Nilsson: Vori has been a good teacher

Sweden have a tradition for developing great line players. Magnus Wislander and Marcus Ahlm may have been the most famous ones in recent years, but the next in line may very well be Andreas Nilsson.

The expectations are high for the 22-year-old Swedish international, who took the leap from Swedish club IFK Skövde to HSV Hamburg last summer.

This season he has been standing a bit in the shadow of the Croatian world star Igor Vori, but that will change next season, when Vori leaves for Paris Handball.

Apart from a concussion at the beginning of this year, the first season outside Sweden has been fine for Nilsson, as he explains to ehfCL.com.

ehfCL.com: Your first season outside Sweden is about to come to an end. What has the change been like for you?

Andreas Nilsson: Everything has been fine. The team received me very well and I felt good from the start. We could have won a few more games than we have, but apart from that I am very content with my move to Hamburg.

ehfCL.com: In which areas do you think you have developed most as a handball player during your first season in Hamburg?

Andreas Nilsson: I would say that I have improved in all aspects of my game. At first, however, I had to get used to the toughness in the Bundesliga, but that has made me harder myself. I have learned a lot in the defence and I have also been able to develop my attacking game considerably.

ehfCL.com: Your partner in the line player position at HSV this season is the prominent Igor Vori. What has your cooperation, or competition, with him been like?

Andreas Nilsson: Everything has been just great. Igor has helped me a lot to improve my game, in the defence as well as in the attack. He has been a great partner and teacher.

ehfCL.com: This will be your first VELUX EHF FINAL4. What do you expect from the event?

Andreas Nilsson: I expect even more spectators than we are used to in Hamburg and a super atmosphere in the arena. I am really looking forward to the event, and of course I hope we can win it.

ehfCL.com: Who do you see as favourites to win the competition?

Andreas Nilsson: There is no doubt that Kiel are the favourites, but we have a good chance to defeat them in the semi-final, and if we do, anything is possible in the final.