Stefansson: We want the title this year

Even with one World Handball Player of the Year and two Champions League titles, he is “only” one of the stars of his club. Olafur Stefansson is one of the best left handed playersin the world and he has a big objective for this season: he wants to win the CL again with the Spanish club. The Icelandic international talks to Eurohandball.com.

Eurohandball.com: You were very lucky to win the match in Cologne against Gummersbach. When did you know that Ciudad would win the game?

Stefansson: When the final whistle was blown, not even a second earlier. A draw would have been a fair result as Gummersbach showed a great performance.

Eurohandball.com: Ciudad Real have won all nine CL matches this season. You are now the only club with this balance as Kiel lost in Leon on Sunday. Your are leading the group. Do you think that Ciudad would go through to the semi-final easily?

Stefansson: The victory against Gummersbach was very important for the semi-final, but we still have to fight hard. With all the injured players, we cannot play on our usual level. So we have to be careful every match. In the Main Round you can lose against any opponent if you’re not willing to give 100%.

Eurohandball.com: Ciudad Real will play the last two matches against Velenje and Gummersbach at home after playing in Montpellier. Is this a great advantage?

Stefansson: We have to wait and see. Normally it’s an advantage, but nobody knows what will happen in these matches, so we have to take care. We are not the only team that want to reach the semi-finals and even Gummersbach still have the chance for that.

Eurohandball.com: You talked about injuries. Two important backcourt players, Petar Metlicic and Chema Rodriguez, are missing. How much do you depend on such players?

Stefansson: We have 17 players – all top level, so we can compensate. I change with Ales Pajovic in defence and attack, so I can take some rest. The loss of goalkeeper Árpád Sterbik is more important for us. He will not be able to play in the next weeks. For this decisive stage in the CL we only have Jose Hombrados alone in the goal.

Eurohandball.com: Nevertheless, your clear objective is the semi-final?

Stefansson: This is our minimum objective. We started this season with the aim to win the CL again. But we all know that this is very ambitious. One bad match and you’re eliminated in – as it occurred to us last season in the quarterfinals against Portland San Antonio. But history should not repeat this year – I hope. The “little things” are usually decisive when top clubs meet in a knockout stage. However, this is typical in top sports. You can’t plan too much, you have to play first.