Hammerseng with a positive attitude
ehfCL.com spoke to Larvik HK’s world class playmaker Gro Hammerseng about their upcoming semi-final match against Budućnost. She believes the Norwegian team is even able to win in Montenegro.
ehfCL.com: On Wednesday, Larvik started into the Quarterfinals of the Norwegian league against Flint. Do you think that was a good preparation for the match against Budućnost?
Gro Hammerseng: Yes, it was. I am aware that Budućnost is a stronger team, but for us it was good to play this match. In my opinion the best training is "match training".
ehfCL.com: Please describe next season's Larvik HK, who will leave the team, and who will arrive?
Gro Hammerseng: I don’t know very much about this yet. I know that Heidi is leaving. I’m going to miss her a lot, both as a player and as a friend. Isabel Blanco will be part of the team next season. She is also a fantastic friend and a very strong player. I’m so happy that she is joining the team.
ehfCL.com: Do you feel that your victory over Győr gave you confidence for the semi-finals?
Gro Hammerseng: Yes, I do, as Győr are a very strong team. I think we did a good job against them in Hungary.
ehfCL.com: You will host Budućnost on Saturday. What do you know about the Montenegrin team? Have you watched videos?
Gro Hammerseng: Yes. I’ve watched two of their matches in the EHF Women’s Champions League. They have several strong players. I think they are a very good team. In my opinion Bojana Popović is their best player. She is probably the world’s best offensive player. Katarina Bulatović has scored lots of goals, so I am impressed by her performance this season.
ehfCL.com: After some conflict with the leaders of Budućnost, it now looks like Katarina Bulatović won't play on Saturday. Does that make the task easier for Larvik?
Gro Hammerseng: Frankly, I still believe she will play. So far she has been their top scorer in this EHF Champions League season. But then again I don’t think that it will be easy for us, no matter if she plays or not.
ehfCL.com: You will play the second semi-final match away, do you see that as a big disadvantage?
Gro Hammerseng: I think we can win in Montenegro. Larvik has been there before. I have a positive attitude, I don’t waste time thinking about possible disadvantages.
ehfCL.com: If you could have chosen a team after the Main Round, would you have chosen Budućnost or Itxako as your semi-final opponents?
Gro Hammerseng: We are playing against Budućnost, that is all I think about.
ehfCL.com: What is your tip for the other semi-final between Itxako and Győr?
Gro Hammerseng: I think Győr are the best team. But it is an open match, as Itxako of course also are a great team.
How well Gro Hammerseng and her team-mates can perform in their home game against the Montenegrin champions can be watched live, as the game will be broadcast as a free-of-charge live web stream on ehfTV.com.
EHF Women’s Champions League, semi-finals, First leg
Saturday 9 April 2011, 17:15 hrs (local time)
Larvik HK (NOR) vs. Budućnost Podgorica (MNE)
ehfTV.com is the official Internet TV platform of the European Handball Federation and offers free live streaming as well as a video on demand service.
TEXT:
Ildikó Balogh (handball.hu)