Top British teams preparing for European action

TWO of the strongest domestic teams in Britain, London GD and Ruislip Eagles men are preparing to take on some tough opponents in European competitions.

Each season the top teams from each country qualify for one of three levels of European competition, and London GD will play in the EHF Cup, while Ruislip Eagles will see action in the EHF Challenge Cup.

Third in last season’s National League, London GD are first in action playing Danish side KIF Kolding away on both September 15 and 16. The winner on aggregate goes through to the second round of the competition on October 13/14 and October 20/21.

National League runners-up Ruislip Eagles face three opponents in three days in the Challenge Cup.

They travel to Chisinau in Moldova for their matches, which begin with a game against home side Olimpus 85 USEFS on October 12.

The following day they play Cypriot outfit SPE Strovolos, and then finally take on Lithuania’s Dragunas on October 14.

English National League winners Salford turned down their invitation to play in European competition for financial reasons.

EHF Executive Welcomed to England

THE development of handball in England received a major boost last week when the European Handball Federation’s Executive came to London.

The full 10 man European Executive included Tor Lian [President], Jean Brihault, [Vice President] and representatives from the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Russian, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.

The England Handball Association was represented by Chairman Mike Briers and four co-directors – Stephen Jones, General Secretary, who had organised the visit, Carl Norman [Competition ], Louaz Hofton [Development] and Frank Wuggenig [Marketing]

The party visited the Olympic Park and saw for the first time the splendid Handball Arena. The party then moved to the Basketball Arena, where the later stages of the Olympic Competition, including the semi finals and finals, will be staged.

“Everyone was most impressed with the excellent facilities and the EHA would like to thank Alex Gavrilovic, Olympic Handball Manager, for arranging the visit,” said Mike Briers.

The European Executive held their meeting in the Conference Facilities of the Kingsway Hall Hotel in Covent Garden on the Saturday.

Small presentations were made to the European Executive members and the EHA Chairman received a gift from Tor Lian, European President, in thanks to England for their “excellent organisation and hospitality.”

Mr Briers added: “Stephen Jones, the General Secretary, should be congratulated on his work in setting up the visit and giving members of the EHA Board the opportunity to discuss handball [and other matters!] with the European Executive Members.

“I am sure this meeting will have gone a long way to further develop and strengthen relationships between the two Executives.”

Champions League Action on Eurosport

WOMEN’S EHF Champions League action is being screened live on British Eurosport this weekend, with British Handball’s own Paul Bray providing the commentary.

The group stages clash between Itxako Reyna de Navarra of Spain and German outfit HC Leipzig will be screened at 6pm, while the following day the Men’s group stage clash between German high-flyers THW Kiel and Poland’s Vive Targi Kielce will be on at 8pm.

Those matches are just two of a regular list of matches being shown on the channel throughout the Autumn, with Bray providing authoritative English commentary.

A dual British and French citizen who has played and coached the game to international level, Bray has been commentating for Eurosport since 1989, covering more than 800 matches including nine World Championships, seven European Championships and five Olympic Games as well as numerous other matches.

Sat, Oct 9 (18:00 GMT)
Women’s Champions League, group stages
Itxako Reyna de Navarra (ESP) v HC Leipzig (GER)

Sun, Oct 10 (20:00 GMT)
Men’s Champions League, group stages
THW Kiel (GER) v Vive Targi Kielce (POL)

Sun, Oct 17 (15:00 GMT)
Women’s Champions League, group stages
Gyori Audi ETO (HUN) v Podravka Vegeta (CRO)

Sun, Oct 17 (19:45 GMT)
Men’s Champions League, group stages
Vive Targi Kielce (POL) v Rhein-Neckar-Löwen (GER)

Sat, Oct 23 (14:00 GMT)
Women’s Champions League, group stages
HC Leipzig (GER) v Hypo Niederösterreich (AUT)

* Schedule is subject to change, check listings beforehand

Euro Talks for Scottish Handball

THE development of handball in Scotland continued last week when top officials from the European Handball Federation visited Edinburgh.

EHF President Tor Lian, Vice-President Jean Brihault, Secretary General Michael Wiederer and Development and Education Official Helmut Hoeritsch held talks with Scottish Handball Chairman Stephen Neilson, SportScotland Chief Executive Stewart Harris and SportScotland Partnership Manager Megan Griffiths.

Among other issues on the agenda was possible joint development projects between the EHF and Scottish Handball.

*In other Scottish news, the Scottish Handball Association has opened a new office at the Inverclyde National Sports Centre, which is being staffed part-time by administrator Anne McLaughlin.

The office number is 01475 687820, and Anne works from 1-5pm on Wednesdays and all day Thursday and Friday.