A new fortress for Kadetten
The BBC Arena shall become the new fortress of Kadetten Schaffhausen: After a very strong performance in the last seasons, the Swiss champions are planning to advance further on in the top-level handball tournament.
New home arena
And after several changes in venue they have found their new home in the newly built BBC Arena in Schaffhausen.
Last season they managed to proceed to the Last 16. And after winning the first leg against favourites Montpellier MAHB, the Swiss team from the river Rhine could even dream about more, but failed in France one year after having reached the EHF Cup final.
Important players left the club
But the new season in the VELUX EHF Champions League will bring some changes to Schaffhausen: Three key players have left the club: Superb Icelandic goalkeeper Björgvin Gustavsson (Magdeburg) and Estonian top scorer Mait Patrail (Lemgo) transferred to Germany, experienced Czech wing Jan Filip to St. Gallen.
Young talent signed
But in contrast to this, Kadetten made a real transfer coup by signing Christian Dissinger. The young German was recently awarded Most Valuable Player of the Junior World Championship in Greece, where he also won the Gold medal.
In addition Schaffhausen signed some players from Swiss and Austrian clubs.
Same season goals
But despite missing some of last season’s stars, the objectives remained the same: to become Swiss champions and to reach the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League.
But the team of coach Petr Hrachovec has got to face strong and experienced opponents like defending champions FC Barcelona Intersport, the strong Croatian side Zagreb and the French runners-up Chambery in the Group Stage.
Manager Peter Leutwyler says: "We want to repeat our successful last season and hope to reach the knock-out stage again. But teams like Barcelona, Chambery or Zagreb are clear favourites in our group."
Good pre-season
Right at the start of the new season Kadetten showed their dominant role in Switzerland by beating Bern in the Super Cup final 38:25. Also Schaffhausen participated at several international tournaments in the season preparation.
Start against title defenders
And right the first match in the VELUX EHF Champions League will be a big one: they face FC Barcelona Intersport.
"A dream will come true for every player, as it is the highlight in any handball player’s career to face Barcelona," is the opinion of all at Kadetten side.
And even as they are outsiders against the defending champions, the objective for the four remaining home games is clearly focused: Winning at BBC Arena to go on to the Last 16.
Three questions to coach Petr Hrachovec
ehfCL.com: What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League – concerning your objectives and your group opponents?
Petr Hrachovec: Our clear objective is to reach the Last 16 again – but this task is much harder to fulfil than last season, as we have to face strong but also attractive opponents like Barcelona, Zagreb or Chambery.
We hope that our new BBC Arena will be sold out at every match and that the support of our fans will be the same as two years ago in the finals of the EHF Cup – then everything can happen.
ehfCL.com: What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Petr Hrachovec: It is a great honor and prestige to be part of the VELUX EHF Champions League for our club and to play in the showcase of the world of top club handball.
Aside those great international experiences are highly important for my personal development as a coach.
ehfCL.com: What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and for winning the title this season – and why?
Petr Hrachovec: FC Barcelona Intersport, THW Kiel and HSV Hamburg.
Club facts – Kadetten Schaffhausen (SUI)
Newcomers: Arunas Vaskevicius (GC Amicitia Zürich), Andrija Pendic (HSC Suhr Aarau), Ruben Schelbert (RTV Basel), Marko Vukelic (HC Kriens-Luzern), Nik Tominec (RK Maribor/SLO),Christian Dissinger (TSG Ludwigshafen-Friesenheim/GER)
Left the club: Björgvin Gustavsson (SC Magdeburg/GER), Mait Patrail (TBV Lemgo/GER), Jan Filip (TSV St. Otmar St. Gallen), Nik Cvijetic (GS Läkers Stäfa), Fabio Baviera (Ausleihe Kriens-Luzern)
Coach: Petr Hrachovec, since 2008
Qualification for the 2011/2012 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Swiss champion
VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2011/2012 season): 6
Last 16 (1): 2010/2011
Group Phase (3): 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008
Qualification (1): 2009/2010
Other EC records:
EHF Cup Final: 2009/2010
Cup Winners Cup Semi Final: 2007/2008
Swiss champion: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011
Swiss Cup winner: 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011
Further information
Find more information on Kadetten Schaffhausen HERE.
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TEXT:
Björn Pazen