EHF Women's Champions League

The EHF Women's Champions League is the competition for the top women's handball clubs in Europe, organised annually by the European Handball Federation (EHF). It is the most prestigious tournament for clubs, with the champions of Europe's top national leagues participating.

EHF Champions League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2024–25 Women's EHF Champions League
SportHandball
Founded1961; 63 years ago (1961)
No. of teams16
CountryEHF members
ContinentEurope
Most recent
champion(s)
Hungary Győri Audi ETO KC
(6th title)
(2023–24)
Most titlesSoviet Union Spartak Kyiv
(13 titles)
Related
competitions
EHF European League
Official websiteehfcl.eurohandball.com

Tournament structure

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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 national federations are allowed to request extra places or upgrades from the EHF European League.

The EHF Champions League is divided into five stages. Depending on the ranking of their national federation and of the criteria list, teams can enter the competition in either qualification or the group phase.

The current playing system changed for the 2020–21 season.

Qualification tournament

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Groups of four teams are formed. The number of groups can vary each season. 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, while teams from lower ranks continue in the EHF European League.

Tournament format

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Each year, the EHF publishes a ranking list of its member federations. The first nine nations are allowed to participate in the tournament with their national champion. In addition, the tenth spot is reserved for the best ranked national federation of the EHF European League. The national federations are allowed to request upgrades for their teams eligible to play in the EHF European League and based on the criteria list the EHF Executive Committee approves six upgrades.

The EHF Champions League is divided into four stages. All participating teams enter the competition in the group phase.

The current playing system has been introduced before the 2020–21 season.

Group phase

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Since the 2020–21 season, the format sees two groups formed, with eight teams each in Group A and B. All the teams in each group play each other twice, in home and away matches (14 rounds in total). The first two teams in Groups A and B advance directly to the quarter-finals, while teams from positions three to six in each of these groups proceed to the play off. The season is over for the last two teams in each group after the completion of the group phase.

Play off

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The pairings for the play off are decided by the placement of the teams at the end of the group phase (A6 vs B3, B6 vs A3, A5 vs B4 and B5 vs A4). Each pairing is decided via a home and away format, with the aggregate winners over the two legs advancing to the quarter-finals. The higher ranked teams in the group phase have the home right advantage in the second leg.

Quarter-finals

The pairings for the quarter-finals are also decided by the placement in the group phase (Winner of A5/B4 vs A1, Winner B5/A4 vs B1, Winner A6/B3 vs A2, Winner B6/A3 vs B2). The ties are decided through a home and away format, with the four winners over the two legs played in each pairing advancing to the EHF FINAL4. The higher ranked teams in the group phase have the home right advantage in the second leg.

EHF FINAL4

The participating EHF FINAL4 teams are paired for the semi-finals through a draw and play the last two matches of the season over a single weekend at one venue. The two semi-finals are played on a Saturday, with the third-place game and final on a Sunday.

Summary

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European Champions Cup

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Year Final Semi-finals losers
Champion Score Runner-up
1961
Details
 
Știința București
13–5
(8–1 / 5–4)
 
Dynamo Prague
 
Žalgiris Kaunas
 
RSF Mulheim
1961–62
Details
 
Sparta Prague
11–7
(2–3 / 9–4)
 
ORK Belgrade
 
RSF Mulheim
 
Știința București
1962–63
Details
 
Trud Moscow
11–8  
Frederiksberg IF
 
Fortschritt Weissenfels
 
Rapid București
1963–64
Details
 
Rapid București
14–13  
Helsingør IF
 
Spartacus Budapest
 
Eimsbütteler TV
1964–65
Details
 
HG København
21–16
(14–6 / 7–10)
 
Spartacus Budapest
 
Swift Roermond
 
Lokomotiva Zagreb
1965–66
Details
 
SC Leipzig
17–11
(10–5 / 7–6)
 
HG København
 
Spartacus Budapest
 
Sparta Prague
1966–67
Details
 
Žalgiris Kaunas
8–7  
SC Leipzig
 
Universitatea Timișoara
 
Bohemians Prague
1967–68
Details
 
Žalgiris Kaunas
13–11  
Empor Rostock
 
KS Cracovia
 
Rapid București
1969–70
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
9–7  
SC Leipzig
 
Žalgiris Kaunas
 
HG København
1970–71
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
11–9  
Ferencvárosi TC
 
1.FC Nürnberg
 
HG København
1971–72
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
12–8  
SC Leipzig
 
Bakony Veszprém
 
Universitatea București
1972–73
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
17–8  
Universitatea Timișoara
 
NILOC Amsterdam
 
SC Leipzig
1973–74
Details
 
SC Leipzig
12–10  
Spartak Kyiv
 
Eintracht Minden
 
Radnički Belgrade
1974–75
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
14–10  
Lokomotiva Zagreb
 
