-less span of 10 minutes.
From then on, only the size of the victory was an issue.
With only the Danish legionnaries absent, the world champions were not far from their strongest outfit. And they proved far too strong against a team build around the Croatian side at last year's Junior World Championship.
The 37-26 (21-13) result for France was more flattering to the visitors than the match itself. The hosts were up 35-18 with 9 minutes left before Maida Arslanagic helped pull a few goals back for Croatia.
The first half looked promising when Croatia went ahead a surprising 7-6, but a time-out from Krumbholz changed the picture completely. France went on to score 8 times in a row as Croatia experienced a goal-less span of 10 minutes.
From then on, only the size of the victory was an issue.
Another All Star Team
First it was the coaches turn, this time the players selected their All Star team for the 2003/2004 season. Only difference, however, was the left wing position where the players preferred Viborg's Henriette Mikkelsen over Ikast's Line Daugaard.
Keeper: Rikke Schmidt (Slagelse)
Left wing: Henriette Mikkelsen (Viborg)
Left back: Bojana Petrovic (Slagelse)
Center back: Camilla Andersen (Slagelse)
Right back: Natasja Burgers (Viborg)
Right wing: Ragnhild Aamodt (GOG)
Pivot: Olga Assink (Viborg)
This is regarded as the "official" All Star team and was chosen by players from the top league and the two first divisions as well as Danish players abroad.
Keeper: Rikke Schmidt (Slagelse)
Left wing: Henriette Mikkelsen (Viborg)
Left back: Bojana Petrovic (Slagelse)
Center back: Camilla Andersen (Slagelse)
Right back: Natasja Burgers (Viborg)
Right wing: Ragnhild Aamodt (GOG)
Pivot: Olga Assink (Viborg)
This is regarded as the "official" All Star team and was chosen by players from the top league and the two first divisions as well as Danish players abroad.
Kolding - Still a League Club
Kolding IF also won the second playoff match against Silkeborg-Voel KFUM to comfortable guarantee themselves a place in the Danish Women's League for next season. Kolding won 28-26 in Silkeborg and remain afloat with a combined plus of 18 goals.
SK Aarhus can secure their stay tonight in Holstebro when they meet Tvis.
SK Aarhus can secure their stay tonight in Holstebro when they meet Tvis.
Nordstrand Almost There
Nordstrand have a clear path to the Norwegian title and a place in the Champions League after defeating Tertnes 26-20 (16-10) in the first final in Haukelandshallen in Bergen.
2,135 spectators had showed up to support the underdogs from Tertnes to victory, but the visitors from Oslo were not rattled. Nordstrand leapt to a 8-1 lead that Tertnes would never recover from.
They were down by 6 at half-time and never got closer than four goals in the second half. Mette Ommundsen scored 6 goals for Tertnes, while Randi Gustad and Anette Hovind Johansen both landed 5 for Nordstrand.
Nordstrand can secure the championship on Saturday in Oslo.
2,135 spectators had showed up to support the underdogs from Tertnes to victory, but the visitors from Oslo were not rattled. Nordstrand leapt to a 8-1 lead that Tertnes would never recover from.
They were down by 6 at half-time and never got closer than four goals in the second half. Mette Ommundsen scored 6 goals for Tertnes, while Randi Gustad and Anette Hovind Johansen both landed 5 for Nordstrand.
Nordstrand can secure the championship on Saturday in Oslo.
May 5, 2004
Assink Forces a Third Match
Viborg and Slagelse will need to go at it again on Sunday in Bröndby. In the second match in Aarhus, Viborg HK defeated Slagelse FH 20-19 (12-10) to tie the championship series at 2 points all.Olga Assink unleashed a fierce underhand shot from 11 meters that proved decisive with 27 seconds to go. Slagelse's left wing Stina Madsen had a chance to equalize in the next attack, but Valerie Nicolas blocked her attempt from close range.
The last minute was the only real silver lining to a match marred by technical faults and unreleting defenses. It was never rough or brutal, but it certainly wasn't pretty either.
In the middle of the first half, there wasn't a single goal scored in a span of more than 8 minutes. In fact, Viborg could afford a 12-minute goal drought without losing touch with the visitors.
Ryan Zinglersen made constant changes to his backcourt line, but curiously enough the most common feature was Olga Assink, normally a pivot, as playmaker. More curiously, the Dutch star was actually the most dangerous Viborg player, even in her new position.
Slagelse's attack has seldom looked worse. Ausra Fridrikas started the match well, while Petrovic scored the occassional big goal among a bunch of misses. But the rest is best forgotten - in the offensive department at least.
