Sergej Shelmenko moves to russian Bears

Handball Bundesliga Rhein-Neckar Löwen must declare their first departure of the new season. Left-hander Sergej Shelmenko will begin the new season with Russian champions Chehovskie Medvedi. At the club in Moscow, the Ukrainian national team player, who in 2006 moved from ZTR Zaporozhe to the Löwen, signed a two-year contract taking him to June 2011.

“I did not take the decision to leave the Löwen lightly and although I had a great time in the Bundesliga, nevertheless I am very happy to have a new challenge at Medvedi. The fact that handball is gaining ground in Russia and with Vladimir Maximov, I will be getting on of the most successful trainers in the world who can help me bring my personal development as a player further also” said Shelmenko, who with his family will move to Russia and a little closer to his Ukrainian homeland.

Chehovskie trainer, Vladimir Maximov declared Shelmenko as an absolute dream player for his club, the kind who could find a professional perspective with the club after the career.