Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson: THW Kiel always want to win titles

Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson - it is not hard to write his name. But apparently, pronunciation is a little trickier. "Germans can only pronounce it when they are drunk," jokes the 33-year-old. ehfCL.com spoke to the Icelander ahead of the new season.

ehfCL.com: The Olympic tournament went very well for Iceland until the end of the first round; you even beat the later Olympic champion France. But then came the game against Hungary ...

Sigurdsson: I don’t think about the Olympics or the national team anymore. Right now I am playing in Kiel and my focus is here.

ehfCL.com: How were the first days at THW Kiel?

Sigurdsson: They were pretty hectic. I had to get used to a new city, take the children to school… It’s important that the family gets used to the new situation so I can fully concentrate on handball. Luckily, I had some days of rest before I started practising.

ehfCL.com: What are your ambitions in the next two years?

Sigurdsson: I will not be in the way of this successful team. I want to become a part of the team and contribute to its success.

ehfCL.com: Do you like the fact that Alfred Gislason is your new coach?

Sigurdsson: He helped me when I came to Germany ten years ago and made it possible for me to play in Essen. In Gummersbach, he was my coach for the first time. Now he is my coach for the second time but Alfred does not treat me any differently than the others, if anything he expects even more from me.

ehfCl.com: With TUSEM Essen you won the EHF Cup in 2005. Winning the trophy of the VELUX EHF Champions League would be a new experience for you. Is this possible to win the VELUX EHF Champions League with THW Kiel?

Sigurdsson: THW Kiel always wants to win titles.

ehfCL.com: What do you expect from the Group Phase of the VELUX EHF Champions League? THW Kiel are in the same Group as Veszprém, Celje, Madrid, Sävehof and a qualifying team.

Sigurdsson: Constanta are likely to be the qualifying team. Anyway it is a though group. There is no game which you can be sure to win without any problems. We will have to fight for every point.

ehfCL.com: Your last club AG Kobenhavn does no longer exist, how did you experience the recent developments?

Sigurdsson: I would like to say one thing. I'm very sorry for the guys who are affected and need to look for a new club now. And I’m not only talking about the financial situation but also the family situation of the players. Their children have to go to school, some of their wives are pregnant - and most of them will have to move.