29.08.2010, 08:30
Hungry for more titles

VELUX EHF Men's Champions League countdown, part 1: THW Kiel (GER)

Hungry for more titles

A record budget, another top team, a highly motivated coach, once again all season tickets sold out – and high flying dreams: EHF Men’s Champions League title holder THW Kiel from Germany is aiming for all possible titles in the upcoming season, in Germany as well as in the Champions League.

"We’re strong enough to fight for all trophies – and we want to win some of them, even as we know that we will be chased in every competition," Uli Derad, managing director of THW, said.

With new additional sponsors, increased support by classic sponsors and more "business lounge" VIP tickets sold, Kiel has a new record budget of officially 9,5 million Euro for the upcoming season.

A major part of their financial stability is based on the fact that again all 9750 season tickets were sold, same as the last decade. And for all of their VELUX EHF Men's Champions League matches they expect a sold-out Sparkassen-Arena.

While five players left the winner of the first ever VELUX EHF FINAL4, only two new players arrived in Kiel. The biggest loss is play maker and defence specialist Börge Lund who transferred to Rhein Neckar Löwen. Additionally pivot Igor Anic (Gummersbach), goalkeeper Peter Gentzel (end of career) and the young players Hendrik Pekeler and Daniel Wessig left THW.

But those gaps were filled with new top class players: Second pivot aside of team captain Marcus Ahlm is Serbian international Milutin Dragicevic, coming from Silkeborg (Denmark), new head of defence is Czech international Daniel Kubes (from Lemgo).

"We have complemented our squad and even strengthened it," Ahlm said. For Coach Alfred Gislasson the team is close to perfection: "Other than last season, when players like Karabatic, Kavticnik of Lövgren left, this year our team remained almost the same. Our new players showed that they really help the team. We’re much stronger and well prepared for the upcoming challenges."

As in the Bundesliga, Hamburg will be THW’s big opponent on the way to their 17th national title, the VELUX EHF Men's Champions League constellation is quite different: "Our group is a real hammer. Our opponents are very tough to play against. Then again our spectators will see world class handball in Kiel," managing director Derad said: "We’re looking forward to those highlighters."

In the Group Phase THW will play against their old enemy – and VELUX EHF FINAL4 2010 finalist – FC Barcelona, Celje (with THW former coach Noka Serdarusic), Chambery (the former club of THW shooter Daniel Narcisse), Kielce (with some well-known Polish players from Bundesliga) and the winner of the wild card tournament.

"One European top team will fail after this early stage – this group is the toughest one ever in the whole VELUX EHF Men's Champions League history," coach Gislasson said.

And the Coach has one big problem before the start of the VELUX EHF Men's Champions League season, Daniel Narcisse is out for six months after a rupture of the crucial ligament in a friendly match.

"We will not sign another player for this period, as our team’s strong enough, especially in the back court section," Gislasson referred to players like last season’s EHF Men's Champions League top scorer Filip Jicha, Serbian Momir Illic or the Icelandic talent Aron Palmarsson.

Including outstanding goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer THW Kiel is prepared for the next season. The dream of reaching the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2011 in Cologne again is on its way: "Thinking of our matches in Cologne still gives me the creeps. I want to feel the goosebumps again in May 2011," THW club board member Klaus-Hinrich Vater pointed out his objective for next season.

Key facts

Newcomers: Daniel Kubes (from Lemgo), Milutin Dragicevic (from Silkeborg)

Left club: Börge Lund (to Rhein Nekar Löwen), Igor Anic (to Gummersbach), Peter Gentzel (end of career), Daniel Wessig (to Coburg), Hendrik Pekeler (to Bergischer HC)

Coach: Alfred Gislasson (Iceland, since 2008)

Club records

EHF Champions League winner 2007, 2010
EHF cup winner 1998, 2002, 2004
German champion: 16 times (including six consecutive times since 2005)
German cup winner: 6 times

Find more info here.

TEXT: Björn Pazen