The keepers on both sides were all close to 50 in their save percentages, but none of them were particularly brilliant. The finishing was simply too mediocre, and the attacking creativity was notably absent.
But both teams can certainly pride themselves with rock-solid defenses.
Viborg HK - Slagelse FH 20-19 (12-10)
Viborg: Olga Assink 6, Katrine Fruelund 4 (3), Rikke Skov 2, Saskia Mulder 2, Berit Kristensen 2, Leila Lejeune 2 (1), Henriette Mikkelsen 1, Ann-Grete Nörregaard 1.
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 7, Camilla Andersen 4 (1), Ausra Fridrikas 3, Maja Mitrovic 2, Mette Melgaard 1, Stina Madsen 1, Anja Freser 1.
7-meters: 4/5, 1/2
Suspensions: 3x2m, 2x2m.
Attendance: 4,714.
Kolding Keep Myaro
Kolding IF's French star Nodjialem Myaro has decided to stay with the club, B.T. reports. After some difficulties adjusting in Ikast, she arrived in Kolding on a loan deal ahead of the season and has performed well throughout the year.
Kolding are currently in the midst of a relegation playoff, but should have no problems maintaining their stay. They won the first match against Silkeborg-Voel KFUM 33-17 and play the second and most likely decisive match tonight.
Kolding are currently in the midst of a relegation playoff, but should have no problems maintaining their stay. They won the first match against Silkeborg-Voel KFUM 33-17 and play the second and most likely decisive match tonight.
GOG: Kareeva and Suslina Official
GOG have finally made their signings with left back Anna Kareeva and keeper Inna Suslina public. Both Russians are from Lada Togliatti and have national team experience.
Norway: Kristine Lunde Player of the Year
Kristine Lunde from Vaag Vipers has been named "Player of the Year" in Norway after a vote among her colleagues in the Norwegian league. Lunde earned 35 percent of the votes, finishing far ahead of the Nordstrand pivot Randi Gustad who took second place.
Kristine Lunde, who teams up with Aalborg DH next season, was surprisingly nominated as World Handballer 2003. That vote closed on May 1st.
Norwegian All Star team for the 2003/2004 season:
Keeper: Lene Rantala (Larvik)
Left wing: Kari Mette Johansen (Larvik)
Left back: Katja Nyberg (Larvik)
Center back: Kristine Lunde (Vaag)
Right back: Vigdis Haarsaker (Larvik)
Right wing: Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (Larvik)
Pivot: Randi Gustad (Nordstrand)
Kristine Lunde, who teams up with Aalborg DH next season, was surprisingly nominated as World Handballer 2003. That vote closed on May 1st.
Norwegian All Star team for the 2003/2004 season:
Keeper: Lene Rantala (Larvik)
Left wing: Kari Mette Johansen (Larvik)
Left back: Katja Nyberg (Larvik)
Center back: Kristine Lunde (Vaag)
Right back: Vigdis Haarsaker (Larvik)
Right wing: Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth (Larvik)
Pivot: Randi Gustad (Nordstrand)
May 4, 2004
Trefilov Sacked in Togliatti
Evgeni Trefilov was fired from his job as head coach of the Russian champions Lada Togliatti yesterday. Manager Vitali Krohin takes charge for the deciding league matches of the season.
Lada are locked in tight battle with Akva Volgograd, but the squad has been brimming with unrest as the relationship between the coach and certain players has become more and more strained.
Evgeni Trefilov is the national team coach of Russia and steered his team to victory at the World Championship in 2001 in Italy.
Update (11-05-2004): This story is false.
Lada are locked in tight battle with Akva Volgograd, but the squad has been brimming with unrest as the relationship between the coach and certain players has become more and more strained.
Evgeni Trefilov is the national team coach of Russia and steered his team to victory at the World Championship in 2001 in Italy.
Update (11-05-2004): This story is false.
Carmen Amariei Joins Randers
Besancon's left back Carmen Amariei will be part of a strong contingent of Romanian players in Randers HK next season. The 1999 World Championship top scorer was publicized as one of the club's five new players on Tuesday.Another prominent Romanian from the French league, keeper Ionica Munteanu from Le Havre, was also confirmed as a new face in the Randers stable. And so was the 22-year-old national team player Mihaela Senocico from Cluj.
Randers also sprung a surprise in the shape of Anja Nielsen. The right wing returns to Danish handball after a year on Iceland with Vestmannaeyjar.
Youth national team player Karina Jörgensen from Randers' own stable was the fifth player introduced. Previously, the club has announced signings with Fox Team Nord's Olga Hoffmann and Heidi Johansen.
Viborg's young playmaker Berit Kristensen is said to have reached an agreement with the club as well, but her transfer will not be made public until later this week.
