New season begins in VELUX EHF Champions League

The weekend 3/4 September 2011 signals the start of the VELUX EHF Champions League 2011/12 season with four qualification events taking place in Poland, Slovakia, Austria and Israel to decide the four remaining places in the Group Phase.

Following a successful opening season in 2010/11, the competition’s title sponsor, the VELUX Group, now enters its second year of a sponsorship agreement with EHF Marketing GmbH, the marketing arm of the European Handball Federation.

The partnership deal, signed in September 2010, and the first title sponsorship of any EHF competition, has seen the incorporation of the company’s brand into the VELUX EHF Champions League competition name and logo as well as exposure through floor and perimeter advertising. The company has also enjoyed extensive corporate hospitality for its partners and customers throughout the season, 650 guests alone were invited by the VELUX Group to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne on 28/29 May 2011.

Close and strong partnership

Commenting on the VELUX Group’s involvement in the competition, Michael K. Rasmussen, Marketing Director, said: "The VELUX Group is very satisfied with the favourable outcome of our first season as title sponsor. All European sales companies in the Group were really enthusiastic about the sponsorship and together they invited more than 3,500 VELUX guests to experience top level handball over the last season.

"It is fantastic to be able to meet our customers at informal and inspiring events like this. We look forward to the new season and we expect the VELUX EHF Champions League to be broadcast to even more viewers, giving them the opportunity to follow the world's best handball players at close range."

Peter Vargo, Managing Director of EHF Marketing GmbH, said: "The success of the past season has underlined the importance of the cooperation with the VELUX Group. We have developed a very close and strong partnership, which not only benefits our clubs but also offers the opportunity to further develop the product and better present the competition on the international sports market."

About the VELUX EHF Champions League

The VELUX EHF Champions League is the premier men’s club handball competition in Europe. The continent’s top 24 men’s professional handball clubs compete initially in four groups of six teams, and play from September to May for a chance to be one of the four teams to qualify for the final stage of the competition, the VELUX EHF FINAL4, which will take place in the LANXESS arena in Cologne on 26 and 27 May 2012. More information at ehfCL.com and ehfFINAL4.com.

About the VELUX Group

The VELUX Group creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. The VELUX product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs. The Group also supplies many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs.

The VELUX Group, which has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, represents one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit www.velux.com.

About EHF Marketing GmbH

EHF Marketing GmbH is the marketing arm and daughter-company 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 the VELUX EHF Champions League and the EHF Women’s Champions League.

Media Contacts

European Handball Federation
JJ Rowland
Head of Media and Communications
Tel. +43 1 80 151 167
Email: rowland@eurohandball.com

The VELUX Group
Ghita Borring
Media Relations Manager
Tel. +45 45 16 40 00
Email: ghita.borring@VELUX.com