30.11.2010, 02:10
"All or nothing" against Minsk

Szeged playmaker Máté Lékai demands maximum effort.

"All or nothing" against Minsk



After a surprising away victory over Russia’s Chekhovskie Medvedi, Hungarian Szeged clearly lost the return match. Now, all eyes are focused on the next game against HC DINAMO-Minsk, as a home victory would greatly help Máté Lékai and company to step closer to the Last 16.

ehfCL.com: What do you think was the reason that Pick suffered a home defeat against Chekhovskie Medvedi after you beat them on away soil?

Máté Lékai: Unfortunately we couldn’t play the handball we’d wanted to play and that we’d planned during the week. I felt that we’d prepared well for the match the Russians.

I’m sure they also prepared well, as their defence was much harder than we’d expected. I was happy, and became more confident, after I scored six times against them, but that sort of thing isn’t important if we lose. I’d rather win the game, and only score one goal...

ehfCL.com: Do you think they beat you with their defence?

Máté Lékai: Yes, they played much better than in Chekhov, while we were much weaker in attack. That’s why we only scored 22 goals.

ehfCL.com: How does this defeat affect your dream of qualifying from the group?

Máté Lékai: If we could have won against the Bears, our qualification would almost be in our pocket. Thinking realistically, though, they are a better team than us. We have to collect points against Minsk, Aalborg and Schaffhausen to qualify from this group.

ehfCL.com: How can you pick yourself up for the next VELUX EHF Champions League match against HC DINAMO-Minsk?

Máté Lékai: It’s not a good feeling to lose on your home court, but I don’t think it’s a tragedy though. Our victory in Chekhov is still fresh in our minds, so I think we’re quite confident for the match against Minsk. That will be a total "all or nothing" match, as we must collect the two points!

ehfCL.com: Based on the experiences of the first match against Minsk, what must your team improve if it wants to win this return clash?

Máté Lékai: We must not let them score on counterattacks, as they are not so good against the 6-0 defence. We must improve the accuracy of our shooting, and try to score as many goals as we can.

ehfCL.com: Is your team prepared physically for the match?

Máté Lékai: Some of our players have minor injuries, but our doctor will treat them with pain-killing injections or other medication. I’m sure everyone will recover for an important clash like this, and all of us will give the maximum.

The VELUX EHF Men's Champions League top game of Group C, Pick Szeged (HUN) vs. HC DINAMO-Minsk (BLR) on Saturday 4 December 2010 at 15:10 hrs (local time), will be broadcast live on our free-of-charge web stream on ehfTV.com.



TEXT: Ildikó Balogh (handball.hu)