01.03.2011, 02:51
Beutler: "A special moment in my career"

SG Flensburg-Handewitt goalkeeper Dan Beutler talks about objectives and his future club.

Beutler: "A special moment in my career."

Traditionally Sweden has very strong handball goalkeepers. One of them is Dan Beutler, who has been at SG Flensburg-Handewitt since 2003. In an interview the 33-year-old talks about upcoming tasks in the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League, the highlight of his career and about his departure from Flensburg.

ehfCL.com: In Flensburg everybody speaks about the great victory over Renovalia Ciudad Real. For many observers you were the match winner. Will you remember this game for a long time?

Dan Beutler: This game was a special moment in my career. But let’s not forget that we are a team, I did not play alone. As a goalkeeper it is always easier to perform strongly when you have an incredibly strong defence in front of you. Also, I am still impressed of the spectators who created a fantastic atmosphere.

ehfCL.com: In the last Group Phase match you will meet RK Bosna Sarajevo in Flensburg on Wednesday. You won the first encounter clearly with a twelve goal margin, can anything go wrong?

Dan Beutler: We still expect quite a difficult task. We currently have some injured players. So others have to play more and those are tired of the many matches in the last weeks. Each game costs us a lot of power. Luckily we play at home.

ehfCL.com: With a victory or at least a draw, Flensburg will secure second place in Group D. What team would you like to meet in the Last 16?

Dan Beutler: For me the opponents are not at all important. I know that any opponent will be strong.

ehfCL.com: Since last year the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League ends in the fantastic VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. Is this tournament an objective for you?

Dan Beutler: To participate at this event would be a dream. Last year I did not watch the finals, but I heard a lot about it. For us it is still a long way to go to the VELUX EHF FINAL4. But it is not impossible to get through to the Quarterfinals. We have a strong team and can beat any opponent.

ehfCL.com: With the SG you were German champion (2004) and two-time German Cup winner (2004, 2005). After eight years you will leave Flensburg in the summer. How does that feel?

Dan Beutler: This will be a sad moment for me. I have experienced many beautiful things with the club that I will never forget. The time here will always have a special place in my heart. On the other hand, I wanted to try something new. I don’t know when my transfer to HSV Hamburg will be officially announced.

Flensburg's last round match of Group D will be broadcast live on our free-of-charge web stream on ehfTV.com.

VELUX EHF Men's Champions League, Group Phase, Round 10
Wednesday 2 March 2011, 19:00 (local time)
SG Flensburg-Handewitt (GER) vs. RK Bosna Sarajevo (BIH)

ehfTV.com is the official Internet TV platform of the European Handball Federation and offers free live streaming as well as a video on demand service.

TEXT: Jan Kirschner