Chasing pack go head-to-head; bumper crowd for MOTW
In the last round of 2024, the Machineseeker EHF Champions League showcases two meetings of the chasing pack in group A, where Paris Saint-Germain Handball travel to Dinamo Bucuresti, and Füchse Berlin host Sporting CP. Meanwhile, Orlen Wisla Plock go to HC Eurofarm Pelister in the hope of a second straight win, while Veszprém aim for a seventh in succession when travelling to Denmark to face Fredericia Håndbold Klub.
After losing their first game of the campaign last week, group B leaders Barça will try to bounce back against HC Zagreb, while HBC Nantes will host SC Magdeburg in the Hall XXL, in front of more than 11,000 fans. The winner of OTP Bank - PICK Szeged versus Aalborg Håndbold will occupy a higher spot in the standings, while Industria Kielce are looking for confidence while they host Kolstad Håndball.
For us, this is another key game because we want to finish at the top of the group, and we need these two points. We know it won’t be easy to play there, and it will definitely be complicated because they also need the points to secure a playoff spot. Sometimes it's hard to say if it's tougher to face a team at the top of the group or a team fighting to qualify. Either way, it will be a difficult match for sure.
The most important thing for us is to give our best, to try to beat them in front of our fans. We are preparing in the same way as in the previous matches, we are working on details, but the approach and the start of the match will be very important for us.
For us this is another key game. We know it won’t be easy to play there in front of their fans and it will definitely be complicated, because they also need the points to secure the play-off spot. We are preparing the same as always and we will do our best to win.
Every match represents an opportunity to keep improving and strengthening our identity as a team. We are coming off two tough results that, while painful, should help us reflect and adjust key aspects of our game. This Thursday, we want to regain positive momentum and show that we are here not just to participate, but to compete at the highest level, regardless of the opponent.
I'm getting ready for a heated, exciting game. I, personally, and the whole team still have a score to settle with Sporting from the first leg and also from the previous season in the EHF European League. I think it will be a fast-paced game in which we'll have to watch out for the Costa brothers. The most important thing is that we concentrate on ourselves and bring the arena into the game, with them acting as the eighth man
We expect a very tough game. We went there last season to play in the EHF European League and it was a very complicated game with several changes in the score, and it was with a goal towards the end that we managed to win. Let's try to do the same, and we already know what we're going to do. We have to give everything to try to win the two points and stay in second place in the group.
There are statistics that show what works well in the team, but also what works badly. I am pleased with how my team trains. The results have an impact on the fact that there is a lack of peace in the minds, but in such a match you have to win two points.
We know how difficult it is to play in Hala Legionów. We were there last year, and got beaten hard. Kielce are favourites but this is handball and everything can happen. Hopefully we can make a surprise, and we need the points in this tight group.
We are really happy to be back in the Neodif XXL Arena. We always play big and tough games here. About this group, we already did good things in 2024. We need to enjoy this kind of game. We won for the first time of HBC Nantes’ history in Magdeburg during the first leg. It’s a brilliant team, which won the Champions League, the Bundesliga. I’m pretty sure they will be vengeful.
I am really happy to come back to France, I had some amazing seasons there. I know a lot of players, a lot of Nantes players as well, and I will be really happy to be back.
We are in good form. And that can be very important in such a tight match. As always, defence will be the deciding factor, because if it works well, the result can't be anything other than a win. One thing's for sure, we're in for a serious game.
I am looking forward to play against my former team and going back to Szeged. It is always interesting when you know the opponent so well. We played a really tight game at home and they have, as well, been playing really good this season so far. I think the game will be decided at the very end.
