26.08.2015, 05:10
The Oilers’ flame still burning

VELUX EHF Champions League club countdown: 21 days to go - Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)

The Oilers’ flame still burning

Following a spirited challenge against Vive Tauron Kielce for the Polish title and becoming the only team to beat eventual VELUX EHF Champions League winners FC Barcelona last season, there is plenty to be positive about in the Wisla Plock camp as they head into another European campaign.

The Polish runners-up are ready for a new challenge after three cornerstones of the squad of Manuel Cadenas left Plock for other Champions League participants. Mariusz Jurkiewicz joined Kielce, towering line player Kamil Syprzak made it to the defending champions FC Barcelona and Alexander Tioumentsev plays for Meshkov Brest now.

On the other hand, Plock signed two international experienced players: Chilean Marco Oneto (former Barcelona player), Bartosz Konitz and Russian talent Dmitrii Zhitnikov. These newcomers keep the flames of hope burning for Cadenas despite the tough group they were drawn in with Kiel (three-time champions), Veszprem (2015 finalist), talent-laden Paris, 2014 champions Flensburg, Celje, Zagreb and Besiktas.

"At first it is our main goal to qualify for the Last 16 and we want to be a tough opponent for all our competitors,” Cadenas looks ahead. For the coach of the Spanish national team Barcelona, Kiel and Kielce are the favourites to win the competition.

For him, the chance to be in a group like this means a great honour: “To be part of the Champions League is highly important for the city, the club and the fans - who can see the best teams in the world in the Orlen Arena.”

Orlen Wisla Plock (POL)
Qualification for the 2015/2016 VELUX EHF Champions League season: Polish runners-up

Newcomers: Marco Oneto (GWD Minden), Bartosz Konitz (Sczecin), Dmitrii Zhitnikov (Chekhovskie Medvedi)

Left the club: Mariusz Jurkiewicz (Kielce), Alexander Tioumentsev (Meshkov Brest), Kamil Syprzak (Barcelona)

Coach: Manuel Cadenas (since 2013, in double function alongside coaching the Spanish national team)

VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2015/2016 season): 11
Last 16 (4): 1995/1996, 2011/2012, 2013/2014, 2014/2015
Group Phase (5): 2002/2003, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2008/2009
Qualification (1): 2012/2013

Other achievements:
EHF Cup: Quarter-finalist 1993/1994, Group Phase: 2012/2013

Polish champion: 1995, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011
Polish Cup winner: 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008

TEXT: Björn Pazen / cor