Countdown part 3: Füchse Berlin

It was the most successful season in the club’s history; not only did Füchse Berlin reach the qualification for the 2012/13 VELUX EHF Champions League season, they finished their first year in the top competition in Cologne at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. The club from the German capital has become more interesting for top players, signing Russian right back Konstantin Igropoulo (Barcelona), and Norwegian playmaker Børge Lund (Rhein Neckar Löwen).

But the most important signature for the club was the one under the contract of coach Dagur Sigurdsson, who extended his stay until 2017.

Former right back Alexander Petterson left the club (Rhein Neckar Löwen), as did Swedish talent Jonathan Stenbäcken (Melsungen).

The objectives for the club are clear: To qualify for the VELUX EHF Champions League through the Bundesliga again – and to reach the Last 16 on international side of things.

"After reaching the VELUX EHF FINAL4 last year we are very proud to be part of the VELUX EHF Champions League again. It has been a wonderful season for us, which only presents the national league in a positive light. Now we are dreaming again that we can reach the Last 16 this season," the club manager Bob Hanning stated.

"After this very successful premiere season we know that we can play with the top clubs, but it will take a lot of hard work. We know how tight it was to qualify for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and how close it was in the semi-final. We hope that we will reach the next stage in this high-class competition again. After that we will see from game to game what will be possible; nobody knows what will happen," added team captain Torsten Laen .

Three questions to coach Dagur Sigurðsson:
ehfCL.com: What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League?
Dagur Sigurðsson: First of all our group is very difficult, something which we expected in advance. Last season’s VELUX EHF Champions League season was a great experience and we are looking forward to this new challenge.

ehfCL.com: What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Dagur Sigurðsson:  It is a big lift for our club and a great experience for our team; we all enjoy the fact that top European handball has a home in Berlin. For me personally, it is a great experience to go head-to-head with the best teams and coaches in Europe.

ehfCL.com: What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and who will go on to win it?
Dagur Sigurðsson: I think Kiel, Barcelona and Veszprem are the favourites to reach the FINAL4, alongside Montpellier, who also are in with a shout. It is a long road and a lot of things can happen on the way. During the FINAL4 weekend it can come down to how a team plays on the day.

Füchse Berlin (GER)
Qualification for the 2012/2013 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Third ranked in Germany

Coach: Dagur Sigurðsson, since 2009

Newcomers (including former club): Konstantin Igropulo (FC Barcelona), Børge Lund (Rhein-Neckar Löwen), Jonas Thümmler (youth team), Maximilian Kroll (youth team)

Left the club (including new club):  Jonathan Stenbäcken (MT Melsungen), Alexander Petersson (Rhein-Neckar Löwen)

Season’s objective (in national league and VELUX EHF Champions League): Bundesliga: Top 5, VELUX EHF Champions League: Last 16

VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2011/2012 season): 2

VELUX EHF FINAL4: 1 (fourth ranked): 2011/12

Further information

Find more information on Füchse Berlin HERE.

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