07.07.2008, 01:09
CL Draw: Reactions II

Coaches and club managers talk about the upcoming clashes in the Champions League.

CL Draw: Reactions II

One of the biggest draw event of the season, the 2008/09 EHF Champions League Group Phase Draw was carried out in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Here are the reactions of club managers after the draw has been carried out.

Ulf Schefvert (GOG Svendeborg TGI):

“I think it was a quite fine draw. I believe that we have a chance against all opponents – even against Ciudad Real at home. Of course, Ciudad Real are a very strong team, but we often played fine matches at home in the Champions League. Last season we proved that we can cope against the best by making two draws against Portland and one in Celje.”

“It will be important for us to try and take at least a point from Ciudad Real. Undoubtedly, we will be the two teams to reach the main round. I expect to be able to defeat Bosna Sarajevo, although our away game in Bosnia may be quite difficult. No matter if we meet Doukas or Serviti, I do not expect problems there.”

Uwe Schwenker (THW Kiel):

“From a sports point of view, this group is very attractive. We will play a “classic match” against Barcelona. But of course, it’s very hard for us, especially if we think about the new playing system. As you take the results against the other qualifying team, we have to take both matches against Barcelona seriously.”

Fynn Holpert (SG Flensburg/Handewitt):

“I think, it is possible to solve this task. We have a good chance to reach the Main Round. For me, especially the matches against Veszprém will be a great pleasure, as we will play against my former coach, Lajos Mocsai.”

Csaba Hajnal (MKB Veszprém):

“Flensburg are very strong opponents, but we also have a good team. The team committing too many mistakes in the Ukraine will have problems reaching the next round.”

Christian Fitzek (HSV Hamburg):

“We are lucky to be drawn into this group. It could have been much harder. We know Copenhagen and we don’t have to travel too far there. I think that we have good chance to reach the main round.”

Thorsten Storm (Rhein Neckar Löwen Mannheim):

“We will take part in the Champions League for the first time. We have to learn a lot and we do not yet have particularly high ambitions. First of all, we have to pass the qualification, but I think we are the favourites against Dudelange. In our group, Zagreb will be the favourites and all the other three teams will be on a similar level. We hope to reach the second group phase.”

Photos by István Molnár

TEXT: Peter Bruun, Björn Pazen and Jan Kirschner