Ikast coach: It's over now

Even though Ikast-Brande EH still have the theoretical chance to reach the semi-finals, the players and the head coach Kenneth Jensen are pretty realistic about the situation. They lost their first three matches of the main round.

Though coach Jensen knows that the party is over, he is still proud of his team that reached the main round right from the qualifications.

Eurohandball.com talked to him about his team´s situation after the third defeat in a row.

Eurohandball.com: Was the defeat against Podravka a goodbye to the semi-finals?

Kenneth Jensen: Yes, we have to admit that it was. Expecting to qualify for the semi-finals with zero points from three matches would be unrealistic. Obviously, we will try to make good impression and should a miracle occur, we would go for our chance. But right now it seems unrealistic to hope.

Eurohandball.com: What’s happened to Ikast that was able to win in Győr and make a draw in Zvenigorod, for instance?

Kenneth Jensen: First of all, we are playing against possibly even stronger opponents. Though both Győr and Zvezda Zvenigorod are fantastic teams, I think the level of our main round group is a bit higher.

Our squad is somewhat worn out right now. Quite a few key players have played many tough matches already this season in the Champions League as well as in the Danish league.

You have to bear in mind that we have much tougher games in our national league than Podravka or Hypo, for example. This is not meant to be an excuse, but explanation why things may look a bit different now.

Eurohandball.com: What are your objects for your last three matches in the main round?

Kenneth Jensen: We will use the remaining matches to develop the team. Our team is still pretty new as we have six new players this season.

We want to erase some bad memories from our first three matches. We want to rectify the poor 15 minutes in the middle of the Podravka match, which cost us the victory. And we also want to pay back for the big defeats against Hypo and Viborg. So I can guarantee that we will still go for the victory every match.