Viborg Handicapped
Viborg coach Ryan Zinglersen is not counting on the services of right backs Natasja Burgers and Helga Nemeth for the return leg against Slagelse tomorrow, he tells B.T.
Burgers left court in the first half of the first encounter after her troubled knee began to bother her. Helga Nemeth is battling a recurring ankle problem.
Burgers left court in the first half of the first encounter after her troubled knee began to bother her. Helga Nemeth is battling a recurring ankle problem.
Challenge Trophy: Italy on Top
Host nation Italy won the third edition of the Challenge Trophy with a 30-22 (16-10) win over Faroe Islands in the final. Finland finished third after defeating Israel.
The tournament was played over the weekend and is aimed at minor European handball nations. In addition to being top scorer with 38 goals, Elena Barani of Italy was named best player of the tournament.
The All Star team was made up as such:
Goalkeeper: Niky Honba (BEL)
Left Wing: Aura Freichman (ISR)
Left back: Silvia Scamperle (ITA)
Middle Back: Anette Tallqvist (FIN)
Line Player: Gunnleyg Berg (FAR)
Right Back: Simona Hansen (FAR)
Right Wing: Laure Oliveri (ITA)
The tournament was played over the weekend and is aimed at minor European handball nations. In addition to being top scorer with 38 goals, Elena Barani of Italy was named best player of the tournament.
The All Star team was made up as such:
Goalkeeper: Niky Honba (BEL)
Left Wing: Aura Freichman (ISR)
Left back: Silvia Scamperle (ITA)
Middle Back: Anette Tallqvist (FIN)
Line Player: Gunnleyg Berg (FAR)
Right Back: Simona Hansen (FAR)
Right Wing: Laure Oliveri (ITA)
May 3, 2004
Visual Handball
FTC Handball has uploaded another fine gallery, this time from the Sunday match between Ferencváros and Dunaferr that saw Radulovics back in action.As an extra feature, now you can also purchase photos from their vast and exclusive collection of handball pictures, which is perhaps the largest on the net.
Rosenkilde, a Danish photographer with an understandable appreciation of Ikast-Bording, has also been busy. His latest batch of pictures is from a sponsor event involving bicycles. Clearly a sweaty experience, but this is what you get when the managing director is an ex-pro.
I'm not sure if you can buy prints at Webshots where the pictures are located, but this would be a good way to support the photographer and his expensive hobby if you are really dying to get a picture of Karin Mortensen on your refrigerator.
German Top Scorers 2003/2004
One veteran edged another in the top scorer standings for the Bundesliga. And they are both set to retire after this season. Monika Ludmilova (179 goals) and Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke (176).If we are unkind enough to subtract penalties, Maren Baumbach and Stephanie Ofenböck both pass the aging hard-hitters with 125 action goals each.
Monika Ludmilova (picture) has stayed faithful to Mainzlar since 1990 and finishes an outstanding career as one of the best players to ever grace the women's Bundesliga. This is her fifth season as goal scoring queen of the Bundesliga for the soon-to-be 37-year-old.
Ludmilova has played over 200 national team matches for the Czech Republic, representing her country as far back as the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
1. Monika Ludmilova (TV 05 Mainzlar) 179 (59)
2. Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke (Frankfurt/Oder) 176 (56)
3. Nadine Krause (Bayer Leverkusen) 164 (45)
4. Grit Jurack (HC Leipzig) 161 (43)
5. Maren Baumbach (Trier) 127 (2)
6. Svetlana Mozgovaia (Trier) 126 (35)
7. Stephanie Ofenböck (Nürnberg) 125 (0)
8. Irina Pusic (Dortmund) 123 (35)
9. Corina Christenau (Nürnberg) 121 (45)
10. Diane Lamein (Lützellinden) 121 (43)
Handball on Eurosport
Mark your calendars: France vs. Croatia (friendly match for women!) - live on Wednesday on Eurosport at 18:00 CET.You better believe it. For the first time since I don't know when, Eurosport has decided to broadcast one of the great classical European team sports.
A sport that for long has escaped the network's attention in favour of snooker, equestrian races, and strong man competitions.
But perhaps we are seeing a lessening of the Anglo-bias at last. On continental Europe, there are actually only a very few nations that are completely oblivious to the sport.
Podravka's Dramatic Cup Victory
Podravka Vegeta grabbed the Croatian cup tournament after a nail-biting final against Tvin Trgocentar which was decided in a penalty shoot-out after a 35-35 (17-16) draw in regular time.
Podravka's Andrijana Budimir forced the shoot-put in Virovitica after hitting the equalizing goal in the last second. After 5 rounds of penalties, the match was still tied at 38-38 and it took further shots to find a winner.
