Celje’s knights face three fronts as a new season begins in Zlatorog

Celje Pivovarna Laško begins the 2026-27 season carrying two domestic trophies, a place in the elite EHF Champions League and the pressure that comes with defending both titles.

The club unexpectedly won the Slovenian championship and RZS Cup last season. In the year of its 80th anniversary, Celje will seek a 27th national title while facing strong competition from a wealthier Slovan, ambitious Trimo, rising Slovenj Gradec and a rebuilt Gorenje side.

The team coached by Klemen Luzar lost Saturday’s Super Cup at home to Trimo on penalties. Its NLB League campaign starts on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Zlatorog against SVIŠ. Celje’s squad has changed, with experienced winger Gašper Marguč returning from Veszprém. Jaka Soršak, Luka Kačičnik, Lun Ključanin, Germany’s Mattis Heiss, North Macedonia’s Dimitar Uzunčev and Colombia’s Jesus Hurtado Vergara have also joined.

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The team is good, because it combines older players with younger, less experienced ones. Together they create good energy. Despite the defeat against Trimo from Trebnje in the Super Cup, I can say that we performed well. I think we have taken a fairly big step forward compared with the first matches.

Celje will miss Andraž Makuc and Luka Perić, who moved to Champions League clubs in Bucharest and Nantes. Injuries have added further uncertainty: Mai Marguč is not expected back until January, Gašper Marguč’s return date is unknown, and Aljuš Anžič is dealing with a problem but will probably be available against SVIŠ.

The Champions League group includes Aalborg, Paris Saint-Germain and Zagreb. Celje will play its first group match away to Zagreb on Sept. 9. “The team is good, because it combines older players with younger, less experienced ones. Together they create good energy,” Luzar said. “Despite the defeat against Trimo from Trebnje in the Super Cup, I can say that we performed well. I think we have taken a fairly big step forward compared with the first matches.”

Captain Žiga Mlakar also said the squad was eager to begin the league and Champions League seasons. “The start of the season was not what we wanted, but I think we still put in a good performance. We were missing a touch of sporting luck for success. We are all eagerly awaiting the start of the national championship and the Champions League,” he said.

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The start of the season was not what we wanted, but I think we still put in a good performance. We were missing a touch of sporting luck for success. We are all eagerly awaiting the start of the national championship and the Champions League.