EHF Champions League

This article is about the men's EHF Champions League. For the women's EHF Champions League, see Women's EHF Champions League.
VELUX EHF Champions League
Countries EHF members
Confederation EHF (Europe)
Founded 1955 (1993 in its new format)
Number of teams 24 (Group stage)
33 (Total)
Level on pyramid Level 1
Current champions Germany Flensburg-Handewitt
(1st title)
Most championships Spain FC Barcelona
(8 titles)
Website Official website
2014–15 EHF Champions League

The EHF Champions League is the most important handball club competition for men's teams in Europe and involves the leading teams from the top European nations. The competition is organised every year by EHF. The official name for the men's competition is the VELUX EHF Champions League, since the VELUX Group began their title sponsorship of the competition in the 2010/11 season.

The EHF coefficient rank decides which teams have access and in which stage they enter.

Tournament structure

Eligibility

Each year the EHF publishes a ranking list of its member federations. The first 27 nations are allowed to participate in the tournament with their national champion. The nations ranked first and second receive an additional slot and other nations may apply for additional places.

Rounds

The VELUX EHF Champions League is divided into five stages. Depending on the ranking of their national federation, teams can enter the competition in either qualification or the group phase. The defending champion along with the champions from the highest ranked nations start in the group phase whereas lower ranked nations need to go through the qualification tournaments.

Qualification Tournament

Three groups of four teams are formed. Teams from each group play semi-finals and finals, in a single venue over a weekend. The winning team from each group advance to the group phase.

Group Phase

The teams qualified from the qualification tournament are joined by the defending champion and the national champions of the highest ranked federations. Four groups of six teams are formed. They play each other twice, in home and away matches. The best four teams from each group advance to the Last 16.

Last 16

The pairings for this round are decided in a draw. The 16 teams are placed in pots corresponding with their final group phase placing with teams finishing first in their group paired with fourth placed teams and second placed facing third placed teams. The ties are decided on a home and away basis, with the winners over two legs advancing to the quarter-finals.

Quarter-finals

The pairings for this round are decided in a draw. The ties are decided on a home and away basis, with four winners over the two legs advancing to the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

Final four

The four participating teams are paired with a draw and play over a single weekend at one venue, the 20,000 capacity Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. Two semi-finals will be played on a Saturday, with the third place game and final on the following day.

