29.04.2014, 12:30
Barcelona take on Flensburg, Veszprem meet Kiel

NEWS REPORT: The VELUX EHF FINAL4 draw determined the semi-final pairings of the fifth edition.

Barcelona take on Flensburg, Veszprem meet Kiel

The record winners of the EHF Champions League FC Barcelona will face SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the semi-final, while Hungarian champions MKB-MVM Veszprem take on THW Kiel after the draw in the RadissonBLU Hotel in Cologne has determined the VELUX EHF FINAL4 pairings.

The semi-final matches are scheduled for Saturday 31 May 2014, while the 3/4 placement match and the final will follow on Sunday 1 June. The order of matches and exact playing times will be announced in the upcoming days.

“It is a very tough draw and we are very aware of the difficulty. In one game anything can happen,” FC Barcelona manager Xavier O Callaghan said after the draw.

In the 2006/07 season Flensburg eliminated Barcelona on their way to the final.

“We are delighted to be in the FINAL4 and the last time we lost to Flensburg, so we have a chance to make up for that,” O Callaghan added.

Veszprem played already nine times in the European club competitions against Kiel. Last season both rivals faced each other not only in the group phase, but also in the quarter-finals. Kiel won both legs narrowly and stopped the Hungarian team.

“Kiel are always dangerous, they are a fantastic team. However, there is no big difference between the three other teams," Veszprem manager Csaba Hajnal said.

VELUX EHF FINAL4

31 May 2014:

semi-finals: FC Barcelona (ESP) vs SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER), MKB-MVM Veszprem (HUN) vs THW Kiel (GER)

1 June 2014:

3/4 placement match and final

Cologne prepares for the VELUX EHF FINAL4

Europe’s biggest club handball event, the VELUX EHF FINAL4 returns for the fifth time to Cologne.  

The draw for the semi-final pairings in the city signalled the start of the countdown to the two-day mega handball and entertainment event in the LANXESS arena.

Over 20,000 handball fans will travel from across Europe to enjoy a sport and entertainment experience that begins on Friday evening with the Opening Party in front of the LANXESS arena and continues throughout the weekend.

Jean Brihault, EHF President, commented: “We’re looking forward to one of the most exciting conclusions to a European club season yet, with three major titles to be decided at top-class handball events in the coming weeks. The thousands of handball fans travelling to support their teams will, I’m sure, create an unforgettable atmosphere in Budapest, Berlin and Cologne as we enjoy the very best that handball has to offer.”

Peter Vargo, Managing Director of EHF Marketing GmbH, said: “With its mix of top-class handball and entertainment, the VELUX EHF FINAL4 has established itself as the highlight of the club season. The event simply gets better and better and we can promise fans a fantastic experience whether they are lucky enough to have a ticket for the event or will follow the event on TV.”

Opening Party on Friday, 30 May 2014

The VELUX EHF FINAL4 begins with a huge open air party in front of the LANXESS arena, where up to 7,000 fans can meet Europe’s top handball players and enjoy top-class music from Marquess, Kasalla and watch a performance of the official song of the VELUX EHF Champions League from Rob Fowler.

Pop trio Marquess, will perform their hits "El Temperamento" and "Vayamos compañeros" and Cologne band, Kasalla, will perform a 60-minute live set. Tickets are now available on the event’s official website, ehfFINAL4.com, priced 7€ and 5€ for concessions.

The hottest tickets in town

Tickets have been in huge demand ever since they were first released in June 2013. A total of 2,000 tickets are available for the fans of the four semi-final teams, 500 for each club in all price categories. The remaining tickets will only be available to purchase directly from the four participating clubs.

Charity Golf Tournament powered by adidas on behalf of German Cancer Aid

The third edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Charity Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, 30 May from 12:00 hrs in the Velderhof Golf and Country Club. Handball stars past and present will rub shoulders with well-known faces from the world of handball and beyond as they play ahead of the start of the event. The winners’ presentation takes place during the VELUX EHF FINAL4 VIP Reception on Friday, 30 May 2014 19:00 hrs

VELUX EHF FINAL4 App launches

Handball fans will be able to keep completely up-to-date with the latest news, results and video from the VELUX EHF FINAL4 with the re-launch of the official VELUX EHF FINAL4 App. Fans will be able to stream the event from their mobile device and follow all the latest video news from ehfTV.com. The App is available for iOS and Android from Tuesday, 29 April 2014.

Tickets sale to start for the 2015 VELUX EHF FINAL4

Tickets for next season’s VELUX EHF FINAL4 go on sale during the final weekend, with fans in Cologne given the first chance to purchase tickets at 2014 prices from the ticket shop in the LANXESS arena. Online ticket sales will then begin on Monday, 2 June 2014. The 2015  edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 will take place on the weekend of 30/31 May 2015 in the LANXESS arena, Cologne.

TEXT: EHF / jjr, br