Budimir scored what proved to be the decider to 42-41 as Barbara Stancin went on to block the next shot from Tvin's Martina Raguz.
Gabriela Tanase was Podravka's top scorer with 13 goals in regular time. With 14 goals in the first 60 minutes, the unfortunate Martina Raguz could not be blamed for the defeat despite two misses in the penalty shoot-out.
Podravka's Andrijana Budimir forced the shoot-put in Virovitica after hitting the equalizing goal in the last second. After 5 rounds of penalties, the match was still tied at 38-38 and it took further shots to find a winner.
Budimir scored what proved to be the decider to 42-41 as Barbara Stancin went on to block the next shot from Tvin's Martina Raguz.
Gabriela Tanase was Podravka's top scorer with 13 goals in regular time. With 14 goals in the first 60 minutes, the unfortunate Martina Raguz could not be blamed for the defeat despite two misses in the penalty shoot-out.
May 2, 2004
Slagelse in a Punishing Mood
Slagelse continued where they left off in the Champions League. With a staunch defense and aggressive counter-attacking, the defending Danish champions pounded Viborg HK 36-26 (17-13) in Bröndbyhallen.
The visitors could only keep contact with Anja Andersen's side for 10 minutes as the absence of Lotte Kiärskou began to show in attack. Mediocre finishing and an array of technical errors opened up the fastbreak floodgates, and particularly Fridrikas proved an effective weapon in this phase of the game.
With 5 goals in a rows from the defending champions, Slagelse went from 4-5 to 9-5 within a few minutes. Taking over the job as playmaker, Fruelund exited from court after cutting her lip in the middle of the first half.
Things were already going awry for Viborg at this point, but Ryan Zinglersen was now forced to bring on inexperienced players like Berit Kristensen and Trine Troelsen. Going up 14-8 after 25 minutes, Slagelse appeared to be giving the visitors a first half treatment like the one endured by Dunaferr last weekend.
But as Leila Lejeune came on to replace a struggling Rikke Skov on left back, Viborg's attack was revitalized and they escaped to half-time down just 4 goals, 17-13.
At the beginning of the second half, the 4,410 spectators could witness the match getting even tighter as Viborg came within two goals, 19-17. Bit with Lejeune and Mikkelsen as the only consistent threats, this was just a temporary relieve for the greens.
Closely guarded for most of the match, Bojana Petrovic began the match slowly by missing three of the first four shots and then burning a penalty. But "bad match" is apparently not a word in the dictionary of the Serbian star and she came on in full force in the second half, landing bombs and spraying assists in the usual style.
Both Slagelse pivots continued their recent good showings. Maja Mitrovic could have scored the most spectacular goal of the season, but unfortunately overstepped as she made an acrobatic flip that passed Nicolas via the crossbar.
After a 10-2 run for the home side, Slagelse could jump from 19-17 to a damning 26-19. A humbled Viborg side could only fight to limit the defeat. Valerie Nicolas, replacing Bager after 41 minutes, did her part as she won a direct one-on-one confrontation with countrywoman Stephanie Cano three times in a row.
Slagelse have now won 7 matches in a row against Viborg, and it's hard to see how that streak is going to end on Wednesday in Aarhus for the return leg. As goal score is irrelevant, Viborg can force a third encounter on Slagelse's home court if they get both points.
Danish Championship final, 1st match:
Slagelse FH - Viborg HK 36-26 (17-13)
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 9 (1), Ausra Fridrikas 8, Maja Mitrovic 5, Anja Freser 4, Mette Melgaard 4, Camilla Andersen 4 (2), Stephanie Cano 2.
Viborg: Leila Lejeune 9 (4), Henriette Mikkelsen 5, Rikke Skov 3, Trine Troelsen 3, Saskia Mulder 3, Olga Assink 2, Natasja Burgers 1.
7-meters: 3/4, 4/5.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 1x2m.
Attendance: 4,410
The visitors could only keep contact with Anja Andersen's side for 10 minutes as the absence of Lotte Kiärskou began to show in attack. Mediocre finishing and an array of technical errors opened up the fastbreak floodgates, and particularly Fridrikas proved an effective weapon in this phase of the game.
With 5 goals in a rows from the defending champions, Slagelse went from 4-5 to 9-5 within a few minutes. Taking over the job as playmaker, Fruelund exited from court after cutting her lip in the middle of the first half.
Things were already going awry for Viborg at this point, but Ryan Zinglersen was now forced to bring on inexperienced players like Berit Kristensen and Trine Troelsen. Going up 14-8 after 25 minutes, Slagelse appeared to be giving the visitors a first half treatment like the one endured by Dunaferr last weekend.
