Tatran Presov going for third position

The Slovak team, Tatran Presov, finished the first three matches of the group round and the team performed according to the plans of coach Martin Liptak. The two defeats (from GOG and Portland) and a victory (over A1 Bregenz) are good result for the club. Presov was in CL’s last 16 in 2005, but this achievement is really difficult to repeat. Tatran looks for the third place in Group D. They must fight with the Austrian club for it. Portland and GOG Gudme are very strong rivals. Eurohandball.com talks to Slovak coach, Martin Liptak.

Eurohandball.com: Tatran played the first three matches. Are you satisfied with the performance of your team?

Martin Liptak: Portland San Antonio and GOG Gudme are teams of a different level. The Austrian A1 Bregenz is a similar team to us. There is an important difference between Presov and Portland, for example. They have beaten us in Pamplona by eleven goals, but I do not think it was a bad result. These games are good for us because we learn a lot when playing against great European clubs. GOG Gudme scored 28 goals in Pamplona and we scored 29, so our result is not so bad.

Eurohandball.com: Your team has showed good defending…

Martin Liptak: We fight every game for the victory; we try to make good results. However, I do not think that our defence is very tough. We have a similar defensive level to other teams. I do not think that we are a harder team than, for example, Portland San Antonio.

Eurohandball.com: Is the third place the real objective for the team?

Martin Liptak: We won 31-26 against Bregenz in Slovakia in the first round. It was an important victory. They are a team on our level and we must fight with them for the third place. They are our real rivals. Our objective after the first results is to reach third place and we would be happy with it.