Draw statements from the clubs - part 1

Comments from all 16 club representatives following the draw of the last 16 for the VELUX EHF Champions League.

The draw was conducted in Vienna on 26 February at 12.30 hrs (local time).

The first four pairings are as follows:

Bjerringbro- Silkeborg against FC Barcelona Intersport

Christian Lynnerop (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg):

“We had a tough Champions League season last, but we learnt a lot and now we are very satisfied that we reached the last 16.

“There is already huge interest and now we are playing against one of the best teams in the world, I hope that will even increase.”

Xavier O’Callaghan (FC Barcelona Intersport):

“It is always important to concentrate in the knock-out phase. There are no mistakes allowed and we are ready to give our best.

“Playing in Denmark is always a pressure as they play very good handball there.”

Reale Ademar Leon against MKB Veszprem

Jose Ludena (Reale Ademar Leon):

“We are playing the same team as we did last year, and Veszprem have a very strong team, stronger than last while we are a bit weaker. That’s why it will be more complicated (than last season when Leon beat Veszprem).”

Eva Zambo (MKB Veszprem)

“Unfortunately we lost when we met last year, so hopefully this will not happen again.”

“I wouldn’t say that we are favourites just because we have finished first in our group. We are still very far away from the FINAL4 in Cologne.”

Pick Szeged against Vive Targi Kielce

Nandor Szögi (Pick Szeged):

“After the match against Minsk (in Round 10 of the group phase) we knew what we were able to achieve and now we are very happy to be in the last 16.

“That we could have met Vezsprem was a strange situation for us, but now we will also face a strong and good team. And I hope for two good matches.”

“It’s difficult to rate the chances. It could go one way or the other and we will just give our best.”

Radostaw Wasiak (Vive Targi Kielce):

“It’s a great atmosphere since we have finished on top of the group for the first. Now I hope for two more exciting matches in which both teams have a 50 per cent chance to advance.”

“Being the favourites is new for us and we will look at it again in three or four weeks.”

Celje Pivovarna Lasko against HSV Hamburg

Miha Pantelic (Celje Pivovarna Lasko):

“We have young team that still needs to gain experience, so reaching the last 16 is already a reward for my team. We hope for two good matches and will see what we can achieve.”

“Playing against great teams like Hamburg is always more motivating for young players, but we have to make sure that we also win the smaller matches as we had ups and downs this season.”

Christoph Wendt (HSV Hamburg):

“It was a very tough group but we played a really good group phase. Having been drawn against Celje is really interesting and we are looking forward to playing the former Champions League winner. It will be very interesting matches.”