Itxako’s French international Raphaëlle Tervel has returned to the handball court after a long-term back injury, playing her first minutes in the EHF Champions League game against the Slovenian team RK Krim Mercator. The 31-year-old right back talked to ehfCL.com about her comeback in Ljubljana and about Itxako’s situation in the Main Round.

ehfCL.com: You lost your first round match by four goals Krim. How did you see the game, what went wrong for Itxako in your opinion?

Raphaëlle Tervel: We were not precise and sharp with our shooting. And even though we had analyzed Krim very well, we were unable to stop their quick playmaker Andrea Lekić.

We also looked really disorganised in defence when we were running back after having lost the ball. This enabled Krim to score from their counterattacks very easily.

ehfCL.com: How did your comeback on court feel after returning from injury?

Raphaëlle Tervel: I felt very good! It was great to be back and to be able to play with the others. I don’t feel any pain now, so it’s going well so far.

ehfCL.com: In the last game you were used more for defence. Do you hope for more playing time in attack as well?

Raphaëlle Tervel: Certainly it would be nice to play more in attack. I feel ready for this, but being a so-called defensive specialist, I’m happy to just defend for now.

ehfCL.com: Now that you’re back at club level, what about the national team?

Raphaëlle Tervel: France will have a national team gathering in April and I hope that I’ll be called for it.

ehfCL.com: You have a very tough Main Round Group in the EHF Champions League. What are your hopes for the next games?

Raphaëlle Tervel: Indeed, it’s a strong competition, but we are not here to assist the other clubs. We have set our own targets and, similar to all the other remaining teams, our aim is to reach the semi-final.

EHF Women’s Champions League 2010/11, Main Round, Round 2
Saturday 12 February 2011, 19:00 hrs (local time)
Itxako Reyno De Navarra (ESP) vs. C.S. "Oltchim" Rm. Valcea (ROU)