TEAMS - European Handball Federation

TEAMS:
1. Györi Audi ETO
2. RK Krim Mercator
3. HC Podravka
4. U Jolidon Cluj
Expert Grit Jurack says:
This is a really tough group! Györ and Krim are contenders for the semi-finals, Podravka and Cluj
have good teams, but I don’t think they have what it takes to make it to the next stage.
Györ have a squad of international stars now, not just Hungarians. They have the advantage that
they only have two tough league matches against FTC, so they can concentrate more on the EHF
Champions League. They can go a long way, but they will have to be at their best when they play
at Vâlcea or in Russia in the upcoming rounds.
Krim have reinforced their squad with classy international players such as Linnea Torstensson or
the Germans Wörz and Müller. Unfortunately Daniela Piedade is out after having a stroke – and I
heartily hope that she will able to return. Together with Györ the Slovenians are my clear
favourite for this group.
Podravka and Cluj might be able to gain some points on home ground, but they will only fight for
third spot, which enables them to play in the Cup Winners’ Cup. Podravka is traditionally strong
on home ground, and unfortunately I don’t know that much about Cluj except that they have
surprisingly beaten Rostov in the qualification.
44
2012/13 Women's European Cup EHF Champions League
Group Matches
Group B
1
HUN
matches
won
draw
lost
goal-difference
points
Györi Audi ETO KC
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0
2
SLO
RK Krim Mercator
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0
3
CRO
HC Podravka Vegeta
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0
4
ROU
U Jolidon Cluj
0
0
0
0
0:0
0
0
MatchID: 201312020103013
HUN
Györi Audi ETO KC
13.10.2012 17:15
vs.
CRO
HC Podravka Vegeta
Györ / HUN
Del.: Nachevski MKD
014
SLO
RK Krim Mercator
14.10.2012 19:30
vs.
ROU
U Jolidon Cluj
Ljubljana / SLO
Del.: Hagen SWE
015
ROU
U Jolidon Cluj
20.10.2012 17:30
016
CRO
018
ROU
017
SLO
019
HUN
020
CRO
022
ROU
021
CRO
023
HUN
024
SLO
vs.
HUN
Györi Audi ETO KC
vs.
SLO
RK Krim Mercator
vs.
ROU
U Jolidon Cluj
vs.
SLO
RK Krim Mercator
vs.
HUN
Györi Audi ETO KC
vs.
ROU
U Jolidon Cluj
vs.
CRO
HC Podravka Vegeta
Györ / HUN
RK Krim Mercator
18.11.2012 20:30
HC Podravka Vegeta
Koprivnica / CRO
Györi Audi ETO KC
17.11.2012 16:00
CRO
Cluj Napoca / ROU
HC Podravka Vegeta
11.11.2012 17:30
vs.
Koprivnica / CRO
U Jolidon Cluj
11.11.2012 16:30
RK Krim Mercator
Györ / HUN
HC Podravka Vegeta
04.11.2012 17:30
SLO
Ljubljana / SLO
Györi Audi ETO KC
03.11.2012 15:00
vs.
Cluj Napoca / ROU
RK Krim Mercator
28.10.2012 19:30
Györi Audi ETO KC
Koprivnica / CRO
U Jolidon Cluj
27.10.2012 17:30
HUN
Cluj Napoca / ROU
HC Podravka Vegeta
21.10.2012 17:30
vs.
Ljubljana / SLO
45
EHF Report | 10.05.2012 12:40 | 2/4
GYÖRI AUDI ETO KC
(Hungary)
Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions
League 2012/13 season: Hungarian
champions
Season Preview:
For six straight years they reached the semifinals of the Women’s EHF Champions League,
and twice made it to the final (2009 and
2012). Now Győri Audi ETO KC is aiming once
again to make it to the finals of this top
competition.
With Győr coach Karl-Erik Böhn stepping down
to focus just on the Hungarian national team,
the club signed a coach who knows how to
reach a Women’s EHF Champions League final:
the Spaniard Ambros Martin, who led his
former team Itxako to the 2011 final against
Larvik.
One year later, Győr were close to winning the
ultimate prize, but just missed out on away
goals against Budućnost Podgorica in the final.
