Winamax EHF Finals 2026 flash quotes: 30 May
HAMBURG — Comments from players and coaches at the Winamax EHF Finals 2026 on Saturday after THW Kiel beat Montpellier 29:28 (15:12) in the first semi-final.
THW Kiel
Filip Jicha (CZE) — head coach
On beating Montpellier:
"It was a typical FINAL4 semi-final with a lot of emotion, technical mistakes and nervousness of both sides, but also a lot of power and fight. We had an advantage in the first half thanks to our line players, we scored some goals in a row, had a great defence and Andy was well. But we knew - as always in such a semi-final - Montpellier would come back. They pushed us, we did not start well and we were down by two goals. Then our 7vs 6 worked well and our more offensive defence brought us back. The last attack was so typical for a final tournament. Andy did a great match and I have huge respect for my guys, as for 10 minutes we were one man down, which is not easy against a team like Montpellier."
Andreas Wolff (GER) – goalkeeper
On the win against Montpellier:
“I always believed that we could win, but we struggled. We were up by goals, then Montpellier fought back bravely, they put us under a lot of pressure and we could not score like in first half. In the end, we showed a great mentality, we came back and won this game. Last year we were the losers now the winners. But today’s match does not meant that much, tomorrow is the game we came for and we go to get the title here.”
On saving many penalties:
“It was a lucky coincidence, but we trained exactly for this scenario in the last two training sessions. This helped us tremendously, I am happy that I could help the team.”
On the last action of the match:
“I don’t remember it too much, as I was so focused. I was just hoping for a save, I got the ball on the foot, the ball did not come perfectly to Rogerio, so I could save it again.”
Lukas Zerbe (GER) - right wing
On the key for the victory:
"We remained cool when we were playing with 7-vs-6, we waited for our chances, played calm. And we did not concede so many empty-net goals, as we know that Montpellier are really strong in fastbreaks. Therefore, we had some more power in the end. We did not think about the 2025 defeat, as this was a completely different match. And in the end, the outcome was different.
On many penalties being missed:
“We missed too many, but we also know, what our goalkeepers are able to. In every training session, Andy and Gonzalo are true killers against penalties, so we know we can always rely on them. Andy proved it again today.”
Veron Načinović (CRO) – line player
On the victory over Montpellier:
“It were two similar games last season and this season, and again it was completely crazy. We played a very good first half, then they came back and played really strong. In the end, we had a really great goalkeeper and our coach took the right decisions for the last minutes. It was really, really close.”
Montpellier Handball
Érick Mathé (FRA) — head coach
On losing against Kiel:
"It was all about mentality. It was a very good match with a lot of fight and combat, it was a tense match. Both teams were very nervous at the start, it was constantly a tight score. I am proud of my team how to fight back to turn the match. This shows a lot of character after a difficult week for us with the French cup final on Sunday, a league match on Tuesday and today. In the end it was as tight as last year, with the opposite outcome."
Rogerio Moraes (BRA) – line player
On missing out on Sunday's final:
"We had a hard week, it was a very tough game, definitely a good game for the fans with fight, ups and downs. This is sport and it is what it is. Now we have a short time to prepare for Sunday, it is important for us to finish the best way possible.”
Valentin Porte (FRA) – right back
On losing to Kiel:
"One goal is the smallest difference you can win or lose. Last year we won, this year, Kiel won. The difference today was that we missed six penalties. This was too much for a match like this."
Benjamin Richert (FRA) – right wing
On the defeat in the semi-final:
"This is sports. Once you win, once you lose. It was about details, and we missed too many shots, especially penalties. Desbonnet saved many shots, but we missed too many on the other side."
image © Uros Hocevar / kolektiff
