02.10.2008, 03:00
French optimism

Metz coach Sandor Rac calls the form of the team "very encouraging" before the qualification games in Trondheim.

French optimism

French Champions Metz failed to qualify for CL four times in a row. Last time they played the CL group matches was in the 2002/03 season. After five years, the team of Sandor Rac wants to end the bad tradition and finally qualify for the CL.

Their self-confidence is based on the good performance of their new players.

“Fresh blood“

The Croatian international Ivana Lovric arrived from Lokomotiva. The Serbian back player Svetlana Ognjenovic came from Slagelse and the 21-year old Romanian Olivia Costache will be in the goal. The left wing Camille Ayglon joined from Nimes.

Coach Sandor Rac is very satisfied with the preparations and especially with the new members of the team:

“Lovric and Ognjenovic fitted in perfectly and they are already taking full responsibility. Camille Ayglon also substitutes Piejos successfully on the left wing position. She could be a decisive player at the important matches. What they all showed so far is very encouraging.”

Great battle

Metz is the only undefeated team in the French championship today. They played four matches and won all four of them.

The best scorer this season is the Croatian back player Vesna Horacek once again. She scored 14 goals from four matches so far. She is also the best assist player of the French League.

President Thierry Weizman knows that his team will have a tough task in Trondheim:

“It is not an easy group, but it could have been much worse. There will be great battle for first place between home team Byasen, Volgograd and us.”

TEXT: Ivan Ambros