Bar set high for Kielce

From nearly zero to become the big hero: This was the way Vive Targi Kielce excited their fans in the previous VELUX EHF Champions League season.

After a clean sweep with ten victories in the Group Phase, the Polish champions marched through the knock-out stages too to become the first team from their country ever to play a handball Champions League semi-final by reaching their final destination Cologne. At the end Kielce finished third after a historic victory against Kiel.

Now the expectations have grown, but everybody in Kielce hits the break, warning that it is hard to continue like in the previous season – especially as their opponents in the Group Phase are much tougher than in 2012/13.

In Group B Kielce will face THW Kiel again, additionally they play against the winner of Montpellier vs Plock, Kolding, Dunkerque and the winner of Qualification Tournament 4.

But Kielce made one of the major transfers in the season break, signing Spanish world champion Julen Aguinagalde as new line player until 2018.

Besides the successful team – Polish champions and cup winners – remained nearly the same, a mixture of Polish internationals and high class foreigners like the Croatian wings Ivan Čupić and Manuel Štrlek.

So the mission is clear: Defending all titles in Poland and trying to get as far as possible in the VELUX EHF Champions League – as coach Bogdan Wenta already said after the closing ceremony of the VELUX EHF FINAL 4 in 2013: ”Once you have been here, you always want to return.”

The only little problems of the Kielce squad are the minor injuries of newcomer Piotr Chrapkowski and experienced Michał Jurecki.

Three questions to coach Bogdan Wenta:

What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League -  concerning your objectives and your group opponents?

Bogdan Wenta: On the paper we have a much more difficult group than in last season. A lot of our opponents want to beat us, for them this will be the goal. It will be difficult that everybody compares our team now to the last season, so we focused on that new situation in the preparation for the season.

I hope that from the first game in the Champions League on we can keep the beat, because we have very hard opponents in our group. This season will be a big challenge for us.

What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?

Bogdan Wenta: In my opinion this system including the implementation of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the best form to develop club handball in the world. Especially, when we speak about a club like us, because participating in the Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League guarantees ten games against the best teams in Europe.

This is a perfect way to promote handball and development a lot of clubs. A lot of teams search a way to grow in the Champions League. Being a member of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is a dream for a lot of teams. We did it in the previous season and the experience we must not forget, but we must remember that the road to get there is not that simple.

What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and for winning the title this season – and why?

Bogdan Wenta: Nothing new, and before the start it is even harder to say. But I think it will be FC Barcelona, THW Kiel, HSV Hamburg, Paris Saint Germain, as the French team have a big potential. Of course a lot of teams want to fight for the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

KS Vive Targi Kielce (POL)

Coach: Bogdan Wenta, since 2008
Newcomers (including former club): Piotr Chrapkowski (Orlen Wisła Płock), Julen Aginagalde (Atlético Madrid)
Left the club (including new club): Rastko Stojković (destination unknown)

Qualification for the 2013/14 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Polish champions

VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2013/2014 season): 11
Semi Final (1): 2012/13 (third ranked in VELUX F4)
Last 16 (4): 1993/94, 1994/95, 2009/10, 2011/12
Last 32 (2): 1996/97, 1998/99
Group Matches (3): 1999/2000, 2003/04, 2010/11

Other EC records: 11 participations in other ECs

Polish champions: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
Polish Cup winners: 1985, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013