Countdown to VELUX EHF FINAL4
The draw for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 on Wednesday, 2 May in KölnSky signals the start of the final preparations for Europe’s biggest club handball event, which will be played in the LANXESS arena Cologne, Germany on 26 and 27 May 2012.

20,000 handball fans will make the trip to watch AG Kobenhavn from Denmark, Atletico Madrid from Spain and THW Kiel and Füchse Berlin from Germany compete for the honour of winning the VELUX EHF Champions League 2011/12. Fans of the four teams will get their chance to follow their heroes, with 500 tickets reserved for each participating team. These tickets will only be available direct from each of the clubs.

First ever 3D television production
The 2012 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will be the first handball event to be produced in 3D. Fans and media representatives will have the chance to watch the spectacular pictures on special screens in the LANXESS arena and see for themselves just how this new technology looks. The production is a test for the future introduction of 3D technology for major handball events of the European Handball Federation.

Peter Vargo, Managing Director of EHF Marketing GmbH, said: “The parallel production of all matches in 3D-HD format is a world first in handball. We’re looking to the future and believe that 3D can offer something new to our TV audience. The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is once again setting new standards on the international indoor sports market.“

The international TV signal will be produced for the first time by best boys tv-factory GmbH from Cologne. Completing the European co-production will be Alfacam from Belgium, the largest HDTV supplier on the continent and the Spanish 3D specialist, Kronomav.

The event will also be produced in high quality HD with Dolby 5.1 surround sound. A total of 15 cameras will be in use in the LANXESS arena, including a Spidercam and four super slow-motion cameras, two of which are High Pans – special cameras developed for handball – and provided by DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), TV partner of EHF Marketing GmbH.

EUROPE – The Final Countdown to the VELUX EHF FINAL4
Another first for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the performance from the legendary rock band, EUROPE, which will be one of the highlights of a weekend of sporting excellence. The band’s top-selling single “The Final Countdown” forms part of almost every international sports event. Fans can look forward to hearing the band and their hits before the final, during the winners’ ceremony as well as during the official Players’ Night on Sunday.

Charity Golf Tournament
The VELUX EHF FINAL4 will also see a charity golf tournament on Friday, 25 May 2012, organised by the European Handball Federation and EHF Marketing GmbH on behalf of Deutsche Krebshilfe (German Cancer Help). All proceeds from entry fees will go directly to this year's VELUX EHF FINAL4 Charity Partner. Celebrities from sports, business and culture, including the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Ambassador Stefan Lövgren, will take part.

Visit the official VELUX EHF FINAL4 website at www.ehfFINAL4.com

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