Draw statements from the clubs
Comments from all four club representatives following the draw for the VELUX EHF FINAL4.
The draw was conducted at the German Sport and Olympic museum in Cologne on 2 May at 11:30 hrs (local time).
The two pairings are as follows:
KS Vive Targi Kielce against FC Barcelona Intersport
Radoslaw Wasiak (KS Vive Targi Kielce):
“We have achieved our goal and our dream for the season to reach this stage, but we are not going for a trip to Cologne, but to fight here. The players are hungry for success.
“Barcelona are one of the most successful and famous teams in handball. We have played them twice before in the competition, losing the first, drawing the second and maybe this time we will surprise them.
“This is a new experience for a few players, but for many it is not. Many have played in Cologne for other teams so they have the experience."
Xavier O'Callaghan (FC Barcelona Intersport):
"No easy opponent at the FINAL4 could be expected, so it doesn’t really matter who we were drawn against, it wouldn’t make much difference.
“I think that Kielce’s players have some experience at this level and every player will do his best in front of 20,000 people.
“It is definitely important for us to be here after missing out last season, it is a special occasion for the players. It is not every weekend that you play in front of 20,000 people and they will surely give their best.
“There are no favourites, these are four top clubs and it is very open."
THW Kiel against HSV Hamburg
Sabine Holdorf Schust (THW Kiel):
"Proud to be in again and have a chance to defend the title for the first time. I hope to see black and white of the fans Cologne again.
“It is not good to have an all-German duel in the semi-final, but we had it last season against Berlin and won, so hopefully it is a good omen for us.
“I think we will see some great matches and a great spectacle and it will be a memorable experience.
“The players leaving the club at the end of the season will have extra motivation to win the title.”
Christoph Wendt (HSV Hamburg):
“We play against the defending champions, so it couldn’t be harder for us. We would have liked to play an international match, but we will deal with this.
“We were here two years ago and really wanted to come back, but we are not here to play at third place play-off again.
"It is the biggest handball event of world and everyone wants to be here. We will do everything to win our first title, we will prepare right and see what happens."
TEXT: EHF / cor
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