For the fifth time Telekom Veszprem will play at the final event of the SEHA - Gazprom League. The Hungarian vice-champions will have a chance to stay at the TOP of the competition on the same place where they won the third trophy last year. The Croatian city of Zadar and ’SC Visnjik’ will host the Final 4 tournament between 3rd and 5th September.

The team from Veszprem has three trophies from 2015, 2016 and 2020, but also a defeat at the 2017 Final against RK Vardar 1961. Together with Vardar (5) and PPD Zagreb (1), they are in a group of teams who only won the prestigious competition since the league was born in 2011.

The new 2021/2022 season will bring some changes to the Veszprem squad. The successor of David Davis, who didn’t meet the expectations of the club and the fans by losing domestic Play-Off Final against MOL Pick Szeged, is club’s legend Momir Ilic. The 39-years old Serbian left back was well-known as the TOP handball star until 2019 when he decided to finish his career and start working as a coach of U-23 team in Veszprem. After two seasons with youngstars, Ilic got a chance to make a great coaching intro to the biggest stage with the aim to have a ’fresh start’ with some domestic young handballers in the roster.

In comparison with previous seasons, Veszprem weren’t as active on the transfer market. Beside some youngsters from their own school, club has only signed experienced domestic line-player from Grundfos Tatabanya  Adrian Sipos. On the other side, profiles like Vuko Borozan, Rogerio Moraes, Daniil Shishkarev and Nikolaj Markussen left the team and made the roster weaker in terms of experience and transfer value.

However, there is a lot of power in the team supported by the famous „Red Army“. The new team’s captain in season 2021/2022, legendary Danish playmaker Rasmus Lauge Schmidt, is on the way of full recovery which will bring a lot to the team’s performance. Together with the names of Petar Nenadic, Mate Lekai, Yahia Omar, Kentin Mahe, Jorge Maqueda, Patrik Ligetvari and youngstars like Peter Lukacs and Zoran Ilic in back-line, Hungarian powerhouse is still favorite No.1 to defend the trophy in Zadar, but also strong contender for the EHF Champions League Final 4 2022.

Goalkeeping position with Vladimir Cupara and Rodrigo Coralles, but also left wing duo Manuel Strlek and Dejan Manaskov, remained the same. Slovenian right wing Gasper Marguc will be supported by young domestic left-hander Borisz Dornyei in the right corner.

ROAD TO ZADAR

As defending champions, Telekom Veszprem had a chance to start SEHA - Gazprom League season with Quarter-Final matches against Croatian vice-champions RK Nexe Nasice. The first official matches for both teams in pre-season brought interesting 120 minutes for the handball fans. Telekom Veszprem showed more quality in Nasice (35:33) and in front of home fans (30:25).

The outstanding performance has been shown by Gasper Marguc. Experienced left-hander scored 15 goals in two matches without any missed shot. Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Cupara showed good form at the start of the season with 22 saves in clashes with Croatian side.

KEY PLAYERS

PETAR NENADIC

The 35-years old Serbian playmaker has been one of the best players on his position in European handball throughout the years. With his unique style which provides a lot of joy for the fans, he is one of the trademarks of the Hungarian team since December 2017, when he changed Fuchse Berlin jersey for Veszprem’s. His qualites are especially visible in the most demanding matches – battles for the trophies. He scored 9 goals in two matches against RK Nexe.

YAHIA OMAR

One of the best right back players of the new generation had an amazing summer with Egyptian national team. Egypt won the fourth place at the Olympic tournament in Tokyo which is the best result in the history of the handball nation, while the 24-years old lefthander shooter was elected in the „All Star“ team of the event. There is no doubt that the best player of Africa is one of the biggest strentgh of the Momir Ilic’s squad in the upcoming period. Omar scored five goals in quarter-final clashes against RK Nexe.