The Hungarian champions and cup winners
have signed two experienced players:
Raphaelle Tervel joins her former and current
coach from Itxako, and Orsolya Herr succeeds
legendary goalkeeper Katalin Pálinger, who has
retired. Meanwhile, Ana Gros has left to join
Thüringer HC (Germany) and Orsolya Vérten
now plays for Győr’s domestic top rivals
Ferencváros.
Two of their players have missed pre-season
training - Ágnes Hornyák is pregnant and
Serbian Andrea Lekić had some back problems
– but she is fit and ready to play now.
So the ambitions are high again, and club
president Ernő Kelecsényi said: “I think our
biggest success is that the main part of the team
stayed together. We have a new coach, who is
really ambitious and he has a very good
understanding of the players. Our aim cannot
be less than reaching the final again, and if we
are there we want to win it.”
Former world handball player of the year and
last season’s top scorer Anita Görbicz, shares
those hopes: “Year by year I said that this is the
season when we will fulfil our dreams.”
Club address:
Györi Audi ETO KC
Kiskutliget
92027 Györ
Hungary
Contact numbers:
Tel.:+36-20-5056307
Fax. +36-96-528500
Email: [email protected]
Arena:
Magvassy Mihaly Sporthalle
Kiskut Liget
9028 Györ, Hungary
Capacity: 2800
Media contact:
Szabó Tamás
+36 305056907,+36 303645518
[email protected]
Online:
Club website: www.gyorietokc.hu
Facebook: Győri-Audi-ETO
ehfCL.com
Club achievements:
Participations (including 2012/13 season): 10
Finalists: 2009, 2012
Semi-finalists: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
Group Phase: 2001, 2006
Qualification: 2005
Cup Winners´ Cup:
Finalists: 2006
Semi-finalists: 2003
EHF Cup:
Finalists: 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005
Hungarian champions: 9 titles (1957, 1959,
2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Hungarian Cup winners: 8 titles (2005, 2006,
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
46
The squad
No.
18
13
1
12
31
8
11
14
77
5
22
4
19
25
21
24
20
First Name
Eduarda Idalina
Anita
Katrine Lunde
Orsolya
Agnes
Dora
Dorina
Aniko
Andrea
Heidi
Adrienn
Jovanka
Viktoria
Szederke
Zsofi
Ivett
Raphaelle
Family Name
Amorim
Görbicz
Haraldsen
Herr
Hornyak
Hornyak
Korsos
Kovacsics
Lekic
Loke
Orban
Radicevic
Redei Soos
Sirian
Szemerey
Szepesi
Tervel
Nat.
BRA
HUN
NOR
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
SRB
NOR
HUN
MNE
HUN
HUN
HUN
HUN
FRA
•
•
•
Date of Birth
23.9.1986
13.5.1983
30.3.1980
23.11.1984
2.9.1982
24.1.1992
3.9.1995
29.8.1991
6.9.1987
12.12.1982
1.10.1986
23.10.1986
26.7.1985
1.6.1994
2.6.1994
4.2.1986
21.4.1979
Weight
82
55
65
77
70
68
60
65
72
71
63
68
68
66
70
60
72
Left the club (including new club):
New signings (including former club):
•
•
Position
Left Back
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
Right Back
Left Back
Left Wing
Centre Back
Centre Back
Line Player
Right Wing
Right Wing
Right Back
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Line Player
•
•
•
Raphaelle Tervel (Itxako),
Viktória Rédei-Soós (Hypo
Niederösterreich),
Ivett Szepesi (Siófok),
Orsolya Herr (Siófok),
Dóra Hornyák (Veszprém)
47
Ana Gros (Thüringer HC),
Orsolya Vérten (Ferencváros),
Katalin Pálinger (end of career)
Height
186
173
181
176
180
177
168
171
178
177
168
169
176
172
180
167
178
Key players
Heidi Löke:
She is the famous daughter in a big handball family: Both the brothers
of current world handball player of the year Heidi Löke are
professional players, too – and all of them are pivots. Löke, girlfriend of
Hungarian national team coach Karl Erik Böhn, is the only player to
play in both previous EHF Champions League finals. In 2011 she took
the title with her former club Larvik, when she became Champions
League top scorer, and in 2012 she missed the title on aggregate with
her new club Györi against Podgorica. And with the Norwegian
national team Löke in won gold and was a member of the all-star team
at the 2012 Olympic Games, 2011 world championship and EHF
EURO 2010.
