In the last 10th round of Group C of the Champions League Tatran Presov host Spanish vice champions Naturhouse La Rioja. The game is scheduled for Saturday 5 December at 18:30
CET in Tatran Handball Arena in Presov, Slovakia. Spanish team still fight to qualify for the Last 16 in the most prestigious European handball competition. If Spaniards want to qualify for the next phase of the Champions League, they have to win in Presov. Their rivals for the second qualifying place in Group C FC Porto play at home against RK Vojvodina Novi Sad, where victory of Portuguese champions is expected.
Slovakian champions Tatran Presov long for the winning farewell in their last encounter in the Champions League this season. Although Spaniards are the favourites of the match, Tatran will not be under psychic pressure and they want to finish their ride in the most prestigious European competition with top performance and win before their great home fans in Tatran Handball Arena, which is also confirmed by the coach of Tatran Rastislav Trtik: “We expect an amazing sports experiences that we would like to share with the crowded Tatran Handball Arena. The players delivered excellent performances in the last few games except for the last unlucky one goal defeat in Banja Luka. We played not only equal, but also winning games against PPD Zagreb, Chekhovskie Medvedi, FC Porto or Meshkov Brest. Even without several players, who we missed the games because of health problems, and continually changing roster we managed to make up for losses and beat Meshkov Brest and RK Vojvodina away. Despite we will miss left-handed players Peskov, Ivkovic and Cip on Saturday, our aim in the game vs La Rioja is to repeat fighting performance from the last home encounter vs FC Porto in the Champions League, but this time with the winning end. I firmly believe that our fans will help us with that in a spirit of comfortable atmosphere before Christmas, which will be undoubtedly secured by our organizers. We would like to delight our fans with the victory over the top team.”
An experienced left wing and captain of Tatran Presov and Slovakian national team Radoslav Antl will lead the Eastern Slovakian team in encounter vs Spanish vice champions: “We will try to play an excellent game and delight fans who will come in the biggest possible number, I hope. We would like to play the way we would not be disappointed after the match. We want to entertain spectators with fast, attractive and dynamic display and hopefully with the winning result. Our fans deserve that for their persistent support of the team.”
In November games Tatran Presov could mainly rely on brilliant Ukrainian national team goalkeeper Igor Chupryna who starred with his perfect saves and high saving efficiency. The goalkeeper of Tatran awaits a tough fight in the match against La Rioja: “I believe that we will play very well and fight for the entire game. We would like to revenge for the loss from Spain. I expect that our fans will create thrilling atmosphere in the stands and support us.”
The basis of possible success of Tatran Presov in the match vs La Rioja should be a solid defence that will be led by experienced Slovakian national team pivots Michal Kopco and Andrej Petro who hopes that his team make their farewell with the Champions League season with honour: “We would like to prove in this demanding game that we can deliver top performances against strong rivals. It is the most prestigious competition, in which everyone wants to show his best display. We did not succeed this season, but it does not mean that it will not be a top game. It is our last match before home spectators. I believe that fans will enjoy it as well as our team on the court. I would like to invite all the fans to come and support us in the game against La Rioja because we inevitably need them to deliver quality performance. I hope we will together celebrate the victory after the game.”
The left wing of Tatran Presov, Czech international Jakub Hrstka awaits a very tough game against the Spanish team who need to win in Presov in order to qualify for the Last 16: “It will be very exciting and thrilling encounter, in which we would like to keep up with Spanish favourites and surprise them with outstanding defence and fast play. I believe that we will make a winning farewell with our fans in the Champions League.”
The universal back of Tatrana Presov and Slovak national team Lukas Urban only confirms the words of his teammates: “It is our last game and we want to finish our ride in the Champions League with a win over the top team. I expect an excellent and thrilling match in the crowded sports hall because every fan is very important to us. We played a lot of outstanding games vs PPD Zagreb, FC Portom or Meshkov Brest. I await the similar game with happy end for us. Therefore I would like to invite all the fans of Tatran to come and support us to Tatran Handball Arena on Saturday.”
The left back of the Slovakian champions, Slovak national team player Dominik Krok is convinced the game vs La Rioja will not be easy at all: “It will be a fast and dynamic match, since La Rioja and us play fast handball. We want to show our hearts and fighting spirit. We would like to delight our fans with a victory in the last game in the Champions League this season.”
The talented right wing of Eastern Slovakian side Lubos Sarpataky believes in the victory of his team on Saturday. The Slovakian U20 national team player will be prepared to replace three injured left-handed players Peskov, Ivkovic and Cip: “Everyone of us wants to make a winning farewell with the Champions League. We have a home advantage and support of our great fans. Despite the fact that Spaniards are a top quality team, we have the chance to succeed. We will prepare thoroughly for the game. We can expect an exciting quality handball. La Rioja want to qualify for the Last 16 in the Champions League, so they will try to win the match for any price.”
PHOTO: Viktor Zamborsky, Tatran
Prešov