Only three days before the big EHF Champions League clash between C.S. Oltchim Ramnicu Valcea (ROU) and Buducnost Podgorica (MNE), the Romanian team surprised with a move that amazed their fans, the players and the entire European handball.

The Romanian champions presented 41-year-old Danish handball legend Anja Andersen as their new coach. The trainer exchange has immediate effect, therefore Andersen replaces former coach Péter Kovács in Oltchim’s hot seat from now on.

“I’m proud to having become Oltchim’s coach. I know Romanian handball quite well and must say that this team has tremendous potential. My goal is to win the EHF Champions League this season, and to bring Oltchim to a higher level,” Andersen said when she was presented in Ramnicu Valcea.

According to Romanian media and Andersen herself, the Danish coach has signed a 4-month contract, with an option to prolong one year if everything works as planned. Anja has already had contact with the players during her first training session, which was closed to the press and the fans.

Former coach, Péter Kovács, was very surprised after hearing the news, which was released officially to the press via Oltchim’s website. “I am shocked, but I will not leave Valcea tomorrow. I haven’t spoken to any Oltchim officials yet,” said Kovács.

Until Thursday he conducted all the training sessions and also led Oltchim to victory in the Romanian League against Rulmentul Brasov on Wednesday.

Last season’s EHF Champions League runners-up Oltchim Valcea’s Main Round opener against the strong team from Montenegro will be broadcast as a free-of-charge live web stream on ehfTV.com.

EHF Women’s Champions League 2010/11, Main Round, Round 1
Sunday 06 February 2011, 18:00 hrs (local time)
C.S. “Oltchim” Rm. Valcea (ROU) vs. Buducnost Podgorica (MNE)

ehfTV.com is the official Internet TV platform of the European Handball Federation and offers free live streaming as well as a video on demand service.