Still need to improve

She has won the EHF Champions League three times already – with Slagelse in 2004, 2005 and 2007 – and now the 29-year old Bojana Popovic has the chance to win the competition for the fourth time in her career – this time with Viborg HK.

Eurohandball.com talks to Popovic, who is considered by many to be the best female player in the world.

Eurohandball.com: What was the big difference against Ikast?

Bojana Popovic: Basically our defence was very strong and that allowed us to score from fast-breaks. This was too tiring for the Ikast players who did not seem to have enough power.

Eurohandball.com: What do you think about your chances in the Champions League?

Bojana Popovic: It was important for us to win an away match as we can decide everything at our home matches now. Of course, we aim to win everywhere we play, but it was important for our confidence to start well.

Eurohandball.com: Will this confidence help against Podravka too?

Bojana Popovic: Yes, we have a lot of confidence at the moment, and now the main issue for us is play well against Podravka. We have to improve our defence even further and we must not make the mistakes we made a week ago.

Eurohandball.com: After a 14-goal there can only be little space for improvement…

Bojana Popovic: Yes, you are right, but there are still a few minor things that need to be adjusted.

Eurohandball.com: Many people believe that Viborg are the biggest favourites for the title.

Bojana Popovic: Maybe, but we don’t think about it. We simply try to win all our matches and you cannot win any match just by saying that you are better. So we don’t think like that at all.