Kopco: Sporting's man in the spotlight

Michal Kopco, the 29-year-old Slovakian line player, faces a challenge of a lifetime this weekend. After joining Portuguese club Sporting CP at the start of last season, Kopco finds himself back on familiar territory as his previous club Tatran Presov host the VELUX EHF Champions League qualification tournament.

“Playing in Presov will always feel special,” says Kopco, who was born in nearby Kosice. “I spent three years with the club and will have all my family and friends in the hall.”

Kopco won the Portuguese championship with Sporting in 2017 and after his first season in Lisbon, he has only words of praise for the club.

“Everything from the level of organisation to players and staff is absolutely top notch. We have a very balanced squad,” he says.

Detailed studies

When asked about preparations for the tournament, Kopco says every detail has been covered.

“We worked a lot with the ball, had a very fruitful pre-season,” he explains. “Each player has video files with the opponents analysed player by player. We don't want to be caught by surprise.

“The tournament in Presov will mark the peak of our enthusiasm and work we have shown over the past year, since I joined the club. We want to bring the Champions League to our newly-built arena.”

Kopco is known for his physical game, which is ideal for defensive situations - and it is the defence that seems to be the biggest asset for Hugo Canela's men.

“We won the league with our strong defence. We have a strong goalkeeping duo in Matej Asanin and Aljosa Cudic. Matej is more than two metres tall. He covers the goal really well,” adds Kopco.

Different styles meet

Finnish club Cocks will step up against Sporting in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday 2nd September.

“We expect very physical handball,” reveals Kopco. “We have been preparing for it in the pre-season. Every team will play with a different style.

“Presov are a strong counter-attacking team, Alpla HC Hard have their quality as well, Janko Bozovic knows about them. It is a group from which we have a chance to progress, if we show our best handball,” he adds.

The Slovakian international does not want to talk too much about the possible final with Presov. However he admits it would be extra motivation for him. Kopco was in the Presov side that lost to Portuguese club Porto in both group stage matches of the 2015/16 edition of the Champions League.

“Do not underestimate Portuguese handball. There are four or five big strong clubs in the league and the support of the fans is amazing,” says Kopco. “It can be easily compared to Germany, the level of support we had in matches against Benfica for example.”