Coach Comments: Women's EHF Cup

Dunaferr vs Itxako, Ikast vs Volgograd: two exciting semi-finals are coming up. Read what the coaches said.

Ikast

Kenneth Jensen (coach):
“One of our major goals for this season was to win the EHF Cup. Last season we reached the final, but unfortunate we lost to Zvezda. This year we hope to be able to go all the way and bring the trophy to Ikast.

“In the semi-final we will meet Volgograd from Russia. I know they are a very strong team and we also know that Russia at the moment are the leading nation in female handball. Their national team has just won the World Championship and both Zvezda and Lada can be found in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“I know the Russian girls quite well, especially Levina and Kochtova who caused many problems for the Danish teams earlier. Dinamo Volgograd also have great experience with their many matches in the Champions League, so I except two very close games

“Unfortunate, we play the first match on home court once again. In the 10 European Cup rounds we played last season and this season, 8 times we had to play the match of vital importance on away court.

“Our team is also very experienced and skilled. Most of our players have many international matches both with their national teams and also with the club.

“Considering our physical conditions, it seems that we will be able to reach the peak at the perfect time. In April we will play the semi-finals in the Danish league and also in the EHF Cup.

“I do believe that we are strong enough to be able to qualify for both finals.“ 

Itxako-Navarra

Ambros Martin (coach):
"I’m satisfied about the draw. Not only because of the rival, but also that we will play the second leg at home. I believe that Dunaferr were the team we all were wishing. Not because they are on a low level, but because we wanted to avoid a very long travel to Russia and because they are a step below the level of the Danes, Ikast Bording."

"The important is a good match in Hungary. In case of a defeat, the disadvantage should not be too big to level it at home as we did last round against Metz.

“The support of our crowd is fundamental and I hope they will carry on in the semi-finals. The opponents are experienced team and they aspire to get in the final.

“To reach the final, we will have to make use of our weapons: good defensive work and counterattacks.”