Skube relaxed ahead of quarter-final
The quarter-finals of the VELUX EHF Champions League will be something special for Slovenian club Cimos Koper and their players. One of their key players this season, Sebastian Skube admits they can be relaxed as never before as they have nothing to lose.
The young Slovenian playmaker knows that, after coming through their clash with Vive Targi Kielce, even bigger are ahead. For the first time he will be playing among the eight best teams in Europe. But the 25-year-old Slovenian international is not afraid of the big stars that are coming to Koper.
ehfCL.com: Madrid are the clear favourites in your match. Do you agree?
Sebastian Skube: There are no doubts who are the favourites as Atletico Madrid are so far ahead of us. If you look at Atletico's success in the past, their organization and this season's team, we look like a dwarf. But it does not mean we will accept defeat before the game even starts.
ehfCL.com: Where do you see your opportunities?
Sebastian Skube: I am sure we can show great resistance in defence even though it will be difficult against world class players. What is even more important is our attack where we have to be patient and must not allow them to steal balls.
ehfCL.com: You played superbly against Kielce. Have you kept your form during this break?
Sebastian Skube: The matches against Kielce were the best so far this season. If we want to do something special against Atletico Madrid, we have to repeat that kind of performance or play event better. I think we made a huge step on Saturday by defeating Celje in national championship. It was an important victory for self confidence.
ehfCL.com: You also postponed another Slovenian Championship game in order to prepare for Madrid.
Sebastian Skube: We had Sunday and Saturday free and we were able to clear our minds. I am sure, psychologically, two days without training brought some peace in our heads. And not playing on Wednesday is a big plus for us. We can only think about the match with Atletico.
ehfCL.com: For you and most of the Koper players, this will be the biggest game of their careers so far.
Sebastian Skube: For almost everyone it will be the first time. We wrote history against Kielce already, now another moment in history is awaiting us. I can not describe how proud I am. But I promise we will not have fear against Atletico Madrid's stars.
ehfCL.com: Will you feel any pressure against last year's VELUX EHF Champions League finalists on Saturday?
Sebastian Skube: We can not lose. We are winners already by progressing to top eight. We want to give a special gift to our spectators who showed respect and support. If we play like a team, anything can happen.
TEXT: Maja Mastnak
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