The inaugural EHF European Cup Men season concludes in Athens this weekend with a fiery doubleheader clash between the home team AEK Athens HC and Swedish outfit Ystads IF.

The final was due to be played with each team hosting one match over two weekends. However, positive COVID-19 cases in Ystads’ camp saw the matches postponed and moved to Athens on 28 May and 30 May.

A multi-national side, boasting players from Greece, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Croatia, Brazil, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, AEK seem to be the prime pick to clinch their first international title, as they host both games.

AEK are looking to follow in the footsteps of AC Diomidis Argous, the only Greek side to have won an international trophy, the Men’s EHF Challenge Cup in the 2011/12 season.

After losing the Men’s EHF Challenge Cup final against Romanian outfit Potaissa Turda in the 2017/18 season, AEK have now another shot at a trophy, especially after adding Norwegian line player Joakim Hykkerud and Danish back Jesper Pedersen from Norwegian team Drammen late in the season.

Hykkerud, an IHF Men’s World Championship finalist with Norway in 2017, brings experience and know-how to the table for a team that impressed this season, winning seven of their nine games in the competition.

“We need to put the Ystads in a difficult position, but also see what we can get more out of this game,” said AEK coach Dimitris Dimitroulias on the team’s official website.

On the other hand, Ystads are also in a European final for the first time, improving their best performance in a European competition, a Round of 16 berth in the Men’s EHF Challenge Cup in the 2003/04 season.

Ystads have only met Greek opponents once, sealing two wins against Filippos Verias in Round 3 of the Men’s EHF Challenge Cup in the 2009/10 season.

With a young core, the Swedish side also boast two legendary players in their ranks. However, both back Kim Andersson, who won the silver medal at the Olympic Games 2012 with Sweden and scored 17 goals this season, and back Dalibor Dodig, who added 11 goals, were not in the team that Ystads sent to Greece.

Therefore, Ystads’ record in this season’s EHF European Cup is likely to be put to test by the plucky AEK, who have the chance to make history.

For more information, visit the EHF European Cup Men website.

Photos (left to right): Hamistolen, AEK Athens HC