The Spanish champions prepare for a decisive match against Győr.
Itxako: rising form
The team of Martin Ambros continue making progress every season and every match. A step by step improvement has characterised the team from Navarra.
Spanish championship, EHF Cup finals, EHF Cup trophy, CL qualifications, CL group stage... The question is: what’s next?
In the first round Oltchim defeated Itxako by three goals. After showing a good performance in Győr, Itxako lost by only one goal in the second round. In the third round they managed to take a point from Zvenigorod. Now time has come to confront the Hungarians again.
The player who scored the equaliser in Zvenigorod, Begoña Fernández, praises the Hungarian team who will miss their key player.
"Győr are a great team with or without Görbicz. We showed that we can play well at home as well as away and we can complicate the life of anyone. After a point taken from Russia, time has come to gain two points at home,“ Fernández said.
Barbosa signs for Itxako
Unlike many clubs suffering with difficulties these days, the Spanish champions sign top players.
Alexandrina Cabral Barbosa was signed and presented by Itxako. The 23-year old handballer played for Madeira, Astroc Sagunto and Rulmentul Brasov before. She showed her talent in the 2005/2006 season already when Sagunto – coached by Cristina Mayo –played CL semi-finals.
“I arrived to Itxako to help the team reach the goals of the season: winning the Spanish championship, Spanish Cup and to get far as possible in the Champions League. I wanted to return to Spain to continue my handball carrier here,“ Barbosa said.
The Portuguese will be eligible to play in the Champions League in the Main Round if Itxako qualify.
TEXT:
Ivan Ambroš