Handball stars tee off for a good cause

Some spectators will have more luggage than might be expected when they arrive for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne – former handball stars are not only coming to watch the matches, but will enjoy a bit of sporting action themselves, and all for a good cause.

The Charity Golf Tournament at the Golf & Country Club Velderhof will be part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 programme for the fourth time this year. 

“It is great fun. On one hand you get to see many well-known faces in a relaxed atmosphere, and on the other hand, there’s a good cause to play for,” says Christian Schwarzer, former World and EHF EURO champion with Germany.

Schwarzer – the first German winner of the EHF Champions League (2000 in the FC Barcelona jersey) – is mainly looking forward to the duel against former world-class player and today’s coach of the Swedish national team, Staffan Olsson. 

“We are all sportsmen and we want to win, even on the golf course. But the most important things are having fun and donating,” says Schwarzer, who is participating in the Charity Golf Tournament for the third time.

Some things have changed since the previous golf tournaments: The new charity partner of the tournament and the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the Play for Change foundation, which could have been spotted on the shirts of EHF referees throughout the season. 

The main goal of Play for Change is to empower children all over the globe through sport and physical education. The latest focus of the Play for Change campaign is to help children in Nepal.

“Having in mind that you can help people that need help, it is great to support them through this event,” says Schwarzer, currently the coach of the German under-18 national team. 

Schwarzer has been playing golf since 1995; his current handicap is 11.2. 

Aside from former handball stars a huge number of handball officials will tee off at the Charity Golf Tournament, powered by adidas. 

This year, the date of the tournament has changed to be played on Saturday 30 May rather than the Friday before the VELUX EHF FINAL4. 

But as all participants have only a nine-hole course ahead, everybody will be at LANXESS arena in time for the first semi-final: KS Vive Tauron Kielce vs FC Barcelona. 

After the semi-finals the awards ceremony for the Charity Golf Tournament is a major part of the Cologne Handball Night in Palais Flora.

“Once I was among the winners. I am very interested in who will be my playing partner,” says Schwarzer.

The Charity Golf Tournament is already fully booked.