Samba de Vienna
They are still the most successful club that ever participated in the EHF Women’s Champions League with in total four titles and in addition four more titles in the Champion’s Cup, the forerunner of the Champions League.
And again Hypo Niederösterreich is aiming high, but do not rate themselves as a favourite.
Winning the title four times is not the only CL record of Hypo: They are the only team to be part of the EHF Women’s Champions League in all 19 seasons since the start in 1993.
New coach wants to return on top
Since reaching the finals in 2008, the Austrian record champions have been eliminated very early three straight times. This year new coach Andras Nemeth hopes to proceed from the Group Matches to the Main Round and maybe further on.
Brazilian reinforcements
The Hungarian can count on a mixture of Austrian and Brazilian players, as in total eight "Samba girls" play for the club from south of Vienna.
After three Southern Americans were in last season’s squad, five more arrived at Hypo from clubs all over Europe now.
Big squad changes
Nemeth will have to build up a team with ten newcomers, as seven players including Rotis and Pedersen left the club.
Tough group opponents
Absolutely without competitors in the domestic league, Hypo can focus on the EHF Champions League again, but will have to face Györ – one of the favourites – already in the Group Matches.
Other opponents are the French champions from Metz – a team which brings back bad memories after the incident with former club boss Gunnar Prokop some years ago.
Manager hopes for runners-up spot
But club manager Dieter Heger is confident: "Our opponents are quite strong. We expect the most difficult matches against Györ, because the Hungarians have a very strong team this season.
The draw brought us Metz again, which means we will meet the French team for the third straight year.
From my estimation Randers will complete the group at the Qualification Tournament this weekend.
All in all we have to give our best to reach second place behind group favourites Györ to proceed to the Main Round."
Last season Hypo only took two victories in the Group Stage and was eliminated by teams like Leipzig and later-on finalists Itxako.
Three questions to coach Andras Nemeth
ehfCL.com: What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the EHF Champions League – concerning your objectives and your group opponents?
Andras Nemeth: Györ will definitely be the strongest team in the whole EHF Champions League and in our group.
Our main objective is to reach the Main Round or even more – depending on our own development during the season.
We have to take second place in the group for staying in the competition and therefore we have to beat Metz and the qualification team, which we expect to be Randers.
ehfCL.com: What does the participation in the EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Andras Nemeth: It is a great pleasure and honour for us to take part in this attractive competition, to play against the strongest club teams in the world.
On the long term our objective is to play a decisive role for the title. But this project needs time, we have to take one step after the other and at the end of the day we will see the results.
ehfCL.com: What teams are your personal favourites for winning the title this season?
Andras Nemeth: For us Györ Audi ETO are the clear favourites for this season. They really have a strong team and they can only be beaten by themselves.
On the other hand nobody expected that they would drop out in the semi-finals last season against Itxako, so forecasts are always difficult.
Additionally Oltchim Valcea can play a role as well.
Club facts – Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT)
Newcomers: Barbara Arenhart (Byasen/NOR), Silvia Pinheiro (Siofok/HUN), Ana Paula Rodrigues (Elda Prestigio/ESP), Fernanda Franca Da Silva (BM Mar Sagunto), Samira Rocha (Brasilien), Petra Blazek (Thüringer HC/GER), Sabrina Stumvoll (SC Greven 09/GER), Nina Stumvoll (SC Greven 09/GER), Bernadett Temes (Vac/HUN), Victoria Redei-Soos (Vac/HUN)
Left the club: Vivien Lerant (Debrecen/HUN), Alla Matuschkowitz (Wiener Neustadt), Gabi Rotis (Witasek Kärnten), Olga Sanko (pregnant), Isabel Plach (end of career), Terese Pedersen (Byasen/NOR), Marion Limal (Metz HB/FRA)
Coach: Andras Nemeth (former coach of Vac/HUN) since 2011, former coach: Martin Matuschkowitz
Qualification for the 2011/2012 EHF Women’s Champions League season: Austrian champions
EHF Women’s Champions League records:
Participations (including 2011/2012 season): 19
Winner: 1993/94, 1994/95, 1997/98, 1999/2000
Finalist: 1995/96, 2007/08
Semi-finalist: 1996/97, 1998/99, 2004/05, 2006/07, 2008/09
Quarter-final: 2005/06
Main Round: 2010/11
Group Phase/Champions League: 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2009/10,
Cup Winners’ Cup records: Finalist 2004
Austrian champion: 35 times
Austrian cup winner: 24 times
Further information
Find more information on Hypo Niederösterreich HERE.
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TEXT:
Björn Pazen