New methods to success

After the Hungarian champions from Győr outclassed EHF Champions League title holder Larvik in a one-sided game, it was clear to everyone that Karl Erik Bøhn´s team wants to be crowned at the season´s end.

Indeed, last weekend Anita Görbicz and her team-mates played "the perfect game" in the EHF CL Main Round with lots of adrenaline and pride.

Coach Bøhn has been declared the mastermind of the current success. The humble trainer talked in an exclusive interview to ehfCL.com about how his side has grown since November 2011. Furthermore, the coach analyzes the key for the great Main Round entry and looks into the possible final rankings in the other group.

ehfCL.com: After three rounds Győri Audi ETO have maximum points - are you satisfied?

Karl Erik Bøhn: I´m very pleased as we have reached the optimum in points. It wasn’t expected that we would win our away match in Estella against Itxako, but we did, and then we collected the maximum of four points in our recent home games. 

We defeated FC Midtjylland and Larvik by large margins and this could be important for the final rankings in our group.

ehfCL.com: Last weekend you defeated the title holder from Larvik. What was the deciding factor for the victory, and were you expecting such a clear humiliation against the Norwegians?

Karl Erik Bøhn: Not at all! It was not something that we would have expected, as the Norwegians are a great team. But we were marvelous from the start and could maintain a high pace during the whole period with some extraordinary performances from many Győri Audi ETO players. 

ehfCL.com: As a master plan you trusted your first line-up for the full 60 minutes. Was this a plan you devised prior to the game? Why this unusual decision?

Karl Erik Bøhn: Actually this was not something I´d planned prior to the game, but during the match I saw that the players were comfortable with the great speed of the match. Thanks to our special training sessions, they have great fitness and physique.

Nevertheless, we have top players on the bench as well who have proved themselves, either in earlier EHF Champions League matches, or in the domestic league. I’m thinking of players like Adrienn Orbán, who has made a great improvement lately, or the duo of Àgnes Hornyák and Anikó Kovacsicz, who both shone in their recent matches.

ehfCL.com: The players are full of self-confidence, they support each other on the field, and play with great unity. You’ve been receiving lots of praise from many sources for the great mentality and top psychological shape of your team. What´s your secret, and what has changed the attitude of the players since November, when you were appointed as coach?

Karl Erik Bøhn: I don´t think it´s me who’s instilled a special mentality in my players, but I use a Norwegian physical coach who helps us during training.

I’ve also changed the number of training sessions. We train much less nowadays, but everyone has some personal training to help remain in shape. The fitness of the players is the result of the magnificent way they are performing on court. 

ehfCL.com: FCM is the next target on Friday. What are your expectations, and were you surprised about their victory over Itxako?

Karl Erik Bøhn: This victory didn´t surprise me at all, and honestly, I was more surprised that Itxako stole a point against Larvik.

FCM have already shown in Hungary that they are a classy team with a fast attacking game plan. They were on level terms with us for a long time, and despite being down by several goals, they managed to come back.

The Danes have a great way of playing handball, which I enjoy a lot, but I still expect us to taste victory there.

ehfCL.com: With a ‘half an eye’, I believe you are following events in the other group. Which teams do you expect to advance from there to the semi-final?

Karl Erik Bøhn: Yes, indeed, I follow the other group with great interest. I think it´s clear that Budućnost are almost through, and despite Metz having lost two home games, the French have shown good fight so far. Though I think they´re now out of the race for a semi-final place, they could still surprise the Romanians.

I think it´ll be a fight between Krim and Oltchim. I´ve seen several good games from the Slovenians, and they are both great teams. At the end, my bet would be that Oltchim will make it to the Top 4.