VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League FINAL4

Only four teams can make it to the final round of the VELUX EHF Men‘s Champions League at the end of May 2011. The very best teams and players in the world, all meeting over one weekend and in one venue to decide the winner of the ultimate prize in club handball.

The first VELUX EHF Men‘s Champions League FINAL4 in 2010 saw almost 40,000 spectators in the LANXESS arena, Cologne and millions of television viewers worldwide enjoyed a handball and entertainment show the likes of which have never been seen before. In 2011 the event once again returns to Cologne and will be played out on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May 2011.

Match schedule

Saturday 28 May 2011
Semi-final 1
Semi-final 2

Sunday 29 May 2011
Match for 3rd / 4th place
VELUX EHF Champions League Final

Match throw-off times will be announced in early 2011.

Venue: The LANXESS arena

The venue for the second VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the LANXESS arena, one of the largest multi-functional arenas in Europe with capacity for some 20,000 spectators, which is fast becoming the premier handball arena in Europe. Host of the 2007 World Championship Final, the arena also hosted the 2010 edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4, where a new spectator record of 19,374 handball fans in a European club handball event was set.

Host city: Cologne

Cologne welcomes fans from across the globe for a weekend of handball, fun and entertainment. The city famous for its sport, culture and carnival offers plenty for visitors, from the historic city centre, situated close the LANXESS arena, to boat trips on the Rhine.

The Event: Entertainment

The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is not just about handball, it is also about entertainment, show and razzmatazz – quite simply the biggest event in the handball year. Handball fans arriving at the LANXESS arena will be entertained with live bands and music, promotion stands, games and plenty to eat and drink. Enter the arena and the show begins. A spectacular Opening Show, Light & Laser Shows and a Show Act make the VELUX EHF FINAL4 the amazing event it is.

New EHF Champions League Trophy

A new work of art was created by Austrian artists Herbert and Stefan Gahr. The new trophy was presented in spectacular fashion with a laser show at the EHF FINAL4 Opening Gala before the games and was handed over by EHF President Tor Lian to THW Kiel’s Marcus Ahlm.

Media Coverage

Altogether 25 international channels broadcast the games of the EHF FINAL4. These 25 covered virtually the entire planet. The delayed transmission of Eurosport 2 was available in 45 European countries; Eurosport Asia/Pacific reached 15 more. Dubai Sports added another 25 countries in the Middle East and North America.

Eurosport was particularly successful in Germany. The final match between THW Kiel and FC Barcelona was followed by over 950,000 spectators on average and by nearly 1.3 million at the peak period. Eurosport Germany has never reached such a high audience number with a handball game since 2002.

Tickets

Tickets for the 2010/2011 VELUX EHF FINAL4 go on sale on Wednesday 8 September 2010, and there is good news for handball fans with no increase in ticket prices from the 2009/2010 season.

Tickets will be available in the following price categories:

Category 1 – 200 €
Category 2 – 150 €
Category 3 – 100 €
Category 4 – 50 €

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ehfFINAL4.com or via the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Ticket Hotline at: + 49 221 280 288

2000 tickets reserved for VELUX EHF FINAL4 teams

Each of the four participating teams will have 500 tickets reserved for the 2010/2011 VELUX EHF FINAL4, each contingent reserved in the four corners of the LANXESS arena.

Club tickets will be released to each of the clubs following the completion of the Quarterfinal stage and will be available to purchase from each of the individual clubs.

VIP Tickets

To enjoy the very best VELUX EHF FINAL4 experience, handball fans can treat themselves to a VIP Ticket and a seat in the special VIP area including a delicious three-course buffet and selection of drinks in the LANXESS arena’s exclusive Backstage Restaurant.

Ticket price is €550 (including VAT).

VIP Ticket Package includes:

• Seat in exclusive VIP area
• Four matches over two days (includes EHF Champions League Semi-Finals and Final)
• VIP restaurant with exclusive service
• Delicious three course hot and cold buffet
• Selection of hot and cold drinks
• Official EHF FINAL4 Programme
• VIP Parking Pass (Limited availability and on request)

VIP Box

The ideal opportunity to entertain guests, impress clients or simply invite friends to your own exclusive VIP Box at the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Available for 12, 14 or 16 guests, each VIP Boxes comes with friendly hostess service, a three course buffet, selection of drinks and great seats. There is limited availability, be sure to reserve your VIP Box early to avoid disappointment.

VIP Box Packages includes:

• Exclusive VIP Box for 12, 14 or 16 guests
• Four matches over two days (includes EHF Champions League Semi-Finals and Final)
• Hostess service for your VIP Box
• Delicious three course hot and cold buffet
• Selection of hot and cold drinks
• Official EHF FINAL4 Programme
• VIP Parking Passes (Limited availability and on request)

Price available on request, contact us at +43-1-80151-218 or send an email to championsleague@ehfmarketing.com

Book your hotel with HRS

Official hotel partner of the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League and the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is Hotel Reservation Service, HRS, the biggest hotel portal in Europe.

HRS offers over 250,000 hotels worldwide, with hundreds to choose from in Cologne, all at a special exclusive price for handball fans. With over 2 million hotel recommendations from HRS guests the choice of where to stay in Cologne during the VELUX EHF FINAl4 is made even easier.

Booking can be made online at www.ehfFINAL4.com and is quick, simple and completely free of charge. Individual and group bookings can all be made online. Changes and cancellations are also free of charge.

Travel to Cologne with Vietentours

Official travel partner of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is German travel agency, Vietentours, a one-stop travel specialist. Vietentours offers a choice of hotels from 3 to 5 stars, tickets in every price category, sightseeing trips and the official Vietentours VELUX EHF FINAL4 Party on Saturday evening. Customers booking with Vietentours can simply book the package that suits them best.

Since the mid-80s the name of Vietentours is synonymous for high-class adventure and incentive trips throughout the world. There is no comparable tour operator in Germany who has specialised that much on trips to mega events in the world of sports. Vietentours is the returns as the official travel partner to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 following a successful event in 2010.

Official Website

Here handball fans can find lots of new information still to come right up until May 2011, the best source of VELUX EHF FINAL4 news and information is the event’s official website at www.ehffinal4.com

In both English and German here visitors will find the latest information on the VELUX EHF FINAL4 weekend and buy tickets for the event. Here there is also information on the LANXESS arena, the City of Cologne and the surrounding area.

Media and press can also take full advantage of the www.ehfFINAL4.com website with a special section with a whole host of information, contacts, photos and also accreditation forms to download.