ehf_25yers_book_webversion

“Structurally, the EHF is a very
complex body. Outsiders often
underestimate the way we pass
decisions. The most important thing
is finding the right balance. That the
EHF agreed sensible solutions with
the clubs, the leagues and the
national federations, was extremely
important for the future of
European handball”
ple, the launch of the FINAL4 Tournament
in the Women’s EHF Champions League.
That Brihault had been watching the
EHF’s development from close up and had
contributed to it for a long time was an asset.
As a delegate, a member of the Executive
Committee and as Vice President he
had witnessed from close quarters how
the umbrella organisation evolved into a
modern provider of services. Against this
backdrop, many would have liked to see
Brihault continuing for at least another
term of office, but the motion proposing a
higher age limit, as envisaged at the 12th
Ordinary EHF Congress in Dublin in 2014,
finally failed, by a very narrow margin, to
win a two-thirds majority at the subsequent
Congress 2015 in Bucharest.
As a model democrat, Brihault accepted
the decision with good humour. “I might
become a good gardener,” he answered
when asked about his plans for the future.
“No, seriously: this marks the end of my career
in handball, as I do not see any other
position that I would aspire to. I had a great
time in handball! When you are sad when
something draws to an end it means that
you enjoyed it! I therefore must be grateful.”
Other important figures in the EHF
also viewed this decision with concern as
it will not only be Brihault who will leave
his position as of the 13th Ordinary EHF
Congress in November 2016, but also his
deputy Arne Elovson (SWE) and Treasurer
Ralf Dejaco (ITA), who after long and dedicated
service to the EHF have likewise surpassed
the 68-year age limit for top functionaries.
In Bucharest, one of the most outstanding
features of the EHF’s 25-year history,
the unusual continuity in its human resources,
was suddenly at risk. The EHF was
faced with a scenario which the umbrella
organisation with its currently 50 members
(plus the two associated federations
of England and Scotland) had not witnessed
to date, namely that from one day
to the next, the partners of the EHF would
have to deal with completely new people
at the top. This was the scenario that
prompted EHF Secretary General Wiederer
to announce in Bucharest that he would
be a candidate for the office of president
at the Anniversary Congress on 17th and
18th November 2016.
Wiederer is the only candidate. His election
would preserve the continuity that
has been a major factor contributing to the
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