Countdown part 10: Atlético Madrid
The amount of changes in the squad of Atlético Madrid was far greater than in the past few years, but thanks to strong reinforcements Madrid hopes to lift the trophy in Cologne.
They have lost a lot of their big stars since the last final of the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Croat Jakov Gojun will replace long-term defence specialist Didier Dinart, who made his way to Paris alongside right wing Luc Abalo – however, they still have French representation, since Xavier Barachet has signed for the Spanish side from Chambery.
 Big stars like Isaias Guardiola (Rhein Neckar Löwen) and Chema Rodriguez (MKB Veszprém) have left the Spanish capital – however, in August the three times VELUX EHF Champions League winner made a huge signing by picking up two times world handball player of the year Ivano Balić as a new playmaker.
Just before winning the IHF Super Globe in Doha in a final victory that saw the Spaniards come out on top against THW Kiel, Madrid top goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik transferred to arch rival FC Barcelona Intersport – his successor is young Norwegian Magnus Dahl, on loan from Paris Handball. Coach Talant Dujshebaev is still focused on his goals – to fight the old duel against Barcelona for the Spanish title and to return to Cologne for the fourth consecutive year in June 2013 – and after losing two straight finals he would hope to lift the trophy in June.
Newcomer Ivano Balić shares similar goals: “I honestly think that we have a good chance to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. And then it is only two games, anything can happen. In the Spanish league unfortunately it will only be the matches against Barcelona, which will be decisive for the title. If we are focused enough to win the first game, then we have a great chance at winning the title, too.”
Coach, players and manager Luis Miguel Lopez are confident that the team has the same strength as their opponents: “Talant works as hard as never before and he really likes to integrate new players, especially young players, to his system,” Lopez said, and added: “Talant likes to be part of the FINAL4. We are the only club that has been there all three times, so we want to go to Cologne again – and hopefully this time around we will lift the trophy.”
 BM Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Qualification for the 2012/2013 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Spanish runners-up
Coach: Talant Dujshebaev, since 2005
Newcomers: Magnus Dahl (loaned from Paris Handball), Xavier Barachet (Chambery Savoie), Jakov Gojun (RK Zagreb), Ivano Balić (RK Zagreb), Alvaro Ferrer (Leon), Josep Masachs (Zaragoza), Angel Romero (Valladolid)
Left the club: Arpad Sterbik (FC Barcelona Intersport), Chema Rodriguez (MKB Veszprem), Didier Dinart, Luc Abalo (both Paris Handball), Raul Entrerrios (Nantes), Isaias Guardiola (Rhein Neckar Löwen)
VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2012/2013 season): 10
Winner (3): 2005/2006, 2007/2008, 2008/2009
Final (3): 2004/2005, 2010/2011, 2011/12
Semi Final (1): 2003/2004, 2009/2010
Quarter Final (1): 2006/2007
Other EC records:
Cup Winners Cup:
Winner 2001/2002, 2002/2003
City Cup:
Finalist 1998/1999
Spanish champion: 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Spanish Cup winner: 2003, 2008, 2011, 2012Further information
Find more information on Atlético HERE.
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TEXT: Björn Pazen/bc
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