But as Leila Lejeune came on to replace a struggling Rikke Skov on left back, Viborg's attack was revitalized and they escaped to half-time down just 4 goals, 17-13.
At the beginning of the second half, the 4,410 spectators could witness the match getting even tighter as Viborg came within two goals, 19-17. Bit with Lejeune and Mikkelsen as the only consistent threats, this was just a temporary relieve for the greens.
Closely guarded for most of the match, Bojana Petrovic began the match slowly by missing three of the first four shots and then burning a penalty. But "bad match" is apparently not a word in the dictionary of the Serbian star and she came on in full force in the second half, landing bombs and spraying assists in the usual style.
Both Slagelse pivots continued their recent good showings. Maja Mitrovic could have scored the most spectacular goal of the season, but unfortunately overstepped as she made an acrobatic flip that passed Nicolas via the crossbar.
After a 10-2 run for the home side, Slagelse could jump from 19-17 to a damning 26-19. A humbled Viborg side could only fight to limit the defeat. Valerie Nicolas, replacing Bager after 41 minutes, did her part as she won a direct one-on-one confrontation with countrywoman Stephanie Cano three times in a row.
Slagelse have now won 7 matches in a row against Viborg, and it's hard to see how that streak is going to end on Wednesday in Aarhus for the return leg. As goal score is irrelevant, Viborg can force a third encounter on Slagelse's home court if they get both points.
Danish Championship final, 1st match:
Slagelse FH - Viborg HK 36-26 (17-13)
Slagelse: Bojana Petrovic 9 (1), Ausra Fridrikas 8, Maja Mitrovic 5, Anja Freser 4, Mette Melgaard 4, Camilla Andersen 4 (2), Stephanie Cano 2.
Viborg: Leila Lejeune 9 (4), Henriette Mikkelsen 5, Rikke Skov 3, Trine Troelsen 3, Saskia Mulder 3, Olga Assink 2, Natasja Burgers 1.
7-meters: 3/4, 4/5.
Suspensions: 1x2m, 1x2m.
Attendance: 4,410
Larvik Knocked Out
There will be no Champions League for one of the strongest teams in Europe. Larvik's first loss for more than three years proved fatal. Tertnes hung on to their 12-goal lead from the first semifinal and escaped from Bergslihallen with a 34-23 (15-11) defeat on Sunday.
Tertnes progress to the Norwegian Championship final with a 55-54 victory on aggregate. There they clash with Nordstrand who settled for a modest 22-22 draw in Oslo against Byaasen. But they had done all the work in the first encounter and now appear like the favourites for the championship.
The winner of the final reaches the Champions League directly, while the runner-up goes into qualification. Having won the Norwegian cup mid-season, Larvik enter the Cup Winner's Cup.
Tertnes progress to the Norwegian Championship final with a 55-54 victory on aggregate. There they clash with Nordstrand who settled for a modest 22-22 draw in Oslo against Byaasen. But they had done all the work in the first encounter and now appear like the favourites for the championship.
The winner of the final reaches the Champions League directly, while the runner-up goes into qualification. Having won the Norwegian cup mid-season, Larvik enter the Cup Winner's Cup.
Dunaferr in Control
It will take something extraordinary to deny Dunaferr the Hungarian Championship. The title holders thwarted Ferencváros' plans to upset them on Sunday by winning 25-22 (11-14) in Budapest after a strong second half.
After the unfortunate incident in Denmark, Bojana Radulovics returned to court in style by netting 7 times. Bernadett Ferling racked up 8 goals for the vistiting team, while Timea Tóth and Lucia Uhrakova scored five apiece for FTC.
Dunaferr now hold a four-point edge over the Ferencváros side with just three rounds to go of the playoff. Gyõr are one point adrift in third place, but they were made to work hard by Vác, only winning a slim 31-30 (16-15) in this away match.
After the unfortunate incident in Denmark, Bojana Radulovics returned to court in style by netting 7 times. Bernadett Ferling racked up 8 goals for the vistiting team, while Timea Tóth and Lucia Uhrakova scored five apiece for FTC.
Dunaferr now hold a four-point edge over the Ferencváros side with just three rounds to go of the playoff. Gyõr are one point adrift in third place, but they were made to work hard by Vác, only winning a slim 31-30 (16-15) in this away match.
Frankfurt Capture Bundesliga Crown
Frankfurt/Oder secured the German Championship on Saturday with a clear-cut 31-23 (19-10) away victory over TV Lützellinden in the 22nd and final round.An impressive feat from the Frankfurters who went on a decisive 6-0 run in the first half that put them up 9-3. Playmaker Lina Spalviene again emphasized her qualities with 9 goals, while the unstoppable veteran Bianca Urbanke-Rösicke (picture) netted 7 times to cap off a tremendous season.
