Siarhei Rutenka is one of the most successful active players in the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League. The Belarus born player won the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League title four times, once with Celje and three times with Ciudad Real.

Since 2009 the 29-year-old has been playing for FC Barcelona-Borges. In his first season he finished second at the memorable EHF FINAL4 where they lost to THW Kiel and he missed his fifth trophy very closely.

Before the match against his former club RK Celje Pivovarna Laško, ehfCL.com talked to the world class player who can switch positions from left back to line player.

ehfCL.com: Barcelona is the record winner of the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League. You have played for several different CL clubs, what makes Barcelona so special?

Siarhei Rutenka: The whole F.C. Barcelona is a great sports family, maybe the biggest sports family in the world. I feel alright with the motto “more than a club”, because this is what the club really stands for. I can feel that I am a part of it. So of coursde I would like to give all I have in order to win titles. This obviously includes the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League, as it is the most important one.

ehfCL.com: Last season Barcelona was part of the EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. How are your chances to return to Cologne this season?

Siarhei Rutenka: We have very good chances. The competition modus of the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League allowed us to go in the EHF FINAL4 last season. Also this season I do not have any doubt, we have a strong possibility to return to Cologne.

ehfCL.com: In the current season FC Barcelona-Borges started with only 2 points, but then remained unbeaten in the last five matches. What changed?

Siarhei Rutenka: Don’t forget that we play in the hardest of all VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League groups; none of the opponents does forgive mistakes. And we had a few mistakes in the first half of the Group Phase. But right now we are playing better and feel more confident, as we are close to our optimum state of form.

ehfCL.com: How disappointing is the fact that FC Barcelona cannot reach place one and two anymore in your group?

Siarhei Rutenka: We are still in the competitionwith all doors open, even ranked third. I feel optimistic because we developed and improved from making mistakes to producing a success after the first part of the competition.

ehfCL.com: Looking at the results, Barcelona only lost one match against Löwen and Kiel – do you play better against stronger opponents?

Siarhei Rutenka: That is just another positive signal from our side. We can win in any arena and against any rival. We lost points against teams like Chambery or Kielce, which maybe do not are such big names as THW Kiel or Rhein-Neckar Löwen, despite the fact that they have great teams.

ehfCL.com: On Saturday you will play in Celje – a match more important for your opponent than for Barcelona. You played in Celje and won the EHF Champions League with them in 2004 – will it still be a special match for you?

Siarhei Rutenka: I can play so many matches in the VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League or in the Spanish ASOBAL league, but Celje still is a very special place for me. There I would like to show my best performance because they are my former team and I have so many good memories of the city, the fans and the team.

ehfCL.com: What team would you like to meet in the Last 16?

Siarhei Rutenka: I don’t think about the rivals in the Last 16 at all. All I know is that we have a lot of work ahead before those games can start.

ehfCL.com: In the Spanish League Barcelona has won all 19 matches so far. Are you the great title favourites this season finally beating Renovalia Ciudad Real?

Siarhei Rutenka: It is true, we have been playing very well during the season, but I know that the game in Ciudad Real will be the one to decide the Spanish league. I hope for a positive surprise, but I am not sure what will happen. We will need to fight a lot in order to achieve the title.

ehfCL.com: What headline would you like to read after the end of this VELUX EHF Men’s Champions League season?

Siarhei Rutenka: "FC. Barcelona Borges – Winners of the VELUX EHF Champions League!"