Winners

Year Final Semifinal losers
Champion Score Second Place
1956–57
Details
Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
21–13 Sweden
Örebro SK
Denmark
HG Kopenhagen
France
Paris UC
1958–59
Details
Sweden
Redbergslids IK
18–13 West Germany
Frisch Auf Göppingen
Denmark
Helsingør IF
Romania
Dinamo București
1959–60
Details
West Germany
Frisch Auf Göppingen
18–13 Denmark
Aarhus GF
Romania
Dinamo București
France
Paris UC
1961–62
Details
West Germany
Frisch Auf Göppingen
13–11 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Partizan Bjelovar
Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
Denmark
IK Skovbakken
1962–63
Details
Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
15–13 Romania
Dinamo București
West Germany
Frisch Auf Göppingen
Denmark
Ajax København
1964–65
Details
Romania
Dinamo București
13–11 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Medveščak Zagreb
Switzerland
Grasshopper
Denmark
Ajax København
1965–66
Details
East Germany
SC Leipzig
16–14 Hungary
Budapest Honvéd
Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
Denmark
Aarhus GF
1966–67
Details
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
17–13 Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
Soviet Union
SK Cuncevo
Romania
Dinamo București
1967–68
Details
Romania
Steaua București
13–11 Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
East Germany
Dynamo Berlin
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Partizan Bjelovar
1969–70
Details
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
14–11 East Germany
Dynamo Berlin
Romania
Steaua București
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
RK Crvenka
1970–71
Details
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
17–16 Romania
Steaua București
Portugal
Sporting CP
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Partizan Bjelovar
1971–72
Details
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Partizan Bjelovar
19–14 West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
Soviet Union
MAI Moskva
Czechoslovakia
Tatran Prešov
1972–73
Details
Soviet Union
MAI Moskva
26–23 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Partizan Bjelovar
East Germany
SC Leipzig
Sweden
SolK Hellas
1973–74
Details
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
17–16 Soviet Union
MAI Moskva
Norway
Oppsal IF Oslo
Czechoslovakia
Ruda Hvezda Bratislava
1974–75
Details
East Germany
ASK Frankfurt/Oder
19–17 Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Borac Banja Luka
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
Romania
Steaua București
1975–76
Details
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Borac Banja Luka
17–15 Denmark
Fredericia KFUM
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
Norway
Fredensborg/Ski
1976–77
Details
Romania
Steaua București
21–20 Soviet Union
CSKA Moskva
Denmark
Fredericia KFUM
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
1977–78
Details
East Germany
Magdeburg
28–22 Poland
Śląsk Wrocław
Hungary
Honvéd
Spain
Calpisa
1978–79
Details
West Germany
TV Großwallstadt
30–28
(14-10 / 18-16)
East Germany
Empor Rostock
Hungary
Budapest Honvéd
Romania
Dinamo București
1979–80
Details
West Germany
TV Großwallstadt
21–12 Iceland
Valur
Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
Spain
Atlético de Madrid
1980–81
Details
East Germany
Magdeburg
52–43
(25-23 / 29-18)
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Slovan Ljubljana
Sweden
LUGI HF
Soviet Union
CSKA Moskva
1981–82
Details
Hungary
Budapest Honvéd
49–34
(25-16 / 18-24)
Switzerland
TSV St. Omar St. Gallen
Denmark
Helsingør IF
West Germany
TV Großwallstadt
1982–83
Details
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
32–29
(15-19 / 13-14)
Soviet Union
CSKA Moskva
Spain
Barcelona
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Metaloplastika
1983–84
Details
Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
38–38
(21-17 / 21-17)
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Metaloplastika
West Germany
VfL Gummersbach
Hungary
Budapest Honvéd
1984–85
Details
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Metaloplastika
49–32
(19-12 / 20-30)
Spain
Atlético de Madrid
Iceland
FH
Czechoslovakia
Dukla Prague
1985–86
Details
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Metaloplastika
54–52
(29-24 / 30-23)
Poland
Wybrzeże Gdańsk
Romania
Steaua București
Spain
Atlético de Madrid
1986–87
Details
Soviet Union
SKA Minsk
62–49
(32-24 / 25-30)
Poland
Wybrzeże Gdańsk
West Germany
TUSEM Essen
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Metaloplastika
1987–88
Details
Soviet Union
CSKA Moskva
36–36
(18-15 / 21-18)
West Germany
TUSEM Essen
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Metaloplastika
Spain
Elgorriaga Bidasoa
1988–89
Details
Soviet Union
SKA Minsk
61–53
(30-24 / 37-23)
Romania
Steaua București
East Germany
SC Magdeburg
Sweden
HK Drott
1989–90
Details
Soviet Union
SKA Minsk
53–50
(26-21 / 29-27)
Spain
Barcelona
West Germany
TUSEM Essen
France
US Créteil Handball
1990–91
Details
Spain
Barcelona
41–40
(23-21 / 20-17)
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Proleter Zrenjanin
Turkey
ETİ Bisküvi
Soviet Union
Dinamo Astrakhan
1991–92
Details
Croatia
Zagreb
50–38
(22-20 / 18-28)
Spain
TEKA Santander
Denmark
Kolding IF
Spain
Barcelona
1992–93
Details
Croatia
Zagreb
40–39
(22-17 / 22-18)
Germany
SG Wallau-Massenheim
France
Vénissieux handball
Spain
Barcelona
1993–94
Details
Spain
TEKA Santander
45–43
(22-22 / 23-21)
Portugal
ABC Braga
Austria
UHK West Wien
France
USAM Nîmes
1994–95
Details
Spain
Elgorriaga Bidasoa
56–47
(30-20 / 27-26)
Croatia
Zagreb
Germany
THW Kiel
Spain
Cantabria Santander
1995–96
Details
Spain
Barcelona
46–38
(23-15 / 23-23)
Spain
Elgorriaga Bidasoa
Switzerland
Pfadi Winterthur
Germany
THW Kiel
1996–97
Details
Spain
Barcelona
61–45
(31-22 / 23-30)
Croatia
Zagreb
Slovenia
Celje
Germany
THW Kiel
1997–98
Details
Spain
Barcelona
56–40
(28-18 / 22-28)
Croatia
Zagreb
Germany
TBV Lemgo
Slovenia
Celje
1998–99
Details
Spain
Barcelona
50–41
(22-22 / 28-19)
Croatia
Zagreb
Slovenia
Celje
Spain
Portland San Antonio
1999–00
Details
Spain
Barcelona
54–52
(28-25 / 29-24)
Germany
THW Kiel
Slovenia
Celje
Croatia
Zagreb
2000–01
Details
Spain
Portland San Antonio
52–49
(30-24 / 25-22)
Spain
Barcelona
Slovenia
Celje
Germany
THW Kiel
2001–02
Details
Germany
Magdeburg
51–48
(23-21 / 30-25)
Hungary
Veszprém
Denmark
Kolding IF
Spain
Portland San Antonio
2002–03
Details
France
Montpellier
50–46
(27-19 / 31-19)
Spain
Portland San Antonio
Slovenia
Prule 67
Hungary
Veszprém
2003–04
Details
Slovenia
Celje
62–58
(34-28 / 30-28)
Germany
Flensburg-Handewitt
Spain
Ciudad Real
Germany
Magdeburg
2004–05
Details
Spain
Barcelona
56–55
(28-27 / 29-27)
Spain
Ciudad Real
Slovenia
Celje
France
Montpellier
2005–06
Details
Spain
Ciudad Real
62–47
(19-25 / 37-28)
Spain
Portland San Antonio
Germany
Flensburg-Handewitt
Hungary
Veszprém
2006–07
Details
Germany
THW Kiel
57–55
(28-28 / 29-27)
Germany
Flensburg-Handewitt
Spain
Portland San Antonio
Spain
Valladolid
2007–08
Details
Spain
Ciudad Real
58–54
(27-29 / 25-31)
Germany
THW Kiel
Germany
HSV Hamburg
Spain
Barcelona
2008–09
Details
Spain
Ciudad Real
67–66
(39-34 / 33-27)
Germany
THW Kiel
Germany
HSV Hamburg
Germany
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
2009–10
Details
Germany
THW Kiel
36–34 Spain
Barcelona
Spain
Ciudad Real
Russia
Chekhovskiye Medvedi
2010–11
Details
Spain
Barcelona
27–24 Spain
Ciudad Real
Germany
Rhein-Neckar Löwen
Germany
HSV Hamburg
2011–12
Details
Germany
THW Kiel
26–21 Spain
Atlético de Madrid
Denmark
AG København
Germany
Füchse Berlin
2012–13
Details
Germany
HSV Hamburg
30–29 Spain
Barcelona
Poland
Vive Targi Kielce
Germany
THW Kiel
2013–14
Details
Germany
Flensburg-Handewitt
30–28 Germany
THW Kiel
Spain
Barcelona
Hungary
Veszprém

