Harbok: "Ready to take on Hamburg"

After spending several seasons with Germany’s Rhein-Neckar Löwen, Belarusian Siarhei Harbok joined the Russian "Bears" last summer. The 28-year-old father of triplets – Eva, Daniella and Sara – states that "his main priority is the family, and that handball will always take second place."

This weekend, his team, the Russian champions Chekhovskie Medvedi will face HSV Hamburg, leaders in the German Bundesliga, one of Europe’s strongest leagues. Gorbok spoke to ehfCL.com about Medvedi’s current form, the Russian league, this season goals, and the strong Quarterfinal opponents from northern Germany.

Siarhei Harbok: Everybody is fit enough and ready for the challenge. We have just played the first semifinal game of the Russian championship against "Kaustik" from Volgograd.

It was a usual clear victory and we managed to test some new schemes relating to HSV Hamburg. Volgograd also helped us by utilising three different kinds of defensive systems.

We studied the last Hamburg matches – at Flensburg and at home with Grosswallstadt. And of course, all our team followed the Bundesliga thriller THW Kiel – HSV Hamburg on the internet yesterday night. 　

Siarhei Harbok: I don’t need to say that it is impossible to compare these two leagues. The Russian league gives us the opportunity to try something new, to bring it to the game first with weaker opponents and then transfer those ideas to the VELUX EHF Champions League.

At the same time I must mention that I see "new coaching blood" in the Russian league. Mostly, the new coaches are notable Russian former players. Some teams have made good progress, for instance St. Petersburg, Krasnodar or Perm.

Chekhovskie Medvedi are much stronger than any rival in the Russian league. Too much depends on money, if you look at the German Bundesliga.

Siarhei Harbok: I had a very difficult last season in Germany, mainly due to the birth of my daughters. It was the happiest and yet at the same time the toughest period of my life.

Here in the Moscow region I find myself in a very positive team atmosphere, and I understand the requirements of coach Maksimov very well. I believe that I fit into his style of work.

The team is in a good psychological condition. Our main priority of the entire season is to once again participate at the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

Siarhei Harbok: They are a young team, like Medvedi- Also like our club, they have very strong traditions, good management and top-class players.

HSV play very fast in defence and in counter attacks. I heard some of their players’ opinions about the previous meetings with Chekhovskie Medvedi. They said that we had been very hard opposition, and more nerve-wracking than the score line reflected.

For every German top club, the Bundesliga is always the main aim. First after that they look at the European Cups. This season Hamburg have an excellent position in their league, and they can even afford to drop a few points as they still have five games remaining.

Siarhei Harbok: I see no favourite in our fixture, the chances are equal.

We have to stand well in the first match. That will be the biggest pressure for our defence and goalkeeper. We all trust in Oleg Grams. He showed extra-classy performances in some VELUX EHF Champions League games and also in the EHF EURO 2012 qualifying match Russia versus Denmark.

He is playing at the same level as HSV keepers Bitter and Sandström, but they represent completely different goalkeeper schools.

I will be satisfied, even if we lose with a margin of no more than 2-3 goals. But we will fight on their ground for a win or draw.

Siarhei Harbok: I could easily list all their players, they are all world-class stars. HSV are a very well balanced team. We have to expect danger from every court position.

We will adjust to the common team resistance, we will not play man-to-man, I think. If Guillaume Gille doesn’t play against us, that would be a big loss for them, especially in defence.