IEFS București
 
Vasas Budapest
1975–76
Details
 
Radnicki Belgrade
22–12  
Swift Roermond
 
Admira Wien
 
Stockholmspolisens IF
1976–77
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
15–7  
SC Leipzig
 
Radnicki Belgrade
 
IL Vestar
1977–78
Details
 
TSC Berlin
19–14  
Vasas Budapest
 
IL Vestar
 
Ruch Chorzów
1978–79
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
27–26
(13–17 / 14–9)
 
Vasas Budapest
 
Eintracht Minden
 
SC Leipzig
1979–80
Details
 
RK Radnicki Belgrade
45–29
(22–19 / 23–10 )
 
Inter Bratislava
 
Stockholmspolisens IF
 
VIG G. Dimitrov
1980–81
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
39–26
(17–13 / 22–13)
 
Radnicki Belgrade
 
VIG G. Dimitrov
 
RK Osijek
1981–82
Details
 
Vasas Budapest
50–43
(29–19 / 21–24)
 
Radnicki Belgrade
 
Spartak Kyiv
 
Rulmentul Braşov
1982–83
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
48–36
(23–19 / 25–17)
 
Radnicki Belgrade
 
Bayer Leverkusen
 
Vasas Budapest
1983–84
Details
 
Radnicki Belgrade
42–35
(22–16 / 20–19)
 
Bayer Leverkusen
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Vasas Budapest
1984–85
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
41–31
(23–16 / 18–15)
 
Radnicki Belgrade
 
SC Leipzig
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
1985–86
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
52–45
(29–23 / 23–22)
 
Ştiinţa Bacău
 
Vasas Budapest
 
Budućnost Titograd
1986–87
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
50–37
(25–17 / 25–20)
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Ştiinţa Bacău
 
ZVL Prešov
1987–88
Details
 
Spartak Kyiv
33–31
(16–14 / 17–17)
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Spartacus Budapest
 
Radnicki Belgrade
1988–89
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
37–33
(16–14 / 21–19)
 
Spartak Kyiv
 
Debreceni VSC
 
CS Mureșul
1989–90
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
59–50
(29–24 / 30–26)
 
Kuban Krasnodar
 
Chimistul Râmnicu Vâlcea
 
SC Brühl
1990–91
Details
 
TV Giessen-Lützellinden
43–40
(21–15 / 22–25)
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Rostselmash
 
Építők SC
1991–92
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
34–32
(15–14 / 19–18)
 
TV Giessen-Lützellinden
 
Chimistul Râmnicu Vâlcea
 
Walle Bremen
1992–93
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
40–25
(17–14 / 23–11)
 
Vasas Budapest
 
Mar Valencia
 
Walle Bremen

EHF Women's Champions League (knockout system)

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Year Final Semi-finals losers
Champion Score Runner-up
1993–94
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
45–39
(18–20 / 25–21)
 
Vasas Budapest
 
Mar Valencia
 
TV Giessen-Lützellinden
1994–95
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
40–36
(17–14 / 26–19)
 
Podravka Koprivnica
 
Mar Valencia
 
Walle Bremen
1995–96
Details
 
Podravka Koprivnica
38–37
(17–13 / 25–20)
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Mar Valencia
 
Ferencvárosi TC
1996–97
Details
 
Mar Valencia
58–50
(35–26 / 24–23)
 
Viborg HK
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Ferencvárosi TC
1997–98
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
56–47
(28–21 / 26–28)
 
Mar Valencia
 
Podravka Koprivnica
 
Budućnost Podgorica
1998–99
Details
 
Dunaferr NK
51–49
(25–23 / 26–26)
 
Krim Ljubljana
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Budućnost Podgorica
1999–00
Details
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
52–45
(32–23 / 22–20)
 
Kometal Gjorče Petrov
 
Buducnost Podgorica
 
Volgograd Akva
2000–01
Details
 
Krim Ljubljana
47–41
(22–22 / 25–19)
 
Viborg HK
 
Budućnost Podgorica
 
Ferencvárosi TC
2001–02
Details
 
Kometal Gjorče Petrov
51–49
(27–25 / 26–22)
 
Ferencvárosi TC
 
Larvik HK
 
Budućnost Podgorica
2002–03
Details
 
Krim Ljubljana
63–58
(30–27 / 36–28)
 
Mar Valencia
 
Ikast EH
 
Viborg HK
2003–04
Details
 
Slagelse FH
61–56
(25–24 / 32–36)
 
Krim Ljubljana
 
Dunaferr NK
 
Larvik HK
2004–05
Details
 
Slagelse FH
54–43
(27–23 / 20–27)
 
Kometal Gjorče Petrov
 
Dunaferr NK
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
2005–06
Details
 
Viborg HK
44–43
(22–24 / 20–21)
 
