Goalkeeper problems in Kolding

Danish champions KIF Kolding can take a major – and maybe deciding – step towards the round of 16 teams in case of a win in Switzerland against Amicitia Zürich, when the Champions League group phase starts again in Group D this weekend.

However, the Danes are handicapped before the match in Zürich Saturday evening. Not only are they missing two long-term injured players, Bosnian line player Muhamed Toromanović and right winger Mads Forslund.

Now also Norwegian international goalkeeper Ole Erevik is bothered by an over-stretched muscle fibre at the back of a thigh and may not be ready for the match. Eurohandball.com talked to Kolding’s head coach Ingemar Linnell about his team’s chances.

eurohandball.com: Just how bad is Erevik’s injury?

Ingemar Linnell: We do not know yet. Our physiotherapist is working with him, and we hope to get him fit for the match in Zürich.

eurohandball.com: Another injured player, Mads Forslund, finally seems to be on his way back to active duty. When are we going to see him on the court again?

Ingemar Linnell: Things are proceeding slowly. He is on the right way, but it will still be a while before he can play a league match or even a Champions League match.

eurohandball.com: Your team won the last domestic league match 30-27 before flying to Zürich, the local derby at home against Fredericia. How much does that victory mean regarding the upcoming Champions League match?

Ingemar Linnell: It means a lot. After an unusually large number of defeats lately, this win was really important to the lads. We will now go to Zürich in a much more positive mood, than with a further defeat in the national league on our mind. Another addition to our optimism is that our right back Kasper Søndergaard seems to be completely fit again after having been bothered by an overstretched muscle in his stomach.

eurohandball.com: Amicitia have been weakened since you defeated them 35-27 at home in the first match back in the autumn. Both Jan Henrik Behrends as well as Eldin Basic have left the club. What does this mean to your chances?

Ingemar Linnell: They still have a strong team, and we are very determined to prepare well for the match in Zürich. It is extremely important for us to qualify for the last 16 in our two next matches against Zürich and Skopje.