03.07.2007, 12:03
Portland Satisfied with the CL Draw

Javier Cabanas does not complain after about bad luck: the new coach of Portland believes in reaching the next stage in the Champions League.

Portland Satisfied with the CL Draw

Portland San Antonio is in Group D with Danish GOG Gudme, Romanian Tatran Presov and the winner of the qualification game between Italian Casarano and Austrian Bregenz. Javier Cabanas, new coach of Portland, is satisfied with this group.

“Could be worse”

Javier Cabanas says that his team is able to qualify for the next group round. “It was a good draw result. Danish champion, GOG, is one the top clubs that we were hoping to play against. In addition, we will meet Tatan Presov and I suppose that Bregenz will go through in the qualification game.”

The coach also thinks that the draw was lucky because the opponents could be stronger. “We think that we can make it to the next round. There were worse teams to play against. We could have met Celje or THW Kiel, so this is a good outcome.”

Cabanas says that Group F will the hardest: “This is the most difficult. Celje, Veszprém and Gummersbach are very good teams. One of the favourites for the CL will be out, so this is good for us.”

GOG and Portland played in 2004/05

The Danish and the Spanish sides know each other because they played in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 2004/05. Portland defeated Gudme back then. They won 26-28 in Denmark and 26-24 in Pamplona. The Spanish team won the competition at the end.

However, Portland never played against Tatan Presov, Carasano or Bregenz. These matches will be the first between them.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi