No time for mistakes

No other Bundesliga team is such a regular European Cup participant as SG Flensburg-Handewitt. They have been playing in the Champions League since the 2003/2004 season. They also played two finals in this period (in 2004 and 2007) and a semi-final (in 2006).

With the new playing system of the CL, the teams cannot allow mistakes in the first round of the group matches.

“We should win all the games, possibly even twice against the strongest opponents, Veszprém,” says the Flensburg club manager, Fynn Holpert.

The international recongnition, the strength of the squad and the club background suggest that the normally Flensburg and the Hungarian champion MKB Veszprém should fight for the first place of the group.

The handballers of the city close to Balaton can use now a new sports hall. “Already the atmosphere of the old sports hall was special and the goalkeeper Dejan Peric excelled regularly here,” commented Fynn Holpert about the upcoming Veszprém game. Holpert was also happy to meet Lajos Mocsai again, his former coach who “made me the player I was.”

The other opponents in the group will be new territory for Flensburg. They never played before against Haukar Hafnarfjördur or any other Icelandic team.

“There is euphoria about handball in Iceland today,” confirms Fynn Holpert. “The Icelandic handball school and their talents are well known to all.”

Flensburg never played a game in the Ukraine either. This time ZTR Zaporoshje will be waiting for them. “This team is identical with the Ukraine national team,” underlines Fynn Holpert.

And though he has respect for all these opponents, his expectations are clear:

“Reaching the main round is a duty for the team.”