Anita Görbicz:
Despite being among the best handball players in the world over the
last decade, Görbicz (29) is still waiting to secure one of handball’s big
prizes at either domestic or international level. Her only honours are
individual titles: 2011/12 Champions League top scorer and world
handball player of the year 2006. Görbicz’s only medals were either
silver (world championship 2003) or bronze at the EHF EURO 2004
and the world championship 2005. She is a creative playmaker, top
shooter and is as cold as ice from the penalty spot. Since 2005 she
has been Hungarian champion every year with Györ, but has missed
out on international titles several times despite being a finalist – the
last time in the 2012 Champions League final against Buducnost.
Andrea Lekić:
She has been voted Serbian handball player of the year three times,
scored nearly 250 goals for different clubs in the EHF Champions
League, and was twice most valuable player in the WHRL Balkan
league – Andrea Lekić is a brilliant and typical Balkan style shooter. She
started her career at Knjaz Miloš (Serbia) before transferring to Krim
(Slovenia). Since 2011 Lekić has worn the Györ jersey and was among
the nominees for the 2011 world handball player of the year.
Coach
Ambros Martin:
Like Veszprém, like Györ: Both the top men’s and women’s teams in
Hungary are counting on Spanish coaches this season. As Veszprém
signed Carlos Ortega, Györ opted for Ambros Martin. He had been
coaching top Spanish side Estrella Itxako for seven years, winning the
EHF Cup in 2009 and reaching the final of the EHF Champions League
– after defeating his new club Györ in the semi-final.
.
48
RK KRIM MERCATOR
(Slovenia)
Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions
League 2012/13 season: Slovenian
champions
Season Preview:
Sweden, Germany, Brazil, Spain – players from
across Europe have come to the Slovenian
capital Ljubljana as Rokometni Klub Krim
Mercator look to inject some international flair
into their game as they aim to recreate past
successes.
Twice winners of the Women’s EHF
Champions League, RK Krim have improved
their squad with international stars like Spanish
Olympic bronze medallist Carmen Martin
(currently injured), Swedish internationals
Linnea Torstensson (most valuable player of
the EHF EURO 2010) and Gabriella Kain, and
former German internationals Susann Müller
and Nina Wörz, or Brazilian pivot Daniela
Piedade, arriving from Hypo Niederösterreich.
Making way for the new faces, several players
have left including some well-known players
such as Dane Kristina Bille, Croat Kristina Franić
and Hungarian Ibolya Mehlmann.
On a domestic level the Mercator team is far
better than the rest of the league, so the
Slovenians are putting all their efforts into the
Women’s EHF Champions League. They are
competing for the 18th straight time, but the
first few games will see them without Martin
and their top scorer Andrea Penezić, who was
also injured at the Olympic Games.
2006 is the last time they reached the final but
lost against Viborg, while the last time Krim
won the title was exactly ten seasons ago. But
thanks to their reinforced squad hopes are high
of at least reaching the semi-finals.
Team captain Liudmila Bodnieva hopes for an
improvement on the court, too. “We are well
aware that every year there are new clubs that
are capable of achieving good results in the
European competition. We know that we have
a though group but we believe that we have a
strong team which can achieve a lot. We would
like to go a step higher than in previous
seasons,” she said.
Club address:
RK Krim Mercator
Center Stozice
Vojkova Cesta 100
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Contact numbers:
Tel +386-1-4273939
Fax +386-1-4273940
Email: [email protected]
Arena:
Arena Stožice
Vojkova Cesta 100
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Capacity: 6000
Media contact:
Gašper Lončarič
+386 14273939
+38640196820
[email protected]
Online:
Club website: www.rkkrim.com
ehfCL.com
Club achievements:
EHF Champions League:
Participations (including 2012/13 season): 18
Winners: 2001, 2003
Finalists: 1999, 2004, 2006
Quarter-finals: 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2007
Main Round: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Group Phase/Champions League: 2000
Slovenian champions: 17 titles(1995, 1996,
1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,
2012)
Slovenian Cup winners: 19 titles
49
The squad
No.
