History and disappointment in best quotes of the week

For the first time Sporting CP will be part of the VELUX EHF Champions League Group Phase Knockout, and they hope to snatch a Last 16 ticket. Elverum Handball might enjoy a similar story and join the Portuguese side into their maiden play-offs, but the Norwegian side will learn their fate only this week.

At the other end of the spectrum, reigning champions Montpellier HB suffered another home defeat against IFK Kristianstad.

Here is what players and coaches had to say after last week’s Round 9.

5. Gintaras Savukynas, Riihimäen Cocks coach

“I am satisfied with what we did in this season of the Champions League. For the first year in the Champions League, I think we have done quite well.”

The Cocks coach saw his team being defeated by two goals in Bucharest, but Savukynas is still satisfied with what he has seen from his players since the beginning of the season. Another minor defeat for the Finnish side, but there is hope they could grab a second win in their last game next weekend, against already-qualified Plock.

4. Valentin Porte, Montpellier HB captain

“We are disappointed and speechless of our level of performance in this Champions League season, where we have not showed our true image, nor that of a reigning champion.”

The Montpellier captain didn’t have much to say after his team’s last-second defeat against Kristianstad (31:31). The reigning champions are currently last of Group A and don’t have their fate in own hands anymore.

3. Talant Dujshebaev, PGE Vive Kielce coach

“I think Barcelona are two years ahead of us in case of building the team. Let’s see how we will look like in two years.”

The Kielce coach saw his team concede 42 goals at home, and Dujshebaev acknowledged that, in terms of development, the Polish side is a little bit behind Barça. But he is hopeful that Kielce will make a lot of progress in the near future.

2. Oliver Rabek, Tatran Presov left back

“In general, we may be ashamed of the performance, with no fighting spirit and commitment. As if we were going to the match with the two points already secured, that we would win by five goals and would all go for a beer in the evening.”

A week after upsetting leaders Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, Presov squandered their favourable position for a Group C/D play-off berth with a big loss in Chekhov, 38:26. Rabek found some harsh words for his team, suggesting he and his teammates didn’t put enough in the game to win it.

1. Hugo Canela, Sporting CP coach

“As a child, you always dream about something and today, we’ve made history for Sporting.”

Sporting grabbed their chance and by beating Besiktas Mogaz on Saturday, they pocketed their first ever Group C/D play-off ticket. Coach Canela was of course pretty pleased that his team was able to celebrate this first in Portuguese handball.