Official: Karabatic and Kavticnik leaving Kiel

The website of THW Kiel has just confirmed the news that has been circulating in the international handball media for weeks now: two stars of the team will join Montpellier HB.

A short statement posted on www.thw-provinzial.de announces that the French World, European and Olympic Champion Nikola Karabatic and the Slovenian right winger, Vid Kavticnik have played their last international games for THW Kiel in Spain and will join the French champion Montpellier despite their contracts valid until 2012.

Coach of THW Kiel, Alfred Gislasson, comments as follows:

“It would have been nice to keep the team together, but it does not make sense anymore.”

The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed by the two clubs involved.

Ilic and Sprenger arrive

The Kiel fans may feel somewhat disappointed for losing two extraordinary talents. In order to rebuild a strong team in Kiel, the management have already tried to replace the two players.

Left back Momir Ilic will join THW Kiel from VfL Gummersbach. The 27-year old Serbian has just lifted the EHF Cup trophy on Monday evening. He should fill the gap left by Karabatic.

The replacement of Kavticnik will be Christian Sprenger. The 26-year old German national player was earlier coached by Gislasson who puts his confidence once again in the right winger coming from Magdeburg.