19.06.2007, 12:56
Tough Preparations for Kiel

Kiel fans will not remain without top level handball for the summer. The test match schedule of the CL winner has been fixed promising great matches against big teams.

Tough Preparations for Kiel

Before a season, in which you are going to defend the Champions League, the German championship and the German Cup trophies – as THW Kiel next season – you have to be well prepared. THW coach, Zvonimir “Noka” Serdarusic, also knows it. After the start of the pre-season trainings on 11 July, a thorough and tough match programme has been fixed before the start of the new Bundesliga season on 25 August.

After a training camp from 17 to 24 July, Kiel take part at the Hummel Charity Cup in the North German town of Rendsburg on 28-29 July. The other participants will be Danish champions GOG Svendborg TGI and Bundesliga rivals, SG Flensburg Handewitt and TBV Lemgo.

Training with the best 

After a charity match against a third division team, Bad Schwartau in Eutin on 1 August, Kiel are ready to meet some of Europe’s strongest teams on 4 and 5 August. Last season’s Bundesliga runner-up, HSV Hamburg, are among the opponents at the Brümmerhoff Cup in Schneverdingen. Former Hungarian champions, MKB Veszprém, and Danish top team, KIF Kolding, also take part here.

Hamburg and Veszprém face each other one week later again, at the Schlecker Cup in Ehingen, where another Bundesliga team and Champions League participant, VfL Gummersbach, are also playing. Montpellier HB, last season’s number two of France, and Danish top team, FC København Håndbold, will also be there at the tournament.

On 21 August, the traditional Super Cup match between the German champions and Cup winners will take place in Münich. As Kiel are champions and Cup winners at the same time, their opponents will be SG Kronau/Östringen – defeated by Kiel in the German Cup Final this year.

TEXT: Peter Bruun