Medvedi poised to rejoin Europe’s elite

Despite the problems suffered during the last year, Chekhovskie Medvedi remains a major force in the Russian handball.  Last spring, the team led by Vladimir Maximov won the national league for the 13^th time in a row. And now, they return to the VELUX Champions League after a year of absence.

Last season, the club from Chekhov had to withdraw from the main European competition due to financial problems. Those troubles were so strong that about two thirds of the squad opted to leave the sinking ship.

However, some experienced players stayed, and Maximov gave a chance to a number of talented youngsters from the reserve squad. As a result, no team in Russia could prevent Medvedi from getting another national title.

The club got through the turbulent times with dignity and now the situation seems to be more stable. The majority of Medvedi’s best players have remained, with only Daniil Shisharev leaving for Vardar Skopje. 

At the same time, Medvedi managed to strengthen their side with a few newcomers. Left wings Maxim Kuretkov (SKIF Krasnodar) and Anton Otrezov (Dinamo Viktor Stavropol) joined, while Sergey Shelmenko returned after a year’s absence.

In 2013, the right back of the Russian national team moved to Dinamo Minsk, but after their exit from the VELUX EHF Champions League, he spent the rest of the season at St.Petersburg HС. With this team, he won silver in the Russian league, before returning to the champions.

In Group C of the VELUX Champions League, Maximov’s team will meet MKB-MVM Vesprem, RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, Rhein-Neckar Löwen, HC Vardar and Montpellier AHB.

There is plenty of history with the French team, as Chekhovskie Medvedi will face them for the seventh time in the last 13 years. Matches with Vardar are also going to be special, as this team’s roster contains a number of ex-Chekhov players such as Timur Dibirov, Alexei Rastvortsev, Siarhei Harbok, Mikhail Chipurin and Daniil Shishkarev.

Medvedi got their season off to the perfect start, beating Permskie Medvedi 27:26 in the Russian Super Cup.

“We seem to start the season in good shape. Of course we made some mistakes but the team looked well and physically we were quite fit,” Sergei Shelmenko told the club’s official website.

Quite soon, the players from Chekhov will set their sights on the VELUX Champions League and Vladimir Maximov and his players want to make a remarkable comeback.

Three questions to coach Vladimir Maximov

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

Vladimir Maximov: It is a strong but very interesting group. It is our fate to play Montpellier once again. And in our games with Vardar, Russian citizens will make up two thirds of all players on the court. I think Veszprem may take the first place; they have the best selection of players. The other five clubs will compete for the play-off spots and our goal is to qualify for the next round.

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

Vladimir Maximov:  Now there are many young players in our team. Last season, we did not participate in the VELUX Champions League for the first time since 2001. This tournament is a unique opportunity for our new generation to play against the best handball players in the world.

Which teams are your personal favorites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and to win the title this season – and why?

Vladimir Maximov: I have five favorites: Veszprem, Kiel, Kielce, Barcelona and Flensburg. I think four of these teams will qualify for Cologne.

Chekhovskie Medvedi (RUS)

Qualification for the 2014/2015 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Russian champions

Newcomers: Anton Otrezov (Dinamo Victor Stavropol), Maxim Kuretkov (SKIF Krasnodar), Sergey Shelmenko (St. Petersburg HC)

Left the club: Daniil Shishkarev (Vardar Skopje)

Coach: Vladimir Maximov (since 2000)

VELUX EHF Champions League records:

Participations (including 2014/2015 season): 14
Semi-finalist: 2009/10
Quarter-finalist: 2008/09, 2010/11
Last 16: 2004/05, 2006/07, 2012/13
Group Phase: 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2005/06, 2011/12

Other EC records:

Cup winners’ Cup
Finalist: 2005/06

Russian league champions: 2002-14