Constanta aim to recapture cup magic

They were the surprise package of the previous EHF Cup competition – and now HCM Constanta aim to continue in the same vein this time around.

The Romanian champions and cup winners made it all the way to the 2014 EHF Cup Finals in Berlin, before going on to finish in fourth following defeats to Montpellier and Berlin.

Constanta are back in the EHF Cup Group Phase after beating Norwegian side Elverum in the final qualification round, having failed to reach the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase, falling to Turkish champions Besiktas.

Stars Alexandru Simicu (HSV Hamburg) and Alexandru Csepreghi (Creteil) may have left, but Macedonian head coach Zvonko Sundovski still has a number of internationally experienced players to call upon, including Montenegrin international Mladen Rakcevic.

The objective is clear for Sundovski's side; to win all their domestic competitions and complete another journey to the EHF Cup Finals, and perhaps go one step further than last year.

Standing in their way will be Group B rivals St. Petersburg (RUS), Holstebro (DEN) and Granollers (ESP).

Club director Ali Nurhan hopes to recapture the magic of 2014.

He said: “Our team’s objective is to proceed from the group phase and then to reach EHF Cup Finals again, like last year in Berlin. It was a great and spectacular experience for our team and with hard work we can compete with the best four teams in this competition.”

Team captain Laurentiu Toma shares those hopes.  

Toma added: “The main international objective is to qualify for the EHF Cup Finals like last season. 

“Even though it’s very difficult for us, because each team has equal opportunities, we will play until the last chance, and we’ll give all the best to make our country and supporters feel proud of us.”

Three questions for coach Zvonko Sundovski:

eurohandball.com: What are your expectations for the EHF Cup Group Phase - regarding your objectives and your group opponents?

Zvonko Sundovski: “My expectations are to pass the group stage. Although I think it will be very difficult, because each of those four teams have equal chances.”

eurohandball.com: What does participation in the EHF Group Phase mean to you and your club?

Zvonko Sundovski: “Participation in the group stage of the EHF Cup means a lot for us, because last year we had great results and we played in EHF Cup Finals. This year we are the only men’s club team from Romania to participate in European Cup competitions.”

eurohandball.com: Which teams are your personal favourites to reach the EHF Cup Finals?

Zvonko Sundovski: “It is very early, this year is different. I hope for good matches and that the best teams will reach the EHF Cup Finals.”

HCM Constanta (ROU)

The road to the Group Stage:

Round 3: Constanta vs Elverum 27:21, 30:29

Newcomers: Andrei Enescu Razvan, Javier Humet Gaminde  (US Ivry), Mladen Rakcevic (AEK Athens), Robert Gal (CSS Brasov), Claudiu Subtirica (CSM Ploiesti), Claudiu Simicu (LPS Banatul Timisoara) 

Left the club: Alexandru Simicu (HSV Hamburg), Alexandru Csepreghi (US Creteil), Bogdan Criciotoiu (HSG Friesenheim), Marius Sadoveac (HCM Baia Mare)

Coach: Zvonko Sundovski (since 2012) 

EHF European Cup competition records:
VELUX EHF Champions League:
Last 16: 2009/2010
Group Phase: 2004/05, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13
Qualification: 2013/14, 2014/15

EHF Cup
Finalists: (fourth place) 2013/14

Cup Winners’ Cup
Semi-final: 2005/2006
Quarter-final: 2006/07, 2008/09
Round 4: 2002/03

Challenge Cup
Semi-final: 2003/2004
Round 4: 2000/01

Romanian champions: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Romanian cup winners: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014