Bogdan Wenta: We respect opponents by fighting until the end

The charges of Bogdan Wenta’s charges defeated FC Porto Vitalis 35:23 at home to make it four points from a possible four. The Kielce coach tells ehfCL.com that no matter how strong you are, you are never allowed to underestimate your rival.

ehfCL.com: You have won next match calmly, with a huge lead, but the beginning was not as easy for you. What happened?

Bogdan Wenta: We were playing quite calmly today, because somewhere in our heads there was an awareness of Porto’s previous results. They lost two matches recently, in Kolding and in their domestic league, so we were almost sure, that we were going to gain a victory today.

We started this match with such an assurance and that was why we fell three goals behind after the first four minutes.

ehfCL.com: You regained your concentration soon after, what changed?

Bogdan Wenta: The concentration was back, indeed, but it was still annoying to lose the ball quite often and not to take an opportunity to score a goal face to face with the goalkeeper. Our aggressiveness in defence was missing.

Fortunately, we fixed it and in the end of the first half every attack was finished properly and I had no reservations about my backs and wings.  Some situations did not work out perfectly, but it is normal for example that Cupa (Ivan Cupic) was hitting the crossbar at full speed.



ehfCL.com: Second half of the game looked much better.

Bogdan Wenta: In the second half we started to fulfill our guidelines: tough defence, fast breaks and our positional attack.

In the end, we really have everything, we have powerful back court shooters, we have great wings and line players, but sometimes we just forget to play out our plan. Of course, on the other side of the court there is still both the defence and goalkeeper to deal with, but we are able to control the situation if we stick to what we know.

ehfCL.com: Was Porto a difficult opponent then?

Bogdan Wenta: The Portuguese showed today that they are able to fight and that they can play handball. Their first seven was much stronger and in the last ten minutes the young players did not have a huge influence on the result. I started replacing my players too, I still want to give chances some of them.

We are a collective; we have been playing together for a couple of years. We are on the right track now, but we have to respect every opponent.

ehfCL.com: What does respecting every opponent mean for you?

Bogdan Wenta: In my opinion, respect means that you fight until the end; you do not absolve and start playing carelessly. You should always play as well as you can and show that you treat your opponent seriously.