German giants busy rebuilding

They are the second most successful club in the history of the EHF Champions League behind record winners FC Barcelona. THW Kiel won the trophy three times (2007, 2010, 2012) and were at least in the semi-finals six times in the last seven years.

But a major transition is lying ahead of the German record champions and record cup winners, who finished fourth at the last VELUX EHF FINAL4, beaten by Hamburg and Kielce.

Four world class players left THW, including a former and the current world handball player of the year - goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer to Montpellier, the back court aces Daniel Narcisse to Paris and Momir Ilić to Veszprém and long-term team captain Marcus Ahlm, who finished his highly successful career.

On the other hand, the team of coach Alfreð Gíslason signed only young guns. Swedish goalkeeper Johan Sjöstrand shall replace Omeyer, Dane Rasmus Lauge and Tunisian Wael Jalouz are supposed to enter the footprints of Ilić and Narcisse.

So THW are confident, but humble, as manager Klaus Elwardt underlines. “It is one of our major objectives to qualify for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 again, like in 2010, 2012 and 2013. But to fulfil this task will become much harder than in the previous seasons, as we are in the middle of a huge transition and the competition clearly improved.”

In Group B of the Group Phase Kiel will face Kielce, Kolding, Dunkerque, the winner of Montpellier vs Płock knock-out and the winner of Qualification Tournament 4.

“Those teams are enormously interesting opponents,” says Elwardt, “though it is a pity that Atletico Madrid cannot be part of our group, as we had electrifying matches with them. But either Montpellier or Płock are high quality ‘substitutes’ for Madrid.”

Despite the transition, Kiel still can count on international top level players like the new team captain Filip Jícha or Icelandic playmaker Aron Pálmarsson, who suffers from a knee injury and will be back for the start of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase. So the club message to their opponents is clear: “As usual, we want to fight for all possible titles, including the VELUX EHF FINAL4.”

"Cologne is always something very special, as you face the best teams of the world there,” is Jícha’s opinion: “But at first we want to play a good role in the Group Phase – but definitely the big goal is the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Once you have been there, you want to play again and again.”

Three questions to coach Alfreð Gíslason:

What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League -  concerning your objectives and your group opponents?

Alfreð Gíslason: It will be a really thrilling season, in which our big goal is to be part of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 again.

Kielce have a strong squad, which clearly was strengthened by the transfer of Julen Aguinalgalde, Kolding-Kobenhavn are a tough opponent if all players – including our former right back Kim Andersson – are fit, as Kolding depend on him.

Dunkerque have the abilities to cause some major surprises and will grab their chance to enter the spotlight.

What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?

Alfreð Gíslason: Though winning the German championship is always our main focus every season, the VELUX EHF Champions League has an equal significance for us.

It is the showroom of European top handball including the absolute highlighter in Cologne.

What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and for winning the title this season – and why?

Alfreð Gíslason: There is only one evident top favourite in this season: FC Barcelona. The runners-up of the previous season have strengthened their squad in an extraordinary way. First contender to endanger this favourite role of Barcelona are Paris Handball. Also Veszprém and Kielce will play an important role in this competition – and of course I hope that we have the abilities to go all the way.
 

THW Kiel (GER)

Qualification for the 2013/2014 VELUX EHF Champions League season: German champions

Coach: Alfreð Gíslason, since 2008

Newcomers (including former club): Wael Jallouz (AS Hammamet, TUN), Rasmus Lauge-Schmidt (BSV Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, DEN), Johan Sjöstrand (Aalborg Handbold, DEN)

Left the club (including new club): Marcus Ahlm (end of career), Daniel Narcisse (Paris St. Germain, FRA), Thierry Omeyer (Montpellier AHB, FRA), Momir Ilić (MKB-MVM Veszprém, HUN)

VELUX EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2013/2014 season): 17
Winner (3): 2006/2007, 2009/2010, 2011/2012
Final (3): 1999/2000, 2007/2008, 2008/2009
Semi Final (3): 1996/1997, 2000/2001, 2012/13
Quarterfinal (5): 1998/1999, 2002/2003, 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2010/2011
Group Phase (2): 1994/1995, 1995/1996

Other EC records:

EHF Cup: Winner 1997/1998, 2001/2002, 2003/2004

German champions: 18 (1957, 1962, 1963, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
German Cup winners: 9 (1998, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013)