Krim has never been so united

The Ukrainian international, Olena Iatsneko has been playing for Krim Mercator since 2001. The 30-year old right winger admits that Krim has never seen such a good atmosphere before.

Eurohandball.com: At the beginning of the season in Sweden, you took two points with some luck. There were lot of mistakes. What is necessary to improve?

Olena Iatsneko: We can play much more aggressively in defence and we must not allow the opponents to come near our goal. Also, we were not enough effective in counter attacks. These should be quicker.

Eurohandball.com: Were you surprised by other results of Round 1?

Olena Iatsneko: Yes, very much. Especially that Nürnberg and Zvezda made a draw. It is really surprising as Zvezda are the best Russian team and in my opinion also the best European squad. It is a complete Russian national team with the exception of Bodnieva. I’m not surprised about Valcea winning against Viborg.

Eurohandball.com: Which is the strongest opponent in Krim's group?

Olena Iatsneko: Zvezda, for sure. However, the draw against the German team is alarming for us. Nürnberg are not bad, though I do not know their players. If it goes like this, it will be very tough at the end.

Eurohandball.com: Krim Mercator are playing this year with a young team. If you compare it with previous season what would you say?

Olena Iatsneko: I think the team improved. We are together: older and younger players. But it is not important who plays. It can be Oder or Hrnjic, the quality is the same. I’m happy because the younger ones have no fear.

Eurohandball.com: The atmosphere is obviously great…

Olena Iatsneko: I can say that we are all together as one team. It is not like it was in the previous seasons when we were divided to younger and older or even to Slovenian and foreign players. I think the coach is important as he treats everyone equally.

Eurohandball.com: Injuries are a big problem this year...

Olena Iatsneko: I can only say that I miss Marina Vergelyuk, just as Bodieva does. She is the best. She sees everything on the court. I know almost how she breaths. That is the biggest problem.

Eurohandball.com: Your goal this season is to ready semi-final. Is it realistic?

Olena Iatsneko: Look, when Krim won their first Champions League I did not know anyone from the team except for Derpasko and Ceckova. It was not a well-known team. Did anyone expect them to claim the trophy? It is difficult to be wise now as handball has became so unpredictable.