Breivang: "To channel all energies against Győr”

Norwegian title holders Larvik suffered a shock defeat last Sunday (4 March), when coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad´s side was humiliated in the second half by a strong performance from FC Midtjylland.

The team´s quality back-court ace Karoline Dyhre Breivang analyses her side's loss last weekend, talks about the current Larvik team, and gives an insight into how the reigning champions are preparing for the hot clash against group winner Győr.

ehfCL.com: Against FCM the whole team underperformed. What happened in the second half when you were totally humiliated by the Danish opponents?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: It is a bad feeling to remember those last 30 minutes, although we had a good first period, and also led 14:11 in the second half.

Shortly afterwards we were not playing as a team, we didn’t help each other, and we failed on both attack and defence. I feel sad that we were unable to put up a good performance in front of our spectators.

ehfCL.com: How did you analyse last weekend´s game with the coaching staff, and is it possible to put behind you a shocking defeat in such a short time?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: It’s never a good feeling to lose a game, but you can always learn from your bad performances and mistakes, and this helps you to stand up and get better.

We shall forget all the bad experiences of that match, as we have already shown in the past that we are able to play at a high level when under big pressure.

During the preliminaries a similar situation occurred against Krim, where we had to win to advance to the Main Round and we defeated them. We're preparing for the same situation, and everyone wants to play much better.

ehfCL.com: With Gro Hammerseng being on maternity leave, you are getting more and more responsibility in Larvik´s game plan and you’ve become one of the key figures of the team. Do you feel you have grown into a better player with the extra workload and responsibility?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: Well, I´m never thinking about such things. The most important thing is to follow the coach´s words and tactics to the maximum. During my whole career I’ve worked like this and concentrated on the actual job. I aim to continue working this way with maximum effort.

Obviously, due to injuries and pregnancies I have extra work on court, but I don’t feel it’s connected with becoming a better player or not.

ehfCL.com: You will play your decisive game against Győri Audi ETO. For them, it will be a prestige clash, for Larvik it´ll be a do or die match. The extra spice to the game will come from two ex-Larvik colleagues, line-player Heidi Løke and coach Karl Erik Bøhn, who are both part of the Hungarian team now. How do you see that game going?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: Honestly, I don´t think about it. In my mind I concentrate only on winning this clash to maintain our chances for a semi-final berth, as against FCM we failed and I don´t want to face the same sort of failure again.

We will be under great pressure, that's for sure, but like I said, pressure usually means a good performance for us. Last year we defeated Győr in our last game, so this gives us extra strength as well.

ehfCL.com: In your first game against the Hungarian champions you suffered a huge defeat (35:27). How do you remember that match, and what is needed for improvement to beat the away side in the Larvik Arena?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: Firstly, we have to be faster in returning to our defensive positions, as we conceded too many goals in Hungary thanks to Győr's quick counter attacks.

Also, we have to defend much tighter in the wall and we need to fight as a team and as a collective in the attacks. This was something we missed against FCM.

ehfCL.com: Have your goals changed during the EHF Champions League season? Would a Main Round exit be a huge disappointment for the club?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: Our aim was to advance to the semi-final, so clearly it would be a disappointment. Therefore we will channel our all energies onto the court and will really focus on Saturday to win and earn a semi-final spot.

ehfCL.com: How different is it to perform this season with the other teams having in mind that Larvik are the reigning champions?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: I feel that each team wants to defeat us, but still I don´t feel much difference compared to last season.

We have several high-quality players who play in the Norwegian national team and they have celebrated several big successes. We are a great team and I believe the other clubs want to take our scalp.

ehfCL.com: You´ve won several big titles during your career. What motivates you to continuously bring good performances and always be on high intensity in every game?

Karoline Dyhre Breivang: If you’ve tasted victories and have been on the highest place on the podium, then you just don´t want to lose. We don´t train this hard just to go out and lose games.

Our big training workload is always with the aim of victories. That´s our common goal within the team. It’s always thrilling to finish on top and reach our common aims. Victories give you motivation to stand on the top of the podium, as this is the best feeling for a sportswomen, and you never get bored with it!