In the space of ten days, Rhein Neckar Löwen and THW Kiel will meet three times – twice in the VELUX EHF Champions League, and once in the Bundesliga. One player who is really looking forward to these games is Børge Lund.
The Norwegian international moved to Löwen prior to this season after playing two years in Kiel – which included winning the title at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 2010 in Cologne. Kiel and Löwen are currently joint-leaders in Group A of this year’s competition with seven points each.
ehfCL.com: Three games against Kiel in ten days – what are your objectives?
Børge Lund: I hope we can take all six points from these matches.
ehfCL.com: Will these matches will be something special for you?
Børge Lund: Not if you’re talking about the 60 minutes on the court, as this is just a normal situation. But returning to Kiel and the THW spectators will be very special.
ehfCL.com: Do you still have your victory at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 permanently in your mind?
Børge Lund: It’s not present all the time, but it was certainly a really great moment. But I’m not one to look to the past. I like to focus on the future.
ehfCL.com: What importance do the games against Kiel have concerning the rest of the Group Stage?
Børge Lund: They have very high importance, but it’s the same with the games against Barcelona and Celje in this very tough group.
ehfCL.com: Is the first Löwen objective in VELUX EHF Champions League to win Group A?
Børge Lund: Our first objective is to win every match. If this happens we will win the group, but this is not an easy task against the opponents we must play against.
ehfCL.com: Does Löwen have the chance to qualify for the VELUX EHF FINAL4?
Børge Lund: I don’t think that far ahead, as it’s too far from the point we’re currently at.
ehfCL.com: Has Löwen been able to reduce the gap to THW Kiel?
Børge Lund: I think yes, even if we’ve not played against them up to now. But Kiel is still one of the leading teams in the world, and everything must come together if you want to beat them.
ehfCL.com: Is it an advantage for your team that you play the second leg against Kiel on home ground?
Børge Lund: I don’t mind about this. But it’s really hard to play three times against the same opponent within such a short time – from the physical aspect, and especially, the psychological point of view.
ehfCL.com: Löwen brought in Gudmundur Gudmundsson as its coach – have you already reached the peak of your performance under him?
Børge Lund: Gudmundsson has brought some new ideas concerning our tactics and the way we should play. But it’s a long process until we reach peak performance, and there’s always room for improvement.
ehfCL.com: One reason for leaving Kiel for Löwen was that it was your wish to not only to play in defence, but in attack, too. Are you now satisfied concerning this matter?
Børge Lund: The reason for changing teams that you mentioned is correct, but also at Löwen you don’t have a divine right to be in the team. The team is the most important thing, so you have to work hard, and if you don’t give a good performance, someone else will take your place.