EHF 20th Anniversary - "What a night!"
All the quotes and photos from the ‘HeartBeat HandBall Gala’ on Thursday 17 November 2011 (most recent first):
Photo Credits: Uroš Hočevar and Christian Prandl (www.perfectshot.at)
Czech Republic and THW Kiel player / 2010 World Handball Player of the Year Filip Jicha said:
”I am really enjoying that I am here at this anniversary gala tonight – because it means that I have reached something in my handball career. So I am really honoured. By looking back 20 years to the start of the EHF you see the incredible development of our sports like the EHF EURO or the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. I hope that the development goes on the same way, and maybe the general interest in handball has even increased when we celebrate the 40th anniversary of EHF!”
Atletico Madrid Manager Lusi Miguel Lopez said:
”This anniversary marks an important step for handball. Remembering handball 20 years ago you could never imagine how it would develop. So many things have changed, not only the tactics from the sportive point of view, but also the marketing and the TV coverage. It is great to be at this gala to meet all the stakeholders, to see players, coaches, EHF, IHF or clubs. I hope that the things get even better in future.”
Twice former World Handball Player of the Year and coach of Atletico Madrid Talant Dushebajew said:
“So many stars and so many legends from different generations are here – so the 20 year EHF anniversary gala is a great event. It is great to talk to those legends about what huge steps handball has made in the last 20 years. Just look at the major events like the EHF EURO, World or Olympic Championships or the VELUX EHF FINAL4 event in Cologne."
Former World, European and Olympics champion with Russia and EHF Executive member Andrej Lawrow said:
”Even though Europe was the last continent to form their own federation the EHF have improved most and best. All important things in handball – players, coaches, officials, sponsors, and media – come from Europe. Currently handball is among the three top sports in Europe, and it should be our common goal to reach the second rank in the next five years. We can reach this goal, as all stakeholders – marketing, media, spectators and TV – are ready for this step.”
Hungarian international and FC Barcelona Intersport player Laszlo Nagy said:
”It is my first big EHF gala and I am really amazed to see all those handball legends. This evening is a great chance to see all those people far away from a handball court. In the last 20 years handball became faster, the events are organised much better and more professional. Handball has also become a great sport for sponsors, when you just look upon the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. As we won this great event in 2011 it is our great goal to reach Cologne again – the best venue for this tournament.”
President of the Montenegrin Handball Federation and Buducnost Predrag Boskovic said:
“The EHF has shown that is has grown into a big, serious organisation. They have been doing a very good job in developing our game. In the future they will give more attention to female handball which is a good progression.”
President of Győri Audi ETO KC, Ernő Kelecsényi said:
“20 Years is half a lifetime! It is a very long period for handball and it certainly was enough for the EHF to make it the best team sport in the world!”
President of the Dutch Handball Federation (NHV) Tjark de Lange said:
”I have just started as the President of the Dutch Federation and I am really enjoying being here. The gala is fantastic and perfectly organised. We are really looking forward to the upcoming cooperation with the EHF for the Women’s EHF EURO 2012, and up to now the cooperation is brilliant.”
President of the Croatian Handball Federation and Treasurer of the IHF Sandi Sola said:
”I am happy to be here in both my working positions. It is a great anniversary of 20 years, we can all be proud that Europe is the leading continent in the world of handball and that we all together made this successful story come true - compared with other sports we have developed a lot."
Managing Director of the Swedish Handball Federation Christer Thelin said:
“I will always remember the final of the Men’s EHF EURO 2002 in Sweden which Sweden won of course. The progression and development of the EHF EUROs and the EHF Champions League has been one of the major changes in handball since 1991.”
Secretary General FIBA Europe Nar Zanolin said:
“My personal highlight of handball in Europe has to be the final of the Men’s EHF EURO 2010 in Austria, it was a great event. It is fantastic to see great athletes giving everything for their country; the emotion, the matches being determined in the last seconds, surprising results and Cinderella stories.”
Member of the EHF Methods Commission Bogdan Macovei said:
“Back in 1991 I was the federal trainer for the Romanian Handball Federation, coaching the women’s senior, junior and youth teams. I am very proud to have been with the EHF since the beginnings back in Berlin in 1991 and again when the EHF started in Vienna. I am proud of all the friends I have made, the development of all the tournaments and the sense of the EHF and their ‘European Family’. The concept of Fair Play has also been an important achievement. Handball for me is my life.”
