Jakob Vestergaard: "50/50"

Handball expert Jakob Vestergaard is one of the most successful coaches of recent years, winning EHF Women's Champions League titles twice (2008/2009, 2009/2010) with his former club Viborg HK.

In this interview with ehfCL.com, Vestergaard analyses this year´s EHF Women's Champions League Final, goes into detail on the two finalists; Győri Audi ETO KC and Budućnost and gives an overview of what the next few years might bring in this thrilling tournament.

ehfCL.com: You must have been following the EHF Women’s Champions League season, so how do you see this season´s elite handball tournament shaping up?

Jakob Vestergaard: This season has been very exciting. I especially enjoyed the semi-finals – high quality games with superb atmospheres. The reigning champions Larvik had a tough year, missing some key players, and they never stood a chance in the semi's against Budućnost. The other semi-final was a real thriller. Győri Audi ETO KC and Oltchim played at a top level, but in the end the Hungarians were the stronger team.

ehfCL.com: Are the two best teams in the final? How do you evaluate the performances of Győri Audi ETO KC and Budućnost so far?

Jakob Vestergaard: Győri Audi ETO KC and Budućnost have proven themselves to be the best teams and deserve to be in the final. Both teams have high-class individual players along with a strong game plan. Both coaches, Dragan Adžić and Karl Erik Bøhn, have done a good job in preparing their teams physically, tactically and mentally. These two teams have evolved and grown stronger over the last few years. Larvik and Oltchim had injuries to key players, but they didn’t develop their game like Győri Audi ETO KC and Budućnost.

ehfCL.com: Both teams include players that you´ve coached during the golden era of Viborg with several EHF Women's Champions League titles. What's your personal opinion of Győr`s Katrine Lunde Haraldsen and Budućnost`s Bojana Popović?

Jakob Vestergaard: It has been an honour for me to coach such legendary players. Both of them are world-class, and some of the best female handball players the world has ever seen. Their individual skills are fantastic and both of them have great personalities. Big stars with a down to earth attitude… but it is their winning attitude which makes them stand out.

Both of them want to win in everything they do and they work very hard to achieve their goals. They both have great mental strength, which makes it possible for them to step up their game – that’s why they always perform well in important matches.

ehfCL.com: How do you see the chances of the two sides in the final? Can either team surprise the other, what do you expect?

Jakob Vestergaard: I think it is 50/50 and I expect two powerful and exciting matches. There will be a fantastic atmosphere in both the Morača Sports Centre and the Veszprém Arena. The fans will put great pressure on the referees and the away team. The team that is able to handle their nerves and stay focused will win. Both teams will be well prepared with all tactical variations. Budućnost can surprise with their strong and powerful defence and Győri Audi ETO KC with their fast and creative game. But in the end the individual skills will determine the result.

ehfCL.com: Have you seen any developments or changes compared to previous seasons in the EHF Women’s Champions League? What do you expect from the coming years?

Jakob Vestergaard: I don’t see any significant changes in the tactical and mental aspect of the game in general. But as I said, clubs like Győri Audi ETO KC and Budućnost have developed their game with a strong game plan. They’ve added layers to their concept. Along with quality coaches both teams brought in strong players like Popović and Lunde who have the experience of winning the EHF Women’s Champions League trophy.

Such players are able to lead their teams to victory. The next few years will be very exciting. We see big clubs like Oltchim and Krim boosting their teams with quality players. If they can make it work, they will be able to challenge Győri Audi ETO KC and Budućnost.

ehfCL.com: With you having won the EHF Women’s Champions League several times, you must be aware of what is needed to achieve the best results in a final. What minor things can decide matches? What´s more important: mental preparation, physical preparation, or tactics?

Jakob Vestergaard: To win a final you must be prepared in every aspect of the game. Mental, physical and tactical preparation is of equal importance. As a coach it is very important to convince your team that you have the recipe for victory: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”. Especially in the second game you have to be able to learn from your mistakes and read your opponent. Some say that you should enjoy playing a final – that’s wrong! Playing a final is all about preparation and hard work if you want to win.

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