 No lack of ambition for much changed Velenje
After winning the Slovenian league in 2012 and 2013 and reaching the Last 16 in the previous VELUX EHF Champions League season, Gorenje Velenje have undergone major changes in their squad.
A total of eight top players, such as Jure Dolenec, Matej Gaber (both Montpellier) and Gahrudin Mehic (Paris) left the club, while young talents like Slovenian junior team players Mario Šoštarič and Nejc Cehte joined the team.
A new coach has also taken the reins. Branko Tamše, who had been in charge since 2008 made way for Ivan Vaidl. Despite the major transition, the Slovenian champions are confident of maintaining their level.
In the Group Phase Velenje will face defending champions HSV Hamburg, their German neighbours SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Aalborg, La Rioja and Halmstad.
Manager Tomaž Juršič rate those opponents as “a difficult group”, but believes that “our team will finish the Group Phase among the four best teams and progress to the next round.”
In general the transition for Juršič is more a challenge than pressure situation.
“The tradition of handball in Velenje goes a long way back and therefore we are delighted to be a part of this competition,” said Juršič.
New team captain Niko Medved sets his hopes high to reach their goals on the support of their fans.
“I think that we have an interesting group from which, if we will play how we should, we can proceed to the Last 16.
“I hope that for every match our hall will be full and the atmosphere is unbearable for the opponents. We won’t underestimate anyone and we will prepare for each match individually to go for two points,” said Medved.
Three questions to coach Ivan Vaidl:
What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League - concerning your objectives and your group opponents?
Ivan Vaidl: We are quite a new team. This year eleven new people joined this club, including myself. The team is mixed, as we have young inexperience, with slightly older and experienced players. Our goal for this season is to proceed to the Last 16. We have an interesting group and we will prepare for each team and go for two points in every match.
What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Ivan Vaidl: The participation in the Champions League is a confirmation of our good work. In the past seasons my predecessor build the foundation and our goal is to continue in the same way. We are glad that also this year our Rdeča dvorana (Red hall) will host the best teams in Europe.
What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and for winning the title this season – and why?
Ivan Vaidl: My favourite to win Champions League is Barcelona, but the circle of candidates is much wider. I think that Kiel, Hamburg, PSG, Veszprém and Kielce have a chance to take the throne. In handball you never know, in most cases the stronger and more experienced team wins but in some occasions smaller clubs can surprise.
RK Gorenje Velenje (SLO)
Qualification for the 2013/2014 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Slovenian Champion
Coach: Ivan Vajdl (since 2013, former coach: Branko Tamše/2008-2013)
Newcomers: Jernej Papež, Staš Skube, Mario Šoštarič, Benjamin Burić, Senjamin Burić, Nejc Cehte, Maric Vrečar, Mitja Nosan, Marko Oštir
Left the club: Matej Gaber, Fahrudin Melić, Marko Bezjak, Jure Dolenec, Dino Bajram, Peter Pucelj, Ivan Gajić, David Miklavčič
VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2013/2014 season): 7
Last 16 (3): 2005/2006, 2009/2010, 2012/13
Main Round (1): 2007/2008
Group Phase (1): 2004/2005
Qualification (1): 2010/2011
Other EC records:
EHF Cup
Finalist: 2008/2009
Slovenian champion: 2008/09, 2011/12, 2012/13 (runners-up: 2003/04, 2004/05, 2009/10, 2010/11)
Slovenian Cup winner: 2002/03
TEXT: Björn Pazen / cor
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