France and Atletico Madrid star Didier Dinart, who won the 'EHF Handball Award' said:
“It was a big surprise to recieve the award as none of us were really expecting it. As I play in defence I don’t get awards normally! It is respectful from the EHF towards the players to recognise the work that we do with this award.”
Secretary General of the Israeli Handball Federation said:
“I served as the Secretary General at the Berlin congress where the EHF was founded and for such a small office in a small place the EHF really had great employees who did the best they could to help the national federations. They were especially helpful with all the relevant daily issues such as general organisation, transfers and regulations for example. Handball really is a beautiful game played by graceful players both individually and as a team.”
EHF Honorary Member and former EHF Vice President Hans-Jürgen Hinrichs said:
“I have been playing handball since I was 14, back in 1947 and have experienced a lot of course! I was witness to the growth of handball from its original form as ‘Field Handball’ through to what is now known simply as ‘handball’ but was known as ‘Indoor Handball’ back then. Moving to Vienna was the best thing that could have happened to such a young organisation. The way the EHF and their professional staff are dealing with the complex challenges of today’s sport is impressive. Everyone can now see the potential of handball – times have changed in more than 50 years and especially the last 20 years and they will keep on changing!”
EHF Member Competitions Commission Jesus Guerrero said:
“Handball is now a very well-placed ‘product’ in the sports market which was our strategy from the very start back in 1991. The success of the TV audience figures and hours of programmes of both the club and national competitions confirm to us that we are on the right path.”
President of the Court of Appeal Rui Coelho said:
“Back in 1991 I was representing the Portuguese Handball Federation, one of the 23 federations who voted to establish the European Handball Federation. For me, this has been the most important moment in European handball of course, but the constant improvement of the organisation and promotion of our sport from the very base to the top in an environment of democratic participation of all federations and clubs has been very important. The friendships and emotions within the game make my ‘HeartBeat HandBall’!”
Honorary President International and Austrian Handball Federation Erwin Lanc said:
“I remember the long and fruitful negotiations we had with the City of Vienna back in 1991 which led to the EHF establishing themselves in the city. The present Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Häupl, was responsible for sports back in 1991 and was involved with the successful negotiations too. Handball has rapidly increased its presence on TV over the past 20 years, winning new friends for our sport, but it is obviously healthy heart training as I am 81 now!”
Serbian Minister for Youth and Sports Snežana Marković-Samardžić said:
"Such continuity in growth of the EHF is something unseen in other sports. I would like to congratulate the European Handball Federation for all of their efforts to make this sport so widely enjoyed and followed. I am very proud of the Serbian athletes and officials who have played a part in these past 20 years. I wish that the EHF will continue growing, not only with the ongoing success in their work with the sport but as role models for others."
Association Internationale De La Presse Sportive (International Sports Press Association/AIPS) President Gianni Merlo said:
"I have been impressed by level of organisation and show that handball puts on - it is very attractive for spectators. But of course, you can always continue to develop the sport in - there is so much enthusiasm around the sport."
EHF Executive Committee Member Jan Tuik said:
“The development of the EHF EUROs is for me the most positive change in handball over the past 20 years. 1991 is far behind us and we are now looking forward to the next 20 years.”
EHF Head of Refereeing and Member, EHF Competitions Commission Sandor Andorka said:
“Back in 1991 I was an active IHF referee and participated in the foundation of the EHF at the congress in Berlin. The first VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne in 2010 and the finals of the last 10 years of the EHF EUROs have been personal highlights for me.”
Picture of the EHF Executive Committee meeting at the event. Download HERE. Photo Credit: Uroš Hočevar
Picture of EHF President Tor Lian, EHF Secretary General Michael Wiederer and EHF Vice President Jean Brihault at the event. Download HERE. Photo Credit: Uroš Hočevar
Quote from EHF Secretary General, Michael Wiederer:
“The 20 year anniversary is a fantastic event where the whole European handball family, past and present, can come together to celebrate the fantastic work that has taken place since 1991 - we are 20 years young, not old! HeartBeat HandBall is also an opportunity to look forward to the next 20 years and beyond as the EHF continues to listen to all stakeholders in the game and ensures the innovation, development and growth of the game continues.”
Quote from EHF President, Tor Lian:
“It gives me great pleasure look back on the achievements of the EHF during this time of celebration. I have been witness to many positive changes within the game and have been lucky enough to meet members of the handball family across Europe. I have also seen a huge amount of hard work and dedication throughout my travels. The events to celebrate our 20 years will not only provide a great opportunity for us to look back, but forward, so we can continue to push this wonderful sport to be one of the very best in the world."
