The new VELUX EHF Champions League system explained

A short look back and longer look ahead framed the closing press conference at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne on Sunday.

At the beginning EHF President Jean Brihault drew a very positive conclusion of the event's fifth edition: "This VELUX EHF FINAL4, like its predecessors, is looking to be a great success with exciting games including extra time and penalty shoot-out.

"So the spectators enjoyed it - and hopefully will see two more exciting games today," he said.

Arne Elovsson, EHF Vice President and the tournament management's chairman added: "We had expected an exciting tournament already due to the situation that two newcomers faced two previous winners in the semis - which caused a brilliant atmosphere in the arena.

20,000 spectators enjoyed the two matches and liked the show, and now we are all looking forward to two great matches and that those highlights will continue today."

New playing system in detail

The playing system of the VELUX EHF Champions League from 2015/16 onwards then became the main subject of the conference's second part. 

Brihault called the VELUX EHF Champions League "a great and exciting competition, especially when it comes to the VELUX EHF FINAL4." He then added: "We could be satisfied with ourselves, but we are in charge of tomorrow. The global situation is changing, there are no economic guarantees for the future."

Hence the EHF had started a decision taking process more than 18 months ago, involving continuous dialogue of all stakeholders. "We discussed an overall of six different possibilities for the future playing system and finally we selected one in agreement with all stakeholders. So the new system was a reflection of a joint approach of all stakeholder and political authorities."

Michael Wiederer, EHF Secretary General, stressed that all major groups have been part of those discussions.

"The majority of European clubs was suffering from less-competitive competitions and wanted a European League one and a half year ago. Men’s Club Board, Professional Handball Board, Competitions Commission, Partners and Nations Board were involved in the process to create a new playing system.

"The involvement of partners like sponsors and TV stations was also essential for our decision. And we have to see that the VELUX EHF Champions League is not independent, but needs to be seen in the context of national leagues and cross-border leagues."

The aim of all bodies was simple according to Wiederer. "We need to improve the competition, stabilise it and make sure that we have have matches on an equal level.

"In the current group system teams ranked fifth and sixth produced result which were not ideal for the competition," Wiederer said.

"We want to involve more teams and more markets - so the new system will give more teams the chance to enter the competition. We had to create a system for equal matches and more countries to enter the competition."

The new playing system with 28 teams will contain of two groups with each eight teams (A/B) including the top teams of the top leagues. Those groups will be played in 14 rounds, the respective group winners will qualify directly for the quarter-finals, the ten teams ranked second to sixth qualify for the Last 16.

The second part is the Groups C and D with six teams each. The respective group winners qualify for the Last 16. From the Last 16 onwards the system will remain the same as it is now with quarter-finals and the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

The number of matches will increase from 148 to 200, the number of participating countries will increase from 15 to 20 or even 28, depending on the number of teams in Groups C and D.

For Wiederer the benefits of this systems are visible: "We will have top level and equal level matches, the direct qualification direct qualification guarantees the 16 top clubs a better planning in terms of venues, finances and players. The participants will have a stable number of matches regarding finances and due to our TV contracts all matches will be broadcast on TV."