14
5
22
1
21
16
33
15
4
8
21
23
88
9
12
17
34
7
44
18
First Name
Liudmila
Daniela
Sanja
Jelena
Alja
Gabriella
Katarina
Barbara
Carmen
Tamara
Susann
Andrea
Spela
Maja
Sergeja
Linnea
Maryna
Nina Christin
Maja
Nina
Family Name
Bodnieva
De Oliveira Piedade
Gregorc
Grubisic
Jankovic
Kain
Krpez
Lazovic-Varlec
Martin Berenguer
Mavsar
Müller
Penezic
Potisek
Son
Stefanisin
Torstensson
Vergeliuk-Strile
Wörz
Zrnec
Zulic
Nat.
RUS
BRA
SLO
CRO
SLO
SWE
SRB
SLO
ESP
SLO
GER
CRO
SLO
SLO
SLO
SWE
UKR
GER
SLO
SLO
New signings (including former club):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Position
Line Player
Line Player
Line Player
Goalkeeper
Centre Back
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Right Back
Right Wing
Left Wing
Right Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Left Back
Right Back
Centre Back
Left Wing
Left Back
Date of Birth
15.10.1978
2.3.1979
14.8.1990
20.1.1987
10.9.1989
25.3.1981
2.5.1988
4.1.1988
29.5.1988
1.4.1991
26.5.1988
13.11.1985
25.2.1993
23.2.1988
19.9.1974
30.3.1983
24.6.1978
14.11.1980
31.5.1988
4.12.1995
Weight
80
70
70
78
60
60
60
70
60
60
70
76
60
80
70
80
70
80
60
50
Left the club (including new club):
•
•
•
•
•
•
Linnea Torstensson (FC Mydtjlland),
Gabriella Kain (KIF Vejen),
Katarina Krpež (HC Metalurg),
Daniela Piedade (HYPO NO),
Nina Wörz (Randers HK),
Sussan Müller (Randers HK),
Carmen Martin (Itxako)
50
Kristina Bille (Larvik),
Andrea Šerić (Siofok KC KFT),
Gorica Ačimović (HYPO NO),
Kristina Franić (Erdi SKFT),
Alja Koren (Erdi SKFT)
Ibolya Mehlmann (end of career)
Height
180
175
178
184
170
179
169
183
169
178
186
186
184
181
184
190
182
180
166
172
Key players
Linnea Torstenson:
She became an international star at EHF EURO 2010in Denmark and
Norway, when Torstensson’s goals paved the way to the biggest
success ever for the Swedish women’s team, winning silver and
qualifying automatically for the 2012 Olympic Games. Back court
player Torstensson was awarded most valuable player of the EHF
EURO. After becoming Swedish champions with her former club
Skövde, Torstensson transferred to Denmark. First she signed for
Aalborg, then for Midtjylland where she became Danish champion
2011 and qualified for the EHF Champions League, and now the tall
shooter left Scandinavia to link-up with two times EHF Champions
League winner Krim.
Andrea Penezić:
The 27-year-old back court ace is the hub of the Croatian national
team. How much they rely on her was obvious when she was ruled out
of the Olympic quarter finals because of injury and the Croats were
eliminated by Spain. Born in Zagreb, Penezić started her career at local
club Lokomotiva, before joining the Croatian record champions
Koprivnica in 2008. Being three times female handball player of the
year in Croatia, she signed for Krim two years ago and was top scorer
in the last EHF Champions League. At the 2011 world championship
Penezić was member of the all-star team.
Liudmila Bodnieva:
Seven years at Volgograd, now her tenth straight season at Krim –
Liudmila Bodnieva is a perfect example of consistency and loyalty. The
Kalmyk-born Russian international (34) is the team captain of Krim,
and Ljubljana has become a second home for the world class pivot. In
2005 Bodnieva became world champion and was picked for the all-star
team, one year later at the EHF EURO she had to settle for silver, but
the all-star team status continued. After a long break in the Russian
national team Bodnieva returned in 2011, but then missed the semifinals of the world championship in Brazil and the Olympic Games in
London. In her first season at Krim she reached the EHF Champions
League final, a success she could repeat in 2006.
