Final days of vacation float away as the hard work begins
Final days of vacation float away as the hard work begins
The off-season activities cannot be more diverse across the many teams in the EHF Champions League. Some have started hard work in the gym, while many are still enjoying time off, taking the opportunity to relax before training begins.
However, the most interesting are the ways the stars occupy their leisure time. With the hard season ahead, most are still not ready to shift their minds back to handball.
The Ljubo way
Ljubomir Vranjes has officially started his work at Hungarian champions Telekom Veszprém. After settling into his new home, the former Flensburg mastermind held the initial training sessions with his charges over the past week.
Vranjes is known for some unconventional methods of getting his players into shape over the summer. Moreover, the tools for the job over the past years included ropes, tractor tyres and several very big logs, to name the few.
However, he will not be in need of any of these at Veszprem. The cunning Swede has introduced the “Ljubo way,” having already acquired a trunk full of equipment to bring his stars into optimum shape.
At the sight of Ljubo’s new torturing devices, Laszlo Nagy could not hide his delight, commenting: “We are very happy”, on Ljubo’s Instagram post, while the Swede took the game a step further, replying: “No worries, I do all to keep you happy!”
Meanwhile, 2016 champions Kielce returned to the court and the gym as a team for the first time on 1 August, no doubt raring to make amends for last season’s early exit at the Last 16 stage.
Pierwszy trening to nie tylko bieganie... ♂️️#gramyrazem #handball #kielce pic.twitter.com/OVjN4T05yF
— Vive Tauron Kielce (@ksvive) August 1, 2017
Former Buducnost star volunteers at the EURO
The Women’s 19 EHF EURO is underway in Slovenia, and a familiar face is among the volunteers. Former Krim and Buducnost star Neli Irman is currently without a club and has decided to help in the organisation of the event at her country.
"I decided to volunteer for the event because I am still without a club, I have the time to spare and I think the organisation of this championship is a big event for Slovenia.
“You can see a lot of good handball and girls who may become excellent players in the highest leagues and national teams.
“So come and help the championship to be more successful. You never know where doors will open to you in the future," Irman told the Slovenian Handball Federation’s website.
Reunion with a friend
Vardar’s women took a break from training before they enter the second phase of preparation for new season. The Women’s EHF Champions League finalists returned to the club over the last week after they met with their friends and families.
Meanwhile, Andrea Lekic had a surprising visit from an old friend, Alf, her Dogue de Bordeaux, who has practically become a family member over the years.
Defending champions Györi Audi ETO KC are mixing hard work with some pleasure at their pre-season camp in Lanzarote.
Anita Görbicz, who enjoyed a resurgence in form last season, is among the star-studded squad splitting its time on the court, on the track and in the water at Club La Santa.
Karabatic challenge
Karabatic brothers tried their hand at another sport, Padel, and are hyping up a rivalry with Nikola’s former teammates at Barcelona Victor Tomas and Viran Morros.
Nikola bragged about their skills on Instagram, while taking the opportunity to challenge the Barca duo by saying, claiming “Estamos listos” (We are ready).
Both Morros and Tomas have responded and appear up to the challenge, so all that is left to see is whether a clash between the four stars will take place with a handball or a racquet first.
