24.11.2010, 02:00
Chance against anyone

Szeged´s Katzirz talks about the surprising victory over Chekhov and his team´s chances for the return match.

Chance against anyone

It came as a big surprise to insiders last week, when Hungary´s Pick Szeged defeated last year´s EHF FINAL4 participant, Chekhovski Medvedi, in Russia.

The Hungarian club is currently in 3rd place in Group C of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Dávid Katzirz, one of their top-players, speaks about their performance during this season and that ’miracle’ result against Chekhovski Medvedi:

„The Russians have a stronger and much more complete squad than ours. They also have a better financial background. Even so, we prepared well against them, and we also had a lucky day," explains Katzirz, regarding their one-goal victory on Chekhovski Medvedi’s court.

ehfCL.com: Do you think this success can give your team much more confidence?

Dávid Katzirz: Yes, I’m convinced of that. This match was a very important stage in the team’s life. It gives us faith, and makes us believe that we can win against the bigger teams, and that we have a chance against anyone.

ehfCL.com: Pick Szeged currently lies in 3rd place of the group. Are you satisfied with that?

Dávid Katzirz: Our main goal was to qualify from our group to the Last 16. I think our realistic place is 3rd or 4th in our group.

We didn’t expect our defeat in Minsk, although we didn’t believe we’d win in Chekhov, either. This weekend, if we can show good form against them once again, and can bag at least one point, we’ll be much closer to our dream.

ehfCL.com: Aren’t you afraid that Szeged will be a bit over-confident after that victory in Chekhov?

Dávid Katzirz: No, I’m sure that won’t happen. We are keeping our feet firmly on the ground, and we are looking for a result in that way.

The Russian coach will certainly have chastised his squad, and will also have prepared them much better for the second match against us. This means that they’ll play as hard as a rock.

TEXT: Ildikó Balogh (handball.hu)