Krim Ljubljana
 
BM Sagunto
 
Aalborg DH
2006–07
Details
 
Slagelse FH
61–53
(29–29 / 32–24)
 
Lada Togliatti
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
2007–08
Details
 
Zvezda Zvenigorod
56–53
(25–24 / 29–31)
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
Lada Togliatti
2008–09
Details
 
Viborg HK
50–49
(24–26 / 23–26)
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea
 
Hypo Niederösterreich
2009–10
Details
 
Viborg HK
60–52
(28–21 / 32–31)
 
Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
Larvik HK
2010–11
Details
 
Larvik HK
47–46
(23–21 / 25–24)
 
SD Itxako
 
ŽRK Budućnost
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
2011–12
Details
 
ŽRK Budućnost
54–54
(29–27 / 27–25)
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea
 
Larvik HK
2012–13
Details
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
47–43
(21–24 / 23–22)
 
Larvik HK
 
Oltchim Râmnicu Vâlcea
 
Krim Ljubljana

EHF Women's Champions League (EHF FINAL4 system)

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Year Final Semi-finals losers
Champion Score Runner-up Third place Fourth place
2013–14
Details
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
27–21  
ŽRK Budućnost
 
HC Vardar
 
FC Midtjylland
2014–15
Details
 
ŽRK Budućnost
26–22  
Larvik HK
 
HC Vardar
 
Dinamo Volgograd
2015–16
Details
 
CSM București
29–26
(Pen)
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
HC Vardar
 
ŽRK Budućnost
2016–17
Details
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
31–30
(OT)
 
HC Vardar
 
CSM București
 
ŽRK Budućnost
2017–18
Details
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
27–26
(OT)
 
HC Vardar
 
CSM București
 
Rostov-Don
2018–19
Details
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
25–24  
Rostov-Don
 
Vipers Kristiansand
 
Metz Handball
2019–20
Details
Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]
2020–21
Details
 
Vipers Kristiansand
34–28  
Brest Bretagne Handball
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
CSKA Moscow
2021–22
Details
 
Vipers Kristiansand
33–31  
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
Metz Handball
 
Team Esbjerg
2022–23
Details
 
Vipers Kristiansand
28–24  
Ferencvárosi TC
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
 
Team Esbjerg
2023–24
Details
 
Győri Audi ETO KC
30–24  
SG BBM Bietigheim
 
Team Esbjerg
 
Metz Handball

Records and statistics

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Performance by club

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Club Winners Runners-up Years won Years runners-up
  Spartak Kyiv 13 2 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 1974, 1989
  Hypo Niederösterreich 8 5 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000 1987, 1988, 1991, 1996, 2008
  Győri ETO KC 6 4 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024 2009, 2012, 2016, 2022
  Radnički Belgrade 3 4 1976, 1980, 1984 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985
  Viborg HK 3 2 2006, 2009, 2010 1997, 2001
  Slagelse DT 3 0 2004, 2005, 2007
  Vipers Kristiansand 3 0 2021, 2022, 2023
  SC Leipzig 2 4 1966, 1974 1967, 1970, 1972, 1977
  Krim Ljubljana 2 3 2001, 2003 1999, 2004, 2006
  ŽRK Budućnost 2 1 2012, 2015 2014
  Žalgiris Kaunas 2 0 1967, 1968
  Vasas Budapest 1 4 1982 1978, 1979, 1993, 1994
  Sagunto 1 2 1997 1998, 2003
  Kometal Skopje 1 2 2002 2000, 2005
  Larvik HK 1 2 2011 2013, 2015
  HG København 1 1 1965 1966
  TV Giessen-Lützellinden 1 1 1991 1992
  Podravka Koprivnica 1 1 1996 1995
  Știința București 1 0 1961
  Sparta Prague 1 0 1962
  Trud Moscow 1 0 1963
  Rapid București 1 0 1964
  TSC Berlin 1 0 1978
  Dunaferr NK 1 0 1999
  Zvezda Zvenigorod 1 0 2008
  CSM București 1 0 2016

Performance by country (1961–2024)

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Rank Country Winners Runners-up Semi-finals Total
1   Soviet Union
16
3
4
23
2   Hungary
8
12
21
41
3   Austria
8
5
8
21
4   Denmark
7
5
9
21
5   Norway
4
2
7
13
6   Yugoslavia
3
6
11
20
7   East Germany
3
5
4
12
8   Romania
3
3
16
22
9   Slovenia
2
3
1
6
10   Montenegro
2
1
3
6
11   North Macedonia
1
4
3
8
12   Germany
1
3
11
15
13   Spain
1
3
5
9
14   Russia
1
2
5
8
15   Czechoslovakia
1
2
3
6
16   France
0
1
3
4
17   Croatia
1
1
1
3
18   Netherlands
0
1
2
3
19   Bulgaria
0
0
2
2
20   Poland
0
0
2
2
21   Sweden
0
0
2
2
22   Switzerland
0
0
1
1
Total 61 61 122 244
Notes
  • 1: Goals from four seasons (1998–2002) are missing. Bojana Popovic's tally is higher than what is written here.[19]

Goals scored in the Final Four by nations

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All goals (2199) scored in the Final Four by the nationality of the players.

