“We play at home and we have to show that from the start” says Igropulo

For Konstantin Igropulo, it will be his first competitive game against his old club FC Barcelona Intersport. At the first leg in Spain, he could not play due to family reasons.

His absence last time means the Russian left-hander will enjoy the reunion with his old teammates even more, and he is looking forward to a very special game with Füchse. Igropolo speaks to ehfCL.com about the upcoming game.

ehfCL.com: We return to the VELUX EHF Champions League with Round 8 of the Group Phase, the highlight of which is your game against Barcelona. Is this a special match for you?

Konstantin Igropulo: It would be a lie if I would say that this match is not special for me. It is special for the whole team. It is the first match of the second half in the Champions League and therefore it is important for both teams to start well. It is a big advantage for us that we will play home in front of 13,000 spectators.

ehfCL.com: When was the last time you played in front of 13,000 spectators?

Konstantin Igropulo: From the court you do not really notice whether there are 9,000 or 13,000 spectators. The atmosphere in Berlin is always brilliant and pushes us forward. I think the 2011 FINAL4 in Cologne was the last time I played in front of that many people. I am looking forward to the game and to the atmosphere.

ehfCL.com: Are you still in contact with your old teammates at Barcelona?

Konstantin Igropulo: The only players I do not know are the ones who arrived at the start of this season. Besides them, I have a good relationship with all of the players and I still have many friends there.

ehfCL.com: Is it still possible to remain completely professional in this kind of situation?

Konstantin Igropulo: On the court you cannot think about who your friends are and who is not. We play against each other so often, whether with the national team or in your club, you simply play and do your job.

The first leg was won comfortably by Barcelona. Which result do you expect in the match on Sunday?

Konstantin Igropulo: Nobody can beat us in Berlin by ten goals. The onus is on us and I do not want to know how Barcelona might play, we have to concentrate on ourselves.

We play at home and we have to show that from the start. I hope that nobody is afraid to play against Barcelona, the match is something special but we have our fate it in our own hands.

ehfCL.com: Konstantin, you were recently on a flying visit to Spain, where you took part in the World Championship with Russia. How was the competition for you?

Konstantin Igropulo: It was the best competition with the national team of my life. Despite the loss against Slovenia in the quarter-final, we took a big step forward on and off the court.

How do you see your future in the national team?

Konstantin Igropulo: We’re working towards the future and our focus is now on the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

I think about some players because the journey will not continue for all of them, Alexey Rastvortsev, for example, he does everything for the team and puts himself second.

It is a pity that we were not able to beat Slovenia and therefore missed the chance to win a medal. This was most likely the last World Championship for him and I am sure that our team is ready for a medal at the next international tournament.