Handball unites opposing teams and fans
Recently finished Round 14 (27 February – 3 March 2019) of the VELUX EHF Champions League saw teams standing together for a positive cause, supporting the league’s charity partner Plan International in the ‘Team up for kids!’ campaign.
The social media campaign showed key players and fans standing behind a girl, who symbolises all children worldwide. Just before the start of the matches, both teams stood together for a photo holding the banner with the ‘Team up for kids!’ message.
Thanks to the joint effort of the clubs and EHF Marketing, this group photo was taken at nine out of 10 home match venues. The clubs were also active on social media, posting the key visuals and spreading the campaign message. All 20 clubs playing Round 14 either participated on site or via their social media channels.
From the fans who took part in the campaign by commenting on the posts, one lucky winner was chosen and will enjoy the weekend-long spectacle of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne, Germany.
Managing Director of Plan International, Wolfgang Porschen said: “All children in this world have the same rights. But they do not all have the same opportunities. This is why the engagement of VELUX EHF Champions League, players and fans is such an important sign in order to advance children’s rights and equality for girls worldwide. Thank you for the valuable participation in the ‘Team up for kids!’ campaign.”
Prior to Round 14, VELUX EHF Champions League premium regional sponsor Gorenje launched a campaign which aims to unite fans of the opposing teams. The #simplyfansunited campaign celebrates a special atmosphere unique only to handball. Gorenje is convinced there is a friendly and empathic culture among handball fans, which they aim to highlight with this campaign.
Fans have a chance to win tickets for the showcase event, the 10th edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne, by taking photos with supporters of opposing teams and posting them on Instagram. At the end of every month leading up to 15 May, one winner will be chosen.
Gorenje’s goal is to take handball fans beyond the borders of their home country and the club they are supporting; to erase racial, national and other limits and show the next level of cheering – cheering together for handball. This is what the #simplyfansunited contest is all about.
Project Manager of Gorenje's Marketing Communications, Edita Gabrič Zager said: “We would like to thank all the clubs and fans that support our #simplyfans movement. We strongly believe in this partnership, the power of sport and the great spirit of fans. We encourage the fans to participate in our #simplyfansunited contest on our Instagram profile and can hardly wait to greet all the four winners and their friends at this year’s final event in Cologne.”
Partners and sponsors of the VELUX EHF Champions League feel and appreciate the handball spirit and culture of friendly fans, which they hope to advance further and strengthen with their campaigns.
Commenting on the two recent campaigns, Managing Director of EHF Marketing GmbH David Szlezak said: “I am really proud of all the clubs and players who have supported Plan International’s ‘Team up for Kids!’ especially because it required extra organisational efforts. It is nice to see how a good cause likes this or Gorenje’s #simplyfansunited campaign can spread handball spirit and show the friendship and fairness common between the teams and fans.”
About Plan International
Plan International is an independent organisation, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. Plan stands up for children’s rights worldwide and strives to be open, accountable and honest in what Plan does. Plan has been working for 80 years to tackle poverty, violence and injustice. In more than 70 countries, girls and boys are encouraged to actively shape their future. The main objective is to achieve sustainable change and to enhance the living conditions of the people in the partner countries. When disasters or conflict threatens their lives and well-being, Plan is quick to respond. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals encourages Plan to continue strengthening girls and women and promote gender equality. More information can be found at: https://plan-international.org/.
About Gorenje
The Gorenje Group is a leading European home product manufacturer with 67 years of tradition. The Gorenje Group operates two global brands (Gorenje and the premium brand Asko) and six local brands. Present in 90 countries around the world, the Group brings together 11,000 employees of 42 different nationalities, while generating 95 per cent of its revenue in the global market. All of the Group’s own manufacturing plants (in Slovenia, Serbia, and the Czech Republic) and development competence centres (in Sweden, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia) are located in Europe. In its core activity, home products and services, Gorenje Group already has the status of a challenger and a trendsetter. The vision is to become the best in the world in innovation driven by modern design. More information can be found at: https://www.gorenje.com/.
About EHF Marketing GmbH
EHF Marketing GmbH is the marketing arm and subsidiary of the European Handball Federation. The company works closely with marketing and media partners, as well as with Europe’s leading clubs to realise the full potential of the sport on the international sports market. EHF Marketing GmbH is responsible for the marketing and media rights of club competitions including the VELUX EHF Champions League, WOMEN’S EHF Champions League and the MEN’S EHF Cup. Visit ehfCL.com and ehfFINAL4.com for more information.
TEXT: EHF/jb
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