Last updated after the 2023/24 season.

Players with the most Champions League titles

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bold - active players

Players Titles Winning years and clubs
# List
 /  Zinaida Turchyna 13 1 Spartak Kyiv 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
 / /  Nataliya Rusnachenko 9or10 2 Spartak Kyiv 1986, 1987, 1988, Hypo Niederösterreich 1990(??), 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000
 /  Larysa Karlova 8 1 Spartak Kyiv 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
  Katrine Lunde 7 3 Viborg 2009, 2010, Győri ETO KC 2013, 2014, Vipers Kristiansand 2021, 2022, 2023
 /  Marianna Racz 7 2 Vasas Budapest 1982, Hypo Niederösterreich 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
 /  Stanka Božović 7 1 Hypo Niederösterreich 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000
 /  Nataliya Tymoshkina 7 1 Spartak Kyiv 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979
  Nora Mørk 6 3 Larvik HK 2011, Győri ETO KC 2017, 2018, 2019, Vipers Kristiansand 2021, 2022
  Bojana Popović 6 3 Slagelse FH 2004, 2005, 2007, Viborg HK 2009, 2010, ŽRK Budućnost 2012
 /  Ausra Fridrikas 6 2 Hypo Niederösterreich 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, Slagelse FH 2004, 2005
  Jana Knedlíková 6 2 Győri ETO KC 2017, 2018, 2019, Vipers Kristiansand 2021, 2022, 2023
 /  Lyudmyla Poradnyk 6or7 1 Spartak Kyiv 1970(??), 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979
 /  Olha Zubaryeva 6 1 Spartak Kyiv 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986
  Heidi Løke 5 3 Larvik HK 2011, Győri ETO KC 2013, 2014, 2017, Vipers Kristiansand 2021
  Eduarda Amorim 5 1 Győri ETO KC 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019
  Anita Görbicz 5 1 Győri ETO KC 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019
 /  Nataliya Matryuk 5or7 1 Spartak Kyiv 1979(??), 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988(??)
 /  Tetyana Kocherhina 5 1 Spartak Kyiv 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981
 /  Marina Bazanova 5 1 Spartak Kyiv 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
 /  Rima Sypkus 4 1 Hypo 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000
 / /  Tanja Dshandshagava 4 1 Hypo 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000
  Cristina Varzaru 4 2 Viborg 2006, 2009, 2010, Bucuresti 2016
  Katarina Bulatovic 4 3 Slagelse 2007, Budućnost 2012, 2015, Györi ETO KC2014
 /  Lyubov Odynokova 3or4 1 Spartak Kyiv 1979(??), 1981, 1983, 1985

As of the end of 2023/24 season no player has won 3 titles with 3 different clubs.[21]

Coaches with most titles

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Coach Titles Clubs
# List
 /  Ihor Turchyn 13 1 Spartak Kyiv 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
  Ambros Martin 4[22] 1 Győri ETO KC 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018
  Vinko Kandija 4 2 Radnički Belgrade 1976, 1980, Hypo 1989, 1990
  Ole Gustav Gjekstad 4 2 Larvik HK 2011, Vipers 2021, 2022, 2023
  Anja Andersen 3 1 Slagelse DT 2004, 2005, 2007

As Player and Coach combined

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Player/Coach Titles as Player as Coach
# List # List
  Ambros Martin 5 1 San Antonio 2001 4 Győri ETO KC 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Information on the DELO WOMEN'S EHF FINAL4 2020". ehfcl.com. 26 June 2020.
  2. ^ Costeiu, Adrian. "Odense spoil Radičević's historic game". eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  3. ^ Costeiu, Adrian. "Grit, courage and determination bring Neagu to 1,000-goal milestone". eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Jovanka Radičević Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Cristina Neagu Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Andrea Lekić Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Anita Görbicz Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Nora Mørk Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Ana Gros Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Katarina Bulatović Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Eduarda Amorim Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Bojana Popović Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Andrea Penezić Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Heidi Løke Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Milena Raicevic Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Alexandra do Nascimento Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  18. ^ "Isabelle Gulldén Profile". history.eurohandball.com. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  19. ^ "BOJANA POPOVIC - Career & Statistics | EHF".
  20. ^ "All-time overview of the EHF Champions League top scorers (1993/94 to 2013/14)". EHF. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  21. ^ "European Handball Federation - Three players and one coach on the hunt for title number five / Article".
  22. ^ "European Handball Federation - Three players and one coach on the hunt for title number five / Article".

General references

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