08.11.2007, 02:25
István Csoknyai: Veszprém will fight like lions

Assistant coach of MKB Veszprém is not afraid of the pressure. Everyone will know their task and fight, he says.

István Csoknyai: Veszprém will fight like lions

MKB Veszprém are in a difficult situations after dropping one point already in the first half against Celje and lost in Germany against Gummersbach. MKB clinched their only victory against Icelandic team, Valur, and currently they are third of Group F. However, the Hungarians can take revenge on Gummersbach already on Saturday. Eurohandball.com talks to former Veszprém player and current assistant coach, István Csoknyai.

Eurohandball.com: What’s new in Veszprém since the last CL game?

István Csoknyai: We played domestic league games in this period and some of our players were called up for the Romanian, Serbian, Bosnian and Hungarian national team. Unfortunately none of the league games were ideal test matches before the CL match as we won our last two games by 28 goals…

Eurohandball.com: How could you get into the rhythm of the Gummersbach game?

Csoknyai: It was difficult. We try to practice by forming two teams as the players can practice at a higher pace like this. We have not been in such a difficult situation for years that we had to fight for our life already halfway through the group stage.

Eurohandball.com: The next game will be played on Thursday. What result would make you satisfied?

Csoknyai: The difference is not important against Gummersbach, we have to win anyway. After that, we have to take a point from Celje, otherwise we have no chance to qualify. In Germany the game was lost only at the end, we played well otherwise. We have to stay just as focused this week and I know this will not be a problem as we have not played a big game for a long time. The interest is shown by the fact that all tickets have long been sold out – though our sports hall is considerably smaller than that of Gummersbach.

Eurohandball.com: Don’t you think that there is too much pressure on the players?

Csoknyai: Everyone understands the importance of this match and we try to prepare the team mentally. We have some minor injuries, but everyone will know their task on Sunday and everyone will fight like lions.

TEXT: Ildikó Balogh (handball.hu)