14.10.2011, 11:30
Barcelona Enjoying Great Form

FC Barcelona Intersport have made a great start to the season, taking two wins from their opening matches in the VELUX EHF Champions League.

Barcelona Enjoying Great Form

FC Barcelona Intersport have made a great start to the season, taking two wins from their opening matches in the VELUX EHF Champions League.

And after a crucial triumph in Switzerland against Kadetten, Head Coach Xavi Pascual’s team now take on IK Savehof of Sweden. Pascual spoke to ehfCL.com

ehfCL.com: How do you think you’ve done in your first few matches this season?

Xavi Pascual: We are playing very well. We are in better form than we were at this stage last season, so I hope there is still room for improvement in the team later in the season when we face the decisive games. We have some new players who are gelling well with the existing squad, so we have a great team and superb players.

ehfCL.com: What are your thoughts ahead of your clash with IK Savehof?

Xavi Pascual: They are a typical Swedish team: 6-0 defence, two good centre backs, a very good shooter, two kinds of pivots - they are a very good team. This group doesn’t have any well known names, but it will still be very difficult for anyone to qualify for the last 16.

ehfCL.com: Is the level of play in Spain very different from what you’re up against in the VELUX EHF Champions League?

Xavi Pascual: It’s difficult to compare the two because there are other factors involved too. A match in the VELUX EHF Champions League is different to any other. The court, the atmosphere – so many things are different. We have to be 100 per cent in every match, but it is much more complicated for the team to play in Europe.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi