Tension builds as group phase enters crucial round
A lot is on the table for the last two rounds in the group phase of the EHF Champions League Women, with quarter-final and play-off berths to be delivered in the next two weeks. Round 13 takes place on Saturday and Sunday, when the battle for the play-offs berths in group A and direct quarter-final entry from group B will be fierce.
It will be a very important match for both teams. I am sure that Bietigheim will also prepare very well against us and we really want to fight back for the last game against them. I hope that we will be able to play a much better match here in front of our home crowd.
We have consolidated a very strong connection with our fans and we want to use every moment to make it even stronger. We will face an opponent capable of very good performances as they have also proven it in this hard group. There is only one thing to do; be on our very best to win the game.
This is our first final in the group, we had the ambition from the start to finish first or second at the end of the first phase. Bucharest is in a position where they can also aspire to it. A win for both teams would allow us to secure it and Bucharest to get closer. I think this match will be very demanding, with a lot of commitment. It's a very important match for everyone.
I am looking forward to play against Metz and to come back to the arena. It is always a big challenge to play against your old team. Metz will always have a place in my heart, but I hope we will play a better match and return to Bucharest with two points.
Buducnost are a team that have played better and better as the season progressed. Their progress shows how well Bojana Popovic has coached them, and they will throw many things at us.