Larvik go to Viborg as league winners

Larvik HK will travel to the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Viborg Saturday night with confidence. A 37-23 win at home against Nordstrand on Wednesday night secured the Norwegian champions the first place in their national league for the 12th time.

Their Danish opponents, however have not played a match since 27 March and therefore had much more time to prepare for the semi-finals than Larvik. The Norwegians played this decisive game on Wednesday.

Eurohandball.com talked to coach Karl Erik Bøhn, who recently extended his contract with Larvik until the summer of 2012, about the perspectives of the Saturday match.

Eurohandball.com: What do you think it will mean that Viborg had time since 27 March to prepare, while your team had to play an important match on Wednesday?

Karl Erik Bøhn: I think it will be an advantage for us! After a long break at Easter it was good to get some match practice again. Success is always good for a team... We have no injuries, so taken everything into consideration, I think that match was useful!

Eurohandball.com Norway´s national coach Thorir Helgeirsson claimed that Larvik are narrow favourites in the semi-finals against Viborg. Do you agree?

Karl Erik Bøhn: No, I don´t! Viborg are title holders and they have a very strong and experienced team. I'm aware of their injury problems, of course, but I expect them to have at least Anja Althaus fit for the game Saturday – and I would not be surprised if they would bring Grit Jurack as well - although I cannot be sure in this. Anyway, like most experts, I see Viborg as favourites, but that does mean that we feel defeated in advance. We have all our players fit, and we are in super form right now!

Eurohandball.com: What will decide?

Karl Erik Bøhn: For us if we play in our best form. All our players will simply have to reach top form if we want to stand a chance.

Eurohandball.com: What would be an acceptable result for you?

Karl Erik Bøhn: A defeat of up to four or five goals would be probably acceptable. It may be possible for us to catch up with a larger difference at the return match, but then it would be difficult. However, the goal difference in the first match will not be as important in this case as against Valcea or Győr, for example. We all won and also lost at home against Viborg in the past, as you know.