Hopes for the second stage
After winning the EHF Cup in 2010, Randers HK took a fancy to international appearances in the EHF Women’s Champions League.
For the second straight time Randers booked the ticket to the Group Phase by winning their Qualification Tournament as Danish runners-up.
Big names in the group
After missing the Main Round in last season it’s their will and ambition not to be eliminated in the first stage again.
But they have to be on top of their performing level, as they have to face the big favourites Györ, record CL winners Hypo and French champions Metz in their group.
Strong foreign newcomers
Coach Jan Leslie improved his team with international players: Spaniard Veronica Cuadrado came from Sagunto, German Susann Müller from Aarhus and Adriana Cardoso from her home country Brazil.
Five players gone
In total, five players left the squad including Serbian Jelena Eric and Danish Maria Fisker who transferred to one of the biggest domestic rivals of Randers, Viborg HK.
But still it’s the great objective to win a national title after losing two finals in the Danish league (against Viborg 2010 and Midtjylland 2011) and to proceed to the next stage of the EHF Women’s Champions League.
Sold-out hall wanted
And Randers is looking forward to attract as many fans as possible due to an attractive style of play and top-class opponents.
"We want to show some great games," is the hope of the club.
Qualified in Sweden
In the Qualification Tournament in Gothenburg, Randers played a sovereign role by beating Dalfsen (Netherlands) 34:19 in the semi-final and hosts Sävehof with 26:21in the final.
The team still consists of several young and talented Danish internationals but also have experienced Katrine Fruelund as one of the leading figures, together with German Nina Wörz.
Three questions to coach Jan Leslie
ehfCL.com: What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the EHF Women’s Champions League – concerning your objectives and your group opponents?
Jan Leslie: All teams in our group are very strong, so we hope to do better than last year and we will be very happy with every single victory.
ehfCL.com: What does the participation in the EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Jan Leslie: It means a lot to us, because those tight matches develop the players in many ways.
Also for the branding of the club it is good to participate in the EHF Women’s Champions League.
ehfCL.com: What teams are your personal favourites for winning the title this season – and why?
Jan Leslie: For Györ it looks really good. They are for handball, what Barcelona is for football!
Club facts – Randers HK (DEN)
Newcomers: Veronica Cuadrado (BM Sagunto/ESP), Susann Müller (SK Aarhus), Adriana Cardoso (Brazil)
Left the club: Alessandra Medeiros (unknown), Jelena Eric (Zajecar/SRB), Maria Fisker (Viborg HK), Thea Olesen (Team Vesthimmerland), Simone Kristiansen (Bjerringbro FH)
Coach: Jan Leslie, since 2009
Qualification for the 2011/2012 EHF Women’s Champions League season: Winner of Qualification Tournament 4, Danish runners-up
EHF Women’s Champions League records:
Participations (including 2011/2012 season): 2
Group Phase: 2010/11
Other EC records:
EHF Cup Winner: 2009/10
City Cup Finalist: 1999/00
Danish Runners-up: 2009/10, 2010/11
Further information
Find more information on Randers HK HERE.
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TEXT:
Björn Pazen