Sävehof can still make it, Tønnesen believes

After Celje beat Constanta on Saturday in Group B of the VELUX EHF Champions League the chances do not exactly look bright for IK Sävehof to repeat their effort from last season and go on from the group phase.

With two matches left the Swedish champions have four points just like HCM Constanta and are two points behind Celje, who are currently holding the Last 16 ticket.

Furthermore, they are facing a tough challenge on Sunday, when they meet BM Atlético Madrid away. However, Sävehof still believe in their chance to proceed to the knock-out matches. At least if you ask their talented right back Kent Robin Tønnesen.

“I definitely think that we still have the chance. If we can get one or two points in Madrid, we can decide it all in a real thriller at home against Celje in our last match,” the 21-year old Norwegian national team player told ehfcl.com.

Sävehof´s latest match in the European club top flight did not do a lot for their self-confidence, though. The home game against THW Kiel was lost as clearly as 40:29, but when it comes to Atlético Madrid, the situation is different.

The Spanish team is also at the top of the group, but when the visited Gothenburg in the autumn, Sävehof booked a highly surprising 35:30 win, and this is part of the reason for Tønnesen´s optimism.

“I do not think it is unrealistic to take one or even two points in Madrid. Of course it will be much more difficult away than at home, and I realise, of course, that they have a very strong team. However, if we can stay focused and believe in our chance all the way, I think we can make it – and then everything will be open before the last match day,” Kent Robin Tønnesen, who is playing his first season with Sävehof, concluded.

Follow the match live on ehfTV.com on Sunday at  17:00 hrs local time.