Entertainment team for FINAL4 takes shape

While handball fans still have to wait for another fortnight for the four clubs which will reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018, the team that will be taking care of the splendid atmosphere in and around the LANXESS arena on 26/27 May is already nicely shaping up.

There will be some well-rehearsed members returning to the entertainment team for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne joining forces with some fresh faces in an effort to create an unforgettable experience for all fans, not only at the games but also at Friday’s Opening Party, which has already become a traditional and favourite part of the season’s climax.

Team of hosts

EHF Marketing has announced that for the sixth year in a row Anett Sattler will be one of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 presenting team. Sattler, who was awarded 'best sport moderator' at the German Sport Journalist Awards last year, will present the Opening Party at the LANXESS arena on Friday, 25 May, celebrating the eve of European club handball’s biggest weekend together with the fans.

On Saturday and Sunday, 26-27 May, she will guide the capacity crowd in the arena through the matches.

Sattler is a well-known sport presenter in Germany. She has been the face of live German Bundesliga handball matches together with legendary Stefan Kretzschmar as well as EHF EURO events and World Championships for over a decade on German television.

She will receive a vital help from another returnee to the event. Markus Floth makes his eighth trip to Cologne and has been part of big handball tournaments since 2010, when he joined the EHF EURO in Austria. Raised in London, he completed his education as a presenter with the BBC. In Austria he made a name for himself presenting shows with various private radio broadcasters and presented his own shows on television with VIVA and MTV.

Swedish duo

They both will work in close cooperation with a duo from Sweden. Since many years, DJ Peter Vikström and the third host, Claes Mårtensson, are an experienced team at major sporting events and yet again they are ready to contribute to a fantastic mood at this year’s VELUX EHF FINAL4.

The 47-year-old Mårtensson, who started his career as a match announcer in 1996, has a wealth of experience behind him. The two Swedes are always searching for the very best reaction from the audience. Both are former handball players and to that effect they know how to delight handball fans.

Fresh face

This bunch of seasoned veterans will be reinforced with sort of a newcomer in Cologne as the British host Hannah Jackson will convey behind-the-scenes moments and guest appearances to the fans in the arena.

Hannah hosted European Handball Goes Tech event on the fringes of last year’s FINAL4 and together with Markus Floth became the new faces of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

Opening party

There is no better way to start the VELUX EHF FINAL4 weekend than at the big Opening Party on Friday, 25 May 2018. The season’s highlight event will get underway at the LANXESS arena in Cologne and will present all fans at the party with a chance to experience their favourite players from as close as never before.

The party ticket holders can already look forward to an entertaining run-down. Apart from the four participating teams, there will be several handball celebrities from various countries. In the lobby of the LANXESS arena fans will have a chance to take pictures with the stars or acquire valuable autographs.

Fans from all around the world will also get a chance to experience a true spirit of the hosting city through the music on stage as Cologne-based brass pop band Querbeat is bound to get the crowd into the dance rhythms with their trumpets, tubas, saxophones and engaging performance. Querbeat will team up on the stage with a popular cover band Groovin Affairs, who have built a reputation of bringing fans to a dance frenzy with their shows.

The tickets for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 Opening Party are available either online or via a ticket hotline +49 (0)221 80 20. One ticket costs 7 euro (plus 2,00 € a manipulation fee) and each ticket holder will be eligible to claim one free drink. The reduced tickets are available for five euro.

Waiting list reminder

Although there are no tickets available for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2018 right now, there is still a slight chance of purchasing tickets for the four games. All fans have to do is to subscribe to the waiting list.

Tickets might be available already as soon as 4 May if participating clubs return some from their contingents.

Apart from the four mouth-watering matches and breath-taking opening shows the ticket owners will also get a chance of enjoying the top musical act of this year’s edition – the American band Welshly Arms, who will sing three songs in the final day.