The 1993 world champion has declared an end to her long and glorious career after this season. And what a way to finish it for the 36-year-old left-hander. She can celebrate the Bundesliga title together with her husband Dietmar Rösicke who coached the team to success.
1. FC Nürnberg took a well-deserved second place after taking out the star-studded HC Leipzig side 37-32 (19-13) in the Arena Leipzig. Without their disputed 4-point deduction, Nürnberg would only have been one point behind Frankfurter HC in the table, but their appeal is now insignificant.
But it says a lot for their season that they can still finish with silver in their hands despite this subtraction. Milica Danilovic scored 9, while Grit Jurack hit 7 for the disappointing Leipzig side in the final league match of the season.
Corina Christeanu grabbed 8 goals for Nürnberg who also have a Challenge Cup final to look forward to. But the Final Four of the German Cup is also on the schedule next weekend.
The last chance for HC Leipzig to redeem themselves. They square off with the new-crowned champions in one of the semifinals, but judging by their current form they will need a minor miracle to pull it off.
Referees Selected
The EHF has selected the referees for the four European Cup finals. First mentioned pair takes care of the first leg.
Slagelse FH - Krim Ljubljana
Baum/Goralczyk (POL) and Fernandez Pineiro/Permuy Villanueva (ESP)
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Viborg HK
Ehrmann/Künzig (GER) and Maric/Gardinovacki (SCG)
Hypo NÖ - Ikast-Bording EH
Liachovicius/Paskevicius (LTU) and Migas/Bavas (GRE)
1. FC Nürnberg - Universitatea Remin Deva
Nachevski/Nachevski (MKD) and Falcone/Rätz (SUI)
Slagelse FH - Krim Ljubljana
Baum/Goralczyk (POL) and Fernandez Pineiro/Permuy Villanueva (ESP)
Gyõri Graboplast ETO KC - Viborg HK
Ehrmann/Künzig (GER) and Maric/Gardinovacki (SCG)
Hypo NÖ - Ikast-Bording EH
Liachovicius/Paskevicius (LTU) and Migas/Bavas (GRE)
1. FC Nürnberg - Universitatea Remin Deva
Nachevski/Nachevski (MKD) and Falcone/Rätz (SUI)
Podravka Deny Lokomotiva
The Final Four of the Croatian Cup is staged this weekend. Podravka Vegeta clinched a berth in the final after scraping past Lokomotiva Zagreb 22-21 (10-12) on Saturday in a much-anticipated semifinal.The match gave a solid indication that a strong challenge from Lokomotiva can also be expected in the national championship playoffs later on.
Ljerka Vresk (picture) scored 7 times for the Koprivnica-based side as her team's top scorer. Andrijana Budimir contributed with a modest 3 goals, but chose the crucial moments at the end of the match to land them.
Zagreb's young danger woman Maida Arslanagic smacked in 9 goals and was the best player in her side along with keeper Ivana Jelcic who had 12 saves.
Podravka go up against Tvin Trgocentar in the final today.
Krim Get Central European Invitation
The Slovenian powerhouse Krim Ljubljana have been invited to join a Central European cup tournament that is currently in the making. It will also feature the four strongest Hungarian clubs as well as Hypo NÖ.
Krim Ljubljana are said to have reacted favourably to the invitation from Hungary. The first edition is to be played next season.
Krim Ljubljana are said to have reacted favourably to the invitation from Hungary. The first edition is to be played next season.
Radulovic Vows Return
According to a statement by Slagelse president Bjarne Stenbäk in Själlands Tidende, the club's extravagant left wing Valentina Radulovic has pledged a comeback for the Champions League finals after a long-term injury. She is, however, not ready to partake in the Danish Championship finals today and Wednesday.
May 1, 2004
Viborg Go Out of Town
Viborg HK's management has decided to relocate the EHF Cup final on May 23 to the Atletion Arena in Aarhus. Viborg are also playing their home match in the Danish championship final in Aarhus to meet the ticket demand.
Aarhus lies 65 km southeast of Viborg, and fans have chastized the club for moving out of town again. As a response, Viborg will arrange free bus transportation between the two cities.
The Atletion Arena hosted the European Championship final in 2002 and holds roughly 5,000 spectators.
Aarhus lies 65 km southeast of Viborg, and fans have chastized the club for moving out of town again. As a response, Viborg will arrange free bus transportation between the two cities.
The Atletion Arena hosted the European Championship final in 2002 and holds roughly 5,000 spectators.
