Expert’s Column: Marit Breivik on the CL Final

In the Expert’s Column of the Women’s Champions League Final you can read the analysis and comments of Marit Breivik, coach of the Norwegian national team. In the first part of the column she shares her expectations about the final with us.

eurohandball.com: What is your first impression about the teams?

Marit Breivik: There are very good players in both squads who play in their respective national teams. It is clear that Slagelse are very strong in attack.

eurohandball.com: Who are the key players of this strong attack?

Marit Breivik: They have very good wingers such as Savic or Turey. And they have Popovic, of course. She is a strong and creative player who plays very well together with the pivot. I believe Popovic is the best player in the World at the moment.

Their good attacking play is obvious; they scored many goals in the Champions League and in the Danish league as well.

eurohandball.com: On the other hand, their defence is also among the bests…

Marit Breivik: Leganger is a key player here. She is the best goalkeeper in the World, in my opinion. She can be a match winner for Slagelse.

eurohandball.com: And what about Lada? Who are their key players?

Marit Breivik: We know Postnova and Bliznova very well from the Russian national team. They are top level handball players as well, but we must not forget about Marennikova who is a very quick and dangerous winger. Apart from them, Sidorova is excellent in the Lada goal; she is a very strong goalie, we also know her from the Russian squad.

eurohandball.com: Which team do you feel to be stronger based on their performance so far?

Marit Breivik: Slagelse have performed more convincingly in the quarterfinal and semi-final. They had to face somewhat stronger opponents and they reached the final comfortably.

eurohandball.com: What is your expectation from the final?

Marit Breivik: Well, these are not national teams but squads that train together all the year. I am looking forward to see what they will be able to do. And I also hope that we will see two close and exciting matches.