Schwalb hoping for third time lucky against Kiel

HSV Hamburg have reached the semi-finals of the EHF Champions League for the fourth time in the club's history.

This will be the first time they do not face Ciudad Real, but defending champions THW Kiel stand in the way between them and the final.

HSV coach Martin Schwalb has led his team to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the second time and already knows what will be decisive against THW in their third encounter of this season, the first duel between the teams in an international competition.

ehfCL.com: How important are the final domestic league matches in relation to the VELUX EHF FINAL4?

Martin Schwalb: All matches are serving to prepare for the season finale. We need to become secure, confident and well prepared. In the last weeks we really played at a high level, which we want to continue in Cologne.

ehfCL.com: What is your personal relationship with the VELUX EHF FINAL4?

Martin Schwalb: We are really looking forward to those matches, which will be our absolute highlight of this season. We are extremely happy that we have crucial games right at the end.

To be part of the event is a big bonus chance for our players and the whole club as it is something really special to clinch the berth for this tournament. For HSV, the VELUX EHF FINAL4 has the same significance as becoming German champions in 2011, for our international players the meaning is even higher.

ehfCL.com: You mentioned 2011. Two years ago HSV played in Cologne, but missed the final after a defeat against Ciudad Real. Do you see a chance to make up for that now?

Martin Schwalb: In 2011 the conditions were quite different, so it is not a case of revenge. Whoever said that our attitude was not correct in 2011 is completely wrong. If we didn’t miss that penalty with the score at 21:22, maybe we would have made it to the final.

ehfCL.com: What will be the keys to success this time around?

Martin Schwalb: The tournament will be decided by fight and defence; there will not be fireworks in attack, but a battle of defence in all games. Every team has the opportunity to neutralise their opponents with the defence.

Just look back at 2011, when Barcelona goalkeeper Danijel Saric decided the final against Ciudad Real on his own. I expect that defence and goalkeeping will be just at decisive in 2013.

ehfCL.com: How influential is experience?

Martin Schwalb: You are right; this is an even more important key. Kielce have anything but ‘youngsters’ in their squad and we do not have to talk about Kiel and Barcelona in terms of experience. Of course you also need some young players, but qualifying for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 is all about international experience.

It is not like in football, where some 18-year-old players might decide big matches, as they lack the physical and tactical requirements in handball, unless their names are Domagoj Duvnjak or Aron Palmarsson.

ehfCL.com: The VELUX EHF FINAL4 is the final event in HSV colours for the likes of Igor Vori and Michael Kraus, who leave the club at the end of the season. What are your hopes for their farewell tournament?

Martin Schwalb: Everybody currently sees that they want to say goodbye with top-level performances. Mimi Kraus is in flying form and Igor Vori has proven his significance for our defence. Igor has won almost everything there is to win as a handball player, except the VELUX EHF Champions League. So I really hope that we can fill this gap in his personal cabinet and that he can complete his trophy collection.

ehfCL.com: HSV face THW Kiel in the semi-final – how do you rate your chances of beating the defending champions?

Martin Schwalb: To face them is a real tough task, but we have narrowly lost both matches in the German league this season. Maybe it will be third time lucky for us; the semi-final neck and neck for 60 minutes.