EHF headquarters hosts Professional Handball Board

The Professional Handball Board (PHB) met in the EHF headquarters in Vienna on Tuesday, 14 October 2014.

In attendance, representing Forum Club Handball were Joan Marin (President) and Gerd Butzeck (Managing Director); representing the Nations Board, Morten Stig Christensen (Chairman) and Philippe Bana (Member); from the European Handball Players Union, Marcus Rominger (President) and Emeric Paillasson (Vice President) as well as Arne Elovsson (EHF Vice President) and Ralf Dejaco (EHF Treasurer) from the EHF Executive Committee.

By agreement of those present at the meeting, Frank Bohmann (President) and Peter Gentzel (Vice President) representing the European Professional Handball League Association joined the meeting, although the Memorandum of Understanding with the EHF has now expired and the association is now in the process of restructuring.

Additionally, Jean Brihault, EHF President, and Michael Wiederer, EHF Secretary General were in attendance.

The meeting opened with the re-election of Joan Marin as Chairman of the Professional Handball Board. He will continue to represent the Board on the EHF Executive Committee. Player representative Markus Rominger was also confirmed as his deputy.

The meeting dealt with reports from the different interest groups represented and also focused on issues around club and national team competitions.

The development of the EHF EURO competitions was discussed, and representatives of the Nations Board informed the meeting about the proposals for the system of qualification to the Men’s EHF EURO from 2020, when the competition will expand to 24 teams and be organised by three nations. Parallel changes to the Younger Age Category Events from 2016 were presented.

Also discussed were future additional competitions in Europe organised by the International Handball Federation and further procedures in this respect.

The changes to the VELUX EHF Champions League playing system in the upcoming season were discussed. The criteria introduced for the allocation of additional places during the current season were presented as was an initial draft of the system for the distribution of places in the new season. It was agreed that both the criteria and proposed distribution system would be further fine-tuned. A timeline for release of information to all stakeholders ahead of the new season will be produced to ensure transparency.

Other matters raised by participants included the nominations of referees for matches as well as protests at matches and events, these issues will be dealt with further.

About the Professional Handball Board

The Professional Handball Board is a body within the EHF representing the sport’s various stakeholder groups including national federations, clubs, leagues and players in addition to representatives of the EHF. The PHB was formed in 2010, having combined the interests of the National Team and Club Committees. Members serve for a period of two years.

Photo: Professional Handball Board in Vienna