EHF Champions League

EHF CL Press Conference in Cologne

EHF

14 September 2009, 14:30

EHF CL Press Conference in Cologne

The European Handball Federation held a press conference in Cologne, Germany, today. The press event was an opportunity for the EHF to publish information on the upcoming EHF Men’s Champions League season and on the FINAL4. The web platform ehfTV.com broadcast the event live in order to break the news worldwide as it was announced.

The representatives of the international media making their way to Germany for the occasion were welcomed by EHF top officials, the Mayor of Cologne and chief executives of the LANXESS arena, venue of the FINAL4.

The focus of the press conference was twofold. The modified playing system of the EHF Champions League was presented in detail. The competition with the 24 top European club teams is designed to stage an even higher quality competition and ensure more interest from the side of the fans and the media.

The FINAL4 weekend, the newly introduced highlight event concluding the season on 29-30 May 2010, was added to the calendar to further increase the dramatic tension in the final phase of the competition, offering great entertainment for the fans visiting the venue or watching the games on TV.

EHF President Tor Lian speaks with enthusiasm about the premiere FINAL4 event coming up in May 2010:

“We will come to Germany, Cologne, with the FINAL4 – a place where many successful events took place in recent years that took handball to a next level. I’m looking forward to a stunning FINAL4 with an enormous appeal, which will have effect on the entire handball sport. Many of the players and also of the fans had already been to the LANXESS arena with their clubs or national teams. They will feel at home here and they will be part of a splendid sports event.”

The local hosts have also committed themselves to organising an unforgettable handball event for the four best club teams of Europe. Manfred Wolf, Mayor of Cologne, welcomes the FINAL4 in a city with great handball traditions:

“The City of Cologne is extremely pleased that the European Handball Federation has chosen us as the venue for the 2009/10 EHF Champions League FINAL4.”

Lövgren steps up for the FINAL4

The EHF Press Conference presented the Ambassador of the FINAL4. The recently retired Swedish handballer, Stefan Lövgren, has committed himself to the objectives of the organisers. Lövgren will contribute to the promotion and to the success of the event.

“Now the teams will play for all the spectators in the arena and also for an even higher number of fans watching on TV. This event will have a different atmosphere. The games will be played in front of a greater public and it will be a festival for all those who arrive in Cologne for the FINAL4.

“I shiver when I think about it: 20,000 people, fans of the four European top teams… and everyone knows that these two days will write new chapter in handball history,” Stefan Lövgren said.

ehfFinal4.com

The official website of the FINAL4 has been unveiled at the Press Conference. www.ehfFinal4.com gives abundant information on the event and will serve as primary point of reference for the fans and media. In addition to the abundant information, the fans can order tickets online and find travel solutions for the FINAL4 in Cologne.

FINAL4 tickets available

Tickets are now on sale. The sale of tickets is divided into a number of phases, which will begin on 15 September 2009; the first 10,000 tickets for the FINAL4 will be released. In February 2010 the second phase begins as the EHF releases more tickets. At the beginning of May 2010 the four clubs qualifying for the FINAL4 will have tickets made available for them. Should the clubs not take up this option, these tickets will be released for general sale from the middle of May.

The EHF Champions League FINAL4 ticket is offered for the entire weekend including all four matches on Saturday and Sunday.

Ticket prices:

Group 1: 200 Euros
Group 2: 150 Euros
Group 3: 100 Euros
Group 4: 50 Euros