THE
FIGHT FOR THE FIRST PLACE
Everything is set in Champions League Group B before
the last round this weekend. Slagelse DT and HC Lada Togliatti have qualified
for the 1/4 finals already, while Hungarian side Dunaferr has qualified for the
Cup Winners Cup through their third place in the group.
Nevertheless, Saturday afternoon’s match in
Antvorskovhallen in Slagelse between Slagelse and Togliatti is still extremely
important, as it will decide the first place in the group. The group winner will
meet number two in Group A - a presumably easier opponent than number one - but
that is not the only aspect that makes the game in Slagelse important.
Slagelse thirsting for revenge
There is also a lot of prestige in the match -
especially because Slagelse is thirsting for revenge after their 29:28 defeat
in Togliatti back in January; one out of only two defeats for the ruling
Champions League winners this season.
"I have been looking forward to this match ever
since I walked out of the hall in Togliatti - and the papers on that match have
been lying on top in my briefcase ever since! I am sure we will see a
completely different Slagelse team this time, than we did in Togliatti!"
Slagelse coach Anja Andersen stated, who celebrated her 37 year birthday
Wednesday with a 33:20 home win over GOG Svendborg TGI in the Danish league.
This result means that Slagelse is leading the league with 36 points for 18
matches.
Coaching icons
The Wednesday game was also a meeting between two
of most successful coaches in Danish women’s handball ever: Anja Andersen
on the Slagelse bench and on the GOG bench Jan Pytlick, who stepped down as
national coach after 7 successful years at New Year to take over in GOG.
The match Saturday will also be a meeting between
great coaching icons, as Anja Andersen this time will be facing Russian legend
Trefilov, who is also the man behind the Russian national team, who won the
World Championship back in December.
"We are in a much better shape now, than we were
in January, and we are really looking forward to this match, which we do not
only want to win - but to win big!" Slagelse’s Serbian star Bojana Popovic
proclaimed.
Slagelse will still be without defence specialist Anne
Loft, who is nursing a broken hand.
Text: Peter Bruun