Gjekstad in the Dark
Even Larvik themselves are not up-to-date with the new Norwegian league system. Coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad seemed to believe that the club had already secured at least a qualification berth for the Champions League with first place in the regular season.
But a rule check confirmed the worst. Only the two championship finalists earn the coveted spots. This only heightened the disappointment after the humiliation in Tertnes that could turn the season into a disaster.
"We made serious mistakes in all aspects of the game. Karen Brödsgaard did well. But that's it. A lot of national team players must be ashamed of how they performed on court. We are all ashamed. Including me," Gjekstad tells Verdens Gang.
Larvik beat Tertnes with 16 goals in January, and another huge win is now a requirement. But Katja Nyberg, who was banned for the first semifinal leg, is slightly skeptical about the prospects.
"We have lacked flow in our game for a long time. The quarterfinals against Kometal Skopje were the only exception."
But a rule check confirmed the worst. Only the two championship finalists earn the coveted spots. This only heightened the disappointment after the humiliation in Tertnes that could turn the season into a disaster.
"We made serious mistakes in all aspects of the game. Karen Brödsgaard did well. But that's it. A lot of national team players must be ashamed of how they performed on court. We are all ashamed. Including me," Gjekstad tells Verdens Gang.
Larvik beat Tertnes with 16 goals in January, and another huge win is now a requirement. But Katja Nyberg, who was banned for the first semifinal leg, is slightly skeptical about the prospects.
"We have lacked flow in our game for a long time. The quarterfinals against Kometal Skopje were the only exception."
Bubalo Signs Off
One of the best Croatian players over the last decades has decided to retire. The 34-year-old Klaudija Bubalo is ending her career with Brodosplit Vranjic immediately.She has now returned to her native Zagreb to serve as technical director with Lokomotiva (formerly Kras) Zagreb. Here she hooks up with former national team colleague Elena Nemaskalo who is the club's assistant coach.
Bubalo, who had a recent stay with Metz in France, took part in the World Championship last year for the host nation. She retired from the national team after that event. Klaudija Bubalo has played 164 matches for Croatia.
Romanian Duo to Gyõr
Gyõr will have a strong Romanian presence in the squad next season. In addition to Aurelia Bradeanu, the experienced Simona Gogirla from the Spanish side Itxako Estella is also set to reinforce the EHF Cup finalists, Gazeta Sporturilor reports.
The 29-year-old Gogirla points to Gyõr's superstar playmaker Anita Görbicz as one of the reasons for the transfer.
The same media outlet also mentions that Podravka Vegeta's Ionela Gilca is still looking for a new French destination. Nimes and Dijon seem like the most likely choices for the pivot.
The 29-year-old Gogirla points to Gyõr's superstar playmaker Anita Görbicz as one of the reasons for the transfer.
The same media outlet also mentions that Podravka Vegeta's Ionela Gilca is still looking for a new French destination. Nimes and Dijon seem like the most likely choices for the pivot.
Nordstrand Ace to GOG
The 24-year-old Norwegian national team player Anette Hovind Johansen is moving from Nordstrand to GOG on a two-year contract.
The tall left back with 41 caps for Norway is described as a "world class player" on the web site of GOG.
The tall left back with 41 caps for Norway is described as a "world class player" on the web site of GOG.
Hosts to be Appointed
The 7th Ordinary EHF Congress on May 7/8 will also decide on the hosts for the next two European Championships.
Candidates
2006: Denmark, Macedonia, Sweden.
2008: Denmark, Macedonia, Sweden, Portugal.
Denmark is also in the running for two men's championships and can easily lose out in the women's section. Sweden ought to be a safe bet - and not only as a gesture to Holmqvist.
After a few disappointments, women's handball could need a boost. The sport has the potential to attract a very large audience, like the women's football silver medalists, if it gets a kick start.
Macedonia hosted a successful Junior World Championship and also looks like a strong bidder.
The congress will also treat motions from Belarus and Lithuania to introduce European B Championships. Another idea in the making is the so-called European Nations' Trophy, intended to be a minor supplement to the major championships for national teams.
Another motion to consider is the introduction of a group round in the Challenge Cup. Three or four clubs will shoot it out over a weekend. From round two it will continue under the normal knock-out system.
Candidates
2006: Denmark, Macedonia, Sweden.
2008: Denmark, Macedonia, Sweden, Portugal.
Denmark is also in the running for two men's championships and can easily lose out in the women's section. Sweden ought to be a safe bet - and not only as a gesture to Holmqvist.
After a few disappointments, women's handball could need a boost. The sport has the potential to attract a very large audience, like the women's football silver medalists, if it gets a kick start.
