Viborg in semi-final form

Viborg seem to be in good form before the semi-finals against Valcea. The last test before the journey to Romania was a Danish play-off game where Viborg have beaten KIF Vejen 30-22 at home. The head coach, Jakob Vestergaard, was optimistic:

“It was really great for us to play such an important match at this point. I think that the game against KIF proved that we are at the level where we should be right now. We kept a fine rhythm until the match was decided. I think our defence did really well and made life difficult for the backcourt of KIF. I realise that we will get under a massive physical pressure in Romania on Sunday, and it was especially important that we showed such physical strength against KIF,” Jakob Vestergaard said.

Eurohandball.com: There will be also psychological stress on your layers from the enthusiastic local crowd. Are you ready for that?

Jakob Vestergaard: Only time can tell. Such things are difficult to model at trainings, but we have a team of highly competent international players, so I expect to stand that pressure too. That belongs to the away games and I also expect our fans to fill the hall for the return game and put just as much pressure on Valcea.

Eurohandball.com: What do you think about Oltchim Valces as an opponent?

Jakob Vestergaard: Two top teams will meet. As I said before, I believe that Hypo, Valcea and Viborg are the main favourites to win the Champions League. We may have been downgraded on this list after the injury of Bojana Popovic, but in any case we are going to meet an international top team. They play very much like the Romanian national team: two very fast wingers, great backcourt players and a very good line player. On top of all, we all know Dinu´s qualities in the goal, so we will definitely be facing an extremely strong opponent.

Eurohandball.com: Apart from Popovic and Nora Reiche, Gitte Aaen is also missing. Do you expect Aaen to be back for Sunday?

Jakob Vestergaard: I hope so, but if she would not be ready, I have Ann Grethe Nørregaard to help Henriette Mikkelsen in the left wing position.

Eurohandball.com: What will be a good result in Valcea?

Jakob Vestergaard: We will try to get at least one point. It will be very difficult, of course, but it is always so at this level. We lost by two goals against Hypo Niederösterreich in the main round, while Hypo were close to taking a point from us in Denmark. Accordingly, when two top teams meet it is always very equal. Peter Bruun