European stars on the move
VELUX EHF Champions League winter break is usually the perfect opportunity for players and clubs to hold negotiations regarding moves to be realised in the summer.
This season it is no different, with a lot of transfer activity among the Europe’s elite going on in December, as well as early into the New Year.
New adventure for Ortega
The year has started well for the Veszprem departee Antonio Carlos Ortega. The widely respected coach has put an end to all speculation regarding his future after parting ways with the Hungarian VELUX EHF FINAL4 outfit in September.
The sought-after Spanish tactician has embarked upon a new challenge, having struck a deal with another VELUX EHF Champions League side KIF Kolding Kobenhavn, until 2019.
Moreover, Ortega is also set to make his coaching debut on the international stage, after agreeing to take over the helm of the fast-developing Japanese men’s national team for the rest of the season.
Ortega’s New Year’s wishes already hinted at some interesting developments to follow.
Ortega deal is considered somewhat of a coup for the Danish side, and it will be very interesting to see how his coaching methods will benefit the flamboyantly schooled Danish players, and whether some of his tried and tested Veszprem assets will follow him onto his VELUX EHF Champions League endeavour with the Danish team next season.
However, Ortega’s tenure at Kolding will start without the arguably one of the biggest talents to have come through the club’s ranks in recent years, as the 21-year old left back and VELUX EHF Champions League Top Rookie of 2015 contender Lasse Andersson, has announced he will part ways with the club when his contract expires in the summer.
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Spanish coaches are on the move this winter, with the Spanish national team coach Manolo Cadenas the latest to pull the pin. Cadenas has decided not to extend his contract at Wisla Plock after three seasons in charge, and will see the remainder of his contract with the club until June 2016.
Meanwhile, PSG have decided to keep hold of the Danish left back Henrik Møllgaard. Skjern loanee had found his new home in Paris; and after having his contract running until summer 2016, the French giants have pounced on the opportunity to permanently sign the 31-year old on a two-year deal.
Bombac Kielce move stir shopping spree in Szeged
VIVE Tauron Kielce have opened their winter chequebook, signing the bombastic Slovenian playmaker Dean Bombac.
It is no coincidence that the flamboyant 26-year old Bombac caught the eye of the FINAL4 contenders Kielce.
Dean has been instrumental for MOL Pick Szeged scoring 142 Champions League goals over his two-year spell at the club, masterminding the Hungarian vice champions to the VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter Final last term.
In turn, significant movement has been spotted in Szeged, looking to rebuild for the next season.
Denis Buntic will go the other way, having agreed to join Szeged from Kielce next summer, while Gorenje duo Mario Sostaric and Stas Skube will follow suit, with the later considered as a direct replacement for Bombac.
Slovenian line player Matej Gaber will also join Szeged in the summer, to make way for Miha Zvizej signing at Montellier; while Vardar’s out-of-favour left back Sergei Gorbok has also been confirmed by the club.
While still in Hungary, the quintessential left back Momir Ilic has put pen to paper to a three-year contract extension with Veszprem until 2019, effectively pledging his future to the club, despite his hand fracture, which will keep him away from the EHF EURO 2016.
The Hungarian adventure has been nothing but success for the 34-year old Ilic, having joined Veszprem in 2013. Ilic has been leading the VELUX EHF Champions League scoring charts for two consecutive seasons, most notably in 2014/15, as Veszprem made it to the final. The Serbian has already expressed his great desire to lift the trophy in Cologne with Veszprem.
Mørk set for Györ as Vardar wave goodbye to French duo
The biggest Women’s EHF Champions League signing so far this season is certainly Nora Mørk’s move to Györ, announced in the early December.
The sprightly Norwegian right back has decided to seek new challenge come the end of the season, following her seven-year long loyalty at Larvik.
The 2015 Women’s EHF FINAL4 All-Star Mørk, will fit marvellously in Györ setup, already boasting her Norway teammates Heidi Løke, Linn Sulland, Kari Grimsbø and most recently Ida Alstad.
The abovementioned two-time Women’s EHF Champions League winners have reacted upon their backcourt injury crisis, having brought in the experienced Norwegian Alstad with immediate effect, to replace the injured Zsuzsanna Tomori until the end of the season.
Alstad was already presented in front of the Györ fans, happy to be reunited with long-time Norway teammate Heidi Løke.
Vardar left winger Siraba Dembele and goalkeeper Amandine Leynaud have decided to seek other ventures, as many Europe’s top clubs have expressed interest in services of the highly sought after Vardar duo for the next season.
Dembele has decided not to extend her expiring contract with Vardar, and is to strengthen Rostov, while Leynaud has agreed terms with the Hungarian giant Györ, joining stern competition for a place in goal from the likes of Kari Grimsbø and Eva Kiss.
Title-defenders Buducnost did not still either, having acquired services of two under-the-radar signings to extend their squad’s depth.
Slovenian right wing Neli Irman is to provide cover for Radmila Petrovic who is recovering from a mononucleosis virus, while the performances of the Tunisian goalkeeper Eshraf Abdala at the Women’s World Championship 2015 have caught the eye of Dragan Adzic, looking for rotation options for Marta Zderic in goal.
TEXT: Nemanja Savic / br
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