Slovenian start

The two representatives of Slovenia in the Men's 2008/09 Champions League, Koper and Celje, started their preparations. However, their mood is very different after the first days of work.

Cimos Koper lost captain

Even though the new season has not started yet, Slovenian runner-up, Cimos Koper have already lost a player, Uros Rapotec.

Their debut in the Champions League could not start worse. During the preparations, one of the most important players of the team got injured. Team captain Uros Rapotec will have to undergo a knee operation and he will surely lose the first part of the season.

This will be cause a major problem for coach Matjaz Tominec who has only one alternative on the left wing, Zoran Jovicic.

Before the start of the Slovenian Championship (13 September) Cimos Koper will take part in two international tournaments – Pfalz and Schlecker Cup in Germany.

Celje win Banja Luka Cup

Slovenian champion Celje Pivovarna Lasko played their first friendly matches of the new season and they won an international tournament in Banja Luka.

Celje will once again – for the 15th time – play in the Champions League. The team has changed a lot since last season and a new coach – Tone Tiselj – was signed up.

The Slovenian champions played their first matches in Banja Luka and won three times. They defeated Italian Casarano by 31:30, Romanian Steaua by 30:29 and French Creteil by 29:24.

Miladin Kozlina was named best player, while best goalkeeper was Celje's Gorazd Skof.