FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.03.2007 12:57

Xepkin comes out retirement and signs for Kiel

Former FC Barcelona Cifec handball star Andrei Xepkin, who retired from high-level competition two years ago, has signed for German side Kiel for the rest of the season.

The German side has made it into the Champions League semi finals, and have drafted in the former Barça centre to help cope with their many injury concerns. Finding new players at this stage of the season is no easy business, because any players that have already appeared in European competitions for other teams cannot be fielded, so the only option is often to seek out retired players.

Which is why Kiel found their man in 42 year old Andrei Xepkin, who could not resist the temptation to come out of retirement and pull on the Kiel shirt until June of this year. Standing at 2.05 metres tall, he is just the player the German side needs in the centre of their defence.

Up for three titles

Kiel have overcome all kinds of injury problems in what is turning out to be a majestic season. They are top of the German league, have qualified for the Final Four of the German Cup, and are, of course, in the Champions League semi finals. They lost the first leg of their match with Spanish side Portland by just two goals, and have home advantage in the return leg.

Emotional retirement

Andrei Xepkin announced his retirement from handball at the end of the 2004-05 season, having just won his sixth European Cup in an FC Barcelona Cifec shirt. That marked the end of an illustrious 20 years at the elite of the game, including 12 as a Barça player. ‘The Giant’s’ farewell was a tearful occasion in the company of fellow members of the ‘Dream Team', including the great Xavier O'Callaghan.