Hypo's hard work

When you ask Gunnar Prokop, manager of Hypo Niederösterreich to explain why the Austrian champions are leading Group 1 in the Champions League with eight points after four matches, you get a quite remarkable answer. Eurohandball.com has talked to “Mr. Hypo” about their success.

Eurohandball.com: You won by 10 goals in Ikast. How can you explain the big difference between you and the other teams?

Gunnar Prokop: I think that trainings explain parts most of it. I have the feeling that some of the teams of the second group phase have not been training enough between the two group phases. You should not be satisfied buy reaching a good form in autumn. You have to go on training hard and I think that we have an advantage here.

Eurohandball.com: Has it been easier for you than expected?

Gunnar Prokop: Not really. We have eight points already, but we are still far from winning the group.

Eurohandball.com: Most experts believe that Hypo and Viborg are the biggest favourites. What do you think?

Gunnar Prokop: Well, this would also be my bet: a final between Viborg and Hypo…

Eurohandball.com: You will lose key players at the end of the year, Sabine Englert and Gorica Acimovic. What will be the future of Hypo?

Gunnar Prokop: I’m sure that we will not be weaker next season as most of the team will stay together. We have a great goalkeeper already and we will also find a good successor for Acimovic. So I don’t really worry. Peter Bruun