Equisoain: Kiel are the Strongest Possible Opponent

Portland will face Kiel in the semi-final. The encounter has a history.

In the season 1998/99 the teams met. Portland was a newcomer in the European Cups, but they caused ad surprise and knocked the prestigious German team out.

The situation is very different today. Portland won the Champions League in 2000/01, while Kiel is still going for their first success.

Portland’s coach, Javier Equisoain, was not happy about the draw: “Kiel are the strongest possible opponent. We have to play two great matches to reach the final”.

The first game will be played in the University Pavilion on 24 or 25 March, while the decisive match will be in Germany on 31 March or 1 April.

Compliments for Kiel

“It means some advantage for Kiel. I do not think that we are the favourites. Only the best teams can be in the semi-finals and Kiel are a very good team. It will surely be very difficult to go on,” Equisoain added.

Portland knocked Ciudad Real out in the last round, while Kiel played against Veszprém. The way Kiel won against the Hungarian team – scoring 36 and 39 goals – is telling about the style of Kiel.

Strong German attack

“They score easily and attack very well. Their defence is less effective. It is very difficult to score 39 goals against Veszprém, which is a team with strong defence,” said Equisoain.

Two Portland players, the Spanish international Demetrio Lozano and the Croatian international Davor Dominikovic also played for THW Kiel before Portland.

Apart from the match in the 1998/99 season, the teams met in the European Supercup as well in 2001/02. Back then, Portland won in semi-finals in the Ostseehalle. Vladimir Rivero was the hero of the match decisive and Portland reached the final.