Good atmosphere and mental strength get praise in best quotes

The arenas were packed around Europe for the VELUX EHF Champions League this weekend. And the fans witnessed impressive contests in Veszprém, Skopje and Paris, for instance.

So coaches and players praised the fans after the games. Find out what else they said in the best quotes after round 2:

5. Raul Gonzalez, Paris Saint-Germain HB coach

“We watched the game that Szeged played against Barça and we knew that we would have to play really well in order to beat them.”

PSG were warned about MOL-Pick Szeged’s strength, following the Hungarian side’s surprise win over Barça a week earlier. So the French champions knew that had to come up with their best game, and they truly delivered as they made it two wins out of two matches for the new season.

4. Stefan Constantin, C.S. Dinamo Bucuresti coach

“The victory from today boosts our morale ahead of the next game, at home against GOG from Denmark, a very strong team.”

Started with a draw in round 1, Dinamo added a first victory by beating IFK Kristianstad in a midweek group D match. A good way to get things going before playing current group leaders GOG on Wednesday.

3. Stefan Madsen, Aalborg Handbold coach

“I am very grateful for the spectators in the Jutlander Bank Arena. They really made us feel all the love and support.”

Aalborg are currently on top of group A, and their fans have every reason to celebrate. The spectators in the Danish arena even witnessed an offensive festival from their favourite team on Sunday in the game against Zagreb to claim their second 10-goal win from as many matches this season.

2. Thierry Anti, Sporting CP coach

“I am happy because in the Champions League you have to win the games at home and it is also important because you are playing in front of your supporters.”

Sporting won their first home match of the season on Saturday, 32:24 against Tatran Presov. With all his experience, new coach Thierry Anti knows how important it is to take the points on home court.

1. Magnus Andersson, FC Porto Sofarma coach

“I am proud of my team. That we would play with Vardar was hard to think about a year ago.”

They might have lost to Vardar in the end (32:27), but Porto gave the Champions League titleholders a hard time, especially in the first half when they led by four goals. Something that coach Magnus Andersson would have hardly believed if you told him so a year ago.