Entertaining handball

The most successful club of the 2007/08 season – winning five titles including the CL – is back to leave a mark again. The first international game of the new season will be just as difficult as the last one was: the opponent will be THW Kiel again. Coach Talant Dujshebaev tells us more about it.

Eurohandball.com: What is the difference between the CL final games and the Champions Trophy?

Talant Dujshebaev: The difference is enormous, because the game will be played on neutral court. The intensity of the match will be very high, but it cannot be compared to a CL Final. In addition, when we played the Final in May, both teams were in top form, while now we have just started the season.

It was difficult to prepare for the event. Eight players took part at the Olympic Games and now everyone is in a different condition physically. Some have injuries too. It will be much easier with time.

Eurohandball.com:What’s new in Ciudad Real?

Talant Dujshebaev: We have two new handballers, Luc Abalo and Jerome Fernández. We are very pleased with the arrival of these two players. The only important thing is that they can fit into the playing structure quickly and that feel good and give the maximum.

Eurohandball.com: Is it possible to make a step forward this season after winning all 5 titles last season?

Talant Dujshebaev: The objectives are very high every year. We must fight for every title, but you know, one year is good, the other is not. Last year was perfect, but we also had luck. It happened before that the team fought and did well, but the results were not the same.

Eurohandball.com:You won the Champions Trophy in 2005 and 2006 as a player and coach. Which title and which games do you like to remember?

Talant Dujshebaev: It was very nice to win the Champions Trophy. I have good memories of the event in Köln Arena. It is a wonderful place that I will never forget. It is a very prestigious trophy and we would all like to win it again.

Eurohandball.com: What do you expect from the weekend?

Talant Dujshebaev: I don’t like to make predictions, but I think Veszprém – playing at home – will reach the final. We too, but first we have to play against Kiel, the title holders.

There will be a bit of everything: hard and physical matches, but also entertaining handball.