Coach
Tone Tiselj:
Tone Tiselj is in his second spell as the Head Coach at Krim, after he had
coached the Slovenian record champions in their golden era from
2000 until 2006, reaching the EHF Champions League final four times
and winning the trophy twice (2001, 2003). Tiselj returned in 2011
after he had coached several other teams including VELUX Men’s EHF
Champions League participants Gorenje Velenje and RK Celje. Until
the start of September, Tiselj was also coach of the Slovenian women’s
national team, but now is succeeded by Marta Bon - who also was his
successor as Krim coach.
51
HC PODRAVKA
VEGETA
(Croatia)
Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions
League 2012/13 season: Croatian champions
Season Preview:
They have the longest tradition in the
Women’s EHF Champions League – and in their
19th season in the competition Podravka
Vegeta hope to proceed to the Main Round
again, after an absence of three years.
The Croatian record champions from the town
of Koprivnica have not made any major
changes to their line-up for 2012-13. Their
highest profile newcomer is Hungarian
international Anita Bulath, arriving from
Veszprém.
The 1996 Women’s EHF Champions League
winners are aiming to reach the next stage of
the competition after they had missed the Main
Round three times since 2009.
“To still be in the competition in spring” is the
objective of the Podravka club, which have a
new president this season with Jörn Pedersen
being the successor of Krunoslav Bešvir.
As usual Kopivnica are the big favourites in
their domestic league, and in their second
competition - the multi-national regional
women’s handball league (WHRL) - they want
to gain more success than in the previous
seasons. And the WHRL is perfect preparation
for their international matches in the Women’s
EHF Champions League.
Club director Božica Palčić is confident that his
team have a good chance despite strong
opponents in the Group Matches.
“Podravka are preparing to make at least one
step forward in this season of the Champions
League,” he said. “We are aware once again
that, unfortunately, we are in a very strong
group, but it does not mean we will lessen our
goals. After analyzing last year presence in the
Champions League we set list of things we had
to improve.”
Club address:
HC Podravka Vegeta
Zeljka Selingera 3A
48000 Koprivnica,Croatia
Contact numbers:
Tel. +385-48-240240
Fax. +385-48-240241
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Arena:
Sport Hall Fran Galovic
Zeljka Selingera bb
48000 Koprivnica, Croatia
Capacity: 2500
Media contact:
Božica Palčić; Ljerka Vresk, +385 98831463
+385 98325075
[email protected]
[email protected]
Online:
Club website: www.rk-podravka.hr
ehfCL.com
EHF Champions League records:
Participations (including 2012/13 season): 19
Winners: 1996
Finalists: 1995
Semi-finalists: 1998
Quarter-final: 1997
Main Round: 2001, 2002, 2009
Group Phase/Champions League: 1994, 1999,
2000, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
Qualification: 2004, 2006
Cup Winners Cup:
Finalists: 2005
Semi-finalists: 2008
EHF Cup:
Finalists: 2001, 2006
Croatian champions: 19 titles
52
Croatian Cup winners: 18 titles
The squad
No.
8
2
4
11
14
10
23
16
9
7
22
3
13
8
5
28
6
20
17
15
1
First Name
Andrea
Andrea
Zana
Sanja
Ivana
Anita
Lidija
Ivana
Dora
Larissa
Ivana
Ana Marija
Vesna
Antonia
Iva
Nikica
Sara
Miranda
Nikolina
Marijeta
Marta
Family Name
Bozic
Covic
Covic
Damnjanovic
Dragisic
Gace
Horvat
Jelcic
Kalaus
Kalaus
Kapitanovic
Maljak
Milanovic Litre
Oremovic
Pongrac
Pusic Koroljevic
Senvald
Tatari
Tvoric
Vidak
Zderic
Nat.
