Countdown 6: Chambery Savoie

A new coach, two world class brothers and the hopes to reach the knock-out stage of the VELUX EHF Champions League: After twelve years Philippe Gardent left Chambery to coach aspiring club Paris Handball. His successor is his former assistant Mario Cavalli, who now will be assisted by the top player returning to the club: Guillaume Gille. He arrives from Hamburg, together with his brother Bertrande and will join their youngest sibling Benjamin. Jean-Christophe Aulas will take on the role as the new goalkeeper coach.

Xavier Barachet left Chambery and will wear the Madrid jersey next season. After missing out on the Last 16 in the 2011/12 season, Chambery is aiming to make an improvement on last season.

Season’s objectives are clear – to qualify for the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League and in the French League to obtain a ticket for the next edition of the European top club competition. “Kielce are very strong but all the other teams in our group are on the same level. This is a positive thing, but also somewhat dangerous. It will be a very open group,” club manager Laurent Munier predicted.

Three questions to coach Mario Cavalli:
ehfCL.com: What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League?
Mario Cavalli: We have to win all out games in our home arena Le Phare, if we want to qualify for the next stage. The away games are going to be difficult for us. I think our level should be high enough to reach the Last 16.

ehfCL.com:  What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?
Mario Cavalli: It is for us, the final step in the long road of hard work throughout the season. When I hear the Champions League anthem, it is music to my ears, almost like an award for me. Now we have to work hard to go further in this competition.

ehfCL.com: What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and why?
Mario Cavalli: Berlin, Veszprem, Barcelona and Kiel. Kiel are always in the lists of favourite teams. Veszprem, Berlin can count on good newcomers and Barcelona are always a top team too.

Chambery Savoie HB (FRA)
Qualification for the 2012/2013 VELUX EHF Champions League season: French runners-up
Coach: Mario Cavalli (since 2012)
Newcomers: Kevynn Nyokas (Paris), Marko Panić (Banja Luka), Guillaume Gille (HSV Hamburg), Bertrande Gille (HSV Hamburg)
Left the club: Florian Botti (end of career), Benjamin Massot-Pellet (Billere), Guillaume Marroux (Valence), Xavier Barachet (Atletico Madrid), Bertrand Roine (Qatar)

VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2012/2013 season): 8
Last 16 (3): 2003/2004, 2006/2007, 2010/2011
Main Round (1):  2008/2009
Group Phase (3): 2001/2002, 2009/2010, 2011/2012

French champion: 2001 (runners-up: 1998,1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
French Cup winner: 2002 (finalist: 2005, 2009, 2011)

Further information

Find more information on Chambery HERE.

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