GOG Director: “Ready for the CL”  

CL participant GOG Svendborg TGI said goodbye to eight players since winning the Danish championship on 24 May. Only five new players have joined instead of them, but director Arne Buch still feels that the squad will be good enough for Champions League and the Danish league as well. Eurohandball.com talks to him.

Eurohandball.com: Though Viborg will also play in the CL with a wildcard, Danish handball fans have probably more confidence in your team to make it to the CL Main Round. Is it extra motivation for the players to do well?

Arne Buch: Of course it is, and our most important goal is to go on from the first group stage. That is simply a must for us, and after that anything may happen.

Eurohandball.com: More players left the team than arrived. Is the squad complete now, or can we expect more signings?

Arne Buch: No, the squad is complete now. After announcing our last signing, Magnus Jernemyr, we are sure to have the squad for the CL and domestic season.

Eurohandball.com: You also hired a new coach, Ulf Schefvert, who is in charge of the Swedish women’s national team at the same time. When you appointed him, you knew that you would play in the Champions League as well. How can you make it function?

Arne Buch: Well, we did not know for sure that we would qualify for the Champions League, but we expected it. However, this double role is not to be discussed anymore. The Swedish women have not qualified for the World Championships and Ulf Schefvert will only spend around 20 days a year with the national team. This is not going to cause any trouble in his work. You have to remember that women’s handball is not as popular in Sweden as in Denmark. Of course, we could not have a coach, who is also in charge of the Danish national team and spends 100 days a year with them.

Eurohandball.com: Are you going to play your CL home matches in Gudmehallen, which is rather small, or in Odense?

Arne Buch: We plan to play in Gudme, but if we play against really attractive clubs, such as Flensburg or Barcelona, we will consider moving to the Odense Arena.