CRO
CRO
CRO
SRB
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
CRO
New signings (including former club):
•
•
Position
Line Player
Line Player
Right Back
Left Back
Right Wing
Right Wing
Right Back
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Right Wing
Line Player
Left Wing
Left Wing
Left Wing
Line Player
Centre Back
Right Wing
Left Back
Goalkeeper
Date of Birth
26.7.1994
9.10.1993
20.8.1989
25.5.1987
29.3.1994
14.4.1983
5.5.1982
16.3.1980
24.6.1996
24.6.1996
17.9.1994
5.11.1996
30.5.1986
31.1.1997
19.6.1991
19.3.1983
14.3.1996
20.9.1983
2.9.1994
14.8.1992
20.4.1990
Weight
65
76
71
73
75
69
74
70
70
72
73
64
72
53
60
62
75
73
66
81
77
Left the club (including new club):
•
•
•
•
Anita Bulath (Veszprém/HUN),
Žana Čović (RK Lokomotiva/CRO)
53
Ivana Petković (RK Zelina/CRO),
Dina Havić (RK Zamet/CRO),
Maja Kožnjak (RK Lokomotiva/CRO)
Anita Bulath (Viborg HK/DEN)
Height
175
175
180
181
177
177
184
179
172
172
183
169
180
163
165
177
184
174
176
179
183
Key players
Lidija Horvat:
Horvat has been a tower of power in the Podravka’s defence as well as
the Croatian national team for many years. But due to her height and
power she is also a brilliant shooter in attack. The 28 year old back
court player was born in Zagreb and started playing handball at Kraš in
the Croatian capital before playing for Podravka. After transferring to
Brasov (Romania), Budućnost (Montenegro) and Metz (France),
Horvat returned to Podravka in 2011. She was part of the Croatian
team at the Olympic Games 2012.
Ivana Jelčić:
Together with her current Women’s EHF Champions League
opponent Jelena Grubišić (Krim), Jelčić is one half of the goalkeeping
duo with the Croatian national team, but at the Olympic Games in
London she was the number one. 30-year-old Jelčić was born in
Mostar and is in her seventh season at the Croat record champions
after starting her professional career at Lokomotiva in Zagreb.
Miranda Tatari:
The team captain of Podravka and the Croatian national team, Tatari
was born in Koprivnica, the home town of Podravka, and has never
moved clubs throughout her career so far. Currently she is in her 13th
EHF Champions League season with Vegeta. The 29-year-old
playmaker started her career in the youth team of Podravka and later
became part of every age group national team for Croatia. In 2009
Tatari signed another four-year contract in her home town.
Coach
Neven Hrupec:
After coaching Croatian talent in different age categories, Neven
Hrupec became head coach of Podravka as successor of Zdravko
Zovko in 2010. As his team have no real rival at domestic level,
Hrupec is trying to focus on both international competitions, WHRL
and EHF Champions League.
54
U JOLIDON CLUJ
(Romania)
Qualification for the Women´s EHF Champions
League 2012/13 season: Romanian runnersup
Season Preview:
When U Jolidon Cluj reached the Group Phase,
it was the biggest surprise in all the qualification
tournaments and play-offs for the Women’s
EHF Champions League. In their third
consecutive attempt, the Romanian runnersup qualified for the last 16 teams despite
having had the toughest of all opponents.
To beat strengthened Turkish champion
Muratpasa was a first sign of their power, but in
the final against Russian runners-up Rostov
they were the clear underdogs despite home
advantage, as Rostov had eliminated big
favourites Zaječar from Serbia in the second
semi-final.
In a thrilling match, Cluj destroyed Rostov’s
hopes, and reached the Group Matches for the
first time in history. Jolidon have been runnersup three times in a row in the Romanian
League, second to the 'dream team' of
Oltchim Vâlcea.
The university team from Transylvania – who
missed out on qualification against Metalurg
and Viborg in the previous two years - mostly
consists of Romanian players but have signed
some experienced stars to add to their wellrehearsed squad. The top newcomer is
Carmen Florentina Cartas (CSM Cetate
Devatrans Deva), who was top scorer in the
qualification tournament.
In the Group Matches the Romanians have to
face tough opponents like the favourites from
Györ (HUN), the semi-finalists Krim (SLO) and
the experienced Podravka from Croatia. But
despite those tough clashes hopes of success
are high, says managing director Cosmin
Salajan: “To reach the Group Matches makes us
really proud and happy, as now we can
compete with some of the best teams in
Europe. We are among the top 16 teams in
Europe and we hope to prove our value.”
