Double joy for Green

Bjerringbro-Silkeborg´s 25:23 win at home against Chambéry Savoie Sunday was historic, as those two points were the Danish team´s first ever in the VELUX EHF Champions League – in their twelfth attempt! Last year, when the East Jutland side were debutants in the top continental club competition, they had the dubious ‘honour’ of being the first Danish team ever to come out of a EHF Champions League group phase without a single point. As their first match this season, away against Vive Targi Kielce, was lost 26:35, the hunger for points was huge in the club ahead of the home game against Chambéry.

The relief and the joy was just tremendous after the win - and it was double celebration for their goalkeeper Jannick Green. Not only did he play a great part in the win through series of impressive saves during the second half. This season has also meant a comeback for him as first-choice keeper, after he spent last season in the shadow of Denmark´s number one Niklas Landin. After Landin went to Germany and Rhein-Neckar Löwen, though, Green is back as the top pick in Bjerringbro-Silkeborg. ehfCL.com talked to Green about the historic win and the perspective of the future, for him and the team.

ehfCL.com: What was it like for you and your team-mates to finally get a win in the VELUX EHF Champions League?
Jannick Green. Of course, it was wonderful! After our poor performance last year, we were determined to get at least some points this year. And after having started our Champions League campaign this season in Kielce, were it is extremely difficult to win, we were really eager to get our first win at home against Chambéry, where we knew we had a chance, so it was awesome, when we finally succeeded!

ehfCL.com: In your opinion, what was the deciding factor of that match?
Jannick Green: The fact that we managed to stabilise our defence again which gave us the chance for a lot of fast-breaks. That went well at the beginning of the game, and that also became deciding at the end.
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ehfCL.com: Your own start was not particularly successful, and you were substituted in the first half, only to come in again from the start of the second to make a deciding difference with all your saves. How did you see your own performance?
Jannick Green:I really do not know what went wrong for me at the start, but it was good to see Dane Sijan come in and make some saves towards the end of the first half. I benefitted from that break on the bench, and it is always nice to do well!

ehfCL.com: Another home match is looming this coming weekend, against Metalurg. How do you see your team´s chances in the VELUX EHF Champions League after your first win?
Jannick Green: Pretty much like they were before. We mainly have to get our points at home. I see our group as very even – maybe apart from Kielce – and it will be crucial to get as many points as possible on home court.

ehfCL.com: This season you are back as first-choice keeper, just as you were in Aalborg before going to Bjerrinbro-Silkeborg last summer. What is it like for you after a year in the shadow of Niklas Landin?
Jannick Green: Before going to Bjerringbro-Silkeborg I knew that Niklas was going to be here for another year, so it came as no surprise to me that I was only second choice last year – even though I would like to have played more last year than I did! It is fine to be back as first choice again, though!

ehfCL.com: Can it also mean that you can take back your position in the national team?
Jannick Green: Well, last year national coach Ulrik Wilbek stated that he found it natural for Niklas and me to form the goalkeeper duo in the national team, as we knew each other from our daily training. Hopefully I can convince him of my qualities by playing some more this season!
*Just minutes after the interview was done Green was actually nominated for the test matches against Argentina next month.