Tomas: "My heart beats for Barcelona"

Victor Tomas knows the feeling to raise the VELUX EHF Champions League trophy, as he won the competition in 2005 and 2011 with his home town club FC Barcelona Intersport.

However, 2013 will be different for the world champion, as he will be the team captain for the first time at the event.

In this interview with ehfCL.com, Tomas talks about his hopes, his memories and his relationship with Barcelona.

ehfCL.com: You are the team captain of FCB – what does it mean to you?

Victor Tomas: It is really very, very special: I was born in Barcelona and I am fan of Barca all my life. For me it is a great honour and pleasure to be team captain of one of the best handball teams in Europe or even all over the world.

I became team captain last summer and until now we have had a near perfect season, so I hope that we continue like this in Cologne.

ehfCL.com: What is your personal meaning of FCB’s motto “more than a club”?

Victor Tomas: FC Barcelona has the capability to fight for all titles in all team sports in our club. Personally, I have this really strong feeling that when you are part of this club you are really more than a club. My heart beats for this club; it is a very strong relationship.

ehfCL.com: You had been to Cologne in 2010 and 2011 – what are your favourite positive and negative emotions, when looking back upon those VELUX EHF FINAL4 tournaments?

Victor Tomas: In 2010 we were quite close to winning the trophy in the final against THW Kiel. We were six goals ahead and we played really well, but in the end we lost and I was really disappointed.

We had played two really good games, but did not raise the trophy. However, one year later I had this great feeling of winning the VELUX EHF Champions League.

It was a very special feeling and a very special atmosphere – it was the best atmosphere I had played in before in my life in the best handball arena ever. I never experienced a weekend like this one in 2011. Absolutely great!

ehfCL.com: Barcelona is a multi-sport club with handball, football, basketball and hockey – how is the support from the other sections for handball?

Victor Tomas: We hope for the biggest support ever in Cologne, as I hope that our entire allocation will be sold in Barcelona. Unfortunately, the European indoor hockey final tournament will be played on the same weekend, but I hope for major support behind us.

ehfCL.com: Barcelona have won the trophy in 2011, everybody said that only German clubs are able to win at Cologne – what is your opinion on the fact that mostly Spanish and German teams make it to this stage?

Victor Tomas: It will change in future. Last season, AG Kobenhavn made it to Cologne, this season Vive Targi Kielce is one of the contenders and next year a team like Paris Saint Germain are aiming high.

There will be much more diversity in future years than just Spain and Germany. There are really big teams fighting for every spot in Cologne.

ehfCL.com: You face Kielce in the semi-final – an easy opponent or a team you need to be fully aware of?

Victor Tomas: Kielce are anything but an easy opponent.  When you reach the semi-final you have proven that you belong among the best teams in Europe.

Maybe the name of the Kielce club is not that famous in Europe, but the players are. They have a huge experience at club and national team level. They play fast and are very complete as a team, so they are tough in all departments, but we will fight to reach the final and will need to show our best to get there.

ehfCL.com: There will be a big fan party at Cologne and the entertainment factor is huge – how much does it have an effect on you as a player?

Victor Tomas: Entertainment and show are important for the fans, if handball wants to be in focus. Cologne will be a great fun for the spectators, but the handball matches are still the most important things.

ehfCL.com: You are well-known not only for your fast-breaks, but a passionate user of social media. Do you think handball should focus on social media?

Victor Tomas: It is very important to be near to the fans. In that sense, it is always a good way to promote our sport.

ehfCL.com: How fast will you be able to post your first tweet if you win the trophy on Sunday?

Victor Tomas: I don’t know… the most important thing is to win the title, and then obviously, tweet about that.

ehfCL.com: What headline do you want to read about yourself and your team on Monday 3 June in Spanish sport newspapers?

Victor Tomas: This is a tough question. It is not about me, but about the team, something like: “Barcelona win it again!” or if it has to include me: “First Barcelona trophy with Victor Tomas as team captain.”