Kirkely knows how important experience is at this stage and even though Odense are heavy underdogs on paper, things can rapidly change in handball. However, in both meetings against Danish opposition this season, Györ secured wins against Odense’s rivals, Team Esbjerg, therefore they know a thing or two about how to cause problems for Danish teams.
“They are a very, very good team, with a lot of experience. They have been here a lot. They have been put under pressure and they managed to sneak out of every challenge. The experience is crucial, but I think we will try to do anything possible to win these games. And we can qualify for Budapest if we do a good game on our home court, in this first match,” adds Kirkely.
With seven players leaving and seven arriving this summer, as well as a coaching change, this looks like a last hurrah for the current iteration of the Odense side as we know it and the last chance to seal a maiden EHF FINAL4 berth.
It is a tough proposition, but it is one that motivates Kirkely and his current players to give everything and create a surprise, even if the odds are stacked against them. Yet Kirkely says a ticket to Cologne would not necessarily be the best thing to come out of his three-year tenure at Odense.
“I would not say it is a crowning achievement. It is more a confirmation that we are doing things the right way and insert our name in the conversation of the best teams in Europe. That would be the correct testament to our work, because we had some excellent seasons in our domestic league, winning the title. However, European handball is different than games in Hungary or Denmark, therefore it is a challenge to do this,” concludes Kirkely.
Photos © Odense Håndbold; Marco Wolf
