Respect and optimism in Midtjylland

They have every reason to be optimistic in FC Midtjylland before the main round starts this coming weekend.

The ruling Danish champions are number one in the domestic league at present, and they made an impressive performance in the group matches of the EHF Champions League, as they won Group B, leaving the Champions League winners from 2012, Buducnost in second place.

However, this optimism is mixed with a solid portion of sound respect for their three opponents in Group 1 of the main round, WHC Vardar SCBT, Thüringer HC and IK Sävehof.

“Obviously, we have ended up in a nice group with at least a couple of teams we should be able to defeat,” left back Trine Troelsen from FC Midtjylland told ehfCL.com.

“Thüringer and Sävehof are probably teams we should be able to beat, although we have to remember that we are talking about teams who have made it to the main round after all.

“Vardar seem to be really strong team with some very good players, but if we can stay free of injuries, and we all hit the day, I believe we can beat any team,” the 28-year-old backcourt player added.

The dream of the FINAL4

Of course, it has not escaped the experienced former Denmark international's mind that this Champions League season will be concluded with a FINAL4 tournament for the first time in the history of the Women's EHF Champions League.

Quite naturally, she would definitely not mind spending that weekend in May in Budapest which will be the venue of the Women's EHF FINAL4.

“As it is, playing the Champions League is the greatest thing you can achieve as a handball player, and to take part in the first FINAL4 ever would simply be the biggest achievement one could dream of,” said Trine Troelsen who announced a few months ago that she will be leaving FC Midtjylland and seek new challenges elsewhere. At this point, her new club is still unknown.

“For me personally, playing the FINAL4 would be the best possible way to end my time in FC Midtjylland, and I definitely believe it is possible.

“We will probably need to start off with a home win in the Scandinavian derby against Sävehof (on 1 February)

“They have some physically strong players, but I think running a lot with them may be a key to defeating them,” Trine Troelsen said.

FC Midtjylland are still missing playmaker Lærke Møller who had surgery on her knee back in the autumn, while German goalkeeper Sabine Englert appears to be completely fit after her knee surgery before Christmas, and Dutch international Nycke Groot has recovered from an ankle injury she sustained in the Danish Cup final against Viborg HK between Christmas and New Year.