First derby of season without winner

In Group A of the VELUX EHF Champions League two powerhouses in world handball from Northern Germany will go head-to-head. SG Flensburg-Handewitt and HSV Hamburg met for the first time in a new season on Wednesday in the Bundesliga. The audience of 8947 spectators in the O2 World watched a thrilling match with teams sharing the points after 25:25 draw.

Like everyone else from SG Flensburg-Handewitt, the 28-year-old Icelander, Arnór Atlason (pictured right in the former dress together with Oláfur Stefánsson)  was not satisfied with the recent result in Hamburg. Atlason, who scored one goal, made his way from AG København just two weeks ago and with his new club he maintained a chance for a long season in the VELUX EHF Champions League.

ehfCL.com: Since the bankruptcy of AG København, what has life been like?
Arnór Atlason: It was a difficult period. The two years with AG København was a lot of fun. We had good players and it was a nice club. I would not have thought that such a thing could happen. It was like a blow to the head. In the period of uncertainty I trained in Copenhagen with some other players who also had no new club.

ehfCL.com: How were the first two weeks in Flensburg?
Arnór Atlason: First it was stressful in Flensburg, I became a father which is always something exciting. The club has really done everything for me so that I can concentrate on the handball. My family and I have been very well, I feel comfortable in my new team.

ehfCL.com: Against HBW Balingen-Weilstetten you had your first experience in the Campushalle. How was it?
Arnór Atlason: I was a bit tired, because my daughter had been delivered the night before. Nevertheless, it is a great hall and the fans were great.

ehfCL.com: With Ljubomir Vranjes you have now a new coach. Were there any surprises in the last two weeks?
Arnór Atlason: Ljubomir Vranjes puts together an intensive preparation programme and is a very consistent coach. The whole team is very dedicated in training, which is great.

ehfCL.com: With AG Kobenhavn you were at VELUX EHF FINAL4 in May. Are you hoping to go back next spring to Cologne?
Arnór Atlason: If you were at this event, you will always want to go back. But the road is very difficult - with AG København we eliminated Barcelona. We must first of all concentrate on the Group Phase.

ehfCL.com: With Montpellier HB, Ademar Leon and Partizan Beograd there are three clubs, you've played against in the last group stage with AG Kobenhavn.
Arnór Atlason: That's interesting. But I never thought about that to be honest. For me the first Bundesliga games against Balingen and Hamburg were on the top of my list.