Ciudad Real wants to stay on top

The Spanish top team Renovalia Ciudad Real is one of the clubs with three straight victories out of three games in this VELUX EHF Champions League season. Additionally they are approaching their 60th consecutive victoriy in the domestic Liga Asobal.

Despite losing important players like Petar Metlicic or Jerome Fernandez, Talant Dujshebaev’s team has started very well into this season, thanks to one of the new key players, Spanish pivot Julen Aginagalde.

ehfCL.com: Are you satisfied with your team’s good start into the CL season?

Julen Aguinagalde: Yes, I am. This group phase still has a lot of games to be played but we won our first three matches. We will try to keep in the top position in order to avoid strong teams in the upcoming eliminatory rounds. Obviously, to be the leader makes things easier for the future.

ehfCL.com: Do you believe that Ciudad Real is on the right way to stay on top?

Julen Aguinagalde: It appears possible after three victories. But Flensburg and Zagreb are very strong opponents, especially at their home arenas. We can not allow ourselves to make mistakes if we want to reach our objective.

ehfCL.com: Is this year’s edition of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 another objective of Renovalia Ciudad Real?

Julen Aginagalde: Our goal is to win every game. This applies to the games now in the Group stage as well as in later, decisive moments of the competition. When being on the court, you of course don’t think about the VELUX EHF FINAL4. So we do what most teams do, we fully focus on the next match. That is the only way to success.

ehfCL.com: Ciudad lost some key players in the last seasons. How is situation of the team now?

Julen Aguinagalde: The economic crisis is a reality, also for us. Some important players left the club but we still have a very strong team that is working hard. For some seasons we have kept a style and the winner spirit. Perhaps we are not the brilliant Ciudad that easily won every game anymore, but we will fight for all the titles.

ehfCL.com: How satisfied are you with your own performance?

Julen Aguinagalde: I feel alright. Egor Evdokimov is injured, so Didier Dinart and me are playing all the minutes of every match. The team will improve in the next games and I hope that Evdomikov will return as soon as possible.

ehfCL.com: You are playing in the same position as Rolando Urios, who used to be one of the best pivots. Is that an extra responsibility?

Julen Aguinagalde: I am very happy to play here, but to replace Urios is impossible. The club and my mates help me a lot to be better and I hope to improve my performance.