26.04.2016, 07:20
Looking for satisfaction in Kielce

QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: Polish side count on home advantage to overcome Flensburg to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4

Looking for satisfaction in Kielce

The first leg between Flensburg and Kielce teams was the most strenuous battle among all four quarter-finals. After 60 minutes the result on paper has not been brought us any closer to a decision.

Last Saturday Vive Tauron Kielce drew against SG Flensburg Handewitt 28:28 and although neither side has a distinct advantage the tie seems to favour Kielce with the second leg taking place in their own Hala Legionow in Poland.

Vive Tauron Kielce (POL) vs SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER)
Wednesday 27 April, 18:30 hrs local time live on ehfTV

How big an advantage it is for Kielce? “I count on our fans, when they scream, I think Flensburg will be even more afraid of us and our crowd,” Slawomir Szmal told Kielce’s club television.

The determination in Kielce’s ranks is at its peak as even club President Bertus Servaas asked fans to help the team in this crucial moment.

“We need your support. I know that it’s going to be fine because you are always equal to the task. But it will be a tough, tough game, you need to be aware of it,” the Dutchman warned in the video.

The first leg in Germany was not an example of the most beautiful handball, but both sides showed 100% of their effort and emotion. “No team left the court satisfied with their performance,” explained Szmal.

“But we know what we need to improve,” added Uros Zorman.

“Definitely the defence, we need to lose less balls and can’t allow them to score fast goals in the counter attacks.”

On Saturday we say different modes of playing. One based on two leaders as Holger Glandorf and Rasmus Lauge Schmidt scored together more than 60 per cent of the goals for Flensburg, with only six players scoring at all.

The second one built on the team work, where only three field players did not shoot between Mattias Andersson’s posts and no scorer managed more than five goals.

Another big difference between the teams is an attitude to the duel. Despite the fact that both have huge respect towards each other, the Germans seem to remain a bit more humble than the boys from Kielce, despite a majority of experts favouring the charges of Ljubo Vranjes.

Even before the first leg the Kielce players underlined the fact that they were going to Flens-Arena only to win, now they are even surer of what they need to do.

“One step before the finish no one is going to temper. It’s a big, big chance for us to repeat what we’ve done last year,” ensured Szmal. “Last week Flensburg had their fans on their side, now we’re going to have ours,” he added.

Uros Zorman went a little bit further. “I’m sure the hall will be full. The atmosphere will be 500 times better than in Germany,” the Slovenian back provoked with a smile.

Whether Kielce’s self-confidence is enough to beat the VELUX EHF Champions League winners from two seasons ago, we will see in the opening second leg on Wednesday at 18:30 hrs local time.

TEXT: Magda Pluszewska / cor