Kielce vs Barcelona starts the VELUX EHF FINAL4

Just one day after the draw of the semi-finals pairings of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, the playing order has been confirmed. The top club handball event of the year will start in the LANXESS arena in Cologne on Saturday, 1 June with the match of Vive Targi Kielce versus FC Barcelona Intersport with a throw-off at 15:15 hrs local time.

The encounter of the newcomers at this event with the record winners of the EHF Champions League will be followed at 18:00 hrs by the second semi-final, which has turned into an all-German affair between the defending champions, THW Kiel and their bundesliga rivals HSV Hamburg.

The playing order of the semi-finals has been set following discussions with rights holders to ensure the best possible exposure for the event on television screens around the world and also to guarantee an unforgettable experience for the 20,000 fans in the LANXESS arena.

The timings of the matches will be the same for the third year in a row, which means the placement match for the 3rd position has been set for Sunday, 2 June at 15.15 hrs and the final for 18.00 hrs.

Playing order and times of the 2013 VELUX EHF FINAL4

Saturday 1 June 2013
Semi-final 1: Vive Targi Kielce vs FC Barcelona Intersport (15.15)
Semi-final 2: THW Kiel vs HSV Hamburg (18.00)

Sunday 2 June 2013
3rd/4th Placement match: loser Kielce/Barcelona vs loser Kiel/Hamburg (15.15)
VELUX EHF Champions League Final: winner Kielce/Barcelona vs winner Kiel/Hamburg (18.00)
(all times local)