Thrilling matches on the menu in round 5 as MOTW visits Zagreb
After four rounds, only one team remains with the maximum of eight points — Barça in group B. The situation is much tighter in group A, where five teams are within two points.
In group A of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2024/25, leaders Sporting CP have a tough challenge at Füchse Berlin, in the duel of the EHF EURO 2024 top scorers, while PSG host Dinamo Bucuresti. Veszprém are the favourites against Fredericia and Wisla Plock are eager to take their first points against Eurofarm Pelister.
In group B, Barça will try to keep their perfect run going when they travel to Zagreb for the Match of the Week on Wednesday. There is still an opportunity for Szeged to try and keep up with the Blaugranas’ rhythm, but the Hungarian side will have to take the points in Aalborg. Nantes and Kielce will try to make it double after their victories in round 4, in Magdeburg and Kolstad, respectively.
We will face a confident, young team on Thursday. Their challenge is to maintain their growth in the current season, which is not easy. So, we definitely need to be ready to compete with them. They play very tightly, dynamically, and they often use the seven-against-six play, which takes a lot of energy to defend. We have to respond to them in every aspect of the game. And, for sure, we can beat them primarily with our defence.
It is a very difficult task that awaits us. Veszprém are obviously one of the best teams in the world and have just proved that by winning the IHF Super Globe. When they are playing at home and the fans are creating a phenomenal atmosphere, it is a very hard place to play. With that said, we have everything to play for, and Veszprém have also lost this season, so everything is possible.
Füchse is a very strong opponent and we will have to be at our best to win this game. They have some of the best players in the game and we are sure it will be a great game. We beat them last year, so we know they are going to be alert and wanting to do better this time.
We can expect a young, dynamic and emotional team in front of a crowd that we already experienced last season and that pushes the team to the limit. They will play with a free spirit and have taken the momentum from the championship with them. Sporting is led by the two Costa brothers at half-back and half-right, but you shouldn't underestimate the defensive centre with Salvador Salvador, who also puts a lot of pressure forward. A team as a complete package, as we will always face in the Champions League. I think we are in a similarly good rhythm and well prepared, the atmosphere won't surprise us.
This type of match is crucial for both the group standings and our team's confidence. We delivered a solid performance against Fredericia last week, and we need to maintain the same level of intensity and discipline this Wednesday. Playing in front of our home crowd will give us a significant advantage, and we must capitalise on that opportunity.
So far, I think we have had a great run in the Champions League — six points out of eight. Of course, we had a bad game against Veszprém but that is in the past, now we are focused on the game against Paris and we know that we can do something. Paris are one of the best teams at the moment, especially playing at home. It will undoubtedly be a very difficult game, but I believe in my team and I believe that we are capable of coming back with points from Paris.
This is a key match for us. We have to focus only on ourselves and on handball. It will be a complicated duel, because in the EHF Champions League all our opponents are strong, but in front of our own fans, who can create a heated atmosphere, a lot is possible. Our goal is to win this encounter.
Wisla play a Spanish system with many internationals, a team that beat Kielce a few days ago and are the current champions of Poland. They are a far better team than the four games so far show. We had a positive week, played a great game in the Champions League and a good match in the Macedonian championship. We have a positive atmosphere, that makes me happy.
We have got the best, most attractive team coming to visit. Multiple Champions League winners, one of the best teams in Europe, and definitely the biggest challenge for us. Despite how good and strong they are — I feel like this team is to to deliver its best performance. We've got a lot of room for improvement, we believe in ourselves and truly think we've got what it takes to compete against anyone, Barça included.
After last season of course we have high ambitions and because of that, Wednesday’s game will be really important. Szeged have gotten a lot of Scandinavian players this season and have had a really strong start to the season, for example by beating Magdeburg. Therefore we know it will be a big challenge after a small down period for us. But in front of our home crowd we get the extra power to win the game.
Nantes have a strong and very talented squad. They played great games against Kielce and Szeged and will certainly demand everything from us on Wednesday.
