Wenta: “The FINAL4 would be a dream come true for us”

With four top stars signings in Karol Bielecki, Ivan Čupić, Krzystof Lijewski and Manuel Štrlek during the summer break it seems Kielce have gained some depth in their squad.

Head coach Bogdan Wenta resigned as the national team coach in April and can concentrate fully on the challenges of the VELUX EHF Champions League. And his appetite is big – last May he enjoyed a taster of the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and now he is ready for Cologne.

Three questions to Kielce coach Bogdan Wenta

ehfCL.com: What are your expectations for the upcoming season of the VELUX EHF Champions League?

Bogdan Wenta: The teams in our group all play on a very similar level. We have new players, so we are, of course, stronger than last year.

We are very ambitious, however, ambition for us comes hand in hand with respect for the other teams; competing in the Champions League is something we take very seriously.

ehfCL.com: What does the participation in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you and your club?

Bogdan Wenta: Last season I was invited by the EHF to the charity golf tournament just before the VELUX EHF FINAL4. So I had the opportunity to see first-hand the workings of such a tournament. Without a doubt, my dream and the dream of my team is to be a part of the FINAL4.

The Champions League is an excellent product and is an excellent representation of top-class handball. For my team it is a great form of competition, for the club it is the best way to promote sponsors and our region. Due to the fact that we have been playing in the Champions League for the past four seasons, each and every year we gain more experience.”

ehfCL.com: What teams are your personal favourites to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 and why?

Bogdan Wenta: My favourites will be no surprise to anybody, namely the teams with the most experience in VELUX EHF Champions League, teams like THW Kiel, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or MKB Veszprém.