Promising clashes highlight season opening
Almost three months after SC Magdeburg were crowned the 2022/23 champions, the Machineseeker EHF Champions League returns to action this week for the start of the new campaign. The group phase throws off with four matches on Wednesday and four on Thursday, including the Match of the Week between HC Zagreb and THW Kiel.
We are excited to begin the new season in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League. First step is to get through to the knock-out phase in a very tough group. I do not think anyone else than Kielce will ever be favored to win at their home court. We are a new team with a lot of new players, but if we play concentrated, I really believe we can make the surprise.
They say that names don't matter, but when you play in defence against players like Aalborg Handbold have or when you attack Niklas Landin's goal, it's not an easy task. These are great athletes for whom we have respect. We know that they want to perform better this season than last season.
We have analysed a lot of details where we are wrong, and I think we will correct them with the start of the new season in Europe. Eurofarm Pelister will be ready for the challenges. For the best audience and the most handball city in Europe, I will say that we will leave our hearts on the court.
Of course, the opening match in Zagreb is special for me personally because my professional career started there. I have many friends there and I will see some familiar faces in the arena. Nevertheless, it is, of course, the goal that we win there with THW Kiel and get off to a successful start.
In the first round we are going to host one of the best teams in Europe but I feel like we have to focus on ourselves in the preparation of this game. What makes me truly happy is the fact we're entering the season with all the players physically and mentally ready for what's coming.
On a personal level, I had a really good season in the Champions League last year and I would love to finish as top scorer in the tournament again, but of course, the most important thing is that we do well as a team. If we reach the Final4, I can live with scoring a little fewer goals than I did last year.
On Saturday we started our home season with a tough loss, so the main goal on Wednesday will be to correct mistakes we made on Saturday on show true fighting spirit. The team is really young, guys still have a lot to learn. I want them to enjoy every minute of the EHF Champions League and gain much-needed experience from the big matches.
Despite the fact that it’s new edition of this competition, teams which are participating in it are on the highest level in the world. We are very motivated and also excited to start the rivalry. At the beginning, we will play against a great team – FC Porto - with new coach and we are expecting a really tough game.
The triumph in Cologne was terrific and historic for us, but that was last season. A new chance starts on Thursday. And what more can you wish for as a handball fan than a home game against a top team like Veszprém for the opener?
We will have our chances because our squad is also good. Champions League matches are always tight, so we need a solid defence, especially in one-against-one situations. We have to use the chances in attack as we know that Portner is in great shape. To sum it up, we have to show our best against Magdeburg.
