The social side of handball: last week in review
Milestones, emotional homecomings, a human perspective and life goals; we have seen it all on social media this week. And also a throwback to a glorious meeting between two players, who left their mark on their sports for the near future…..
Another ‘no comment’ hit from PSG
Already a hit in this section, the ‘no comment’ video from PSG is once again featured as one of the best pieces of handball’s social side this week. Take a closer look at the only team with a 100% record in the VELUX EHF Champions League, at a training session for children with Nedim Remili, a game of special handball with all PSG stars, and a motivational speech to get prepared for a game. Also, guess who the player riding an electric scooter is.
Lekic and the wine connection
Andrea Lekic has established herself as one of the top players in women’s handball for almost a decade. She is also one of the players with the biggest social media presence. Never refusing to speak to the media, Lekic has spoken at length for her club’s TV show, touching a lot of topics, such as her passion for basketball or her dream job - sommelier - if she would not have been a handball player.
500 games for Svan in Flensburg
It is quite easy to fall in love with a team like Flensburg-Handewitt, which has a set of beautiful fans and is constantly playing at top level, but also winning important trophies. Like in 2014, when they shocked the favourites and took home the VELUX EHF Champions League trophy. Lasse Svan is in his 10th season as a Flensburg player and the 35-year old right wing became only the fourth player to be part in 500 matches for his team.
Don’t sleep near your teammates. Ever!
Sigvaldi Bjorn Gudjonsson has been an integrant part of Elverum’s campaign on the court this season. But in the social media era, it is better not to sleep on the team bus or on the plane. Because something like this might happen…
A Finn to die for
Finnish champions Cocks have been an exotic addition to the VELUX EHF Champions League, but on home court they withstood the test and produced one of the most exciting games of the season. Their chances to progress to the next phase are slim, but they have lit up social media, especially with the posts of Teemu Tamminen, the left wing who scored 28 goals this season for Cocks. His Instagram post are to die for, so follow him and enjoy the magic.
Game of her life for Kovacsics
There have only been a few performances in history better than Aniko Kovacsics’s against Bietigheim on Sunday. She single-handedly powered FTC past the German side in their 33:30 win. The Hungarian club put together a video from the game, after the 27-year old playmaker scored 15 goals to help FTC tighten their grip on the first place in Group D.
Special homecoming for Mogensen and Eggert
Both Thomas Mogensen and Anders Eggert spent 11 years playing for Flensburg, therefore they were basically at home while representing Skjern during Match of the Week. The Danish side lost, 26:22, with the two Danish veterans scoring three goals apiece, but they stayed long after the final whistle and entertained the crowd that once cheered their name.
A team that keeps on giving
The mission of a professional handball club is not only to win trophies and plaudits, but also to give back to the local community. Vardar are one of the best teams in this respect. The noisy fans have every chance to meet their idols, also outside the Jane Sandanski Arena. This time, the Vardar players went to a local shopping centre in Skopje to take pictures and sign shirts and postcards.
The meeting between two giants
It is always nice to see a crossover between two popular sports and this gem from PSG brings all the goods. Two legendary goalkeepers, who both are in their 40s but are still playing at the highest level, met two weeks ago. The clip that followed is definitely worth watching on repeat.
A new batch of beautiful goals
There has been no shortage of stunning goals this week either, with TATRAN Presov’s right wing Tomas Cip taking the plaudits with an otherworldly finish of a fast break in the Slovakian’s side win against Sporting.
A new role for Althaus
The 36-year-old line player has won three Women’s EHF Champions League trophies, including last season with Györ, so what has she been doing in Hungary last weekend? Anja Althaus has definitely retired from professional handball, but she is certainly not swiping the floors, as suggested in this photo… She is the new official ambassador of Europe’s premium club competition, traveling across Europe to offer a new perspective and exclusive sneak peeks. And she has already been in action during her former club’s win over Thüringer HC on Monday night.
TEXT:
Adrian Costeiu / ew