Polish journalist dies during Handball Champions League final

2023-06-18 22:48:09

A Polish journalist died during the final of the Handball Champions League won by the Germans of Magdeburg against the Poles of Kielce (30-29 after extra time), Sunday in Cologne (Germany), announced the European Handball Federation (EHF ).

The man, whose age has not been specified, collapsed in the press box 12 minutes 20 seconds from the end of regulation time, before being evacuated unconscious by the rescuers, found AFP . His name is Pawel, according to the Kielce club, which paid tribute to him on Twitter.

Paweł, we will come back here and win, but no one will give you back to us…

Deepest condolences to the family.
Nothing is more important today. pic.twitter.com/5dGWWGgy48

— Barlinek Industria Kielce (@kielcehandball) June 18, 2023

EHF announced his passing ahead of the post-match press conference, which was accordingly canceled after a minute’s silence was observed. A manager of the Kielce club, present during the announcement, told AFP that the journalist was of Polish nationality and that he succumbed to cardiac arrest.

“He was medically taken care of during the second period of the final, but he unfortunately died. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and relatives,” EHF wrote on its Twitter account.

The EHF mourns the death of a media colleague at the TRUCKSCOUT24 EHF FINAL4. He was medically treated in the second half of the final, but sadly passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and relatives.

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) June 18, 2023