Macedonia hosted a successful Junior World Championship and also looks like a strong bidder.
The congress will also treat motions from Belarus and Lithuania to introduce European B Championships. Another idea in the making is the so-called European Nations' Trophy, intended to be a minor supplement to the major championships for national teams.
Another motion to consider is the introduction of a group round in the Challenge Cup. Three or four clubs will shoot it out over a weekend. From round two it will continue under the normal knock-out system.
Congratulations!
Welcome to Europe (like you weren't here already!) to the new member states of the European Union. This has a few repercussions for handball as well, of course. But only on a minor scale. At least for now.
Now you just need to start whining about the curvature legislation on cucumbers and similar specific EU demands - like certain old members have been doing ever since joining the "Bureaucracy in Bruxelles" - to prove that you have arrived and mean business.
Now you just need to start whining about the curvature legislation on cucumbers and similar specific EU demands - like certain old members have been doing ever since joining the "Bureaucracy in Bruxelles" - to prove that you have arrived and mean business.
Holmqvist Endorses Video
EHF president Staffan Holmqvist is supporting the use of video evidence to take subsequent disciplinary action against violent offenses overlooked by the referees in the heat of battle.
The outgoing president told Danish TV2 that he will make sure the issue is addressed at the EHF congress in Cyprus.
The television station showed Holmqvist a particular brutal example of an irregular tackle that went completely unpunished, the one endured by Sanja Jovovic in Podgorica, and he was visibly distraught.
Having spent a maximum three terms in office, the Swede is now forced to step down from his position. Four candidates are nominated to replace him:
Jean Kaiser (LUX), Tor Lian (NOR), Zoran Jankovic (SLO), Karl Güntzel (SUI).
It's good to see that the "Scandinavian mafia" has someone lined up as the new kingpin. That was a joke. Don't sue me.
The outgoing president told Danish TV2 that he will make sure the issue is addressed at the EHF congress in Cyprus.
The television station showed Holmqvist a particular brutal example of an irregular tackle that went completely unpunished, the one endured by Sanja Jovovic in Podgorica, and he was visibly distraught.
Having spent a maximum three terms in office, the Swede is now forced to step down from his position. Four candidates are nominated to replace him:
Jean Kaiser (LUX), Tor Lian (NOR), Zoran Jankovic (SLO), Karl Güntzel (SUI).
It's good to see that the "Scandinavian mafia" has someone lined up as the new kingpin. That was a joke. Don't sue me.
EHF: New CL Format Proposed
A motion to change the current Champions League format for women will be handled at the Ordinary Congress of the European Handball Federation next weekend where all 46 member federations take part.
The content of the motion:
Changes to the Womens Champions League Playing system to include three groups of 6 teams in the group match phase. The teams ranked first and second in each group will go through to the ¼ finals plus the overall best ranked third placed team from the group matches.
A modest expansion of just two teams, but an increase in the number of group matches from 6 to 10. Which should mean a begin to the tournament around November to avoid a cramped schedule in early 2005
Leaving out one of the third-placed clubs after a meaningless comparison with the other groups seems arbitrary as the groups will always differ in difficulty.
With as many as six teams in a group, you also run the risk that some of them are out of contention after 7-8 rounds, upsetting the sporting balance of a group and causing disinterest among the public for some of the concluding matches.
The more compact current format generally stays exciting much longer.
Making such drastic changes just to put two extra teams into the tournament seems far-fetched, and one can only hope that the motion in each current form is rejected.
Maintaining the four groups, but adding a fifth club into each, would seem like a much more viable solution. Or just keeping it as it is.
The content of the motion:
Changes to the Womens Champions League Playing system to include three groups of 6 teams in the group match phase. The teams ranked first and second in each group will go through to the ¼ finals plus the overall best ranked third placed team from the group matches.
A modest expansion of just two teams, but an increase in the number of group matches from 6 to 10. Which should mean a begin to the tournament around November to avoid a cramped schedule in early 2005
Leaving out one of the third-placed clubs after a meaningless comparison with the other groups seems arbitrary as the groups will always differ in difficulty.
With as many as six teams in a group, you also run the risk that some of them are out of contention after 7-8 rounds, upsetting the sporting balance of a group and causing disinterest among the public for some of the concluding matches.
The more compact current format generally stays exciting much longer.
Making such drastic changes just to put two extra teams into the tournament seems far-fetched, and one can only hope that the motion in each current form is rejected.
Maintaining the four groups, but adding a fifth club into each, would seem like a much more viable solution. Or just keeping it as it is.
![[Powered by Blogger]](http://buttons.blogger.com/bloggerbutton1.gif){kind=small}
