Clear goals set: “Win both matches in Budapest”

Maybe it is a good omen for Rostov-Don that the last debutants, which won the EHF Champions League in their first appearance, came from Russia: Zvezda Zvenigorod in the 2007/08 season.

After failing three straight times in the qualification tournaments, Rostov will now start their maiden voyage in the Champions League - and a large number of experts predict that the Russian champions are contenders for going all the way to the EHF FINAL4 in Budapest in May.

Those predictions are mainly due to Rostov's signings - and are centralized around one name: Katrine Lunde - for many the best goalkeeper in the world, two-time Olympic champion, three-time EHF EURO champion, world champion and four-time Champions League winner.

The Norwegian began her new chapter in Russia last year, after giving birth to her baby and leaving Györ.

She has replaced Montenegrin goalkeeper Sonja Barjaktarovic.

In addition, six Russian internationals have transferred to Rostov - Anna Sen (Györ), Ksenia Makeeva (Baia Mare), Ekaterina Davydenko (Baia Mare), Oxana Kiseleva (Kuban), Anna Sedoykina (Dinamo-Sinara) and Maria Basarab (Zvezda) – making them a dominant force.

The previous Rostov squad, led by Danish-born coach Jan Leslie, nearly won the treble last season.

After becoming Russian champions, cup winners, and, subsequently, participated twice in the semi-final at the EHF Cup Winners’ Cup in 2013 and 2014, Rostov made it to the final of the EHF Cup in May.

But all hopes of winning their first international trophy were shattered by the Danish side Team Tvis Holstebro in a 20:33 defeat.

As Rostov proved they were capable of reaching an international final, their goal for the season sounds quite interesting and confident:

“Defending both trophies in Russia and winning two matches at the EHF FINAL4 in Budapest.”

A coup like this would be the icing on the cake for the 50th anniversary of the club, which will include a big celebration, as well as a match against the Russian national team.

But before dreaming of participating in the FINAL4, Rostov will duel with two other current powerhouses of women’s handball in Group A: 2015 finalist Larvik and 2015 quarter-finalist Baia Mare (where line player Ksenia Makeeva and right back player Ekaterina Davydenko will face their former teammates), along with their third rejuvenated opponent, Krim.

Coach Jan Leslie has some concrete ideas for their first appearance in the Champions League.

“Our goals are to play handball in a modern, fast and efficient way. We want to see packed stands in Rostov-on-Don and move forward as far as possible in the Champions League. Our opponents represent different handball institutions, so we will have interesting matches.”

For team captain Regina Shymkute, it is “great to face the best teams on the continent. Every opponent is interesting; some teams we have faced before, but in the Champions League everything is different. And our goals as players are the same as our coach - to go on the court and win the match.”

The maiden voyage has already created a real hype in Rostov-Don and Leslie describes the participation in the flagship competition as “an important step for the development of our club.

"For any team it is a demonstration of status to compete in the Champions League. Each victory will improve the image."

Rostov-Don (RUS)

Qualification for the 2015/16 EHF Women’s Champions League season: Russian champions
 
Newcomer: Katrine Lunde (Györ), Anna Sen (Györ), Ksenia Makeeva (Baia Mare), Ekaterina Davydenko (Baia Mare), Oxana Kiseleva (Kuban), Anna Sedoykina (Dinamo-Sinara), Maria Basarab (Zvezda)

Left the club: Ekaterina Artamonova (Kuban, Russia), Andjela Bulatovic (ERD, Hungary), Olga Perederiy (IUVENTA Michalovce, Slovakia), Sonja Barjaktarovic, Oxana Svitanko

Coach: Jan Leslie

Team captain: Regina Shymkute

Opponents in the group matches: Larvik, Krim, Baia Mare

EHF Women’s Champions League records:
Participations (including 2015/16 season): 4
Qualification: 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14

Other EC records:
EHF Cup
Finalist 2014/15
Quarter-finals: 2009/10

Cup Winners Cup:
Semi-finalist: 2012/13, 2013/14
Quarter-finals: 2010/11

Russian champion: 1990, 1991, 1994, 2015
Russian Cup winner: 1980, 1982, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015