Belarus throw off against group favourites

Belarusian Coach Yuri Shevtsov has selected 21 players for their opening EHF EURO 2014 qualification matches against Iceland on 31 October in Reykjavik, and Slovenia on November 4 in Minsk.

“Iceland and Slovenia remain the favourites in our group, but our aspiration for all matches is to win them and qualify for EURO 2014.

“The VELUX EHF Champions League shows that it is possible to win against any team. We can't be frightened by our opponents," Dzmitry Nikulenkau was quoted on Handball Federation of Belarus website.

Notable absences on the Belarus squad are Yuri Gromko and Anton Prakapenia. Both players, who were playing in the EHF Cup with HC Meshkov Brest, are injured.

The injuries give Shevtsov the opportunity to hand Aliaksei Chadkevych an international debut. The centre back, who plays with SKA Minsk, replaces another young squad member, Hleb Harbuz, who misses out with a broken finger.

Belarus’ key player, Siarhei Rutenka joined his teammates after the Liga ASOBAL match between FC Barcelona Intersport and BM Huesca on Saturday, 27 October.

Belarus are seeded in EHF EURO 2014 Qualification Group 6 alongside Iceland, Romania, and Slovenia.

For more EHF EURO 2014 news go to www.ehf-euro.com

Also join us on www.facebook.com/EHFEUROMen

Belarusian squad for the first two EHF Euro 2014 qualification matches:

Goalkeeper: Vitali Charepenka (HC Meshkov Brest), Kazmir Kotlinski (NMC POWEN Zabrze, Poland), Aliaksei Kishou (St. Petersburg HC, Russia)

Left wing: Ivan Brouka (HC Dinamo Minsk), Vitalii Kazaneuski (HC Victory Regia Minsk)

Right wing: Dzianis Rutenka (HC Dinamo Minsk), Maksim Baranau (HC Meshkov Brest)

Right back: Aliaksei Chadkevych (SKA Minsk), Valiantsin Charnou (Kronon), Kiryl Kniazeu (HC Meshkov Brest)

Centre back: Dzianis Valyntsau (HC Meshkov Brest), Dzmitry Nikulenkau (HC Dinamo Minsk), Barys Pukhouski (SKA Minsk)

Left back: Dzmitry Kamyshyk (SKA Minsk), Siarhei Rutenka (FC Barcelona Intersport, Spain), Dzmitry Chystabayeu (Permskie medvedi, Russia), Siarhei Shylovich (SKA Minsk) 

Line player: Maxim Babichev (HC Dinamo Minsk), Mikhail Niazhura (St. Petersburg HC, Russia), Aliaksandr Tsitou (SKA Minsk), Viachaslau Shumak (HC Meshkov Brest)