Renovalia Ciudad Real in Doha

Since Saturday eight teams are competing at the fifth edition of the “Club’s World Championship”, called IHF Super Globe. One of them are VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants Renovalia Ciudad Real, qualified for the tournament in Doha, Qatar, as the reigning champions.

The second European team are VELUX EHF Champions League champions THW Kiel, which will miss this year’s edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 after losing to FC Barcelona Borges in the Quarterfinals. Kiel are at the IHF Super Globe in Doha for the first time.

Both European teams cannot meet before the Final Day with the Final and the Placement matches, as they were divided before the draw.

Renovalia Ciudad Real, two times Super Globe winner (2007, 2010) will face hosts Al-Sadd (Qatar), El-Zamalek (Egypt, African Champions League winner) and AHF Southern Stars (Australia, Oceania) in the Preliminary Round.

THW Kiel meet Al-Sad (Lebanon, Asian Champions League winner), Esporte Pinheiros from Brazil (Pan American representative) and the “wild card team” Al-Rayyan from Qatar.

As all experts expect a final between the two European teams, Renovalia Ciudad Real coach Talant Dujshebaev is aware: “We have respect for all opponents. You never know what players those teams from the Gulf Region sign for this tournament. But we are going to defend our title – and get well prepared for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. As we face tough opponents this is a good start for the preparation. The 2011 tournament in Qatar is better than ever, and Doha is a perfect test for Cologne.”

Renovalia Ciudad Real player Alberto Entrerrios shares this opinion: “We are going to win this title, but it has a great importance to get ready for the VELUX EHF FINAL4.”

Like in last year a huge number of European top players are expected to be part of the Gulf teams, being signed on short term contracts just for the tournament. The Preliminary Round of the IHF Super Globe is played from Saturday to Monday, the “day of decisions” will follow on Wednesday 18 May 2011.

In the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Semifinal Renovalia Ciudad Real will face the new German Champions HSV Hamburg in the second match on 28 May. Before that, Rhein-Neckar Löwen will face FC Barcelona Borges, who became Spanish Champions on Saturday.

Renovalia Ciudad Real also announced the extension of the contract to the Russian newcomer Olexandr Shewelew.  He signed a new contract valid until 2012 and the option of an extension until 2014. Shewelew joined from Astrakhan in the middle of the current season.