01.02.2019, 06:30
Spanish coaches strive for Hannover’s next step

MEN'S EHF CUP GROUP PHASE COUNTDOWN #10: Experienced Ortega and Romero expect loud fans in the away matches, but are out for some points nonetheless

Spanish coaches strive for Hannover’s next step

Despite losing the German Cup final last year, TSV Hannover-Burgdorf were handed a significant consolation as they earned a ticket for the EHF Cup.

It was a sign of the progress made by the club in their first season under the new all-Spanish coaching duo of Antonio Carlos Ortega, previously at Veszprém, and former Barcelona and Berlin player Iker Romero.

Ortega won the EHF Champions League six times with Barcelon and Romero won the Champions League with Barcelona and the EHF Cup with Berlin, which makes this European campaign nothing out of the ordinary for the pair.

Although the Bundesliga results are not as good this season, the “Recken” have once again qualified for the final tournament of the German cup and have reached the EHF Cup Group Phase for just the second time in club history – the first was in the 2013/14 season.

Steal a win on the road

Five years ago, Hannover lacked the international experience to qualify for the quarter-finals as they fell one point short. This time around, Ortega sees a path through the group for his team.

“On paper, we have a very equal and strong group. We’ll face three tough away games, because the fans in Bitola, Nexe and Tatabanya will be very loud.

“We have to win our home matches and steal one win on the road to have a chance of reaching the knockout stage.”

In qualification, Hannover comfortably beat Benfica from Lisbon, victories which were “huge for the whole club, for our fans and our players,” according to coach Ortega.

“Now it means a lot for the club to be part of the group phase again, because it is only the second time that we are in Europe. We are really looking forward to the upcoming matches,” says Ortega.

Hannover had to replace last season’s Bundesliga top scorer over the summer as Casper U. Mortensen transferred to FC Barcelona. He was replaced by experienced Spaniard Cristian Ugalde.

They also signed two Slovenian internationals, Urban Lesjak and Nejc Cete, and Croatian/American defensive specialist Domagoj Srsen.

While hoping for the quarter-finals for his side, Ortega predicts others as favourites for making it to the EHF Cup Finals.

“Of course THW Kiel are the big favourites since they will be hosts of the final tournament. Saint Raphael and defending champions Füchse Berlin are also hot candidates to reach the event.”

TSV Hannover-Burgdorf

Qualification for the 2018/19 EHF Cup Group Phase: Round 3: 74:69 aggregate win against SL Benfica (POR)

Newcomers: Urban Lesjak (RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko), Nejc Cehte (Gorenje Velenje), Cristian Ugalde (Telekom Veszprém), Domagoj Srsen (Orosházi FKSE)

Left the club: Casper Mortensen (Barca Lassa), Rúnar Kárason (Ribe-Esbjerg), Dominik Kalafut (unknown), Sven-Sören Christophersen (retired), Malte Semisch (Füchse Berlin)

Coach Antonio Carlos Ortega (since 2017)

Team captain: Kai Häfner

EHF Cup records: 
Group Phase (1): 2013/14

German league: -

German cup: -

TEXT: Björn Pazen / cor