Emotional clash in Hamburg

Friday evening’s wild card qualification match between the defending champions, HSV Hamburg, and Füchse Berlin is the first major highlight of the new season on ehfTV.com.

Handball fans around the world can watch the action live from 19.00 hrs with full commentary in German from Ulf Kahmke.

ehfCL.com caught up with the seasoned TV commentator ahead of the big match to find out whether HSV Hamburg can defend their title this season and just who the contenders for the 2013/14 title might be.

ehfCL.com: Who do you see as the favourites for the match? Hamburg or Berlin?

Kahmke: Hamburg, because they’re playing at home. With their 30 goals in Berlin, I think Martin Schwalb’s side is much stronger than Berlin, who are trying to integrate a lot of their youth players. But watch out: Silvio Heinewetter could play a decisive role in Hamburg.

ehfCL.com: Who should we watch out for in tonight’s match?

Kahmke: Certainly Heinewetter but also Bitter in goal for Hamburg. HSV also have a much stronger back court line-up with Hens, Duvnjak, Canellas, Djordic, Markovic und Pfahl

ehfCL.com: How do you see the prospects for Hamburg and Berlin this season?

Kahmke: They are both strong, Berlin had a good pre-season, but Hamburg need to integrate nine newcomers, and despite their quality that won’t be easy.

Though I think Berlin might well struggle to progress in the Champions League if they do qualify.

ehfCL.com: Can Hamburg defend their title this season?

Kahmke: I think Hamburg can go a long way in the Champions League, but the champion is always the hunted. Every team will be looking to take the scalp of the title holder.

ehfCL.com: What kind of atmosphere are you expecting tonight?

Kahmke: O2 World Hamburg – a handball temple and a national duel with a lot of emotions on both sides.

This is a super match to begin the most attractive competition in club handball, I think it was a great idea to decide the fourth German place in the Champions League with a match like this.

ehfCL.com: What are your tips for the season?

Kahmke: Barca - now that they have Karabatic und Lazarov, Veszprem - an experienced team strengthened with the addition of Ilic, Kielce - they had a super season 2012/13 and put in a great effort in Cologne at the Final4. 

But also the German teams, Hamburg and Flensburg, and I'll also include Kiel on my list, because despite their major changes in personnel, they have in Alfred Gislason, a highly successful and newly re-motivated coach.

I’m really looking forward to the new season!

Profile: Ulf Kahmke

Ulf Kahmke is a well-known voice and face for handball fans in Germany. A regular commentator and reporter on Eurosport, ARD and ZDF, he has covered every important handball event from the European and World Championships to the Olympic Games as well as every VELUX EHF FINAL4.

Kahmke is also no stranger to top-class handball, he played a season with THW Kiel back in 1985/86 (THW Kiel profile).