Records and statistics

Winning clubs

Performance in the European Cup/EHF Champions League by club
Club
Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Spain Barcelona 8 4 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2011 1990, 2001, 2010, 2013
West Germany VfL Gummersbach 5 1 1967, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1983 1972
Germany THW Kiel 3 4 2007, 2010, 2012 2000, 2008, 2009, 2014
Czechoslovakia Dukla Prague 3 2 1957, 1963, 1984 1967, 1968
Spain Ciudad Real 3 2 2006, 2008, 2009 2005, 2011
Germany Magdeburg 3 0 1978, 1981, 2002 &
Soviet Union SKA Minsk 3 0 1987, 1989, 1990 &
Croatia Zagreb 2 4 1992, 1993 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999
Romania Steaua Bucureşti 2 2 1968, 1977 1971, 1989
West Germany Frisch Auf Göppingen 2 1 1960, 1962 1959
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Metaloplastika 2 1 1985, 1986 1984
West Germany TV Großwallstadt 2 0 1979, 1980 &
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Bjelovar 1 2 1972 1962, 1973
Soviet Union CSKA Moscow 1 2 1988 1977, 1983
Spain Portland San Antonio 1 2 2001 2003, 2006
Germany Flensburg-Handewitt 1 2 2014 2004, 2007
Romania Dinamo Bucureşti 1 1 1965 1963
Soviet Union MAI Moscow 1 1 1973 1974
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Borac Banja Luka 1 1 1976 1975
Hungary Budapest Honvéd 1 1 1982 1966
Spain TEKA Santander 1 1 1994 1992
Spain Bidasoa Irún 1 1 1995 1996
Sweden Redbergslids IK 1 0 1959 &
East Germany DHfK Leipzig 1 0 1966 &
East Germany ASK Frankfurt/Oder 1 0 1975 &
France Montpellier 1 0 2003 &
Slovenia Celje 1 0 2004 &
Germany HSV Hamburg 1 0 2013 &
Poland Wybrzeże Gdańsk 0 2 &
1986, 1987
Sweden Örebro SK 0 1 &
1957
Denmark Aarhus GF 0 1 &
1960
East Germany Dynamo Berlin 0 1 &
1970
Denmark Fredericia KFUM 0 1 &
1976
Poland Śląsk Wrocław 0 1 &
1978
East Germany Empor Rostock 0 1 &
1979
Iceland Valur 0 1 &
1980
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slovan Ljubljana 0 1 &
1981
Switzerland TSV St.Otmar St. Gallen 0 1 &
1982
Spain Atlético Madrid 0 1 &
1985
West Germany TUSEM Essen 0 1 &
1988
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Proleter Zrenjanin 0 1 &
1991
Germany Wallau-Massenheim 0 1 &
1993
Portugal ABC Braga 0 1 &
1994
Hungary MKB Veszprém 0 1 &
2002
Spain Atlético de Madrid 0 1 &
2012

Sponsorship

External links