Draw statements from the clubs

Comments from all eight club representatives following the draw for the quarter-finals of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

The draw was conducted in Vienna on 26 March at 11:00 hrs (local time).

The four pairings are as follows:

SG Flensburg-Handewitt against HSV Hamburg

Christoph Wendt (HSV Hamburg):

“We hoped for an international match, but we have Flensburg who we have played many times already and it will be two very difficult and exciting matches.

“We reached our first aim which was to get to the quarter-final. Celje is a very good team and we had a very good day, it was no surprise that they performed well in the second game.”

Dierk Schmäschke (SG Flensburg-Handewitt):

“There will be no favourite, we have to work towards this game and our aim is to reach Cologne.

“Velenje was a good test, two very hard games and we had to work a lot. We now know how difficult it is to progress to the next round.”

THW Kiel vs MKB Veszprém

Sabine Holdorf-Schust (THW Kiel):

I remember the two strong matches in the Group Phase and we know it is going to be difficult and it is a disadvantage to play the second leg in Veszprém

We were glad to reach this stage again after a long journey to Chekhov. We hope to break the curse and be the first team to defend our title in Cologne.

Éva Zambó (MKB Veszprém):

“We have met already, but to tell you the truth, we do not have good memories from the second game and we hope that we can learn from our mistakes.

“I think that the arena could be sold out two or three times over for this match, it is going to be a great match.”

HC Metalurg vs KS Vive Targi Kielce

Zoran Cvetanovski (HC Metalurg):

“I am satisfied with the draw, we know Kielce well. We played well for 50 minutes in both Group Phase games and lost in the last 10 minutes. I hope we can play well for 60 minutes and give ourselves a chance.

“The atmosphere is amazing in Skopje, we are proud of ourselves and the players are heroes, now they have to prove that.”

Radosław Wasiak (Vive Targi Kielce):

“The two games in Szeged were tough and very interesting for the fans, but luckily we won in Kielce.

“I think there is no favourite, we played twice already, but that is history and both teams have a big chance to make history. We achieved our pre-season goal, but now we can achieve our dream.

“I think Ivan Čupić will be back, he will start training in April and will be under medical control and I hope he will be back in time.”

Atlético Madrid vs FC Barcelona Intersport

David Davis (Atlético Madrid):

“The atmosphere in the team is good after the win against Berlin and now we have the goal to reach the FINAL4 for the fourth time in a row.

“There have been a lot of changes to the team and with the Olympics we had a different preparation, but we are here now and we have a good chance over two matches.

“Barcelona have had a great season and I think they are one of the most complete teams in the world, we will have to prepare well in order to progress.”

Xavier O’Callaghan (FC Barcelona Intersport):

“This game could easily be a FINAL4 game, it is going to be very open and difficult to win.

“Our level is better this season and we showed that against Bjerringbro. Berlin would have been favourites at home against Madrid, but Atlético always play well in Germany, so it was not strange that they won.”