Brave beginners ready for a big stage

The German word “wacker” means “brave”, and the newly crowned Swiss champions Wacker Thun are aiming to show “brave” performances in their very first season of the VELUX EHF Champions League, though they know, that they are “absolute beginners”.

After beating Kadetten Schaffhausen in the final series of the Swiss league, the gate was open to the big stage for the nearly All-Swiss squad of coach Martin Rubin, who is part of the club since 1990 (since 2007 as coach).

The only foreigners are experienced Greek Georgios Chalkidis, Croat Borna Franić and Serb Nikola Isailović – the rest of the team is Swiss born.

In 2011/12 season Wacker Thun were close to take their second international trophy after winning the Challenge Cup in 2005, but they failed against Greek side Diomidis Argous in the Challeng Cup final.

But on domestic ground the time had come for Thun to finish the best ever season of their club history as Swiss double winner in cup and league.

In their first ever appearance in the VELUX EHF Champions League Thun face big guns like both clubs from Skopje (Vardar and Metalurg), qualifier Minsk and as the icing of the cake FC Barcelona and the uprising stars of Paris Handball in their group.

So the international aim of the Swiss club is quite realistic, named as “grab every opportunity to grab some points”. The squad nearly remained the same, as Wacker is the only of all 24 teams without a single player, who left after the last season.

Club manager Thomas Fahrni is highly looking forward to their first matches of the Group Phase: “When a team offers us a chance – we will use them. We hope to meet all the requirements of EHF and enjoy the great adventure.”

Team captain Roman Caspar is full of big hopes, too: “We’re very excited to play the Champions League for the first time in the history of the club. It’s our goal to establish that it’s a hard time when playing against Wacker Thun.”

Three questions to coach Martin Rubin:

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

Martin Rubin: To keep up with our group opponents and if we have the opportunity of winning to seize it.
 
What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?

Martin Rubin: An incredible chance to compete with the best.
 
What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and for winning the title this season – and why?

Martin Rubin: Barcelona, Veszprém, Kiel and Paris. Barcelona as they have fantastically reinforced, Veszprem are very keen and eager and failed narrowly last year, THW Kiel have lots of experience and signed good new players and Paris as they have a world selection as well.

Wacker Thun (SUI)

Coach:  Martin Rubin, since 2007
Newcomers (including former club): Stefan Huwyler (TV Endingen, NLB), Remy Bhend (Juniors)
Left the club (including new club): -

Qualification for the 2013/14 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Swiss champion

VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2013/14 season): 1

Other EC records:
Cup Winners’ Cup: Last 16 2006/07
EHF Cup: Last 16 2005/06
Challenge Cup: Winners 2004/05, Runners-up 2011/12
City Cup: Quarter-finals 1998/99

Swiss champions: 2013
Swiss Cup winners: 2002, 2006, 2012, 2013