Club address:
U Jolidon Cluj
Str. Cardinal Iuliu Hossu nr. 23
400029 Cluj Napoca, Romania
Contact numbers:
Tel. +40-264-419391
Fax: +40-264-447869
Email: [email protected]
Arena:
Horia Demian
Splaiul Indepentei Street
3400 Cluj Napoca, Romania
Capacity: 3000
Media contact:
Monica Mihoc
+40 745562063
[email protected]
Online:
Club website: www.uhandbal.ro
Twitter: @ uhandbal
Facebook: uhandbal
ehfCL.com
EHF Champions League:
Participations (including 2012/13 season): 2
Qualification: 2011/12
Other EC records:
Challenge Cup:
Finalists: 2006/07
Cup Winners’ Cup:
Quarter-finalists: 2007/08
Last 16: 2011/12
Romanian champions: - (runners-up 2010, 2011,
2012)
55
The squad
No.
25
22
10
4
2
9
5
8
16
7
3
1
13
12
15
11
18
26
77
6
First Name
Mihaela
Florentina Carmen
Florina Maria
Elena Nicoleta
Stefania
Irina
Cristina
Alexandra
Ana Maria
Raluca Elena
Magdalena Elena
Viktoria
Adriana Veronica
Viorica
Andreea Lucretia
Maria Mihaela
Alina-Ileana
Clara Stela
Ionica
Abigail Beatrice
Family Name
Ani Senocico
Cartas
Chintoan
Dinca
Florea
Ivan
Laslo
Lup
Mazarean
Mihai
Paraschiv
Petroczi
Stoian
Suba
Tetean
Tivadar
Turcas
Vadineanu
Munteanu
Valean
•
•
•
Position
Back
Left Back
Line Player
Left Wing
Right Wing
Line Player
Back
Back
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Right Wing
Goalkeeper
Back
Goalkeeper
Back
Back
Back
Back
Goalkeeper
Left Wing
Date of Birth Weight Height
14.12.1981
70
174
9.5.1985
72
180
6.12.1985
74
178
2.7.1988
72
170
1.2.1992
62
171
6.3.1992
79
185
10.4.1996
72
176
1.6.1994
65
181
4.2.1993
71
180
18.10.1986
60
174
11.8.1982
62
165
27.2.1983
91
190
14.7.1987
70
178
3.5.1989
72
182
25.2.1989
70
171
14.6.1982
70
178
1.4.1972
80
182
26.10.1986
72
183
7.1.1979
176
15.2.1994
61
171
Left the club (including new club):
New signings (including former club):
•
Nat.
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
HUN
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
ROU
•
•
•
•
Carmen Florentina Cartas (CSM
Cetate Devatrans Deva)
Ionica Munteanu (SCM Craiova)
Alexandra Lup (LPS Bistrita)
Abigail Valean (LPS Bistrita)
56
Ionica Munteanu (SCM Craiova)
Laura Oltean (HCM Baia Mare)
Oana Bondar (HCM Baia Mare)
Adela Biliga Radu (Stiinta Bucuresti)
Key players
Florentina Carmen Cartas:
This is the first ever season of international handball for the 27-yearold left back with Cluj and the Romanian national team. In the
qualification tournament she was top scorer for her team and a major
part of their success in reaching the Group Matches of the Women’s
EHF Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. She
arrived from CSM Cetate Deva at the Transylvanian club.
Mihaela Ani Senocico:
Apart from one season with Randers in Denmark, Senocico has
played for Cluj throughout her career, and the 30-year-old is now
captain of the EHF Champions League debutant. Senocico’s best
international season was in 2006/07, when she scored 113 goals in
the EHF Challenge Cup and paved the way for a place in the final for
the Romanians. And she has been a long-term part of the Romanian
national team.
Elena Nicoleta Dincă:
Aged only 17, Dincă started her international career for Rapid
Bucureşti before transferring to Cluj, where she has played since
2007. In younger age categories the fast left-wing (24) was captain of
the Romanian youth and junior national team, scoring 149 goals
before changing to the seniors.
Coach
Gheorghe Covaciu:
His biggest success as a player was the bronze medal with Romania at
the 1984 Olympic Games, and since 2005 Gheorghe Covaciu has
been the coach of Cluj, hunting the champions from Valceă year after
year. His contract is valid until the end of this season, but after reaching
the Group Matches many think his contract at Cluj could be extended.
57