Champions League stars key in EHF EURO medal matches

Norway retained their European title with a superb second-half comeback against Denmark, partly thanks to the experience of their 14 Champions League stars. Silver medallists Denmark fielded 12 Champions League players – the lowest number among the four finalists.

Bronze medallists Montenegro counted on 15 Champions League players, while fourth-placed France had 13 in their roster.

In terms of clubs, three Champions League participants were represented by both finalists: Györi Audi ETO KC, with two Danish and two Norwegian players; Team Esbjerg, with four players from both Denmark and Norway; and Odense Håndbold, with three Danes and one Norwegian. No club won the whole set of medals this time.

Thanks to nine Montenegrin bronze medallists, Buducnost top the club ranking with nine players in the medal matches, ahead of Brest and Esbjerg (eight each). Esbjerg’s coach Jesper Jensen steered Denmark to their first EHF EURO final after 18 years, and Buducnost coach Bojana Popovic won the bronze medal with Montenegro on her 43rd birthday. Meanwhile 14 of the 16 current group phase participant clubs were represented on court on Sunday.

Champions League players per nation:

15 CL players in the squad from four different clubs: Montenegro
14 Champions League players in the squad from six different clubs: Norway
13 CL players in the squad from six different clubs: France
12 CL players in the squad from six different clubs: Denmark

Club ranking:

9 players from one country: Buducnost (9 MNE) + coach Bojana Popovic
8 players from two countries: Esbjerg (4 DEN/4NOR) + coach Jesper Jensen
8 players from two countries: Brest (5 FRA/3 MNE)
5 players from three countries: CSM (1 FRA/1 MNE/3 NOR)
5 players from two countries: Metz (3FRA/2 DEN)
4 players from two countries: Vipers (3 NOR/1 FRA); Györ (2 DEN/2 NOR); Odense (3 DEN/1 NOR)
1 player from one country: Bietigheim (1 DEN); Rapid Bucharest (1 FRA); FTC (1 FRA); Kastamonu (1 MNE); Krim (1 MNE); Storhamar (1 NOR)

All-star Team:

Including top scorer Nora Mørk, only one of the nine players on the All-star Team does not play for a Champions League club – Ikast Handbold left wing Emma Friis. Esbjerg are represented by the MVP (Henny Reistad), the top scorer (Mørk) and the best defender (Kathrine Heindahl). Brest have two players among the All-stars, and Györ, FTC, CSM and Krim one player each.

MVP: Henny Reistad (Norway/Esbjerg)
Goalkeeper: Cléopatre Darleux (France/Brest)
Left wing: Emma Friis (Denmark/Ikast Handbold)
Left back: Cristina Neagu (Romania/CSM)
Centre back: Stine Oftedal (Norway/Györ)
Right back: Katrin Klujber (Hungary/FTC)
Right wing: Jovanka Radicevic (Montenegro/Krim)
Line player: Pauletta Foppa (France/Brest)
Best defender: Kathrine Heindahl (Denmark/Esbjerg)
Top scorer: Nora Mørk (Norway/Esbjerg) – 50 goals

Photos © Jozo Cabraja, Uros Hocevar / Kolektiff