28.04.2016, 08:10
Granollers in defence of six-goal lead

QUARTER-FINAL PREVIEW: Fraikin BM. Granollers travel to Denmark to defend their 30:24 lead in the Men’s EHF Cup Quarter-Final Second Leg.

Granollers in defence of six-goal lead

When Fraikin BM. Granollers enter the JYSK Arena of Silkeborg Saturday night for the second leg of their EHF Cup quarter-final against Bjerringbro-Silkeborg, the Spanish side will have a reassuring 30:24 with them from the first match.

Men’s EHF Cup Quarter-Final Second Leg

Bjerringbro-Silkeborg (DEN) vs. Fraikin BM. Granollers (ESP)
Saturday 30 April 20:30 (local time), live on ehfTV.com
Granollers lead 30:24 from the first leg

With a six-goal win in the first match, Granollers have a very good chance of booking their first ticket to an EHF Cup Final in history.

However, the team from northern Spain may still be a bit frustrated by not taking an even bigger lead with them to Denmark as they led by eight goals with 40 seconds left of the home match.

Still, six goals is still a considerable distance, but Bjerringbro-Silkeborg coach Peter Bredsdorff-Larsen believes he has found the recipe for his men to turn the tables.

“It was very unusual for us to concede as many as 30 goals in the first match,” he said. “Normally, we do not let in that high number and if we can minimise that number on Saturday, I think we have a good chance of making a comeback and reaching the finals.

“To us, it will be crucial to improve our defensive play, our speed when running back into the defence after attacking and our goalkeepers’ performances,” he continued.

“If we can achieve all that, I really believe in our chance to make a comeback and win bigger than Granollers did in the first match.”

Markussen appealing to the crowd
Silkeborg left-back Nikolaj Markussen, who played in Spain in the past for BM. Atletico Madrid, sees the support for the crowd as essential to his and his teammates’ chances of making up the deficit.

“It we get the entire JYSK Arena with us,” he said. “We have a chance to proceed in the EHF Cup, but everyone will have to perform - we need everyone in Silkeborg.

“Our arena may not be big enough for all 60,000 people who live in the town, but it would be great, if they could all be here.”

TEXT: Peter Bruun/amc