24.02.2012, 11:26
Two points and crossed fingers

RK Cimos Koper need two wins this weekend to finish second in Group C

Two points and crossed fingers

In their final game of the Group Phase, RK Cimos Koper, have to win and wait for result from Skopje as Hamburg take on Metalurg.

So far for RK Cimos Koper, the season has not gone as planned. They lost 26:31 at home in the Slovenian National Championship against Celje on Wednesday and with this, lost almost any chance of finishing in the top two in Slovenia.

There is hope for the Slovenians. They still have the chance to finish second in Group C of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

Tough season for RK Cimos Koper

"We’ve almost no chance in the Slovenian league, but now we will try to win the cup, and we’ve haven’t had the last work in the Champions League yet,” right winger, Matjaž Brumen, told ehfCL.com.

Koper could already have been second in  Group C but only took one point in their last two games against Metalurg and Hamburg, although they had opportunities to won.

Brumen is one of the best scorers in Koper but explains how hard is to play in three different competitions.

"Only eight players are playing in the three different competitions, but we have big problems with injuries, we can not relax for a moment. I hope we will be able to keep the pace until the end of the season."

He is one of those who could not train properly because of injury.

Beside him Vladimir Osmajić – a key player in defence is injured and status of Uroš Rapotec, Jure Dobelešk and Robert Konečnik is not yet known.

Will they be ready for Saturday's game against Constanta (20 hrs)? Nobody knows.

Aiming for second spot

Koper already defeated Constanta 27:25 in Romania. In their final round match, the Slovenian champions want two more points.

"We have to win on Saturday. There is no other option," said a determined Brumen who added: "After winning we will be waiting for the Metalurg – Hamburg game and hoping for a German win. It would be nice to finish in second place."

If Koper win and Metalurg lose, Koper will be second, while Hamburg is already at the top of the table.

Lose, and the Macedonian champions will finish in front of Koper.

The Slovenian champions have fulfilled their first season’s goal by being amongst the top 16 teams in Europe.

"This is true, we are happy but we will not play in the Last 16 just for the sake of it. With some luck at the draw everything is possible," said Brumen.

TEXT: Maja Mastnak