2024 to start with a bang in the EHF Champions League Women
The Match of the Week in round 9 of the EHF Champions League Women travels to Denmark on Sunday, 7 January. Ikast will try to get back on the winning track against FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria following their intense first fixture in round 7.
In Group A, Györ aim to extend their winning streak to nine matches, while Bietigheim and Odense fight for the coveted second place, as the Danish side aims to cement their position by extending their advantage against the German champions.
During the autumn, we had a mix of some really strong performances and some that we’re not happy about. Our best game, so far in the Champions League, was at home versus Györ when we were close to them right until the end. Unfortunately, we haven’t managed to win a game yet, but that is our goal now as the Champions League season continues.
In the Hungarian league, our midweek win against NEKA was definitely a good base to prepare for the upcoming Champions League match. Against Sävehof I expect not the easiest match; they play a tough defence. They have excellent, experienced players in several positions and a lot of young talent in the squad.
Brest Bretagne Handball (FRA) vs DVSC Schaeffler (HUN)
Saturday, 6 January, 18:00 CET, live on EHFTV
- formerly a top side on their home court, Brest have not won this season in France, conceding two losses and drawing another match, against Buducnost, with six of their seven points coming in away matches
- in their return to the European premium competition after more than 10 seasons, DVSC have won only a single point in three matches on away courts, after the 29:29 draw against CSM Bucuresti
- a win for Brest will be their 40th in the EHF Champions League Women, a featured sealed by only 18 teams prior to the start of the season
- Brest’s right back Valeriia Maslova sits seventh in the top goal scorer standings, with 48 goals, five goals shy of the leader, Esbjerg's Kristine Breistøl
- DVSC’s defence has been found lacking after conceding 238 goals this season, with their goalkeepers making the lowest number of saves in the competition after eight rounds, 66, for a meagre 21.7 per cent saving efficiency
It’s a pleasure to be back on the pitch and with the supporters, the room will be full. We have to take our revenge because Debrecen had a very good match at home. A match that we look forward to impatiently and with the desire to do well and win new points to climb the rankings.
Playing against Odense is always difficult. We didn't play well in the first match, we want to do better now and are counting on the support of our fans.
A victory is very important. We have created a small gap to Ikast in third place, and now we need to stay on top. Before the start of the EHF Champions League, it would have been a dream scenario to end the group stage in the first or second place. With the way we have played in the tournament so far, it is now an achievable goal, but we need to win this match.
We are back in the new year and immediately face a match in the EHF Champions League Women. We will play away against Esbjerg. This is a very good team and they will certainly be the favourites in this meeting. We come after a long break from playing, but we will want to show our best side. We are one hundred per cent prepared, now we have to transfer this to the court.
I think it will be a tough game, they are very tough at home. They will have their entire squad and it will surely be a different game than the one we have experienced here. But we want to start the year in the best possible way, we have clear objectives and we want to go step by step in search for the next round.
We are all really looking forward to playing against Vipers on Sunday in our home arena. They are a team with only really good players and are very experienced. We have trained well after Christmas to be able to find a high level altogether after a long break without games. We want to give everything for our club and fans and expect a fast-paced game with a lot of good handball.
