Pálinger: Hypo will play better

Eurohandball.com asks coaches and players after the first semi-final leg between Hypo Noe and Győri ETO.

Coaches comment

András Németh (coach, Hypo): I expected more from this game. We did not play very cleverly; Győr were better in this respect. We tried to take benefit of having more players for the game. I would have enjoyed the game a lot if I were not involved...
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Csaba Konkoly (coach, Győr): It took long time to catch the rhythm of the game. It only happened in defence by the 10th minute of the second half, though we were prepared for a tough battle in defence and attack as well. The goalkeeper of Hypo, Englert, made a good performance and helped Hypo a lot. Though we had the lead on two occasions, we have could leave the hall with our heads up. The semi-final will be decided in two legs.
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Goalkeeper in top form

Eurohandball.com: You made many saves towards the end of the game. Was it the defence to improve considerably by then?

Katalin Pálinger: Definitely, and also Hypo were tired in that period. They could not break us by their four-goal lead in the first half either. They may be used to an opponent giving up, but we play in a tough domestic league that I expected our team not to break down.

Eurohandball.com: Are you satisfied with your performance?

Pálinger: I put my hand in many shots at the beginning and I was close to save the first four goals. It made me a bit angry, but I was luckier after the break: the ball bounced back from the post and also the defence helped me a lot. At the same time I know that we need to play better and I will try to help more in Győr. I expect a difficult game.

Eurohandball.com: What else do you expect there?

Pálinger: It doesn’t matter which team won today because Hypo will play much better next week and they will play also tougher. We also need to be more aggressive because we received many fast break goals. We also made mistakes in attack, so we have to “adjust our hands”. I hope that our magnificent fans will help us reach the final.
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Confident Görbicz

Eurohandball.com: Do you think this defeat means a victory?

Anita Görbicz: Not exactly, because we wanted to win here. We were looking forward to a tough battle. The fast break goals were important and we needed the good form of Pálinger too. In addition, we could rely on our supporters who helped us when we were four goals down.

Eurohandball.com: Do you think Hypo were tired after a tremendous pace in the first half?

Görbicz: We have a better physical condition and I think this was obvious towards the end. We will have to make use of this at home: we must run and they will get tired. We will have to win!