27.02.2008, 09:24
Bears against the Zebras

A key match will open the round in Chekhov. The Russian and the German champions have both 4 points in Group 1.

Bears against the Zebras

There was not much time between the two matches, so THW Kiel returned already on Sunday night to North Germany so that they could train for at least two days in their home country. The CL title holders will travel on Wednesday from the Hamburg Airport to Moscow’s “Sheremetievo” one day before the important match against Chehovski Medvedi standing with the same number of points on the group table. The match will be played at 19.00hrs local time, which is 17.00hrs Middle European Time.

Russian coach Vladimir Maximov will welcome his friend and colleague Zvonimir Noka Serdarusic. Maximov is well aware how important the outcome of this match will be. Also he knows that even if his team would win, a lot of work would still have to be done to reach top spot in the group:

“This Group 1 is very balanced. Everybody still have their chances. There are a lot of matches to be played,” Maximov said.

The world class goalkeeper, Thierry Omeyer, is with the team. The French was injured for a week. He had a knee injury and he could only go on court for four 7-m shots against Leon. Now he should spend more time on court. The performance of the “Zebras” in Leon did not satisfy anyone. “The worst performance of my team for years,” said Stefan Lövgren.

No one panics, however. Finally, THW are on the route marked by Noka Serdarusic before the Leon game:

“We must win all our home games,” he said back then, “and at least take points once from an away game. In this case we are in the semi-finals.”

Kiel must take in account a big resistance from the Russian:

“The victory in Ivry showed that my team have strong will to fight fort he first place,” commented the Vladimir Maximov in an optimistic mood.

He was especially happy about the return of Konstantin Igropulo, who was missing in Kiel (the game ended 25:28) with a chest injury. The left handed player was “very effective” with 12 goals.

TEXT: Jan Kirschner and Ivan Ambros