Jamina Roberts: We learn from the Champions League

With zero points after the first three matches in the group phase in the Women´s EHF Champions League, IK Sävehof might seem to be heading for the same destiny as last year: Leaving the Europe´s premier club competition after the group phase.

However, the Göteborg based team has not given up on success in Group C yet. In spite of having suffered their third defeat in succession Sunday, as the away match against FTC Rail Cargo was lost 28:31 in Budapest, the optimism is still big in the team, and 22 year old left back Jamina Roberts, who became Sävehof´s top scoring player with nine goals in Hungary, sees a lot of improvement in the team, and one thing is for certain: She finds that she and her team-mates are benefitting a lot from playing in the EHF Champions League.

ehfCL.com: You and your team-mates limited the defeat away to the top team of your group to three goals and were even leading 16:15 at half time. Does that make the performance in Budapest acceptable after all?
Jamina Roberts: In general I think we played a fairly good match, but it would probably not have taken a lot to get a point or two, so the outcome is a bit disappointing after all.

ehfCL.com: You became your team´s top scoring player with nine goals. Are you happy with your own performance?
Jamina Roberts: Of course I am content with scoring nine goals, but if I had scored three more, we would have got at least a point. I would definitely have preferred a win for the team to personal success.

ehfCL.com: Do you still see a change to qualify for the Main Round?
Jamina Roberts: In the situation we are in, we take one match at a time. However, I hope that we can at least reach third position, so we can continue in Europe. The first and second place are a bit far away right now, but we have not given up the hope.

ehfCL.com: You will be starting the second half of your EHF Champions League campaign on Sunday, when you are playing at home against FTC again. Based on the fight you gave them down there, do you think you can get your first points there?
Jamin Roberts: Of course it will be difficult, but with the home advantage in own hall I definitely think we have a chance.

ehfCL.com: You are in the EHF Champions League for the second year in succession. What does your team gain from playing those matches?
Jamina Roberts: We learn a lot and get a lot of experience which comes in useful for us in the Swedish league. We can really feel the benefit from the tough Champions League matches, when we play against the other teams in our national league, so in that perspective the Champions League matches are also of great value to us.