Zvezda President: We cannot demand this season

The 2008 Women´s EHF Champions Trophy takes place in Chekhov, Russia. The hosting team are Zvezda Zvenigorod, the CL title holders. Zvezda President, Sergei Potapov talks to Eurohandball.com about the tournament and about the changes in Zvezda.

Sergey Potapov: We are pleased to welcome the top teams of European handball for this tournament. As it is usually the case in Chekhov, the organisation will be spotless. We are committed to deliver a perfect tournament and I´m sure that there will be no complaint by the teams.

Eurohandball.com: The atmosphere was also splendid on the first day.

Sergey Potapov: Yes, we expect full hall for the final. We have beaten Volgograd, though the players are tired after coming back from the Olympic Games.

Eurohandball.com: What do you expect from the team for next season. It is no secret by now that there are changes in the squad.

Sergey Potapov: Indeed. Kareeva and Romenskaya ended their handball careers. Saidova left the team, maybe she will return one day. And also, Poltoratskaya stopped for a month, she will think it over and than she will make a final decision on her future.

Accordingly, we know that the beginning of the season will be difficult and we expect the team to improve as the season progresses. I hope that we can reach the Main Round in the Champions League, but we cannot demand the team to do well in the CL and in Russia at the same time.

We will see what happens, but most importantly, I hope that we can return on the top next season.