Reactions after the qualification draw

Jacob Jørgensen, Team Tvis Holstebro: “It was an interesting draw. As we won’t have the home right, we appreciate we are going to play the semi-final against the qualifier from the first phase, although it would be dangerous to underrate either Turkish or Dutch team.

“Our objective is to qualify for the Group Matches, however, we do not expect we can repeat the run all the way down to the trophy, which is what we managed last season in the EHF Cup.”

Liviu Bala , HCM Baia Mare: “We are glad we have the right to organise the tournament in our hall, so we can offer to our handball-loving town and its people this attractive event.

Handball is really strong in our town and we take pride in 1000 registered youth players. Our squad will get bolstered over the summer with six players from Oltchim plus Hungarian player Gabriella Szücs, therefore I think we are the favourites to win the semi-final against Viborg.

“The fact we will play against three-time Champions League winners, is no problem for us.”

Peter Stut, LK Zug: “We won the right to organise the tournament, but we will pass it over to FTC. This competition is a reward for our players and as we have zero chance to qualify for the Group Matches our main objective is to learn.”

Davor Stojanoski, WHC Vardar SCBT: “We are satisfied with the draw. The truth is, that many new players have arrived to our team and our ambitions are much greater, but we need to coordinate all players and prepare for the competition.”

Jean-Francois Audier, Fleury Loiret Handball: “I am very optimistic about the draw and I think we can be satisfied. In my eyes Fleury is the biggest favourite, no matter where the tournament will be played.”

Alexey Sankov, Rostov-Don: “We are happy. The interesting fact about our group is that Vardar is owned by a Russian businessman and it would be nice to meet this club.”

Andrea Pordán, FTC Rail Cargo Hungária: "The sad thing is that only one Hungarian team can go further. We are convinced that both of us would make it to the Group Matches if we did not play in the same group. Erd is very close to our hall in Dabas and we are very sure it will be full during the tournament.