Porto challenge Magdeburg in MOTW of year-ending round
Round 10 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2023/24 group phase this week marks the last time the 16 teams are in action before the competition heads into a 10-week break for the festive period and the Men’s EHF EURO 2024 in January. Among the highlights is the Match of the Week between FC Porto and SC Magdeburg on Thursday.
It's the last match of the year, so these are very important two points. The situation in the table is such that every point will be important. Szeged has a lot of quality in its squad, although the results don't always show it. They have European-class players in every position.
We still have a score to settle with Kolstad and we'd like to settle it on Wednesday. We want to spend the winter at the top of the table, because we want to maintain a good position for the games after the European Championship. Our goal is to qualify directly for the quarter-finals.
After the game in Paris we were a bit disappointed. I think we played 50 very good minutes, but that was not enough. We need a good start to the game and we need to manage to control the game on our own terms. We go for the victory and then it looks really good for us in the group
Zagreb are in a great rhythm. We are here to end that run and I hope for a win. We work hard, we analyse the opponent and I hope and believe in what we do every day and I expect a positive result. We need to correct mistakes we made in Zagreb in the last 20 minutes.
They've got nothing to lose, and they will be extra motivated playing in front of their amazing fans. I'm expecting a tough game, similar to what we've seen in the first half of our encounter in Zagreb. There are no weak teams in the Champions League and we are going there with a lot of respect, but also confident that we've got what it takes to deliver another solid outing and secure new points.
In their national championship, GOG are having difficulties. But they are having good results in Europe. Our aim is to finish ahead of them in this group. This is our last match of the year in the Champions League, at home. If we consider ourselves ambitious, we must beat them. If we win today, we will have taken a big step towards qualification.
The game with Magdeburg is always a special one, as we're up against the three-time world club champions and the current holders of the EHF Champions League! That's why we'll have to stay focused at all times and defend with excellent inter-helping skills!
We are going to Porto and I expect a completely different game than the first one we had at home. Their fans are going to push them even further.
Veszprém is a great team, but we have the advantage of playing at home...We are aware that it will be tough, but anything is possible at home.
We don't underestimate Wisla, especially since they will be playing at home, which is always a big advantage for them. They are a really dangerous opponent, especially because of their defence.
We have to confirm what we did last week. We play at home against a team that, despite doing things well, has not yet scored points in the Champions League. We want to add two points to be able to go into the break with the peace of mind of having done a good job. Celje are a team that usually lose important players every year but maintain their essence. They have nothing to lose, they are brave and that is one of their strengths.
Another big match ahead of us. Playing against Barcelona is a big honour for us. This year it has not gone the way we wanted in the EHF Champions League, but we will try to enjoy every opportunity and show our best handball.
