The revival of a former powerhouse

Handball has a long tradition in Constanta, the fifth biggest city in Romania, with former club HCM Constanta being a constant in the VELUX EHF Champions League for many years. Wins against Barça, Montpellier or Pick Szeged helped the side build an interesting presence in the competition, yet financial trouble saw them fold in 2015.

Former players like Rudi Stanescu, George Buricea or Laurentiu Toma helped build another side in the second league from the ashes of the former powerhouse and the results are there to be seen: 2018 has been kind with HC Dobrogea Sud, as they won their first Romanian cup and progressed to the group phase of the Men’s EHF Cup.

“We are happy with what we have achieved only three-and-a-half years after the team was founded. We could have been in the group phase last year, but we drew Magdeburg in the third round and it was impossible to beat them,” said Constanta president Rudi Stanescu, a former goalkeeper at HCM Constanta.

“Are there any easy teams?”

Constanta’s main advantage is the experience of players like Dalibor Cutura, Laurentiu Toma or George Buricea, but there are also several younger players that can bring a lot to the table.

“Constanta is a balanced team and all players are important. Now, we obviously want to progress to the next stage of the competition, but it will not be easy,” added Stanescu.

Group C is looking to be the most balanced one in the competition, with no clear favourites to proceed to the quarter-finals.

“I can say that I am happy that we are not playing against a German side or against Fraikin BM. Granollers, who are having a very good season in their domestic league. But are there any easy teams at this stage of the competition?,” questioned Constanta’s president.

“Everything is a bonus”

As for the team’s objective, Constanta is deploying a step-by-step approach. After they were eliminated last season by Magdeburg on the last step before the group phase, they are here now.

“Everything is a bonus now, we are not feeling pressure. Every win will be extraordinary. Hopefully, we will get used to some,” said Stanescu.

With former coach Zvonko Sundovski coming back to lead the team this season, Constanta can surely hope for the best. A quarter-final berth would see them return among the top teams in Europe. But can they do it?

HC Dobrogea Sud Constanța (ROU)

Qualification for Men’s EHF Cup 2018/19 Group Phase: Round 3: 57:50 aggregate win against HK Malmö (SWE)

Newcomers: Irakli Chikovani (AHC Dunărea Călărași), Marius Mocanu (Dinamo București), Viacheslav Saldatsenka (SKA Minsk), Janko Kevic (Goztepe)

Left the club: Predrag Vujadinovic (Minaur Baia Mare), Dragoș Soare (AHC Dunărea Călărași), Mladen Rakcevic, Mihai Rohozneanu

Coach: Zvonko Sundovski (since May 2018)

Team captain: Laurentiu Toma

Opponents in the group matches: FC Porto Sofarma, Liberbank Cuenca and TTH Holstebro in Group C

EHF Cup records:
Qualification Round 3 (1): 2017/18

Other European Cup records:
-

National league:
-

National cup:
1 title (2018)