Stochl has no time for surgery

It has been an extraordinary time in Ukrainian club handball. HC Motor Zaporozhye made the breakthrough to the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase with their first attempt, seeded last and in only their sixth professional season. Motor ended a four-season absence of Ukrainians representation thanks to a major reinforcement between the goalposts.   

Last moment newcomer Richard Stochl instantly became a key figure at the club. Only the second player in Ukraine from outside the former Soviet Union and first that is so well known, the Slovakian goalkeeper has become an instant hit.

The 37-year-old has nearly 230 appearances for the national team and took part in five major championships (World Championships 2009, 2011 and EHF EURO 2006, 2008 and 2012). He was chosen as best player in Slovakia and now Richie tells ehfCL.com about the hunt for the main goal in his career, the VELUX EHF FINAL 4.

ehfCL.com: Was the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase one or the main factor for signing with Motor? What other offers did you have?

Richard Stochl: I knew that Motor have strong ambitions and had the potential to reach the group phase. I received plenty of offers from European clubs, including Champions League participants, but I chose Ukraine.

I was listening to the opinions of others, but I decided by myself. After reflecting on the offers, I firmly chose Motor and signed a one-year contract on good personal terms. Even if we failed qualification I would not have changed my opinion.

ehfCL.com: You are a semi-finalist in the Cup Winners’ Cups, EHF Cup and twice in the EHF Champions League quarter-finals. Do you still dream about the VELUX EHF FINAL4?

Richard Stochl: Of course everyone wants to play as high a level as possible. And reaching the FINAL4 is my main objective. Is it possible with Motor? Anything is possible, but for sure it will be very hard to do considering Motor are a debutant in the group phase. Many strong teams want to be among final top four.  

ehfCL.com: Who are your favourites this season?

Richard Stochl: Barcelona, THW Kiel, Vive Kielce and Vezsprem. To my mind, the Spaniards have the best chance.

ehfCL.com: You played six months with Vezsprem in the 2006/07 season. Did you meet many friends during your visit for the Round 3 match?

Richard Stochl: Yes, a lot of them and my girlfriend from Slovakia, who came to watch our match. However, we didn’t have too much time to speak, because after the match we had to hurry to the airport.  

ehfCL.com: After Motors good matches against Loewen (31:31) and Zagreb (31:30), there was this unprecedented result in Veszprem (27:44). What happened?

Richard Stochl: The Hungarians were good in attack and we were too poor in defence. We lost the ball 19 times through mistakes and missed a lot of fast break chances. We came to a screeching halt and could not do anything against them.

ehfCL.com: Now you are going to play against another your former club Celje. Are there any friends left from the team when you were there four years ago?

Richard Stochl: Now Celje has undergone many changes. They are mainly Slovenian youngsters with whom I played in the 2009/10 season. However, I know Serbian coaches Vladan Matic and Dejan Peric since my career in the Hungarian championship and I played a lot of matches against them.   

ehfCL.com: With Celje you won the national cup and championship and you have seven championships in four countries, with 15 trophies in total. Is your ambition to be the player with the highest number of titles from different countries?

Richard Stochl: I remember every victory and try to continue my collection in Ukraine with Motor, but I do not have any special target.      

ehfCL.com: Since qualification of CL you play with taped left hand. Does it hurt?

Richard Stochl: I have three operations on my hand and some joints have not healed completely. In the first half of my debut match for Motor, I damaged hand again after making a pass. Since September I played with a bandage and analgesic injections.

ehfCL.com: Do you need surgery?

Richard Stochl: We play important matches in the Champions League and on 23 October we’ll face our main rivals in the domestic championship ZTR Zaporozhye. So I have no time for surgery.  

ehfCL.com: One of your goalkeeping partners in Motor, Yevgeniy Sapun, wears shorts. Can you imagine trying them?

Richard Stochl: Yes, Zhenya always play in shorts because of traditional reason and now it’s part of his style. Me (smiling)? No, I never tried and probably I doubt that I’ll ever try shorts in the game. At least in the near future.