Brihault: “Handball is the winner”

The highest ranked officials from EHF and EHF Marketing concluded the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 on Sunday, prior to the bronze medal match and the final of the event. In addition, the press conference was the setting for the contract extension with VELUX, the official name sponsor of the VELUX EHF Champions League and the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne now until 2020.

Jean Brihault, EHF President: "After a great first day of the event, I feel great satisfaction. Regardless of yesterday’s and today’s results, the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4 is a tremendous success, built on the hard work of EHF and EHFM staff, volunteers and of course, the four teams. No matter which team is finally the winner, handball is the winner."

Michael Wiederer, EHF Secretary General: "I love this event! It is a great joy to see the teams, the spectators and the matches. To organise an event like the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is only possible thanks to the great partnership with the City of Cologne and the LANXESS arena. I truly sympathise with the generations of players who could not play at an event of this calibre ten years ago.

"The new playing system of the VELUX EHF Champions League will guarantee more exciting matches and at the same time, we can exploit new markets thanks to a growing number of participating nations and more matches."

Peter Vargo, Managing Director of EHF Marketing: "Once again, Cologne was and is the perfect set-up for all spectators. More than 5,000 fans attended the opening party on Friday. By Saturday evening, more than 6,000 tickets have already been sold for the 2016 VELUX EHF FINAL4, so only 1,500 tickets are left for the first phase of online sale, which begins on Monday. The 2015 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 was also the biggest ever, in terms of media interest. 450 journalist are accredited, the event is broadcasted in 160 countries and approximately 100 million people will watch the matches."

Michael Rasmussen, Director of Branding and Marketing at the VELUX GROUP: "Someone can ask about the partnership between handball and roof windows, but this collaboration fits perfectly. It is about enthusiasm, unique experiences and sharing passion. It is about professionalism and sportsmanship. Handball and VELUX go hand-in-hand in a respectful way. 900 of our customers – more than ever – have been in Cologne this year. In the five years since 2010, more than 25,000 VELUX customers were involved in Champions League matches and for the upcoming years, there is still a lot of potential."