Introducing Kielce

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On Thursday, the capital club play host to Kielce in a top-of-the-table clash that could prove decisive when the reckoning for the finals begins in less than a month's time. Take a look at the history of this Polish club, one of the giants of the EHF Champions League.

A LITTLE HISTORY

The most successful club in Polish handball, with no fewer than 37 national titles to its name, Industria Kielce is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the sport. Bought out in 2002, the club entered a whole new dimension, imposing its national domination to the dismay of rivals Wisla Plock and Wybrzeze Gdansk. After qualifying for the Final4 of the EHF Champions League for the first time in 2013, the club enjoyed a meteoric rise under the guidance of the iconic Talant Dujshebaev. Their crowning glory came just three years later, when they won their first EHF Champions League title.

Since then, the Blue and Yellows have been classed as one of the favourites for the final title, and appear to be on the verge of claiming the Holy Grail once again. Beaten in the final at the last two editions, Kielce are determined to put an end to their curse this season, after a 2023 that will surely go down in the club's history.

2023: FOR ETERNITY

Industria Kielce may have been on an upward trajectory over the last decade, but the 2022-2023 season was nonetheless their most memorable. On the national stage, the Blue and Yellows could not have won the title in better style. Going into the final matchday, Kielce were in second place, three points behind historic rivals Wisla Plock, who had enjoyed a perfect season with 25 wins from as many games. As luck would have it, Dylan Nahi and his Kielce team-mates faced those exact derby opponents at Hala Legionow on the final day. At the end of a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire, Kielce prevailed 27-24. Beaten by a two-goal margin in the first meeting between the sides that season, the Blue and Yellows finished level on points with their rivals, but clinched their 20th national title thanks to the three-goal victory in this historic epilogue.

On the continental stage, the story went close to being just as good as it had been in the league, but in the end Kielce fell just short. Cruelly beaten on penalties by Barcelona in the final of the previous edition, it was at this same stage of the competition that Kielce failed last season. After seeing off Paris Saint-Germain Handball in the semi-final (24-25), the Blue and Yellows came up short against Magdeburg (30-29) in a chaotoc final that also went to extra time.

A TITLE IN DANGER?

Even though last season's scenario was historic, it looks set to be reprisesd this time around. Wisla Plock continue to dominate the domestic standings, with a perfect record after 21 rounds. The only team to avoid defeat against the Blue and Yellow this season, Plock are three points clear of their rivals. The outcome of the Orlen Superliga is therefore likely to be decided on 20 March, when the two sides meet for the second time this season with just two rounds remaining. Talant Dujshebaev's men, however, have a tougher task ahead of them, as they will have to win at the Orlen Arena in Plock.

On the continental stage, woe betide the loser of this face-off between the Parisians and the Poles. Tied third with Paris, Kielce would see their hopes of direct qualification for the EHF Champions League quarter-finals evaporate if they lose. A crunch clash, then, which could have serious repercussions for the rest of the competition; the Blue and Yellows could be forced into the play-off round for the first time since 2021.

STAR-STUDDED SQUAD

Finalists in the last two seasons, Kielce have a squad to match their ambitions, including the inevitable Szymon Sicko, who cannot stop scoring. The left-back scored 19 goals in three games for Kamil Syprzak's Poland at the last UEFA European Championship, and has racked up 51 on the continental stage after 11 matches. He has also made ten assists, making him the Polish team's second-best creator.

In goal, our Parisians - and Elohim, Nikola and Luka in particular - will be reunited with an old acquaintance: Andreas Wolff. The German keeper had a sensational game against the French team in the preliminary round of EHF Euro 2024, making 16 saves. Injured for the first meeting between the sides this season, Wolff will undoubtedly be one of the Blue and Yellows' major assets this Thursday.

(Credits: J. Azouze/PSG)