Pascual: "Proud to be part of this huge handball event"

Since 2009, he has collected more than 20 titles with FC Barcelona Intersport and now Xavi Pascual and his team are aiming to raise the VELUX EHF Champions League trophy again at Cologne, like they did two years ago.

In this interview with ehfCL.com, Barcelona coach Pascual talks about the tactics, the keys to success and the chances in their semi-final against Vive Targi Kielce.

ehfCL.com: You led your team to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne for the third time – what will be different compared to 2010 and 2011?

Xavi Pascual: We again have the opportunity to win a title, but four very good teams will play to get the trophy too. Maybe for us it will be different because we did not participate last year.

ehfCL.com: You could see the superb emotions you had shown after the final whistle in the quarter-finals second leg against Madrid. Were there any doubts that your team could make it to Cologne?

Xavi Pascual: No, this is not correct. I never have any doubts about my team.

ehfCL.com: How much do your tactics play a part in the success of your team and how much is it the individual class of the players?

Xavi Pascual: It is very difficult to find out the percentage of both sides. It is not only the talent of the players, it is not only the tactics - it is a mixture and a compromise.

The team is a dynamic group and success is the implication of the whole team. A team is more than just tactics and individual aspects.

ehfCL.com:  When you look back on 2011 – do Barça have the same chances to win the trophy?

Xavi Pascual: The chances of Barça are exactly 25 percent, like for all of the other teams.

ehfCL.com: Is it an advantage or a disadvantage to face Kielce in the semi-final and not a team like Kiel?

Xavi Pascual: We did not choose opponent in the draw. We will play against the team which was drawn as our opponent and it is always difficult to face a great team. We don’t have any advantage in this semi-final.

ehfCL.com: After all the titles you have won with FC Barcelona Intersport - what would another trophy in the VELUX EHF Champions League mean to you?

Xavi Pascual:  The VELUX EHF Champions League trophy is the most appreciated title at club level and the most difficult to win.

ehfCL.com:  By looking upon the keys to success – do you agree that defence and goalkeeping will decide the tournament in Cologne?

Xavi Pascual:  It is important, but handball is more complete, it is not only about defence and goalkeeping. If you play good in attack, the opponent’s defence gets weakened; in the reverse scenario, if you play good in defence, the opponent’s attack becomes soft.

ehfCL.com: Your team proved in 2011 that a non-German team can win the trophy in Cologne – are you preaching this to your players already?

Xavi Pascual: To play in Cologne is not an advantage for our club, but as a club we are so proud to be part of this huge handball event.