17.11.2012, 10:14
Ólafsson hopes to take two points to Kielce from Skopje

Icelandic player talks to ehfcl.com before the Match of the Week of Round 5

Ólafsson hopes to take two points to Kielce from Skopje

After important summer signings and AG København withdrawal it was clear that the main favourite of the Group C will be Vive Targi Kielce. But not many could predict that the fiercest rivals of Polish champions will come from RK Metalurg – the team which had to battle out the ticket in the VELUX EHF Champions League in the Qualification round.

Both teams sailed past first four rounds with an immaculate record and on Sunday at 18:00 hrs local time in Skopje they will lock horns in the ehfTV Match of the Week as the winner can make a huge stride towards the clinching of the first position in the group.

Icelandic player Þórir Ólafsson talks to ehfCL.com before the top match of Round 5.

ehfCL.com: Next match against Metalurg in Skopje will not be easy for Kielce. Are you ready for this challenge?

Þórir Ólafsson:  It will be a difficult game, they are a good side and always make it a tough match.  We have to be prepare very well for this match. I think it will be a fight to the final whistle.

ehfCL.com: What do you think of Skopje´s biggest strenghts?

Þórir Ólafsson:  I have seen some of their matches. They have a good team, with many well-known players. Every team, which is playing in the Championship League can have problem with them. Our team should be aware of a great goalkeeper Darko Stanić. His ability can determine the fate of the match.

ehfCL.com: You are the leader of Group C, is there any pressure to win?

Þórir Ólafsson: There is always pressure when playing in the Championship League, We want to win every game we play, it doesn’t matter if you are leader or not.  It all depends on our approach to the game. Both teams are unbeaten in our group and both teams want to keep this status.

ehfCL.com: Your two upcoming matches against Metalurg may decide who will win the group. Do you agree?

Þórir Ólafsson: We still have to play other fixtures, which won’t be easy for us. But I really think that these two matches can decide about it. Being first in the group at the end is important both for Skopje and for us. It can make a different in next round.

ehfCL.com: Fans from Balkan have incredible reputation, do you think they push Skopje into the role of favourite of this match?

Þórir Ólafsson: I know that the fans in Skopje are fantastic and make a great atmosphere. We have to focus on our game. I like to play in a hall like Boris Trajkovski Sports Center with a lot of noise and fans with a lot of passion.

ehfCL.com: You lost against your local rival Plock. What lessons can be taken from this ´match?

Þórir Ólafsson: Yes, it was a big disappointed for our team. But thanks to this defeat we have realized we have to be concentrated for 60 minutes. We are ready for a tough and a great game on Sunday and I hope that we take two points to Kielce.

TEXT: Maciej Firlej / br