Stars in Celje

The Slovenian city of Celje – where handball is the most popular sport – is very proud to organise the EHF Champions Trophy. “It will be the first time that the event will be organised by not a German or a Spanish town. This is special honour for us,” said Celje Pivovarna Lasko's director, Andrej Susteric. Even though the competition will be played on 20-21 October, the “handball gala” will start two days before.

Former and present stars

The organisers are preparing special events to pay tribute to the 60th anniversary of Celje club. There will be a great opportunity for handball fans to meet almost all former and present stars of Celje Pivovarna Lasko on the 18th October. Players such Pusnik, Peric, Vugrinec, Puc, Koksharov, Manaskov, Serbec, Pungartnik and many more will be invited. A spectacular all star game will be also be played in Zlatorog hall.

In the competition - once called European Supercup, now Champions Trophy – three German and a Slovenian club will participate: Champions League winner THW Kiel, Cupwinners’ Cup winner Hamburg and EHF Cup winner Magdeburg.

“We may be a little disappointed as only German clubs will arrive, but I think the competition will be of extremely high quality,” said sports director of Celje, Slavko Ivezic. He added: “The Trophy may not be as important as the Champions League, but I think everyone will try to take the prestigious title.”

Tickets already on sale

The competition will also be a charity event to raise money for 200 young handballers who will go to a seaside handball camp.

Tickets are already available for the two days and a website will also be launched at www.ehfchampionstrophy-celje.si.