Former teammates set for a shootout

Two years ago, they missed the finals of the Women's EHF Champions League with their club Krim Mercartor when they lost in the semi-finas to Larvik. This season one of these top shooters will definitely make it to the MVM EHF FINAL4 in Budapest as their new clubs meet in quarter-finals, while the other will be eliminated from the competition.

Croat Andrea Penezic (29) and German Susann Müller (26) spent a successful 2012/13 season together at Krim Mercator, becoming Slovenian champions and reaching the semi-final of Europe's premier club competition.

Then both shooters went their separate ways: Müller first transferred to her home club HC Leipzig and then, after becoming top scorer at the 2013 World Championship, opened a new chapter of her career by moving to defending champions Györ.

Penezic stayed one more year in Ljubljana before signing for Vardar Skopje in summer 2014. Now the two powerhouses face each other in the last step towards Budapest.

While Müller was hit by two long-term injuries and thus needed time to adapt to her new club, Penezic has hit the ground running with Vardar as their top scorer so far and needs only three more goals to beat her personal scoring record of 78 goals in the competition.

Before left back Penka and right back Susi face on court twice to decide one MVM EHF FINAL4 participant, they took the time for this exclusive ehfCL.com Face-to-Face interview.

"It is a real pity that both teams face so early in this season and that one will miss the FINAL4 in Budapest. Both teams belong there, but since we were beaten by Larvik twice we get what we deserve," says Müller before the duels.

Both top shooters praise their respective opponents:

"Györ are an excellent team. They have some brilliant players at their disposal and they get results year after year, with great consistancy. You have to play at your best to get anything from them. Despite a few key players missing this season, they are a skilful, experienced bunch and no game comes easy against them, under any circumstances," Penezic explains.

"Vardar have improved in the previous weeks and can count on an impressive squad with a huge number of individual top stars," replies Müller.
But both see their individual seasons so far through different eyes:

Penezic: "I am pleased with my form, especially in the second part of the season. I feel I have adapted very well to Vardar and Skopje – it feels like I‘ve been here for quite a while longer than just one season. I don’t pay much attention to statistics, I just want to be there for the team and help them win games."

Müller: "I did not expect that it would be so hard to adapt and to settle in Györ. Unfortunately some injuries were setbacks for my integration. In contrast to Denmark and Slovenia where I played before it took some time to adapt to our playing system and to the language. But now it is getting better week by week."

Vardar and Györ had some problems throughout the season – while the defending champions had to replace key players after injuries and pregnancies, Vardar had to integrate some fresh blood:

Penezic: "We had a bit of a slow start to our Champions League season this year. Eventually our hard work is paying off and we’ve managed to step up our game in recent matches. I feel our team form, as a whole, took a considerable lift at the right time. I feel this team can achieve great things and relish the big occasions. I am one of the most experienced players here and it is only natural for me to take responsibility when it matters most."

Müller: "It was not easy for us without players like Lunde, Amorim and Görbics. But we managed as a team to replace them, we have adapted to the situation now. I don’t think that either Györ or Vardar are the favourites in these quarter-finals. Maybe it is a small advantage for us that we have the return match on home court."

In contrast, Penezic hopes for the frenetic support of the fans in Skopje in the first leg: "The atmosphere at Jane Sandanski arena is exhilarating and I hope the fans will come in great numbers to support us against Györ. With their support we can achieve great things.

"I am thrilled to be here. Skopje is a real handball city. What club owner Sergei Samsonenko has done for our sport is amazing. He has given us the best conditions we could wish for and an amazing venue to play in. Everything is in the name of handball here."

As neither Penezic nor Müller have yet to win the competition, both are aiming to go all the way this season: "A chance to fight for the Champions League title at the FINAL4 is the goal I have set for myself upon arriving at Vardar," says Penezic, adding: "We are aware the expectations are huge - in the first place of ourselves. But it is not a burden for us. There is no complacency, nor any pressure to succeed. We are on a good path to success and are confident in our quality."

Müller: "Of course it is the dream of every player to raise the Champions League trophy. To have the chance to do so was one reason for my transfer to Györ. We believe in ourselves and my teammates have the knowledge of what it takes to win this prestigious trophy."

Apart from all tactics, all hopes and the pressure of playing a Champions League quarter-final, Müller and Penezic are not only looking forward to having their face to face duels in the upcoming weekends, but have highest accolades for their opponent.

Penezic on Müller:

"Susann is a world-class player, and a perfect fit in their team. Györ needed a left-handed player and they have found one of the very best in Susi.
She is one of the best players in the Györ team and, alongside Heidi Löke, the key player this season. Both are the biggest threats in attack.

"I have only the best memories with Susi. There were a lot of good times and quite a bit of fun. She is a great girl and an excellent player."

Müller on Penezic:

"I really like Penka, she is a great person, totally stylish and you can have a lot of fun with her. On court, she is one of the rare players who can decide a match on her own. Penka has got this 'X factor' and in my eyes is one of the best left backs in the world. Her physical condition is incredible, she can shoulder two players and still score a goal. In attack she is like a hammer and in defense she is like a wall.

"Nowadays Penka is the key for Vardar’s success. If she is on top, she will not only decide matches, but also rock her teammates.

"On the court I remember our great Champions League season, until we lost the semi-final against Larvik. We had great moments together on the international stage."