Barcelona vs Kielce, Kiel vs Veszprem

The crucial draw has been made for the semi-finals of the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 at an event on Tuesday in Cologne.    

On 30/31 May 2015 the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will return to the German city for the sixth edition of an event that has already established itself as the benchmark for major indoor sports events in Europe. 20,000 handball fans will be in Cologne to witness what promises to be a spectacular sports and entertainment event.

The semi-final draw was made by the Lord Mayor of Cologne, Jürgen Roters, and EHF Secretary General, Michael Wiederer at the Palais Flora in the city’s Botanical Gardens. The draw was made as follows:

VELUX EHF FINAL4 Schedule:

Saturday 30 May 2015:

Semi-final 1: FC Barcelona versus KS Vive Tauron Kielce (15:15)
Semi-final 2: THW Kiel versus MKB-MVM Veszprem (18:00)

Sunday 31 May 2015:

3rd place match: Loser Semi-final 1 vs Loser Semi-final 2
Final: Winner Semi-final 1 vs Winner Semi-final 2
 

Exactly as two years ago the seven-time EHF Champions League winners FC Barcelona will face the Polish champions from Kielce in the semi-final, while Kiel and Veszprem, who played against each other in the semi-final last year, will also reunite at the same stage.

“I was not under pressure at all this time as there are no easy games at this stage. I was relaxed knowing any opponent would be perfect for us. Playing in Germany and having Kiel in the competition does not make us favourites and also we have to remind that we won just one trophy in the last five years. But we are here to compete," Xavier O Callaghan, FC Barcelona manager said.

Their coach Xavi Pascual will face his well known counterpart Talant Dujshebaev once again. "The coaches know each other and their philosophy. But it is a different story now with different teams and new players. I am sure we can expect both coaches to be preparing some surprises," Radoslaw Wasiak from Kielce stated.

Commenting on the draw Kiel manager Thorsten Storm said: "Maybe there was a relief seeing that we avoided Barcelona, but I am sure Barcelona were happier than us. When you play the FINAL4 you have four tough teams and Veszprem is Veszprem. Last year it was very tough too. We believe all German fans will be behind THW Kiel."

Csaba Hajnal of Veszprem agreed. "Kiel will play in Germany, at home and have maybe 13 thousand fans behind them. Kiel have the best team in the world but we have a very good team too. We have to prepare well and give our best in order to do better than last year in the semi-final against Kiel."

Unique fan engagement in opening shows

All handball fans taking part at the Opening Party have a unique chance to become part of the entertainment on the final day. All they have to do is to enter the video box at the LANXESS arena on Friday and sing the song “Seven Nations Army”. In the opening show prior the third place match on Sunday a compilation of the faces of all participants will be projected on the floor during a big digital choir of fans voices.

Voice of Germany’s Kim Sanders to perform

Stars from the Voice of Germany will once again entertain fans in the LANXESS arena. A special highlight will be a performance of Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’ by Kim Sanders – the ‘song of the VELUX EHF Champions League final' will released as a single during the VELUX EHF FINAL4 weekend and will be available to purchase via iTunes. The song will also be available on her new album.

Play for Change becomes new charity partner

The charitable foundation, Play for Change, teams up with the VELUX EHF FINAL4 organisers as a new charity partner of the event. Play for Change, an organisation set up to enhance the lives of children and young people around the world by providing access to sports and education, has already been present on the shirts of top EHF referees from the start of this season.

Tickets sale to start for the 2016 VELUX EHF FINAL4

The sale of tickets for the 2016 VELUX EHF FINAL4 will start during the final weekend, from the ticket shop in the LANXESS arena. Online ticket sales will then begin on Monday, 1 June 2015. In 2014 a total of 7,000 tickets were sold during the final weekend to fans eager to secure their place in the LANXESS arena.