‘The Days the Hands Reached the Sky’ – a unique look behind the scenes at the VELUX EHF FINAL4

Film makers are set to offer handball fans a unique insight into the biggest event in club handball as a new documentary begins to be aired on TV stations around Europe.

‘The Days the Hands Reached the Sky’ is a new hour-long film following the progress of the four teams at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne at the beginning of June 2013.

A Danish film crew was given unprecedented access at the two-day event to the players and coaches of the four teams, right from their arrival in Cologne through to the post-final winners’ celebrations in the Hamburg dressing room.

The result is a never-before-seen glimpse behind the scenes at Europe’s biggest club handball event.

Bringing personalities to the TV audience

With highlights from all four matches, the film follows the fortunes of some of the top stars of the game including Víctor Tomás, Pascal Hens and Daniel Narcisse as they compete for the title.

Viewers are also offered the coaches’ perspective on the match and there is a focus on the referees of the final, Kenneth Abrahemsen and Arne M. Kristiansen from Norway, as they bring their international refereeing careers to an end.

Commenting on the film, Peter Vargo, Managing Director of EHF Marketing, said: “Our objective with the film has been to try to capture some of the stories, the emotions and the passion behind the event and to bring these to a TV audience.

"The documentary brings a new dimension to our TV coverage and a chance for fans to get to know the personalities in the sport. I am sure handball fans will really enjoy watching the film”

Henrik Saabye, the documentary’s producer, said: “We’ve had great feedback on the film and its concept so far from those that have seen the film. It’s a new innovation for the Champions League and I’m really pleased that the EHF shows this kind of progressive approach.”

Danish TV premiere on DR1

Television stations from 19 countries will be showing the documentary over the coming season. 

The premiere of the film will be on Sunday, 22 September at 13:55 in Denmark on DR1 ahead of the double-header Flensburg Handewitt – Aalborg and KIF Kolding versus FC Porto Vitalis. 

A date for the general release of the ‘Reach the Sky’ DVD, an extended version with additional behind the scenes footage, as well as a date for the first showing on ehfTV.com are yet to be announced.