Hot autumn in Copenhagen

The Danish league started with mixed results for FCK Håndbold. The Danish champions will debut in the Men’s Champions League after reaching the EHF Cup final last season. In the group phase of the EHF Champions League they will meet HSV Hamburg, Tatran Presov and Crvena Zvezda in Group D.

The quite uneven start may be partly explained by the fact that the team has undergone several changes compared to last season. Substitute goalkeeper Peter Nørklit has left together with backcourt players Kristian Svensson and Nicolai Koch Hansen as well as pivot Mahias Gustsvsson.

On the other hand, Croatian goalkeeper Valter Matosevic, Serbian right back Vukasin Rajkovic, Icelandic pivot Gudlaugur Arnassson and Danish line player talent Jacob Bagersted joined.

FCK will start their Champions League campaign away against Crvena Zvezda on Sunday 5 October. Before that Eurohandball.com talks to FCK coach Magnus Andersson about the many new challenges the current season will bring.

Eurohandball.com: What about the season start?

Magnus Andersson: It has been quite a troublesome start, partly because of injuries, partly because we have to integrate several new players into our team. However, I’m sure that things will improve along the way as we get the team to work together.

Eurohandball.com: You said goodbye to several important players and hello to some new ones. Do you see your present team stronger or weaker than last season?

Magnus Andersson: I think we have made some good signings and I definitely believe that we will be stronger.

Eurohandball.com: For the first time your players will have to concentrate on both the Champions League and the Danish league at the same time. This was a problem for other CL debutants before…

Magnus Andersson: It is obvious that we are heading for a tough autumn. From now on until 30 December we will be playing matches every Wednesday and weekend without a stop. Of course we will try and do as well as possible in a very strong and tight Danish league and at the same time we will try to get as far as possible in the Champions League.

Eurohandball.com: What about the CL group now that you know your fourth opponent, Crvena Zvezda?

Magnus Andersson: I still think it should be realistic for us to reach at least the main round. I still believe that HSV Hamburg are the toughest opponents in the group and they may be one of the favourites to win the Champions League at the end.