Four teams aim to extend flawless runs
The two surprise leaders of group B, Ikast Håndbold and Krim Mercator Ljubljana, go head-to-head this weekend as the EHF Champions League Women 2023/24 heads into round 4 of the group phase. In group A, SG BBM Bietigheim (against Brest Bretagne Handball) and Györi Audi ETO KC (against WHC Buducnost BEMAX) also try to protect their unbeaten status.
The MOTW on Saturday at 18:00 CEST features two teams that hope to rediscover their great form from last season: FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria and CS Rapid Bucuresti.
I played in France for four seasons and know that Brest are an opponent with a good quality. They have a very strong first line. Our coaches are working on tactics that should work against Brest. On the court, it depends on us players how we can implement these tactics in the game. I believe we will be fine.
I think it will be an exciting match. DVSC Schäffler are new in the EHF Champions League, and they will for sure bring a lot of spirit and energy into the game. But we must focus on us and continue the good shape we are in. We will do everything to get two points; in the EHF Champions League group phase, every point can be important.
Buducnost is a good team with young players. It's always exciting to play against them because they have experienced handball players like Milena Raicevic, who is also the leader of the team. For us, the most important thing is to build on the experience of the last matches and build our own game with precision. There is a good atmosphere in the team, everyone is motivated for this match!
In the first three matches we did not perform as well as the fans expect from us, and we also expect from ourselves. We have to play much better in Saturday's game and get our first points in the Champions League. I think we can do this at home.
The match against FTC is a very important match for us after the match against Ikast. FTC have big experience in the Champions League, they played the last EHF FINAL4. So, we have to prepare very well our game, pay attention to their players, and trust in ourselves.
We have two important training sessions before the game against Team Esbjerg on Saturday. We have to prepare in the right way, and we have to put in the necessary work to be ready for the game. In a sold-out Aquarama we have to get our heads up, and we have to be on our very best against a very tough opponent.
Vipers are the best team in the world right now, winning the Champions League three years running. We have had success against them the last time we met them, but it is going to be difficult. And they have so many great players, who can create things on their own.
Lubin is a very, very important match for Metz Handball at the start of the year, perhaps the most important match for two reasons. Firstly, because it's the one to come, of course, and we need to focus our energy on that. Secondly, because we're coming off a home defeat to Ikast, and we have no desire whatsoever to repeat that performance and come away from the game feeling as awful as we did after Ikast.
