03.03.2009, 02:09
Hypo's hard work

Club manager, Gunnar Prokop, talks about the key to Hypo’s success.

Hypo's hard work

When you ask Gunnar Prokop, manager of Hypo Niederösterreich to explain why the Austrian champions are leading Group 1 in the Champions League with eight points after four matches, you get a quite remarkable answer. Eurohandball.com has talked to “Mr. Hypo” about their success.

Eurohandball.com: You won by 10 goals in Ikast. How can you explain the big difference between you and the other teams?

Gunnar Prokop: I think that trainings explain parts most of it. I have the feeling that some of the teams of the second group phase have not been training enough between the two group phases. You should not be satisfied buy reaching a good form in autumn. You have to go on training hard and I think that we have an advantage here.

Eurohandball.com: Has it been easier for you than expected?

Gunnar Prokop: Not really. We have eight points already, but we are still far from winning the group.

Eurohandball.com: Most experts believe that Hypo and Viborg are the biggest favourites. What do you think?

Gunnar Prokop: Well, this would also be my bet: a final between Viborg and Hypo…

Eurohandball.com: You will lose key players at the end of the year, Sabine Englert and Gorica Acimovic. What will be the future of Hypo?

Gunnar Prokop: I’m sure that we will not be weaker next season as most of the team will stay together. We have a great goalkeeper already and we will also find a good successor for Acimovic. So I don’t really worry. Peter Bruun

TEXT: Peter Bruun