Aleksander Donner (Ukrainian: Олександр Доннер, first name also transliterated as Oleksandar, Oleksander or Oleksandr; 1948 – 24 August 2013) was a Ukrainian handball coach,[1] best known for his spell at Portuguese team ABC Braga (1991–2004). Donner is considered the most accomplished coach in Portuguese handball and is credited with the success of growing the nation's handball in the 1990s.[2]

Aleksander Donner
Personal information
Born 1948
Lviv, Ukraine
Died 24 August 2013
Funchal, Portugal

Career

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Donner's career started in the 1980s when, as a player in Lviv's "CKA" and Astrakhan's "Zari," he helped Vladimir Gladchencko build famed Astrakhan's "Dinamo".[3] Before signing for ABC Braga in Portugal, Donner was the assistant coach of the Russia national team, whose main coach at the time, Vlatschenko, recommended him to the board of directors of the Portuguese team. Donner left Russia for Portugal in 1992.[3]

At ABC Braga, Donner won 8 league titles, 7 Portuguese Cups, 5 Super Cups and 1 Portuguese League Opening Cup. Under his guidance, in 1993–94, ABC Braga reached the final of EHF Champions League but lost to Spanish team Teka Cantabria. From 1996 to 2000, Donner coached the Portugal national team. After leaving ABC Braga, he coached another Portuguese league teams, such as Madeira Andebol SAD and Benfica. Overall, teams coached by Donner gained eleven championship titles.

Death

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Donner died of a heart attack on 24 August 2013, in Funchal, at the age of 65.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "FC Porto e Benfica lutam pelos "quartos"". SAPO (in Portuguese). 9 February 2008. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  2. ^ Onze títulos, controvésia e carisma, as marcas de Aleksander Donner. (in Portuguese) Jornal de Notícias. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b Umer Aleksander Donner Archived 19 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Handball Federation of Russia (in Russian). 25 August 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Morreu o treinador de andebol Alexander Donner". Público (in Portuguese). 24 August 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.